tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64340355907565166302024-03-12T19:00:52.978-04:00Janine PineoMeanderings and musings from the garden or its general vicinity, otherwise known as lifeJanine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-46387132188141958682014-12-20T22:46:00.000-05:002014-12-20T23:05:21.905-05:00The End to All Things ... is a Beginning<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSluS8RUVtRwptlUvSlL4dqzpaiC9Azkh6sA5q67v7PZ8YVEpBTbZ0SyJo9pk5w-UA-oJYK5zSMqELilp_jHg0fl-Jbi4UBKNs6y7MIqr3iaq-TJsZVopIEgeUmaSlxIXXZO0fHJiLUWr/s1600/Teaser-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSluS8RUVtRwptlUvSlL4dqzpaiC9Azkh6sA5q67v7PZ8YVEpBTbZ0SyJo9pk5w-UA-oJYK5zSMqELilp_jHg0fl-Jbi4UBKNs6y7MIqr3iaq-TJsZVopIEgeUmaSlxIXXZO0fHJiLUWr/s1600/Teaser-01.jpg" height="133" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield <br />
in "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anticipation and dread.<br />
<br />
That pretty much sums up what I have been all about this year. And in the back of my mind was the looming finale to "The Hobbit," this one titled "The Battle of the Five Armies."<br />
<br />
Given my year (if you look back, my last post was 11 months ago) and its one medical crisis after another, I would look with dread to year's end and the premiere of the last Tolkien movies by Peter Jackson. Why? A very simple thing, really: The movies and all of the hoopla around them have been a ray of light in these past couple of years, which have been rather difficult for me on just about every level you can imagine.<br />
<br />
Strangely enough, though, I began to look forward to the final movie. So when I found myself at the theater Friday afternoon, I was strangely calm. And armed with more than a dozen tissues.<br />
<br />
As a veteran of viewing Jackson's five previous Tolkien movies, I thought I was ready for BOTFA.<br />
<br />
Hardly.<br />
<br />
Maybe it's the year I have had, maybe it's my admiration of the actor who plays Thorin, and maybe it is just life, but I was not expecting what I saw.<br />
<br />
Despite the implied scale of a battle with five armies, it could not have been more personal with most of the characters. There is an intimacy in this movie that shook me, which made it all the more powerful.<br />
<br />
The simple truth is that any battle is fought at the personal level. It is that one individual against whatever comes at them, be it orc or human. That eagle's-eye view, while epic, can show scale but completely misses that each of the dots on the landscape represent a being — good or bad — who is experiencing it on a strictly personal level.<br />
<br />
Tolkien gave us that with his Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, small of stature but big of heart. And Jackson gives it to us in the faces of his actors and their crystal-clear emotions full of pain, horror and loss. But there was also love, a great deal of it.<br />
<br />
I wept silently for the last hour, at least. In my heart, it was a combination of this amazing journey I have been on, courtesy of this movie and the people surrounding it, both fans and the cast and crew. I have a network of dear souls who support me from afar, giving me little bursts of light in some very dark days. Every once in a while, a dwarf will answer a tweet, which is dreadfully sweet. But it is the daily tweets of smiles and sillies and hugs that keep me going, even through horrific moments.<br />
<br />
<i>Especially</i> through horrific moments. <br />
<br />
Endings are beginnings, though. And that is more of what I have been feeling. I plan to see the movie again, as many times as I can manage on the silver screen. But I am ready to move ahead.<br />
<br />
I will hold close, however, all those who will allow it once the hoopla is over. These past two years have changed me, and I can only hope for the better. I will always try to be supportive of the dear souls around the world who have connected with me, all because of my admiration of that certain actor, Richard Armitage, and my love of Peter Jackson's work with Tolkien's stories. <br />
<br />
Oddly enough, late on Friday night (early Saturday morning, if we are splitting hairs) a strange thing happened: I had been searching for a song to inspire me and it came with another ending, that of Craig Ferguson finishing his stint on "The Late, Late Show."<br />
<br />
I have a great affection for Craig, who is a genius entertainer, a combination of silly and smart that never failed to make me smile. His was the lone show I tuned in to during my mother's hospitalization and near death. It was purely to escape reality, even if for just 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
Craig's choice of song to end his run points to all the reasons I liked him from the moment he tried out as guest host: It was honest and powerful.<br />
<br />
Here you go, by Dead Man Fall, it's "Bang Your Drum."<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PzCZEIqezJg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
And the lyrics: <br />
<br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-0">I've been thinking
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-1">about the things that
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-2">are stuck inside my head
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-3">and I can't get them out </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-3"> </span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-4">and I 've been waking
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-5">at four in the morning
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-6">I don't know why
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-7">I can't get back to sleep again tonight </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-7"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-8">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-9">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-10">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-11">And your day will come
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-12">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-13">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-14">and they will hear ya</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-14"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-15">I am wishing
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-16">that I was making
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-17">a list of all of the good things
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-18">that I've ever done with my life </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-18"> </span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-19">and everybody
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-20">says I have wasted
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-21">wasted every chance
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-22">I ever had to be somebody </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-22"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-23">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-24">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-25">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-26">And your day will come
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-27">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-28">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-29">and they will hear ya</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-29"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-30">No one lives forever
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-31">There's business here I've got to finish
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-32">You won't make your mind up
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-33">You won't make your mind up
for me</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-33"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-34">No one lives forever
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-35">There's business here you've got to finish
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-36">You won't make your mind up
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-37">You won't make your mind up for me </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-37"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-38">Hang out of your window
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-39">Shout it down to the people below
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-40">Everyone will hear you</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-41">They are going to hear you </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-41"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-42">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-43">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-44">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-45">And your day will come
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-46">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-47">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-48">and they will hear ya</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-48"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-49">Woooh oh oh wooh oh
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-50">Woooh oh wooh oh oh
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-51">Woooh oh oh wooh oh
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-52">Woooh oh wooh oh oh </span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-52"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-53">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-54">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-55">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-56">And your day will come
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-57">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-58">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-59">and they will hear ya</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span data-reactid=".eupdz2eeps.1.2.0.0.0.1.0.3.0.1.0.$lyrics-body" id="lyrics-html"><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-59"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-60">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-61">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-62">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-63">And your day will come
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-64">Keep banging on
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-65">Banging on your drum
</span></span></span><br /><span class="annotable-line"><span class="line"><span id="line-66">and they will hear you</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-16585857394509636602014-01-19T07:02:00.000-05:002014-01-19T07:02:18.672-05:00I Saw Something Fine - Or the Man Called Portah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun3RJ57_MFP5FZFZQz0WVoKk1soxf5eSwfIPXcc5cR2nDXXA2z2n8KWT1VV_RIONWESlL-vwSUoi5UR9eoKG8ZQ4Yie6gF7B5D2fMeKwz9dJ0qqFuBXwkH5sq2k3vn7xjXpFlndLw9Tjr/s1600/ep4_231-logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun3RJ57_MFP5FZFZQz0WVoKk1soxf5eSwfIPXcc5cR2nDXXA2z2n8KWT1VV_RIONWESlL-vwSUoi5UR9eoKG8ZQ4Yie6gF7B5D2fMeKwz9dJ0qqFuBXwkH5sq2k3vn7xjXpFlndLw9Tjr/s1600/ep4_231-logo.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Richard Armitage can portray vulnerability in a character like few actors I have seen. It's not over the top nor forced nor waving a flag saying, "Watch me now while I show you how vulnerable I am."<br />
<br />
This seems to be my theme for <a href="http://raflash.com/" target="_blank">#RAflash week</a> (see <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2014/01/i-saw-something-fine-or-devil-and-deep.html" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2014/01/i-saw-something-fine-or-what-is-it.html" target="_blank">here</a>), how Richard imbues his roles with vulnerability, creating an empathetic character whether you want to like him or not. And
there are a number of characters you really don't want to like. At all.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to Portah.<br />
<br />
Of all the roles, that of John Porter (yeah, I know, the spelling, I'll get to that at the end) in "Strike Back" was the one that I delayed watching.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9lr-tr7HJJGfmpgJo84rTHlLYJc2ietlaIt9FbqLi9qyyQMfnyZRAVoetjy1VdCSBI5OEBWDQ6mV_tJN_AvV5YOeEW4luobBweYe_FAj10pQSnYUaqAXNkXw7qXftNV_2yv0iv9_oHpU/s1600/ep2_130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9lr-tr7HJJGfmpgJo84rTHlLYJc2ietlaIt9FbqLi9qyyQMfnyZRAVoetjy1VdCSBI5OEBWDQ6mV_tJN_AvV5YOeEW4luobBweYe_FAj10pQSnYUaqAXNkXw7qXftNV_2yv0iv9_oHpU/s1600/ep2_130.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter comforting Katie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My reasons were many, but in the end it boiled down to a very simple one: Porter scared me.<br />
<br />
That probably makes no sense to anyone except me, especially if you've seen the series. It likely started with my quest to watch Richard's work in chronological order if I could. Unlike many folks, I needed to not watch everything in a few weeks. He didn't do the work in a few weeks, so I felt it was important to spread the shows out over time. (Plus, he has only a finite amount of work and I didn't want to be without "new" work in just a few weeks.) <br />
<br />
I'd been blindsided by Thornton in "North and South," which was the first time I recognized Richard Armitage. I'd moved on to Guy in "Robin Hood" and peppered in other roles, such as Harry in "The Vicar of Dibley," as I watched that series. The debut of "The Hobbit" and Thorin was its own thing, and I followed that spell by watching Lucas in "Spooks" (MI5 here in the States, for some ridiculous reason).<br />
<br />
And still I waited.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
I was pretty sure Porter would kill me.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Because by all accounts - and I had read a few - this was THE hero role.<br />
<br />
It was what I yearned for Richard to play. And having watched most everything he had done on the run-up to this role, I knew it would be a tour de force.<br />
<br />
He was.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYYaZ1SSlpXtc7NP3zVFoarQdwgo8rR6X75-qUrrqcUlk07ACxkkzzFAUFvlspk9xgD81UF4PBc9XA16LgOETERK11I_JSQlicf9EFnfkcbORupVHlMflhU82EJ6T3fdcTCmd4_i2-nzi/s1600/ep4_320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYYaZ1SSlpXtc7NP3zVFoarQdwgo8rR6X75-qUrrqcUlk07ACxkkzzFAUFvlspk9xgD81UF4PBc9XA16LgOETERK11I_JSQlicf9EFnfkcbORupVHlMflhU82EJ6T3fdcTCmd4_i2-nzi/s1600/ep4_320.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter talking to his daughter after hearing tragic news</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the very first minutes, it was apparent that this was no rampaging soldier role. It brought home the humanity - and inhumanity - of what being a soldier is like.<br />
<br />
But it also showed how one decision can change everything, be it a war zone or not.<br />
<br />
I was mesmerized by Richard in this portrayal, a man of conviction, a man willing to own his decisions (debatable whether they were mistakes), a man of honor and loyalty no matter the cost to himself.<br />
<br />
And this: A man who allows himself to be vulnerable, which only strengthens him as a man.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTDyskhPuy4GgojWtB09TCm5adrj4Qk9lM_mShMa6WwXKo4g4JQW9sCTSWJXgBrB1Ty8h3T3USah0fesLGImm5NQTROWojkMorWhRMrV04zSZ8_kekhVDbtLaPbXFfsMiiTuTOOZVuL1Z/s1600/ep6_208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTDyskhPuy4GgojWtB09TCm5adrj4Qk9lM_mShMa6WwXKo4g4JQW9sCTSWJXgBrB1Ty8h3T3USah0fesLGImm5NQTROWojkMorWhRMrV04zSZ8_kekhVDbtLaPbXFfsMiiTuTOOZVuL1Z/s1600/ep6_208.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moment when Porter is his most heroic, at least to me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Porter will always be the unsung hero, my hero, the good man you want in your life, the one who's got your back, the one who will rescue you, the one who will shore you up when you think you can't go on, the one who will put himself in harm's way to protect you, the one who will hold you when you are frightened, the one who will love you.<br />
