Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on November 19, 2003, 06:40:07 PM
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I know you're anxious to see some progress on your bass, so I figure we better start at the start:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/6832.jpg)
Since it's the end of the day and everyone else is gone, I can't tell which of the necks in the press is yours, but I know one of them is. I'll add some more pics this weekend after my regular Friday rounds.
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Thanks, Mica!!
Yeah, I was almost forgetting what that piece looked like. I'll try to stop pestering about progress...I wouldn't want to take you away from getting it done. :-)
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Oh-o ...here I ago again.
Am I the only one who sees the head of an eagle front view in that wood?
Mmmm the Eagle ...good name for a Rogue with this wood.
Gongrats & patience brother.
Paul
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Paul,
yes it is clearly viewable!
The eagle has landed! Great piece of wood!
Oliver
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Well, I DO need to start thinking of a name for the new baby... What the club doesn't know yet (changes to secretive, whispererd tone) is that I have opted for my initials on the 12th fret. But the initials aren't standard English letters...they're Elven Tengwar Runes. I've been a Tolkein fan LONG before it was cool to be one. So I figure a proper Elvish name: Buckeye Burl looks almost stone-like, so I thought Gonderin, or Stone-wood. However, now with your suggestions, maybe Thorondol, or Eagle Head
Decisions, decisions...
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Maybe you should name it after those eagles (if there is a proper name in the books, I cannot remember for the life of me) that appear in Return of the King? I dont have the book in front me since Im at work, but that might be a cool name. BTW, I like the idea to use the runes for your initials, nice conversation starter (as if you will need a conversation starter other than pulling this bass out of its case).
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Actually, that would be Gwaihir, the same eagle that rescued Gandalf from Orthanc, and Bilbo and the dwarves in the Hobbit. Gwaihir means Wind Lord, btw...
Yeah, the runes look really cool. When I was up at Alembic, I brought my Languages of Middle-Earth book with me. Susan grabbed some copies of the runes, so I guess we'll see how she makes them look...although how could they be anything but perfect anyway, right?
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Runes...too cool, Tolkien was a particular bugger. Keeping with the Middle-earth theme, how about Orome - Lord of the Forest, a High Valar.
BTW Thorondol would be apropos.
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Oh joy!!! Alembics AND Tolkien!! I always thought they went together so well!! Beat you to the elvish runes though. Sorry! I'm afraid I'm a massive Tolkien fan too, for 30 years now! My Sei bass has an elvish S rune (and a mirrored S rune facing it)at the 12th fret; interestingly its also got a buckeye burl top and looks very elvish!If I ever get the camera up and running I'll post a picture, together with my Alembic. Actually by then there'll hopefully be my ordered Triple Omega custom to put on as well....namewise how about Thorondor the greatest of the Eagles of Manwe? All I can say is you've got great taste in both basses AND books! BTW, my surname actually means elf ruler, no really!!!
All the best
Shaun
I recently showed a picture of a Triple Omega to a friend to show him what I was getting; he said it looks like an axe. Given the above thread, maybe he was onto something....
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I see there are a few versed in the ways of Arda here...
Well, I think it would be in bad taste to name the bass after one of the Valar (or one of the Valar's eagles) so I'll sit on the name for awhile until we approach the birth date. Where else can one satisfy multiple obsessions besides the Alembic Club?
(BTW, are your runes Feanorian or Sindarin?)
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Wouldn't dare to besmirch the Valar, maybe there is a form of Orome that means diminutive or child of...? My thought was that it's such a magnificent piece of wood that 'lord of the forest' didn't seem too out of place. can't wait to see this one take flight.
Mike
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Thoronder ...
great name!
Has something of thunder!?!?!
Still it makes ssense with the eagle vision if you know the story. That's th efunny part: there will always be a story to tell.
Now ...If you know that Tolkien started the whole thing ...by inventing stories to his children.
Believ me ...there will always be a story to tell, every man, every player, every bass, ...
Paul the bad one
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Actually, the languages started first, then he woked them INTO the stories for his kids...
Yes, there is ALWAYS a story to tell...some of them are even true...
:-)
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Hey Mica!!
Since we're already discussing names for my baby, what stage of development is it at?
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kenbass...
