The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008

> Name/Alias(es): Shaun Curran (SD)
>
> Gender: Male =)
>
> Age: 28
>
> Nationality: Irish-American
>
> Posting since: now?
>
> Heroes: Aragorn, Peter from CoN
>
> What are your hobbies and/or interests?: Writing 'The History Books Saga', building models, studying latin
>
> What do you dislike?: made for tv movies, blatant rip-offs.
>
> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?: saw 'Fellowship' and got into it despite the books sitting on my shelves for a while...
>
> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?: I have read LOTR, The Hobbit, Pearl, Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, Sir Orfeo, Letters, The History Books 1-3... my favorite is LOTR.
>
> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"?  "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?: From 'The Hobbit': Bilbo, LOTR: Aragorn, Silmarillion: Beren
>
> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?: Rohan.... I love horses!
>
> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth?  (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.): Lluvatar?
>
> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?: No, I've studied Old English and Latin, where a lot of his inspiration came from
>
> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?: Yes. 'The History Books Saga' is a blend of Star Wars and LOTR... Tolkien is actually a character in my book.
>
> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life?  (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?): Sure, but at the moment I can't recall any...
>
> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?: Sure!
>
> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?: Meh... no time to surf...
>
> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?: I loved 'Tolkien & The Great War'
>
> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?: Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time
>
> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?: Chaucer, Dante, Boccaccio, Poe, H.P. Lovecraft
>
> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?: All of them!
>
> Bonus question:  Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife? Meh, not sure what this is...
>
> Notes:
>
> *  As modified, edited, revised and mangled by Morgoth's Curse.  I
> omitted any reference to contact information due to concerns about
> Internet security and privacy, but feel free to include that
> information in "Notes" if you wish.
>
> Morgoth's Curse
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

In message <news:rduppen-F15BC5.15312005012008@news1.news.xs4all.nl>
Remko Duppen <rduppen.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> spoke these staves:
>
> In article <5u7t43F1ggaa0U1.RemoveThis@mid.individual.net>,
> "Öjevind Lång" <bredband.net.RemoveThis@ojevind.lang> wrote:
>>

<snip>

>> My feelings exactly. And you forgot
[...]
>> and the absolutely amazing way the interplay between Gollum,
>> Sam and Frodo is twisted into a simple (and stupid) "Gollum
>> poisons the moronic Frodo's mind against Sam" act

That is most certainly the very worst of my cringing moments.

<more snippage>

> I would bang my cup of meade on the table and shout 'Hear, hear'
> to the both of you ..... !

I'd like to <whatever ordinal number we're at> that, but I'm honest
enough with myself to realize that had PJ's films not been based on
LotR -- or had I not been as keenly interested in LotR as I am -- I
would probably have thought them the best sword-and-sorcerer fantasy
films ever made.

As it is my enjoyment is markedly tainted by the issues I have with
the interpretation of Tolkien, which may be a pity both for myself
and for Peter Jackson -- not because of me, specifically (I'm not
/that/ conceited), but because of the many other fans who feel the
same.

It is unlikely that the project will not be attempted again in my
lifetime (though it is not unlikely that the next project will be a
TV miniseries) and so I do ask myself what would be necessary to
remedy the adaption enough not to alienate those of us who attempt to
understand the author himself as much as our own perception of his
books.

Generally I think there has been an acceptance just about everywhere
that changes would be necessary when adapting the story. The love-
story between Aragorn and Arwen is an example, and very few have (as
I recall it) seriously protested that Arwen was given Glorfindel's
role (most are just relieved that she wasn't fighting the Uruk-hai at
Helm's deep . . .) and only a few complain that Tom Bombadil was
excised (after all -- imagine what PJ would have made of Tom, in
particular in view of what he did to Gimli).

