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Moments in Time  by Larner 14 Review(s)
Linda HoylandReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/20/2006
It seems Ted never learns.i'm glad the drawfs stand up for Frodo.

Author Reply: No, Ted never does truly learn, does he? One to avoid his own responsibilities and think ill of all others, especially those who never truly wronged him, always.

cookiefleckReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/17/2006
This review is for this story and the previous one... I don't think I will ever tire of reading your post-Quest stories in which the members of the Fellowship are portrayed with such respect. I love how you often find a way to "educate" the uninformed populace about their worthy deeds. Thank you!

Author Reply: Thank you, Cookiefleck. I think that most outsiders would have a remarkable level of respect for the four Hobbits, particularly once they were convinced as Margil was that there are such individuals as Hobbits in this world. For the Hobbits of the Shire, however, there would be more question, I think, as they were having to realize that all four of the Travellers had changed profoundly during the course of their absence.

Frodo, Sam, and Merry were fully adult, and Pippin nearly so. They'd seem childlike, but I doubt they indulged in pure childishness; and the wonder of it must have inspired a great number of outsiders to respect them deeply.

Reviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/17/2006
Tedicus Dexius Eclectus proclaims:

Garn! but that Ted does make for an interesting story don't he?
What a great deal of faith he displays in his cherished belief of
his own victimhood. No amount of reasoning or rational discourse
can penetrate the barricade of certitude that his is the fate of
the oppressed and dispossessed. It's interesting that such a show
of perfect devotion to a beloved belief would be held up as a
paragon of the greatest virtue by many, had it only been focused
anywhere but on himself. This fundamentalist mindset, unfortunately
makes his chosen profession as a con artist a difficult one. When
scouting for a good "mark" he is more likely to become offended by
challenges to his victim status than obtaining the sympathetic ear
and charitable contributions he feels so entitled to. Poor Ted
can't see and never could admit that his biggest mark is indeed himself.

Frodo is a good target for being an agent of repression in Ted's
worldview. While Frodo was in essence a juvenile, organized crime boss;
in adulthood he is now forgiven and the incidents are viewed as
youthful indiscretions. Ted wears the moniker of thief still. Of
course his aquisitions of purloined property has continued unabated
into adulthood but that is easily rationalized away in his own mind.
Both Frodo and Bilbo had the good fortune of great inheritances, and
a financially secure life; Ted only got a thriving, small bussiness
that he would have to run and be at least competent at to be secure
in his future. Frodo and Bilbo both were personable individuals that
interacted socially quite well; but had some interesting skeletons in
their closets, around which many a wild tale might be speculated upon.
The fact that neither of them is no longer available to defend themselves
against accusations makes it that much the better to spin Ted's
revisionist history.

Ted's desire for respect is couched in the same form of epithet:
"I'll show them!" or "They will be sorry they messed with me!".
This grade school mentality is something most people mature out of
but aparrantly there are exceptions. Ted invokes in my mind the
phrase uttered by the repressed throughout time: "You just wait until
after the Revolution, then everyone will get what they deserve!".
When Lotho began his own revolution it was natural that all the ones
who felt slighted under the old regime would want a piece of the action
in the new order. Ted was being honest at least when he claimed that the
return of the travelers ended his hopes and dreams of a world that would
be forced to respect him.

Ted Sandyman sure isn't the sort anyone sane would want in a position
of power over others. But you have to admit that he is an intriguing
character with some unique qualities. He may be tagged a liar, theif
and a lush but at least he ain't related to no Baggginses!

Thanks for the story Larner, it's good to be reminded that there's
a little piece of Ted Sandyman in each of us. Sometimes we all indulge
in a little self pity and a heart felt "Why Me?". Just don't let it
become a way of life or you may end up as a whino.



Author Reply: Yes, there's a bit of Ted in us all, and even in Frodo and even moreso in Bilbo. But at the same time, Frodo was forgiven much because he recognized he must stop or hold ever the title of "Thief," while Ted wouldn't have stopped unless forced, and even then refused to acknowledge that he WAS a thief.

And you are certainly right that his biggest mark is himself. Poor Ted, unwilling to change, unwilling to accept second place without ever having done anything of worth to even approach first place.

Am so glad you appear to have appreciated this, Tedicus. And thanks so much for the detailed response. I'm honored as ever.

ArmarielReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/16/2006
Eek, that Ted is a mess, wot? And always will be. Well, these stories seem to be coming thick and fast now, hmm?:D

