Public Research: Free Cheese

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Anguirel

Blast. I thought perhaps this poll would ask whether, in an ideal world, we would prefer to be given Stilton, pecorino, manchego, Roquefort, Camembert, chevre, saganaki, feta or Mature Cheddar...

Such a poll exists only in my mind's eye. Nevertheless, I vote Roquefort...

Oh no, I'll have some Blacksticks Blue, please. Failing that some Tasty Lancashire always goes down well. Also, I wouldn't be averse to trying some Stinking Bishop if you can get your hands on any... I will feel sadly cheated if I don't get any now.

I have been given a fair few different Tolkien books; I suppose they make good presents for people to choose, especially nice editions and sets. I've also inherited my brother's old books, and have bought some editions myself. Quite a lot have been from charity or second hand shops where I've acquired some real bargains, but some have also come from e-bay which I find sooo tempting..... I'm most fond, at the moment, of retro sets, which can be had pretty cheaply and you often see well cared-for box sets.

[the guy who be short]

I see 'stolen from public library' has been omitted as one of the options.

The Bible holds the record as the book most often stolen from libraries. Maybe we should research if Tolkien also inspires this light-fingered obsession? Perhaps there might be some kind of sociological/cultural/confessional link here between books of spirituality and/or myth?

I bought my first books (TH and LotR) in a booksale from the library. Though that's not quite the same thing.

Is a confession on its way, Bêthberry?

[Roa_Aoife]

I'm starting to suspect that the "Free cheese" was merely a lure, to trick hapless dagas such as ourselves into voting...

Curse you, HI, and your tricksy cheeses!

[Mithalwen]

Oh deear I just realised I forgot that I got my first set of LOTR from Father Christmas... but I had already bought the Hobbit for myself.

[Formendacil]

All three....

I've bought them, been given them, and "acquired" Dad's original LotR from 1977.

For cheese, I'd like some Emmentaler... classic Swiss cheese.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I votet that bought them my self, but my english versions was a gift frome my relatives. (who is currently living in England)

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hmm... I checked two boxes on the survey. The answer to this really depends on which book you are talking about. Esty can testify from my multiple overcrowded bookcases that I go a little crazy with book buying and have various editions of many titles. I especially collect hobbits.....books, I mean,.... not real ones.

My first Hobbit and LotR were paperbacks I bought at the local bookstore when I was in my teens, both the dreaded Ace and the official Ballentines. My family has acknowledged my addiction to Tolkien in recent years, and have generously helped fund my "habit" on gift giving occasions. Even my kids have scrounged on e-bay to buy mom copies of Mr. Bliss, Roverandum, Father Christmas letters, etc.

Lalwende - I wouldn't be surprised if we have unknowingly bid against each other on e-bay, although I am trying to be good and resist too much expenditure at the present moment. I am also a big fan of library sales and have picked up some real bargains.

[the phantom]

My friend discovered Tolkien's books and I wanted them quite badly, so I strangled him and took them all. When anyone asks about my books, however, I say they are birthday presents.

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by the guy who be short

I bought my first books (TH and LotR) in a booksale from the library. Though that's not quite the same thing.

Is a confession on its way, Bêthberry?

My, cannot one discuss the state of public libraries without being accused of the offenses under discussion? You must follow the belief that to read about something is to fall under the vile persuasions therein.

[Márcolië Lamen]

I've gotten them all three of the ways, and more.

I inherited LotR, was given Hobbit (copies 2 and 3) and some others, but don't remember exactly which ones, and bought my own copy of the rest, including them in Spanish. The more is how I got The Silmarillion which was by winning it in a Lord of the Rings trivia contest. I was at a Tolkien weekend for my church's diases or however that's spelt, and there was trivia at random points between presentations. The first two of the three trivia games I got second or third place and a bookmark. The third one I got second place, but by a tie breaker. It was because I had the highest total between the three days that I got the Sil as a prize.

I'd probably include that under given to me, but its not the best description.

[the phantom]

So Heren, this public research... when will all it's findings be made public? You have piqued mine and many others' curiosity.

Public research? Ha! Don't believe it for a minute. HerenIstarion is a fiendish fellow. Have you noticed his questions have become more and more personal? Soon, we will find that we have foolishly answered questions that we really shouldn't have answered, and then... he will own us.

That's where all of this is leading- blackmail! But it's not all his fault. As you know he got married recently, and Mrs HI really likes big shiny rocks. But big shiny rocks are awfully expensive, and so he has been driven to a life of internet crime.

[HerenIstarion]

For in that time Lord HerenIstauron was not yet evil to behold, and they received his aid and grew mighty in craft, whereas he learned all their secrets, and betrayed them, and forged secretly in the Mountain of Fire the One Dossier to be their master. But Phantorimbor was aware of him, as he heard secret incantation Lord HerenIstauron was muttering under his breath while he was crafting the polls:

Three Polls for the Book-worms over the Net,
Seven for the Quiz-Lords in their halls of Script,
Nine for Role-Players doomed to Write,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark Console
In the Land of Statistics where the Money lies.
One Dossier to rule them all. One Dossier to find them,
One Dossier to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Statistics where the Money lies

[Hookbill the Goomba]

The first copy of The Lord of the Rings that I read was from a Library. But I did eventually buy my own copy. I think there are only a few that were gifts, mostly the History of Middle Earths.