The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008

Morgoth's Curse wrote:
> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):

Michelle J. Haines

> Gender:

female

> Age:

35

> Nationality:

American

> Posting since:

Not nearly so long as I've been posting to Usenet in general. Hm. Now
you're going to make me look it up, aren't you?
August 12, 2003. In a post about why the Elves in the Silmarillion
seemed so oridinary as compared to the Elves in LOTR.

And, trolling through the posts through the next couple of weeks, I had
some really unpleasant run-ins after that. With Stan Brown, a few with
AC, and primarily with softrat (I don't think I ever did unkillfile
him). Whew. Rough start in this group.

> Heroes:

You know, a lot of the people I work with.

> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

Tolkien of course, a lot of reading in general, Norwegian language (i
have spurts of learning it when I have time), I have a particular MMO I
play in my spare time, I've played the flute for 25 years, I'm very into
music, and I'm an EMT. Basic level, halfway through my Intermediate
certification.

> What do you dislike?:

Lots of things

> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

My dad

> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:

Um. The Hobbit (regular and annotated), LOTR, Silmarillion, Unfinished
Tales, Leaf by Niggle/Farmer Giles of Ham, The Children of Hurin, The
Lost Tales I. I think that's it.

> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:

Respectively: Balin, multiple, Luthien

> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:

I don't know, really.

> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):

Hm. I'll go with the one we know best and pick Aragorn, just 'cause he
seems like a nice guy.

> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:

Other than childishly "translating" words into the runes in The Hobbit, no.

> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:

I'm not much of a writer.

> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):

Perhaps, but I can't recall a specific instance at the moment.

> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

I do and have, but it depends on the friend.

> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:

The only one I typically reference is the COTW one.

> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:

The only one I have, if it can be called that, is the Annotated Hobbit.

> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:

It's probably directed my whole general adult reading life, but in
specific, Guy Gavriel Kay.

> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

C.S. Friedman, George R.R. Martin, others too numerous to bother listing

> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:

Sure, absolutely. There's some things that really disappointed me, too.

> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife?

er.......


Michelle
Flutist
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

In message <news:d34mn3pba510rmsisso1qgvbjb8rfgdc8b@4ax.com>
Morgoth's Curse <morgothscurse2002 RemoveThis @nospam.yahoo.com> spoke these
staves:
>

You really are going to try and restore some of the pride of AFT/RABT,
aren't you

Gone are the questions relating to the big debates of the past, I see
-- no more Balrog wings (not even barbecued?) or Who-killed-the-Witch-
king?

You are still very welcome to put this up at the AFT-RABT site at
<http://silenceisdefeat.org/~aft-rabt/>

> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):

Troels Forchhammer

> Gender:

The fathering kind

> Age:

Later this year I shall become the answer -- the answer to the Big
Question, that is (the one about life, the universe etc.)

> Nationality:

Not terribly important, but Danish

> Posting since:

I seem to remember I looked it up the last time -- surely it's on
record somewhere

> Heroes:

As the proud Jute said to his wife when she complained that he had only
ever told her once that he loved her, 'I'll inform you if there's a
change in the situation'

> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

Many and diverse.

> What do you dislike?:

If you really need something here, then quote the stuff from 2006
(though it's pretty inane).

> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

Don't do this to me . . .

Somebody told me they were good, and I tried them out.

> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:

I have read too few of his books.

But my favourite (so far) . . .

LotR, definitely LotR.

No, wait! "Of Tuor and his coming to Gondolin" -- or "Leaf by Niggle" .
.. .

Of course! How silly -- it has to be "On Fairy Stories" . . . or?

What was the question again?

> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:

Gandalf (TH), Frodo (LotR) and . . . hmmm (that one's tougher) . . .
perhaps Ulmo.

> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:

That depends on the age, I'd say.

Gondolin, Númenor or Rivendell.

> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):

Elrond.

> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:

/Tried/ is the operative word here

(with thanks to Helge Fauskanger for his Quenya course)

> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:

Rather the opposite

Authors such as JK Rowling might inspire me to try my own hand (after
all, I know my grasp of logic and consistency is superior to hers), but
Tolkien has the opposite effect -- his effort is simply too monumental.

> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):

I really don't know.

> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

Only if their interest doesn't make my replacement copies more
expensive

> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:

See the non-comprehensive list here:
<http://silenceisdefeat.org/~aft-rabt/links.html>

> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:

Oh dear!

I can't answer that, since it depends on what for, but Scull and
Hammond's /Reader's Guide/ and /Reader's Companion/ are definitely high
up the list. Shippey's and Carpenter's books aren't really reference
books, so they don't count here

> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:

Apart from those who write about Tolkien? (Shippey, Carpenter, Garth,
Flieger, Drout, etc.): Dunno, really.

> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

Many others . . .

> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:

Sure -- Jackson's films are great films -- it's just a pity he didn't
understand Tolkien, of course.

> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife?

TEUNC (the /true/ TEUNC which may or may not be any more) is always the
only /true/ repository of understanding of Tolkien's writings.

--
Troels Forchhammer
Valid e-mail is <troelsfo(a)gmail.com>
Please put [AFT], [RABT] or 'Tolkien' in subject.

Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind.
- /Reaper Man/ (Terry Pratchett)
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Troels Forchhammer wrote:
> Gone are the questions relating to the big debates of the past, I see
> -- no more Balrog wings (not even barbecued?) or Who-killed-the-Witch-
> king?

the witch-king is dead?

> Not terribly important, but Danish

first you'll have to fight the norwegians for the "not terribly
important" title.

> TEUNC (the /true/ TEUNC which may or may not be any more) is always the
> only /true/ repository of understanding of Tolkien's writings.

yes, of curse. Shoredinger's TEUNC is eopled only with monkeys,
typewirters and a total ban on quotations from Shakespeare. they should
be finishing the silmarillion nay moment now.

--
tamf.
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Tamf Moo wrote:

> Troels Forchhammer wrote:
>> Gone are the questions relating to the big debates of the past, I see
>> -- no more Balrog wings (not even barbecued?) or Who-killed-the-Witch-
>> king?
>
> the witch-king is dead?

Oops. There should have been a spoiler alert...

--
derek
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Morgoth's Curse wrote:

> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):

Derek

> Gender:

Male
>
> Age:

50(ish)
>
> Nationality:

Canadian/British
>
> Posting since:

Google it - I don't remember.
>
> Heroes:

Fictional or Factional? Stephen Lewis & Roméo Dallaire
>
> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

Dogs, reading, dogs, wine, dogs & computers.

> What do you dislike?:

Cabbage.
>
> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

My grandfather gave me /The Hobbit/ in the late '60s.
>
> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:

All of the ones he published, and /The Silmarillion/. I've fallen asleep to
parts of HOME, but can't be said to have read them... My favorite
is /Fellowship of the Ring/

> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"?

Bilbo

> "The Lord of the Rings"?

Aragorn

> "The Silmarillion"?:

hmmm. Far past time to reread it...

> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:

Beorn's

> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth?

I'm not really the servant type. Problems with authority and all that...

> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:

Do I look like a geek? (OK, I do, but that's not the point)

> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:

No. I write, but I wouldn't dare to write anything Tolkien-inspired!

> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):

Heavens! I have enough trouble remembering such inspiring quotes as "I have
a dream".

> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

Always.

> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

Too many to name or even remember. I currently have a Vonnegut I'd somehow
missed. I just finished the latest Goodkind and Jordan tomes - but I can't
say I enjoyed them, I'm just too stubborn to quit this far into them
(though Goodkind is coming out head & shoulders above Jordan, but that's
not saying much). Cherryh is still a favorite for both SF and Fantasy.

> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:

Every single one of them, good or bad. (Yes, Jamie, Peter Jackson _will_
die, and as long as you keep yourself in good shape, probably before you).

>
> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife?

Yes!
--
derek
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:52:35 GMT, Troels Forchhammer
<Troels.RemoveThis@ThisIsFake.invalid> wrote:

>In message <news:d34mn3pba510rmsisso1qgvbjb8rfgdc8b@4ax.com>
>Morgoth's Curse <morgothscurse2002.RemoveThis@nospam.yahoo.com> spoke these
>staves:
>>
>
>You really are going to try and restore some of the pride of AFT/RABT,
>aren't you

Fair shall the end be though long and hard shall be the road! Say
farewell to bondage! But say farewell also to ease! Say farewell to
the weak! Say farewell to your treasures! More still shall we make!

