Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
This is a continuation of the infamous thread New Zealander Builds Hobbit Hole originally posted on January 26, 2001 by John Farson, who at the time undoubtedly thought he had found a rather obscure article that would elicit a few replies and die out. Without knowing it, he became the founder of the Hobbit Hole. For reasons incomprehensible to some, the thread grew to over 4100 replies. It became the place for hobbits and friends of hobbits to chit chat and share LoTR news and views, hang out, and talk amongst ourselves in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
In keeping with the new posting guidelines, the thread idea is continuing here, as will the Green Dragon Inn, our more structured spin-off thread, as soon as we figure out how to move all the good discussion that has been had there. As for the Hobbit Hole, we will just start fresh, bringing only a few mathoms such as the picture above with us to make it feel like home, and perhaps a walk down memory lane:
Our discussion has been light:
It very well may be that a thread named "New Zealander builds Hobbit hole" will end up being the longest Tolkien thread of them all, with some of the best heartfelt content... Sorry John, but I would have rather it had been one with a more distinguished title!… post 252 - HairOfTheDog
However, I can still celebrate, with quiet dignity, the fact that what started as a laugh about some wacko in New Zealand has mutated and grown into a multifaceted discussion of the art, literature, and philosophy that is Tolkien. And now that I've managed to write the most pompous sentence of my entire life, I agree, Rosie… post 506 - JenB
Hah! I was number 1000!! (Elvish victory dance... wait, no; that would be too flitty) … post 1001 - BibChr
Real men don't have to be afraid of being flitty! Go for it. – post 1011 – HairOfTheDog
Seventeen years to research one mystical object seems a bit excessive… post 1007 - JenB
Okay...who's the wise guy who didn't renew Gandalf's research grant?… post 1024 – Overtaxed
To the very philosophical:
…Judas Iscariot obviously was a good man, or he wouldn't have been chosen to be one of the Apostles. He loved Jesus, like all of the Apostles, but he betrayed him. Yet without his betrayal, the Passion and Crucifixion would never have occurred, and mankind would not have been redeemed. So without his self-destruction infinite good would not have been accomplished. I certainly do not mean this to be irreverant but it seems to me that this describes the character of Gollum, in the scenes so movingly portrayed above… Lucius Cornelius Sulla
To fun but heartfelt debates about the integrity and worth of some of the characters…
…Anyone else notice how Boromir treats the hobbits? He's very fond of them but he seems to think of them as children - ruffling Frodo's hair, calls them all 'little ones'. He likes them, but I don't think he really respects them… post 1536 - JenB
Yes... Tolkien told us not to trust Boromir right off the bat when he began to laugh at Bilbo, until he realized that the Council obviously held this hobbit in high esteem. What a pompous dolt… post 1538 - HairOfTheDog
…I think almost every fault of his can be traced directly back to his blindness to anything spiritual or unseen. He considers the halflings as children, because that is what they look like. He considers the only hope of the ring to be in taking it and using it for a victory in the physical realm. He cannot see what the hobbits are truly made of, he cannot see the unseen hope of what the destruction of the ring might mean--the destruction of Sauron himself, and he cannot see the unseen danger that lies in the use of the ring itself… I just feel sorry for Boromir--he is like a blind but honorable man, trying to take the right path on the road but missing the right path entirely because he simply cannot see it… post 1548 - Penny1
Boromir isn't a jerk, he's a jock… post 2401 – Overtaxed
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Oh, I think by the time Frodo reaches the Cracks, he's not even himself anymore! I think he's not only on the brink of a dangerous place physically, he's on the brink of losing himself completely during the exchange with Gollum. But for some reason, the take-over isn't complete till he actually has to throw the Ring in. The person speaking to Gollum is not Frodo, but the "Wheel of Fire" that Sam sees. After the Ring is destroyed, Frodo not only comes back to himself, but comes back with the unbearable (to him) knowledge of what it's like to be completely without compassion. I think that's why it's so important to him to be compassionate in the Shire… post 2506 - 2Jedismom
…Regarding Frodo's compassion... it's a little too much at the end. Even Merry tells him that he's going to have to quit being so darn nice. But you're right. He's learned a lesson about evil that very few ever learn since it wasn't an external lesson but an internal one. (Those kinds of lessons have the greatest impact) Not only did he totally succumb to it, but he was rather ruthless to my little Smeagol… post 2516 - carton253
Well that Frodo was a big mean bully! (to Smeagol)… post 2519 – Overtaxed
So as you can see, everything JRR Tolkien (and Peter Jackson) is welcome here in our New Row, our soon-to-be familiar New Hobbit Hole…; philosophy, opinion, good talk and frequent silliness.
