Philosophy Now Forum

The answer, by the way, is Melian, a character from the works of Tolkien, specifically, the Silmarillion. Melian was a Maia, that is, a nature spirit, and she particularly loved the woods and forests of Middle-earth, where she travelled often. She was also associated with birdsong, and the colours black, purple and red.

I wasn't really expecting anyone to get that, to be honest, and it was more a bit of fun, and a talking point, than anything else.

Yes, this Melian isn't a generic or widely known character, so only those with intimate knowledge of Tolkien might have guessed it.

promethean75 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 6:03 pm Yes, this Melian isn't a generic or widely known character, so only those with intimate knowledge of Tolkien might have guessed it.

The more people who ask me who or what I came as, the more people I'll get to talk to and bore to tears with my Tolkien geekery.

better than going as Frodo...

-Imp

Maia wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 5:01 pmMelian

Well, that's...obscure. To each his (or, her) own, I guess.

The only Halloween costume I've ever taken an interest in. A particularly charming and touching one. Young Sheldon as Carl Sagan

"The more people who ask me who or what I came as, the more people I'll get to talk to and bore to tears with my Tolkien geekery."

The costume needs more, though. The skirt is earthy and appropriate, but the top isn't enough. You have to wear the stuff nature spirits wear like leaves and feathers and furs.

Okay, I'm looking on amazon and Bezos has a whole page of women's nature spirit costumes and adornments and all that. Dresses, robes, leaf crowns, wands, all that stuff.

Here's one for $50. It actually looks good... not cheap or fake lookin. It's in green/white, black/white or wine-red/white. It's more maiden looking than nature spirit looking though:

"Bonuci Women Renaissance Dress Medieval Costume Women with Elf Ears, Moon Head Chain and Woodland Fairy Crown for Carnival"

Here's a Fairy one:

"Jiuguva 6 Pcs Halloween Renaissance Fairy Costumes for Women Renaissance Medieval Hooded Robe Dresses Fairy Headband Elf Ear"

Say the word, and it's yours, Melian. Just need a shipping address for the shire post office you use... or I could just wire you the money somehow but then you'd have to post a pic wearing it so I know you didn't squander the money on unimportant superfluous things like rent or bills.

Critics might perceive my offer to equip Maia with a proper costume as a gesture that is both inappropriate for a public thread and as coy or flirtatious.

Against the first charge, i offer the court an irony that they might enjoy. It is precisely because it would be thought of as creepy if I, the 'disreputable one', did send a female a private message, that i posted the offer openly in a thread instead.

How do you like them apples?

Against the second charge, i argue that my gesture was merely a random act of kindness to atone for being a lifelong asshole. An expression of general good will and generosity. And yes, I'd have made the same offer even if Maia wasn't a sexy beast. No nature spirit should have to go to a party in just a skirt and regular shirt.

promethean75 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 11:43 pm Critics might perceive my offer to equip Maia with a proper costume as a gesture that is both inappropriate for a public thread and as coy or flirtatious.

Against the first charge, i offer the court an irony that they might enjoy. It is precisely because it would be thought of as creepy if I, the 'disreputable one', did send a female a private message, that i posted the offer openly in a thread instead.

How do you like them apples?

Against the second charge, i argue that my gesture was merely a random act of kindness to atone for being a lifelong asshole. An expression of general good will and generosity. And yes, I'd have made the same offer even if Maia wasn't a sexy beast. No nature spirit should have to go to a party in just a skirt and regular shirt.

Thank you, that's very generous. I can't accept it though, sadly, but I do very much appreciate the offer. You're welcome to pm me with your email address, if you like, and I'll respond to it, but that's entirely up to you, of course. You may indeed be right about wearing more earthy things like leaves and feathers, and so on. Leaves representing trees, and feathers representing birds, Melian's two principal areas of interest. I'll have a think about the practicalities of that.

promethean75 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 10:11 pm

Will you send me a costume please? I want to be shrek.

All Amazon has are Shrek hoodies and masks, no full costumes. Will you settle for only a mask or a set of Shrek ears?

promethean75 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 11:14 am All Amazon has are Shrek hoodies and masks, no full costumes. Will you settle for only a mask or a set of Shrek ears?

Yes!

What we may have here is a mexican standoff. You want the costume, but you think there are strings attached and/or you don't want to be thought of as someone who can't get their own costume, so you reject the gift.

I, in turn, will persist in trying to persuade you to accept the gift so i may restore my honor. In my culture, it is a great insult to not accept a gift.

*bows*

promethean75 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 2:02 pm

No, I accept. I'm no mexican and I don't do standoffs.

Maia wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 6:28 pm

promethean75 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 6:03 pm Yes, this Melian isn't a generic or widely known character, so only those with intimate knowledge of Tolkien might have guessed it.

The more people who ask me who or what I came as, the more people I'll get to talk to and bore to tears with my Tolkien geekery.

Aren't you living in Lorien these days? What brings you back to this neck of the woods?