Thursday, February 24, 2011

To Kindle, or not to Kindle...

The first time someone mentioned to me they got a Kindle for Christmas I had no idea what it was. I had heard of e-book readers and of course audio books but this Kindle thing was new. Through some of my deductions and reading an article or two I realized that these things were flying off the shelves. Obviously they had found a market: my only question was why?

Was I the last person on earth who enjoyed the smell of a book? Did no one else feel that sweet sense of contentment from the sound of a flipping page? Is it weird that I enjoy having to buy more bookcases because Ive filled the rest?
Was it old fashioned to feel overjoyed at searching a secondhand bookstore for hours and finding the most amazing book ever?

Obviously there are still people out there who enjoy "real books" like myself, but what happened to our old cohorts? The ones who decided Kindle was the better choice? I have heard arguments for kindle such as "But I can carry so many books with me at once." Well yes, ok, you can...but how many books does one read at the Dr's office. I mean I'm a speed reader but even if I'm at the end of my current book and at risk of finishing that while I'm out, I have a purse that in the worst of cases will fit two books. Yes I do realize people go on trips but unless you plan on reading books like War and Peace you should have room to pack several. And depending on where you go you might consider sightseeing as an option.

Ok so the kindle has internet capabilities. So does my phone and my laptop. I think I'm covered.

It has games. which I also have on my laptop and my cell phone.

Now I realize that some people love the Kindle, and power to them. I don't make their choices nor do they make mine. I just would never be able to give up all the actual joy that a real live paper made book gives me. It is not that I don't see the benefit have having an obscene number of books in one small compact tablet but its that that one benefit does not outweigh all the benefits I personally get from a book. At this stage in my life ill keep turning my pages the old fashioned way...

Friday, January 7, 2011

So I have discovered that one of the joys of motherhood, is making your child roll their eyes at your purposeful idiocy. My daughter is 10 going on 11 and the the phrase mose frequently heard erupting from her face is.....and i quote.... "OOOOH MAAAI GAAAAWDDUH!". (notice the phonetic spelling) Maybe im a sadist, maybe its just the circle of life but I get such delight out of making her cringe. Do not get me wrong. I love my child. She gets tons of love, and cuddles, and I'm constantly working to build up her self esteem but i freaking love getting under her skin. If this makes me horrible I appologize for the offense but it's so darn cute to see her react like that.