This Given Sunday

It's Sunday at 7 p.m., and I'm driving home from running errands when I notice the lady at the gas station who runs a flower stand on the corner of the lot. She's offering flowers to all the station attendants, her face visibly tired from the day's work. I get the impression that whatever quota she needs to make ends meet still hasn't been reached. Those are the thoughts running through my mind as I pass by.

In the car, I'm listening to Stephen King's On Writing. I started the book on Kindle but, for whatever reason, ended up sticking with the audio version, which is excellent. It's not so much that I want to become a novelist, but I'm fascinated by his life story and his reflections on writing itself.

After I turned it off to reflect on this afternoon's reading, I realized there's a clear difference between reading on Kindle and reading a physical book. For me, there's no longer any doubt: reading a physical book versus the same content on my iPad or Kindle is like comparing the top speed and performance of a Toyota Supra to an F1 car—you simply can't. The speed, depth, and focus I can achieve with a physical book far surpass what I manage with an electronic device.

Later, I discovered that several studies show comprehension and retention are often better on paper than on screens, especially for non-fiction. That's definitely true for me. As cumbersome as carrying books can be, it's back to the old days: I'll gladly lug books around because, in my view, there's just no comparison.

I finished the day playing CQB games with my son and his new Nerf guns from Santa. I'm trying to teach him that the key is to play with speed and accuracy. Once we've finished counting in our "hidden" corners of the house and start searching for each other, moving aggressively at speed really pays off. It's true in this game and in life—and it's a ton of fun.

I can't complain; between running errands, reading, writing, and enjoying quality time with my children, it's been a truly fine Sunday.