George R.R. Martin's Blog, page 200
December 16, 2010
Snow
It's snowing.
On Jon. On the krakens. On me.
We all slog onward.
Finished a chapter a few days ago. Revised another. Then re-revised it.
The days go too fast, the work too slowly. But onward.
On Jon. On the krakens. On me.
We all slog onward.
Finished a chapter a few days ago. Revised another. Then re-revised it.
The days go too fast, the work too slowly. But onward.
December 15, 2010
Politics
I haven't made a political post in a long, long time.
I'd make one now, except just thinking about it depresses me. I was not happy about the results of the midterm, needless to say... and I am even less happy, if possible, about this "compromise" that Obama has made with the GOP on taxes. From where I sit, it smells more like capitulation than compromise. Give a lot, get almost nothing.
Obama is the most intelligent president we've had since Jimmy Carter... and, sad to say, he is looking more and more like Jimmy every day. A good man, but not a good leader. At least not so far. He doesn't seem to have the stomach for a fight. We need another FDR, another JFK, another LBJ. NOT Jimmy II. (And, yes, I know, Obama has accomplished some important stuff. But so did Jimmy. Camp David accords, remember?)
Yeats was writing about his own time in "The Second Coming," I know, but sometimes I think he was prescient:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
And could that rough beast whose hour has come round at least be... Sarah Palin?
No, please. Tell me that's just a bad dream. Somebody wake me up.
I'd make one now, except just thinking about it depresses me. I was not happy about the results of the midterm, needless to say... and I am even less happy, if possible, about this "compromise" that Obama has made with the GOP on taxes. From where I sit, it smells more like capitulation than compromise. Give a lot, get almost nothing.
Obama is the most intelligent president we've had since Jimmy Carter... and, sad to say, he is looking more and more like Jimmy every day. A good man, but not a good leader. At least not so far. He doesn't seem to have the stomach for a fight. We need another FDR, another JFK, another LBJ. NOT Jimmy II. (And, yes, I know, Obama has accomplished some important stuff. But so did Jimmy. Camp David accords, remember?)
Yeats was writing about his own time in "The Second Coming," I know, but sometimes I think he was prescient:
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
And could that rough beast whose hour has come round at least be... Sarah Palin?
No, please. Tell me that's just a bad dream. Somebody wake me up.
Feetsball
Back at home with the NFL. But weekends like this wear me out.
The Jets game was a horror. Bad enough that they lost to a mediocre Miami team they should have dominated. It was how they lost. Sanchez seems to have reverted to his rookie ways, throwing INTs every time he had the ball. Santonio dropped a sure TD. I think the Patriots game has robbbed Gang Green of their mojo, which does not bode well for the remainder of the season, with the Steelers and the Bears coming up. I am starting to have flashbacks to the great collapse of '86. Rex, Rex, work your magic, I can't take that again.
As for Big Blue, well, the Giants thumped a lifeless Vikings team playing without Brett Favre. The defense and the running game looked good. Eli, not so much. Two terrible INTs right out of the box. And now we have to play the Eagles on a short week. We haven't beaten the Eagles in what seems like decades. Time to end that streak. But if Eli keeps throwing the ball to guys in the wrong color jersey, it won't be easy.
The Jets game was a horror. Bad enough that they lost to a mediocre Miami team they should have dominated. It was how they lost. Sanchez seems to have reverted to his rookie ways, throwing INTs every time he had the ball. Santonio dropped a sure TD. I think the Patriots game has robbbed Gang Green of their mojo, which does not bode well for the remainder of the season, with the Steelers and the Bears coming up. I am starting to have flashbacks to the great collapse of '86. Rex, Rex, work your magic, I can't take that again.
As for Big Blue, well, the Giants thumped a lifeless Vikings team playing without Brett Favre. The defense and the running game looked good. Eli, not so much. Two terrible INTs right out of the box. And now we have to play the Eagles on a short week. We haven't beaten the Eagles in what seems like decades. Time to end that streak. But if Eli keeps throwing the ball to guys in the wrong color jersey, it won't be easy.
December 13, 2010
HBO T-Shirts Now Available
HBO has opened an on-line shop for GAME OF THRONES merchandise.
Their first offerings are a couple of T-shirts featuring logo art from the series.
Oh, and you can also buy copies of the books that started the whole thing, by some guy.
Check it out and place your orders at
http://store.hbo.com/?v=hbo_shows_game-of-thrones
Their first offerings are a couple of T-shirts featuring logo art from the series.
Oh, and you can also buy copies of the books that started the whole thing, by some guy.
Check it out and place your orders at
http://store.hbo.com/?v=hbo_shows_game-of-thrones
December 10, 2010
Albuqerque Signing
The Wild Cards gang -- the New Mexico chapter, anyway -- will be gathering tomorrow at Page One Bookstore in Albuquerque to sign copies of the new Tor reissue of WILD CARDS, volume one, the book that started it all (with Extra! Added! Content!!). I'll be on hand, natch, along with Melinda M. Snodgrass, John Jos. Miller, Victor Milan, Walter Jon Williams, Ian Tregillis, and Daniel Abraham. Seven signatures, one stop!
