Thursday, September 10, 2009

A LITTLE TREAT…

Toys. We all need them.

I tend not to indulge myself in jewellery (that’s the dh’s job) or fancy clothes. Since I spend most of time in office “comfort” clothes, or in the kids’ abandoned t-shirts messing about in the garden, one new classic a year tends to fulfil my need for designer chic (although it has been a year since I last splurged so I need to think about that).

But I have been yearning for a net book. One of those tiny little computers that weighs next to nothing and has a battery that lasts more than twice as long as any laptop I’ve ever owned. Actually, Freddie, my laptop has a battery that beeped its last a couple of years ago and now sits permanently attached to an electric point, never to venture out again, but perfect for the internet.

Last week, abandoning a trip to the coast because it was raining – again – we went to Borders in Swansea to stock up on the latest titles. I was rather shocked to see yards of empty shelves in the romance section which has now lost its position near the magazines and has been pushed to the back of the store, leaving crime and paranormals with the prime space.

We all know that the bricks and mortar stores have been suffering badly in competition with online book sellers who can cut prices and wield their muscle by removing books from publishers who won’t play their discount game. My fear is that hundreds of books have simply been returned to publishers to improve Borders cash flow situation. Bad for publishers, bad for authors. Not great for book buyers either, in the long term. Browsing on the 'net is nowhere near as pleasurable as touching the books -- and you don't get that "leap out at you" love at first sight thing, either. Fingers crossed those shelves will soon be filled with Christmas titles and the gaps will be there for all the right reasons.

Anyway the dh, having picked up books 2 and 3 in Simon Scarrow’s Wellington/Bonaparte quartet and the latest Sebastian Faulk, remembered he had an urgent need for a magenta ink cartridge (he’s entering some photographs in the The Big Village Show being held at the Millennium Gardens later this month) and we crossed the road to the electrical store across the road. Which is when, having restrained myself admirably in Borders – just a BBC Italian Cookery magazine and some envelopes for me -- I saw the tiniest Acer Net Book and lost control of my credit card.

I have to admit the price was the clincher. It was on “special” for the Bank Holiday, the price cut by a £100, which is not chicken feed.

Slender, sexy in her little black dress I was going to call her Audrey. But she’s a Welsh Net Book, from Swansea, Dylan Thomas’s “sea town” and as I charged her up she whispered to me in the soft lilting accent of Mae-Rose Cottage in Under Milk Wood, “…call me Delores, like they do in the stories…”

So here she is, the latest member of the Liz Fielding writing team. Delores. You'll be hearing a lot from her. Her first assignment, the Amba lunch next week in London.

11 comments:

Kate Hardy said...

Ooh, Liz, she's lovely! I look forward to meeting her (and even more to seeing you) next week.

BeeCycling said...

I have one like that! It's dead handy. I went for one with Linux and just flash memory not a hard disk, so it could be my lean, mean writing machine (with a sideline in surfing when there's a wireless network handy.) No Windows hassles and fewer distractions.

Caroline said...

Hi Liz. Welcome to the club - the Acer Aspire club that is! The darling dh bought me one last Christmas. I looooovvvvveeee her. Mine is a white one and she is so versatile. I'm currently typing this sitting watching the One Show. I take her everywhere. Since she's white I can her Blondie. Here's to many a happy hour typing and using the internet. Take care. Caroline x

Lacey Devlin said...

She's just gorgeous! My naughty side is demanding I go out and get one for myself... hmm...

Jan Jones said...

Welcome to Delores, Liz. I adore my Nymph - we go everywhere together and she is just SO useful when I'm away. (Also when I'm home and no one else is up, come to think of it)

Anonymous said...

Oh I love the sound of Dolores already! I recall hearing Dylan Thomas reading ' A Child's Christmas in Wales' many years ago, and if Dolores can conjure up the same magic - it is a sure fire winner!
Looking forward to meeting Dolores and yourself next week.
Nina :-)

Ally Blake said...

Oooh I'm getting an itch to get a new laptop. Is this the one I need???

Margaret Mayo said...

Liz, I've just bought one too, though mine's a Dell and it's Pink - perfect for romance. And she's coming to London with me. I haven't given her a name yet.

Liz Fielding said...

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, Margaret!

Liz Fielding said...

And you Nina, and Kate.

I know the first born would have gone for the Linux, JFM, but I like the familiar!

White, Pink -- I love "Blondie", Caroline; does she sing, too? :)

And Nymph. I was so right when I called this a Girls Toy!

Ally, one look and you will hooked!

Margaret Mayo said...

OK,I've named her. Since she's a Dell - I'm calling her Adele!!