Feanorian; silme(Tengwa 29). Luckily no one has yet said hey, that bass clef's upside down!Sorry I'm a bit late answering but was mixing all last night; plus we're a bit out of sync timewise in the UK! I think you're probably right about the name being in bad taste actually...besides, wouldn't want to get struck by lightning or anything (you never know!). Beautiful wood! Would've liked the buckeye for my Triple O, but unfortunately something had to give budget-wise... best of luck with the project, its sounding really cool. I'll be watching with great interest.BTW, I'm sure the inlays will be fantastic; nobody does 'em quite like Alembic!
All the best
Shaun
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Hello Ken,
your neck had been made, next up are the body and the top laminate.
Valentino
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Shaun - Yeah, I'm sure people will be wondering why I have a backward p and strange b. I thought about translating my name into elvish, then using those runes, but...I'd rather spend time writing and recording music.
Valentino - Thanks! The next part should look really cool during construction. Have a great Thanksgiving, and take a few extra units before dinner. (advice from one diabetic to another)
Best holiday wishes,
Ken
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Hope you don't mind, Ken:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7039.jpg)
Mom just had to have your neck made with Purpleheart laminates. This pic is from 11-29, I saw the neck today and it's all decorated now with the veneers on the front and back. Looks sweet!
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Working on Thanksgiving Weekend I see...
Sonically the purpleheart probably won't be a huge advantage for my style of playing, but I have to agree with your mother (again) on the appearance. You know, if you keep rewarding my pestering like this, I'm going to really become unbearable! :-) (that'll be tomorrow when you post the pics of the neck veneers, right??...)
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I know Tolkien and read The Ring but you guys are talking about a world I don't know. Now that's no problem, it's even very good as long as someone want to explain what those languages are? I thought they were invented (NB WITH grammar structure etc...) or roughly based on old celtic dialects??
I didn't saw any runes? Do I miss a pictures?
BTW: I wear a small chain around my neck with 3 things peding on it: an old figure of two small kids holding each othetr symbolising Gemini (my astrological sign), an authentic silver ALEMBIC LOGO (where that stands for: take a peep at the Alembic site), and the CEN rune: standing for creativity and consistency.
Paul the bad one
Mmmm ...maybe I should be embarassed now!
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Paul TBO-
If you just read the story, you just get hints of the language throughout the story. But if you look in the appendicies of Return of the King, there's a whole bunch of information, both back story (Aragorn & Arwen, the fall of Numenor, etc.) and the languages, including tables showing the various runes. I found the stuff in there to be almost as good as the story itself!
Happy reading!
Ken (The elvish one??)
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Paul,
As fanstastic as the ring trilogy + hobbit are, The Silmarillion and other tales contain more than enough history to overdose the most rabid/avid Tolkien junkie. Tolkien was fascinated by ancient languages and folklore: Scandinavian, Germanic, Saxon, and Celtic, just to name a few. Consider that he began inventing languages with his cousin so they could play secret games as young children.
The languages hinted at in the above posts are the two most prevelant and ancient elven languages. Tolkien was a nut, and I for one, am thankful.
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Ken,
Sorry, I really checked in to see how your bass was coming along and couldn't resist.
Mike
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Mike,
No problem! It's good to run across other Tolkien fans, especially here among the Alembians. I figured The Silmarillion would be a bit heavy for most people, and most of the info on languages is in the appendicies in ROTK.
Ken TEO
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Hey, a side thread that isn't about beer! That's gotta be a first. How do you say home brew in elvish? I'm a Robert Jordan fan myself.
Sam
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Wow, Ken, how'd ya know you'd be gettin gmore pics today?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7066.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7067.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7068.jpg)
The continuous wood truss rod cover was cut out today. I don't think the "Eagle" will be as evident when the pickups are cut.
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Mica,
I guess I'm just psycic...or was that psychotic, I keep getting those confused
I wasn't sure that the eagle was going to make it through the pickup cutouts, and really that's ok. The color and pattern of the wood is so striking, I don't think not having a specific image in the wood will be an issue.
(BTW, we have a siamese mix kitten that has claimed me as her person with coloring very close to this wood. She's making it very hard for me to type this...I think she's jealous!)
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Sam,
Maryulda is about as close as I can get to Home Brew. (Elves were strictly wine drinkers) The literal translation is Home Draught.
I sense another forum forming here: Elvish 101
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Wow, explosive!
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It's now in the carving department:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7368.jpg)
I had a couple of other pics, but during the holi-daze I get even more scattered than ususal.
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Paul,
We can call it Stocking-Speak!
:-)
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Whaaaaaaaa-ha-ha-ha
LOL!!!
