Late to the Kindle party but having a blast

Confession: I’m a slow adopter of leisure-oriented technology. Just check out the size of this speaker to my 20-year-old stereo.

This speaker is taller than our entertainment center, but not in a good way.

I blame my slow adoption tendency on two things:

1. I want an obvious distinction between work and play. After more than 15 years writing in the high-tech industry, where I used a computer with four different wireless technologies before the average Joe on the street owned a cell phone, I wanted to power it all off when I left my cubicle or home office. When you spend your days documenting the latest and greatest hardware and software, you reach a saturation point. At least I did. And while my current writing work-load is more diverse these days, I’ve kept my low-tech leisure stance. Yes, I have all the high-tech tools and toys you’d expect for a technical writer, but it’s for work, not play.
2. I’m a frugal cheap shopper. I’d rather spend discretionary income on experiences than things. My kids, for example, don’t have the PS-whatever-number-it’s-on, but they’ve vacationed in Mexico, Canada and most of the western United States. We’ve gone hiking, camping, zip-lining, white-water rafting, and snorkeling to name just a few excursions. And we’ve made many memories with a backdrop of amazing views. I think this beats the view they’d get on any plug-in screen.

Can you believe the campground here was almost empty?

But though I like my leisure low-tech, I’m not hiding off-the-grid. I do adopt eventually. This month I used some Christmas gift money and adopted a Kindle. I named her Beth.

She may lack a little color, but Beth is a babe.

As an avid reader I use my library card on a regular basis. Heck, I think I should have my own parking space at the library. I also frequent bookstores when I’m not feeling frugal cheap and I have the bookshelves to prove it. But over the last year I kept reading reviews and meeting authors of electronic indie books. I got curious. I wanted to read a few.

Since I’m frugal cheap, I ordered the most inexpensive Kindle. She arrived last week. Wow! For the first time I wish I’d adopted earlier. Beth wouldn’t get any catcalls if she walked down the street but she’s sure something to look at. Within minutes I loaded her up with three indie books and was reading away. A few days later I browsed the Kindle store and packed Beth’s arms full of classic literature, poetry and a few more indie books. It’s clear I’m going to need a bigger book-buying budget.

And I’m already envisioning taking Beth on our next family vacation adventure. Unlike last summer’s two-week Canadian camping trip, I won’t come back with library late fees. I also won’t be limited to three books by space restrictions. I can take as many as I like because Beth doesn’t gain an ounce, no matter how many books I make her carry.

Beth looks so slim and elegant on my stack of books.

This unimpressed, tech-jaded writer just got a technology crush. Scratch that. I think I’m in love.

Have you adopted a Kindle? If so, what’s your favorite e-book?
Do you prefer spending money on things or experiences?
Do you have a technology crush?