The Return of the King, for all its various virtues, was the volume with most of the racist characterizations we think of as we reevaluate Tolkien — not just the Haradrim and Easterlings, but even some of his depictions of orcs cross the line. Important to be aware of flaws in a work, even (or especially) if you otherwise love it.

Finished rereading The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, including the appendices.

It turns out I haven’t read all the appendices, or had thoroughly forgotten some of them. I like to think that everybody should read them, but … well, they’re not part of the main story for a reason.

Yesterday, we went out to Amy’s farm for their open house. The dude and bambina played clarinet, kids made screen prints with Meghan and pressed cider, we toured the farm, and just had a lovely time.

Had Mom over for fajitas.

Went to the office for the past three days, to discuss the next several years of projects.

The dude and I played Magic with my brother and his son yesterday. It was quite a good game.

I helped the bambina bake cookies for a friend who broke a hand playing soccer.

Tonight’s kitchen victory: pasta alla Norcina, on a tip from Jason Kottke, which was elicited by a question from Adam.

Finished rereading The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Another thing I’ve noticed on this reread is that my mental images of the locations are very different. Tolkien’s descriptions seem very clear, and I don’t know why or how I could ever have imagined things as I did in the past, and I don’t think my current images are influenced by the movies in any meaningful way. Curious!

The dude and the bambina are off to school, both in the same high school for a year.

Yesterday I took the water taxi, walked around Alki, up to the West Seattle Junction, and back to the dock: 3 hours, 16.5k steps, 8 miles. A bit more walking around downtown and on the way home added another 8.5k steps and 4 miles.

Greg and kids and the dude and I played Magic, while Jocelyn hung out with Meghan and the bambina, and then Mom came over.

Tonight’s kitchen victory: pad kee mao, so good.

Played Magic last night with Greg.

The dude gets pretty mad when I use slang that he feels is too new or young for me to use, so naturally I do it every chance I get, ideally with an intentional slight misuse. Most recently, “check out this sweet whip”.