this year so far, abridged

[lunacow]

I'm going to blatantly steal from DadHacker and open this post with "Yeah, yeah, M-X standard-blog-apology." And now on to content in the form of a random list of stuff I am bothering to report on:

Comments

[desireearmfeldt]

Yeah, e-readers are among the electronic technologies that I find almost but don't quite mimic the functionality of the Old Way of Doing Things. Really, there's a whole class of things that run aground because computers currently can't/don't fully take advantage of how human vision works. Yes, having all my books/albums/whatever on the computer where I can search and sort and randomize opens up all sorts of new functionalities that are difficult or impossible to do with physical objects -- but what I can't do is visually scan a zillion objects quickly and pattern-match the one I want, or notice a thing I wasn't thinking of in advance. Yes, reading an electronic book is convenient in some ways -- but I can't flip back and forth quickly between pages or *check two pages at the same time*. My eyes and brain are optimized for a larger and more complex world than the one the computer is constraining me to. It's like walking around with horse blinders on.

[livii]

quickly page back to check on things like the title of the current chapter or the previous mentions of a character or detail.

Yep, that's my number one complaint. Well, that and when my book crashes! I still like my reader a lot because I only read stuff on it that I can't really get in hard copy - out of print tie-in novels! - and especially if I'm reading while nursing or with a baby sleeping on me, the one-fingered page-turn thing while the device is lying on the couch is fantastic.

Have fun in Maui! I'm tentatively thinking we'll go to Maui as well, in March. Just have to really sit down and plan it.

[lunacow]

If you go with Maui, we can pass on our recommendations when we get back, as well as the guidebook I bought. Let me know if you're interested in the condo research I did.

[livii]

I'd be SUPER interested in the condo research, if it's easy to pass on! I'm having trouble finding time to sort through all the sites Google brings up - not all of which look reputable.

My parents have been to Oahu and Big Island so I'm figuring, why not go somewhere that's new for all of us. Maui seems reasonably-sized as well to get around and do things w/o making the baby spend the whole day in the car.

[42itous]

You wouldn't think that installing that kind of windows would lead to a computer crash

I find this hilarious!

I loved Her Fearful Symmetry. I love how she writes -- you can really feel yourself being at home in the story. Her characters are all so REAL! I particularly loved Martin.

[lunacow]

I love how she writes -- you can really feel yourself being at home in the story. Her characters are all so REAL! I particularly loved Martin.

Yes, yes, yes! I'm about halfway through now, and I both can't wait to read more and am sorry that soon I'll have read it all up.

[mamagotcha]

Bon voyage! Take lots of pictures for those of us still shoveling #$^$#$^ snow...

[miwseshat]

Have fun in Hawaii! It sounds like it will be a lovely trip. Just the thing for February.