<br />
It makes you yearn for such a man.<br />
<br />
And that's what scared me. <br />
<br />
<i> *About Portah: Early on, when I heard the name pronounced thusly, I had to chuckle because the Maine accent tends to turn words with an "er" or "ar" to sound like "ah." The long-running joke in New England is the following sentence: "I parked the car in Harvard yard" to "I pahked the cah in Hahvahd yahd." So it will always be Portah for me.</i><br />
Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-87588204143188766712014-01-15T02:33:00.000-05:002014-01-15T02:33:07.742-05:00The World Would Be a Better Place Filled with 'Wisdom of the Shire'<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><b>If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, <br />it would be a merrier world.</b></i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>- Thorin Oakenshield, "The Hobbit"</i></span></span></h4>
<br />It is fair to say that J.R.R. Tolkien knew what was important. <br /><br />While the above quote from "The Hobbit" wraps it into a succinct package, the book itself is a testament to all the things that are important in a life. And Tolkien doesn't whack you in the head with it or cram it down your throat. No, he simply tells a story and lets the reader decide.<br /><br />I am enamored of "The Hobbit" for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the greatest is that I am much like a Hobbit in many ways: I love my garden, my books, my shire of Maine. Need I go on? To be honest, I think I might be a lot like Bilbo, ready for an adventure, although I do believe I have dealt with enough orcs to last a lifetime without venturing too far from home. <br /><br />So let me tell you a little tale ...<br /><br />I follow a number of Hobbity types on Twitter. It can make for a cozy gathering, out there in the cold land of the Internet. <br /><br />At the end of November, as the world awaited the premiere of the second round of "The Hobbit" movie trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug, I saw a tweet from Pieter Collier, aka <a href="https://twitter.com/TolkienLibrary" target="_blank">@TolkienLibrary</a>, announcing <a href="http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/wisdom-of-the-shire-contest.html" target="_blank">"The Wisdom of the Shire" contest</a>. <br /><br />I entered.<br /><br />And promptly forgot about it.<br /><br />The day before the movie debuted in North America, I got an email saying I had won. Yet there it sat, like an occupied Erebor, waiting. Waiting. <br /><br />For 17 days it waited. The movie opened. Christmas came and went. A series of storms swept through my region, inundating us with snow and ice for days on end. I had more than enough to do than scan every email in my account. So when I finally sat down to clean out my inbox, that was when I saw it. <br /><br />I had won a copy of "The Wisdom of the Shire: A Short Guide to a Long and Happy Life" by Noble Smith.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw0l5noy4qgP96Uz0iHh81E6DNB0kDU5UurCjIGVe-c_nff220Nr61lA2AN4dXROOyqE3J18ECTUHENfEgOT9i9RKIN0DOjZif1_FnvhSXzfYcX6Ew84Eq5K4Aphz4PkVRb99xPi3BDzR/s1600/wisdom-books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw0l5noy4qgP96Uz0iHh81E6DNB0kDU5UurCjIGVe-c_nff220Nr61lA2AN4dXROOyqE3J18ECTUHENfEgOT9i9RKIN0DOjZif1_FnvhSXzfYcX6Ew84Eq5K4Aphz4PkVRb99xPi3BDzR/s1600/wisdom-books.jpg" height="400" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Wisdom of the Shire" <br />along with their inspiration, <br />"The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A welcome flurry of emails ensued, first with Pieter and then with Noble (you can find him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/ShireWisdom" target="_blank">@ShireWisdom</a>) and before I knew it, the book was in the mail, winging its way on eagles. <br /><br />U.S. Postal Service eagles, get it? <br /><br />It arrived late last week, kindly signed by Noble himself (yes, I asked about his name, and yes, he answered me, and no, you must ask him yourself to gift you with such knowledge).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSp_Tqnno7_xDeuhAR-K6QdoWomKeimyx2ydVioBC14t1ZT-Oza28qe3uliU9MPL1PqUH-0Tt0b5n3ovTTvoM-bng6fRM2JiJ3eoET1LmoBZ-bZSFJeqhMp_kNFx_OTWC4bTl17Wn1Pec/s1600/wisdom-inscription.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSp_Tqnno7_xDeuhAR-K6QdoWomKeimyx2ydVioBC14t1ZT-Oza28qe3uliU9MPL1PqUH-0Tt0b5n3ovTTvoM-bng6fRM2JiJ3eoET1LmoBZ-bZSFJeqhMp_kNFx_OTWC4bTl17Wn1Pec/s1600/wisdom-inscription.jpg" height="400" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kind inscription</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />I skimmed through it immediately, seeing lovely little footnotes that are a bit more noticeably placed, much like Hobbit feet are a tad more obvious. I even spotted a recipe I plan to try in the not-too-distant future. <br /><br />Then I set it aside until I had a quiet moment before starting to read it in earnest yesterday. <br /><br />I am not going to run through it. Oh, no, not this. My leather Hobbit bookmark from Weta is going to gradually advance through the pages, letting me savor the words, the ideas, the observations.<br /><br />I can say that I love it, though. Noble is a conversationalist, writing with grace and honesty. I knew I wanted to have a chat with him as soon as I read this: <br /><br /><i>"You can create a snug 'Hobbit-hole' wherever you are .... Because the space which you inhabit is irrelevant compared to the power of your mind to project contentment. For me that contentment has always meant having a good book at hand, so that no matter where I was stuck physically, my mind was free to soar."</i><br /><br />Yes, I think I know you, Mr. Noble Smith, fellow Hobbit. For now, I will settle for reading your book. But someday, I do want that chat. Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-19635074968105860212014-01-15T00:37:00.000-05:002014-01-15T00:37:38.879-05:00I Saw Something Fine - Or What Is It About This Guy?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC28rPj5san-zO71ps-iAQumUOP5fneeI244M_Lv9MywSyXZ9jcPWrtyVNleUuYSzRUH5HUNrEoUKc6WlRSNpq0jocEuBW_0keptJjvYf0UJSpgsfb-LGcUdzTWhtgfHHTF-_juH5GR7J/s1600/rh107_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC28rPj5san-zO71ps-iAQumUOP5fneeI244M_Lv9MywSyXZ9jcPWrtyVNleUuYSzRUH5HUNrEoUKc6WlRSNpq0jocEuBW_0keptJjvYf0UJSpgsfb-LGcUdzTWhtgfHHTF-_juH5GR7J/s1600/rh107_016.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Rage.<br />
<br />
In polite society, it just isn't done. I certainly was raised to control my emotions, although I suspect I had more of an inclination to not show specific feelings because that would reveal vulnerabilities people could use against me. So you just bottle it up and pull on the mask. <br />
<br />
Then there is impotent rage.<br />
<br />
Ah, that one.<br />
<br />
That is why Guy speaks to me.<br />
<br />
To the uninitiated, Guy would be Guy of Gisborne from the tales of Robin Hood, but not just any Guy. No, this would be the one played by Richard Armitage in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood_%282006_TV_series%29" target="_blank">BBC reboot </a>of the classic tale in 2006. In theory, the show was meant to appeal to the youngsters, but it ended up with a following well outside that range.<br />
<br />
That said, I discovered Guy after I saw "North and South." I was on the prowl for more work by Richard Armitage and decided I would watch his bigger projects in chronological order. In other words, I wanted to watch him grow as an actor.<br />
<br />
That meant Guy.<br />
<br />
To be completely honest, at the end of the first disc of the first season, I sat there and said to myself: "Can you manage three whole seasons of this?"<br />
<br />
The answer was yes, but only because of one reason: Richard Armitage.<br />
<br />
In a few short minutes of screen time (sadly, it was "Robin Hood" not "Misunderstood Guy"), he managed to convey a character you didn't want to like but did. This character was caught in a web, surrounded by people who did nothing but lie to him, mistreat him and use him.<br />
<br />
Oh, well, that hit a nerve.<br />
<br />
No one cared for Guy. He was manipulated in every relationship. Some of it he was aware of and tried to use to his own advantage (always failing), but some of the manipulation was hidden from him, although the viewer was well aware of it (hence the hate on Marian).<br />
<br />
He was supposed to be a ruthless character - a machine, if you will, and Richard
himself said he wanted Guy to be a like a robot - but there were cracks
in the armor.<br />
<br />
I have spent <strike>way too much</strike> a lot of time thinking about why Guy appeals to me the way he does.Yes, there is all that black leather and handsome man (along with Guy hair, Guyliner, Guy stubble and a very impressive eyebrow maneuver). But I found myself again drawn to watching Richard's face as he portrayed this character. He shows more relatable emotion in a second on screen than some actors do in an hour. Or a lifetime.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it is as subtle as the merest flicker of an eyelid. Sometimes it is as obvious as a sniff, a smirk or a sneer - or all three in tandem.<br />
<br />
Guy became my inner smirk. Feeling used? Guy smirk. Feeling helpless? Guy smirk. Feeling like you are losing everything you ever worked for? Guy sigh. Then smirk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca6TX-CZTvhD7i4TjkVt8CaLQfo7GcF5SBYX05polyCOYoFdvnjgcKIcGuu_cgdx9d10CIwFFALstV8bLyOTzhalVeJoH8rDFbVbJPL1XDxztZNrqsBy6ZPA3Bi19LaXbQmJChtIpnUBb/s1600/guy-smolder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca6TX-CZTvhD7i4TjkVt8CaLQfo7GcF5SBYX05polyCOYoFdvnjgcKIcGuu_cgdx9d10CIwFFALstV8bLyOTzhalVeJoH8rDFbVbJPL1XDxztZNrqsBy6ZPA3Bi19LaXbQmJChtIpnUBb/s1600/guy-smolder.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Season 1 Guy, not surprised at another insult, <br />this one on the day he thinks he is about to marry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The other magnificent thing about Guy is that Richard somehow changed this character for each of the three seasons. The first season is a slow build, but by the last few episodes, I was completely in Guy's corner as those cracks in his armor were ripped open to reveal a vulnerable being. (I've <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2014/01/i-saw-something-fine-or-devil-and-deep.html" target="_blank">said it before</a>: Richard plays vulnerable, oh, so well.)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnSVWfSQ37Nxse81a547CYbtgLOvpiYpdTVWVl00Og52Qv_JtfAd-LswnPX6o6k07YcjgfD9opWmWSt701sc-z4-ddfJx2Dk3JDdeI0OKMCnVYql-xA8JzyLKm03-iaA9XhiGn3xTG8cd/s1600/rh210_081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnSVWfSQ37Nxse81a547CYbtgLOvpiYpdTVWVl00Og52Qv_JtfAd-LswnPX6o6k07YcjgfD9opWmWSt701sc-z4-ddfJx2Dk3JDdeI0OKMCnVYql-xA8JzyLKm03-iaA9XhiGn3xTG8cd/s1600/rh210_081.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Season 2 Guy risks his heart, then his life, for the one he loves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Season 2 Guy was a seething mass of rage after a massive betrayal. And yet that was turned around into Guy recognizing he loved someone more than himself and was willing to sacrifice his life for her.<br />
<br />
We won't even discuss the finale of Season 2 because I don't think Guy would have done what the writers had him do.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oM8P16llvQsuntkTLszhEUN4T2psyq_bZC0hFsx-DS84ZI-zyknRiaaXydcaQKrBB1dEirO1_4M_85GRod6CdxpdMMVAZXczyrQQlvrES2_H6zlvgo01d9Tlci6keHzFOduZGqrcI4p3/s1600/guy-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oM8P16llvQsuntkTLszhEUN4T2psyq_bZC0hFsx-DS84ZI-zyknRiaaXydcaQKrBB1dEirO1_4M_85GRod6CdxpdMMVAZXczyrQQlvrES2_H6zlvgo01d9Tlci6keHzFOduZGqrcI4p3/s1600/guy-close.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Season 3 Guy was something fine.<br />And charmingly wonky for a few episodes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
However, it brought yet another version of Guy into being. And Season 3 Guy was a tour de force. He is wonky Guy, scheming Guy, defeated Guy, and ultimately, he is redeemed Guy.<br />
<br />
I told you, I saw something fine.<br />
<br />
And if you don't believe me, watch what is my favorite Guy fan video. The song is perfect for Guy and should illustrate my points beautifully. Smirk.<br />
<br />
Or should I say Smirkitage? Yeah, that. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RTCaCyLg1W4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-54746375578788329032014-01-14T20:30:00.001-05:002014-01-14T20:30:13.878-05:00RA Flash Fan Event - I Saw Something Fine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApMQo7NnC34h0QnhtBRPHyhZGlTv5mL9bsBbHIAudrvctCcKO2DjTjW_dvt_Jy9Zo-cFgmnuvF0DeXZCpDypGwayLRS2U5USmOZKshkW9m8R33DouxClRvY091LrZWA1binAJFHfr3LMu/s1600/rafanflash2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApMQo7NnC34h0QnhtBRPHyhZGlTv5mL9bsBbHIAudrvctCcKO2DjTjW_dvt_Jy9Zo-cFgmnuvF0DeXZCpDypGwayLRS2U5USmOZKshkW9m8R33DouxClRvY091LrZWA1binAJFHfr3LMu/s1600/rafanflash2.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
It is hard not to admire a person who radiates kindness, humility and good humor.<br />
<br />
Which makes it easy to understand my admiration for Richard Armitage.<br />
<br />
It certainly isn't a surprise how easy it is to get some fans in a frenzy (or make well-wishers go wonky) to talk about some of the reasons why they like this actor so much.<br />
<br />
All this week is an impromptu RA Flash Fan Event, from which you can see the roundup of posts <a href="http://raflash.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
And thanks to Morrighan's Muse for the badge (a term I am still coming to terms with, given that I think of it as a logo).<br />
<br />
You can read my first offering for this week <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2014/01/i-saw-something-fine-or-devil-and-deep.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Yes, that may very well mean I have a second one in the pipeline.<br />
<br />
Wonky. Is all I have to say.Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-5615143769577777782014-01-13T13:00:00.000-05:002014-01-13T13:00:00.602-05:00I Saw Something Fine - Or the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39GHugDK7po-HgYqQjNS34MJddZezq0umBVNyxIVyGCWz-2Y98BFBeUnU12YiU4Dg5NE-cDtEVpZQ8ZKhIpIWGq3JPrM3GBIsGBJ7eND4yAkuDouUDpNXLyXOfBcdzq58F3R9sMoBTsuc/s1600/LeslieHassler-04-fine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39GHugDK7po-HgYqQjNS34MJddZezq0umBVNyxIVyGCWz-2Y98BFBeUnU12YiU4Dg5NE-cDtEVpZQ8ZKhIpIWGq3JPrM3GBIsGBJ7eND4yAkuDouUDpNXLyXOfBcdzq58F3R9sMoBTsuc/s1600/LeslieHassler-04-fine.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Armitage | Leslie Hassler Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given the hour (4:41 a.m.), the fact I haven't had any sleep yet, the crazy freezing rain that coated everything in sight all day AND that cabin fever has set in and we aren't even a month into winter, it may not be the best idea to write my ode to Richard Armitage.<br />
<br />
But since I have given my disclaimer, let's do it anyway.<br />
<br />
I wrote a ginormous thing about the man last year. It was posted over on Frenz's site for several reasons, none of which I can actually remember. (Note the disclaimer in paragraph one.) It was also so wordy that it took two posts for me to get to the point. If you want to jump in with both feet, the first post can be found <a href="http://rafrenzy.com/2013/03/16/what-just-happened/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
I sensed impending <strike>doom</strike> fun last week when I saw that Frenz wanted to spontaneously <strike>combust</strike> begin FanstRAvaganza 2014 right now and willingly held my virtual hand up and said "Count me in."<br />
<br />
Then she posted we needed to do a thing about that thing you-know-who does so well. See the title of the post.<br />
<br />
Now chew on that.<br />
<br />
I have been.<br />
<br />
