What will you choose? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 06-25-2004, 08:57 AM

...can an old-comer play too?

Open-fire cooking, broad open spaces, long wild roads, no office cubicles, fresh water and air, plenty of time in the garden and with the fruit trees.... left, baby, LEFT LEFT LEFT. Rohan, then Rivendell, then Bree. Maybe I'd settle in Bree, with frequent trips here and there.

Except--

I couldn't possibly go without my wonderful amazing husband, the love of my life always and forever; and he's insulin-dependant. They don't have that there. He couldn't come.

Drat.

Drat drat drat drat drat.

CONFOUND IT ALL.

...Right..... **sob**

Ah, what we do for love.
(Looks around Mordorish office cubicle, sighs, and plods through orcs and enslaved humans toward Mount Doom.)

Nurumaiel · 06-25-2004, 12:10 PM

Last year I might have said left without thinking, because while I loved life here and now I wanted adventure. Last year I wasn't contented with the way I lived. It was all right, but I either wanted to go wandering the roads or just up and die and go to Heaven. I didn't want to stay where I was.

To live in the Shire would fulfill every dream of life I've ever had... green hillsides and little roads that wander to a friend's house(/hole), and perhaps a little farm of my own with some chickens and cows. Abandon all technology and find my entertainment in the whistling of the birds. I would go at a moment's notice, except I could not come back. And I know I'd regret it for all of my life.

The sufferings of this world? Faith, the sufferings of this world are what made me love life. Not just because of the aftermath of the sufferings, when peace could be known once again and you would realize with a shock just how many people had cared enough to help you, but in the sufferings themselves. And I don't really know why; I merely have vague guesses. And doesn't Middle-Earth have sufferings too?

I would have to leave almost everyone I loved. I could take a few with me, as it's been said, but fairly everyone I've really met and known has been a dear friend to me, and I would hate to leave any of them behind.

Again, the sufferings of this world. I would suffer all the sufferings if I could have one of the joys, because they are by far more sweet than the sufferings are painful. I taught myself to find joy in the simplest little things and I found joy everywhere. I found joy in a smile from a little boy, something I otherwise would have carelessly tossed aside. And so I have enough beautiful little joys in this world that I can do without the joys of Middle-Earth.

Lack of adventures for me? Never! That's what I thought last year. Everything is an adventure here, I just have to look and see it. Do I really want an adventure that involves running about with a sword nearly getting my head hacked off by orcs? No, of course I don't! Perish the thought. In a few minutes I'll be walking out into the open of the house and children will be bustling everywhere demanding I do this and that with them, and I'll have the adventures of romping with them, perhaps cooking for them, or working on the dress that needs to be sewed, or that knitting, or maybe just a quiet ramble outdoors. Those adventures aren't only more enjoyable and simpler than narrowly avoiding getting your head hacked off, but they're more exciting because the happiness lets the excitement show. If an orc was running after me with a blood-stained battleaxe I'd be in dread terror and wishing I was home, not thinking how adventurous and fun and exciting it was.

Most important point of all, I'm a Roman Catholic... to leave this world would be to leave the most beautiful things of that Faith. I could still be a Catholic in Middle-Earth but I couldn't practice my Faith. The inhabitants of Middle-Earth would eventually hate me because I was such a gloomy sort of person, not having received the Eucharist in ages. I suppose I could drag along a priest, but what happens when he dies? And what if God wanted me to be a nun? Where would I find a convent?

Oh yes, the little joys of this life. Little joys that can't be found in Middle-Earth. Seeing the sun rise over these trees and these hills and thinking of what adventures I'll have at this house; watching the lads win a baseball game and being happy because they are; anticipating when we'll see childhood friends again whom we haven't seen for years, friends who couldn't possibly be in Middle-Earth; finally achieving friendship with the squirrels that have been avoiding you, the squirrels called Tipp, Fenian, Kerry, Derry, and that wicked lovable squirrel who I shall not name, squirrels that aren't in Middle-Earth; returning from a day at San Francisco to see houses melt away into woodlands and wilderness and feel the delightful, happy little thrill that you're home. To go to Middle-Earth would mean never to feel the happiness that I'm home again. I'd regret it forever and ever if I didn't go right.

