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Tamara
Rivendell
Oct 21 2009, 6:32pm
Post #126 of 165
(1047 views)
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I also tried to upload some videos of Doug and Howard to You Tube, but I'd be the first to admit the quality isn't great- only my second attempt to record using my camera.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TamaraTsang
---Tamara
Being a Steward of Harvard is almost as good as being Steward of Gondor, but I'm headed for Minas Tirith (New Zealand) in 2011!
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Sunflower
Valinor
Oct 21 2009, 8:38pm
Post #127 of 165
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but I have been trying to find a way to express how I felt about the Moot, and have been overwhelmed.
As my travel conditions for the weekend were...well, interesting, to say the least   ..I can't post the kind of detailed accounts that Magpie or Sil have...but in a general way, I just want to say this:
THANK YOU, thank you, THANK YOU to all who allowed me to tag along, put up with me, and otherwise endured me (and I mean, IMHO, endured)that long and wonderful weekend...you know who you are:). And to all the wonderful, wonderful people I met...Elanor, L Ron, Rosie and Magpie, Sil and Hobbitlove and Gramma, Deej and Altaira (and Mr,. Altaira), Magpie and Ainu and so many more....you all mean so much more to me than you could ever hope to fathom.
This year has been one of hardship for me...in many ways. This trip meant a lot to me, on many different levels. It was like a ray of sunlight breaking through years of darkness. It wasn't just the opportunity to meet so many of my fellow Sibbies the very first time, but the atmosphere of family, of one-ness (corny as that sounds) of just the great vibes and love in that little room...at the Mixer...for starters...meant so much to me. I'd not seen much lately to make me believe there could be a feeling like this still left in the world.
This hasn't been easy for me to explain, and I feel, right now, that I still sound like an idiot. Esp as by the end of the weekend, I was just tagging along with people, making my little paltry contributions to the conversation. I'm not as shy as I used to be, but I'll never be the :"life of the party", I'm afraid:).
But when you're ascending up into the mountain from a long sojourn in the deepest darkest valley, and the people around you seemed to have tasted only that pure mountain air, words can be difficult.
Excuse such sentimental blathering. But I hope people will understand...
And now, you've all had enough (I sense),so I'll spare you any more.
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weaver
Half-elven
Oct 22 2009, 1:36am
Post #128 of 165
(1038 views)
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And we won him over to LOTR...
Thanks for this -- I loved the quote he used from Shore at the end, too.
And hey, maybe next year TORn can invite Stephen Colbert to the partying for TTT...he would fit right in!
Weaver
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weaver
Half-elven
Oct 22 2009, 1:43am
Post #129 of 165
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...I appreciated the chance to "peak inside" the creative process, and how well you explained everything, in terms a tone-deaf person like me could understand.
It would be fun to listen in on one of your conversations with Howard Shore..even if it went right over my head. You sound like have a great working relationship and friendship, thanks for sharing a bit of it with us.
Weaver
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 5 2009, 1:54am
Post #130 of 165
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I'm still working on my report. My RL distractions have been,... uh... distracting me. BUT I'm still on my way and as wordy as ever. Actually, I get way too busy on these because it helps me remember everything. So it gets long... sorry about that :)
I'll be back very soon.
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 6 2009, 8:25pm
Post #131 of 165
(1182 views)
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Finally... here's my report... filled with booboos
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Can't Post
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but I've GOT to get it posted!! :D Here goes:
My NYC FotR Moot Report
(translation: NYC Moot FotR)
I started this trip the way I start every trip. An emotional blend of excitement, intrigue, anticipation and terror. I always have trouble travelling. Usually, there are tears and many episodes of talking myself out of going wherever... but the geek (Took) survives and the gammer (Baggins) gets taken along for the ride ;)
I'd never been to New York City before, so right there was awe-factor #1. Wow! New York City! It was especially unique since I originally didn't plan on going. I'm saving to get to NZ in March, so it seemed logical to skip the NY trip. Then... after several weeks of satisfying myself that skipping this was a good idea, Scout emailed me. "You're not going?" Short, sweet, straight to the heart of this geek. What was I thinking! I've got to go! And so I did. :) And I'm so glad I did.
