Photogenic Memory

Randall Lobb  /  Memoir

Photogenic
Memory

Growing Up Gen X

Some people say their childhood is a blur, but I’m not that lucky. Mine isn’t blurry enough.

These stories are part of the ongoing, uncensored memoir of a certified G1 Gen-X prototype, born in 1965 and aging faster every day, served straight up, from my twisted brain to yours.

Join Childhood Me for every cringe decision, accidental insight and throat-tightening moment of hilarious shame that makes you say, “Tell me you didn’t actually do that” even though, yeah, I sure did.

If your own nostalgia’s tired, take a trip through mine as we unpack the 60s, 70s and 80s, living it all over again in happy-sad stories from a kid who saw too much and remembers it all.

My pain, your gain!

Randall Lobb as a baby with his mother, March 1966

Not yet one and already worried.

  1. Prologue  ·  Present DayBy Way of Introduction…
  2. 01In which the author answers the questions,“What is this? Who wrote this? Why?”
  3. 02In which the authorapologizes to possible readers
  4. 03In which the authorgeneralizes Generation X
  5. Part One  ·  1969The Foundation. Age three to four.
  6. 04In which the author throws up from existential fearand becomes self-aware while watching The Beverly Hillbillies
  7. 05In which the author finds love and loses it immediatelySchool teaches hard lessons, sometimes before you even get there.
  8. 06In which the author learns the difference between good and eviland makes deadly poison
  9. Part Two  ·  1970–1972A New World. Kindergarten through Grade Two.
  10. 07In which the author experiences both ends of the yardstickand a full range of Kindergarten feelings
  11. 08In which the author believes the hypeand embarks on a poorly-thought-out quest for greatness
  12. 09In which the author makes and breaks a bondand finds a new kind of rejection
  13. 10In which the author learns about deathand has too many feelings
  14. Part Three  ·  1973–1975Boy Wonders. Grade Three through Grade Five.
  15. 11In which the author is afraid of Santa Clausand grapples with holiday secrets
  16. 12In which the author is half-way throughand suddenly sees the Big Picture
  17. 13In which the author fears his peersand wishes he had the mumps
  18. 14In which the author finds Godand He is Us
  19. 15In which the author meets a pack of bulliesand learns a new bad word
  20. 16In which the author considers pubertyand tries not to stare at real live boobs
  21. 17In which the author is not ready to be a Manin spite of all that hair…
  22. 18In which the author suffers ego deathand discovers a terrible new smell
  23. 19In which the author opens the wrong door at the wrong timeand finds himself on a new path to success
  24. Intermission  ·  Present DayTrigger Warning?
  25. 20Intermission: In which the author breaks continuity for a momentto mark an ending and a new beginning
  26. Part Four  ·  1976–1977Pubescence Unbound. Grade Six through Grade Eight.
  27. 21In which the author plans a Robot Summerbut embarks on a surprise road trip
  28. 22In which the author is finally in Grade Sixand finally sees himself
  29. 23In which the author loves musicand hates music
  30. 24In which the author can’t take the bullying any longerunless it’s aimed at him
  31. 25In which the author is told to read quietly at his deskand learns he is fat in Metric
  32. 26In which the author goes shoppingand can only have the wrong pants
  33. 27In which the author meets a New Kidlearns about spy radios, the Communists and will not drink pickle juice
  34. 28In which the author doesn’t get anybody pregnantbecause he’s a chicken
  35. 29In which the author is vagueand has a condition at the pool party
  36. 30In which the author goes for Goldbut starts in Olive and this will not stand!
  37. 31In which the author meets God……and realizes he is alone in the universe
  38. 32In which the author arrives in Grade Eight……without fanfare
  39. Part Five  ·  1977–1978Congraduations. Finally Grade Eight.
  40. 33In which the authorChapter 33Coming soon
  41. 34In which the authorChapter 34Coming soon
  42. 35In which the authorChapter 35Coming soon
  43. 36In which the authorChapter 36Coming soon
  44. 37In which the authorChapter 37Coming soon