And in these wee hours, after about 90 minutes of playing oddball music on my computer and then tweeting YouTube links on my Twitter, I have realized a few things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGNnVJW1Qnh4mHwMTZqu_hslFGLfaIiDmVsOvTZacQHZUUFjt3PP4VKNJga0DepPnPo65ymHNf3nTCmcrjvmkQb40cAOP5TOx_8vHSPWyLmfRbRvrd8SJn4r8jl3VgU4b815RGeFHwP4o/s1600/ricky-scarf-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGNnVJW1Qnh4mHwMTZqu_hslFGLfaIiDmVsOvTZacQHZUUFjt3PP4VKNJga0DepPnPo65ymHNf3nTCmcrjvmkQb40cAOP5TOx_8vHSPWyLmfRbRvrd8SJn4r8jl3VgU4b815RGeFHwP4o/s1600/ricky-scarf-crop.jpg" height="168" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RA, not me, as Ricky Deeming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol>
<li>You can never have too much Cheap Trick and "I Want You to Want Me." Go right ahead and judge me on that.</li>
<li>Billy Idol was pretty tame compared to some of the nuts you see today.</li>
<li>The internet totally spies on you and tempts you with things that you really want. Like putting up an ad for a trip to New Zealand when I am trying to concentrate on Billy Idol's snarl.</li>
<li>Black Rebel Motorcycle Club totally gets me. I am rebel, hear me roar. Just not on a motorcycle. (Hey, I am not Ricky Deeming, thankyouverymuch.)</li>
<li>All I could think of was Smaug when I started playing "Burning Down the House."</li>
<li>I never get tired of watching Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love." Turn. It. Up. </li>
<li>I would rather listen to "Simply Irresistible" than watch the video. That said, replay, replay, replay.</li>
<li>“Sharp-Dressed Man.” Must I elaborate?</li>
<li>“Lust for Life” has the best 70-second opening of a song ever. I am not sure any other song has a 70-second opening, but be that as it may, I still love it. The lyrics, however, are completely out of left field. “Hypnotizing chickens” ... just ... blows ... my ... mind.</li>
<li>Bobby Darin makes me think of Richard Armitage.</li>
</ol>
<br />
I’ll get to that in a moment. But first a bit of back story, if you will. (And you will because we all know who loves the back story.)<br />
<br />
I was, once again, pulled into the Armitage Vortex (which is simply the inferno version of the polar one) with the run-up to the release of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” I was overwhelmed with all of the junketing and surely missed a good portion of junkety stuff. I was thrilled so many Twitter peeps got to see Richard in person this year. I even got <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2014/01/the-book-that-flew-right-past-me.html" target="_blank">a book sent to me</a> that he signed after an event in London.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVFy8exG9iUcF_T8QgAzzYpRIfItE3qmPOM9TbHX4-QzLK-iy9E4DsLQzBt45yGNbt0-n1VJq4cVbQzM_Ru0bv57uZhmImS7MT0MMDgfp2hqi3jsFp5AAJM_qfGD3H0_AjJjOylEg6nkW/s1600/BbfdJo-CcAAnk_C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVFy8exG9iUcF_T8QgAzzYpRIfItE3qmPOM9TbHX4-QzLK-iy9E4DsLQzBt45yGNbt0-n1VJq4cVbQzM_Ru0bv57uZhmImS7MT0MMDgfp2hqi3jsFp5AAJM_qfGD3H0_AjJjOylEg6nkW/s1600/BbfdJo-CcAAnk_C.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fine thing happened during the junketing junk<br />and made me very happy. For reasons ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I managed to make it to the movie on opening day and sobbed when Thorin stepped inside Erebor. Because <span style="color: #073763;"><b><u>Richard is a fine actor who knows the greatest emotional punch is the quiet, nearly whispered punch, with the crack in one’s voice revealing one’s greatest vulnerability. *</u></b></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-CSav3QCBAyRVfFLqTlSLVMkrj8bNJ0y_lMJDt2EaKYm6B1WApZioNU2eAPlePESD6cIeMY7BUjRELSp1LizyXc6G0zXdahjh_YNKO39x5-K6S79QndFTdqK7oW46xcYcOWU9HbpTHTB/s1600/LeslieHassler-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-CSav3QCBAyRVfFLqTlSLVMkrj8bNJ0y_lMJDt2EaKYm6B1WApZioNU2eAPlePESD6cIeMY7BUjRELSp1LizyXc6G0zXdahjh_YNKO39x5-K6S79QndFTdqK7oW46xcYcOWU9HbpTHTB/s1600/LeslieHassler-06.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mr. Fine with his jaunty hat | Leslie Hassler Photo</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Which brings me back to Bobby Darin. It has taken me an hour to ponder and write this, so it is now 5:39 a.m. and my disclaimer still applies. (Said disclaimer is still in paragraph one; stay with me here.)<br />
<br />
I got stuck about two hours ago on “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.” And Richard. <br />
<br />
All I have to say is that at this moment, it shows my vulnerability, no matter how fine the man is. <br />
<br />
At least it is rather insouciant. Take that, Mr. Fine, even as you jauntily tip your hat at me. <br />
<br />
Here’s the video with the lyrics below.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/o65dEv8Vp5g?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
<b>Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea </b><br />
<i>(The Bobby Darin version)</i><br />
<br />
I don't want you<br />
But I’d hate to lose you<br />
You got me in between<br />
The devil and the deep blue sea<br />
<br />
I forgive you<br />
'Cause I can't forget you<br />
You got me in between<br />
The devil and the deep blue sea<br />
<br />
I oughta cross you off my list<br />
But when you come a-knocking at my door<br />
Fate seems to give my heart a twist<br />
And I come running back for more<br />
<br />
I should hate you<br />
But I guess I love you<br />
You got me in between<br />
The devil and the deep blue sea<br />
<br />
I oughta cross you off my list<br />
But every time you come back knocking at my door<br />
Fate seems to give my heart a twist<br />
And I come crawling back for more<br />
<br />
Oh, I still should hate you<br />
But I guess I gotta love you<br />
You've got me sorta hung up between<br />
The devil and the deep blue sea<br />
Devil and the deep blue sea<br />
Devil and the deep blue sea ...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Songwriters - HAROLD ARLEN, TED KOEHLER</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>*Did you notice that this is my answer to "I Saw Something Fine"? The powerhouse that is Richard Armitage, the actor, is a privilege to watch, whether he reins in his emotions or unleashes a fury that will leave you breathless. And wanting more. The devil...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BlOz3efm5xLjnyd-tvglzOIoF0DD5MVpzz01wwMtS6nqrFQyCRtkcoHRWe_3ZXy-2y7cwjCVkcO-qTQmxoj-NI2y63fhbAKOwj5D0zYtP7wN1zMdxkdty9gXcM9XXkMKF352e8aIM_Zc/s1600/thorin-keyDOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BlOz3efm5xLjnyd-tvglzOIoF0DD5MVpzz01wwMtS6nqrFQyCRtkcoHRWe_3ZXy-2y7cwjCVkcO-qTQmxoj-NI2y63fhbAKOwj5D0zYtP7wN1zMdxkdty9gXcM9XXkMKF352e8aIM_Zc/s1600/thorin-keyDOS.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RA as Thorin Oakenshield<br />in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"<br />moments before the heir enters the door<br />into the land of his birth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-65792430430868337052014-01-02T23:11:00.000-05:002014-01-02T23:40:57.275-05:00The Book That Flew Right Past Me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua3HUeM0VIorHyP1YW9WBSWgPw1mPPSrCjI-xnJU0a2FXcmhC7KQiBH42eLiAVmTOLrmPPnSLmeEE6FSeLblhpd6gXk3nJOHAquoqHBGUaF1aCiyf2jKSYZZzhyphenhyphenTO13zj27f8pqDxesTX/s1600/060-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua3HUeM0VIorHyP1YW9WBSWgPw1mPPSrCjI-xnJU0a2FXcmhC7KQiBH42eLiAVmTOLrmPPnSLmeEE6FSeLblhpd6gXk3nJOHAquoqHBGUaF1aCiyf2jKSYZZzhyphenhyphenTO13zj27f8pqDxesTX/s400/060-crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hint</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was floating home on a wind chill of -32 degrees Fahrenheit after a second viewing of "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," thinking of fire and heat and dwarves (not necessarily in that order).<br />
<br />
As I blew into my bedroom where it was at least 90 degrees warmer than the wind chill outside, there on the quilt lay a package.<br />
<br />
With this on the corner.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJql2czQ4JzeVYG_YbqFc5YWnrifbOopIJXYkyNXQAk8dFGXz0nZpewFPWC6R1gXRSd7Xa7xxgHiotsxelOSJRJHO5e_iT3FWw3ozVfJtYW8TxWkSdYSjChgVmzsE7fzASpxALs-AJwoSw/s1600/050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJql2czQ4JzeVYG_YbqFc5YWnrifbOopIJXYkyNXQAk8dFGXz0nZpewFPWC6R1gXRSd7Xa7xxgHiotsxelOSJRJHO5e_iT3FWw3ozVfJtYW8TxWkSdYSjChgVmzsE7fzASpxALs-AJwoSw/s320/050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My cold hands fought with the tape, but I managed to wrest it open to find this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuBe5ks_JZgxU8zq4Cv75MACGYZLUG5Io1KuoGns-MMUMSH-Qby2DoALR-xG54qMH9HLolmx6lOs-S8AyIQ7QTeL_ypDou3SqeIrwlIWAfJe4zsflNug-IDHwGMuoj_Ag53bh_0wzGv8I/s1600/052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuBe5ks_JZgxU8zq4Cv75MACGYZLUG5Io1KuoGns-MMUMSH-Qby2DoALR-xG54qMH9HLolmx6lOs-S8AyIQ7QTeL_ypDou3SqeIrwlIWAfJe4zsflNug-IDHwGMuoj_Ag53bh_0wzGv8I/s320/052.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
I particularly appreciated the luster of gold on the paper, my eyes falling on the 5 GOLD RINGS! first.<br />
<br />
Next were the ladies dancing, but I prefer to interpret that as just one. JUST ONE. (Imagine interpretive dance of one lady. OK, maybe not, unless you want to count my racing around the backyard with the dog in the -32 degree wind chill as an interpretive dance.)<br />
<br />
I carefully popped open the taped ends and what should emerge but the latest traveling book, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Visual Companion" by Jude Fisher.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFErZ7e9X8tEoi1V5jAMCQlPQ1rmKV0CApzvjrRV54eZAL1T5duA3PuKYGk-SWPieqiR9n5tSEla7OaJq2uYEcDe7DmzDdD6PuBSLDb2uc16hkSHXUFnea5Y46tU5DXp_sa0A7pTddCRV/s1600/063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFErZ7e9X8tEoi1V5jAMCQlPQ1rmKV0CApzvjrRV54eZAL1T5duA3PuKYGk-SWPieqiR9n5tSEla7OaJq2uYEcDe7DmzDdD6PuBSLDb2uc16hkSHXUFnea5Y46tU5DXp_sa0A7pTddCRV/s320/063.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
Oh, the places it has gone. Its journey started in London at Waterstones Piccadilly where dear Pamela attended the book signing on Dec. 6 with the author and actors Luke Evans (Bard) and Richard Armitage (Thorin). <br />
<br />
I admit, I asked earlier in the week if she might consider getting a book signed. But she demurred, saying getting autographs wasn't her thing. I said no problem. Although I might have asked if she'd tweet a picture of the panel. Just because.<br />
<br />
On the 6th, what to my wondering eyes should appear but a tweet to me, with a picture attached, that she had gotten me a surprise. (<a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2013/12/getting-my-hobbit-on-in-twitterverse.html" target="_blank">Read about the big day here</a>.)<br />
<br />
I was out walking the dog and nearly fell down in the snow.<br />
<br />
And then Pamela went home to New Zealand. I had no idea where the book was since she mentioned maybe having a friend post it from London. I had suggested asking the plane to make a slight detour to Maine and drop it out the door on its way to deliver Pamela back to the land of <a href="http://gardenmaine.com/2012/12/14/a-middle-earth-present/" target="_blank">pohutukawa trees</a>.<br />
<br />
It was more than a week later before Pamela let me know she was braving the holiday crowd at the post office to post the book to me. <br />
<br />
Yes, this book was on its way back again. As it turns out, it has likely circumnavigated the globe. Pamela returned to NZ via Dubai and Melbourne before she and the book landed on the North Island of New Zealand. After a few days, the book likely left the Southern Hemisphere to fly up the Pacific, crossing the equator before traversing North America on its two-week return journey to me, in the wilds of Maine.<br />
<br />
<br />
As I opened the cover of the book, I have to admit to feeling a wee thrill chase through me. Pretty sure it wasn't a chill.<br />
<br />
And there, with the author's signature (what a dream job for a writer to put together A HOBBIT BOOK), were the signatures of two men I had watched minutes ago on the silver screen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7nWt2gLbgXL9LZraqxCSQfn1S2iya0QTLqyBddTyKjX_oQ6eGFDCfHWHQD5D0Hb_VA5kkOqtUFlyw5dV6qSWH6iKiuwXb7Uo0ky1Xq2LDNE6KOvqxcQ95ZHuxPbHOHbfVrZpqpZBzbTP/s1600/060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7nWt2gLbgXL9LZraqxCSQfn1S2iya0QTLqyBddTyKjX_oQ6eGFDCfHWHQD5D0Hb_VA5kkOqtUFlyw5dV6qSWH6iKiuwXb7Uo0ky1Xq2LDNE6KOvqxcQ95ZHuxPbHOHbfVrZpqpZBzbTP/s320/060.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was blown away by Bard, played by Luke Evans who brings an intensity and urgency (along with a lush accent) that fuels the second installment of "The Hobbit."<br />
<br />
Then there was Richard Armitage. I was struck anew by his ability to play subtle to its utmost. His moment of walking inside Erebor, his voice cracking as he sees his home after decades of exile, brought me to tears yet again.<br />
<br />
Thousands of miles later, here I stood, book in hand, their signatures before me. <br />
<br />
What an incredibly sweet remembrance. <br />
<br />
Thank you, Pamela, dear friend. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevwidK-V8M_UZq0JE-avvmn9H3bFg7M80J3RX6DyrWYqxq55p5nqg-7iCzzVmlrdJZ32agdNocuVT0_l4sospY_ccrFuPmNADg2CgtvrZ5oxJ9QtYqIRuC6Dspu8diUm5FJup1DqVLMJh/s1600/Ba1r3RXCQAAGVkJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevwidK-V8M_UZq0JE-avvmn9H3bFg7M80J3RX6DyrWYqxq55p5nqg-7iCzzVmlrdJZ32agdNocuVT0_l4sospY_ccrFuPmNADg2CgtvrZ5oxJ9QtYqIRuC6Dspu8diUm5FJup1DqVLMJh/s400/Ba1r3RXCQAAGVkJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Evans, Jude Fisher and Richard Armitage <br />
at Waterstones Piccadilly on Dec. 6, 2013.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-32571146581537569062013-12-12T07:25:00.001-05:002013-12-12T07:25:53.762-05:00We'll Always Have Madrid<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Lovely Twitter peep Karina Oure met Richard Armitage on Wednesday during the premiere in Madrid for "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." </span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Congratulations, sweetheart. You did good.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Without further ado, here is her story (unedited from Facebook). With pictures, of course.</span></span></div>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yKLPN641RZzfE9BOksGjWyI7zXJx3GTyxdmDgAeor-GiqxX395Kl6oijYNSjurWc5YNu2Jssp3dqskfsxJHkeae_lI_Hk86nGB9XIe-IHCT7-mTNmpqprLq8pj54JhJBB6sKLAxaQGSI/s1600/BbR1BzAIUAAxoy9.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yKLPN641RZzfE9BOksGjWyI7zXJx3GTyxdmDgAeor-GiqxX395Kl6oijYNSjurWc5YNu2Jssp3dqskfsxJHkeae_lI_Hk86nGB9XIe-IHCT7-mTNmpqprLq8pj54JhJBB6sKLAxaQGSI/s400/BbR1BzAIUAAxoy9.jpg+large.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Armitage<br />From Karina's Twitter: "Paying attention. To me. Still cannot believe it." </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></h5>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlNu1dXPJzFEspMK7wyyfyuvTdpvONCG8BNA-ffMkpdjUgFGal5KqQG8zKXvNi6mxSxpE3Wts4HQnTATFxn67D6mtYzS9yyem75JGv77vqbYO1NReAUoAQ6dd_ixrPlMeskJqWfk8IllI/s1600/BbR01vVIEAAXR9q.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlNu1dXPJzFEspMK7wyyfyuvTdpvONCG8BNA-ffMkpdjUgFGal5KqQG8zKXvNi6mxSxpE3Wts4HQnTATFxn67D6mtYzS9yyem75JGv77vqbYO1NReAUoAQ6dd_ixrPlMeskJqWfk8IllI/s320/BbR01vVIEAAXR9q.jpg+large.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karina's Twitter: Yes, he is signing <br />my photos of him here.<br /> I still start shaking looking at this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_ds61H1doKdPsv4MD_7zg-IEMxpPSLnqku0CfJr2IBkIQWFGzOpFYx8yEVPyLcaX3XetAb3M9BM15YQoR4CsrugPVJQj04VRJsrWwpKYf1c_dZ56rbCF9C9lp5Zb3FujgJ2m1mNnNopj/s1600/BbR0dLQIIAAirZ3.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_ds61H1doKdPsv4MD_7zg-IEMxpPSLnqku0CfJr2IBkIQWFGzOpFYx8yEVPyLcaX3XetAb3M9BM15YQoR4CsrugPVJQj04VRJsrWwpKYf1c_dZ56rbCF9C9lp5Zb3FujgJ2m1mNnNopj/s320/BbR0dLQIIAAirZ3.jpg+large.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He turns...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> Right.
