Category Archives: Uncategorized

My Parents’ Record Collection

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[Submitted to NPR’s All Songs Considered on June 28, 2012]

Born in 1968, I have fond memories of media-based technology.  My first television was a console model–the kind with no remote that took half a minute to warm up and which, when turned off, condensed the picture on the tube to a tiny dot which lingered and then winked out.  Dad had a cassette recorder, the condenser microphone of which got liberal use.  We would record things from the TV by setting the recorder near the speaker and trying very hard to be quiet.  I remember having my own copies of things like the theme from The Mickey Mouse Club, music from Captain Kangaroo, and others. 
Then one day Dad played Spike Jones’ "Cocktails For Two."  I had to have it!  Dad recorded it onto a cassette tape which I am sure I wore out.  I got to the point where I could mimic all of the "hic"s and "glurg"s in the song myself.  Dad had pulled the record from which that tantalizing song came out of a cupboard. I had to see what other treasures existed within!  There was a little bit of everything; Beatles, Elvis, Enoch Light, Tom Lehrer.  Just looking at the covers was fun!  They were works of art all by themselves!

And then one day this cover caught my eye.  I don’t know if it was the pretty lady in the cocktail dress or the fact that she was holding a dead chicken; the fat, bald guy standing on the pedestal playing a guitar or the fact that he was barefoot; or the biggest (what looked like) sausage I had ever seen hanging from a tray being supported by a stone statue of a naked baby.  But I had to know what was on this record!

The album was 1962’s "Allan Sherman’s mother presents: My Son, The Folk Singer".  The melodies of some of the songs were familiar.  I recognized "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic" in "The Ballad of Harry Lewis" and "Greensleeves" in "Sir Greenbaum’s Madrigal," but the lyrics were different.  Many of them were outright funny to me in my pre-pubescent state.  "My Zelda found her big romance, when I broke the zipper in my pants," sounded dirty (though I didn’t know why).  Regardless, it made me giggle.  Listening to Sherman say "Oh boy…" over and over in the midst of a comical string of pop culture references recorded almost 30 years before Billy Joel’s "We Didn’t Start The Fire" had me in fits.  And listening to the back-and-forth between Sherman and Christine Nelson in "Sarah Jackman" (Frére Jaques) was voyeuristic, like picking up on the party line at our camp and putting your hand over the mouthpiece.  But most of the material was over my head and only "funny" because the audience on the album was laughing.

This was my first taste of Borscht Belt humor, though I obviously didn’t know that’s what it was called at the time.  Not being Jewish, I didn’t understand most of the cultural references; not that I would at that age anyhow.  I have spent my life subconsciously tracking them all down.  My research is not overt, but every so often I will hear one and my brain will say, "Ah!  So THAT’S what ‘B’nai B’rith’ means!" or "THAT’S who David Susskind was!"

Judging by the reaction of the audience on the album, if nothing else, Sherman is hilarious without working blue.  I spent many hours listening, re-listening, and singing along to that record.  There are some references to which I am still not hip.  In this day of Wikipedia it would be trivial for me to track down each and every one about which I have question.  But there’s no romance in that.  My subconscious research continues.  Though I do wish someone would explain why the line "Stein with an ‘e-i’ and Styne with a ‘y’" is funny…

Thoughts on Internet Privacy

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Today is the day Google’s new Privacy Policy goes into effect.  I haven’t read it.  I might.  I know what I know about it from news reports and blogs.  I figured today would be as good a day as any to polish up this work-in-progress and finally post it.  So here you are.

I continue to fail to understand the notion that on "the Internet" everyone SHOULD be anonymous by default and "going public" is an opt-in scenario.  In this information age, this is an antiquated way of doing things. 

Damn near everything we do–those of us who aren’t hermits or luddites–IS trackable by default.  So when do we stop treating the privacy wonks like they’re the majority?  ARE they the majority?  Do MOST people truly care about this?  (We could argue forever about whether or not they should…but that’s not my point.)

