Well, it's snowing.  Has been all day.  I'm guessing it is around 5-6 inches right now.  The forecast says 9-12 before it is done.  It makes for a lazy Sunday and I'm glad I don't have to be anywhere.  Just sit here typing and sipping some Ginger Pear White Tea from Trader Joes.

On Friday I finished reading "The Emperor's Soul" by Brandon Sanderson.  It is the second novella he's had out this year (the first was Legion - see this post from 10/28 for my notes on that http://www.zenfolio.com/rogerpavelle/edit/blog.aspx#192078257) and the second one that I have really enjoyed.  And, it is totally different than Legion.  This one is a fantasy piece set in a world where runes and glyphs can affect reality (actually, it is the same world as his "Elantris" but an undiscussed corner of the world and you wouldn't know if he didn't tell you).  The main character in the story is a Forger who has been captured in the emperor's palace and awaits execution.  Instead, the council of advisors tell her that the Emperor has been injured by an assassin and only partially healed - they need her to forge a new soul for the Emperor in exchange for her life, possessions and money.  The story unfolds as a discussion of self, how the choices you make affect who you are, the nature of Art and of Craft, loyalty, politics, nature and reality.  It is a short (100 or so pages, maybe a bit more) and quick book and well worth reading.

This afternoon I finished reading "Crossed Blades", the third in Kelly McCullough's Fallen Blade series.  The series follows Aral "Kingslayer", an assassin/mage (or "Blade" as they are titled) for the Goddess of Justice.  The first book in the series (Broken Blade) takes place around 5 years after the death of the goddess (and almost all of her followers) at the hands of the other Gods (and their followers), and finds Aral as a drunk and part-time rogue/thief/bodyguard.  His shade familiar Triss is not happy about any of these facts.  By the time of "Crossed Blades" he is slowly finding an equilibrium in which he can live and try to move forward.  Then a fellow blade (and his former fiance) walks into a bar.  I've really enjoyed this series so far.  The characters are believable and how they react to the situations they find themselves in are logical extension of who they are.  Check them out if you want to read a good and interesting set of fantasy novels.

And finally, last night was spent trying to watch some movies I had saved on the DVR.  I started out with the original "Casino Royale" (the one starring David Niven) but gave up after an hour or so.  It didn't have much of a plot and was not really funny (and was supposed to be a comedy, so that is a problem).  So I instead decided to watch "High Fidelity" again (one I've seen several times now).  This is a movie that falls into the weird category of movies that I enjoy a lot when I catch them, but wouldn't consider buying (or keeping on the DVR once I rewatched it) since I don't feel any need to own it and watch whenever I'm in the mood.

And, since it is Chanukah, I'll leave off with the following photo I took in the Czech Republic:

menorah