>Gone are the questions relating to the big debates of the past, I see
>-- no more Balrog wings (not even barbecued?) or Who-killed-the-Witch-
>king?

I snipped the list out of respect to Arkady and Alatar as it was their
creation. I might be persuaded to restore it if there is sufficient
demand for it.

>You are still very welcome to put this up at the AFT-RABT site at
><http://silenceisdefeat.org/~aft-rabt/>

I meant to ask about that. I thought that you mentioned that you were
switching to a new server because you were dissatisfied with
silenceisdefeat.org?

>> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:
>
>Rather the opposite
>
>Authors such as JK Rowling might inspire me to try my own hand (after
>all, I know my grasp of logic and consistency is superior to hers), but
>Tolkien has the opposite effect -- his effort is simply too monumental.

My sentiments exactly. ^_^

>> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
>> Chaos and Strife?
>
>TEUNC (the /true/ TEUNC which may or may not be any more) is always the
>only /true/ repository of understanding of Tolkien's writings.

You obviously need to acquire more wisdom before you are truly a Wise
Sage!

Morgoth's Curse
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:22:16 -0700, "Michelle J. Haines"
<mhaines RemoveThis @nanc.com> wrote:

>> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
>> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:
>
>Respectively: Balin, multiple, Luthien
>
Damn it. Now you have me rereading LOTR in search of the character
named Multiple! It's no wonder I never find time to post here.

Morgoth's Curse
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Morgoth's Curse wrote:
> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):
>
Jamie Armstrong

> Gender:
>
Male

> Age:
>
30

> Nationality:
>
British

> Posting since:
>
2000, on and off (admittedly more off than on...)

> Heroes:
>
I don't really go in for heroes.

> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:
>
Politics, reading, music, history and archaeology, football and cricket.

> What do you dislike?:
>
Meat, bad archaeologists, general stupidity.

> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:
>
I was given a copy of The Hobbit one birthday. Soon after I read LotR,
then The Silmarillion, and then moved on to Unfinished Tales and HoME.

> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:
>
Easier to say what I *haven't* read!

The Father Christmas Letters
Roverandom
The Children of Hurin
chunks of HoME

LotR is obviously my favourite, but Unfinished Tales is my favourite of
all the others.

> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:
>
Bilbo, Faramir, Tuor.

> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:
>
Nowhere: I'd far rather travel around.

> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):
>
None: I'd be travelling!

> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:
>
No: I was never very good at languages at school.

> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:
>
Not really. I once wrote a mock paper set a few hundred years after
LotR, in which a revisionist historian argued that Aragorn was a
usurping tyrant, and that Sauron and Mordor had been misrepresented by
the author of the Red Book. But I intended it as a satire on modern
history, and wouldn't say it was fan-fic (which doesn't interest me).

> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):
>
Oh dear me no. What an idea!

> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:
>
I do, frequently. They usually don't listen.

> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:
>
No.

> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:
>
I recently flicked through the Hammond and Scull Reader's Guide, which
looked very interesting, but otherwise I rely on my own knowledge.

> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:
>
No-one.

> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:
>
I'm not reading much fiction at the moment, but favourite authors are
Austen, Bester, Solzhenitsyn, Pratchett, Orwell, Peake, Gaiman.

> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:
>
NO! Peter Jackson will DIE!!

> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
> Chaos and Strife?
>
I'm neither friendly nor foey.

> Notes:
>
I'm an archaeologist!
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

On Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:08:19 +0000, Jamie Armstrong
<J.D.Armstrong.TakeThisOut@durham.ac.uk> wrote:


>> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:
>>
>Nowhere: I'd far rather travel around.

With a pick in one hand and a shovel in the other? No barrow
wight would ever be safe again!

>> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:
>>
>Not really. I once wrote a mock paper set a few hundred years after
>LotR, in which a revisionist historian argued that Aragorn was a
>usurping tyrant, and that Sauron and Mordor had been misrepresented by
>the author of the Red Book. But I intended it as a satire on modern
>history, and wouldn't say it was fan-fic (which doesn't interest me).

Post it here please! We need something new to mock and laugh at! ^_^

>> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
>> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
>> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):
>>
>Oh dear me no. What an idea!

