Books
It sometimes happens a student remains a friend long after you both have abandon academe. There are a dozen former students who still communicate and resonate with me several times a year. Randy was one of those people. He made his living as a high tech lighting and sound guy for live shows. He didn't own a computer or cell phone. His response to questions about this paradox was, “Write me a letter or better yet, buy a twelve pack. We'll talk.”
When I left the university town after a decade, I enlisted a few friends, mostly former students, to help load the truck. Even though, or probably because I was a musician, I was a big reader. I also possessed a large library of musical scores. My library had over three thousand items. That's several hundred boxes and many trips between house and truck. As anyone who has moved on a budget knows, the electronics goes on last so there will be music playing while unloading the truck. As I was pulling down the gate on the truck Randy asked, “Dan, where's your TV.” Then he remembered, “That's right, you don't own a TV. You should think about getting one," he said facetiously. "You wouldn't have to pack and load all these books.”
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Author's Note
Before e-books.
Other stories by Daniel Harris
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Ha! I know what he means, not owning a TV, either. *
There is something so simple in this that I really enjoy. I wish I knew what it was. *
My Freshman year, a sociology professor told us she ditched her TV for Netflix. I instantly thought she was the coolest person on the planet.*
*
Thank you Mathew, Paul, Amanda and Tara for reading and commenting. *
Written language is the closest thing to a covenant we get. The covenant is palpable with books. Long live books!
* books always win, no matter their bulk.
I once had a boss advise me to "travel light, and never leave a paper trail." I bet he's dead by now.*
Thank you Gary H, FM Le and Gary P for reading and commenting. I say Amen to your comments.