A few times a year I add the photos from my camera and phone to my archive. That archive started small: maybe 30 or 40 photos per year. But taking photos has become so easy, and sharing or receiving photos so normal, that I now have years with more than 10,000 photos. Far too many, of course. Sometimes I even feel like a kind of digital hoarder: someone who fills their house with everything they can get their hands on, but digitally. Every little screenshot, every failed photo, every duplicate shot ends up somewhere in a folder. It piles up without me noticing, to the point where the archive feels more like a digital storage unit than a collection of memories. By deliberately pruning, I make the archive usable again, a collection I can browse without feeling overwhelmed, where the photos that remain actually say something about that year and about my/our life. That, to me, is the essence of selecting an archive.

That’s why I introduced a clear rule: about 100 photos per year. And for big events, a maximum of 100 photos per event. The focus is on photos with family and friends, supplemented with a few landscapes or nature shots that truly add something. It’s the same logic as my paper albums. I do look at those from time to time, precisely because they only contain the photos that matter.

100 photos per year, 26 years, plus a few major events. Still a substantial collection, but finally one I can view, cherish, and maintain. An archive that works as an archive again, and not as a digital basement full of forgotten files. A way to preserve memories without drowning in the sheer amount.

Her enclosure is about three times larger than the one she had in the pet store, where she lived with seven siblings. We built the entire setup ourselves, except for the running wheel. It consists of a large plastic bin, a food dish, and a water supply. There are a few tree trunks where she can hide, a wooden house with a slanted roof, and half a coconut with a convenient entrance. The floor is covered with a generous layer of paper for digging, along with a container of dried grass. She also has quite a few toilet paper roll puzzles, where we occasionally hide some food.

Not only is Pel an incredibly sweet housemate, but she is also very photogenic. So, we held a little photo session at home.

Subject: Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC)
Port: Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, El Muelle Deportivo
Coordinates: 28.126773, -15.427434
Date: End of November

The ARC Ships set sail in Las Palmas and cross the Atlantic ocean on their way to the Caribbean and it all starts right at our doorstep. A big event which comprises lots of small and personal events. I was immediately intrigued by the messages left by sailors on the verge of altering their mind, and embracing a drastic change for their futures. Small pieces of art left on the rocks of the harbor of Las Palmas, which directly invite you to wonder. Some came prepared and left their mark with precision and an eye for detail. Some left their rushed markings in the spur of the moment.

Even when we cannot possibly know what became of all those adventurers, we can be sure that minds were opened. People grew, and valuable lessons were learned.

I enjoy taking photos, but unfortunately, I don’t have much time for it. Still, I managed to capture quite a few shots in the nearby marina. It has become a tradition for the boats participating in the ARC to leave a message behind. These messages are painted on the rocks of the marina. Some disappear quickly due to a combination of salt, wind, and water. It’s a real shame because they are not just simple drawings or names. They mark a moment in someone’s personal history, someone on the verge of a life-changing adventure. A journey of weeks that may coincide with a significant shift in lifestyle. I can only admire that.

I wanted to improve the picture because I had noticed that the little Bert in the picture has a huge resemblance to own very own little Alan. Still, for a good comparison we need a good picture.

Before:	After:

Alex from two to three years
This post used to have the online version of the photo album, but is is no longer available… sorry.