i had a lot fun reading your comments (sparks) as you got further into the book. i really enjoyed gotm and didnt encounter the problems that many others did when reading it; i found the ideas and the greyness of the characters a refreshing change, although i admit the pacing is uneven.... i loved the way tho that the last 1/4 of the book picks up speed, and how the plotlines all start converging to the shattering climax.
if you continue with erikson i envy (pun!) you your journey; the next 2 books take the way the plotlines converged in the 1st book and ramp it up to levels of emotion and visceral action that only very few authors can equal in my opinion. and then you have the luxury of being able to read up to book 7 before having to wait for the next 1, although maybe 6 more erikson books in a row might become a little heavy for even the most ardent of fans.
