Don't Laugh...

[OldStrummer]

Yesterday, I realized I hadn't actually visited my local library in a while. Since it's only 1/2 mile from my home, I added it to my daily walk outing. Although I've been using their electronic services for years (at least since COVID), I am aware that they offer a lot more than I can download on my computer. So, I decided to roam around the stacks for a while and see what might interest me.

So, here's where it gets funny, and I invite you to add your own offerings: I checked out two books. Both of them were from the "... for Dummies" series: GarageBand for Dummies and Bass Guitar for Dummies. See? I asked you not to laugh.

Hey, they're loans from a library, not something for which I'm shelling out my own money. I've toyed with GarageBand before, but it's a pretty complex program, even for Mac users (maybe I should say "especially" for Mac users?). Turns out there's a new edition released just a few months ago, but again, it's a library loan.

There was another book for beginner bass on the shelf, but I actually liked the layout and structure of the Dummies book better.

When I checked them out, I told the nice librarian that now that I'm retired, I hoped to spend more time visiting. She welcomed my enthusiasm, but also suggested I not stop using the e-services. I won't.

Okay, on a slightly more serious note, I actually have found a lot of value with some of the Dummies books. I remember a business trip I took to Switzerland back in the 1990s and packed the "Oracle 7 for Mac for Dummies" (long out of print) which included a CD with the software, and I spent time learning the program. I later became an Oracle Certified Professional, so it was a good starting point for me.

Why did I title this thread "Don't Laugh...?" Probably because it's a personal quirk of mine: I don't like thinking of myself as a dummy.

But as I've gotten older, I've begun to realize how much of a dummy I really am.

[Tele-Bob]

But as I've gotten older, I've begun to realize how much of a dummy I really am.

That's the first part of getting smarter!

[Don]

I learned to juggle using a Dummies book (actually, it was a Klutz book)! It only took a couple of hours (I've since forgotten how).

I took a Garageband course on a few Saturday mornings at the local Guitar Center about 10 years ago. I've forgotten how to use that as well!

[ch willie]

Hey, I’ve learned a lot about photography with a dummies book. I need to review it.

[Laker]

I guess we don’t need any “dummy” books because we’re not looking for any “how-to” books.

My wife hits the local library for books to read (now she’s into “Killers of the Flower Moon”) and as a great source for DVDs (we get around six per week). We’ll talk about a film or editorial, request it from the local library, and a week later we watch them. Who needs paid tv services, eh?

[ch willie]

In 2020, I was off work and read over 100 books, including the unabridged War & Peace. Ironically, now that I've begun to make my living by writing again, I get little time to read. Ironic that writing is getting in the way of my reading. I read a lot of fiction, but I have some choice rock and roll books to read. McCartney's books about lyrics, a book about Clapton's guitars, Jimmy Page's Anthology, Roger Daltrey's autobio, and two books about George Harrison supposed to be good.