I have just read MTV.com's article about whom they'd like to see in The Hobbit movie and I have to agree with their choice for Legolas's dear old dad:

!!SPOILERS FOR THE HOBBIT!! (also in the article, they talk about plot points in their character descriptors)

Thranduil

Book Says: King of the Silvans, Thranduil leads the Elves of Mirkwood. He imprisons the dwarves when they trespass through his forest, and then demands a share of Smaug's bounty once the dragon is defeated. He is described as having blond hair ... just like his son Legolas.

We Say: If Orlando Bloom doesn't come back for at least a background cameo, we give up. Naturally distrustful of dwarves, Thranduil can be spiteful and terse — but he still possesses the wisdom of his kin. Ideally, the actor cast would be somewhat regal, someone we believe capable of great power but also great benevolence. Ideally, that actor would be somewhat similar in speech and appearance to Orlando Bloom. Ideally, that actor would be David Bowie.

!! SPOILER END !!!
DAVID BOWIE. YES! YES YES YES! I don't know if it's just the timing of this article because I've been worshipping at the temple of Bowie for the past week, but I really would love to see him in The Hobbit.

Hell, I really would love to see him.

He does have experience being a Goblin King, so why not an Elvish King... But then, there's the problem of his puffiness (see here and here). He is turning 61, after all. And Elves are supposed to be ageless. Hmmm. What to do, what to do.

Sayang, a few years ago he would've been just perfect. Like the Bowie here and here.

And imagine if the film was being made at the time when he still looked like this:

photo by Mark Seliger

AAHHHH.

This blog post is shit. I just wanted to talk about David Bowie and the MTV.com article seemed too good an opportunity to pass up. Hehehe.

Panoorin nyo na lang yung performance nya ng Under Pressure on his Reality tour in 2003(?). Gail Ann Dorsey, the bassist, rocks. =)

Labels: music, tolkien

This weekend, my geek friends and I (along with our fellow hobbits from around the world) celebrate the 70th anniversary of the publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT (September 21).

70 years!

And today (September 22) is the birthday of two of our favorite hobbitses: Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

Cheers!

Got kids? Bring them to the Hobbit Storytelling tomorrow (Sept. 23) at A Different Bookstore (Serendra) at 1pm and 2:30pm :)

Labels: tolkien

I got the buttons from the BM (button-maker) today! Yahoo!

Labels: art, crafts, tolkien

My friend Lau is visiting from Chicago and since she's one of the founding members of TPTS, we thought it's the perfect excuse to throw a hobbit party on Saturday!

For those of you wondering what a hobbit party is... well it's really just a party. We threw in the word "hobbit" just for kicks haha. We're serving mushrooms and taters. Um, that's about as hobbity as it gets.


I'm having 1.25inch buttons made with these designs. My friends Data and Benc helped me with the silly slogans hehe. Some will be included in the party loot bags, the rest will be sold.

Can't wait! It should be real fun.

Labels: art, crafts, tolkien

...the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.

I will not say: do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.

Namárië, Ricky, our Ringbearer. Namárië.

Labels: tolkien

Had some badges made for the blooms. Turned them over to Pat already, but I saved some for me and a few friends :-) Yummy, mukhang kendi!

My TPTS friends and I finished packing the bookplates that I had printed. They're packed in sets of 10 (5 of each design).



One design is Ringbearer by Gary Mayoralgo. The other one is Tom Bombadil by Isabel Montes.



Check ordering details for the bookplates here.

Labels: art, crafts, the bloomfields, tolkien

...and the livin' is easy.

Ang init na! All traces of cool weather have completely gone. It should be an interesting summer, with reports going round that it's going to be a real scorcher.

I'm glad we were able to finish our Tolkien photoshoot before it got too hot.



The Holga shots from that shoot have been added to my Tolkien costumers flickr set.

Labels: holga, photographs, tolkien

I organized a photo shoot with some friends from Lomomanila and some cosplayers from the Philippine Tolkien Society. It wasn't a purely lomo activity, it was more of a shoot-with -whatever-you-want kind of thing. So, along with our film-based cameras, we took digital shots as well. Here are some of my digital shots.

These were post-processed in photoshop (levels adjustment and desaturated). As you will notice, I also added a glow effect to some of the shots.


My favorite shot from the whole digital set is this second one, a solo shot of Chiqui. She usually wears pointy prosthetic ears when she cosplays, but unfortunately, she didn't have them during the shoot. A pointy ear would've been striking in this shot. But, even without the ears, I still like it.

The rest of my digital shots are in this Flickr set.

And here are the picture-nerds:

I hope to get the shots from my Holga soon. Ahhh film.

It's such a challenge for the low-EQ'd.

Labels: photographs, tolkien

My group, TPTS, is holding a group reading of JRRT's The Hobbit. It's an activity (online) that I've pushed for. It was thought up by Reitch and I'm glad it has finally started. I realized how much I missed talking about these books that I love so dearly.

