What do you "assign" to the Shire?

[Formendacil]

Friends who can turn a thoroughly gloomy and depressing day into a good, memorable, and happy day- just by being themselves. And this at a remove of several timezones and several thousand kilometres.

Friends in general belong in the Shire, but friends whose very nature is inspiring belong in Bag-End itself.

Fea, TGWBS, Abercrombie: Thank you.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Pals that can turn three very boring hours of work indoors on a beautiful Saturday afternoon into the sort where I have to try very hard to keep from falling off of my seat laughing. Elven goblets of greed, indeed. Try explaining that Power Rangers staff to fellow librarians. :)

[Firefoot]

The movie Ice Age II. Wow. Talk about hilarious.

[Encaitare]

Free food. Free Renaissance faire food, no less. There was a little Ren Faire at a local college today, and they had free turkey legs and bread bowls! Pretty sweet, since they're five bucks each at the NY Renaissance Faire.

And madrigals with secret naughty meanings. ;) :p

[littlemanpoet]

Which sort?The ones that are quite flat and doughy, and that McDonalds do in a morning, e.g. the very tasty Egg McMuffin. :p But those other kinds sound like they taste wonderful too! Actually, mine our sour dough. :)

Oh, and a day in late April spent on Abbey grounds (a still active one) where everything is green and quiet except for the dogwoods in bloom which are white and the wild dandelions are just about to blossom and the gentle rain while keeping you from getting in the rowboat on the lake doesn't keep you from hiking all over the grounds. :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign 1:00 AM dates in my pjs with both Ben and Jerry (at the same time!) as I talk to my boy (he'd be so jealous of those dates...) about the most random things (like sloths) and Formendacil makes me grin by saying (and no, I'm not joking):

I totally want to be a Newbie... teh kool, ddues....
It's times like these that get captured in fond memory. The calm of a dorm where half of the residents have to get up at 7:00 AM and are consequently fast asleep at 1:00. Dim lights because your roomie is one of them. Long talks about silly things and knowing that you get to sleep late and then go write stuff and play with pictures when you get up.

This is the life. :)

[Taralphiel]

I assign scribbling down ideas for Barrow Downs birthday cards whilst trying to avoid the watchful eye of the Manager a few rooms down. :p

Let's hope I have time to flesh them out before I get to bed!

Tara :)

[The Sixth Wizard]

People with ale and wine, yet not drunk just intoxicated.

My grandma.

My grandma's farm.

My grandma's cooking.

Things that aren't related to television.

People that can rhyme effortlessly.

People that never run out of ideas.

(I am not one of them and thus this post ends.)

[Kath]

Disney songs! Come on, anyone that can rhyme 'hotter' with 'water' definitely deserves to be sent to the Shire :)

[Celuien]

Kittens. Soft, fuzzy, sweet little kittens.

Though kitty-cat's having just claimed my right arm as a napping spot is making typing difficult, you can probably guess that I don't mind. :D

[Taralphiel]

I was a child dreaming of living with 'The Bare (of Bear) Necessities' Kath , so I second that assignment!

I also assign the wonderful cards and letters people have sent to our Lord Wight! *grins* I'm having lots of fun reading them!

And finally, I assign Cranberry, Raspberry & Strawberry infused herbal tea. Can't seem to wake up without it this week!

Tara :)

[Lhunardawen]

Kittens. Soft, fuzzy, sweet little kittens.
Seconded. :) What's not to love about them? Let's not ask those with asthma, of course.

[Celuien]

Seconded. :) What's not to love about them? Let's not ask those with asthma, of course.
Or those with allergies. I had a pretty severe cat allergy for years and years that made it impossible for me to so much as touch a cat without developing a nasty reaction. That allergy has fortunately vanished, or little Abby wouldn't be sitting here with me right now.

To the Shire with the spontaneous vanishing of allergic reactions. :)

[Lhunardawen]

Or those with allergies. I had a pretty severe cat allergy for years and years that made it impossible for me to so much as touch a cat without developing a nasty reaction. That allergy has fortunately vanished, or little Abby wouldn't be sitting here with me right now.

To the Shire with the spontaneous vanishing of allergic reactions. :)
:eek:

Little...Abby?


(And to be on-topic, I assign the fact that my mom understands when I say I have "international social obligations" to fulfill, and questions me no further. :))

[Goldberry101]

I assign math class...I love math! I'm only in Algebra 1, so I haven't gotten to the hard stuff yet, but i really like math so far!

[Celuien]

I assign math class...I love math! I'm only in Algebra 1, so I haven't gotten to the hard stuff yet, but i really like math so far!
Good for you, though I fear you'll find yourself in the minority by stating that opinion. Along with me! It only gets better after algebra. Ah, the joys of derivatives, integrals, indeterminate forms, and Eigen functions. ;) The elegance of a perfectly solved equation never ceases to amaze me, though I'm not a mathematician. Wish I could have taken more math in college.

Co-assigning mathematics here.

(Welcome to the Downs, Goldberry101. :))

[Lhunardawen]

Welcome, as well! :) Although that post is not exactly the best way to start since now you just technically assigned yourself to Mordor with that. :p (And, well, you're already in Mordor anyway, Celuien.)

Hmm...I assign kittens. What do you mean that's been assigned already? Okay then, I assign kittens that share your name. But aren't common names in Mordor already? *sigh*

[Encaitare]

Twelve-tone music. It's so fun! *dies of eternal dorkiness*

[Eonwe]

Writing official sounding emails to set up appointments with people. Call me nerdy, but I think its fun to type 'departmental advising specialist'. :smokin:

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Finally learning that the weird beeping I sometimes hear mid-conversation on the phone is call-waiting, AND learning how to use it!

After-class conversations with cool professors that last far longer than expected and only end when you glance at the clock and realize that you've got fifteen minutes to get back to your dorm and, from there, over to the art studio. Setting up independent studies for next autumn; finalizing details for an independent project this term; basically anything where I get to go off to learn and do something cool and not be bound by traditional classroom constraints.

Aloe for sunburns.

Unexpected packages in the mail.

:D

[Lhunardawen]

The feeling of cold water splashing on your face after an intense physical activity on a hot day. And the cold drink that soothes your parched mouth.

Magnesium carbonate, my good ol' climbing buddy. It's a miracle worker! (But not when it finds its way under my nails.) :D

[Kath]

The lovely reactions of people when you return to school after a two week absence :)

[Lalwendë]

Egg butties.

Cadbury's Dairy Milk with Creme Egg filling.

'English muffins' - I've just bought some thanks to this thread. Wonder how many will be left in the pack when davem gets home? I wouldn't place bets on there being many left. ;)

[Mithalwen]

Roadworks being over so I can take the coast road to work. It is a much nicer start to the day than crawling through town.

This time of the year - when every day gets longer and the bluebells are out and everything seems optimistic and SAD banishing.

[Anguirel]

Italian practice orals that turn out to be easier than you ever suspected, even quite fun and relaxing.

Italian orals that take place, rather than in the cramped, malodorous flat of a moustachioed and perfumed French master, in a nice light dining room filled with cats...

[Oddwen]

Yes, it's been assigned multiple times already - I'd like to assign it again, for the fresh green smells, the fresh green (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture14.jpg) leaves up (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture11.jpg) and down (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture12.jpg) the road...and flowers! We've got primrose and forsythia (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/0ee18368.jpg) and tulips (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture15.jpg) and more tulips (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture16.jpg) and more tulips (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture6.jpg) and grape hyacinth, ajuga (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/a3d9be32.jpg), lilac buds, lily of the valley (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture3.jpg) buds, columbine buds, the bleeding heart is coming up, myrtle (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture4.jpg) everywhere, more violets (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture9.jpg) than you can step on, dandelions, and the Impeyan (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture18.jpg)is in full bloom as well.

The crocus and daffodils/narcissus are gone, but I'll assign the memory of them.

I'll also assign our newest addition to the flock, White-faced Tree Ducks (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture13.jpg), the raccoon skull (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture17.jpg) I found while building the newest pen, the Sheila who thinks there's a chipmunk in my car (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture5.jpg), those beautiful old maple trees (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture10.jpg) by the driveway, the oak trees (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture20.jpg) next to the playhouse, and the Rosellas (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Oddwen/Messageboard%20pics%20-%20personal/Picture7-8.jpg), which have become so much more friendly since we've moved them back into the house.

I also would like to assign fey photography moods, my sister for lending me her camera, and for being a *much* better photographer than me, and also being able to select and copy links rather than typing them all out one by one.

And the fact that I have one month left on my sentence at BK. YAHOO!

[Mithalwen]

I assign unintentional humour such as the woman on the shopping channel (never buy but find it helps my insomnia) trying to sell a case of "Cabaret Sauvignon" or my bossier and most interfering aunt announcing that she "was not one to pour oil on troubled waters"..... silly names like Frank Futter, and Troy Tuck (why don't parents think!!) .

[Taralphiel]

I'd like to assign the wonderful sights of the Main Campus of the University of Sydney.

I'd also like to assign how grand one feels in a trencher (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Taralphiel/gradpics-013.jpg) ...

And the celebrations after, of course ;)

Tara

[Eonwe]

The fact that in two hours time, I will be free! Yes, free to enjoy the grass under my feet, free to enjoy the sun on my face, free to enjoy the sunny days aboard a raft, floating down the Licking River with not a care in the world! Free!

[the guy who be short]

The first days when Summer blesses the land, when the sun bathes the world in a light fantastic and a warmth that can only be described as loving. Lounging on the grass with pink blossom billowing through the air, the air which is an embodiment of the change, sweetly fragranced by millions of petals. When the wind whistles gently across one's body and there is delight in being and song and poetry.

