Wheel of Time Controversy

I am a big fan of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. There were 11 books plus a prequel written as of the time of the author's death in 2007. He was working on the final volume, tentatively titled A Memory of Light when he died leaving some extensive notes and sections of the book written.
Brandon Sanderson, an author and fan, was chosen by Jordan's widow to finish the book. Originally, the hope was to have the book published this year and have all the little loose ends tied up.
If you know anything about the series, Jordan wrote about many main characters and more than numerous smaller characters. There are almost too many plots and sub plots to count. In the past, every time a new book came out I would spend the months leading up to the release rereading the previous volumes. Sanderson began researching, rereading the original 11 books, reviewing Jordan's notes and preparing to write and realized the enormity of this project. He had two choices as an author:
1. Cram everything into one book, leaving many of the smaller loose ends unresolved and not giving proper due to some of the main characters and basically all of the smaller characters and plots.
2. Write it as truly as he could.
Sanderson chose to tell the complete end to the story, tie up all the loose ends, and try to stay true to Jordan's vision. He admits he can never really fill Jordan's shoes but he wants to do justice to the work. So now the whole think is looking to go upwards of 800,000 words.
The decision was made to split the final novel into three books for a few reasons.
1. Its been 4 years since the last book: we fans want to read something.
2. It is now too big to publish as one volume anyway.
3. The whole thing still isn't written though Sanderson is working his tail off and if we wait for him to finish writing it all and for it to be edited, etc, it could be 2 or 3 more years. He's written over 400,000 words to date and if you know anything about writing that is impressive.

I'm pretty happy with the decisions made all around. I commend Sanderson for being true to the work despite the enormity of the task. I'm happy they are splitting it. I want to read something soon.
It will be an epic end to an epic series instead of a cheap flimsy wrap up.

The Memory of Light is now coming out in three pieces. Part one: The Gathering Storm, will be out November of 2009 and I can't wait.
To Brandon Sanderson I say thank you for keeping the characters and world of the Wheel of Time alive to the best of your ability. And thank you for pouring your heart and soul into doing it right.
You can keep track of Sanderson's progress and get more info on his website: http://www.brandonsanderson.com

Continued Signs of Spring

My Black Pearl Slate colored Escape is currently a lovely shade of yellowish green. Spring has officially arrived with the OVER abundant production and release of tree pollen that has begun to coat everything.
At least the bare patches of my yard look like something is growing there since they too are covered in bright yellowish green pollen...

Sure Signs of Spring

The sure signs of spring I've encountered or experienced over the past two weeks:

1. Illness - the upper respiratory infections are rampant right now. Most of my coworkers and friends and finally me have all gone through what I like to call 'The Crud."

2. Lots of stuff is blooming and starting to turn green. We have a lot of trees that start with white flowers. Very pretty and uplifting to see.

3. Birds, lots of them. I've got finches, robins, sand pipers and I don't know what else keeping the cats glued to the windows.

4. Carnival stuff. I had a bunch of carnival food booths go past me on I95 the other day. You could see the advertisements for Italian Sausage! Elephant Ears! Blooming Onion! It just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

5. Potholes. Potholes are not nearly the issue in NC as they are in PA but they appear nonetheless.

6. Construction. The surest sign that spring is really here is a flashing sign that says "ROAD WORK NEXT 5 MILES" and a lot of orange and white barrels.

Star Trek TNG Reuniting

Okay, I'll admit it....this made my inner geek squeal like a 10 year old girl...


http://io9.com/5160294/st-tng-cast-reunite-in-cartoon-form

The entire main cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation including Denise Crosby and Wil Wheaton will be voicing themselves on a March 29 episode of Family Guy. I admit it...I'm a Star Trek fan and a Family Guy fan so I'll be setting the DVR for this one.

Bookish

Buddy the Bearded Dragon is now tucked in under the new bookshelves.

