I met a fellow BDer!! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Boromir88 · 08-02-2009, 09:10 AM

I like the shades, very nice...where can I get them?

I only happen to have a pair of sunglasses I got from going to the Cleveland Clinic, that was odd.

skip spence · 08-02-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I only happen to have a pair of sunglasses I got from going to the Cleveland Clinic, that was odd.

Man, that's were I got mine too! No, haha, I'd give you my shades if I could. I won't, however, send them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fea

Skip, I'd merely like say: I love your shirt.

Why thank you, dear!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agan

It was funny when she walked around the place with a years-old National Geographic in her hand and asked Skippy about words she didn't understand.

That's a great pose by Lommy haha. And I'm sorry about the camera, hope it shows up as mysteriously as it disappeared!

Nogrod · 08-02-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I like the shades, very nice...where can I get them?

From Sweden of course... didn't you know the Swedes are the most hip nation in the world? (Notice the Finnish attitude towards Swedes...)

But it sure is great to have you Skip here in Finland for a "return visit" next week.

And yes, I met a Barrow-Downer yesterday as well!

I had two pints of beer in Helsinki last night with Legate to celebrate his moving in. It was nice to meet him again - and we will be meeting him pretty regularly in the future as he starts his year as an exchange-stipendiate in the University of Helsinki...

So in the future we might not report it every time we meet him...

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 08-02-2009, 11:36 PM

What is the appropriate manner with which to meet another Barrow-Downer? Running and squealing and knocking them over doesn't seem like the best way to do it...

Feanor of the Peredhil · 08-03-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

Running and squealing and knocking them over doesn't seem like the best way to do it...

When there are airports involved, my preferred method is to size the person up, make sure they're the right person, hesitantly move in their direction, and say something stunningly witty, like, "Hi."

Nogrod · 08-03-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

What is the appropriate manner with which to meet another Barrow-Downer? Running and squealing and knocking them over doesn't seem like the best way to do it...

That might work well with us Finns - and maybe Rune - but I wouldn't recommend you to try that on anyone else...

But Fea has something right in there indeed methinks. Like with anyone you meet the first time it is always an interesting situation and surely the first minute can be a bit confusing. But at least with those 'Downers I have met the first time as 'Downers (so not talking about those I knew outside the 'Downs already), namely Brinn, Legate, Rune and Spawn, they have been just great and hearty persons with whom the "odd-feeling" of meeting them the first time has vanished in a minute actually. So at least I have only positive experiences of meeting other 'Downers - and it has been very easy to get comfortable with them in no time.

You're such fine bunch of people!

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 08-03-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor of the Peredhil

When there are airports involved, my preferred method is to size the person up, make sure they're the right person, hesitantly move in their direction, and say something stunningly witty, like, "Hi."

Oh, that sounds like a great idea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

That might work well with us Finns - and maybe Rune - but I wouldn't recommend you to try that on anyone else...

Probably not. I will greet any Downer that I meet with another reaction...

Mirandir · 08-04-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

What is the appropriate manner with which to meet another Barrow-Downer? Running and squealing and knocking them over doesn't seem like the best way to do it...

Depends on how well you know said people that you are about to glomp. For example, Nienna, Fea, Lari, and I did not particularly feel the need to glomp Mac and Rikae (mainly because there was a were-duckling involved and that could have been all bad and the fact that Mac was in a different continent at the time and that would have been somewhat difficult).

I wish I knew what happened when Lari met Kath, seeing as how I was successfully lost in London at the time and my greeting to the two of them was slamming my head repeatedly against the wall of the tube station.

However, when you happen to live with fellow Downers (and have them to blame for joining in the first place) and you happen to go visit after not seeing them for WEEKS ON END and MISS THEM LIKE CRAZY, running and squealing and knocking them over is a perfectly reasonable reaction.

Mirandir · 08-04-2009, 12:48 PM

Oh, and Brinn got the awkward "Hi" that Fea was talking about when we picked her up at the airport (and proceeded to get horribly lost on the way home, but we won't talk about that).