In summary, I assign the Spring-Summer transition season.

[Orominuialwen]

silly names like Frank Futter, and Troy Tuck (why don't parents think!!) .
I actually knew someone named Willie B. Horney. Everyone wondered what his parents were thinking...


I assign getting to go to Nationals for robotics. Even though my team didn't do very well and the travel was awful, just getting to bond with my own team and meet people from other teams was fun. It was even fun when I wore our team's mascot suit (a giant badger) and walked around and had random people either hug me or take my picture. Plus I bought what has been officially been deemed the world's coolest water bottle.


Finally getting up the courage to ask someone to prom. Even if I left it a bit late (prom is in 8 days) and had to do it by e-mail because I was too shy to ask him in person, it feels so good to know that I got up the guts to ask him, even if he does say no. :)


Getting to have a foil lesson in fencing and having your coach compliment you on finally being able to do a disengage properly.

Having tomorrow be the first day in weeks you can sleep late.

Hyacinths. The regular ones smell so lovely and the grape ones just look so adorable!

Silly friends, who decide to eat tree blossoms just because they look pretty. :p

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Advil. Beautiful, wonderful, amazing Advil. And how much it helps your poor, innocent shoulder after you accidentally pop it both out of place and back in in a space of about a second. Takes the swelling right down and the pain runs right away, minus a bit of dull ache. Gotta love Advil. :) :rolleyes:

[Mithalwen]

I actually knew someone named Willie B. Horney. Everyone wondered what his parents were thinking...




That beats my all time favourite which was a friend's American ex who was "Randy Leek IV" . It was the numeral that got me ...if it wasn't bad enough being Randy Leak without inflicting it unto the third and forth generation... Did mean I was not terribly sympathetic to lovelorn friend. Wails of "I should have married Randy, he was lovely" were countered with "Don't be stupid, he can't have been lovely enough to be worth being Mrs Randy Leek IV"...

Anyway to get back on topic, I assign finding out that someone not in the family or immediate circle of friends cared enough about your mother to race for life (http://www.raceforlife.org/) in her memory last year, even if it makes you feel that you should get off your fat bottom and follow suit ..... maybe next year..... :)

[Kath]

The nice lady in the cafe who, upon observing the colour of my face, gave me free food!

Lovely, wonderful geography teachers who give you huge extensions on the piece of work you were meant to hand in weeks ago.

The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack.

[Encaitare]

Snarky (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=snarky) people. Like Mr. Darcy, or my American History teacher last year. And House. House is worthy of the Shire, except for the fact that he'd probably upset all the hobbits.

EDIT: It was suggested to me that House is a little bit like Gandalf. In the respect of upsetting the hobbits, I suppose he is. And Gandalf has a bit of snarkiness in him at times. And they both walk with a staff of some sort! Maybe they're more alike than I thought! :p

[Taralphiel]

I assign getting a call-back on an interview I thought I had humiliated myself enough in to not warrant said call. I go for a second interview, which I thoroughly did not expect!

I also assign nice advice from fellow Downer's on the matter. Thank you :)

And finally, I assign starting the challenge of writing an RPG character out of my normal 'zone' of writing.That is a charcter that's thoroughly evil and nasty *grins* Sorn is a brute, but I love him so! *giggles* I can't wait to write more!

P.S: I second your assignment of House, Encaitare! He brings laughter into my Wednesday evenings, and only now do I see the similarities with Gandalf!

Tara :D

[Naria]

I know this may sound weird, but I would assign Summer storms to the Shire.

As I am a "big time" storm chaser/watcher.....I just love a good lightening bolt and a loud clap of thunder. Soooo cool :D

[Lhunardawen]

I know this may sound weird, but I would assign Summer storms to the Shire.

As I am a "big time" storm chaser/watcher.....I just love a good lightening bolt and a loud clap of thunder. Soooo cool :D
My assignment is similar...I assign summer rains. So they're still not quite enough to appease the terrible heat, but at least they do. Somehow.

And yes, I agree with the lightning and thunder. Well, so long as I'm somewhere safe, like inside the Math classroom. They provide a good distraction and/or wake-up call. :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign x-rays. I know that having to get them is truly Mordor-worthy and I've been having actively to keep myself from ranting every hour or so about this whole shoulder thing, but x-rays, and there is no better way to put it, look really cool. It's not every day that you get to see your own skeleton.

[JennyHallu]

Even a skeleton in a distinctly not-normal configuration? (you dingbat)

[Oddwen]

I'll assign the only good thing about having a cold in your chest:

I sound really deep, and can now sing Louie Armstrong, Godsmack, Metallica, etc. very easily. *evil smiley*

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

The distinct lack of anything more than occasional discomfort made it more like trying to find a dislocation in somebody else's shoulder.

[the guy who be short]

Pokemon!

I would say more, but it's self-explanatory to anybody who has experienced pokemon.

[Encaitare]

Pokemon!

I would say more, but it's self-explanatory to anybody who has experienced pokemon.

Yes! And Adult Swim on Cartoon Network... and the silly mangas my friend lends me, because one can't read deep literature all the time.

A guilty pleasure that is nevertheless worthy of Shire-ness: R-rated fanfiction based on kids' shows... like Pokemon! Perhaps I'm a sick person, but I find it quite amusing. :rolleyes:

[Valier]

I here by assign Gralin Musicteeth to the Shire. May she forever run amongst the trees..

[Kath]

Ever tried Snape porn Encai? :p

I assign realising that you've just made really quite a good point in an essay that is slowly killing you with it's length and how hard it is to write.

[JennyHallu]

Children! Shame! This is a PG site!

I assign the innocent purity of Winnie the Pooh!

[Kath]

Ah Jenny, you think we can't make something of that? ;) No, I agree, I love Winnie!

And I'll assign people who make you laugh, especially when you need some cheering up!

[Encaitare]

Ever tried Snape porn Encai? :p

The only problem is that Snape is not sexy, and no amount of horrid fanfiction can make him so. I love him, but he'll always be greasy and surly. Another snarky person to send to the Shire!

I assign having a prom date and a lovely black dress dripping with lace. :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign the commencement of a dialogue, beginning with Nietzsche and ending with Taoism, resulting in the wry birth of such statements as "If ever I was meant to be anything, surely I am already." and "I occupy space."

[Lhunardawen]

I assign that wonderful invention called the umbrella.

[Kath]

The sight of your entire year dressed in a uniform they haven't worn in two years. Ah the memories :D

Also, a whole audience laughing because of scenes and jokes you helped to create.

[Thinlómien]

^^ :eek:

I assign making the 1000th post in your death.

I also assign the weird feeling that comes from giving out so much reputation that is not allowed to give it anymore two days in a row. I wonder if I'm starting to overrate 'downers, or have I just not noticed their awesomeness before... Anyway, I feel like a saint now... :D

[the guy who be short]

Further to a previous post, I hereby assign pink blossom. Pretty... So pretty...

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign cats. Surely I've already assigned kittens, but I speak now of cats; from the most carefully bred of pure domestics to the sleekly lethal large and wild specimens one could very easily wake shivering over dreams over...

Their ability to shift instantaneously from a sun lit nap to razor-sharp claw-bearing attack mode. Their affection... sometimes. The way they watch everything with such marvelous disdain. How they have nothing at all against being cosseted but are fully capable of independent survival.

Sleek forms with the sun shimmering over glossy fur, sliding across surfaces like beads of mercury.

Endless curiosity. Their fantastically mysterious ability to get out of tough situations.

Their reactions to water.

The sound of content purring.

[Mithalwen]

The only problem is that Snape is not sexy, and no amount of horrid fanfiction can make him so.

But Alan Rickman can ;) .. Snape is a bullied and unloved little boy grown up. His appearance is a reflection of how much he hates himself. He just needs a bit of love and a makeover....

[Encaitare]

But Alan Rickman can. ;)

Abso-forking-lutely. I don't care how old he is... he's a sexy thang. To the Shire with him!

[Lalwendë]

I assign cats. Surely I've already assigned kittens, but I speak now of cats; from the most carefully bred of pure domestics to the sleekly lethal large and wild specimens one could very easily wake shivering over dreams over...

Their ability to shift instantaneously from a sun lit nap to razor-sharp claw-bearing attack mode. Their affection... sometimes. The way they watch everything with such marvelous disdain. How they have nothing at all against being cosseted but are fully capable of independent survival.

Sleek forms with the sun shimmering over glossy fur, sliding across surfaces like beads of mercury.

Endless curiosity. Their fantastically mysterious ability to get out of tough situations.

Their reactions to water.

The sound of content purring.

I'll second that. And also for their ability to act like total idiots (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68744929@N00/104124956/) when a camera is pointed at them. Some cats have no concept of the word dignity. This (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68744929@N00/107334263/) is what they really think of us though. :eek:

I assign to The Shire having your first fresh new potatoes of the year, with loads of butter, mint sauce, bacon, cod and errr...corn on the cob! All very traditional Shire fare I should think. Drool......... :cool:

[Eonwe]

Well, here goes. :)

I assign summer vactions. This includes summer paychecks, summer hanging out, summer naps (long, long sunday afternood ones!), and summer not-doing-school!

I assign desserts, especially those with angel food cake, chocolate pudding, whipped cream and oreos.

I assign cats as well. My cat is a fearsome queen, wielding an iron septer in the face of the mousish uprisings.

I assign Mother's Day. That one is self explainatory. :)

I assign Keith Green, but only becuase he is so freaking goofy. His wacked out weirdness sometimes overcomes his annoying tendancies enough to warrent him a place in the Shire.

I assign O'Henry and his amazing sense of irony. (ooh, and summer readings too).

