On the Subjectiveness of Spring.

I declare today the first day of spring.

This is for the simple fact that today is the first day that I have left the house without my coat and not regretted the decision.

I won’t miss winter. But I will miss my winter hat just a little.

Carry on,

pat

This entry was posted in my dumbnessBy Pat96 Responses

96 Comments

  1. Llyralei
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 12:43 AM | Permalink

    Best. Hat. Ever.Spring has been such a tease, at least here in Philly. I hope she stays this time. :D

  2. eviljim
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 12:49 AM | Permalink

    Nearly as epic as the beard, sir.

  3. Amber DeGrace
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 12:55 AM | Permalink

    I’m completely sweaty on the beard. Seriously.

  4. Atreus
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:01 AM | Permalink

    Haha. Well, I am from Arizona – I went swimming every day last week. I don’t think we have anything which could be considered a true ‘winter’ here.Epic hat.

  5. Joseph
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:01 AM | Permalink

    I’m stuck between the decision of which is more awesome, the hat or the beard

  6. Darryl Hamilton
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:27 AM | Permalink

    Epic hat, epic beard. Win!

  7. MarkS
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:34 AM | Permalink

    That is one entertaining picture.

  8. veronicabelmont
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:36 AM | Permalink

    Oh, now that is just <>precious!<>

  9. suziko
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:57 AM | Permalink

    Oh, winter’s not over in Wisconsin until May, maybe even June. I know that you know this, but somehow, every year, we all forget.

  10. Twilight
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:05 AM | Permalink

    You’re one classy, classy guy.

  11. Hunter Byron
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:12 AM | Permalink

    Were there ZZ Top auditions to be had somewhere?

  12. Phy
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:17 AM | Permalink

    I live a little south of MadCity, and I know what our forecast is. After a high of 74 today, you’ll be able to wear that hat as soon as tomorrow. Sigh.

  13. christinerains
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:21 AM | Permalink

    You should wear that hat all year, man. Plus the sunglasses. They’re perfect accessories to your beard.

  14. Casseopia
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:22 AM | Permalink

    I was debating leaving a comment about the 70 degree weather we’ve had here in SC for a while, but I decided against it.Instead I’ll say I love the hat. May your days be warm and skies sunny.

  15. sparkly_jules
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:33 AM | Permalink

    Dude, you look like a gay Hell’s Angel. . . not that there’s anything wrong with that. . .;-)

  16. fairytail3982
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:37 AM | Permalink

    I think that pic needs to be captioned, “Look what hatched out of <>my<> Easter egg!!”

  17. pdxtrent
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 3:32 AM | Permalink

    I’m with Christinerains…. AWESOME, and clearly designed for year round wear!WV- Humper- (1) Someone who is clawing their way through Wednesday. (2) The OTHER rabbit from Bambi.

  18. Captain Joe
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 3:59 AM | Permalink

    What a rugged and manly hat.Carrying on,Joe

  19. Rowan
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 4:14 AM | Permalink

    First thought: I hate those sunglasses.Second thought: I hate that hat.Third thought: He looks so cool… >.<

  20. jpantalleresco
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 4:28 AM | Permalink

    you can always still wear the hat…it reeks of awesome epicness that rivals the great elephant in discworld…and hey, just because it’s spring doesn’t mean you have to stop wearing it…or you can go to Calgary, where it’s always winter.JP

  21. Malikelm
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 4:37 AM | Permalink

    Hahahaha, the ridiculously funny part about that picture is the bottom half of his face is still furrier(???) I’m not sure of the right word, but ya’ll get the idea.

  22. maarten
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 5:29 AM | Permalink

    I’m just wondering which happybear you killed…

  23. Jude
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:02 AM | Permalink

    Oh to have a hat like that- Autumn’s trying to get going here.

  24. Laura
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:19 AM | Permalink

    Muha.Goodmorning to me. ^^

  25. Summer
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:25 AM | Permalink

    That is, indeed, an admirably awesome hat.… A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he’s not afraid of anything!

  26. Sarah
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:30 AM | Permalink

    Now I want a Hat like that, too! T_T Mine aren’t half as epic *pouts*

  27. Anonymous
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:49 AM | Permalink

    I’ve had the worst week ever. And somehow that picture of you in your hat made it all seem okay.

