The One Ring Forums: Off Topic: Off Topic:
South African Tolkien fans say hi



BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 7:44am


Views: 782
South African Tolkien fans say hi

Hello to all the Ringers!
My name is Jennifer. For my twelfth birthday I received a little book from my aunt. It was called The Hobbit. She said it was a book a bit like The Lord of the Rings. I was afraid – my childhood fear was Gollum, so I put it aside for a month or two. One day, out of sheer curiosity I took it with me to school, and started to read it.
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.
That one sentence had me hooked. I finished the book in two days. When I came home the second day, I ran around the house to find my mother’s LoTR DVDs, which I finished in one night.
The next morning my aunt visited. I raved about everything Tolkien to her. She grinned, knowing she had created a Tolkien geek. Since then, we’ve baked lembas bread and seed cake, cried buckets of tears during marathons, played out scenes with legos and planned our costumes for the Hobbit.(Not many people have such shiny aunts) I’ve also been to New Zealand – I’ve done everything from swinging a replica of Anduril on Mt. Sunday to correcting a guide at Hobbiton’s set.
In South Africa there aren’t many Tolkien fans. I think that if there are any, we’re the luckiest fans on earth since The Professor was born here. We’re just looking for some way to contact other fans in South Africa – I’ve already asked at my Comic Book store – it seems that Ringers are non-existent here. They don’t know any except us.
And thanks for a wonderfully informative site – I love TORN and have been using it since the beginning. I’m only fifteen and still a bit of a newbie. So if I say something really stupid or make a mistake on the message boards, please correct me.
Farewell, wherever you fare till your eyries receive you at the journey's end!


Thorins_apprentice
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 7:50am


Views: 667
That's great

your auntie got you into Tolkien.It's such an expansive world that so many people can express themselves in so many different ways such as you listed here.I hope the best for you and your family.WinkWhat may i ask were you into before.??? Twilight,Narnia or HPotter.lol

We are more connected than ever before, more able to spread our ideas and beliefs, our anger and fears. As we exercise the right to advocate our views, and as we animate our supporters, we must all assume responsibility for our words and actions before they enter a vast echo chamber and reach those both serious and delirious, connected and unhinged.



(This post was edited by Thorins_apprentice on Nov 3 2012, 7:51am)


BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 7:56am


Views: 648
Thanks a lot

 

I dislike Twilight.(and vampires in general). I like Harry Potter, but I'm not obsessed with it. I wasn't into reading or anything before - just video games. Tolkien was a gateway for me. Now I love fantasy and Sci-fi in general.


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Nov 3 2012, 7:58am


Views: 656
Welcome to TORN, BoromirOfWinterfell!

Your aunt sounds like a wonderful lady. :)

How are you with Gollum now?

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 8:01am


Views: 637
I love Gollum

My aunt is a really wonderful person.
I adore Gollum now. He's one of my favourite characters. I used to think he was hiding in the trash can.


Frodo_of_the_Wall
The Shire

Nov 3 2012, 8:02am


Views: 666
Jennifer's aunt checking in

Hello fellow TORNers.
Let's just say that one of the things I have done that I'm proudest of is introducing her to Middle Earth. So many hours of fun, anticipation, speculation and happiness.
Wondering whether the LOTR trilogy would be all the viewing pleasure we would have and then the happy day when I could phone her and tell her what I just read here: GREENLIGHT!!!
We were yelling and giggling while the rest of the family were looking at us strangely....
Hours of discussing dwarf castings, dissecting each video blog, each trailer. Singing the Misty Mountains song at the top of our lungs when we visit. (We reserve singing the Ballad of Bilbo Baggins to times when we want to annoy people) Tongue
So years of bonding over geekiness is finally going to culminate in watching An Unexpected Journey together on the 14th of December.
Only - we are still a little concerned: our local cinema franchise has not even mentioned it ANYWHEREUnsure
And yet we remain hopeful that all the Tolkien fans will climb out of the woodwork and make it an event to remember.
But if not - even if we are the only people at the movie theater dressed up, even if we get funny looks - we will be enjoying it with the enthusiasm of the hobbits and the gusto of the dwarves!


BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 8:07am


Views: 637
The soppiness burnssss us precious...

Thanks for such a warm welcome - everyone on TORN is really kind!


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Nov 3 2012, 8:08am


Views: 633
Book suggestions:

If you're interested in taking some suggestions from SF fans, may I suggest Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card? He manages to hang some interesting SF off a riveting story.

Other SF books to look at are Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm (the best book on cloning that I have come across), and A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M Miller Jnr (skip the sequel). Fahreinheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (future distopia) is also worth looking at.

For fantasy, try Temeraire by Naomi Novak, Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey, Sorcerer's Moon by Julian May and Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings (which will start you on a 10-book series).

Good luck with your reading!

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Nov 3 2012, 8:11am


Views: 635
*pins geek star on Frodo of the Wall*

That's for bringing another person into the Tolkien fold. :)


In Reply To
We were yelling and giggling while the rest of the family were looking at us strangely....



They don't know what they're missing! Cool

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 8:11am


Views: 633
Thanks. Will do!

I'll look at your suggestions. I have read Ender's Game - actually, I finished Speaker for the Dead recently. Brilliant series.


Cave Troll
Rivendell

Nov 3 2012, 8:43am


Views: 647
I'm South African too...

You are not alone. Smile

Although I'm probably close to twice your age. Frown


BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 9:23am


Views: 617
That's great!

Where do you live, if I may ask?


DanielLB
Immortal


Nov 3 2012, 9:28am


Views: 603
Welcome to TORn! :-) /

 

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Starling
Half-elven


Nov 3 2012, 9:30am


Views: 635
I want someone to compile

a map-graphic-thingee, that shows where we all live. I would do it, but I am far too...lazy. Laugh

Oh, and welcome to the newbies! It's always good to see some new faces around here.