That's enough for now. :)

[Elonve]

I assign scones clottted cream and homemade strawberry jam.

Dancing in the rain in a yellow mac' and red wellies.

Eating christmas pudding in May.

My Nonno telling me all his stories.

Picnics with the people that matter most.

Bubbling brooks.

Flying a homemade kite.

Climbing the ol' Pear tree on the farm.

Goat milk, fresh, straight from udder to mouth, unpasturised!

Fishing with my Dad.

Going home after a year of boarding school.
________
Wiki vaporizer (http://vaporizerwiki.com)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

My muses. Ooh, I like them right now. And yes... I have more than one muse. They've been very petulantly ignoring me lately, leaving me with no idea of what to write or what to photograph, or even with what to do with work I've already done.

Ooh, but they couldn't resist last night. Somebody had the bright idea of teaching me how to make books. The muses sat up and took notice even as I sat lazily cross-legged with a chai latte in the photography department's workroom watching a bit tiredly. Traditional book-binding was interesting, but something that didn't really catch my enthusiasm, even though I politely paid attention. What really caught my eye were books that you could play with.

Borrowing one of her published children's books for a few moments, I figured out how to make one and then impatiently waited for my chance to leave and make one myself. Ooh, I'm a fan.

*thinks of new projects*

Oh, this is going to be fun. :D

[Lhunardawen]

Finally finally finally getting a simple yet utterly necessary task called getting an ID replacement done, after months of procrastinating on it (not always my fault). It's like having a thorn plucked off my finger.

Being allowed to re-take my ID pic several times because I'm so darn not photogenic, and to rewrite my signature several times because somehow I can't do it properly. Go figure.

Let's leave the ID person out because he was quite creepy.

[Thinlómien]

The feeling that you get from knowing that there will be no exams for you for three months at least. It feels just great! :cool:

[Anguirel]

I assign Mediaeval Banquets. Just to let you know I'm attending one.

Costume-black tights. Big frilly white shirt. Green ugboots. Blue tabard with green fleurs-de-lys and lining. Matching hat. Fleur-de-lysed blue and white shield. Sparkly bling signet ring and brooch.

Real men so do wear jewellery.

[Mithalwen]

Real men so do wear jewellery.


But they don't wear tights.... :p

I am tempted to assign Electricity since ours was off down here last night (and it wasn't me sabotaging the system so that noone could watch the football honest! - more likely the torrential rain that we had - a day before a drought order is lilkely to be enforced).

However the prof wouldn't like it - so I will send bluebells (my garden is full of them) , good news and the kindness of strangers.

[Lalwendë]

While we're on a girly theme, I assign the vintage look to the Shire. It allows you to get away with wearing crumpled clothes that have been nowhere near an iron and shocking outfit combinations that even Helena Bonham Carter would shy away from. Plus you can dig out all your old clothes and wear them again even if they are a bit shabby.

I also assign proper British Asparagus to the Shire. I've just eaten a load of Lincolnshire grown spears, all tiny and tender and lovely.

And sudden storms too. Not the vicious kind, but the sort that blow up suddenly like one did this afternoon. Everyone had settled into a sleepy, post-lunch atmosphere and all of a sudden people were jumping up to secure the windows, gawping at the rain coming down sideways and discussing whether an umbrella would be any use. ;)

[Encaitare]

I assign having amazing and crazy friends who introduce you to all sorts of equally amazing and crazy music.

I assign the end of allergy season! I can wear my contacts again!

And I assign All Your Base, because it really never gets old. :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign the end of allergy season! I can wear my contacts again!
Hear, hear! While I don't wear contacts, being able to open my windows or go outdoors and actually enjoy the nice weather without a throbbing headache or itchy eyes or sneezing makes me one happy Fea.

I assign grilled cheese with tomato. Mm...

[Laitoste]

Fondue night for Food for Finals! Except, once I brought mine back to my room to work on my paper more, I dropped a strawberry top on my laptop screen and now it's smudged and ugly-looking. It's sad. But I don't think it's hurt too badly, and, besides, I got free chocolate and free strawberries!

[Elonve]

Bacon, Letteuce, Tomato Sandwich.
Real brocolli. Pesto.
Real french bread bathed in olive oil and home made cheese.
Mac and Cheese in front of the Telly.
Rugby!!
________
STARCRAFT 2 1.0 REPLAY (http://screplays.com/replays)

[Kath]

Spending the whole day messing around with both friends and teachers, because the boundaries aren't there anymore and you can just get on with each other!

Well, except one teacher who is still expecting a piece of coursework from me :rolleyes:

[mark12_30]

Snowhobbits.

[Laitoste]

Good thing hobbits live in the Shire as we've sent a large quantity of food there...though they may have to relinquish their agricultural ways... :eek:

Anyway, I went on a walk this morning that was completely a Shire walk. The cool morning air, the soft, green trees, the playful squirrels, and the elegent geese with their absolutely adorable goslings fit the Shire (or Shire-esque feelings) perfectly! I came back with the first real smile in a very long time. :D

[Mithalwen]

Accidentally buying a top a size smaller than the one you thought you could get away with and it fitting just fine.... encouragement enough to persist with the live on nuts and berries GI thing.... just don't tell me it was a labelling error it, made my day :D

[Oddwen]

I assign the customers_suck (http://community.livejournal.com/customers_suck/) livejournal. It's great to read it, and realize "Hey! My job is great!". And it's also great to read of horrid customers getting yelled at. (The language quite often used I shall abstain from assigning, however.)

[Naria]

Simply put....fishing. I just love sitting beside a lake or in a boat fishing for hours. It doesn't even matter if I don't catch anything(not that that happens very often) it is just completely relaxing.....especially when the sun starts to set and you know the fish are going to start to bite soon.....*sigh* :)

[JennyHallu]

Opera. Or at least Verdi. Yes, I liked it.

[Anguirel]

Which one? Rigoletto?

I assign Don Carlos in particular to avoid this post being skwerl-worthy.

[Lalaith]

Otello for me.

[JennyHallu]

La Traviata

[Celuien]

I'm rather partial to Il Trovatore and Rigoletto myself, though La Traviata was the first of the Verdi operas I saw...

I assign Donizetti operas. L'Elisir d'Amore and Lucia di Lammermore are highly recommended. Una Furtiva Lagrima (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008CLJK/104-2912768-3383150?v=glance&n=5174) is such a beautiful aria.

And Rossini operas too. They're wonderful - I can probably hum most of The Barber of Seville from memory from listening to it so much. But don't ask me to sing - my voice isn't exactly operatic and probably belongs in Mordor. ;)

Actually, I'll assign all of the Bel Canto composers. Bellini isn't performed nearly as much as deserved.

[Anguirel]

I thoroughly endorse Lucia di Lammermore...

The cast names alone! Lord Enrico di Ravenswood!

[Lalaith]

Agreed. I was fortunate enough to attend a Royal Opera performance of Lucia where they had a proper glass harmonica for the mad scene. An instrument so rare, with a sound so sublime, that it belongs, in itself, in the Shire.

[Celuien]

Agreed. I was fortunate enough to attend a Royal Opera performance of Lucia where they had a proper glass harmonica for the mad scene. An instrument so rare, with a sound so sublime, that it belongs, in itself, in the Shire.
Now that sounds spectacular! I love the mad scene (Anna Moffo was the soprano in the recording I have), but never heard it with the glass harmonica. Sadly.

[Mithalwen]

Agreed. I was fortunate enough to attend a Royal Opera performance of Lucia where they had a proper glass harmonica for the mad scene. An instrument so rare, with a sound so sublime, that it belongs, in itself, in the Shire.

You are so lucky - one of my favourite pieces of music, the Mozart Fantasia in F minor, was composed for glass harmonica but I have only heard it on the organ (albeit played by someone who is now Kapellmeister in a german cathedral...).

I rather like baroque opera - Handel's Rodelinda particularly. Nice to get a tenor villain and I am a counter-tenor fan (claim to fame meeting Andreas Scholl).
Handel at least must go to the Shire - ifnot for his opera for Zadok and Messiah....

[JennyHallu]

Now, now, don't overwhelm me, folks! This was but a first introduction to the medium for me. Heh, heh...I had an invitation to join the company...but I turned it down.

[the guy who be short]

I assign the Millenium Library.

To celebrate the turn of the century, the British government, in co-operation with the National Lottery, donated each secondary school in Britain a collection of books called the "Millenium Library."

This Millenium Library contains most of the "great books" of the last two thousand years, spanning from Virgil's Aeneid to Orwell's 1984, with everything in between. There's literally loads of books... probably more than a hundred. And all classics. And all in one place. And all free to loan. With no fees for lateness.

[Encaitare]

... Renee Fleming. I'm not a huge opera fan but her lovely voice makes it enjoyable for me. Plus, she's an alumnus of the college I'm going to, so that's sweet too.

[Farael]

I'll change the topic, with permission from the rest of you pending, to gardening. There are few nicer things than doing some gardening with your dad. Unless it involves picking up leaves (which given the amount of trees we used to have was a real pain) or mowing the lawn (as the mower makes so much noise it's impossible to talk over it). But other than that, it's pure joy.

[Taralphiel]

I assign thorough surprise, and the promise of starting something new!

I was offered a job that I thought I wouldn't be offered after a surprising interview mishap (that was promptly sent to Mordor ;) ).

I'll now be a Trainee Claims and Injury Asessor at a Worker's Compensation Insurance company in Sydney city. Very nifty title, and what looks to be a tough but rewarding job. *smiles*

It's full-time, so I may have a little more trouble than usual juggling in Barrow Down's time, but I'll manage. You can't keep me away!

