The Winds of Westeros

Wishing all the fans in the realm a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

As of December 25, there will be 108 days to go!!!

And 108 days is way better than 208! And by the time January 2 rolls around, we will officially be into a double digit countdown (99 days to go).

Have you checked out HBO's Year Ender trailer?

You see Cersei walking with some of the Kingsguard; Jon back at Castle Black; Arya standing on a the shore (which I presume she has safely landed in Braavos) and Tyrion looking pretty grim and disguised with longer hair and a full on beard. It's only 8 seconds long but it is better than nothing!

:)

Tell Tale Games in partnership with HBO is going to release a new Game of Thrones animated game. It looks incredible! It's going to be a six episode game and will focus on a backstory, but still related to the War of the Five Kings.

I've posted the link to the article. I just have to make sure that I have the right game console before I preorder this game.

It's called "Iron from Ice" - with the game being centered around House Forrester, who are loyal banner men to House Stark. I can't wait for this game to come out. So far, four actors/actresses have already been attached to this project. You'll recognize Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Margaery Tyrell and Ramsay Snow in it.

BOOM. Bring it!

Okay, so according to all the websites that I subscribe to, many a leaked photo indicate that Jaime Lannister is in a different outfit.

As in, Dornish robes.

Yes, you read that correctly. What on earth is Jaime doing in Dorne? What for? Why is this change taking place in the HBO series?

I've read the first five books and there was never any mention of Jaime Lannister + Dorne.

I'm very confused and a tad annoyed by this. Sure, I'm annoyed...because if they are showing Jaime Lannister in Dornish clothing, than that means that plenty other plotlines are going to be messed up.

But hey! Let's leave out Lady Catelyn Stark's resurrection into Lady Stoneheart out of the upcoming season because they didn't feel it was worth including.

Whatevs.

Yes, I have been spreading the word to my colleagues about watching Game of Thrones.

Happy to say that two more people are on board.

Because, I'm pretty persuasive.

And more importantly, because Game of Thrones is THAT awesome!

:)

So, I've heard and read a lot about major plot changes for the coming two seasons of Game of Thrones.

It's hard to say what's rumour and what's reality, especially with so many fan sites on the internet.

I've heard that Hodor and Bran will not be part of Season 5. I've heard that they recast the actress who portrayed Marcella Baratheon. I've heard that a major s--t storm is on the way for Westeros, courtesy of House Dorne.

I've seen the new cast members for the various new characters that will be introduced for Season 5. A lot of new faces, particularly from House Dorne. Also heard a tidbit that Mark Gatniss is confirmed to be back for Season 5.

Now, if only I could find out whether or not the premiere date for Season 5 is March 22, March 29, April 5 or April 12?

If anyone knows which one of those dates it is, please feel free to comment. I've seen a lot of fan threads with those four dates. They seem to be the favourites.

Oh yeah! New faces, new places for Season 5!

Spain will be the stand in location for Dorne. Awesome.

Alexander Siddiq and Jonathan Pryce are going to be in Season 5. I can't wait; I've seen both these actors in films and they both bring a majestic presence to the screen.

And for all the fans who are freaking out about what's going down in Dorne, just think: if you think that Eddard Stark's death set in a motion a chain of catastrophic events, just wait until you meet the infamous Sand Snakes!

San Diego Comic Con 2014!!! Last year, I lamented about how I wanted to come to this year's SDCC.

Alas, I cannot. I am working this summer. Maybe next year? I'll post all the links I can find.

I know my older brother wants to make the journey to SDCC. Maybe next year for my 40th! :)

April 6 arrived.

Season IV, episode I "Two Swords" premiered.

It was 59 minutes in length.

AND IT WAS AWESOME.

While not every single character was showcased, we have to remember that you can only have so many people featured. Highlights included meeting Prince Oberyn Martell and Ellaria Sand. They are HOT with a capital "H."

Tyrion is excellent; showing us the nature of sympathy and empathy as he tries so hard to be kind to Sansa and all she does is cry and recoil from him. Yes, I get it - she is grieving for what happened to her mother, sister in law and brother. However, Tyrion did not know about it and did NOT give the command. He is the best Lannister, in my opinion.

Jaime and Cersei seem to have become alienated, which is a good thing: hopefully Jaime will realize his twin sister has not been quite so faithful and he'll grow distant from her. She is a malevolent influence on him.

Tywin melting down House Stark's sword "Ice" was symbolic: it shows the fact that House Lannister has crushed House Stark. Or have they?

All sorts of spies abait in King's Landing: Shae longs for Tyrion and doesn't realize that the other handmaid is a spy. Qyburn is the maester of preference, at least with Cersei. I don't blame her in that respect.

Can we say that grandmother Olenna has got major swag? Sending out all the little handmaids of House Tyrell to get the best jewellery was a sly move on her part: House Tyrell will have the best of the best jewels for the Purple Wedding and everyone else will be in the shade. Love that woman. Love Brienne, too, for speaking with Olenna and Margaery. And for holding Jaime responsible to his vow about protecting both Stark girls.

Speaking of which, can we get totally frenzied over Arya and The Hound?!

