“I would say we’re not usually this strange, but that would be a %*$@ing lie.”
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Yesterday was the Ancient Egyptian New Year (in some calendars – others put it around August 1st but I think it’s the spirit of the thing that matters, not the details.) Although none of the things I did yesterday were particularly Egyptian, it was a day of happiness and celebration nonetheless. Several of the gang joined me to see The Cavern Beat, who I’d not seen in a long time and greatly missed. After that was Navy Pier with a friend and his two sons, which made me realize that if I do change my mind about spawn and someday pop a couple out, no way in hell am I willingly taking them to Navy Pier. Great fun, but trying to keep two kids (three and six) in line at Navy Pier is, as Ian put it, “like trying to direct a tsunami with a broom.” Very good times, though, and on our way out to catch a cab, a limo driver offered us a ride wherever we were going, for five dollars a person. The kids had never been in a limousine before, and they were utterly enchanted by it – fabulous fun.
After that was a Record Listening Party, during which I spoke to a newbie in the circle about Books vs. Kindle, and similar. My argument, which wasn’t so much an argument as wine-driven not-too-persuasive essay, was and is entirely personal: I love books. I always have, and always will. I love the experience of it, exactly as it is intended to be by both author and publisher. The feel of them, the look, the excitement of buying new books, carrying them home, knowing it’s in your bag and you can’t read it yet (unless you’re like me and Disney’s Belle and read whilst you’re walking.) I love reading in the bath, a candle’s flame lighting only a part of the page. The excitement of turning to that last page and feeling accomplished, and finally seeing exactly where it was all meant to end. It’s a beautiful thing. As I remember saying last night, when I read a Keats poem on a website, I savor it, love it, exist for that moment only for that poem. But when I hold my 1889 edition of Keats’ letters, I cry. There is a big difference in Experience there, and I believe my reaction to the latter is closer to the intended goal and spirit of the works than the slightly more sterile sort of excitement that comes with searching for dear Junkets on Google.
However! Our new friend Alex led me to understand the beauty of web-books, the Kindle, etc. that I had not yet previously considered.
A.) Even people who love, love, love books, inevitably end up throwing some out, giving them to friends, selling them at yard sales, simply because they don’t have the room for so many books. Storing entire books on one’s computer, extra hard drives, various handheld appliances, etc. takes away that problem. Your library is yours and there’s never any need to lose some of it to make space for others.
B.) All sorts of books would be/are instantly accessible to people all over the world, probably regardless of any censorship in their region. Very exciting, enlightening, educational and world-changing.
C.) The options in regards to Font Size help those with vision problems.
D.) A rise in interest in ebooks would not only save MASSIVE amounts of paper, but create many new jobs.
E.) Self-publishing becomes one of the easiest things in the world.
There are several other reasons, a big one being that in general it’s easy for everyone the world over to read whatever they like, and anything that promotes reading is good by me. Still, though…there’s just something about books. And I fear to think what the next technological step would be, in regards to books and reading. The fact that the majority of the technology we absolutely depend on to run lives and businesses has only been in existence for the past 200 years of mankind’s much longer history, makes me wonder what is next, and if I am of one of the last generations to appreciate Books Over Any Other Source Of Reading…it’s too sad to think about, really. The day we have Wikibrary chips in our brains will be a sad day, indeed.
I must away – there’s a brilliant hookah place near my apartment, and I’ve got many new poem ideas. This seems a good mix. I’ve sadly been too focused on Two Seasons and its small successes to actually be writing, which defeats the purpose of, oh, everything. It’s a great thing to have great ideas, but unless they’re on paper, it doesn’t much matter. So I shall plop myself down upon a cushion, veiled by a fantastic tapestry or three, purchase for myself some Mint Chocolatey heaven, and smoke and write the day away. A second volume of poetry is in the works, tentatively called A Damsel In This Dress and should be available in January. If there’s a theme to the works, I haven’t found it yet, but I’ll post snippets in the “Writings” section soon. I believe my LiveJournal group has already read some of the material, and enjoyed it well enough. Still, though, I’m lacking in feedback thus far for Two Seasons. If you’ve already read it and wish to let me know what you think of it, please do so in Comments here, or on the Guestbook. I’d greatly appreciate it. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s purchased a copy, but it’s not the sales that matter – it’s what you all actually think of the writing. Please do let me know if you get the chance. 
Also, keep an eye out for me at the Heartland Cafe‘s Open Mic this Wednesday, July 22nd, at 10 PM. There’s a three dollar cover, but trust me, it’s well worth it. I’ll be reading a couple poems from Two Seasons and have copies of the book on hand for sale. They’re going surprisingly quickly, so be sure to snag one ASAP!
And because I’m a sucker for a good internet love story, I leave you with this small amusement I found via Yahoo: A Tale of Two Kellys
Wishing all a pleasant day,
Nadia
