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
-----------------------------------------
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.
Actually me too, I was just playing along with the speculation. When I saw the movie it had been so long since I'd read the books, that I didn't have any preconceived ideas about what they should look like.
I did, at first, think Frodo was a little too pretty. But after seeing it a few more times, I'm more comfortable with Elijah Wood in that role.
I grew up in the mountains of Southwest Virginia and the first day of hunting season was a "holiday." But I was never interested. My dad used to hunt and my brother did for a while (he gave it up after he got his first deer). But my dad was an alcoholic and by the time I was old enough to go with him, he was too drunk most of the time. He did manage to give up the bourbon, but by that time, I wasn't interested.
My dream life now would be to live on the coast to have plenty of free time to write, paint and improve my piano playing skills. And I wouldn't mind learning to fish. I was actually 40 by the time I realized what I'd always wanted to be in life, and it was too late. If I'd gone to school to study art, like I started to, and not switched to music (which I also left), I'd be a Disney animator by now...
Didn't know you were interested in art also. I might post some of my stuff on my profile.
I also thought Wood was a little too pretty, but now am used to him and think he's doing just a great job. I can't believe how much fun we're all having with all this LOTR stuff. Is there actually going to be an Entmoot?
Here's another night light. It's the Perseid meteor shower, supposedly very visible tonight.
I think some are seriously considering it. But who knows what will happen by 04...
If money was no object, I'd have majored in classics, rather than economics and political science. But you knew that already.
Yeah, I guess we all have things we'd do differently. I'm happy with my life though. I tell myself I'd be happier in a different job, but that's what I said when I got this one. Still, I've got everything I need. Not everything I want. But everything I need.
I wouldn't be surprised.
Good Morning, everyone! Think I'll look for more elf bash sites while you're sleeping. I need to get some use out of the ElfBash ping list!
I was just outside checking on the squirrel population.
Did we determine that Haldir was going to lead a detachment of elves in the battle of Helm's Deep?
I think we did. Guess that Lothlorien will have to fend for itself.
Woohoo!!! Great news! Beer may be good for you... 'course, I already knew that...
Great news pal. But, of course you did notice that the article says it's good in moderation (one a day for women, up to two a day for men). No binge drinking...
Works for me though. My favorite adult beverages include Corona and a good Merlot. But no binge drinking anymore. By the time I've had two of either, I'm ready for a good nap...
I'm trying to concentrate on getting some work done before I leave for the beach...
...you know, the important stuff like, how much sunscreen do we take, how much beer do we take, get the van serviced, etc...
I read in Forbes magazine last year that martinis are also better than red wine for your heart, but they have to be shaken, not stirred.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.