Are you alone too? Then, you belong here...

[Nianna Telmnar]

I was reading over the LOTR Christmas list and realized I was not the only one who was the lone Tolken fan in a household. So I decided us loners should ban together.

This thread is a kind of support group for all those LOTR fans who are the only ones living in their house. Come here to complain, lament, and talk with others in your situation.

~You are not alone!

[Nianna Telmnar]

I'll start. *stands up*

Hello, my name is Nianna and I am the only Tolken fan in my house. Every time I start talking about it my father gets this blank expression on his face. Kinda like the one I get when he tries to explain football to me.

[Marsyas]

I'm not the only fan in my house, but I'm the only 'hard-core' fan. everyone likes the movies but it doesn't go farther than that for them. My best friend is the only other LotR fan I know personally so this is nice.

*~Marsyas~*

[Nianna Telmnar]

Welcome to the BD Marsyas! You should find many "hard-core" fans here. Myself included.

Oh, nice signature btw.

[DaughterofVana]

Nianna.... was I the one that inspired thee?? If so, Woo-hoo! (does a happy-dance)

Hello, my name is 'Vana, and I am the only Tolkien fan in my house. My parents, as I said on the Christmas post, believe that this is just a passing phase, so they become worried and critical when I speak about long-term Tolkien plans, like a tengwar tattoo or a LOTR baby-name. "What are you looking at online?" asks my mother. When I tell her I'm posting at BD (again) or reading the other posts, at one of the language sites trying to learn elvish, or brushing up on my tengwar (I'm actually getting pretty good)... she grows strangely silent. She makes me ashamed for my fandom! It's not like I'm going to leagally change my name, for goodness-sake! At least I HAVE a hobby. Whenever my dad makes a wise-crack about me buying ANOTHER Tolkien-related book, I always say "hey, dad, I could be spending it on drugs."

Thanks for the thread! Great idea!

-'Vana

[Nianna Telmnar]

Yes, Vana. You were my inspiration. Don't let the parental units get you down. You're right. You could be spending your time doing drugs, alcohol, etc. but your not. They're probably just upset b/c it's not a "normal" obsession. Ya know, like football, or teenage pop singers. (no offense to anyone here who happens to like either. just illustrating my point.)

~ keep 'em coming y'all!

[the mortal elf]

I didn't used to be, but now I am. My dad used to be hardcore, but now he gets Saruman and Sauron confused and when we were watching FotR, he asked where Smaug was... smilies/rolleyes.gif My mom's read the books, so she actually knows what I'm talking about when I blab on and on, but she usually tells me to shut up. She also refuses to support anything having to do with LoTR merchandise, so I have to save my pennies smilies/smile.gif

[Manwe Sulimo]

Each of my family members have attempted to read the books, but never got farther than Book III. Alas, I am alone, although my parents encourage my "obsession", and my best friend is a fan (although not obsessed). I also got you guys, so I'm fine...until I become a professor in Tolkienology! Woo-hoo!

[arelendil]

WOW! DaughterofVana that's exactly what i say to my parents! they say to be is that a threat, and then they tell me to shut up, go to my room and find a normal life!

My parents aren't very supportive! They seem to think i came from under the stairs or something and tend to ignore me and call me a freak! i don't suppose your parents are that negative are they? when your rich and famous your meant to say "well
my parents were really supportive so long as i was happy!" i don't think that will work for me i'll have to find something else or never be famous!

that's it us people who don't have supportive parents don't get to be famous!

[Meela]

hi, and thankyou for the great thread smilies/biggrin.gif

im totally alone in my addiction in my house
my mum is the only one who saw the movies, and then she's just "oh, thats nice..." and not an actual fan. she knows my room is a tolkien shrine, and she still seems incapable of thinking that i would like anything tolkien related, basically for xmas or a birthday, unless i drag her to the shops and shove the item im gagging for in her face!
i have about two friends who like (more love) the movies, but are more inclined to buy orlando bloom posters than Unfinished Tales, and dont really share my all-out obsession

i was about to apologise for boring you all with my complaining and moping... then i remembered that the topic was for that smilies/biggrin.gif... so i won't

[Nianna Telmnar]

Arelendil, don't let them get you down. I believe everyone has people they belong with. Just that some aren't born into them and have to find them later in life. Among friends. (my attempt at deep thought here)

Yay! I'm so glad that you all like my thread.

[ December 26, 2002: Message edited by: Nianna Telmnar ]

[arelendil]

Ahh that's so nice Nianna Telmnar! My mum can be really negative and doesn't understand at all. Her phrase for christmas is 'Stop being a freak and grow up! don't you care what people thing?' to which i normal say no very loudly, swear at her in elvish and then come and wander around here!

it's good to know that your not alone in this world even if you can't see them. My biggest strength has to be the BDs and of course Gothrothlammiel, she's the best, i don't know what i'd do without them! yes i do i'd be normal but a hollow shell. something that moves where it's told but can't think or feel beyond that! at least that's how i feel half the time!

[Meela]

*hugs the Barrow Downs

[Taure Leafsilver]

I'm one of the five LOTR fans in Jasper ,AL that's right 5 known fans in the city.

[Kirsanne_Tolebrass]

I live with me mum and little brother and neither one understands LOTR! I try to get them to read the books, or even see the movies, but they won't! AAAHHH!!!

[Luineglin]

GET THIS!!!!! my family loves fantasy but doesnt like LOTR!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nianna Telmnar]

That's like saying "I love the theatre, but I hate Shakesphere." smilies/rolleyes.gif
But everyone's entitled to their opinion, I suppose.

[HammerTime]

Thank god there are others like me out there... Both my parents have tried LotR, and they both dislike it. I'm all alone...

Except for all you people I don't know of course, ahem.

[Adastrea]

My dad was a hardcore fan when he was younger, but he hasn't read the books for years, he gets the film, but doesn't support my fandom. My mom can't stand Sci-fi or Fantasy, thinks their abnormal! Keeps going on about how dark they are, and "You mustn't live in a fantasy land" come on I know whats real and what isn't! Oh well at least my friend is more obsessed than me! If thats Possible!

[Thengise Greenleaf of Mirkwood]

I'm not completely alone in my house, though I am the only hard-core fan. My dad only read FOTR, but he saw the cartoon hobbit movie and the Lord of the Rings movie. He also saw FOTR in theater with me. He was the one who got me into it, because he loves it. Though I ended up surpassing him(by far!) and he hasn't had the time to read TTT. And he doesn't want to go see the movie until he reads it, which I think is good.

