"Les commencements sont toujours sombres, mon Bastien"

That's it. I have to apply myself to learning German.

Because one of the best books in the world is written in German. And the version of the book makes all the difference.

If you have not yet read The Neverending Story, go, find it in the library and read it! (and to borrow a phrase from a certain "Lauren St. David Blessing." "Go! now! why aren't you running to Borders?" (ok, so I paraphrased it.)

But make sure you get a good copy. Nothing in paperback with black and white type. I'm reading one of those right now. It's ok. But the real version switches back and forth between type that is blue-green and type that is red-purple. Trust me on this. It's important.

If you haven't seen the movie---don't bother. At least until after you've read the book. Again, trust me. And don't read the rest of this entry! You're wasting time! Get on the bus! Or in a car! TO THE LIBRARY!

If you have seen the movie, the book is much much better! and I know I've said that about every movie made out of a book but take my word for it! Think about it...it's a book about a boy reading a book...and think about what happens to that boy over the course of the book...especially in the second one...where he spends most of his time...and then imagine that you're not recieving this story from a movie but from another book. Get it?

And if you happen to find them in the library you can rent the movies again and scoff at them...or reminisce about your childhood if you're not as critical as I am. But take note...watch B's lips closely as he's shouting that oh-so-important word into the deafening wind (which isn't there in the book)...

Then you'll know his mother was quite the hippy.

Or something :)