Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The New Hobbit Hole

Posted on 03/14/2002 5:07:26 AM PST by 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

-----------------------------------------

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.


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Chit/Chat; Poetry; TV/Movies; The Hobbit Hole
KEYWORDS: 2jmbombadil; allyourprecious; balroghotwings; bearspamandeggs; blowitoutyershorts; breecheese; buffdragons; cartonofspam; cherofthedog; closetsneakers; corinhonestsnaig; corinspamfunkle; corinspamhands; depraveddwarves; dwarfdeodorant; dwarfdiapers; dwarfgaloshes; dwarfkingcorinspam; dwarfspamwiches; dwarftossing; elffriends; elfspam; elvesruleforever; elvishfootfetish; emoryuniversity; endlesschitchat; foolofatook; frododigspipeweed; funklestormhands; fuzzycritters; giddygnadspam; girlyarmor; gnadbelchspam; gnaddwarfhunk; gnadspam; gnadthreadkiller; gollumthegreat; gondorianspamogram; goodbyeoldhole; greeneggsandspam; hobbitschmobbit; holediggingwomen; hotdogsmartypants; itcomesinpints; itsourhagspam; itsourspamnow; jenbneinerspam; jenmcsspam; keeblerelves; khazaddumdedumdum; ksenlovesspam; ksenshamelessspam; ksensneakspam; ksenspamaddict; latenightfunklators; lilspammer; lordoftherings; lordofthespam; lorenahobbit; menareweak; michaeldobbs; midgetporn; namariejensneak; nanowrimosneak; oblivionspam; orclust; otdefunklator; oversneakspamtax; pints; pippintook; pointyelfshoes; politerosespam; precious; preciousparty; preciousspam; rightwingpsychospam; rightwingspamsneak; rightwingsuperspam; rmdbreakfastspam; rmdlembasspam; rmdospam; rosiespamangel; ruthlesssnootyelves; rwrfannyspam; samwisethebrave; scottish; seamusspamfist; sissyelves; skivielessgondorian; smeagingsneakol; smeagolthesupreme; sneakingspam; sneakle; sneakping; sneakses; sneaktaxoverspam; snoots; snowpants; spameggssausagespam; spamfreesneaking; spamisnotprecious; spamminghair; squarehandspampants; stormsneakspamhands; stormspamsneakpants; superstarsmeagol; teasedhair; threadvandals; toking; tolkien; tricksesthieveses; twerentbear; twopantsdupree; velveeeeeeeta; weescarves; whistlinghobbits
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 46,901-46,92046,921-46,94046,941-46,960 ... 48,321-48,323 next last
To: carton253
"It's totalitarianism... it comes with many faces and in many different names."

Their evil is breathtaking to me.

Staring it in the face is a different animal than reading about it in history.

46,921 posted on 12/11/2002 1:07:02 PM PST by Sam Cree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46904 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
You have that kind of bravery...

I may be the naive one, but I believe we can win against islamic terrorists just like we won against the Nazis.

I am not sad or fearful, but determined.

I'm not as fatalistic as your third paragraph makes you out to be (and I don't think that you are that fatalistic either). And to me the issue of 9/11 isn't what they did to us... but what we plan to do about it.

I don't think anyone on this thread is the cowering/wringing their hands in the corner type. I've never said it, and I've never implied it. And I've never even suggested that everyone feel what I feel, believe what I believe and walk lock step with me. Everybody reacted different to 9/11. That's okay!

But 9/11 changed me. I don't know why. I don't know why every day is 9/11... but, I'm not burdened by sadness, not burdened by grief... but an anger that has fired my heart. That's what is different between 9/10 and 9/11. I don't look at 9/11 and say, "it was a year ago, who can remember." I say... "who can forget."

My personal belief screams out... they had their chance at us, but never again. And if there is anything I can do about it... fathers/mothers/sons/daughters won't go to work on a warm September day and not come home. Not while I have breath in my body.

I would have liked your mother. But, then I've always liked the noble and brave. Your mother was such a soul!

46,922 posted on 12/11/2002 1:08:12 PM PST by carton253
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46918 | View Replies]

To: Sam Cree
It is, isn't it. And my reaction has been to reach for my sword... Not it a vain and futile attempt to defend my home, but because I believe we can win. I do believe we can win because I believe that President Bush has looked that evil in the eye and said... "you will be utterly destroyed." I'm trying to learn as fast as I can, so I can be of use to this country.
46,923 posted on 12/11/2002 1:13:13 PM PST by carton253
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46921 | View Replies]

To: carton253
I think the fatalism and cowering was more about what I was thinking after 9/11... locked up here in my compound, fearful of going to Seattle. Funny thing is, I was never that fearful that I would die there. But fearful that I would not be able to get home. Quite selfish really.

But I don't know that we will ever win against Islamic terrorism, because terrorism is an idea, not a country or a government. It is like winning a war on theivery. They don't all come from one place, and they don't necessarily work for anyone or even work well together. You can't kill a concept as easily as you can kill a government. All we can do is put up such defenses as we can, try to pick off the ones that get organized enough to be noticable, and continue living.

Governments such as Nazis were easier to beat.
46,924 posted on 12/11/2002 1:26:39 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46922 | View Replies]

To: carton253
I don't fully agree with these articles, but they make some interesting points:

Why forgetting September 11 is good for America

What Price Safety?

