A while ago, my friend Ricky, made a very interesting post about his coin and dictionary collections. In it he asked whether other people had collections, so here is one of mine: The postcard diaries.

On many occasions I've tried writing a diary. On many occasions I've failed. It seems to me that there is a fundamental problem at the very heart of writing a diary: If there's enough going on in your life to make a diary interesting, you won't have time to write it; if you find it's easy to spare the time, then there might not be any exciting stories. The postcard diaries are a way around this problem. For several years now if I've gone anywhere interesting I buy myself a postcard and in the back I jot a few notes. And that's it. Simple.

Above are a few of my favourite cards - at least favourite as far as the image on the front goes - I can't possibly talk about backsides here. The pictures here are not really a fair representation of the places I've been. Jarvo's law of inverse postcard interest clearly states that, "The nicer the place - the poorer the quality of the cards", so there are some very nice places missing in this montage, because the locals were too busy sunning themselves on beautiful beaches to produce a nice quality print.

For any insomniacs who have yet succumbed to the irresistable force of the back-button, here's a little guessing game. Which one of these cards do you think is:
- of the town I work in?
- of the place Lin and I had our honeymoon (though the card was bought many years later)?
- is from the best day of my life (outside the obligatory marriage/birth responses)?
- is of a building I regularly work in?
- features one of my own images?

i really like this, very nice set of images : AKphotospassion · 2010-10-01: 15:17

Ok... #5 #38 #52 #44 ????? · 2010-10-01: 15:43

OMG very nice postcard collection :) I decided to start another collection. empty coffee sugar pockets! lol hahaha so - of the town I work in? 20# - of the place Lin and I had our honeymoon (though the card was bought many years later)? 18# - is from the best day of my life (outside the obligatory marriage/birth responses)? 44# loool just kidding - 48# or 2# - is of a building I regularly work in? 22# or 47# - features one of my own images? 38# :))) onlyricky · 2010-10-01: 16:28

Great idea, both the postcard diaries and the collage. 32,16,33,22,1 :-))) Wasichseh · 2010-10-01: 16:51

That's a fantastic idea. You've got me thinking about my various collections now :-) girafferacing · 2010-10-01: 17:02

very nice postcard collection ! Davorka · 2010-10-01: 18:15

A very interesting collection! HoosierAtHeART · 2010-10-01: 18:19

This is not easy, Jon, but I give it my best shot: town you work in: no idea, but suspect #20 Honeymoon: I am taking you for a romantic, so #16, Best day of your life, maybe the jackpot in #5, The building you work in: no idea what you do, so I am just going to guess from the ones that show a building...#46 looks like this could be in England... And finally one of your images, i.e. something you made: that is the hardest, and I have several options, hopefully one is a hit: #31, 14, 36,and 47 are all suspect to me... let me know my score... atszabo · 2010-10-01: 18:49

Wow. Great idea and super collection. The only oblivious one is your image in #13! Haha RayNvb · 2010-10-01: 19:02

What a GREAT idea!!! I have no ideas worth mentioning on your quiz so I'll just say the #35 is one of my favorite cards! DancingDolphin · 2010-10-01: 19:07

Ton post est MAGNIFIQUE j'aime bien Jarvo!!!:)) nadoune · 2010-10-01: 20:57

I have a migraine from your last post so I can't do the quiz now..great collection and idea :-) NellyBly · 2010-10-01: 21:22

- of the town I work in? #20 - is from the best day of my life (outside the obligatory marriage/birth responses)? #33 - features one of my own images? The same as Ray's reply.. LOL Just kidding. huiching · 2010-10-01: 21:54

I haven't a clue, but this is a fantastic image of your postcards - all the memories of your life in this one shot! Very cool idea, Jon. You need a wall-sized poster of this photo! djnana · 2010-10-01: 22:39

What a brilliant idea! I must start one :-) jet28 · 2010-10-02: 06:12

Great idea. I hope it catches on. I suspect the great moment of your life is witnessed in Nos. 9 & 33. I'm indulging in the fantasy of what's written on the back of No. 44: "Weather goes from bloody freezing to absolutely boiling. Gravity one-sixth normal & landscape dreary, but the nightlife is incredible! Wish you were here. Love, Neil." revenant · 2010-10-02: 08:27

And overheard outside the scene in No. 50: "More to the left, Lee" "Yes, Mr Hoover" I think you work in No. 22 I think you had your honeymoon in No. 12 or 21 (Lin had hers in No. 18) Nos. 20 and 46 show the same town, which is where you work, I believe. Your own art work? Nos. 35 and 38, but I wonder whether you took the picture in 23.. revenant · 2010-10-02: 08:35

this is WoNDeRfUL, wow!! urmysunshine · 2010-10-02: 10:28

I did the same thing for years (have recently stopped) the town you work in - #20 honeymoon- #16 or 18 best day of your life- #33 building you work in- #22 one of your own- #13 or #38 jennye · 2010-10-02: 15:06

Ok, you work in #20 altough Ted's option is quite good too. That baobab in #40 is a good place for a honeymoon #33 could be one of the best days in your life #22 for 4th question... And is #13 a selfportrait? ????? · 2010-10-03: 08:05

12 5 44 4 Fantastic idea!!!Love this! Eiram · 2010-10-03: 14:35

Oh I forgot...where you work...16? Eiram · 2010-10-03: 14:38

What a great collection and wonderful collage. No guesses for me though... too brain dead.:) thebronzebow · 2010-10-03: 18:32

Tagged: post card postcard diaries