Like pretty much every techno-readaholic on the planet, I’ve been ‘in the market’ for an eBook reader for quite some time. Not because I can instantly get books (versus an almost 2 hour drive RT). Not because I can carry dozens of books around on one lightweight device, but because I’m sick and tired of wearing glasses when I read. Between the easy-on-the-eyes eInk and the ability to increase the font size, the eBook reader and I are made for each other.

Of course, my imagination goes to other possibilities as well. As a screenwriting professor, I suffer from guilt every semester when I have to ask my students to kill small forests — all in the name of our workshops where dialogue and action are read aloud and the critiques involve rapid fire notations taken during said readings. A device which allowed edits and critiques would be more than amazing. Heck, it’d be good for the environment! In fact, something like this CourseSmart Tablet Concept would be PERFECT.

I’d hoped Apple’s iPad would be the answer to my needs. I’m an enormous fan of the iPhone — it’s the closest thing there is to a Trek tricorder (whoops, showing my geekness there – sorry). Unfortunately, the pad is backlit (hell on the eyes) and the ability to annotate appears minimal.

There’s also the issue of per eBook cost. Afterall, the point of buying an eBook reader is to READ (i.e. BUY!) books.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is still haggling with publishers, but they’re recommending e-book prices be set at $12.99 or $14.99, well above the $9.99-or-less price point Amazon offers for the Kindle. And don’t forget, there’s also two other top contenders out there in eBook land: Barnes & Noble’s THE NOOK and Sony’s eReader. Not to mention a good dozen other offerings, plus more on the way. For right now, however, the aforementioned three are the the most popular. Therefore, I did a bit of comparison shopping for 12 books that are either recent reads or on my current ‘to read’ list. Here’s what I found out price-wise:

On the one hand, it seems like Kindle is the best deal out there for eBooks. On the other hand, I’m disappointed that certain SF titles aren’t available in eBook format through Amazon..though I suspect Amazon’s imposed price ceiling might have something to do with that. Note how Melko and Bear’s books are in the upper teens over at B&N’s Nook and Sony’s store… yet they’re not available yet from Amazon’s Kindle store.

I also find it interesting that two different media tie-in publishers, Fandemonium for Stargate and Pocket for Star Trek, have made their books available only through Amazon.

If I haven’t brought you any closer to making a decision about an eBook reader, you’re not alone. I continue to lean toward the Kindle due to pricing and availability, but when I see gadgets like the iPad, or better yet, this recent demo of Microsoft’s Courier – their possible foray into the tablet market – I can’t help but feel that a bit more waiting might pan out. In the meantime, I’ll use my Kindle for iPhone when necessary.

Don’t worry — I still plan on purchasing particular authors physical books for my collection — but great stories should transcend medium. Storywise, a bound book should have no higher value over a collection of zeroes and ones. Through the past 5,000 years, we’ve managed to move from cave paintings to stone tablets to papryi to wax tablets to paper to digits. Through it all, story is story, no matter what.

It would appear this bit of ‘wisdom’ has traveled far on the Intertubes, yet I couldn’t find it’s original owner.

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door:

Dear Dogs and Cats:  The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food.  The other dishes are mine and contain my food.  Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.  Racing me to the bottom is not the object.  Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed.  I am very sorry about this.  Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however.  Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep.  It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible.  I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door.  I must exit through the same door I entered.  Also, I have been using the bathroom for years – canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is:  Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat’s butt.  I cannot stress this enough..

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1)  They live here.  You don’t.  (2)  If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.  That’s why they call it ‘fur’-niture.  (3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.  (4)  To you, they are animals.  To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don’t speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they (1) eat less, (2) don’t ask for money all the time, (3) are easier to train, (4) normally come when called, (5) never ask to drive the car, (6) don’t hang out with drug-using people; (7) don’t smoke or drink, (8) don’t want to wear your clothes, (9) don’t have to buy the latest fashions, (10) don’t need a gazillion dollars for college and (11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children .

I’ve been under the radar lately… as far as blogging is concerned.  Between the writing, editing, plotting, and let’s not forget the teaching (which has its own universe of writing, editing, plotting, etc.), I’ve been a tad busy.  On top of that, I’m considering how I want to revamp this blog, revamp it with a focus (or dare I say, platform) where what I have to say isn’t just an echo of what a gazillion other bloggers have to say.

More on that later.

In the meantime, Thanksgiving is only a day a way and here’s what’s cooking in my kitchen.

Prosciutto with Persimmons
Johnnycakes with Peekytoe Crab

Cider-Glazed Turkey
Boston Brown Bread Stuffing with Bacon and Tarragon
Yukon Gold Potato and Wild Mushroom Gratin
Roasted Yam Puree
Sauteed Green Beans with Crisp Garlic
Cranberry Chutney

Cornmeal Pound Cake with Rosemary Syrup, Poached Apples, and Candied Rosemary
Caramel-Pumpkin Pie with Mincemeat Ice Cream

Yes, I’m a glutton when it comes to cooking.

Actually, I guess I’m a glutton when it comes to pretty much everything.  Life’s Too Short to do otherwise.

Happy Holiday!

Given time, I think SGU has terrific potential as the heir to the franchise.  The third episode was by and large, MUCH better than parts 1 and 2, simply because there was a driving plot line and several key character throughlines were firmly established.  I’m having problems with Lt. Scott (his background, his ‘excesses’) and I expected to have problems with Sgt. Greer (but after last night’s episode, he’s quickly becoming a favorite along with Col. Young and Eli).

Not sure if any of you have seen the third episode yet, but I thought Richard Dean Anderson did a great job taking a very small scene and giving us a bit of progression for Jack O’Neill.  He says something that I found to be a fascinating insight.  It’s an itty bitty, tiny character moment but it definitely makes you stop and think about how Jack views his past experiences and his current command. (No Spoilers here – go watch it!  It’s free on Hulu, for crying out loud!)

If they can give Jack/RDA some moments like that every few episodes, I think its worth watching to see his character IF he, too, gets to grow a bit. The operative word is IF.

The next two-parter, ‘Darkness’ and ‘Light,’ are directed by Peter DeLuise who’s a stronger actor’s director than the pilot director (Andy Mikita, best known for his confidant camera techniques).  That alone has me convinced we’re in for a ride worth watching.