Sunday...

[fajrdrako]

Morning: went for a long walk along the canal, listening to China Miéville's The City and the City.

I went to the Farmer's Market, and bought poatoes, onions, organic lamb and strawberries. Learned something: I'd been so happy that I was walking freely and with no back pain. So for the last fifteen minutes or so of my walk - the portion after I'd bought the food at the Lansdowne Park Farmer's Market - my back hurt. I had things to carry. Moral of story: don't walk and carry things at the same time.

Sigh.

Afternoon: Had lunch with lunacy_gal at "Alex's Bread and Deli" on Bank Street. We each had an empanada - something I don't think I've ever had before. Afterwards, went to Morala's for coffee and an almond square.

Then at my place, we watched Gerard Depardieu's 1990 version of Cyrano de Bergerac. Excellent acting, great costumes and direction - and the worst subtitles I've ever seen on a French film. Written by someone whose English was... limited. For want of a better word. The French was easier to understand - it at least made sense!

In the evening, I watched The Game of Thrones with maaseru and Pim. Thoughts:

1. Loved the lighting at the beginning, when Varys visited Ned in the dungeon.
   
   
2. They changed Shea a lot from the book, but I liked the way they did it. Good character.
   
   
3. Bronn, too. He's been north of the Wall? Interesting!
   
   
4. I expected to see more of Shagga in this one.
   
   
5. The battle was nicely handled - with Tyrion's point of view, but Tyrion mostly unconscious.
   
   
6. We meet Walder Frey! I liked the way they set up his crowd of sons, and he was suitably strong-willed, though I expected someone older, creepier and witchier. Still: I like the way this show is avoiding caricature. He was otherwise as he ought to be.
   
   
7. At last we see Jamie again. Rob's prisoner. Now things begin to get really interesting with Jamie. (Yes, I know, we'll have to wait till the next book/season.)
   
   
8. Not much of interest happening with Jon Snow this time, though it was good to get the story of Aemon. What's his relationship to Danaerys? He is her great-grandfather's brother?
   
   
9. I expected the scene of witchcraft in the tent, with the resurrection of Khal Drogo, to be more dramatic - more fireworks, in darkness, lots of flame. The way they did it was in some ways creepier, certainly subtler.
   
   
10. I really, really like Ser Jorah Mormont here.
    
    
11. Poor Sansa. Poor Arya.
    
    
12. I wouldn't be paying much attention to Sandor Clegayne, probably, if I hadn't read the books. As it is... he's something of a favourite.
    
    
13. Rob looks pretty good here. I like the way we mostly don't lose sight of Theon Greyjoy.
    
    
14. Funny how my favourite characters don't change.