What do you "assign" to the Shire?

[Eonwe]

A return to the barrows of my youth!

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Mountains! Okay, so they might be a bit misplaced in the Shire.

But Bilbo liked them...

It doesn't occur to you just how big mountains are when you live amongst hills. Yes, I've seen mountains. Heck, I've sat in a ditch at midnight with friends after we slid off the road during a freak blizzard on a mountain in Vermont.

But it does not compare to flying above the clouds, the ground being blurrily far away, and having the cold, jagged tip of a really big mountain thrust through the layer of floating water before you. Sure, I knew that mountains are really big. And I knew that mountain ranges, by definition, contain a really lot of mountains. But I didn't quite get it until I was looking at them from above.

[Lhunardawen]

Side-clicking mechanical pencils. I luuuurv them.

[Kath]

Jumping from a mini trampoline into a paddling pool knowing full well that at least half your dress is going to get soaked and not caring because you know you can go lie in the sun on the big trampoline afterwards.

Ah, summer.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I assign digital radio.

I don't know what it is called in english, but we call it DAB Radio.

Because of that we now have a station called DR(Denmarks Radio) litteraure and on sunday they are reading the Hobbit! I for one am going to listen to radio all sunday. . .

The timming was perfect, as I was just about to start reading the Hobbit my self.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Gigantic bookstores and spontaneous friendships and nights that last until morning. Voodoo Doughnuts and having the nerve to read in front of a crowd of people that have been writing longer than I've been alive. Vegan pizza and Coffee People and wandering cities in the middle of the night.

[Celuien]

Unexpected friendly conversations with strangers held while stopped at red lights to discuss the state of the irritating road construction that has made your exit from the highway an even greater maze of potholes and other road hazards than it was before.

Finally knowing what you're going to do with yourself when you grow up.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

Public Transportation

It is a brilliant concept.

[Valier]

I assign laughter to the Shire. Not just laughter, but the full out belly laughs that make your sides hurt.

I also assign the people or things that make you laugh like this.

[Oddwen]

We dug up the nest of a laying snapping turtle one year, and hatched a batch of babies in a fishtank. Then we released them all in the sinkhole next to our house.

I assign the joy of never seeing one of them again.

[Kath]

The ability to listen to two totally disparate things at one time. When you've just been yelled at by a parent for not concentrating on what they were saying because you were totally engrossed in the television at the time, being able to repeat what they have just said back to them word for word is such a satisfying feeling.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Kath

The ability to listen to two totally disparate things at one time. When you've just been yelled at by a parent for not concentrating on what they were saying because you were totally engrossed in the television at the time, being able to repeat what they have just said back to them word for word is such a satisfying feeling.

I used to have this super power, usually in German lessons where my poor teacher would interrupt my conversation with the boys who sat behind me to ask me to repeat what he had just said, and I would be able to repeat it word for word. Sadly as you get older the ability to concentrate on even one thing at one time becomes more and more difficult.

I'm assigning to the Shire those books you get with lists of "the best..." because they're so absorbing. We've got one - 1001 Books to Read Before you Die - and yes, it includes LotR (I wouldn't have bought it otherwise ). I got one the other day called 1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die which has kept me absorbed for a good while and left me with a long list of CDs to go and get, and has also had me ranting a bit about what was and what was not included, though said books are refreshingly unpretentious.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Perching upon a half-submerged and salt-encrusted rock, clad in bikinis given the ocean setting, and lazily watching the sun set as the tide comes in around us. Beaches make me happy. Even though hobbits don't like them.

all my friends that i know
from school,and where i live

[Lalwendë]

The smell of honeysuckle. For once, mine is covered in flowers and as soon as you open the garden door the lovely smell of it hits you.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

When a series of rather unfortunate events leaves me relieved and hopeful for the future instead of depressed. Am I, Eru forbid, becoming an optimist?

I assign optimism. Seriously... I could get used to looking on the bright side of things.

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

I assign having a father that travels alot and brings you pressents. . . I know own a football shirt with Montreal Impact. (and my sister has the Canadian National Team jersey)

[Elonve]

Cotton candy...
Ginger beer...
Beach barbeques...
Lobster...
Hot buttered corn on the cob...
Hot dogs...
Hold the sourkreut...

Beach food.
Beach picnics
Night swimming deserves a quite night!
________
LovelyWendie99

[Oddwen]

Putting "Leave it to Beaver" on mute and supplying my own voices...

Providing realistic vomiting sounds to Tiger games...

I second cotton candy & ginger ale...

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

i thought that Ginger beer and Ginger Ale was two different things.

[Farael]

Love... need I say more?

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Essays proposing the concept of love as being nothing more than a societal daydream induced by Disney.

That was fun to write.

'Nuff said.

[Oddwen]

Originally Posted by Rune

i thought that Ginger beer and Ginger Ale was two different things.

Huh, I always thought they were the British & the American names for the same thing, respectively.

Okay then, I'll assign Vernors's Ginger Ale, the best sody pop in the world besides Joneses Green Apple Soda.

[Kath]

Our leavers Ball! It was such fun

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Oddwen

the best sody pop in the world besides Joneses Green Apple Soda.

I assign Oddwen. Much though I love Dr. Pepper... Jones Green Apple is the best creation under the sun.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Rune Son of Bjarne

i thought that Ginger beer and Ginger Ale was two different things.

