Thanks to our friends who have sent in pictures in memory of TORn Staffer and friend, Greg (aka…
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Balin moderated Barliman’s with wit and humor and his good nature and knowledge on a wide range of topics that will be missed. He also was instrumental for TORn in establishing the scholarly track at the ORC and ELF events and helped to bridge the gap between scholars and Lord of the Ring movie fans.
Most of all Balin will be missed by friends and family for the wise, humourous and thoughtful person that he was. Private services will be held for his family.
Balin’s family had this to say to his closest friends and TORn staff: “We want to thank everyone for all the kind words and support you have given us. Balin thrived on the camaraderie and friendship he found in all of you, and we thank you for all the care, love, and friendship you have given him and us.”
The death followed a long illness in which Balin stayed active and enjoyed his family and friends with vigor and joy. He was a TORn regular at conventions and gatherings, making many friends and closing many bars.
TheOneRing.net extends its deepest sympathies to Balin’s family, now also friends of the Tolkien community. We loved your father and husband and will cherish our memories of him.
Add your comments to the condolences thread on TheOneRing.net message board here. Friends of Balin’s are gathering in the site’s chat room to share their memories.
Do you have a photograph with Balin? We are collecting images to post into a special scrapbook gallery devoted to his memory. Please email them to spymaster@theonering.net.
In lieu of flowers, Balin’s family are suggesting donations in his memory to the Joliet Area Community Hospice or the Colon Cancer Alliance. If you should choose to donate, please indicate the donation in memory of Gregory Grieman.
Dominic Monaghan’s Golden Globe winning show ‘Lost’ is on tonight at 9PM EST on ABC. TORN’s chatroom now has a special ‘Lost’ screening room, login to #lost at 9PM and watch with fans from around the country! [ABC.com] [TORN Chat]
This weekend, Hall of Fire will focus on the stewards of Middle Earth. Several characters take up the role as stewards in Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Some are obvious – Denethor, Manwe (and – indeed – many other Vala), Theoden and Samwise, for example.
However, Treebeard, Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf and the other Istari, and maybe even Tom Bombadil and the Entwives can also be viewed as stewards. But what makes a steward in Tolkien’s milieu? And, apart from a great love for their individual ‘stewardships’, What do they have in common and what sets them apart?
Additionally, were Sauron and Saruman ever stewards? And how close is the distinction between stewarding something and seeking to dominate it?
These are just a few of the things we’ll discuss this weekend on Saturday March 18 at 5.30pm EST in The Hall of Fire.
Time zone conversions
Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help.
America:
5.30pm EST (New York)
4.30pm CST (Chicago)
3.30pm MST (Salt Lake City)
2.30pm PST (Los Angeles)
Europe:
10.30pm GMT (London)
11.30pm CET (Paris)
Asia-Pacific:
6.30am AWST (Sunday) Perth
8.30am AEST (Sunday) Brisbane
9.30am AEDT (Sunday) Sydney
11.30am NZDT (Sunday) Wellington
Our chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!
Where?
Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net – the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here! ) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.
To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.
Upcoming topics:
Sat April 1 — Silmarillion Chapter 17: The coming of men into the west
Sat April 15 — Silmarillion Chapter 18: The ruin of Beleriand
Got a topic? Let us know your idea!
If you have a burning desire to discuss something in Hall of Fire, drop us a line with your topic at halloffire@theonering.net. If we like it, we’ll probably give it a run in the coming weeks – you might even get to guest moderate the session!
Join HoF Announce!
Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!
Hof-announce@theonering.net
http://www.theonering.net/mailman/listinfo/hof-announce
Dominic Monaghan’s Golden Globe winning show ‘Lost’ is on tonight at 9PM EST on ABC. TORN’s chatroom now has a special ‘Lost’ screening room, login to #lost at 9PM and watch with fans from around the country!
Tonight’s episode is a repeat from the first season called “House of the Rising Sun”: Walt and the others are shocked when Michael is brutally beaten, but only Jin and Sun know the truth about the attack; Kate, Jack, Sawyer and Sayid argue about where the survivors should set up their camp. [ABC.com] [TORN Chat]
As part of our popular Movie Watch chats, tonight TORn’s IRC gang will be settling in to watch the third of the four Harry Potter films, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” We will conclude this movie series with “Goblet of Fire” on March 25th.
Join us tonight on our IRC server at 5:30 pm EST when we pop our copies of the film into the DVD player. After the usual confusion, at around 5.30pm EST we’ll all press play on our individual players and proceed to cheer and jeer (or discuss and argue, if you like!) the finer points of the film.
We plan to take a break midway through the film, to allow for stretching of fingers and backs. Barliman will be on hand to serve drinks and snacks (and to enforce the house rules).
Date: Saturday March 11
Time: 5.30pm EST
Place: #moviechat on the TORn IRC server.
Time zone conversions
Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help.
America:
5.30pm EST (New York)
4.30pm CST (Chicago)
3.30pm MST (Salt Lake City)
2.30pm PST (Los Angeles)
Europe:
10.30pm GMT (London)
11.30pm CET (Paris)
Asia-Pacific:
6.30am AWST (Sunday) Perth
8.30am AEST (Sunday) Brisbane
9.30am AEDT (Sunday) Sydney
11.30am NZDT (Sunday) Wellington
WHERE?
On TORn’s IRC server, in the #moviechat channel. After joining the server, type /join #moviechat to get there.
If you’ve never been to TORn’s IRC server before, you can join through our java applet and type /join #moviechat once you’re signed in. We recommend you visit our FAQ for some guidelines on using our IRC service. Barliman’s is a place for good conversation about JRR Tolkien’s works. We welcome you to our community and ask that you, and all guests, abide by some simple guidelines.
HOW?
Once everyone is in #moviechat and has their DVD ready to go, the ops will moderate the room and have a countdown to “Play.” I expect that we will be able to give minute-markers throughout the evening for latecomers. A break will be taken midway through — the exact point will be announced in the topic.
* * *
That’s all, folks! See you this weekend!
