Red Box of Memories / archive / creative journal

September 3, 2006

Red Box of Memories

imagined by: James Mathias

I thought I’d share some photos from my past, in light of all the past illustration sharing I’ve been doing, I thought some folks might be interested in seeing me when I was a young lad. So please enjoy, in an innocent way.

This is me circa 1981, I was 8 years old. Not much more to say, aside from is that mustard?

This is me on the first day of second grade, These are my neighbors and they were starting the first grade or kindergarten or a combination, thus the large height difference—my mum can correct me if that’s wrong, but I’m pretty sure.

Take note of the sweet VW van, this means the picture was taken in front of the twins’—Sky (Disney pail) and Serena (Welcome Back Kotter pail)—house. The other two are Billy and Wava they are brother and sister, although not twins. But you have to have much love for the Dark Crystal pail Billy is sporting.

This would be moi again, this time it’s 1979 and my puppy Bo has just been discovered wearing a glass fish bowl on his head. My mom—whose shadow can be seen in the picture—thought that this was funny and important enough to document that I did not even have time to clothe myself before going out front to take this completely off-center pic.

Sad note, Bo was hit and killed by a car only a few weeks later, my mom witnessed the event whilst watering plants with a sauce pot of water, which came flying through the air hitting me in the head. Sadder still I can’t remember if I cried.

This picture was taken in July of 1983 at my Gram’s house, that would be my Mom’s Grandmother. The whole family was together playing cards I believe, That is my paternal cousin Mike. I was just 10 years old. On another note, I never did get an answer for the question on my shirt.

I hope you enjoyed our little stroll down memory lane, but now I fear I must bid you adieu and wish good tidings to you and yours.

Red Box of Memories
09.3.06 at 3:11pmthrown down:
James Mathiasimagined by:
Tripping the Life Fantasticstored in:
485 peeps, 28 of whom commentedenjoyed by:

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your comments

Sep. 03, 2006 (3:39pm) [#1]

Gary

Wow I these were fun. I especially like the first one cause you have some mysterious, (and what looks like) crusted on liquid or plasma plastered onto your neck.

Sep. 03, 2006 (3:47pm) [#2]

James Mathias

I thought it was mustard, but Amy, who has massive experience in all things photgraphic, says it’s photo decay and that I shouldn’t try to scratch it off with my fingernail or it’ll get worse.

I’m glad you enjoyed the trip Gary!

Sep. 03, 2006 (4:07pm) [#3]

Gary

Hmm photo decay makes sense as after a second look it looks as if its on the photo and not IN the photo. Smart gal you have.

Sep. 03, 2006 (4:24pm) [#4]

James Mathias

Yeah, she is much smarter then she let’s on.

Sep. 03, 2006 (8:49pm) [#5]

Amy Mathias

That was some of the most fracking hilarious commentary!I laughed so hard it made me cry and my back ache! smile

Sep. 03, 2006 (9:21pm) [#6]

Sarah Allison

Ohh…flash back! For some reason…I remember all these photos…wonder why…hmm.

It’s funny how you and Maggi both have your baby/childhood pictures and I don’t….Mom keep’s saying they’re in a box somewhere…

You should post that picture of the three of us on the rock…I like that one!

Sep. 04, 2006 (10:14am) [#7]

Roger

Nice pics, James.

Sep. 04, 2006 (12:17pm) [#8]

James Mathias

Amy, seriously, I’ve never seen you laugh so hard…

Sarah, I have no idea why mum loved us more. I don’t know the pic you’re referring to.

Thanks Roger.

Sep. 04, 2006 (12:27pm) [#9]

Amy Mathias

JAMES! Your mom doesn’t love you more than Sarah! Don’t say that! Shame shame!

Sep. 04, 2006 (1:44pm) [#10]

Gary

Haha James I hope your kidding on that last comment. Seems a bit harsh wink :P

Sep. 04, 2006 (2:24pm) [#11]

James Mathias

Of course I am. It’s an ongoing joke between siblings, ever seen the Smothers Brothers?

Sep. 04, 2006 (6:07pm) [#12]

Sarah Allison

You’re a meany James! Mom may love you more but Amy loves me more! (right Amy?) smile

Hmm…don’t remember the picture? Kind of like when you tell me my memories are wrong?

Sep. 04, 2006 (10:25pm) [#13]

viperteq

Nice. I wish i could show mine, but I look absolutely GOOFY! LOL!!!

BTW, the design that you did for Web Worker Daily is off the meter! Good job!

Sep. 04, 2006 (11:16pm) [#14]

James Mathias

viperteq, thanks, but I believe I’m about as goofy as they come, so yours can’t possibly be too bad.

Thanks for the compliment on WWD, but uh, how did you know I designed it?

