The Winds of Westeros

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.

Guess what arrived in the mail today?? I came home to a big box and I just KNEW what it was about!

Now, I have a total of 20 Game of Thrones Funko Vinyl dolls.

Next on my wishlist: the Dragon Egg plushies and the Stark Direwolves plushies.

Did I mention that I had only $100 left on my Visa?!

Oh well. So much for being debt free at this point in time!

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

Okay, you have to watch this Chivas Regal commercial.

My dad drinks this. So does my husband.

But what makes it so suave and super cool is the narrative. It's by Charles Dance.

And it is absolutely PERFECT! I've posted the YouTube link under my Game of Thrones links.

Cheers.

Sansa Stark and the word controversy really don't belong in the same sentence.


The reason why I write this blog post is because I posted a link in which George RR Martin has stated that in his future book, 'The Winds of Winter,' apparently there is going to be a really shocking chapter. As in awful. Controversial. And it has to do with Sansa Stark.


Here is my take on what the controversy could be:


Theory #1 - Sansa, using courtesy as her armor, is so scared and fearful for her life that she leans on and completely trusts Petyr Baelish and ends up marrying him and having a child. Of course, she is known as 'Alayne Stone' - his supposed illegitimate daughter but Petyr being the crafty scumbag that he is - will find a way to say something to the effect of, "Well, I only had her interests at heart, because there could have been attempts made on her life or someone may have wished to kidnap a wealthy heiress."


I don't like this theory, but it is controversial in the sense that Sansa is still a maiden and she will end up marrying a man, who though much back stabbing and scheming, betrayed her family and tore them apart.


Theory #2 - Sansa will become a ruthless and cruel woman, exactly like Cersei Lannister. She will become vindictive and hateful, not caring who she hurts and what her actions do, down the line to other people. She will become so hateful that the only thing that'll keep her going is the thought of going back to Winterfell. If she's still with Petyr Baelish, she could turn out to become a mastermind just like him: a liar, ruthless and cunning, except that nobody would think she was capable, because she is this sweet, proper young lady.


For Sansa to become ruthless and strike out at people would mean that she would have to develop a backbone and very thick skin. Not sure I am liking this theory, either.


Theory #3 - Sansa will play the sweet, head in the clouds young lady that she was brought up to be. She will fool everyone and play her party so well that nobody would even think that she had a seed of hatred in her heart. Until the time was right and she reveals who she is and ends up murdering Petyr Baelish, gaining the loyalty of the people of the Vale of Arryn and heads back to the ruins of Winterfell to try and live out the rest of her life, in peace, but heavily guarded. She will trust no one and go to great lengths to make sure that Winterfell is rebuilt and that the northern banner men protect her, for the rest of her life. She will never marry, after what she has gone through.


Well, this theory would be ideal, if Sansa could find the audacity to go through with getting rid of Petyr Baelish. Besides, nobody would miss him!


Theory #4 - Almost like #3 except Petyr finds out what she does and before she has a chance to get rid of him permanently, he assaults her. She manages to fight him off, but not before some serious damage is done. She escapes with her life and turns to the Maester and Septa of the Eyrie to help her recover. She decides to go back to Winterfell after being traumatized. On her travels north, Arya senses that Sansa was going through something terrible and warged into Nymeria to confirm this. Arya, almost completely initiated into the Faceless Men, decides it's time to travel back to help save her sister. They run into each other and head back to Winterfell together, trying to rebuild a semblance of a life. When Sansa tells Arya what happens, Arya makes it a point to go back and exact her revenge on Petyr Baelish. She does so with careful consideration. She stalks his brothels and plants poison in a few of them. Many of the prostitutes die. Many of the clients die mysterious deaths, too. It's all made to make sure that Petyr's brothels begin to suffer and business starts to decline sharply. To make matters better, Arya finds out where she can locate a Brother from the Iron Bank of Braavos and tell him that Petyr Baelish is skimming his accounts and not paying any and all interest owed to the Iron Bank. To further complicate matters, Arya somehow, someway makes it back to the Vale and speaks with the remaining banner men of Jon Arryn and the late Lysa Tully Arryn and tells them everything that Little finger had done: that he murdered Lysa, framed the singer and murdered Robyn Arryn, all so he could gain titles, lands and a greater link in an attempt to lay claim to Winterfell. Then, she tells the banner men of the Vale of Arryn the heinous crime of what Littlefinger did - that he raped her sister. For this, the crime is death. Outraged, the banner men swear allegiance to the young wolf pup of Winterfell.


