Samantha Dietz
Samantha Dietz recalls the loss of her neighborhood Blockbuster store and why she fears technology may be taking some joy out of life.
Ever since my eighth birthday, I’ve had sleepover birthday parties. After our stomachs are stuffed with chocolate cake, my friends and I have always gone to Blockbuster to rent some DVD’s. Then, we stay up watching movies. But my most recent birthday was different. All the Blockbuster stores near my house have closed. So, instead of piling in my parents’ cars and scrambling around the video store, we just picked out, or should I say, “clicked out”, a movie from our cable television system.
It was quick and simple, but it just isn’t the same as going to Blockbuster. I miss browsing the tons of movies, especially, how when you would wait in the checkout line, mounds of candy, popcorn and ice cream would be at eye level dragging you in to the load of yumminess.
Going there used to feel like a special excursion: A time to get out of the house and into a land full of opportunity.
I hope technology won’t be used as an excuse to stop doing all of the little things that make life interesting. I still want to feel a part of the community. I appreciate those moments. But it’s a shame when it takes some of the little joys out of life.
