The Three Rs In The 21st Century

"Readin', ritin', and 'rithmetic."

I've always been a reader.  I remember my parents reading to me; I have no idea when I started reading myself- that's lost in the mists of time- but I've always loved it.  And I've wanted to be a writer almost as long.  I made a book of airplane drawings and info when I was in elementary school, and named the publishers after myself.  Wish I still had that...

I think for a lot of people reading and writing go together.  A lot of people are voracious readers and wish they were writers.  I am a writer, though I don't make any money at it.  But on here, and elsewhere, I write when I can, about whatever I want.  Even though I don't support myself by writing (though I've had a few little things published, for just about enough to buy myself lunch) it is a great creative outlet for me.  I wrote for my high school paper, my college dorm paper, a little political paper, and now in a couple of blogs and on review sites.

And I read.  A lot.  How I read has changed over the years.  I used to go to the library several times a week; now it's once a month or so.  There's just something about a library, and real books, that technology can't replace.  I used to go to bookstores a lot, spend hundreds of dollars there.  (I still could; keep me out of museum bookstores!)   I have shelves of books I've read, and a shelf waiting to be read.  Why can't I keep up with the books I have, and why don't I get more from the library?  I read online, on my computer, on my phone.  I read e-books, I find news and other information online.  I still read paper books and magazines, newspapers, etc., just not as much.  But I'm reading whenever I have free time.  Technology has changed how I read, but not how much.  Plus, I can now research anything almost instantly.  Literally in the palm of my hand I have access to libraries and other sources of information all over the world.  I can find an answer to pretty much any question.  Most of those questions are trivial, of course; but even then, if I wanted to look up something about a movie I used to have to find time to get to the library when they were open.  Now I can check from my living room, or bedroom, or the break-room at work, any time of the day.  It's frigging awesome.

Computers and smartphones have changed the world for readers and writers, and for everyone.  But I still read a lot, and am glad I can.  And I write more now than ever.  Arithmetic... not so much.  I use the basics at work, but rely on calculators, mostly the one on my phone... (Speaking of the 3 Rs- sorry Mr. Russell.  I still use a bit of calculus and geometry, but not much...)  I guess what I'm saying is my phone is my library, and calculator.  Not my pen or typewriter though- I'm still a little old school.  I use the computer, or occasionally a tablet.  But you know, once in a while, yep, the phone too.  I'm beginning to understand Miss Mox's obsession with wifi...  I'm lucky to have found a life partner who is also a reader and writer.  She understands and supports my obsessions, and provides choice reading material (and tech advice.)