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Not content with having his own TV show, Professor Paul TBO has now invented his own language; Paul, I am not worthy (for the second time in a week).The scary thing is it even looks pretty convincing!
By the way, it was a joke about the gymsocks....no, honest it was....no, really....
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Brother Shaun brother Shaun,
what do you mean by you are not worthy??
Impressed by my wabble???
Oh ...huh ...don't!
Oh, I know I can be pretty convincing. My brother said recently: why don't you go selling basses if you are so interested? You are the only man I know who will sell someone the bass suitable for him (note: I didn't say an Alembic), everybody will pay with a smile and go home happy with a good buy, you can be happy with a good sale.
Yes I tried to get that job but ...well ...I am too old they say.
And that language ...well ...euh ...being a Tolkien fan from my 12th year I read the Lord of the Rings 8 times I guess. Mind you ...I DIDN'T study it, I just enjoyed it. But ...well ...some sounds and typo just doesn't leave my head. And -as you all know- I have a lot of fantasy and am a creative man.
Alas ...I became a little bitter the last years seen my uncomfortable work-position.
That gymsock thing however puzzled me. Honestly ...I didn't understand the joke.
Paul the bad one
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Paul TBO,
I'm thinking that he's refering to the sox being so...uhhh...USED that they are fermenting, making them capable of making one high if smoked. But it is just a guess...
Hey, I should keep you responding to this thread. You'll be up past 1000 in no time!
Ken (TEO)
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Don't tell me you're to old Paul. Anyone who listens to Bow-wow-wow has got to be hip (is that still a valid word?).
I think we're the same age. I'm a '54 model.
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Misposted
(Message edited by PALEMBIC on January 23, 2004)
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I was build Rock around the clock!
1955.
THEY say I'm too old!
Not me!
I just entered puberty!! Well ...in my counting!
Paul the bad one
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Paul tbo
My guess about the gym sock joke (a gym sock is a heavy cotton stocking worn typically during phys-ed class) would go back to a 1970s Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention live recording Dummy Up on Roxy & Elsewhere. Part of the fun is a dialog between two band members about grinding up damp gym socks and rolling them in a high school diploma and smoking them. This album is also a good chance to hear Tom Fowler on bass.
Mike
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Well guys, to finally put my joke to rest (my friends keep telling me I'm not funny; they're obviously right!),both Ken and Mike are (probably) correct. It was originally a line I got 2nd hand (can't remember where from)which really amused me at the time; I interpreted it exactly how Ken has. Given that it was 2nd hand though, my guess is that the original source was probably as Mike states (which puts me in the mind to listen to some Zappa). Hope that's all cleared up! Maybe I should stick to basses instead of jokes....and Paul, damn right you're not too old (whatever that is). I keep wondering when I'm going to feel like an adult...not for a while I hope!
Shaun
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After smoking the high school diploma stuffed with a damp gym sock, we'll try smoking an empty college diploma. That's right ... you get nothing with your college diploma
I miss Frank
Mike
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My brother was/is a HUGE FZ fan and had all his records -what was here in Belgium in that time NOT evident talking 1970/72 or so!
Now you're talking about it ...I DO remember the line and the part.
As 15 year old kid it was rather difficult to figure out what those guys were talking about.
Paul the bad one
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Mike , that's why I skipped college and went right to drugs, easier to keep lit!!!! besides gym socks make me cough
just kidding
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Just like a penguin in bondage - boing! Oh yeah!
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Fellow Alembic Club Members:
I recieved word from our esteemed Valantino this evening that my bass, Erin-Oromion, has been completed. However, for the sake of domestic tranquility, I will most likely need to wait until Friday to drive to Santa Rosa to retrieve her. The reason for the delay is most important: Tomorrow (the 28th) is senior management's birthday.
I will, of course, post pictures and give a detailed account of my impressions of the new bass when I've had a chance to give it a good workout. (...or maybe Mica can post something between now and Friday for us all to view)
Until then,
Auta i Lome, Aura entuluma!
Ken (TEO)
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Of course ...precisely ...I was gonna say the same thing.
BTW: exciting news of your bass. A beautiful journey comes to an end ...well ...let me rephrase that ...is going te start.
Paul the bad one
PS 1: Beware for Orks. Can't you put together a fellowship to get the bass??