With a considerable amount of man power behind her, Arya now travels to Riverrun, and meets up with her great Uncle, Brendyn Tully. He joins forces with her and rallies men to her cause. Dispatches to the Brotherhood with Banners come calling and join her. The northern banner men of Winterfell leave an armed garrison behind to safely protect Sansa and the rebuilt castle and community of Winterfell. Arya marches south. She finds the scum, Petyr, at King's Landing, as he was making an attempt to hide out and eventually get into the good graces of Queen Margaery. Due to the might and strength of her army, and the fact that Margaery is now Queen, they arrest Petyr on charges of murder, unlawful seduction, rape, embezzlement, fraud and fraudulent funds. Justice is swift - Arya decides that he will die, but a quick death is not suitable for him. Arya personally delivers the sentence and sees to it that he suffers. He is hung, drawn and quartered and his head is eventually placed on a spike at King's Landing, for all to see.


Queen Margaery is very pleased with Arya Stark and offers her a place at court. Arya respectfully declines but suggests a few loyal, northern banner men stay at court to guarantee safety and security. Queen Margaery and King Tommen write a peace treaty with Houses Stark, Arryn and Tully and they develop a lasting friendship. Queen Margaery asks Arya  about Sansa and inquires after her health. In time, Sansa recovers from her traumatic ordeal and the Queen goes to visit her. They become close and a future betrothal between Ser Wilas Tyrell is successfully proposed. Sansa moves to Highgarden and marries Ser Wilas, but remains quite close to her little sister.


As for Arya, well, a strange howling is heard now and then in the distance. It is when the full moon rises high above the towers of Winterfell, that Nymeria finally sees Arya. And the two kindred spirits are reunited. Nymeria, it seems, has brought a guest with her.


Aegon looks upon the young wolf pup to see how lovely she has grown and falls in love with her on the spot. Through a lot of bitterness and heartache, the Stark girls are finally given the happy endings they deserve.


Theory #4 - I am all in favor! This would be controversial, due to the awful event that Sansa has to go through. However, what Littlefinger reaps, he finally ends up paying for.(okay, yes, I made this whole theory up but that is what dedicated fans do these days)

I have successfully recruited three colleagues to the realm.


I know.


Either I'm awesome or I am kind of borderline obsessed/crazy.


I prefer to think of it as having an extreme level of enthusiasm.


:)


PS - I am totally liking Oberyn Martell.


I'm going to Dorne!

OH YEAH!

THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE!

TEARS OF JOY (okay, perhaps that is a wee bit of an exaggeration on my part...or is it?)

Let the speculation begin! It'll be interesting to see how closely they follow the latter half of the book.

I could see clips of Jon, Arya, Sansa, the Hound, Margaery and Joffrey at their wedding. Tywin and Jaime with a new sword, Jaime getting fitted for a new hand, Tyrion in a bit of a pickle, Tyrion talking to Oberyn Martell (who, by the way, looks like a total badass), the Wildlings, Yara, Brandon and Hodor near a Weirwood tree, etc etc.

April 6 is officially 82 days away!

Did I mention that Arya looks awesome and one has to wonder, is that Needle in her hands??!! Hope so!

APRIL 6, 2014.


9 PM.


HBO.


It's so awesome, that it's CRAZY INSANE how hyper I am at this moment.


I put it all over my Facebook page and Twitter accounts.


Oh man. While I wanted it to be in March (7 less days of waiting), I think fans in the realm can now breathe a sigh of relief, as we now know for sure that April 6 is THE date.


