An Interview with LadyCeleborn

Thanks a lot to LadyCeleborn for accepting to be interviewed for the January 2006 issue of the Council Courier! We are very much interested in asking her some questions because of the new section in the Multimedia, the Stationery section, but also to learn more about her. LadyCeleborn is one of the Palantír forum moderators, the Multimedia Admin on CoE, and an Overall Admin of our sister site, The Unspeakables.

1. Right when you saw the first glance of the CoE website, what did you think?
At first glance I thought, “Hey, this is pretty cool.” Then I went into the gallery and then into the forums and I was hooked!

2. Is it hard being the Multimedia Admin with all those myriad images around?
Not at all. I have an advantage. I get to see all the pretties before anyone else does.

3. Other than the Palantír and the Ulmo forums, wheret else do you like to stay in?
I like to venture into the Prancing Pony from time to time. And into Many Meetings. I like reading posts from people from other parts of the world.

4. What is your main reason for accepting an image for the multimedia section?
Quality. You could spend hours on your wallpaper, for example, and it could be very creative or unusual, but if the quality of your image or text isn’t very good, then it won’t be accepted. Only the very best is good enough for CoE. We have a lot of talented members here at CoE that have submitted over 1200 wallpapers so far.

5. What is the main reason of the new section in Multimedia, the Stationery section? And how can people use that?
We all still use snail mail to send letters and cards, right? So what better way to do it than on stationery and note cards that reflect the things we love the most. There are characters, places, objects and cast members on them. Some are lined for those that need them to keep their words straight. There are some that are unlined, which are perfect for those that just want to doodle. There is something for everyone there.

6. How do you budget your time in reality and in the forums, especially since you are also one of the Head Admins of The Unspeakables?
When it’s something you really love doing you somehow find the time to do it all. LOTR and Harry Potter are my hobbies. I’ve loved them since the very first time I picked up the books. I don’t consider either work or ‘something I have to do’. It’s something I enjoy doing and for me it’s a calming, stress reliever. Oh, and the fact that I rarely dust gives me extra time too.

7. Any recommended books the others should really read?
The Chronicles of Narnia. I read those as a child and had forgotten how much fun they were until the news surfaced about ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ movie. I reread the books and loved them all over again.

8. How about movies you recommend to your fellow CoE members?
Definitely ‘Narnia’. I was very happy with that. And if you like Harry Potter, definitely The Goblet of Fire. I’ve seen that 3 times.

9. What type of music do you like to listen to now?
I’m a big fan of movie soundtracks. Right now my favorite playlist on my iPod is the Narnia soundtrack. But on there you will also find the LOTR, Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter soundtracks, along with a mixture of Josh Groban and Bo Bice.

10. When you saw the LotR movies, what did you think? Did it disappoint you when you based your ideas from the books?
Not at all. I was very excited about the movies. I have read the books many times and had pictured in my head what characters and places would look like. I wasn’t disappointed. Movies can never be exactly like the books. There just isn’t enough time, but these movies are excellent in their own right.

11. It is definitely obvious that you love art as a Multimedia Admin; what is your favorite painting?
I don’t think I have a favorite painting although I have seen many in museums such as the Smithsonian and in museums in Germany that I visited. But I know when I like something and it’s usually soft pastel colors. Or muted colors that are not blaring at you.

12. As an Éomer fancier, what do you think is the greatest quality he possesses?
His loyalty to his family and home. That rugged, scruffy look doesn’t hurt either.

13. Aside from the Multimedia and the Forums sections, what else captures your interest on CoE?
The Humor section. Some of the stuff in there makes me laugh till my jaws ache.

14. Do you have any plans of adding more sections to the Multimedia?
It’s always a possibility.

15. Which Middle-earth woman do you resemble, in terms of determination and attitude?
I think for me it might be more “what Middle-earth character” instead of woman. I don’t see myself as an Éowyn or Arwen type. I’m more of the Samwise type in regards to determination and attitude. I’m very easygoing but very protective of family, friends and my home. When I set my mind to something I get it done but get it done with a positive attitude. I learned a long time ago that getting mad or upset was just a waste of precious time. And life is too short for that.

by Ilfa and the Realm of Varda