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October 30, 2000 - November 30, 2000

Thursday, November 30, 2000
Barlimans News

Wedding bells at Barliman's!!!
-
Jincey @ 21:38 PST

Our Gandalf has a rather big announcement : )

It's with great pride that I bring the news of Jezza's and Farmboy's marriage engagement! The good lad got down on one knee and asked for my sister's hand in marriage this week. I am extremely overjoyed to welcome Farmboy (Mike) into our family. So cheers to Farmboy and Jezza. I wish them all the happiness they so rightly deserve. Please let them know how much they mean to us and Barlimans. To my new brother and my old sister (heehee) I love you both and congratulations again.
Your brother Gandalf

BursarWatch!!! Late November Edition
-
Jincey @ 20:38 PST

TheBursar has had a bit of spare time over the holidays and he's sent 2 letters in 2 days! We post them here, with his snailmail addy following for anyone interested in writing to him.

Letter #1 (11/23/00)

Hey Barliman's!
This is the intrepid Bursar writing to you yet again from deep within Great Lakes. First of all, Thank-you's go out to everyone who is sending me letters and updates. I tell the people who ask that you are my fan club. : )
Anyway, today is Thanksgiving and as such is Holiday Routine. This is good, My jaw needs rest, especially now that my two lower wisdom teeth are gone. Ouch. But you have to carry on. And that is precisely what I am doing. I miss Barli's.
On a side note, does anyone live near Chicago? If so, we could hang out a little during my liberty weekend. That would be cool.
Back to the main story… The people here are pretty cool to me. We are a family now. We have to be. But still, I crave news. The update I got last was Nov. 14 and Pip sent me a cool article on the press conference! (Thanx!) Too cool. So filming ends Dec 22… I don't get out of here until Jan 5, and even then I think I go directly to my "A" school in Charleston, SC. That's bad. I was hoping for a little downtime at least. I need the friendly atmosphere of Barli's and some Blackened Balrog Wings.
I have a request for one of y'all… I miss my Tolkien, but I also miss my Pratchett. If someone could send me the Pratchett Quote File, I'd really appreciate it. That would be good for 10 strange looks at least. : )
Oh well, I oughta wrap this up; time is of the essence, although I don't know what essence it is. Possibly Eu d'Nil.
Looking for a ray of hope, humor, and happiness in an environment desperately lacking in them (except for the coffee!).

Your Bud, Friend-for-Life, and Impossible-to-Get-Rid-of Guy,
TheBursar!


Letter #2 (11/26/00)

Hello, All!
Well it's been almost a month now since I left Barli's. I can only imagine how things have changed. I feel out of place, like I'm still near home, but know I'm near Chicago. Strange.
How has Barli's been? Organized chaos as usual? No unscheduled P.J. on-line press conferences? I'm sure you'll let me know if there is.
TW, my new nickname here is Tweak, after the hyper kid on South Park. My shipmates have discovered my caffeine addiction. Mmmm... coffee...
There is a massive abuse of power here amongst the recruits given division staff positions. They should be required to take a leadership class. Shouting does not solve everything! Hardly a day goes by without some degree of headache.
Liberty weekend after Pass-In-Review is gonna be wild. Think about this: me, a legal adult, a sailor to boot, with money, no commitments except the Navy, all alone on the town in Chicago. Whoa.
The people I learn from the most are the Division Commanders. The sea-stories are so full of info, it is invaluable.
My picture should be taken soon. I'll send y'all one!

The world will be my playground.

Am I ready to be on my own?

Is the world ready for me??

Your friend,
Nuclear Engineer-in-Training Bursar!

For your direct connection to TheBursar, write:
SR Hill, Robert V
Division #906 Ship Berth 04
Recruit Training Command
3301 Indiana Street
Great Lakes, IL 60088-3127

Wednesday, November 22, 2000
Barlimans News

A BarliBash for the Europeans!
-
Jincey @ 00:14 PST

Elendil sends us some info about the upcoming 'Eurobash':

Curunir and Messiah are, as many of you know, planning a Barlimaniacs event in the US, August 2001. This event is for any who can attend, to meet the faces behind the names, and find out if their verbal abilities are better than their typing. =]

Well, many of us European folks just won't be able to afford that, so I have had it bestowed upon me to organise the European version.

LOTR is scheduled for release around Christmas of 2001. To see the film, with people who appreciate Tolkien, near the spiritual home of the Great Man seems to be a great idea.

