What do you "assign" to the Shire?

[Volo]

Like I said, not getting a summer job belongs to the Shire. I was ordered to try and get one so I applied for one somewhat against my will. So did 1019 other teenagers. And there were places for 5. Yes, I'm quite good, but luckily not that good. Never had a job so far and ain't hurrying for one. Parents pay for a roof, parents pay for food. That's all I need (I do get much more than I need though, no worry of that.). But free time, that they can't give - how could they, when they'd do anything to get some for themselves. I guess that covers it. Happy summer!

[Oddwen]

I assign finding the following books:

Book of Lost Tales vol. I
Book of Lost Tales vol. 2
The Children of Hurin (All three brand new!)
A Guide to Middle-Earth by Robert Foster
Master of Middle-Earth by Paul H. Kocher
Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter
Tolkien: A Look Behind "The Lord of the Rings" by Lin Carter
Plus a Robert Aspirin book

At my fantabulously awesome job at a secondhand store, all for a total of two dollars and fifty five cents after discounts.

[Aganzir]

Walking barefoot on wet grass, either in the night or early in the morning when the sun is about to rise and it isn't totally dark anymore and mist is floating all around.

The scent of a forest after days of more or less rain.

Midnights that are lighter than 5pm on my birthday in the midwinter.

Swimming in the night alone (hmm, hobbits might not approve of this, though).

Sunshine.

Good food.

I am feeling more and more hobbit-like.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Aganzir

Walking barefoot on wet grass, either in the night or early in the morning when the sun is about to rise and it isn't totally dark anymore and mist is floating all around.

The scent of a forest after days of more or less rain.

Midnights that are lighter than 5pm on my birthday in the midwinter.

Swimming in the night alone (hmm, hobbits might not approve of this, though).

Sunshine.

Good food.

I am feeling more and more hobbit-like.

Quite lovely! The things Aganzir has assigned are wonderful!

I assign being outside when the warm sun is overhead, but you are covered by the trees while swinging!

I also assign pictures, not drawings, but genuine photographs!

[Thinlómien]

Although I'm quite sure I assigned it already, I must assign walking barefoot. How can such a simple thing make one so happy?

Also, good music (and bad too, actually ), ice-cream, swimming, good company, reading and sleeping. And I could echo Agan about the light - it's wonderful!

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

And I could echo Agan about the light - it's wonderful!

You should all experience the summer in the north. It's 3.30 AM and it is light outside! The sun is about to come back making it even lighter having not been completely away as to allow the darkness to set...

It sure is something one could assign to Shire!

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

You should all experience the summer in the north. It's 3.30 AM and it is light outside! The sun is about to come back making it even lighter having not been completely away as to allow the darkness to set...

It sure is something one could assign to Shire!

It does that where I live to, The Land of the Midnight sun... In the middle of the summer at midnight it is light outside! It's nice to live so far north!

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

You should all experience the summer in the north. It's 3.30 AM and it is light outside! The sun is about to come back making it even lighter having not been completely away as to allow the darkness to set...

It sure is something one could assign to Shire!

Well, it's not QUITE that far north in Edmonton... but Dad wants to return to Canada's north country some day, so I might get to go up there and experience it with him, if he wants company.

Though it does get light early enough that I had light in the sky for every hour of my drive down to Brinniel's, despite the very early hour (5:00 am, just north of Calgary) of departure.

On the subject of meeting Downers, though, if experiencing it in Finland is a prerequisite to a full life, I'll be glad to tag along on some future summer.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

On the subject of meeting Downers, though, if experiencing it in Finland is a prerequisite to a full life, I'll be glad to tag along on some future summer.

It must be... and even if there could be other places to experience it you're more than warmly welcome here Form!

[Thinlómien]

I assign...

...laughing at a Chinese actor who looks like David Bowie, shocking your friends, staying up all night long talking, almost falling asleep on soft grass, walking a couple of kilometers barefoot (and wading through all the dirty puddles) and various tricks to stay awake (energy drink, coffee, swimming in the sea - which is absolutely best of those, btw).