  28. Anonymous
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 8:25 AM | Permalink

    Mr Rothfuss, are those x-ray glasses?ladies beware, the beard and the hat are just distractions!!

  29. marky
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 8:25 AM | Permalink

    You would be the talk of Ascot, with that hat, Pat.

  30. Reverend Sin
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 9:35 AM | Permalink

    Your facial hair is epic and inspirational. What kind of sunglasses are those, Oakley’s or generic Sunglass Hut ones? I recently picked up a 90$ pair of Oakleys but I hate them. So hard to shop for glasses when your face is round.

  31. Jamie
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 9:48 AM | Permalink

    I have a brainstorm, you should dye your beard the colour of your hat!

  32. Anonymous
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 9:49 AM | Permalink

    Hey Pat, you look so cool in that pic. And I am in awe at that stupendous beard your sporting. Together with that shades, you look like a rock star. :D

  33. Cecrow
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 12:19 PM | Permalink

    We have a new candidate for Pat’s wikipedia photo!

  34. tinkandalissa
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:28 PM | Permalink

    Shit! I think I got socks to match that hat for xmas!!Yay Spring. I am beginning to see GREEN again! Love the beard. Your lady friend is one lucky chick.

  35. Jay Belt
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 1:53 PM | Permalink

    Awesome hat.

  36. Cynthia
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:02 PM | Permalink

    nice hat!(I live in the same town as Cassie. Spring hit here two weeks ago. My allergies told me so. And my yellow car.)~cyn

  37. Mike Toot
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:30 PM | Permalink

    Pat: please repost the original photo. Someone replaced it with a pic of the illicit love child between a garden gnome and a Rainbow Brite doll.:D

  38. white-tean
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:37 PM | Permalink

    Well now you’ve made me wonder where I can find some fancy technicolour wool of my own to knit for the incipient southern hemisphere winter. I want one of those ear flap hats with the tassels… although I have to knit a monolithic scarf for my sister first.

  39. MissMatthews
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 2:45 PM | Permalink

    your beard scares me.

  40. Preita
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM | Permalink

    If I didn’t know better I would say that you have a friend who knits :) I think I would recognize crazy eyelash yarn anywhere. Also? I love that brick wall behind you, if it’s inside your house I’m seriously jealous.

  41. Isaac
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 3:52 PM | Permalink

    I bow to the glory of your beard.

  42. Chris
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 4:04 PM | Permalink

    Jayne Cobb would be jealous.

  43. Alexis
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 4:05 PM | Permalink

    This is not dumbness. Ground hogs represent dumbness. And the picture is awesome. had I the power I would nominate you as an honorary blues brother on the spot….

  44. Anonymous
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 4:28 PM | Permalink

    Drat! I bet Pat is glad his head was clad in a mad hat instead of that bad red cat who met a fat pet rat on the net… Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.

  45. Greg Lynch Jr
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:43 PM | Permalink

    How could anyone miss that hat? You can see it from the space station

  46. Alicia
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 6:54 PM | Permalink

    I think the beard makes the hat more awesome, if that were possible.

  47. Anonymous
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 7:52 PM | Permalink

    when I saw that beard I splooged on my keyboard

  48. prometheusbound
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 8:20 PM | Permalink

    This is one of the most BAMF pictures I have ever had the pleasure of coming across.

  49. gapyeargirl123
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 9:44 PM | Permalink

    Hm… my comment seems to have vanished…Love the hat, Pat! That kind of wool is so fun – I have slippers made of it. It’s an awesome hat!

  50. Amanda
    Posted March 18, 2009 at 10:10 PM | Permalink

    It was 70 yesterday! I did my happy dance!Oh, and anytime anyone asks me who my favorite author is from now on, I’m showing them that picure.

  51. Anonymous
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 12:45 AM | Permalink

    i love winterrr. just cant stand the heat. awesome hat though =P

  52. Anonymous
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 4:17 AM | Permalink

    Awesomest. Hat. Evar. Looks great!

  53. Anonymous
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 4:59 AM | Permalink

    Untitled Rothfuss 3 of 3: The Kingkiller Chronicle: Book 3 by Patrick Rothfuss (Paperback – May 1, 2009) – Importthe idiocy of amazon

  54. Anonymous
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 5:04 AM | Permalink

    That is the best hat! And Wisconsin is having the best weather!

  55. Avala
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 5:09 AM | Permalink

    You have the king of all hats right there.I live in Montana, winter doesn’t end until June.

