Desiderata

This morning I read a few great chapters from  A Storm of Swords . I love how George R.R. Martin handles complex topics like faith, religion and loyalty. Each chapter is named after a character and told in third person limited perspective. Because of the dire circumstances in The Seven Kingdoms, the passages frequently focus on their relationships to faith. Whether they worship the old gods or the new, the Lord of Light or the Nameless Other of Darkness, each character and their respective peoples' theologies are informed by where they were raised, what they were taught, as well as their present circumstances. With so many variables, it's impossible that everyone would share the same beliefs. Ser Davos is first and foremost a knight, which means loyalty to king and country prevails over all else. He was raised to pray to the old gods and even under great pressure from the priestess Melissandre, he sticks to his beliefs and counters her sermons with personal strength and sp...

Just took one of those silly "What Game of Thrones character are you?" quizzes. I got Tyrion. My day is made. In his honor, here's a few of my favorite Tyrion quotes: “My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer and I have my mind...and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone if it is to keep its edge. That's why I read so much, Jon Snow.”  “Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.”  “Perhaps that is the secret. It is not what we do, so much as why we do it.”  “…When you’ve know me longer, you’ll learn that I mean everything I say.” “Even the lies?” “Especially the lies. Lord Petyr…”  "I much like my head. I don't want to see it removed just yet."  "I beg to differ. Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities."