The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

broderic on December 31, 2024

The least I can say of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is that it does follow some story from the appendices to The Lord of the Rings. It’s rough structure is there in the text. Does it necessary follow what Tolkien has written? Well… maybe?

The story comes from the before the events of the War of the Ring in the kingdom of Rohan. When they were fighting off the Dunlendings and establishing the Hornburg AKA Helm’s Deep. It tells of the succession of the throne of the kings of Rohan for the end of the first line and the star of the second line which ends with Theoden at the end of the War of the Ring. A bit of history which wasn’t not known, but was fleshed out a bit well.

Since this isn’t really written by Tolkien, I was suprised at how well it adhered to the structure of Tolkiens story. There was the king. His fallen sons. The daughter. The nephew/successor. It was animated which is great for one of Tolkien’s tales. It was made to look as if from the movies, which made it all too familiar. As a Tolkien fan, I liked it.

3 of 5 stars.

Quote of the Day [12.26.24]

broderic on December 26, 2024

“To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone. This was fairly trivial: some elementary social engineering, basic CAD, a lot of patience. The spiral notebook, if present, has some straggling notes and To Do lists that illuminate the gist of it. My tech is pretty locked down because I work in engineering so probably not much info there. I do apologize for any strife of traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: the US has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy. United is the [indecipherable] largest company in the US by market cap, behind only Apple, Google, Walmart. It has grown and grown, but as our life expectancy? No the reality is, these [indecipherable] have simply gotten too powerful, and they continue to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has allwed them to get away with it. Obviously the problem is more complex, but I do not have space, and frankly I do not pretend to be the most qualified person to lay out the full argument. But many have illuminated the corruption and greed (e.g.: Rosenthal, Moore), decades ago and the problems simply remain. It is not an issue of awareness at this point, but clearly power games at play. Evidently I am the first to face it with such brutal honesty.”

Luigi Mangione
Manifesto on United Health

“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

broderic on December 25, 2024

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,　I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Link of the Day [12.24.24]

broderic on December 24, 2024

In olden time, in the dark night of winter, they would tell ghost stories around this time of year. You may know of the most famous one: “A Christmas Carol,” but there are far many Christmas ghost stories out there.

Today’s link is one such story written by Elizabeth Gaskell entitled, “The Old Nurse’s Story.” Read it by the dim fireside to keep the chill away…

BOO!

https://web.english.upenn.edu/~nauerbac/story.html

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

broderic on December 24, 2024

Even though the year hasn’t been good for me, I can’t let the Holiday feelings of this festive season go by. It makes me happy for a bit. So go and enjoy the fun of the Holiday season.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

It Hasn’t Been Looking Anything at All Like Christmas

broderic on December 18, 2024

I’ve been too caught up in my miserable work life to see that Christmas time has arrived. Yes, I love this part of the year. And the Winter Solstice is coming along any day now. But I’ve not noticed one bit. My miserable work life is miserable. Why must it make me miss the most fantastic part of the year.

It’s Bad Boyyo…

broderic on November 7, 2024

Fudge. We lost.

Definitely feel like we’re going into some weird dark age. The cynic in me is really wanting to see them burn it all down. I really feel like it. I don’t want to.

In the long run, it will be fine. Will I be there to see it?

Stakes is High

broderic on November 3, 2024

We’re going into the most important week and the most important day of our nation. Stakes is high. I hope we don’t make the same mistake we did in 2016. I can only hope a majority of people in the few swing states choose for the better. Choose a future that is for everyone and not just one man. Choose a future that is works for the good of everyone. Choose a future of happiness and not of lameness. Stakes is high.

Beef, Leak, & Onions

broderic on November 2, 2024

This past week I had made a beef stock that made me want more. It was based off of a chicken stock I had in my freezer and a pound and a half of short ribs. They were boiled together with some onions to make a base for soups. The first was a simple vegetable soup with the beef from the short ribs, but in its final concoction after I had added the powder pack from a beef ramen package that it reached a scrumptious stock. I drank it for breakfast the other day and wanted more.

I’ve always wanted to make soups and stocks. I thought that that could be my thing as a home cook — to make good soup. I love soup, so right now I am chasing after making a decent beef stock. There’s no actual soup I am looking to make with it, but I’m chasing after the flavor of my mom’s soup. That’s were I start.

I’ve asked how she makes her beef stock. Boil the beef until all the impurities come out. Dump the water. Clean the beef. Add back to a pot. Boil again with onion until you like. Simple and easy. Right?

Here’s my try. I’m following her steps, and using leaks and onions as the aromatics. I have a 12 quart stock pot. In goes beef ribs and marrow bones with a head of onion and leaks. It’s simmering away right now. We’ll see how it goes…