More than Kindle, and Less than Kind

I've been curious about e-readers for a while. Since I have a trip coming up, and didn't want to pack a lot of travel books, a reader became an increasingly attractive prospect. So, once I heard about the new Kindle, I figured that "it was time" and snapped one up.
I've spent the last week getting a handle on the device, and, while it won't completely replace traditional books, it has many advantages. I'm glad I have a Kindle to carry around, and I expect to read many more books on it.
Pros:

• It's easier to carry around, and easier to read on a whim. This is especially true with respect to larger books. I can make a point of carrying the Kindle around with me where I go, and can decide to start a new book at any time. If I wanted to start reading a given printed book, I'd have to be more deliberate about it.
• E-books are searchable, which is a valuable feature with certain kinds of books, like reference books.
• It is easy to get cheap, or even free, versions of out-of-copyright classics.
• Books in general are cheaper.
• The Kindle encourages reading; when I have a small library at my fingertips, I'm more likely to read when I have a free minute, and less likely to do something less edifying with my time.
• There are some books I don't want to keep around forever, and I don't have to feel guilty about deleting them. (and I can get them back for free if I want to)
• There are costs to owning a physical object (like a DVD, CD, or book), and it's nice to "own" a book, and have access to it at any time, without having to carve out space for it, organize it, or move it around.
• I like being able to underline texts or make notes without "defacing" the book.
• I like the e-ink technology used by Kindle. It more or less mimics a printed page, and it's nicer to read than a backlit screen (especially since I spend way too much time in front of backlit screens).

Cons:

• Traditional books engage the spatial part of my mind in a way that an e-book simply couldn't. After reading a printed book, I can flip through, and remember the place where a favorite passage was, or where a certain plot development occurred. I can, of course, perform a search on an e-book and find what I need, but I can't interact with the book as an object. 
• It is easy to share paper books. I'm not sure that it's possible to share your e-books without lending your reader.

Ultimately, I think I'll rely more and more on the Kindle for my everyday reading, but I would still like to get "traditional" paper copies of the books I deem special. If nothing else, I'm glad that the Kindle is getting me more engaged in books and reading, and I hope that I can maintain my level of interest.

Prepared for 2010

Although there were definite highlights, 2009 was a challenging and stressful year. I am excited for the "clean slate" that the new year represents, and I definitely have a few goals (I hesitate to use the term "resolutions") for the coming months. Here are the things I would like to do:

• Get my Apartment in Order: I've been at my apartment for over two years, but it's still not fully furnished and decorated. In part, this is because I have been hesitant to buy furniture or artwork that is generic, or that I don't like. It's also easy to put decorating on the backburner when you don't have roommates. I am hoping to get the final pieces of furniture in place (I just got a new lamp yesterday!), and I'm going to make more of an effort to decorate the walls and make the space more livable.
• Draw More Regularly: Drawing is one of the few things I can always count on to make me happy, and I want to make sure that I'm always drawing something. Fortunately, I got copies of Photoshop and Illustrator for Christmas, so I'll have a lot to work with.
• Consume Less Caffeine: I'll see if I can do this. I tend to drink too much caffeine (especially tea), and I don't think it's good for me. I'd like to scale back a bit.
• Read More/Watch More Movies: It's easy to get consumed by work, and to miss out on the interesting movies that are coming out, or on the important books that I should have read by now.
• Keep Doing the Positive Things I've Been Doing: I have to keep in mind that I've accomplished (or at least working towards) many good things, and I don't want to let them fall by the wayside as I try to improve myself.

Anyhow, Happy New Year, everyone!

Spain 2009 - Travel Journals, Part III

During my trip to Spain, I kept a travel journal. Here is what I did on my journey!

Train from Toledo to Madrid - 9/5/09
I am now nearing the end of my trip, and have basically seen everything that I set out to see. Now I have one full day left, and can spend my time relaxing, taking in the ambiance, and revisiting my favorite places in Madrid.

Outside the Prado, 9/3/09.

Spain 2009 - Travel Journals, Part II

During my trip to Spain, I kept a travel journal. Here is what I did on my journey!

In the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, 8/31/09.

Spain 2009 - Travel Journals, Part I

During my trip to Spain, I kept a travel journal. Here is what I did on my journey!

Ready for adventure!

 LAX - 8/28/09 (7:33 a.m.)
I am in the airport awaiting my 8:40 flight to Barcelona (via Philadelphia). I arrived very early, and have therefore needed to keep myself busy while waiting for

[one half-muffin later...]

the flight. I've read my disposable airport magazine (Entertainment Weekly) and I figured it would be a good time to write in my journal. This trip has been a long time coming, and it's just what I need to "reset" myself mentally. I look forward to my upcoming adventures!

The "25 Things" Thing

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

If you got tagged on this one, write 25 interesting facts about yourself and tag other people (and the person who sent this to you) and pass it on.

25. I was in my all-girls’ high school’s production of the musical 1776. My character got rum for the founding fathers and said “Sweet Jesus” a lot.

24. I was a History major in college. I was also one credit short of a Math minor.

23. I used to be anti-sports and anti-athletics, almost as a matter of principle. So, I’m a bit surprised that I now keep a regular gym schedule.

22. When I was in kindergarten, I was obsessed with Alice in Wonderland. I even wore an “Alice” costume to school on several occasions.

21. I was on the debate team at high school, and was pretty horrible at it. Still, it was fun to attend various meets and debate topics like “Bert and Ernie are/are not Gay” and “The National Anthem should/should not be Changed to Gangster’s Paradise.” The highlight of the debate team experience was the annual tournament at UC Berkeley. We would stay at “Grandma’s Bed and Breakfast,” eat at the vegan diner, and walk around the shops near Berkeley. And, because I wasn’t very good and didn’t qualify for finals, I had more time to do the fun stuff.

20. A few years ago, I bought a mandolin on a whim. Sadly, I never learned to play it.

Dramatic Changes

Life has changed significantly for me over the past couple of months, and I would be remiss if I didn't say something about it.

Most importantly, I now have a permanent job! Since July 30, I have been working in the Professional Liability section of a large Los Angeles-based law firm. The work has been interesting so far, and I have been getting good feedback on my writing. I'm very excited to be working, and I hope that my career will continue to grow.

As a result of my job, I can make a few long-needed changes to my life. I was able to purchase a 2005 Corolla; I desperately needed a new car, especially after my much-reviled 1984 station wagon broke down in late May, and this car has been perfect for my needs. The car has good mileage and a few nice bells and whistles, plus it's a good, flexible size.

Finally, I've been able to get a new apartment. It's in a cute and quiet Hollywood-area neighborhood where my sister has lived for a few years. Not only is the neighborhood a nice one, but it is much closer to work, so my commute will be much shorter from now on. My unit is fairly large and, because it faces the front of the building, I get a lot of light and have a nice view of the area. Because this is my first "real" apartment, I don't have much furniture yet; I plan to accumulate my furniture over several months. Still, it's exciting to have a place of my own, and I know that it will look great once everything has been set up.