Chuck's Ruminations: I Finally Join The 21st. Century.....

I wanted two books. Last night I spent some time on Amazon. I don't have an account with the online giant. Wanda is all things Amazon in this house. After getting over my shock at the nearly 2,000,000 selections, she was a big help guiding me though the process of actually finding what I was looking for. Once I located my books I had some ordering decisions to make.

I have six and wanted the seventh and last book of a series. The other book I was interested in won't be released until October, so that decision was easy. Now here's my problem: I wanted to start reading like NOW, which would mean an eBook. But if I did that I wouldn't have the complete series. On the other hand, so what? I should donate the six. I'm not going to reread them and they're collecting dust here.

There are some very important components for obtaining and reading eBooks. You need something to read and something to read it on. I'm not even mentioning the obvious, well I guess I am, money. I have money so I can buy a book. What I don't have is the reader. I researched the Kindle App for computers. I have a small lap top but I don't enjoy reading on it.

My options were using Wanda's Samsung tablet or buying one of my own. I looked into a Kindle Fire and it seemed perfect. But at $269 more than using the Samsung I figured after twenty-eight-years together Wanda and I could figure out a way to share. So using her tablet I downloaded my very first electronic book. At just under $10 and just over 700 pages it took just under two minutes to download. I read for just under three hours.

The instant gratification was wonderful. I like all the options I've discovered; like changing font size, layout, lighting, and background color. The dictionary is very helpful and informative. The tablet is large enough and light enough to manage easily. I know it's early and maybe I'll get used to it, but I miss the freaking book. I miss the feel and touch of the paper. I miss the ease of skimming back to check a name, place, picture or fact.

I know that eBooks are most assuredly the way of the future. At my age I don't think I need to worry about real books disappearing. I'll continue to haunt our local used bookstore and library and order electronically as well. I will ease my way into this new millennium and way of life.

With all my knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of the eBook way, I don't feel like I actually HAVE anything. Maybe if I copy the 700 pages I would?

If you need a laugh or a good cry. If you are trying to replace a part on your car or make espresso, you can find help online. A few years ago I installed a new garbage disposal with a YouTube assist. I fixed a lamp and built a bed frame using online schematics. When I need to reset our very complex thermostat I go to the online owners manual. The same for our camera and television.

Now, I have mentioned the fact that I'm a mechanical moron many times on this blog. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed of it. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I rarely accomplish my goal the first time I try. The old adage measure twice cut once doesn't apply to me. Mine is measure four times cut twice and throw away the screw-up. I don't think I've ever made just one trip to Home Depot when I have a fix-it project. But in spite of my ineptitude and incompetence I've never done anything close to this.