1. So, new Pope.
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| image c/o Catholic Memes |
2. I finished reading A Storm of Swords. WOW. Hey, so if you haven't read any of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, and you are at all inclined to read an epic fantasy - or even just a good character-driven tale - then start reading. Although, I feel obligated to warn that there is quite a bit of rather graphic sex and violence. The Lord of the Rings these books are not, so they are not for those with delicate sensibilities or sensitive consciences. Anyway, I think what is simultaneously most confusing and yet probably best about these books is that the characters are so complex and mixed with good and bad. Martin doesn't write obvious, flat characters. In fact, of all the characters in the book, I think the only character I am rooting for without reservation is Jon Snow. And maybe Bran (and his companions). All the other "good" characters have serious flaws and make serious mistakes. And while there are quite a few bad characters who are just plain evil, there are others who have a mixture of elements in them that make you kind of want to like them, until they do something so awful and you realize they really are just plain bad, until they do something good and then you wonder if they are really so bad, rinse repeat. Tyrion, Jamie, Sandor Clegane, and several of the wildlings all fall into this category for me. In fact, up to this point, Tyrion has certainly been my favorite character, but the way he left things at the end of this book made me very frustrated and disappointed in him. I am way too invested in this story, methinks.
3. Approximately 6 weeks until I have two children. I am freaking out.
4. Anyone else super irritated that Google is getting rid of Google Reader? I have been looking into alternative feed readers. Bleh. Feedly? BlogLovin'? NetVibes? I don't even know. Tell me what to do, internets.
5. Ummmm, drawing a blank for the next QT. Filler. Filler. Filler.
6. My husband just said these words to me: "did you hear Pope Francis only has one lung?" My response: "That's ridiculous!!" Apparently it is not ridiculous. So, among the many other firsts, he is probably our first mono-lunged Pope.
7. In honor of one of my favorite holidays of the year coming up this Sunday: I will be wearing green, I will be watching my favorite film Waking Ned Devine, I won't be drinking any Guinness or Harp or Smithwick's but I wish I were, I may or may not do a jig, and I will be praying the Breastplate of St. Patrick. Happy St. Paddy's Day to you and yours! xoxo
7 comments:
He only has one lung?! That's crazy! I mean, as a Catholic, I was praying for a new pope and I'm hoping that he will heal the Church. I can only imagine how strange it was for you watching as a former Catholic.
Also, I am so upset on the Google Reader issue. Ugh.
Whoa, I love Waking Ned Divine!!! Nobody else seemed to have heard of it. So glad you enjoy it too : )
Just heard about GoogleReader just before checking out my reads that I am so behind on... Saw a post about Newsblur, but you have to pay for it. I will look into the ones you listed and try to find the best one.
Love that you finished Storm of Swords. That book was the high point in the series so far, I think. But a re-read of the series made me appreciate books 4 and 5 much more the second go around. Totally agree Tyrion is the most fascinating character but really all the characters are so well drawn. I love the moral ambiguity of the individuals. So much more true to real life and real history. Although there is a place and function of clear-cut, good vs. evil in fantasy a la Lewis and Tolkien, I appreciate the "realism" GRRM brings to his flawed characters. If you had told me after book 1 that I would ever have even a shred of sympathy for Jaime, I would have never believed you.
Did you see the Red Wedding coming? It caught me totally off guard. I mean, I thought something ugly might go down but not to the extent that it did.
Hodor.
"If you had told me after book 1 that I would ever have even a shred of sympathy for Jaime, I would have never believed you."
SO TRUE.
I did not see the Red Wedding coming. Like you, I assumed it was not going to go well, but I did not anticipate it would be that extreme. For me the worst part about it was how close Arya was to being reunited with her mother. Worst.
OH, and don't say anything, but I am intrigued by Hodor and I hope there is more to his story eventually.
If you haven't yet, you should check out some of the extended video interviews with George RR Martin that are available online via Youtube and such. There's a lengthy one where he's on the Google campus and there's a 3-part "in conversation with George RR Martin" that's about as long. I really enjoyed hearing him talk about his views on fantasy, the writing process, the series and the characters. He usually tries to avoid spoilers in those interviews but if you are hugely anti-spoiler wanting to even avoid oblique references that may tip you off to upcoming plot developments, you may want to wait until you've read all 5 books.
The Red Wedding nearly made me throw the book.
If you haven't watched the HBO series, you would also probably enjoy watching it or at least some of the clips available online for free. The series has only run through book 2 so no spoilers for you. Peter Dinklage is great as Tyrion. He is more handsome than Tyrion is described, but he is otherwise perfect in the role.
I didn't throw the book or anything - my jaw may have hung open for a minute or two, but honestly it was so unexpected I almost had a non-reaction. Also, while I was rooting for the Starks as opposed to the Lannisters, I was not terribly attached to those characters, so.
Peter Dinklage is one of my favorite actors. I've wanted to watch some of the show just for him. He is way too handsome to play Tyrion, but I bet he is amazing nonetheless.
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