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.
Yeah. I saw that one too.
Jr. is still having a very difficult time in 8th grade. At this point, if he doesn't get his act together, he won't pass.
We know part of the problem is that we've had a crappy fall...Mom went back to teaching, Grandpa was sick and died, two football injuries, the flu, etc. So he's a little depressed (and recoginizes it).
Wife has a meeting with the school and with him next week. Because he's ADD he has a 504 plan.
Here's my concern:
I think I'm going to be fighting the medication battle again and I don't want to go there. When he started Ritalin in 2nd grade, I thought it was a good thing. But when he hit puberty, it no longer worked, so his pediatrician kept trying new stuff. I finally said "that's enough."
I don't want to go back. I think we can make some significant changes in diet and environment, but I can't get the Mrs. to go along. I know this sounds like I'm whining, but she's really dropped the ball with this one since the little one came along. At first it was understandable because the little one was so demanding (he was a preemie).
But our house is absolute chaos and I can't make any progress. If I don't do the dishes, they don't get done. If I don't do the laundry, it doesn't get done. I take care of the trash, the recycling and the animals (Jr helps when I remind/nag him). She cooks about 1/3 of the time, the rest is fast food/restaurant or pre-prepared crap.
I think changing some of that would make a big difference. But after 16 years, I have little hope that anything will change. And, if I say anything now, I'll look like the heartless SOB that doesn't remember she just lost her father. Well, I DO remember that. And I remember losing mine when I was 20. She just hasn't realized that she's not the only one affected by this.
I'm whining, I know. Some of this crap I just have to live with.
But I'm looking for education options for Jr. Problem is that I know the Mrs. couldn't/wouldn't carry through with homeschooling.
Sigh....
To the tune of "The Lumberjack Song" by Monty Python
An Ode to G'Nad Dwarfhunk
To the tune of "The Lumberjack Song" by Monty Python
G'nad:
I am a little dwarf and I'm OK.
I sleep all night and I flit all day.
Garden Gnome Choir:
He's a little dwarf and he's OK.
He sleeps all night and he flits all day.
G'nad:
I wear Elf-shoes and pointy ears
and climb up Mallorn trees.
I like to wear Elf-dresses
And join Galadriel for tea.
Garden Gnome Choir:
He wears Elf-shoes and pointy ears
and climbs up Mallorn trees.
He likes to wear Elf-dresses
And join Galadriel for tea.
Yes, he's a little dwarf and he's OK.
He sleeps all night and he flits all day.
G'nad:
I speak Elf-words and sing Elf-songs
Though my accent is quite weird.
I make up pretty poems
And weave flowers in my beard.
Garden Gnome Choir:
He speaks Elf-words and sings Elf-songs
Though his accent is quite weird.
He makes up pretty poems
And weaves flowers in his beard.
Yes, he's an an elfie-dwarf and he's OK.
He sleeps all night and he flits all day.
G'nad:
I like to sneak! And find trees that speak.
I eat lembas for my lunch.
My dwarf friends are so jealous that
Their skivvies are in a bunch!
Choir:
He likes to sneak! And find trees that speak.
He eats lembas for his lunch.
Us dwarf friends are so jealous that
Our skivvies are in a bunch!
Yes, we are all elfie-dwarves and we're OK.
We sleep all night and we flit allllll daaaaaaay!
... Elf-envy is a terrible thing!
Somebody has a death wish...
I know that. Hobbit Hole Potpourri is the best kind...
quite imaginative I will say... pardon me while I sharpen my axe... I see an addition to my elf ear collection coming along...
I wish I could offer some advice or even lend a hand, but I am not in any position to do either (no teenagers yet and too far away). I can, however, continue to pray for you and your family.
I have commented before on my admiration of your ability to wear so many hats (and to wear them so well), so I'll spare you any more of that. However, I must say that your willingness to pick up the slack is remarkable and altogether a very rare thing!! Your wife and kids are very lucky to have you.
Don't worry too much about the meals. If fast food starts getting too costly, start looking into cantinas (dinners delivered at home for a reasonable weekly cost), food by the pound (usually a Hispanic bodega offers this, again more affordable than typical fast food) or lots of frozen dinners (for fast meals). As far as the dishes go, it's paper plate time at the Stormhands residence! :)
This is a temporary valley and will pass. As the baby gets older, the Missus will have more time to pick up her old schedule and duties (as a mom of a 5 month old, I can say that each month that goes by gives me a little more breathing room).
As far as Jr.'s grades go, I'll leave that to 2J since she is our resident expert on education.
Hang in there, Corin. You're doing the best you can and it's a dam* fine job you're doing too!!
You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!
You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!
You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!
You don't need to apologize! We appreciate the effort to help us get powered up in the morning, though, I'm usually late to the table!
Lil'freeper reminds me a bit of Maureen Dowd, who bashes Pres Bush but it's obvious she's got a crush on him!
Methinks LF wants to have your attention.
...I can relate. I've a weak spot for dwarves myself!
Just kidding.
This time it will followed by an orc bake!
touche'.... ooooo that's gonna leave a mark...
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