And y'all know I already called my cake lady for the cake, like last month, right?!


Heh heh heh!

I find it difficult to turn my brain off of Game of Thrones.

Just ask my husband, he hears it all the time.

At any rate, I have a few theories that might make sense, regarding Arya, Tyrion, Dany and Sansa.

First: the whole thing about the three headed dragon. I think it could be that Arya, Tyrion and Dany are destined to join forces. That would actually be pretty cool, considering that all three of those characters have been through the ringer and then some.

Of course, it would also be super cool if Arya found someone to stand with. As in a romantic interest. Not one that would match her battle skills, her wit and her stubbornness. This is where some minor spoilers are going to take place, so you've been warned. Aegon would be her match, he's a few years older than her, has had to struggle and fight and use his wits to survive the harsh world of Westeros. After all, there is that prophesy that Cersei is going to be taken down by someone younger and more beautiful than her.

While I would love to see it be Margaery, I wonder if it could be Sansa or Arya? After all, both Stark girls have suffered under Cersei's political and personal scheming. It would only make sense that Cersei suffers so bad to the point where she loses everything. And at the hands of a Stark daughter.

Of course, it would also be awesome if Sansa were to somehow, someway, get rid of Littlefinger and assume control of the Vale. I kind of want her and Tyrion back together. That would get under Cersei's skin so badly.....and for Tyrion, he gets a wife of noble blood and also he can claim Winterfell through Sansa. He could also bring some political savvy to the realm. If Arya and Sansa were to be reunited, it would be bittersweet. But at least the two girls would have each other, which is one way of looking at it.

I also would love to see Margaery and Sansa take down Cersei with any means at their disposal.

I think a lot of fans would love to see that! 

Yes, I used the word 'princess' and the word 'Arya' in the same sentence.

Make no mistake, I use it with the greatest respect, in the sense that Arya is a fierce little princess, capable of holding her own against the big boys, in fact, anyone who crosses her path. I don't mean princess in the way everyone thinks of - long gowns, sweeping hairstyles, jewels, fine needle point and an air of genteel breeding.

Hell, no! I mean a young girl who is suddenly thrust into the vicious Game of Thrones, who is able to read people's intentions, train with a sword, learn a few ancient and noble languages, defend her House's honour, stand up and fight for herself and take off in order to survive, study other people, what they say and what they try to hide, accept her growing power as a warg and ultimately, learn how to become one of the most skilled assassins in Westeros. THAT is the type of princess I'm talking about - armed with chain mail, daggers, Needle, shape shifting powers, be multilingual and above all - conquer her fears and take down her enemies.

Arya always knew that she was different from other girls her age. She knew she would never be like her older sister and somehow, that did not disappoint her. She knew it, felt it and accepted it. She was surprised and shocked to learn and understand from her father that she was just like her late aunt, Lyanna Stark. Shocking because Lyanna was considered to be a great beauty in the Seven Kingdoms and surprised because Lyanna had the same spirit and had a rebellious streak in her. It's as if the ghost of Lyanna has come back to guide her niece. And this is a notion that I want to believe in.

I adore Arya Stark - she wants to believe in justice and equality and yet is canny enough, at a young age, to know that Westeros is made up of very dangerous men and women who will lie, cheat, steal and kill to get what they want. We all know that power is an aphrodisiac. Arya doesn't seem to be tainted by it, say the way that Joffrey and Cersei are. No, she knows that anyone can be killed and that you have to be very careful and play the game well and make allegiances with the right sort of people in the Seven Kingdoms. Otherwise, you will find yourself swinging from a rope or have a sword go through your belly.

None of those options are what Arya has in mind for herself. No, not this young wolf pup. She has to go through some very frightening and challenging times in order to grow as a young woman and as an individual, who is trying to survive and learn the skills she needs to - because in time we know what she will use them for.

Vengeance.

And it is my feverent hope that Arya Stark not only survives many assassins and outlaws, but that with each passing day, she remembers that she is a survivor. That she is strong minded and tougher than most.

