The death of Brick & Mortar

The end of an era.

A few nights ago I got the itch to see a movie. I can usually scratch it via my collection, or the discount bin @WalMart. Like books if it is something I enjoy, I prefer to own it as I have been constructing a prose, video and music library for sometime now. I don't go to theatres anymore. The idea of going in alone is unbearable. I suppose I could find another person to go with, but, to me, that is worse. A treachery.

Standing where I was (in a massive strip mall that use to be half dirt, half tennis courts for senior-citizens.... but that's over 20 yrs ago). Ten yrs ago there were two movie rental places w/in walking distance of that spot; one a chain, one a Mom 'n Pop.

I also knew that the Blockbuster by former employer of 5 yrs had recently closed. So I searched my phone --> "movie rentals 92673" The search found the defunct Blockbuster on Pico and the one on PCH [the one my One & Only and I used to rent from!!!!]

I raced down there.

Vacant.

Gutted.

I wanted to rent! I wanted to see True Grit because Jeff Bridges is in it + Coen Bros. But I haven't seen it so I don't WANT to buy it - maybe it sucks! Unlikely, but I'm too poor to bet $14.95 on it! I wanted to see Battle: Los Angeles because I love LA [and consequently would like to see it LEVELED] and could tell this was one of those movies where they hired B actors so they could spend the remaining $100mill on FX. I KNOW I don't want to own this one - but I DO want to see it. once.

I don't like RedBox, because as soon as you step up to the damn thing, 3 SoCal-in-a-huge-hurry-so -hurry-the-f***-up types file in behind, then 6, then 9.... *sigh* RedBox has taken the Popular/New-Releases section, in so doing eliminating anything decent made before 2010 and the best part - BROWSING. They've also automated the process and eliminated countless jobs.

Why worry? There's a cascading effect here that Amazon, eBay, RedBox, et al. are creating dear reader. The Borders @ Sunset & Vine? Closed. Borders @ Oso Pkwy? "Going out of Business sale."

1st the B&M movies ... then B&M Books. What's next? Oh that's right. Tower Records went belly up years ago.

btw - is it ironic that I am using the same medium [internet] that, as it bulldozes Mom 'n Pop stores and chains alike, also give me a free medium to gripe about it? Or is it a coincidence?
A famous writer/editor once told me that in the Alanis Morrissette hit "Ironic" all the scenarios she poses "...rain on your wedding day/free ride when you've already paid..." are ALL coincidences, NOT ironies???
Maybe this should be the weekly "food for thought" section.

Featured Author: Carolyn Parkhurst
I have just received a copy of her 3rd novel (I read her 1st; Dogs of Babel, in one sitting)

"There are some stories no one wants to hear."

this is the 1st sentence in her latest: The Nobodies Album. I anticipate a roller coaster ride .... in Dogs of Babel, Parkhurst takes the reader from unimaginable tragedy (well, to me it is, but anyway) gut wrenching emotion, to intrigue and suspense, to a tangent that will blow you out of your chair (and if you are a big-time heavy-hitting "dog lover" I must warn that Parkhurst explores unspeakable animal abuse. And Nazis). I just hope it's not like Little Children ... I liked the book so much I bought Tom Perotta's next novel; Which is about a stoner who plucks at his guitar all day and listens to the washer/dryer hum. UNREADABLE. And I like Little Children more that Dogs of Babel, but Ill give Parkhurst the benefit of the doubt and report back.

And you, dear reader, thx 4 stopping by and do something fun this week.