We Americans have a long history of hanging on to things for no other reason than because we always have.  It’s why you can still ride your horse down the middle of main street and cars have to wait for you.  It’s why a hundred years from now merchants will still be obligated to accept hard currency as payment.  And it’s why now, when (I assert) most people don’t give a damn about their privacy, as evidenced by the millions who join Facebook and never alter the default security settings and who never EVER read a EULA or a privacy statement, a vocal minority cries "foul!" in their name when companies do what they said they would do–track everything you do.

I. Don’t. Care.

I think I used to.  Maybe.  And I reserve the right to some day change my mind and start caring about this again.  But these companies don’t care about "me".  Or you.  Or anyone else.  They care about aggregate data which they analyze to determine trends and target information, most notably advertising.  This has been going on for as long as advertising has existed.  You don’t send catalogs advertising fur coats to Hawaii.  That’s a no-brainer.  As someone with something to sell and a limited advertising budget, you want to know who is most likely to buy your stuff.  Information such as browsing histories and even the contents of your e-mail is all tossed together to help companies get the biggest bang for their advertising dollar.
And I’m good with that.  I know the potential to abuse this information exists.  But I’m willing to take my chances.  The argument that those who advocate for Privacy Rights must have something to hide is crap and I know it.  I’m not making that argument.  But I really don’t have anything to hide.  So I personally don’t see the point of bothering to.  I live my daily existence making three assumptions:

  1. Everything I type on any computer anywhere is being seen and read by everyone, everywhere.
  2. Everything I say on any telephone is being heard by everyone, everywhere.
  3. Every time I leave my house, someone is taking my picture.

I assume those three things and behave accordingly.  Is that sad?  Is it "giving in"?  Maybe.  But in my analysis, it’s far easier to "own" my behavior and its consequences than it is to exercise the level of paranoia and subsequent action that would be necessary to obviate those three assumptions.  I don’t want to live like that!  There are some things that simply must be kept private and secret because People Suck.  Things like your Social Security number, bank account info, and passwords/PINs for accessing them.  But the rest of it?  Meh.  Google/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest are all welcome to it!
 

Little Things That Remind Me Why I Love My Job

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Things are uncertain where I work.  Some if it is because of where I work and what the economic downturn has done.  Some of it is because the the world of I.T. is poised on the cusp of massive change.  The Old Ways, tried and true though they may be, are about to be swept away.  Dealing with an industry that thrives on innovation and rapid advancement (I.T.) while working in Academia, the essence of which seems to deny rapidity at any level is challenging during the best of times.  Add to the mix what is perhaps the most convoluted State bureaucracy in the nation and leadership operating under the misguided notion that 64 distinct entities can somehow all be the same just because they’re all in the same State and, well, I’ll say it again: Things are uncertain where I work.

It’s easy to let all of this get to you if you think about it too much.  It’s depressing, really.  As someone blessed with more than his fair share of Common Sense, working in such an environment can be a soul-sucking experience.  No one is empowered to or takes the initiative to make serious decisions without first holding series of meetings involving scads of "stakeholders" under the misguided belief that everyone must be happy with the decision that needs to be made.  More often than not this leads to nothing getting accomplished.  But at least everyone’s happy!

And then there are the specific incidents of nonsense.  Just today I was called to one of my computer labs to open up the backs of the tables where the cabling is run.  The fire inspector had noted that there was a power strip plugged into a power strip.  This apparently is a no-no.  So I get there and am greeted by someone who points me to the table in question.  I open it up and proceed to go around the room opening all of the rest of the tables too.  This person was confused.  "They only said that one," I was informed.  I smiled, and said, "I can guarantee you there are at least three more of those hookups in this room!"  "But," she sputtered, "we were only told about that one…"  "Wrong is wrong," I said, "If it’s wrong there, then it’s wrong everywhere.  And if it needs fixing, it needs fixing everywhere.  We’re going to do this right or we’re not going to do it at all!"  Exasperated, she said (again), but they only found that ONE!"  "Oh, so we’re legal-’til-we’re-caught on all of the other ones??" I exclaimed.  She looked mortified and almost shushed me, like I had said something horrific–a Truth that dare not be spoken.  "I’m going to have to call my supervisor…"  "You go ahead and do that," I urged, "I’ll have that conversation with [name]!!"

