Fourth Time's a Charm!

Ah, my melancholy is upon me!

Another week trickles to a close, and a new one threatens to break upon us, like wind most foul... ok, that was uncalled-for, you have my apologies.

So, I've been reading - are you surprised? I'm about 60% through my latest re-read of A Game of Thrones. I am literally savoring every line this time through. I find I can learn much about writing, not just by reading it, but by *reading* it. There must be something special about the tale and the author for me to invest myself in it for a fourth time like this. I can't think of another book I've even read thrice, much less a fourth. I can think of several that I've read a second time, but not three...

It's so odd... I find myself actually hoping that the story will turn out differently this time. I've read it thrice before, as I said, and I know the story, inside and out... and yet, I keep hoping Character A will live, that King B will survive, and Character C will be stopped, and that other, better choices will be made by characters that I feel like I know. How wonderful it must be, to be able to craft characters that a reader feels he actually knows. I can't think of another tale that has the same effect. Even memorable characters crafted by Pat Rothfuss (Name of the Wind), Joe Abercrombie (First Law series) and Steven Pressfield (Gates of Fire), by all rights three of my favorite authors, don't connect with me like GRRM's vast and amazing cast.

If you haven't read this series, you really must. I adjure thee!

So, even though I know the story, I long for a happier resolution. I know the road that stretches out before me, another 3,000 pages and more, with volume 5 approaching, and I both dread the trip and look forward to it deeply. It has drenched me in melancholy, and inspired me to write, and stoked my sense of adventure. I wish I could write like Martin.

So, the new website for the rug shop is up and running. It still warrants polishing and fine-tuning, but it lives nonetheless. CLICK HERE to get a look. Even if rugs don't interest you, maybe take a quick peek and nose around... took a lot of work on the part of several people to get it to its current state, and more to come. Opinions appreciated.

This is my 498th post since I started this blog. I'll have to try and think up something fun for post 500. Of course, I'll expect you all to chip in and buy me a very nice, shiny, sparkly gift, as befits such a momentous occasion. Perhaps a new reading chair?

Quite cool, if I don't say so m'self... though those slots look awfully slim. Not sure they could accommodate some of the books I own, which are, to say the least, mammoth. It's funny - I look at The Way of Kings (B Sanderson) sitting on my shelf, still waiting for me to read, and it is so huge, I always pass it by. I want to read it, and I know it will be good... but the sheer size of it intimidates me. Yet A Wise Man's Fear (Rothfuss) was actually comparable in size (possibly even bigger), but I had no problems reading that one, since it was a digital edition.

I get the same sense of intimidation over the volumes of Tom Clancy I have on the shelf as well. I read many of Clancy's books as a lad. Several years ago, I discovered I could buy used copies of many of his hard-backs for one penny (plus $4 shipping), so I bought many of the Clancy books I remember loving. Yet looking at them, I am loathe to start reading them. I don't want to lug big books around anymore, when I can simply buy books for my iPad, and carry a library around with me anywhere I go!

I guess I'm getting lazy in my old age.



I cannot imagine the hours of wasted footage that went into the making of this video, but I enjoy it anyway.

I have little more to add today. If you aren't following Rebecca's blog, I suggest checking it out. She's blogging every day this month (save Sunday's), for an A-to Z blogging challenge. Good stuff.

Adios eh!

Dave the Melancholy, out!