Professor J.R.R. Tolkien’s 124th birthday

[Grishnakh]

Without meaning to get into any discussion about what John Ronald Reuel Tolkien means to Heroscape or wether we would even have Heroscape without Tolkien I simply offer this fact. Today, January 3, 2014, is Professor J.R.R. Tolkien’s 122nd birthday.

To say that his writings were such an important influence in my life would be a complete understatement. Therefore, each and every year, I like to take a moment to join my friends and raise a toast in his honor.

At 9:00 p.m. (your local time), you are invited to raise a glass in memory of The Professor. To make the Birthday Toast, you stand, raise a glass of your choice of drink and say the words ‘The Professor’ before taking a swig.

Therefore:

To ‘The Professor’!

"Grishnakh owe his name to dat guy."
J.R.R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa on January 3, 1892.

[markwars]

I will toast The Professor this evening. Thanks for the reminder.

[Revdyer]

My hearty thanks to you, Grishnakh for the timely reminder of that venerable member of "The Inklings." I shall raise a glass for myself, Dr. Lewis, Rev. Williams, et al.

[Annerios]

I've just begun reading my daughter The Hobbit and I hope she finds it as enthralling as I did when I was a kid.

His books shall never go unread while I'm around. Here's to 'The Professor'.

[markwars]

That's awesome Annerios. How old is your daughter? I've been thinking of reading The Hobbit to my son and would be interested to know how your daughter reacted to it based on her age.

[Annerios]

Originally Posted by markwars

That's awesome Annerios. How old is your daughter? I've been thinking of reading The Hobbit to my son and would be interested to know how your daughter reacted to it based on her age.

She just turned 5 recently and loves fantasy related shows, etc. I don't think she can handle a whole chapter in one sitting, but seems to be ok with half of one or so.

"Chip the glasses and crack the plates!
Blunt the knives and bend the forks!
That's what Bilbo hates "

Of course, if you sing those parts (and make a fool of yourself), kids like it even more. :P

She is liking it so far, but is having a hard time keeping all of the characters straight. Then again, I'm not sure how people are going to deal with 13 dwarf characters in the movie either. That is a lot of dwarves!

[markwars]

My son is in second grade and I'm not sure he would make it through an entire chapter in one sitting. We've read a good bit of Harry Potter books together, but I usually break those up into 10 page chunks. The Hobbit would be a bit more of a challenge.

[DrRansom]

I look forward to when my kids are old enough for me to read to them a chapter of the Hobbit each night without nightmares. We just finished Charlotte's Web and Dr.Doolittle.

[Annerios]

Originally Posted by markwars

My son is in second grade and I'm not sure he would make it through an entire chapter in one sitting. We've read a good bit of Harry Potter books together, but I usually break those up into 10 page chunks. The Hobbit would be a bit more of a challenge.

We've been reading to her since she was born, whether she understood it or not, just to get her used to it. She has a good attention span, if she finds the tale of interest. If not, well you know how kids are!

[Revdyer]

Our daughters got the Hobbit around age ten. There was no Harry Potter back then, of course. We've liked reading out loud together even well after they could read for themselves, and often they would re-read what had been read to them when they were in a drowsy state.

[Metaknight]

No way! He was born in 1891! He was old when he wrote the books!

Anyways, Happy 116th Birthday!

I hope I'll be remembered on my 116th birthday! You?

[Taelord]

Happy birthday Tolkien. Thanks for the reminder Grish.