Thank you, Phrim.

After Birdland's tie-breaker vote, Philly it is. (Even without having to use up Kate's second vote [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] )

Now we just need to decide a specific weekend.

Vanima, taking a commuter train from NYC to Philadelphia isn't that difficult at all. I could even offer to pick you up at the train station if you wanted...

I'm happy to act as chaperone if your parents are going to put up a fight as well, Vanima. I vote second weekend in July, if my vote counts for anything.

Ah tartar sauce! I was hoping for Pittsburgh, that would have been too good to be true! Turns out it was.

Don't know if I'll be able to make it, but if I can any weekend but that of June 21 is OK at this point.

[ February 17, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]

Myself, I'll be unavailable on the weekends of June 28th and July 26th.

Well, July 26th is my birthday, so hopefully I'll be doing something WAY COOLER than hanging out with a bunch of Tolkien enthusiasts... [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Kidding, kidding. Seriously, I'd prefer it not to be the 26th, because I have to spend my birthday with the fam. But that's just my preference, and you guys are free to file it away and disregard it henceforth.

Well, the week after July 4th isn't good for me as I should be with Collette Took that week. The third week in July would be nice I think.

Tentative date then is July 19.
How does this sound?

Sounds like a plan to me.

Spiffy.

That date would probably work for me as well.

I will try my darnest to be there on the 19th then!

Good for me too.

Wow. You mean this could actually, really happen?

BW, Sharku, Mr Underhill and I have been monitoring this thread and others like it. While we understand why members would want to meet one another, we are a bit concerned and wish to emphasize that care must be taken if you choose to arrange such a meeting.

First, the Barrow-Downs itself is not involved in organizing such meetings and does not intend to be in the future. These meetings are arranged by individuals or groups of individuals and we take no responsibility for the outcome. The decision to meet is made by individual members at their own risk. We are not providing transportation, accomodations or security and are not involved in the choice of locale or the agenda.

If you choose to meet, individually or in groups, please think it through, plan carefully and be careful! Meet in public with other persons present. Make sure that others know where you are going and who you are meeting. Think twice before providing personal information to other members such as e-mail addresses, telephone numbers or home addresses and do not send anyone money or credit card information.

We're sorry to throw a wet blanket over this but we are concerned about peoples' safety and want to emphasize that this is not an "official", sanctioned event sponsored by the Barrow-Downs. If you choose to meet, good luck and we hope that you enjoy yourselves. But please be careful!

Very good advise, Admins. I have participated in a meet with members of another board, and had a very good time, but caution and common sense are required. After all, you may think you know someone from writing with them online, but "real life" is entirely another matter.

I will state that (get ready for the screams and groans) any "meetings" between B-D members should be an "adults only" party, and I would not participate in any meetings involving underage members. And under no circumstance should any underage Barrow Downer be accepting offers from adult members for rides to meetings or arrangements to help them attend.

For pity sakes don't post phone numbers or e-mail addresses online! And after the rough draft of a meeting has been agreed to, the final meeting places should be kept between those attending only. Don't want any party crashers, now do we?

I generally believe that 99% of the members of this board are who they say they are. This isn't, after all, one of those open-to-all internet chat rooms, and the focus of the Downs is so narrow that it doesn't attract too many crazies. But keep your private life private is my motto, and always leave yourself an out.

As my parents and I both have as much sense as Birdland, that is why I must decline any offers for you to pick me up. I trust you, XPhial, but this is the Internet: even though I'm sure you are not an axe-murderer, you never can be too sure.

And I will most likely still be sleeping off my jetlag from Russia anyway.

In the future, if I was free and brought a chaperone (such as my ultra-hip mom who is just as obsessed as I am...except that she likes Johnny Depp a bit more than Orlando Bloom and Viggo Mortensen [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ...and who is my best friend in the world), would that be okay? Not that it will matter, considering that in a little over two years, I will be able to come on my own. Just a quick question...

[ February 23, 2003: Message edited by: VanimaEdhel ]

Personally, I would have no problem with that in the future. However, since we have yet to have a 'get-together', (Yes, I am being very careful to keep from the semblance of 'officialness' [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) I think it would be prudent to follow Birdland's 'adults only' guideline this time.

[ March 07, 2003: Message edited by: Bruce MacCulloch ]

I'm an adult (*shock*). So, wait, does this actually mean that if this even indeed happens, and I indeed will be able to make to Philly without the P.O.S. expiring on me half-way down the road, then I will be stuck in mature company and mature company only? [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

P.S. Birdie, have you quit smoking yet? Because I just started again.

Yeah, Lush, old farts whereever you look. We're planning on staging the Battle of Helm's Deep with our walkers.

(Sigh) Still smoking, though I have a plan. Give it up, girl. Smokers are pariahs anymore.

ROFL! Birdie hobbles into the meeting with forty orc-action-figures dangling off of her walker, and Lush rushes forward with Aragorn to fend them off-- but-- fffwttt!-- somebody shoots a little plastic Legolas arrow right through Birdie's purse strap and she tumbles, walker and all, back into the crowd...

[ February 25, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

Sad too, as this was my idea [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]. But, you do have a good point, and I must admit I never get tired of age discrimination. (I do see your point however)

Actually, I should probably ask, what do you consider "adult"?

[ February 26, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

18 and up.

How fun! Can I sit on the sidelines and laugh, and pretend I don't know you guys? [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I suppose I shouldn't tell you that my nickname in school used to be "tomb-raider," for my penchant for older men, that is. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

Well, I suppose I should implement a fewllo BD member's rule on cigarettes: special occasions only.