So he sometimes encourages my reading expansion of J.R.R. Tolkien, but sometimes he does think I go a bit to far. He even takes pride in himself for the fact that he was the one who got me into it. My mom liked the movie, but most of the times she just rolls her eyes at me when I start going on and on. The good thing though is that they do buy me Tolkien related stuff!

I also have plenty of friends who adore Middle-Earth and the stories within it. I have about 4-5 hard core friends and like 4 fan friends. But I also have all of you here and I'm very thankful for that.

I know I'm not alone in this and therefore should not be posting here, but I want to encourage you all to never lose interest in what you love just because someone for example called you a freak or you're the only one you know who likes it. I think it's great that despite what everyone else thinks of your obsessions, you just keep on doing what you love to do. And that's wonderful, because nobody should try to change who you are. Because you are all truly great people.

Sorry for rambling on, but I just thought that all of you should be congratulated.

[Nianna Telmnar]

Well said Thengise of Mirkwood! That is why I started this thread to show them they really aren't alone after all. smilies/smile.gif

[Inwe]

Hello. I'm not TOTALLY alone, my mother likes LOTR and is a big fan, but it confuses the poor lady to death. My little sister likes the movies (becuase of someone who has fake blonde hair on, and has the initials O.B.....hint,hint), but I'm the only one in my home who knows anything besides the fact that frodo is a hobbit.
My parents try to get me to be "Normal" and to stop living in a "fantasy world" and focus on having a "Life", but I don't see the problem. Just because I'm a bit...um...strange.....Well, let's just say I have one or two really good friends who know that Harry Potter is not the Lord of the Rings. My cousin Jill actually asked that once!!! These girls who work with my mom named Keri and Jamie and I were talking about going to TTT and how the new harry potter could've been better and Jill comes walking up and says "But isn't Harry Potter the Lord of the Rings?". Sad smilies/frown.gif but true.
Well, I should stop boring you guys to death, huh?

Sorry about that, I get a bit mental sometimes. A piece of advice : NEVER EVER get me going on something that I can talk about, you'll NEVER EVER hear the end of it. smilies/evil.gif smilies/wink.gif

[Schmendrick]

Well, I'm totally alone, too. I don't care if my family is into LOTR or not (they have all seen the films and my sister has also read the book), but what bothers me more is that I have no LOTR-addicted friends!!!
I have only one friend with whom I can talk about LOTR and she's living abroad right now!
I guess that's why I spend so much time here at Barrow-Downs smilies/wink.gif...

[Helkahothion]

*stands up*
Hi I'm Helkahothion and I'm all alone exept for my stupid braindead sister.

She went to see the movie and laughed when Theodon cried when they burried his son. She call's Legolas Blondie and thinks that every movie one of the Fellowship had to die. She also thinks that Gimli lives in Moria and that Gandalf pull's bunny's out of his hat.

Can you imagine my pain? I just hate her and even more because she saw TTT before me. (She ordered in some fancy theatre that I could not afford, d*mn her.)

But my parents are a little opposite. When I ws watching fotr my father only saw the Amon Hen part and automaticly proclaimed it stupid. My mother wants to see the movie sometimes, but because of the time she never has time for it so I am doomed to be alone for shure. Altough I have a friend at school that is now half way TTT and he asks me a lot about lotr so I just get my kicks out of that. (let's ofcaurse not forget BDs)

I would deffinetly like to thank you for finnaly letting out my troubles with my halfwitted famaly.

*hug's the tread and everyone in it*

Greetings,

Anuion
________
HINDUISM DICUSSION (http://www.religionboard.org/hinduism/)

[Cherie Centaur]

Jeesh, I guess I don't belong here because my whole family's LOTR fans. Though I believe I'm the only one obsessed. Even my 8 year old brother likes it though he hasn't seen the liveaction movies or read the Hobbit (he's too young to read LOTR, being only in third grade). But I must say this is a good thread. *stands up from table and solemly leaves in search for adventure in Mirkwood*

[Anmarwen]

Yes, i think i reallly belong to that place!!
I'm obsessed and all in my family call me crazy....
Ok, my name is Lote and i'm very happy that
the 2nd movie of Lotr is in the cinemas!!
What do you all think of it??
(sorry for my strange, bad english..I'm from Switzerland smilies/wink.gif)

Namarie
Lote

[Cherie Centaur]

Anmarwen, don't be sorry. Your English is fine.

[Faye Took]

I'm also the only Tolkien fan in my household. My brother makes fun of me and calls me a geek (he's 21) because I went dressed up as a hobbit to school and to the first showing of TT. But it didn't bother me really. It's sad because my mom thinks she knows everything and she goes and explains my website (see sig.) to my aunt. I just sit there waiting for her to screw up (which she did throughtout the whole conversation). It was sad...really sad.

[Nianna Telmnar]

Your mother sounds a lot like my father. Always right and too proud to admit when theyre right. I just have to be careful I don't pull the same thing some times. (we're more alike then i care to admit) Our parents and their generation are pretty set in their ways. If they're not Tolken fans by now, it's pretty much a lost cause. Just try to respect each other's opinions I guess. (or do what I did and go AWAY to college)
LOL to all of you!

[dragoneyes]

My family's all read it and watched it (well, not TTT, we're seeing it next week though) compared to some of you it isn't that bad, but whenever dad sees me here, he reads a bit and kind of looks worried, so I scroll away so he can't read any more smilies/biggrin.gif. Then when I'm reading the book, he knows I've already read it once so he keeps saying that we need to get me something else to read, like re-reading Lotr is a bad thing smilies/eek.gif

[Eruwen]

Well, sadly seeing how much of an obsessed fan I am, I am the only LOTR fanatic I know of. I have one friend who likes it. But he hasn't even finished the LOTR books yet. And he started them a year ago. But still, my family makes fun of me and thinks I'm stupid for being so obsessed. But I don't care. Why should I? If I am happy loving Tolkien's Middle Earth, why should I change just because I get criticized for it. I shouldn't. And I am proud of my obsession.

[Ar-Gilien]

Well, I am not quite alone in my fan-dom of Tolkien and LoTR, but rather alone in the understanding of his works, thereof.

For instance, my mom, case in point, saw the first movie, came out of the theater, with the 'I just don't get it!' look on her face, when I asked her if she read the books at all, she shook her head, said no. Well, it does help if you do read the books, maybe then, things will make more sense.

