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.
Do you get the sense that g'nad and LCS are really looking forward to seeing all of Gandalf in the next movie?
Don't forget g'nad...trapped in Virginia...longing to see a real change of seasons...and more than 3" of snow...that shuts down the whole state for a week...
The Nazgul Republican? Certainly not!
That's just because you dang furiners can't drive in it. (And they don't realize that there's a layer of ice under the snow).
Hey, I'm used to locker rooms, squad bays and troop berthing on ships...I'm secure in my masculinity/heterosexuality...somethin troublin' you that you wanna share?...
the furiners ain't the problem...we learned to drive in snow and ice...it's also due to the fact that VA's only got three snowplows fer the whole durn state...
you say that like it's a bad thing...
I grew up in the mountains of SW Virginia. I know snow. I know mountain snow. I know ice. And I know how to drive in it. It may not be you, but it's also not the natives that are the problem.
And let's face it, native or not, Northern Virginians can't drive in good weather...
you say that like there's a particular reason you need us to see you that way...
no argument there...
I don't think Austin has had a total of 3" of snow over the entire 13 years I've lived here.
Have had some ice storms, though.
Scot, German, and American Indian...maybe that explains a few things...
As long as it's on your terms...it's good to have that to fall back on I'd imagine...
Scot/Irish/British/Cherokee...I dunno, oh wait...There is the French...
Talk about poetic justice...
The Fellowship versus The Fighting Uruk-Hai
by StefBaggins
BOB:
We're back, and it looks like the Fellowship is taking the Field again for defense. The Uruk-Hai have a powerful offense line, and their quartback, as you know, is a straight-shooter with a strong passing game. So far in the game he has shot for 120 yards, putting the Uruk-Hai ahead 14 to 13.
PHIL:
You're right, Bob. The Fellowship really took it hard when they missed the field goal on that last attempt. Kicker Boromir looks a bit distracted after that sack, Bob. I would hate to see them have to go to red-shirt freshman Peregrin Took to take his place. Took just hasn't had the experience that Boromir has.
BOB:
Indeed, Phil, Took is in for a wild ride if the Uruk-Hai get a hold of him. I know the Fellowship fans are hoping for the best for Boromir and the rest of the offensive line.
PHIL:
It looks like the Uruk-Hai have just run back the kick off to start the second half. Receiver Urububba was just taken down at the 35 by Gimili. That makes the fourth offensive tackle to stop a run back this game for Gimli.
BOB:
Phil, Gimli has shown remarkable talent on the offensive line, and stops like these are just one example of what we can look forward to at Rohan next week.
2nd Down and 4
BOB:
Here's the snap. Lurtz looks for a receiver. Pass intended for Charlie-Hai. Oh! Interception by Frodo Baggins! One yard gained, and he's stopped at the Fellowship's 45.
PHIL:
Bob, it almost looked like it was going to be pass interference there, but then Baggins took that leap into the air at just the right moment.
BOB:
Officials have pulled a flag on the play. Referee Lord Elrond steps up to make the call. Oh! Holding on the offense! It seems Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took were picked up by some Uruk-Hai linemen and carried several yards.
PHIL:
Just strange, Bob. I have never seen goblin men putting so much effort into attacking the halfling players of The Fellowship. Perhaps this is a tactic that Coach Saruman has been working on them just for this one game, Bob.
BOB:
And it looks like The Fellowship has called a time out, and we'll be back after these messages from Old Toby.
(more to come)
(cheerleader interlude by Dandy)
They shall not pass....! VIGGO VIGGO!! HE'S OUR MAN...IF HE CAN'T DO IT BEAN-ER CAN...
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.