Overall my greatest wish would be for a greater respect for the
characters as written -- instead of trying to modernize the
characters and their emotional life, I would prefer that they were
respected as they are, and that the virtues and vices that they
embody are retained. Tolkien's work, though expressed and given shape
in and by a specific period of time, attempts to overcome the
transcience it might inherit from that by reaching back into the
roots of literature:

'No,' said Merry. 'I can't. Not yet, at any rate. But at
least, Pippin, we can now see them, and honour them. It is
best to love first what you are fitted to love, I suppose:
you must start somewhere and have some roots, and the soil
of the Shire is deep. Still there are things deeper and
higher; and not a gaffer could tend his garden in what he
calls peace but for them, whether he knows about them or
not. I am glad that I know about them, a little.
Merry, LotR V,8 'The Houses of Healing'

As is often the case with Tolkien, he manages here to express several
meanings in a single compact metaphor, but LotR is exactly so deeply
rooted in its literary tradition(s) that it achieves a timelessness
that is would be impossible to recreate without that. Jackson's films
removed the roots and relied on transient trends, which has
indubitably contributed to its huge success in its own time, but
which will inevitably cause it to fade fairly quickly as the world
moves on to face new problems and new characteristics come in fashion
(who will have any patience for Viggo's Aragorn once the metrosexual
male goes out of fashion?).

The attraction of Tolkien's work is not that it is old-fashioned or
reactionary, but that it takes its roots seriously, bringing them and
recontextualiizing them in a contempory setting. But precisely this
quality enables it to have an appeal that goes beyond the contempory
setting: by bringing two thousand years of writing into his work,
Tolkien managed to write a work for the next two thousand years, and
yet remain highly relevant in his own time. LotR, in effect, is 'a
proper fourteen-twenty' -- a year of bounty to be enjoyed not only at
it occurs (with piles of stones under the plum-trees), but also by
being a proverb and by bringing a beauty into the that which grows in
the Shire with its deep soil.

> My sentiments exactly, and if PJ dared to enter the hallowed Hall
> of Meduseld at this moment, I'd gladly teach him the meaning of
> the words of Tolkien under the loving strokes of my axe ...

Oh dear! I do think I'd prefer the sharpness of my tongue . . .

--
Troels Forchhammer
Valid e-mail is <troelsfo(a)gmail.com>
Please put [AFT], [RABT] or 'Tolkien' in subject.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not
simpler.
- Albert Einstein
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:26:54 -0600, Morgoth's Curse
<morgothscurse2002 DeleteThis @nospam.yahoo.com> wrote:

> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
>Name/Alias(es):

Morgoth's Curse [Previous aliases were Michael Kohrs &
mnk6718@tamucc..edu]

>Gender:

Male

>Age:

38

>Nationality:

American. (Yes, you may worship me.)

>Posting since:

1995

>Heroes:

I define heroes as men and women who inspire us to become better than
we otherwise be. My heroes include my father; J.R.R. Tolkien;
Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Harry Truman, Abraham Lincoln; Ernest
Shackleton; Roald Amundsen; Thor Heyerdahl; Martin Luther King--to
name only a few.

>What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

History, environmental conservation/restoration, chess, woodworking,
science-fiction and fantasy.
>
>What do you dislike?:

Cigarettes, waste, corporate greed, people who put machines before
people. (Why is it acceptable to answer the phone while you are
talking to me, but it is considered rude if I make a call while
talking to you?!!) Mathematics. (Math is evil. People who teach math
are evil. People who enjoy math are evil! Did I mention that I
really hate math?)

>How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

I wish I could recall. I once thought that I had read The
Silmarillion first, but I may have been mistaken and read The Hobbit
first in which case I would have picked it up from one of the several
public libraries that my parents patronized as often as possible.

>Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
>favorite?:

I have read almost everything that he wrote about Middle-earth as well
as Farmer Giles of Ham. I still intend to read his commentary on
Beowulf as well as his other academic works. I am less interested in
his children's fiction such as Roverandom and Mr. Bliss, but I suspect
that I will read those books sometime as well.

>Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"?

Gandalf.

>"The Lord of the Rings"?

Treebeard.

>"The Silmarillion"?:

Fingolfin.

>Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:

Rivendell. Mountains, rivers, forests, caves--all of my favorite
things within walking distance.

>Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
>choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):

Fingolfin.

>Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
>that Tolkien invented?:

No. I had enough trouble just mastering English. I stand in awe of
anyone who can speak Quenyan & Sindarin fluently.

>Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:

Yes. Unfortunately, I also share Tolkien's obsession with the perfect
word and/or phrase and hence rarely finish any stories that I begin.

>Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
>other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
>were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):

Absolutely, I have often turned to the works of Tolkien whenever I
needed to clarify my thoughts on certain issues. Tolkien had a
wonderful gift for eloquently expressing wisdom.

>Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

I prefer to recommend it to my enemies.

>Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:

http://www.tolkiensociety.org/

>What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:

"The Annotated Hobbit" by Douglas A. Anderson. It's my favorite
because one can enjoy both the story and the easy access to additional
information. Hammond/Scull's "A Reader's Companion" is also
outstanding, but, of course, one must flip back and forth between the
two texts.

>What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:

Tolkien inspired my love of fantasy and science-fiction. I probably
never would have read such authors as Gordon R. Dickson, Tad Williams,
Alfred Bester, Isaac Asimov, Robert Silverberg, Robert Sheckley, Roger
Zelazny or Jules Verne otherwise. I once sought out authors in these
genres, but it took me years to learn to appreciate each on his or her
own merit rather than compare them to Tolkien.

>What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

George R.R. Martin and Tad Williams are the only two fantasy authors
whose work I have read recently. I have not had time to read much
fiction, but hopefully, I will be able to check out a few new authors
soon.

>Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:

I have never seen any movie in its entirety, although I have seen
snippets of the animated Hobbit. I did eagerly pick up a screenplay
of Bashiki's version of the Fellowship of the Ring, but found it so
disappointing that I have avoided all such illustrations and
depictions ever since.

I refused to watch any of the movies by Peter Jackson because I
believed that he was exploiting the love, labor and time that Tolkien
poured into The Lord of the Rings for his own profit. I have too much
love and respect for Tolkien to participate in such pillage.

>Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
>Chaos and Strife?

I am proud to boast that not only am I a foe of TEUNC. I am perhaps
the enemy that TEUNC hates and fears more than any other. But for my
vigilance, the darkness, maybe, would already be upon you. ^_^

>Notes:

Join the Dead Thread Faction today!

What is the Dead Thread Faction? We are a collection of elitist,
arrogant snobs who contribute to any thread whenever we feel
like it. We will answer any post anywhere we want any time we want
and in any way we want!

We actually do have a couple of guidelines that we observe when
resurrecting threads, however: We consider it tasteless, tacky and
tawdry to resurrect an old flame war and we also discourage
resurrecting a political discussion (unless an old post or discussion
is actually germane to a current discussion.)

How can you join the Dead Thread Faction? It could not be easier: All
you need to do is resurrect an old thread--preferably a year or two or
older--and affirm that J.R.R. Tolkien is _the_ greatest writer ever.

Morgoth's Curse
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

In article <Xns9A1E82E8DEACAT.Forch RemoveThis @147.243.37.18>,
Troels Forchhammer <Troels RemoveThis @ThisIsFake.invalid> wrote:

> I'd like to <whatever ordinal number we're at> that, but I'm honest
> enough with myself to realize that had PJ's films not been based on
> LotR -- or had I not been as keenly interested in LotR as I am -- I
> would probably have thought them the best sword-and-sorcerer fantasy
> films ever made.
I think you are right, I went to the first with a good friend of mine, I
was pretty much unimpressed from the start, and he thought it was an ok
movie although hee too had read te book, needless to say we had a very
nice deep argument/discussion about it afterwards.

A year later we went to part 2, and while he went in with still a
positive view, he came out almost as apalled as me ....

It is a movie, probably a good movie, but ... and I can't repeat this
enough ... it's IMHO not a good representation of the characters in the
book (far from it), and as an Tolkien 'fan' I just can't bring me to
endure the movies again .... :s

> It is unlikely that the project will not be attempted again in my
> lifetime (though it is not unlikely that the next project will be a
> TV miniseries) and so I do ask myself what would be necessary to
> remedy the adaption enough not to alienate those of us who attempt to
> understand the author himself as much as our own perception of his
> books.
I guess that is the main part of my disappointment, knowing they came so
close to a good interpretation, (the art direction) and then screwing it
up with almost all te main characters, heck, I just disliked Merry and
Pippin as they are in the movie ... .

And that about the hobbit's in the following scene:
"So that is the king of Rohan!" said Pippin in an undertone
"A fine old fellow, Very polite".