Why did I even need to have that conversation?  It’s pointless crap like that which wears me down.  Until the really cool stuff happens.

I have a good deal of flexibility in my job.  I can chain myself to my desk if I so choose, dispatching assistants to the labs and classrooms to do "hands-on" work when it needs doing.  I can also go myself.  After the incident with the power strips, I decided to go in search of why I love working here.  I found it in a couple of places.  I had an appointment in a professor’s office to try and figure out why his computer had no network connection.  This professor is a vocal coach.

At this point I must explain something about being "The I.T. Guy."  The I.T. Guy is generally revered.  Usually when we show up, it’s to "save the day" from the perspective of the person whom we are there to help.  Indeed, most people can’t get out from behind their desks fast enough so we can sit down and "work our magic."  Most of them do so and proceed to go about their business as if we are not there.  This allows us to experience all sorts of cool stuff!  I have had more interesting conversations with people from all sorts of academic disciplines than I can count; just because I was in their office working on their computer for 20 minutes.  It’s awesome.

Back to the vocal coach.  I’m sitting in his office troubleshooting his computer while sitting at his piano.  Yes, piano.  Everyone in Crane has a piano in their office, and the network jack just happened to be next to his.  So I’m sitting at the piano doing my thing while he coaches his student on a cappella improvisation while singing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."  She’s doing well, but clearly in too low a register.  "You probably ought to start with C," he said.  I instinctively reach down and hit middle C on the keyboard.  There is the slightest flicker of surprise (yet approval) on his face for just an instant as he nods at his student who finds her note and proceeds.  I was part of her lesson for the day!  And I got to listen to her sing.

This sort of thing happens to me all the time.  The "hero" there to save the day is frequently invited to stick around, sometimes even to participate in the lecture/discussion to which he has been privy the last 20 minutes while he "figures it out."  Sometimes I do.  Most times I don’t.  Too much to do!

I finished the work day in a basement lab putting the finishing touches on a problem that had gone on far too long with too many "cooks" involved who were about to spoil the soup.  There is something very satisfying about kicking them all out of the virtual kitchen, rolling up your sleeves, and just making the soup, dammit!  Because you know how, how it should be done, and can "just do it."  I did it.  And it was indeed satisfying.

It is opportunities like those that make putting up with all the rest of the bullshit worth it.  I could go on about how working in the presence of a few thousand 18-22 year olds keeps you young at heart, but that’s fodder for another post, another day.  I LOVE my job.  More than that, I love where I get to do it.  Change is coming, yes.  And bureaucracy will never die.  But at least I get to experience all of it HERE.

Born Free, Taxed To Death

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I was about to usurp a Facebook friend’s wall for this, but thought better of it.  No longer a village of Potsdam resident, she commented on yesterday’s vote to NOT dissolve the village; recalling that the tax burden was too much for her, but that the majority of current residents "apparently likes it this way."

Yes I do!  Here’s why:

Tangibles: Most notably water & sewer.  I don’t know what it costs to maintain one’s own water supply and waste disposal system, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know.  I do know that they are NOT trouble-free.  Lit streets where you can walk at night in safety on maintained sidewalks.

Intangibles (i.e., "variable" : Living in the village, I can practically walk most places.  Even if I choose to drive (and I usually do), it’s not far.  It costs me $0.25/mile to operate my car. (All gas and other expenses since I’ve owned it…there’s an app for that!)  If I move, say, 5 miles away from where I work, putting me outside the village, that gives me a 10 mile commute.  Figure a liberal 250 workdays a year, that’s $625 just getting back and forth to work, nevermind errands into town for life’s other essentials.  Two people work?  Two cars?  Do the math.  It adds up fast!  A friend of mine lives about 25 miles from work.  If it costs him the same amount to operate his vehicle ($0.25), he spends over $3,000 a year just going back and forth to work!

