Defining memoriabilia

'defining' in this case is an adjective, not a verbal gerund. If that didn't make sense, one would hope it will become clear from context. (If any of you are literature freaks, you will also see that the first meaning, a verbal gerund, is also applicable if you choose to do some creative explication, although I assure you I did not intend it as such).




So, I was pondering my life as it has transpired thus far, as I am wont to do, and decided that... at least as far as intrinsically meaningless bits of memoriabilia that nonetheless MEAN something because they encapsulate eons of work that could otherwise not be summed into a single thing... I have, from high school, three such things: my 16th place california state speech and debate medal in lincoln douglas debate, my 3rd place medal for the overall league speaker award (in which I lost 2nd place to Tim by 1 point, bastard), and my high school yearbook, which I spent hours putting together with all the Makio kids, and which have the words and signatures of so many dearest friends, some still present some long gone, and pictures and pictures and pictures.

In college, I guess I have this University Medal Finalist thing, the certificate and the article. And... I figure that's a good one, because I felt I deserved it because of the sum of my efforts and work and even the little things that weren't explicitly manifest to the selection committee but which combine to create character and a better self.

I suppose that's a good one.

I can't wait till the next step.