If you have an American computer, and you happen to be living in a different part of the world, you probably hate the "region" system as much as I do. Thanks to the infinite wisdom and greed of the movie companies, DVDs manufactured in the US are Region 1 and the UK, for example, is Region 2. Most computer DVD players read only the region they are sold in; my Apple Powerbook can switch between regions a total of 5 times, but after the fifth switch, your computer permanently freezes in that region. Just plain peachy.

Luckily, after a little research, I figured out how to get around these restrictions. If you have an Apple (this is the only system I've done this on), go to System Preferences and under CDs and DVDs, turn off the function that activates your DVD Player when a DVD is inserted. Then, download the program VLC, available free online. Then open any region's DVD through VLC and voila, it works without having to mess with your DVD player. Splendid!

I think I might rent Braveheart after my next exam on Thursday; having just come back from the Scottish Highlands, I've got a bit of William Wallace fighting to break to the surface. Funny story, by the way. Well, not funny. More tragic and gruesome. But all the same, I learned recently how William Wallace died. After he was captured by the English after his great victory (as portrayed by the man behind Jesus Christ in Braveheart), he had his arms and legs tied to two horses, who pulled in opposite directions until all his bones were dislocated. Then he was hung until his face turned blue. Then, still quite alive, he was cut open and his intestines were pulled out and burnt in front of him, as he was still conscious. This happened after he was castrated. Then, finally, his head was chopped off and paraded around. Phew. Quite a day's work for some poor executioner.