PS2 : for Senior Management 'LANG ZAL ZE LEVEN, LANG ZAL ZE LEVEN, LANG ZAL ZE LEVEN IN DE GLORIA, IN DE GLORIAAAAAAA, IN DE GLOOOO-RIIIIII-AAAAAAA! H - H- H ....
(you see ...I can write unundestandable beautiful things too ...but they are meant!!!
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Oh NOOOooo,
A Fellowship Of The stRINGs. I'm 5'7, so I probably can't be a Hobbitses. We've already got some elves. Maybe a dwarf. Anyway, Happy Birthday to Ken's upper echelon. Don't go spelunking on your quest, the Balrog lives under the Interstate.
Mike
P.S. Go Paul tbo Go! Only 23 more posts and you can join Jubilee. Is the crystal in your palm red yet?
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> I'm 5'7, so I probably can't be a Hobbitses.
maybe tricksy hobbitses that have drunk from Treebeard's supply?
--Terry.
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Orks? I'm still trying to deal with the image of a penguin in bondage. I'll need therapy to get that visual out of my head.
Congratulations Ken, Friday you'll go from TEO to TSO. Have a great weekend and happy birthday to the boss!
Sam
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Ken
Congratulations on the bass (even if you don't have it yet), and congratulations to senior management! Can't wait to see pictures of Erin-Oromion posted!And I don't know about penguins in bondage, its the Balrogs under the Interstate that bother me; that's at least 10 steps up from trolls under bridges and makes alligators in the sewers look like, well, alligators in the sewers (I've had a long day...I think I'll go and lie down....)
All the best
Shaun
ps Ken,is your Languages of Middle Earth book still available? I've got an Introduction to Elvish, but would be interested to find more stuff (although most of it is probably on the net now anyway).
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Just trying to be helpful. Is this it?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395291305/qid=1075406241//ref=pd_ka_1/103-9137946-8967067?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395291305/qid=1075406241//ref=pd_ka_1/103-9137946-8967067?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)
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Dave and Shaun,
(sorry for the slow response. Take 1 day off of work, and you get BURIED!!!)
That's the book! I bought mine in the early 80's, so it's probably been updated a little since then. That last quote was actually a quote from Turin Turambar to his host, with him saying The night is ending! and the host responding The daylight comes!
I'm still waiting for Valentino to call me back to confirm my pickup tomorrow, but I'm sure he's pretty swamped. I'll give him 5 more minutes...
:-)
Ken (TEO)
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Dave and Ken, thanks for the quick response! I was just about to sign out after browsing e-bay (you know how it is..)and thought I'd see if anyone had posted anything; will try and get asap. Talk about support...how cool is this club???
Cheers
Shaun
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Alright Fellowship members,
Head over to the Showcase section, under Rogue to see some of what Mica refers to as rough photos of the new baby.
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Mica,
What can I say, but...WOW!!!!
(and the finish hasn't even hit it yet)
Ken (TEO)
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A short retrospective (or look what pics Mica found):
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7478.jpg)
One of the bass before the top was glued on
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7479.jpg)
And one of Kris chiseling the fit for the bookmatch to center.
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Thanks again, Mica!
Boy, this is great. I send you an e-mail, even if it has nothing to do with begging for updates, and I get pictures!!
:-)
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Hey all!
I know it's been awhile since we were discussing this, but I think I've got the name for my bass figured out. I was originally thinking Eldarion, which means Of the Elves especially after this month's featured custom proclaimed what I have always believed (that the Alembic employees are, in fact, elves) but then I remembered that that was Aragorn and Arwen's son's name. Then I remembered Mike's suggestion and decided to name it Erin-Oromion Wood of Orome The wood for the top is definately worthy of Valar quality.
Ken (TEO)
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Aragorn and Arwen had a son? I don't remember that. I'll have to read the trilogy again.
Ken, that bass is going to be awesome! I know you are The Eager One.
Sam
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Sam,
Like I told Paul TBO, you'll have to check out the appendacies in Return of the King. Aragorn was the ripe age of 242 years old when he passed the crown of Gondor on to Eldarion. They also had two daughters IIRC.
Ken (The Elvish AND Eager One!!)
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Ken; a truly worthy name. May the blessings of elves and men be upon you (and your bass)!
Shaun (the elf-ruler one!)
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After a few coats of spray, right before the round 1 of fingerboard levelling:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/7731.jpg)
After the inlays are in (will be this week), james will fret the bass and get the bass set up. Then Chip will buff the hardware and prepare it for the plater.
