Per aspera ad astra

12 years ago I made a vine that went viral on social media with my then 1 year old cat… and after many requests over the years, it's time to do a follow up!

YES! That was me 12 years ago, I made this vine along with the Luigi-Board Vine, and a few others that went around quite a bit.

YES! It is the same cat! He was 1 year old in the original vine and he's 13 years old now! He's super healthy, very active for his age, and loves to cuddle.

On Caradhras, Boromir carries Merry and Pippin while Aragorn carries Frodo and Sam;  Boromir trains Merry and Pippin to sword-fight; in Moria Frodo/Sam both call for Aragorn when they need help; on the stairs of Moria Boromir takes Merry and Pippin while Aragorn takes Frodo and Sam; when going down the Anduin Boromir goes with Merry and Pippin in a boat while Aragorn goes with Frodo and Sam; etc, etc, etc.

The big climactic payoffs to these relationships are Aragorn allowing Frodo/Sam to leave the Fellowship, and Boromir dying for Merry and Pippin.

Aragorn and Boromir must’ve had a conversation offscreen like “Ok here’s the plan: two hobbits each. We can’t separate Merry/Pippin or Frodo/Sam, so we’ll each take care of one Hobbit Duo.”

The reason Frodo/Sam were Aragorn’s hobbits is probably because the Fellowship didn’t trust Boromir to look after Frodo. Aragorn was better at resisting the Ring. 

But I also enjoy the idea that Aragorn was like “I want to look after the relatively laid-back and mature hobbits who take this quest completely seriously” and Boromir was like “I WANT THE HYPERACTIVE LITTLE BROTHER ONES”

 I also think it’s relevant that Aragorn and Boromir “switch hobbits” in the end.

After Gandalf’s death/as he loses hope, Boromir begins trying to reach out to Frodo.

***Because they don’t know HOW to read

***Because they’re not ALLOWED to read

***Because they weren’t TAUGHT to read

***Because the generation BEFORE THEM were never taught HOW TO READ or how to TEACH READING

***Because we DON’T VALUE INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS

***Because our society prioritizes PRODUCTIVITY over QUALITY OF LIFE

Sick of the “yall are stupid because you’re lazy” narrative. Obviously people with no time no family no money no books no education no perspective no respect no options no support no mentors aren’t perpetually disseminating themes of Othello on the fly.

People aren’t stupid, reading isn’t the peak proof of intelligence, and society isn’t on a decline because poor people are poor.

You’re confusing a symptom for a cause

Absolute banger policy. The SNP want to introduce a sort of ‘baby box’ equivalent for children starting school.

The school bag would be filled with essential school items - stationery, books, a water bottle and information for parents to help with literacy and numeracy skills at home.

Fucking send it, love this idea.