Hello all you wights, dwarves, elves, dragons, fairies, Hornblowers, Baggins, Tooks, humans, and other sundry Downers.  My name is Tom and I just discovered this site yesterday.  I started reading Tolkien in grade school and have loved Middle Earth ever since (I remember stocking up on sandwiches and burrowing into my room the first time I read "The Council of Elrond", because I didn't want to miss a word or be interrupted.)  It's great to finally find a place were I can discuss one of my favorite topic with others who feel the same way about Tolkien, Middle Earth, and the fantasy genre as a whole.  I can't wait to jump in. 
 
I did have a few questions.  Is there any meaning to the message icons on the posts?  I chose Tolkien's initials for this post because I always thought it looked cool.  I would also like to know what avatars are, as they pertain to this site.  Is it some official designation, or just a polite term or endearment?  That's all for now; I look forward to discussing Tolkien with as many of you as possible. 
 
TTFN, 
 
Tom, The Cool Took
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	 |