» Feel the Burn

Jan 28 2007

Feel the Burn

Published by itchick at 8:47 pm under Family, Tech Stuff

Just when you thought the geek household couldn’t get any geekier—well, it does! As I closed in on the end of my work-related projects this weekend, Catholic Hubs started working on a project of his own: converting 8mm video tapes to DVD. But these aren’t just any old videos that he’s converting. Oh no. We’re talking family videos of the Catholic Kids recorded over the course of their lifetimes. And the best part? Previewing the videos during the conversion process! The fun just never ends, does it?

Peeking in on some of the video clips has been an eye opener for all, so I thought I’d post a few bloggable snippets:

Yes, that is one of the same sweatshirts Catholic Hubs still wears today, almost 10 years later. The man knows vintage.
Sibling rivalry started early. CS insisted on walking like his sister when he was only 13 weeks old. (Crawling was way overrated.)
CG knew how to ham it up in front of the camera with little or no shame, like the way she danced around in her diaper wearing a bucket on her head (or bowl, whatever worked at the time) and Fisher Price toy rings around her ankles, all while checking her reflection in the oven door.
That big playground rumor about “being born in the toilet” was completely dispelled after the kids caught a glimpse of CM in the stirrups giving birth. No toilet in sight there, kiddos!
CS had the most “touchable” round, peach fuzzy head. (Blame it on an easy labor and thank your sister for that, CS.)
Our old backyard “looked so dinky” compared to the one we have now. Makes you want to go outside and play, doesn’t it?
Yes, I did weigh less in those videos and would like to kiss CD for saying that I looked “almost too skinny”. *ehem* Do you know how many times I wanted to EAT but couldn’t because 2 small children would come after me at the sound of a crinkling wrapper or smell of anything venting from the microwave? I. Was. Starving.
Yes, CD and I were wearing matching shorts in one of those videos, but not on purpose. Coordinating our wardrobes wasn’t at the top of our “to do” list back in those bleary-eyed days. Not even an option.
That actually was you nodding off at the table at dinner time, CG. And we were laughing with you, not at you. Really!
And finally, yes, Catholic Hubs and I were, and still are, completely obsessive-compulsive when it comes to recording memories in electronic format. The kids will love us for it later, like when they bring home prom dates.

7 Responses to “Feel the Burn”

# Natalieon 29 Jan 2007 at 4:04 am

This is all too funny. The one I could relate to the most? The one about being absolutely starving. Oh, how I know about trying to eat and having three little vultures descend upon me and wanting bites… their own plates/bowls… “Can I have some, too” despite the fact that they just ate.
I’ve had to come up with creative ways to stash stuff or I will go to eat it, thinking it’s there, and *poof* it’s gone!
Buggers. lol
I just found an old family reunion VHS tape from something like 1991. My grandmother was still alive and she’d invited (and paid for) everyone to go out to California for Christmas. She, my very, very CATHOLIC GRANDMA, even paid for my partner to come out with me. AND… my parents had been divorced for like, I don’t know, something like 20 years and she even called my mom (my dad is her son) and invited and paid for her! It was a trip. A total hoot. Totally Family Freaky.
I wish I had it on a DVD ’cause the VHS isn’t going to last.
I think it’s great that you guys are putting your treasure on DVD. I bet the kids really get a huge kick out of it.
# Pamon 29 Jan 2007 at 2:47 pm

I can relate to the “sound of a crinkling wrapper” bringing the kids running. But my kids come running on four legs. I can’t resist those beautiful brown eyes. . . which is why Luci has a weight problem! The kids will love the DVDs when they are older. And it will be great to embarass them when they start dating.
# itchickon 29 Jan 2007 at 6:51 pm

@Natalie: Vultures! Exactly right. I got so tired of the “Me? Want some! More?” that I gave in, hence weight management. To pooped to argue about it. And hey, what a sweet very very Catholic Grandma. You MUST convert that tape to DVD. MUST. Heck, make copies and send them out as Christmas gifts this year–seriously. Grandma will smile down on you from Heaven.

@Pam: Crinkling paper is like some kid/pet homing device. I still can’t believe how fast they come running at the sound of it. Isn’t that some sort of Pavlovian thing? (Oh yeah, I think I studied that in Psych 101.) And yes, we’re stocking up on good material… it won’t be long!
# deannieon 31 Jan 2007 at 7:03 pm

I love the vintage clothing comment. A true engineer will never give up clothing that is still doing the job suitably (oh YES, pun intended)
# Protoon 31 Jan 2007 at 8:14 pm

I looking at DVD writers now and about to start a similiar project. Glad you are having fun with yours!
# Sherryon 31 Jan 2007 at 9:04 pm

Your kids will both love and hate you for this. The hate will come with the prom date, and once they are grown with their own children it will be great for them to look back. This is from personal experience. My aunt did this oh, 25 years ago or so, with my then boyfriend and the slide projector.
# Jungle Mamaon 01 Feb 2007 at 12:43 pm

I love this entry! My hubby has been busy getting all of our memories onto the new external hard drives he bought just with this purpose in mind. I’m thinking wedding videos myself, but I’m sure some are more suited to scare off the prom date And as for that crinkling of paper thing, they can hear it from three stories away!! They come at me like a herd of elephants!