Kindle and Audio Books

Kindle 2 looks great, way too expensive for something that can only handle one function and looks fragile so…definitely not something I can actually buy (I would break it the first day, I’m sure) I’m okay with the actual books, going to the book store, talking to random people in the aisles, getting recommendations when you pick up a book to read the cover; the social aspect of it all is important as well. I’m sure that the amount of money I would spend on books would be relatively the same and I can use that extra $300 to buy more books which I can pass on to a friend, keep for a loved one etc. I got slightly caught up in the gadget aspect of the Kindle and the Kindle 2 that I forgot that reading a book was more than just the actual reading.

Just like how going to star bucks is more than actually getting a cup of over priced coffee, juice, coffee-juice or tea with a long name. The gadgets are about keeping up, having the latest technology while books are about the mind, the interaction, sharing and imagination.

Audio books to me are dumb unless you are driving for more than 10 hours and you don’t have company; but then again it might bore you to sleep. Why would you want someone to read you a book unless you’re a child that wants to go to bed and why would you want some random Microsoft Sam or Microsoft Jill voice reading you a mystery novel? Makes no sense. Well, not to me anyways, I’m not calling you stupid or dumb if you listen to audio books on your ipod on the train when you could just simply have the book in your hand and read it…I’m just saying that as a writer and reader; you’d take more away if you read it yourself, in your own voice, with your own emotions.

Read Smart People.

Sarah Palin, McCain’s Worst Decision

Now, I don’t know her personally and I haven’t heard her speak enough to know her policies on anything so I’m going by what I’m reading which is all negative.

First, I can not believe that the Republican party, who has been criticizing Obama based on his lack of experience would allow someone to be nominated for VP of their party when, that nominee doesn’t have any experience Governing more than a handful of people. Literally she got a State wide position and then she’s nominated not too long after so you can’t really argue anymore about Barack’s 4 year experience.

Second: She is riddled by controversy. Her Former Brother In Law being dismissed as a trooper while undergoing a custody battle with her sister, everyone trying to figure out whether she was pregnant or her daughter was pregnant and how could someone so conservative have a kid that has a daughter outside of wedlock and how could she “hide” it.

Third: Global Warming is not the fault of Humans. Do I even have to say anything else? Yes. I need to add that she wants to drill for oil in a wildlife refuge and things that Polar Bears are fine now because their population has increased.

Fourth: Wants to teach creationism in schools. I guess those who don’t believe in creationism can go suck salt. On the bright side, she says you can talk about evolution if you want but it won’t be taught.

Fifth: Is for the banning of same sex marriage and supported a constitutional amendment to deny health benefits to same sex couples. Now what kind of bullshit is that?

Sixth: Supports capital punishment, no teenage pregnancy by way of abstinance only, no abortion even if you are a rape or incest victim and is a staunch conservative in every definition of the word.

On a side note, I can’t help but notice that all the things that she’s so staunch about doesn’t really apply to her family, all of that, have a baby after you get married stuff kind of went out the window.

I can not believe that they chose this woman, out of all the possible candidates. As a woman, I don’t identify with her, I don’t understand her and I definitely won’t vote for her unless she radically changes all her positions. This is a woman that they chose to connect with the female voters that Hillary was drawing in, but I want to say this, when supporting Hillary you are supporting a proven track record of work and excellence. With Palin, we’re not going to see any of her work until she gets to office. This isn’t a work study program, you actually have to know what you’re doing before you get to the white house.

If women that were actually voting for Hillary are voting for Palin, their doing it based on gender, not on policy and just because another woman is in a position of potential power that doesn’t mean that its for the better. Hillary took us 2 steps forward and Palin has dragged us 10 steps backward.

Vote intelligently.

Anastasia R.