A quick plea, it must be strange to see us here and it's strange for us to be in a new environment.

Once upon a time we all joined a forum somewhere and said hi. We all shared a little about ourselves so others might get a sense of who we are, As we try to merge our communities it might be nice to share again.

I know I did a bit in the THM saying Hi thread, but I'll recap here too! Tolkien fan since the age of 10 I regularly reread the books, which have spolit me for fantasy. Love Narnia, HP and Pratchett too!

Other authors i frequently return to are Aldiss, Peter F Hamilton, Bernard Cornwell and Jane Austen

I enjoyed the LOTR films and still do, although in discussion with others I am increasingly 'Purist' in my opinions.

So how about you?

Hi, again, Kafria and Eldoiran.

I live in eastern Canada (where we have wayyyyyyy too much snow, atm!!!) and work in a public library.

I love Tolkien and have a sizable collection of books by the professor and Tolkien books by various authors. Besides the works by Tolkien, I love the Tolkien inspired art books the most.

I love the movies for what they are and I love the books for what they are.  Afterall, it is all about perspective. As we have seen in forum discussions; we often have a different opinion on how Tolkien's characters related to Middle Earth and the plot of the epic tale. It only stands to reason that the screen writers and director would create a visual version of the books as they interpret them.

I would like to welcome our new friends from THM and I know that we will be old friends in no time.

I live in the State of Georgia in the southeastern U.S. I am  a college student for tax and insurance purposes. I have been a member of Planet-Tolkien since I was in the seventh grade. I have used the pronoun "I" to begin every sentence in this short paragraph.

I think that the movies were well-done, but they lacked the "feel" of the books in several ways. I am usually annoyed whenever a movie is made based on a book that I like. I am usually curious to see how it looks on screen, but I usually just see it as an attempt by other people to make money off of the author's originality.

It has been several years since I have read The Lord of the Rings. The first time was in the sixth grade, and I read it at least two more times before high school. Actually, maybe I only read it twice; my memory isn't the best. I am also a Star Wars fan, and one who happens to think that the "Expanded Universe" is getting out of hand.

I enjoy playing guitar and drums (rest assured I have very little talent), cooking, and going well out of my way to play jokes on other people. In case it has not been made apparently obvious, I can be extremely opinionated. In all likelihood, I will drift in and out of Planet-Tolkien with periods of absence and activity that may last for several months. People, including my mother and my girlfriend, have stated that is very difficult to tell when I am and am not joking; I thought that it would be a good idea to mention this.

Hallow everyone!

My first experience on Tolkien was a comic adaptation for kids in a magazine. Then I read the Hobbit and it just grabbed me. I learned English on my own to be able to read Unfinished Tales.

I live in Bulgaria and in RL I am a financial auditor. I love nature, long walks outside civilized parts into more beautiful and much purer places.

I've joined this site some two years ago and it was my first community sharing of Tolkien Passion, and I am very happy and satisfied with my participation around here. I feel still newbie in Tolkine's world, but sharing opinions and reading others ideas is by my opinion the right way towards the true.

My opinion on the movies I have expressed many times and I will not put it here, since not many good things I can share about.

I wish to wish you more and more health, joy and love!

Greetings to all of you, and welcome.

I'm Oerath, and I live in Southern Finland. I've many kind of interests and beliefs, but well, about my interests first. Writing, reading and music have always scored the best out of me, and back then when I was a kid, about 6 or 7 years old (Now I'm 20), I found a great book, which appeared to be LOTR, and well, it was a very rainy day, and I had nothing else to do, so I decided to try and grip it from it's shelf, which proved to be a difficult task to complete. I finally got the book, but I fell on my back and that book also fell with me and opened on the floor from the map sections, and I spent many hours looking at all of those maps, but I didn't understand anything of it. I did also read some of the text, but back then it was pretty tough to understand all of those words and sentences. And so my interest grew and grew, and as years passed, I read more of Tolkien's books, and eventually became a great fan of him. And to this day, I've read and re-read most of his books, and I still love them very much. He was a great writer, and has been like a idol for me in writing for the past 7 years, since I was at age of 13, when I began to find some peace through writing lyrics etc.

That's a bit about it. So, as I already said. I'm a writer and a musician, I play drums and sing, and as I get to it, I'll start to play keyboards and piano too.

When it comes to beliefs, It's a very tough question, but well, basicly I'm a pagan, and I'm also interested in myths, legends and common folklore, and things like occultism, mysticism and magic interests me a lot too.

Also something about this wonderful site: I found PT many years ago, but bit over 7-8 months, I returned here, and finally found something I've been looking for a very long time. A hall full of good folk. And so I began to share some of my writings/works, and as people seemed to like of them, I began to share even more, and now I write as regularly as I can, or depending on my inspiration and moods, and share a lot with the people of this site. And despite the fact that I've known many of you here in PT for only the time being, you're all very nice persons to talk with, and if anyone wants to pass by and have a chat, I'll gladly accept the chance.

