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weaver
Gondolin
Jun 20 2008, 8:38pm
Post #1 of 34
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My Birthday Mathom – A Modest Proposal…
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For the new folks around here, it is a TORn tradition that you may, if you like, post a Mathom on your Birthday which is a gift to the boards – it can be a parody or a poem, some thoughts from the heart or some lembas for the soul, a deep musing or a comic moment. What you post is totally up to you!
For my Mathom this year, I would like to make a Modest Proposal that we start an Annual TORn Thanksgiving Day.
Here is the thinking behind this:
1. Lately, there have been a lot of “history” posts on TORn, where the roots of the website, the stories of those who founded it, and flashbacks to the past are all being shared. Reading these over, I realize I don’t know my TORn history as well as I’d like to, and don’t often think about the bigger picture I have become a part of.
2. There are also a lot of posts that come and go, or comments here and there, where people expresses appreciation for a welcome, a discussion leader, or the role that TORn has come to play in their life. But rarely do we say thanks to those who founded and maintain this place on the web that we call home.
3. Those of us who were involved in creating the map for Altaira, which was a gift of thanks to her, had a great time doing it and we didn’t want to stop there!
4. We have a few traditions already, like Fiesta Fridays. And Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday has become a day for all kinds of fun and clever party games each September. But we don’t have a day where we reflect on our roots, recognize The Powers That Be, and say thanks for all the great and small things that come from being part of a community like this.
Where we might go from here...
I’ve talked with a few folks behind the scenes who have supported me in suggesting the idea of an Annual TORn Thanksgiving Day, and who thought it would be OK if I made that my Mathom for this year.
From that group of conspirators, we also have some starting ideas about appropriate days for this kind of thing – everything from Tolkien’s birthday to the founding date of TORn.
If enough of you like the idea of a TORn Thanksgiving Day, I’ll post the potential dates for such an event in the Pollantir Board for a vote.
While the exact form of this would evolve over time, it would be good to start with some structure, while still leaving a lot of freedom for expressions from the heart. We’d need a planning group to help figure that out and so I'll be asking for volunteers as well.
So, what say you?
Is this an idea whose time has come?
And if you like the idea, and have some thoughts to share along this line, go ahead and post them here!
No matter what your sentiments, I want to say how much I appreciate all of you who make this such a great place to be. If someone would have told me when I wandered into here years ago what TORn would come to mean to me, I would not have believed them.
In the spirit of this Mathom – THANK YOU.
Weaver
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Darkstone
Elvenhome
Jun 20 2008, 8:58pm
Post #3 of 34
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...followed by a virtual Dallas Cowboys football game.
Sure, I'll go for it.
And happy birthday. Are you now able to vote this November or are you going to have to wait another year?
******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”
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Laerasëa
Dor-Lomin
Jun 20 2008, 9:18pm
Post #5 of 34
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Have an incredibly happy birthday! Thank you for everything you've done here, making these boards such a nice place to be!
As for the thanksgiving idea, I think it's an excellent one. I think that it would be a very good tradition, more personal, in a way, than Frodo and Bilbo's birthday, and a wonderful showing of respect for the PTB- and a well-deserved and lasting one, too!
Great idea, weaver! 
********************************
I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying. - Oscar Wilde
This is a work of fiction. All the characters in it, human and otherwise, are imaginary, excepting only certain of the fairy folk, whom it might be unwise to offend by casting doubts on their existence. Or lack thereof. -Neil Gaiman
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. - Mark Twain
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway. - Walt Disney
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils. - Louis Hector Berlioz
Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. -C.S. Lewis
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Aerin
Hithlum
Jun 20 2008, 9:51pm
Post #6 of 34
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Finduilas101
Ossiriand
Jun 20 2008, 10:58pm
Post #7 of 34
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So..so...so...NOBLE of you!!!! *bursts into tears* It's too much! I need a moment...!!!
lol. So yeah, I think it's a great idea! That would be fantastic!
Saruman, Gandalf the Grey rides to Isenguard...NO LONGER SEEKING YOUR COUNCIL!!!
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a.s.
Doriath
Jun 20 2008, 11:05pm
Post #8 of 34
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can I bring my cranberry jello mold?
