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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 30, 5:51pm
Post #1 of 18
(241 views)
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It's Friday, so let's Fiesta!
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Greetings, everyone!
Whew! A bit of a wait to get into Fiesta today, even though the boards had a window of relative speed yesterday.
My week has been one of rest and recovery. I had two wisdom teeth removed Tuesday, top and bottom right. The bottom one was impacted and, after decades, decided to start moving and crowding my other teeth. The surgeon I went to has a stellar reputation and I was so impressed with him and his team. I've been following instructions to rest for a few days and am feeling great today. I have to keep reminding myself: only 'moderate' activity for the next few days.
How about you? How has your week been treating you? Fun weekend plans? The bar is stocked with coffee for cold-climate folks (and triple espressos for the boards, lol), and the blenders are whirring for those in warmer climates. The buffet is full of soups, milk shakes, and pudding (for me), and more solid sandwiches and BBQ for everyone else. So, grab a glass and a plate and let us know how life is treating you!
*puts quarters on juke box* play us something to relax by, and have a fabulous weekend!!   
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jan 30, 6:23pm
Post #2 of 18
(231 views)
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*pushes past door-blocking 'bots* Made it!
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Greetings from snow-filled New England!
I and everyone else here cannot thank you enough, Altaira, for researching and arranging a new "home" for these Boards. We'll lose threaded mode (*sigh*), but retaining all our posts is amazing and wonderful.
I'll have a large mug of mocha coffee, please, Altaira, and that looks like some very hearty chicken veggie soup you've got here, I'll get myself a big bowlful!  Having two of those very un-wisdomlike teeth pulled from the same side at once is a good way to do it, did you feel/look like a chipmunk at first, with any swelling?
Last weekend's storm left us with 11.5in/30 cm of snow. Fortunately it was light and fluffy; son and I went outside at 4:00 p.m. when the snowfall had abated a bit but it was still daylight, and he got the worst of it plowed out so the next morning there was only 3-4 more inches to remove.
Bitterly cold here today, down near 5F/-15C. I've been giving our local birds lots of high-fat feed. I understand that Australia is having a super heat wave - would love to pump some of this cold air down to them.
My daughters are coming here this week, they have an "alumni concert" next Friday at their high school. So I'm doing a thorough cleanup of their rooms, it's horrifying where dust will accumulate!
Ralph Vaughn Williams composed some of my favorite relax-to music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2JlDnT2l8
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 30, 7:48pm
Post #3 of 18
(228 views)
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My, it's c-c-c-old there! Your sending warm weather to Australia got as far as Colorado though, lol. We'll have a high of 50 f (10 C) today and a pleasant weekend of 60 f (15.5 C). So, thanks! 
Oh yes, I still look somewhat like a chipmunk on my right side, but the swelling should be completely gone by the end of the weekend.
How fun to have the girls come for a visit. Is it just for the weekend?
Thanks for the nice, relaxing music choice. I shall enjoy it immensely.
Have a great weekend!!
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jan 31, 12:00am
Post #4 of 18
(226 views)
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Here on Thursday, flying back Sunday. We'll do as much as we can together while they're here.
Enjoy the pleasant temps, it must feel like Springtime out there!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Lissuin
Doriath
Jan 31, 12:22am
Post #5 of 18
(229 views)
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Happy Friday or Saturday, All.
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I've nothing to report on a personal front, except for the fun I'm having seeing the LOTR films on a huge theatre screen again. I'll take a flat white if you've got one, thanks, Altaira. And I'd like to know when you found time to make food and drink, woman!
Last week two friends and I were pleasantly surprised to see Sir Peter larger than life in an introductory video to FOTR and as enthusiastic about his films as ever. (Today I saw on the TORn Home page that it was announced, but I missed that. ) So, two more videos to look forward to! Mr. Jackson mentioned that when approached about the idea of releasing the films again he wondered if anyone would be interested 25 years later. Ha! The Embassy Cinema in Wellington was full but for, literally, a handful of seats. He said a 25-year old friend told him that he had never had the chance to see the films on a big screen and would really like to. Judging from the audience here, which must have been 70-80% of that same age group, that demographic - probably thanks to enthusiastic elders - have been watching it on their tv screens and were all looking forward to the original experience. I, one of those elders, certainly was! I noticed details missed in however many viewings I've done in my living room. When you're six rows from a gigantic screen, they're hard to miss.
This post is in lieu of starting a new thread under the LOTR forum. We will have tons of things to catch up on in time, thanks to the efforts of you here working tirelessly on our behalf. Those efforts are very much appreciated, thank you. I miss the Tornfolk sense of humour and humanity Professor Tolkien's work attracts.
Cheerio!