- Oerath Windsoul.

I started reading Tolkien just before the movies came out. I read The Hobbit for a book report in 5th grade, then the movies came out shortly after. I didn't actually read all of LotR (had trouble with weird circumstances, like The Two Towers disappeared while i was reading it...) until last summer when I sat down with one of those 'all in one books'. I have also read bits of Unfinished Tales and such.

Because I saw the movies before I read the books I thoroughly enjoy them, and I understand from certain standpoints why changes in the movie were made and for the most part agree with Jackson.

Currently I am a college student in Oklahoma, US, but I am from Texas. I joined PT almost 5 years ago (already!), and just enjoyed the overall feel of the site, so I just come and go sometimes (mostly in the game-type threads; come visit me in the Wheel of Tolkien, it's one of my favorite threads). But even if I'm not 'around'  for a while doesn't mean I don't check up on the site.

Loss is Boss, he's just a dear. I honestly don't remember if I have been here two or three years. So much was happening in my other life outside Middle-Earth. But I really miss Lord, if anyone could stir the pot and upset elves, dwarves and men it was him! And Vir was Mir and I was too naive to realize and it was great fun.

Our little Cloveress came of age here, she was the one that gave out awards and such and it was very exciting when we would see the awards thread up, fun to see how she viewed each of us. But she is gone to school, further schooling and is probably overwhelmed with the work load. I think she still drops in from time to time and she is sorely missed.

Hi everyone, I'm 42, I'm a Capricorn from New Zealand and I like long slow walks on the beach.

I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me.  To think that I should be good-morninged by ... well, you understand.  I might be the oldest member since poor Grondy has gone on to the Havens, and have been here at PT for about 5 years.  In RL, I am a high school English teacher in central USA.

My English teacher in 9th grade (1970) introduced me to The Hobbit. He started reading the different characters with very different voices--a dramatic reading. After that I was convinced there was no modern writer who could touch Tolkien.

I read The Hobbit--that Ballantine edition with the picture that Tolkien couldn't stand--to my brothers (my first audience), and developed a voice for each character, and they loved it! We pooled our money and sent away to Ballantine to buy LOTR. At the time, it cost all of 95 cents per volume! Then I read that--right through a period when I was laid up with strep and a temp of 104. My brothers were anxious to hear LOTR, and I have been reading it to various audiences ever since.

Over the years, I have accumulated lots of books on Tolkien, and memorabilia connected with the movies, etc.  My favorites were given me by my class a few years ago: The grey hat modeled on the one in the movies, a beard, and a staff made from a tree root.  I have written a few papers on Tolkien's writing, and have been told by a Ph.D. that I am qualified to teach a course just on Tolkien.

Gandalf

If you ever decide to visit Finland time your arrival just before the first snow falls, then you will see the real beauty of this land The forests look like they are on fire and small ponds and lakes glimmer everywhere In winter and summer they remain hidden

Few more weeks and I'll be up and about again ^^

I live in western Canada, and I alike, Justus of Rundra, got into Tolkien after watching the movies. They caught my attention and have had me hooked ever since. I love the style of Tolkien and the imagination and creativity of all his works more than anything. I have read, and are reading many of his other works which have captivated me. I love to write stories and poetry as well as try to capture my thoughts in drawing. (which never works too well in my opinion.)

I am very new to Planet Tolkien but try to come and read as much as I can. I admire the works of poetry and such of other members and the depth that you reach in Tolkiens works.  I love hearing about the devotion and heart that other members besides myself have in these amazing works of art. This site shows true honour and respect for Tolkien and I admire it for that. I hope to get to know some of you and share your passion, not just for Tolkiens works but the body of works that have been inspired through him.

Fahvier,

I will echo everything Gandalf has said. Welcome to PT!

Thank you all for your hearty welcome! I have seen a little of the works of poetry on the site, but am excited to read more of them. I will be sure to post some of my poetry there!

Welcome back, Cloveress. I do not recall chatting or talking to you in the past, but I'm looking forward to it.

I agree that PT is like a big family, full of different people from different countries.

And just like everyone else here, I'm proud to be a part of this family!

Oh, I'm not sure do you remember me from times past, but I originally registered in 2006, then I got lost for a long time, and finally found my way back to this site like 3 years ago, or a bit less.

Anyway, I'm Oerath Windsoul. Pleased to meet ya!

I am Mellon form Norway .I joined PT about 9 years ago and still love it

Laurelindhe ilmarin 

Heya .it's so nice that you've joined us once again .I also miss  Grondy ..it feels strange when he is not around .I don't spend so mch time here as I used to be I will never leave for long