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It's a Thanksgiving tradition here (they won't let me make it more than once a year, LOL!!)
Seriously, I would like to volunteer in some capacity, join a planning group. Whatever. Put me down.
Very excellent idea.
a.s.
"an seileachan"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive.
But the Skin Horse only smiled.
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Rivendweller
Menegroth
Jun 21 2008, 1:34am
Post #10 of 34
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The happiest of birthdays to you !
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I truly hope you have a wonderful day of celebration ! You deserve it !
I really like the thought of a TORn Thanksgiving Day; complete with all the trimmings. TORn has come to represent a lot of different things for different people; whether it is the place you call " home " daily, weekly or just here and there, or the place you run to when exciting Tolkien news comes about, or the place you know you will find friends, it is * the * place to be when you need to share. An annual thank you for having it " be here " is fitting and proper. I daresay even The Reading Room would come out for a day of fun ! * * waves to Reading Room academic scholars * *
Terrific idea !! Happy Brithday again !
There's something of everything here, The Shire and the Golden Wood and Gondor and kings' houses and inns and meadows and mountains all mixed.
....and there are Elves when you want them.
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Formerly A'amel from days gone by.
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Altaira
Superuser
Jun 21 2008, 2:09am
Post #11 of 34
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What a wonderful mathom! I love the idea and I'm sure it will mean a lot to TPTB. 
I hope you have an absolutely wonderful birthday!
Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.
"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower
"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase
TORn Calendar
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silneldor
Gondolin
Jun 21 2008, 3:46am
Post #12 of 34
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is lit over your head and it is lighting up the whole site here..
Gad that is a good 'un of an idea!
AND i hope weaver you had the Bestest Birthday ever.
"Tolkien, like Lewis, believed that, through story, the real world would become a more magical place, full of meaning. We see its patterns and colors in a fresh way. The recovery of a true view of the world applies both to individual things, like hills and stones, and to the cosmic - the depths of space and time itself. For in sub-creation, in Tolkien's view, there is a "survey" of space and time. Reality is captured on a miniature scale. Through stories like The Lord of the Rings, a renewed view of things is given, illuminating the homely, the spiritial, the physical, and the moral dimensions of the world."
Tolkien and C.S. Lewis- The Gift of Friendship -Duriez
May the grace of Manwë let us soar with eagle's wings!
In the air, among the clouds in the sky
Here is where the birds of Manwe fly
Looking at the land, and the water that flows
The true beauty of earth shows
With the stars of Varda lighting my way
In all the realms this is where I stay
In the realm of Manwë Súlimo
By El~Cugu
From the website: 'The Realm of Manwe'
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jun 21 2008, 4:21am
Post #13 of 34
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Many Happy Returns of the day, weaver!
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Now that is a most Hobbity mathom: the idea of giving a "gift" to TPTB! We could have a day of related limericks, and stories, and quizzes, and maybe a "get to know your PTBs" .
Yes, a poll would be great; what dates could be included in it? Tolkien's Birthday (January 4th), March 25th, April - hm, was that the 10th that was the "official" first day of TORn? Or Midsummer's Day, or December 25th (the day the Fellowship set out from Rivendell), or...
And thank you, it is folks like you who make TORn the delightful place it is!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?"
-Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915
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Elven
Doriath
Jun 21 2008, 10:36am
Post #14 of 34
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dear weaver ..
A wonderful Birthday full of happiness and good cheer, laughter and the company of friends and family ...
I hope the year ahead is special in every way!
Happy Birthday!
Cheers Elven ...
... and about that fantastic plan of yours!! WOOT!! I think its a wonderful idea! - if there's anything I can do to help - lemme know !
Cheers
Elven
Were off to Hobbiton finally!
Tolkien was a Capricorn!!
Russell Crowe for Beorn!!
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Peredhil lover
Doriath
Jun 21 2008, 12:12pm
Post #15 of 34
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A Happy Birthday to you and many happy returns! I wish you much luck and happiness for the next year (and many more) and hope you have a wonderful day.
And I love your idea! To celebrate the day TORn was founded would be great. It seems more fitting for me than the birthday of the Professor (which gets toasted anyway) and would be a special 'Thank you' for TPTB for giving us this great place. How sweet of you to give us this sort of mathom!