(and that is btw not something anyone would say about the 'Theoden'
from the movies )

<big snip>

Hmm, the resident shield maiden just told me that banging my cup on her
good table is not a good idea, she very much dislikes all the dents.
But otherwise I would do a repeat performance as I wholeheartedly agree
with you.

Someone accused me of hating Peter Jackson, I don't hate him, I just
dislike what he did, and feel truly sorry for all those that only will
read the books after seeing tthe moveies, not being able to visualize
their own image about what Middle Earth is ... they won't see a Gimli or
a Merry and Pippin .. or even a Denethor as I see them, I'm afraid no
one can ever feel sorry for Denthor after seeing him in the movies first
.... which is a greatt pitty IMHO.
(well, now that I come to think of it,, I used to dislike Denethor when
I read the books for the first few times ...it's only after re-reading
that you get to see the total desperation the poor soul must have felt,
and too see the pitty it is that if it wasn't for his pride he could
have survived ....)

> Oh dear! I do think I'd prefer the sharpness of my tongue . . .

Hmm, people accuse me of having a sharper tongue than the edge of my
favourite battle axe .... So using the axe is being gentle
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On 2008-01-01 23:26:54 -0500, Morgoth's Curse
<morgothscurse2002 RemoveThis @nospam.yahoo.com> said:

> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):

Tom Hook
>
> Gender:

Male
>
> Age:

Born March 4, 1948
>
> Nationality:

Born in the USA
>
> Posting since:

2006 but mostly have been a lurker and regrettably even once or twice a flamer.
>
> Heroes:

When I was a child, Willie Mays, when I was a teenager, John Lennon.
Since then, none that come to mind.
>
> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

Bird watching; photography; watching NFL football and ML baseball;
volunteering for our town's Land Trust (I'm the steward for the 10
acres of wetlands in our backyard which is immensely satisfying to me.
They are private and pristine and we aim to keep them that way);
serving as a board member of the local Pomperaug River Watershed
Coalition (the science is cutting edge and I'm learning a lot about
hydrology, geology and habitat preservation - check out the website:
pomperaug.org); serving on my town's commission for economic
development (smart growth please); watching movies and television;
computing; reading; travelling; and enjoying the company of family and
friends.
>
> What do you dislike?:

Losing my balance
>
> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

I saw the first movie by Peter Jackson and subsequently read the Lord
of the Rings.
>
> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:

Most of them including much of the HOME. LOTR is my favorite of course
but the long poems in HOME volume 2 and 3 were terrific.
>
> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:

Bilbo, Tom Bombadil, Luthien (or maybe Glaurung)
>
> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:

Lorien
>
> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):

Turin (he needed all the help he could get)
>
> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:

No
>
> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:

No
>
> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):

He has enhanced my sense of wonder and magic that is in the world and
that has to affect my moral choices. Were I to try to be more specific,
that bubble might burst. It seems better not to over-think it but
simply to count his influence as a blessing.

> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

Of course
>
> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:

No
>
> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:

Scull and Hammond's companions and guides and Foster's "Tolkien's World
from A to Z"
>
> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:

None other than critical commentators of Tolkien and his work such as
Shippey, Fleiger and many others. I submerged myself in all things
Tolkien for a couple of years to catch up as best I could, but I always
seem to come back to reading the master himself.
>
> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

Currently I am reading "Mountain Light" by Galen Rowell, "The Death of
Common Sense" by Philip Howard (a school classmate of mine at one time)
and "The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior". In the queue are
Philip Roth's newest novel, "Exit Ghost", book two of the Complete
Calvin and Hobbes, the 1961-1962 volume of the Complete Peanuts, and
the autobiography of Eric Clapton (my wife has to finish that one
first). Coming in the mail is Tom Shippey's "Roots and Branches".
>
> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:

Yes for the most part.
>
>
> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife?

I know very little about TEUNC, but it's always better to be a friend than foe.
>
>
> Notes:
>
>
> * As modified, edited, revised and mangled by Morgoth's Curse. I
> omitted any reference to contact information due to concerns about
> Internet security and privacy, but feel free to include that
> information in "Notes" if you wish.
>
>
> Morgoth's Curse
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Derek Broughton wrote:

>> I regret to inform you that David Day is not considered a legitimate
>> reference. No less an authority than Christopher Tolkien has
>> condemned David Day for his inventions and distortions.
>
> Sure, but we've all condemned CT for his inventions and distortions at
> times... I have a copy of it, and quite like it.

