"Here's chatting with you, kid."

[Bêthberry]

Is the Downs forum getting too small for you?

Are your social committments growing too large for it?

Are your PMs filling up too fast and is Facebook just too . . . faceless?

As Galadriel says, "Despair not!" (or something to that effect.)

Some of you might not know that there is a Barrow Downs chat channel on mirc, that can be reached via a Java link on the Barrow Downs front pages.

It's quite dead these days but once was quite lively. And right now three of us are brushing up the dust and remembering old times: Estelyn, Mirkgirl and me.

Anyone interested in reviving a dead tradition? :smokin:

Barrow Downs chat channel (http://www.barrowdowns.com/chat.php) :D

PS. Thanks to Esty for the thread title here. :Merisu:

[Mnemosyne]

Is the Downs forum getting too small for you?

Are your social committments growing too large for it?

Are your PMs filling up too fast and is Facebook just too . . . faceless?

As Galadriel says, "Despair not!" (or something to that effect.)

Some of you might not know that there is a Barrow Downs chat channel on mirc, that can be reached via a Java link on the Barrow Downs front pages.

It's quite dead these days but once was quite lively. And right now three of us are brushing up the dust and remembering old times: Estelyn, Mirkgirl and me.

Anyone interested in reviving a dead tradition? :smokin:

Barrow Downs chat channel (http://www.barrowdowns.com/chat.php) :D

PS. Thanks to Esty for the thread title here. :Merisu:

It would help if I could figure out how to type into this thing...

AKA I am an idiot... (problem solved)

[Durelin]

I remember popping in there a couple times a loooong time ago.

I just set up trillian for IRC again but wow does the server seem to be laggy!

[Bêthberry]

My bad--I've had no time this week to pop into chat, not even a random opportunity.

I wonder how people would feel about planning a chat session? We could set a specific time that would be convenient to a majority of people and see how many of us can make it.

When would Downers be free? Weekends or workdays? It seems to me that a combination of North America afternoons and European evenings might be best, possibly 2 pm EDT (ie, Chicago/Toronto time), which would make it 7 pm GMT (how do you express daylight time?) for you UK types and 11 am for Downers on the west coast of North America. I'm not sure where that puts Downers in other time zones, but the more the merrier.

The fun about the chat room is that everyone can chat together; it isn't one on one, like Facebook or MSN.

Does this sound doable?

Want to try it for this Sunday, October 25th ? Any other suggestions?

[Mister Underhill]

"I'm shocked -- schocked! -- to learn that chatting is going on in here!"

Sorry I missed out on the reunion. We had some good ol' times in Barrow Chat back in the day. If another round gets scheduled, I'll definitely try to poke my head in and catch up.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

"I'm shocked -- schocked! -- to learn that chatting is going on in here!"

"Your IRC, sir."

[Mister Underhill]

"Oh, thank you very much!"

:smokin:

[Bêthberry]

Hi all you skwerl-weary chatterers. Er, I mean well-behaved Downers. :D

Just a note that while Europe went back to standard time last night, North America is still on daylight saving.

Estelyn Telcontar and I are hoping to connect in the Barrow Downs chat room today at 2 pm EDT. I am, in fact, there now.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

I am, in fact, there now.

As am I!

[Eönwë]

As am I!

And I!

[Folwren]

I remember popping on there before I was a member here on the Forum. I was booted off for quoting the entirety of the Gil-Galad song once. Someone goaded me into it. :rolleyes: Maybe I'll stop by to chat sometime during the week.

-- Foley

[Hakon]

If anyone wants a good story about getting booted out of a chatroom I have tons. I also have some good banned from forum stories but that does not relate to this thread.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I remember convincing people to log on as 'Hobbitchick' so that when people said hello, they'd get booted...

Ah, being a teenager...

[Snowdog]

Its been AGES since I've been on iIRC anywhere! Can't remember if I ever logged into the Barrow Downs chat. I think I gave up when I would go on different chats and see a few folk logged in but nobody was chatting, or if there were a couple people chatting they didn't bother to acknowledge anyone else who came in and anything said was ignored.

I hope your efforts to revive the old-school here pays off Bêthberry! :cool:

[Bêthberry]

Right now there's four Barrow Downers chatting on the old mirc Barrow Downs channel.

Like, this must be a record. :smokin:

[Folwren]

I remember convincing people to log on as 'Hobbitchick' so that when people said hello, they'd get booted...