Tara :)

[Lalwendë]

I'll change the topic, with permission from the rest of you pending, to gardening. There are few nicer things than doing some gardening with your dad. Unless it involves picking up leaves (which given the amount of trees we used to have was a real pain) or mowing the lawn (as the mower makes so much noise it's impossible to talk over it). But other than that, it's pure joy.

Oooh, that takes me back! I spent many a happy hour working in the vegetable plot with my dad! The only nasty thing was he used to get me to pick the runner beans because I could crawl under the plants, and I used to get all the bugs in my hair. He also got me to pick all the gooseberries because my little fingers got stabbed by the nasty thorns less often! And I was expected to help out with my grandad, who grew all kinds of salad and herbs in his fields, but at least he gave me wages, unlike my dad! ;)

I assign to The Shire, the smell of fresh Strawberries. I've got some here (so now davem knows what's for pudding later) and I can't stop sniffing them.

[Bêthberry]

Agreed. I was fortunate enough to attend a Royal Opera performance of Lucia where they had a proper glass harmonica for the mad scene. An instrument so rare, with a sound so sublime, that it belongs, in itself, in the Shire.


Interesting idea. However, given the armonica's association with insanity, perhaps that instrument was played excessively in Gondor until it affected Denethor--the staltwart, healthy hobbits being more impervious to such disorders?


One example of fear from playing the glass armonica was noted by a German musicologist Friedrich Rochlitz in Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung where it is stated that "the armonica excessively stimulates the nerves, plunges the player into a nagging depression and hence into a dark and melancholy mood that is apt method for slow self-annihilation. If you are suffering from any nervous disorder, you should not play it; if you are not yet ill you should not play it; if you are feeling melancholy you should not play it."


:D

[Orominuialwen]

Painting parties. They're definitely more fun than should be legal. My robotics team got almost as much paint on ourselves as on the walls of our build site.

Formal dinner parties. Especially how amazing it is that only 48 hours after our paint-covered adventures, my team was able to all appear formally dressed (on a school night, no less!) to host a dinner party for all our mentors to thank them for all their hard work and help.

Car rides at night just after it's rained with the windows down and your hair blowing around. The fact that the person giving me a ride home was someone whose company I quite enjoy didn't hurt either. ;)


Perhaps I should just save a lot of time and assign my whole robotics team and everything having to do with it to the Shire. :p

I also assign prom. Sure, everyone says it's overrated, but I had a lot of fun, even without a date. The only bad thing was the weather (35-40 degrees F and raining) and the great discomfort caused by my high heels.

[Thinlómien]

I assign Ascension Day. It's great not to have school in the middle of a week.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

White asparagus.

I bet Hobbits would love a vegetable that grows underground! Especially when served with new taters, Sauce Hollandaise, and smoked ham...

[Lalwendë]

White asparagus.

I bet Hobbits would love a vegetable that grows underground! Especially when served with new taters, Sauce Hollandaise, and smoked ham...

It looks like all kinds of asparagus are in The Shire! I've already sent the green type! I've never had the white kind as you just get the green/violet type here which we all devour for those few weeks it's available. I think it's suitable for The Shire too, as it's a plant that takes such a lot of care to grow, and you cannot eat any that the plant produces for several years. It must be harvested by hand, and its actually a flower.

That sounds like one of my meals! Its nice with Lancashire cheese, too. ;)

Ooh, and fresh new taters with lots of mint sauce on.

[Elonve]

I also assign prom. Sure, everyone says it's overrated, but I had a lot of fun, even without a date. The only bad thing was the weather (35-40 degrees F and raining) and the great discomfort caused by my high heels.

I assign prom too. Except that at my school this year it was called "Spring Fling" It was beautiful! Wild flowers everywhere! and Candles and storm lanterns with big cream coloured candles...
The food was good and my date didn't mind if I danced with loads of guys.

My curfew was 3:30 a.m. and my parents we're pretty narfed because I got back home a little later than that. I am going to get one of those museum clocks for the kitchen one of these days... :rolleyes:


I don't know if I am allowed to do this but may I send Tolkien, the master, to the Shire? I really do believe that he should live forever in his work.
________
LovelyWendie (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

[Lalwendë]

No such thing as 'prom' when I grew up. Instead we had The School Disco. In the 80s this was at its height of fashion. It consisted of getting dressed up in as much plastic, primary coloured jewellery as possible (all bought for 20p from the market), your best Chelsea Girl pixie boots and sticking half a ton of gel and hairspray on your hair. Then you'd spend the night flitting between the bikesheds where you had some cider stashed and the school hall where you would dance round your handbag to Duran Duran, while avoiding the lads windmilling their arms around in a semblance of 'dancing'. Later you would all laugh and jeer when you found one of your friends snogging a horrible lad behind the stage and try to avoid more horrible lads when Spandau Ballet came on as the last song at the incredibly late hour of 9.55pm.

But the nostalgia for such events, especially when you reminisce with your old friends, firmly belongs in The Shire. :D

[Bêthberry]

But the nostalgia for such events, especially when you reminisce with your old friends, firmly belongs in The Shire. :D

Hmm. Hmmm. (and that's not Hooom, hooom. ;)) I would have thought that nostalgia belongs with the elves, in Rivendell or Lothlorien. Aren't the elves the ones who reminisce about the good ole days?

[Farael]

Men In Kilts (http://www.meninkilts.ca)... no, while you ladies may have a strong interest in men wearing what amounts as a skirt, what I'm most interested on is a band by that name (in which, obviously, the men on the band wear kilts). Best band ever.

I also assign small, hometown bands. There is nothing like being able to chat with them after they're done their show, sure it'd be awesome to talk for two seconds to some rockstar while ten thousand crazy girls scream and yell that they love him... but I much rather have a short discussion on whether or not their last CD should have been longer. And of course, have them call me by my name not "dude" or something. Really cool band, good music, good people going to their shows.... I hope they make it big for them and so that I can say "I've been following these guys since the start" but at the same time, it'd be awful to loose the closeness you have with smaller bands.

[Celuien]

Working on ATM posts at 1:45 in the morning while munching on Rice Krispies Treats, sipping milk and playing with kitty. :D More generally, all of the fun things that help unwind after getting home from a busy night on second shift go to the Shire.

[littlemanpoet]

Men In Kilts (http://www.meninkilts.ca)... no, while you ladies may have a strong interest in men wearing what amounts as a skirt, what I'm most interested on is a band by that name (in which, obviously, the men on the band wear kilts). Best band ever.Thanks for the reminder to do this:

I assign to the Shire the best, absolute best, free Festival of the Arts in all of the States, happening his coming weekend in Grand Rapids, MI. Seven stages, starts Friday noon and doesn't end until Sunday 7pm. Folk, rock, jazz, classical, dance, improv, et cetera. and there is a Fife and Drum band too! I will not be missing it. Oh! And great food! Booths and booths of food, international fare and American. Philly Beef Steak Sandwiches. English Pasties. Suvlaki. Szechwan Chicken. You name it, we got it. Come on to my home town and enjoy! There's still time to plan. And PM me if you show up; we'll arrange to see some shows. :D

Festival Link (http://festivalofthearts.org/)

Take a peek! :)

[Celuien]

Philly Beef Steak Sandwiches.
Ah - the cheesesteak! ;) :D Best ones are found at this little place I know just outside Philly...

Festival looks like great fun.

[Mithalwen]

Despite the fact that the mix of sunshine and showers is making the hedges and lawns grow like weeds and the weeds grow like triffids.... the garden brings more joy than grief. Now after bluebells and lilacs ...the first roses have arrived. The very first being on the "mystery" rosebush. I bought it as a "Winchester Cathedral" and it should be cream... however it is the most glorious pink and an "old fashioned" sort..... lovely. Clearly belongs in the Shire.

[Lalwendë]

What's a cheesesteak? It sounds lardy, but good!

I'm also assigning gardening things to the Shire, namely finding interesting plant variations, like the double headed acid pink busy Lizzies and the variegated blue/lilac lobelias I've been putting out, which I imagine Rosie Cotton and all Hobbit lasses might have loved. I also assign Pinks and wallflowers because they smell wonderful and are so old fashioned. And hanging baskets, too. But I assign slug pellets to Mordor with the snails because I've had to resort to them to keep the infestation under control and I hate it because they don't die in a pleasant way and it makes me feel guilty.

And I assign getting excited about holidays because I'll be on mine this time next week. Woo-hoo! :D

[Mithalwen]

Well having had yet another attack on the patio with the weed knife I am beginning to doubt my commitment to pesticide free gardening :( but I do miraculously have hostas that aren't entirely lacework. But much as I hate slugs I do not use slug pellets - I don't mind the slugs dying nastily it is the poor hedgepigs dying nastily from eating pelleted slugs. You can get hedgehog friendly alternatives.... :D

[Bêthberry]

But I assign slug pellets to Mordor with the snails because I've had to resort to them to keep the infestation under control and I hate it because they don't die in a pleasant way and it makes me feel guilty.



Well having had yet another attack on the patio with the weed knife I am beginning to doubt my commitment to pesticide free gardening but I do miraculously have hostas that aren't entirely lacework. But much as I hate slugs I do not use slug pellets - I don't mind the slugs dying nastily it is the poor hedgepigs dying nastily from eating pelleted slugs. You can get hedgehog friendly alternatives....

