Why do you love the Downs?

[Inziladun]

We got Finns, Swedes, British, Czechs, Russians, Americans, Texans, even people from the Phillipines.

As everyone knows, Texans are a breed apart, even from fellow Americans.

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

As everyone knows, Texans are a breed apart, even from fellow Americans.

Texas appreciates your compliment!

[Lush]

There is none of the overt Legolust here that is evident on other sites.

Just because you said it, I will have to crank it up again. It's all about the voice, you see. Many people think it's about the wig, or the tights, or the really bad dialogue, but for me, it's always been the voice. There's just something about it. It's angelic. I like to think that it's the sort of voice I'll hear when I die (don't tell the man in my life that I said that). If I had more time on my hands, I'd write a Swift-esque epic in honour of the voice.

As it stands, I'll have to make do with annoying you.

Except for Lush's. I don't think she's ever played in a Werewolf game.

I did do Entish Bow for a while! And it was a happy-happy-joy-joy type of experience, for which I am still grateful, and always will be.

Anyway, another thing I like about this site is how diverse it is. Really. The people on here are all different, and if they do share one quality it is that they are eternally full of surprises. Much like Hobbits.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Prior to my knowledge of the Downs it was difficult for me to find anyone, other than my little brother who I annoy with Tolkien, who shared a passion for Tolkien's writings.

I had the same problem, I stumbled on the Downs serching for a track list for the Return of the King soundtrack, which my Papa gave me a copy. I had no one that had any knowledge of Tolkien at all to talk to before 2nd, August, 2007!

We got Finns, Swedes, British, Czechs, Russians, Americans, Texans, even people from the Phillipines.

Don't forget your Alaskans!


I love the Barrow-Downs first and foremost because it is a Tolkien site, and I can discuss my favourite books here in humour and seriousness! I love that we can make jokes here about books that can be almost treated as sacrosanct!

I love the fact that I can talk to real people from all over the world, I've learned a lot from my stay here, not just about Arda, but about other cutures (mainly the British one) and new spellings (which I use outside of the BD as well) and have gotten myself hobbies *coughDoctorWhocough* which I wouldn't have if not for certain members *coughHookbillcough* who were constantly talking about them. I've also made new friends that I'd much rather talk to than my real life friends (excepting Laurinque)!

I don't hang around the Books forum much, but when I do get there I find useful things to know, and comment when I can. Although I am not learned in lore like some members, who can probably ramble on for hours about Tolkien, I might be able to chime in with some useful information sometimes.

I also love the fact that the Barrow-Downs is black and green, and much more pleasing to come to than some other web sites that have bright colours that make my eyes hurt.

Last, but not least, I love the way that your fellow BDers welcome you with open arms, and you can make your home here, with little to no problems! I've been here for a little more than a year, and it still feels like it was yesterday that I joined! I remember my earlier days where I was a bit snobby, and thought I knew a lot, just because I had read the Lord of the Rings, but figured out that I didn't!

[Galadriel55]

Well, actually, I have things in common with almost any post above mine

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

I had the same problem, I stumbled on the Downs serching for a track list for the Return of the King soundtrack, which my Papa gave me a copy.

I stumbled on the Downs when googling "boromir and faramir's dream". It came up with the thread about that dream - and of course I couldn't resist to post my opinion there too!

I love the Barrow-Downs first and foremost because it is a Tolkien site, and I can discuss my favourite books here in humour and seriousness!

Same here. First of all, because this is the only place where I can discuss Tolkien. I don't have a lot of friends in RL who are even remotely interested, and those who are familiar with Tolkien are bored to death about my discussions.
Also, most of my friends are too serious, in the sense that they take jokes literally. Here I can make fun of almost anything, and others understand that I don't really mean it.
(Yeah, guys, you're almost the only ones who are actually listening to me!)

I love the way that your fellow BDers welcome you with open arms, and you can make your home here, with little to no problems! I've been here for a little more than a year, and it still feels like it was yesterday that I joined!

Too true! For me the feeling is the opposite, though - I've only been here for 4 months, but I became so attached to the BD it feels like I've been here for ages!

So thank you all fellow Downers for just being here, and for letting me be with you!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally I loved the 'Downs because I was a shy and brainy high school student with no peers I could talk to about literature. My first foray onto this site offered me a thoughtful and welcoming discussion about Tolkien's application of scientific/environmental realism in his narrative. For a kid that was simultaneously immersed in a book debunking the made up science used in Jurassic Park, that kind of open acceptance of literary (and generally academic) questioning was amazing.

Then I loved the 'Downs because I was learning how to write. On the threads I was learning how to express intellectual thought clearly and with complexity. In the RPs, I had a safe place to experiment with elements of narrative craft. With the world of the stories already existent, I was offered the opportunity to practice dialog, construction of primary and secondary characters, action sequences, and everything else, under the watchful eye of accomplished writers who were always encouraging and helpful.

Then I enjoyed the werewolf games. They gave me a faultless/harmless opportunity to see to how I'd fare as a detective or a criminal.

Then I was beginning to teach how to write. At some point when I hadn't noticed, I'd graduated from hesitant novice to confident young artist, and my credibility as a resource was solid. The opportunity presented to me to hone my ability not just to write well, but to help others refine their own craft was priceless.

Then my interaction with many Barrowdowners migrated to other venues. The locale of our second date was Livejournal, where I came to know the less edited thoughts of many of my compatriots. Personal and intellectual lives blended more freely and more complex interpersonal relationships formed. Then we as a group shifted to that seedy venue, Facebook, where the line between virtual and reality smudges even more. Though my participation as an active member here has waned, my interaction with other Barrowdowners outside the site has skyrocketed, and I've met many Barrowdowners in person (not to mention created a few!). Nienna, Mirandir, Lariren Shadow, Alona. Brinniel, Rikae, Skype-Mac. Later, Real-Mac. Formendacil, Boromir88, Kath, the phantom, Shasta, Diamond18, Encaitare, Glirdan, Wilwa, Rune, Celuien. Nog, Lommy, Greenie, Agan. Bethberry.

I originally loved the site because it offered me a safe intellectual environment (that was also fun and funny!). I now love the site because it is the gravitational center of my sprawling network of Family.

[Galadriel55]

Happy Valentine's Day, Downs and Downers! I love y'all!