Ah, being a teenager...

Am I being oblivious, naive, or otherwise stupid when I ask, why would that get them booted?

[Lush]

I think I'd like to start making more of my anti-intellectual, frenzied cameo appearances in chat. :D

[Mithalwen]

The only time I logged on I swear people were listing vegetables. I never bothered again....

[Oddwen]

The only time I logged on I swear people were listing vegetables. I never bothered again....

Well, how do you know you didn't miss out on some kind of Hobbity roleplay? ;)

[Lush]

The only time I logged on I swear people were listing vegetables. I never bothered again....

Dude, log on when I'm around. We can list hot guys instead. Or. Er. I mean, have an intellectual literary discussion.

[Mithalwen]

That sounds like a plan... not aubergine but Armitage... sorry yes..intellectual discussion...:cool:

[Eönwë]

We should organise a new time when everyone will be online.

[Bêthberry]

We should organise a new time when everyone will be online.

Lately those of us who have chatted have been on 1 pm EST, which is 6 pm GMT. We've also just randomly popped in. There was quite a crowd last night at about 5 pm EST.

Not that I will be in today at 1 pm. I'm out shopping in the hopes that the Grey Cup game will empty the stores enough to make shopping pleasant.

Have fun listing hot topics. No skwerls in chat, although the bot objects to "language". ;)

[skip spence]

No skwerls in chat, although the bot objects to "language". ;)
Well there are many handy euphemisms so that shouldn't be a problem. Speaking of "language", here's an old clip I stumbled across, which is extremely funny and very educational: the late, great Frank Zappa appearing on Crossfire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ISil7IHzxc)

Chatting is seriously old school though, it's been many years since I last sat foot on one of those pages. Once I did try to log in on the BD-chat to have a look but couldn't somehow. It would be fun to have some less restricted conversations with people from around here though and I might give it a go again if there's anything going on in there.

[Bêthberry]

Well there are many handy euphemisms so that shouldn't be a problem. Speaking of "language", here's an old clip I stumbled across, which is extremely funny and very educational: the late, great Frank Zappa appearing on Crossfire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ISil7IHzxc) Chatting is seriously old school though, it's been many years since I last sat foot on one of those pages. Once I did try to log in on the BD-chat to have a look but couldn't somehow. It would be fun to have some less restricted conversations with people from around here though and I might give it a go again if there's anything going on in there.

Zappa--now there's someone who is seriously serious old school. ;) Almost unbelievable that that argument was going on in 1986. It is possible to call Tolkien seriously old school, so we're probably in good company. ;)

It would be great fun and really interesting to see some of the newer Downers in chat. It's not like the chat room is an old folks' home. ;)

[skip spence]

Almost unbelievable that that argument was going on in 1986.
Didn't that particular debate result in the explicit lyrics labels? Strange concept that, I can't think of any better way promoting explicit lyrics. Uhm... what would Tolkien think of that one wonders...;)

[The Might]

I would definitely like chatting there as well... just hope I'll notice in time when a reunion is planned in there... best if someone could PM me about this stuff, barely have time for anything these days. :(

[Kate]

The problem is that the Downs is getting too small? I remember when there were only about 20 members. That was back in the First Age, before the coming of Orlando and Elijah at the turn of the tide. Many an old crone might spin a tale of days when there was great longing for the forum to return to its humble beginnings. :)

I haven't visited in years, literally, but have some fond memories of hour upon wasted hour spent in this forum and in chat. Good times.

[Inziladun]

The problem is that the Downs is getting too small? I remember when there were only about 20 members. That was back in the First Age, before the coming of Orlando and Elijah at the turn of the tide. Many an old crone might spin a tale of days when there was great longing for the forum to return to its humble beginnings. :)

I haven't visited in years, literally, but have some fond memories of hour upon wasted hour spent in this forum and in chat. Good times.

Kate? Were you once known here by another name?

[Kate]

On the forum, yes. I was onewhitetree, but I can't recall the password or email attached to that account, sadly.

[Inziladun]

I thought that was you! Nice to see you back! :)

[Kate]

Thanks! I'm surprised, and pleased, that you remember me. It's been a long time, and I'm older, smarter in some ways, dumber in others, married, moved across the country, and in grad school now. How are you?