  56. Major Sheep
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 7:21 AM | Permalink

    Wow. This pic looks like Alan Moore joined ZZ Top then…um…hooked up with Sesame Street? Sorry, the comparison really just fell apart there at the end.

  57. Brandon
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 3:48 PM | Permalink

    Oh man, that beard is amazing. Pat, you’re like a Viking warlord or something. Does that hat have horns on it?

  58. Anonymous
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 4:38 PM | Permalink

    Forget putting someone’s name in the next book. You MUST put in that hat.

  59. Anonymous
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 4:47 PM | Permalink

    You could join Amon Amarth…

  60. Anonymous
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 5:34 PM | Permalink

    love the hat !

  61. Priscilla
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 8:09 PM | Permalink

    Man walks down the street wearing that hat, you know he’s not afraid of anything.Absolutely glorious, my good sir.

  62. Mr. Charley
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 8:35 PM | Permalink

    Part tooth fairy, part bouncer. Either way someone’s going to be disappointed and lose some cash.

  63. Andrew
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 11:35 PM | Permalink

    You’re beginning to like George R.R. Martin now… This can’t be a good sign.

  64. Bek
    Posted March 19, 2009 at 11:37 PM | Permalink

    Hat + beard + Pat = ftw!

  65. Kisaoda
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 1:58 AM | Permalink

    Hey Pat,Quick question. What do you do to maintain the length of your beard? In each picture of you, I tend to notice that it doesn’t seem to grow or shrink by much.Can you provide tips on taking care of such a wondrous work of facial art?Signed,Ken, a fellow beard enthusiast

  66. cat-collector
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 2:23 AM | Permalink

    Love the hat. I was about to be jealous of anyone who had such a wonderous hat until I realized I could knit one for myself. Except that spring has sprung here in south Louisiana and when it’s 80 degrees outside, it’s no time to start kniting. Next fall. Make a plan for next fall.

  67. David Wagner
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 8:18 AM | Permalink

    You’re not wearing a JOHN 3:16 shirt, are you?

  68. jeff-h
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 1:00 PM | Permalink

    You look like Rick Rubin.

  69. logankstewart
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 2:02 PM | Permalink

    Pat, did your girl make that hat for you? Cause my wife made me one similarly (though not the same colors) and I don’t take it off my head too oft. Great photo.

  70. Scamp Champ
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 2:06 PM | Permalink

    That is amazing Patrick! How did you get that bear to stand still long enough to take a picture AND put a hat on him?

  71. DarkRookie
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 3:08 PM | Permalink

    To let you know, spring started where I am at about 2 months ago

  72. Anonymous
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM | Permalink

    I swear that’s the cover of Ragnarok 2009. Featuring an urbanized Thor.

  73. Kelza
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 6:18 PM | Permalink

    Both your hat and beard are magnificent! Your hat looks like a pinãta! :DDon’t stop wearing it on Spring’s account… I wear my winter hat in June and sod the migraines. ;DYou, sir, have a strong aura of Epic. Keep it up!

  74. Anonymous
    Posted March 20, 2009 at 9:28 PM | Permalink

    You’re ready for the ZZ Top reunion tour.

  75. Vae
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 3:53 AM | Permalink

    UM, that is quite possibly, the BEST picture. EVER. I do believe the epic beard was incomplete without the sweet shades and hat. Cheers my friend.

  76. Alex Harne
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 1:06 PM | Permalink

    Hey Llyralei! I’m in Philly too and it has been terrible! One day its 75 degrees out and the next it 35!

  77. Anonymous
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 10:36 PM | Permalink

    Beards, hats, and authors do not get any cooler than that.Rereading The Name of the Wind, and it’s even better the 2nd time around. You the man, Pat!

  78. Michlle (from Hudson)
    Posted March 22, 2009 at 8:47 PM | Permalink

    Are you still up in Hayward? I ate at Coop’s today! Yummy…

  79. Marissa
    Posted March 22, 2009 at 11:45 PM | Permalink

    Good form, Pat. Good from. Go back to writing please. We all love you.