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 08-04-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirandir

Depends on how well you know said people that you are about to glomp. For example, Nienna, Fea, Lari, and I did not particularly feel the need to glomp Mac and Rikae (mainly because there was a were-duckling involved and that could have been all bad and the fact that Mac was in a different continent at the time and that would have been somewhat difficult).

I wish I knew what happened when Lari met Kath, seeing as how I was successfully lost in London at the time and my greeting to the two of them was slamming my head repeatedly against the wall of the tube station.

However, when you happen to live with fellow Downers (and have them to blame for joining in the first place) and you happen to go visit after not seeing them for WEEKS ON END and MISS THEM LIKE CRAZY, running and squealing and knocking them over is a perfectly reasonable reaction.

Okay. So if I meet a Downer after a long time of not seeing them, then I can run and squeal all I want, then!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirandir

Oh, and Brinn got the awkward "Hi" that Fea was talking about when we picked her up at the airport (and proceeded to get horribly lost on the way home, but we won't talk about that).

Hehehe! Okay, don't talk about it!

Thinlómien · 08-05-2009, 07:37 AM

I think the best way to greet a 'downer has mostly been "hi, how was your flight?"

But it is indeed weird to meet people you know yet do not know, but the feeling tends to vanish quite quickly (the better you know the person, the longer it takes, I think).

But speaking of this summer, we - Agan, "Goldberry" and me - were InterRailing around Europe and met Legate, were supposed to meet Esty (but alas, our timetables didn't match) and met Skippy who was wonderful company - well you can probably see from the stories and the pics that we had a lot of fun. And Skip makes it sound like a total misadventure but to be honest the walk he calls long was very short for people who had been walking around different European cities for the past four weeks, the grill that failed was no disaster 'cos it was easy enough to light a new fire and the rain that interrupted us was a very mild and almost unnoticeable one. So it was not a misadventure but a very fine evening.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nog

I had two pints of beer in Helsinki last night with Legate to celebrate his moving in. It was nice to meet him again - and we will be meeting him pretty regularly in the future as he starts his year as an exchange-stipendiate in the University of Helsinki...
So in the future we might not report it every time we meet him...

I wasn't reporting everytime before either... so am I a criminal now? *shifty eyes*

Mirandir · 08-06-2009, 04:51 PM

Just for the record, Fea, Nienna, Lari, and Mira are all back together playing Werewolf under one roof once again. And Fea got us lost. Again. Just to point that out.

Lariren Shadow · 08-06-2009, 09:53 PM

To answer Mira's question about meeting Kath: It was like, "oh I think that's her!" after she passed me and we sort of had this moment of "hi, I'm *insert here*" and then we started talking. It was pretty natural and such.

Meeting Brinn was an awkward hi then we had talking time about how Fea got her lost and it was all cool.

Meeting Rikae was about the same. We(Fea, Brinn, Nienna, Mira, and I) all showed up at her house and it was like "hi, we're from the Downs...*awkward kitchen time for a little then there was tea*". I think some sort of awkward slight moment is needed when I meet someone....Mac, however, we ambushed on Skype.

Kath · 08-09-2009, 02:28 PM

Haha yes Lari and I did the sizing each other up thing because I forgot to check the photo page before I left the house and so had no idea what she looked like! I walked past her, walked back, and then sidled towards her in I hope a non-threatening manner until she said, '... Kath?'. After that we got on famously til Mira arrived.

Who else? Brinn I recognised straight off because a) I'd told her exactly where to stand and b) she was wearing her infamous hat. That was a case of 'hi! And off we go.'

Rune and Hookbill I met at the same time ... I believe I met them with apologies because of a timing mix up, which is exactly the same way that I met Agan for the first time. Seriously, anyone not from England who meets me, make sure I'm paying attention when we plan.

Mith I also met with apologies because I'd accidentally sent her the wrong way round Oxford thanks to mishearing her on the phone.

Rikae · 08-09-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I had two pints of beer in Helsinki last night with Legate to celebrate his moving in. It was nice to meet him again - and we will be meeting him pretty regularly in the future as he starts his year as an exchange-stipendiate in the University of Helsinki...

I just saw this - that is so great!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nog

So in the future we might not report it every time we meet him...

I confess, I don't report every meeting with a fellow 'downer either anymore.

