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Wednesday, June 12th, 2030 09:22 pm
The Mass Observation Project (MOP) is a unique UK-based writing project which has been running since 1981, and before that from the 1930s to the 1950s. Every year on 12th May, people not part of the project are asked to contribute a diary of their day to incorporate into the records.

I did that this year, along with a number of other people, and it was so interesting to see what everyone else did, thought I would try my own "mini" version of the Mass Observation Project, and post a monthly "Day in my life" post on the 12th of each month. Other LJers wanted to join in, and on 12th June 2013 a number of us posted our diary entries. But they were all in individual journals, and what was needed was to have them all in one place... and so this Community was born.

It is open to anyone, anywhere in the world, as long as they have an LJ and want to join in.

Membership is moderated, but posts aren't. If you would like to join, please send a message to the community

The rules are very basic:

1. A diary entry is kept for the 12th day of each month, either typed directly onto the pc or written down in a notebook and typed up and posted later.
2. Posts can be any length, but if you need to scroll down more than once, please put some of it behind a cut!
3. Pictures can be included, but please keep them to a reasonable size, and again, if more than one, behind a cut.
4. Each post should be tagged with your LJ name, the year and the month. i.e. hobbituk, 2013, June.

At the moment, the community is set up to be members only able to post and read, but this may change over time dependant on what the community members want to do. There may be polls...!
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Thursday, June 26th, 2025 09:14 am
Mereth Aderthad 2025 Interview with Anérea and Shadow. Featured artist and author for "How to Make a Star From a Tree: The Science of Telperion and Laurelin."

Anérea and Shadow are the featured artist and featured writer, respectively, for Zhie's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "How To Make a Star From a Tree: The Science of Telperion and Laurelin." They sat down together to chat about their work on Zhie's presentation and on Mereth Aderthad more broadly, as both are involved as volunteers for the event, and Shadow has also written a story for Maglor's presentation "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the last High King of the Noldor." They spoke about the appeal of light in Tolkien's world, about achieving freedom from perfectionism and imposter syndrome, and the special role that fanworks and fan communities play in so many of our lives.

You can read and listen to their conversation here.


Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 07:22 pm
 It's the second week of The Wheel of Chaos. 

I have the master list of unused prompts ready.  The Wheel has told me it is ready to spin. 

This week's prompt is 

If it’s any consolation


The deadline to link your entries back to this thread is Sunday June 29th at 7pm ET.

Have fun!
Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 06:45 pm
 The Wheel has spoken. 

The first question was "Twist or No Twist" and the wheel once again landed on TWIST! 

Then the wheel went off spinning again to determine which twist it was going to be. 

This could be an interesting one to see how it plays out. 

The contestant with the FEWEST votes in Week 2, without being eliminated, will be granted the Nullifier

This gives them the power to nullify either an elimination (used within 12 hours of when the poll ends)  OR a twist (used before the poll with that twist ends). 

This power is good until the Top 5. 

(Note: The Nullifer has no effect on poison or removing Killers from the game) 


Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 08:14 pm
 The wheel has claimed its first victim. 

Goodbye to [personal profile] vik_thor 

At this point, he is our Francesca! 
 
Losing someone is always difficult, and the longer we go, the more difficult it becomes.  The one positive this time around is that the wheel is fickle and there is no telling when it will allow people to return. 


Thank you for coming out, and I hope we will continue to see you around to root for your favorites!

Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 07:04 pm
 One of you has been poisoned.

While you were sleeping, while you were reading entries and living your "best life", there was something stirring in the depths of Idol Manor. 

Something dangerous.  

Everything is not what you see on the surface, for there are Killers in this castle. 

Cold blooded killers whose weapon of choice is a slow acting poison!! 

if they choose you as their victim, first you will start losing byes  (For the gamers out there, think of them as "extra hearts" or even "health points") once those are gone, the next round you will be dead and have your remains carried out of the competition. 

There is hope though. Whoever "wins" each week (has the most votes) will be given an antidote.  They can take it themselves or give it to someone else. If they guess correctly, then that person is cured. If they don't, then the antidote has no effect. 

Following the completion of each "Week", the contestants remaining in the competition will have the chance to vote on who they believe the killers are. If you guess correctly, that Killer is revealed and eliminated.

Each week, the Killers are given a choice - they can either poison someone, or recruit someone to join their death cult!  Once selected, you are a Killer. If you opt out of the invitation, you will be automatically poisoned. 

