The New Hobbit Hole

[Sam Cree]

I'd say there is quite a wide range of political views here, at least within the "conservative" (if that's the right word for it) side of the spectrum; that is there are not too many leftists that post here, at least not with good intentions. I personally am about as anti left as you can get.

Anyway, it's nice to have you aboard, if I'm allowed to say that as a fairly new Freeper.

[Sam Cree]

"And speaking of food, time for second breakfast!"

We're having venison and steak fondue tonight with a little red wine and maybe some champagne. Today is actually our 28th wedding anniversary, so we're celebrating.

[2Jedismom]

I wanted to repond to you over here in our friendly hole, instead of in that other, unfamiliar thread!

After 9/11, I was incredibly careful around my children, I made sure the six year old knew what had happened, but focused mainly on the positive. For example, instead of dwelling on the fire fighters that died, we went and thanked our local fire fighters. I wanted him to remember what happened, because it's something he needs to remember...but I made sure he was never afraid or saw me upset. He drew a picture of it...you can see it here. Note that the fire fighter is smiling as he is spraying water on the WTC? They are heros in my son's eyes...and that's what I focused on.

All this to say, when I saw the bridge collapsed in our neighboring county, my heart just broke for the families of the people who were lost. My son saw me cry, but he also saw me get up and fix lunch afterward, then fill up his outdoor pool with water! Life is already full of sadness and sorrow...but there is also so much to be happy about. I want my children to experience and know how to deal with both situations.

[Sam Cree]

I am admiring how you're handling this.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Life is already full of sadness and sorrow...but there is also so much to be happy about. I want my children to experience and know how to deal with both situations.

That is what I hoped you were doing. It is not right for you or your children to harden your hearts to tragedy, but despite it we have to keep on living for them, for ourselves, and because it is right.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Haven't said hello yet, welcome to our Hobbit Hole. I am one of the more political types here, get involved in electoral politics, political philosophy, and especially foreign and national security policy. Don't usually get into it much here, except when licking wounds and defeating Orcs.

Don't run into many Beornings around these parts, I tend to think of him as a lot like Tom Bombadil, and since I can't figure them out, I don't involve myself too much. Maybe we will now get an Ent or two, wouldn't want to rile them up.

[2Jedismom]

Like I always say to my kids when they question something I do..."Now, how long have we been friends?" ;-)

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Actually, I sort of regret that I've never learned any of the basic dances, such as the waltz. But things tend to get knocked over and/or broken when I move too fast, so I'm rather inhibited, physically.

"I'd say there is quite a wide range of political views here"

My own politicial views don't quite match up with any party out there. In general, I'm too libertarian for the conservatives, and too conservative for the libertarians.

"Anyway, it's nice to have you aboard, if I'm allowed to say that as a fairly new Freeper."

Thanks! :-)

Today is actually our 28th wedding anniversary

Congratulations, and Happy Anniversary!

[Corin Stormhands]

Where were you?

Having a very bad experience at Chili's. Our waiter was incredibly slow - he told us it was because his other customers were bossing him around. It took forever to get our drinks. I ordered an adult beverage and I bet I waited more than 10 minutes. My wife had fajitas and the "pot holder" on the skillet caught on fire. She took it back to the serving staff and when she sat down burned her arm on the iron skillet.

We did manage to get a free dessert, but quite frankly that wasn't quite enough.

[Corin Stormhands]

Happy Anniversary!

[Corin Stormhands]

I'm glad you're okay. I thought of you as soon as I heard about the incident. I think you're a great mom and your boys will be just fine.

[Overtaxed]

Having a very bad experience at Chili's.

See! You should have come over for steaks. Nothing fancy...steak, potatoes, and salad...but you didn't have to wait forever for it and we had pie and coffee afterwards.

Barbecued chicken this afternoon. I'm ready to kick back with some adult beverage for the race this evening.

[Overtaxed]

I thought about you when I heard but I didn't think it was very likely that you would be on that bridge...glad I was right about that! Those poor people, though....

[Corin Stormhands]

See! You should have come over for steaks.

Yes, we definitely made the wrong choice.

[Overtaxed]

I think I'm all grilled out now. I'll be taking it easy tomorrow.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Haven't said hello yet, welcome to our Hobbit Hole.

Hello! And thank you!

Don't run into many Beornings around these parts, I tend to think of him as a lot like Tom Bombadil

I actually haven't read The Hobbit in 15 years or more. The only copy I had was softcover, and my softcover books stayed behind when I moved to Texas 12+ years ago. Luckily, I had hardcover copies of LOTR and The Silmarillion, and I brought my hardcovers with me. Anyway, I think Tolkien wrote The Hobbit at a time when he conceived of Middle Earth as a much more "magical" place than it became later. At least, to me, the idea of a man who can shape-change into a bear seems out of place in LOTR.

As for Bombadil, well... he's a Maiar, isn't he?

[Corin Stormhands]

I'll be taking it easy tomorrow.

I'm sitting here just back from the pool trying to convince myself to go cut the grass and I just don't want to...

[Sam Cree]

"Actually, I sort of regret that I've never learned any of the basic dances, such as the waltz. But things tend to get knocked over and/or broken when I move too fast, so I'm rather inhibited, physically."

I've spent a good deal of my life on the water, up to now, if I had to dance, since I didn't know how, I just pretended to be on deck in really rough seas.

[Sam Cree]

It sounds like your political views may be somewhat similar to mine.

I look for threads that discuss such things as what consevatism really is, I enjoy arguing about the definitions.

[JenB]

Anyway, I think Tolkien wrote The Hobbit at a time when he conceived of Middle Earth as a much more "magical" place than it became later. At least, to me, the idea of a man who can shape-change into a bear seems out of place in LOTR.

Wow... interesting perspective. I look at it differently, I see Hobbit as a fairy-tale and the other stories as more mythic. There are shape-changers in Silmarillion, or at least Elves and heroes who can take on other shapes - like when Beren and Luthien snuck into Angband. Or Elwing, who becomes a bird sometimes to fly to Earendil...

I will say that those days are more distant at LotR - we're more often among "civilized" men rather than wild ones. Rohirrim or Gondorians would probably see Beorn as something out of a child's tale, but he fits into his surroundings. He lives way out in the middle of nowhere, which is where you'd expect to find a relic of the older days.

The one thing I do agree with about your comment is that the magic in Middle-Earth fades. Look at the stories of the First Age; there's magic galore. By the end of the Third Age, it's mostly leftover magics by people like Gandalf or the Elves, and they're leaving. As Men come to the fore, the world becomes more mechanical and less wondrous. Now all we have are the stories...