Well, I think a favourite alternative here would fit quite well in The Shire. Rather than using slug bait, we use small little basins, with rounded depressions on the sides. We fill them with beer, and leave a top (which usually has some kind of garden design on it--leaves, vines, etc.) on them. Slugs slither in for the beer and the rest is history. :D

I shan't start listing flowers that I think belong in The Shire for that likely will appeal to you t'other side o' ta pond types as a cliched English cottage garden. :p Besides, I would have to include turnips and taters and 'shrooms and lots of good root veggies. ;)

[Celuien]

What's a cheesesteak? It sounds lardy, but good!
The cheesesteak (http://philadelphia.about.com/cs/cheesesteaks/a/cheesesteak.htm) is an icon of Philadelphia lardy cooking. :D You take a long roll and put thin sliced grilled beef on it, preferably dripping with grease. Then it's topped with cheese or
Cheese Whiz (http://www.kraftfoods.com/cheezwhiz/cw_index.html). Some claim that the true cheesesteak requires Whiz, but I prefer American cheese. Then you can top it with onions and other vegetables.

Tasty!

[Lalwendë]

I don't mind weeding, mainly as I have such a small garden there are never many of them, so weedkiller is never an option for me. But in the past I relied on my resident garden toad to kill the snails but I think she has passed on to Toad heaven now. There have been no all night toad shrieks in the mating season, no signs of spawn or eggs. It's quite sad. :( I doubt hedgehogs would make it into my garden what with the fortress of my next door neighbour and his fifteen kids to get past on one side and a 15 foot drop into the other side of the garden.

The cheesesteak (http://philadelphia.about.com/cs/cheesesteaks/a/cheesesteak.htm) is an icon of Philadelphia lardy cooking. :D You take a long roll and put thin sliced grilled beef on it, preferably dripping with grease. Then it's topped with cheese or
Cheese Whiz (http://www.kraftfoods.com/cheezwhiz/cw_index.html). Some claim that the true cheesesteak requires Whiz, but I prefer American cheese. Then you can top it with onions and other vegetables.

Tasty!

That sounds fantastically greasy! But kind of nice, too. I remember something like Cheez Whiz in the 80s, a kind of cheddar spread in a jar which my father used to be obsessed with (especially in a sandwich with crisps and peanut butter) but then they stopped selling it. Is Philadelphia Cheese (the lovely mild, low fat cream cheese) anything to do with the City or just an invention of the marketing folk?

Anyway, I assign to the Shire the glorious anachronism that is The Queen's Birthday, a 'bank holiday' we are entitled to take today or on another day if we wish. I am in work and there are only 4 of us here, and its lovely and quiet and I was able to get second breakfast with no wait. What's more, seeing as about 95% of the department are off my e-mail box is being untroubled, as is my phone. It also means I can have my day off when the kids are back at school. ;)

[Celuien]

Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand thing. I found the history here (http://www.kraft.com/archives/brands/brands_cream.html). Sort of interesting...

Cream cheese is good. :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign summer and all that comes with it.

Weekend escapes to the country wherein an entire afternoon is spent in child-like fascination with traversing camera-laden up a small creek with sides and fields overgrown with wildflowers. Common dandelions, yellow hawkweed, blue violets, ground ivy, garlic mustard, buttercups, periwinkle, forget-me-nots, lily-of-the-valley, wild strawberries, wild phlox...

The bittersweet realization that my first year of college is over in 24 hours.

Vegemite and didgeridoos and a late night learning willingly about the intricacies of Australian government and discovering that apparently emus can't walk backwards, that my friends don't know their southern hemispherical constellations, and that we're all growing up no matter how hard I deny that I am. :)

Ice cold water that sweats and drips chillingly.

Being truly warm for the first time in months. Cute shoes and mini-skirts and a lot of sunscreen.

Finishing a short story and knowing that with one or two more revisions, it will be Done.

Cleaning. What? Me? A college kid that assigns cleaning to... the Shire? Certainly. I assign any activity that not only helps me to procrastinate on finishing a final that I'm, technically speaking, skiving class to work on, but allows me to obsess in a very productive manner. I've always liked cleaning, come to think of it. It's excellent "me time" wherein I can devote a load of time to merely pondering things while still feeling like I'm accomplishing things. So yes... yay for cleaning.

Ooh, the feeling of unlimited potential that comes from switching life up a bit for a few months. I like it. Go summer!

[Lhunardawen]

My Calculus prof telling me that I can come to him anytime next term to make up for my finals. I can finally exploit the few remaining days of my summer break!

Also, eating sweet stuff and drinking a watermelon shake in full sight of my mum who looks at me with an annoyed grin because I am just recovering from pharyngitis.

[Elonve]

Old movies. Like Casablanca, Wait Until Dark, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Bugsy (Taloula Smooching :p ), The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music and The Godfather

Also good Britcoms like Fawlty Towers, Some Mothers Do Have 'em, 'Allo 'Allo, Black Adder, Porridge and of course Red Dwarf.

That deserves a place in the Shire!
________
Ford Mustang Ssp Picture (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Ford_Mustang_SSP)

[Lhunardawen]

Escapism. :)

[the guy who be short]

I send mnemonics and memory aids, as well as Lhunardawen.
You see, whilst stalking her, I came across an amusing blog entry. It ran as follows:

Work done = force x distance
Force = m*** x acceleration
Therefore, Work = mad

As amusing as it may appear, it's all actually very helpful. Before this, I couldn't remember what the equation for work was. Now it's simple. Thank you my nutty friend.

Edit: Apparently mass is a forbidden word as the m is bolded. Which makes me wonder what would happen if I wished to spark a discussion on the role of donkeys in LotR.

[Oddwen]

Oh, that reminded me of an equasion I saw online a while back...let's see if I can remember it...

...found it.

I'll send it to the Shire, because I laughed uproriously even though I am a girl.

[Lhunardawen]

Now you create a problem, tgwbs. You've already sent me to Mordor.

Oddwen, that's hilarious! Especially the root of evil part... :D But I'm sure it has always been a well-known fact that girls are evil. Or maybe that's just me.

There's also proof that time is the root of evil, but it's less sensible.

time = gold
gold = money
money = root of evil
time = root of evil QED

I end this crazy post by assigning general craziness.

[Lalwendë]

The seaside.

Not just the sea, the waves crashing up on the rocks or rolling in across the strand, though this is the main attraction. It's also the salt in the air so your hair gets tangled and you can taste it all the time. Gulls screaming their heads off. The smell of chips and fish everywhere, and then eating it out of newspaper in the open air. Fresh shellfish, sold in the pubs, and in little white trays from stalls by the harbour. Boats everywhere - fishing boats, old lifeboats, yachts, tall ships. 100 different flavours of ice cream. Deckchairs with stripey cloth and bleached wood and bright beach huts in neat rows. Shops selling buckets, spades and pirate flags. Folk singers in the pub. Clean air and bright light. Looking up the tide tables and listening to the shipping forecast. Seal watching. Wondering what lies just over the horizon.

What's more, we're going. Tomorrow! :D

[the guy who be short]

The flaw in that equation, Oddy, is that Girls require time AND money. This would means

Girls = Time + Money,

not

Girls = Time x Money as stated.

Which really ruins the rest of the equation.

[Orominuialwen]

The flaw in that equation, Oddy, is that Girls require time AND money. This would means

Girls = Time + Money,

not

Girls = Time x Money as stated.

Which really ruins the rest of the equation.
My brother brought this up. See, girls don't just require one lump sum of money, they need it frequently to purchase books and musical instruments and clothing and pay their library fines (at least in my case, clothing is probably the most infrequent way I spend money). So you see, the longer the period of time you spend around her, the more money she will require.

I think that might've made sense, but I'm not so sure.

[Eonwe]

I assign the good kind of cops, that are not out to screw you, but to teach you a lesson that you will never forget. Suffice to say, I won't be speeding any time soon. :rolleyes: :o

Buildin' dams. :p

A new work schedule that starts at nine instead of seven. Yay for sleeping in!

That's about it for now.

[Elonve]

Dancing in the moonlight.
________
Cheap Crosman Airsoft Air Magazine Powered (http://airsoft-shop.info/p/crosman-airsoft-air-magazine-powered/)

[Anguirel]

The following question in my Italian reading exam:

What compliment is paid to the service offered by Turin?

I grinned and added an acute accent. I resisted, however, the temptation to write "Well, it's said to be pretty reliable if you need to kill Orcs."

[ninja91]

Truly, nature needs to be preserved. I assign that and manga to the Shire. ;)

[ArathorofBarahir]

Home, and the ideal place to live.

[Kath]

Friends who let you copy up half their notes because yours have mysteriously disappeared since this time last year.

Teachers who willingly give up their whole morning to teach you an entire course in 3 hours.

[Taralphiel]

I assign logging on to The Downs after a long week. It's been too long for me, and I'm enjoying catching up on all the RPG's.

I also assign some other anonymous reputations. I am grateful :)

- Tara

[the guy who be short]

Barbeques. And scorching heat. Mmm, scorchy.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Rejoining The Barrow-Downs

[Thinlómien]

Rejoining The Barrow-Downs
Comebacks and warm welcomes (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?p=473723#post473723). They always make me feel happy. :) :)

[Mithalwen]

My local pub declaring itself a football free zone - bliss...... swimming in a near empty pool on a hot day - bliss

[Lalwendë]

When a town's only record shop is staunchly independent and only stocks folk, world and obscure indie/alt stuff. And the owner sits there contentedly smoking roll ups and listening to good music. That's cool.

Also, wading through water to get to a part of a quayside that nobody else can get to because they don't want to get their feet wet and finding clear blue water on the other side and sitting there with your feet in the water whilst having a smoke or four.

Proper old fashioned tea shops with waitresses in little hats, serving trays of sandwiches, pots of tea and cream cakes and lots of strawberry tarts to be scoffed.

[Encaitare]

Putting on a bathing suit and dancing around in the rain and splashing in puddles. I had so much fun last night. :D

[Kath]

Summer!

Going to the park with friends and laying around sunbathing and chatting about anything and everything before playing a game of very improvised rounders and a disastrous attempt at frisbee (none of us can catch!).