Essentially, the idea at this point is for you folks on mainland Europe to come across to the UK for however long you please - for some perhaps just a day or two, others for a full-on holiday, to meet each other, see the film, and do whatever else.

Early ideas revolve around meeting to consume heinous amounts of alcohol, see the film, and take it from there - in no particular order. It'd be nice to have people together for a few days, or even a week, but that is all up to you folks. I want your suggestions and ideas. We can brainstorm as many ideas as possible before the event, and then come up with some vague itinerary for it.

The idea of a little 'Tolkien Tour' has been suggested - drink in the pub where he and C.S. Lewis did in Oxford (only a short, cheap train journey from London), see Oxford Uni, JRR's grave... whatever!

Some of the more energetic amongst us have already expressed a desire to go clubbing in London. The Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square is huge - us English folks can book the tickets for those who are unable, and then get paid back (in whatever way we deem necessary, of course...)

Anyway, it's all up to YOU. Lets pool ideas. No excuses about "money" or "work" - you have over a year to plan. There's plenty of cheap accomodation in and around London (B&B's, Hostels, etc), and again, at this end we can research for you if necessary... Mel_A and Avatar in particular are said to be knowledgable in this area - cheers you two ;~)

Please email, talk to or contact as many people as possible who you think may be interested. We can't do very much without you lot wanting it. Mel_A has agreed to help organise accomodation and nightlife plans. Myself and Avatar are your first points of contact for organising this. If you don't email with your ideas or queries, nothing will happen. Get to it!

Let me know what you think. Please respond to eurobarlis@hotmail.com. See you in London.

- Elendil

Monday, November 20, 2000
Barlimans News

Hall of Fire Ready to Roar November 25 & 26
-
Tookish @ 01:02 PST

Hullo Tolkien Fans!

It's time to announce our next topic for The Hall of Fire, our twice monthly Tolkien debate. Check it out:

Tolkien and Religion, Part II: The Modern Faiths

Readers of Tolkien around the world have debated this topic since Middle-earth's creation, and now it's your turn. Is the Professor's work analagous of any of today's religions? One or two may come to mind... Or perhaps Tolkien merely drew on the symbolism present in some of today's faiths.

What do you think? Come on down to share your views on Tolkien and Religion this weekend.


Saturday Chat: 7:00 p.m. EST [10:00 GMT]
Sunday Chat: 6:00 p.m. GMT [1:00 EDT]
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net server; come to our chatroom Barliman's and then type /join #thehalloffire

Monday, November 13, 2000
Barlimans News

BursarWatch!!!
-
Jincey @ 18:43 PST

I got a letter from TheBursar today with his first update on life in the Navy. I am posting it here for folks who've been asking for his address:

Dear Denizons of the Smoky Depths of Barliman's,

Hey All! Yes, 'tis I, the intrepid Bursar writing to you from the Bowels of Boot Camp. Here I am, sitting beside my bunk in the barracks for Division 906 in Great Lakes, Illinois. Boot Camp is a very… um… interesting experience. No more soft civilian life for me. I miss y'all a lot, but I'm continuing to spread the Word of Tolkien even here. You would be amazed how many people here have read Tolkien but were unaware of the movies. This is where I come in. : )

I STILL play the Pants Game, sing spontaneously, and quote madly at people. My shipmates affectionately (I think) call me Lurch. I'm 6'3", this is understandable. What goes on with you guys? I am starved for info! Especially LOTR news…. And I miss Barli's. Please send letters! The more the better! (I'm secretly hoping to get the most letters in my division!)

But, back here things are Busy, Busy, Busy. I'm eating more than I ever did before. I'm also getting into better shape than I ever was before. I think I can safely say I won't be the same person I was when I got here.

If you all could send me, possibly in weekly allotments, the latest developments in the world of LOTR. Hello to everyone and please take care, write to ask me ANYTHING! I need letters! Must… hear… from… Barli's… Going… into… withdrawal…

MEDIC! 1,000 cc's 1420 STAT!

Anyway, until I can write again, take care, I will write!

Your friend,
Seaman Recruit Bursar!

Mailing address:
SR Hill, Robert V.
Division # 906, Ship Berth 04
Recruit Training Command
3301 Indiana Street
Great Lakes, Illinois 60088-3127

MOO!

