Soledad's Journal

Just so that you folks get something else to read than my domestic whining...

I was thinking about how different some things sound in different languages, even if the words itself have the exact same meaning. Since Tolkien was a master of words (and languages), I'll take the examples from "The Hobbit" - and because those are the names/words/expressions I've often mused about since I first read "The Hobbit", back in 1980 or so. Yes, it came late to us. We lived behind the Iron Curtain, after all.
( Unprofessional linguistic musings behind the cut )

Returning to more mundane topics, I've finished the felt songbook. Sewing in all the pages and making the spine was a gargantuan task; at one point I had to stitch through eight layers, but at least I know now what I'll do differently with the second one. I hope I'll still remember when I get there. But it is done now, and I'm incredibly relieved. My poor fingers are lobbying for a short break, so I might take a day or two off. Not more, though, as the Christmas fair will come in three and a half months, and that is less time than non-crafty people might think. ;))

Finally, after 7 weeks of anguish, Mum and I managed to go to the cinema and see "The Hobbit". In 3D and with Hungarian dubbing because that was the only time slot we could squeeze it in. Well... my thoughts are behind the tag.
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All in all, it was an enjoyable film, save the gratutious fighting. Even Mum enjoyed it. The 3D effects didn't do much for us, aside from making us dizzy whenever something appeared to drop off the screen and right onto our heads, but it's a matter of taste, I guess.

I'll be definitely in for the next part.

I seem to have misplaced my copy of the German translation of "The Hobbit" - or I lent it to someone and never got back, which wouldn't be the first time, I've lost several books this way, including the middle part of my own original fantasy epos.

In any case, I'm in desperate need of the German version of the Dwarves' song - the one they sing while they are cleaning up after the unexpected party. We're planning to do a play with the kids, a fun and evil version of Snow White, and the poem would match wonderfully - if I still had my book, that is.

So, could someone, please, either type it up for me, scan it in for me or point at a link for me where it could be found? My colleague, myself and eighteen teenaged kids would be eternally grateful.

Cross-posted all over the Net 'cuz I really need that poem, so don't be shocked if you stumble over this distress call repeatedly.

I've posted my new essay to Otherworlds. It's not a well-rounded one, but something I've wanted to get off my chest for quite some time. It'll become the introduction to the prequel of my Ages-old Boromir series... eventually.

The last part of the holiday report will come, too, in time. Sorry for the delay.

I'd like you to know that the Gode Cookery website is a delight. I never imagined so many medieval recipes would still exist. I checked out the site for a menu that would match Lord Orchald's Yule feast, and found the most intriguing things possible.

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Ahem. Yes. Lord Orchald has always been played by Sean Connery, but now I have "cast" Stuart Townsend as his son, young Lord Herumor. The boy looks pretty, but not in a feminine way, and long hair suits him greatly. I think he was considered to play Aragorn for a while, but then the idea was discarded because he looked too young. That's true, actually. He does look too young for a LOTR-era Strider. But as a young Estel, when he meets Arwen for the first time, he'd be great. Assuming someone else than Miss Overbite would play Arwen, of course.

I hope to finish this Advent series in time. The first part of DAy 24 is already finished, but I needed to break it into several pieces, so that it won't become overly long compared to the earlier parts. I still have at least two more parts to write. But again, I still have two days, haven't I? It would be ridiculous, should I not manage to finish it.

I was actually surprised to see that some people liked it. A series with nothing but original characters in it, who are all - well, most of them - doomed to die horribly in a few months' time is nothing you'd suppose to become popular. Well, popular is probably a bit too optimistic. But people really seem to like it.

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Mira offered to make a Sean Connery=Lord Orchald photomanip for me. *hugs Mira* Now if I only could figure out how this photobucket hosting thingy worked, I could even show you folks the result.

Sorry for the cross-post, Edhellond folks...

Although I promised myself not to start anything else before I finished at least one of my never-ending WIPs, the muse saw it differently. I've withhold this story for quite a few weeks by now, wishing to work on something else first, but after a while I gave in and posted it

to "The Stories of Arda":

http://www.storiesofarda.com/chapterlistview.asp?SID=3316

and to FF.Net:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2239867/1/

This is an experimental story, as close to an original novel as possible while still fanfic. It features a great deal of original characters, while canon characters like Gildor, Boromir, Ioreth, Faramir and possibly a few others will have their cameo appearances. But basically, it's about daily life in a small fishing town in Gondor, before the War of the Ring, until it gets raided and completely destroyed by Orcs.

And yes, it's the long-promised prequel to Shadows of the Past, in which Faramir discovers that Boromir has left an illegitimate son behind. Since that story has been up on the 'Net for more than a year, I think I haven't spoiled anything for anyone.

I admit being a little nervous about the possible reactions, as this story has only rare appearances of popular canon characters. *bites nails anxiously* But I'm very fond of it, and I'm glad that after more than a year of intensive research (both about Tolkien's universe and about medieval life in general) it's come finally to the first finished chapter.

Had interesting discussions about the Second Age, Eregion and the lesser Rings with the Edhellond crowd. Had interesting discussions with the Axe&Bow crowd about bonsai trees in Moria. Had interesting discussions with the SecondAgeElves crowd about Sindarin names. Was fun.

Said discussions - plus the documentary titled The Magic Sword I saw on German TV a few days ago finally helped the next chapter of Innocence out of the black hole. It's not done yet, but I hope to finish it next week. *crosses fingers*

Said chapter spawned a brand new story. *sighs* Those plotcritters are downright frightening sometimes. Wrote most of the first chapter, but won't talk about it yet.

Decided not to join the new community. Looked at the Members list and realized that with most people I'm on one of the same lists... or more. Besdies, I'm really not interested in the genre right now. Maybe later. Or not at all.

On the other hand, I joined the Silmarillion and the Medieval communities. I'll most likely be only lurking in the background, but it might be interesting nevertheless.

Recorded the Dungeons and Dragons movie from German TV on Thursday. Still haven't seen it. I wonder if I will, ever.

Moved forward and typed up the next chapter of Alternate Caretaker. It's almost finished. I hope my dear, gracious beta would resurface, soon, as I still have half a dozen finished but unbetaed chapters I really would like to post.

And that's about it, basically. Not much, but I'm content nevertheless.

So, all the lists I'm on are discussing ROTK, and I won't see the cursed movie before January! It's not fair! I want to participate (and most likely to bitch about the movie). I feel so left out! *pouts*

Okay, I know I'll probably hate it. Reading all the spoilers I also know why I'm gonna hate it. It's like with fanfiction. No matter how well a story is written, if it changes the main plot of The Books and causes excessive OOC-ness by the main characters, I would hate it. Period.

And I'm afraid that for me the movies belong to the category of well-"written" but still godawful fanfic.

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I apologize by the Edhellond crowd for having to read this repeatedly. I'm afraid I'll rant about this topic a lot more in the future, especially after having seen that third movie.

But again, this is my personal rambling place, so what the heck? I need to rant, and it's better to litter my own LJ with it than on any of the lists I'm on and offend people who liked the movies. They have a right to like them. Just as I have a right to hate them.