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B2MeM Day Thirty-One: Valinor
Mar. 30th, 2011 04:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Carlos Mendes. |
March 31: Valinor
No holiday destination tops Valinor for adventure and luxury! Lounge on the beach at Alqualonde, hear Valmar's famous bell choir perform every hour on the hour, and relish the opulence of the art and culture of Tirion. The adventuresome will enjoy hiking and exploring the Pelori, the world's tallest mountain range, within a day's drive of Valinor's top tourist destinations. Cruises available from all major Elven cruise lines!
Today's Challenge:
"Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain."
Friedrich Schiller
Write a story or poem or create artwork that illustrates this quotation.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever
HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/valinor.png" alt="Valinor Passport Stamp" />
Well, everyone, this is it: the last challenge in our month-long event!
However, although we won't be posting anymore challenges, we still welcome late responses, and we will still gladly stamp passports for responses completed after the conclusion of the event. If you've completed all 31 challenges, if you could note this on your post when you complete today's challenge, it will let the mods who stamp passports double-check that we haven't missed any days for you. I'd encourage everyone with a passport to check that passport in about a week to make sure we haven't missed any stamps.
This event was truly an example of how many hands make light work. Many thanks to the mods of SWG (Rhapsody, Tarion, and Angelica) and MPTT (Dreamflower, Cathleen, and Pearl Took) for making an ambitious challenge seem almost easy to run to their overworked comod (me), who doubted her sanity in wanting to host a major event in the midst of her student teaching internship. From writing challenges to stamping passports every day, you made this event not only run but run smoothly--thank you!
Many thanks to all of our participants. Whether you wrote one challenge or thirty-one, we appreciate that you've shared your creativity with us and have continued to support this annual project.
Hope to see you all next year! :)
B2MeM Day Thirty: Grey Havens
Mar. 29th, 2011 05:53 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Marina Knieling. |
March 30: Grey Havens
The port of Mithlond is the site of the world’s most famous ship-building firms! For those of Elven descent, or who have special exemptions, cruises to the fabulous Lands of the West are still available!
Today's Challenge:
"You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it's all right."
--Maya Angelou
Write a story or poem, or create a piece of art on the theme of leaving or returning home.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment here.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/grey_havens.png" alt="Grey Havens Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Twenty-Nine: Mordor
Mar. 28th, 2011 05:29 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Dave Kendall. |
March 29: Mordor
Once the inhospitable Black Land, Mordor is now home to many historic sites! Climb the Endless Stair to Cirith Ungol, the ruins of Minas Morgul, and visit the Morannon, site of the famous Battle of the Black Gates! Thrill seekers will enjoy hiking on active volcanoes, while travellers looking for some R&R can soak in one of the region's many hot springs.
Today's Challenge:
"Darkness is only driven out with light, not more darkness."
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
Write a story or poem or create artwork where your character battles and overcomes their darkest hour.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever
HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/mordor.png" alt="Mordor Passport Stamp" />
Rhapsody has asked me to pass along a message to those authors to whom she is assigned for passport updates: Due to family illness, she will likely be unable to keep up with timely updates for the next few days. No worries--the stamps are coming just as soon as the germs abate! :)
B2MeM Day Twenty-Eight: Gondor
Mar. 27th, 2011 08:53 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Robert Aichinger, Anthony Burns and Carlos Paes. |
March 28: Gondor
Gondor—a land of many wonders! See the Rammas Echor, site of the decisive Battle of the Pelennor, and visit Snowmane’s Howe! Minas Tirith, known as the White City, the capital of Gondor! Ithilien, the garden of Gondor! Visit Belfalas for sun and surf! Shop the exotic port of Dol Amroth!
Today's Challenge:
There was no avoiding it; the letter had to be composed...
Who will receive this letter? An uncle? A lover? The High-King? Why is there "no avoiding it"? Circumstances? Or is Mother watching with arms crossed? Will the letter be written in haste? Or will each phrase be meticulously crafted?
Write a story or poem inspired by this line (you do not need to use the exact quote), or create a piece of art that reflects this situation.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/gondor.png" alt="Gondor Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Twenty-Seven: Rohan
Mar. 26th, 2011 03:23 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Mátyás Huszár. |
March 27: Rohan
See the capital city of Rohan, Edoras, and the Golden Hall of Meduseld! Visit the amazing Glittering Caverns of Aglarond, site of the famous Battle of the Hornburg at Helm’s Deep! Tour mystical Dunharrow, at the foot of the Paths of the Dead! Enjoy unspoiled nature in Fangorn—you might catch a glimpse of one of the mythical Ents!