When we moved to this house in September we made the decision to upgrade the bookshelves. What we had wasn't enough so we sold off the old ones in a yard sale and planned for new shelves.
For the past few months the books -- all 500 or so -- have been stacked floor to ceiling in a small closet in the office. Reading became more than just an intellectual adventure. There was also the very real chance of being buried in books when you attempted to get one out.

Two weekends ago we were debating on dinner and a movie and instead went to Lowes. Four 12 foot planks, a few l brackets, some sheet rock screws, a stud finder and our circular saw and sander with a little time and effort turned into 63 glorious feet of bookshelves.Getting all of the books out of the closet and vaguely organized was a challenge but we've got shelves!!!! The books fill all 63 feet but they aren't double stacked and by my count there is some room left to add another shelf on one wall if I need to later.

The wrap around shelves have all fictional books.
This wall is all non-fiction with the exception of the entire Left Behind series in with the religion section and the Sweet Pickles books on the top shelf. The little closet to the left now has shelves built in as well and is being used to store office supplies.

Dental Wizardry

I was sitting at work reading through training material when I felt something odd in my mouth. I spit out one of my fillings a moment later. Not a 15 year old silver filling but a composite filling that is less than two years old and done by a dentist I DID NOT like. Back lower right side right between two molars -- small filling on each. Instead of taking his time and doing two fillings he had done one that connected the teeth together and that is what popped out.
New state, new town, new dentist. I must say this guy was Fabulous. Very light touch with the gigantic nerve block needle, took his time and did it right all with a sense of humor. They did all the work to get rid of the old composite material and drill out getting ready for the new stuff. Went one tooth at a time. Oh and I got to watch TV inbetween while waiting for the nerve block to set, etc. My choice of channels on the flat screen computer monitor attached to the chair -- TV is video streamed in.
First tooth he filled in, buffed, polished, sanded whatever and told me to bite down to test and the composite went CRUNCH. Apparently, it didn't work. I was proving to be a bit of a challenge. The second attempt he turned into a master craftsman slowly polishing and grinding to get the composite to fit perfectly. The whole process took almost 2 hours between the failed first filling and finishing the other two but they are as close to perfect as you can get. Not cold/hot sensitive, fit nicely when I bite down, feel good. So here's to a nice smile and a good dentist I'll actually be willing to go back to.

Taking your Bat'leth Practice Too Far...

I'm a fan of the Star Trek series but this is boldly going too far with fantasy weapons....

Man boldly robs Colo. store with Star Trek sword (AP)

What amazes me is the weapon the guy used is very large, rather hard to conceal and yet...he got away.

It's a Six Pack

What a great game. Heart stopping moments, record breaking 100 yard interception return for a touchdown, beautiful catch by Holmes with 35 seconds left. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for an awesome Superbowl XLIII win.

Today is the parade in Pittsburgh...how I wish I could be there.

Superbowl Nightmare

If you are not aware…I am a HUGE Pittsburgh Steelers fan so I am beside myself with happiness that they are in the Superbowl this year. In the lead up to the big game on Sunday my office is slowly getting covered with more black and gold, the excitement is building and I can’t wait for the game.

Apparently, I’m already subconsciously thinking about the game. Last night I dreamt Arizona was winning the game 27 to 24 and the Steelers did an odd pass play that results in what looks like a touchdown. Which would mean the Steelers would win 31 to 27.

BUT WAIT

The referee won’t call it a touchdown. Instead he states the booth is reviewing the play. There is only one second on the clock.

And then I woke up.

Tonight I better dream about the Steelers winning handily.

Here we go Steelers Here we go!!!

Snowy Video

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/4364350/

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/4365720/

 

Here is some links to the local television station. They have aerial video via their helicopter from after the snow storm yesterday evening. We ended up with 7 inches at my house and over 5 near work. This is the most snow this area of North Carolina has seen since 2004. We had some ice this morning and will have the same problem tomorrow morning but the temperature is on the way up so all the snow will be gone by the end of Friday.