Heretic! < smites Jamie with a heavy leather bound copy of LOTR >
>
>> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:
>>
>I do, frequently. They usually don't listen.

I feel your pain. My friends are equally inconsiderate.

>> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:
>>
>I recently flicked through the Hammond and Scull Reader's Guide, which
>looked very interesting, but otherwise I rely on my own knowledge.

You should check out The Annotated Hobbit as well.

>> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?:
>>
>NO! Peter Jackson will DIE!!

Testify, brother!

>
>> Bonus question: Are you friend or foe of TEUNC, the Dark Lord of
>> Chaos and Strife?
>>
>I'm neither friendly nor foey.

You must choose--but choose wisely. Just as those who oppose TEUNC
shall earn great reward, so too those who embrace the deceits of Tyope
shall know unimaginable suffering!

Morgoth's Curse
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Morgoth's Curse wrote:
> The Who's Who of the Tolkien Newsgroups 2008 *
>
>
> Name/Alias(es):

John Wright / Soarhead

> Gender:

Male

> Age:

58

> Nationality:

English

> Posting since:

On and off since I don't remember when

> Heroes:

The Late Richard Feynmann

> What are your hobbies and/or interests?:

Physics, maths. Soaring.

> What do you dislike?:

Crisp packets

> How did you discover the works of J.R.R. Tolkien?:

As a young teenager

> Which of J.R.R. Tolkien's books have you read and which is your
> favorite?:

Most. Unfinished Tales.

> Which is your favorite character from "The Hobbit"? "The Lord of the
> Rings"? "The Silmarillion"?:

Gandalf

Aragorn

Beren

> Where would you live if you could dwell anywhere in Middle-earth?:

Ithilien

> Which lord would you serve if you lived in Middle-earth? (You can
> choose any of the lords from any of the first three ages.):

Prince Faramir

> Have you ever tried to learn to speak or write any of the languages
> that Tolkien invented?:

No.

> Has Tolkien inspired you to write any stories of your own?:

No

> Has Tolkien had any impact on the moral choices of your life? (In
> other words, did you recall specific quotes from his works when you
> were trying to figure out what was the right thing to do?):

Yes

> Would you recommend the works of Tolkien to your friends?:

Yes

> Do you have a favorite Tolkien-related website?:

No

> What is your favorite Tolkien-related reference book?:

Complete Guide to Middle Earth, Robert Foster.

> What other authors has Tolkien inspired you to read?:

Tom Shippey, Humphrey Carpenter

> What other authors do you currently enjoy reading?:

Harry Turtledove

> Did you enjoy any of the movies about Middle-earth?

Yes


--
John Wright

Life is too short to be normal - Heather Kuzmich
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Michelle J. Haines wrote:
>
> And, trolling through the posts through the next couple of weeks, I had
> some really unpleasant run-ins after that. With Stan Brown, a few with
> AC, and primarily with softrat (I don't think I ever did unkillfile
> him). Whew. Rough start in this group.

Ah, the good old days, when every newbie's rite of passage was to be
called an idiot by the softrat, and when we dared not name the Nameless
One for fear of calling down His wrath.

Happy times!

Jamie
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Jamie Armstrong wrote:
> Michelle J. Haines wrote:
>>
>> And, trolling through the posts through the next couple of weeks, I
>> had some really unpleasant run-ins after that. With Stan Brown, a few
>> with AC, and primarily with softrat (I don't think I ever did
>> unkillfile him). Whew. Rough start in this group.
>
> Ah, the good old days, when every newbie's rite of passage was to be
> called an idiot by the softrat, and when we dared not name the Nameless
> One for fear of calling down His wrath.

Well, it was bad enough that you almost labeled me a troll, Jamie. :p
Rat hit a sore spot with his poking and I got all scrappy in return.

Michelle
Flutist
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008 

Michelle J. Haines wrote:
> Jamie Armstrong wrote:

<snip>

>> Ah, the good old days, when every newbie's rite of passage was to be
>> called an idiot by the softrat, and when we dared not name the
>> Nameless One for fear of calling down His wrath.
>
> Well, it was bad enough that you almost labeled me a troll, Jamie. :p

Me? Really? I'm not sure I've ever accused anyone of trolling, even if
they were!

Jamie
 >> Stay informed about: The Who's Who of AFT/RABT 2008