That she is a Stark.

That she is not a victim.

When the time comes to exact her revenge on the world, may the Seven Old Gods and the New have mercy on her enemies.

For I will not.

The North Remembers.

Valar Morgulis ~ Valar Dohaeris.

Sansa Stark will always be regarded as the Stark daughter who has the genteel breeding that was traditional of a young girl in a medieval society, like Westeros. She is accomplished at needlepoint, poetry and chatelaine duties. It seems to me that her sole duty is to marry well and into a high born family, as befits her own family's station and status in the Seven Kingdoms. She is elegant and poised and to quote her directly, "Courtesy is a lady's best armor." Really?! How about armor is your best protection against the enemy - both protective to your body and your wit?! Sansa may be the perfect daughter, but she lacks the ability to see through people's motives and has no thought to the idea that people have the ability to be malevolent. However, Sansa's biggest priority is getting engaged to a dreamy prince of the realm and making her parents happy.

This bugs me. As in to no end. Yes, I understand that she wants to make her family happy but what about how she is going feel, think and act? It bothers me to such a degree that women are regarded as the silent gender in A Song of Ice and Fire and Sansa embodies this well. Be seen but not heard. No thought to your own wishes and will, but the will of your lord and master.

I think that perhaps a little cunning and intelligence are the order of the day. Let's face it: Sansa dreams of a world where everybody is kind and gentle and they all adhere to the notions of courtly love. Being betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon was no picnic and for viewers of the show and readers of the books, we all know how she was mentally and psychologically abused. She was isolated and used as a pawn by others who had plenty of power over her. In short, Sansa is a victim and has no real power over her own life. Choices are made for her. When Sansa chose that spoiled wretch, Joffrey, over her sister and Mykah in Season I, that is when I lost all respect for her. Joffrey was a maniac and I thought to myself many times, "If that was a preview of what your married life was going to look like, good luck with that one. You deserve that pompous ass for a husband." That and - Arya is YOUNGER than you and can see through people's b.s. and you can't?! (shaking my head right now)

Season II and III fare no better for her - but we do catch small glimpses where Sansa is beginning to understand that people in King's Landing can be duplicitous and it doesn't hurt to have a protective mask in place and perhaps...even lie once in a while! Everyone else at court is a liar and a user, so you might as well try to beat them at their own game.

Being married off to Tyrion Lannister, in my opinion, was the safest thing that could've happened to her. As the wife of Tyrion Lannister, she had the protection of the Lannister family, plus the wealth to go along with it. And Tyrion is not Joffrey, not by a long shot. He might be a "half man" but by the Old Gods and the New, he is an experienced man and ladies, you get my meaning. Sansa could have had a chance to be happy with him, if she allowed herself to look past the fact that he wasn't so golden like one of the Tyrell sons or that he wasn't her perfect picture of a man. In those days, it was rare enough to have a true love match. However, having the Lannister name was an ace up her sleeve.

Will Sansa develop a stronger sense of worth? Will she develop a back bone and start to see all the dangers and intrigue around her? Or will she always be that ignorant little girl who dreams of courtly love, from Winterfell? Or will she surprise all of us fans and end up seated on the Iron Throne, with an army to back her up?

I came across an article that was in defence of Sansa Stark.

Not sure if I like the tone of it but, well, that's for everyone to decide on their own.

However, I will say this: are Arya and Sansa two sides of the same coin? Yes, they have the same last name and are both daughters of the late Ned and Catelyn Stark.

But how different can two teenage daughters/sisters be?

I will write a blog post in defence of one and in reflection of the other. I think you all know that I am #TeamArya.

Call this a fantastic promotional strategy....or a way for fans of the realm to take their frustrations out on King Joffrey Baratheon, through the use of social media!

A few days ago, HBO launched the first ever "Roast Joffrey" event - where fans could take to Twitter and say a few, ahem, 'nice' things about the spoiled, delusional and egotistical King. I know I put in a few Twitter roast posts about him!