Actually, my true adventure wasn't the journey to NYC. It was the day before when I took the day (Thursday) and spent it with my Mom doing her favourite thing in the world... playing BINGO at the American Legion Hall. She's gone for years and talks about it all the time, but I'd never been there. I had no idea what I was in for. This is not the BINGO I grew up with. This was SCARY!
I tried to keep track of 6 cards and found myself tested. Mom covered 26 cards all at once! She's a maniac! At 88 years old she was a machine, and I was amazed! And the games were ruthless! The variations of how to win by outrageous placements of those little BINGO chips (or dobbing with a marker) had to be devised by a rocket scientist. The chips had little metal outer RINGS on them that you picked up with a paddle that had a huge magnet on the end. Sucked up those chips like Sméagol on worms. We were there from 9:30am until 3:00pm. I was worn out! My dyslexia was raging off the chart!! After that... handling the streets of NYC was a cake walk.
I found out later that Mom was worried about me coming along because she needed the room at her table to spread out her cards. So Aunt Judy (Mom's 82yo little sister) came along to attend me :) She's a riot, and we had great fun sitting at the table behind Mom and watching her in action. Oh... Aunt Judy won $50 and Mom won $200. I just concentrated on survival!
So, Friday morning I head for the airport leaving my dog with Mom once again. Bless 'em. I parked the car at the Detroit Metro Airport 9-level garage and made a detailed map of where I left it. Lot C, Level 4, Parking space 72A... complete with arrows and points of reference. Check. This is NOT a place you want to linger in... especially a lone female moving target. VICTIM HERE! VICTIM HERE! (btw… I still couldn't find it when I got back)
The flight was great, as well as the ride to the City from LaGuardia. "I" was at LaGuardia Airport! *puffs out chest* How cool is that!? The ride to the hotel had my head whipping from left to right trying to catch that famous skyline. I saw those three tall red and white chimneys they show in Conspiracy Theory. GERONIMO! Then those iconic bridges and skyscrapers started to appear one after another... and I was enraptured. I'm here. Really... finally... wow...
The Park Central Hotel was wonderful! I was on the5th floor in a very nice room. First thing I did was run to the window for a looksee. Ah! Nice wall. I looked down. Yep... all the ventilation was on the roof below where it belonged. Then I looked to the left toward the street and the building on the other side... and my heart skipped a beat as I smiled like a fool. There was the sign of the Hotel Wellington! Perfect!
Not even taking the time to unpack, I bolted out the door, got onto the very fancy elevator and down to the sidewalk of 56th Street; 2 blocks from Broadway and a few more to Time Square... if I turned to the right. To the left and just a few steps on... Central Park. Left or right? The crowd was travelling west, so I went with the flow to the right. First stop, one of the hundreds of souvenir shops to get my NYC kitch... a keychain. I always get a keychain everywhere I go as a memento; and this one suited many purposes. An Icon within an Icon. Perfect :) I also like to get a pebble or small stone from everywhere I visit. But, uh, there's not a lot of gravel or dirt in NYC. Interesting...
Walking a bit further, I came to Broadway. There were the marquees for Wicked, The Lion King, Mama Mia and many more titles of the current plays. I'd heard that Patty Duke (Sean Astin's Mom) was performing in Wicked :D Then I came across one of Nomad's cousin!!
Moving along, I was headed for Time Square. To be honest, I wasn't completely aware of where I was. It started to soak in when I passed a full set of bleachers built on the sidewalk for people who were queuing to get tickets to David Letterman's show (just around the corner), and the Broadway plays. Then... there I was. Standing in the heart of Time Square! Wow! I was in awe! Not in awe of the building with the large ball that drops down every New Year; not of the weird-shaped building at the end of the street; but there was this GIGANTIC, Shiny, 3-story ToysRUs!! *twinkling eyes* I hauled for the front doors and wandered through the jam-packed floors. Right up through all 3 levels was a full-sized, working ferriswheel! And on another floor was an 8-10 foot animatronic T-Rex! Very impressive :D
I was not shocked, but bummed that I couldn't find any LotR action figures. There weren't even any for the movie "9"! Big shiny store like that with such lame stock *sigh* After about 4 5 minutes, I left to return to the hotel and get ready for the moot starting at 7pm. I always allow about a half hour to get lost. Even though I make maps for everything, I'm still geographically challenged.
