For the past two and a half months we’ve been reaching out to folks from different segments of the office imaging industry to learn what they are reading, watching, and listening to as a way to distract themselves from the constant stream of COVID-19 news and information. As we move into the summer months and more businesses reopen, we are wrapping up this special feature for now. We hope you have enjoyed seeing what your contemporaries in the industry have been reading, watching and listening to during this time.
This week’s installment includes executives from Hytec Dealer Services, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., and two members of The Cannata Report.
Eric Auman, President & CEO, Hytec Dealer Services
Reading: I tend to read more non-fiction and self-improvement books. I always read Investor’s Business Daily and keep up with industry publications (Starting with The Cannata Report of course!). During this time I’ve read “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey, “50 states, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do” published by National Geographic, and have been taking a deeper dive into “The Bible” with a one-year daily reading plan.
Watching: Aside from news, sports, and documentaries I do not watch a lot of TV, however, during this time I’ve caught up on much of “The Big Bang Theory” and watched the movie “Hacksaw Ridge,” which was amazing. On YouTube I’ve watched a lot of “Carpool Karaoke” produced by “The Late Show with James Corden.” In particular, I loved the one with Paul McCartney, and highly recommend it!
Listening: I recently started a subscription with Apple Music, which has given me a great opportunity to upload unlimited music that I grew up with. I like a large variety of music, including all types of rock, country, and pop. I listen to a variety of podcasts focusing on politics, the news, self-help, and the bible and faith. As a primary diversion during this time to relax and clear my mind, I’ve gotten back into golf. All courses have taken measures to keep everyone safe, and our Florida weather has been fantastic. It’s given me a chance to get back outdoors, reconnect with my golfing friends, and gain a renewed frustration for my golf game. I’ve also enjoyed the Florida weather by doing more boating with my family during this time.
Scott Cullen, Editor-in-Chief, The Cannata Report
Reading: I just finished “Devolution” by Max Brooks (Mel’s son), author of “World War Z.”” This was pure escapist entertainment about a small community created by a dotcom entrepreneur in the middle of the forest in Washington state. When Mount Rainier erupts the community finds itself cut off from civilization and threatened by a hungry family of Sasquatch who are fleeing the destruction caused by the volcano. Strong female characters on both sides make for a fun and entertaining read. Before that I read “The Wax Pack: On the Open Road in Search of Baseball’s Afterlife” by Brad Balukjian. I used to be an avid baseball card collector and I’m still a huge baseball fan, I was intrigued by the concept behind this book. Five years ago the author purchased an unopened pack of Topps baseball cards and then set out on a road trip to meet and interview all of the players. Some proved elusive, but most welcomed his visit and were extremely candid as they shared their stories with the author. I moved on to heavier reading–historian Barbara Tuchman’s “A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century,” originally published in 1978. This was the century of “The Black Death,” and I am completely captivated reading about life in Medieval times. I wish I was that captivated reading about this period in my college Western Civilization I class.
Watching: We just started watching “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” It’s a lot edgier than I expected. I’ve seen a few movies of late on The Criterion Channel that I highly recommend although they are probably more suitable for those with international and art house movie tastes. The first is “Columbus,” about a high-school girl in Columbus, Indiana who befriends a young man from South Korea who has traveled to Indiana after his father, a well-known architect who was scheduled to speak at the local college suffers a stroke. They spend most of their time talking visiting and discussing the many architectural wonders surprisingly found in this midwestern town. It was beautifully filmed and anyone familiar with the movies of the Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu will notice the similarities, particularly in the way the director, Kogonada, films buildings, hallways, rooms, and nature. I love simple movies like this. Last weekend I watched “Andrei Rublev” a Russian movie from 1966 about the 15th century Russian painter. The three-hour movie is a series of vignettes, some where Rublev is the focus, others where he is mostly a spectator, that provides s a historical depiction of Russia in the 15th century. Other recent viewings include “The Queen” with Helen Mirren (excellent), “But I’m a Cheerleader” with Natasha Lyonne (quirky and fun), and “Between the Lines,” a long-time favorite from that’s hard to find in any format about the staff of an underground newspaper in Boston in 1977. It has a great cast, including John Heard, Jeff Goldblum, Bruno Kirby, Michael J. Pollard, and Lindsay Crouse.
Listening: My current vinyl and streaming playlists includes new albums from Norah Jones, Neil Young, Haim, Nicole Atkins, Ashley McBryde, Beach Bunny, Hayley Williams, Brandy Clark, and Phoebe Bridgers. My musical tastes remain eclectic as always.
Petra Diener, European Correspondent, The Cannata Report
Reading: Luckily, I don’t have more time than usual, so it’s reading as usual. Every morning Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post. Over lunch, The New Yorker’s daily selection and to wind down after a long day in front of the computer, audiobooks. Currently, I’m chewing on Samuel P. Huntington’s “The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of the World Order.” Before that, I finished Rutger Bregman’s “Utopia for Realists,” and Bruce Cannon Gibney’s “A Generation of Sociopaths: How the Baby Boomers Betrayed America.” Always audio and digital book parallel.
Watching: SpaceX’s Dragon meets International Space Station; how amazing was that! “Justified,” over and over again. “Boardwalk Empire,” “Blue Bloods,” “Columbo,” “Homeland,” “Band of Brothers,” “Spooks” (UK), “The High Chaparral,” “Mind your Language” (UK version only!). And Joaquin Phoenix in “The Joker.” If I had more time, so many others are waiting on my watch list. (I need to talk to my boss, I need more time off.
Listening: Igor Levit—either “canned” or live via Twitter (@igorpianist—it’s highly addictive, don’t try it). Sheku Kanneh-Mason on the cello. Aram Khachaturian, Awolnation, Boards of Canada, Creed, Eva Cassidy, Fazil Say, Gangstagrass, Groove Armada, Kirill Richter, Noir Desir, Portishead, Sigur Rós, Zucchero, Vladimir Vizocki, Pink, and so many, many others. Did I mention I can’t live without music? It’s like breathing.
Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.
Reading: For reading I have not been so successful. I have been following the chief economic advisor at Allianz Mohamed A. El-Erian on Twitter as I think he provides a wealth of informative insight on what is happening in the economy without a lot of spin. Not much time for casual reading when much of my day is spent on Zoom, Google, Microsoft Teams, and Webex meetings.
Watching: As far as watching goes, we seem to have every possible streaming service in my house. Movies include “Ford vs Ferrari ,” which was great; “Uncut Gems,” which was a good movie but two hours of nonstop anxiety; and several of the Marvel movies. On TV, “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Chopped,” “Fast ‘N Loud,” and “Deadliest Catch.”
Listening: Music is a variety from jazz to symphony to Chill to Alt Nation on Sirius. I’ve also enjoyed the special stations on the app like the Eagles channel and Prince Channel.
Access Related Content
Visit the www.thecannatareport.com. To become a subscriber, visit www.thecannatareport.com/register or contact cjcannata@cannatareport.com directly. Bulk subscription rates are also available.
