I think of weird things often. Today I am thinking about the unknown people in family vacation photos.

To prove my point, I pulled out the Sam and Libby shoebox that holds our vacation pictures from throughout the years. I randomly picked three pictures. And all three pictures have strangers in them.

Exhibit A

 Exhibit A: This photo was taken in 1992 in St. Petersburg, Florida. I am the fat kid sucking down the Diet Coke in my dad’s t-shirt. I have fly-backs. My sister is the one with the long hair. But notice the chick covering her face with a towel, and sporting a flowery two piece. And who’s the guy adjusting his Speedo? Who are these people?

Exhibit B

Exhibit B: This photo was taken in 2005 in Coco Cay, Bahamas. Who’s the fat lady with the popsicle? Who is the old dude with a towel? Who are these people?

Exhibit C

Exhibit C: This picture was taken on a cruise ship in 2005. There isn’t even any family IN this picture. Who is this chef guy? And what is he cutting?

This just seems strange to me. Have these people any idea that they live inside my Sam and Libby shoebox? Are these people even still alive? How many pictures across this nation am I standing in the background, looking like a complete tool? Oh, gasp! Maybe even standing around in my bathing suit, with a sand covered roll hanging out! Has some crazed psycho got a picture of me in their Sam and Libby shoebox, next to a ferret head?

I want to write a book about the random people in the background of photos. I haven’t gotten it all together yet, but I think it could be a fascinating story. Something along the lines of every stranger in every picture you’ve ever taken, somehow playing a part in your life. My creative juices are flowing. This could turn out really creepy. And really good.

Pull out some old photos right now. Do you see any weird-os?

Florida Photos Random Vacation