The New Hobbit Hole

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome to The New Hobbit Hole
Concerning Hobbits
The New Hobbit Chronicles

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.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I think really I should beat you with a stick for that last post!

Not a fan of Doestoyevsky?

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Or possibly a follower of the Ann Boleyn religion? If so, I will pass, too tired for refighting 450 year old flame wars.

[HairOfTheDog]

hehehehe - You just shouldn't have said that. I try not to say things that tick off Jews, Blacks, and Episcipalians all on the same day. Just a little rule of mine. ;~D

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Well I am 25% Jewish, and some of our best Presidents have been Episcopalians. I am on Mhking's Black Ping list, and I think that I got that quote from there.

[HairOfTheDog]

ROFLOL! - OK then! I guess that qualifies you! ;~D I am sure glad I only considered hitting you with a stick. I almost just did it. ;~D

[HairOfTheDog]

Man! - It is freezing in my house! Am I gonna have to break down and fire up the furnace?

[Sam Cree]

"Is it as good as Gorky Park?"

Yes, even better and I like Gorky Park alot. I was sorry it was over when I finished reading Rose and I walked away from it with a smile on my face, which is not the effect I got from Gorky Park.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Man! - It is freezing in my house!

It is 88 degrees here, feels like 94, perhaps a trip to Florida would do?

[HairOfTheDog]

It is up to 49 degrees now. Moving around a bit and working up a sweat is helping. I can hold off on the furnace one more day!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

It is up to 49 degrees now. Moving around a bit and working up a sweat is helping.

Thinking of going to the pool, but the water is still a little warm for my taste!

[HairOfTheDog]

I got to break out all my fuzzy sweaters! - I love all my warm fuzzy sweaters!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

If it was signifigantly cooler, maybe I could go sailing.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yes, sailing isn't really good unless you get to put on the yellow slickers and the hats!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

sailing isn't really good unless you get to put on the yellow slickers and the hats!

Or at least a shirt!

[Alkhin]

Boyd will make a perfect Barret Bonden, I think.

Alkhin nods her head vigorously, smiling brightly...

UH HUH!!!

Let me quote from Master and Commander:

Barret Bonden, coxswain and captain of the maintop, was unusually young for his post; a fine open-looking creature, tough without brutality, cheerful, perfectly in his place and, of course, a prime seaman - bred to the sea from childhood.

One of the things remarked about Boyd and why he was chosen for Pippin was how 'open' his expressions/face was, and how cheerful he was in personality.

I saw the listing for that recipe book y'all were talking about on the internet...I am shocked with myself for not having grabbed it up. I love period cookbooks! I am fast becoming an O'Brien fan by reading this book, although it is a bit daunting to be completely unfamiliar with the term that are bandied about. But the writing is so engaging, I dont mind it really.

I am the same in thinking that Crowe is not exactly the best choice for Aubrey, considering what a reputation he has and the perpetual scowl he always seems to have. Aubrey definitely strikes someone as more congenial and pleasant...a 'good ol' boy' that everyone likes who likes the finer things of life, but doesnt mind hunkering down with the nitty gritty either. I just cant imagine Crowe taking on that kind of personality. And yes, I seem to remember Aubrey as being blonde.

and now back to the Hobbit Hole...

I am REALLY looking forward to the kind of music Howe will be implementing for the separated hobbits. Until this movie, 'Concerning Hobbits' and 'In Dreams' has been associated with the four of them...and for Merry and Pip, the trilling pipes and drums just for their romp through Farmer Maggot's fields.

I love the way the whole album begins and the vocals that are interwoven. very haunting.

I was watching/listening to Harry Potter this weekend. I would not ever call *this* movie a classic, as there are a LOT of problems with the cinematography and story establishment...and I have always enjoyed John Williams' music. But I *do* wish he'd stop borrowing from his earlier works and just come up with something totally different. I get tired of hearing references to "Indiana Jones" and other films when watching a totally new story. It takes thing a bit out of the fantasy.

best,
Alkhin

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Good afternoon all!

Football has me now... I know I shall not be free for the next five months...

LCS, if you're interested in Finnish heritage sites, here's a site with lots of links. Note especially the link for the Finnish American Reporter and the Touch of Finland gift shop.

I hope everyone has a good day!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

But I *do* wish he'd stop borrowing from his earlier works and just come up with something totally different.

Handel and Mozart and all the earlier composes stole from themselves (and others). Richard Rogers and other modern composers did too. I guess its OK for John Williams. Of course, in the early days, there were no recordings, easier to get away with it.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

here's a site with lots of links.

Thanks, Bear. I see it is a pasty site also. Yum, yum.

Football is only on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, surely you aren't going to take a complete powder, like 2JM?

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Not only is it a pasty site, that's the site where I get almost all of the outdoor pictures that I post.

I grew up eating pasties. I make sure when I "visit home" to have a pasty at least one day while I'm there. Rose unfortunately doesn't care for them... she thinks they would be better if they were "southernized" by adding corn, green beans, chili pepper, etc. She doesn't understand they're supposed to be bland and plain!

They sometimes have football on Thursdays too... but no, I won't be disappearing at all. I was just making a reference to our household's fascination with football. On Sundays we start with ESPN coverage at 10:00 am, and often don't leave football until after 10:00 pm at night!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

she thinks they would be better if they were "southernized" by adding corn, green beans, chili pepper, etc.

Well I can see where she is coming from! I think I will try making them both ways, never having eaten them before, I have no preconceived ideas as to how they 'should' taste.

Based on your approach to football, you are going to have a problem around the holidays I suppose. All of the post-season college games, AND the premiere of TTT!