Я не получаю удар от кокаина.
Я уверен, что если бы я взял хотя бы один нюх,
это тоже ужасно утомило бы меня.
Но я получаю от тебя удовольствие.

—Коул Портер
As translated by Apple Translate App

I get no kick from cocaine.
I’m certain that if
I took even one sniff
It would bore me terrif-
-ically too.
But I get a kick out of you.

—Cole Porter, “I Get a Kick Out of You” 

My interest in Tolstoy’s War and Peace has waxed and waned, and I fear it’s on the wane right now.

This may not be Tolstoy’s fault, as although I’m interested in many different things, there are few topics that can sustain my interest for any length of time. That’s one of the reasons that I didn’t do well in college (or “uni” as the Brits say).

What I think I’m going to do now is try to watch the Russian mini-series from the 60s. The Criterion Collection has produced a typically comprehensive version, which I’ve had for two years now. 

There is also a British mini-series from a couple of years ago, as well as the Hollywood movie from the 50s.

Plus I have a blu-ray of Prokofiev’s operatic adaptation of War and Peace.

So I have a lot to choose from. It’s even possible that viewing one or more of these adaptations will rekindle my interest. It’s been known to happen.

By the way, did you know that in Russian Boris (or Борис) is pronounced as Boh-REESE? 

I don’t get hit by cocaine.
I’m sure if
I took at least one sense of smell,
it would also tire me terribly.
But I enjoy you.

—Retranslated back into English by Apple Translate App

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