The Winds of Westeros

Oh. Ma. Gawd.

A few days ago, http://io9.com/5978104/tywin-lannister-reads-50-shades-of-gray-for-your-sexy-sexy-pleasure posted this hilarious clip of actor Charles Dance, also know as the AWESOME Tywin Lannister, reading an excerpt of "50 Shades of Grey" on a British television game show called 'Big Fat Quiz.'

He is illegally sexy.

His voice just oozes sophistication.

OK. I'm off to take a cold shower now! Laters!

PS - "Yeah, that's what I thought..."

Wouldn't it be fantastic if Crayola started making special crayons packs to commemorate certain movies or series on television?!

How freaking AMAZING would it be....if....Crayola came up with a Game of Thrones inspired crayon pack???

You know, I would end up purchasing, oh say, about 20 packs of them. Forgive me, I teach Visual Arts to JK and SK students. Hence, my fascination with Crayola and colouring. I love Crayola. I love Game of Thrones.

It's a perfect pair, wouldn't you think?!

:D

Those are the words of my husband.

I finished reading Pearson Moore's Season Two Essays on Game of Thrones. I only received the delivery less then a week ago.

I know. I get it. Sigh. I have issues where A Song of Ice and Fire is concerned.

I tried my best to put the book down. But...Pearson Moore has a way with words. His essays on each chapter are insightful, provocative and challenging. I enjoyed the book immensely and hope that he releases a third one, later this year.

75 days left to go.

I have report cards that need my undying attention.

I really need to prioritize my time. I am going to try my best and NOT read the next book...the one by William Jacoby, "Fear Cuts Deeper then Swords" which is a philosophy book about the characters and story lines of HBO's Game of Thrones.

I give it 48 hours before I succumb to temptation.

Just received the "Game of Thrones: Second Season Essays" by Pearson Moore and "Logic cuts Deeper then Fear" book by Henry Jacoby. I am a very happy camper.

In the midst of marking, sorting and inputting marks in for the various classes I teach, it was nice to get something delivered to me that wasn't a bill! I am looking forward to reading these two books in the next two months' time.

Because we all know (especially those on my Twitter feed and Facebook account) that I am looking forward to the Season III premiere of Game of Thrones. I, and about a million other fans!

Happy that I read on George's "Not a Blog" blog spot that he has completed another chapter in the next novel, "The Winds of Winter." Keep at it, George R. R.! We all look forward, with great anticipation, of the release date for this book!

Still wondering when I am going to read "A Dance With Dragons."

Okay. I saw the BEST Game of Thrones inspired cake EVER!!!!

My birthday is basically a week after Season III premieres (actually, my wedding anniversary is the day before my birthday). So, it's only fitting that I have a three tiered cake, with the top layer being dedicated to House Targaryen, the middle layer being dedicated to Arya, Jon, the Wall and House Stark and the bottom tier being dedicated to House Baratheon and Tyrion Lannister.

Top layer: double chocolate with chocolate butter cream filling.

Middle layer: marble with chocolate and strawberry butter cream filling.

Bottom layer: lemon with strawberry filling.

I just gained 20 pounds and my birthday is not for another 91 days!!!!

I finished Pearson Moore's "Game of Thrones Season One Essays" a while back and I ordered the next one. Patiently waiting for Amazon to deliver it to my door step.

85 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!

I am so pleased...88 days left to go! Just finished writing another Game of Thrones article for the fabulous site, http://hbowatch.com/.

In addition to driving everyone around me a little bit bonkers about how Season III is approaching, I finished my "Game of Thrones Season One Essays" book by Pearson Moore. When can we expect the next book for Season II?! I also put the next installment of the GoT graphic novel on my Amazon wish list. I have to wait until June 2013 like everyone else but that's alright. By that time, I will have watched the third season (like millions of other fans), so I will be placated.

I wonder if there will be another teaser trailer coming out anytime soon? I seem to recall that last year, around this time, the "Cold Winds" teaser promo was out on YouTube and on HBO. I remember the first one, "The night is dark and full of terrors." I remember freaking out and saying to my husband and friends..."WHAT?! That's it?! 15 seconds?! Nooooooo!!"

A year has passed. I am a little calmer where Game of Thrones is concerned. I have learned to be a little more patient. Of course, it totally helps that I now have in my possession the "Inside the Making of Game of Thrones" book by HBO. Amazing read, by the way. And yes, I bought two copies of it. One for me, that only I get to read. The other, for anyone else who wants to look at it. It's a silly little kink of mine. Hey, it keeps me happy!

88 days until Game of Thrones on the tele....88 days to go, cross on off the calendar now, than it'll be 87 days until Game of Thrones on the tele....

