A while ago I posted a joke on Face Book about how I wanted a Kindle E-Reader for Christmas and I said that under the tree I spied a present with my name on it, I silently opened the present to find a Ken Doll instead, and I chocked it up to language barrier. The Joke received a few chuckles and I thought that was that!
My Buddy Tommy is a Merchant Seaman and sails as a First Engineer, Five months ago when he left the Philippines to meet his ship in the Indian Ocean he said that he was going to visit two of his grown children who live in Casper Wyoming when his tour was up. Wyoming in December, better him than me. But while there he would pick me up a Kindle E-Reader and bring it to the Philippines for me. Now that’s a friend!
The first time we got together after he returned was at the party at my house that I told you about last week, Tommy and his lovely lady Lolet arrive and with manly hugs between shipmates we are happy to see each other, Tommy quickly hands me a U.S. Merchant Seaman, ball cap, which I put on right away. We commenced to talk about ships and sea and manly subjects pertaining to our commonly shared occupation.
But the subject of the Kindle E-Reader just never came up. I decided not to broach the subject feeling that Tommy in his own good time would get around to it. After a few cocktails Lolet walks by the table and with a twinkle in her eyes said to us; Tommy did you tell Paul about his Kindle?
You could cut the silence with a broad sword, all the people at the table turn to Tommy with baited anticipation. Tommy took a swig from his boat drink, a smile appeared and he lapsed in to his chronicle of the E-Reader. Purchased at Best Buy in Beautiful downtown Casper Wyoming, ready for its trip to the Philippines. Tommy was thinking that if it was still brand new in the box there could be a problem with custom duties upon arrival in Manila.
Being the worldly traveler that he is, and also wanting to read on the long trip home so he decided to use the Kindle on the flight over. Knowing that his friend Paul would have no trouble with that, but as in most things, fate will rear its ugly head and take maters into its own hands. Debarking the plane in Korea with a one hour layover be boarded the flight to finish the journey into Manila Philippines. As his flight reach cruising altitude Tommy reached into the seat pocket to finish reading his book. But alas, he was on a different airplane and this airplanes seat pocket held nothing but a puke bag and an emergency exit chart. The Kindle was miles behind on another plane in an alternative universe. And sadly he never got to finish his book.
The Pacman fight was about to start, the table of friends and shipmates was collectively on the floor laughing our tails off. (Fill in the word you know I wanted to use) The moral of the story is don’t try to fool customs, are fate will intervene.
17 December, I’m taken forcibly to the SM Mall in San Fernando by my Granddaughter and family for the obligatory yearly squandering of money tour prior to Christmas. While there my cagy mind said; “I will seek out and find a Kindle Reader.” Twenty five or more electronic stores and not one E-Reader were to be found, to add insult to the many “Not Available” I heard. Not one person even knew what it was I was seeking; reading is a lost art in the Philippines I’ll assume.
Then while gorging myself on my yearly Burger King Double Whopper w/Cheese and Onion Ring, I had a light bulb moment. Remember the not so funny joke at the begging? Well, my fearless leader Mindanao Bob commented that he used a Samsung Galaxy Pad deal or something like that, with an e-reader apt. So off I go again in search of the same.
Wow everyone knew what I was talking about now, up to and even about the e-reader part of the equation But I only wanted to read a damn book, and the prices for these pad things were off the scale for what I wanted. Then in “King Com.” (And no I’m not making up that name). Riza, the charming sales girl was sent to me by a higher power to solve my problem. A 9 inch Iview Cyber Pad Tablet PC.
She heard what I was saying, went directly to the e-reader section on the R2D2, called up a book (The Iliad by Homer) showed me how to load books, or read off of Wi-Fi, plus how to increase the size of the font, save my page, turn the page, and the rest about reading I already knew. She was set to show me both cameras front and back, still and video and a myriad of other wonderful things it would do. But why?
I smiled and explained that I now knew all I needed to know, as I just wanted to be able to read a book. While she was programming this tiny computer in a can, I watch her dainty little fingers dance across the screen with lightning speed, I was envious of her talent and knowledge that she held over this equipment. When she was done she asked If I wanted to purchase it, I was a bit taken back as I thought I already did, So I paid her the grand sum of p 6,000.00 and as she repacked the box and gave it to me, I smiled and thanked her for the trust she had placed in me. She looked at me askance and asked what I meant. I said “Your finger prints are all over that Tablet, if I kill someone, I’ll toss it beside the body and run. First shock, then she started laughing and calling over her co-workers and telling them what I had said. I departed the store knowing one very important thing; Riza will wipe down anything else before she sells it.
