Computers!

Yesterday was quiet until the computer began acting up.  I couldn’t connect to the web.  It turned out to be the fault of the McAfee security suite.  Simple solution.  I uninstalled McAfee.  Lo & behold up came the internet!  I then went & installed Avast.

Buying from DELL is Hell!

Hmm, I’ve been trying to buy a  computer from DELL for the last 2 weeks.  First, they lose the initial order.  Then when I called about the 2^nd order, they told me I needed to be validated.  When I finally, got to the validation number, non-human of course, I was given an invalid UPS shipping number.  Any human I spoke with was in Mumbai.  No Americans needed, please.  An none were able to solve my problem without transferring me to somewhere else.  DELL sucks in costumer service.

I got heat [& cooling]!

During the darkening day I had my heat pump replaced before the nasty weather set in.  At about 4 PM it  is  57 with a 15 mph wind, gusting to 25 mph.  Only expecting to get 1-2 inches of rain.  Not a problem.  The high winds could  be.  We shall see.

As a joke I posted to someone on FB, “Sandy” is G-d punishing NJ et el. for  allowing fags to live in NJ.  Sarcasm.  Within an hour or two some dim bulb pastor is out there saying the same thing and meaning it.  I wonder if he graduated from elementary school.

Time for a change.

Sigh!  It is apparently time.  I’m giving myself a Chanukah present early.  I just ordered a new tower.  It is the latest & greatest from Dell.  Made sure it is compatible with Windows XP as I have some programs I wish to transfer to the new tower.

This also means I’ll have to learn how to use Outlook.  I do like Outlook Express.

It should arrive next week.

Hobbits and swords and armor, oh my!

Hullo,

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!

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!

The 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 3^rd Conference On Middle-earth, Part 2, among the folk attending.   Being among hobbits will give me a big lift to my spirits.

An interesting article.

I highly recommend the article by Michael Grunwald in the 17 September 2012 issue of time: One Nation On Welfare.  Living Your Life on The Dole.

If you don’t subscribe to TIME, copies should be available at your nearest library.  The article may not be what you expect.

Memberships, Banquets, & rate increases, oh my!

Hullo 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!

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

Thought for today

Whenever books are burned men also in the end are burned. -Heinrich Heine, poet, journalist, and essayist (1797-1856)

On the road again!

Off to Chicago & Worldcon.