46,925 posted on 12/11/2002 1:28:46 PM PST by John Farson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46922 | View Replies]

To: ksen
I know I am really behind times. I just don't seem to have enough time to keep up with everyone. I try to read my posts, and reply when I can, but there are just not enough hours in the day. I was reading a past post about Gandalf. Ksen you wrote:

Wisest of the Maiar was Olorin. He too dwelt in Lorien, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience.

I always wondered why Saudoman (sp?) was the head of the order when Gandalf seemed so much wiser, and he had a ring of power. Is this something I have missed along the way? Does anyone have an answer to this?

46,926 posted on 12/11/2002 1:30:27 PM PST by htur_75
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46650 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
I read your post 9/11/02... and I would have never thought you were cowering. I wanted to go home too. The world was changing, and I was typing a letter.

Well... you may be right on whether we will ever win or not. Only time will reveal that answer. But, I am optimistic that we will, if we go to win and win decisively...

46,927 posted on 12/11/2002 1:30:55 PM PST by carton253
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46924 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
"pick off the ones that get organized enough to be noticable"

Destroy those and you get 99.9% of them, IMO. We have no choice but to do so, I don't think.

46,928 posted on 12/11/2002 2:16:13 PM PST by Sam Cree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46924 | View Replies]

To: Sam Cree
I don't think = I think
46,929 posted on 12/11/2002 2:17:56 PM PST by Sam Cree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46928 | View Replies]

To: Sam Cree
Not to change the subject or anything, but I've got power!

Now back to your regularly scheduled discussion.

46,930 posted on 12/11/2002 2:18:48 PM PST by Overtaxed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46928 | View Replies]

To: g'nad
kewl... need anybody snuffed?...

Not right now, thank you, but I'll keep you in mind in case somebody ticks me off REALLY BAD! :o)

46,931 posted on 12/11/2002 2:22:11 PM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46764 | View Replies]

To: Overtaxed
Way to go! What a relief!
46,932 posted on 12/11/2002 2:25:33 PM PST by Sam Cree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46930 | View Replies]

To: John Farson
"As bad as 9/11 was, it does not seem desirable that this terrible event should so radically change the ideals of a unique people."

I don't think it should either. And I agree that we shouldn't drown in sorrow.

But I believe that Al Qaeda, with much worldwide Muslim sympathy and monetary support, is waging, to selfishly satisfy their own fanaticism, a war on us. I think the existence of WMD's, their fanaticism, and their desire to acquire and use them, make the threat to us mortal.

If I am right about that, we just don't have the choice of forgetting 9/11 and going back to normality, much as we might want to. As far as I can see, we cannot successfully hide on our continent, as Jeremy Lott (and I) seem to wish.

I also have the idea that our ideals, for which Jeremy fears, are one of our weapons.

I like Reason Magazine, BTW, which I only discovered by reading posts on FR.

46,933 posted on 12/11/2002 2:40:50 PM PST by Sam Cree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46925 | View Replies]

To: Sam Cree
Probably, the plane that went down in PA, and the one that hit the Pentagon, were meant for the Capitol and the White House. We'd have been without leaders if they'd succeeded. And that's without even using WMD's. This thing is series.
46,934 posted on 12/11/2002 2:45:31 PM PST by Sam Cree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46933 | View Replies]

To: Sam Cree
They wouldn't have gotten Bush, which is good; but it would have been another blow, and I don't know how it would have taken us. Instead the heroes on Flight 93 gave us something noble to look up to.

Hi! It rained frozen rain today, and I had to go to a client site today in the middle of nowhere. That place was a cube jungle that makes me appreciate our office to no end. And we just got back from the "loser lot" where we grabbed the biggest tree they had... oh well. We haven't had much time this year, I haven't even started my shopping. Anyway I'll look in later, it's almost dinner time.
46,935 posted on 12/11/2002 3:14:47 PM PST by JenB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46934 | View Replies]

To: JenB
Hi, JenB, I have to go out for a few hours, too. And I have to "make Christmas happen" in the next few days. I always enjoy that, but it seems to be more than usually at the last minute this year.

Be careful driving if there is ice from freezing rain. Have a nice dinner.
46,936 posted on 12/11/2002 3:18:11 PM PST by Sam Cree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46935 | View Replies]

To: JenB
Evening Jen,

In the movie Hitomi is summoned to Gaia. She appears from inside Escaflowne after Van has killed everyone on Lord Fulkan's ship that was transporting Escaflowne to Fulkan.

Van has been travelling around with Allan, but I don't think they have been together long. Hitomi doesn't know anybody.
46,937 posted on 12/11/2002 3:27:19 PM PST by ksen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46935 | View Replies]

To: g'nad
Seven dozen cookies to make tonite. Will save some for ya.
46,938 posted on 12/11/2002 3:47:16 PM PST by Lil'freeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46937 | View Replies]

To: Bear_in_RoseBear
Oohhh....cool! TCM is showing The Hound of the Baskervilles with Christopher Lee in it tonight at 10:30 Eastern.
46,939 posted on 12/11/2002 4:09:53 PM PST by Overtaxed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46938 | View Replies]

To: RMDupree
this is Becky as a flower girl at my cousin's wedding.

Wowee!! Look at that girl's gloves!! Reminds me of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"! Remember the "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" number?

46,940 posted on 12/11/2002 4:14:50 PM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46805 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 46,901-46,92046,921-46,94046,941-46,960 ... 48,321-48,323 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson