A Song of Ice and Fire

…is the greatest fantasy novel I ever read.

American author George R. R. Martin really caught my interest with the first novel of the Song of Ice and Fire series, which is entitled as “A Game of Thrones.” Reading the novel’s epilogue is enough for me to say that “A Game of Thrones” is a novel that will not waste my time.

“A Game of Thrones” flared up my interest and made me crave for the next two novels of the Song of Ice and Fire series, which are “A Clash of Kings” and “A Storm of Swords.”

The Song of Ice and Fire series centers about the power struggle in the fictional continent of Westeros and the Seven Kingdoms that composes it. The series opens with the novel “A Game of Thrones” that are focused on my favorite clan in the series, who are the Starks who rules the northern part of Westeros in the city of Winterfell.

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After beheading a deserter, Eddard Stark and his sons discovered a dead direwolf with six pups. Each pups were given to each of Eddard’s children: Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Tommen and the bastard Jon. The direwolves have important role in the whole series.

“A Game of Thrones” ended at the death of Westeros’ king Robert Baratheon and the capture of the King’s Hand, Eddard Stark.

The “Clash of Kings” concentrates on the war between the different claimants of the throne of Westeros and the King in the North Robb Stark. Battle ensued between Tywin Lannister (head of the House of Lannister) and the troops of the Riverlands (House of Tully and its banner men) and the north men. Robert Baratheon’s brothers Stannis and Renly also declared themselves kings. In the end of this novel, Robb Stark and Renly were killed and Stannis was defeated in the battle in King’s Landing, Westerosi capital. King Joff, supported by the Lannisters is in a precarious position.

The third novel, “Storm of Swords,” focused on the characters Cersei, Jaime, Sansa, the Greyjoys, Sam Tarly and Arya. I don’t like much the third novel because I think the characters and their stories are lightweight compared to the stories of Bran, Daenerys, Jon Snow, and Tyrion Lannister. My only favorite in the third novel is Arya and her travel to Braavos. My favorite part of the novel is the exciting last chapters when Cersei was caught in her own webs of lies and deceit and captured by the High Septon (priest) and made to stand up of adultery.

The Song of Ice and Fire is a great series. I am looking forward to read the next book, “Dance of the Dragons.”

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Steel-toed Shoes from Vagono

I do not share the fondness of the majority of Filipino buyers to rubber shoes, especially the ones manufactured by Adidas, Converse, and Nike. Because of my almost heavy duty line of work, specifically when I work during fieldworks, I prefer to wear heavy duty shoes.

For almost three years, my UCLA hiking shoes served me well. It accompanied to many travels and walked hundreds of miles during fieldworks. Aside from those activities, I usually wear my hiking shoes even if I am just going to the office or stroll inside the mall.

So, when my hiking shoes decided to retire (finally), I did not hesitate to buy another heavy duty shoes as a replacement. I went to Marikina Riverbanks Mall and I bought the Vagono Steel-toed shoes.

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What attracted me to those shoes is the fact that it is steel-toed. I could easily use it in kicking the hell out of any person who will attack me. Well, that is not the actual reason why I liked that Vagono shoes. I just liked it because it is “steel-toed.”

Vagono Steel-toed shoes are made from Marikina City, which is the shoe capital of the Philippines. It is quite expensive because a pair of Vagono Steel-toed shoes costs 1,800 Pesos.

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However, looking at the quality of the shoes, I could say that my money is worth it. The Vagono Steel-toed shoes have all the specs that I need. It is high-cut (low-cut is also available for 1,200 Pesos). It has a hard sole, which is perfect for hiking and long walks. Also, the shoes are durable and I guess it could outlive my old hiking shoes.

Problems Encountered

The one thing that I discovered about Vagono's Steel Toed Shoes is that its sole was glued to the shoes and not stitched to it. Because of this, the shoes is not advisable to step on wet and puddled areas because the glue will not hold the sole and shoes together.

I made a mistake in walking on puddles and the sole was almost removed. Because of this, I sent my shoes to shoe repair shop to have it fix and sewed.

Vagono's Steel Toes shoes are expensive and I expected that the sole will be sewed to the shoes. However, it is not. This is why I am somewhat disappointed with this shoe.

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Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about my review of Red Ribbon’s Black Forest Cake

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Chef Tony's Popping Popcorn

Last Saturday, my brother brought home another Chef Tony’s Popcorn. This is the second time that my brother brought home this kind of popcorn. I am not complaining, but rather, I am glad that his pasalubong is Chef Tony’s Popcorn, even if we are not in the cinemas.

The very first puffed corn that I tasted from Chef Tony’s is the Dark Chocolate (with honey roasted almonds) flavor. At first, I thought that I will never like that kind of popcorn because it will be both sweet and salty. I am not fan of sweet and salty foods because I remember the boiled kamoteng kahoy (tapioca) that was both mixed with salt and sugar.
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Chef Tony's Dark Chocolate

The Chef Tony’s Dark Chocolate popcorn is just fine and suited my taste buds. The sweet flavor overpowered the salty taste that’s why I liked it.
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Actually, it is yummy. The photo is just bad. :-P

Last Saturday, my brother brought White Country Cheddar flavor, and I also liked it.

Now I wonder when my brother will bring home another Chef Tony’s Popcorn.

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