THE HOBBIT

 

Eagles rescuing Bilbo and group of fighters from near destruction at the hands of Azog.

We've been watching The Hobbit. I hadn't seen it since it was released and C, while never having much desire to see it, decided she should become acquainted with one of our culture's blockbuster franchises. Fabulous CGI and both of us are relieved at the restrained amount of gore in the many battles our intrepid band of warriors end up fighting. Heads might go flying but blood is kept to a minimum.

I remember when I first read The Hobbit. I was living in the house known as the Omega Hotel on Sycamore St. downtown with the St. Johns fellows.  My pal Lowell was taking theater classes and I was studying printmaking. He and I began reading it at the same time. Most in the house had read it so they were familiar with the tale. We were avid Risk players and we developed a similar board game set in late 19th Century Europe. Many late night campaigns were waged and we adopted personas: Lowell was Lord Pomeroy and I was a nameless auditor from The Hartford Insurance Company. He wore and ascot, I donned a tie. Both were bent on world domination.  We were also huge fans of early Genesis when Peter Gabriel was their front man.  Very much young anglophiles.