The Prancing Pony Podcast – Tolkien and Middle-earth

Exploring the life and work of J. R. R. Tolkien. Hosts Alan Sisto and Shawn E. Marchese welcome readers of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and the other works in the Middle-earth legendarium to tune in as they discuss favorite passages from the books and films that started the worldwide fantasy phenomenon.

Returning to Middle-earth from Aman, we cover thousands of years in just a few pages in Chapter 10 of The Silmarillion, "Of the Sindar." The remnant of the Teleri in Beleriand ruled by Thingol and Melian befriend the Dwarves and delve underground to build the fairest dwelling this side of the Sea. But soon Morgoth's beasts and Orcs move in next door, and the neighborhood goesThe country's services sector grew at the fastest rate in nine years in November, with employment, prices charged and new business all expanding strongly, a survey showed today.

The Investec Purchasing Managers' Index of activity in services, which covers businesses from banks to hotels, climbed to 63.6 from 60.1 in October.

It was the highest reading since June 2006. The index last fell below the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction in July 2012.

"Activity in the sector is expanding at a blistering pace," Investec Ireland chief economist Philip O'Sullivan said.

"It is clear that Irish services companies remain very upbeat on the prospects for their sector in spite of the more unsettled global backdrop," he added.

Today's survey shows that the employment sub-index reached its highest level since the survey began