I don’t read much fantasy, but some of you know I’m a big fan of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Fire & Ice” series. There are four books in the series thus far and each one is a doorstop, bursting with multiple subplots and a huge cast of characters. I’ve long thought these books were unfilmable, but HBO doesn’t share my view. It just acquired the rights to turn the series into a television drama, with each season corresponding to a novel in the series. The material does seem to meet the prerequisites for an HBO series. It’s dark, violent, and replete with sex scenes. I’m guessing that the on-screen results will either be brilliant or a train wreck. But I can’t wait to see which it is.

Based on the novel of the same name, the film Little Children reminds us that the American suburb, despite the window dressing of affluent contentment, harbors as much suspicion, fear, deceit, and desperation as any urban core. The story centers on Sarah and Brad, two residents of this quiet burg who are both deeply unhappy with the paths their lives have taken. Sarah is an overeducated stay-at-home mom who secretly resents both her young daughter and her distant husband (who has recently discovered a penchant for internet porn). Brad is a stay-at-home dad married to a gorgeous wife who regards him with barely-concealed condescension. As you might expect, the two meet and begin an affair that is both an act of lust as well as one of covert defiance against their circumstances.

The entire cast is good, but Kate Winslet is especially fine in her portrayal of a character who is not particularly likable, yet offers hints that she could be much more appealing if her life had proceeded differently. The film also contains one or two disturbing scenes that effectively undercut our estimations of the characters. And see if you can identify the voice of the omniscient narrator. It was familiar enough to distract me every time I heard it.

I have the distinct pleasure of appearing before my building’s Board of Directors in a couple weeks. The building has a rather strict policy on visiting pets, as in “No visiting pets, ever.” And I’ve been a little lax in telling my family that they can’t bring their dogs when visiting. So after the third letter from my condo association, I’ve got some ‘splainin’ to do. A few friends have suggested that I play the cripple card. “This dog was my former helper dog and I just wanted to see her one more time before she dies.” Or “The only pleasure I get in life is seeing my family and their adorable pets.” But I don’t think I’ll go that route. I’m an attorney; I should be able to find a slightly less cynical way to talk my way out of this.

Huh. The thermometer on my desktop currently registers four degrees. That has to be a mistake. We don’t get winter in these parts anymore. All we get anymore is Autumn, Parts I and II.

In a couple hours, President Bush will likely announce to the nation that he will be sending an additional 21,000 troops to Iraq. I’m planning on watching the speech, but I’m probably in a tiny minority. While most Americans may oppose the President’s conduct of the war, I don’t think most Americans feel strongly connected to the war effort or the soldiers stationed over there. This administration has not sought much sacrifice from the American public and, for most of us, the war dwells on the periphery of our day. That’s why–even though the number of troops proposed is not nearly enough to bring any real stability, even though these troops may be committed to the region indefinitely, even though a genuine political solution to the sectarian violence seems more distant than ever–I’m skeptical that many people will be discussing this escalation around the water coolers tomorrow.

I’m hoping Congress will ask lots of questions about this proposal and force the president to clearly define the mission and milestones for success (or failure). And if the administration isn’t forthcoming, Congress should exercise the mandate it was given in November and put a freeze on additional troop increases and propose a roadmap for disengagement. But I’m also hoping that the voters who put the new Congress in power don’t fall back into their slumber.