Not a Blog

October Already

October 1, 2009 at 1:41 pm
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The months never used to go by this fast.

Or the years. Gak. One more birthday and I’ll be eligible for Social Security. That’s bloody terrifying. It seems like only last week I was doing “new writer” panels at cons, scanning reviews to see if I was being mentioned as of the Young Turks of SF, and chasing after Parris (see avatar).

This should be a good month, though. The HBO pilot will start filming in just three more weeks or thereabouts. This time next month I will be in Belfast, visiting the shoot. And maybe seeing some scenery like this:

(That’s actually one of my favorites of Michael Komarck’s calendar art, fwiw. I had hoped by this time to be able to announce the publisher and artist for the 2011 calendar, but we’re still waiting on the contracts. Soon, I hope).

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Our Poacher…

October 1, 2009 at 1:24 pm
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… is at home on the internet as in the haunted forest. He has a home page, a Facebook page, a MySpace page,

… has something in common with Peter Parker,

… began as a boy on a bike,

… has something in common with Daenerys, Jaime, and Ser Jorah,

… has already announced his appearance in GOT on his own home page, so why am I even bothering with these clues?

Just sayin’

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Our Headless Brother…

September 30, 2009 at 5:33 pm
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… has been a pig, a roach, and a fat friend. He’s been known to hang about with highlanders, rabbits, and dwarfs.

Just sayin’

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Riders Wanted

September 30, 2009 at 11:10 am
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Ever since HBO first took out an option on A GAME OF THRONES — even before we got an actual production order — I’ve been getting emails from readers who desperately wanted to be a part of the production. “I’ll do anything!” some of you have written. ((Really, don’t say stuff like that. Really. Don’t.))

Well, now’s your chance. The call has gone out for extras. Details here:

http://www.extrasni.com/news

Of course, you need to be in Northern Ireland, or get yourself to Northern Ireland. They’re shooting this mostly in Belfast and environs.

And it would help to know horses. As you can see, their biggest need right now is for experienced male riders. (I imagine they could use some female riders too, though maybe not as many. And if not, hey, that’s why they invented false beards.)

But I’m in Santa Fe, so I’m not the guy to write to about this. Inquire as above.

And good luck. Maybe I’ll be meeting some of Belfast, a month from now.

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Poor Doomed Souls Department

September 29, 2009 at 8:56 pm
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Two of three are done, I’m told.

Waiting for signed contracts on the last.

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3-0, 3-0

September 27, 2009 at 11:41 pm
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Life is magical and full of joy.

Two more victories for my New York teams today. The Giants totally dominated Tampa Bay, holding them to under a hundred yards of total offense, shutting down their run game completely, pitching a 24-0 shutout. On offense, Jacobs and Bradshaw both ran the ball convincingly, Eli and the receivers looked sharp. The Scottish Kicker did miss a chip shot field goal, probably because the commentators jinxed him by mentioning his name. That, and a few new injuries, were the only flies on what was otherwise a complete victory. I am especially worried about Kareem McKenzie, who was carried off on a cart. The G-Men have looked very strong to date, but the injuries have really started to pile up, and that is worrisome.

The Jet game was much more exciting. Dressed in their throwback New York Titans unis, the Jets jumped off to a fast 14-0 start and for a bit the game looked like a blowout. But a fumble changed the momentum and the Titans (in their throwback Oiler unis) came roaring back in the second and third quarters to go ahead 17-14. Then came another turnover, and Big Mo shifted back. The last quarter belonged to the Jets. Sanchez had some trouble with the wet ball, but played pretty well, all in all. Jericho was a beast, especially on that long catch. The Jets special teams were outstanding. And the defense… what was especially impressive was how much Rex changed his game plan from last week. Gone were all the blitzes. Instead the Jets focused on shutting down the Tennessee running game, their strength, and were successful.

The weirdest thing was that the two games were being played simultaneously, which I don’t recall ever seeing before, in all my years of watching football. I had to switch back and forth between them on my TiVo, and inevitably some plays got spoiled for me.

Next week the Giants go to Kansas City for their third road game in a row, and the Jets face their sternest test yet when they go to New Orleans to play Drew Brees and the high-flying Saints.

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The Old Knight…

September 26, 2009 at 3:17 pm
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… is an experienced master at arms,

… has been a colonel, a doctor, a friar, a nazi, a sergeant, a superintendant, a corporal, and a minister,

… knows Cersei, Eddard, Ser Jorah, and Pussy Galore.

Just sayin’

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Little Brother…

September 25, 2009 at 2:17 pm
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… was the great betrayer.

… worked at a tobacco factory.

… is a novel by Cory Doctorow that was nominated for the Hugo, but that doesn’t count.

… was the great betrayed.

… never went to space, but has been in freefall.

Just sayin’

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One Down, One to Go

September 25, 2009 at 12:11 pm
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Major roles, that is.

Still waiting for deals to make (or not) on some of the supporting roles.

No, HBO will not be using those Norwegian wolves everyone has been emailing me about. They look like very nice wolves, but UK laws make it impossible.

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As Sandor Clegane, the Hound…

September 23, 2009 at 4:36 pm
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… yes, it’s Rory McCann, a wonderful Scots actor.

Most of you figured that out weeks ago, of course. Mea culpa. My clues were much too obvious this time around, especially the spelling of “porage,” which yielded up the secret to anyone who googled the word. If I had gone with “porridge,” that might have created a few more hours of mystery at least.

Here’s the Scotts Porage Oats commercial from which the clue was taken:
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As for my second clue, “the dog is green,” well, that one was pretty easy to find as well, once you found McCann’s name from the “porage” reference:

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It wasn’t either of those that won Rory the role, however. Nor was it his performance in HOT FUZZ, a movie that I’ve heard good things about but never seen. His look had a lot to do with it, though. A lot of good actors auditioned for the role, and several gave really first class readings… but simply did not have the physicality the part demands. Sandor needs to be a big guy, powerful and threatening, someone who looks like he could break you in half. Rory is all of that and more.

Mostly, though, it was his readings. We had other good ones, yes, but none to touch his. One of the scenes in the side was Sandor’s scene with Sansa, where he tells her how his face came to be scarred. In the space of a few lines, Rory had me terrified (where he roars, “Look at me,” and makes her look at his face), made me chuckle (when he says no, the burns weren’t dragonflame), and brought a tear to my eye (when he tells his story). After I saw that, I knew he was Sandor… and David, Dan, and Tom all agreed.

I think you’ll going to love him as the Hound.

Of course, if we go to series, now we’re going to have to find someone a foot and a half taller to play his brother. Now THAT will be difficult!

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