DanielLB
Immortal


Nov 3 2012, 9:46am


Views: 612
This is a great idea!

I'll do some googling to see how easily it could be done.Smile

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BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 10:03am


Views: 623
Thanks for the welcome!

 


Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Nov 3 2012, 10:22am


Views: 603
There used to be something like that

but it was years ago. It would be fun to have another TORNsib map. :-)

Silverlode






Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Nov 3 2012, 10:24am


Views: 613
Welcome both of you!

I'm glad you decided to start posting here. There are plenty of people here who don't have Tolkien fans around them so they come here to hang out. You're in good company. Cool

Silverlode






DanielLB
Immortal


Nov 3 2012, 10:33am


Views: 641
I could put something together quite quickly

If people gave me there long/lat (or nearest city/town/village). I use a mapping programme regularly for my PhD. It's easy to make, but not interactive.

Smile

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BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 1:01pm


Views: 604
Sounds like a plan!

Mine's Pretoria, South Africa.


Sunflower
Valinor

Nov 3 2012, 2:57pm


Views: 583
Mae Govannen!

Welcome to TORN! Hey, you never know when or where we Tolkien geeks will pop up--and we're ready to take over the world again, and it's high time I say!
That's fantastic that the 2 of you--well, 3 of you-- found each other, now you can try to start a Line Party at the theater of your choice! We're all doing that. I think if you found a way to advertise it, at a theater or something, other SA fans might come out of the woodwork--I'm sure they're there!
And don't feel bad about not seeming to have a fandom--one of our mods, Earl, is from India--and not one of the big cities like Mumbai or Chennai, either--so talk about being alone fandom-wise!

I'm really surprised that SA didn't get more attention after the LOTR movie phenom. I wonder if there is a momument or anything in Blomfontein (I know I'm horribly mis-spelling it, so excuse meTongue) I know he lived there only a few yrs of his childhood, but IMO that's worthy of attention!

I hope you stay and hang out here on the board, both of you, and may the starts shine on the end of your road!


(This post was edited by Sunflower on Nov 3 2012, 3:00pm)


Magpie
Immortal


Nov 3 2012, 3:19pm


Views: 575
the only thing is...

with this approach, everyone has to give you info and you have to manage it. Lots of work... and you're going to be away from the net for awhile. :-)

There has to be ways to do this so that everyone manages their own info. The line party map is created with Google. There must be some capability for this through Google Maps.

I will suggest that, if you (or anyone else), tries this that they name the map to reflect it's mapping message board members or invite all users of TORn to place a pin.

Remember there are TORnfolk who use Barlimans, The Fellowship, or merely read news articles or use some other aspect of TORn.


LOTR soundtrack website ~ magpie avatar gallery
TORn History Mathom-house ~ Torn Image Posting Guide

(This post was edited by Magpie on Nov 3 2012, 3:25pm)


BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 3 2012, 3:36pm


Views: 592
Thanks

Hehe. It's Bloemfontein, but your spelling was close enough.Smile

Actually, our main aim was organising a line party. The only problem is location.


Annael
Immortal


Nov 3 2012, 4:34pm


Views: 565
I have to add

The Wizard of Earthsea series by Ursula LeGuin.

The way we imagine our lives is the way we are going to go on living our lives.

- James Hillman, Healing Fiction

* * * * * * * * * *

NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967


grammaboodawg
Immortal


Nov 3 2012, 4:44pm


Views: 574
Howdy and Welcome!!

Wow! I couldn't stop smiling through your whole message! AWESOME!!

I think you'll be surprised how many Tolkien-lovers you'll discover in your area. We really do come out of the woodwork!

It's so great to have you here when EVERYTHING is getting so exciting!!!

CHEERS!



sample

I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.



TORn's Observations Lists
Unused Scenes



DanielLB
Immortal


Nov 3 2012, 5:14pm


Views: 105
I agree, and like the idea

Long ago when I ran a website, I had a little widget thing that placed a marker of visitors the site. I think we want something like that?

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dernwyn
Forum Admin / Moderator


Nov 4 2012, 2:29am


Views: 100
Greetings!

What fun, to be able to act geeky with someone in your own family! Cool And you've "brought out" another South African fan, also - hopefully more will make themselves known!

Have you ever visited Bloemfontein, and tried to locate Tolkien's home? Smile


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I desired dragons with a profound desire"






BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 4 2012, 7:03am


Views: 84
Er...

Thanks.

Actually, my aunt lives about one and a half hours from Bloemfontein. I can't believe we've never tried to go there. We've both been to Bloemfontein, but never to Tolkien's house. Blush
I think I'll call my her RIGHT now...


BoromirOfWinterfell
Rohan

Nov 4 2012, 7:12am


Views: 104
The people on ToRN are so nice!

 
Thanks!
As I said, I've asked the owner of a comic book store if he knew any Ringers. None, it seems.
My pencil case is covered in dwarves, and I sing The Misty Mountains song at the top of my lungs - so far, I've met no fans.
Hmm...maybe they're too scared of me.


DanielLB
Immortal


Nov 4 2012, 8:29am


Views: 118
I have family there too!

Maybe I should save my pennies to visit as well!Smile

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Sam20
Lorien

Nov 5 2012, 5:47pm


Views: 120
Welcome!

Very interesting presentation and it's nice that you found your way up to TheOnering.net! I like to think that there is Tolkien's fans around the world and that his works reach all kind of cultures. Alas that there isn't many fans where you live in South Africa but carry on talking about it and suggesting the books to your friends and relatives for there might be potential fans close to you waiting to discover Middle-Earth.

Have a nice day.


(This post was edited by sam90 on Nov 5 2012, 5:49pm)