[Nerwen]

I assign– getting my mid-year results back and finding I did pretty well... which I more-or-less expected, and yet I'd been nervous because some of the exam questions were just weird.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I assign painting, Lauri had a birthday party two days ago and it was wonderfully fun, not only the card that I made for her which had numerous Downs references in it, but we got to PAINT!!!! I painted a rather bad looking tree and she painted the Plains of Rohan... with cucumbers? Anyway, I would like to paint today, after my brother and I clean the house, which he doesn't like to do, but that may have something to do with the fact that he's seven...

[Eönwë]

Summer Holidays, finally.
And what comes with it- free time.

edit: And getting back your test (SATs) results and finding out you did well in the ones that you got your results back for. As for the others, a trip to Mordor should suffice.

[Kath]

Getting a scary number of inches cut from my hair, but finding that I really quite like the results.

Knowing that the next two days will be spent doing fun things with friends, hopefully in the sunshine, just before going to Greece on Friday. 'Tis shaping up to be a good week.

[Mithalwen]

I assign my car ... a day of public transport in the sticks is enough. Sorry planet - I'll try to make it up to you in other ways. Also living in the kind of area where idiot me can leave her carkeys in the boot lock and discover the fact by them still being there in the morning - rather than the car being absent.

[Groin Redbeard]

Reputation points and kind comments to go along with them!

[Aganzir]

I assign Leonard Cohen and small things that make you feel even a bit better when you're annoyed and tired. Like, finally deciding to book a ticket for a gig and the fact that my mother will pay it.

[Mithalwen]

Being given flowers (as long as they are not orange).

[Mithalwen]

Getting a new assignment but not for a week so I can catch up with all the things and people I didn't this week because I was having meetings and interviews and was inexplicably addicted to obscure Olympic sports.

The assignment being in my home town so I'll have about a five minute commute.

The sun actually shining.

Going out to lunch to somewhere I really like but haven't been for ages.

Scones and jumbleberry jam.

A fab chocolate mousse recipe that is simple and show stopping (thank you James Martin).

[Lindale]

walks around the Academic Oval of my school during very early mornings or late afternoons (when the noisy students and honking cars are gone)

walks around Baguio City

walks around a tree-studded place.

lying down all morning in a bench near the fishpond.

oh and old Spanish churches, Tyndall effect and dust, and no mass or anything going on. I love going to church when nobody else is around.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I wonder whether anyone didn't yet assign the Downs' reputation system... the fact that it exists, that is.

(Did anyone assign the Downs as whole? But I think that goes without saying. )

[Lalwendë]

History in all forms. From reading (and watching ) lurid tales about kings and their machinations to exploring how everyday people used to survive. Over the past months I feel like I've been on hundreds of journeys absorbing information and stories on Chinese Emperors, Tudor mistresses, European dynasties, crime and punishment, even Victorian underwear

I also love going back to trace a person's ancestry - I could trace a family friend's wife all the way back, via a simple net search, to John of Gaunt (you are lucky if you belong to the peerage, it's much harder if you do not!) and love finding a record of an old family member. I can see why Hobbits love genealogy.

Plus the unashamed pleasures of reading historical novels must also go to The Shire.

[Thinlómien]

If we are assigning different forum functions, may I assign private messages?

I could also assign music that brings back memories, rain, and creative ways of studying (such as watching a Disney movie in Swedish to develop your listening comprehension skills...).

[Lalwendë]

I assign when babies get all excited and giggle when they see other babies. People tell me they have no concept of friendship until they're actually children, but I'm not convinced.

I also assign nice front gardens. I feel depressed when I see front gardens that aren't cared for, so when you see rows of them full of flowers it's as they ought to be

[Groin Redbeard]

I assign labor day weekend parades. I just came back from one this morning and I'm telling you there's nothing to compare with it. Old glory proudly flying off the back of every float, everyone's smiling and having a good time, great food, and foot stomping music that you can line dance to. It's one of those rare days that our town gets to come together as Americans and celebrate all that God has given us!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

I assign using school as an excuse to buy books you want.

But mostly? I assign the very nice philosophy professor who is letting me write analytical aesthetics papers on graphic novels instead of modern art so that I can relabel the course as advanced English instead of advance Philosophy and count it toward graduation.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I love that I have to buy history books for my education. . .before I never could get my self to use that kind of money on books.

[Nogrod]

If you chose your careers well - and are lucky enough to succeed - you can continue that in your work! I've bought a host of books with the pretext "this might be useful in my work".