Besides, what would become of my two baby brothers if I were to leave? They don't have the medical equipment at Middle-Earth that my brothers needed to actually survive. What if the little lad had another liver rejection. What if another baby was born with the same problems and couldn't get a transplant? The lad just barely survived as it is; in Middle-Earth he wouldn't have had the slimmest chance, bar a miracle more extreme than the one that already took place with all the equipment and highly-trained doctors here.

I love my life, with all its sufferings. A darling little baby was born this morning and if I had lived in Middle-Earth my family couldn't have been contacted to be told the beautiful news. I'm too happy here to live in Middle-Earth. I'm not through with this world yet. There are too many places to go, too many people to meet, too many things to see. Too much love and happiness to completely leave behind.

I'd go right.

PaleStar · 06-26-2004, 01:26 AM

Hello! I'm new, as you might be able to see...to reply;
It's a hard choice to make, whether to go left or right. Personally, I think I'd fit in a whole lot better on the left...but what of the language barrier? Even if that wasn't an issue, assuming whoever's dumping this choice on me will let me speak Westron, there's still the matter of my big fat attitude; I'd get in trouble constantly.
But, I suppose, on M-E, you can get away from that, away from your life, it seems. I would happily spend all my days alone in the wilderness than deal with modern life, even if it was during the failing times of the Third Age.
to add a bit of myself; I'm writing a novel with this similar theme; it's a high price to pay, but, seeing the world as it is, it seems more worth it.

*turns left*

Estelyn Telcontar · 06-26-2004, 01:56 AM

Welcome to the Downs, PaleStar! Your decision to come here was a good one to start with!

Hope you enjoy yourself!

Firefoot · 06-26-2004, 06:10 AM

It's a much harder question than meets the eye... and though I'd be tempted to say left I think that I would eventually choose the right. I love Middle-earth and it's inhabitants (especially hobbits...) and "living in the Shire" has always sounded like fun, but I certainly wouldn't fit in with them. There is too much in this world to need to go to ME. And, *gasp* no computer?!?! And there are some books that I don't think I could live without (not just Tolkien

). So I would go right, and leave ME as a story.

elronds_daughter · 06-26-2004, 08:22 AM

Hmm.... I have to say that I would probably go left. even if I couldn't take anyone with me, I'd go left to Middle Earth. And I'd probably live somewhere near Hobbits. If the Hobbits of the Shire have a problem with 'big people' living there, then I'd go to Bree. And even if I couldn't be a Hobbit (which I swear to people that I already am

) then I would at least dress like a Hobbit and adopt their habits. But alas, I would have to remain a girl. But maybe it wouldn't be too bad. I think I could live with out my computer and adapt to having no technology.

cheers!

Elrond's (other) daughter

Hama Of The Riddermark · 06-26-2004, 09:51 AM

I'd go left...although it would be a hard choice...the thought of never seeing my electric guitar again

, that said I'd take my acoustic guitar, and some music, and a load of spare strings...

I'd also take my parents, my girlfriend, and my Tolkein Collection (may seem pointless, but I just couldn't say goodbye forever to that)

I'm also really fed up with the world as it stands. I'd love to get away from an America run by G.W, and from the Israel conflict, and the war in Iraq, and so many other things that make me sad.

Ideally I'd like to live in Rohan as portayed by P.J, I love the rustic viking style air to it, and the great rolling landscapes have a special place in my heart. If I had to pick a specific place in Rohan, i'd choose Edoras. The golden hall, king Theoden (or whoever was reigning) and so many other things...of course I'd have to know Rohirric and Westron...if that was a condition of the portal...

