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It’s NaVloPoMo ([Inter]National Vlog Posting Month), and this year, thanks to Rupert, a month-long video-chain has been created in lieu of the traditional post-a-video-a-day-all-month insanity. This year, vloggers were asked to sign up for a particular day during November and, based on the video that came before theirs, make and post something for that day. I chose American Thanksgiving, 26 days into the vlogging festivities.

After viewing Trine’s NaVloPoMo video, I started thinking about the rituals we perform to mark moments in time. This Thanksgiving, I didn’t get to see my extended family, and, to my surprise, I found myself particularly missing those traditions that happen year after year. So I decided to document a few little rituals that took place on my holiday: baking, opening the window to the unusually empty street, a long day watching TV specials (this year, a “Band of Brothers” marathon that I only occasionally partook in).

I’ve also been thinking quite a bit about loops lately, and of course the very notion of rituals or traditions implies a loop or cycle, a way of passing on heritage from one generation to the next. These little documents then became loops in the form of animated GIFs - a departure from conventional vlogging, I know, but it seemed the most appropriate form for these little moments to take.

It’s an idea I’d like to explore more - animated GIF as documentary.

Next up: Brook Hinton!