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I assign when babies get all excited and giggle when they see other babies. People tell me they have no concept of friendship until they're actually children, but I'm not convinced.

I don't suppose they have the concept per se but they certainly recognise other babies as their own type (in a world populated as giants) - it is the reason the Teletubbies has been so successful with the baby in the sun and they are (apart from the antennae) the shape of a nappied toddler . I remember my godson as a toddler flirting outrageously with the pretty blonde moppet in the highchair at the next table. No language skills required..

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

If you chose your careers well - and are lucky enough to succeed - you can continue that in your work! I've bought a host of books with the pretext "this might be useful in my work".

With twenty-three books currently sitting on my bookshelf, ten in the mail, one still in the process of being acquired by the school bookstore (it's out of print and hard to find), and three still to be determined, I'd say it's a record setting semester for book acquisitions.

[THE Ka]

Originally Posted by Fea

I assign the very nice philosophy professor who is letting me write analytical aesthetics papers on graphic novels instead of modern art

That is amazing!

I know, I'm shooting myself in the foot, but most modern art past Dada is really, really original (I know, mut point, but original in that it is like a restrictive pattern of ideals and goals, and by literally doing so. Something dada did, etc.). I guess it isn't a good sign coming from someone who spent a year on art history, but it's a truth.

I suggest taking a look at the wonderful work of Mr. Clowes. He's lovely and aesthetic in a kooky way.


I assign all my wonderful aunties at work, who without I'd probably still be a bumbling fool. Mabuhay aunties!

~ Ka

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I don't suppose they have the concept per se but they certainly recognise other babies as their own type (in a world populated as giants) - it is the reason the Teletubbies has been so successful with the baby in the sun and they are (apart from the antennae) the shape of a nappied toddler . I remember my godson as a toddler flirting outrageously with the pretty blonde moppet in the highchair at the next table. No language skills required..

Well the little Enting is in love with the little baby girl in the Sun on Teletubbies! He grins at her and then looks at you (which is interesting - why?). He especially likes girls, but I don't know if it's the bright colours they wear or not, however he was sat by another boy yesterday and while he peered at him, he didn't grin and get excited like he does when he sees a girl!

[Mithalwen]

He is going to be like my friend's lad - another redhead with a winning smile. At the first short session of reception class he sat next to the prettiest little blonde girl in the class and told his mother to go away for a coffee and come back later.... one of those vision of the future moments...

[Aganzir]

I assign autumn, though I still have to wait till the leaves turn from green/yellow to red and the nights become frosty.

But really, I had already started missing the rain and grey skies and darkness and coldness and the slightly rotten smell.

[Ashbranch]

Home.

[Aganzir]

Crows.

Funny as it might sound, they never fail to make me happy - they are just so darn cute hopping around. And I like the way they look back at me quizzically when I walk and keep smiling at them like an idiot.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Aganzir

Crows.

Funny as it might sound, they never fail to make me happy - they are just so darn cute hopping around. And I like the way they look back at me quizzically when I walk and keep smiling at them like an idiot.

Personally, I like ravens more. Sometimes, it happens that I indeed "meet" some - meaning, not that I see them, but that I indeed "meet" a raven. I may as well assign them here - in a few months maybe, as soon as the flocks start to arrive here for the winter. I am awaiting the "real" autumn to come first, though. It's still summer around here.

As I am here now already however, I would like to assign beautiful evenings (or nights) and also old music that doesn't fail to make you happy. And meeting old friends after a long time. I wonder if I should assign our faculty here... but I think I as well may. Why not? It's brilliant to come there after a long time (although still not for studying yet...)

[Lalwendë]

I assign sinister stories about downed UFOs and the RAF and Army swarming all over a quarry nearby, together with plenty of sightings of strange lights and a low flying craft. I think it's a load of rubbish, but I admit it still gives me a bit of a sci-fi thrill!

[Thinlómien]

I assign staying up all too late because of talking serious (and less serious) issues with a friend for 2,5 hours. I could also assign taking naps and reading a book in a language you thought you didn't know well and understanding almost all of it. (Someday I even might start liking Swedish, who knows... )

[Mithalwen]

Having read the Mordor thread, I assign being born in a time and place that meant that I could get five years of University level education basically for free without being exceptionally gifted or exceptionally poor.

Accursed be those in power who pulled the ladder up behind them.