I think if you can drive there you should be able to come, honestly. There's no sense in excluding people, but do what you want.

Beren, if something happens to you, or to anyone else who chooses to attend and is coincidentally under the age of 18, your parents will have every right to press charges against the other people involved. This is why there is now an age limit. Not because anyone is trying to discriminate, they just don't want to go to jail, or get their pants sued off.

[ February 26, 2003: Message edited by: Lush ]

Yes, Beren. Lush is right. Anyone under the age of 18 would have to have the permission of their parents to attend any get-togethers of people on this board, and would have to be escorted by their folks. I just can't see too many parents agreeing to such a thing. (Unfortunately, with good reason, considering some of the horrific things that have happened to kids from talking to strangers online.)

Now of course, I wouldn't include an innocuous site like the Barrow-Downs in the same vein as a wide-open chat room where the focus is solely to "meet" people. But I would still have to question the wisdom of a parent who would allow a minor to attend such an event.

On the other hand; if an adult B-Der were to attend with their own children, that would be a different matter. But I would think that the kids would get totally bored and restless after a little while.

"Aw Mom! How much longer are you gonna sit there talkin' Tolkien??"

[ February 27, 2003: Message edited by: Birdland ]

And what is the purpose of that? Your stereotyping, and I find it quite annoying.

(And I already have the permission of my parents)

[ February 27, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

I think they mean it more as a safety issue than as a question of your maturity. Also it puts your parents even more at ease.

Safety from what? Them? Do they not trust themselves?

And I've been to Pittsburgh (and quite a lot of places on my own, my parents are well at ease, thanks)

See, Beren87, the thing is that you never know, and your parents never know, and whether they say it's all right or not doesn't necessarily mean that it is. I can't tell you how many kids I've put on the rack in my days, and those are the lucky ones. Trust me, you don't want to hang around us. I mean, just imagine what Lush might do to you, were she to forget her court orders.

Right then.


Edit: Just realised how appropriate the latter portion of my signature is.

[ February 27, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

Adult - Someone who, by law, can take sole responsibility for his own decisions and actions. i.e., someone over the age of 18.

Beren, if you family trusts me enough to feel that you can safely meet me in a public place, having never met me or knowing anything about me, then I am flattered. However; I respectfully decline the responsibility.

I am sure you are a very wonderful person, and I would very much enjoy meeting you as a fellow Barrow Downer - but only in the presence of your parents.

That's my final word on the subject. (Boy, am I a hard case or what?)

I'm going to file that one away under "peculiar compliment." [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Seriously, where is Mithadan? He's a lawyer. He's up on his laws. Because if our authority doesn't convince you, Beren, his authority should.

This has been an interesting thread. I would consider making a chance appearance, but alas, I know myself all to well (well enough to know I'm not going to drive to Philly from NY). Ugh... that means I would have to leave the Island and drive through the city with all the commuter traffic (depending upon the time). As for a train, no thanks, I can barely stand the 1/2 hour ride to Manhattan, when I have to make it.

Anyway, I believe I'm already busy during that week, to boot. A friend and I were planning an excusion to Mt. Washington one last time before swaggering off to college in September. Perhaps if there's ever another one of these meeting-type-sessions scheduled, I might grace you all with my long-forgotten presence. ;}

[ March 03, 2003: Message edited by: Suldaledhel ]

You are never forgotten, Sudsy. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Who on earth said they trust you?? They trust me, dear sir. But honestly, what is the problem? When it comes down to it, it's not your decision it's my parents more than anything and if they say there is no problem than I don't see one either. But, make whatever choice you will. Either way I'll be going to Cali for a BD meeting involving ColletteTook, FayeTook, Aengreatha Greenleaf, and Thengise Greenleaf. So I'll still be at a meeting regardless of whatever choice the small-minded "adults" decide to make.

[ March 01, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

Didn't someone once say "It's a dangerous business going out your front door"?

I'd normally take offense at being called small-minded, but I'll let the fact that one is apparently too preoccupied with lambasting poor geezers such as myself ( [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) to read up on this country's laws speak for itself.

What's to read? Consent was given to a minor by their parents! By law if permission is granted in writing by both parents, then there is no responsibility on anyone else's part. So would you like me to to get a field-trip permission form signed!? Maybe that would ease your mind. I really don't know, and quite frankly I give up at any amount of an argument here. Quite obviously you have a problem with me, so as stated I'll simply be in California. I do wish for the best of luck with whatever you decide to do and hope you all have a wonderful amount of fun.

[ March 03, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

(Sigh.)
Not true.
Again, not true.

Beren - I will state this simply. I choose not to attend any non-sanctioned, unofficial, casual meeting of online acquaintances where unescorted minors will be present. If I come to this get-together, and find that there are unescorted minors there, I will leave. Simple as that.

I look forward to seeing Philly, which I hear is a very interesting city. And I think it would be fun to meet with fellow Tolkienphiles from the Barrow-Downs. But if I do choose to come to a "get-together", then I am taking it as a matter of faith that the people who are going to be there will all be over the age of 18, or if not, will be escorted by a parent or adult legal guardian.

That's the terms I have set for myself before I attend any get-together, either here at the Downs or any other forum I participate in online. That's my "comfort level". Others may feel differently. Again, I take it as a matter of faith that other people attending are being honest with me, and I will not be making a six-hour car trip and spending money on a hotel for nothing. (Well, not strictly for "nothing". I'll still get to see Philly.)

BTW Beren - It speaks volumes for my argument that apparently you don't even know whether I am a male or a female. (I'm a 47-year-old female. But then, you'll just have to take my word on that.)

I apologize if I have upset you, but I do not apologize for my opinion.