TGEW - I've met seven. Mac and Esty got (polite, non-glompy) hugs, while with Brinn-Fea-Lari-Mira-Nienna there was a round of introductions with me being confused about who went with which 'downs persona (having only seen photos of two before) and trying to hide it.

It's an odd feeling to meet someone from the 'downs, like encountering two people (someone you know and a stranger) in one, but sooner or later that strangeness fades away.

Hakon · 08-09-2009, 08:36 PM

I think I am one of the only downers that has never met another downer. I know I have not even been a member for 3 months but still.

Formendacil · 08-09-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakon

I think I am one of the only downers that has never met another downer. I know I have not even been a member for 3 months but still.

You're taking it a little hard if you think that. It's more than just a matter of time on the Downs, though that is certainly a part of it. My first Downer meeting (with Brinn: awkward "hi"s in the doorway followed by a rather long evening of non-awkward shared Downer talk) was 3.5 years after I joined the site, my second (alluded to already by Fea) was about another year later.

At current speeds, unless I find someone in driving distance--and, importantly, I'm not playing WW then--isn't likely to be for yet another year--or longer, that's just when I expect to have options. Because, as I was saying, it's more than just time online to be considered, it's a question of other things. Like logistics. There are no major Downers in western Canada, active at this time, other than me. Or, at least, I'm not aware of them.

Even so, I could list several Downers who have been active in theoretical driving distance that I've never made a move to meet. Because, in addition to travel distance, it's a question of who you're comfortable enough meeting. You've noticed already that a lot of the people on this thread have been members for quite some time. More important than the amount of time that they've had to argue Canonicity or lynch each other as Gifteds is how well we've managed to know each other generally.

In my own case, I admittedly didn't know Brinn especially well. She's an older member than me, and went dormant before I joined, and didn't come back until I'd started going a bit treeish myself. But we followed each other's LJs to an extent, so we weren't complete strangers, apart from the Downs, and on the plus side (as I saw it), Brinn had the credibility (and pictures) of having met a round dozen Downers already. The risk was much less on her end--I was meeting her and she had her family and such around. Quite non-threatening.

Meeting Fea and Nienna was quite a different situation again. I've known of Fea as long as I've been a Downer, and we've gotten to know each other reasonably well--perhaps even quite well--in the intervening years since.

Of course, if there actually were any Downers in "let's go for coffee" distance, I'd probably have met a lot more by now--or tried to. But when the distance you live at is in the "well, we'd best make a weekend of it at least to be economical" you tend to do it with less frequency...

Formendacil · 08-09-2009, 09:43 PM

Oh, and because the philosopher in me can miss the completely obvious at times, let me add that while it may seem hardly any Downers have not met someone, if you subtract Downers who already knew each other in real life, the numbers go down slightly (TGEW and Laurinquë for example)... but even then... I highly doubt most of the 3000+ members--even the much smaller number of those who have posted--have necessarily met other members. That they knew of, anyway.

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-10-2009, 06:41 AM

I've met a number of Downers, and the greetings are different depending on how well I knew them previously. It is like meeting a stranger whom you know on one level, but not on others. Fortunately, I knew all of them from photos, so recognizing them wasn't a problem. Those whom I knew well from chatting or e-mailing usually ended up getting a hug.

My first meeting with Guinevere was unexpected and curious - we had arranged to meet in London at the place we were staying, so I was walking there with my luggage dragging behind me. I saw someone heading in the same direction and looked more closely, thinking it just could be her. Then I approached her, she looked at me, and we met right on the sidewalk of a London street! The trickiest part about greeting her was figuring out that the convention in countries with a strongly French influence requires a triple kiss on the cheek (or the air right next to the cheek). I was a bit confused trying to remember if it's right-left-right or the other way around. We both survived and look forward to further opportunities to get together again.

I'm always sorry when circumstances are against a meeting, as recently, when Lommy and Agan were near to my home, but I didn't manage to meet them. Why is it that our families think they need our time and attention?!