I got back in plenty of time to get ready and take a breather. By 6:15, I'm ready to go. As I'm walking through the lobby, I see familiar faces. Entmaiden and L.Ron are there waiting for others to join them. *massive hugs* I was so tickled to see them! After a brief recon discussion, I pressed on. "See you there!"
The pub where we're meeting is only about a 15 minute walk from the hotel. I've got a map! I'm ready! I had also signed up to help with various functions during the moot, so I wanted to make sure to be on time. I was already getting used to walking through and with the crowds, but my head was still spinning around and bobbing up and down looking at everything. TOURIST HERE! I was relieved I wasn't suffering from my usual affliction of expecting skyscrapers to fall on me. I can go to the top and look down… no problem. But I usually worry about them tumbling apart and burying me. Too many Godzilla movies in my youth, methinks.
I found Connolley's Restaurant straight away and walked into our designated area. It was warm, cozy and ready for us. And who was already there? Those ladies who always arrange and run these amazing moots. CAHobbit, deej and greendragon, along with Altaira and Entmaiden... gathering after gathering, these ladies are always in the forefront making things happen *bows deeply* Thank you SO MUCH!!
I was happy to bring along Laerasëa Journal for everyone to see and to pass along to the next Journal Guardian. I set it on the table with Gollum for easy access. It's very fragile, and I knew that trying to hand it around would inflict great injury. My attempts at passing word along (both atop a chair and one-on-one) proved quite a challenge. Everyone was having such a great time milling around and gabbing up a storm... Including Me... that it soon became apparent that my plan to have a drawing to find the next Guardian just wasn't going to happen. When greendragon told me she was on the Journal visitation list and that she'd come to NYC by car... and with the encouragement of others who knew of the tender care the Journal needed... it was agreed that greendragon was a good match.
I'm not even going to try and remember everyone who was at the moot.. but I was in heaven! Faces I know, some that I didn't, but names from my screen that suddenly had voices and smiles :D Okay... I've GOT to try; but forgive me if I've left out any names. It was a very crazed night, and my memory is a joke. Lemmie see... *smile spreads recalling everyone* Tamara, V, Glaurung63, Overlithe64, Milady, Rosie with the Ribbons, Laerasea's friend Laura, ElanorTX, BG, Thorongil, Sunflower, Hobbitlove, ordinaryhobbit, Loves Horses, Altaira, L.Ron Halfelven (we wore matching shirts!!), Sunflower, silneldor & Fam, BG, Lurking Laurie, Smeagirl/Girllum & Mr., Ainu Laire, Garfeimao, Lith, Radhruin, elentari 3018, Thorongil ..... Many More Names! Oh... and squire! Finally :D And there's Magpie & Mister. After so many hours of helping me with various challenges, I finally got to meet Magpie :) *waves fondly to everyone* I tried to get around to as many people as possible to scribble in my Signlanguage book; but, unfortunately, not everyone had the chance. So anyone who would like to send me their siggy/note to tuck within the pages are more than welcome to pm me. That way I can carry y'all with me forever!
Here are a few more pics:
Magpie, Gollum, and Glaurung63
Sibbies Everywhere!!
David Salo, Hob & Magpie 1
David Salo, Hob & Magpie 2
Garf, Lith, overlithe and Tamara
Cripes I was hungry and the food was so yummy! Nachos, chicken fingers, pigs in a blanket... hoards of food and drink! The waiters and waitresses were all patient and kind.
No matter how well things are planned and prepared, however, there's always a glitch. We did have to deal with a party crasher. This nice, quiet young man appeared and settled himself at a table. A whispered buzzing spread through the room as heads turned in his direction. That's David Salo!! (here with Hob & Magpie) He does the Elvish translations for the films!
"What a neat guy! He was so generous, funny, and very talkative with whomever wanted to chat. I especially got a kick out of him when it came time to hand out prizes. I followed greendragon to each of the winners of various contests/drawings. While she prepared to announce the winners, I would do a drum roll and she'd herald their names as I'd hand them their prize. Any time we were near David, he'd applaud and whoop it up with the rest of us! I think he was having fun ;)
Then it was his turn. Tahhhdahhh! Nice win there, David! It was such a treat to have him there. Fabulous!! Just Great! There were also goodie bags for one and all!
