2006: A Barrow Downs Year - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 01-03-2007, 11:23 PM

Great thread idea, Hookbill, and rousing first post. You belong in show biz or under the big top, Ring Master!

2006 was really my year to sit back and, as Estelyn has said she will in 2007, and become more a fading elf watching Middle-earth than an active participant. Me an elf! Let’s see if I can avoid the nostalgia trip which for me was always a bump in the road to my appreciation of the elves.

Work and real life commitments meant I withdrew from modding Rohan at the beginning of last year and that was quite a change for me, as I had originally registered at the Barrow Downs only after it added an RPG section—way back before TTT hit the screens and back when a thousand new members would register in one month. The witty, clever posting style was also intriuging. I arrived in tow with Gandalf the Grey, and we both began to play in the games. Yet, as luck and chance and other circumstances would have it, the Barrow Downs ended our friendship for causes known only to those who threw the first jibes and then stepped back to watch the play unfold. The loss of that friendship has coloured everything since then for me at the Downs and I wonder from time to time if Gandalf and I would still be gaming together had we not come here. Strange thought--likely not! Yet, for all that, Gandalf was a talented gamer who was honest. When challenged or called out, Gandalf spoke true and never prevaricated, lied, or claimed not to remember. That’s a crucial aspect of gaming, I think, to know when to fold, to recognise that your hand is called, ‘cause if you don’t, then it’s no longer a game of fun and turns into a game of cheat and deception and dishonesty. It’s one of the reasons I have been tempted to incorporate one of The Phantom’s lines from werewolf in a siggie--about hardly lying ever—except he ruined my plans by uncloaking his strategy in the last WW game of last year, the rotter.

So, there’s my davem story.

2006 also saw a second visit with the Ghosted Princess, but alas (possibly) we missed the musical by scant days. As long as the wit and cleverness survive here I will continue to read, although likely I will post less and less as my time is demanded elsewhere. I do look forward to the Silmarillion chapter by chapter discussions, though, as Aiwendil often provides a thoughtful way of looking at the mythology and I truly enjoy alatar’s filmic musings. I am woefully behind in reading LMP’s story but hope to catch up some day. And Mirth, well, Mirth doesn’t require so much time to post, so, as long as the captions keep coming …

I hope the elvish hasn’t come out too much. Maybe I should consider niggling a bit and coming up with a hobbity version of my past “Down time”?

Happy new Downs, Downers, and may the play be fun.

Thinlómien · 01-04-2007, 06:02 AM

I could very much echo Form. Though I've been a member (and even active member) from late 2004, this last year has been the one I've become truly really active.

2006 was also the year of werewolf. I didn't play very much in 2005. (One game I suppose.)

And 2006 was also the year to get me know a whole lot of 'downers better, thanks to more active BDing and Livejournal.

Lush · 01-13-2007, 08:20 PM

The 13th is when the Orthodox New Year begins, so I'm not late... And if I am late - I was only being fashionable!

2006 was a year of great disappointments and challenges for me, both on and off the Downs.

I'm glad it's bloody over.

I'd like to think it made me a better person.

Time will tell.

The Might · 01-14-2007, 11:02 AM

Well, as Nietzsche said, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger

01-03-2007, 11:23 PM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Derry Down, Derry Down, hey ho, Derry Down Great thread idea, Hookbill, and rousing first post. You belong in show biz or under the big top, Ring Master! 2006 was really my year to sit back and, as Estelyn has said she will in 2007, and become more a fading elf watching Middle-earth than an active participant. Me an elf! Let’s see if I can avoid the nostalgia trip which for me was always a bump in the road to my appreciation of the elves. Work and real life commitments meant I withdrew from modding Rohan at the beginning of last year and that was quite a change for me, as I had originally registered at the Barrow Downs only after it added an RPG section—way back before TTT hit the screens and back when a thousand new members would register in one month. The witty, clever posting style was also intriuging. I arrived in tow with Gandalf the Grey, and we both began to play in the games. Yet, as luck and chance and other circumstances would have it, the Barrow Downs ended our friendship for causes known only to those who threw the first jibes and then stepped back to watch the play unfold. The loss of that friendship has coloured everything since then for me at the Downs and I wonder from time to time if Gandalf and I would still be gaming together had we not come here. Strange thought--likely not! Yet, for all that, Gandalf was a talented gamer who was honest. When challenged or called out, Gandalf spoke true and never prevaricated, lied, or claimed not to remember. That’s a crucial aspect of gaming, I think, to know when to fold, to recognise that your hand is called, ‘cause if you don’t, then it’s no longer a game of fun and turns into a game of cheat and deception and dishonesty. It’s one of the reasons I have been tempted to incorporate one of The Phantom’s lines from werewolf in a siggie--about hardly lying ever—except he ruined my plans by uncloaking his strategy in the last WW game of last year, the rotter. So, there’s my davem story. 2006 also saw a second visit with the Ghosted Princess, but alas (possibly) we missed the musical by scant days. As long as the wit and cleverness survive here I will continue to read, although likely I will post less and less as my time is demanded elsewhere. I do look forward to the Silmarillion chapter by chapter discussions, though, as Aiwendil often provides a thoughtful way of looking at the mythology and I truly enjoy alatar’s filmic musings. I am woefully behind in reading LMP’s story but hope to catch up some day. And Mirth, well, Mirth doesn’t require so much time to post, so, as long as the captions keep coming … I hope the elvish hasn’t come out too much. Maybe I should consider niggling a bit and coming up with a hobbity version of my past “Down time”? Happy new Downs, Downers, and may the play be fun. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-04-2007, 06:02 AM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Happy belated new year! I could very much echo Form. Though I've been a member (and even active member) from late 2004, this last year has been the one I've become truly really active. 2006 was also the year of werewolf. I didn't play very much in 2005. (One game I suppose.) And 2006 was also the year to get me know a whole lot of 'downers better, thanks to more active BDing and Livejournal. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

01-13-2007, 08:20 PM	#3
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	The 13th is when the Orthodox New Year begins, so I'm not late... And if I am late - I was only being fashionable! 2006 was a year of great disappointments and challenges for me, both on and off the Downs. I'm glad it's bloody over. I'd like to think it made me a better person. Time will tell. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

01-14-2007, 11:02 AM	#4
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Well, as Nietzsche said, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown