Holiday Hypotheses The Celebration of Winter Holidays in Middle Earth Happy Hanukah

Holiday Hypotheses

Thoughts of Plaza members on a variety of holiday topics
by Rudolf the red-nosed reporter

Nyx
All you want for Christmas is... Money to buy the parts so I can build (another) computer. Newegg.com, here I come...
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? I would make June 6 ’Minions of Mordor’ day and the rest of the Plaza would have to bow to us minions and do whatever we tell them to do.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Dress it up, you know, with a little shirt, pants, necktie, socks and shoes-either that or use it as a weapon. A frozen Butterball upside the head will get anyone’s attention, I guarantee it!
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? Um, dunno, but it would be something good...

Lintesiriel
All you want for Christmas is... A laptop computer
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? Talk Like a Pirate Day.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? I like to cut a piece of turkey to be shaped like a turkey.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? I don’t know what a pressie is.

Iarla Donn
All you want for Christmas is... My two front teeth...
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? Apart from October 20th, my Plazaversary, you mean? March 25th-once a hobbit, always a hobbit.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Look at it in disgust-I’m a veggie
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A break from all the begrudgers about the Halloween icons...and something really cool like a signed first edition Hobbit in it’s original sleeve, signed by the Master and personally dedicated to him, something to show just how grateful we all were for the Hallow’een-ness. You know what I mean.

Oiolosse
All you want for Christmas is... MONEY!
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? Tribute Losse day!
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? pass to the nearest person, it makes people smile
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A day off! I think it’s becoming necessary ;)

Eriol Flautgrí
All you want for Christmas is...My two front teeth *g* Actually, all I want is to go home, I haven’t been there since the summer before last.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? Fourth of July, and Gandalf does the fire works!
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Eat it...cold.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A big ’Thank you for all your hard work’!

Princess Gia
All you want for Christmas is... Money would be nice, but if I can’t get money, I suppose I would like... A CD.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? Plaza Creation Day! (January 1, I believe). Or my Plazaversary. ; ) *j/k*
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Eating it, of course! *lol*
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A day off! *lol* He works so hard for the Plaza, I’m sure that if he could have a day off, and give the job to someone for a little while, he’d appreciate. Actually, I don’t know, but, hey... *shrugs*

Celeblome
All you want for Christmas is... a PS2, A PS2, A PS2! ( Playstation 2)
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? I would decree hobbit day! the day where we all eat, dress, and sing like hobbits (Sept. 22)
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? other than eat it? um, i dunno.. make a sandwich out of it? Smoke it in the smoker? but usually I’m happy just to eat it *g*
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? hmm Peeg?, I think that I’d have to give him a chew toy, cause we all know how much Fluffy likes chew toys! and it’s always fun to watch Fluffy and Pookey fight over chew toys *g*

Anna Calenear
All you want for Christmas is... See my family, and by that I mean family family and friends.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? It would be Appreciate Admins. Rulers and Maia Tyes Day. On this day, we would line up all the adminny types (current and past) and do things both serious and funny to show our appreciation for all they do for us and the Plaza.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Well aside from grossing out my younger siblings and Mom with touching the heart, gizzards and such, it’s eating the leftovers cold. yummeh...
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? I wouldn’t give Peeg anything. *contemplates the idea of a cosmic Orome smiting and quickly says* I wouldn’t give Peeg anything silly. I would give him something full of meaningfulness and thoughtfulness. Something like a Baby Ruth. It’s a yummy piece of candy, right? Perfect for his sweet tooth and it’s yummily delicious. Just don’t let Nahar too close by....

Caelyn
All you want for Christmas is...A box of big juicy mangoes!
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? The official day of worship Caelyn, oh and worship the Mongoose too!
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Watch it explode when I leave it in the microwave for too long.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A foo foo Fluffy.