WILD CARDS will be the featured volume, but copies of INSIDE STRAIGHT, BUSTED FLUSH, and SUICIDE KINGS will also be on hand, and available for autographing.
So will a whole bunch of my other recent releases, including
-- the new Tor edition of SONGS OF THE DYING EARTH
-- the hardcover of SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH
Books by Melinda Snodgrass, Daniel Abraham, M.L.N. Hanover, Victor Milan, Walter Jon Willianms, and Ian Tregillis will also be available. So will ACES & JOKERS, the latest game supplement from Green Ronin, by Steve Kenyon and our own John Jos. Miller.
Page One is at 11018 Montgomery NE in Albuquerque. Check out their website at http://www.page1book.com/
If you cannot make the signing in the flesh, it is still possible to order a signed book or three by phone, mail, or email. The Page One staff will be glad to take your order, set the book aside, have it signed, and ship it to you. Call their toll free number at 1-800-521-4122 or email the service department at books@page1book.com.
Signed books make great Christmas presents... so if you're anywhere near Page One tomorrow, stop on by. The signing begins at 3:30 in the afternoon. See you there!
WILD CARDS will be the featured volume, but copies of INSIDE STRAIGHT, BUSTED FLUSH, and SUICIDE KINGS will also be on hand, and available for autographing.
So will a whole bunch of my other recent releases, including
-- the new Tor edition of SONGS OF THE DYING EARTH
-- the hardcover of SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH
Books by Melinda Snodgrass, Daniel Abraham, M.L.N. Hanover, Victor Milan, Walter Jon Willianms, and Ian Tregillis will also be available. So will ACES & JOKERS, the latest game supplement from Green Ronin, by Steve Kenyon and our own John Jos. Miller.
Page One is at 11018 Montgomery NE in Albuquerque. Check out their website at http://www.page1book.com/
If you cannot make the signing in the flesh, it is still possible to order a signed book or three by phone, mail, or email. The Page One staff will be glad to take your order, set the book aside, have it signed, and ship it to you. Call their toll free number at 1-800-521-4122 or email the service department at books@page1book.com.
Signed books make great Christmas presents... so if you're anywhere near Page One tomorrow, stop on by. The signing begins at 3:30 in the afternoon. See you there!
The Jets Game
I don't want to talk about it...
... except to say that Evil Little Bill showed once again what a vile thing he is. The guy has no concept of the meaning of "sportsmanship." He's a great coach, can't deny that, but he's also a nasty piece of work.
... except to say that Evil Little Bill showed once again what a vile thing he is. The guy has no concept of the meaning of "sportsmanship." He's a great coach, can't deny that, but he's also a nasty piece of work.
December 6, 2010
Missed It?
Okay, for those of you who missed "Inside GAME OF THRONES," here's the YouTube version for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy. And tell your friends.
Enjoy. And tell your friends.
December 5, 2010
Tune In Tonight...
... for a fifteen-minute "Making of GAME OF THRONES" special on HBO.
It is scheduled to debut immediately before the season finale of BOARDWALK EMPIRE. The time on that will vary depending on your time zone.
Enjoy... and stick around afterward for BOARDWALK EMPIRE, which I've just caught up on this past week. Another terrific show from HBO.
It is scheduled to debut immediately before the season finale of BOARDWALK EMPIRE. The time on that will vary depending on your time zone.
Enjoy... and stick around afterward for BOARDWALK EMPIRE, which I've just caught up on this past week. Another terrific show from HBO.
November 30, 2010
Needles for Sale
Looking for a Christmas gift for your favorite tomboy? Or maybe someone who just loves needlework? Look no further, the armorers at Valyrian Steel have just the thing. They have just announced a holiday sale on their full-size replica of Needle, the sword of Arya Stark, slashing the price from $190 to $170.
The sale price is good only through the end of the year. Order here:
http://www.valyriansteel.com/shop/swords/needle-sword-of-arya-stark/prod_3.html
And remember -- stick them with the pointy end!
The sale price is good only through the end of the year. Order here:
http://www.valyriansteel.com/shop/swords/needle-sword-of-arya-stark/prod_3.html
And remember -- stick them with the pointy end!
November 29, 2010
R.I.P. Commander Adams
Leslie Nielsen has died. All the obits are talking about the comic turns he did in AIRPLANE and afterwards, but to me he will always be Commander J.J. Adams, captain of the United Planets cruiser C-57-D on its ill-fated mission to Altair IV in MGM's classic science fiction film FORBIDDEN PLANET.
Adams was a clear precursor to James T. Kirk. Without FORBIDDEN PLANET, I doubt there would ever have been a STAR TREK.
Adams was a clear precursor to James T. Kirk. Without FORBIDDEN PLANET, I doubt there would ever have been a STAR TREK.
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