Timely blessings that remind me that I worry too much. :)

I will have to second that.

I often have to remind my self not to worry so much, and when I succeed, it makes life so much more bearable.

I was chatting with a coworker today about the difference between geeks and nerds and I mentioned my membership at this here bunch o barrows. He said, "The Barrow-downs?" and I took it as him not knowing about it. Turns out he has read the book and we discussed Tom Bombadil at length. It was fun and I'm so glad that we could chat. That, I will assign to the Shire any day

I second that with a great second!

I also add those times when you can just come up and chat with complete strangers because you share a common nerddom. Recently, I got acquainted with a guy who was wearing a Game of Thrones shirt and a couple girls who were discussing Doctor Who monsters. Sharing nerd (or geek) obsessions makes you instant friends, and makes it easier to strike up conversations. So I assign geeks to the Shire any day, and geeks who show it I assign twice! :D

I'll third it with great third (and fourth it with great quart, if need be)! Bonding with random strangers over shared geekdom is cool, I've had such moments with students across the circulation desk at the library where I work. One sported a bag the shape and colour of the Tardis, and it turned out she had been to The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff in her holidays. Imagine my envy!

I also third what Zil and Rune said upthread about worrying too much. I do that too far too often, but fortunately I'm unlearning the habit under the beneficial influence of my happy-go-lucky wife.

Lauri and I went to the Doctor Who Experience in 2010 when we visited Cardiff and it was so awesome. We both squealed when we saw the familiar park area outside of the building out of excitement and my mother got so startled that she almost crashed the car. Yeah, don't be like us when you go.

On a less chat skwerly note, we also went to the Eagle and Child and when I eventually get my behind over to Oxenmoot, I will be assigning that to the Shire too.


As an addendum, I also assign my garden because I love it and weeding gives me peace. I feel like Sam Gamgee would approve. :D

I'm positive he would. :)


I assign the first sunburn of the year. :cool:

Feeling better in mind and body (not yet right mind you but better).

Coming back here after a year's absence and finding the forum still alive and well. ♥

Seeing two such fantastic things above this post, so appropriately assigned.

Happy to hear you're better, Mith, and welcome back, Agan!

Thank you

Yay, Agan's back! :D

We missed you.

Aww thank you, I missed you too!

While I was gone, though, I've been spreading the love of dwarves by doing several beard workshops, both with friends and Oxonmoot participants. ;)

Good job!

Spread the good beard! :smokin:

EDIT: Especially if your workshops are anything like the dream of phantom's...

*shifty eyes*

(I'd completely forgotten about that dream though and burst out laughing halfway through it... it's hilarious! And those dwarf heads would make gorgeous house decoration.)

You Brute! :eek:

I assign seeing Agan, Lommy and Legate back in black!

Awww, I assign being back and seeing so many familiar fa... usernames? :D And all the active new members too.

Not your head, dearest Kuru. :p

Well, that's a relief...but still! :eek:

To temper recent electoral anxieties, I'll assign this. It's useful to keep a sense of perspective. :)

Cooking fudge for the first time and having it actually turn out decent. :eek:

Having Jelly Babies for dinner. I blame this guy.

http://68.media.tumblr.com/3152fc5d1...0o9_r1_250.gif

I do make quite a good chocolate fudge (though a cheffy friend said it was really ganache) but the last time I did something involving boiling sugar the instructions were a bit iffy and the pan had to be cleaned with a chisel.

Nerdy things.

And May the Fourth be with you. :D

Having an unpleasant task unexpectedly canceled. :)

Windless days with -1C and gentle fluffy snow in the winter. Absolutely wonderful days, and perfectly canonical Shire weather. :)

Those impressions that take you back in time, and let you vividly remember days of pure joy.

It can be a whiff of fresh air with a hint of rosy smell, that reminds me of how my mother used to smell when I hugged her as she picked my up from kindergarten. It can be a song from a children movie that reminds me of how I used play with my friend Lise.

You know, those small things, that bring about an incredibly specific memory, perhaps one you had forgotten.

I found this thread thinking to assign surprise +18C weather in November. And then I read through the last few pages of this thread, and I want to assign the good memories and shared joys and familiar faces. To quote Pitch from 4 years and only a few posts ago, it would make my day to see more of you guys "back in black".

It is odd how things change.
Even though I miss the downs and the interaction we used to have on this site, and it is something i do every single day, I am reluctant to sign in. I think it is because I seldom have energy to read through the entire thread these days and feel guilty if i do not participate, so I end up only signing in every other week, and primarily lurk in some dark corner.

I am a good deal older now than when I joined the Downs, and I have changed spiritually more than physically over time.

Amid the general world chaos, I've had family deaths, retirement from my current (25 year!) career is imminent, and I begin a new job in a bit more than two weeks.

I find now that I don't often have the time for lengthy debates or discussions, and, indeed, my desire to 'pick apart' the books has lessened over the years. I've become wary of the 'magic' wearing thin, even though reason and my heart assure me that could not happen with Tolkien.

Still, I sign in every day, as a habit. Knowing this place is still here after so many years has often been a comfort to me, as things, especially the past few years, have changed so much in RL.

Are you excited to start a new career, or is this change something that belongs to Mordor?

It's the Shire. I look on it as a new chapter, not a slamming door. :)

I assign the street names in my new town. I recently moved here, and it's so entertaining to pass through this one neighbourhood. I swear, whoever was in charge of naming these streets was having a field day. Here we have Camelot, Avalon, Merlin, Lancelot, Guinevere, Galahad, a version of Vivian, Shallot (okay, not quite Shalott, so maybe it's the vegetable after all). And then there's Ivanhoe, which goes with them about as well as a rock in a shoe, but I suppose it has Richard to keep it company.

I assign...
 

The birds singing cheerily when they finally return from the South in the Springtime.

Catching fireflies on a late Summer's eve, with the stars overhead.

Campfires on Autumn nights, with juicy fat sausages and sticky marshmallows.

And those still, silent mornings of Winter, after a blanket of snow has fallen during the night, and there are rabbit tracks all over.