I could go on, but those things alone put me close to my Village tax bill all by themselves. 

People who choose to locate, be it residentially or commercially, inside the Village do so because they ascribe value and benefit to being located there where there are sidewalks, trash and yard waste removal, where you are within ready walking distance of our shops and restaurants, and where you don’t have to maintain a well or a septic system.  I know I don’t speak for everyone on this matter, but some of us are willing to pay for those benefits and don’t find our taxes unreasonable.

People who don’t want those benefits–those who don’t think it’s worth the added cost–locate outside the Village.  They pay a different price in the way of relative inconvenience.  Having to maintain those systems I listed themselves and having to get in their cars to do almost anything.  It boils down to personal preference.  No one is "right" or "wrong."  Life for some people is likely cheaper outside the village, if you calculate "cheaper" by simply looking at tax bills.  But I submit it’s way more complicated than that. 

Sick of Spit, Baling Wire, Band Aids, and Duct Tape

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I apologize in advance if this seems remarkably self-indulgent.  On the other hand, it’s a personal blog–I’m allowed to vent here!

I preface this with the following statement:  I love my job!  There are good days and bad days, as there are with anyone doing anything.  But my good days far outnumber the bad ones, and even on the worst, I still enjoy what I do.  But man, things really suck right now. 

I manage and maintain a little less than 600 computers on our campus, almost single-handedly.  That any of them work at all right now is incredible.  I am professionally ashamed of the house of cards that is the foundation on which nearly everything "works" and relies.  What was once a decent, robust, and streamlined system is now showing the signs of far-too-long a period of "just-in-time" management by yours truly.  If my System were a body, it’s suffering from a multitude of paper cuts to which I keep applying band-aids.  Eventually I need to do major surgery, but I have no idea when.

I need at least a week of uninterrupted time in a dark room with headphones on, no phones, and no people.  A week might do it.  Maybe more.  But I can’t even manage to take a "vacation," so when the hell is a week’s worth of system surgery supposed to happen?  Who will keep up with the band aids in the E.R. while I’m elbows-deep in viscera?

Nobody.  That person doesn’t work here.  There is no one with nothing to do, no one with room on their plate.

And I’m exhausted.
 

Dear…:

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A confluence of craptacularity has happened to me in the last 14 hours.  I’m ready to explode and don’t know where else to direct it, so here you go.

—–
Dear Internet:

When reading e-mail with non-specific time-based references, PLEASE pay attention to the date/time stamp of the message!  When I write you an e-mail at 9:30 on, say, a Tuesday night and tell you that I’ve scheduled a meeting with you "tomorrow" because your calendar says you’re free, don’t read it on Wednesday morning and assume I mean Thursday.  Oh, and check your calendar more than once a week, mmkay?

—–
Dear Users of Technology:

Despite what the Staples chain of office products stores would have you believe, there is no "Easy Button."  Technology is complicated.  Would it kill you to even TRY to understand the stuff you are trying to use and say you need?  Or ask for help?  (And no, I do not define "help" as "just come here and make it work for me.")

—–
Dear Everyone On Campus:

Leaving notes that "this" is broken on the thing that is broken will NOT get it fixed!  You need to call someone and tell them it’s broken.  There are no SUNY Potsdam elves that run around checking "everything" to make sure it’s working.  I wish there were.

—–
Dear Road Warriors:

How about you travel with more than just a flash drive with your PowerPoint on it, hmm?  If you’re going to traverse this great State/Nation regaling the masses with whatever it is you have to share, it’s folly to assume that wherever-you-are-today will meet your tech requirements.  You should travel with, at a minimum, your own laptop AND projector.  (They make them really small these days!)  Oh, and actually knowing how to login to and navigate the basics of Windows XP, Vista, 7, and the MacOS would be a good idea too when you decide to rely on the IT resources provided by your speaking venue.