So as some of you may know I have been impatiently waiting news of a
European premiere or event, determined to go this year. When I heard
about Madrid I got so warm and happy as I have lived here nearly 20
years ago and always felt so at home here, loving the people, the
language, the atmosphere etc. Perfect combination; my second home by
heart and Richard <br /> <br />
As I was planning to go and had ready tickets, hotel even a Danish
friend to come join me, well I got scared. Scared to hope for too much
and be dissappointed beyond repair. I am quite emotionel you see. And I
had wondered what kind of reaction I might have. I did not cry in his
face, so there goes my worst fear, haha.<br /> <br /> Second worse fear;
arrive to late and it would be full of people and we'd only get a
glimpse if that much. No need to be so damn scared! My amazing friend
was ok to go at noon and spend the day there. We made some super cute
friends there, 3 young Tolkien fans who sort of became my saviours or
angels Bless them.<br /> <br />
First they were warned that the cameras would be in front of where we
were standing and told us as well, so we got time to move to a greater
spot. Second save comes later..<br /> <br /> 7 hours later, well it did not
seem like it. I think they went by pretty fast and as it was near I had
my photographs of him ready, pinned to my iPad cover, my little present
for him (as the key to Erebor is keeping me company it seemed fit to get
him a keychain also, a dark blue glass piece with a golden angel on it)
and my glorious friend was ready with the camera.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh522KfrSzMDbj9lSgQSquRu2AunaJ6i6leIYuVSKSi_HDeL-utr5CW1ywHjhYmS4QdFKuKC3dbQ5dtgaC9uGJbwxSRFXX-KOwJWbbtJEKP7IA6ly59GbBWeTwurr2xzY_Oq6tMp3NLnf32/s1600/BbR0lqcIgAA1uvN.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh522KfrSzMDbj9lSgQSquRu2AunaJ6i6leIYuVSKSi_HDeL-utr5CW1ywHjhYmS4QdFKuKC3dbQ5dtgaC9uGJbwxSRFXX-KOwJWbbtJEKP7IA6ly59GbBWeTwurr2xzY_Oq6tMp3NLnf32/s320/BbR0lqcIgAA1uvN.jpg+large.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Armitage in Madrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's when I
made the first Vicar of Dibley sound, you know the one! And a few
tears, yes I admit it. I was getting emotionel like cRAzy and my friend
was kind enough to calm me down! What a rock (star!) she has been today!<br /> <br />
Second embarrasing sound and flow of tears came, as they had entered
and were signing further down (we were towards the end near the cameras,
great spot for staring and stare some more!) and Luke was first and
then I ducked and got my first glimpse in between hands and cameras. Oh
boy. He is really there. For real. Right there. Bwahaaah!<br /> <br /> Luke
came to the corner, he was a bit ahead and got all the way to the corner
passing us. Handsome man, yes, but don 't touch my pics of RA please!<br /> <br />
Then Richard came, signed, smiled, talked a bit with a few fans, asked
one of our Tolkien fan friends if her golden homemade poster was in
Elvish or Dwarvish and well, he was so freakin' near I couldn't believe
it. Sorry for the cliché but yes, he does look better in person. Not
much but there is something extra, and I have been wondering since if
that extra is simply our excitement to see him?<br /> <br /> But he did look
very young, reminded me of Bafta some years ago. Also he looked tired
and I felt a bit sorry for him. Many of us have parts of our job that we
may not enjoy as much as others or that exhausts us, but this? However
much we try how could we ever understand what that must be like? I also
did not call out for him, I couldn't for some reason, maybe to spare
him?!<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Well, he came, he signed and he went. Yes he turned and
didn't pass us, did not finish the line as Luke had and went to get
interviewed. That's when the water seriously came flooding. And I am
very honest when I tell you that mostly it was happy, <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTJ3aE-pgLHKqb0K8UiM6xQuvoVcImk0Mqo5J8peiTHOK0nrcGrhNa8tgafS0MItBoRbZCo_xKtrKARbWeysv2RvYFd1_7zBhxE4tZtKdcxAPw0aCMqPSd4z3lvsocVMM1bvkaNii7mFN/s1600/BbR0gD_IAAAXGYZ.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTJ3aE-pgLHKqb0K8UiM6xQuvoVcImk0Mqo5J8peiTHOK0nrcGrhNa8tgafS0MItBoRbZCo_xKtrKARbWeysv2RvYFd1_7zBhxE4tZtKdcxAPw0aCMqPSd4z3lvsocVMM1bvkaNii7mFN/s320/BbR0gD_IAAAXGYZ.jpg+large.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RA approaching...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
grateful tears. I
got what I wanted, to see him "live". But yes there was dissappointment
in those tears as well...!<br /> <br /> He was interviewed and I stared
shamelessly and then on to the next and next until we couldn't see him
anymore. But hope was still there as my Tolkien friends started pleading
to the camera people to tell him to come back "mira, es que está
llorando la pobre"! Yes the poor girl was crying like a teenager at a
Beatles concert! And then he turned to me "you keep crying now!!"<br /> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
And would you believe it, they got him to come back. My friend was
filming and taking pictures at the same time, (yay for iPhone!) and I
reached out my 2 pics which he signed and handed him the present and
said something embarrassing which you will hear once we get the video
upload to work (I can't get myself to repeat it, sorry!) He looked
straight at me and everything dissappeared, including my heartbeat!<br /> <br />
I didn't get a pic with him but plenty of him, and I got an "aww bless
you" and so so sorry, Army, but these words from him are to blame, I
forgot to give him your greetings <br /> <br />
Hope you can forgive me as soon as I figure out to share all the lovely
pictures and the video that makes my toes crumb but my heart skip a
beat from happiness and gratefullness.<br /> <br /> What an experience, one
that I will never ever forget. Even my friends was moved, by me she is
not a new member but she had fun just being a part of the lovely madness
that it was. I am so happy and relieved beyound words that it went so
well and I got so much and I feel so rich right now. Thank you Karin for
being there with me, thank you Richard for being you and doing what you
do and thank you Army for the feeling of belonging and being normal in
all this <br /> <br /> Family
and friends who cheered, you're great, sweet and funny and may mock me
all you like, for I am a proud member of the Armitage Army!!</span></span></h5>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWb49kx7SjssigblqxvHRUHpTsYEh1I9jSLDlBAGDfAiD6ZVbPQsSG82caN2WbdCTUarE2Oj966f19m7Fc1Opj2gTyNmKBp3x1e2VviVfB-H_rIkVA_SCLDvFv2EON137CoDl3VlCsCXH/s1600/BbR0XvFIEAA035n.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWb49kx7SjssigblqxvHRUHpTsYEh1I9jSLDlBAGDfAiD6ZVbPQsSG82caN2WbdCTUarE2Oj966f19m7Fc1Opj2gTyNmKBp3x1e2VviVfB-H_rIkVA_SCLDvFv2EON137CoDl3VlCsCXH/s400/BbR0XvFIEAA035n.jpg+large.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karina and Thorin in Madrid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span></h5>
Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-27118673219884392072013-12-07T06:21:00.002-05:002013-12-08T20:20:02.735-05:00Getting My Hobbit On in the Twitterverse<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDFtVscxmgZ6z3guG7aTGPYx8qvM5tRTfV2uN_emJ0wkHQvvehYy9ylKtneIu3H8e-Vyn-TQW7tkyHME62OQ1jPdxPYt81DCc9_kPoBYpQqi2jQPnksWdVDiJJGdCEkVPgwFadRntlp_E/s1600/Ba1r3RXCQAAGVkJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDFtVscxmgZ6z3guG7aTGPYx8qvM5tRTfV2uN_emJ0wkHQvvehYy9ylKtneIu3H8e-Vyn-TQW7tkyHME62OQ1jPdxPYt81DCc9_kPoBYpQqi2jQPnksWdVDiJJGdCEkVPgwFadRntlp_E/s320/Ba1r3RXCQAAGVkJ.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Evans, Jude Fisher and Richard Armitage<br />from @bakrim2000 at Waterstones Piccadilly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am bemused.<br />
<br />
My online self had quite a day Friday. My real self, well, was mighty glad there was an online self.<br />
<br />
I was just sitting there Friday morning, watching the tweets roll by from <a href="https://twitter.com/HobbitMoviesUK" target="_blank">@HobbitMoviesUK</a>, where two of the actors from "The Hobbit" were answering folks' questions. I had submitted a few, mostly to Richard Armitage who plays Thorin, but I also had asked one of Luke Evans, who plays Bard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqAOQI8oZgOCTO2zNe0KaABbiwUioJOt16CNEOvhBHRpFI_eW6ziz3ZuX42cw6Jzj2kekybc0ZlWz9Xh0KM-KNviaJ9M__k_RhMnrxZvCJRNKh3mzD99K5quZfGw23aeOWO6wdlAVE6XF/s1600/Ba0HOy-IYAAZteO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqAOQI8oZgOCTO2zNe0KaABbiwUioJOt16CNEOvhBHRpFI_eW6ziz3ZuX42cw6Jzj2kekybc0ZlWz9Xh0KM-KNviaJ9M__k_RhMnrxZvCJRNKh3mzD99K5quZfGw23aeOWO6wdlAVE6XF/s320/Ba0HOy-IYAAZteO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Armitage answering tweets from @HobbitMoviesUK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Z0NX-FSvR0NL2n-UIwiG2dlpJ0rKR9Af_-k9aMjPr28FNxUE-nqdWkoTXclJ6RCZbXp0gSr12bnbEzx4u8CSvtdq2de4DD6BwakrHMFpVaXDlpotW4ICJk8AqnrjUc1jCVmB2LW_h7e/s1600/Ba0RzsSIQAAaGGq.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Z0NX-FSvR0NL2n-UIwiG2dlpJ0rKR9Af_-k9aMjPr28FNxUE-nqdWkoTXclJ6RCZbXp0gSr12bnbEzx4u8CSvtdq2de4DD6BwakrHMFpVaXDlpotW4ICJk8AqnrjUc1jCVmB2LW_h7e/s320/Ba0RzsSIQAAaGGq.jpg+large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Evans answering tweets from @HobbitMoviesUK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Wouldn't you know the moment I stepped away that something would happen to online me? That would be this little tweet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtm1k2JjQO_YLBV9xZ3OIebMfMjB-E9t-PK6BYK9csyd08nPkLCWzbM0d-oaDS_KYlRYUKb96mM5LOPGHjN_To03qqda8IXXDwRdMYXB71Od0qbD4KV4YXw54VZ6qnmPM6lilVjv6tFm-/s1600/luke-tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtm1k2JjQO_YLBV9xZ3OIebMfMjB-E9t-PK6BYK9csyd08nPkLCWzbM0d-oaDS_KYlRYUKb96mM5LOPGHjN_To03qqda8IXXDwRdMYXB71Od0qbD4KV4YXw54VZ6qnmPM6lilVjv6tFm-/s320/luke-tweet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I answered that I cannot wait to see it, which is true. The couple of scenes I have glimpsed of Lake-town made me feel a bit claustrophobic. But I like a good marketplace, so I will be thinking of Mr. Evans when I see it.<br />
<br />
A couple of hours later, Mr. A and Mr. E were scheduled for a Hobbit event at a bookstore in London. Richard wrote the introduction to the latest book, <b>The Visual Companion to The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug</b> from Jude Fisher, who was also there, while Luke's face is emblazoned on the cover. <br />
<br />
Three tweeps I know had tickets to attend at Waterstones Piccadilly (this bookstore is five stories deep - gasp!). I started to see pictures from the event as I went to walk the dog and nearly slipped into oblivion when one of the people there, a dear instigator if ever there was one, sent me this picture with the message: "Got a little something for @j_pineo."<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQegEhQ4rSKWgMh3dHDOd8WtceafJlVO8YSfzaFHYIqFFTyeG9V9RpWgSYCBoaypUZjf3mHADllJDTBrT_jA0mfJkPuB2ybvCwZAUtXDhAmOiHjb0D7_jKO1VJzWBqZPNWGv-F1GwHVJo/s1600/Ba0_OSJIMAAbR_c.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQegEhQ4rSKWgMh3dHDOd8WtceafJlVO8YSfzaFHYIqFFTyeG9V9RpWgSYCBoaypUZjf3mHADllJDTBrT_jA0mfJkPuB2ybvCwZAUtXDhAmOiHjb0D7_jKO1VJzWBqZPNWGv-F1GwHVJo/s320/Ba0_OSJIMAAbR_c.jpg+large.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
Pamela got a book signed for me! Pamela would be the sister to Rosemarie, who is schlepping around the globe getting other books signed for me, <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2013/11/a-book-well-traveled-on-unexpected.html" target="_blank">such as this one here</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks to another tweep, I've had the chance to see much of the event on YouTube (<a href="http://youtu.be/xswSMdauU2g" target="_blank">see one clip here</a>), which involved a lot of laughing. And I saw this picture of the three folks whose signatures now grace the title page above.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_wa24wf3xtVNrAvXo6BuJiha-TgBiZpoobSCIzNsFSpn5gY4qcSrpcNuuueFeKy7hVseDoAmU0mISsJ2kb92gYiYhd2A8mi64YZiXnNFdCZu3_1Kzwt5fyLomtU6SE-LkqUc_mE92jXm/s1600/Ba0waUfIAAAvWCD.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_wa24wf3xtVNrAvXo6BuJiha-TgBiZpoobSCIzNsFSpn5gY4qcSrpcNuuueFeKy7hVseDoAmU0mISsJ2kb92gYiYhd2A8mi64YZiXnNFdCZu3_1Kzwt5fyLomtU6SE-LkqUc_mE92jXm/s320/Ba0waUfIAAAvWCD.jpg+large.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jude Fisher, Luke Evans and Richard Armitage<br />
from @WaterstonesPicc</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Needless to say, I am excited. Again. To see the event from afar and end up with a wee book signed by the participants is a treat. It is almost as good as being there myself.<br />
<br />
Almost.<br />
<br />
And if that wasn't enough fun for a single day, I sent off a tweet to Wellington, New Zealand, in a manner of speaking. Yet another Hobbit actor, Jed Brophy who plays Nori, answered the Embassy Theatre about the premiere event for charity that will be held there. I tweeted a request - hopefully polite and not needy - and moments later, this appeared.<br />
