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_I N T R O D U C T I O N_
Welcome, welcome! So, you are new to theonering? Eager to discover, but not sure where to start? Don't hang back, now....... push open that rickety garden gate and come in!
The winding path of blue-green pebbles will lead you through the fragrant grasses, past the many-coloured blooms, beneath the sun-dappled green boughs of the trees. Be patient, enjoy your meandering stroll and you will come at last to the elegant little arch which springs over the laughing stream and the garden will open before you... expanses of lush lawn with the peeping eyes of niphredil and elanor, rustic beds of flowers bobbing their heads in greeting with the gentle breeze beneath the open green canopy.
Your eye will be drawn to the lovely sunlit rise from which the graceful trunk of our young mallorn rises and you will spy in its golden shade the capacious garden seat, its timber greying now but still lovingly maintained by the Bookworms. It is placed just where you would want it, with its delightful westward view over the distant parklands. There is a jug of home-made lemonade and clean glasses laid out on a tray for any new Bookworms who may wander through.
To the east behind the foliage peeks the Bookworms' Lounge, reached by a cunningly wrought elvish stair of natural timber, delicately curving and finely enjoined, its knots and hollows a pleasure to the hand and the eye. The sounds of laughter and gentle music float down from the open windows and terrace of the Lounge... the Bookworms are at home and literary discussion has given way to the relaxed pleasures of friends well-met.
Take a seat, help yourself to lemonade, breathe deep of the air redolent of green growing things and rest your eyes contentedly upon the horizon, where the misty outlines of the mountains ascend to the sky. We can see you sitting there, getting your bearings, enjoying the tranquility. We won't intrude until you are ready... just wave to say hello!
(Credit to Novice for composing the lovely opening)
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- The Bookworms' Gateway to the Lounge and Garden is a welcoming adoption thread run by a group of friends who have a love of books (Tolkien's especially) in common. We're a friendly, knowledgeable, kindly, expressive, good humoured and on the whole, a bookish bunch of people. We frequent the Books, Movies, Philosophy, Talk and Virtual Tolkien Study Group forums, among others.
We are: Mahima, Prettygaladriel, truehobbit and wilko185. This is our adoption thread. This is the third incarnation of this thread, go here to read part two if you're interested, but only reply to this thread please. Anyone who just wants to have some fun and chat about life, books or whatever's on your mind can usually find us and like-minded souls in The Lounge and Garden for Bookworms, a conversation thread in the Talk Forum.
Below we introduce ourselves, and the next post contains some useful links that should help you make the most of your time here at theonering. If you like the look of our thread and would like to be adopted by us, just post a reply

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THE ADOPTERS
As you might have guessed, we're all book-readers, but we have a wide variety of interests beyond that. We hope you get to know us better

- Mahima mahima_hada@delmia.com
"I read loads of books, humour, philosophy, sci-fi, fantasy. I frequent most of the forums, but tend to stick to Philosophy, Books (Tolkien and Other), RP in Prancing Pony, VTSG, Lighter Side, Bird and Baby. I'm an Indian,a Mechanical Engineer working as a "Product Lifecycle Management" expert, married, no kids, and like to do a lot of things, but not keep my life too fast-paced. And I'm not as old as I sound