Back to the house, my two daughters and granddaughter are looking over the new pad tablet minicomputer in a can e-reader thing, and comparing it to their Samsung Galaxy and have deemed it a good thing. I’ve not seen it since. Oh I did find out it was an android, kinda’ like R2D2 and 3CPO, I always wanted something like that.
A few days pass, I checked my computer and found about 100 books I wanted to load onto R2D2 my tiny little android, when I encountered my first major major problem, the instruction was printed in a little book using size 4 fonts. The company had never intended that a sixty five year old man would be using their product. I turn it over to my daughter and request that she load my books to R2D2.
The books were loaded and nothing happened, couldn’t read them but they were there. Head scratching, confusion and anger entered into the situation, then I grabbed the offending little android dude and went up the hill to my friend Don’s house. Since he had a pad (Of another Brand) I felt he might be able to help. Within a few minutes I was informed that the book reading App on mine was only for reading books online, so the proper App was downloaded and the books jumped on the screen with a mighty flash of light and with trumpets blaring!
My daughter and niece removed R2D2 from my procession as soon as I returned home and I’ve not seen it since, but that’s okay as I still have 6 regular books to read before I’ll need my library Card carrying R2D2 Android buddy. Did I mention it was also my Christmas present?
Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!
(Well; all but one, but they know who they are! LOL)
Merry Christmas Paul. I have the same problem with cell phones, I buy myself a new one and they vanish never to be seen again.
That is an amazing thing about electronics; I had many items go the way of the duck, south never to return.
Merry Christmas to you as well, Paul. As you found out, an e-reader is not at all necessary to read e-books. I have had a Barnes and Noble Nook for servarl years, but most of the time I read e-books on my iPhone as I always have it with me. Also, your android tablet will do so much more than a simple e-reader. The main advantages of dedicated e-readers IMHO are that the text often is clearer and brighter in sunlit conditions and the battery life is much longer (up to 30 days vs. one or two days for an android tablet. Hope you enjoy your electronic devices as much as I enjoy mine.
Mike;
You’re right about the battery not a lot of time, but I’ll fall asleep before it gets “Low Batt.” The reading screen, outside, might never be a problem as I keep my hammock in the shade (lol). I’ve been given over 3000 books by my friends and at my age I hope that’s enough. But I think the R2D2 was the best way for me, as the rest of the family loves it and I get it back at my reading times. We’ll see how it goes!
Best holiday wishes Paul. You can actually just order a Kindle from Amazon, they will ship Kindles here. I just did that after I accidentally broke mine. Cost about $120 including shipping to Davao and taxes. Arrived just fine in a couple of weeks (DHL).
Jack;
As I found out that is true, but the pad is bigger, does more and costs about $25.00 more and I took it home that day. “Six of one a half dozen of the other”. The ladies are happy, so it stands to reason that I’ll be happy! (lol)
HI PAUL
HAPPY XMAS TO U AND UR FAMLIY OD MATE AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OK TAKE CARE AND HAVE A LITTLE DROP FOR ME OK LOL PETER MARTIN ….TASSIE
Peter;
There will be Rum in my future, but not so much as my granddaughter will be with me tonight. You know Christmas and all that! I wish also a great day for you and yours!
Paul does your tablet have a regular plug in to AC charger, or a connect to computer charger? My Grand daughters had Kindles and hardly used them as the batteries were so bad charging from the computer. I found out they make a charger for the kindle and the sales rep said a lot of people don’t like the Kindle until they buy the real charger. Grand Daughters are happy with their Kindles now.
I think the e-readers are by far the best way to read books-a wonderful invention.
Loren;
Both the computer and its own charger on my new android (R2D2), I’m Lovin’ the large fonts for my old eyes. A great invention indeed! Get here quick, a lot of new people for you to meet, and Gil and Paul from TJ’s were asking about you a day ago.
Hi Paul – I think your mate Popeye is telling you porkie pies. In order to get started with a Kindle you have to enter certain personal information to allow you to purchase eBooks online and additionally enter a password to protect it incase of being lost or stolen.So if he used it as you say he would have had to enter his own details as I assume he did not have yours to hand.
I think your Kindle may just turn up after all, under the Christmas tree.
Kind regards.
Jim.
Jim;
It’s in Korea, that is a given, Tommy was one of the guys along with Bob Martin to recommend the android Pad dooly thingy with an e-reader App. So I don’t think a password will do any good. I downloaded a converter for all my books to be in my format so I’ll read them all someday. Have a great Christmas and the best to you and yours!
Merry Christmas Paul… Enjoy the books and your family… It is more fun in the Philippines!