Most sincerely,
Romeyn
 

Smaller Versions Of My Stuff

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I have never been the most organized person in the world.  I have inherited the habit of making "piles" from my father.  I think of it as "organized clutter."  I know where everything is, but it’s usually not well-organized.  This is slowly changing.  In fact, I think I have a problem!
I love pockets.  I don’t know why.  There’s something so…so NEAT about a tiny little space just the right size for "something."  As an I.T. professional who helps a lot of people with their computing issues, it behooves me to travel prepared for anything I might encounter.  A few years ago I got a new work-issued notebook computer and decided to splurge on a new bag with which to carry it.  After a lot of looking and research, I settled on the Hamptons Hybrid from bbpbags.com.  This bag is incredible.  Pockets in pockets in pockets, with a zipper-access sleeve so you can get right at the computer without otherwise opening the bag.  The strap converts so you can wear it over one shoulder, as a messenger bag, or as a low-slung backpack.

As I write this, I am in Atlanta, Georgia a day before the annual Labman Conference.  Not yet ready for bed, I decided to inventory my bag and show you what I carry around on a daily basis.  Here is all the stuff I carried with me on my trip:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see there are 2 bags and my vest.  (More on the vest later.)  The tan bag has my clothing and toiletries.  The black bag is my Hamptons Hybrid.  Here is a list of its contents:

  • MacBook Pro (17")
  • Power Adapter for MacBook Pro
  • USB A <–> B Cable
  • File Folders (2)
  • CD/DVD case (multiple utility and OS restoration disks)
  • Over-ear headphones
  • FireWire 400 <–> MiniDV cable (for connecting to a camcorder) (2)
  • FireWire 800 <–> MiniDV cable (for connecting to a camcorder)
  • FireWire 400 <–> 800 cable
  • USB Card Reader
  • FireWire 800 cables (3…?  Don’t know why I have 3!  I only need one.)
  • Freeloader and cable for iPhone. (Solar- or USB-charged battery for iPhone/iPod/iPad)
  • Multimeter (tests continuity, AC, and DC voltage)
  • iPhone case
  • iPhone cables (2)
  • AC <–> USB 2-port charger
  • USB <–> Mini USB cables (2)
  • Black Pen
  • Red Pen
  • Black Sharpie
  • Mechanical Pencil
  • USB Extension
  • VGA Cable
  • Apple Mini Display Port <–> VGA adapter
  • Ethernet Cables (2)
  • Deck of cards
  • Keys
  • 1/8" stereo headphone male-male cable
  • 1/8" stereo headphone female-female adapter
  • In-ear stereo headphones (earbuds)
  • USB WiFi network adapter
  • Small locking pliers
  • AC <–> USB charger
  • Assorted mini screwdriver kit
  • AC 3-prong <–> 2-prong adapter

Contents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Hybrid Hamptons bag also enclosed my iPad bag.  THAT contains:

  • Contact lens case
  • Black Pen
  • Blue Pen
  • Mechanical Pencil
  • Highlighter
  • Business Cards
  • Mini Composition Notebook
  • Regular Composition Notebook
  • iPad
  • iPad charger
  • iPad cable

Contents:

I also wore my Fleece 5.0 ScotteVest (sans sleeves).  This thing is incredible in its own right.  If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.  24 pockets!!  Mine routinely contains:

  • Blue pen
  • Mechanical Pencil
  • Notepad (3×5 spiral)
  • Bluetooth headset
  • iPhone earbuds
  • Fingernail clippers
  • 1/8" stereo headphone splitter
  • iPhone in-ear headphones

And for this trip it has 4-5 napkins just in case.

All of that stuff.  In 1, well-designed, well-packed and completely manageable bag and one incredibly-designed vest.

As I look back on this after having typed it, I realize that I can never ever make fun of purse-carrying women again!!  All totaled, that’s about 70 different things, if I don’t get stupid and count each playing card individually.

