I had really planned to be finished with Coming Darkness by now. But, and maybe it’s because I’m such a neurotic perfectionist, I am not. It’s going so slowly because I must make absolutely sure that I’m saying what I want to say. I think it’s like new parents – you see it in commercials all the time: How nervous and nuts they are with their precious little bundle. Everything has to be perfect.  Then they have baby #2 and they realize that ok maybe steam cleaning the house every week isn’t necessary.  I’m in the steam cleaning every week phase, and I will admit, it’s exhausting.

So this weekend, I took a break from the kid and did something I consider truly decadent (and sometimes decadent is the way to go).

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Probably because I’d just purchased (and watched) “The Hobbit” on DVD, it was still on my mind and I got to thinking about LOTR/Hobbit fan fiction. And then I slid down the rabbit hole. I’ve read other fandoms before and usually, there’s a lotta chaff and not much wheat. What surprises me about this one, however, is that more often than not, that was not the case. Maybe it’s the geekdom required to pull it off (it was obvious that some of these folks have read The Silmarillion), I have no idea, but I read gem after gem and had a delightful time.

I love fanfiction, I really do. I love the fact that people are able to take established stories to so many different places. I love how self-indulgent they are – finding and then immersing myself in works upwards of 500,000 words makes me incredibly happy. Writing is hard, and to dedicate that much time and effort because of love of the work is just magical. Granted, it’s not for everyone, but then again, what is? I guess I needed some time when I wasn’t running from something, or working, or worrying or whatever. It was nice. Sometimes you just gotta play hooky.

Work hard people, and play hooky occasionally – it’s good for you!

I’ve decided to end each blog post with a movie clip. I had so much fun doing it last time and there are so many movies I’d love to share.

So of course it’s only right that I present: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I think Peter Jackson did the book justice – yes he added Legolas and stuff that wasn’t in the book blah, blah, blah – but as movie experiences go, this is a treasured one. I can say the same for The Lord of the Rings movies as well: when I want a solid movie experience that always gives me joy – this is one of the movies I go to.