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.
The one I want:
The Soprano D in this set is what I'll very likely end up with instead. It's the same whistle...just black and not etched.
You'll have to excuse me...I have a disease called WHOA.
Ha! I've heard of similar diseases (like GAS for Guitar or Gear Acquisition Syndrome), but that's a new one.
That etched one is really pretty. I know it doesn't contribute to the SOUND, but it makes it kind of...I don't know...elvish?
BTW, I asked my brother what brand he likes, and he said Sweetone, which are actually rather INexpensive whistles. He had a more expensive one (a Feadóg[?] I picked up for him in Europe), but prefers this one.
Did you know that the word "Feadóg" is just "whistle" in Gaelic? LOL
Later than usual this morning since I'm NOT WORKING!!!
Let's see, can I catch up?
I don't think the forum for flame wars will be "successful." I mean, if you can't fight it out on the relevant thread, what's the point. Plus, if people are breaking the rules and engaging in flame wars, what's gonna make them move to the "flame room?" Unless the AMs are gonna do that and that's just more big government...
No rain here. It's overcast, and a little breezy, that's all.
Sam, last I looked on the Hurricane Watch site there was nothing brewing in the Atlantic (as of yesterday afternoon).
And finally, took the dog to the vet this morning to get caught up on his shots before we drop him off at the doggie spa tomorrow. Seems to be a theme in our family. He's overweight and has an ear infection. I swear I'm gonna get that dog a Social Security number and put him on our insurance. Vet gave him special diet food and told us how much he gets (he's not gonna like it). And he needs more excercise, which of course will be up to me since the 13-year-old just won't do it. Have to take him back next week for the treatement for the ears. Would've started today, but it was an extra $65.00 plus we'd have to depend on the kennel staff to give it to him every day. Vet was okay with us coming back in to do it next week. Sheesh, thought I was going for $25 worth of shots, today's total: $87.50.
Have lots to do, but wife and older son are out running errands and the little one is whiney. He's having a snack, but when he gets out of his high chair he'll want me to hold him. Since what I need to do is mostly outside, it'll have to wait until Mom gets back.
I have "Furniture Disease..." my chest has dropped down into my drawers....
eyuck, eyuck, eyuck, thank you folks we're here every nite...
They always do, don't they...no matter the size! The big black lab I had growing up would try to squeeze as much of herself into my lap as she could. She also would try to sleep in laundry baskets if she found one empty and would get into some pretty odd positions trying to fit in!
Here's some Copeland whistles. You have to get on his waiting list, each whistle is made to order and the sterling soprano D costs $375.
These look like mine;
I guess maybe this weekend I'll try to find it. However, I'm SO hooked on fiddle right now, I'm not sure I could get into anything else. It is WAY addicting! I'll bookmark that site just in case, though...
That was so bad, it made my eyes water...
;-)
Bingo! He was certain from just looking at it. I'm just glad he was okay with waiting until next week. Our dog isn't purebred but he's mostly black lab with a little husky.
This vet is really great. When "Sam" (Sorry Sam!) was still a puppy he got puppy growing pains (there's a technical term and I'm drawing a blank). Of course it hit on a Saturday night so we took him to a 24 hour animal hospital. They wanted to do about 200 worth of test. We finally got it out of them that really all you could do is give him something for the pain and let them get through it. Monday, we called the vet who said, "give him half a baby aspirin once a day." In a couple of days it was all over with and he was fine.
He's a black lab. Not purebred, but he's got all the lab looks. The husky shows up in his curved tail.
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