<br />
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Gotta love "xxjedi".<br />
<br />
And the proverbial icing on the cake, so to speak.<br />
<br />
This, folks, is why I love Twitter. At least, it is why I love the Twitter I have. I am connected to people around the world, famous or not. I chat with people - yes, real people - from Japan to France to New Zealand to everywhere - about all manner of things.<br />
<br />
It is instantaneous, which is mind-boggling at times. Those moments when I am tweeting to someone in London and then someone in California and getting answers immediately tends to stop me in wonderment. <br />
<br />
Because what I just wrote about would never have happened without it. I am not talking about access to events; that is a given.<br />
<br />
I am talking about the friends I have made.<br />
<br />
<i><b>The lovely Velvet <a href="http://lovesexandotherdirtywords.com/2013/12/06/a-book-well-traveled-gets-an-unexpected-companion/" target="_blank">blogged about this</a> in a very kindly piece. Thank you, dear lady. </b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-11124655771670899742013-11-28T20:41:00.000-05:002013-12-08T20:37:32.251-05:00A Book Well Traveled on an Unexpected Journey<br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ueyAGFK3OqpD9T4_IWTvjUxqUZZ5Pe-5XeCK7wq4U2RnidZOrMEWIjNuRCRGp-eQIvqZlzBs2kieT1UBk5yRuGNn12_WFnY-g_fNTfmYIgpLI1B7xMKFPmOCY_88_YCf-iSkbLvt_jdh/s1600/chroniclescover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ueyAGFK3OqpD9T4_IWTvjUxqUZZ5Pe-5XeCK7wq4U2RnidZOrMEWIjNuRCRGp-eQIvqZlzBs2kieT1UBk5yRuGNn12_WFnY-g_fNTfmYIgpLI1B7xMKFPmOCY_88_YCf-iSkbLvt_jdh/s400/chroniclescover.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<i>This is dedicated to the very dear Rosemarie Rogers, a Kiwi who makes me laugh and has become one of the dearest people I have yet to meet. </i><br />
<br />
I like to imagine the life of inanimate objects: where they've been and the miles they have traveled, what they've "seen" and who touched them.<br />
<br />
It is especially true with books for me: who has held them; whose eyes have looked at their words, and pictures if they have them; if they smelled the scent of pages still new or the musty tingle of pages old.<br />
<br />
I vaguely remember the query from Rosemarie Rogers, a Twitter tweep I had gotten to know about the time "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" came out in December 2012. It was early 2013 and she wanted to know if she could get something autographed for anyone during a signing date at Weta.<br />
<br />
I said yes.<br />
<br />
I settled on the new Hobbit book: "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles: Creatures and Characters," written by Daniel Falconer, a Weta guy. Rosemarie had gotten Thorin's map for me a few weeks' prior, and Daniel Reeve had signed it (with Elvish, mind you).<br />
<br />
Thus began a rather amazing journey of thousands of miles of one not-exactly-small book from New Zealand, with an overnight stop in San Diego for good measure. It was signed by nine Weta folks - kind words of thanks from all - three of whom took a moment and drew a picture as part of their signature.<br />
<br />
I have no words to adequately describe how special this book is. So let me tell you about its journey to give you an idea.<br />
<br />
The first tweet came through on April 12 (<a href="https://twitter.com/Romie_NZ/status/322893530295050241" target="_blank">the tweet with photo</a>), when Rosemarie and her equally dear sister Pamela had gone to Weta for the autograph session. <br />
<br />
There at the signing in New Zealand was Kevin Andrew Smith, Weta Digital 2nd Unit Visual Effects Supervisor, and Eric Saindon, Weta Digital Visual Effects Supervisor.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNe0v51lT1xPn05PlyD2xhQ3RSmbSTYqKxejjYI6TKuIBMnfTC_Wp0pxKNKSpx4uiI3yicPB4xJBSPd0SFfuCCIA7HtIaxaBKCThgQ3hB0lXpyHSJdmE010e_hXWStcL1PdBa-pun_Lz4/s1600/eric-kevin-woole-signing-pamela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNe0v51lT1xPn05PlyD2xhQ3RSmbSTYqKxejjYI6TKuIBMnfTC_Wp0pxKNKSpx4uiI3yicPB4xJBSPd0SFfuCCIA7HtIaxaBKCThgQ3hB0lXpyHSJdmE010e_hXWStcL1PdBa-pun_Lz4/s400/eric-kevin-woole-signing-pamela.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pamela Rogers photo - Eric Saindon and Kevin Andrew Smith, with <br />
small guest, the sheep WoolE. Eric is signing my book.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TdC_ZI13PbvtOWV4jUmW0WoFekK79Vt98EV6QxeHnRI0UUoTnhZ_rOXRYwyQxh_R6jbhXcs9ZYh_fYgHri8kG1GSePO97NEtYx5ogyKWC10ESTUjuimsDiuJyeVDwSs0ZDlryO9BX1T8/s1600/ericsaindon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TdC_ZI13PbvtOWV4jUmW0WoFekK79Vt98EV6QxeHnRI0UUoTnhZ_rOXRYwyQxh_R6jbhXcs9ZYh_fYgHri8kG1GSePO97NEtYx5ogyKWC10ESTUjuimsDiuJyeVDwSs0ZDlryO9BX1T8/s320/ericsaindon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric Saindon's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIkALWdFgfhXgpb5zny3kJf3zkQoWtFoQkjQv6COb5NE6dTPbLaTHzvtLHIZ76cmBhIzOqIQwatL62Z70mQ9XVdJn0doukvdHoKkp2ZX5rM-gyDEPJ4FaWST4JB3A0ZX68VTbACJ8mbq_/s1600/kevinsmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIkALWdFgfhXgpb5zny3kJf3zkQoWtFoQkjQv6COb5NE6dTPbLaTHzvtLHIZ76cmBhIzOqIQwatL62Z70mQ9XVdJn0doukvdHoKkp2ZX5rM-gyDEPJ4FaWST4JB3A0ZX68VTbACJ8mbq_/s320/kevinsmith.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Andrew Smith's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And in what may be one of the funniest coincidences, Eric is a Mainer. He worked in Portland for a TV station before moving to New Zealand years ago where he got his start with Weta on "The Lord of the Rings" movies. Someone told him he was signing for a person in Maine, and I got a nice salutation to a fellow Mainer. <br />
<br />
Pamela took a picture of Eric signing my book (<a href="https://twitter.com/prwelly/status/323242993513545728" target="_blank">the tweet with photo</a>), with Kevin seated beside him. Parked against the books is the adorable world traveler, WoolE the sheep, the Rogers' family travel companion.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSEBbV0KoShMutOxTc3OnnEjwdvSsCpKdEpOle_VALgOdbzUPbz2dIWyN3f0tjFOJu9DnekLFS_kRp9mKV58VyWAuuDW64unfNvdUvY_yeuusPhOv3jsv433A0OaLVQoo_AfCWoIO46zs/s1600/jeffcapogreco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSEBbV0KoShMutOxTc3OnnEjwdvSsCpKdEpOle_VALgOdbzUPbz2dIWyN3f0tjFOJu9DnekLFS_kRp9mKV58VyWAuuDW64unfNvdUvY_yeuusPhOv3jsv433A0OaLVQoo_AfCWoIO46zs/s320/jeffcapogreco.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff Capogreco's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rosemarie said there would be another autograph session in a week. Off she went to that one, dragging the not-exactly-small book to another venue. At that round, three more Weta folks were signing: Jeff Capogreco and Mark Gee, both Weta Digital Digital Effects Supervisors, and Daniel Falconer, the book's author and art director, and a Weta Workshop Concept Artist.<br />
<br />
It was at that session that the thoughtful Daniel drew a picture of Sebastian, the fortunate hedgehog living with Radagast. Sebastian is looking quite perky and says: "Feeling much better thank you!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6wvophYLH37stqdUKAUYq0NzaiJArlOhl6zmD4vYL8LDlh2UTn5xN2SBx8tzaJV06YL1Z9Y21BMrt05PyFtkgeO_UKl6d-K5c7ttbeJ8_B1JkXg05_cAmmnoB9_UQE3jhHpbLGghtELI/s1600/markgee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6wvophYLH37stqdUKAUYq0NzaiJArlOhl6zmD4vYL8LDlh2UTn5xN2SBx8tzaJV06YL1Z9Y21BMrt05PyFtkgeO_UKl6d-K5c7ttbeJ8_B1JkXg05_cAmmnoB9_UQE3jhHpbLGghtELI/s320/markgee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Gee's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got another tweet showing the newest signatures (<a href="https://twitter.com/Romie_NZ/status/325806615460728832" target="_blank">the tweet with photo</a>). I was overjoyed.<br />
<br />
It was about then that we debated whether Rosemarie should ship me the book. She volunteered to take it with her to San Diego Comic-Con 2013 in July. I didn't want it to be a bother, carting this not-exactly-small book across the Pacific with her.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuINEqIiHxj5FhBzk9cmDO3S-CRa933waI7SohIWUQwuppSm27sAHOlKZJy2-UDh459pRTZeeii07y02q4lMZXvVxXkNKD8uXvePy3oqlxe2hwifvCth_zaNp3SyogVimY3yz4qqNXlai1/s1600/danielfalconer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuINEqIiHxj5FhBzk9cmDO3S-CRa933waI7SohIWUQwuppSm27sAHOlKZJy2-UDh459pRTZeeii07y02q4lMZXvVxXkNKD8uXvePy3oqlxe2hwifvCth_zaNp3SyogVimY3yz4qqNXlai1/s320/danielfalconer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Falconer's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She insisted it was not a problem unless I didn't want to wait to get my hands on it. I said I would wait. Impatiently, but I would wait.<br />
<br />
Plus, being ever practical, we both knew shipping would be much less than if she sent it from New Zealand.<br />
<br />
I cannot account for the book's whereabouts in the intervening months. It might have been kicking its heels about Wellington, although far more likely it was getting its foundation all shook up in the many earthquakes that rocked the city (Rosemarie says not so and that it was adoringly cocooned in bouncy bubble wrap, but I will continue to imagine at least a few minor wiggles that everyone brushed off as maybe a high wind). Chalk that up to another adventure I have not experienced either. I am not sure I even want to.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
July finally arrived and while I was sweltering through a miserable month, Rosemarie flew to her beloved Comic-Con, toting along the not-exactly-small book in her luggage. She kept me apprised of her activities and finally let me know that she was leaving the book with the folks at the Weta booth.<br />
<br />
I am under the impression it spent the night with Daniel Falconer.<br />
<br />
(If this is not true, please do not disabuse me of this notion.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR02UJNUn5uJv07r5Ory0e-aCUB5FbU5Bx55Q32RdvtVvA8M0vI3uctVtMCZOoBPBnOL9W-qc039jYRXxboUBYMZ9adCAhRMqVxvj-xTMFZG7Oc8bzkURPbece3hOaOtDZogQx7I3ApXPQ/s1600/127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR02UJNUn5uJv07r5Ory0e-aCUB5FbU5Bx55Q32RdvtVvA8M0vI3uctVtMCZOoBPBnOL9W-qc039jYRXxboUBYMZ9adCAhRMqVxvj-xTMFZG7Oc8bzkURPbece3hOaOtDZogQx7I3ApXPQ/s320/127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemarie Rogers photo - <br />
Daniel Falconer signing books at San Diego Comic-Con 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKivG81hfxDFf8umMVPxzEdvLWKQsRfC6OveCHxypMdawFvGDgVP9sqDtxXWfA3mPxXpW1_gpUI51EpUB8mib1NkF_0FJxlnoYxe0HkYllyrmbDeAdq9EIpEsioVHyxLcV9FCOzJSo5Q6/s1600/nickkeller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKivG81hfxDFf8umMVPxzEdvLWKQsRfC6OveCHxypMdawFvGDgVP9sqDtxXWfA3mPxXpW1_gpUI51EpUB8mib1NkF_0FJxlnoYxe0HkYllyrmbDeAdq9EIpEsioVHyxLcV9FCOzJSo5Q6/s320/nickkeller.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Keller's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then I got another tweet on July 21, stating mission accomplished (<a href="https://twitter.com/j_pineo/status/359096471376773121" target="_blank">the tweet with photo</a>). The very next day the book was on its way and arrived in little ol' Maine before week's end.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ux6IE_RP2DV00pKSz78EhsCQB-FmZYE0VrDeqvDE7Dd7S-geEh8kdrJalqRldRlqddA0EkT7_t1fi9ubAKu2XFHG3lnn4lZVhZlJsXuyRtqcp75w0mkDdTlYJfWAQ5I7GYf_LAFy6wa7/s1600/paultobin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ux6IE_RP2DV00pKSz78EhsCQB-FmZYE0VrDeqvDE7Dd7S-geEh8kdrJalqRldRlqddA0EkT7_t1fi9ubAKu2XFHG3lnn4lZVhZlJsXuyRtqcp75w0mkDdTlYJfWAQ5I7GYf_LAFy6wa7/s320/paultobin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Tobin's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was overwhelmed. I knew a little of only a couple of these folks, but all of them worked on something I love, something that speaks to my heart like few tales do in today's world.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I vowed I would write about the journey of this book, but something always got in the way of me getting it done.<br />
<br />
Now I know why.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP0Baf7b2d6fLwyH23pz0HMD6l_oJjdEK5oe1BaPKW9ZIkpuV_vVZnY_01LoSS5ygkfUx_nyCkxou3WjgcU25OXpFcx-pIA5hvJxttodEDl_q5c77SwNIPOwa9t0W3hRV0YpME2syqLBN/s1600/lindseycrummett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP0Baf7b2d6fLwyH23pz0HMD6l_oJjdEK5oe1BaPKW9ZIkpuV_vVZnY_01LoSS5ygkfUx_nyCkxou3WjgcU25OXpFcx-pIA5hvJxttodEDl_q5c77SwNIPOwa9t0W3hRV0YpME2syqLBN/s320/lindseycrummett.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindsey Crummett's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The extended edition of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" was released earlier this month. I have only another couple of hours of extras to watch, but it struck me earlier this week as I watched one of the pieces in the Appendices Part 8 that I knew those names. Not just Richard Taylor, but other names.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I went and looked at the book. I wrote down all the names. I then started up "Durin's Folk: Creating the Dwarves" and watched as the names of three of the four at Comic-Con appeared as each person talked about the work they did creating the dwarves.<br />