Liss
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Altaira
Superuser
Jan 31, 4:24pm
Post #6 of 18
(222 views)
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What a great experience you had viewing FOTR. Indeed, many people alive today, like my 22 year-old nice and nephew, never saw the films on the big screen. They should do this more often!
Nice to know they left in all the little details that one notices in multiple viewings - even the blooper-y ones. It's part of their charm.
Here's a flat white to-go. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 1, 4:08pm
Post #7 of 18
(221 views)
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*kicks open door... w/love & relief* :)
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WOW! Oh Pat, I'm so sorry you've had such a painful oral ordeal :( And to be impacted on top of everything!
Now I triple-thank you for your help in trying to get me back into TORn! *bows deeply* Our wonderful hostess and guardian got a frantic call from me when I was locked out of TORn and my password (and variations) wouldn't work AND my email address used when I found TORn wasn't available to me anymore. THEN... true to this fantasy/wizardly world we live in, the password suddenly worked this morning (Sunday)! GO FIGURE! Our fearless leader tried for hours to get the site to cooperate so she could help fix my fiasco, but the slow site was fighting her. What a weirdness for it to suddenly work!
Anyway...I'm really thirsty now! I'll grab a hot chocolate and some of these wonderful goodies to set things right-er! :D
This week is going to have a lot of travel as we prep for my daughter's ankle surgery next week. Lots of doctor stuff and arranging now that they're talking about a couple of weeks in a rehab facility to make sure everything gets mended right. So I'll be making several trips during that time to tend to her 2 cats and make sure all is well at the house. I thought about bringing the cats here for about 2 1/2 seconds knowing my critters and hers would all be traumatized. So it's easier to do the runs :)
I missed the bad storms that have moved across most of the country and state. Just dealing with the bone-crushing cold averaging -5 below all week (worse day -20 wind chill). That is all supposed to be easing up during this coming week as we moved into the 20s f with very little snow. Thank Goodness no hazardous roads to tackle :)
Have a GREAT weekend and week everyone! And thanks again for taking such good care of us (me :) Altaira! GET SOME REST!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 1, 5:52pm
Post #8 of 18
(218 views)
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Hear, Hear on thanking Altaira on her massive Quest to finding us a new home :D There must be a kazillion pitfalls to maneuver along the way! Definitely not an easy lift!
I wondered how you were enduring that massive snowfall! I'm so glad you're son is there to help with "the dig". I'm like you that I try to take the long falls in shorter shifts. Thank Goodness the snow was not packed. For my drives over the past couple of weeks, that light snow blows like crazy causing white outs and massive drifts across the roads. Sweet hobbity was up to her headlights in the intermittent drifts caused when driving past open farm fields. Nothing to break the straight-wind snowblows ;)
I love how you think of sending our cooler air down to our warmer sibbies for relief instead of wishing for the other way around. Always thinking of others first :) *high five*
Watch out for that cold! And I hope the weather behaves for you during your daughters' visits. So Fun! Have a great and safe time!
We have been there and back again.
TIME Google Calendar
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 1, 8:58pm
Post #9 of 18
(216 views)
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Nothin' like the reel thing! :D
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I am SO looking forward to hanging out in Middle-earth again!! I've already got my ticket (#001). I'll definitely be interested in what kind of audience there is at my theater. I almost didn't make it to any of the shows with all the running around I've been doing and bad weather! *PANIC ATTACK!!*
My 26yo g'son is stoked about this! He was a toddler when they were originally released. He's my LotR buddy and I've just told him I was thinking I'd better start clearing out some of my treasures unless he'd like to have them. It got real quiet on the phone, and I thought, "Uh oh. Put 'im on the spot." Let's just say he'll be getting all of my collection. Most of it over the next year or so. I guess he was staggered cuz he knew he was getting the books a some figures/environs; but never expected this. He's thrilled!! He laughed saying that his apt is too small Silly... it's here when you're ready and EVERYONE will know where it's going if my ship is ready to sail.
Seeing it at the Embassy is so perfect! I saw Goonies there in 2010 and Casablanca in 2018 *winkie, wink*. BOTH films were richer and more captivating at that very special place. Are any of the seats still labeled with fan/cast/film makers' names? I heard they were going to phase those out over the years. *sigh* I'm still homesick for NZ.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and week :D
We have been there and back again.
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Lissuin
Doriath
Feb 1, 11:31pm
Post #10 of 18
(215 views)
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You know, I did not notice if there were names on the seats. I'll check next Sunday. Otherwise it all looks the same. They'd closed off the barista cafe upstairs with curtains, so I don't know if something permanent is happening there or if it was just for these showings. There was plenty of food and drink in any case. Hobbits!
A great thing about the Embassy is walking out the front doors and remembering all the other fun events that have happened on Courtney Place. The Avatar 3 premier parade was just a few weeks ago!