PrettyGaladriel Prettygaladriel@hotmail.com
"I live in Sydney, Australia. My nickname is PG, so call me that:). I read LOTR two years ago, and ever since, I've been obsessed. Then I watched the movie, and after that was when I found TORC. I've been here for almost a year (as you can probably tell by looking at the date joined under my name:)). I'm cheecky and sarcastic, but don't be intimidated. I'm a very,very nice person:):) I'd like to be an adopter because I love meeting and helping out new people:):)"
truehobbit truehobbit@web.de
My favourite places on TORC are Books (Tolkien) and Talk, but I can also be found in Movies and Philosphy, Books (Other) and many other forums. I've only been reading Tolkien for a little under four years now (yep, right before the movies, and only got interested thanks to them), and finding Tolkien (and TORC) has been an overwhelming experience.
I'm from Cologne, Germany, where I try to teach English to grown-ups, and my favourite pastimes, apart from TORC, are reading, gardening, movies, writing, needlework, music (mostly classical), and a lot more that I hardly have time for.
The many friendly and bright people on this board make it easy to feel at home here, and I'll be happy if I can help along with all the bookworms adopters to represent that spirit.
wilko185 felagund185@yahoo.co.uk
yahoo!: wilko185
"I'm usually to be found in the books-oriented forums here on theonering (TORC), but also make appearances in Philosophy, Talk, and especially Movies. I've been reading Tolkien for about 18 years, my favorite book is the Silmarillion. I've found the people on this site to be friendly, funny and intelligent - I try to be the same, and sometimes manage it

Outside TORC I'm a scientist from the UK, and love reading, films, roaming the internet and the great outdoors, travelling when finances allow, and some more reading

We have several "emeritus" adopters who are not currently active, but may drop back in, and may be active in the future (email me, guys, I'll update your status

- Alexandros
Armenelos
CaMinx
Carnimiriel
jeanelf
Nessamelda
Novice
THE ADOPTEES
See the previous threads (in the Adoption Attic) for info on our adoptees of this thread before August'04:
Teremia, striderchick, Plual226, Lady_Galadriel786, RavenX aka RidderMark, Luvn_Legolas_Girl, Mr-Moony, Andri, ~*ArwenEvenstar*~, karakie, Faramirjam, Wicked_Wytch, gwaedh, Tobias_Red-tail, SpawnOfSauron, Marie, Manheyn_Rawar, lychee_goblin, jwoolygirl, Dovesong, arielmoonbow, FrrodoLives, Snapdragon_Brandybuck, Alassante_Estel, Elessar15, Arwen1989, SiriusBlack, Tar-Elestirnë, Dad-human, Finnabhair, mytherielle, Dev, mar, BigMama, niphredilmaiden, Sandorf, ErynofLasgalen, Sky4, soul_warrior, Chizala, seren, Mrfrodo, elatan, celebalqua, Hikaru, Alatariel_Taralom, The_Sea_Bell, Jude, LadyOfValor, Evenstar27, AragornsEvenstar, Eltirwen, LaBelleAuReveDormant, No_Man, RoseMorninStar, LaBelleAuReveDormant aka LaBelle, scop, RuneSage, salean
Welcome to our new adoptees:
- Taethowen2108
I am a Christian college student in Oklahoma who loves Jesus, reading, watching DVDs and spending time with my friends when I'm not studying or working.

gobarg
I am 39 and plan on staying that way for awhile.
i am an Australian who grew up in the BUSH and have been living in the BIG SMOKE for about 15 years.
I rode my motorbike across the continent to see a Grand Prix bike race and ended up staying.
I first read the hobbit as a school book but was so hooked that I went straight onto the Lord Of The Rings.
I was so engrossed in the books that my father took them off me so that I would eat.
Needless to say I loved the story and have reread it dozens of times.
I think that my favourite character has always been Samwise.
I also think that it is Sam who receives the greatest of rewards.
He gets to celebrate the peace.
I love reading the geneology of the Gamgees
Wasara
I have read the trilogy and Silmarillion.Just while ago read his biography.All what Tolkien created are interesting and I don`t get bored with those things.Other interests are music,bass playing,books,astronomy,movies,TV-documents,computer games,nature,cars etc.Role playing is a bit terra incognita for me but as is said in old song:when the times go by... And I`m wandered far from North,Finland.
venetia
I am a newbie, although lurking for a while, but lurking is not the same as being a member!! I love books, rereading my favourites, movies, theatre, and I am from Australia
I love LOTR, although I am a bookworm, but I actually hadn't read Tolkien until after I saw FOTR and have been obsessed ever since!! I still haven't read the Silmarillon, but have now bought it! I have a lot to learn about Tolkien's works and am looking forward to doing so via TORC.
regards
Venetia
deirdre
I would love to be adopted by the Bookworms! I first discovered Tolkien quite accidentally in a paperback rack when I was 12 (back in 1960-something). I still have those battered Ballantine paperbacks! In fact, I have collected the entire Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series, although I have yet to read half of it. I have read widely though, and worked on a degree in English and Art whenever the demands of motherhood allowed. Recently, I have returned to college to finish the last half dozen classes I need for my degree. There I gleefully continue the custom of my (first) youth: placing discreetly artistic little notes around the campus advising all that "Frodo Lives." Tolkien's books have been an immense source of joy and support to me: I read Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion every year or two. My real name is Deirdre. I am Irish, born in Toronto (long story), and have spent most of my life in Cleveland Ohio.
TheRiddler
I myself am a bookworm so i came here