But here I am...semi-loner fan of JRR Tolkien, where do I sign up?

[ December 28, 2002: Message edited by: Ar-Gilien ]

[Thengise Greenleaf of Mirkwood]

You should be proud Eruwen! Just as I'm proud of all of you here. As long as you're happy nothing else should matter.

Oh and Ar-Gilien here's the sign up book.

*hands Ar-Gilien the sign up book*

smilies/wink.gif

[Ar-Gilien]

Why, thank you, m'lord Thengise! *bows and signs her name in flowing elvish script!* smilies/wink.gif

Seriously though, it's rather hard to explain the movie to someone who hasn't ever even opened the cover of a Tolkien book. They ask the questions, but all I can answer is: "Read the book and find out for yourself." Which doesn't seem to do any good. I think if you want to learn about Middle Earth, the best way is through personal reading experience, not having someone explain it to you second-hand. smilies/smile.gif

[Nianna Telmnar]

*smiles*
It's human nature to want the easy answer. Why go through the trouble of reading a book when you can just pump somebody for information? I know it's hard to grasp, I certainly don't understand, but some people place reading for pleasure alongside hard labor.

*picks up book. reads all the new signatures, and smiles approvingly*

Quite a few new names since I last checked on the thread. I hope everyone found what they were looking for.

[ December 28, 2002: Message edited by: Nianna Telmnar ]

[Ithaeliel]

Here's my family's status when it comes to being a Ringie:

Mom- Read the books 20 years ago, now that she's getting it back from the movies she likes it okay.

Dad- Could care less, but could care more.

Younger brother- Lord of the Rings? What the heck is THAT?

I am also a lone fan in my household. However, I have two friends who are big fans. One of them is Brinniel, she goes here, you might know her smilies/smile.gif. The other is currently writing the FUNNIEST PARODY IN THE WORLD of FotR, and I'm encouraging her to join the forum.

[Helkahothion]

Well if you are trying to convince her you have my blessing.

Go with the light and bring her here. But haste yourself, for the corrupted world and the teeth's of time are already nibbling at the fine spirit's of Tolkien fans. Hurry!

Sorry was getting a little poetic there.

*Signs the guestbook and shut's the h*ll up*

Greetings,

Anuion

[ December 29, 2002: Message edited by: Helkahothion ]
________
ANGELINA JOLIE (http://www.angelinajoliepics.com/)

[Iargwath]

Nianna Telmnar, your replies are wise and well thought of. Just had to say that, couldnt help myself. Well im also a lone LotR fan in my household. I am seen as a 16 year old with a great love for Tolien's works. Although my parents dont approve with me asking for Tolkien related books and merchandise, they understand that i like everything Middle earth. They dont put me down for liking Tolkien, but they put me down if im sitting reading Tolkien instead of doing a school paper.
My mother and father are very understanding, and they take my love for Tolkien as an advantage. How? you may ask. Its simple really. Its not really hard for them to think of a birthday or christmas gift for me smilies/smile.gif Also my father happened to really like FotR after watching the dvd with me. But my mother doesnt really bother...

[Nianna Telmnar]

*blushes* I'm honored that you think so Iargwath.
Your lucky. It's sounds to me like your parents are pretty understanding about your passion for Tolken. (of course they're going to come down on you for reading when your supposed to be doing work. that's their job. they wouldn't be good parents if they didn't) smilies/wink.gif

[Anmarwen]

Thank's Cherie Centaur!!
My english teacher doesn't think that
when we have to write a redaction
(Elven and elven!!Thats not true blablabla..)

My brother says i'm obsessed Freak, i and a friend, we made Hobbit ears and we went to the cinema with them...We didn't have to pay,
the woman at the entrance found it soooo nice(Oh, oh funny oh my god...)

Namarie

[Thengise Greenleaf of Mirkwood]

Yes Nianna Telmnar I congratulate you as well! Your posts are most sincere and you seem to really care.

Yeah, and another reason my father understands me is because he loves it that instead of watching T.V sometimes I just sit and read. Though sometimes I read for an overwhelmingly long time and that's when he gets mad because he thinks I'm being lazy.

All of you people are great in my eyes. You have so much passion and love for the books. It's great that you don't change for other people, because it truly is their loss. You must be strong and hold up, because in the end all of this great literature and creativity will help us all for the better.

Oh and Ar-Gilien I'd just like to let you know that I'm a female. Therefore a lady not a lord, but it's a simple mistake. And no problem about the guest book. smilies/wink.gif

[Maylin]

No one at my house understands it at all. My younger bros read it, but they don't have the greatest reading comprehension ever. My dad tried the first book, but he didn't get through the first chapter, thinking it was a kids book. the sad part about that is that I read the same books he does, and I certainly don't think it's a "kids" book. (I'm 12, though I don't really consider myself a kid) I don't have any friends who are really LotR fans either.

[Ainahithiel of Mirkwood]

hello. My mother and father know nothing about Lord of the Rings, but they have seen the movies. SO, now my mother keeps asking these stupid questions like "So frodo dies?" and "Sauron is going to rule Middle Earth" and my father is a gastrointeroligist and he's always making stupid jokes like "yep, the elves die when they go to the Grey Havens"

NO! it is a cursed house hold that I live in.... smilies/frown.gif smilies/frown.gif

[Nianna Telmnar]

Maylin, I want to congratulate you for reading LOTR at your age! You are right. It is certinly not a "childrens" book. Most of your peers no doubt find it either too difficult or too boring to spend time on.
Have faith and keep reading. In a few years, they may change their minds. Untill then, there's always the Barrow Downs!

~May your stay here be long and peaceful.

[Thengise Greenleaf of Mirkwood]

Yep Maylin good job! I'm 13, but am going to be 14 in less than 2 weeks. I also read the LOTR series at the age of 12, though I had known about it since I was 7 or so, because we had the scary little cartoon movies. LoL! Keep it up everyone!

[gollum*elf*pup]

I forced my sister to read the books so I would have someone to talk to...but she's not exactly the brightest knife in the drawer smilies/wink.gif And my parents are always asking me the stupidest questions. Oh no, now my cousin is doing it too! smilies/biggrin.gif

[Iargwath]

Thats funny gollum elf pup smilies/smile.gif And this is a great topic i must say...i enjoy reading peoples posts...some of them are indeed inspiring...Nianna Telmnar's as i pointed out are indeed worth the read.

