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.

[Sam Cree]

Good night Kevin, you are good people.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Hi Sam!

Yes, Pournelle was co-writer of "The Gripping Hand" with Larry Niven. The book was a sequel to their earlier work, "The Mote in God's Eye", which is a classic work of SF. The two also collaborated on the books "Footfall" and "Lucifer's Hammer", among others.

Niven is a liberal, but Pournelle is very, very conservative.

Larry Niven also wrote the classic essay, "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex", which was a semi-serious analysis of Superman's and Lois Lane's possible love life.

[SuziQ]

generally it takes quite a while to catch up, usually to the point that trying to post seems to be moot.

Oh but it provides everyone with such pleasure to watch those of us who are answering posts as we work our way through!!

[Sam Cree]

That's funny Bear, I like Niven, thought he'd be smart enough not to go for rationalism. I am pretty sure he does not go for totalitarianism, which is what you get if you implement "liberal" philosophy.

Lucifer's Hammer and Footfall are 2 of my favorite Sci Fi books.

[Sam Cree]

Hi Bear!

forgot my manners for a minute, sorry.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Heh, well, we're all pretty easy-going and familiar here, I would think! ;)

I've read that Niven has become more conservative as he grows older, perhaps Pournelle has had a good effect on him.

"Lucifer's Hammer" and "Footfall" are two of my favorites as well, especially "Footfall". In the book, the science fiction writers in the think-tank (the ones advising the President about the aliens) were based on actual SF writers, including Niven and Pournelle themselves!

[Alkhin]

I've not read any of those novels.

Just bought "Mere Christianity" the other day. Am looking for "Surprised by Joy."

I am SUPPOSED to be reading up on the Rule of St. Benedict, but theres only so many translations you can take.

[osagebowman]

SQ-that is the truth, did a few "whoops" myself earlier on, like the old SNL character, Never Mind.

Hair; you are a constant in the constancy of the Hole, sometimes I forget to say "thank you". It's a darn nice place here, (especially since we've gone Sp-m phree).

I usually try to "lurk" for a bit over lunch before I head out for my walk and my Starbucks coffee, (large dark roast, bit of ice, to go)

Been listening to BBC World News Service via a station in Okachobee (sp?), sounds like a Florida city to me.

I've always wondered why the LEO's and all make a big deal about cutting the chains of the protestors-rioters etc. How about just leaving them there, chained up, eventually they'll get tired of standing there, chained to a door or street sign (like after the second or third night) and ask to be released. Oh, well, just a thought.

[Sam Cree]

Hi Alkhin.

We are not foster parents, tho I think Jeanne would do it, and said she would, concerning a few kids we know, as she loves kids (and dogs).

Have grown kids, son is 23, daughter (sun, moon and stars rise and set on her) is 20, both in school.

Some friends with kids that they are having trouble with think it would be good if their boy came to us for spring break. He is a nice kid, I can't figure out why there is trouble at home, but seemingly there is. I will have a nice time fishing with him.

Unhappily don't know the books you mentioned either...am married to a beautiful Jewish lady for 29 years now and have been happily living that life :-D

How go the blogs?

[HairOfTheDog]

I've always wondered why the LEO's and all make a big deal about cutting the chains of the protestors-rioters etc. How about just leaving them there, chained up, eventually they'll get tired of standing there, chained to a door or street sign (like after the second or third night) and ask to be released. Oh, well, just a thought.

Not a bad idea! - Search them for the keys first... Can't make it too easy for them to change their minds. Make 'em say "Please"?

[HairOfTheDog]

You are always welcome Mr. Bowman.... At your service!

[2Jedismom]

I'm here too!! Here I am!!

I've just been glued to the TV ever since Steve got home and prior to that I've been glued to all sorts of live feeds!

Terrible news about the Marines...

[My back yard]

I have been up there! I have pictures of son flying a kite up there too. Wonderful day trip. Beautiful view.

[HairOfTheDog]

We lost some of the best.

[HairOfTheDog]

Alkhin, I missed your post about your splinter!

Have you gotten up the grit to take care of it yet I hope?

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Oh, well, I spoke too soon about the Austin anti-war protestors... turns out they didn't want to disperse after they finished their march. Eventually the police got tired of them blocking the Congress Ave. bridge (what is it with these protestors and bridges?) pepper-sprayed a bunch and arrested 47. Still not as bad as San Francisco or L.A., I guess.

[HairOfTheDog]

I haven't followed those two but I saw the headlines.

I am embarrassed by them.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Hmm...

I think there might be a profound thought running around in my brain concerning the depths of human stupidity as exemplified by these protestors... but I'm too tired to chase it right now.

I'd better go to bed... good night!

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, if and when you catch up to that profound thought, let me know. I would here it any time!

Good night!

[Ramius]

Nice photo.

Having flown in a CH-46 that came butt-clenchingly close to crashing into the sea in Alaska, I have a disturbingly clear picture of what this was like inside that aircraft.

Long story, but after flying for over an hour longer than we had planned, we landed on the USS Ogden with 20 pounds of fuel left (about 30 seconds of flying time). Over 20 POB, none of whom could unclench for a good couple of days.

The joke is that the "46" is merely short for "46,000 parts all flying in close formation". It's a rattling shaking scary monster to fly in. But it's a good aircraft. More often than not, it gets people where they want to go.

Prayers for them. Heroes all.