When the lights in our area were dimmed (about 10:00ish) we got the hint it was time to wind down. So, by about 11:00, we were getting gone. Chalk up one more amazingly successful moot folks! They're always the best! Plus, you finally have faces and voices that go with the names :) Boy, I slept good that night!
By 7:30 the next morning, I was out the door and on my way to the lobby. I wanted to check for directions to a couple of my destinations with the concierge. I was going to meet up with Sunflower, ElanorTX and S (our friend) by 8:00-8:15 for our trip toFordham University and the Tolkien Manuscript Exhibit at 9am. We got there in the nick-o-time and were escorted down the halls to the exhibit room. I was in such a stupor that I didn't even think of taking a pic of the room (not of the articles). Maybe we weren't supposed to though.
There was a table to the right with various Tolkien publications, including the Encyclopedia our TORnsibs contributed to. SOOOOOOO exciting! :) Here's a copy of the flyer we were given about the exhibit. Page 1, page 2, page 3.
Then I approached the 2 glass cases of Tolkien's hand-written work. I had steeled myself for this. I'm not going to get too emotional. Right...Good Plan! I'm so glad they kept he groups down to 10, because we were still respectfully jostling for position to get a clear look at the pages under the glass as Michael Blessing described the history and relevance of each page. His reverence and enthusiasm was so evident. What a wonderful presentation. It was hard to focus on those sheets... not because of the people, but because trying to get my head around what I was looking at was a horrible distraction as I tried to drink in every inch of Tolkien's penmanship, writings, layout, spelling, and overall presence.
I saw his shortcut words or slangs in his drafts, like 'kild orks' which was then written out correctly in a finished copy. He also wrote notes so miniscule that they were missed for years... such as the original name of the pub was Green man which he later changed to Green dragon. This note was found in microscopic print on a much-viewed sheet… overlooked every time.
Another interesting page had 2 menus... hobbity menus. I asked if I could copy them down, and Mr. Blessing said yes... bless 'im :D My hand was shaking as I scribbled down the words on the back of the exhibit flyer.
Menu Clear asparagus soup Salmon -- Mayonnaise Veal cutlets & Bacon Cauliflower -- New Potatoes Charlotte Russe & Strawberries Cheese Straws Menu Windsor Soup Braised Ham Celery -- New Potatoes Pompadour Pudding Custard
There was also a copy of a chart Tolkien sketched out with the timeline of each of the storylines for The Lord of the Rings... so detailed and sprawling that I didn't have a chance to really appreciate it as I wanted. Probably my greatest disappointment of the whole weekend. Not enough quiet time with the Professor.
Sadly, the hour passed too quickly and it was time to leave. I had places I had to be... so I headed out for my next planned stop and my only other "must do" in NY, and that was to visit the museum-transformed from the WWII aircraft carrier, Intrepid.
On the way I had another distraction. There was a grocery store!! Whenever I watch shows of people living in NYC, I note there are no sprawling shopping centers. Where do they get their food? Silly, I know. But I worry about things like that. So I went inside to see what it was like. It was compact, quaint, and short-itty-bitty isles. I found myself walking around with a huge smile on my face the whole time. So, to commemorate the moment, I bought a sandwich and some bread for breakfast the next day. There… that plague on my mind was relieved. Now I can move on.
Several blocks away, I finally came to the River and the docks with the USS Intrepid Museum where I got my keychain straightaway. Intrepid (Nov. 1944) was one of the aircraft carriers my uncle flew from as a war-time pilot. Daughter of Nienna helped me put together a tribute to my Uncle Bob a couple of years ago. I saw the Junior Officers' living quarters; went below deck where the planes and torpedoes were stored; and studied the ready room chairs and flight suits where the pilots were briefed. It was all so surreal. To have the chance to be in one of the last places he lived under conditions of war as a torpedo-plane pilot (this was one like he flew), isolated from his family for almost 2 years but bonded with his fellow pilots, was intense. It didn't take much imagination to feel what it was like to be a part of that world, and it made me think of Tolkien and how incredibly well he put me in the mindset through his stories of that isolation and dealing with constant strains of war. How could anyone really describe how that life would affect someone? But Tolkien does... and I'm so grateful to have had that to draw from as I stood on that flight deck Uncle Bob flew from. Friends of his told my Grandmother that they'd seen Uncle Bob on base in Hawaii, and that she would never have recognized him... or known him... he'd changed so much. It made me think of how well both Tolkien and Jackson addressed that.