[nuguernachil]

my parents, sister, and brother think they're cool and knowledgeable because they've seen the first movie. They keep asking me little sideways questions about TTT to see if i'll spill anything they might like to know before they see it. fools.
for me, it's more like they're intruding on something that's always been mine(LOTR). since the movies came out everyone who's seen it suddenly think that they're experts on tolkien. there's no privacy in my house anyway; it was nice to be the only one who knew how to speak elvish. smilies/frown.gif

[elsye]

I don't have many friends who like LOTR. However, I do have a friend in middle school who is also obsessed. We ramble on for hours about it, and people try to get into the conversation with phrases such as "aren't those elf names funny?" when we're in the middle of discussing the Sindarin language. My family totally supports me, though smilies/smile.gif

[Nianna Telmnar]

I understand where your coming from nuguernachil. You feel as if these "newbie fans" are intruding on your "territory" of LOTR as it were. Something which you feel very passionate about they treat with the casual indifference of passing tourists.

But I do not believe that you should judge them too harshly. Since the release of FOTR a year ago, intrest in Tolken has been sparked in many who might never have glanced in its direction before. I admit it was seeing FOTR that made me want to read the book.

If your family seems to show genuine interest in LOTR, you might present the idea of reading the book (or books). Give them hints of what they could expect in TTT and how much more to expect in the book. If they decide to read the book, wonderful. If they dismiss the idea of reading and only want to watch the movies, let them. At the very least, you can go to the movies together and watch how they react to the end of TTT. (it will most likely drive them crazy)

Understand, that I am not trying tell you what you should or shouldn't do. Merely offing my advice as best as I can give it. Make of it what you will, and remember you will always find refuge here at BD, if you need it.

~May your stay here be long and peaceful. (and don't forget to sign the guestbook!
smilies/wink.gif)

[Finiel]

Nianna has a point. Old time fans shouldn't discriminate newbies. Like any other newbie, I wouldn't even know that there is such a thing as LOTR and a person named Tolkien if I didn't watched FOTR last yr. A year ago I thought LOTR is the same as Harry Potter (like another witches and wizards movie) and I never attempted to watch it until I saw Cate Blanchett in the trailer. Oh dear...I was ignorant (concerning Middle-Earth culture) a yr ago, Cate Blanchett saved my life. heehee smilies/biggrin.gif .

As for being the only hardcore-obsessed fan in our house, well some of you are lucky to have parents who at least ask questions about LOTR. My parents just kindda mock me and thinks that I'm weird reading Tolkien books, my dad snorts and tells me to shut up when I recite one of Tolkien's poems whenever I feel poetic. My brothers think that LOTR is boring but they at least ask questions. The bad thing is that my other brother thinks that the TTT was just a hindrance to the story. He just couldn't grasp that it connects FOTR and ROTK.

Well my parents might mock me but I'm happy enough that they bought me those books. But they're still quite annoying.
smilies/frown.gif smilies/wink.gif smilies/rolleyes.gif

sorry if my whining and complaining was pretty long. smilies/wink.gif
I just couldn't help it.

[ January 02, 2003: Message edited by: Finiel ]

[Jedana]

/waves
Hiyas! I'm not the biggest Tolkien fan in my house; that would be my husband. But now we've hooked our 9 year old daughter; she is on the Return of the King book; and she actually cried in the theater when she thought Aragorn died.

[Nianna Telmnar]

Welcome to the Barrow Downs. It's great that your entire family can enjoy LOTR together. Plus I'm thrilled you got her to read ANYTHING. Even if it's being read to her. My kid sisters spend all their time staring at a screen.
And hey, I almost got teary when Aragorn fell in the movie and I knew he didn't die already.

[Jedana]

Thanks Nianna! The little one is a big reader...she's on the 4th HP novel and loves anything scary. LoTR is one of the family favorites!

[Artalwen]

I also am alone in my love for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and such...none of my family likes it...I think they're crazy. smilies/smile.gif

[Nevvasaiel]

I'm a 'newbie' too, but I have to admit that the movie was what got me interested in the first place. Around where I come from, LoTR was considered a 'guy's' thing, and girls weren't even supposed to be interested in fantasy novels!

My parents (and most of my friends), seem to find it very strange that i've become quite devoted - i've read most of Tolkien's books and I'm learning Elvish. My parents fell asleep after 5 mins of LoTR.... and they refuse to even read the book, although I've tried convincing them to. I know they wish I would concentrate on something that is more 'realistic', and not have my head in the clouds (apparently) all the time - but I think that Lord of the Rings actually reflects reality despite the fact that it is fantasy.* Does that make any sense?*

My parents hadn't even HEARD of LoTR... but I guess that the good thing is i've gotten some of friends really into LoTR too, and NOT Just because of some pretty blond elf!
(*No offense to O.B. fans*) Although I do spend quite a lot time explaining complicated details that they would understand if only they would read the books.

This is a great site! I'm so glad that I can communicate with other LotR fans without having to go through hours of silly questions.Thanks BD!

[pherostien]

Hi I'm pherostien. I live in a house where my family likes the movie and thats all. I saw FotR and two days later I bought the book. Eight days later I finished the whole trilogy. In one year I have read the books 10 times. I have found peers at school but I am alone at home. I will admit that I can become very defensive when people talk badly of LotR. I am a hardcore over obsessive fan.
Woo hoo!! Go me!!
(sorry 'bout that) smilies/biggrin.gif

[Helkahothion]

Greetings all,

Hmm Elmo and Gollum some how I can picture that. The both have long thin arm's only Elmo is anoying and Sm?agol is just plain cute.

Anyway I am sad. My local book store doesn't have The Silmarillion. Poor me, now how am I supposed to read it?

Greetings,

Anuion
________
Marijuana (http://www.youtube.com/dispensaries)

[Benny]

order it from the internet or go to a non lokal store. smilies/wink.gif

[Benny]

i am also verry sad, because i must be the only tolkien fan in my town! my family doesen`t care about lotr, they think i`m realy strange. smilies/frown.gif

[arwen baranhir]

hey everyone! ( i think nearly everyone here is 'newly deceased'!) as you may want to know, i am only 14, and no one else in my house has read the books, and it gets boring. can anyone out there teach me elvish?
seriously...it sounds fun!

