The Book Is Always Better

So the book is always better than the movie but since I finished War and Peace, I've decided to see just how much worse the film adaptions can be. From the 1956 trailer, the many War and Peace movies look so bad they're good. Being alone I control the queue so I think the next week or two I will be on a War and Peace binge. I also can't wait to rewatch Love and Death.

Thanks to Youtube, I found out there is a 2007 miniseries adaption, 395 minutes long, that looks pretty awesome. But it was only released in Europe. Netflix doesn't have it. Amazon doesn't sell it. Most of the youtube videos are in French. These I watch and pretend I am being productive by exposing myself to another language but I really only understand if they say Escusez moi or Je suis ... but nothing after the Je suis. I just know they are something. But Pierre looks a lot like Jermaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords which is pretty entertaining.

So if you happen to be in Europe and want to pick up the miniseries for me I'll reimburse you and you can be my favorite person for the month.

Slurpee Day

Just a friendly reminder that since today is 7/11, it's FREE slurpee day!

Aaron's Favorite Blog

Aaron emailed this blog to me. He said it's his new favorite. I looked at it and it left me ... uh, speechless. There's no way I can even try to compete with what she's got going on.

Mark Your Calendars!

Mark your calendars people! The tenth annual Ohio Pawpaw festival is happening September 13th at Lake Snowden near Albany, Ohio. (Which really isn't near anything except an old Amish guy who likes to sit in front of his cabin and nod at the cars that drive by.) That's what Norma and I found out a year ago. But it's great fun. Lots of pawpaw food, history, music, art, enthusiasm and some good camping. I'm going. You should come too. You can learn more on the official website here.

Kid in the Candy Shop

I learned that our new apartment is less than a mile away (.21) from The Torpedo Factory. The Torpedo Factory used to make bombs, but it was redesigned into an art center. There's studio space, galleries, and LOTS and LOTS of art classes. The classes are taught by the reputable Art League so they'll have instructors who actually know what they're doing. I've been looking through the catalog and I feel like a kid in a candy shop! Intaglio, Painting, Pastels, Figure Drawing, Printing, Pottery, I can't decide! You can see all the classes here. I think I'll sign myself up for one for my birthday.

The talent that is Bear Grylls

I was just excited to learn that I can get the whole season of Man vs Wild on Netflix!! Now if I could only get my mail back! (Aaron stole the netflix movies by requesting a forward/hold on the mail which has made me very very angry. He's currently doing penance and will continue to do penance until my mail is restored.)
Anyway, I really love watching Man vs. Wild. If you haven't seen the show, it's hilarious. I think it's designed to kill anyone willing to follow its "survival" advice. Bear Grylls, the host, gives advice like, when lost in the Sahara you can suck water from a dead camel's rancid stomach. What a Great idea!
The show has other perks. Bear Grylls tends to wander through remarkably beautiful places which makes for good viewing. But his REAL skill is his uncanny ability to find some excuse to take off his shirt. I think he does it at least once every episode, even the episode in the Arctic Circle. He's that good.

The Effects of Canada

In honor of yesterday being Canada Day, I thought I'd post this picture. I believe it is a good illustration of the effects Canada has an organism. You can see the non-Canadian marmot is a self-satisfied, plump, happy little fellow. Sadly, his Quebec cousin has the haunted gaze and hunch-backed pose produced from surviving a Canadian winter. For more Canada Day fun, you can take this Canada Quiz created by real live Canadians.