I had spoken briefly with the information/welcome desk attendants and told them about my family's history with this ship. They were very compassionate and said they enjoyed meeting people who were personally connected with the ship because the passage of time brought fewer visitors with those stories. They showed me to a few of the presentations/films they played intermittently throughout the day and then left me to wander. I found a plane like the one Uncle Bob flew. As I was getting ready to leave, the attendants saw me and asked if I'd mind speaking to 2 former crew members and another pilot who also had served on the Intrepid. What delightful gentlemen! What was very touching was that they so wanted to know who Uncle Bob was... that he'd be someone they knew. That touched me so much... for them to honour him like that. We only spoke for a few moments before they had to leave to meet their families. As they walked away, one suddenly came back and gave me a commemorative medallion he'd been carrying and wanted to give to me. *tearing* We hugged, and I thanked him for his kindness and his service. The entire trip to NYC was worth that moment.
I'm glad I had about a 45 minute walk back to the hotel. It gave me time to reflect and rest in my thoughts and emotions from what I'd just experienced. I also walked in a direction that would take me past a location where I was going to meet up with others that the concierge couldn't find in his restaurant guide. Wups...
After walking for about 3 hours straight, the arthritis in my hips/feet/knees and still recovering from a pinched sciatic nerve in my back got me starting to hurt. The last ½ mile to the hotel was one of those "just keep putting one foot in front of the other" journeys ;) As I was crossing the last street approaching the hotel, I saw Entmaiden and others waiting for some sibbies so they could leave for a journey to Ground Zero and more points south. She could see I was a bit off colour, so we were chatting for just a second or two (I couldn't wait to have a shower and sit for a bit) when I heard a squeal of recognition and caught one of the most amazing flying-tackle hugs I've ever had! We hugged and hugged and amidst the excitement... I was saying "Hi! Hi! Who are you?" It was dernwyn!!!!! NOW the hugging started! OMG! But our reverie was cut short as she, the silneldors and others were the sibbies that Entmaiden's group had been waiting for. They had to rush if they were going to have time for their tours. "Bye ya'll!"
Ahhhh... relief as I rested up and prepared for a quick get-together before heading off for Radio City Music Hall (RCMH) at 6pm. During the moot the night before, we were told that Howard Shore and Doug Adams were going to have a pre-show visit/talk at 6:30!!! How cool was that!?!?! I'd also heard that they had gone to see the Tolkien Manuscript Exhibit themselves earlier in the day. I'd love to know what they thought of it!
I have to say here that the weather so far had been amazingly perfect! There was a little sprinkle earlier in the day, but just enough to make the walking quaint and fresh... especially if you have an umbrella ;) The temperature was just reaching cool and the wind was merciful. I totally loved it!
Having reached the The Radio City Music Hall early, I went on an adventure. I realized that the other side of the building was Rockefeller Plaza! Dare I hope? I scanned around and suddenly... there it was! THE WINDOW FOR THE TODAY SHOW!! *fist in the air* OMG! I went into the Center and saw where Jay Leno's show films, the NBC souvenir shop and oodles of stores! But it was time to head for the line I knew would be forming for FotR and the Shore/Adams visit. While I was in line, I struck up a conversation with a wonderful couple I'd say were in their mid 30s. Come to find out they're long-time lurkers of TORn and were wearing their Weta red-eye pins they received when they donated to Wellington's Embassy Theatre renovations for RotK's premier! They were brilliant! We chattered and laughed as the time just flew by :)
RCMH 1
RCMH 2
RCMH 3
RCMH 4
RCMH 5 vendors out front
We finally arrived at the moment for all of our travels as the lobby filled with humanity! AH! There's Scout! and Auxerre! OMG!!! And Hobbit-hearted!! WOW! They were so beautiful! *massive hugs* I'm so glad Scout emailed me that day so long ago. But now it was time to find my seat and let the evening take me where it would. We didn't have long to wait before Howard Shore and Doug Adams walked out onto the stage and sat in front of the orchestra risers below the BIG SCREEN! They were so delightful. Their enthusiasm was infectious and their love for LotR radiant. We also saw the images of the art contest winners on the screens mounted on either side of the stage. Our very own Ainu Laire and Earl won and won and WON! *wild applause* I'm so happy and proud of them both! Stunning work!
