Trying to find other tolkienists... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 03-12-2005, 03:05 PM

Wearing a cloak with a fellowship brooch in public works. Especially the week a new movie is released.

Otherwise... I guess you could try a tee shirt that says "Frodo lives" or "Which way to Valinor" or something....

Lyta_Underhill · 03-12-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Wearing a cloak with a fellowship brooch in public works. Especially the week a new movie is released.

Actually, the Leaves of Lorien draw attention, even from people who have no idea what Lord of the Rings is. They notice it and say, "What a lovely brooch!" ---And then I tell them what it is. That's when their eyes glaze over, they notice I'm also wearing a sword, hobbit breeches, a cloak and have a ring around a chain on my neck. Then they hide their children and that's that!

Cheers!
Lyta

P.S. They never stick around long enough to notice I've got big hairy feet!

Child of the 7th Age · 03-12-2005, 06:36 PM

Well, this is isn't very exciting but if you're short on costumes or jewelry at the moment, try hanging around the Tolkien books in a local bookshop. I have started more than one conversation that way. There is one clerk in the neighborhood Borders who is a definite "fan". He and I have talked on any number of occasions, especially if my purchase involves something from Tolkien.

This kind of introduction works best if you're buying or looking at something fairly "obscure" or collectible rather than just a routine paperback edition of LotR. The minute I see someone pouring over Morgoth's Ring, I'll figure out a way to start a conversation. And I have had the same thing happen to me.

Once or twice, I've had someone start a conversation when I was pouring over one of the books. This works well on airplanes where the person is a captive in the seat and can't help but notice what you are reading.

My favorite t-shirt is one with the White Tree. There are no words or labels on it--just the picture. For a person to recognize what you are wearing they have to be a fairly knowledgable reader. I think I have had one person stop me and ask where I'd gotten it.

Kath · 03-13-2005, 06:04 AM

Quote:

My favorite t-shirt is one with the White Tree. There are no words or labels on it--just the picture. For a person to recognize what you are wearing they have to be a fairly knowledgable reader. I think I have had one person stop me and ask where I'd gotten it.

Here is another person to ask you, as I have never seen one around and would love to have one.

Nimrodel_9 · 03-14-2005, 12:41 PM

Once in a while I write "Frodo Lives" or "Do the wave for Boromir the Disco King" on the dividers we use in science when taking tests. I put Frodo Lives on a ring I made in shop class, too. Some people have noticed it on the dividers and have guessed it was me, but none of them are Tolkienists. Writing in Dwarven runes on your hand draws attention. I had one Tolkienist notice and was very happy.

Lalwendë · 03-14-2005, 04:43 PM

I wear a silver one ring (I often wonder how many 'one' rings there are out there...

) so that's my subtle way of making sure my affiliations are known; if someone notices it then they will know what it signifies.

The less subtle signifiers might include the state of my desk at work. I have these vile baffle things around it which I cover in pictures; one side is entirely covered in a variety of LotR postcards. I also have Tolkien's painting of Rivendell as wallpaper, a screensaver of Saruman and a copy of the Sil on there. And I have an immensely heavy LotR keyring - far too heavy for car keys because they would pull the ignition gear out!

People ask me daft questions like "Do you like Lord of the Rings?" so maybe I could intensify the 'Tolkien-ness' of it?

My reputation has gone before me though, and I frequently have strangers asking me obscure questions, and the best way to wake me from my quiet slumber behind my workstation or the frequent daydreams of pixies is to mention Tolkien and then I'm all ears.

Encaitare · 03-14-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

I often wonder how many 'one' rings there are out there...

Mine's the real one. *clutches ring protectively*

If you wanted to attract other Tolkienites you could run a personal ad... mine would sound something like:

"SWF, blonde/green, Cancer, seeking SM, 15-18, for 'Downsing, movies, discussions of LotR. Full collection of HoME a must."

Or, you could do what Lalwende did and hit on prestigious BDers.

03-12-2005, 03:05 PM	#1
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Wearing a cloak with a fellowship brooch in public works. Especially the week a new movie is released. Otherwise... I guess you could try a tee shirt that says "Frodo lives" or "Which way to Valinor" or something.... __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

03-12-2005, 06:36 PM	#3
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Well, this is isn't very exciting but if you're short on costumes or jewelry at the moment, try hanging around the Tolkien books in a local bookshop. I have started more than one conversation that way. There is one clerk in the neighborhood Borders who is a definite "fan". He and I have talked on any number of occasions, especially if my purchase involves something from Tolkien. This kind of introduction works best if you're buying or looking at something fairly "obscure" or collectible rather than just a routine paperback edition of LotR. The minute I see someone pouring over Morgoth's Ring, I'll figure out a way to start a conversation. And I have had the same thing happen to me. Once or twice, I've had someone start a conversation when I was pouring over one of the books. This works well on airplanes where the person is a captive in the seat and can't help but notice what you are reading. My favorite t-shirt is one with the White Tree. There are no words or labels on it--just the picture. For a person to recognize what you are wearing they have to be a fairly knowledgable reader. I think I have had one person stop me and ask where I'd gotten it. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

03-14-2005, 12:41 PM	#5
Nimrodel_9 Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 734	Once in a while I write "Frodo Lives" or "Do the wave for Boromir the Disco King" on the dividers we use in science when taking tests. I put Frodo Lives on a ring I made in shop class, too. Some people have noticed it on the dividers and have guessed it was me, but none of them are Tolkienists. Writing in Dwarven runes on your hand draws attention. I had one Tolkienist notice and was very happy. __________________ .:A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart:.

03-14-2005, 04:43 PM	#6
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I wear a silver one ring (I often wonder how many 'one' rings there are out there... ) so that's my subtle way of making sure my affiliations are known; if someone notices it then they will know what it signifies. The less subtle signifiers might include the state of my desk at work. I have these vile baffle things around it which I cover in pictures; one side is entirely covered in a variety of LotR postcards. I also have Tolkien's painting of Rivendell as wallpaper, a screensaver of Saruman and a copy of the Sil on there. And I have an immensely heavy LotR keyring - far too heavy for car keys because they would pull the ignition gear out! People ask me daft questions like "Do you like Lord of the Rings?" so maybe I could intensify the 'Tolkien-ness' of it? My reputation has gone before me though, and I frequently have strangers asking me obscure questions, and the best way to wake me from my quiet slumber behind my workstation or the frequent daydreams of pixies is to mention Tolkien and then I'm all ears. __________________ Gordon's alive!