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.
It's 90 out which is hot by any measure! (Yes it is, LCS!) Got home an hour ago, put on some shorts, doctored my horse, and then sprayed us both down with the hose!
Anything happening around here? - Seems purdy quiet!
Not much happening here... eating dinner, watching Enterprise, catching up on my webbrowsing. Had a busy day at work, too busy to keep up with even a slow Hobbit Hole!
I'm barbequeing steaks and chicken to go with a salad (I'm hungry).
Too hot for anything - think I'll go down to the waterfront marina tonight with the dogs when the sun goes down and it cools off.
How about New Zealand for Entmoot?
'THE TWO TOWERS' PREMIERE SPECIAL 2002
December 16:The 'pilgrimage' leaves Auckland and heads South to the site of Hobbiton (the 'jewel in the crown'!). Afterwards we have lunch at Oraka Wapiti Deer Farm (included). Our journey then continues to the shores of Lake Taupo. (Accommodation at The Tui Oaks Motor Inn or Copthorne Manuels).December 17: Today we head for Tongariro National Park and the sites of Emyn Muil, slopes of Mordor, Mt. Doom and other locations to be seen in the 2nd. film. (The Hobbit Lodge or Powderhorn Chateau).
December 18: The River Anduin beckons us, as does the ranch where the Lead Black Rider lives - and his magnificent horses. Who is carrying the Ring? Upon reaching Wellington we shall head for the site of Rivendell. (The Bay Plaza or Copthorne Plimmer Towers).
December 19: Premiere Day! Find yourself a good viewing spot alongside the Red Carpet, autograph book in hand! Tonight we shall have our own celebratory function, prior to attending a midnight screening of 'The Two Towers'. (cost included)
December 20: For those not continuing on our tour, please plan for your departure. Fans heading for the South Island portion will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation (Thomas's Hotel or Copthorne Central).
December 21: This morning sees us heading to the stunning location for Edoras. Cameras at the ready! From there we transfer to Geraldine for lunch, followed by a late afternoon visit to the Pelennor Fields. En route we will view lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, plus New Zealand's highest mountain, Mt. Cook (12,000 feet). Tonight we stay at the McKenzie Motor Inn (buffet dinner and breakfast included).
December 22: Up early for the trip to Queenstown via the scene of The Great Chase (Arwen & Frodo) plus a meeting with New Zealand's No.1 fan, Ian Brodie, who has Weta figurines and LOTR guide books for sale. Later we will stop at Mrs. Jones's Fruit Stall. (Accommodation at Thomas's Hotel or the St. Moritz).
December 23: Today our coach will take us to the summit of Kelvin Heights Deer Park. Here the refugees from Rohan took flight and Gandalf continued his trek. We then transfer to Arrowtown, the scene of The Ford of Bruinen.December 24: Time for some selected optional extra activities.
An unforgettable ride in a fixed-wing aircraft. 2 Hours in length; $260 per person. Visits the sites of The River Anduin, the Pillars of Argonath, the Ford of Bruinen, Lothlorien, Battle of Amon Hen, Isengard, the Field of Cormallen, the Lawn of Parth Galen, Nen Hithoel and Amon Lhaw.
River rafting the Kawerau River past the site of The Pillars of Argonath.$119 per person.
The Dart River Jet Boat Safari through LOTR country.$145 per person
4 wheel drive safari to Skippers Canyon and The Road to Mordor. POA
Dart Stables horse trek to Lothlorien. POADecember 25: More optional activities. Don't forget Christmas Dinner at the top of the Gondola. (cost included).
December 26: Your Fellowship trek is over. Time to make your own way to whatever activity or location you choose next.
Well! That sound interesting? You can find out more at Red Carpet Movie Tours.
( Prices and options available upon registering your interest)
Well it is 77 here, it won't get above 88 this week, so I guess I can admit that 90 at 6 pm is a little warm. Our humidity is 89%, which is probably higher than yours.
I think entmoot in New Zealand would probably completely exhaust the Hobbit Hole Domestic Product (HHDP). It is a beautiful country though, and I would love to go after I win the lottery.
I still vote for Orlando ($20 R/T from Ocala)
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