:D

Um, did I mention that I am up to almost 3000 pins on my "A Song of Ice and Fire: Game of Thrones" board on Pinterest?

Now that the holidays are upon us (and I have two glorious weeks off of work), I am going to start reading "A Dance With Dragons." (I read about 155 pages....but have been sidetracked with professional development and two jobs)

I can't wait to curl up and start that book!

99 days left until Game of Thrones Season III premiere!

Happy holidays & Merry Christmas! :)

How AWESOME is this post from 109 We Come from the Future?

http://io9.com/5966920/game-of-thrones-meets-battle-of-the-bands-with-these-parody-music-logos/gallery/1

I think it's pure genius!

111 days left to go, Game of Thrones fans! Yay!

OH MA GAWD!!!!

I've let y'all know that I contribute to HBO Watch, a group of talented and dedicated fans/writers of all things HBO.

Just checked my Google+  discussion and saw that I hadn't been on it for a while. There were a lot of updates and exciting events. I was extremely elated to see that Jacob Klein, the founder of HBO Watch, has rewarded my many Game of Thrones character articles with one of those awesome Funko Game of Thrones figures.

Now.....it's a toss up to see which one I end up receiving. There's the Khal Drogo one, the White Walker one and the Tyrion Lannister one. There are two other HBO Watch writers being rewarded as well, both guys. Something tells me that I may end up with Khal Drogo, because I wrote about him in one of my articles. Then again, I also wrote about the White Walker at the end of Season II looking like Willie Nelson, just frozen. Or maybe I'll end up with Tyrion because I named him my sexiest man in Westeros.

Maybe I think too much.  Maybe.

In a word: AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am posting the article that from 109 We Come From the Future. Amazing. As in, my desktop background has the Manga adaptation of a Song of Ice and Fire.

126 more days to go!!!

Winter is coming!

OH. MA GAWD!!

AWESOME article about who would win if we all asked the question...."In the two parallel books Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, who would win against whom?"

SO many possibilities to think of!

Aragorn versus Jaime.

Cersei versus Arwen.

Tyrion versus  Frodo.

Tywin versus Gandalf.

Jon versus Gimli.

Robb versus Legolas.

Arya versus Eowyn.

Daenyers versus the Witch King.

Eddard versus Boromir. (hee hee hee)

Theon versus Faramir.

Samwell Tarly versus Samwell Gamgee. (c'mon, you all knew I would put the two Sams together)

A White Walker versus Gollum.

Varys versus Galadriel.

Littlefinger versus Wormtongue.

Anyone else??

YUP!!!  Less than 150 days to go, y'all.  Went to the local Chapters to purchase the second A Song of Ice and Fire graphic novel and THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT!!!

Whyyyyyyyy?!  I came home and my husband promptly told me to "Quit being so dramatic. You just got hired as a full time teacher, you're healthy and you'll be debt free soon enough. You'll get the book in a week or so."

Remind me not to whine in his presence ever again!

PS - I'm not letting him have any of my Game of Thrones cake, once the Season Premiere rolls around in March 2013! Hmph! Lol.

YES!!

I will be purchasing the Lands of Fire & Ice map book that will be coming out tomorrow!

Super duper stoked. After all, it's still around the 150 days left to go mark and I need something to help me through the winter!

I also got a full time job, so I apologize if there seems to be long gaps between posts. When new and exciting news pops up, I'll be back blogging!

Cheers!

While I was working over the weekend, the subject of Rhaegar and Lyanna came up.

An important question was posed to me: "Who would you like to see cast as Rhaegar and Lyanna?"

I thought about this for some time. I know that in "A Feast for Crows" there is a lot of reference to Rhaegar and Lyanna.

My husband chimed in with his suggestion - "Monica Belucci for Lyanna Stark. Just pop on some blue contacts and presto! Hotness, guaranteed." (typical man, although I have to agree, Monica Belucci is gorgeous and I am sure that a lot of men would tune in to see her on A Game of Thrones)

I thought of Charlize Theron. I read a while back that she is a huge Game of Thrones fan and would absolutely love the opportunity to get a part, even if it was a small part, on the show. If you've seen Aeon Flux, you'll know she can carry off having dark hair. She certainly is attractive enough! For those of you who've read the fourth book, you'll know that Cersei always had a jealous streak to her and didn't appreciate that the late Lyanna Stark was held to be one of the most "beautiful women in Westeros." I think Cersei was very threatened, because Lyanna was well liked and respected, stunning and came from a noble household.

