This week’s rhapsody is “Footsteps” a Bulgarian dance rhapsody by Vladimir Djambazov and was his winning entry in the 13th Grand Prix of the International composing competition “Rhapsody in 7/8” of the St. George Foundation.
The Imp Bites Back
Well with “The Children” Season Four comes to an end. I was interested how this episode was going as I knew how many scenes were left but I didn’t know how they were going to fit them all into an hour’s worth of show. It did not disappoint. The scenes I expected were very well executed. The ones that I didn’t (one because I expected it to be in the next season the other being completely unique to the show) did also impress. What I missed most was a small but very important plot point involving Tyrion and Tywin. To a certain extent I’m surprised. They had the set up for it in the first season but I guess the writers decided it wasn’t that important after all but still it’s going to change a lot of Tyrion’s motivations for the rest of the show which should be… interesting. But what I missed the most was the book’s epilogue which brings the unexpected return of a certain character. But who knows perhaps it was a subplot that needed trimming or… it will be yet another reason to look forward to season five.
As for the season as a whole this was fun. To a certain extent I thought the pacing was too slow but I think this was mostly due to just how “Storm of Swords” was split into two seasons and a need to keep characters who disappear for two books visible. Frequently this is something I only have a problem with only when I watch it one episode at a time. When I’m watching the entire season on DVD this ceases to be an issue.
The other thing I find fascinating is just how different it is from the book. As I mentioned earlier one of the things I’ve been enjoying as a reader of Song of Ice and Fire one of the things I’ve enjoyed the most is handicapping the episodes, making educated guesss on just what they are going to tweak, embellish or trim. Another thing I’ve noticed is how a lot of these changes began to snowball becoming larger changes in future seasons. For all of the changes that had been made in the past for the most part the seasons stayed on the general outline. This season in my opinion started going off script in major ways most obviously seen in Sansa, Arya and Brienne’s stories. I’m beginning to be reminded of such franchises as Akira, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Full Metal Alchemist where the adaptation passed the original and became something very different. (no complaint mind you just something interesting) As a whole what I missed was no one made any use of the “Hands of Gold” Song something I thought they had several opportunities to put in context and would have been great!
Well the day I’ve been waiting for finally came to pass.
Due to the owners needing to get the apartment cleaned up, they would not have the place available until the fourteenth.
So this gave me two weeks to chill and recover from moving out of the old place, take care of some last minute logistical matters (which I had a little too much time to overthink and blow out of proportion) and start drawing again.
So finally the day has finally arrived It was nice to see that the place was bigger than I remembered it being not to mention being in some primo location. Of course there was a whole lot of paperwork to sign and the walk through to do. So it was all set except for one catch. The door key I had been given didn’t work the door. At first we thought it was a simple mix up and she would get me the right key the next day. However the next day came by and found myself waiting til noon (this was not doing good things for my sense of humor as I had access to a friends car for the weekend and this was taking a number on my move in time.) I finally called to see what the hold up was. It turned out that there was as much of a comedy of errors going on on their sides involving the handiwoman getting stuck on the highway, and then the there usual locksmith being closed on the weekend and probably a few other things that was not mentioned.
Finally I was told there was a place holder key for me but they didn’t really recommend me locking the door and I wouldn’t have to worry about theft If i didn’t put anything in the place. Anyway I went to pick up the key. I couldn’t find it at first. (I had been told it would be on “the counter” and I didn’t realize which counter she meant until after I called to say I couldn’t find it.) As a final straw for the day I couldn’t help noticing a small hole in one of the windows which I was sure I hadn’t seen in the walkthrough. It looked like it could have been a bee bee pellet (or perhaps a slightly higher caliber) which had me feeling just a little paranoid.
Still it will get this over with so I can start figure out how I furnish the place.
Still l
Now that we’re back in business It’s time to drum up the regular features starting with the Tuesday Rhapsodies.
And who better to start with but with good old Franz Liszt, but not, emphasis NOT, another Hungarian Rhapsody.
I know! I’m just as surprised, and I found out about it completely by accident. This one is his Spanish Rhapsody here performed by Yeol Eum Son.
Enjoy
Well now that the drama of the previous month is over I can sit back and laugh. The new place has been acquired (though thanks to last minute details I won’t have my key until the fourteenth) I am moved out of the old place. That felt like it took forever, going back in fourth between the apartment and my storage area. Desperately trying to make sure I had enough boxes (you only realize how much junk you own when you move) And despite my best efforts didn’t get my security deposit (You spend a week cleaning, scrubbing and vacuuming and you still get a long itemized list that makes you look like a negligent slob!)
But anyway right now I’m chilling being a houseguest at some good friends and trying to play catchup (I know I said I’d startup again right on June but it took me a little bit longer to get my groove back. My bad)
A very happy 88th birthday to Mr. Miles Davis. Let us celebrate by listening to him run the Voodoo down.
Note much to my embarrassment this post was originally done on the third due to having the date wrong. On my calender this has been corrected so won’t happen again. Apologies.