We feel pretty good about the high school our oldest will be going to. And, since he's ADHD, my wife is one of those in your face parents. He's a smart kid and enjoys reading. If we could get him organized we'd be okay...but he's thirteen...
Just kidding. I am upset, though, since my college stuff went all wrong. Now I'm going to have to work full time and take 7-9 credits a semester for two years, rather than finishing this year. I'm very depressed about it but I suppose it will give me self-respect or something. Problem now is I need a better job, one that has flexible hours - so I can attend class - and pays at least $8 an hour. I'm looking into temp agencies and such. Anyone have brilliant ideas? I have an associates degree in comp sci but the market here is lousy; none of us can find jobs, that why I need more schooling. I have experience with receptionist/secretary/tech writer stuff, but not tons. And I've held positions stocking cards and delivering pizzas. Not the most impressive resume, but I'm only 19...
Any suggestions would be great. I'm heading out to do the pizza thing in a few, so I may not get back right away - but I know you'll probably have some ideas!
Also, any religiously-minded Hobbits, prayer would be very nice. :-)
Lately it's mostly been sneaky posts on FR...
I've done some political commentary and actually had a couple of articles linked to in WorldNetDaily back during the 2000 election. I've also done some satire and some fatherhood articles. I was actually doing fairly well with the WebSeed stuff before they tanked. But they're the fourth online publishing source that has tanked on me. And I've not gotten myself re-organized since they went down this spring.
I've also got an online book How to Break Into the Event Planning Business (and now I've revealed my identity...)
I've done some work as a speech writer from some bigwigs. But I don't want to play politics for the rest of my life.
What I want to write is fantasy/science fiction (and I've got a trilogy in the works) and Christian inspirational material.
If you guys can't get my name right, I'll never sell any books!
Jen, I'm going to sound really old when I say this. While that really stinks for you right now, one day it won't seem so bad that it took you longer to finish. But I'll keep you in my prayers as well.
If you guys can't get my name right, I'll never sell any books!
We don't have it right? That's right... it's
SpongeDwarf StormPants!
But we'll be here to help you through it.
In the meantime, this grumpy dwarf will be prayin' for ya...
Like Corin said, you got friends here to help.
Check with your college to see if they have a job placement center. Even an associates degree qualifies you for a lot of jobs (over-qualifies you for some, such as data entry positions). Since your degree is in Comp Sci, check for jobs in the help desk/user support area... many take new graduates, and many places offer second-shift or off-hours work, supporting home users and such. Temp agencies are a good idea; also send your resume' to contracting agencies. Make sure your resume' has a good list of all of your skills, not just what classes you took. For instance, any experience you have on your home PC should be listed (experience using any programs, word processors, etc.)
Seriously [right] Good luck finding a job that will work for you...
I did quite a bit of temping in my younger days, and it can be a really good way to find a job... It can be a bit unreliable, because you can't count on there being another job when one stint ends, but once the agency finds out you are good, smart and can do all kinds of things, they will use you a lot. They found out I had good computer skills, and could fit in anywhere, so I worked pretty steady. I worked two temp jobs that turned into permanent employment, and others that were long-term temp assignments, like coverage during a 3 month maternity leave that turned into 6 months. Those are good to get when you are trying to pay bills regularly.
Flexibility will vary depending on the employer, but you may find that you can work it out. The temp agencies have skills tests that you can take to help them rank your computer skills. I think you can even continue re-taking the tests until you get a perfect score... That will help qualify for the higher paying positions, but your pay will vary based on the position offered, not your skill. If they only need a clerk, they only need a clerk.
The temp agencies vary widely. In my experience, the best by far for the workers is Kelly. I say that because Kelly was the best in pay (at least offered the most of the more skilled jobs) and in paying promptly, which is important when you are working week to week. If I faxed the timesheet on Friday, I would have a check by Monday in the mail... in other words, they kicked the check out the same day. If money was really needed... I could go into the office with my timesheet and they would cut a check while I waited.
Some of the other agencies sent out checks over a week later.
I would leave out the part about being addicted to Free Republic.
Perhaps you can say you are highly experienced with Focus Forum software...
"Experience installing, configuring, and using online services."
Can you tell I've written lots of resumés?
DwarfStorm SpongePants? Yesterday you could have used a pair of spongepants!
I think that would only be for pineapple juice....
Everybody (you too Jen) sing: WHOOOOOOOO Lives in a pineapple under the sea...
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