Castles In the Air

I went to sleep to the sound of rain on the roof and a storm outside. When I rolled out of bed this morning, the storm was gone, the sun was out, and it was already in the 70's. Ran a Backyardigans episode as I ate. Wizards Tyrone and Pablo have "A Giant Problem." Tasha the Giant is in the area, and her stomping around is waking up grumpy Queen Uniqua from her royal nap. She sends the boys to take care of this noisy intruder, but they can't seem to cast their spells correctly and cause more trouble.

Spent the rest of the morning writing. Luke feels the Sword of Light calling to him. He has to get it out of the gun. Harry and Cassian are about to try when a couple of Imperials show up, demanding to know who they are. Cassian tries to bluff his way out, but they may have to opt for a noisier escape.

Got off the computer at 1 for lunch and to get ready for work. Tyrone is one of the most famous seamen in all of mythology in "Sinbad Sails Alone." Pablo wants to sign on as his first mate, but Tyrone insists that he always works solo. Pablo is a little too eager to be of some use, and his antics land them on the islands of Siren Uniqua and Medusa Tasha. He proves far more helpful when they actually make it to their goal, and a mishap makes Tyrone realize how important it is to have someone around when you need them.

Work was only slightly busier than yesterday. I did have to take a register for a minute when a manager dealt with a customer, and I rounded up baskets and did returns in the last hour, but I mostly alternated between shelving candy and helping the head bagger with the carts. It was hot outside and a tad humid, but probably not as much as it's going to be later this weekend. I was glad for the lovely, cool breeze.

Decided I'd have an early dinner instead of waiting. Ate pasta with butter and herbs and leftover steamed snap peas and a chicken leg while watching more Backyardigans. Uniqua and Pablo are "Movers of Arabia" who have been asked to haul all of Sultan Tyrone's magical objects to his palace. Among them are a flying carpet, a "box of wind," and a bottle with a genie (Austin). Even Austin's three wishes may not help when the "box of wind" is opened and the wind gets out of control.

Oh, and I talked to Charlie before I came in. He's still surveying the porch. Evidently, the new one is going to be fiberglass, and you can't really work with that in hot weather. He said he'll tell me when he plans on getting it done. 

Did some Lego Clone Wars next. I'm still having problems with the part in "Destroy Malevolence" where you insert the bricks into the sprinkler system to put out the fire. (I figured out what I was doing wrong tonight - I'll try again tomorrow or another time.) Got three more pieces on "Destroy," four more on "Legacy of Terror," and completed "Battle of Geonosis." 

Finished out the night with last year's British TV version of Little Women. Four young women grow up during and after the Civil War in a small town in New England. Jo (Maya Hawke) is gangly and spirited, the family tomboy who is determined to write. Meg (Willa Fitzgerald) is the slightly romantic eldest. Beth (Annes Elwy) is the shy musician and peacemaker. Amy (Kathryn Newton) is the baby of the family and an excellent artist. They're eventually joined in their antics by Laurie (Jonah Hauer-King), the boy who lives next door and befriends Jo. Jo wishes they could all stay together forever...but nothing is forever, especially people. Even when they grow up, her sisters marry, and her family parts, Jo comes to realize that her writing is more than a way to make money. It's her salvation...and a way to keep those she loves close to her, especially after tragedy strikes.

Not bad. I give the BBC a lot of credit for finding actors who really look the part. Hawke in particular perfectly matches Louisa May Alcott's description of Jo from the book. I also loved Emily Watson as a touching and wise Marmee. This is also one of the most accurate retellings of this story I've ever seen. It even includes interludes like Beth being taken to the seaside to recuperate that other versions leave out. That does mean that it's also very long, and at times very slow-moving. Also, Amy is mostly played older here, as in the 1933 and 1949 version, and sometimes the accents do sound very off and not terribly American. 

I really enjoyed this one for the most part. You can't really go wrong with Little Women. Every adaptation I've seen has something to recommend it, including this one. Fine for fans of the book or those with "little women" of their own if they have time on their hands.