Today's Challenge:
A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability
of giving us escape from our mundane existence.
Pam Brown
Write a story or poem, or create a piece of art where your character rises above themselves to follow their dreams.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever
HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/rohan.png" alt="Rohan Passport Stamp" />
If I am the mod who handles your passport, your passport should be completely updated as of this posting. Please check and make sure that you have all of the stamps that you've claimed; I probably did about 200 this morning, so mistakes are highly likely! :) If you are still missing stamps, either comment here or email me at DawnFelagund@gmail.com. (Please note that this only applies to authors assigned to me; I think Rhapsody and Tarion are pretty caught up too but can't be 100% sure of that!) Thanks to all of you for your patience with my crazy last week and subsequent dereliction of passport-stamping duties! :)
B2MeM Day Twenty-Six: Isengard
Mar. 26th, 2011 01:02 amdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of SP Veres. |
March 26: Isengard
Tour the Wizard’s Vale, and see the historic tower of Orthanc, once the home of the well-known Wizard Saruman before his fall!
Today's Challenge:
"Pride is still aiming at the best houses: Men would be angels, angels would be gods. Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell; aspiring to be angels men rebel."
--Alexander Pope
How would a character not allowed to express his or her thoughts, creativity, or opinion act out? Capture this in a story, poem or piece of art.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/isengard.png" alt="Isengard Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Twenty-Five: Lothlorien
Mar. 24th, 2011 05:49 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Macin Smolinski, Vladimir Fofanov and Heriberto Herrera. |
March 25: Lothlórien
Visit the Golden Wood! See historic Cerin Amroth, site of the betrothal of Aragorn and Arwen! Climb the flets of Caras Galadhon!
Today's Challenge:
She knelt on the floor, carefully picking up the shards of glass. Why did it have to be this one that broke?
Start a story with this two lines and answer the question of what was once broken. Or create a poem or piece of art that pictures this scene.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/lothlorien.png" alt="Lothlorien Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Twenty-Four: Rhosgobel
Mar. 23rd, 2011 05:36 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Emily Cahal. |
March 24: Rhosgobel
Home of the reclusive Wizard Radagast, and his amazing birds! Fun for the whole family, Rhosgobel appeals to young and old alike, with interpretted nature walks and Middle-earth's largest aviary!
Today's Challenge:
Write a story or poem or create artwork using one or more animals as symbols, omens, or metaphors. Use associations and meanings from any culture or source you wish (e.g., Celtic, Native American, Biblical).
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/rhosgobel.png" alt="Rhosgobel Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Twenty-Three: Dol Guldur
Mar. 22nd, 2011 05:26 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Václav Pastucha. |
March 23: Dol Guldur
Visit the lair of the Necromancer! Tour the famous dungeons! Dol Guldur is Middle-earth's premier destination for terror tourism. Not for the faint of heart, Dol Guldur offers hair-raising adventure and history ... if you dare!
Today's Challenge:
Everyone avoided the tower. It was believed to have ...
Write a story or poem that starts with this line or create a piece of art that reflects this line.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/dol_guldur.png" alt="Dol Guldur Passport Stamp" />
We still have newcomers joining us, so I'd like to remind them that challenges don't expire, and you can find out all you need to know about what's eligible from the B2MeM guidelines. (If you don't see what you need, please just ask!)
B2MeM Day Twenty-Two: Erebor
Mar. 21st, 2011 08:31 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Luciano Brasil Perottoni. |
March 22: Erebor
Catch glimpses of the famous Eagle’s Eyries! Visit the Carrock! See the famous hall of Beorn! Visit the Lonely Mountain, famous ancestral home of the Dwarves! Or take a boat-ride over the ruins of Laketown! For the more daring, try snorkeling in the depths of Long Lake to see the remains of the famous dragon, Smaug!
Today's Challenge:
Refugee issues are our issues; their plight is our plight. Write a story or poem or create artwork that illustrates the situation of some displaced group in Middle-earth.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/erebor.png" alt="Erebor Passport Stamp" />
Important! We just heard from our webhost that the SWG site's server is being moved tonight, and the site will be offline for up to three hours. If you continue to experience problems accessing the site after 5 AM MDT, please contact us; otherwise, we are aware of the problem, and the site should be back shortly!
B2MeM Day Twenty-One: Mirkwood
Mar. 20th, 2011 10:33 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Ilker. |
March 21: Mirkwood
Catch glimpses of the dangerous Spiders of Mirkwood! See the fortress palace of King Thranduil! Go whitewater barreling down the River Running!
