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An Unexpected Outing

Today I spent the morning with my students and colleges viewing the first part of Peter Jackson's film interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.  Whatever you may think of the movie as an adaptation or as film proper, it was a lovely experience to be surrounded by an entire community enjoying themselves.  The fact that we're in the Christmas season just made it that much better, adding an extra level of gaiety to both mood and dress.  I, of course, was in the row with the Inklings club.

The best part was that for the students the whole thing came as a complete surprise.  Gandalf simply showed up in the middle of their first period classes and ushered them out the door on an unexpected journey.  The look on the students' faces as what was happening slowly dawned on them was priceless.

Bilbo liked surprises (so long as they were happening to other people) and he came to like adventures.  Today, we had a happy adventure.  ...and yes, it did make us all late for dinner. 

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