  80. Ken
    Posted March 23, 2009 at 12:34 AM | Permalink

    The Hat gave me flashbacks to Firefly and “The Hat” that Jane’s mother sends him

  81. Valraukar
    Posted March 23, 2009 at 3:06 PM | Permalink

    Love the hat, Sir (Pat? Mr. Rothfuss? Your Honor?) I’m not sure if what I write will be at all helpful, but I’m just arrogant enough to write it anyway with the assumption that it will be.Enjoy spring. Enjoy a nice round of role-playing/reading/movie-watching/whatever.Whatever your ‘process’ is, go ahead and do that. The Name of the Wind was nothing less than the most perfectly constructed novel I’ve ever read.I found myself rereading sentences and paragraphs in stunned wonder at your choice of words, the images and emotions they rendered in my head, and with a flare of jealousy and envy when I ran across sentences that had the feel and flavor of a Shakespearean couplet. I never actually went so far as to count syllables and accents to find out if you whipped out a little iambic pentameter on the fly, as that ‘felt’ like it would violate the effect the sentence had on me.In short, Sir, your story is a rare work of true craftsmanship that doesn’t insult the reader with crap like William Faulkner’s ‘stream of consciousness’ BS (hoping I haven’t just unleashed a screed on a historical author you like with that one).I can wait. Take as long as you want or need to make The Wise Man’s Fear everything you think it should be. If you’re obsessive over wordchoice, so be it. The fact that you take the time to obsess rather than just having the raw talent oozing from your every pore makes me, the reader, a little less in awe of your skill but every bit as appreciative.Let me put it like this: I try to watch the sunset whenever possible out here in Montana. About once or twice every 5 to 10 years, a sunset will unfurl on the horizon that is so stunning it defies description, and the effect it has on this viewer makes me perfectly happy to wade through all the ‘pretty good’ sunsets to catch a glimpse of the next masterpiece.I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll happily wait several years in serene patience trusting that your obsession with the flavor, feel, and structure of your words, sentences, paragraphs, and The Story itself will be nothing less than spectacular.And yes, I’m just arrogant enough to believe that this opinion of mine is both unique and helpful, while at the same time grounded enough to feel sheepish at my own arrogant audacity.

  82. Bradley
    Posted March 23, 2009 at 8:24 PM | Permalink

    Maybe it’s the shades or the jail-like bricks behind you, but you make that hat look badass! Where can I get one? Well, on second thought, nevermind. It just wouldn’t be the same. Like when I see a pair of jeans and a hot girl fitted snuggly to a model. I go and I buy, yet the jeans never look the same and I never get the model. La sigh.

  83. RickR
    Posted March 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM | Permalink

    Just finished “The Book” last night and stumbled upon your site today. It was an awesome story, awesome character, if you keep writing I will keep buying.As far as the pic goes, it´s kinda Oxymoronic. You are going for a bad a$$ biker look with the beard and the sunglasses but up top it´s a fluffy hat. I don´t know whether to fear you or to laugh at you. Looking forward to the new book. Peace, Rick

  84. Anonymous
    Posted March 23, 2009 at 10:22 PM | Permalink

    Hi, i’ve just read your note about “WMF” not coming in April…I say, Dont worry :)You probably won’t worry either way, if i tell you so, or if I won’t..but anyway xDWe can stand the pain of waiting(somehow), and you just take care of the plot ^^ I’m boring, I know. ..sorry for my pathetic english xDPS Poland is all white with snow, somehow i can’t think of spring seeing kids making a snowman ;D

  85. Mike
    Posted March 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM | Permalink

    Well it’s -12ºC here at the moment, so I’m still wearing a coat. And I don’t think you should stop wearing the hat just because the weather is warm. Could be a yearly accessory.

  86. Anonymous
    Posted March 24, 2009 at 11:30 PM | Permalink

    What kind of creature is that in the photograph?–hamsterking

  87. Bekkie
    Posted March 27, 2009 at 4:00 AM | Permalink

    Spontaneously dye your beard multi-coloured so that your hat and beard blend seamlessy into your face. That would be epic.And congratulations on Spring, here in England we’re not expecting it for another…20 years if we’re lucky. I’ll probably be dead before summer arrives. Wish me luck!

