The Hobbit Hole III - Journey to the Cross-roads!

[HairOfTheDog]

Welcome to The Hobbit Hole!

Journey to the Cross-roads
The Two Towers Edition

Come on! Come in! -if you would like to have some seedcakes and a pint and relax a while. (If it is a special occasion, we still have a few bottles of the old wineyards left!)

Our first thread ( New Zealander builds Hobbit hole ) reached 4,100 posts, and we thought that was big. Our second thread (The New Hobbit Hole ) held us for over 48,000 posts, and we loved it dearly. We talked about moving to a new thread for the last 38,000 posts, but we are really slow to muster! Finally, the time has come. Tomorrow (at 12:01 am, to be precise!) The Two Towers comes out, and we start a new chapter.

[ksen]

I don't know if I'd worry about the conference room. I'll have my garage ready and we can use that as the group viewing room. I thought that would be a little homier. We can provide snacks and stuff throughout the showing(s).

I like the idea of everybody being in one hotel (but who am I? I'll be in my own bed), for carpooling reasons.

[RMDupree]

Why that is mighty generous of you, Kevin! Dare I say, almost Hobbit-like in hospitality? *grin*

I prefer the everyone at one hotel idea myself. There are a few near the theatre, but if you prefer, I can look at one closer to you (or somewhere in between) for the same carpooling reason. :)

[ksen]

There is one my wife noticed the other day that she thought may be good. I'll have to get the name from her and tell you. The only thing about staying near the theatre, is that it isn't the best part of town, what with, ahem, "Gentleman's Club" right down the road (personally, I don't think a gentleman would get caught dead in it).

[ItsOurTimeNow]

"Hey! Ho! To the bottle I go!
To heal my heart and drown my woe!
Rain may fall and wind may blow
but there still be many miles to go!

Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain
and the stream that runs from hill to plain.
Better than rain or a rippling brook
is another beer inside this Took!"

[RMDupree]

In that case, let's stay closer to you then! HAHAHAHAAA!

Gentlemen's Club, indeed. Nothing like The Prancing Pony, I'm sure.

[RMDupree]

I cannot stop my foot from tapping as I read those lyrics!

[RMDupree]

OK, I did a quick search on Expedia for Palm Bay, FL and there are 3 listings.

The Space Coast Days Inn is closest to the beach. $55-60/night and offers a continental breakfast and outdoor pool. It has a sports bar as well. (4700 Dixie Hwy NE)

The Ramada Plaza Hotel Palm Bay is $50-70/night. It has an indoor pool, as well as, an outdoor one. (1881 Palm Bay Road NE). No mention of breakfast.

The Jameson Inn Palm Bay is $73-80/night. Has free breakfast and outdoor pool. It's the furthest west location. (890 Palm Bay Road NE).

I know we have to keep in mind where the airport is in relation to accomodations as well. I hope that the hotel chosen has free shuttle service for convenience. (Not for me since I'll be driving).

[ksen]

The Jameson is the one my wife saw. It is closest to us, and is right off of Exit 70A of I-95.

Whoah, too bad it is also the most expensive.

[Wneighbor]

Well, if I save my pennies and get to go to this -- I'm gonna have to find out if there's any other single female that needs a roommate to share expenses. 'Cause, if I come all the way over there, I want to be able to eat hobbit-style along with the lodging.

[RMDupree]

Space Coast Days Inn

Ramada Plaza Hotel Palm Bay

The Jameson Inn Palm Bay

The Jameson or Ramada are the best looking by far. :)

I've got to get home now. Be back later during my download fest.

[Overtaxed]

Oh great. Now I have that tune in my head again!

Bilbo! Bilbo! Bilbo! Bilbo!

[Overtaxed]

Got some more pictures back:

How do you like my new landscape?	Dwarf-types try to cut an exit.
The car escapes!	Downed power lines

[Sam Cree]

Thanks, IOTN. Is the song from the book or the movie...don't remember anything like that in the book.

[HairOfTheDog]

Good grief... that's an ice storm all right!

[SuziQ]

I've always like Gollum/Smeagol. I don't excuse him; but I am very sympathetic to him.

I didn't become sympathetic to him after reading the books, but I did when I listened to the unabridged version on Audio Tape by Rob Ingliss. Hearing the struggle Gollum/Smeagol went through made a big impression on me.

I saw the movie yesterday with SSQ and all 4 kids. We SO enjoyed it! I was amazed with Gollum; after 2 seconds I stopped thinking of him in CG terms. From the time Frodo and Sam yank him off the rock and start fighting with him he was REAL to me. The most touching scene to me was when Frodo was talking to him and trying to bring Smeagol back, and I noticed that Gollums clear blue eyes looked a LOT like Frodo's!!

We all loved "Mr. Voice"; Bernard Hill as Theoden. SSQ was really impressed with his acting skills; it would be fitting for him to win a nomination as best actor or supporting actor for that part. His transformation in the beginning was breathtaking!

Our #1 son didn't like the jokes at Gimli's expense. I thought most of Gimli's funny lines were self-deprecating, and the part where he's trying to see over the wall is hilarious! I'm glad they left the orc body count in; maybe we'll see the final score in RoTK. The Helm's Deep battle ended as a victory, But I guess we'll see the aftermath in the beginning of RoTK as well as the travel to Isengard to confront Saruman.

Speaking of Isengard; the Ents were just fabulous!!! The inundation of Isengard just looked so real! I thought it was interesting how Merry and Pippin manuevered to convince Treebeard to act. As some have said, there was not enough Merry and Pippin, but they'll see more action in the next movie!

When the Elf Army arrived at Helm's Deep and came marching up the causeway, SSQ leaned over the said "They're not marching, it looks more like prancing!" And the Elves did scream on the way down from the wall, but so did everyone else who fell.

I didn't concentrate on the music as a separate entity too much; probably because it was SO integral to the action, again. I did, however, notice the Rohan theme with the ancient fiddle sound. It was just beautiful! The soundtrack is gonna be SO good!!

I guess you can tell I like the movie. Clare and I will be going back during the holidays, and next time we'll sit in the back so we can see the whole screen from farther away!

[HairOfTheDog]

Hi everyone! - I am back from town shopping. I am feeling quite overwhelmed. I don't know what to get anyone. GAH!

What will I do?

Can I get out of going to the Christmas party tonight? It is really in my way. 2 hours driving each way for a party with people where I am so "odd man out". They are urban Seattle liberals. They eat weird food and think my life is sad because there is nothing to do in a small town. And, well, you know what I am. Can I just not go?

[Wneighbor]

Wow. I think you can just not go. Anybody that thinks small town has nothing to do is CLUELESS. Well, you did say they were liberals.

Stay home. Tell 'em you needed the time to recuperate from your hectic small town civic duties.

[HairOfTheDog]

My boss will make a face.

[Sam Cree]

Hi Hair, I just got back from Christmas shopping also. A couple more stops tomorrow will finish it up, I think. Probably I'll hit Borders book store. I like to give books, if I can pick the right ones.

I am much more disorganized about Christmas than usual this year. Have to addresss Christmas cards tonight, they should have gone out a week ago.

2 hours is a long drive for a Christmas party. Tho I am under the impression that the things people think they have to do in cities are things they never do anyway.

[Wneighbor]

What kind of face? An orc-face? Or a funny face? One worth a photo to show us?