WHAT UPPPP Hound! The man is a BEAST. He just happens to be 'mentoring' Arya, even if he doesn't consciously realize it. And ARYA!!!!! OMG!!!!

She got her horse AND got Needle back. So, the episode started with two swords: both from House Stark. Will Arya be the Stark that rises from the ashes?

One can only cling to hope.

Another fabulous cake, made by The Vanilla Bean for tomorrow night's premiere party.

Awesome indeed. Tyrion Lannister would approve.

Less than 30 hours to go!

Alright, Ladies and sers!

Two more days! So many articles being posted on the Internet. Not that I'm complaining!

:)

Well, that does it! There's going to be a 60 hour Game of Thrones marathon, starting on Friday.

For those of you who want to get into the series, now is your chance.

I'm going to go off the grid this weekend. Between cleaning my house for Sunday night's party and going through this marathon, I don't want to be disturbed.

I'll check in either Sunday morning or Monday afternoon.

Cheers!

We are officially down to single digits.


On that note, it's been a very long winter and even worse, a longer wait for this season.


However, the time is almost upon us. Preparations for a season premiere party have been made. Invitations have been issued. Food is going to be prepared. A cake has been ordered to celebrate this occasion.


I've also bought the Vanity Fair and Entertainment Weekly magazines that came out this week, with new pictures and behind the scenes musings about Game of Thrones, D B Weiss, David Benioff and of course, George RR Martin himself.


I bought 2 copies of the Vanity Fair magazine. One for my possession and the other for my friends and family to look at. Yes, it's a peculiar habit I have, but oh well. Deal with it! LOL

Yes yes yes!!! The feels!  The epic wins! Fans of the realm, rejoice!


Several artisan trailers and more teaser trailers for all to enjoy!

As if HBO's Game of Thrones marketing blitz couldn't get any cooler, they decided to have a live event streamed from NYC on Facebook!

Awesome! Lots of pictures have been posted, lots of posts have been to added to many famous blogs.

As well, Entertainment Weekly magazine and Vanity Fair have published Game of Thrones articles and spreads of the actors and actresses. This means I must purchase 2 copies of each. One copy that I tuck away and the spare copy, in case people want to read the articles, they can peruse through that one.

I also got the third graphic novel delivered to my door. So all in all, it's been a very good week!

At first, I was skeptical.

But then, I was like, "Okay, I just heard three tracks - 'Arya's Prayer,' 'The Ladder,' and 'The Mother of Dragons.'

And I was like, "Damn! Some of those tracks are pretty tight!" You must hand it to the savvy folks over at HBO. This is a different genre to be linked to Game of Thrones. A very clever marketing strategy, because you expose two different genres of pop media (fantasy/sci-fi and rap). Thus, doubling your audience.

The result: is AWESOME.

No, I'm not referring to my age.

We are now under 40 days left to go until Game of Thrones Season IV premieres! I don't know about you, but winter here in Ontario has been absolutely wretched, to say the least. Copious amounts of snow and horrible windchills have made this one of the worst winters, ever.

Not exaggerating. Just Google Toronto Ice Storm 2013 and you'll know I am not exaggerating.

38 days left in the realm. The intensity is building up. The excitement is raging through our veins.

HBO just put out little teaser trailers and posters.

It's right around the corner.

Valar Dohaeris!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will be arriving really really soon!!!!

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I so don't want to see my Visa bill. I paid it off. I was a good girl. But then, I saw that Funko made the next series of Game of Thrones vinyl Pop figures. What's a girl to do?

I also pre-ordered the 3rd graphic novel that comes out this March. Totally stoked to get that delivered. And of course, I ordered a few Game of Thrones accompanying essay type books.

My husband gave me a Valentine's Day note last night that sums it up perfectly:

"I love it when...you freak out over anything GAME OF THRONES."

Oh, bless his heart. It takes a patient man to put up with the stubborn, sassy likes of me!

50 days, fan of the realm!!!

A preview designed to give fans of the realm a little taste of what is coming in April did not disappoint! Love the sets, the costumes and the behind the scenes questions and answers with the actors and actresses.

We are now officially under the 2 month mark. Which is a good thing, because the winter has been long. Too much frigid arctic air masses and not enough sunshine.

So stoked for April 6! :)

More eye candy to admire!


New faces!


New storylines! Amazing locations and gorgeous costumes.


61 days, people. 61.

Oh yeah! Once again, Toronto is on the list for another HBO Game of Thrones exhibit.


I went to the first one (March 2012)at the Bell TIFF Lightbox, downtown Toronto. As an extremely enthusiastic Game of Thrones fan, I felt it was rather bare.


Fast forward to March 2013. The second HBO Game of Thrones exhibit was held at the Design Exchange, downtown Toronto. This one did not disappoint! I took so many pictures - 500, to be exact!


Hopefully, the third time is a charm! For all the fans in the realm, the third one will be held back at the Bell TIFF Lightbox May 14 to 18. Again, it's a free event and sure to be sold out within minutes of the ticket box office opening.


I plan on getting mine as soon as the box office opens. Maybe even get a few more this time around!


Booyeah!


#GOTExhibit