Sunday, November 12, 2000
Barlimans News

Tolkien Fun Section
-
Gamgee @ 16:25 PST

Hello everyone! I hope you are all ready for another edition of the Tolkien fun section! Our last winner was Androg! Good job man! The answers were:
1) A White Deer
2) Golfimbul
3) Frodo
Here are the questions for today:
1) "What was the final tally in Gimli and Legolas' orc killing competition?"
2) "eermhgay" (Scrambled Tolkien person, place or thing.)
3) "Gibbets and Crows! Dotard! What is the house of Eorl but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll around on the floor with their dogs!" (Who said this?)
As always, Mail me with your answers, the 1st person to send all 3 correct answers in one mailing will be posted here next time! Good luck.........Gamgee

Sunday, November 05, 2000
Barlimans News

Hall of Fire Topic for November 11 & 12
-
Tookish @ 20:57 PST

November brings some hot topics to The Hall of Fire!

Tolkien and Religion, Part I: The Ancient Faiths

For our first debate in the Tolkien and Religion series, we’ll focus on the ancient religions of Europe and the rest of the world. Which do you think had a greater influence on The Professor, the Greek/Roman gods, or the mythology of Northern Europe, like the Celts, Norse and Vikings? Perhaps Tolkien drew on the ancient faiths found in Asia, Africa, or the Western Hemisphere; certainly many parallels can be found. Pick a side and break out your reference books for this one, then come on down and join us this weekend for what promises to be an interesting chat.

Thanks to Barliman’s and Messiah for our November topics!

Saturday Chat: 7:00 p.m. EST [10:30 GMT]
Sunday Chat: 6:00 p.m. GMT [1:00 EDT]
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net server; come to our chatroom Barliman's and then type /join #thehalloffire

Tolkien Fun Section
-
Gamgee @ 18:57 PST

Hello everyone! Welcome again to the Tolkien fun section! Our last winner was Melian! Good job my dear! The answers were:
1) Brandir
2) Pukel-men
3) Beregond
Here are the questions for today:
1) "What creature did the dwarves waste arrows shooting at shortly before Bombur fell into an enchanted river?"
2) "flomigblu" (Scrambled Tolkien person, place or thing)
3) "Yes, something of everything, Sam, except the Sea." (Who said this?)
As usual, Mail me with your answers, the 1st person to mail me all 3 correct answers, in one letter will be posted here next time! Good luck.......Gamgee

Monday, October 30, 2000
Barlimans News

BursarWatch!!!
-
Jincey @ 23:16 PST

One of our Regulars, TheBursar, has done gone off and joined the NAVY!!! He wants to keep in touch with all his friends while in boot camp and beyond, so he asked me to post this letter to all : )

Suliad, friends,

It is I, the intrepid, one-of-a-kind (Hopefully), and destined for military service Bursar. This is my first in a long list of letters that you will all, gods willing, receive from me. They will chronicle my life on the inside, if you will, of Military life, and how one lil' ol' Bursarman like myself can find ways to convert more and more people to the righteous cause of Tolkien, yeah!

To begin with, I will miss you all very much while I am away... coming into Barliman's is a great way to meet really cool people, and you have all grown to become my friends. I can't mention names, not for fear of leaving anybody out, but because I don't want this thing to stretch on and on and on.

Anyway, I leave Tuesday morning, October 31, (Halloween!... I wonder if I will get any special, Military-Issue candy....hmmmm). I will be leaving my home here and flying out to Great Lakes, Illinois (That's in the US, for all of you fuzzy on America out there) where I will attend boot camp for a period of 9 weeks. After Boot camp, I believe I get a few days back home before I leave for school, so you all could see me, in the Alias, around about January. After my few days, I get to go to Nuclear School in Charleston, South Carolina (Also in the US for those mentioned above) for a period of about 2 to 2 1/2 YEARS. Now, I believe that they do indeed have computers for use by the Navy Personnel, and I'll have to buy Internet time, but I will be able to talk with y'all there, I think. Gods willing, I'll even make it to Barli-Bash, USA in August. But all that is too far ahead to really worry about right now.

For now, I will miss you guys, don't burn down Barli's while I'm gone, and I will expect updates in letters that you guys send me. I don't have the address yet, but it's coming. Make me the happiest guy in Boot Camp--send me letters!!! please?!?!? Let me know you guys are still alive and kickin'. Until then, this is your one-and-only Bursar signing off...

Tenn' enomentielva , TheBursar

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :) :) :) :) :) :)


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