Today is the date Professor Tolkien set as the birthdays of Frodo and his uncle/cousin, Bilbo.
It's also the date they each set out on their individual journeys in 'The Lord of the Rings.'
Finally, it is the date I begin to read the books again - often aloud to others - annually for many years. This past year someone read them to me over Skype from across the country over months' time. What luxury.
I've been a fan for as long as I can remember, and I raise my glass now to the author and the characters that have threaded throughout my life with much chewing over meanings and bottom lines. At this moment, I'm thinking of the story in terms of one of its themes ~ how means justify ends is chosen over ends justifying means. It's been worth the contemplation for me. Secure in the love of one of my favorite tales, I offer a bit of fun with The Flight of the Conchords performing, "Frodo, Don't Wear the Ring."
Even if you've seen it before, you might watch until the end for it to yield all of its silly treasures.