Casablanca! Now that was a night to remember! That was also a fun one to see on the silver screen after tv viewings as a kid. Remembering that day, I guess I really can understand how these younger fans have felt watching LOTR at the Embassy in 2026. Honestly, I had a very weird night's disturbed non-sleep last night after re-living Helm's Deep from row 6! 
Enjoy your own big screen viewing, Gramma! It was made for you!
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 2, 3:21pm
Post #11 of 18
(210 views)
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I tried to walk from where I was staying at the Quest Lambton Quay to Courtney Place just over a mile away (several blocks) every day. I was enchanted by the film camera tripod by WETA across the street from the Embassy!! There was a wonderful 2nd-hand store converted from one of the older stores in 2010. Two floors of packed racks and shelves of treasures!!! Sadly, it wasn't there when I returned in 2018.
I'll warm myself with all of my NZ memories :D
We have been there and back again.
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(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Feb 2, 3:25pm)
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cats16
Gondolin
Feb 2, 9:33pm
Post #12 of 18
(208 views)
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I'm having some better luck on the boards today, so wanted to pop in and say hi. Exciting to see the upcoming forum changes in the works. I know change is always scary, but am excited for a smoother experience for both longtime and new members and hope it jumpstarts more conversations once again.
This past weekend we wrapped up dog sitting for a relative, after staying at their place for about one week. The dogs are fun but do freak out if you're coming/going a lot, so I ended up having a bit of cabin fever being the one who stayed at home with them most of the week. So I'm very glad to be back in the usual routine at home!
I'm so spoiled saying this, but SoCal is having an abnormally warm couple of weeks...upwards of 80F. To my east coast friends, I apologize! It feels very spring-like, which means it's going to be bittersweet when more winter-like weather returns.
Like Lissuin, we also got to watch LOTR again in theaters a couple of weeks ago. Aside from a couple of nearby folks whose constant whispers drove me nuts during FOTR, we had a great time.
Wishing everyone a warm(er) week!
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Feb 3, 1:13am
Post #13 of 18
(205 views)
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What a time you had, getting here - yes, we're all looking forward to the new Boards!
It's a good thing that Hobbity is in great shape for helping you run all over the place, gramma, that's a lot of travel. Here's prayers that the surgery goes well and she's out of rehab as soon as possible!
Brrr, I can imagine Pickle staying outside only as long as absolutely necessary for him, that's the kind of cold that freezes soap bubbles! Warm hugs for all the furry friends!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Feb 3, 1:25am
Post #14 of 18
(204 views)
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What a wonderful experience, and I'm so glad to hear that many are being able to watch the films the best way - on the big screen!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Feb 3, 1:35am
Post #15 of 18
(204 views)
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*gets out looong duct and large fan*
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Hm, how many miles of this duct do I need to reach from here to you so I can send some of this free A/C your way?
What kinds of dogs were they, that you were being surrogate humans for?
That's right, you'd seen the Trilogy again in full glory! There's so many details you can pick up on, on the big screen, that are hard to notice on a TV screen. It's a great experience.
Keep cool, would love to box up some of this snow for you!
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Altaira
Superuser
Feb 4, 2:44pm
Post #16 of 18
(192 views)
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So glad I could help, especially given everything else you have going on. I hope it gets warmer there for your next round of errands!
Hugs
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Feb 5, 2:12pm
Post #17 of 18
(152 views)
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How cool of you to help out and baby sit ;) BUT there is quite an adjustment for all y'all!
AND I'm glad the weather is holding up for you. Those hard rainfalls are scary on fire-damaged hills. CHEERS!
We have been there and back again.
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Lissuin
Doriath
Feb 27, 11:13pm
Post #18 of 18
(25 views)
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Yes, gramma, the Embassy Theatre still has names on seats.
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It took a while to get back to you, but I can confirm that the names of donors are still on seats in the theatre. My two friends and I had a family of donors to thank for our comfortable evenings of LOTR.
Wasn't it magical having all of that wonderful artistry back where it belongs, larger than life? I admit to crying through most of the last 20 minutes of ROTK and then all the credits with their songs and beautiful drawings. A chance for another experience of a lifetime.
Last week I met a woman who lives near me and who was an extra in the LOTR films 25 years ago. (Wellington and its 2 degrees of separation, eh? ) She thought it was for ROTK, she was a villager, and there were lots of horses and filmed in Miramar, but she has never seen the films. I got on Prime+ and screencapped all the possible ROTK/villager/horses scenes in Rohan and Minas Tirith. (geek! )
None of the sets looked familiar when we looked through my phone last night. Today I'll go through TTT. I refuse to admit that her scenes might have been cut! FOTR will be next if nothing comes up. We're going to watch the films together soon at her house in any case.
And the Fellowship grows! Thank you, Professor!
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