I was discussing the Kindle with someone recently and we decided it has to die.

They’ve made the long-playing record obsolete (albeit its grand resurrection) and soon the CD will go the way of the Dodo in favor of music that channels anonymously through the ether and into your computer with no substance, no contactable matter and neither info nor artwork.

Say it isn’t so that the rustle of a newspaper, the smell of cheap ink, the reassuring grasp that snaps those flimsy pages to a readable angle will soon sink into oblivion. The libraries decaying or kept open simply as museums where future generations can view what those strange antiquated tomes once looked like. A metal box will take the place of those beautiful hardbound hand me downs and firm feeling fireside companions.

The book! Wrapped in an inviting jacket not unlike the old record sleeve. It’s both picturesque and filled with information and admirable critiques. This institution that has bought us knowledge, history and entertainment both classical and pulp is threatened by a cold and rudimentary oblong device that can never deliver the thrill and adventure that Gutenberg pioneered and Chaucer championed centuries ago.

There was a time when inanimate objects meant something now they’re merely that, inanimate, cold and clinical, merely functionary like the washing machine and toaster. Where’s the warmth, the warmth no longer accompanies the product, it’s merely a manual! A manual with a book, Lord helps us. Charge it up and read “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny” to the kids. Tuck ‘em in with their own personal little pink Kindle, lovely image, very Jetsons. Then slip out to the living room and arrange your collection of coffee table Kindles.

The argument for the defense is sure to be that this is just a alternative aid to save bulky carry on (Hum! It’s the same size as the average book isn’t it) and was never intended to encroach upon the original format. With all due respect and not to go over the edge here but isn’t that what Hitler said about Europe. Believe me if they could corner the market and make it monetarily benificiacal to the Kindle kingdom they’d wipe out printed matter like Attila took Rome.

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Just got a copy of that reissue of “He Who Rides The Tiger” My suggestion! Go with the Japanese import or any other form than this cheapo deal. Bad packaging, no lyrics and trite notes regarding my less than stellar songwriting work. Nah not impressed.

Good stuff if you care!

Music
“Bahamian Songs” by Blind Blake And The Royal Victoria Hotel Calypsos. (If you can find it)

“Without A Song Live In Europe 1969” Freddie Hubbard

Movies
"Let The Right One In" Extraordinary and redefining!

Book
“The Moon And Sixpence” W. Somerset Maugham
Rediscover it and cherish it. Maugham lied when he said it wasn’t about Gauguin but who cares.

Gotta travel. Nice opening game Raiders. Young blood!!!!