<br />
There was Nick Keller, Weta Workshop Lead Concept Designer, front and center. Nick DREW A DWARF in my book for me.<br />
<br />
He drew a dwarf for me. <br />
<br />
There was Daniel Falconer again, describing piece after piece of the many parts on which he worked.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Then came Paul Tobin, also a Weta Workshop Concept Artist. I did not know his first name because he signed only his last, but there he was. And in my book, delicately drawn in pencil, is a hobbit for me.<br />
<br />
Moments later, Lindsey Crummett, also a Weta Workshop Concept Artist, was onscreen, talking about Durin's folk. She was another signature in my book.<br />
<br />
I watched the piece through again and realized I had but one mystery person. It was "abaker."<br />
<br />
What to do?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRDu6oHinPBC-gjH0cti0c05XtpG4CORm9IvCpjxdf8fUOwuLWsr54QsaDeX3WGr5bnDxuH1BYM73RNOvHBO_T8drHA0Ki2Ig-y7ccYOEyPIe3O-bIYK9qqOyERFm4z4hFclEhZc_mLYF/s1600/andrewbaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRDu6oHinPBC-gjH0cti0c05XtpG4CORm9IvCpjxdf8fUOwuLWsr54QsaDeX3WGr5bnDxuH1BYM73RNOvHBO_T8drHA0Ki2Ig-y7ccYOEyPIe3O-bIYK9qqOyERFm4z4hFclEhZc_mLYF/s320/andrewbaker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew Baker's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I started the next part of the appendix and there in "The People and Denizens of Middle-earth" was my ninth signatory: Andrew Baker, Lead Creatures Designer.<br />
<br />
Excited does not really describe my happiness at seeing nearly all of the people who signed my book being interviewed. Not because of fame or association or "celebrity."<br />
<br />
It is the reason I always sit through the credits in a movie: I like to see the people who do the work behind the scenes, the folks who make the vision possible, the unsung heroes of production. Without them, you would not see what you just saw.<br />
<br />
Perhaps it is because that is the role my life has been in work and in private. Nothing just happens. Someone has to do the work, create the vision, pay attention to the details as well as the big picture.<br />
<br />
And it makes me happy to see people talk about something they are so passionate about, something that they hold dear. It proves - rather unnecessarily, but nevertheless - that these people want to create a lasting piece of work, especially given the pressure surrounding something as well-loved as a J.R.R. Tolkien work.<br />
<br />
I shall have to go back through all of the appendices to see if I can find the other folks who signed my book. Then I can put the face with the name and thank them silently for being so kind.<br />
<br />
And here it is: the title page of my book.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDvlfzM0hxQuUk7Tl4wUyrXbAT4gMXFbsc3QdtzRpUhqEmjAqW56y2fZC3l3WWO-JnYlf425nr_bIrqJbNcn9KvS0jBh56nVJrBR37wA7pjWRu9Wn80_RIueD9y218ly8LDQ9-sODIQ_x/s1600/sigpage-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDvlfzM0hxQuUk7Tl4wUyrXbAT4gMXFbsc3QdtzRpUhqEmjAqW56y2fZC3l3WWO-JnYlf425nr_bIrqJbNcn9KvS0jBh56nVJrBR37wA7pjWRu9Wn80_RIueD9y218ly8LDQ9-sODIQ_x/s400/sigpage-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The title page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><i>In my rummaging through emails and tweets, I discovered a link today that Rosemarie sent me ... a very long time ago. It shows everyone's signature who might be signing at Weta. Yes, they've got it all covered. While this would have been easier (<a href="http://www.wetanz.com/whose-signature-is-that/" target="_blank">see the Weta signatures here</a>), my path to discovery was long and winding but decidedly more fun. </i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-55164641519526824782013-11-18T17:53:00.000-05:002013-11-18T17:53:56.174-05:00Yet They Call It 'The Hobbit'<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-glQHGgBHC5Sb5_pE3FrNMbDhIcemFRr6cBxCkyndcz_GPxMoM1B9-tIlbDkPf1GNR75xSEDPR0T421WEOUEanWKg3Tq8EK1Apvfktl-K8sFejAGJVu_e9yD9xgBfdLPYulLyr-5jpB_1/s1600/presentationpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-glQHGgBHC5Sb5_pE3FrNMbDhIcemFRr6cBxCkyndcz_GPxMoM1B9-tIlbDkPf1GNR75xSEDPR0T421WEOUEanWKg3Tq8EK1Apvfktl-K8sFejAGJVu_e9yD9xgBfdLPYulLyr-5jpB_1/s400/presentationpack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Presentation Pack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I would love to know how the conversation went at New Zealand Post over this year's "The Hobbit" collection.<br />
<br />
<i>(Hobbit? What Hobbit?) </i><br />
<br />
I thought last year's goodies were outrageous, but this year NZ Post seems to be enchanted with one Thorin Oakenshield.<br />
<br />
I cannot fault them in this.<br />
<br />
You can have Thorin in coin form, gummed-stamp form and self-adhesive-booklet form, to name a few. Sure, other characters are tagging along, including the dreaded Elves, but what made me laugh is that in all three of the items I purchased, the one on the top was Thorin.<br />
<br />
Fierce Thorin spears you with those eyes from the cover of the Presentation Pack, which opens up to reveal a first-day cover, the six miniature sheets and the self-adhesive strip of stamps. Besides Thorin, you will find Gandalf, Tauriel, Bilbo, Legolas and Bard the Bowman.<br />
<br />
But Thorin is first in each.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxfrtpG6z8qGLLMDDhpTl8WDTxaKaC-PsxlOD5PeoqtlkjLe3K3GMEeNSRI4tG3EHOZCv_bjFY9OEolaExnJhuveJJ1ZgvrhebgvMpukb2v5RufCMWZmbRSp35I5kGLwtEP_CmmRquR2f/s1600/firstdaycover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxfrtpG6z8qGLLMDDhpTl8WDTxaKaC-PsxlOD5PeoqtlkjLe3K3GMEeNSRI4tG3EHOZCv_bjFY9OEolaExnJhuveJJ1ZgvrhebgvMpukb2v5RufCMWZmbRSp35I5kGLwtEP_CmmRquR2f/s400/firstdaycover.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Day Cover of miniature sheets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I also got the Maximum Cards, which are postcards with the matching character's postage stamp. And I got the First-Day Covers of the miniature sheets.<br />
<br />
Trust me, I barely have touched the surface of this dragon's hoard, which you can see <a href="http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/thehobbit/desolation-of-smaug" target="_blank">here </a>at NZ Post's website.<br />
<br />
Oh, and the datestamp on all of it?<br />
<br />
A very golden Smaug is stomping all over them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpK7Et6w6pzeennP1l9bsWscoQSTJnQiLfAJWReNQpAI3OxLYcH5PkIM9Tb_xzGhXyJITA60ipS8pydtA5fW8kh8Uc-z5dN5DmORBTuG4W0lbHHq3LO6WxeZgnidxL3ykMxpp9-Pu3bmy/s1600/maximumcards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpK7Et6w6pzeennP1l9bsWscoQSTJnQiLfAJWReNQpAI3OxLYcH5PkIM9Tb_xzGhXyJITA60ipS8pydtA5fW8kh8Uc-z5dN5DmORBTuG4W0lbHHq3LO6WxeZgnidxL3ykMxpp9-Pu3bmy/s400/maximumcards.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maximum Card - See that Smaug irritating our Dwarf?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-2738504760849340802013-11-16T17:19:00.000-05:002013-11-18T17:19:54.421-05:00Then I Met Noel Paul Stookey<strong> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgJtHPuszcM8uroSdBKfgqaClTyjDM4JkKAzcHAiRje0zcNjOty2o6uSjC1WLSDn0fVfMpDLscTLTCNH5aSC7Jd2BZRLxOThXPomdSOnr6PYoLX1TxneRGOy3AnABkjvJWdtwZNqD62xO/s1600/Noel+Paul+Stookey+stage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgJtHPuszcM8uroSdBKfgqaClTyjDM4JkKAzcHAiRje0zcNjOty2o6uSjC1WLSDn0fVfMpDLscTLTCNH5aSC7Jd2BZRLxOThXPomdSOnr6PYoLX1TxneRGOy3AnABkjvJWdtwZNqD62xO/s320/Noel+Paul+Stookey+stage.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noel Paul Stookey on the stage at the Bangor Opera House<br />during filming of the The Nite Show with Danny Cashman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>• By Janine Pineo •</strong><br />
<br />
Ever start a day thinking I am going to do this, this and then this?<br />
<br />
And then “this” becomes a whoa-Noel-Paul-Stookey-what-just-happened moment?<br />
<br />
That was my Wednesday.<br />
<br />
It started off normally for me, in a rush to get going. I had an
appointment, another appointment and one last thing to do before I could
head home.<br />
<br />
Instead of one last thing, I met <a href="http://www.noelpaulstookey.com/" target="_blank" title="Noel Paul Stookey link">Noel Paul Stookey</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Continue reading <a href="http://gardenmaine.com/2013/11/15/then-i-met-noel-paul-stookey/" target="_blank">here </a>on Garden Maine </i>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-9512382358409260312013-11-13T12:03:00.001-05:002013-11-13T12:03:38.188-05:00On the Silver Screen: This May Be the Closest I'll Get<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix05kPaGUa9t7J1uY9xDDMIw2SQ2a_cUFA0Wthl622WA2HdMBEbUSwT8rav0tH0i6tP0CZgt45xpPBvqKNCtfSvMLH6GQd9eHv8jNKuhtFWLM0mxxU8M-ZDQWWm5aQ4ZeOkfNK-wfTOjwx/s1600/jpineo-tweet-NYCtheater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix05kPaGUa9t7J1uY9xDDMIw2SQ2a_cUFA0Wthl622WA2HdMBEbUSwT8rav0tH0i6tP0CZgt45xpPBvqKNCtfSvMLH6GQd9eHv8jNKuhtFWLM0mxxU8M-ZDQWWm5aQ4ZeOkfNK-wfTOjwx/s400/jpineo-tweet-NYCtheater.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tweet sashays across the silver screen at a New York City theater,<br />duly witnessed and photographed by the lovely Abby who attended<br />the worldwide Hobbit fan event on Nov. 4, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once upon a time, a crazy tweeter whistled into the wind and it landed on the silver screen during the worldwide Hobbit fan event on Nov. 4, 2013. (Read the original post <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2013/11/a-funny-thing-happened-on-way-to-erebor.html" target="_blank">A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Erebor</a>.)<br />
<br />
Fellow RAre birds around the world recognized her call, answering the crazy tweeter from New York City, London and Paris. One RAre bird even got to prove it.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Fun facts: </b>Crazy tweeter actually cannot whistle, a fact that makes her sad. Crazy tweeter loves that her tweet rivals the parading pachyderms in size, a fact that makes her snort.</i>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-82810209209889361212013-11-05T21:54:00.000-05:002013-11-05T21:54:35.764-05:00 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Erebor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fD74G56JfyB2en8Nww3Dr9FEyXbM2izc8io7Kn23PUlA0j0kDsbAmA6n0uQmNhArqxilF46xvKL7zG4kNScbIYYhv5Ovp4UiBz4_Or7pmXIcCNaW9iFUzsquqauMe_JzZmyki_pDSswe/s1600/1459057_657147580983721_889310440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fD74G56JfyB2en8Nww3Dr9FEyXbM2izc8io7Kn23PUlA0j0kDsbAmA6n0uQmNhArqxilF46xvKL7zG4kNScbIYYhv5Ovp4UiBz4_Or7pmXIcCNaW9iFUzsquqauMe_JzZmyki_pDSswe/s640/1459057_657147580983721_889310440_n.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
At a few minutes to 5 p.m. EST on Nov. 4, 2013, a bunch of friends and I were waiting around the virtual global campfire for the leader of our company, Peter Jackson.<br />
<br />It was the worldwide Hobbit Fan Event, and my Twitter friends -- many of them incredibly Hobbity with a decided dwarf-king leaning -- had dispersed to theaters around the world. <br />
<br />For more than a week, I watched in amused envy as many of them entered drawings for tickets and many of them won. By the time it was done, I had tweeps in venues around the world: London, New York City, Los Angeles, Wellington and Paris. The first four locations had actors and that genius director making appearances, while Paris was among the major cities with a live stream.<br />
<br />The rest of us had to make do with YouTube. <br />
<br />I watched the tweets from my friends while we waited. I chirped in with my excitement, too, because how often do you get to participate live with thousands of other people around the globe for something fun? <br />
<br />The YouTube countdown was on and then 5 p.m. hit. Nothing happened. <br />
<br />We waited. <br />
<br />Finally, a shot of Gandalf was up and a Twitter feed was scrolling across the bottom of the screen.<br />
<br />I chuckled as I started to see tweets from my friends roll by.<br />
<br />I bounced back and forth between Twitter and YouTube. I tweeted how happy I was we were all waiting for this together, near and far, in person and in the ether.<br />
<br />I kept up with the tweets and missed my tweet as it rolled by on giant silver screens in the venues (at least one was an IMAX screen, so my name was HUGE).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEcfYVqT8VxxK9V08GoG70_-n16HqFALUmQ4iriO-u7hYmflYphDTWGEKjFtZSTh5lssCM7a8EsoYsVrkhxwRpcnQ4XaHGkNFuHrix3L1lMz2yG2-igvqyYiUxWN16lelPoXH4pPDtXrb/s1600/janine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEcfYVqT8VxxK9V08GoG70_-n16HqFALUmQ4iriO-u7hYmflYphDTWGEKjFtZSTh5lssCM7a8EsoYsVrkhxwRpcnQ4XaHGkNFuHrix3L1lMz2yG2-igvqyYiUxWN16lelPoXH4pPDtXrb/s400/janine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Moments later, I was tweeted at with the news my tweet had been seen by the YouTube crowd. I was disappointed but hoping that I might catch it on a replay later.<br />