Now I'm going to fast forward to the film and the music and the awe. The music was uncanny...so accurate to the original scoring of the film that I kept forgetting that is it was live unless one of the purposeful twinges of change occurred. From where I was sitting, I could see the monitor the conductor was using to follow the cues of the film. There were vertical bars of lights that travelled from the right side of the screen to the left along with flashes and circles of light suddenly glowing over the film playing simultaneously on the BIG SCREEN. These light cues kept the music synced to the original score for the film. Stunning! And the choir was unreal. To have the music and voices moving through me while watching my favourite of the 3 films was beyond excellent. I was moved to tears from the beauty and wonder of it all.
Each time the choirs sang or especially when there was a solo performance, the applause rang out. I have trouble expressing how moved I was. Wonderfulness Overload has that affect on me. The youth singers were especially stirring. Not only did their voices resemble the originals, they did the music proud. I realized partway through The Fellowship of the Ring that I wasn't able to dissolve into the film like I usually do. Not only because of the live music, but the film's audio effects were toned down a bit... possibly so it would compete with the live performances. But that is the only thing I can criticize... and that's nothing. What a wonderful journey!
As the film and concert came to a close, the applause was slow to end. We didn't want to break the bond. However, I suddenly realized the headache I was developing came from the gent behind me that clapped like thunder. Now it was blasting into the back of my head and travelling down my spine. It was quickly becoming hard to ignore. But then came the picture on the BIG SCREEN like a shot out of a cannon! The crowd went nuts!!! There will be another moot Next Year!!
As we all spilled out into the lobby area, I found dernwyn and her son again! I'd realized she hadn't signed my book yet, and they would be leaving to return home almost immediately. Thank goodness we had the seating chart so I basically knew where they were sitting :) More hugs ensued!!!
Miraculously, Entmaiden, deej and many sibbies rounded up as many of us as they could find and we arranged to meet out front and walk to a pub near the hotel for one last moot. Ainu Laire and I went out the wrong set of doors and found ourselves on the wrong side of the building. I was fine, but she had on some beautiful shoes that were beginning to eat her feet. OW!! We eventually arrived at the pub and went upstairs where we could all be seated together. But it became apparent to me that I couldn't last any longer. The headache was moving to my stomach and the drinks/food weren't coming soon enough for me to take the aspirin in my hand. Sadly, I had to leave before it moved into a migraine just in time to fly home the next morning. Once I got back to the room and had some crackers, a couple of aspirin and a good night's sleep, I was back to normal :)
Map of where I landed.
By 8am, I was packed and headed for the airport and back to Detroit Metro… and then home. It was hard to leave since I knew so much more was going on that day and I was still bumming that I had to leave early the night before. But things happen for a reason, and I had such a glorious time! I just love meeting up with all of you and sharing these experiences. There really is nothing like it, and I feel so lucky to have so many opportunities to gather these incredible memories :)
Thanks to you all for such a fabulous time. Until we meet again... or for the first time :)
*hug and twitches*
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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Magpie
Immortal
Nov 6 2009, 10:07pm
Post #132 of 165
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What was up with that picture of me and you? You're so focused on smiling for the camera and I'm looking in some other direction as if I couldn't care less. Well, people have said I didn't look as if my head was whirling but it was. I didn't know where to focus my attention with so much happening so any little noise or movement had my eyes and brain darting around. I'm sorry that's the only picture we have of us. Arg. One of my few regrets is my lack of focus when meeting people. (next year...)
Also, I'm pointing at David Salo's chest in one of those photos because he had written his name on his nametag in Tengwar. I mean, I was laughing silently to myself that my complete inability to focus on anything was interrupted by my complete ability to focus on his name tag. I was so enchanted by that and then by his taking it off to give to me. :D
And I didn't know those bleachers were for the David Letterman show. Hub and I were sitting at the chairs nearby wondering what they were for.