[Inziladun]

Thanks! I'm surprised, and pleased, that you remember me. It's been a long time, and I'm older, smarter in some ways, dumber in others, married, moved across the country, and in grad school now. How are you?

I'm well thanks. A bit older, as well. It's always good to see a face from the Elder (EZ Board) Days! :)

[Kate]

Perhaps the community here is coming full circle, as the novelty of the movie craze has (surely) dulled a bit by now. I just finished re-reading The Hobbit, LotR, and The Silmarillion, and it really took me back to some very stimulating discussions had in these parts. Totally irrelevant, but stimulating.

I wonder, has it ever really been settled whether or not balrogs have wings?

[Thinlómien]

I wonder, has it ever really been settled whether or not balrogs have wings?I think we settled on no. :Merisu:

Anyway, welcome back, oneKatetree. :D I have seen your old nick across the forums here and there, but I can't recall ever talking to you or anything... :)

[Mister Underhill]

I was onewhitetree...The days are fated to be filled with marvels. Here before my eyes stands another of the folk of legend, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell.

Nice to see you, Kate! I've gone quite treeish myself, though I'm occasionally to be found zapping spammers or doing some sort of technical tweak in the shadows. Changes, changes -- I've had a few of those myself, not least of which is the addition of a Tookish little hobbit scampering about the hole.

wb!

...as we used to say in chat. :)

Oh, and by the way, I can of course recover onewhitetree for you if you'd like; you have only to say the word.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I think we settled on no

Actually, I think we settled on, "After they drink Red Bull."

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

I think we settled on no.

Heck, no! Redundant wings! For terrifying show only! ;)

[Kate]

Why hello, Mr. Underhill! I always did think you had the most clever handle. I am delighted to hear that you are doing well, and offer my sincere congratulations on your bourgeoning family. I would be much obliged if I could regain my old moniker, if only to give myself whatever questionable credibility may be associated with it. But how will you know it's really me? ;)

Thank you for the welcome, Thinlomien. I do believe your join date is somewhat after my visits tapered off, but I trust by the last couple of posts in this thread, my reputation for having the best ratio of pots stirred to posts made wasn't for naught.

[Bêthberry]

On the forum, yes. I was onewhitetree, but I can't recall the password or email attached to that account, sadly.

The Rimwife returns!

Welcome back, onewhitetree. Did you ever get to London?

Yes, some of us have grown quite entish memories.

[Kate]

No, as a matter of fact, about a year after I graduated with my BFA, I fell head over heels for a Greek much older than myself, was married within six months of that, moved to St. Louis (most decidedly NOT in my prior plans), and am currently swimming along enjoying the unplanned gloriousness of life.

To make this somewhat less off-topic, I stuck my head in the chat room today and saw Sharku. Does he ever say anything these days?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Kate!!! *big re-welcoming grin* How nice to see you here again! I do hope we look into the chat room simultaneously some time - I am a rare guest there these days.

Let me present you with seven stars and seven stones (or Chrismas tree bulbs, as a suitable substitute - you wouldn't have wanted those dangerous palantíri anyway) to decorate your one white tree for the holiday season! ******* OOOOOOO

[Kate]

Hullo Esty! I remember you very fondly! Thank you for the welcome back. I have been reading some of the recent posts in Books and a couple of the RPGs, and feel woefully inadequate to contribute. Clearly, I need to brush up! I find the slow pace of the boards comforting, and I would not wish for a much more bustling crowd. It's the quality that counts, and the downs, as always, is at no shortage of that.

[Mister Underhill]

Kate, congratulations backatcha on your nuptials. I seem to recall chatting color theory with you once upon a time, which makes this foggy brain of mine think you were an art student... Is that so? Still following that up in grad school?

But how will you know it's really me? ;)As the great Sean Connery once said, "Who would claim to be that, who was not?" ;)

Still, if you like, you can throw me a proper interrobang and we'll call it good.

I've sent you a new password for onewhitetree via PM.

[onewhitetree]

Your foggy memory serves you well - my degree is in Art History, one of the most interesting and useless fields yet discovered by man. My grad studies incorporate further studio work with education fundamentals, so maybe one day I will be able to completely entrench myself in uselessness as a tenured art professor. ;)

[Lush]

Welcome, welcome back, beautiful!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Several of us are in the chat room right now and we have a bit of advice for those who look in: please allow some time for those who are logged in to notice that you're there. We/they may be multi-tasking or away from the keyboard for a little and will be happy to chat with you as soon as your presence is known.

