There are a lot of really scary things to worry about, but what's preoccupying my worry gene lately is the inevitable demise of the daily newspaper. Oh, I know how to sign in to newyorktimes.com or find the Drudge Report or the Onion. And, I do. But nothing is more satisfying than cozying up in an overstuffed chair with the morning paper on your lap and, perhaps, a burning candle and cup of coffee on the table nearby. Make it a rainy morning and I dare anyone to improve the scene.
I fully understand that The Oregonian is not exactly a first tier publication. It has its virtues, though, not the least of which is its pre-dawn arrival on my front porch. And, hell, I grew up on The Grand Rapids Press, not exactly the paragon of journalism. I don't care. The local, daily paper has been a consistent part of my life for more years than care to admit.
As a kid, it was primarily about the Sunday funnies (we called them the comics). My sibs and I divided up the three pages of color print and took turns perusing Peanuts, Rex Parker, and Archie and his Friends. I'm not much into comics now except that Doonesbury is a fixture and Zits is worth a look. One of my sisters credits Tank McNamara as the source for everything she knows about Sports (and she can hold her own).
I've already confessed my crossword puzzle jones on this site; and believe me, finding and printing free ones from crosswords.com on 8 x 11 inch computer paper doesn't compare to the ecstasy of folding the classified section and working the puzzle in ink.
And, yes, there is the news and the "style" section. Rarely do I really discover "news" here. In fact, I've generally already heard the stories on the radio or TV. But sitting down and reading the pulpy paper that leaves black ink on your hands (and throw blankets, if you're not careful) just seems so much more official. I don't know if I'll search for columnists online when the paper is finally dead. I guess I'll have to evolve, but it will be worse than succumbing to the cell phone, something that's only happened in the past half-decade.
Increasingly, as I learn about layoffs at major papers, or announcements like the recent one from the Christian Science Monitor going all online, I know its coming. And its a bummer. I'll survive. But I won't be happy about it.
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3 comments:
Oh, I so agree with you. I often have this desire to throw out computer, TV, cell phone, gameboys, Wii's and all and live in the dark ages. Wouldn't that be wonderful??
If you think about it, the internet is a baby too along with cell phones. I remember Annie as a one year old and "surfing the net" for the first time. Not too long ago...how did we EVER survive without it?!?!
There is something about sitting with the actual paper in your lap, I agree. As well as handwriting a thank you instead of emailing, calling someone in person instead of texting, or even better, walking across the street....gasp!
I with ya Dot!
On the other hand, I've never known what a great writer you were till you started this blog (silly rhymes, yes, but this kind of thing...). So thank goodness for blogging!
I can remember my darling neighbor insisting, at the top of his lungs, that it would take some kind of personal act of divine intervention before he would give up his vynle (see, I can't even remember how to spell it) records in favor of those expensive, new, idiotic CDs. He was just incredulous that we would have to switch technologies to listen to the Hollies, Tommy James or Jimi Hendrix (trying for a gamut of styles there). Now, how many of us have duplicated our favorite records with the same music on the CD format. And don't even get me started on downloading, bluetooth, myspace, DVRs or blue ray discs. Actually, you probably could get me started but it would end quickly because I don't know that much about them.
I use a computer all day at work, and I truthfully can't stand to even turn it on at home.
Aunt Teese
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