Articulate

Technology is always on the brain, and it seems that it is often a subject here, so if I can't think of anything else to mull over, I just don't post for fear of being redundant.  Well, screw it.  I'll take the chance.

I am really getting into productivity software, and it's about time.  I'm finally exploring all of the cool things in the Microsoft Office Suite 2007, like Access (and the confusing codes needed to develop the exact query I have in mind) and InfoPath.  My appreciation for technology grows by leaps and bounds.

I've even started softening towards E-readers, more so recently as I'm having a hard time getting my hands on a copy of The Help for book club and am really reluctant to go out and buy it.  From what I understand, electronic copies of books are a little less expensive than the traditional print copies, and as I'm trying really hard to curb my spending (please note that I am totally aware of the fact that investing now in an E-reader to get a cheaper version of one book really, totally defeats the purpose of tightening my budget), I thought that it was a decent consideration.  It was actually kind of liberating to be open to the possibility when previously I just wanted to slam the door in the faces of Kindle, Nook, and the like.

My negative reaction to E-readers stems from the "print is dead" argument.  Those that support the abolishing of print books can point to E-readers as cause for such action.  While intellectually I know that traditional books are far from disappearing, I've met many people who assert that they will never need a book shelf again, it feels like a plague is among us.

Sure, that sounds obscure and doesn't really make a good argument against the "print is dead" assertion, but that's because sometimes I can't articulate gut feelings.  Luckily, there are others who can.  This post came to me through my RSS feed this evening and I knew I had to re-post it right away.  The writer illustrates her point poignantly and succinctly, and I couldn't agree with her more.

Oh, and when I'm ready for an E-reader, because it does seem inevitable, no matter how enamored I am with   my new toy, I'll not only be grateful that I can afford it, I'll still keep my book shelves.

Month-In-Review: August

Another fascinating month is at an end.  We are also closing in on the end of summer.  Fall will officially be here this month, September.  I have to say that I am much looking forward to it.  I'm a middle ground kind of girl: Fall and Spring are my favorites.  And why shouldn't they be?

So what did I accomplish the past, uh, august weeks? (Har-har.)  Let's see:

• I bumped up my job application totals from July, but only by half.  I made it to 6.  Is it the summer mind-set or what?  Now that the kiddies are back in school, will I be getting to work, too?
• I had a promising start to the weight loss this month, with a couple of pounds, but this last week put me to back to where I started August 1.  Still, maintenance is better than gain.
• I got a summer cold from which I am suffering a lingering cough that keeps me up at night and bothers anyone lucky enough to spend time with me.  
• I bought a new (-ish) car.  My 2002 Spectra was fine, with the exception of a slightly noisy engine, a slow leak in the rear passenger tire, the dash coming apart at the seams, and no more letters on the back indicating what make or model she was.  Okay, fine, she wasn't fine.  Still, it stung to put her out to pasture.  Almost 9 years, you get attached to these things.  I am warming up quickly, though, to the 2008 Nissan Sentra that replaced her.  And yes, I will likely name her.  I am such a girl.

So that ends August.  If I've forgotten anything, it might be that I've rekindled my love of reading after nearly six weeks of barely picking up a book.  I returned from the library one day with three books and voila, I am a happier person again.

Books are remarkable, aren't they?  Or, should I say, the human imagination is...