Writing. Reading. Talking about deeply buried things and bringing them to light.
First Lord of the Rings reading experience:
I think I was about 11 when I first read the Hobbit. I didn't realize that Fili and Kili died at the end - I had to go back and read that part again. Then I cried. I read LotR a few years later, and I taught myself to write using dwarf runes. I've forgotten how, but maybe I should pick it up again :).
Favorite Tolkien character:
Probably Sam, with Faramir a close second. They're both just so strong and decent and true-hearted. Of course, since the Hobbit came out, Thorin has risen in my estimation. His habit of always running *towards* danger, and the way punishing blows tend to bounce off him, impressed me greatly.