[zacattack]

I am the only decent fan in my fmaily,I mean my dad and bro have seen the movies and they keep asking me stuff and it gets annoying because I know heaps

[Sindafalathiel]

I admit it, I am a newbie, but I have read all the books. I'm really the only true fan in my family, I mean, my brother has The Hobbit, but never reads it, and my father has the DVD of FotR but never watches it (probably because it now lives in my room smilies/smile.gif).

[Nianna Telmnar]

Hail and Welcome to all the newcomers to the Barrow Downs! I have been away from the thread for awhile and was pleased to return and find so many "newly deceased". May you all enjoy your stay here and don't forget to sign the guestbook. (if you've read this thread all the way through then you understand)

~Namaria (farewell)~

[Lidija Kasik]

Happy New Year to all of you! I'm a little late, I know. Well, I can't say I'm the only one in my house who likes Tolkien, but I'm definitely the one who knows about the books and has actually read them, better to say "swallowed". The problem is, I've noone to talk to and discuss the LOTR, share my fascination and admiration. To me it's a whole new world, history and future. My friends usually say they don't like fantasy, but I hate the most when someone goes and reads the book just to say he/she's read it, but actually doesn't care. It's not that I don't want other people to read it, that would be sick, but to read it because it's "IN" just now. How can I talk to these people about Tolkien, when they don't understand his work? Do you agree? smilies/frown.gif

[LadyElbereth]

Hi everyone!
I am a loner also. My mom says LOTR is evil, my dad really doesn't care and my kid brother hates to read and is too scared to watch the movie. That's not all, my whole church says LOTR is evil and constantly tells me and my best friend that we need to stop this nonsense and find something to obsess over that's less "satanic". smilies/rolleyes.gif smilies/frown.gif

[Adramir Elenkalina]

(phew, back from a LONG absence from BD forums but glad to be back)

I'm a lone-fan in my household too. My mom thinks that i'm abnormal and that it's unhealthy to be so obsessed. My dad is the same way, only he's worse because he makes fun of me for it. And me little sister is extremely annoying because she thinks that because she saw the movies that she is a fan and she knows everything about LotR. This wouldn't bother me except NONE of my friends are as passionate about LotR as I am. Although i've convinced one of my friends to read the books. There is one girl at my church who loves the books also but we never seem to talk about them when i see her. I think there's a kid in my German class who likes them, i don't really know though. I walked in one day and he started speaking a little elvish to me. (I think my obsession is now common knowlage smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif) So a friendship may devolop there. Really my ONLY source of any sort of encouragement is here a BD and Torc(only like the RPG threads, their conversation topics are really dull) For which i am eternally gratefull. I have to get off now but i'll probably come back later for some more complaining smilies/biggrin.gif

~Adramir~

[Haelothiel]

Oh, me too! My parents aren't unsuportative, but they don't know about LOTR anyway. Honestly, during TTT my dad thought there were only two hobbits, that it was just Sam and Frodo having flashbacks. Me and my mom laughed at him, but she doesn't really understand anything that's going on either. Both brothers have seen the movies, and one has read the books, but neither are hard-core. Besides, they've already moved out. I have a cousin (God bless you, Calencoire!) who introduced me to this site, but she lives too far away. The worst part I think, is that NONE of my friends want to go any farther than the movies. My one friend gives me some pretty strange looks when I talk about this website or say that I'm going to paint my room with elvish sayings (YES!!! MY FOREST HOME WILL BE COMPLETE THIS WEEK!!! Speaking of which, anyone wanna give me some cool elvish quotes?) Well anyway, thank you all for listening to me whine and for giving me hope! How can one survive with out LOTR and people who understand it?

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Hello, my name is Nianna and I am the only Tolken fan in my house. Every time I start talking about it my father gets this blank expression on his face. Kinda like the one I get when he tries to explain football to me. Lol. I can agree with the blank look part, but mmy parents don't like football smilies/wink.gif . Pretty much the same thing, though. I would explode if I didn't have the Downs. smilies/evil.gif smilies/smile.gif I talk about it nonstop anyway, so my friends are careful not to approach me when I'm looking off in a dream, and never, under any circumstances, bring up the word elf. They don't even have to ask what book I'm reading anymore! smilies/biggrin.gif And I'm a bookworm, so that's a big thing for me smilies/redface.gif

[Scott]

If I didn't have my good friends Slaby and Premier Lee (inside jokes, I guess) I would probably have spontaneously combusted long before I found the Downs. It's too bad they don't speak any ME languages though. But they're still lifesavers when I can't get to a school computer and ramble on the Downs. I'm the only one in my family to have even thought of reading the books too (and when you live with nine people at any given time, that's pretty unnerving).

It's great that there are communities like this one on the web.

Thanks, oh valiant and kind Wights.

[Adutincowen]

hi, my name is Donegal, and I'm the ONLY Tolkien fan in my house! I'll often say how this beautiful day reminds me of "Lothlorien oh so long ago" only to be stared at as though I just said I wanted to have fish for supper.... yes, you can stare blankly too...

[Morgul Queen]

Happy Gondorian New Year Everyone!!!!! smilies/biggrin.gif I am The Morgul Queen and Im the ONLY Tolkien fan at my school/college. And lets not even mention my friends...they have ignored my ramblings all year (and last too) and then when they want to know about the endings of the TTT and RotK I refuse to tell them saying if they were listening to me earlier they would know...well actually they wouldn't I was mainly screaming about PJ and the no Glorfindel and the skipping of the Barrowdowns, the parts of the book I most wanted to see on film!

[Sillabub]

I am alonnne! And not just as a Tolkeinite, but also as a Jellicle fan!

I am a convert from one of my friends, and I am the only obsessed member of my household. Plus, I'm stuck between my duty as a Tolkeinite and a Jellicle.....help.....

[Tarien Ithil]

Greetings all!

Hello!

I'm the only Tolkien fan in the family (including aunts, grandparents, distant relations...) and yea, like you said Nianna, they give me an annoyingly blank expression whenever I bring up LOTR or just go "Whah?" smilies/smile.gif

Best wishes and of course, many smiles smilies/smile.gif

Tarien Ithil

[the guy who be short]

to learn quenya go to here (http://www.ardalambion.com) and then click on quenya course.
i read the books before the movie when i was 12. the movies came out straight after and ive been hooked ever since! i too am alone, yet my family understands my obsession

[Estella Brandybuck]

*sigh* Yes, I too am alone when it comes to Tolkien fanaticism (don't know if that's a word...). My brother-in-law has read the books, but he and my sister live in California, so I never get to talk to him. As for my parents... well, they've both sort of seen the first movie, but my mom fell asleep about half an hour into it, and my dad just didn't understand any of it. "So wait, what's with the big eye?", "Hang on, he's also in the second book? But he died! He fell off a friggin' bridge!" smilies/tongue.gif

I've got two friends who have also read The Hobbit and LotR, but neither of them come close to my level of fervor. They know the basics of the story, but whenever I go into those trite little details around them, all I get is a blank stare. smilies/tongue.gif I think the only person - outside of the Internet, that is - who I can really talk to about LotR is my art teacher, who is just darned cool. I was the only person in the class who understood what he was doing when he decided to sculpt the Nazgûl King and his "fell beast." 'Twas quite awesome.

