No work all play.

Today I had no responsibilities, it was rather nice. I could have done things that needed despite that, worked on my next project, or one of the projects that are in progress. Instead I relaxed some, unwound after a long stretch of frenetic business. It wasn't all sunshine and daisies, a good chunk of time was devoted to anxiety, but then I started to re-read A Game of Thrones.

Have you read this yet? If you said no, you should be ashamed of yourself.

I haven't read this book in years, and with the show currently being my favorite thing on the TV, felt it was a good time to pick it back up. Also so I can start the next book when it comes out in July with a good memory of the events prior to it. The Song of Ice and Fire book series is one of my favorite book series, it takes high fantasy by the foot and shakes it violently until all that remains is the core of it all. Instead of focusing on magical beings and impossible odds, we are instead presented with a world of political intrigue and very strong characters. Sure, the world has its magical aspects, but almost all of that is hiding in the backdrop of the world. Magic died out thousands of years ago, dragons haven't been seen for generations, and the world is enjoying a long summer. However, the motto for the Stark family is true, Winter is coming, and with it looms rumors of strange and forgotten things.

The whole world is just so incredibly realized, and when people talk their words drip with history and lore. The story is older then the events you are reading, half remembered events from the past are actively driving the present events, and when the lives of these characters are pulled apart you can feel unseen hands at work. Books rarely make their world feel as alive as this series does, or their characters as alive and vulnerable. If you are disinclined to read, the show is doing a pretty good job at these things as well, and Sean Bean demands you tune in or acquire it for viewing.

He is just thinking about how he will be killing you if you don't.

I am very impressed with just how well the show is handling the adaptation, particularly since so very much of the book isn't simple dialogue. Characters think about things a whole lot, making a switch to a visual medium tricky, but they are doing a great job. The source material means the writing is stellar, the actors are all fantastic, and the sets and costumes are beautiful. If that isn't enough to get you watching then just find a clip of Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. The man owns the role better then people own their clothes, he oozes personality and subtle cunning. Every scene he is in is just better because he is in it.

"I am awesome, aren't I?"

In other news L.A. Noir continues to be one of my favorite things, as that is what I did when I put the book back down. Also I will tell stories again soon, as opposed to musing of media, I promise. This weekend will see some incriminating stories told for your entertainment.