So there's my life story

TheRiddler
Sirindu
I live in the U.S. (we've got 13" of snow here today!) and I've read the Silmarillion, The Hobbit, LOTR, The Book of Lost Tales 1&2, and I'm currently reading the Unfinished Tales, which I like very much.
I'm currently working on a video game called The Last Alliance. It's a Tolkien purist's game, an RTS which will encompass all three ages of the Sun. I am a Game Design and Linguistics consultant there, but my role is not limited to that, and I will be helping out in other areas as well.
A Linguistics Consultant, yes, I am very fascinated with Tolkien's various languages of Arda. I'm currently studying the Hebrew language, which as some of you may know, Tolkien based several languages on, including at least some forms of Elvish.
If I remember correctly, this Bookworms group of adopters is also specialized in TORC's RPs, correct? I've done one LOTR based RP before, and that same group of people are starting another one in a few days, which I will also be in. That LOTR RP was my first RP, and I found it to be a lot of fun (I was Gandalf).
One reason why I found it fun was because I love writing. I've written one full novel, and I'm working on a sequal (tho it is going slow because my work with The Last Alliance takes up a lot of my time).
I could go on quite a while longer, but I won't burden you with an even longer post solely about myself. So I will wait and meet some of you, and over time you will get to know me better.

~WyrtWif~
I first read LOTR when I was about 14, and in fact it belonged to my oldest sister. When she saw how much I loved it and that I read it over and over, she told me to keep it. When I first heard the rumors of the films in production, I stumbled across this forum, bookmarked it, but did not join. The anticipation of those years lead me to re-read LOTR once again, and also to explore a few of dear Tolkien's other works, including the Silmarillion, which I enjoyed immensely. I finally found myself reading here again, especially regarding the books themselves, and found myself so engrossed I decided it was about time I should join.
I made up the name WyrtWif from the Old English words for "Root" and "Wife." You can call me "Rooty" or WW, or I've even been called "Wyrty." Whatever suits your fancy is fine with me.
Bounder
My name is Mike and I grew up in the frozen tundra of Minnesota USA. I have been a Tolkien fan for about 14 years (Half my life) and among the my family and friends I'm known as the LotR expert. After reading these forums I understand that all that I know is just a scratch on the surface of Tolkiens writings. I like playing RPGs (video games & Table top), football, models & minis, reading Scifi & Fantasy and watching movies. I have degrees in Medical Tech, Electonics Tech, and Bio Med. If I had a specialty to do with LotR I would have to say it would be in games as I Have played most of the Video,board, card, and Minis games made for LotR. I have read through LotR & the Hobbit 3 times and starting on the more historical books now. The Games Workshop minis game has been chewing up alot of my time lately. Anyway this seemed like the right forum fro me so ......Hello!
arwen_of_imladris
Hi, just thought that I'd pop in and say hello to you all! I've been lurking here at TORC (mainly Books - Tolkien) for about 2 years and only had the courage to post once before!!
I've been a fan of the Hobbit since the age of 8 but I only started reading LOtR books and other works after FOtR was released in the cinema. My appetite for JRRT's work is insatiable right now and have started to read HoME (Hubby bought part 1 for me when he finally got the hint after 2 years of my mooning over it in Borders!) I live in the UK with my husband and 3 year old son.
I'm a huuuge bookworm too, so I thought that I would feel right at home here.
VardaElantari
I found TORC a few weeks ago and lurked around reading posts, TOS, etc. I was impressed by all the goings on and decided to join. I looked for a place where fellow bookworms gathered and found your board Smile. It looked so friendly and peaceful, I thought I might quietly check things out - so much for quiet!
My husband received the LOTR book set as a present. I don't know if he ever got to read them - I've read them three times Smile . I've also read four of the books in the HoME series and and currently on Chapter 11 of The Sil. Yes, you're right - I'm a Tolkien fan!
almatari_ailin
Ok well a little about myself... I live in the grand ole United States. I'm going to be graduating highschool in a week


