It’s like Jeff Bezos doesn’t understand that someone might attempt to steal this very expensive piece of technology. Not at all smart, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t exactly have a secure mail situation here; I’m just glad my Kindle 2 was still at my front door when I got home. I really think Amazon might want to reconsider this type of marketing. I’ve already purchased the Kindle 2; I don’t necessarily want everyone who sees the box to know that fact.

Aside from that, the thing that I’m most impressed with at this juncture is the screen. While I can make the argument that it’s a bit small, the e-Ink is really amazing. You’ll need a light, though, because e-Ink means no backlighting.  That’s the point, really; the simulation of the paper screen is impressive as far as I’m concerned.

It was fairly easy to turn on & get started with my Kindle 2. However, I am not impressed with the whole Whispernet thing as of yet. I think I’d prefer syncing with my computer, though it’s possible I’m just trying to download too many books right now. I’ve noticed the shorter the book, the quicker the Whispernet download.  I’m going to work on that & see how a straight computer sync will work a bit later. 

I’ll say this: I’ve had in it my hands for about 2.5 hours & I’ve already downloaded about 21 books to my Kindle 2. Here’s a shot of my Home Screen.

There are free Kindle books, which make up the majority of my Kindle library right now. Be on the lookout for Kindle freebies; they exist. I also purchased books before my Kindle 2 arrived, which accounts for actually having books to read on it…I really want to see how this works out, so I figured more books the better.

After I’ve spent some time with my new friend, I’ll post my second impressions of actually using the Kindle 2.

Love this writer!

Thing #13 is to read 5 brand new books in 2009. While I have a stack of books that need reading, I keep making false starts toward this goal. However, I just started a book I think will help get me past this particular challenge: Alison Weir’s “Mistress of the Monarchy.” It’s a biography of Katherine Swynford, the mistress of John of Gaunt…he later married her, which considering the circumstances, is exceptional by any standard. I was introduced to Katherine Swynford when I read a book by Anya Seyton called “Katherine,” which is a fabulous historical fiction (one of my favorite genres). I found it by accident & fell in love with the medieval love story between Katherine & John of Gaunt.

Katherine is quite the feminist figure & as the mother of the Beauforts, is the ancestress of the Tudors, Stuarts, & all British monarch since her lifetime. Alison Weir is a great historian. I’ve read almost all of her books & I’m enjoying this book just as much as the rest of them. She writes history in an easy-to-read kind of way. So if you’re in the market for a great & sweeping history, check out any of Ms. Weir’s books. I highly recommend “The Six Wives of Henry VIII.” It was the book that got me into understanding Tudor history.

• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/iainmartin/5232328/Britain-is-going-to-need-far-more-people-like-Sir-Michael-Caine.html
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1173545/ANDREW-LLOYD-WEBBER-The-thing-country-needs-pirate-raid-wealthy-dont-lynch-Im-rich-b—d.html

Here’s another post about how there’s been a resurgence of people buying Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged.” I know there’s talk of a movie, but I think it would be better on HBO as a miniseries or something like that. And I do not want to see Angelina Jolie as Dagny Taggart.

Be back with more later!

Finally broke down & bought for ride home

I  went on my first group ride today. Scott & I set out at approx. 9:30 AM from Fort Polk to Renegade Harley Davidson. I can’t say it was fun; there wasn’t any organization, so Scott & I spent the whole time trying to keep up with the group. We ended up getting left behind because I decided I didn’t want to ride at 75 MPH in horrendous cross winds.

We did get free food at the dealership and got to check out the bikes. I really want a Fat Boy. While there, Scott & I finally bought chaps so we wouldn’t have to freeze on the way home. I really didn’t want chaps, but now I loooove chaps. So much better. 

I still hate wind, though. No more windy-day riding for me. On a Sporty 883 is no place to be on an uber-windy day. So here’s a photo of my brand new chaps. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get the flip to stick, so just turn your head sideways to check it out.

That's Jonathan Coulton over my right shoulder!

On March 13th, Scott & I (and our friends Kristy & Billy) loaded up the Murano & headed to Houston, TX. We dined at the House of Blues, & JoCo and Paul & Storm came in while we were dining. As you can tell by the photo, I had a bit of a freak out…but my hair looks awesome!

After dinner, we saw Paul & Storm open for Jonathan Coulton! I’d been looking forward to it since the moment the show was announced. For the most part, it was simply awesome. Unfortunately, there was some unnecessary political commentary towards the end of show that really got under my skin. I actually emailed JoCo about it & he did respond. I was okay with the response, but I’ll never understand why “celebrities” feel they can say anything they want just because they have a microphone. You should never assume your audience agrees with you…especially when you depend on the audience to spend their dollars on your product. All you end up doing is pissing them off enough to stop them from spending their money & ruining a perfectly good show.

The trip helped me to get one step closer to a Thing; it counts as one of my new U.S. cities to visit. So only one more to go!

Older version of cover

Good news folks! Sales of “Atlas Shrugged” are increasing in the face of the economic crisis. This is great news to me because this book has had a major impact on me & how I live my life. You can read the story by following the link below. And please, read Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged.” It’s a fantastic cautionary tale of a society run amok…about robbing from hard workers to give to the people who expect to be given things. It’s about what happens when people stop striving to be the best they can be and expect to be given everything in life instead of earning it. It’s about what happens when individuals aren’t allowed to be individuals anymore.

Read it. It changed my entire focus on everything, not just my professional life.

http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=22647