Middle Earth, Central Park

I’m pretty excited about The Fellowship of the Ring, the first installment in the film version of The Lord of the Rings, opening here in the United States on December 19. I’ve been trying to avoid any TV commercials or Burger-King-related promotions (blasphemous!) for the film — I want to see as little of it as possible before I see the actual film.

In advance screenings the film has gotten rave reviews, but apparently Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien’s son and the protector of his legacy, is pissed off that the film’s been made in the first place. In fact, he’s so pissed off that he’s disowned his own son for helping the filmmakers.

In other news, I was kind of amazed to read my own obituary (scroll down). Thanks, Dezz — impressive and way flattering. (I could have done without the Jewish stereotypes, though; you seem to make a way bigger deal of my being Jewish than I ever do. I didn’t think Judaism was that curious a characteristic.)

In yet other news, tonight I watched this TV tour of Central Park on PBS — the newest installment in the televised walking tours of New York City led by Barry Lewis and David Hartman. Barry Lewis is just a walking encyclopedia of New York City legend and lore. Apparently, their next program is going to be a tour of Newark, which should be cool, since I work there.

That’s all for now. I have a headache.