Today's Challenge:
We were young, we were merry, we were very, very wise, And the door stood open at our feast, When there passed us a woman
with the West in her eyes, And a man with his back to the East.
-Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
The words West and East are often used in the works of Tolkien. Write a story or poem or create an artwork that uses these
words as the central focus, whether as cardinals, regions, or as metaphors.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever
HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/mirkwood.png" alt="Mirkwood Passport Stamp" />
Happy spring to everyone in the north! And happy autumn to those of you in the south who are doubtlessly ready to be rid of the summer heat! :)
B2MeM Day Twenty: Misty Mountains
Mar. 19th, 2011 11:24 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Skameleon. |
March 20: Misty Mountains
Take a challenging hike through Goblin Pass--you might even catch a glimpse of a rare Stone Giant! Enjoy winter sports on the slopes of Caradhras, where the snow is unsurpassed! Pass through the amazing caverns of Moria, historic home of the Dwarves! See the Dimrill Dale and the clear waters of Kheled-Zaram! Or for a truly amazing experience, scale the heights of Zirik-zâgil, site of the famous battle between the Wizard Gandalf and the last of the Balrogs!
Today's Challenge:
Write a story or poem or create an artwork in which a character unaccustomed to acting as a leader must make an important decision.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/misty_mountains.png" alt="Misty Mountains Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Nineteen: Rivendell
Mar. 18th, 2011 05:37 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Roger Kirby, Yarik Mishin and Julie Engel. |
March 19: Rivendell
View the amazing waterfalls of Imladris! Try Fly-fishing at the Fords of Bruinen! Enjoy the unsurpassed hospitality of The Last Homely House, the best bed-and-breakfast west of the Misty Mountains!
Today's Challenge:
"Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven."
--Tryon Edwards.
Write a story or create a piece of artwork centred on meetings or reunions.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/rivendell.png" alt="Rivendell Passport Stamp" />
For those who noticed and fell in love with the amazing details Rhapsody included in her postcard for Bree the other day, she has kindly offered to make wallpaper from the image for anyone who's interested. Just drop a comment here!
I haven't been posting daily reminders lately, but since we have some new folks aboard (and may have others eying the challenge from afar but not sure if they want to get involved at this point), today's a good time for a quick recap.
Challenges never expire. So if you're coming along now and see something in the past 18 challenges to inspire you, please do create something for them--and, yes, please do request passport stamps too! We don't believe in "late" here. We do believe that we all have busy lives and uncooperative muses and can't always get a challenge done "on time"! :)
The question has come up as to when we will stop adding new stamps to passports. I'm willing to keep adding stamps for as long as folks are still creating for challenges, with the understanding that, after B2MeM, I won't be budgeting time every day for the event and won't be as on-the-ball with getting stamps added as our mods working on passports have been. But if you're hoping to write for some of the challenges in the next few months or over the summer and want a passport, please do request one!
I think everyone who's commented here should have heard from a mod about their passport by now. If you have not, please leave a comment here or drop me a line at DawnFelagund@gmail.com.
And (last thing!) ... you do not need to post a piece publicly to get a stamp for it. That includes works in progress. (Some participants, for example, are responding to challenges as part of longer WiPs.) And for those who prefer to write longer stories, you may respond to and receive stamps for multiple challenges completed in a single story. (Part of me is tempted, when I actually get around to doing these challenges myself, to find a way to work them all into a single long story ...)
Happy writing/drawing/creating, everyone! :)
B2MeM Day Eighteen: Wilderland
Mar. 17th, 2011 06:12 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Philipp K.. |
March 18: Wilderland
View the unspoiled wetlands of the Midgewater Marshes! Stay at the Forsaken Inn, only a day’s journey from Bree! Catch the view from the top of historic Amon Sûl! Visit the site of the Three Trolls—amazingly lifelike statues only a few leagues from the Great East Road!
Today's Challenge:
There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us. 'Tis good to give a stranger a meal, or a night's lodging. 'Tis better to be hospitable to his good meaning and thought, and give courage to a companion. We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
The act of kindness or hospitability usually comes from a generous heart. Write a story or poem, or create a piece of art where your character displays this virtue.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/wilderlands.png" alt="Wilderland Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Seventeen: Bree
Mar. 16th, 2011 06:34 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Till Dettmering. |
March 17: Bree-lands
Stay at the famous Prancing Pony! King Elessar slept there! Take a walking tour of Archet, Staddle and Chetwood!