As for looking like a tourist (something I was nervous about), I thought most of the people on the street looked like tourists which kind of delighted me.
LOTR soundtrack website
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Nov 7 2009, 2:09am
Post #133 of 165
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No, no, filled with great pics!
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Wonderful report, gramma! (And remind me to never try to play Bingo with your Mom, I do well enough just to manage one card!  )
And what a feeling of "being there" you've put into this! I must admit, that there was one point in reading it when I really did choke up: when that former crew member from the Intrepid gave you his commemorative medallion...maybe it should be set in imperishable crystal...
LOL, that was so funny, you had no idea who this strange sibbie running up to you was - but I wasn't going to let that moment pass! (Besides, in NYC, no one notices if you're hugging and shrieking on the sidewalk, it's all a part of "normal" there!  )
Oh, good, you have the "Hobbit menus"! Silneldor told me you were writing those down, while he was busy writing the "Hobbit measurements"! I wonder if those soups were familiar ones to Tolkien? Y'know, one could fill another volume with all these little bits of Tolkienia (hint, hint, Mr. Blessing! ).
*geeky high five* An excellent report is never late...thank you, gramma! 
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?"
-Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915
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Altaira
Superuser
Nov 7 2009, 6:48pm
Post #134 of 165
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I love reading your reports. They're always worth the wait. 
I'm sorry I didn't have more time to spend with you (and many others). But, I'm glad you got to visit the Intrepid! You must have had chills walking aroung the decks and planes. BG and I went the day before and loved it.
Thanks for all the piccies too. I'm saving many of them to add to ours.
You rock, dear, and I'm so glad you decided you had to take that trip (with thanks to Scout for giving you a little nudge out the door).
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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Rosie-with-the-ribbons
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Nov 7 2009, 7:43pm
Post #135 of 165
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It took me all the way back to NYC!
And what a lovely pictures.
It was really great to meet you, and hopefully next year again.
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entmaiden
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Nov 7 2009, 11:32pm
Post #136 of 165
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You really captured the feeling of that entire weekend, even if we spent our time in different places. It was so great to have so many friends in one place. Can't wait until next year!
Each cloak was fastened about the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver.
`Are these magic cloaks? ' asked Pippin, looking at them with wonder.
`I do not know what you mean by that,' answered the leader of the Elves.
NARF since 1974.
Balin Bows
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weaver
Half-elven
Nov 7 2009, 11:39pm
Post #137 of 165
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bingo, migraines and all that fun in between!
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Thanks, gramma -- this was worth waiting for. Really appreciate the time you put into this and loved seeing all the photos and hearing your stories!
Weaver
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 2:39pm
Post #138 of 165
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*wild applause* Excellent, sil :D
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OMG... your reports and pics are always such a treasure! I LOVE the pics!
Actually... I'd encourage you to post even those images you aren't completely happy with. For me, it's better to have the emotion and memory they hold even if they're not as good as you'd like.
I'm thinking of 1997 when I found an old OLD roll of film in a box of junk. I had no idea when the pics were taken or what they were about OR what condition that film could still be in. The box was from stuff I'd squirreled away a good 15 years earlier (1982)... at least! Well, the prints did come out reddish and stressed... but they had pictures of my 2 girls when they were about 8 and 5 (now in their late 30s) and of my Dad, who passed away in 1977. I almost threw that roll away.
So... perfection isn't as important as memories :) Post Away, if you like. I'd love to see them!
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 2:45pm
Post #139 of 165
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that her films could be put onto a dvd or some other format that we could all see? I'm assuming that since it was shown to an audience (as the bloopers for LotR shown at Cannes and now youtube), that they might show up? *twitch*
And you're so right about greendragon's lovely singing. She's beautiful and such a joy. *sigh*
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 2:47pm
Post #140 of 165
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Excellent!!!! *massive smile* Lookit that!!
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I gave up on the quiz when V pointed out that I'd already totally wasn't thinking right with my answers... and I'd only answered a couple of them ;) I think I was a bit distracted!!
Thanks so much greendragon. WOW... YOU ROCK!!!
