I told myself I would actually write a BLOG post about this when I finally accomplished this task. It will be a long one, but if you stick with it, I promise to have a reward for you at the end.
My problem is that I just can not decide what to call it.
Do I call it "Two Years (to accomplish this task)"
or
Do I call it "Forty-Three Years (to accomplish this task)"?
Way back in 2008 (when I called myself a "blogger") I posted about my childhood affinity for Dungeons and Dragons. Yes, I was one of those geeky and weird 1970's D&D kids. Between my friends at home, my friends at school, and my cousins - Dungeons & Dragons made up a large portion of my late elementary, and middle school years. As all 4th - 5th - and 6th grade boys that are into things like Dungeons and Dragons - I followed suit and picked up a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.
It was one of the longest and more involved books I read up to that point and it took me a little longer than expected to complete it - but I did. I read 100% of that book and I enjoyed it. I really and truly ENJOYED it. Sure, there were a couple of parts I had to push my way through, or that my interest waned a bit, but the honest truth of the matter is that I finished it, and I enjoyed it.
Not only did I enjoy it, but my group of school buds all loved it as well!
Permit me briefly sidetrack you for a little backstory before I continue on.
I have spoken previously about my elementary and middle school years with great fondness. I am proud to say I still stay in touch with many of the kids I went to school with still today - but like any classroom - there are always little "groups" and those groups typically did not mingle much.
Back in those days I was not really athletic or popular by any stretch of the imagination - so I was not part of the "cool kids club". I was not really a boundary pusher, or trouble maker, so I didn't really fit in with those guys either. All that was left is what I considered the really smart fellas. They were all very bright, and worked hard at school, and got good grades. Well, I am grateful that despite not really falling into that category (smart, hard working, and earning good grades) - they still took me in. Tim, Tom, Dan, and Jim. Even today, when I think about these fellas, and I look at the things they have accomplished - I wonder how and why they accepted me as one of their own.
It wouldn't be a huge stretch of ANYONE's imagination that once my group of friends all finished The Hobbit, what came next was The Lord of the Ring Series.
Not being one to stray too far, I also started (first of several) attempts to tackle the momentous undertaking (momentous for a 4th-6th grade "average student") of taking on the series.
The Lord of the Ring Series.- The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Two Towers
- The Return of the King
Yup. You read that right. "The first of several." At least twice (and perhaps even a third time - but my memory that far back gets a little hazy) during those years I tried to read the full series. Heck, I tried (and failed) to read the FIRST BOOK (The Fellowship of the Ring). But alas, try as I might, I just could not find the gumption to get through it.
My friends? Oh, they all read it. I have even since found out that one of my neighborhood friends read ALL FOUR books (The Hobbit, Fellowship, Two Towers, and Return of the King) SIX TIMES between 7th and 12th grade!
Not only did they read it, they incorporated it into their lives. We even had a get together (I don't recall if was a themed birthday or a Halloween party - but we all agreed to dress up as characters from The Lord of the Rings! Yes, this is an actual photo of one of our parties. What I remember most is that everyone had specific characters from the novels they dressed up as. Me? (having not actually read any of the LOTR books and too embarrassed to admit it...) dressed generically and went along with the group.
I tried once more in my early high school years, but again, could not find my way through the first book before giving it up. I was defeated. Forever to not be able to say I accomplished reading the Lord of the Ring series. After 10th grade, the three W's took over (Work, Wheels, Women) - and not having completed the series was nothing but a distant embarrassment.
Then in 2001, 2002, and 2003 - the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movie series came out. I can't tell you why but other than watching The Fellowship of the Ring (and only because #3 of 5 wanted to watch it.) I never did see The Two Towers or The Return of the King.
But, my family was young and busy, and I was working a very stressful job.
And... (to be honest) - I am a "read the novel before seeing the movie" kind of guy - so even back in the 2000's - when the movies came out and I had a "mild" desire to see them, I think I didn't - because in the back of my mind - watching the movie before reading the novel is cheating my imagination.