With the thousands of fans giving their two cents' worth, I have a feeling that future 'roasts' may be launched and I can think of a few other Game of Thrones characters I'd love to see that for...

Cersei.

Theon.

Petyr Baelish.

Walder Frey.

Roose Bolton.

Ramsay Snow.

Not bad, eh?!

Do you know what is SO awesome?!

Arya Stark memes.

Do you want to know what could possible top that?

A Tumblr account about #AryaStarkMemes.

SO awesome! Posting the link in the Game of Thrones link section!

http://gameoflaughs.tumblr.com/post/64130126767/arya-stark-memes

I have been thinking lately of all the times when I used to make fun of my older brothers. They were and still are huge Stark Trek and Star Wars fans. While I totally loved Star Wars, I couldn't get into the Trekkie thing. Both of my brothers collected the toys, figurines, magazines - anything with the Star Trek crew.

The turn of the tide has come full circle - as I look back on the past few years and look at the incredible amount of A Song of Ice and Fire collectibles that I have purchased. I have spent a small fortune on books, magazines, graphic novels, exhibition tickets, drinking steins, magazines, detailed map books, Funko Vinyl figures mugs, shot glasses, hats, graphic prints, framed portraits, essay books and plushie dolls.

If that wasn't bad enough, I read last night on 109 We Come from the Future an article about GRRM and hos he weaves yet another compelling tale about the politics of war and how much dragons play a part in his newest novella, "Dangerous Women."

My poor husband. I already told him that he has to order the third round of Funko Dolls for Valentine's Day next year. Now this.

Dangerous, indeed, for a woman like me!

OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just what the doctor ordered: a new wave of Game of Thrones Funko Vinyl figures!

Right in time for Valentine's Day (or a few days thereafter) but the point is - I will have more to add to my ever expanding collection!

This is INSANE! Better than my Barbie collection!

I am going to order the Brienne of Tarth, Tywin, Hodor, Ghost, Drogon and Ygritte figures!

Not too keen on ordering the Prince Joffrey one, though.

This just made waiting for the Season IV premiere a little better!

:)

I keep paying down my Visa but, it's so hard to get it all the way down to nothing. Especially when the folks at Funko go and release more Game of Thrones figures!

I guess I better not purchase any Walking Dead ones, right?

I can't wait until they make the Margaery and Lady Olenna Tyrell figures!

Alright, I admit that math is not my strong suit but apparently, there's less than 134 days left to go!

How sweet is that??

:)

Well, just when I thought I had completely paid off my Visa, I heard about this site called "Etsy."

Truth be told, I saw an article about these gorgeous, hand made custom designed Game of Thrones hoodies and I wanted to order them.

Yikes! At $200 per hoodie, that means I have to rethink my strategy. I will not be purchasing the Baratheon or Targaryen hoodies. Yes, I know, it's still an expensive endeavour for me to follow through with but I will be purchasing the House Stark and House Lannister ones.

The seller is on Etsy under the name of "Rarity's Boutique." She sold out her first order. Perhaps this is a good thing. I'll have to wait 2 months to place my order. That will be after the holiday season, so my debts will be paid off!

Sweet!

Okay, as a little girl, I used to love the "Mr. Men" series of books. They were colourful, entertaining and usually had some sort of moral to the story.

I ask you, then, what could be better than regular "Mr. Men" books?

Game of Thrones Mr. Men books!!!

I will post the link in the links section.

As for my favourite Game of Thrones "Mr. Men" character, I'll give you three guesses!

And of course, that goes without saying that it is Ms. Arya Stark! (I'm kind of hoping that the creators of this will get around to drawing more of the characters, because I would love to see what Tywin, Tyrion, Margaery and Lady Olenna would be labeled as!)

My husband gave me the best suggestion: why not have the Arya Stark Mr. Men character as a tattoo, because I have been wanting to get one for a year now and it had to be specifically about Arya or Tyrion. Awesome suggestion, honey. This time, I'm going to listen to you!

:)