Am I a hoarder?  Or am I just (overly) prepared?

 

Swing Set Demolition

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Every kid should have a swing set.  Or, at the very least, access to a swing set.  When we were kids, my sister and I had a swing set.  It was your standard 2-swing model with a slide and that see-saw/glider thing.  When we were small, having the legs/poles of the set jammed into the dirt was good enough.  We could swing as far as we liked, jump off at the apex–which had to have been 20 feet in the air, right?–and come down onto the grass, the pile of leaves we had prepared, or the friend or sibling who didn’t get out of the way in time.  As we got bigger, we had to be careful.  Swinging back too far pulled the poles out of the ground! 

Good times.

But, to paraphrase Peter, Paul, & Mary, "giant [swings] make way for other toys."  We used the swing set less and less.  It slowly rusted; and then, one day, it was gone.  I remember the pang I felt in my stomach that day.  There was a flash of brilliant indignation: "How could they take it down without at least asking me?"  Perhaps more than anything else, that swing set symbolized my childhood.  And now it was gone.  That flash quickly faded as I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I actually used it.  And the yard looked so much better without it.  It would certainly be easier to mow that spot now!  Minutes later I didn’t really miss it at all. 

This past weekend I demolished our family swing set.  Fourteen years old and made of wood, it clearly had seen better days.  I had hopes of merely dismantling it and giving it away on freecycle.org.  But as I approached, toolbox in hand, I realized that giving it away would be irresponsible.  It was rotting.  It was unsafe.  I preserved the swings, their mounting hardware, and the slide and gave those away.  The wood has been cut up and left by the side of the road for anyone to take away.  That spot in the yard is now easier to mow.

I had contemplated doing this for over a year.  My reasons were practical.  I can’t remember the last time it was used. Indeed, I think Amanda and one of her friends were the last people to use it!  I expected to feel relieved.  I did not expect to feel loss.  That same feeling I had as a kid came back, with a twist.  It wasn’t just my childhood I was missing this time, it was my kids’.  When I picked Brady up at his Mom’s and he asked what I did this weekend, I told him about the swing set.  His response was a remorseful, "Awwww…" 

And then it was gone. 

I know exactly what he felt.
 

A Book By Any Other Name…

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I haven’t been reading much lately.  Like, for the last decade.  Or two.  I read the Harry Potter series; Snow Crash; perhaps one or two others.  But I haven’t been reading anywhere as much as I used to.  I used to love reading.  A LOT.  I probably still do and would likely realize that if I made the time to find out.  Shortly after it came out about a year ago I got the iPad.  Along with everything else that is wonderful about it, it touted itself as a "Kindle Killer."  Everyone was supposed to start reading books and whatnot on the iPad.  Well, it didn’t kill the Kindle.  Or the Nook.  There are lots of eReaders out there.  And lots of people love them.  


I’m not sure I’m one of them.

I’m a follower of the Rands In Repose blog.  The author, Michael Lopp, has authored a couple of books based on his blog.  His latest is "Being Geek," which intrigued me.  So off to amazon.com I went to order up.  But wait!  There’s a digital version and it’s only $9.99!  I have an Amazon account and, therefore a Kindle account and I have the Kindle app on both my iPhone and my iPad.  So I got the digital version.  Why not?  

Well, HEY!  This is COOL!  I can read a book no matter where I am!  At lunch, in line, at a long red light, in the car (if someone else is driving), on the toilet, in bed…wherever!  And it WAS cool.  Not having to remember to bookmark or remember which page you are on is cool.  Highlighting favorite passages is cool.  Seeing other people’s highlighted pages and passages is cool.  Having the Kindle app synchronize your place between devices is cool.  (i.e., stop on page 43 on the iPad, read 20 more pages on the iPhone, then go back to the iPad and it knows you are now on page 63.)  In fact, there was nothing "not cool" about the experience.

Except it’s not a book.

