The Fireside

Yesterday evening I arrived in Moonbeam, ON, where my girlfriend is from, and her family lives. I will be here from the 28 of June, until the 3rd of July (back in Ottawa on the 4th). So my blog will taking a hiatus from my blog of books, movies, TV, sports etc... and the next few days will be Canada Day, eating, and four-wheeling. Enjoy the Canada Day, and for the Americans, your ID4, and I'll do a post as late as next weekend...as Bluesfest will be starting up then.

There are a few TV shows I enjoy watching - on DVD, through Netflix, through cable / sat, and through....other means. One series I've been hearing amazing things about, is Breaking Bad , which airs on the same network as Mad Men.    The final episodes (final season, part 2 of season 5, whatever it's official known as) returns August 11 . And the final episode will air on Septermber 29 . So that means September *30 * I will start watching the series with season 1, episode 1. I won't have to wait for anything starting that day. Another series I really want to check out is Homeland .  

....that was interesting. We all thought game 7 was going to happen. And then Chicago bounced back hard in a legendary comeback. Throughout this final round, both teams have been playing amazingly well, and all games were super close. Now, let's see Ottawa get a cup next year....

Tonight is the season six finale for Mad Men . The episode to look for is called "in Care Of". The show returns next year for it's final season, and the season 6 DVD / blu-ray will most likely be out in October sometime, but I shall keep you non-AMC subcribers (and those who like to buy shows), up to date once it's announced. 

There are some technological gizmos I'm interested in getting in the near future.

Go go, black and gold! Boston plays tonight, and they best win!

The final mass market paperback I will ever buy is coming out later this year....

I have a feeling that 2014 will be a big year for A Song of Ice and Game of Thrones . Here's why....

  Here is my review of "Mhysa", the season 3 finale for Game of Thrones.

It has been decided. The Boston Bruins will square off against the Chicago Blackhawks June 12 to begin the Stanley Cup Final. And which team am I cheering for this round?

Tonight is the much-anticipated Game of Thrones season 3 finale on HBO The name of the episode is called "Mhysa". The series will return for a fourth (and hopefully not final) season in Spring of 2014, most likely sometime in March or April. as far as I know, it will based on the second half of A Storm of Swords ( Blood and Gold ) and some of A Feast For Crows , perhaps even A Dance With Dragons . But I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, follow Game of Thrones on facebook, or twitter ( #gameofthrones )

The days of needing one of these may very well be over in five years or under. I am aware that there are....less than legal ways to watch TV shows, but this post is aimed at the legal ways.   One thing I've been meaning to talk about in length, but only hinted at, is my dislike for cable packages. I like mostly premium cable shows (Showtime, AMC, HBO) over standard stuff (ABC, NBC, the CW etc..) it gets expensive for about 3-4 channels. The problem is that you can't get individual 'channels', you have to get the packages if you want HBO.   The thing is, take The Big Bang Theory , or Grey's Anatomy for example. Both are popular shows. But you don't 'need' a TV provider to watch them, as a few days later, the new episode is provided on the TV network's website for steaming for free. Also, that network may allow streaming or access to their shows (example Netflix) through other shows. But not HBO. Oh, no not HBO.   Sa...

Two rounds, 4 teams. The race for the Stanley Cup is getting closer.   In the east, we have Boston vs Pittsburg. So far Boston has been running Pittsburg's show, and are ahead in the series. I'm sure Crosby is crying about something. The Ottawa Senators are getting their revenge through Boston.   In the West we have LA vs Chicago. I'd like to see the Kings move onto the Final, but it seems like Chicago might advance instead. They are a head, but will they win?   So far it's looking like the Final Round will be between Boston and Chicago. But we'll have to see.....

With a change of season, book reading seems to come into play. Here, I offer some books worthy of notice. Some I've read, others are in the reading pile...

My Birthday is coming... July 11. Those who read this blog wishing to get me a gift, I have some suggestions for you.....

A fellow blogger has posted this article  http://thewertzone.blogspot.ca/2013/05/update-on-world-of-ice-and-fire-update.html  about The World of Ice and Fire  book. Provides some good information, and is worthy of a look. In 2014 in the spring expect to see the first three 'Dunk and Egg' stories released in their own  anthology. Not sure if it will be hardcover, paperback, ebook etc... I'll keep you posted. No updates on The Winds of Winter , but I remain hopeful that it will arrive in 2014 sometime. Possibly even in Nov 2014 - Feb 2015 type timeline. After that, I'm hoping George will give us A Dream of Spring , anywhere from 2017-2019. We'll see. For now I'm looking forward to Dunk and Egg collection, World of Ice and Fire , and The Winds of Winter .  Other Game of Thrones / Ice and Fire  material: the season 3 finale will air June 9, the season 3 soundtrack will on itunes June 4 (and CD July 9), and A Dance With Dragons  will [finally] get ...