I’m baaaaaaack!
Well, the holidays treated the family and I well. Lots of good times with family and friends, waaay to much good food, and not too much family drama. I think everyone with a family knows what I’m talking about with that last comment. I’ve always assumed that the drama is always there, under the surface, and that the stress of the holidays simply brings it out.
I was saddened to hear that my favorite author, Robert B. Parker, passed away on January 18th. He was apparently found at his writing desk, the victim of a sudden heart-attack. I began reading his works since my early teenage years, and thoroughly enjoyed everything he’s published, especially his Spenser novels. The writing is spare and witty, and the characters pretty well formed; there’s little room, or need, for origin stories or background. Growing up, I was a pretty rebellious and directionless kid, and his novels struck a chord in me; Spenser (or Parker, undeniably the Boston detective’s alter ego) had many qualities that I tried to emulate. Sort of like trying on clothes, in that you see what fits or looks good, and discard what doesn’t. They weren’t bad role models, all things considered. I’m gonna miss the joy he brought with each new release. Further details about the man and his craft can be found here, and pretty much all over the ‘Net.
A coworker of mine was demonstrating his Amazon Kindle e-reader the other day, and I have to say that I’m hooked! Of course, the recent Consumer Electronic Show showcased some 20 plus e-readers, not to mention the forthcoming iPad from Apple. I almost pulled the trigger on a Kindle, but then read about battles between Amazon the major publishing houses. That, coupled with Amazon only supporting a proprietary format/DRM scheme on the device, has given me pause. Maybe a Nook, with its industry de facto format and DRM?
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