06-25-2004, 08:57 AM	#1
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	...can an old-comer play too? Open-fire cooking, broad open spaces, long wild roads, no office cubicles, fresh water and air, plenty of time in the garden and with the fruit trees.... left, baby, LEFT LEFT LEFT. Rohan, then Rivendell, then Bree. Maybe I'd settle in Bree, with frequent trips here and there. Except-- I couldn't possibly go without my wonderful amazing husband, the love of my life always and forever; and he's insulin-dependant. They don't have that there. He couldn't come. Drat. Drat drat drat drat drat. CONFOUND IT ALL. ...Right..... sob Ah, what we do for love. (Looks around Mordorish office cubicle, sighs, and plods through orcs and enslaved humans toward Mount Doom.) __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

06-25-2004, 12:10 PM	#2
Nurumaiel Vice of Twilight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on a mountain Posts: 1,121	Last year I might have said left without thinking, because while I loved life here and now I wanted adventure. Last year I wasn't contented with the way I lived. It was all right, but I either wanted to go wandering the roads or just up and die and go to Heaven. I didn't want to stay where I was. To live in the Shire would fulfill every dream of life I've ever had... green hillsides and little roads that wander to a friend's house(/hole), and perhaps a little farm of my own with some chickens and cows. Abandon all technology and find my entertainment in the whistling of the birds. I would go at a moment's notice, except I could not come back. And I know I'd regret it for all of my life. The sufferings of this world? Faith, the sufferings of this world are what made me love life. Not just because of the aftermath of the sufferings, when peace could be known once again and you would realize with a shock just how many people had cared enough to help you, but in the sufferings themselves. And I don't really know why; I merely have vague guesses. And doesn't Middle-Earth have sufferings too? I would have to leave almost everyone I loved. I could take a few with me, as it's been said, but fairly everyone I've really met and known has been a dear friend to me, and I would hate to leave any of them behind. Again, the sufferings of this world. I would suffer all the sufferings if I could have one of the joys, because they are by far more sweet than the sufferings are painful. I taught myself to find joy in the simplest little things and I found joy everywhere. I found joy in a smile from a little boy, something I otherwise would have carelessly tossed aside. And so I have enough beautiful little joys in this world that I can do without the joys of Middle-Earth. Lack of adventures for me? Never! That's what I thought last year. Everything is an adventure here, I just have to look and see it. Do I really want an adventure that involves running about with a sword nearly getting my head hacked off by orcs? No, of course I don't! Perish the thought. In a few minutes I'll be walking out into the open of the house and children will be bustling everywhere demanding I do this and that with them, and I'll have the adventures of romping with them, perhaps cooking for them, or working on the dress that needs to be sewed, or that knitting, or maybe just a quiet ramble outdoors. Those adventures aren't only more enjoyable and simpler than narrowly avoiding getting your head hacked off, but they're more exciting because the happiness lets the excitement show. If an orc was running after me with a blood-stained battleaxe I'd be in dread terror and wishing I was home, not thinking how adventurous and fun and exciting it was. Most important point of all, I'm a Roman Catholic... to leave this world would be to leave the most beautiful things of that Faith. I could still be a Catholic in Middle-Earth but I couldn't practice my Faith. The inhabitants of Middle-Earth would eventually hate me because I was such a gloomy sort of person, not having received the Eucharist in ages. I suppose I could drag along a priest, but what happens when he dies? And what if God wanted me to be a nun? Where would I find a convent? Oh yes, the little joys of this life. Little joys that can't be found in Middle-Earth. Seeing the sun rise over these trees and these hills and thinking of what adventures I'll have at this house; watching the lads win a baseball game and being happy because they are; anticipating when we'll see childhood friends again whom we haven't seen for years, friends who couldn't possibly be in Middle-Earth; finally achieving friendship with the squirrels that have been avoiding you, the squirrels called Tipp, Fenian, Kerry, Derry, and that wicked lovable squirrel who I shall not name, squirrels that aren't in Middle-Earth; returning from a day at San Francisco to see houses melt away into woodlands and wilderness and feel the delightful, happy little thrill that you're home. To go to Middle-Earth would mean never to feel the happiness that I'm home again. I'd regret it forever and ever if I didn't go right. Besides, what would become of my two baby brothers if I were to leave? They don't have the medical equipment at Middle-Earth that my brothers needed to actually survive. What if the little lad had another liver rejection. What if another baby was born with the same problems and couldn't get a transplant? The lad just barely survived as it is; in Middle-Earth he wouldn't have had the slimmest chance, bar a miracle more extreme than the one that already took place with all the equipment and highly-trained doctors here. I love my life, with all its sufferings. A darling little baby was born this morning and if I had lived in Middle-Earth my family couldn't have been contacted to be told the beautiful news. I'm too happy here to live in Middle-Earth. I'm not through with this world yet. There are too many places to go, too many people to meet, too many things to see. Too much love and happiness to completely leave behind. I'd go right. __________________ In the fury of the moment I can see the Master's hand in every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.

