The Eiger. Photo by Wunderalpen.com One of the most glorious aspects of reading The Lord of the Rings, is his abiding love of nature — and particularly of mountains.
`Only once before have I seen them from afar in waking life, but I know them and their names, for under them lies Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue. Yonder stands Barazinbar, the Redhorn, cruel Caradhras; and beyond him are Silvertine and Cloudyhead: Celebdil the White, and Fanuidhol the Grey, that we call Zirak-zigil and Bundushathûr.
Gimli, The Lord of the Rings.
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
In just one week, the LA TORn staff will be hosting our annual Baggins Birthday Bash to help celebrate the shared birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. In recent years, the tradition of Sept. 22 as ‘Hobbit Day’ has spread to Tolkien fan groups around the world, and there are a variety of ways to celebrate. Some cook up Hobbity feasts, others do readings from the books or movie viewing parties, while some focus on Tolkien inspired games, contests or costuming. Here in LA, we’ve combined all these events and more, then added some prizes and mathoms to create one of the signature Tolkien fan events in the area. It all comes down to good food, fine Fellowship and lots of geeky Tolkien fun for ALL ages, so please come on down and get ready to have fun. The party will start at Noon on Sunday, Sept. 22 in Griffith Park, but in a new location, so please read the directions listed in the Facebook Event page and to RSVP your attendance. This is a potluck event, so check the party description for a list of items being brought and items needed. If you are unable to see the Event page or don’t do Facebook, just email me at Garfeimao@theonering.net to RSVP and I’ll get you the appropriate directions.
Another interesting thought-piece that I stumbled on in my Middle-earth wanderings across the internet. In this article, Tolkien scholar Michael Martinez tackles the eternally vexing question of textual fidelity and why he feels that the divergences between novel and film are beneficial. Continue reading “Why The Hobbit movie’s divergences are beneficial”
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
As part of TheOneRing.net’s recent Light the Beacons fundraiser, Heather (AKA: IStoleTheOneRing from the Barliman’s Chat) won a guest spot with the Happy Hobbit team.
UPDATE: Photo of Manu Bennett at the TORn “Hobbit” preview panel.
Gandalf & Saruman at SLCC 2013
SALT LAKE CITY — Once scheduled for a smaller venue in the suburbs, the first ever Salt Lake Comic Con filled Utah’s capital city’s largest convention venue and had it bursting at the seams Saturday. For a time the hundreds waiting outside were not allowed to enter except at a 1-out-1-in rate. Word on the dealer’s floor said it was because the fire marshal closed the space but that rumor was never confirmed.
Reports in the media called the event “record setting” for a first-year convention, and that is possibly true, but such stats aren’t readily available. In any case, it was a massive event with celebrities that included William Kircher (Bifur) and Manu Bennett (Azog) and other pop-culture icons like William Shatner and Adam West.
Azog at Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
TheOneRing.net was part of the fun as well, with staffer (and this writer) Larry D. Curtis (MrCere) attending with the show in his (my) hometown. the SLComic Con invited TORn to present a panel about Smaug and serve on other panels as well, with topics including Fantasy Films, all things Tolkien, Geek Culture and film school.
Bennett and Kircher were kind enough to drop by TheOneRing panel that also included author and TORn friend Paul Genesse. He helped moderate the panel and showed incredible enthusiasm for the material.
TheOneRing also managed a booth on the at time very crowded floor supported by incredible friends at Badali Jewelry and Weta Workshop making its first U.S. appearance outside of the San Diego Comic Con. TORn helped back in a small way to staff the Weta booth and send those with questions about where to purchase The One Ring to Badali’s very nearby booth. Artist David Powell was also kind enough to sign posters of his art for fans.
The Salt Palace Convention Center can be expanded and the SLCC will return next year. TheOneRing.net hopes to be part of the show. Thanks to Dan McBride and Blonde Ninja for their support of the TORn booth. Thanks also to the many financial supports at the event and to Salt Lake Comic Con for letting us be a part of the show. If you attended and would like TORn to return, you can use the contact info here to let them know.
If anybody has images of Bennett and Kircher attending the TORn panel, please send them in! We were busy having a panel and didn’t get any photos.
Tom Bombadil and Bilbo Baggins, SLCC 2013
Dave Tremont, Weta, Salt Lake Comic Con
Manu Bennett at TheOneRing.net panel, Salt Lake Comic Con, 2013.
TORn shirt at Weta booth
Frankenstein costume at Salt Lake Comic Con, 2013.
Azog at Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
Costumes at Salt Lake Comic Con
Bilbo’s contract reporduction
Data of Star Trek, SLCC 2013.
Inferno from TORn messages boards and two other Utahns
Hobbit man
Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
Thorin’s Pipe, SLCC 2013
Tuariel’s knives, Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013.
Badali Jewelry
Galadriel at SLCC 2013.
Two Princess Leia at SLCC 2013.
Comic Book Guy and Otto Mann
Hobbit kids at SLCC 2013.
Crowds at SLCC 2013
Bilbo’s contract, SLCC 2013
Gandalf & Saruman at SLCC 2013
Badali Jewelry
A snake charmer and a dino, SLCC 2013
Posters for sale at SLCC, 2013
Dan and Boomer at TORn booth
TheOneRing.net panel, SLCC 2013.
Team Fortress 2 costumes from SLCC
Gandalf & Galadriel SLCC 2013
Sorceress costume at SLCC 2013
Mom sews family costumes.
Happy fans get a free Hobbit poster
Dwarf statue, part of the Weta booth at Salt Lake Comic Con, 2013.
Tauriel’s bow and knives, SLCC 2013.
Gnadalf, SLCC 2013
Orthanc, Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013
Orcrist The Goblin Cleaver at Weta booth Salt Lake Comic Con 2013.
Another interesting thought-piece that I stumbled on in my Middle-earth wanderings across the internet. In this article, Tolkien scholar Michael Martinez tackles the eternally vexing question of textual fidelity and why he feels that the divergences between novel and film are beneficial. 
As part of TheOneRing.net’s recent Light the Beacons fundraiser, Heather (AKA: IStoleTheOneRing from the 
Welcome to this months “Getting to know you” Q&A, this month we’re talking to one of TORns Four Founders, Xoanon.
