(no subject)

Off to the movies, all day long.

Nothing is a better spam title than "potato." I almost opened it, but I knew I would be disappointed.

The Lord of The Rings, or how I stuffed myself silly and tried to make peace with my soul

I drove downtown around 8:15 this morning. The Chuy's parade was going on, and I was in terror that streets would be blocked and I'd get myself lost downtown. I made it safely, and parked in exactly the same spot I parked in last time. This time, no buildings caught on fire. I always have this incredible fear that my car won't be there when I get back. Being so early, downtown was mostly empty and I was the first person in line. I read some Skvorecky, and tried to ignor the annoying people. A guy asked me if this was the line for the films. He plunked himself down right next to me, and my eyebrows attempted to meet my hairline. I thought it was pretty brazen to stick yourself at the front of the line. He shortly realized the error of his ways, and appeared very abashed, so I forgave him. What are the odds of meeting someone who likes Tolkien and is teaching himself Russian for fun? I love my city some days. Inside the theater, I scored the perfect spot to watch my movies. Sadly, three hyena women parked themselves to my right. What part of "Chuck Norris says don't talk in the theater or he will choke you unconscious" is not fucking clear? I loathe people who talk and make noise through the movie. I gave much thought to asking them if they were mentally deficient and causing a scene, but decided against it. Tyler hates it when I start fights without him.

Oh my stars, the food. First meal is the Hobbit breakfast with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, roast portabello, toast with honey butter and strawberries with cream. Dear gods above that butter was good. The Elven course was sorrel soup with wild mushrooms. I've never had sorrel, but I think now I should learn to make this soup, it was that tasty. Alongside the soup was a venision carpaccio with white balsamic, a flax walnut cracker, and fresh black mission fig and blackberry jam. I'm not a big fig fan, but the jam was good stuff. The venison was divine, wild and fresh tasting.

Dwarven luncheon was roast lamb with cheese, grilled onions, roasted vegetables, and bread. Mmm, tasty roast lamb slices. This stuff was tender and melting. They served it with a hearty German beer that I really enjoyed but didn't catch the name of alas. Smeagol's course was sashimi with walleye, salmon and eel. This was surprisingly excellent, and there were some flavorful extra bits on the plate I couldn't see in the dark but I think were nuts and berries.

Fourth course was the offering from the world of Men. A big grilled pork chop with roasted purple carrots and cannellini beans with pancetta was very hearty. They served it with a glass of Matayac Cahors, which is my new favorite wine. So delicious. I don't normally eat carrots, but since these were purple I made an exception. Dessert was called Gandalf's Fireworks. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and gooseberries were layered with sponge cake, cream and champagne sabayon. It came with a chocolate staff, that looked exactly like Gandalf's, and a glass of sparkling wine. This was so good, I spilled some cream on my shirt.

When I was very young, I read often and always. My parents did not raise me with any religion, so I looked to books to provide me something to believe. I believe in these stories. Not literally, that there are elves and hobbits and rings and orcs. But I believe there are choices, battles to be fought, and things worth the fighting. I believe in these stories because they give me hope. Every time I read those books, or watch the films, a little bit of that hope flares. When the Rohirrim ride into battle with the dawn, for ruin and the world's ending screaming death at the top of their lungs, I feel my heart seize a little. I cried so much in the movies this time my hands shook from it, and I'm really not ashamed to say that.

The look on Elrond's face when he lets Arwen go gets me every time. Gods above but that makes me cry.

I think I can also trace a number of childhood fears to these stories. The Nazgul terrified me, and so I was afraid of the dark. (I'd be a liar if I said they didn't still unnerve me some.) The long falls, the heights, the thing in the water outside Moria, spiders... well. I've loved these stories. I played at being the Ranger, and being the Wizard as a child. I miss my stick, and my sword.

It doesn't feel like I've spent 15 hours out of my house today. It feels like nothing at all. But I should probably sleep.