Sep. 05, 2006 (8:19pm) [#15]

David Myers

Haha, good pictures James! smile

I must say, the comments were even more enjoyable!

Sep. 05, 2006 (8:28pm) [#16]

James Mathias

Thanks David, I’m glad everyone has enjoyed these pics.

Sep. 06, 2006 (9:17am) [#17]

rich

I love the lunchbox picture. I remember how important the right lunchbox was. Nice jean vest, too.Dark Crystal!! I never had a Dark Crystal lunchbox.

Sep. 06, 2006 (12:20pm) [#18]

James Mathias

YES! Jean vests were important.

Funny side story about the Hulk pail I’ve got. At the bus stop I would throw it into the air and let it hit the ground to prove to the other kids that the incredible hulk was indestructible.

Needless to say my lunch pail got very badly dented very quickly.

Sep. 09, 2006 (7:28pm) [#19]

mom

OK…so you know I will have to comment on these..first of all I will say that all my kids are my favorites (amy I know you hate it when I say that…but it is true) each for different reasons…now that I am a tad older I find myself telling more and more stories about what they were like as kids…James was a comedian from the get-go…we lived in a house in Sonoma that had a huge picture window in the dining room and when I would get mad at him for doing something he would run around the table so that the neighbors could view the spectacle (with me trying unsuccessfully to catch him) all the while doing an impeccable Pee Wee Herman “All I wanted was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!”…well he learned quickly that if he could make me laugh then the chances of him being punished were greatly diminished! It is extremely difficult to discipline a child when you are laughing. Now regarding Sarah’s childhood pictures..there are some..not as many as there are of James and Maggi…but that’s because James’ Aunt Rob (my sister) was the family photographer and she did not live near us when Sarah was a baby…so unfortunately most of Sarah’s pictures are ones that I took..and I am not much of a photographer (see picture of James and puppy).

Sep. 10, 2006 (12:36pm) [#20]

James Mathias

To be fair, any and all “ribbing” I give my sister Sarah is in good fun and I’m sure that she understands that and knows that I love and respect her in ways I’m not capable of verbalizing. She’s grown into a good woman, and I’m very proud of her. I give her a hard time about our childhood and her memories of because I care about and love her. If I didn’t I wouldn’t even talk to her.

Secondly, comedian? I would say I’ve always had a talent for making others laugh, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself a comedian. I love and respect comedy in ways I’m not capable of verbalizing.

Anywho…

Thank you Mom, for revealing my outdated and less popular impressions.

Sep. 10, 2006 (1:10pm) [#21]

Amy Mathias

@ Mik, let’s be fair, I don’t want you to pick a favorite of your kids. I only cringe when you say “Amy, your my favorite daughter-in-law” I’m your only one!! smile I have 3 kids myself and I don’t have a favorite either. (maybe the baby because she/he doesn’t make any noise yet smile That’s all I’m saying! I love you and your special because you’re my only mommy in law!! smile

Sep. 10, 2006 (4:56pm) [#22]

Roger

James has a mother?!?

Lmao.

No offence, Ms Mathias. Pleasure to meet the lady who raised such fine children.

Sep. 10, 2006 (6:18pm) [#23]

James Mathias

Would be Mrs. Bright. My Mom and Dad divorced about 10 years ago. Both since remarried, although my dad, I believe is no longer with his second wife, as far as I know.

Sep. 10, 2006 (9:43pm) [#24]

Roger

My apologies.

Sep. 10, 2006 (10:38pm) [#25]

James Mathias

No worries, you didn’t know. smile

Feb. 21, 2007 (11:30pm) [#26]

Your Favorite Aunt

Boy, you people really know how to spar. As for you James, for someone who is not capable of verbalizing, you certainly do a pretty good job. As for comments about the lack of pictures of Sarah, yes, your mom is right, I wasn’t around much then. On the other hand, I actually lived with your mom and dad when you were little for a while and took 5,399 pictures of you one morning just as you were waking up in your crib, so yes, there are more of you than the rest. To be fair, I also took less pictures of Jess than Jen, I actually re-did Jen’s first year photo album when Jessy was little because it had so many pictures I didn’t want Jessy to feel bad. As far as favorites, I have been telling Jen she is my favorite Jenny and Jess she is my favorite Jessy their whole lives. And I’ll tell you, you are my favorite James (and I know 2), Amy is my favorite Amy, Maggi my favorite Maggi, Sarah my favorite Sarah……you get the idea. Okay, to long. Love ya.

Feb. 21, 2007 (11:44pm) [#27]

James Mathias

I have no idea, what you mean, verbalizing is a weakness. I like to think everything out first, which usually ends in me not saying anything at all.

Feb. 21, 2007 (11:46pm) [#28]

Amy Mathias

You’re my favorite Aunt Rob!!! smile We would like to hear from you more too!!!

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