Today's Challenge:
Hobbits are well known for their gift-giving traditions. Write a story or poem in which the exchange of gifts is featured, or use "gifting" as a theme for a piece of art.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/bree.png" alt="Bree-lands Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Sixteen: Arnor
Mar. 15th, 2011 08:42 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Jason Conlon. |
March 16: Arnor
Arnor, the newly reclaimed Kingdom of the North offers truly diverse travelling experiences! Visit the vibrant and newly rebuilt capital at Annúminas on the shores of Lake Evendim! Or hike the trail to the ruins of the old capital at Fornost, also known as Norbury! For the more adventurous nature-lover, the Old Forest offers a unique experience of an old growth wood! And for those who have an interest in archeology, and are not superstitious, the famous Barrow—downs are not to be missed!
Today's Challenge:
A gentle breeze brushed the hilltop, combing the ruins...
Write a story or poem that starts with this line or create a piece of art that reflects this line.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/arnor.png" alt="Arnor Passport Stamp" />
Apologies, everyone, for the oops with yesterday's post for the Shire! I have no idea how I managed to lock it! I can only plead unmitigated exhaustion! :) Thanks to
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
hhimring for catching the boo-boo so quickly and letting us know about it and to rhapsody11 for getting an alternate post up. Links to the correct post will be fixed shortly.
B2MeM Day Fifteen: The Shire
Mar. 15th, 2011 01:44 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
rhapsody11.livejournal.com |
| Photo courtesy of Jenny Rollo. |
March 15: The Shire
Go boating on the Brandywine in Buckland! Visit the famous mushroom fields of the East Farthing at Bamfurlong! See Bag End, home of the Ringbearers, in picturesque Hobbiton! In the West Farthing, tour the Mathom House at Michel Delving! Tour the Tooklands and the scenic Green Hill country! Picnic in Pincup! See the historic North Farthing, and the quarries of Scary! Relax in the South Farthing at quaint plantation bed and breakfasts, while trying some of the best pipeweed in Middle-earth!
Today's Challenge:
The cuisine of the Shire is unsurpassed. Write a story or poem, or create a work of art, featuring food.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/shire.png" alt="Shire Passport Stamp" />
B2MeM Day Fourteen: Armenelos
Mar. 13th, 2011 08:40 pmdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Vladimir Fofanov, Gerhard Taatgen jr. and chris1961. |
March 14: Armenelos
Always wanted to visit the City of Kings and relive the Golden Age of the Edain? Look no further, for Armenelos offers it all! Ideally situated in east-central Númenor in the district called Arandor-–also named the Kingsland--daily excursions can be booked to Meneltarma, or take a tour around the city with a guide. Marvel at the beauty of Nimloth in the The King's Court, and visit the King's House for its exhibition of the rise and fall of Mairon the Admirable. If longevity studies holds your interest, the department of Immunology at the University of Armenelos will offer lectures on this in the Tar-Minyatur Library. From the nearby haven of Rómenna, the Amandil Company offers cruises to travel around Númenor, Tol Eressëa or Valinor.
Today's Challenge:
Write a story or create a piece of art centred on freedom of religion (or lack thereof), heresy, and/or religious rites.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/armenelos.png" alt="Armenelos Passport Stamp" />
Today's destination is the last stop from among the locations for the Second Age and earlier! Tomorrow, we will start on destinations from the Third Age.
Newcomers: If you have not heard from a moderator yet about your passport, please leave a comment here letting me know! Everyone's passports should be updated with last week's stamps soon, if not already.
B2MeM Day Thirteen: Balar
Mar. 13th, 2011 12:41 amdawn_felagund |
| Photo courtesy of Jeff Hire, Fran Flores and Martin Holle. |
March 13: Balar
Known for its pearls, Balar is known too for its hospitality no matter where you come from. The island’s hidden secret is the spa, where one can enjoy its saunas or a thorough massage. After a visit, you will emerge feeling energised and at peace. Círdan’s people will make you feel that you are ready for a new start. During the evening, one can explore the shorelines to look for those pearls by joining the Pearl Expedition, where at the end you can turn in your findings in exchange for some fine jewelry set with these jewels. If trinkets are not what satisfies you, the try out the island’s finest restaurants, noted for their exquisite seafood cuisine.
Today's Challenge:
Write a story or poem or create artwork featuring unanswered requests, prayers or pleas.
Passport Stamp:
Once you complete the challenge, you may save today's image or copy the code below to display your passport stamp wherever HTML is acceptable. To have your stamp added to your passport, please comment on this post.
<img src="http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/images/b2mem11/balar.png" alt="Balar Passport Stamp" />