But of course, despite my occasional loneliness, I've always got someplace to go if I want to get my daily dose of Tolkien-talk. Ahh, bless the internet and the Barrow Downs, and all those other sites. And though I've become known as "Uber-Geek" among my friends, no amount of teasing would be enough to turn me away from LotR, or any of my other nerdy loves. It can be fun to stand out from the rest of the family. smilies/smile.gif

I agree with everyone else, this is a great idea for a topic. It's nice to see that I'm not alone in this crazy world. smilies/wink.gif smilies/smile.gif

[Nerwen]

ok, im not the only tolkien fan in the house, but i am the only tolkien fanatic. i even did a french project on it with my friend at school. we got a pretty good grade. i have been told that i am obsessed, well, me and my friend actually, and it kind of gets annoying after a while, but i can live with it. the only thing anyone else in my house knows about the lotr is what they got from the movie. its too bad that some of you guys' parents dont want you to read tolkien and stuff, how do you deal?

[Phervasaion]

I am 15, except i red the book when i was 14. My sister likes the LOTR movies but hasnt actually read the book yet, and as for my other family members they have not read the book either so i think i am realy the only Tolkein fan in my family. Although i know 2 of my friends at school have read the book and enjoy it.

[Ainaserkewen]

I think it's wonderful you've started a support group. I am the only Tolkien fan in my house(that knows anything)
My little sister like it cause her and her teenybopper friends like Viggo. Can't blame em, but still!
Whenever I start talking LOTR with my dad(who is the only one who listends) he goes off about star wars saying it's way better, he's never even seen the movies, much less read the LOTR books.
I'm surrounded by Tolkien idiots! Not knowing one single thing!
All the salvation I have is to lock my door to watch my FOTR movie.
Like I said, I like the idea of a support group.

[Earendil Halfelven]

Hello, my name is Earendil Halfelven, and I'm a Tolkien-aholic. I have FOTR and TTT movie posters hanging up in my room that are from an AMC movie theater, a 4ftX6ft canvas banner of TTT with a life size Frodo also hanging in my room that is from another AMC movie theater (I have connections at the theater smilies/wink.gif ) , a copy of the TTT DVD from the Oscars (now, you may say its a scam dvd or that copy in Chinese, but since its in English and about 6 times throughout the movie, the words "For Your Consideration" come onto the screen, which shows that its from the Oscars.), and that I've read LOTR 5 times since I was in 7th grade and am now a senior in highschool (I can bet that there are others that have read it billion more times than me but hey, I like to read other stuff too).

*tears form in Earendil's eyes*
My friends make fun of me because I like LOTR, and I don't like to watch the Dallas Mavericks (which btw, are getting spanked by the Spurs smilies/smile.gif ). I defend myself by saying that I'd rather read books which will help me prevent alzhiemer's in the long run, than sit perplexed at the tv and watch sweaty men bounce a teeny orange, leather ball. And, with my little brothers, they used to make fun of me, but not anymore!
*a crazed look replaces the tears in Earendil's eyes*
They used to tease me, but after a few beatings, they stopped. smilies/biggrin.gif I have cultivated and conditioned them into good ol' LOTR fans like us!

[Laura]

I'm Laura. MY family insist I have an obbsession with lotr. Even the girls where I work go on at me for learning sindarin and tengwar. I can totally relate to everyone who is the only Tolkien fan in their house. My brother wouldn't go see TTT unless I paid, because he said, sniff...he said that he wasn't going to pay to see such... I'm sorry. It's too hard for me to talk about right now. sob. smilies/frown.gif

[Neferchoirwen]

Oh, i am sooo alone...i'm the only prolofic reader in the family, and the closest anyone can get is watching the movies...all they do is listen to my "lectures" while they watch the movie, and I've really got no one to talk to about the gallant 9.

No one! Not even our dogs! smilies/eek.gif

[maikafanawen]

Hello! My name is Maikafanawen. I am the only LOTR fan in my home too. My brother is a hardcore skateboarder and is obssessed with Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, and my little sister's a cheerleader. Need I go further? smilies/wink.gif And both my parents are very psychological. Mum doesn't work, and my dad co-owns a UBuildIt franchise. smilies/rolleyes.gif

I read The Hobbit incessantly in elementary and dove right into LOTR in middle school. I didn't get too enthralled with it until the movies came out though. I have almost every action figure, framed FOTR and TTT posters on one wall with space for an ROTK in my room, my cat's name is Bilbo and I was Finduilas for a Halloween Ball at the Scottish Heritage Festival last year.

I'm probably not as obsessed (in a good way! smilies/wink.gif ) as you all are, but I still love it and am alone. smilies/biggrin.gif

-Maikafanawen

[ October 25, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]

[Sleepy Ranger]

Can I join in?
Im Sleepy(thats my name not how Im feeling). I'm the only LOTR fan in the country(if you can call it that) I'm stuck in. SUre there are movie fans. But have they read the books? no. They don't ven know who Galadriel is.

[Arwen1858]

I'm like to join, please! My parents have seen the movies, and think they're good, but they aren't their favorites. And nobody else in the house has read the books. So they don't quite get my obsession.
Arwen

[Jack]

mmm... that rings a bell... Yes I think I am the only REAL LotR fan in my house and proud of it to!

[Edit] my name is Jack by the way!

[ October 25, 2003: Message edited by: Jack ]

[Amarantha_Daisy]

Hello! I'm Amarantha, and I'm the only Tolkien fan in my family, too. My mom read the books when she was in high school, but she doesn't remember them... My dad thinks the movies are "too drawn out" and my sister thinks LotR is for geeks. (But then again, she's one of those snotty popular types, so...)