06-26-2004, 01:56 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Welcome to the Downs, PaleStar! Your decision to come here was a good one to start with! Hope you enjoy yourself! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

06-26-2004, 08:22 AM	#6
elronds_daughter Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2004 Location: Between the fortune cookie and the post-its. Posts: 644	Hmm.... I have to say that I would probably go left. even if I couldn't take anyone with me, I'd go left to Middle Earth. And I'd probably live somewhere near Hobbits. If the Hobbits of the Shire have a problem with 'big people' living there, then I'd go to Bree. And even if I couldn't be a Hobbit (which I swear to people that I already am ) then I would at least dress like a Hobbit and adopt their habits. But alas, I would have to remain a girl. But maybe it wouldn't be too bad. I think I could live with out my computer and adapt to having no technology. cheers! Elrond's (other) daughter __________________ I'd like to be the king of all Londinium and wear a shiny hat.

06-26-2004, 01:26 AM	#3
PaleStar Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 43	Hello! I'm new, as you might be able to see...to reply; It's a hard choice to make, whether to go left or right. Personally, I think I'd fit in a whole lot better on the left...but what of the language barrier? Even if that wasn't an issue, assuming whoever's dumping this choice on me will let me speak Westron, there's still the matter of my big fat attitude; I'd get in trouble constantly. But, I suppose, on M-E, you can get away from that, away from your life, it seems. I would happily spend all my days alone in the wilderness than deal with modern life, even if it was during the failing times of the Third Age. to add a bit of myself; I'm writing a novel with this similar theme; it's a high price to pay, but, seeing the world as it is, it seems more worth it. turns left

06-26-2004, 06:10 AM	#5
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	It's a much harder question than meets the eye... and though I'd be tempted to say left I think that I would eventually choose the right. I love Middle-earth and it's inhabitants (especially hobbits...) and "living in the Shire" has always sounded like fun, but I certainly wouldn't fit in with them. There is too much in this world to need to go to ME. And, gasp no computer?!?! And there are some books that I don't think I could live without (not just Tolkien ). So I would go right, and leave ME as a story.

06-26-2004, 09:51 AM	#7
Hama Of The Riddermark Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 282	I'd go left...although it would be a hard choice...the thought of never seeing my electric guitar again , that said I'd take my acoustic guitar, and some music, and a load of spare strings... I'd also take my parents, my girlfriend, and my Tolkein Collection (may seem pointless, but I just couldn't say goodbye forever to that) I'm also really fed up with the world as it stands. I'd love to get away from an America run by G.W, and from the Israel conflict, and the war in Iraq, and so many other things that make me sad. Ideally I'd like to live in Rohan as portayed by P.J, I love the rustic viking style air to it, and the great rolling landscapes have a special place in my heart. If I had to pick a specific place in Rohan, i'd choose Edoras. The golden hall, king Theoden (or whoever was reigning) and so many other things...of course I'd have to know Rohirric and Westron...if that was a condition of the portal...