As to the number of Downers met - yes, it does depend on where you live. A closely populated area or continent gives you a better chance. Another factor is how travel-happy the respective member is, and whether those trips are planned to include opportunities for meeting. (That also involves how expensive travelling is and how much free time one can allot to it.) The third factor is a possible membership in a Tolkien Society and/or attending functions where other Tolkienites can be seen. I highly recommend that - a great way to connect online and real life fandom!

I haven't yet met a Downer at the German Tolkien Society meetings, though some have heard of the site, but Oxonmoot is a great opportunity - and we've managed to get some people there interested who later joined up!

wilwarin538 · 08-10-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formendacil

There are no major Downers in western Canada, active at this time, other than me. Or, at least, I'm not aware of them.

Similarly for me, there are no Central/Eastern Canadians that I'm aware of. Considering Toronto is such a giant city it surprises me that there are no major Downers there, if there was that would be so handy because of my fairly close proximity. Therefore it is likely that I will never meet another Downer...I shall remain a mystery to all.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 08-10-2009, 07:07 AM

That's what made it easy to meet Rikae: she lives an hour and a half from where we (me, Nienna, Mirandir, Lariren Shadow) went to college. It requires a rather lot more planning to meet others. There are a lot of us, but it's a big world.

Surely, I think, I've met, say... Lhuna, or Encaitare, or Sally, or the phantom. But no. Lhuna's on the literal far side of the world. Sally and the phantom are far away too. It would require an airplane, and somewhere to stay, and time off from work or school, and transportation to all be worked out. Encai is a bit of a special case, since in my head I swear we've already met. I mean... She and my brother attended the same school (though at different times), so when she tells school stories, I know exactly what she's talking about. I was in NYC for quite a while when she was on Long Island. I mean... Surely we've met. Except we haven't. It just vaguely seems like it.

That's just to name a few. You talk to people so long and about such random things (off-site, to avoid the skwerlz), you really do feel you've gotten to know them. It's not so strange to meet up with people you already have a long history with. What's a little more odd (and terrifying, if you're shy) is meeting somebody you'd don't know at all well. But it's still rather rewarding.

McCaber · 08-10-2009, 07:19 AM

I'm still all for a Marquette University meetup to see some of the texts Tolkien wrote himself. If anyone makes it out to my neck of the woods, that is.

08-02-2009, 09:10 AM	#1
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	I like the shades, very nice...where can I get them? I only happen to have a pair of sunglasses I got from going to the Cleveland Clinic, that was odd. __________________ Fenris Penguin

08-02-2009, 11:36 PM	#4
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	For those of you who HAVE met other Downers... What is the appropriate manner with which to meet another Barrow-Downer? Running and squealing and knocking them over doesn't seem like the best way to do it... __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

08-04-2009, 12:48 PM	#9
Mirandir Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CT/NY Posts: 681	Oh, and Brinn got the awkward "Hi" that Fea was talking about when we picked her up at the airport (and proceeded to get horribly lost on the way home, but we won't talk about that). __________________ Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.

08-06-2009, 04:51 PM	#12
Mirandir Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CT/NY Posts: 681	Just for the record, Fea, Nienna, Lari, and Mira are all back together playing Werewolf under one roof once again. And Fea got us lost. Again. Just to point that out. __________________ Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.

08-06-2009, 09:53 PM	#13
Lariren Shadow Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Where the day meets the night Posts: 607	To answer Mira's question about meeting Kath: It was like, "oh I think that's her!" after she passed me and we sort of had this moment of "hi, I'm insert here" and then we started talking. It was pretty natural and such. Meeting Brinn was an awkward hi then we had talking time about how Fea got her lost and it was all cool. Meeting Rikae was about the same. We(Fea, Brinn, Nienna, Mira, and I) all showed up at her house and it was like "hi, we're from the Downs...awkward kitchen time for a little then there was tea". I think some sort of awkward slight moment is needed when I meet someone....Mac, however, we ambushed on Skype. __________________ Choose treachery, its more fun!

