It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. -Robert A. Heinlein, science-fiction author (1907-1988)
Archive for the ‘Science Fiction’ Category
Religion again
January 4, 2013A fine Tolkien Day!
December 15, 2012Hullo Tolkien fans & Scholars and other fine folk,
The 13th was a busy day, a Tolkien Day.
Up at 0600 to get some coffee before chatting for an hour with a HS class on The Hobbit at 0725. I had a good time & so, apparently, did the students.
I then tracked down the article on The Hobbit in the Albany Times Union, for which I had submitted questions, http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts/the-times-union-hobbit-quiz/25724 . I was pleased to see that I was the focal point of the article. WOW!
After taking a nap Lin & I headed over to the cinema for The Hobbit. We arrived at 1800 to meet up with folk arriving for the Line Party. Yes, there were some there who had arrived before us. Just after midnight on the 14th The Hobbit began. Minor quibbles aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Unlike some, I don’t feel it got off to a slow start. Moreover, most viewers know nothing of the back story. Including this to give the Dwarves their motive for revenge and reclaiming their home works to give the newcomer some idea of what is at stake. I also felt having Bilbo begin to “grow” earlier than in the book was a smart move. I did not compare it to the book, but how it scanned as a film. It worked very well. The major scenes were there. I will see it again, tho maybe not in 3D. 🙂
The first 2 films of The Hobbit will be discussed at The 3rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2, either by panel or by presentation or by both.
Now is a grand time to join, if you haven’t done so already: http://www.3rdcome.org/registration.html
Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo!
Not all those who wander are lost.
Thain Peregrin Took II
The 3rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2
www.3rdcome.org
Great Smials
Tuckborough, The Shire
Tolkien – The Hobbit
November 25, 2012Hullo,
I just finished up the “20” questions for the Times Union Editor. Actually, it turned out to be 55 multiple choice & 22 single answer, except for the one about the Dwarves.
I’ll be meeting the editor for a natter over coffee tomorrow. I hope, he likes my questions. It was great fun to do.
Great preparation for my Skype call with an HS English class doing The Hobbit. I might be able to answer their questions.
Room Rates, Movie tickets, & Line Party, Oh My!
November 7, 2012Hullo,
A couple items today.
Hotel:
Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center
219 Littleton Road
Westford, MA 01886
+1-800-543-7801 – Group Name: Conference On Middle earth
+1-978-692-8200 – Group Name: Conference On Middle earth
www.westfordregency.com Room Rates! We have Room Rates!
219 Littleton Road
Westford, MA 01886
+1-800-543-7801 – Group Name: Conference On Middle earth
+1-978-692-8200 – Group Name: Conference On Middle earth
www.westfordregency.com Room Rates! We have Room Rates!
Room rates have been set. To get the fabulous, same as 2011 room rates of $119/night, you have to call the Westford Regency. As a stand-alone hotel, the online registration is thru a service that charges a fee, which would raise our rate. Tell them you’re with the Conference On Middle earth to get this rate.
> > If you are international and don’t want to make potentially expensive long distance calls (“Can you hold please?” *click* [music…music…music…]), contact hotel@3rdcome.org to work something out.
Operation Early Catbird Seat!
I have secured my ticket for the Midnight showing of The Hobbit at the Regal Cinema in Crossgates Mall. I’ll be watching the 3D IMAX version. I’ll check out the other versions later.
We will be holding a Line Party for the premier. Come join us.
It is still up in the air as regards TLOTR Marathon on Saturday, 8 DEC. It would be nice to see all 3 extended versions on the BIG screen.
Cheers!
Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo!
www.3rdcome.org
Not all those who wander are lost.
Thain Peregrin Took II
The 3rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2
+1-518-456-5242
www.3rdcome.org
Great Smials
Tuckborough, The Shire
Tuckborough, The Shire
Boston Book Festival
October 10, 2012Hullo Tolkien Scholars & fans,
Courtesy of theonering.net:
Our good friends at publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt wanted to be sure that fans in the Boston area know about a Hobbit panel, which will be part of the Boston Book Festival. The panel features folks such as Wayne Hammond, Christina Scull, Corey Olsen (The Tolkien Professor) and another friend of TORn, writer and lifelong geek Ethan Gilsdorf. The fun happens at 11am on Saturday 27th October – all details here. (NB We have it on good authority that the ‘sneak preview’ of the film will not include anything not already seen in trailers – so whilst it may be new to some in attendance, we know that everyone here will have seen it already!) What better way to spend a Saturday morning than in the company of fellow Tolkien fans?
