Bardfire

[nyarme]

Dear Reader, I have begun a new story (this in and of itself is not new, but the plot concept is), and to go along with the story came what is perhaps one of my favorite things of all to write: poetry. ‘Lady in white, lady in red,   Doomed to walk forever, e’en tho’ dead.’ ‘Lady in pink, lady in green,   Only at midnight’s strike, shall ye be seen.’     ‘A long, weary watch, and what to I see?   At last, “Death, my old friend,   Long have I awaited thee.”   “Nay, mistress, tis not your end ~   You roll’d the dice   And your reward be   The Gateway to Paradise.”’  Sincerely, Nyarmë

[nyarme]

Dear Reader, Recently I was asked a question that is, quite frankly, a conversation killer. It was innocent enough, and the lady asking it was only seeking to get to know me better, but it sent me into a bit of a mental spiral as I tried desperately to come up with answer that would not bore her to tears. The question was this: "What do you do?" Many things, madam, many things. I talk to my mother, I cook occasionally, I feed my dogs, I read, I write, I daydream about Middle Earth, etc., etc. What she meant to ask, I suppose, was about my job, but as I am currently waiting to for the Christmas and New Year season to end so that I might begin a new job, how was I to phrase that? It simply does not sound good. The question "What do you do?" is akin to "Tell me about yourself", and I feel VERY strongly that both questions ought to be banned entirely from polite conversation. If you are looking to get to know someone, these are the sort of questions you must avoid. Be more specific! Ask them what they like to do, perhaps in their spare time, what they are interested in learning, what they have read recently (or not so recently) that really stood out to them, things of that nature. Give them something to build on, without being too personal - this may be difficult, I know, but it is far better then the vague and yet a bit nosy inquiry that makes some people (such as myself) have a mental hemorrhage. A comfortable question for one person to ask may be dreadfully uncomfortable for another to be asked. Next time I'll say something like the following: "Right now I'm resting and enjoying the Christmas Season before my new job starts in January." "Well, that might take a while {i.e. I don't want to bore you} - what are you especially interested in knowing about me?" "At the moment, I'm currently working on personal development." "At the moment, I am learning *insert item*, so that I can *insert item*." "Right now I'm working at *insert item*, so that I have time to pursue *insert item*." "Dear heavens, is that the time?! I must be off!" (That was a joke. I'm not going to do that, heehee.) I hope this has been of some use to you, and if you think of any more helpful hints, please don't hesitate to let me know! Sincerely, Nyarmë

[nyarme]

Dear Reader, While reading the Silmarillion, there are many places wherein I feel strongly (and with much grief) that something could have been done to prevent the madness that seemed to guide pretty much everyone's decisions (case in point, Fëanor's father, Finwë: marrying again and not taking care to at least try to keep his eldest son from being the worst person ever, especially to his siblings). Then again, it is fairly true to life (as Gandalf once said, "Even the very wise cannot see all ends."); once someone has started to do something foolish, they don't always see that they can stop (or even that it was foolish to begin with). Anyway, every time I read it, I start coming up with ways to save them from themselves (knowing full well that it might not work, but it makes me feel better). Sincerely, Nyarmë

[nyarme]

Dear Future Reader, As this is my first post on this blog, I see no reason why it must be terribly wordy. In short, I desired a place to put my thoughts in regards to Middle Earth (Arda), and such stories as come to mind (usually in regards to the latter, but I will not be limiting myself) - also poetry, as that adds beauty and spice to life. So, in advance, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy writing it. Sincerely, Nyarmë