Monday, January 25, 2010

slide shows

As it turns out, Flickr isn't all that friendly if you're trying to make a huge slide show. The site only allows 200 photos to be visible if you have only the free account; to be able to see more photos, you have to pay for the upgrade to a "professional" account, at which point you have nearly unlimited storage capacity. This is no different from what Photobucket does, and since I already have Photobucket as my image upload service, I see no reason to start paying for an expanded Flickr service.

So instead of using Flickr, I'm using Photobucket as the base for all my slides. What follows is pretty much the same slide show that was running during the memorial reception. A few major differences, though:

1. It appears that I'm unable to control the time intervals at which the slides change.


2. This presentation contains a few extra pictures, but not a significant number. I'd guess that there are probably fewer than ten extra shots here.

3. The slides cannot be larger than 640 x 480 pixels.

4. As a result, all the slides you see have been drastically reduced in size.

5. Each Photobucket slide show has a limit of 100 slides, which means I've had to break up the "2000s" chapter into smaller sections. The final chapter, which covers Mom's cancer, originally had 103 slides in it. To meet the slide limit requirement, I simply subtracted 3 slides instead of creating yet another slide show.

6. The slide shows all appear below, and they will all run at the same time.

Without further ado, then--

Mom in the 1960s and 1970s:













Mom in the 1980s:













Mom in the 1990s:













Mom in the 2000s, before her cancer (3 slide shows due to the number of slides):





































And finally, Mom during the cancer period (4/16/09 - 1/6/10):














All that remains for this blog is the epilogue-- my coda after writing for nine months about life at the end of Mom's life. I can't say when I'll write it. Maybe tomorrow, maybe six months from now, maybe 5 years from now. Whether the epilogue will be long or short, sentimental or humorous, prose or poetry-- I have no idea. So check back every now and again. You've come this far.

In the meantime, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your readership.


_

5 comments:

J. said...

So beautiful, K. So much happiness, so much love, so much determination. She obviously loved well, and was well loved. You did a gorgeous job, and I kinda like you in the 1970s bowl cut. Heh.

chuck said...

Kevin, you have done an amazing job, your mother would be proud. Thanks for taking the time to do this it makes me feel like I got to know her thru the pics. It is beautiful. Thanks again, Chuck

Anonymous said...

You are far more eloquent than I could ever hope to be. You have provided us (all your readers) with an insight into your life (and love) that once read will never be forgotten. Take care, and I hope that the next steps of your journey are as fulfilling as the life you have led so far.

-JMac

John said...

Kevin--as others have said, very nicely done. Such a moving tribute to a life well lived.

Now, if I may be so bold to ask, what's next? You are far to talented a writer to not have some creative outlet to express and share your unique worldview.

Fully understand your desire to let Kevin's Walk become a memorial to your mother. Take the time you need to adjust to this new reality, but don't lose yourself in the process.

Man, I bet you are one of those people who hate unsolicited advice from virtual strangers. For that I apologize, but I stand by the advice regardless.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Unknown said...

A wonderful and loving tribute, Kevin. Again, thank you for sharing with us and allowing us to be a part of your and your family's lives over the last year. I also hope that you chose to continue with the blogging, if and when you're ready.

Frank