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Shaun,
May the star of Earendil shine ever on your travels. Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo.
Mica,
Senior management is VERY impressed! She, of course, calculated completion and pickup to fall on an aforementioned date and said that's what we should do...to which I said With all the setup and plating, I'm sure it won't be ready 'til February Good thing she's not stubborn...
Ken (TEO)
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Ken
Thank you for your blessing (bows deeply). To yourself and all other elf-friends:
Nai Vardo eleni ilye lumenn' enomentielvo siluvar!
Shaun
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OK, I'm going to the book store tomorrow. I need a Dutch/English dictionary (soft G version) and an Elven/Human dictionary.
This is definately a multicultural site, ya'll.
Sam
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Sam,
Quenya uses a soft G too! And a rolled R...
:-)
Ken (TEO)
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Shaun,
Nai Manwo vila onnoldoi.
Ken (TEO)
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But how the ****-)%';';';[]@#$**** do you know all this. You learn those text by heart or so??? Oh ...let me guess ...somewhere on this viryual world there is a site even more wacky as this one where one can talk in elf???
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That's a scary thought, Paul.
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HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Paul, you're killing me. Roll with it, man. Quenya and all things Tolkien are fine with me, but I wonder...do we need to a set a watch on the door for those dungeons and dragons kinda guys.....?
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Paul and all others:
http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/movie.htm (http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/movie.htm)
And no, this thread is only for TOLKIEN fans...
:-)
Ken (TEO)
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Ha!Nai aistale Eldaron hilya le! Ok I'll stop now; I'm running out of things I can say without serious work!(Oh boy I'm out of practice; I'm still working on your latest Ken!I really need more time to study...) Haven't actually accessed the many websites before now (well Arda briefly)but we'll see; you know, between working, writing, playing, painting (yeah, like when?), eating and sleeping, there just aren't enough hours in the day! Ken, I haven't had this much fun in ages; AND we've both got our basses to come. Yours is looking great by the way...
All the very best
Shaun
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Actually Shaun, you're faster than me! It's been 20-odd years since I've written or spoken elvish at any great length, so I had to pull my Languages of Middle-Earth book out to figure out what you said and type an appropriate response. (Hint: your phrase was regarding Varda, I took a similar tact with her mate)
Ken (TEO)
P.S. I'm typing this at work, so I better get off the internet before I get in too much trouble!!
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Hi Ken
Got the May...Manwe, but the rest was more than my memory could dredge up...yep, it's also out with the books at my end (don't wait up)! Luckily for me we're many hours ahead of you and I'm about to settle down for the evening with a stiff drink...
Cheers!
Shaun
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Wait ...you two are kidding no??? There are actually BOOKS???
Ken ...you could speak that??
My god ...and I thought I was weird?!?!?!
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Paul TBO,
Well, I AM a member of the Alembic club, right??
:-)
Yeah, well 20 years ago I was still pretty young, so I had time to kill. Now I wish I HAD time, what with work, kids, band, eic.
Ken (TEO)
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Are there cassette tapes so you can learn while you drive? How about software?
Paul, I think they got the Valium you were talking about in that other thread.
Sam
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Yeah right!!!
Far out man
LOL
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Ha ha ha ha!!!
We don't need the Valium, we're ELVES!!!! (That's what you get for smoking old gymsocks...)
Shaun
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Hey Shaun,
According to Tolkien, England IS Tol Eressea...
(I'll let you handle the gymsocks though...)
Ken (TEO)
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Well Ken, all I can say is standards have really dropped if that's the case....and you try going out round here wearing tights! (Paul TBO, stockings don't count; well not on your head anyway...)
Oh, and I was hoping someone else would handle the gymsocks actually, they really don't agree with me...
Shaun
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OK, I miss the '60s as much as anyone but gymsocks??
I going to make a stab at getting back on subject here.
Ken, with Mica out of town have you gotten any updates since Wednesday? Ordering a custom bass seems to have a lot in common with building a house. At least the folks at Alembic have more integrity and pride in work than the average homebuilder. In this area anyway.
Sam
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Sam,
Actually got a call from Susan @ 7:30pm Thursday, and she said it would be no more than 2 weeks for completion. When I get the call, I'll drop you all a line.
Ken (TEO)
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Well ...as long you do that in plain US-lingo.
Fratseliko pre ram gharest?u.
Paul the bad one
I don't know shit what I've written but ,,,hey ...it looks neat huh???