Yep. I like to scare them by speaking in Sindarin, quoting, talking to my action figures, and randomly acting out scenes. Acting out parts of The Silm is fun beacause they have no movie to go by... They get very confused and say "I don't remember that part..." smilies/evil.gif I also like to bring up LotR during completely unrelated dinner conversations... But then again, don't we all? smilies/biggrin.gif

[Arwen1858]

I think my mom is getting a littl emore interested in it now. I got her to watch TTT last night for the first time, and after it was over, she was ready to pummel me when I wouldn't tell her who Aragorn was going to marry, where Arwen was going, and who the 'she' that Gollum was talking about is smilies/biggrin.gif Then I proceeded to tell her all about the book, and what they did different in the movie, except for the part about Shelob. I didn't mention her, and therefore didn't tell her who Gollum was talking about. Then we watched most of the special features on the dvd. We would have watched them all, except it was 2:30 in the morning(and that's after setting the clocks back), and she was about to fall asleep. But she really wants to see RotK now! She's making progress smilies/wink.gif
Arwen

[Galenondowen]

May I join? I'm Galenondowen, or Galen in short. My parents and I have seen the movies, they admit that they're good, but not the best. (Probably no film is the best for them.) And I'm an only child, so I can only talk to my own reflection, and live in my own fantazy. Well, I do get to explain something for my parents and friends when watching the movies, but that's it. I tried talked to my mum about LOTR, elvish, etc, she'd smile and listen. Sounds great, huh? But then when I paused to take a breath, she said 'I think you're too obsessed with it, dear.' Most of my friends like the films, and that's all. Except my best friend, she's more tolerate with my obsession, everytime I tell her about LOTR, etc, she'd listen, but often gets confused and I have to change topic. When I look for online LOTR rpg games, she'd say encouraging things, and tell me remember to inform her when I've found one, for she'd like to play as well. Yet she says them with a fake passion. It's warm, I really appreciate her friendship, but it's equally frustrating, if you get what I mean...
Then I found a girl, according to my best friend, is obsessed with LOTR. I was very happy, but then I found out she's not obsessed with LOTR at all, she loves the movies because of the actor of Legolas (Orlando Bloom). In other words, she's obsessed with Orlando Bloom, not LOTR...
So, I'm the most obsessed with LOTR among friends and family. And I'm the only one who has read the books...

[Phervasaion]

Im also the only person in my family whos managed to read the books. My parents and sister have seen the film and they said they liked it but none of them can be bothered to read the book.

My step mom started to read it once but stopped and said she couldnt get in to it and went back to her harry potter books(Stupid woman).

[Samwise]

I am the only fan in my house, too. My friend bought me a VHS of LOTR/FOTR, and soon after I got it, my father watched it "just for something to watch." He thinks it's just some mideaval-set action movie, it seems. smilies/rolleyes.gif smilies/frown.gif

[StarJewel]

I am a big time loner. My parents never read LotR, and I'm pretty sure I'm the only one in my school who has read the Silm. Pretty sad, I know. At least I have the 'Downs!

[Dolenarda]

As it stands, my wife thinks i'm getting in tough with my child like roots being a fan of lotr. Not that that kind of opinion bothers me, its just in the way it got brought up or told to me. In a sense, I guess some people just never understand unless they are a part of it. She says it is just not her thing, and im ok with that, but i feel like the preverbial outsider in my family cause im just a big fan

[Lyta_Underhill]

I actually had the fortune to meet two people who said they loved LOTR, but, alas! They were both "Leg-O-las" fans but also liked "that good-looking one...". I supplied Aragorn's name to her and turned out to have guessed right! Neither had read the books. Oh well! I did meet a transvestite on Halloween who told me he had read the Silmarillion though! That was something! Anyway...

My father bought me my first set of the Hobbit/LOTR back in the 80's, but now he has to ask me how to spell "Frodo." I think he may have been one of the "Frodo Lives" crowd of the 60's, but to my knowledge, he was never a fanatic. He was more into C.S. Lewis and Frank Herbert than Tolkien. My husband was a fan in the 1970's but now makes good-natured fun of me, while dredging up memories of when HE last read the trilogy so long ago...so, not alone, but almost!

Cheers,
Lyta

[Arwen1858]

I think I'm turning my mom into a fan of the movies!! I got her to watch TTT for the first time a few weeks ago, then last week I got her to watch FOTR EE. Then next night, she wanted to go rent TTT so she could see it again, as having seen FOTR EE, it would make more sense. And I didn't even suggest it!! Then I got Daddy to watch it... so last week, my mom and I watched FOTR EE once, and TTT twice!!! She also wanted to watch all the special features on TTT dvd, and we watched some from FOTR EE.
smilies/biggrin.gif I'm turning her into a fan!!!!
Arwen

[LOTR Geek]

Hi, everybody! I'm a ringer,too. I guess that was kind of obvious. My mom and brother both love the movies, but neither heve read the books. My brother has read the hobbit and got about halfway through FOTR before he got sick of it. My mom read the hobbit many years ago in her youth, but after I became addicted, she read it again. She still doesn't know a lot of what I consider to be really basic stuff, though. BTW, I became converted after seeing FOTR when I got the DVD for xmas. I don't really have any close friends at school, let alone any who like LOTR. My school has a serious geek-shortage. Oh, well. Occasionally, I run into someone who claims to be a fan & ask who their fav. character is. Almost invariably, the answer is 'that hot elf guy' smilies/rolleyes.gif oh, gosh, if they at least knew his name! Anyway, yeah, that's my story. sorry it was so long.

[Laitoste]

Hi! I'm Laitoste, and I am the only person in my town (that I know of) who loves The Lord of the Rings. I seriously started crying this afternoon because I can't talk to anyone about it.

I convinced one of my friends to read the books, but she hasn't finished RotK yet, and told me that I need to find better "smalltalk", because I was complaining about something I heard about RotK movie. That was right after she was talking about how she thought it was cool that I was so interested in something. Ah high school. Don't you just love it?

Anyway, I finished RotK right before FotR came out in theaters, luckily, and as soon as I finished, I was obsessed. No one else in my family loves it as much. My dad read it a long time ago, and my brother hates it (probably because I like it-no joke). My mom seriously asked if I needed therapy.

But now I have you people. I LOVE YOU!!! Okay, that was spontaneous! Everyone else thinks I'm wierd. Their loss smilies/smile.gif That was really long and I'm sorry, but I have a lot to say!

