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.
But that's such a stretch for Freepers...
I went to take a nap because I started feeling really tired and my head was starting to hurt. Sure enough, I laid down and could feel that irregular beat! Yippeee! That means I got it on TAPE and nobody will think I'm crazy! You know, it thunked like this continuously for 4 days, which is what sent me to the doctor...then when I got there, it wouldn't do it! He started asking me if I was depressed or having anxiety to which I had a resounding "NO!" response! I swear I am the most chipper person I know in the world! I have the absolute life of Riley! The doctor laughed and said "Oh, I didn't think so, but I have to ask, you know..."
So anyway, I laid down to rest and read a bit and couldn't for all the thumping. So I got up and am now enjoying a slice of rubharb pie. At least they'll get a good example. Been doing it now for at least an hour.
I'm glad that people will believe you now, but isn't it time for your heart to stop doing that?
This last "spell" lasted for about 1 hour and 45 minutes without letting up. Now it's just the occassional odd beat. Other than feeling a tad breathless, I feel fine. I have to keep a diary of what I'm doing at all times!
I'm going to go lay down and read. Night all! See you in the morning.
Hey! - home from the movie, watched it with my Dad... I think he liked it! - He said Wow alot, was super impressed with both the scenery/sets, and with the actors/characters. There were only two other people in the theater, so I was able to whisper a few clarifications at confusing parts of the film, but how much they helped is undecided. I think it is a bit overwhelming for the newbie and he had a bit of sensory overload as we parted. We clarified a few things about Galadriel in the parking lot, and talked about who was great in it. He was particularly impressed with Bilbo, Frodo, and Gandalf, in no particular order. All in all a thumbs up!
We've already had to deal with a disaster. One of the tadpoles we're trying to raise died.
I'm glad your dad enjoyed it! It sounds kinda like how my dad reacted. He wasn't short of hysterical like I was, but he did seem to like it! LOL
We've already had to deal with a disaster. One of the tadpoles we're trying to raise died
And all I had to deal with this morning was a dead alternator! Oh well....at least I got to catch up on my Dwarf history this morning. Beware of Elves bearing gifts!
Hair, I'm glad your Dad liked the movie. Maybe after watching the DVD a few times he'll get the story straight.
2JM, I'm sorry to hear about your tadpole. ;^(
Last night I had to tell my kids that we need to put our dog down. Needless to say there was much weeping, not so much gnashing of teeth, but a lot of weeping. I have to do the deed Friday morning at 9:30.
-Kevin
I was telling my Sunday school teacher that I was glad I was going to heaven so I could see him again. She laughed and said "God doesn't have room for animals in heaven!!" I remember thinking "Oh, I hope He doesn't run out of room before I get there!" Took me years to get over it and basically grew into a better understanding. But if someone says something like that to my child, I'll THROTTLE them!
My Father-in-law gave me a good answer for that question. He said to tell them that whatever they need will be in Heaven for them. So if God decides that they need Jake, then he'll be there. That comforted them some.
-Kevin
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