Really nice to see Gimli & co. there again.

~~~{~@

Author Reply: Yes, Ted has a lot of growing up to do, which he doesn't appear likely to accomplish as he refuses to believe it's true for him. And I had to slip Gimli into at least a few of my stories, I think.

And I don't know why the plotbunnies are gnawing at me faster than the nuzgul in the jewelry box. I think he's fallen in love with the alexanderite in my Jerusalem Cross, myself. Heh!

AntaneReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/16/2006
I think you should change your little note that these moments in time don't happen very often because they obviously are! :) Another great tale extolling Frodo's virtues. Thank you!

Namarie, God bless, Antane :)

Author Reply: Lately the short stories are bursting out, leaving me with wizards and early Hobbits running wild throughout the acreage. How can I explain it?

Anyway, am glad you appreciated this one.

Baggins BabeReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/16/2006
Dearie, dearie me! Ted Sandyman never comes out well in anyone's universe, does he? A small, mean-spirited, deeply unpleasant and self-pitying individual.
Not sure if you saw the latest chapter of 'Old Scores' which I posted last week, in which Sandyman's fate was decided?

I really enjoyed this story and was thankful that neither the Dwarves nor the hobbits were taken in - especially with Gimli there and Sam arriving. Unfortunately no amount of explaining will change Ted because he won't allow himself to see it. There's no helping some people, is there.

Love the story.

Author Reply: No, I have to finish Old Scores--once again had some difficulties with a virus or something like. I SO hate hackers. Will try to finish that up today or tomorrow.

And Ted does need to grow up, although it's unlikely he will in this lifetime, if ever.

And you're certainly right about Ted not wanting to see himself as he was.

So glad you appreciated it.

LúmëReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/16/2006
Nicely done! Ted Sandyman's one of those I always felt had to be dealt with, somehow. I'm glad no-one takes his whining seriously. In South Africa we have a saying in Afrikaans: "Daar is geen salf te smeer aan hom nie." which translates to "There's no ointment to rub on him." Basically it means that whatever you do, you won't be able to change some people's behaviour or personality. It seems to apply to Ted :-)

Author Reply: Oh, such a lovely and appropriate saying! Thanks so much! And you are so right that it applies fully to Ted Sandyman.

Thanks so much for the response to this story.

harrowcatReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/16/2006
Wonderful Larner. I think that you need to change the note at the beginning of these shorter tales as they seem to be happening more and more frequently!

I loved the way that the dwarves, (and what an august company when we finally learn their names,) put up with Sandyman in order to hear such an unbelievable tale of woe. I like the way that they draw the rest of the hobbits in to comment on the tale and thereby add to the general understanding of Frodo, the Travellers and what happened outside the Shire.

It was a joy to hear Gimli's name of course and, especially, that his Father was there too. Gimli's facility with Hobbit genealogy was fun. I was surprised that the hobbits were so little surprised.

But poor Ted. It seems the only positive feature about him is his defence of his own Father.


Just been a good hobbit and bought my parents a deep fat fryer for their wedding anniversary! Not very healthy I know but I am looking forward to sampling the results! Getting my Dad interested in the Mobile homes and hoping....he takes a hint!

Author Reply: The plotbunnies are attacking faster than I can deal with them lately, and like true rabbits are breeding rapidly. And they're keeping the nuzguls somewhat at bay, I fear.

I place this during the return of Gimli to Minas Tirith with his first recruits to work on the repairs for Aragorn; and as I have Dorlin and Gloin both integral in the fabrication of the new gates, I had to have the two of them in the company, at least. Perhaps if the Hobbits hadn't been so focused on Ted they'd have remarked more on Gimli's knowledge of Hobbit genealogy; but once they realized he was one of the companions of the four Travellers, I suspect they'd be more suprised if he DIDN'T display some level of appreciation for Hobbit genealogy.

A deep fat fryer, eh? Was considering getting a new one for here, now that I have my daughter and her family with me. But for myself I try to stay away from a lot of fatty foods as it does a number on my stomach.

Hope your dad considers the motorhome. We loved all of ours, and I miss the ability to go visit and take my own bedroom with me.

KittyReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/16/2006
Ah, Larner, that was somehow very satisfying. First I nearly couldn't believe what Ted was saying and was worried how much he would lie to the dwarves, but as I realised Gimli was among them I could relaxed sit back in my chair and enjoy it. And I enjoyed it thoroughly how much all the other hobbits always contradicted Ted!

Honestly, this guy is impossible, the way he is convincing himself (and trying to convince others) that everything of his self-made misery is Frodo's fault. All of his arguments are so laughable, the more so as he is contradicting himself more than once. Well, at least the dwarves got the right impression of Ted's whining, didn't they? No wonder the innkeeper feared for his custom as soon as Ted showed up; it must be disgusting to have to hear this sort of talk again and again. They should banish him from the inns completely, but I suppose that isn't easy, either. It's about time the Shire gets rid of this self-pitying idiot, if you ask me.

Anyway, I was glad there were so many hobbits to correct everything Ted said, and *that* was truly satisfying! It served Ted *so* right after all the nonsense he said.

Author Reply: And in contradicting Ted, they are coming to the appreciation of what Frodo truly meant to the Shire. Perhaps most wouldn't bother thinking too much on that once Frodo was gone; but a few more thoughtful individuals must have begun putting at least some of the pieces together and realizing that Frodo had made a unique impact not only on their own lives but on those of all around them. It's the American Christmas classic film "It's a Wonderful Life" set in the Shire I assume, except it isn't Frodo here realizing how important he was to the fulfillment of the Shire so much as everyone else.

And thank you so much for your response!

DreamflowerReviewed Chapter: 16 on 9/15/2006
Ah, Sandyman! He never learns, does he? No matter *who* tells his story, he remains a bitter and hateful creature, who blames all the troubles of his life on someone else! A bully, a collaborator and a lout--and in this tale he is brought face to face with his shortcomings--and is *still* too stupid and blinkered to recognize a few home truths when he hears them.

I really liked the ending, as you showed him *still* up to his own tricks and still mired in his own self-pity.

Author Reply: Yes, bitter due to his own small spirit and unwillingness to see his own shortcomings and then try to get beyond them.

And I don't think he'd ever change.

Of course, your ending for him is poetic justice. Few deserved it better than Ted Sandyman.

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