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admin,
welcome

Welcome to our community!

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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The Wheelhouse - Week 2 - Day 2

The poll for Week 2 is up:

Make sure you check it out, read some new favorites and of course keep getting the word out!

***

What sort of Chaos has the Wheel of Life brought into your life THIS week?

On the plus side, the Governor gave all state workers an extra day off. Yay.

On the negative side, that means I'll have one day without work distractions to keep me occupied.

*looks over at the wheel and smiles* Maybe I'll have to find something else to do... :)

Seriously though, thanks for being here. It really means a lot to me. Especially now.

Rebuilding journal search again

We're having to rebuild the search server again (previously, previously). It will take a few days to reindex all the content.

Meanwhile search services should be running, but probably returning no results or incomplete results for most queries.

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The Accusation

In Traitors/Werewolf/Mafia/Your reference here - when people come together and make this sort of accusation, the person selected is exiled from the community.

I decided not to go that far with this. :)

But also decided to "out" them to the public. Because if they are in fact the Killer, people need to know!!!

I can give you the following information:

There were 13 different suspects receiving votes. 3 of them were 1 vote shy of tying. The rest were 2 votes shy of that mark. Which makes sense. People are gathering information and playing hunches, in hopes of stopping the murder spree in it's infancy.

The group has named

roina_arwen as the prime suspect!

***
We will have to wait and see if there are any more poisonings this week, or if the angry mob of Idolers got it right the first time!

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Vote - Week 2

A few words from

clauderainsrm:

On one hand, there are quite a few “byes” this week, which is bad. But on the other, that means there is more time for you to read and enjoy those entries that DID make it in on time!

So make sure to read, comment and vote for your favorites, to keep encouraging them on this journey of sheer terror!

Speaking of sheer terror, erulissedances decided to leave the manor before the vote. Which - one, sad for me that I lose one more person to torture, and bad for the rest of you because I asked the wheel if it would count as one of the eliminated numbers. (Standard Idol policy is that it *would NOT*, however this time the Wheel rules. So I asked)

Which means there are also (spins the wheel, watches as it slows to its final destination) 2 contestants with the fewest votes leaving us this week as well! (Don’t forget, the contestant with the fewest votes WHO IS NOT ELIMINATED will be receiving the Nullifier!

The poll closes Thursday July 3rd at 8pm ET.

Good luck to everyone!

Poll #33302 ’WheelofChaos-Week2’

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 24

Vote For Your Favorites!

adoptedwriter's entry
4 (16.7%)

adore's entry
8 (33.3%)

alycewilson's entry
10 (41.7%)

autumn_wind's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

bleodswean's entry
10 (41.7%)

drippedonpaper's entry
3 (12.5%)

eeyore_grrl's entry
10 (41.7%)

fausts_dream's entry
6 (25.0%)

flipflop_diva's entry
13 (54.2%)

garnigal's entry
4 (16.7%)

gunwithoutmusic's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

hafnia's entry
8 (33.3%)

halfshellvenus's entry
8 (33.3%)

i0ne's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

impoetry's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

inkstainedfingertips's entry
6 (25.0%)

kizzy's entry
6 (25.0%)

krispykritter's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
1 (4.2%)

legalpad819's entry
8 (33.3%)

marjorica's entry
6 (25.0%)

matsushima's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

muchtooarrogant's entry
10 (41.7%)

murielle's entry
6 (25.0%)

oxymoron67's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

rayaso's entry
8 (33.3%)

roina_arwen's entry
7 (29.2%)

serpentinejacaranda's entry
5 (20.8%)

simplyn2deep's entry
9 (37.5%)

static_abyss's entry
9 (37.5%)

swirlsofpurple's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

talonkarrde's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

tonithegreat's entry
6 (25.0%)

used_songs's entry
5 (20.8%)

wolfden's entry
8 (33.3%)

xeena's BYE WEEK - Votes Do Not Count
2 (8.3%)

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The Wheelhouse - Week 2 - Weekend Edition

I'm not going into detail right now, but let's just say this has been one of the worst weeks of my life. (so far) Sometimes that's the way the wheel spins. I will say thought that it started Wednesday night after the poll closed, so I'm really glad I had everything written out and ready to go, otherwise none of those other posts would have been made. Far too much chaos!! Like I said, sometimes the wheel is like that.

Hope all of you are doing better than that.

The deadline for the prompt is TOMORROW night: therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1186386.html

There are quite a few of you who haven't finished yet. So hopefully you are get it ready to post!

***

Oh yeah, the first antidote has been distributed to the person with the most votes, and has been distributed to her choice. I guess we will see in a few weeks if that was correct.

IN THE MEANTIME - I need ALL OF YOU to send me an email clauderainsrm@gmail.com and make your first accusation on the identity of the Killers. (One name please) If the majority guesses correctly, you out them and end their deadly spree! If not, well, then the killings continue...
The deadline to do this is the same as the entry deadline Hopefully in the coming weeks I will be a little less stressed and more organized. I apologize for that.

***

What ELSE are you doing this weekend?

Entry tags:

mereth aderthad 2025

Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Anérea and Shadow

Mereth Aderthad 2025 Interview with An�rea 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.

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Prompt - Week 2

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!

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Twist Reveal - Week 2

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)

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Results - Week 1

The wheel has claimed its first victim.

Goodbye to

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!

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The Wheelhouse - Week 1 - Day 11 - Poisoned!!!

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!!

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The Wheelhouse - Week 1 - Day 10

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!

Entry tags:

mereth aderthad 2025

Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Tang Wen Xi by Dawn

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.

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Vote - Week 1

A few words from

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%)

Entry tags:

The Wheelhouse - Week 1 - Day 5

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

Week 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! ;)

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mereth aderthad 2025

Admin Post: Mereth Aderthad RSVP for Meals Needed No Later Than June 22!

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!

Dinner: Saturday, July 19, 6:00 PM at the Farmhouse Tap & Grill in Williston

Breakfast: Sunday, July 20, 9:00 AM at The Pour House (scroll down to Sunday Brunch Menu)

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.

Entry tags:

mereth aderthad 2025

Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with fish by Shadow

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.