Alas Poor Video I Loved Thee Well

I remember it vividly. I was a young girl, perhaps 6 or 7.

We were going to my grandmother's house & my parents stopped at a small shop on the outskirts of the town. It was no ordinary shop, for there was no food and no toys. Instead there were many black boxes - some with pictures (of people & animals), many just plain black. What was in these black boxes, I pondered - but I could not figure it out, so instead asked the question of my mother.

‘Why these are videos dear’ my mother said. “Videos - what are these things you speak of - what do they do” I wondered outloud. ‘Oh - A video is a new idea - it's like a movie young one, but one you can watch at home, instead of at the cinema’ she replied. "Video" I replied - and in one instant I had falled in love.

Friday night horror flicks - Video was there, cowering in the corner. Saturday romance - Video was there, crying against the wall. Sunday Dramas, Monday Comedies, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday… Video was there through all of that.

They were great times. Yes… it was a true love affair - we had thousands of adventures together (from The Sound of Music, to Terminator 2), never once tiring of each others company. No matter what happend - whoever else came along - they couldn’t tear us apart - Video had become a part of me, and I a part of him.

Until that is - he came along… It happened one dark night - Video was home by himself, and I had gone down the shops to do some window shopping. I was looking through the electronics section when I saw him, and immediately I knew that we were meant for each other - Video went from my mind in an instant.

He was sleek, thin & had all of the features that I was looking for (it’s funny - I didn’t even know I was missing something from my life until I seen him - I thought Video & I were partners forever). His name was DVD. I had to have him. So… I did it - I took him home.

I left him in the car while I went inside. Gathering a box, I went and broke the sad news to Video. “I’m sorry, my friend - it’s over”, I said - placing him gently in the box. Sure… it was a good run - we'd been through a lot together, but I’d grown up - I’d moved on, to bigger & better things. I needed something that would grow with me, and Video just didn’t have it any more. Before I could change my mind, I quickly took the box & placed it in the trash-can. And… I never saw video again!

But - that’s ok. I have DVD now, and things are working out great.. (Although, I do have to admit - I’ve been checking out downloadable movies & TV, and it seems quite hot - maybe I’ll make the switch again shortly (or maybe I’ll two-time them for a bit).