"The Devil In The Dark"

Well, I ended up paying $260 bucks on my books, I just bought them used. Hate doing that, but need to save money somehow, ya know. Ryann Acton stopped into the mall today, it is always a pleasure talking to her.

One week away from school beginning and I can hardly wait.

Last night I was so proud of Erika. She asked me the age old question "Who would win in a fight? Albus Dumbeldore or Gandalf?" I told her she was now officially a geek. Then I explained to her that Gandalf is not a wizard, but rather one of the lesser Gods of Valinor. He has chosen the form (as did Saruman, Radagast, and the other two unmentioned Gods that came to Middle Earth to help in the War against Sauron) of an old man, and is considered a wizard because of his wisdom. Whereas there are instances in both The Hobbit and in The Lord Of The Rings in which Gandalf utters words of command, he is not a full blown wizard in the magical sense that Dumbledore is.

So who would win in a fight? Well, Gandalf died at the hands of the Balrog, and was resurected by the grace of the Valar. Dumbledore died at the hands of Severus Snape, but was already in mortal peril from drinking the poison in the cave and from the injury he sustained in recovering Slytherins ring. Gandalf lived on because he was more than just a "wizard", he was a God. Dumbledore is a wizard, the greatest of the age we are led to believe, but in the end, still a mortal man.

If it were a pure battle of wizarding skills, I have no doubt that Dumbledore would be the clear victor. Gandalf is shone to be in moments of...not despair, for as Gandalf said, despair is only for those who have seen the end and know their is no alternitive...doubt...moments of doubt where it seems as if he has met his end. You never really got that with Dumbledore.

One interesting point here: When both wizards did die, they both chose death. Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him, as he also willingly drank the potion and destroyed Gaunts ring. Gandalf chose to stay on the Bridge of Khazad-Dum and fight off the Balrog, and then to pursue it through the depths of Dwarrowdelf. Also at the end of LOTR, Gandalf the wizard DOES die. When he leaves the Grey Havens with Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel, they all trancsende to a higher realm. Gandalf is permitted to return to Valinor, to rejoin the rest of the Gods. Therefore his mortal body is no longer.

Erika, you might be a geek now, but as you can clearly see, I am the undisputed champion.

~Oz