“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”<\/p>\n
It’s one of literature’s most famous opening lines. The hobbit Bilbo Baggins is smoking a pipe and minding his own business when Gandalf the wizard arrives, offering adventure.<\/p>\n
Bilbo, comfortable in his Bag End home, isn’t keen on anything remotely adventurous. But fate has other ideas. The very next day Bilbo — and without so much as a pocket handkerchief — is off on a great adventure in the company of Gandalf, and 13 dwarves keen to avenge their forefathers against the dragon, Smaug.<\/p>\n
With Peter Jackson and his crew about to begin filming, TheOneRing.net is delighted to announce a series of book-based Hobbit chats over coming weekends that will analyse Tolkien’s text chapter-by-chapter.<\/p>\n
Join us on Saturday March 19 at 5pm EST in #thehalloffire on our IRC server (irc.theonering.net) where we’ll delve into the first chapter “An Unexpected Party” and discuss the nature of Hobbits and their customs, Bilbo’s near-disastrous tea party and our initial impression of the Dwarves and Gandalf. That gives you plenty of time to find your copy and catch up — so get busy reading!<\/p>\n
Time zone conversions<\/strong><\/p>\n Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help.<\/p>\n America: Europe: Asia-Pacific Our chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!<\/p>\n
\n5.00pm EST (New York)
\n4.00pm CST (Chicago)
\n3.00pm MST (Salt Lake City)
\n2.00pm PST (Los Angeles)<\/p>\n
\n10.00pm GMT (London)<\/p>\n
\n8.00am (Sunday) Brisbane
\n9.00am (Sunday) Sydney, Melbourne
\n11.00am (Sunday) Wellington<\/p>\n