Then heading over to the children's playground and messing around to our hearts content.

And all because of a bit of sun. Marvellous :D

[Anguirel]

Callas. Callas. Callas.

Except perhaps she'd prefer Mordor...

[Roa_Aoife]

Waking up to see a rainbow on your wall.

Having an adorably precocious four year old girl lacth onto you for an entire day by the pool.

Getting fought over by two six year old boys yelling, "No, you're in love with her!" "No, you are!"

Having interesting problems with the drive through at McDonald's:

"I'd like two small cokes..."

"One small coke?"

"No, two small cokes..."

"Three small cokes?"

"No! Two small cokes!"

"Oh, okay, two small cokes..."

[Alcarillo]

Getting out of school an hour early thanks to a clerical error. :)

[Lalaith]

Gin and tonic. The only thing to drink in weather like this. I'd been looking forward to mine for the last hour and a half. *sips, sighs*

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign the scent of warm weather in CNY: cut grass and road work with tar burning your nostrils even as dust dries your throat. While hobbits may not like paved roads, presumably they like sunlight and light warm breezes and the persistent smell of lilacs that should already be past prime but apparently aren't.

And I assign finally having a proper diagnosis of my shoulder and a set plan for what to do about it. :)

[Encaitare]

Really nifty gathered-satin gloves with lace that comes to a point on the hand and hooks around the middle finger... they make me feel like a sexy movie!Grima. ;)

[Thinlómien]

Summer holiday. Warm weather. Sleeping in. Knowing you'll see your dear little sister again in a few hours. Modding a ww-game. The Emperor Penguin. Barrow-downs. Peace and quietness. The beautiful morning and the gentle wind. Cries of the gulls. The birds singing. The blue sky. Sunshine.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Sleeping well over 12 hours straight and waking up, for the first time in weeks, feeling completely rested.

[Kath]

Getting through a day where you have 4 exams all in a row and knowing you did your best on all but one, and being so grateful you never have to do it again!

Also, people who buy you chocolate to make up for the hell of such a day.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Fractals. Seriously, they amaze me.

[mark12_30]

Fractals. Seriously, they amaze me.

I was going to say, rather than hobbitish they seem more Feanorean. But-- well, there it is.

[Celuien]

The attending pediatrician I'm working with this week.

On rounds today, we saw a baby with a pacifier. Baby objected to having the pacifier taken away. Attending said, "Is that your Precious? Are you Sméagol, or are you Gollum?" :D

Made my day.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Finaly beeing able to download the pictures from your Digital Camera to you computer.

and of course The World Cup. (that might already have been said, but it such a great thing that it deserves to be mentioned twice) YAY football all the time!

[Oddwen]

I assign pumice stones. They are wonderful for scrubbing dead skin off of feet.

Ya know, I had a dream last night that I scrubbed my heels and they were so nice and smooth, except that I missed a spot...so today I scrubbed my heels and they're so nice and smooth...except for that spot I missed. Yep. Same spot. (Dr. Dream needn't explain, I think I got it on my own ;))

Also, baseball games. I went to my first last month, and I was shocked at how fun they really are.

[littlemanpoet]

I assign that unique happenstance: a long lost fellow Downer with whom one shared and rpg, who comes back against all odds, to continue the rpg! :)

[Encaitare]

Also, baseball games. I went to my first last month, and I was shocked at how fun they really are.

Oh my... I haven't been to a baseball game in such a long time! Everything about them is fun... the music, the intestines stuffed with guts AKA hot dogs, the fact that you don't really have to pay attention half the time and you'll still know what's going on, cheering and shouting and carrying on when someone hits a home run... now I really want to go see a game.

[Thinlómien]

Getting to the upper secondary you applied to. It feels great. :D

[Valier]

I assign growing things. I have recently been attempting to grow a few things, like calla lilies and pumpkins and what I think looks like a citrus tree. I find it really satisfying that they are not dead yet. (as I tend to kill everything I try to grow somehow):D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign thrift stores with retro jewelry for absurdly cheap prices. Tall glasses of cold water and bonding moments with my mum. Buying books at discount prices, blue skies, and men's ties. Sundresses and iced lattes. Holding hands and dripping cones of soft serve vanilla. Freckles and the wind in my hair.

Cheesy eggs with tomatos, mushrooms, and onions.

Babies that, for reasons I'm totally unaware of, are fascinated with watching me. A baby girl that, upon seeing me for the first time since Christmas, ran to me, arms reaching, and said, quite confidently, "Up."

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

The very ambitious afternoon plan, after having gotten off work early, of brewing some iced tea, peeling an orange, and sprawling on my bed with a new book. *nuzzles life for a bit like a content and affectionate kitty*

[Kath]

Not doing a single bit of revision all day. As in, not even looking at a book or making a single note or thinking about the next subject I have to revise for at all.

And feeling so wonderfully free!

[the guy who be short]

People adopting the word nuzzle and using it in everyday life. Nothing could make me happier.

[Lalwendë]

Sticking your MP3 player into the stereo and putting it onto random mode and marvelling at your weird taste in music and reminiscing about old tracks from your childhood and from your student days. ;)

[Mithalwen]

The adrenalin rush caused by the fear and anticipation of two very esteemed Downers taking a very long time to reply to a thread on which you have just commented :eek:

[Farael]

Nasty weather which might help you convince the girl you are dating to stay home with you rather than going to the fair.... even though that's as unlikely as no-more Gandalf Uncloaked jokes being written in these forums ever again.

I also assign those who post in ATM and ATS every time around, perhaps trying to have a good Karma?

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I assign that I might not miss out on my Festival after all, because one of my friends might be able to get me a job there. (you walk around putting out fires that are not at the cooking area a couple of times during the festival and then you get your ticket for free)

and even if that fails I can always buy the one day ticket they sell for the last day, this mean that I am going to hear Roger Waters preforming Dark Side Of The Moon. :)

[Orominuialwen]

Relaxing afternoons at home with your family.

Discovering that Gandalf's fight with the Balrog in Moria is listed as a shining example of "Heroic Sacrifice and Martyrdom" in one of your brother's D&D books. :)

Being told by someone you just met that you seem like a pretty cool person. :cool:

[Lhunardawen]

Receiving nice hand-me-downs - apparently it's a perk of being the only female having my age and my size in our generation of the family.

Stepping out of the house at 5:30 in the morning with the sound of many birds hidden amongst the trees greeting me.

My Bio prof's projector problems a while ago. Otherwise I would've been marked late. :D

Friends who never forget.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign this:

I borrowed a book several months ago. After taking extreme care of it over spring break, I managed to forget it when I went back to school. I had my entire family search every corner of my room to no avail.

I got home and searched. I cleaned my room like crazy and searched. I called libraries, extended family members, cleaned out cars... just in case. My boyfriend helped me search again. No luck.

And tonight... tonight I spontaneously decided to take a flashlight and look in the one in space beneath my bookshelf and guess what book was there?

Rebel Yell by Lance Olsen. Great book. Y'all should read it.

But yes... I assign finding a book I thought I'd lost. :D

[Lhunardawen]

Realizing that an elective class you skipped lunch for, slaved over, and simply dreaded - three years ago - will come in handy after all. :)

[Kath]

The relief that comes from realising you haven't sneezed in 24 hours, after sneezing straight for the 24 hours before that!

Also jigsaws. They're so relaxing!

[Farael]

The Red River Ex! I'm still slightly dizzy and I have a rather bad bruise on my leg but it was definitely worth it!! :p And I feel so North American too, even if the girl I went with and her friends had their hearts set in trying to make me feel foreign :p

[Oddwen]

Fresh-picked strawberries, straight from the vine and still warm from the sun. Mmmmm.
Even if you do have to brush the sand off.

[Mithalwen]

Finding out that your beautiful, bright and beloved god-daughter has landed the perfect summer job (flexible hours, interesting work). She really deserves this break after 3 years of illness and having to restart sixth form in Sept.... Just hope she stays well :D

[Lalwendë]

Also jigsaws. They're so relaxing!

Near me, in Bakewell, there is a little toy shop that specialises in jigsaws. They have all the rooms upstairs stuffed full of just about any jigsaw you could imagine, plus any wall space is taken up with completed jigsaws hung up in frames. That's the kind of little shop you'd get in The Shire.

Bakewell also has a little cafe in the attic of an old cottage that sells Austrian sausages, mustards, and cakes, complete with an alpine decoration theme. I love it! And then there are all the lovely Pudding shops, too, and the river bank and hundreds of ducks to feed. :cool: Shame its a bit too expensive for us to live out there.

I send nice little towns with interesting shops and no big chain stores to The Shire.

[JennyHallu]

I assign the following argument with my husband:

N: You're an odd duck.

J: No, I'm not.

N: Yes, you are.

J: I'm not a duck.

N: Then what are you?

J: I'm a Jen.

N: If you're not an odd duck, then I think you're a bad egg.

J: I'm not an egg! I'm a Jen!

N: I think you were a bad egg that hatched into an odd duck.

J: Not an egg! Not a duck! I'm a Jen!

N: A Jen? What's that? Sounds...odd...

*fits of giggles all around*
*confused looks at the two of us from Gracie and Miles (the dog and cat, respectively)*

[Formendacil]

I assign the swift unravelling of a horrible knot of problems so that what for months made college admission a HUGE headache become so clear and simple... Knowing that you're leaving home in the Fall, for sure, feels great... definitely belongs in the Shire, homebodies though hobbits are.