<br />Not long after, the live program started. We got to see New York City first, where Orlando Bloom and Richard Armitage (yeah, he was a big reason I was glued to my laptop) were. And when Wellington came on with Jed Brophy and Peter Jackson, I was on the lookout for a Kiwi friend who was glowing like a wee pumpkin in the crowd at the Embassy Theatre. I may have giggled when I saw Rosemarie, because even in the half-light, she was completely noticeable.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vNoj5dqV3_Nf2-aoI8alIvVdKf9IZab4GA6A8Z4ICE9wbpydLBjljhhbvXVdOu3RDbIHppTfesYvcPRPu7VwRyobcqh4bvKW62v7epbCJdC20XE8YAUepcOEzpJ_nPVfMoVEP1cClo9Z/s1600/romie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vNoj5dqV3_Nf2-aoI8alIvVdKf9IZab4GA6A8Z4ICE9wbpydLBjljhhbvXVdOu3RDbIHppTfesYvcPRPu7VwRyobcqh4bvKW62v7epbCJdC20XE8YAUepcOEzpJ_nPVfMoVEP1cClo9Z/s400/romie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wellington crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I was charmed all over again by the lovely Mr. Armitage, the gracious Mr. Brophy and the genius Sir Peter. In the video blog, I got to see a fellow Mainer, Eric Saindon, who works for Weta and has done so since Lord of the Rings days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ0udhDATkTUFHT3-l0WaES92UrF8MVlwpQEW9tXeER94Joqp38j7ViJpUT5DnIx76Iiq5Agq1CS4BZbwnY0brK0M0vfjpTVhoZXLqENq088OsdBT-bAjNAcQPt_wT9xt1vvGfV8lSGPy/s1600/mainedude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ0udhDATkTUFHT3-l0WaES92UrF8MVlwpQEW9tXeER94Joqp38j7ViJpUT5DnIx76Iiq5Agq1CS4BZbwnY0brK0M0vfjpTVhoZXLqENq088OsdBT-bAjNAcQPt_wT9xt1vvGfV8lSGPy/s320/mainedude.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />It wasn't until after the event was over at the venues that I started hearing from many of my friends that they had seen my Twitter handle on the giant screens in their venue. One poked her sister and told her she knew me from Twitter. Others may have actually squealed when they saw my name.<br />
<br />One has promised to send me the picture she took of the IMAX screen with my name in lights. Yeah, Abby, you better.<br />
<br />And that may be the closest I get to silver screen fame.<br />
<br />On the face of it, it seems no big deal. But the truth is that the entire event was quite the deal.<br />
<br />Imagine the planning that went into making something like this happen, from the theater bookings to the swag bags to the ticket contests to the live streaming from multiple venues. <br />
<br />Then for all of us to come together around the globe to watch this gift to fans from a man who has nurtured these stories of J.R.R. Tolkien into tales that speak across cultures, across languages, across invisible barriers that humans put up when they fail to see we all are more alike than not, well, how is that not quite the deal?<br />
<br />Sure, it was a marketing thing. Sure, it will help make money for the release of the extended edition today.<br />
<br />
Sure, sure, sure.<br />
<br />I, for one, do not care one iota for that. I was already going to buy the movie today. I will see the next installment in December. <br />
<br />What I care about is how I was invited to be a part of something that transcends the ordinary and that gave me a chance to participate in something I love, these stories of Tolkien which speak to a very big part of my heart.<br />
<br />And now, I have that moment when my name scuttled across the screen under a giant picture of Gandalf.<br />
<br />What a deal.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7HS5JZV1hHTvzHl4CgxWukLliD6OqGtn17fMDAt3PmJXIp-HSZXWEFG-jIgn5eUA8MI5pibj4MAcBcDgMGTkhOUIGMST-zohEGcewn3H_cKhp3hmfakJy4w9MW3CpOhHn-M88u3-zNoN/s1600/BYRdRenIgAA1Z1M.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7HS5JZV1hHTvzHl4CgxWukLliD6OqGtn17fMDAt3PmJXIp-HSZXWEFG-jIgn5eUA8MI5pibj4MAcBcDgMGTkhOUIGMST-zohEGcewn3H_cKhp3hmfakJy4w9MW3CpOhHn-M88u3-zNoN/s320/BYRdRenIgAA1Z1M.jpg+large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orlando Bloom and Richard Armitage at the NYC venue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-35529100560910435432013-08-08T19:15:00.000-04:002013-08-08T19:16:03.771-04:00In the Gloaming<br />
There is nothing like a birthday spent on the coast in Maine. Tuesday was no exception.<br />
<br />
After a dinner of fried clams at Dennett's in Castine, I wandered over to Wadsworth Cove to watch day ease into night.<br />
<br />
Peace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ak9W-UnubLM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-91412918078416615082013-07-26T06:03:00.000-04:002013-07-26T06:03:51.699-04:00A Chapter Ends<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMSDSoAvZdjggBHHDwgNxJZjdV98wr22ztzu_fiiiybkhNjYzSUXqCWszMiyhv7RgXEfDm-RUy6BKKeoSyNijRnoJHoPoh75mRPyLKmaZaM5b7sGoZ1mm9zY9oovvIsmTGWdOZ2eF3bFb/s1600/thorin-finalshots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMSDSoAvZdjggBHHDwgNxJZjdV98wr22ztzu_fiiiybkhNjYzSUXqCWszMiyhv7RgXEfDm-RUy6BKKeoSyNijRnoJHoPoh75mRPyLKmaZaM5b7sGoZ1mm9zY9oovvIsmTGWdOZ2eF3bFb/s320/thorin-finalshots.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Peter Jackson's Facebook page, <br />a shot of Thorin, played by Richard Armitage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As I write this in the early hours of Friday, July 26, here in the U.S., Peter Jackson is filming the last shots of "The Hobbit" at the end of Friday, July 26, in New Zealand.<br />
<br />
I didn't expect to be quite so emotional.<br />
<br />I also didn't expect Peter to be posting all day long on Facebook, starting with a post before he was even out of bed (it begins <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749496026558&set=a.10150238899061558.364437.141884481557&type=1&theater" target="_blank">here</a>). His confession that he didn't sleep much only served to remind me - and hopefully others - that he is as much a fragile human as are we all. It only was reinforced when he wrote about everyone waiting for him to make a decision to get things rolling and feeling nervous as the day starts.<br />
<br />It is no wonder that the films this man makes strike a chord in me like few others do. It is no wonder actors want to work with him and such amazing, creative people want to be part of that crew in New Zealand.<br />
<br />This has been a tumultuous period for me, one that shall ever be entwined with "The Hobbit." That is probably why I have been struck so hard over the past 24 hours.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscpE9FgzDuh7cHDM2jwhwG7XZUWJCDwwusPxFdgCrwejHU75AoVbC2wtD822KsKNJXWJkC9Y7liDe8acOviR8ZFe4T00woye6H3Z_FhHCOM8gtaxetFmC-DmNFiMCl05jiRCEvwiyHYaQ/s1600/hobbitbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscpE9FgzDuh7cHDM2jwhwG7XZUWJCDwwusPxFdgCrwejHU75AoVbC2wtD822KsKNJXWJkC9Y7liDe8acOviR8ZFe4T00woye6H3Z_FhHCOM8gtaxetFmC-DmNFiMCl05jiRCEvwiyHYaQ/s320/hobbitbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many autographs from Weta artists<br />in my copy of "The Hobbit Chronicles" book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />My Thursday started with the arrival of a Hobbit book, signed by a number of Weta artists. Several also drew pictures for their signing. I have stared at that page for a bit, amazed that these folks took the time to write me a note in my book or draw me a picture. <br />
<br />Then I was amazed at the dear Kiwi, Rosemarie, who carted this book halfway around the world - no joke - to get these signatures for me. I will be writing more on this soon.<br />
<br />Ah, Peter has just posted that there may be an hour more to go in shooting the last bits of "The Hobbit." <br />
<br />It is also the final bits for Richard Armitage. I am sure we shall find out exactly what was the final shot, if not sometime today then on a future vlog or DVD extra, but I know as a admirer of all these people, I am grateful to have been given the chance to share in the experience.<br />
<br />Simple words, but I feel like I have been there and back again.<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-83183978447091917642013-05-28T00:46:00.001-04:002013-05-28T01:09:06.800-04:00Calling to Me<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is a view from our base camp at one of the locations on <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23TheHobbit">#TheHobbit</a>. That really is what NZlooks like! <a href="http://t.co/HIN32ftLlj" title="http://twitter.com/grahammctavish/status/339220771421450243/photo/1">twitter.com/grahammctavish…</a><br />
— Graham McTavish (@grahammctavish) <a href="https://twitter.com/grahammctavish/status/339220771421450243">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-78077125817644281442013-05-26T22:58:00.001-04:002013-05-26T22:58:22.055-04:00Have You Hugged Your Farmer Today?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yGAg8tCPUKU1ABbm7gSi-Cr9jL6pqRyKkRjbc8WbKNbVtEDtRNQFGo6G_P8bWnkgcm8mmPh7rwUbU_tgACZfoq5jFD_SxLHuYjh-wyyMuvMPuo_1MLBtppEPCumQAeeGDfQ_tWMKaI1M/s1600/parkerspinach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yGAg8tCPUKU1ABbm7gSi-Cr9jL6pqRyKkRjbc8WbKNbVtEDtRNQFGo6G_P8bWnkgcm8mmPh7rwUbU_tgACZfoq5jFD_SxLHuYjh-wyyMuvMPuo_1MLBtppEPCumQAeeGDfQ_tWMKaI1M/s400/parkerspinach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janine Pineo Photo | A dinner-plate size leaf of spinach from Parker Family Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>• By Janine Pineo •</strong><br />
<br />
The rain did not deter me from my appointed rounds Friday.<br />
<br />
I wouldn’t let it.<br />
<br />
My day started with breakfast with a friend so we could catch up
after a few months’ absence. Then I zipped to the bank before heading
over to my friend Melissa’s yarn shop, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spin-a-Yarn/154117721317557" target="_blank" title="Spin A Yarn's Facebook page">Spin A Yarn</a>, in Brewer because I realized I needed to make a gift for a little person who hasn’t quite arrived yet.<br />
<br />
With the pattern chosen and the yarn selected, I waxed on about my next destination for that afternoon, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HampdenFarmersMarket" target="_blank" title="Hampden Farmers Market Facebook page">Hampden Farmers Market</a>.<br />
<br />
Who knew a person could be so excited to be heading to a farmers market?<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://gardenmaine.com/2013/05/25/have-you-hugged-your-farmer-today/" target="_blank">Continue reading on GardenMaine.com</a></i><br />
Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-30772966131179382252013-05-19T22:48:00.000-04:002013-05-26T22:49:48.654-04:00You Have Reached Your Destination<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5lBpb4KlnoaYWn7QBgU1aZ0tHvYCxsQMQaThO6o1MJkrCBChYLMiTb5ZrW3ng0hx2-mFxzlIj7vo35fZ2pedqXGFQr8oW_ae3SMUQPQRVEMl7I33ScJkGnQvroHi6gn9ka33lnsyHxiY/s1600/belfast-tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5lBpb4KlnoaYWn7QBgU1aZ0tHvYCxsQMQaThO6o1MJkrCBChYLMiTb5ZrW3ng0hx2-mFxzlIj7vo35fZ2pedqXGFQr8oW_ae3SMUQPQRVEMl7I33ScJkGnQvroHi6gn9ka33lnsyHxiY/s400/belfast-tree.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janine Pineo Photo | The quintessential Maine coastal view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>• By Janine Pineo •</strong><br />
<br />
The alarm early this morning was not exactly welcome, so I didn’t budge from bed.<br />
<br />
Turns out it paid off.<br />
<br />
I was headed to the annual <a href="http://gardenmaine.com/event/record-number-of-plants-available-at-belfast-garden-club-annual-green-thumb-plant-sale-may-18/" target="_blank" title="Record number of plants available at Belfast Garden Club Annual Green Thumb Plant Sale May 18">Belfast Garden Club Plant Sale</a>
bright and early because you get the best selection then. But my head
couldn’t get myself in gear, so I delayed a bit and left an hour later
than planned for my daylong jaunt to visit the coast and get plants.<br />
<br />
I wasn’t entirely sure where Commercial Street was, so I typed in the
address to my phone’s GPS and by the time I arrived, it was well after
10:30 a.m. More like 10:45. And all was supposed to be over by 11.<br />
<br />
The place was, however, still crawling with people and the plant
selection was impressive despite the hour.<br />
<br />
There were huge pots with day
lilies, iris, herbs, hosta and a slew of other perennials. I made the
rounds once, was offered a piece of “hummingbird cake,” (I assume no
hummingbirds were hurt in the making of) and then someone walked up to