Aisil Dagda
All you want for Christmas is... my own computer. I hate this one
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? The official glomping day! Everyone should glomp anyone they meet..hehe
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? erm..ride it *lol*
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A collar, for fluffy

Idesinholde
All you want for Christmas is... Well and iPod nano, a new cell phone, some books, gift cards for clothes, and shoes, trips abroad, a week at a spa etc. Hey you asked me what I wanted..not what I had any chance of getting *g*
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? The Ides day! Everyone would spend the day telling me how amazing I am, and hail me, and in general just stuff like that. Oh feeding me cake is good too. We could have this cake competition, where people submitted pictures of different cakes, and I chose the one I wanted the most. XD Wouldn’t we just love that?
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Stuff it into my mouth!
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? Hmm I would get him a pool with a doodie in it *nods* yes you see I’ve heard about this doodie pool of his, its obviously something he likes.

Scymrwendian
All you want for Christmas is... A job. And an apartment.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? September 22nd. Frodo’s & Bilbo’s birthday. And mine. *g*
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? His very own art show at an upscale gallery in a town near him, with lots of interested buyers visiting & ready to pay loads of money. Because he deserves it, as does his art work.

Aeo Sadril
All you want for Christmas is... A MOOSE! A MOOSE FOR ERU’S SAKE! A MOOSE! A MOOSE! MY KINGDOM FOR A MOOSE!
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? I would decree that November 15th, now and forever always, be Moose Day and Aeo’s RL Birthday Day.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Hmm... Well, I’d tell you, but then I’d have to shoot you. I’ll give you a hint, though - it involves a goat, grape jelly, and a weedwhacker.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? I would give Peeg a moose! Y’know why? Cause moose are so darn cool! I adore moose, and I think that the world would be a better place if everyone had a moose.

Ulkûrz
All you want for Christmas is...My four wisdom teeth *g*
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? April 24, the frickin’ bestest day of the year, in my un-biased, birthday boy opinion.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Gain my Freshman-15 in one day with the aid of mashed potatoes.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? One of his paintings, courtesy of him.

Merne Túrante
All you want for Christmas is... a nice cloak with a hood so that I can spook around the house at night pretending to be a real Elf
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? Oooh...whatever suits you best. As long as it is never in the weekends or near any other holiday as people tend to tell you you don`t get a day off then as you just had days off. *wonders whether boss/teachers will give her days off for a holiday on a forum*
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Cuddle it. I like to bury my face in those sweet furry soft feathers. I also like to strike them feathers, brush them or put braids and beads in.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? I would give him a nice big juicy bone to chew on. He is looking a bit hungry on that icon of his.

Min-Hiddêth
All you want for Christmas is... my bills paid
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? GM Day. *knowing nod*
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? leftover turkey sandhich with Miracle Whip and cranberry sauce...man...*drools*
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A day without problems.

Tarin
All you want for Christmas is... A car and drivers license.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? The Worship Purple Day. All who hold the title of "purple" something, or the colour purple, must be worshipped.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Trade it for some shrimp.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? I would give him Fluffy, the Destroyer of Worlds. Why is because he just looked too cute as that for his Halloween icon, and everyone needs to destroy a world every now and then.

Star Flower
All you want for Christmas is... a new laptop.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? Foo Day, just to irritate people.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Eat it. I really liked smoked turkey with lotsa lettuce, tomato, feta and mayo on a big slice of bread… Yummy.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? Socks… well, have you seen his old ones? Pee-eew…

Vinyatur
All you want for Christmas is...My brother and father to speak to each other again.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? The day that we changed to the new server, can’t remember the exact date, but it was sometime last year.
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Let it feature in a Southpark episode.
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A pat on the shoulder, for his hard work.

Isila
All you want for Christmas is... world domination *coughs* Seriously, I’m not sure...as long as it isn’t anything like a toothbrush or broccoli then I’m happy.
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? My plazaversary should really be a plaza holiday...
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Uhh......I’m not quite sure how to answer that without it sounding wrong so I think I’ll just skip this question *g*
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? Mushrooms. Everyone should have lot’s of mushrooms *G*

Enoden
All you want for Christmas is... A MP3 player, and maybe money?
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Eat it?
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A big picture with all the small icons posted on it and a small thank you letter beneath it...

SunnyBabani
All you want for Christmas is... Lots of presents!
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? September 23
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Throw it at my cousins, when the adults aren’t looking.