From the Boston Book Festival’s site:
11:00am Boston Common Hotel: Hancock Room 40 Trinity Place
It’s the 75th anniversary of the publication of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, so let’s celebrate!
Eru Ilúvatar willing and the crick don’t rise I expect to be there for the program.
Yes, spending some hours with Tolkien fans IS a good way to spend a Saturday morning.
I hope, you are planning on spending some time with us at the conference.
Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo!
Not all those who wander are lost.
Thain Peregrin Took II
The 3rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2
+1-518-456-5242
thain@3rdcome.org
www.3rdcome.org
Great Smials
Tuckborough, The Shire
Hobbits and swords and armor, oh my!
September 26, 2012Hullo,
Courtesy of TheOneRing.net:
“The Higgins Armory, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA; 1-508-853-6015, is hosting a Middle-Earth Day on Saturday, 29 September from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In addition to stories and games, activities include making a Gondorian shield (or designing one of your own), watching Arwen teach Aragorn the proper way to slay an orc and seeing if you can out run a dwarf! The program is free with museum admission.
The Higgins Armory boasts the largest collection of medieval/ancient armor and weaponry in the Western Hemisphere, so be sure to leave time to see the museum. For information on museum hours and admission prices, go to http://www.higgins.org/hours-prices-and-directions.”
My friend Lin and I plan to be there. Belike some of you might wish to make the trek there as well.
Cheers
Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo!
www.3rdcome.org
Not all those who wander are lost.
Thain Peregrin Took II
The 3rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2
+1-518-456-5242
www.3rdcome.org
Great Smials
Tuckborough, The Shire
Tuckborough, The Shire
Hobbits, and swords, and Armor, oh my!
September 25, 2012The call of the wild hobbit! Off to Worcester, MA, on Saturday. Lin and I will be heading off for the Higgins Armory in Worcester Massachusetts, which is hosting a Middle-Earth Day on Saturday, September 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It will be interesting as I’ll be in the hospital on Thursday for stent replacement. I should be recovered enough to make the drive and try and corral some memberships in my 3rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2, among the folk attending. Being among hobbits will give me a big lift to my spirits.
22 SEP 12
September 23, 2012A belated “Happy Birthday” to Bilbo & Frodo Baggins.
After a nice breakfast of bacon & hard boiled eggses we watched TLOTR. Of course we had seed cakes in addition to other goodies. It was a good day.
2 smart folk!
September 21, 2012I received 2 more membership in 3rd COME. They just beat the price increase deadline. So when are YOU going to join? www.3rdcome.org !
Memberships, Banquets, & rate increases, oh my!
September 9, 2012Hullo Tolkien fans & scholars,
I would like to bring a few things to your attention.
1. If you have not yet joined The 3rd Conference on Middle-earth, Part 2, please note that the cost of membership and banquet will go up on 23 September 2012. I’m attaching the current flyer which has both the current rates as well as the new ones.
2. To those of you who have joined The 3rd Conference on Middle-earth, Part 2, a big THANK YOU! As above I would like to remind members who have not yet bought a banquet ticket, that the price will go up on 23 September 2012.
3. The “Call for Papers” will be posted to the University of Pennsylvania web site towards the end of September. If you are interested in presenting a paper or developing a panel, please go to our web site and review the “Call for Papers” there. Presenters from 2011 have first call to be on the program.
A few areas I wouldn’t mind seeing covered:
The impact of The Hobbit & TLOTR on 1960s & 1970s popular music.
The visions of Middle-earth through art.
The astronomy of Middle-earth. [When is Durin’s Day?]
The geography of Middle-earth.
The geology of Middle-earth.
The flora & fauna of Middle-earth.
The clothing of Middle-earth both from the books and the films.
The food of Middle-earth.
The poetry and songs of Middle-earth.
4. Please drop by our web site and check out the 1st filming of The Lord Of the Rings, circa 1944. It is a most marvelous film attempt.
5. For any locals to Albany receiving this, I intend to be at the cinema on the night of 13 December to join the Line Party and watch the premiere of Part 1 of The Hobbit. Please let me know, if you would like to join me.
6. The conference will be dedicated to the memory of Michael N. Stanton, the author of “Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards,” and our fearless docent on our “Tour of Middle-earth” in 2004.
Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo!
www.3rdcome.org
Not all those who wander are lost.
Thain Peregrin Took II
The 3rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2
+1-518-456-5242
www.3rdcome.org
Great Smials
Tuckborough, The Shire
Tuckborough, The Shire
It Comes From Albany 