This game within the game (mini-game) keeps going until either everyone has been poisoned or the Killers have all been exposed.  (or the Top 5, whichever of those comes first) 

(and yes, once eliminated, regardless of how, of course you are eligible when the wheel decides to let people back into the competition. But come on, that's not as fun as saying "THERE'S MURDER IN THE CASTLE!!!!" ) 

And no, you will not know if you are the one poisoned until, well, you are no longer with us.   Good luck.  Sweet dreams!!!   

The poll is open until tomorrow. therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1185269.html

Then we will see what else the Wheel of Chaos has in store for us all!! 

Monday, June 23rd, 2025 07:36 pm
The poll is currently up. So make sure to get your votes in!   therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1185269.html


Have any Week 1 entries caught your attention, and kept it? 

***

How are you doing?  

***

We went to see 28 Years Later yesterday. It was good, but I wish I had known it was the first movie in a new trilogy. It would have made the ending seem less abrupt! 


Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 04:15 pm
Mereth Aderthad 2025 Interview with Tang Wen Xi by Dawn. Featured artist for "Kidnap Fam and the living Legendarium"

Few episodes within the legendarium inspire the tormented emotions as the third kinslaying and the aftermath between Maedhros, Maglor, Elrond, and Elros. The featured artist for polutropos' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation "'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," Tang Wen Xi creates artwork, including martial scenes, with a bold, vibrant style that often seems to leap and move within the page. Dawn recently spoke to Tang Wen Xi about his inspirations within the legendarium and how he creates his one-of-a-kind art.

You can read Dawn's interview with Tang Wen Xi here.


Saturday, June 21st, 2025 03:04 pm
A few words from [personal profile] clauderainsrm:

Welcome to the long dark teatime of your soul, a place that will haunt your nightmares and amuse your hopes and dreams until they realize that we know exactly where they are hiding, but they are safe there - Idol isn’t going to take them out (kill!), at least not for now.

No guarantees on later though. For the moment it’s only your nightmares who are in danger. Because I am the only nightmare in your life. All of the others need to cede ground and acknowledge when they are in the presence of a professional!!!

It’s that time in Week 1 where I say a few words and post a poll.

So - here are the words:
One of you will be randomly selected to receive an email. So be checking your Inbox. If you don’t receive one, then the wheel didn’t pick you. For now. Once you receive it, you will have a couple choices to make. Your game may be decided on what you choose, and without any doubt other people’s games definitely will be impacted by it as well.

Nothing quite like a vague sword hanging over everyone’s head to get things started off right!!!

So now, some other words - Thank you to everyone who has come out. It means a lot to me for you to be here. It’s a small group, but it promises to be a fun one, filled with weeks of great writing! Probably even more “cursing my name” sessions, but also great writing!

We aere off to a solid start with Week 1 and I want to encourage everyone, especially those new here to do the 4 important things over the next few days.

Read. Part of the fun of this whole thing is getting to read other people’s work. Do it!!
Comment on their entries. Everyone loves feedback! You like it. I like it. I think it’s fair to say that no one wants their work to just go out into a vacuum. Give them some love!
Vote for your favorites!!! You can cast votes for as many (or few) entries as you want. Yes, for participants you CAN vote for yourself. Honestly, if you’re not vouching for you, why would someone else? But I know people feel differently on the subject, so I’ll just say you can if you want.
Tell other people to do these things. SPREAD THE WORD! That’s the only way this thing keeps going. We’ve kept Idol going for 19 years with just word of mouth, friends telling friends about it! It’s your turn to be the one to tell people about it! They don’t need to participate to read, comment or vote!

All of this said, there will be (spins wheel) 1 contestant leaving us this week! (the options were 1-3)

The contestant with the fewest votes will be sent to the Dungeon of Chaos to rot for the rest of eternity. (or at least until the wheel gives them another shot)

The poll closes Wednesday June 25th at 9pm ET.

Good luck to everyone!
Note: Fausts_dreams link should be https://fausts-dream.dreamwidth.org/6729.html - my apologies. Obviously this week he is safe as a result of my mistake.