No, they're pretty much the same thing. However, if you're talking about Dry Ginger Ale then that's something very different. There's no way you ever want to mix a few measures of whisky with Ginger Beer or Ale, however it goes perfectly with Dry Ginger Ale, AKA Canada Dry.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Oddwen --

If you'd like, I'll help you drag several cases of Vernor's into the Shire. I grew up with the stuff and it is more difficult to come by in the area that I live in.

[Oddwen]

Originally Posted by Child

If you'd like, I'll help you drag several cases of Vernor's into the Shire. I grew up with the stuff and it is more difficult to come by in the area that I live in.

I know...only something like one in three stores have it around here...


And uh, I'll assign large moving trucks filled with ginger beer/ale and green apple soda, and ginormous refrigeration units to the Shire, too.

Ooh, and large freezers too. Those come in really handy.

STEAK. (Sorry to all you herbivores, I love my steak.)

There is nothing quite like a lightly steamed, succulent, barely translucent floret of broccoli.

Throw in salted in-shell sunflower seeds, why don'tcha. There's nothing quite like half your face being numb from excessive salt intake.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

There's no way you ever want to mix a few measures of whisky with Ginger Beer or Ale, however it goes perfectly with Dry Ginger Ale, AKA Canada Dry.

Whereas Ginger Beer complements perfectly a few measures of Dark Rum to create what is know in the trade as a Dark 'n Stormy. Now there's a drink which belongs in the Shire.

[Lalaith]

Then there is Stones Ginger Wine. I first tasted that when I was about 14: I'd got locked out in the rain on a freezing cold day, and a nice neighbour rescued me. She gave me a little glass by her kitchen fireside, to stop me shivering. It was lovely and I felt very grown-up.

[Lalwendë]

Barrow-Downs Pub

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Then there is Stones Ginger Wine. I first tasted that when I was about 14: I'd got locked out in the rain on a freezing cold day, and a nice neighbour rescued me. She gave me a little glass by her kitchen fireside, to stop me shivering. It was lovely and I felt very grown-up.

Try mixing Stones Ginger Wine with a nip of whisky. Mmmm, hic. Very boozy.

Originally Posted by SpM

Whereas Ginger Beer complements perfectly a few measures of Dark Rum to create what is know in the trade as a Dark 'n Stormy. Now there's a drink which belongs in the Shire.

Now that sounds a nice spicy drink! I would usually have mixed cherry coke with dark rum to make a lovely treacly, sickly drink.

What about Brandy and peppermint? I can imagine Lobelia partaking of that tipple at Yule.

[Orominuialwen]

Originally Posted by Child

If you'd like, I'll help you drag several cases of Vernor's into the Shire. I grew up with the stuff and it is more difficult to come by in the area that I live in.

Originally Posted by Oddwen

I know...only something like one in three stores have it around here...

Oh, I love Vernor's, and fortunately I live close enough to Michigan (it's made in the UP, right?) that I can get it in at least one grocery store here. I love to drink it mixed with skim milk. I know that sounds absolutely disgusting, but it tastes really good. I'd recommend trying it, but only with Vernor's, since the other kinds I've tried are too bland to offset the milk.

[Roa_Aoife]

I assign getting married on a lunch break. Sure, it lacks ceremony and tradition, but it makes the rest of your work day incredibly good. Not to mention being a great story to tell to your future kids and grandkids.

[Lalaith]

Try mixing Stones Ginger Wine with a nip of whisky. Mmmm, hic. Very boozy

Ah yes, the whisky mac. Very nice winter drink.

Congratulations, Roa!

[Kath]

I assign passing all your exams and getting into your first choice university. All that worry suddenly gone! And then being able to go on holiday without fear of dealing with clearing or any other problems.

I'm so happy!

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Kath

I assign passing all your exams and getting into your first choice university. All that worry suddenly gone! And then being able to go on holiday without fear of dealing with clearing or any other problems.

I'm so happy!

Well done! That's two lucky Freshers from the Downs! I'm a tiny bit jealous because its all such fun you'll never forget it!

P.S. If you're going to the Peaks here's some amazing places: Haddon Hall, Chatsworth Park, Padley Gorge, Bakewell (excellent bookshop there, plus a jigsaw puzzle shop and an Austrian sausage cafe), Dovedale, Arbor Low, The Fox House pub, The Barrel Inn on Eyam moor, Stanton Moor and Mam Tor. It's Sheffield's playground!

Erm, what can I send to The Shire to stop this being chatter? Oh yes, I'm sending that feeling you get when the manager is out for two weeks. The whole office was in high spirits today - it was as though the Christmas break was starting! Yippee!

[Mithalwen]

Oh blimey - I haven't seen such unappealing combinations since my rugby days and post match challenges. So I assign drinking bellinis with a happy God-daughter (who did better in her AS levels than we dared expect after missing so much time off sick).

And congratulations to Kath and Roa - and if I remember rightly Samwise Gamgee was also due to the knot...

[Valier]

I assign Birthdays to the Shire...even though I am sure they are already there...

Ok I assign people who like their Birthday, I have always felt a little giddy around my birthday no matter how old I get... and even if their wasn't gifts and the odd party I would still be as happy. The people who hate their Birthdays are missing out.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Valier

The people who hate their Birthdays are missing out.

No we are just old......

[Kath]

Thanks Lal and Mith.

Sadly we didn't go to any of the places you mentioned, we were being far too active! Went paintballing, to a waterpark (flumes and all), horse riding and then to Alton Towers. All of which I assign because they were a lot of fun. In fact I assign the whole holiday because it was such a laugh, and all the people were extremely nice.