The fact that Robert Baratheon was in love with her AND Rhaegar presented her with the rose wreath at one of the tournaments says something. Two men, from equally famous houses are in love with this woman? I also think that they need someone who can pull off the flashbacks, in terms of age and looks. Charlize Theron is 36, I believe. Not that she looks 36. She could easily pass for 28 or 29.

Now, in terms of who I'd like to see cast in flashbacks, as Rhaegar, the first person that came to mind was Tom Hardy. He's built, has blue eyes, can carry a melancholy disposition and is gorgeous. I mean, hello?! If you don't believe me, just look him up on Internet Movie Database and check out his roster of movies. I think he could carry it off. I'd LIKE to see him cast! Many women would thank me for my suggestion in the long run. Another actor that came to mind was Jack Huston, also known as Richard Harrow, on Boardwalk Empire. He has an impressive body of work and I think he could carry the part off rather well.

Who would you like to see cast as Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, if A Feast for Crows gets green lit and they incorporate flashback sequences? Suggestions, anyone?

We are now down to 165 days and counting. I've read a lot of articles about the filming of the infamous 'Red Wedding' scene. There's been all sorts of pictures of set designs and productions over in Croatia. I can't wait!!

I also read that the Red Wedding is going to be episode 9 in the first half of A Storm of Swords next year.

If memory serves correct....episode 9 in Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings were really intense and action packed. Is it just me, or does George R R Martin like the number 9?

I was born of the ninth of April. So of course, you know I'm not biased! Right?! (*wink wink nudge nudge*)

I love weddings and all....but this is one that I would've skipped...had I been invited! Yikes!

HBOWatch has published another one of my character pieces. Bran Stark is close to my heart. Why?

I have worked with students with special needs in the last decade and I have found that there is something special about those kids. I am drawn to them like a lodestone. I am looking forward to Season III and seeing how the writers are going to fit in several major events for Bran.

I think this young wolf pup is going to have several challenges ahead of him BUT I think he's going to persevere!

:)

Happy name day to the only woman who could so convincingly portray the steely cold, equally calculating Cersei Lannister.

I can't stand the character, because she is evil personified (same with Joffrey). But I do appreciate the time when she said how awful it was to have such high intellect but have to suffer all because you are a woman.

I like to think that Cersei Lannister, in some very backward weird way, is a feminist. I appreciate her frustration in the sense where she feels trapped by her gender. All major decision are made by either her son, her father or the small council. It's just a formal courtesy that they let her sit on the privy council.

It must have totally sucked to be a woman back in Westeros. The positions of womanhood vary quite sharply: you are either a lady, a prostitute, an indentured servant, a nun, an outcast, a pawn, a sister, a mother or a daughter. You can't outright be a powerful woman, otherwise you are regarded as a threat. Cersei has, quite possibly, the most powerful title that a woman can obtain in the Seven Kingdoms. Yet, for all the wealth and privilege, she is downright miserable.

I'm glad I live in today's society.

Happy birthday! Or should I say, happy name day, George R R Martin!

Maybe I'll celebrate with a cupcake in his honour.

I also missed a few of the Game of Thrones actors and actresses' birthdays in the summer months! I apologize for that, so happy belated name days to all I missed!

Only 193 more days until the premiere of Season III. But who's counting?!

And just like that, happiness is when HBO Watch publishes another one of my Game of Thrones related articles.

Happiness is HBO. Only 199 days left to go until the Season Premiere in March 2013.

But hey, who's counting?!

Hubster installed some kind of awesome sub woofer speaker system. When I watch Game of Thrones now...the quality of the sound makes me feel like I'm in the middle of a movie theatre!

:)

I have 10 good reasons as to why I am SO LOOKING FORWARD to March 31, 2013.

Y'all know, the season premiere of Game of Thrones third season?!

10. The Hound. A scarred warrior. A tremendous fighting machine. A man who told the King where to go and how to go about doing it. I have a new found respect for him, despite his past transgressions.

9. The Blackfish, Brynden Tully. Being introduced to the Blackfish of House Tully will help explain the family's origins, motives and military allegiances.

8. What's going to happen to Tyrion Lannister! He's the best one of the bunch! Need I say more on the subject?!

7. The Reed siblings. This should be interesting and as a fan, I am hoping that certain historical elements will be revealed to Bran and Rickon, especially about how their late father rescued their late aunt Lyanna, right before she died. Could unlock one of the greatest mysteries about why Lyanna was alone and what the cause of her death was.

6. The White Walkers!! Holy crap! What is going to go down at the Fist of First Men? And what will happen to Samwell Tarly?

5. Ygritte and Jon Snow. C'mon, I'm just going to say it like it is: we ALL can't wait to see what Ygritte is going to 'teach' Jon up in the frigid lands north of the Wall. She's a redhead, she's fiery and she calls Jon on his ignorance and naivete. I have a feeling that Jon Snow is going to be quite the apt pupil. If you catch my drift.

