We're all acquainted with my intense love for Lord of the Rings and all things related. Like Tolkien, it's not the actual story that I find to be the most amazing thing about the book (and related literature) but the languages that the stories are made for and around. Of these, Quenya and Sindarin are the most beautiful and it just makes me sad that they're not real languages because they are a pleasure to speak and to listen to.

When I watch the Fellowship (for the umpteenth time), I always watch out for this little song that comes in the beginning of the movie and is only there in the Extended Edition. Since it doesn't have a formal title, I'll title it A Elbereth Gilthoniel. Now, Elbereth is just the Quenya name for the Varda, one of the Valier, but of course you didn't want to know that. You also wouldn't want to know anything that's written in the paragraph that follows:

Varda: she is the Lady of the Stars, and light is her sphere of power and her joy. She created the stars, set the courses of Sun and Moon, and placed the star Eärendil in the sky. She is the most beautiful of all creatures, for the light of Ilúvatar lingers in her face. Her spouse is Manwë; they dwell together upon Oiolossë, the highest tower of Taniquetil, the tallest mountain in Valinor. When Manwë is with her, she can hear more clearly than any other. The Elves hold Varda in the greatest love and reverence of all the Valar, and call her Elbereth (Star-Queen), Elentári (Queen of the Stars), Tintallë (the Kindler), Gilthoniel, Fanuilos, and other names.
Source: Wellinghall

Here's the song I was talking about that I've uploaded onto YouTube:


Oh yes, and the lyrics:

Sindarin
A Bereth thar Ennui Aeair!
Calad ammen i reniar
Mi 'aladhremmin ennorath.
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
I chin a thûl lín míriel...

Common Tongue
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O light to us that wander
Amid the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth.
O Elbereth Star-kindler
Your eyes and breath [are] like shining jewels...

If you were fabulously bored by all this, well, I don't care. I love Sindarin and Quenya.

Also, what's so exciting today? Apple released a 24" iMac in addition to its 17" and 20" models and transitioned this product line to the Core 2 Duo. The Mac mini line has also been speedbumped but remains with Core Duos. The iMacs have also gone down in price. The 20" iMac is now a (relative) bargain at $1499. Now Maanick can get a new Mac!

Labels: English