Game of Thrones

If you haven’t gotten around to checking out Game of Thrones on HBO you have some good cable watching in your future. This is a brooding, slow-moving, often dark, period/ fantasy piece. The show reminds me of works such as A Lion in Winter, King Arthur, and Hamlet, all rolled into one great ride.

The series is a very character driven work, and the characters don’t disappoint. There is a dwarf from a Noble House who loves to bed pretty young girls but, who uses his other head shall we say, to confound his enemies.

His brother called the King Slayer because he killed the previous King whom he served as personal body guard. Their sister the Queen by marriage, who is uncomfortably close to her twin brother, the aforementioned King Slayer. Then there is the King’s Hand (prime minister in normal parlance) and the head of the Noble House of Stark. A House who’s  saying is …”Winter’s Coming,”  This is just a few of the interesting characters peopling the mythical Seven Kingdoms.

The current King of the Seven Kingdoms wrested the throne from the previous King.The now exiled rightful King by secession, is plotting to take back the throne. The games afoot in this series for much political intrigue, in-fighting, action adventure, salacious sexual behavior, interesting relationships and loyalties, noble causes, and paradoxical dilemmas. The actors are giving great performances as they play these interesting characters and story lines. So tune in and give it a couple viewings, it kind of sneaks up on you. You’ll see what I mean. Remember Winter’s Coming.

Thyris

Obama Gets Osama

It is not often that I feel happy about the death of another human being. However, in the case of Osama, I am close. Osama Bin Laden was responsible for 9/11, the worst attack on American soil in history. He is responsible for the death of over three thousand innocent people, and untold suffering by their families and loved ones. The terrorist acts by Osama and his organization Al Qaeda were brutal. For example, the beheading of kidnapped journalist and other western workers. In my opinion, though I am against the death penalty, he got what he deserved. According to news reports the Navy Seals who killed him had orders to take him into custody alive or dead. Apparently he and his security people put up a fight and he was killed along with his wife who was being used as a human shield. The capture and killing of Osama has restored the dignity and respect  the country loss when it was so brutally attacked and wounded by Al Qaeda. Those who were responsible have been captured and/or killed, including the head of the worm. Justice has been served and notice has been given to those who would do us harm. I am always proud to be an American, but I am especially proud today. A loud shout out to the Navy Seals, CIA, the National Security Council, and others who helped to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. All hail the  Commander In Chief, President Barrack Obama. He has certainly done us proud.

Thyris

Glenn Beck...Gone.

The Fox Network canceled the Glenn Beck show. I never watched the show myself so I won't miss it. Frankly, I'm waiting for the whole Network to fold. I don't mind that ultra-conservatives have a Network that spin to their political views as long as they try to be factual and responsible. I think getting Glenn Beck off the air was a step in the right direction for the Fox Network. As for the Ultra conservatives they still have plenty of platform at Fox to wingnut away. Sad but true.

Thyris

Oh God? No, Oh Bill

The political satirist with the most edge on television today is Mr. Bill Maher who I call simply " Billy." He is the talent on the HBO show, "Real Time with Bill Maher." This show starts with a person in the news, who is interviewed by Billy. This person is usually a prominent political figure or a person who has recently been a news maker. Then the show has a panel of political pundits, (three) that have a mixture of political points of view from liberal to ultra conservative.( Billy is a leftist liberal but he doesn't bleed and he takes no prisoners.) The panel and Billy discuss and debate the political issues of the day. Following wide open and frank discussions by all involved, another guest is introduced. This person is usually someone who is there to promote something, but pays for the plug by laying out their political leanings (always liberal) on the issues being discussed on the show. To end the show Billy does what is calls "New Rules." During this segment Billy skewers anything, anyone, or any proposal or idea  that he feels needs an attitude adjustment, and some advice on where to put it. The overall result is that you are politically informed, and you have some belly laughs along the way. If you are a leftist Democrat like me it will definitely scratch your political itch and then some.

Your boy,

Thyris

Holiday Prose

                                                               Gentle Joseph

Gentle Joseph wise and strong,

what do thy glean, is Mary thine own.
Do ye think it is worth thy while,
a virgin wife who is with child.

Gentle Joseph so straight and tall,
willest thy giveth her thine all.
Pledge to protect and to defend,
willest thy go to Bethlehem, then.

Gentle Joseph full of love and faith,
seek a place both warm and safe,
for the one so meek so mild,
and the virgin who is with child.

Gentle Joseph man of peace,
Kings will come on bended knee.
The angel prophet did foretell,
a savior called Emmanuell.

Oh No He Didn't!!!

Donald Trump, according to CNN, said that Mr. Obama is "in over his head."  Donald Trump has a right to zing whoever he wants, even the President.  However, he should never say anything in reference to the word "head" in the process. It merely serves to remind us of his hellacious comb over. He is in over his head with his hair trip. Don't you think he would be better off if he just man up and go bald already! Just a thought.

Thyris Taylor

Should a Black Man Care About the English Royals? Who Knows.

Prince William and his long-time significant other Kate Middleton are now officially engaged. Kate is a commoner  (Upper class.) from a small village in England called Burberry. She is a beautiful young woman who wore the engagement ring of Princess Diana at their televised press conference. The two have been together for eight years. For some odd reason I seem to get entertainment value from the English Royal Family coverage. As I write this blog it occurs to me that as a youngster I became interested in mythology. Stories and books about the Greek, Roman, and Norse Gods were fun reading. Fantasies became a keen interest. Jason and the Argonauts, The Lord of the Rings type stuff.

 One book which I read as a pre-adolescent kid was King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I loved this book. It was a whole new fantasy world of heroes, demons, and wizards. The Monarchy was an integral part of this epic tale about the reign of an English King. Also as a teen I watch a very moving period piece of the time which starred Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson titled Mary Queen of Scots. Then there was the musical Camelot. I remember walking downtown in my home town to go to the movies. There were two theaters in my hometown at the time. One movie had Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice playing. The other movie theater was running Camelot. I had no idea what either of these movies was about. I saw that Camelot had something to do with Kings and Princesses, you know a period piece, so I chose to see Camelot.  After taking my seat I realized it was a musical and wished I had gone to the other movie. I really wasn't that into musicals. After a short time though this film musical hooked me but good. I was really moved by the story and I enjoyed the songs,  it was good.

From this exposure I think I continue to get mileage out of all things English Royal. It's  like whenever a period piece is in the theaters I get this pull to go check it out. It is like I've been brainwashed with this stuff. When I was sitting in the theater watching Camelot, I knew that this wasn't exactly the type of movie my peers enjoyed. I kept it to myself that I saw this movie. To this day I find it odd that I enjoy period pieces. I recently watched The Duchess with Kirsten Dunst.  I was amazed that I could get into this movie but I really thought it was great film making. Check it out if you haven't seen it.

Okay let's be clear now. I ve seen the news story on the young Royals (William and Kate). Unless the wedding becomes part of a movie, I can give a pass on the wedding coverage. I'm not quite that brain washed. However, if there is a scandal I'm there!  Lancelot and Guinevere comes to mind. This scandal brought down Camelot and I've never gotten over it. Oh, and the Movie I missed, Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice? I still haven't seen it. I have to admit if I had known at the time what it was about, I would have went to see it instead. A movie about swinging??!! I'm there.

Thyris Taylor