[Minyataurien]

I am one of two "hard-core" fans in my school. At home I am all alone. My two sisters have seen the movie but still haven't read the books.(One is four so she can't read but she loves the movies. Strange but true. She knows the names of all the characters and can recite lines from the movie. I feel so proud, I'm teaching her well.) smilies/biggrin.gif

[Finwe]

For a very long time, I used to be the only Middle-earth fan in my house. Now, after the movies came out, I managed to get my 8-year-old brother really interested in LotR, and now my 2-year-old brother is learning all the names of the characters. So far, he's said "Fodo" and "Ah-gon" (Frodo and Aragorn), although I don't think that he knows who Frodo is, he does know who Aragorn is because I've got a cut-out of the Ranger in my room that he loves "playing" with.

[Nienna, sister of Feanturi]

I think my parents are rather concerned about my lotr addiction. My brother doesn't understand it but pretends he like it because it's the fashion with his friends. He even has (oh the horror!) lotr top trump cards and action figures. (No offense to any who collect such items but...)
If you ask him who he thinks Sauron is he looks utterly blank. I have tried to educate him by reading him The Hobbit but to no avail. My best friend also thinks I'm crazy, she can't stand lotr but then she has no imagination. She is a genius though so I guess that makes up for it.

[Samwise]

now my 2-year-old brother is learning all the names of the characters. So far, he's said "Fodo" and "Ah-gon" (Frodo and Aragorn),
That's downright cute. No one in my family cares for LOTR at all, though my father DID watch my FOTR video for something to watch, though he didn't really get the real story at all , I'm sure.

(Sorry, I think I repeated myself--what I really wanted to say was related to the above quote)

I work with preschool children. None of my adult co-workers are LOTRers either, but one day I was down on the level of one of our cuter kidlets (he's 3 I believe) when he says out of the blue: "We got Lo'd of da Wings". It shocked me, having never heard ANYTHING about our movies since I started working there. smilies/wink.gif

[ 6:16 PM November 29, 2003: Message edited by: Samwise ]

[elfearz1]

My name is Elfearz! I've come to realize that I will probably never be the person my mom wants me to be. She wants me to be reserved and just like everyone else. She thinks my obsession is "unhealthy" and tries to make me more of a girl. I tell her I want action figures for christmas she counters with "how about some make-up instead or I can get you a gift certificate to a manicure place."
no! I want action figures.
anyway, I know how you all feel and I'm so glad I have you guys.

[Amarantha_Daisy]

Mmm.. I'm like that, too, Elfearz! The "girly-ist" thing I want for Christmas is the Evenstar pendant. smilies/wink.gif

There are some good things about being alone in your obsession. You can certainly scare people easier with your obsessiveness! Of course, my friends are mostly used to it, by now. My family, too. My sister still gets freaked out, though! Good fun, good fun... smilies/cool.gif

[ 12:04 AM November 30, 2003: Message edited by: Amarantha_Daisy ]

[lord_of_rohan2003]

Well my brothers and sister all like the movies even my mom and dad like them to.But im the only one who has actually read all the books.I can sit there and talk movies with them but when it comes to my obbsesion with the books im pretty much alone.But at lease I have the intenet smilies/smile.gif

[Alexandria Lumiere]

I want to be friends with someone.I'm a very lonely elf maiden.

[Nienna Telmnar]

*hangs head shamefully*

I almost feel like I don't deserve to post here anymore. It's been almost a year since I was even on the barrow downs. It's been a rough year for me, but now I finally have a little free time.

For those of you who don't recognize me, My name is Nienna (used to be Nianna)and I started this thread over a year ago. Imagine my suprise when I strolled online today and found that it's still up and running.

You guys seem to be getting along pretty well. I'm glad so many new people have joined.

And now regretfully, I must dash off once again, but I promise to check in more often.

Happy Holidays everyone.

[Novberaid]

Ah yes, the young again. If you think it is hard now to be the only one in your house that is not only a fan but an avid fan, think about what it would have been like about twenty to twentyfive years ago. I was shunned as "one of them". I am still reading and rereading everything Tolkien I can find. My wife and son say the movies are OK, but "so what?" At least we have the internet and a great site like The Barrowdowns to communicate and share our enthusiasm in Tolkien. And yes, I would rather spend my money on LOTR merchandise rather than drugs or things that are harmful.

[Lady Snickerdoodle]

Ha, this is kind of funny in a cruel kind of way... this thread goes on for 3 pages...
Yeah I'm Lady Snick and I am such a loner. I mean, sure everyone in my family has seen the movies but my mom doesn't understand it ("Who's the greasy haired evil looking guy again?" "MOM that would be Aragorn son of Arathorn, known as Estel, Telcontar, Dunedan, Strider and Wingfoot, Captain of the Rangers of the North and oh yeah did i mention, hes like the long lost heir to the throne who leads the forces of good against the Dark Lord???") and she just rolls her eyes. And my brother has seen the movies and spends all his time on the LOTR video game (i know some people here love that game but i mean at least you've read the books) And my dad likes LOTR and has read the books but actually inferred that i should get a life once! I mean like what kind of family is this??? And most of my friends refuse to listen to me, and some even choose to hate LOTR just to spite me. However, there is still hope smilies/biggrin.gif , I am slowly converting a few of them to ring-nuts, but they still laugh at me for learning Quenya and Tengwar. Thats why i love the downs *sniffle* we can all be alone together... if that makes sense...

[Ghostblade]

I live in a house that has a tolkien hardcore fan. Though I do enjoy the movies... I am not as big as my dad is. He spends more money on himself and his LOTR card than his family. smilies/evil.gif And he calls me selfish!!

[Thorongil]

This seems like the place for me! No one else in my family don't even care about lotr. But, it's no big deal. The movies are pretty popular here, but I only know two people who have read the book.

[elenquesse]

I'm the only diehard fan in the house, but my brother is the one who went to the midnight premiere...*GLARES* (Which is why I was so reluctant to relinquish my Ringlace to him for the event.) I take great offense to any wannabe Tolkienites and still have some standing grudges with those type of characters... Anyhow, I feel right at home in the Barrow-Downs with you folk, who share my most "unhealthy obsession" as my friends call it. (They even made a song about it!) Despite the tragic feeling of being alone, I do enjoy rubbing my fanaticism in the faces of certain wannabes. For example, it simply shocks my brother when I inform him of the specific page numbers where Eowyn is the star smilies/rolleyes.gif (although she'll always be the star in my eyes). Well I hope to find many more freakishly-obsessed friends (besides the current two); namarie...