Poll #33276 ’Wheel
This poll is closed.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 49

Vote For Your Favorites!

adoptedwriter's entry
12 (24.5%)

adore's entry
15 (30.6%)

alycewilson's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

autumn_wind's entry
18 (36.7%)

bleodswean's entry
24 (49.0%)

drippedonpaper's entry
19 (38.8%)

eeyore_grrl's entry
20 (40.8%)

erulissedances's entry
21 (42.9%)

fausts_dream's entry
20 (40.8%)

flipflop_diva's entry
23 (46.9%)

garnigal's entry
10 (20.4%)

gunwithoutmusic's entry
14 (28.6%)

hafnia's entry
20 (40.8%)

halfshellvenus's entry
21 (42.9%)

i0ne's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

impoetry's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

inkstainedfingertips's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

kizzy's entry
14 (28.6%)

krispykritter's entry
17 (34.7%)

legalpad819's entry
15 (30.6%)

marjorica's entry
19 (38.8%)

matsushima's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

muchtooarrogant's entry
15 (30.6%)

murielle's entry
17 (34.7%)

oxymoron67's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

rayaso's entry
23 (46.9%)

roina_arwen's entry
15 (30.6%)

serpentinejacaranda's entry
12 (24.5%)

simplyn2deep's entry
18 (36.7%)

static_abyss's entry
17 (34.7%)

swirlsofpurple's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

talonkarrde's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
4 (8.2%)

tonithegreat's entry
14 (28.6%)

used_songs's entry
16 (32.7%)

vik_thor's entry
8 (16.3%)

wolfden's entry
19 (38.8%)

xeena's entry
26 (53.1%)

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 09:36 pm
 The deadline for sign ups AND for people to get their entry in are Saturday! So if you know anyone dragging their feet on either of those things, now would be the time to kick them!  

Sign Up:  therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1182845.html

W
eek 1 Prompt: therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1184469.html

*
**

How is everyone doing with the first prompt?  I haven't heard too much crying, but that could just be because I've long since learned to tune out your suffering!  ;) 

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 08:59 pm
If you are attending Mereth Aderthad in-person and want to join us for dinner on Saturday and/or breakfast on Sunday, Mr. Felagund and I are working on getting reservations made and need a headcount.

Please use this form to RSVP no later than Sunday, June 22 if you would like to join us!



You are responsible for the cost of your own food and drinks at these gatherings.

We will have additional gatherings that do not require reservations and where virtual attendees can join. The schedule will be posted within the week!

Visit Mereth Aderthad 2025 for more information and to register for the event.
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 05:24 pm
Mereth Aderthad 2025 Interview with fish by Shadow. Featured artist for "Cherished antagonist, despised protagonist - a defence of Elu Thingol."

Fish is creating the art for Stella Getreuer-Kostrouch's presentation "Cherished antagonist, despised protagonist - a defence of Elu Thingol" for Mereth Aderthad 2025. Shadow spoke with fish about his creative process, the importance of both tragedy and eucatastrophe to Tolkien's works (and to keeping his fans forever in the fandom), and the appeal of "greyness" in Silmarillion characters like Elu Thingol.

You can read Shadow's interview with fish here.


Sunday, June 15th, 2025 10:02 pm
What did you end up doing this weekend? 

Anything fun? 

I started (and finished) season 3 of The Traitors US.  With Rob Cesternino (Survivor) and Kristen Kish (Top Chef) being in Scotland filming season 4 right now, I thought it was a good time to catch up! 

I also finished the new season of Top Chef. Which may have had me crying a bit at the finale.  Maybe.  Or maybe you were the one who was crying.  Yes, that seems more likely!   ;) 

***
Speaking of crying - the first prompt is up:  therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1184469.html

The Sign Up Sheet is still open as well: therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1182845.html

***
I'm going to warn you ahead of time that the poll for Week 1 is going to not come out right away.  Not only does the first poll usually take more time to set up, I also have an unexpected funeral to attend that day.  One of my coworkers from my previous job passed away. I'm just glad that I received multiple messages from people who wanted to make sure that I knew. That was very kind of them to reach out. 

***
and yes, "The Wheelhouse" is the "special event" version of the Green Room, for those more use to that name. A lot of special events have their own specific gathering place names, and I just liked this one.  

Sunday, June 15th, 2025 06:15 pm
Author: Himring
Title: Footsteps, Vanishing
Characters: Luthien, Daeron
Pairing: Daeron/Luthien (unrequited)
Text type / Format: ficlet
Source / Fandom: Silmarillion
Rating: G
Warnings: n/a
Word Count: 113
Summary: Luthien's dancing. Reflections on transience.
Author notes: For the June challenge (alliteration). Also for Tolkien Ekphrasis prompts and a prompt by Elleth.