me and said the following:<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://gardenmaine.com/2013/05/18/you-have-reached-your-destination/" target="_blank">Continue reading on GardenMaine.com </a></i>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-62973528085338692462013-05-18T22:43:00.000-04:002013-05-26T22:45:08.864-04:00Drifting Away on the Scent of Spring<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9a0wvUqI4EqFTNN0dU8nLERqmX8rv22RughwCeLIj70IF2RFBjvX_PsoooORHxMf_GJfy4I_Q_XD6ge_Y895XGk8nO-tjGS_axgwF9foen_qWfHz03pzaxBsTZh5PSkicrwT8cdLcVy7_/s1600/crabflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9a0wvUqI4EqFTNN0dU8nLERqmX8rv22RughwCeLIj70IF2RFBjvX_PsoooORHxMf_GJfy4I_Q_XD6ge_Y895XGk8nO-tjGS_axgwF9foen_qWfHz03pzaxBsTZh5PSkicrwT8cdLcVy7_/s400/crabflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janine Pineo Photo | Crabapple blossoms <br />at Littlefield garden at the University of Maine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>• By Janine Pineo •</strong><br />
<br />
The clouds in the sky all day Friday kept spitting water, but it
wasn’t enough to deter me from heading to Orono for a stroll in a hidden
paradise.<br />
<br />
And to buy plants.<br />
<br />
As I parked my car on the University of Maine campus near the credit
union building, my eyes were dazzled with the explosion of color. When I
opened the door, my nose was assailed by the sweetest perfume wafting
across the parking lot and wrapping me in what humans can never achieve
in a bottle: the scent of Spring.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://gardenmaine.com/2013/05/18/drifting-away-on-the-scent-of-spring/" target="_blank">Continue to read on GardenMaine.com </a></i>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-76262196666052175962013-05-13T05:57:00.001-04:002013-05-26T23:42:26.421-04:00Space Oddity<br />
Today, the Commander returns to Earth. This is what he did just before.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KaOC9danxNo" width="480"></iframe>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-73141466409102413192013-05-09T05:15:00.000-04:002013-05-09T05:15:33.063-04:00The Meaning of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1PGBQaFReRyMZx1IJjO98fxF7Rmg906bRM8ZXbCCSNCjzNpH5LAAARQfqvSDAc7nqNKnkGR7U_5YkP0kNtQiAXUoHhuVR3Be9CqEdtiCxW9s-QLkCiC7GSD_ikISSiNcOTx-UPuCTrPg/s1600/877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1PGBQaFReRyMZx1IJjO98fxF7Rmg906bRM8ZXbCCSNCjzNpH5LAAARQfqvSDAc7nqNKnkGR7U_5YkP0kNtQiAXUoHhuVR3Be9CqEdtiCxW9s-QLkCiC7GSD_ikISSiNcOTx-UPuCTrPg/s320/877.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>• By Janine Pineo •</strong><br />
<br />
Fortified with a roasted vegetable sandwich and chocolate cake, I
stood in front of a roomful of women Tuesday afternoon and started
talking about gardening.<br />
<br />
I didn’t assemble notecards with prompts. I didn’t practice in front
of the mirror. Instead, I thought about it as I whacked vines from the
wisteria and puttered about the yard. I pondered it as I walked the dog
at the nearby tree farm. I mulled it over as I drove to the Fedco Tree
Sale on Saturday.<br />
<br />
And then late Sunday, I got some news that devastated me. It was
never far away all day Monday. By Tuesday, I knew I had to mention it
because it was about that thing we all share: life.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://gardenmaine.com/2013/05/09/the-meaning-of-life/" target="_blank">Continue reading on GardenMaine.com </a></i>Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-91022682665858971202013-03-13T05:24:00.001-04:002013-05-26T23:43:44.755-04:00Get on your boots!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fanstravaganza.com/category/fanstravaganza-4/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa8ek0s-P5BMrdxaLUXhpSDih_I8aITOclcEI6M-W98nj8IUxYWUifol24__qgvv9UoH6coo0ucrR4NUE75BqT1E_xgKJ5S3IE60gqvka24mRA1mSWd7fjKxfW1dcQ4IMhk0WDjFqX0-x/s1600/500x125.png" /></a></div>
<br />
It all started as a wee joke over on Twitter.<br />
<br />
And now my secret is out: I like boots.<br />
<br />
Not all boots. Just some boots.<br />
<br />
Boots worn by Richard Armitage.<br />
<br />
So what better way to kick in with FanstRAvaganza 4 than to launch a new Pinterest board: <a href="http://pinterest.com/rarmyboots/bootstrapaganza/" target="_blank">BootstRApaganza</a>.<br />
<br />
No, it couldn't get any goofier.<br />
<br />
OK, maybe it could. Because there are 41 pins, as many as Richard is years old.<br />
<br />
What kismet. <br />
<br />
And I am not limiting it to boots. It can be any sort of footwear <span style="color: #073763;"><b>as long as Richard is wearing it</b></span>!<br />
<br />
To keep everyone focused, I am even cropping the pictures down to the footwear. That's right: Unless we require a visual, it is just the feet.*<br />
<br />
One last thing: If you find yourself in need of a new board game (or bored game, take your pick), try matching the shoes to the rest of Richard. Go on, you know you want to. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTAeH8JbyI1LkDPHY0-jCulRig9bIdICGpXxSjgdaXPPNGHsOVrBOqs5bOyKSBdiIV-ZjqyRw1yldS6ddwkHZjlYsVLO4Zq0rRBhDGO8v6lAVZ8uPutQYGUEopeWWteWrmtjWocoLCkd8/s1600/rabootssparkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTAeH8JbyI1LkDPHY0-jCulRig9bIdICGpXxSjgdaXPPNGHsOVrBOqs5bOyKSBdiIV-ZjqyRw1yldS6ddwkHZjlYsVLO4Zq0rRBhDGO8v6lAVZ8uPutQYGUEopeWWteWrmtjWocoLCkd8/s640/rabootssparkle.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boots that launched it all, 'tis like they sparkle. Richard arriving in New Zealand <br />
for the November premiere of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."<br />
That other dude would be the Hobbit. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>*Or unless I really prefer the whole picture. My board. I call it. See board for perfect example.</i><br />
<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-66266424777205789192013-03-12T04:16:00.000-04:002013-03-12T04:16:36.626-04:00A ReAl tReAtHaving a bit of fun this week with an Army of friends around the globe in appreciation of an actor who inspires in so many ways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fanstravaganza.com/category/fanstravaganza-4/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAMnQ4-o1YFZgFb8tHCUp8DX14LLcT0fyMAkZK-v3Y1V-jO2vIGq4ztSPfCLfEjS4qegFSSUqZSdeN7xDY4uHsQ3lUF28J8nj1FKhEAu46DecJDaaD918PAo9_ywNjPww2PuLaA-Mfpdr/s1600/150x200.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Like cooking. Yes, I collaborated on recipes that relate to one of Richard Armitage's characters.<br />
<br />
Good, clean fun. In this case, it involves chocolate.<br />
<br />
Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzmNS17mhpUgelJaBlLe8Qr_wipl4LlJAZw0kyM3Dmapuc2UtdyN85uavX-rgQTvyX3WICAir5ONDfWbKNMytBF49KUcPbWW8rzeQbCHyqJ240fBxHgOc48jhzSgTOGImmnbdjEQBTb69/s1600/lucas-eating-300x168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzmNS17mhpUgelJaBlLe8Qr_wipl4LlJAZw0kyM3Dmapuc2UtdyN85uavX-rgQTvyX3WICAir5ONDfWbKNMytBF49KUcPbWW8rzeQbCHyqJ240fBxHgOc48jhzSgTOGImmnbdjEQBTb69/s1600/lucas-eating-300x168.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Armitage as Lucas North in the UK series <br />'Spooks.' He is finishing a chocolate doughnut.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Click <a href="http://armyofchefs.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/111/" target="_blank">here </a>to read the recipe.Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6434035590756516630.post-37935767423317635352013-01-26T04:55:00.001-05:002013-01-26T05:05:35.738-05:00 Small Acts of Kindness and Love<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTmMhAgg_PgcllsjjBiS0wekVgU3ihwNzurqLaHm8B1IMmRFdFvCVbXSu69-OE-ueIW1OX6aeeYHVw2JWWfP-5TiYbFd0EXJlNGGsJa6mJkl-DFZ5SBrpLMp7GPhfhcBEOCbFcBMj8yH0/s1600/ra-hudson-mailday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTmMhAgg_PgcllsjjBiS0wekVgU3ihwNzurqLaHm8B1IMmRFdFvCVbXSu69-OE-ueIW1OX6aeeYHVw2JWWfP-5TiYbFd0EXJlNGGsJa6mJkl-DFZ5SBrpLMp7GPhfhcBEOCbFcBMj8yH0/s400/ra-hudson-mailday.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun sets Friday in Hudson, Maine, as a box of letters awaits the mail truck's arrival about a mile away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A small box full of best wishes, affection, admiration and love is now winging its way to the U.K.<br />
<br />
I mailed the parcel of more than two dozen notes to Richard Armitage on Friday afternoon, with the help of the lovely Rose who figured out the best shipping method.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcVftPrfjjPFZyTDy2-VDP1DihAIxWq0lCt2pQgZPVbWloGlPYI8GVJ7YBV9cwP2_29IZYysPmAY2GspY06FPW62KiKhpYDodg9nDhYywqkkGB601RP3DdUPsPH9wk3FvuxnkhqbQXpz4/s1600/ra-hudsonpo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcVftPrfjjPFZyTDy2-VDP1DihAIxWq0lCt2pQgZPVbWloGlPYI8GVJ7YBV9cwP2_29IZYysPmAY2GspY06FPW62KiKhpYDodg9nDhYywqkkGB601RP3DdUPsPH9wk3FvuxnkhqbQXpz4/s200/ra-hudsonpo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hudson Post Office on Friday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been an unexpected journey to this day. So much has happened since Lanie (@bff222) and I first tweeted each other about needing to thank Richard Armitage for his work and his kind self. When I finally posted the <a href="http://www.janinepineo.com/2012/12/thank-you-richard.html" target="_blank">blog item</a>, it was Dec. 9. I envisioned a fun few weeks of letters arriving and that would be that. We had one more premiere ahead of us for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," that of the royal one in London on Dec. 12.<br />
<br />
For myself alone, my life has irrevocably changed in the ensuing weeks. The very next morning, Dec. 10, my mother nearly died from the sudden onset of pneumonia. She is now fully recovered, but the following weeks were quite difficult, as many of you know if you followed my Twitter feed. While we watched Richard revel in more interviews and the last premiere, life was swirling about. And then, last week, as I awaited the arrival of the last letter from across the globe, I lost my job. (All is well and if not, then I will make it so.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL91mncVJxjmDuoemFR7zdZj07mVI5pmL7jBEHG5Ju2XjPE-CGGRuYV24KWjbX9XDiH38pp2gii3lUYV09C0Uik402NcTr5NNaZ4HMp6ixjdISTAbSZiTJamfp6qFwRXFhFF2fNLb985TM/s1600/ra-letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL91mncVJxjmDuoemFR7zdZj07mVI5pmL7jBEHG5Ju2XjPE-CGGRuYV24KWjbX9XDiH38pp2gii3lUYV09C0Uik402NcTr5NNaZ4HMp6ixjdISTAbSZiTJamfp6qFwRXFhFF2fNLb985TM/s400/ra-letters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your letters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My point is that while all of this was occurring in my world, I was receiving letter after letter for Richard, celebrating with him. Many of you asked me to read your letters and let you know if I thought it OK.<br />
<br />
How could I not, when they were written with such depth of emotions? Because for me, this fun event ended up sustaining my spirits and reminding me that I can find the light in the darkness as long as I don't give up.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
It is the reason why my heart caught when I heard Gandalf say the following:<br />
<br />
<i>"I've found it is the small, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay … small acts of kindness and love."</i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcF-8wJ3HiYdzYFUsEJe-b8l52_wTDPbX1JQyvnLV6Pep_BhWVHvIfUaYtIODS-kI0EPmpu2OoFAU6eWzXQdSVE30uAJ6LZcfdZTJ6SBT4PCk0wWA8eGtYwBtwf6X6G71w1OWcbpDsXGg/s1600/RootsCanada-10-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcF-8wJ3HiYdzYFUsEJe-b8l52_wTDPbX1JQyvnLV6Pep_BhWVHvIfUaYtIODS-kI0EPmpu2OoFAU6eWzXQdSVE30uAJ6LZcfdZTJ6SBT4PCk0wWA8eGtYwBtwf6X6G71w1OWcbpDsXGg/s320/RootsCanada-10-small.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Armitage in Toronto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am honored to be part of the Armitage Army. And the privilege to gather your dear letters into a bundle to send off to a man we admire so much, well, that privilege means a great deal to me.<br />
<br />
And because you all were so generous, there was much more money available than needed for postage, to the tune of $50 U.S. (Due to conversion, it looks like $49.99 on the page <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Armitage" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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I didn't ask, but I decided to give it all to Childline, one of Richard's Just Giving charities. Why? For this: "ChildLine is the UK's free and confidential, 24 hour helpline for children in distress or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise, support and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn."<br />
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We all need somewhere safe to turn to.<br />
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So I thank all of you for keeping this unexpected journey - of which we are all on - filled with camaraderie and hope.<br />
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And may Richard read our box of letters in good health. <br />
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<br />Janine Pineohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052920706673306614noreply@blogger.com7