[Lhunardawen]

My CWTS instructor. Never mind that his voice could very easily pass for a lullaby, but he's a member of the Philippine Tolkien Society, talks about quite irrelevant stuff pertaining to Middle Earth as if the entire class knows what he is talking about, and looks at me every now and then as if asking me if he says the right things. And I am the only one who understands him completely. :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign teaching little girls yoga. Cutest thing ever."No, Sky, not 'um', you say 'om'."

[Orominuialwen]

Self confidence. Looking in the mirror and thinking "Hey, I look pretty nice!" gives me such a lovely feeling. :)

[Cailín]

All the little birthday wishes I got from my fellow Downers yesterday. :)

I feel so loved.

[The Saucepan Man]

I second Cailín's assigment, in respect of those who bestowed their birthday greetings upon me. Thank you most kindly, folks. :)

I'll try to get round to replying (to clear my PM box, if nothing else ;) ), although I am afraid that I am rather lax when it comes to PMs.

Hence my own inertia on the birthday greetings front (for which I should probably be assigned, yet again, to Mordor). :rolleyes:

[Thinlómien]

For the sake of not overflooding your inboxes and being late, I congratulate you here. Happy birthday, Cailín and SPM!

I assign congratulating. It's fun. :)

[Kath]

Aha! This can double-up as a birthday greetings thread :D Though I already wished you well in the TiG thread I believe.

Anyway, I'll assign feeling so much better in the morning.

[Mithalwen]

Open air Shakespeare, even though:

-it is an anachronism
- the Prof wasn't keen
- the local "castle" which provided the setting was assembled form bits brought from ruins about a hundred years ago (really is delightfully mad with a fireplace on the outside..)
- it wasn't really warm enough and I ended up resembling a large heap of car-rugs .

it was still magical.

[Lalwendë]

Open air Shakespeare, even though:

-it is an anachronism
- the Prof wasn't keen
- the local "castle" which provided the setting was assembled form bits brought from ruins about a hundred years ago (really is delightfully mad with a fireplace on the outside..)
- it wasn't really warm enough and I ended up resembling a large heap of car-rugs .

it was still magical.

Ever been to the Minack theatre at Porthcurno in Cornwall? Like a Grecian ruin, carved into the cliffs high above Lamorna Cove, you watch a play with the sea as a backdrop and the stars as lighting. One of the plays I've seen there was Midsummer Nights Dream, which was about as perfect as you can get.

The place belongs in heaven, let alone The Shire. ;)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I happily assign my mother. I love my mother. A lot. Because she very intentionally started pulling food out of the grocery bags. The first thing was a half pound of turkey. Eew, dead bird. The second was a half pound of roast beef. Eew, dead mammal. And then... and then...

Whole wheat wraps, hummus, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and bean sprouts! Mmm... *drool*

I also assign finding and purchasing cheap plane tickets (yay!) and the word 'Reykjavik' at 2:30 AM.

[Kath]

Sleep! It's a wonderful thing.

Also, finding the copy of the statement your teachers sent to universities about you and reading it for the first time in months. After the trials of Wednesday it was a lovely boost of confidence.

[Mithalwen]

you watch a play with the sea as a backdrop and the stars as lighting.

No I haven't been ... Apart from a flying visit, I haven't been to Cornwall since childhood when the Poldark mine and the Seal sanctuary were the order of the day. This place can join Heligan and the Eden project on my "to do" list for the visit I have been promising myself for years....


It sounds like it belongs a bit west of the shire and forms part of Mithlond's leisure facilities...

[Lalwendë]

you watch a play with the sea as a backdrop and the stars as lighting.

No I haven't been ... Apart from a flying visit, I haven't been to Cornwall since childhood when the Poldark mine and the Seal sanctuary were the order of the day. This place can join Heligan and the Eden project on my "to do" list for the visit I have been promising myself for years....


It sounds like it belongs a bit west of the shire and forms part of Mithlond's leisure facilities...

Much of Cornwall belongs West of The Shire. I've not been for 16 years (long drive from oop North), but there are so many truly magical places like St Michael's Mount, the fairy palace which rises from a tiny island in the blue waters of Mounts Bay; they even have the grave of a Giant's heart on there. Then there are fogous, stone circles and iron age villages. Tintagel. The Goonhilly Downs. Godrevy Lighthouse. And the mystery of Land's End, the last bit of England.

Not quite in The Shire, but not in Valinor either. Maybe in the environs of The Grey Havens?

[Cailín]

Returning from an exam you know you passed, even though you answered question 9a (name the three most common types of ordeals mentioned in early Irish law) with:

*A duel. God would aid the hand of the truthful one.
*A physical ordeal i.e. putting your hand in a cauldron filled with boiling water without getting hurt.

Um, um

*A psychological ordeal i.e. being forced to watch Free Willy I, II & III in rapid succession.

(I found out that the correct answer should be casting lots, but I personally like my suggestion better).

[Elonve]

Football!

It gives us an excuse to eat, drink cold beer in front of televisons. Rant, rave, cuss, curse and cry. And give gifts to each other (Opps! That's Christmas at our house :rolleyes: )
________
Vaporite the solo review (http://vaporizerinfo.com/)

[the guy who be short]

I assign the city of Oxford. So nuzzletastically good. History all around you. Wonderful lawns. Colleges everywhere. The libraries!

[Mithalwen]

I assign the city of Oxford. So nuzzletastically good. History all around you. Wonderful lawns. Colleges everywhere. The libraries!


Ooh yes ... And the Bodleian with it's wonderfully absurd requirement that you solemnly promise not to burn the place down in order to get your ticket (which seems to fit in with the strange requirements of Hobbit wills).... it was very hard not to laugh as I recited:

"I hereby undertake .... not to bring into the Library, or kindle therein, any fire or flame, and not to smoke in the Library; and I promise to obey all rules of the Library."

I mean, the thought had never occurred until they suggested it. Then I felt sympathy with the girl who said that the 10 Commandments were unfair because they just put ideas in your head.... I hardly used my card lest I be seized by an uncontrollable urge to hold a fondue party in the Radcliffe Camera...

I also love the fact that the Cathedral resolutely runs on Oxford time not London time. As I am perpetually five minutes late, this suited me perfectly and meant I didn't have to sneak in during the processional.... The Shire keeps its own reckoning so I am sure they would approve - though maybe not of all the related book learning....

[Kath]

Having spent a day with friends who you haven't seen all together at once in a long time, and realising with some sadness that this summer will probably be the last time the friendship you have now will ever be experienced, and being determined to make the most of it.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign post-work dinner at midnight that involves grapes, chai, and the following directly quoted advice for curing hiccups:

punch yourself in the right temple while reciting the pledge of allegeance. it helps. you know youre cured when you loose consiousness right around "under god"

[Elonve]

I assign the invention of new words to the Shire.
We should start a Barrow-Downs Lexicon. :p (sorry that was a little off topic...)
________
CHEAP UTG DELUXE TACTICAL HOLSTER LEFT HANDED (http://airsoft-shop.info/p/utg-deluxe-tactical-holster-left-handed/)

[Orominuialwen]

Discovering that the fireworks you thought you would miss due to a lack of a ride have been rescheduled due to severe thunderstorms. Now maybe I'll be able to go after all! :cool:

[Kath]

Decisiveness - I'm not used to it!

[Lalwendë]

Really big thunderstorms. We haven't had one in ages and just had two in quick succession and its brewing up for a third.

And froggies. I just went out when the rain eased from torrential to merely heavy to assess the garden damage (it is extensive :() and found this big frog (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68744929@N00/180070448/) sitting right by the doorstep. I had to chase him off under the comfrey so he would be safe, and would find those pesky snails to eat. ;)

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Roger Waters. . .

He Rocks ! ! !

[Celuien]

And froggies.
Yes! Froggies! How could they not have been assigned before? ;) :D

[Kath]

I'll third the froggie assignation, I love them :)

For myself I'll assign spending one whole day with your family just generally being together, and then the next day with all your friends having a whale of a time.

Also the pride I feel over my new phone because I've managed to figure out how it works all by myself! :rolleyes:

[Farael]

Roger Waters. . .

He Rocks ! ! !
I second that assignation and I assign Pink Floyd too... they can't be mad at each other if they are in The Shire!!!

Then I assign Rune and myself to watch them play.

[JennyHallu]

Getting off work early when you didn't expect it.

[Encaitare]

My friends. Occasionally they drive me mad with all the drama, but they're some of the most caring, thoughtful, and fun people in the world. :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Painting. Though if I had any canvases, I'd be having at it with them, painting furniture is a very fun alternative. Especially when I have every inclination to turn each piece into something ultra original and fun.

[Encaitare]

When after you and a friend go through a rough patch, everything's cool again and you remember why you were such great friends in the first place.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Amazing people that make life seem so much more... possible. Hearing somebody that understands me perfectly say "Love, you have options." in a tone that implies that if anybody tells me that I don't have options, she will, all 4'11" of her, get in their faces, tell them where they can stick those options that they think I can't have, and then give me some at her and their expense. :D

[Valier]

I assign.....Summer Laziness.......enough said.:p ;)

[Lhunardawen]

Relationships that are not restored to normal, but renewed.

[Lhunardawen]

This wouldn't count as double-posting, would it?

I assign meeting with your bestest best friend after a month of not seeing and barely communicating with each other, picking up where you left off, and finding out that you can still finish each other's sentences.

And, of course, the fact that having no Bio lab class at that time made it possible.

[Orominuialwen]

Very amusing webcomics (http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/GiantITP/ootscript?SK=1).

Beading. My mom and I finally got our bead collection organized (some of the beads date back to when she was in high school) and I've made a lot of wire and bead jewelry in the last few days. What fun!

Going to my first baseball game (http://www.mallardsbaseball.com/home/) of the season. It makes me feel like summer's finally started. Ditto for my first time at the pool this year.