Read more... )
Saturday, June 14th, 2025 09:43 pm

SWG Gates of Summer challenge banner - dragonflies amidst tall grass

Summer is a season of flourishing, when life is at its peak. It is a time of plenty, when the light lingers long and celebrations dot the calendar. As we prepare for our big Mereth Aderthad celebration in just a month's time—an event that celebrates the vibrant life of our group and all of the creators and members who have shaped its history—we turn to the topic of summer. Like summer, we hope the SWG and the creativity and fellowship between its members will be a light that endures for many years to come!

This month, challenge participants will select their own prompts from a collection of prompts related to summer. The collection includes quotes from the texts, canon events, events in Tolkien's life, and quotes from Tolkien's letters. As always, you can mix and match prompts if you want, and we encourage creative interpretations of prompts.

In honor of Pride Month, there is a special stamp available for fanworks that focus on LGBTQIA+ characters.

Thank you to [personal profile] anerea  for this month's banner and stamps!

In order to receive a stamp for your fanwork, your response must be posted to the archive on or before 15 July 2025. For complete challenge guidelines, see the Challenges page on our website.


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Saturday, June 14th, 2025 01:08 pm
Mereth Aderthad 2025 Interview with Varda delle Stelle by Shadow. Featured artist for "The Design of Dragons and Doom of Dwarves".

Cloudyhymn's presentation The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves posits dragons as a corruption of Dwarves, both sharing a connection to the earth but on opposing sides, similar to the relationship Tolkien sometimes described between Elves and Orcs. Varda delle Stelle, the SWG's assistant art editor, will be creating two paintings as the featured artist for cloudyhymn's presentation at Mereth Aderthad 2025. Shadow spoke with Varda about her own connections to the earth and concepts in cloudyhymn's presentation, her creative process, and her hopes for her Mereth Aderthad paintings.

You can read Shadow's interview with Varda delle Stelle here.



Saturday, June 14th, 2025 12:06 am
 I have a master list of unused prompts. Some didn't end up being used in previous seasons. Some are new. All are now on a wheel of chaos. 

I will not know what the week's prompt is until a couple minutes before you do!! 

For anyone new here - or who hasn't been around for awhile, just a couple reminders: 

Use the prompt as a jumping off point for your own creativity. The only limits are those you place on yourself and your work! 

ONLY POST YOUR LINK to this thread. Any non-link comments posted here will be deleted. It makes it more difficult to keep track of entries for the week if everyone comments here. Comment to people on their entries or in one of the other spaces provided. This is solely for links. Not reactions. 

With all of that now being said - and I reminder that if someone HASN'T signed up, they still have another week to do so, therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1182845.html

T
he prompt for Week 1 is 

Quality 

You have until Saturday June 21st at 2pm ET to link your entries back to this thread. So much longer than usual, but it's the first week so I'm giving you a bit of a break. Enjoy it while you can! 
Friday, June 13th, 2025 11:57 pm
 During each week, I will spin the wheel and reveal the twist.  Sometimes it will be before the prompt is announced, sometimes before the voting. 

As I said before, I was feeling merciful as we got closer to starting, so I added another wheel. We're calling it the first wheel.  2/3 of the spots on it read "Twist" and the other 1/3 are "No Twist".  Obviously "No Twist" means that the second wheel will not be spun that week and you will get a break from the normal level of chaos.  You will get to breathe with only the normal amount of Idol chaos, more or less... 

That first wheel it did spin and it came up that there WOULD be a twist on Week 1. 

I was very happy that we were starting off this event right. 

So I spun the second wheel, the one with the master list of twists on it, hoping for something delightful.  After all, some of the list are quite twisted and some are quite twisted in other ways.  :)  This one turned out to be one of the latter. 

It's probably the first "first week" twist that there could be, because it might as well be a "No Twist": 

Anyone who was previously eliminated from the competition is automatically back in the game. 


Being that no one has been eliminated yet, it means nothing. But since twists are NOT removed from the wheel once selected, it does reveal what one of those spots is, and you now know that it is out there, and the possibility exists. 

So, I guess that's a good thing for you... 


Week 1's prompt will be posted soon.