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 3:59pm
Post #141 of 165
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"Whether it was Time Square or Central Park or street vendors or shop owners... I just loved it all. I never once felt uncomfortable, ill at ease, or in danger in any way. Those of you from NYC, if you could pass it along to whomever wants to know: Good Job!"
I completely agree with this and also want to pass along my heartfelt THANKS!! I was more scared the 20 minutes walking in the Detroit Metro parking lot trying to find my car than the hours of walking I did in NYC!
I was so happy to have the opportunity to contribute to Howard Shore's gift :) I forgot to give you a bit of green to help with the cost... so that's coming... along with other tidbits I've been promising to send you for months!!! *checks calendar* yeah... months. Shame on me!
What a delight you got to spend time with Shore and Jones! WOW!!! What a dream come true! If anyone ever deserved to have such a treat, it's you m'dear. Your devotion and expertise of their work has been one of the greatest treasures I've experienced her. I'm always in awe of your talent and ability to share/express Shore's music with us.
One of the highlights of the whole weekend for me was to finally meet you. So many times you've helped me and encouraged me and have been very patient with me ;)... so to finally get to speak with you was such a treat!
It was such a whirlwind weekend! I wasn't able to see or do or visit with as many people as I'd hoped, but I came away feeling so blessed and enriched.
*warm hug* Thanks so much, m'dear!
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:04pm
Post #142 of 165
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Could I join this wish-list? ;)
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"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:07pm
Post #143 of 165
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It was so great to see you again!
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I'm also hoping I can afford to go next year. Time and fundage will tell.
I can't wait to see your pics!! And I'm still so thrilled for your success in the competitions. VERY well deserved and VERY cool to see Earl's and your work up on the screen! HOW COOL WAS THAT!!?? *massive hug*
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:19pm
Post #144 of 165
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You got Pinned by Salo!! AWESOME!!
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Reminds me of High School when getting a pin from someone was quite a conquest! I"M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! *twitch* He knows a classy lady when he sees one.
I wish I'd had more than a brief conversation with him... and I was bummed he didn't sign my book, but I completely understand he was overwhelmed with the night like the rest of us :)
Isn't is surreal that you'd see more "big city" dangers on tv in your own hometown than what you'd expect to see in NYC? It's like Sam looking into the Mirror of Galadriel and seeing the trees being felled and his gaffer sent packing ;)
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:23pm
Post #145 of 165
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Even though I missed so much, I'm still so happy to have been there :)
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:25pm
Post #146 of 165
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These are great! Thanks lots! //
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"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:26pm
Post #147 of 165
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Thank YOU!!! :D You crack me right up! *snigger* //
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"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:37pm
Post #148 of 165
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I loved your description of Shore's work on LotR. Just as the film seemed to grow organically, so did Shore's music. That tells me that the intuition and guidance they seemed to have in developing this adaptation was almost like it came from another source ;) Brilliant!
Julie Andrews!!??? WOW AGAIN!
I wish I could have heard Olsen's discussion on Bilbo. I wonder if that part of Bilbo's encounter with the dwarves will be accented in the film?
This was such a fabulous weekend... and I hope we can all get together again next year. Time will tell ;)
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:43pm
Post #149 of 165
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Wow! You got to a lot more of the sights
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than I even HOPED to get to! *high five* Well done and good planning! :D
That air ride sounds frightening! I'm glad I wasn't sitting there!
I agree with the sound of the film. I missed the big effects, too. AND I also had someone tall in front of me... but I wasn't dealing the the soundboard on top of everything else. Bummer...
I'm so glad you had a great time! CHEERS!
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Nov 8 2009, 4:53pm
Post #150 of 165
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I was too ;)
But don't the sibs have a way of disarming you straightaway? I was SO tickled to finally meet you!
I had the same reaction to seeing the city for the first time and feeling that energy. It was all so totally unexpected.
I didn't get to visit as many locations as I'd hoped, but some of the pressure was taken off when I figured (and later confirmed) that there might be another moot next year for Two Towers. I hope we can get the same hotel. That was a perfect location... if they can offer the same price again, that is ;)
LOVE the pics! Especially the one of your bird's back :D Cracked me right up!!!
Cheers... and thanks for the great report :D
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
TORn's Observations Lists
(This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Nov 8 2009, 4:55pm)
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