[Lhunardawen]

Being perfectly happy with a purchase.

The things one gets to do and not to do when classes are suspended.

Rainy, windy days spent at home.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

People that like me. *looks bemused*

And piracy. Gar.

[THE Ka]

Frida Kahlo, that great lady of art has taught me so much. :)

~ Aesthete

[JennyHallu]

Frida Kahlo had issues. Her stuff can get very very disturbing. Like Hieronymus Bosch (sp? Attack me with your trout, Rimbaud, I dare you!) disturbing.

Anyway...nice friendly helpful insurance people. My car got damaged in a parking lot the other day and my insurance company just rocks. That's the one thing about auto insurance: since you buy it on your own, and can shop around, they actually have to earn your business.

[Anguirel]

Frida Kahlo had issues. Her stuff can get very very disturbing...

Anyway...nice friendly helpful insurance people.

Arrrgh! Jenny! Your priorities on comparative scariness are horribly twisted!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Friendly old men that calmly inform you what the meaning of life is while you're at work. :)

[Kath]

Word games. Who would have thought trying to get as many words as possible from the word 'chocolately' could be so fun? :D

[Farael]

The girl you are dating being back from Europe :) ;) and getting presents too!!

[Encaitare]

When it rains and you can smell the ocean. Definitely Shire-worthy; the Havens weren't too far away. :)

[THE Ka]

Like Hieronymus Bosch

Mr. Bosch was a drunk, religious zealot... But he is also the father of modern fantasy art, and we owe much to him. :p ... And yes, his works too are on my wall at home.

Miss Khalo broke open the doors of the highly gender segregated doors of modern art (in her era), gave a new meaning to being truly one's own person, and blossomed the surrealist movement. So there was issues, really, everyone has them. ...And you would too if you had 32 surgeries within your lifetime and doctors made you take morphine to help you forget the pain...

~ Aesthete

[Taralphiel]

Hopefully I'll be one of those 'nice friendly helpful insurance people' types, Jenny! :p

I assign rainy Saturday mornings. For one it waters my garden (any hopefully the state's dams). It also makes the house seem cosier. :3

It's very comforting locking yourself in the house and hiding after a long, LONG week in the bustling city.

- Tara

[The Saucepan Man]

A sunny day at Lord's, watching the cricket with good company and a couple of bottles of wine.

:smokin:

[Orominuialwen]

Summer camp (http://www.naples.avemaria.edu/Admissions/Summer_Program.asp). I'm having an absolutely wonderful time, even with the heat. Plus, the classes are really fun and the people are extremely nice. :D :D :D

[Eonwe]

A return to the barrows of my youth!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Mountains! Okay, so they might be a bit misplaced in the Shire.

But Bilbo liked them...

It doesn't occur to you just how big mountains are when you live amongst hills. Yes, I've seen mountains. Heck, I've sat in a ditch at midnight with friends after we slid off the road during a freak blizzard on a mountain in Vermont.

But it does not compare to flying above the clouds, the ground being blurrily far away, and having the cold, jagged tip of a really big mountain thrust through the layer of floating water before you. Sure, I knew that mountains are really big. And I knew that mountain ranges, by definition, contain a really lot of mountains. But I didn't quite get it until I was looking at them from above.

[Lhunardawen]

Side-clicking mechanical pencils. I luuuurv them. :)

[Kath]

Jumping from a mini trampoline into a paddling pool knowing full well that at least half your dress is going to get soaked and not caring because you know you can go lie in the sun on the big trampoline afterwards.

Ah, summer. :)

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I assign digital radio.

I don't know what it is called in english, but we call it DAB Radio.

Because of that we now have a station called DR(Denmarks Radio) litteraure and on sunday they are reading the Hobbit! I for one am going to listen to radio all sunday. . .

The timming was perfect, as I was just about to start reading the Hobbit my self.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Gigantic bookstores and spontaneous friendships and nights that last until morning. Voodoo Doughnuts (http://www.voodoodoughnut.com/) and having the nerve to read in front of a crowd of people that have been writing longer than I've been alive. Vegan pizza and Coffee People (http://www.coffeepeople.com/) and wandering cities in the middle of the night.

[Celuien]

Unexpected friendly conversations with strangers held while stopped at red lights to discuss the state of the irritating road construction that has made your exit from the highway an even greater maze of potholes and other road hazards than it was before.

Finally knowing what you're going to do with yourself when you grow up. :rolleyes: :smokin:

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Public Transportation

It is a brilliant concept.

[Valier]

I assign laughter to the Shire. Not just laughter, but the full out belly laughs that make your sides hurt.

I also assign the people or things that make you laugh like this. :)

[Oddwen]

We dug up the nest of a laying snapping turtle one year, and hatched a batch of babies in a fishtank. Then we released them all in the sinkhole next to our house.

I assign the joy of never seeing one of them again. :D

[Kath]

The ability to listen to two totally disparate things at one time. When you've just been yelled at by a parent for not concentrating on what they were saying because you were totally engrossed in the television at the time, being able to repeat what they have just said back to them word for word is such a satisfying feeling. ;)

[Lalwendë]

The ability to listen to two totally disparate things at one time. When you've just been yelled at by a parent for not concentrating on what they were saying because you were totally engrossed in the television at the time, being able to repeat what they have just said back to them word for word is such a satisfying feeling. ;)

I used to have this super power, usually in German lessons where my poor teacher would interrupt my conversation with the boys who sat behind me to ask me to repeat what he had just said, and I would be able to repeat it word for word. Sadly as you get older the ability to concentrate on even one thing at one time becomes more and more difficult. :(

I'm assigning to the Shire those books you get with lists of "the best..." because they're so absorbing. We've got one - 1001 Books to Read Before you Die - and yes, it includes LotR (I wouldn't have bought it otherwise ;)). I got one the other day called 1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die which has kept me absorbed for a good while and left me with a long list of CDs to go and get, and has also had me ranting a bit about what was and what was not included, though said books are refreshingly unpretentious.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Perching upon a half-submerged and salt-encrusted rock, clad in bikinis given the ocean setting, and lazily watching the sun set as the tide comes in around us. Beaches make me happy. Even though hobbits don't like them.

[eveseh]

all my friends that i know
from school,and where i live

[Lalwendë]

The smell of honeysuckle. For once, mine is covered in flowers and as soon as you open the garden door the lovely smell of it hits you.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

When a series of rather unfortunate events leaves me relieved and hopeful for the future instead of depressed. Am I, Eru forbid, becoming an optimist? :eek:

I assign optimism. Seriously... I could get used to looking on the bright side of things.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I assign having a father that travels alot and brings you pressents. . . I know own a football shirt with Montreal Impact. (and my sister has the Canadian National Team jersey)

[Elonve]

Cotton candy...
Ginger beer...
Beach barbeques...
Lobster...
Hot buttered corn on the cob...
Hot dogs...
Hold the sourkreut...

Beach food.
Beach picnics
Night swimming deserves a quite night!
________
LovelyWendie99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

[Oddwen]

Putting "Leave it to Beaver" on mute and supplying my own voices...

Providing realistic vomiting sounds to Tiger games...

I second cotton candy & ginger ale...

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

i thought that Ginger beer and Ginger Ale was two different things. :confused:

[Farael]

Love... need I say more? :)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Essays proposing the concept of love as being nothing more than a societal daydream induced by Disney.

That was fun to write. ;)

'Nuff said.

[Oddwen]

i thought that Ginger beer and Ginger Ale was two different things. Huh, I always thought they were the British & the American names for the same thing, respectively.

Okay then, I'll assign Vernors's Ginger Ale, the best sody pop in the world besides Joneses Green Apple Soda.

[Kath]

Our leavers Ball! It was such fun :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

the best sody pop in the world besides Joneses Green Apple Soda.
I assign Oddwen. Much though I love Dr. Pepper... Jones Green Apple is the best creation under the sun.

[Lalwendë]

i thought that Ginger beer and Ginger Ale was two different things. :confused:

No, they're pretty much the same thing. However, if you're talking about Dry Ginger Ale then that's something very different. There's no way you ever want to mix a few measures of whisky with Ginger Beer or Ale, however it goes perfectly with Dry Ginger Ale, AKA Canada Dry.
;)

[Child of the 7th Age]

Oddwen --

If you'd like, I'll help you drag several cases of Vernor's into the Shire. ;) I grew up with the stuff and it is more difficult to come by in the area that I live in.

[Oddwen]

If you'd like, I'll help you drag several cases of Vernor's into the Shire. ;) I grew up with the stuff and it is more difficult to come by in the area that I live in.
I know...only something like one in three stores have it around here...


And uh, I'll assign large moving trucks filled with ginger beer/ale and green apple soda, and ginormous refrigeration units to the Shire, too.

Ooh, and large freezers too. Those come in really handy.

STEAK. (Sorry to all you herbivores, I love my steak.)

There is nothing quite like a lightly steamed, succulent, barely translucent floret of broccoli.

Throw in salted in-shell sunflower seeds, why don'tcha. There's nothing quite like half your face being numb from excessive salt intake.

[The Saucepan Man]

There's no way you ever want to mix a few measures of whisky with Ginger Beer or Ale, however it goes perfectly with Dry Ginger Ale, AKA Canada Dry.Whereas Ginger Beer complements perfectly a few measures of Dark Rum to create what is know in the trade as a Dark 'n Stormy. Now there's a drink which belongs in the Shire. :smokin: :D

[Lalaith]

Then there is Stones Ginger Wine. I first tasted that when I was about 14: I'd got locked out in the rain on a freezing cold day, and a nice neighbour rescued me. She gave me a little glass by her kitchen fireside, to stop me shivering. It was lovely and I felt very grown-up.