Not really. His were *authorized* inventions and distortions, as we was
carrying out his father's request to finish up the Silmarillion. And
his principal critic was himself. I think most of us think he did quite
a good job.


-- FotW

Reality is for those who cannot cope with Middle-earth.
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Flame of the West wrote:

> Derek Broughton wrote:
>
>>> I regret to inform you that David Day is not considered a legitimate
>>> reference. No less an authority than Christopher Tolkien has
>>> condemned David Day for his inventions and distortions.
>>
>> Sure, but we've all condemned CT for his inventions and distortions at
>> times... I have a copy of it, and quite like it.
>
> Not really. His were *authorized* inventions and distortions, as we was
> carrying out his father's request to finish up the Silmarillion. And
> his principal critic was himself. I think most of us think he did quite
> a good job.

So do I, but that doesn't alter the fact that there probably isn't a poster
here who doesn't feel that at least once CT invented or distorted. In
fact, I doubt CT would disagree. Many (not all) of the inventions were
probably necessary, the distortions perhaps less so.

I don't consider Day's /Tolkien Bestiary/ a great work, but it's pretty
I mostly responded because I find "not ... a legitimate reference" a cheap
shot at the poster for not owning what Curse would consider a legitimate
reference.

fwiw, my favorite reference is the complete boxed set of Jackson's movies.
Take that...
--
derek
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On Jan 12, 1:38 am, Flame of the West
<SPAM_ME_NOT_jsoli....RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote:
> Derek Broughton wrote:
> >> I regret to inform you that David Day is not considered a legitimate
> >> reference.  No less an authority than Christopher Tolkien has
> >> condemned David Day for his inventions and distortions.
>
> > Sure, but we've all condemned CT for his inventions and distortions at
> > times...  I have a copy of it, and quite like it.
>
> Not really.  His were *authorized* inventions and distortions, as we was
> carrying out his father's request to finish up the Silmarillion.  And
> his principal critic was himself.  I think most of us think he did quite
> a good job.

But were they really authorized, and if so, was the authorization
voluntary? FATS has uncovered overwhelming evidence that Christopher
forced Tolkien to alter his works in many places, and, after his
death, forged much of the material that conventional Tolkien studies
still attribute to Tolkien.
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Morgoth's Curse happily swam across a river of CHOKLIT:
> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):

Ermanna the Lady of Imladris.

> Gender:

Female.

> Age:

Young adult.

> Nationality:

United States of America.

> Posting since:

1999, 2000, sometime around then.

> Heroes:
>
> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

I read, crochet (mostly thread but some yarn), and embroider.

> What do you dislike?:

Bad writing.

> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

I was raised watching the cartoons, and I wanted to read them when I
realized they were books.

> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:

The Hobbit, Lord of the Ring, and some short stories. Lord of the Ring.

> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:

Bilbo. I don't know. Finrod.

> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:
>
> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):
>
> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:
>
> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:
>
> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):
>
> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

Yes.

> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:
>
> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:
>
> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:

He led me a taste for myth-inspired stories, although I enjoy fantsy in
general.

> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

Jane Austen, Patricia Wrede, Patricia McKillip, Diana Winne Jones...

> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:

I rather enjoyed the first one, hated the second and third.

> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife?

I am a member.
<shnip>

Ermanna the Lady of Imladris

You can never become whole unless you embrace the weirdness in
yourself. Celaeno
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Morgoth's Curse wrote:
> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):

Andy Cooke

> Gender:

Male

> Age:

34

> Nationality:

British

> Posting since:

rabt: 2001
aft: 2002
(with a prolonged absence from about 2004)

> Heroes:

Quite a good TV series. Prefer Battlestar Galactica.

> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

Space, skydiving, fencing, political discussions, messing around on the Web

> What do you dislike?:

Being awoken at three in the morning by a screaming child. Again and
again. No more kids for me ...

> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

Through my eldest sister, when I was about 11

> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:

JRRT: LoTR, Hobbit, Farmer Giles, On fairy Tales, Leaf By Niggle
(CRT: Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, HoME (all 12), Children of Hurin)

Favourite story: Hard to say. It varies.

> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:

Hobbit: Gandalf
LoTR: Faramir
Silmarillion: Finrod

> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:

Numenor (in the early days). Eregion (at its height). Rivendell.

> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):

Finrod Felagund

> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:

Kind of, but not with any real dedication.


> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:

Nope

> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):

I think so, but I can't recall specific examples. I seem to recall
quoting him at some important times ...

> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

Yes and have.

> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:

Nope


> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:

HoME X, XI or XII

> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:

Directly? None.

> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

George RR Martin, Naomi Novik, C S Friedman, Lois Bujold, Peter
Hamilton, Mike Scott Rohan, Dave Duncan, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Mike
Resnick, J K Rowling, Neal Stephenson, Terry Pratchett, Stephen Brust,
among others.

> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:
>

Hmm - the first one. I could enjoy the depictions and blank out the
characterisation and plot issues. Then around Movie II it just
overwhelmed me.

> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife?
>

I am both fiend and froe.

--
Andy Cooke
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Derek Broughton kirjoitti:

> fwiw, my favorite reference is the complete boxed set of Jackson's movies.
> Take that...

The Truth has never been wrapped to a prettier package...

M.
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:09:05 -0400, Derek Broughton
<news DeleteThis @pointerstop.ca> wrote:


>> Not really. His were *authorized* inventions and distortions, as we was
>> carrying out his father's request to finish up the Silmarillion. And
>> his principal critic was himself. I think most of us think he did quite
>> a good job.
>
>So do I, but that doesn't alter the fact that there probably isn't a poster
>here who doesn't feel that at least once CT invented or distorted. In
>fact, I doubt CT would disagree. Many (not all) of the inventions were
>probably necessary, the distortions perhaps less so.

The difference is that Christopher Tolkien has acknowledged his errors
and inventions and, moreover, his mistakes were made in pursuit of a
worthy cause--assembling the Silmarillion from an incredibly diverse
collection of incomplete stories, poems, and notes so that it could be
published as his father wished. David Day's inventions and errors,
however, were made so that he could financially profit from (i.e
exploit) the time, labor and love that Tolkien put into his own works.
>
>I don't consider Day's /Tolkien Bestiary/ a great work, but it's pretty
>I mostly responded because I find "not ... a legitimate reference" a cheap
>shot at the poster for not owning what Curse would consider a legitimate
>reference.

You were mistaken. I merely pointed out that David Day is not
considered a legitimate reference by Tolkien fans in case the OP was
unaware of it. I remind you that I grew up in Illinois. When I bite,
sir, you will definitely feel my fangs.

>fwiw, my favorite reference is the complete boxed set of Jackson's movies.
>Take that...

Oh? It is rather odd that I can't find any mention of Gimli trying to
destroy the Ring at the Council of Elrond or the words "Nobody tosses
a dwarf!" in my copy of the Lord of the Rings.

Morgoth's Curse
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On Jan 13, 12:22 pm, Morambar <moram....DeleteThis@fats.teunc.org> wrote:
> Morgoth's Curse kirjoitti:
>
> > On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:09:05 -0400, Derek Broughton
> > <n....DeleteThis@pointerstop.ca> wrote:
> >>fwiw, my favorite reference is the complete boxed set of Jackson's movies.
> >>Take that...
>
> > Oh?  It is rather odd that I can't find any mention of Gimli trying to
> > destroy the Ring at the Council of Elrond or the words "Nobody tosses
> > a dwarf!" in my copy of the Lord of the Rings.
>
> They are the Truth Tolkien wanted to declare, nevertheless!
>
> M.

^M^

Truly, Great One, they are truth! Except for the bits that Philippa
Boyen and Fran Whatsit put in to advance their filthy crypto-
Christopherite agenda. But they failed, and tremble before Thy might.

It's amazing how ineradicable are the prejudices of the
Christopherites. Wilfully blind are they, but truly Thou hast
condemned them to spend eternity in a bad fanfic.
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008