(((((Weaver)))))
I do not suffer from LotR obsession - I enjoy every minute of it.
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jun 21 2008, 1:54pm
Post #16 of 34
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and that's a wonderful idea you've brought to the table. Yes, say I!
Hanging out with the Lonely Isle elves.
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Aunt Dora Baggins
Elvenhome
Jun 21 2008, 4:03pm
Post #17 of 34
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I think it's a great idea! I'm kind of partial to Midsummer's Day myself, since it's mentioned several times in both The Hobbit and LotR, but the date of the founding of TORn would be great too, if we can figure out when it is. Or any other day would be fine with me. If we do go with Midsummer's Day, we've just missed it this year, but maybe we could have a late one this year and then establish an annual date. Anyway, I'll be looking for your poll, and thinking of something to bring to the potluck!
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"For DORA BAGGINS in memory of a LONG correspondence, with love from Bilbo; on a large wastebasket. Dora was Drogo's sister, and the eldest surviving female relative of Bilbo and Frodo; she was ninety-nine, and had written reams of good advice for more than half a century."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"A Chance Meeting at Rivendell" and other stories
leleni at hotmail dot com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Ainu Laire
Dor-Lomin
Jun 21 2008, 5:33pm
Post #18 of 34
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And I, for one, like your idea! :D
My LJ
My art site
NARF since age 8, when I refused to read the Hobbit because the cover looked boring and icky.
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Eledhwen
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jun 22 2008, 5:09am
Post #19 of 34
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Lovely idea. I vote for the founding date of TORN.
Figwit Still Lives!
Calling for a Figwit cameo in The Hobbit since May 2008
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Roheryn
Dor-Lomin
Jun 22 2008, 10:17am
Post #20 of 34
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Does Middle-earth have cranberries?
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A very wonderful happy birthday to you, weaver! I hope you've had a great one. And as a treat for yourself on your birthday, give yourself peace of mind by finishing up all those things you've left unfinished: that tub of ice cream, that chocolate bar, that bottle of wine...
What a fantastic mathom -- I think it's a great idea. I don't have as much time these days to post here, but I try to make a point of poking in at least once in a while and for special days, and an annual TORn Thanksgiving Day would be a great day to celebrate. Think of all the the reasons we could share for being thankful to TORn! Thanks for coming up with this, and thank you for being a great part of the community here. :-)
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hatster
Nargothrond
Jun 22 2008, 11:41am
Post #21 of 34
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glad you came here and glad you stayed...and I don't know about other folks, but I'm thankful for TORn everyday. But hey, a special day would be good too.
The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.
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Lily Fairbairn
Gondolin
Jun 22 2008, 3:48pm
Post #22 of 34
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What a great idea, a chance for us to join hands and be grateful. You're quite right, when I started lurking here, right before TTT was released, I had no clue how much this community would eventually mean to me.
Bless you all.
* * * * * * *
Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?
A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!
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greendragon
Sr. Staff
Jun 22 2008, 5:26pm
Post #23 of 34
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And thanks for the great mathom! I love the idea of a TORn Thanksgiving. I'm just rushing now so can't post many ideas, but imho the day TORn was started would be the ideal date, and I would be happy to help in any way I can. So if you need committee members or help with anything, count me in!
Many happy returns of the day to you!
'There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of my fridge...'
'You never know what will happen next, when once you get mixed up with TORnsibs and their friends.'
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Dagonet
Menegroth
Jun 22 2008, 6:25pm
Post #24 of 34
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Happy birthday!
That sounds like a great idea! I'm always up for a thanksgiving, no matter what it's for! Food for all! Hee-hee that's virtual food of course!
Dagonet,
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shdows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
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RosieLass
Doriath
Jun 22 2008, 9:01pm
Post #25 of 34
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Many happy returns of the day!
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Your idea sounds great. Maybe we can roust some lurkers/oldbies/First Agers who haven't been around in a while to participate, too.
"Rabbit's clever," said Pooh thoughtfully.
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit's clever."
"And he has Brains."
"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit has Brains."
There was a long silence.
"I suppose," said Pooh, "that that's why he never understands anything."
- A. A. Milne
http://mallika.vox.com/
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