On Sunday afternoon, March 25th, I attended the annual Tolkien Reading Moot at Fiddlesticks Pub & Grill in Manhattan. The previous year it had been held in Poughkeepsie at a charming restaurant called Frodo’s. This year, in the Greenwich Village area, the pub sort of resembled the “Green Dragon” from the LOTR books. I showed up around the same time as Jessica, Anthony and Tim. There seemed to be some issues, but Anthony resolved things and we had a back room for the group. I talked briefly with Tim outside the pub before he went to get his Gandalf attire and I waited for Jackie. Weather wasn’t too bad and was delightfully sunny. About twelve of us finally assembled in the back room, which was hobbity and cozy. Lighting wasn’t the greatest, but it’ll have to do. We then made our way into the main area for some refreshment and conversations. I had some interesting discussions with Jessica and Kaleena. The wine loosened up our tongues and we spoke freely on language, biblical meaning, ancient writings, etc. Once we paid our tabs, we took our drinks and headed back to the other room. In the small room next to ours was a couple playing billiards and occasionally listening in to our “readings”. They had to know it was about Tolkien and LOTRs, as Tim was dressed as Gandalf the Grey. Jackie and I positioned ourselves on the comfy sofa and sipped our wine. Halfway through the readings Jessica and Anthony held a raffle for prizes. I was the second winner and received “Tolkien Studies: An Annual Scholarly Review” from 2006. It’s the third volume and will need to hunt around for the first two at bookstores. Maybe I can find it at The Strand. I’m not good at reading in public, so I asked Tim with much charm if he’d do the honors and he gladly accepted. I handed him “The Two Towers” book and he read of the “Departure of Boromir” with such eloquence and feeling. Most know my nickname of Lady Boromir, as the eldest son of Gondor is my fav, not only in the books but also in Peter Jackson’s films.
Then it was 6pm and everyone started making ready to leave. This usually takes awhile, as we all love to chat. Tim came back into the pub and inquired if I wanted to see his newly purchased Boromir figurine. Absolutely! I grabbed my things and headed out with him. His truck was parked at the curb and he showed me the figurine looking handsome in its lovely box. He also had a new figurine of Legolas. By this time Jackie, Jessica and Anthony came out … we all ohhhh’d and ahhhhh’d over the goodies. I’d love to purchase a Boromir figurine, but funds are abit tight right now. From there Jackie, Jessica, Anthony decided to hangout for sometime and walked over to The Strand on Broadway. Us ladies chatted, gossip and browsed through books, while Anthony went to find a particular book. From there we headed over to 4th Avenue and partake of refreshment at Cosi’s. We enjoyed a few more hours of much socializing, laughter, stories, etc. This is such a cool Cosi; as it has a bar, many over stuffed chairs and East Village funkiness to it. Subways weren’t cooperating that well and I finally got home around midnight.
Tuesday evening, March 27th, started off with doing some volunteer work for City Harvest at their main office on 8th Avenue. The volunteers that showed up pretty much stuff envelopes for a large mailing [ie: Skip Lunch Fight Hunger]. And City Harvest did provide bottled water and pizza for us. I headed home after 7pm for a NYDoP board member conference call to discuss locating new space for monthly meetings. We have several options for decent, affordable locations, but the clincher is that our group has certain requirements. Such as storage space and conference calling for members who cannot make the meetings.
Saturday evening, March 31st, was movie night at my place and my friend Jackie joined me. We noshed on yummy Chinese take out, caught up on news and watched “Gangs of New York” movie on DVD. I’d never seen this movie before and it was really quite good. Daniel Day-Lewis gives a sterling performance as Bill the Butcher. Liam Neesom makes a cameo appearance in the beginning that is passionate and terrific. Sets and costumes are fantastic. This film is based on some real life people during early to mid 19th Century incidents in lower Manhattan near Five Dials. Overall, I’d recommend this film to others.
Pix From RHCP Concert in NJ - October 2006
[Duchess Note – I celebrated my birthday at the above concert. The RHCPs really rocked the house that night and the following evening. Bass player, Flea, is a firm supporter of the Dept of Peace campaign and legislation (HR808). New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace were allowed to table at both concerts. We talked with young and old alike about DoP. Many were jazzed by the legislation and concept, as well as learning that Flea supported it.]
[Duchess Note – A fellow NYDoP members daughter, Danielle, hanging out with me at the concert.]
LIVE FROM NYC – IT’S THE NEWS
‘Honk for Peace’ Case Tests Limits on Free Speech
Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/14/1181/
Mothers See the Tide Turn toward Peace
Susan Paynter, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/14/1192/
Video: Felicity Huffman, Vanessa Williams, Alfre Woodard Teach Us the True Story of Mothers Day
Robert Greenwald, Brave New Foundation
http://www.alternet.org/stories/51680/
The original Mother’s Day was not conceived to sell us stuff we don’t need, it was a day started by mothers to bring warfare to an end!
Why an Ultra-Conservative Texas Grandmother Hates the GOP
Cyrus Dugger & Jordan Fogal, Drum Major Institute
http://www.alternet.org/rights/51885/
What could make Jordan Fogal, a 61 year old ultra conservative Republican grandmother from TX, refuse to vote for a single Republican in the last election? Two innocent sounding words: mandatory arbitration.
Raise Your Voice, This Mother’s Day – A Note to Everyone Who Values Life
Commentary by Ann Marina
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/13/1165/
Kucinich on Supplemental: It’s About Oil
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=64901
What’s A Mother’s Worth?
Riane Eisler, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/stories/51680/
Election Theft Goes Global
Bob Fitrakis & Harvey Wasserman, Free Press
http://www.alternet.org/rights/51757/
From Ohio to Scotland, the controversy over electronic voting machines has become a global phenomenon.
On YouTube Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich Rejecting War as an Instrument of Policy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPQLyhhf8HI&mode=user&search
Kucinich Impeachment Measure Gets Fourth Co-Sponsor
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2007/05/kucinich_impeachment_measure_g.html
The Impeachment Chronicles: Where is the Black Caucus?
Bill Hare, Political Cortex
http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2007/5/12/194737/640
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