Good Intentions

Back in 1996, when I was doing book reviews for the local paper, I had occasion to interview George R.R. Martin, who was on a tour to promote his new fantasy novel series, "A Song of Fire and Ice." The first novel, A Game of Thrones, was just out, and at almost 700 pp, a thick and juicy read. Really convoluted -- you needed a family history to keep up with the characters, and he thoughtfully provided one. 


Martin told me at the time he had intended to write a trilogy, that's what he pitched to Bantam, but realized that he would need four books instead of three. If I write more than four, he said, you have my permission to shoot me.


I supposed that would be doable -- there are already four books published in the series, with three more on the drawing board.


At least.


I don't want to shoot him; indeed, I want him to live long enough to finish the series, just as I did Roger Zelazny when he was plugging along on the Amber novels. Roger had the grace to finish those before he passed away -- too young -- but at least he wrapped them up.


George is looking a little long in the tooth, and it's been what? five years since the most recent novel?


Stay alive, George, stay alive.

Magic Hands

Saw Tommy Emmanuel's Center Stage gig last night on PBS's pledge eon. Fifteen minutes of playing, then fifteen minutes of asking for money, but since you can time it, you can skip most of the latter.

If you haven't seen Tommy play acoustic guitar and you know anything about the instrument, have a look. He opened with this Beatles medley -- watch how that capo just ... goes away about a minute and fifteen seconds in, during "Here Comes the Sun."

Those scratch patterns on the guitar come from playing them like percussion instruments -- he sometimes sounds like he's got half a band onstage with him -- and if there's anybody better who enjoys what he does more, I've never seen him. If you watch the vid, bear in mind, this is one guy with a guitar making all this music, and making it look a lot easier than it is.

Bonus vid: Tommy's version of "House of the Risin' Sun." Listen to the drum brushes he makes with his nail on the box toward the end.