Tuesday, 05 June 2012
So, I am once again capable of listening to audiobooks in my car again.
Actually, I never lost the capability. As has happened a dozen times in the past, technology marched triumphantly into the future, while I stood here, in the present, shaking my fist and cursing whoever and whatever passed me by.
In the early days (where “early days” is defined as “approximately 2001-2009”), I rented books on tape from the local libraries. Ah, those were some good times! Driving to college or to work, or from one to the other, getting lost in a great story regardless of what else was going on or how bust I was…
But as those early days progessed, I noticed an unfavorable development: the number of books on tape was dwindling. By 2008, I estimate that 95% of all cassette tape books at the library were on one of three topics:
1) Empower yourself in the business world!
2) Learn this language!
3) An epic tale of romance, romance, and romance!
…Yeah, so not really much that I wanted to listen to.
The libraries were moving towards books on CD.
I wasn’t really excited about this. Primarily because my car does not have a CD player. But also because CDs don’t hold their place. See, when I listen to a cassette, as soon as I eject it, or shut off the car, it stops right where it is. But with CDs, I have to find my location everytime. A few co-workers have told me that they have audio systems in their cars that hold the spot on the CDs for them. I call those co-workers ‘overpaid.’
I used to have a tape adapter, too. It plugged into a Discman, and it allowed me to listen to my music collection (which is mostly CDs). But, eventually, the Discman pooped out on me, and I think the adapter broke, too.
Anyway, I’ve finally caught up with 2012. Well, to the extent necessary. Using an Amazon.com credit – which I received by selling a textbook to them – I bought a new Discman and adapter.
Today I began listening to The Swerve: How the World Became Modern, by Stephen Greenblatt.
Wednesday, 06 June 2012
This afternoon, I left work early to attend a program put on by Owen’s first grade class. The class recited several poems, then each student presented a brief book report endorsing a book they particularly enjoyed during this year. Then the adults got to look at samples of their kids writing and drawing from the year. There were snacks and beverages, too.
When I got to the school, I joined up with my wife, daughter, and mom-in-law. Owen thus had four guests, which I believe was the most any student had.
In contrast, several students had no guests. This was kind of strange to me: is there no one in those kids’ lives who can find 45 minutes out of their day to show up at the school? As it is, I rearranged some tasks at work, arrived at work early, then left work early, just so I could be there on time. I realize not every parent has a decent supervisor, fleixble hours, the autonomy to come and go as they choose, or oodles of sick and vacation time to squander on whatever suits their family…but, come one – doesn’t anyone in the kids family have some mid-day availability? Isn’t grandpa retired? Or what about an older sibling who’s already done with school for the day?
To paraphrase what I said to my wife and mom-in-law after we left: No one sits on a rocking chair on their porch, thinks back to fifty years earlier when their children were young and says, “You know, I never should have left work early that one day.”