Many thanks to Rosearialelven for agreeing to be interviewed for this month’s Council Courier. I have come across Rose in the Forums a few times, and she always struck me as one of those characters with a lot of hidden depths, so it was of course very satisfying to my inquisitive nature to have an excuse to ask some nosey questions and find out more about the person behind the avatar. For a “Chief Weeper” she seems very cheerful, but as you will see there are a few scenes from LOTR that make her a bit emotional. And I hate to worry the rest of the Yavannildi, but we may have competition for our precious virtual chocolate supply…
What would you like people to notice 5 minutes after meeting you?
It isn’t something I have thought about, to be honest. I suppose my personality, oh and perhaps the dozen or so silver rings I wear and my nine ear piercings and nose stud. Lol!!
What’s in your CD player right now?
Sarah McLachlan ‘Rarities’. I discovered Sarah when I was looking for something for my desktop. I found ‘Full of Grace’, which is a collage of scenes from LotR with her song as a background. It made me cry. Her voice is haunting and her lyrics moving.
What do you like about your new job and the “Many Meetings” forum?
Easy maintenance, I suppose. Lol! Being behind the scenes too. I always enjoyed working behind the scenes in theatres where I worked as Wardrobe Mistress and dresser to actors. In MM there are very few problems, as people posting there are just wanting to find people from either their country, states, towns, etc. It’s great to see the wide range of members from all over the world.
You are a (fellow) member of the Fans over Forty forum, most of whose members have been Tolkien fans for a loooong time. What first started your passion for Tolkien and when?
I first came across Tolkien and LotR through Bakshi’s animated film. I think I must be one of the few who actually enjoys that film. I have the video and watch it often. Then years went by and my son told me they were making a movie. I held my breath, then let it out slowly as I walked through Middle-earth with the Fellowship. I was hooked. I bought The Hobbit and the three books of LotR and read them and read them and read…
Is there another book that you would recommend to fans of LOTR?
A hard question maybe. There are, of course, the rest of Tolkien’s works. Robert Jordan and the ‘Wheel of Time’, a saga of books which have a very familiar feel to them. I found it difficult not to compare the characters in the books with LotR. But I suppose my favourite books, after LotR, must be Anne McCaffrey’s ‘Dragons of Pern’ collection.
If you could pick one character in the books to have dinner with, who would it be?
Sam, without a doubt. I love him. I can’t talk much about Sam without becoming emotional. Poor Hobbit, I’m sure he would be quite overcome with all the hugs I would want to give him.
Where (and when) in Middle-earth would you most like to live?
Another difficult question. There are so many places, all with their own attributes, but I guess I would pick Rohan. I love the wildness, and space and the horses, of course. I would be in seventh heaven with all the horses.
Are there any parallels between your part of the Real World and Tolkien’s world?
I work for Orcs…does that count? Lol!! My significant other has Hobbity feet, large and hairy and he loves mushrooms. Other than that, the North of England, where I come from, is somewhat Rohanish, and the further North you go, there are mountains and lakes. Years ago, of course, there were the dark, satanic mills and industry which would make you think of Mordor.
What difference has joining CoE made to your life?
Joining CoE has been an experience. I have made good friends and acquaintances who have brought warmth to my life. It has also revived my writing skills and I have rediscovered painting and drawing.
Apart from FoF and Many Meetings, where do you like to spend time on the site?
The Realm of Nienna. It’s like a second home, an old pair of slippers. Familiar and comfortable. I also like to just wander around the site and pop my head into the different Forums.
Do you think people who know you in “Real Life” (whatever that is) would recognise your CoE persona?
Yes, I think so. I am me, wherever I am.
What is your current avatar and why did you pick it?
Animated pictures of Sam and Frodo, that I made with my own fair hands and a Photoplus programme, with a quote from LotR ~ ‘I can’t carry it for you. But I can carry you.’ Oh, there I go, getting all emotional again.
As this interview is brought to you by the Realm of Yavanna, I have to ask if you like gardening. If yes, what do you most like to grow, and if not, what would you most like Sam Gamgee to grow for you?
I do like gardening, but only have a very small patch at the front of the house, but I cram as many flowers as is possible and small bushes into that space. I think nature is wonderful. And ‘yes’ or ‘no’, how could I turn down the opportunity of Sam growing something for me? It would have to be poppies, my favourite flower.
And most importantly, for all your Yavannildi readers: How do you like your chocolate?!
By the truckload!!
by LadyAdaneth and the Realm of Yavanna