If you're new to Tolkien, The Hobbit is the best way to get acquainted with the Professor's works. It's light and entertaining.
While googling for photos of different editions of The Hobbit, I saw this very cute and rather un-Tolkien-y cover. It's not your usual High Fantasy artwork and I like it very much! This is a Dutch language edition. It would be a nice addition to my collection. I collect non-English editions of The Hobbit, but not avidly. I don't seek them actively. Sometimes, my cousin just brings home copies if they're not too expensive.

I wonder how The Hobbit would read if it was translated to Tagalog...

Ang Hobbit ni J.R.R. Tolkien.

Sa isang butas sa lupa, may nakatirang hobbit.

Ngek...that's not the best way to translate the first line, I'm sure.

Can't wait to get The Annotated Hobbit that I ordered from Amazon. And also The Marvellous Land of Snergs which Tolkien has cited as having been an influence on his writing of The Hobbit.

Labels: books, tolkien

I'm not filling up the starbucks sticker card to get the Starbucks 2007 planner, because I'm getting this one:



The Tolkien 2007 Diary illustrated by Alan Lee. It features pencil sketches and watercolors of scenes from Tolkien's different stories. Pretty pretty.

Labels: tolkien

I've been thinking about LOTR a lot lately, I'm guessing it's because it's almost December. Most, if not all, of my rereadings of LOTR have always been in December. And of course, the LOTR films were always released in December, and since the last film, my Decembers haven't been the same.

Maybe i'll read Lord of the Rings again. I haven't gone to Middle-earth in a while...

---------

According to this email, Peter Jackson isn't being hired by New Line Cinema to direct The Hobbit. I myself don't agree with that decision because I've already come to appreciate how PJ visualizes Tolkien's world. And besides, it feels as though we (tolkien nuts) have gone through sooo much with PJ and his crew. Losing him now is a sad thing indeed.

Damn you, New Line!!! I'll still watch your film, but it better be good. If not, MAY YOU ALL BURN IN BALROG FIRE!

Labels: books, tolkien

At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:

Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
A sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!

With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightaway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.

Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!

Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed.

For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the host of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.

----Book V Chapter V "The Ride of the Rohirrim" / JRR Tolkien

Loved PJ's rendition of this scene on the screen. It never fails to give me goosebumps. Just like JRRT's words when I first read them more than a decade ago. And at every rereading since. =)

Loving the ROTK EE to death.

Labels: books, tolkien

...said Gandalf quietly as he rode by Frodo's side.

'Well, yes I am,' said Frodo. 'It's my shoulder. The wound aches, and the memory of darkness is heavy on me. It was a year ago today.'

'Alas! There are some wounds that cannot be wholly cured.' said Gandalf.

'I fear it may be so with mine,' said Frodo. 'There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and tooth, and a long burden. Where shall I find rest?'

Gandalf did not answer."

---- JRR Tolkien, LOTR Book VI Chapter VII

Labels: books, tolkien

"Then Frodo kissed Merry and Pippin, and last of all Sam, and went aboard; and the sails were drawn up, and the wind blew, and slowly the ship slipped away down the long grey firth; and the light of the glass of Galadriel that Frodo bore glimmered and was lost. And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed on into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him that as in his dream in the house of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."
--- JRR Tolkien, Lord of the Rings (Book VI, Chapter IX)

If I could only stop crying so I can write about what I thought of Peter Jackson's Return of the King, which I have seen twice already (and a third time waiting to happen on Monday). But, I can't seem to put my thoughts into words.

I could strip it down into great scenes and badly adapted scenes, but what's the point? In the end, I know it will be one of my favorite movies of all time. Not that I am a film buff.

That I was such a freak about LOTR will surely be one of the silly things people will remember about me. And some would probably not understand why a fantasy novel has moved me so much.

People would ask if the last film did justice to the last volume of JRRT's epic. Here's the thing, the lump in my throat and the heavy feeling in my chest that I had reading the last paragraphs of ROTK were there when the film's credits rolled to Annie Lennox's beautifully rendered end-title theme Into the West.

So here we are in a bittersweet farewell, at the end of all things, reluctant to let the journey end. But, it has.

Labels: books, tolkien

Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.
---JRR Tolkien, Lord of the Rings (Book V, Chapter VI)

It's tonight for me.

Labels: books, tolkien

          Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
          Deep roots are not reached by the frost;
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
          A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
          The crownless again shall be king.

---JRR Tolkien; Lord of the Rings (Book I, Chapter X)


UP Alpha Sigma Fraternity and The Philippine Tolkien Society present a Return of the King screening on December 22, 7:30pm, Mega Mall Cinema 3.

Labels: books, tolkien

And so I have succeeded in cutting down on my photography expenses.

Only to use the money I've saved for yet another book on Tolkien: JRR Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator.

Pauwi na lang ako from Greenbelt eh dumaan pa ko ng Sketchbooks!

