Message board member Elven was lucky enough to attend the KEA dinner in Sydney this week and sends in this great report:
“If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, unless its an Oscar, it would be a much merrier world.”
-Prof Tolkien.
I have just returned home from a wonderful night at the Danks Street Depot Cafe in Sydney after listening to KEA’s special guest speaker ‘Richard Taylor’ talk and inspire an audience. People hung onto to his every word and laughed heartily at his stories – we enjoyed it so much we almost forgot about dessert. The food was glorious – the menu designed by NZ chef Jared Ingersol, and there was plenty of wonderful NZ wines available for the tasting.
Richard spoke for a good hour on his career and the movies WETA had been involved with much passion, and gave reference and credit to those people who had helped him along the way. His presentation was punctuated with some very funny anecdotes about Oscar Couture, Meet The Feebles and Taxi Drivers – but his story held a special message regarding success and talent and doing what you do, no matter what that might be, to the best of your ability – turning your life into an art.
Continue reading “The KEA Dinner with speaker Richard Taylor … a great night!”
Lisa writes: This year, I walked in my 16th and 17th Avon Walks for Breast cancer… each walk is a 2-day, marathon and a half (39.3 miles) walk to raise money and awareness to fight breast cancer. Since 2002, I’ve raised more than $130,000 for the cause. 
Forum member batik thought this trilogy screening at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, TX, might be of interest: “this all-day event is an annual Alamo tradition as old as the ancients…or whenever RETURN OF THE KING came out. Each year we must gather to recount the epic quest of the hobbit Frodo and his merry band of dwarves, wizards, elves and Viggo’s. We snuggle up together and watch the entire LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY – nearly 12 hours – and get loaded to the gills with food, beer and wine all inspired by Tolkien’s Middle Earth!” The screening will be held on Sunday, November 29 starting at 10:30 a.m. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 3, at noon.