Local man spends weekend in nutshell.

Tells authorities "Not what it's cracked up to be."

(Clinton, Ark.) One man's experimental weekend in a large walnut helps bring the scientific community one step closer toward understanding what life might be like in a nutshell.

"My girlfriend is always telling people what her life is like 'in a nutshell'," says John Grolier, 32, who spent this last weekend inside of a 53" hollowed-out walnut. "I figured that by living inside of a nut myself, I could help make our relationship even stronger, and allow me to better understand what she was going through."

Grolier says he packed lightly for his endeavor, bringing along a pair of boxers, a toothbrush, as well as a deck of playing cards to help pass the time. "The experience itself was quite serene. I'm actually planning a monthlong stay in November."

In retrospect, Grolier says he would have "gone to the bathroom" before entering the shell. But was able to divert a crisis by using the facilities found within the shell. The prefabricated Duro-Nut, which retails for $195 at Sears, comes with a minature restroom and a solar-heated shower head. "Some of the more expensive models come with a DVD player and flatscreen television," said Grolier "but unfortunately, my rent check was due so I had to settle for the basics."

Jennifer Laney, Grolier's girlfriend of 5 months, told reporters she was extremely impressed with her partner's efforts to better understand what her life is like. "I know he could have spent his money on a nice-dinner or a weekend get-away just for the two of us, but I was very pleased to hear that he had taken the initiative in getting to know my life 'in a nutshell'. I'm very lucky to know him."