I was there last Sunday and successfully resisted the urge to buy this LOTR Weapons and Warfare book. I didn't buy it because it was loaded with photos from RoTK. And I don't want any visual spoilers before RoTK comes out, save the trailer.

So, I went there tonight just to show my friends that book.

Alas. They had new titles.

Labels: books, tolkien

"Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.

And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last. "
---- JRR Tolkien: LOTR Book V, Chapter IV


It's almost time.

Labels: books, tolkien

Hala! I won the bidding for a brand new Lomo LCA on ebay. Nyahahaha. Napasubo na naman ako. Good price, methinks? Hehe, if it's not a good price, I don't want to know. But, it's way cheaper than the amazon price, that's for sure. I won't mention here na lang how much it is. Not all that expensive. It cost much much less than Lightbox. Can't wait to get it! Hahaha, Lomography here I come. If/When I go to Bohol, I'll have three of my babies with me. The Nikon, Lightbox, and the Lomo hopefully.

*****(1/28/03 note: Got an email from the Photography Arts Center here in Manila re my inquiries about the Lomo. They're closing shop but they can still sell me a unit! BUT, I compared prices and my price is definitely lower. Although if I got it from them, I could be pawing my precious the very same day. But a few thousands off is still a big thing!)

--------

Was interviewed at NU107's Zach and Joey in the Morning with 4 other TPTS members. We talked about the geekgroup and Tolkien in general. Elvish-speaking Rashbold was there to answer all the lore-related questions, which he did quite well. Thank Eru he was there. I got to speak a little Elvish, too, before the show ended. Hee hee.

Nai i Vala nauva aselye. I practiced that before the show. And it means: May the Force be with you! Hahaha. Talk about cross-fandom. And that, obviously, was for my jedi-mellon.

-------

The Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention is almost upon us. May the Valar help us!

Labels: lomo, tolkien

TTT take 2!

Saw TTT for the second time last night, and I finally realized what was wrong.

When I saw it for the first time, I didn't watch with Tolkien geeks. And last night, I did and the experience was soooo different.

The first time was at the A.S.A.P.-sponsored advance screening. I was with film buffs, not Tolkienites. So there was no one to banter (or be silly/geeky) with. The theatre then was sort of, hmm, quiet and unresponsive. Or maybe the audience was responding very quietly, haha.

But, last night was a RIOT!

The event was sponsored by 2 UP orgs and I'm guessing most of the people there were at least semi-Tolkien geeks. At the queue, you'd hear them discussing the books and you'd even hear people going as far back as the Lost Tales etc. The show was at 8pm, and by 530, there were almost a hundred people in line already, sitting on the floor. I went with abbiedude, data, and crypto. (haha, neither RockBoy nor T&TMB -- I have side-kwento abt that later. I DID ask RockBoy**.)

And watching with them was absolute fun. Namaos ako sa katatawa, kasisigaw...basta, kare-react. We were into the movie less than an hour when I realized that THIS was the only way to watch a LOTR film premiere! Or at least, have a fellow rabid fan in the group. Kahit isa lang.

The moviehouse was so alive. People were reacting to everything. In battle scenes, you would hear people cheering. In Arwen's scenes, there would be groans, hahaha. Poor Elf. In the mushy-fellowship-friendship-semi-homo-erotic scenes, you'd hear people snickering. It was hilarious! Ang daming "Yiheeee!" when Sam and Frodo share "moments." Kakatawa!

And afterwards, people didn't get up from their seats right away. They watched the credits to the very last name, while talking middle-earth lore. That's what I missed during my first screening. I didn't even get to talk about the movie. I didn't get to complain about the deviations or rave about the adaptation of whichever scene. We just had a late dinner and talked about other things, so the experience wasn't complete.

Last night, we talked about it endlessly, and did silly LOTRfan stuff, too. Haha. Lookee here. data, abbiedude, and i & crypto and data

So, come December 2003, I will make sure that my first screening will be with at least ONE fellow fan.

----

**I finally got in contact with RockBoy last Wednesday, while waiting for TTT to start. My friend sitaw asked if it would be ok for her to give me his number and he says sure! So, before I could chicken out I sent him a message, introducing myself and asking if he'd be interested in coming to see TTT on Saturday. He says, Yes but he'd have to check his sked because he's on standby for work. So, I said I'll just ask him on Saturday morning again. But, Friday pa lang he texted na that he has work. I find out that he has 2 gigs that day. Awww shucks. Haha, k lang. It was worth a shot, ne? T&TMB, likewise, had something to do. Ok lang rin cos he got to join me on the first screening. All's well that ends well, I say :)

Labels: tolkien

Back from seeing The Two Towers. :-)

Just wanted to log that in. *yawn* so sleepy na. And oh, lotuseater gave me a copy of the TTT soundtrack as an early birthday gift :) Will react to both the film and the music, uhm, maybe on Sunday, after I see TTT for the 2nd time.

And a quick link before I go off to slumberland: Renowned Tolkien artist John Howe just launched his official website. Galing.

Good night!

Labels: tolkien