There is no cover to open in anticipation.  There are no notes about the author in the jacket cover.  There are still all those annoying pages that have no information you care about at the very beginning, but are robbed of the aggravation of having to flip past them in order to get to the real book because the table of contents lets you "flip" straight to page 1.  When I finished the book I had the same sense of content absorption.  I had, in fact, read a book.  No problem there.  But I was…annoyed.  And I didn’t know why.  I have thought a lot about it.  What else was different?  That was so cool, but why do I feel so robbed?  What’s missing?  What was so different in a bad way?

I’ve zeroed in on two things.  First, there is no real sense of progress when reading an eBook.  "Real" isn’t a good word.  It’s there, but it’s different.  The concept of a "page" is subjective on an eReader.  Your screen is a fixed size, but your ability to change the size of the text means that you could flip through 500 pages or 700 pages for the same book, depending on your settings.  At any time you can tap the screen and see where in the book you are, relative to its beginning and end.  But it’s not. the. same.  When you’re holding a real book, you know how far you have gone.  More importantly, you know how far you have to go.  Before you even start you flip to the end to see how many pages it is.  As you turn each page, you are subconsciously fist-pumping: "YES!  One more down."  If you’re any good at math, you’re also calculating how many pages left.  (I don’t do this, but I imagine some people do.)  You can feel how far you have to go.  The number of pages under your left thumb gets steadily bigger while the pile of pages under your right thumb gets steadily smaller.  
 
Then it happens.  You’re DONE!  How do you know you’re done?  I mean aside from the obvious running out of pages to read?  You do the second thing I missed:  You CLOSE THE BOOK.  I’m talking about closure in both the literal and figurative sense.  I couldn’t close the damn book!  I could quit the app.  Yay.  I could go back to my virtual Library.  Whoopee.  I have no sense of satisfaction.  I don’t feel like I actually read the book.  

I don’t feel this same sense of loss about tweets or Facebook posts or blogs.  They’re different.  They set different expectations in the reader.  But a book is something else.  It’s a relationship, not a one-night stand.  You get to know it.  You even get attached to it.  You love it.  Sometimes you dump it.  And at the end, you have to leave it.  Closure.  I can’t mentally "leave" my eBook.  And that sucks.  

In fact, I think I may very well buy the real-world version.  I DO want to read it again.  There’s a lot of good stuff in there.  But when I do, I want to be able to close it and be finally done with it.  I love my gadgets.  I really do.  They’re more than mere toys; they’re tools.  And like any tool, you have to use the right one for the job at hand.  I will try this again, but I think that the "right" tool for reading–for me–is a real, old-fashioned, BOOK.

Review: Billy’s Deli

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Billy’s Deli is now open in Potsdam.  It’s where The Fields coffeehouse was.  Enter on Main Street next to the fair trade store.  The stories I’ve seen in the local paper say they are touting fresh, local products for their sandwiches.

The first thing I noticed is that BOTH entrance doors now work!  They didn’t before.  And the "Please Use Other Door" sticker is still on the door.  (I’m a stickler for this.  I’ve never looked it up, but I’m pretty sure that having one of two exit doors blocked is a fire code violation.)

The second thing I noticed is the decor.  They brightened up the place and got rid of the old service counter.  I can’t say it’s an improvement.  But I’m old-fashioned and really liked the way The Fields looked and felt.  This is a highly subjective point, however.

FRIENDLY!  They are really excited and enthusiastic about being open.  Customer service is awesome!

My tastes are simple.  I ordered a "sub"–heavy mayo, roast beef, and extra Swiss cheee.  That’s it.  That’s all I want.  I got it.  And it was delicious!  The kitchen/prep area is clean. 

I’ve only been there once so far and only had that one thing.  Will I go back?  Most likely.  But I have to say this: the deli at the IGA has larger subs with more "stuff" (meat/cheese) for less money, and my taste buds don’t have a preference (based on this one visit to Billy’s).

Your mileage will vary.  I encourage you to try them out!