Posted on 01/03/2014 5:37:19 PM PST by muleskinner
2014 birthday toast On the 3rd January 1892 JRR Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. To celebrate this event, on this day each year Tolkien fans around the world were invited to raise a glass and toast the birthday of this much loved author 21:00 (9 pm) your local time.
The toast is "The Professor".
For those unfamiliar with British toast-drinking ceremonies:
To make the Birthday Toast, you stand, raise a glass of your choice of drink (not necessarily alcoholic), and say the words 'The Professor' before taking a sip (or swig, if that's more appropriate for your drink). Sit and enjoy the rest of your drink.
Done!
Lord of the Rings — one of the finest tales ever told.
Have read it 2 times and planning a third. Find something new each time I read it -— :-)
It won’t stop at the third time through, or even the fourth.
Done! And I love all the works of this genius.
Salut! BTT
I discovered Lord of the Rings in 1975 and have read it twice a year every since (personal ritual). And like you, I discover something new every time I read it.
Some 18 yr Glenlivet
I’ve read it about 25 times.
Thank you for that. The man was a genius. Love his work.
“The Professor”
Gene Wolfe wrote an awesome Tolkien essay a while ago. I guess he wrote Tolkien in the 60’s and Tolkien wrote back, pretty cool stuff.
http://www.thenightland.co.uk/MYWEB/wolfemountains.html
Freegards
“The Professor” and if i may: “The Inklings” as well.
woe to Britain. if only they had paid some heed to their truely wise men.
Great essay. Thanks for posting the link.
No problemo, Wolfe is the best living writer of speculative fiction in my opinion. Conservative, Christian, Korean war vet, helped invent the machine that makes Pringles. So it follows that his Tolkien essay rocks, heck he has poetry by Robert E Howard in the thing.
Freegards
Come 9 o'the clock P.S.T. it's 16 yr Lagavulin in his honor.
My 20 year old son at this moment is upstairs in the family room reading The Silmarillon. His head has been in the book 4-5 hours a day over Christmas break. Last night, the entire family, minus me, watched Return of the King on Blu-Ray. I was in the basement watching O'Reilly. Yeah, I know I need help...
I'm not as hard-core as some fans, but it sure seems apparent to me that Tolkien's work truly has stood the test of time.
OK...I may have to read Lord of the Rings now....
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