is Liv Tyler the world’s most famous bastard?

Anyway, I saw The Two Towers yesterday, and I must say some puzzling liberties were taken with the plot.

The transformation of thirty Rangers (and Arwen’s brothers) riding from Rivendell into hundreds of anonymous Elf archers walking out of nowhere-in-particular weakens the setup of Aragorn’s later activities, and conflicts with Elrond’s (inserted) words about departure. And would Elves move in unison, like human infantry on parade? I think not! – particularly when the film’s designers made a point of avoiding straight lines in Elvish artifacts.

Why does Faramir take Frodo to Osgiliath? To avoid a talking-heads scene?

Did Gríma really need to have black hair? He is of the Eotheod even though a traitor. Maybe he dyed it.

Driving home this evening (don’t tell anyone: it’s not insured yet), I saw a scrawny siamese kitten by the divider, lifting her head to stare at the headlights. She was soaked, of course, and too weak to stand; I could feel each vertebra. Took her home and tried to feed her (out of sight of Fluffie, Who is a jealous Cat); but now she was too weak to lift her head. (Had I picked her up too roughly?) So I looked for a vet that was open late. “Hi, I found a cat in the street and it’s too weak to eat, what should I do?” “Well, would you like to bring her in for an exam?” So I went; but she died on the way. I rather fancy she breathed her last just as I thought of a name for her.

Now I just hope I didn’t rescue any fertile fleas.

asparagirl had some peevish things to say about the then-looming New York transit strike.

It wouldn’t be a problem if public transportation were open to competition – but neither the city nor the union wants that, obviously.

A Dust Devil on Mars

Straight Dope Message Board – If LotR Had Been Written By Someone Else!? (ten pages so far; I’ve only looked at the first and last, but those are quite good on the whole)

Update: The entries have been more neatly collected elsewhere.

Could that guy turn a phrase or what?

Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it. While it lies there it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it. . . .

What then is the spirit of liberty? I cannot define it; I can only tell you my own faith. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right . . . .