As to my "Tolkien History". Well I had never heard of LOTR until the first movie came out so after much persading I convinced my parents to let me watch it and... voila i was hooked. I then read the books and watched the 2nd and 3rd movies in Theater and out.
My elvish name is my real first and middle names Jessyka Lynn in elvish. And yes you may call me Almatari or just Alma if you wish. Almatari means wealthy queen (which is what Jessyka means) and Ailin means waterfall (which is of course what Lynn means).
Ranger_Indil
Guten tag meine TORC Freunde!
Y'all might want English now, so Hi y'all! Like I said, I'm new. Name's Ranger_Indil. Indi will do just fine.
I'm a diehard Tolkien fan since about two years before we heard about the movies. All my friends called me insane, but I guess that's partly true. I'm also a huge Star Wars fan, too. Thought I would mention that since I noticed some of you guys were talkin about the newest one. I've seen it three times. Trust me, the first time it is a little cheesy, but it gets better, a lot better.
I finde alles Bücher Spitze!
Well, fantasy and most sci-fi.
My parents get mad at me a lot because I stay up reading way after I should be sound asleep.
Most of the people at my school think I'm insane because I like to read. Then they get mad at me when I get really good grades and they fail things.
~Sorcia~
Hello and greetings fellow bookworms. I'm not exactly looking into being adopted, since I have been here before, though it was long ago. So I do know my way around the boards. But I thought I would stop here for a little advice. And well.. since I am a bookworm, I thought this would be the best choice!
My question.. or advice needed is.. As a newbie...again.. (and this may be a question other newbies have) is.. I find it difficult to just.. jump into any thread when there seems to be a conversation going on and about 100+ posts in the thread to read over if you plan on joining the conversation or at least know what others are talking about. Does that make sense? I hate to just jump in the middle of a discussion..but then.. I'm probably doing that now..
MorwenNocis
Hello, I'm MorwenNocis. As you can see by my number of posts, I'm a bit of a newbie here at the wonderful site of TORC and I was wondering if I could become one of your adoptees! I'd like to know anything you have to teach me, especially about Role Playing and the Virtual Study Group!
Amfigorion
About myself...well, I`m from Romania where I try to study Laws. I`m not too enthusiastic about it, but after all, nobody forced me, so, now, after a year of "why didn`t anyone stop me?" I decided to get myself motivated, whatever this means

I like nature, reading, music...but this is too general, and to start a list like: leaves, Tolkien, guitar would be too detailed...so I`ll just say that I try to enjoy life as it is (it`s not always possible, though...) My username, since you`ve asked, comes from amphigory, a word that, as I know it, refers to a poem that seems meaningful, but in fact, at a close look, it is complete nonsense. I sometimes find myself thinking this way, that`s why I chose Amfigorion to be my name on the boards...
But in fact I am called Sol, and I am happy to be here
