My obsession/entertainment
First of all, I know I'm a bit of a geography nerd. You don't need to post a comment and tell me so.
I have to know where I'm situated at any given time relative to the cardinal directions and topographical features such as mountains, river, Route 30, etc. (you get the point).
Maps are my friends.
GPS? Not so much. Not enough context for me.
One summer in middle school, my parents should have guessed something was seriously wrong with me when I spent hours pouring through National Geographic magazines and trying to memorize every fact I could find about other countries. When I didn't win the local geography bee that year, I was devastated.
Anyway, I've moved on from that low point, but my fascination with other countries and cultures hasn't disappeared. Hence my latest obsession.
From the moment I first flipped open "Our Dumb World: The Onion's Atlas of the Planet Earth" on the end display at Barnes & Noble back in early December, I was totally and completely taken. It was love at first browse. I returned two more times to peruse it before finally buying the thing.
Let me tell you, it was money well spent.
The Onion has outdone itself with this latest publication. I spend hours reading about how Sudan is "all better now, thanks to you" and learning that Morocco is "a mystical land of junk." (Good thing I opted for Buenos Aires this February) and that Chile has been "preventing Argentina from enjoying the Pacific Ocean since 1818."
Who knew?
It's hilarious. It's smart. It's witty. Even a bit educational underneath all the poking fun.
This is one book everyone should have. Its marketing folks suggest that you "Carry it with you when you travel in order to make sense of the strange cultures and frightening cuisine of other nations."
And, according to the cover, it's "now with 30 percent more Asia."
Who can resist that?
melissa · January 16, 2008 10:57 AM
so what's it say about the good ole U.S. of A.?
CJ · January 16, 2008 11:05 AM
If I were to use this book as a reference when traveling, The great Satan would be a term only addressed to me from now on!! Still, a truly fun read.
Carmen · January 17, 2008 8:58 AM
Your story sounds freakishly like my little brother falling asleep with an Atlas over his head.
Jen · January 17, 2008 10:24 AM
I guess that would have to be David. :)