Aiwë Nenharma
All you want for Christmas is... YOU! But I would really like to get one of the HoME books to learn more about Middle-earth. And if that is not possible, I’d like to have more time (for example: 30 hours a day so I could have more time to post on Plaza...)
If you could decree a Plaza holiday, what day would you decree? 31st October, because we could have double fun - with Halloween and Plaza holiday! :-)
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? A magic lamp of inspiration so he could make more funny icons!

Ellitarë
All you want for Christmas is... A journey to New Zealand (or anything that has something to do with LOTR)
What is your favorite thing to do with turkey? Let it live...
If you could give Peeg a pressie for the holidays, what would it be? whatever is on Peeg’s list...I want to give something that is truly wanted.

So what have we learned from the above? That Plaza members are self-centered, greedy, below-average-intelligence suckups? Nah, that only applies to a few. For the rest, it’s simply a matter of learning to ask questions before the bowl of eggnog is empty…

Holiday Hypotheses The Celebration of Winter Holidays in Middle Earth Happy Hanukah

The Celebration of Winter Holidays in Middle-earth
by Luinil Felagund

In lieu of the holidays, I decided to take a look at holidays in the latter part of the typical Middle-earth year. It is interesting to note that there are very few recorded yearly celebrations. In fact, it is only in the Shire calendar that there is a recorded holiday during the latter half of the year. This holiday happens to be called Yule.

Yule took place on the last day in the old year, known as 1Yule (Fore Yule) and the first day in the New Year, known as 2Yule (After Yule). There were celebrations in the Shire that took place for three days before 1Yule and three days of celebration after 2Yule. There were typically feasts during this celebration, as this was one of the Shire folk’s chief celebrations, one of two that were yearly, and a time for feasting. The days of 1Yule and 2Yule are part of the Shire calendar, but not considered part of the months. Due to this, the 1st of After Yule(January) was the second day of the year, instead of the first, and the last day of Fore Yule(December) would have been 1Yule instead of Fore Yule 30th. Each month in the Shire calendar has 30 days and any holidays were not part of the months.

The interesting thing is that Fore Yule was always on Highday (Friday) and After Yule was always on Sterday(Saturday). Every fourth year, there was greater celebration for there were 4 Yule Days instead of two. The only exception to this is the last year of the century. The first year of the new century correlated to the Third Age, year 1601.

There were no celebrations recorded outside the Shire, but in the other lands of Middle-earth, the days of the beginning and ending of the year were named. In the Rivendell and Númenórean calendars there was Mettarë ‘last day’ and Yestarë ‘first day’. These days, unlike in the Shire, varied through the winter months when they would take place. The Númenóreans did not count Mettarë or Yestarë as part of the calendar year, but it appears that the elves did.

If one were to try to place the celebration of Yule, Mettarë, and Yestarë, it is interesting what dates you would come up with. For the Hobbits celebration of Yule, it correlates to our December 21 and 22. The Númenórean Mettarë and Yestarë were also on December 21 and 22. The Elven Mettarë and Yestarë were strange in that they correlated to March 27 and 28.

Have a happy Yule Days, and may they be wonderful!

Holiday Hypotheses The Celebration of Winter Holidays in Middle Earth Happy Hanukah

Happy Hanukah!
by Firerose Arien

While most of you this holiday season will be decorating the tree and eating roast pork (turkey, etc), I will be doing something very different, aside from swimming in a bikini in Florida.

See, I’m Jewish, and around this time of year, Jewish people like me celebrate a holiday most of you already know as Hanukah (also spelt Chanukah, Hanukkah, Chanukkah; pretty much anyway you like.) Hanukah commemorates the victory of the Macabees over the Greeks, and we celebrate by playing with fire!

Okay, I lied, sorta... We light a menorah (big fancy candle holder) and play with the driedle (a four-sided top), which is incredibly fun if there’s *ahem* chocolate *ahem* to bet on, and we make potato pancakes called latkes. The best part? It lasts eight nights, and each night you light one more candle, so on the eighth night, when you have nine candles burning (eight and the one to light all the others), you can turn the rest of the lights off and enjoy a very pleasant, romantic glow.