[Eönwë]

Well that wasn't good.

(What an bad time for my internet to die for no reason!)

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Poor Steve. It's okay: we were all actually gone within about 20 minutes, so you didn't miss much.

[goldwine]

Ah for the old days! Where have you all been?!

[Bêthberry]

*starts humming "Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end . . ." ;)

Maybe what we could do is advertise a time in advance, after the Christmas rush.

Maybe even some sort of New Year's Levee chat? (Here in Canada, a levee is a New Year's social event (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev%C3%A9e_(event)). Maybe we could even nudge the Barrow Wight into making an appearance! Or Mister Underhill. Maybe we could even get Sharkey to put in a word or two! That would be in keeping with Canadian traditions. :D

Anyhow, twas fun even though brief. The days are getting longer now though, so . . .

[goldwine]

I think I would faint if Sharkey spoke! Which would keep me quiet.. some people would pay good money for that ;)

[Mister Underhill]

When I saw Esty's post this afternoon I actually took a stab at signing in using the Chatzilla plugin for Firefox, but it wouldn't let me connect to sorcery.net. I tried a few different tweaks, but I wasn't having any luck and I don't have the time to solve technical difficulties like I used to. Sounds like I would have been way late in any case. If something gets scheduled (and I can manage to attend), I'll put more effort into getting connected!

[goldwine]

www.mibbit.com is an excellent web based client for anyone interested

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I think I would faint if Sharkey spoke! Which would keep me quiet.. some people would pay good money for that ;)

I believe he once told me to be quiet. ;)

[Bêthberry]

So, what time/times would people be free to come for a chat?

How does Friday, January 1st sound, 1 pm EST (6pm GMT)? Late enough for all those hungover to get over it? That will allow some of the eastern Europeans time to chat as well as the West Coast New Worlders.

Any other suggestions? Would the weekend be better than New Year's Day? I'm assuming that the Bostonmooters will have other things in store for New Year's Eve. :D

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I'm assuming that the Bostonmooters will have other things in store for New Year's Eve. :D

Oh yes. That they will. With cocktail dresses, too!

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Lordy, I don't know that I've ever owned a cocktail dress. Ballgowns of many periods, yes, but an ordinary modern cocktail dress, no. :)

It's been ages since I was in a chatroom, but the thought is intriguing, since I'm feeling a little cooped up at the moment. I'd be interested, since I'm not into watching New Year's Day football, and the mahjong tourney isn't until Saturday.

[Durelin]

I'll be busy with family on the 1st (missing Bostonmoot on account of family+school+money, as well). I should really just start popping in every so often, though, eh? IRC through Trillian has been giving me issues, so I might try something else.

[Bêthberry]

I think some folks might be planning to look in on Saturday and Sunday as well, at around that time. It's not a good time for our Downers Down Under and in the Far East, so if anyone can suggest a compromise time that still balances West Coast and East Europe, that would be great. :smokin:

And of course, there's always the good old random visit.:D

[The Might]

If you happen to read this and are interested, how about a common toast at 9PM GMT in the chat channel?

[Bêthberry]

That's an interesting idea, Mighty one, although it modifies the usual procedure. (Still, nothing to stop others from also toasting at 9 pm their local time.) What do others think?

9 pm GMT = 3 pm EST = 10 pm German time = 11pm Lush's time. :D (I think)

[Bêthberry]

. . . burra's back in town. . . .

[goldwine]

A few of us are still around on IRC.. including the elusive and rare species of Burrahobbit!

[Blind Guardian]

You guys have an IRC channel too? :P

[Bêthberry]

You guys have an IRC channel too? :P

The Barrow Downs haz it all. :smokin:

[Morthoron]

The Barrow Downs haz it all. :smokin:

Like Finland. Except the part of being a 'poor second to Belgium when going abroad'.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Nostalgically it seemed like an excellent idea to procrastinate by logging into the chat room. Behold my wonder when nothing I tried worked to get me there.

Does the chat room... still exist?

[Durelin]

I've just popped in it via XChat. So, it's still a registered channel and the server is still up. Maybe the server was just down for a little while.

[Mithalwen]

Like Finland. Except the part of being a 'poor second to Belgium when going abroad'.

Does it have a maudlin quality rendering it unsuitable as a holiday destination?