  88. Staff
    Posted March 27, 2009 at 11:00 PM | Permalink

    you know, i would like to think that all my time spent waiting for this book will not be in vain, but unlike any other sensible person….I have thoughts.when someone is at work and has a specific task to be done on a certain time schedule or else, it typically gets done by someone who understands professionalism and time management.that being said, although I love your work Mr.Rothfuss….I have the most difficult time understanding the excuses you have used.No excuse is good enough, this is your job, your responsibility, not your ‘hobby’. Being meticulous is wonderful and I appreciate it because your first book is amazing. But did you not research the publishing industry and how the system works prior to releasing the first book? Your blog is mixed with humility yet an ego voids the dissappointment you have shown your readers. You sound like you are above the publishing industry and you can finish the book whenever you feel like it but you just don’t want to for personal reasons. Don’t think I don’t understand, because I do and I’m not trying to be rude or demeaning to you as a writer.I just wanted you to see it from my perspective with all due respect. You got to finish on time with a quality product. It’s professional. I like to think of you as a professional. If you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into, you should’ve never released the first book and kept it for yourself.

  89. The voice of Reason
    Posted March 27, 2009 at 11:28 PM | Permalink

    Staff: I think I speak for everyone when I say, “Congratulations. You are an utter twat.”

  90. Anonymous
    Posted March 27, 2009 at 11:48 PM | Permalink

    Staff,Everyone hates you. Get a life. Read his other blog entries. Especially the one “Concerning the release of book two” that he posted 26 Feb. 2009 where he says: “…I’ve turned the comments off for this blog. I know they would break down roughly like this:30 considerate, supportive comments.20 touching, heartfelt comments.15 funny comments10 comments saying, “Meh, I already knew.”5 passive-aggressive snarks masquerading as one of the above.<>1 comment from some anonymous frothy dickhole.<>And you know which comment I’d focus on? Yeah. <>The last one.<> It would sit there like a steaming turd in my bowl of cereal. It doesn’t matter how delicious the cereal is. It could be Fruity Pebbles, or even Cookie Crisp. But in a situation like this it doesn’t matter. You can’t just eat around it. All you can do is focus on the turd.”Do us all a favour and get a life.

  91. Andrew V.
    Posted March 28, 2009 at 2:00 AM | Permalink

    If you ever decide to write a book about how after the end of the matrix, agent smith moves into the mountains, grows a giant beard, and becomes a sheep hearder(and a sheep hearder with a myriad of hats at that) i think you have just found the cover. Awesome picture and an even more awesome beard.

  92. Kyddryn
    Posted April 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM | Permalink

    Ohmuhgoodness, that hat is AWESOME!I’m sorry, but that’s really all I could think of when I saw the photograph. Hat. Awesome.Regarding the second book (if one may make bold to comment on that) – good things are worth waiting for, and one cannot rush creativity. She gets cranky if you try and sulk in the corner after a good snit.I believe I will now go and crochet a hat similar to but somewhat less awesome than yours.Shade and Sweetwater,K

  93. Brian Igelchen
    Posted April 7, 2009 at 7:14 PM | Permalink

    Monsieur Rothfuss… You look like the metal biker gone wrong. 8D

  94. K. L. Parish
    Posted April 7, 2009 at 9:32 PM | Permalink

    If I see you on the street Pat, I’m mugging you for your hat. Fair warning.Oh yeah, and your pic just made Desktop O’ The Day on my work computer, just so I can answer the question, “Who the hell is that?” ten times tomorrow. Consider it free advertising.Staff – Every party has a pooper, that’s why we invited you.That being said, I have no qualms about waiting 25 years for Stephen King to put a new doorstop…er…I mean book…out, so I can certainly sit back and twiddle my thumbs for a sequel to something as awesome as NOTW. Seeing as I have an actual LIFE and whatnot. Maybe you should try it out. Even authors get one – actually, they have to juggle dozens. Amazing!

  95. Anonymous
    Posted August 22, 2009 at 2:24 PM | Permalink

    Hey, I wanted to say about the name thing in the Feb. Blog…. I know it was a long time ago… :) but I wanted to enter the name Helene into the contest… if its not too late… which it probably is. but anyway. i just finished your book this weekend and i dont have to tell you that it was great. Keep up the great work. Excited about book 2.

  96. SporkTastic
    Posted March 21, 2011 at 1:05 AM | Permalink

    Interestingly, as I’ve been reading through the archives of some of this (which is another interesting thing, I suppose), this brought to mind a similar thought I had myself not too many days ago: “Huh, it’s finally Hawaiian shirt weather. Guess spring is here.”
    …well, it went more or less like that, anyway. “The Wise Man’s Fear” was spectacularly awesome, btw. Not that that has anything to do with the price of butter.

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