I had a conversation with a friend today and she was lamenting the passing of Borders bookstore. It made me think a little bit about technology. I have a Kindle and I love it. I've always been an instant gratification kind of person, and I love the fact that I can think of a book (or see an article about one, or hear about one through a friend) and have it two seconds later. I love the ease of being able to carry multiple books with me-- and the fact that I don't have to buy yet another build-it-yourself bookshelf from IKEA. I love being able to underline passages that resonate with me and then posting them on Facebook. I love that some nameless entity in cyberspace can tell me what books I might enjoy based on what I've read in the past.
But I also love browsing in a bookstore. The smell of old books on a shelf in the library. Buying bookmarks with little tassles that the cats would eat the very next day. The physicality of turning a page. Getting up extra early for work so I would have time to go to the bookstore the day of the release to purchase the latest Stephen King novel. Bookstores employ people who can tell you, "No, we don't have that in stock, but our store in Skokie does. Can I order it for you?" Or, there's nothing like scanning the shelves alphabetically by author and feeling the thrill of, yes, they have a copy of a book I've looked in seven bookstores for. Sitting down at the cafe with a milkshake and leisurely looking through a stack of magazines that I have no intention on buying.
I speculated to my friend today that within five years, bookstores may be a rarity. I hope that I'm wrong and that bricks and mortar and vapor can find a way to exist in harmony. Because I need and enjoy both.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
It's been a long freakin' time!
A lot has happened since I last posted in, what, March? Let's see.... the foot injury has thankfully healed and although I've been struggling to maintain consistency in my running, I have done a few races-- Shamrock Shuffle (in the cast!), Soldier Field 10 Miler (first time for John!), Girls on the Run 5K (always heartwarming). Also have been incorporating some more diverse cross training into my routine-- bellydancing, yoga, joining the gym at work to ride the bike and do weights at lunchtime. I'll find my groove one of these days.
Meanwhile, summer is here along with all the excitement that comes with it... trips to Great America (the new additions to the water park are fantastic), annual 4th of July celebration at Great Lakes Naval Base with family, many many summer fests and 7th Heaven concerts (their new cd will be out in a few weeks).
Work's been busy, but I continue to enjoy the good-hearted people I work with. Recently we added two new folks to our CRM team-- Jason and Yvette, who are both stellar and make my workload so much more bearable. I've cried with a friend who lost her job and celebrated with three others who got new jobs.
My Boston Bruins have won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972. I still am amazed to write those words. A high point in my life for sure.
I'm getting back to painting at long last. Took a watercolor class which has re-energized me about a medium I haven't used consistently since college. Just started an acrylic painting that I'm very, very excited about and is coming together nicely (shhhh... can't elaborate about it right now because it's kind of a suprise for someone).
Now that hockey season is over, I've been reading much more and will return to book club this month. I've also been thinking a lot about writing, mostly because I've been inspired by some first-class writers I call friends who have recently reached milestones in their journeys. I'll start small with recommitting to this blog, then we'll see where that takes me.
Life is rich and varied and I'm very much enjoying the ride.
Meanwhile, summer is here along with all the excitement that comes with it... trips to Great America (the new additions to the water park are fantastic), annual 4th of July celebration at Great Lakes Naval Base with family, many many summer fests and 7th Heaven concerts (their new cd will be out in a few weeks).
Work's been busy, but I continue to enjoy the good-hearted people I work with. Recently we added two new folks to our CRM team-- Jason and Yvette, who are both stellar and make my workload so much more bearable. I've cried with a friend who lost her job and celebrated with three others who got new jobs.
My Boston Bruins have won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972. I still am amazed to write those words. A high point in my life for sure.
I'm getting back to painting at long last. Took a watercolor class which has re-energized me about a medium I haven't used consistently since college. Just started an acrylic painting that I'm very, very excited about and is coming together nicely (shhhh... can't elaborate about it right now because it's kind of a suprise for someone).
Now that hockey season is over, I've been reading much more and will return to book club this month. I've also been thinking a lot about writing, mostly because I've been inspired by some first-class writers I call friends who have recently reached milestones in their journeys. I'll start small with recommitting to this blog, then we'll see where that takes me.
Life is rich and varied and I'm very much enjoying the ride.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)