Kindle

[cjsmith]

I finally figured out what the Kindle would be good for.

See, I read paperbacks. I wouldn't want to carry a Kindle around because it is larger than a paperback. If I know I'm going to be waiting a bunch, I'll just carry a book. Duh. I also wouldn't prefer to buy a Kindle-book because it's more expensive than a paperback. PLUS the thing can run out of batteries, or break if you drop it. AND it's got a $399 start-up cost. What's to like?

I figured it out.

Airplanes.

Every December I fly from California to Boston, from Boston to Louisville, and from Louisville to California again (or the other way 'round). Every leg of this trip has two flights. Every flight includes a bunch of waiting time in the terminal. I can easily wipe out two paperback books on one leg, often three if it's a long one or a plane is delayed (and when, in December, are they not?).

A Kindle is a lot smaller and lighter than NINE paperback books.

It's still not worth $399 to me, not by a long shot. But now I can see that it's worth more than zero.

Comments

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

We sure are! I do have your number. The KY part of the circuit is complicated this year by the arrival of my parents -- yeah, they're coming from MA to KY to meet Rob's parents for the first time ever. (We never did the marriage ceremony thing.) So for a day and a half we'll be 100% in Family Mode. Then we'll do whatever we need to do to help Rob's folks around the house (she's not particularly big/strong and he's like eighty and in a wheelchair). And then it's quite possible we can do a get-together!

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

well, we can give it a try, and if it works out, great! if not, well, we'll try again another time, or during a non-holiday time. January brings a fresh batch of vacation time for me!

[ken_r]

Have any time to spare during the MA part? It'd be nice to see you...

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I might, indeed. I should cobble together some kind of group thingy.