08-09-2009, 02:28 PM	#14
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Haha yes Lari and I did the sizing each other up thing because I forgot to check the photo page before I left the house and so had no idea what she looked like! I walked past her, walked back, and then sidled towards her in I hope a non-threatening manner until she said, '... Kath?'. After that we got on famously til Mira arrived. Who else? Brinn I recognised straight off because a) I'd told her exactly where to stand and b) she was wearing her infamous hat. That was a case of 'hi! And off we go.' Rune and Hookbill I met at the same time ... I believe I met them with apologies because of a timing mix up, which is exactly the same way that I met Agan for the first time. Seriously, anyone not from England who meets me, make sure I'm paying attention when we plan. Mith I also met with apologies because I'd accidentally sent her the wrong way round Oxford thanks to mishearing her on the phone. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

08-09-2009, 08:36 PM	#16
Hakon Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 736	I think I am one of the only downers that has never met another downer. I know I have not even been a member for 3 months but still. __________________ Medicine for the soul. ~Inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes

08-09-2009, 09:43 PM	#18
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	Oh, and because the philosopher in me can miss the completely obvious at times, let me add that while it may seem hardly any Downers have not met someone, if you subtract Downers who already knew each other in real life, the numbers go down slightly (TGEW and Laurinquë for example)... but even then... I highly doubt most of the 3000+ members--even the much smaller number of those who have posted--have necessarily met other members. That they knew of, anyway. __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

08-10-2009, 06:41 AM	#19
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	I've met a number of Downers, and the greetings are different depending on how well I knew them previously. It is like meeting a stranger whom you know on one level, but not on others. Fortunately, I knew all of them from photos, so recognizing them wasn't a problem. Those whom I knew well from chatting or e-mailing usually ended up getting a hug. My first meeting with Guinevere was unexpected and curious - we had arranged to meet in London at the place we were staying, so I was walking there with my luggage dragging behind me. I saw someone heading in the same direction and looked more closely, thinking it just could be her. Then I approached her, she looked at me, and we met right on the sidewalk of a London street! The trickiest part about greeting her was figuring out that the convention in countries with a strongly French influence requires a triple kiss on the cheek (or the air right next to the cheek). I was a bit confused trying to remember if it's right-left-right or the other way around. We both survived and look forward to further opportunities to get together again. I'm always sorry when circumstances are against a meeting, as recently, when Lommy and Agan were near to my home, but I didn't manage to meet them. Why is it that our families think they need our time and attention?! As to the number of Downers met - yes, it does depend on where you live. A closely populated area or continent gives you a better chance. Another factor is how travel-happy the respective member is, and whether those trips are planned to include opportunities for meeting. (That also involves how expensive travelling is and how much free time one can allot to it.) The third factor is a possible membership in a Tolkien Society and/or attending functions where other Tolkienites can be seen. I highly recommend that - a great way to connect online and real life fandom! I haven't yet met a Downer at the German Tolkien Society meetings, though some have heard of the site, but Oxonmoot is a great opportunity - and we've managed to get some people there interested who later joined up! __________________ '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...'

08-10-2009, 07:07 AM	#21
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	That's what made it easy to meet Rikae: she lives an hour and a half from where we (me, Nienna, Mirandir, Lariren Shadow) went to college. It requires a rather lot more planning to meet others. There are a lot of us, but it's a big world. Surely, I think, I've met, say... Lhuna, or Encaitare, or Sally, or the phantom. But no. Lhuna's on the literal far side of the world. Sally and the phantom are far away too. It would require an airplane, and somewhere to stay, and time off from work or school, and transportation to all be worked out. Encai is a bit of a special case, since in my head I swear we've already met. I mean... She and my brother attended the same school (though at different times), so when she tells school stories, I know exactly what she's talking about. I was in NYC for quite a while when she was on Long Island. I mean... Surely we've met. Except we haven't. It just vaguely seems like it. That's just to name a few. You talk to people so long and about such random things (off-site, to avoid the skwerlz), you really do feel you've gotten to know them. It's not so strange to meet up with people you already have a long history with. What's a little more odd (and terrifying, if you're shy) is meeting somebody you'd don't know at all well. But it's still rather rewarding. __________________ peace

08-10-2009, 07:19 AM	#22
McCaber Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Skyrim, again. Posts: 820	I'm still all for a Marquette University meetup to see some of the texts Tolkien wrote himself. If anyone makes it out to my neck of the woods, that is. __________________ Werewolves vs. Fishmen. The battle of the century.