4. Bran and Rickon Stark. I have a tender spot in my heart for these two young Stark children, forced to grow up, to deal with their father's death, their mother's separation and the shocking execution of Ser Rodrick Cassel and having to say goodbye to their beloved Maester Luwin. I am looking forward to the dreams and the transformation of wolf and man. Dreams and visions are pretty powerful things, and Bran must come to terms with this new found ability.

3. Lady Olenna Redwyne. I've been looking forward to seeing who would be cast for this role. Yes, she's an old lady but grandma's got game! She's wise, cunning and quietly dominates her family. Sure, she lets her son think he rules the Tyrell roost. But come on, now. WE all know that the quiet power behind the Tyrell family sigil of "Growing Strong" isn't a male: it's Olenna. And with her sharp eyes and cutting wit, she is molding and shaping one far more beautiful as her protegee: her granddaughter, Margaery. Margaery Tyrell: shrewd, seductive, survivor. I can't wait to see what the writers have in store. Margaery isn't just another pretty face. You GO GIRLS!

2. Arya Stark. Let's see the mercenary skills begin to emerge. She's sassy enough to dress like a boy. She's got the basic fundamental sword and fencing skills down pat. She's made an important ally: Jaqen H'gar. Valar Morghulis, anyone?

1. Mance Raydar, King Beyond the Wall. CIARAN HINDS. That's my rationale. Does a woman need to say anything else?

As promised....I am coming up with some musical selections for some of the Houses in Westeros.

Not only will I do my best to pick a fitting piece of music per House, I'm also going to try and select the most appropriate piece of music for some of our favourite Game of Thrones characters, too!

Take into consideration that this is going to be a pretty big endeavour. I just got the 'green light' from Jacob at HBO Watch, so the finished product(s) will be published to the HBO Watch website.

So far, I have several songs from Led Zeppelin, Metallica, The Doors, The Cult, Madonna, Pink, Pink Floyd and LMFAO, to name a few!

You'll have to log on to http://hbowatch.com if you want to read the polished pieces of writing. I hope to do this particular piece justice. If there are any suggestions in terms of songs, please readers, feel free to leave me some commentary!

Time to cut a rug!

So, I was on a brief road trip with my husband to Niagara County, Ontario and we were listening to the Classic Vinyl and Classic Rewind stations on my Sirius XM radio when a wave of inspiration hit me: there are so many amazing songs out there, that perhaps I could blog about many of them, but that they should be classified according to their appropriate House.

There are, of course, many songs in different musical genres, so this provides me with an outstanding variety of songs to choose from.

Are there any songs out there, that you, my blog visitors, can think of for any of the Houses in Westeros? Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.

I'm going to go through all of my MP3 files and Cd's to see what songs would be appropriate.

Now that I think about it, Florence and the Machine's "Seven Devils" was such an appropriate choice for one of the Season II trailers....that I often wonder what they'll do for the Season III trailers that will be out for spring 2013?

Well, I asked my cake lady if she could make me 2 Game of Thrones themed cakes for the season premiere next year. Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you like, but she gets incredibly busy and I like to book her in advance. http://www.thevanillabean.ca

So, obviously I will have a House Stark and a House Lannister cake. I was thinking, they should definitely reflect the geographic areas of Westeros. What flavours? What colours?

Hubster says that the House Lannister cake has to be red and gold. Okay, I suppose that's a given. He also said that a nice combination of flavours would be lemon sponge cake with strawberry filling or raspberry filling. So that means one cake is going to be light and fruity. The lemon sponge cake, as he pointed out to me, would be very rich, just like the Lannisters of Casterly Rock. I told him to calm down and if anyone is going to come up with those awesome ideas, it was going to be me!

As for the House Stark cake, I am inclined to go with blue and white, reflecting on the northern climate of Winterfell. I was thinking about a dark chocolate cake with fudge filling. Hubster totally disagreed with that option (um....should I remind him who is paying for set cakes?!). He said I should go with a nice vanilla cake and blueberries/strawberries/blackberries for the filling. I don't know. I'm not too crazy about the idea of doing a fruit medley for the House Stark cake.

I like the idea of a chocolate and vanilla swirl with chocolate icing and maybe some blueberries in there somewhere, in order to include blue as a colour, to give it that wintry feel. Besides, seeing as how he made suggestions for House Lannister's cake, I feel it only fair that I get what I want and have a chocolate fudgey ooey gooey kind of cake to eat.

Oh wait. I have to share it with my guests. Winter is coming, indeed!!!