Merry Christmas to you Gary, I have fun everywhere! (lol)
Merry Christmas to you and your family Paul. Looks like you bought something that everyone in the house will enjoy. I got a good laugh on your comment about the fingerprints to the sales girl in the store. It is just now that I figured out what a Ken Doll had to do with this article LOL.
Merry Christmas Everyone !
Bob;
I told Bob Martin that I slip in an innuendo or a hidden joke in every story I submit, and wait to see who caught it. You win Bob!
Right at this minute the young girls Niece Granddaughter and cousins are in the other room on Wi-Fi with my R2D2, more fingerprints I guess, so far mine are not on it. Also a glorious Christmas season to your family!
Merry Christmas, Paul and all of the Thompson clan! Merry Christmas to all LiP readers as well!
Paul, enjoy both your e-reader and your Ken Doll as well! Have fun, but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.. oh hold it… I would not want a Ken doll! ha ha….
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Mr. Martin;
Nobody needs two Ken Dolls, so I understand your reluctance to receive another one.
But to Clan Martin I wish the best Christmas that you could imagine, and that your house be blessed with happiness for the upcoming New Year!
😉
Paul, I want to wish you and your family and very Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh and think about the E-reader that your friend had left on the plane as a gift to someone that needed more than you. HEHEHE.
Bill;
That thought occurred to me also, the little Korean lady that cleans the plane must have been very happy, I hope she reads English. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
She does now!
Randy;
Then we’ve helped a person with their education, and I feel better about TOMMY’S lose!
I purchased a BlackBerry Playbook for my wife last year. Picked it up and clicked on Kobo Reader and I was hooked. Wife bought me one for my birthday a week later. My wife and the kids moved back to Baguio City in August with me to follow in November. I asked what anyone wanted before I left Canada to rejoin them. The usual baking goods, chocolate, etc, and 3 playbooks. Turns out her playbook was very popular. 64 gigs holds books, games, and music.
Kyle;
The print on the Blackberry and cell phones is much to small for me to read. But If I could I have my cell with me more often. I’ve not seen a Playbook, but with that much memory it would have to be a good thing.
When I want baking goods, instead of searching 50 stores I go to a bake shop and buy from them. It’s the only place I can get bread flour for my bread machine.
Paul,
Hope Mayang, You and your family have a wonderful Christmas and great New Year. That new android e-reader sounds like a good idea to get when i move there. Have fun at your annual Noche Buena Party. I’m looking forward to my first one in 2014. Have an extra cold one for me, even though i know the adult beverages will be kept to a minimum due to young children being present. Take care and always stay safe.
PapaDuck:
Adult beverages will be kept to a minimum, you jest. Remember I can send a 6 year old to the store to buy beer. Christmas is upon us today, and the presents were given out last night. Happy is the word of the day and I will be taking one long battle nap later! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas to you and your family Paul.
I am enjoying having my e-reader. I am waiting to go to Leeds Library to get a library card so I can borrow ebooks. One way to get free books, and they only stay on the ereader for a specified time.
Happy Reading
Marjorie;
I had wondered how that worked with a Library book, thanks for clearing it up for me. You can take my beer and all my toys but leave me a book to read is all I ask of life.
Merry Christmas Paul and to all LiPians! I can’t argue with you that most of modern gadgetries of today were never intended for not so young, LOL. Again a nice read article.
Louie;
As I’ve watched all these new electronics develop over my life time starting with our first TV when I was four in 1951, I now understand my father watching the growth of avionics over his life time. It’s been a great ride. But most of it is beyond my skill set. But my 10 year old Granddaughter…
Last year on my way to the PH I was waiting in the San Francisco airport for our plane and I noticed someone had left an expensive looking electronic gadget with ear phones on the seat. I tuned it in to the airline gate keepers. About 30 minutes later a couple went up to the desk and were inquiring about their lost article. The attendant denied knowing anything about it, I then proceeded to the counter and told the young couple I had turned it in about 30 minutes earlier. That prompted a search but it had disappeared and the young couple ended up leaving with out it.
Loren;
That does not surprise me at all. TSA has hired the dregs of the earth, people with little education and no common sense. Jack booted thugs with a new found power, so why would them also being thieves be a surprise.
paul
Merry christmas to you and to your wife and happy new year too , for sure next year, there is a new model nice than android
Anne;
Happy New Year to you, Any model that comes out next year will stay in the store, I can read with R2D2 and that’s all I need. You stay well, PapaDuck will be back soon!
plenty of kindle reader here in metro manila malls.
Hi Mark;
I guess you’re right, but I didn’t have to go to Manila and that alone is a wonderful thing, then add in Christmas Traffic, and I know my R2D2 android is a great thing. And it’s bigger also.