One year ago today, my first article for CSTM was released. When I started writing for CSTM I had no idea that it would change what I enjoyed to do in my free time. There is something wholly satisfying about creating an article that will inform or entertain hundreds of people. I started out writing about Creep side for CSTM but it quickly grew into something much larger.
When I was in the BETA for LOTRO, I knew it was a game I would have to play but sadly I did not have the money for a subscription at the time. Once I found out LOTRO was going Free-to-Play, I knew I would have to find a podcast to find out about the game, which was already three years old. That was three years of information that I would have to quickly find out and dive into if I really wanted to get into the world LOTRO had created. After checking several LOTRO podcasts (none of which are still around that I know of) I decided that CSTM was by far the best for informing the player about all of the news, in-game activities and the interesting dynamic of a happily married couple. To give you an idea of how long ago the Free-to-Play announcement was…it was all the way back at episode 40 of CSTM and after listening to that episode I was hooked to CSTM. I quickly went through the previous 39 episodes and couldn’t wait for episode 41 to be released. (Yeah I was crazy back then) Fun fact: This is also the episode where Merric and Goldenstar mention Pineleaf’s old blog for the first time. It also talks about how, all this time ago, he already finished 100 run-throughs of Tuck. I can’t even imagine how many he has run by now.
Once LOTRO actually went Free-to-Play I created a character on day one and over the course of the next year made it to 75 but I am getting ahead of myself. If you are a long listener to CSTM and have an absolutely amazing memory (like seriously we are talking “Baby Hobbit good” memory) then you might remember a character named Teithior(Teeth-“e”-or) of Imladris. You may have also remembered several episodes of Goldenstar and Merric trying to pronounce this name. I wrote in about every week and was in the chat room every week and so I got a mention of some sort every show. I don’t remember if they ever got my name right but that is understandable as it took my sister several weeks to figure it out. I guess that is what I get for trusting LOTRO’s random name generator…
This week we record on Hobbit Day! Also we for the first time have livestreamed our episode on video and had an in-game party on Landroval.
The first part of the show includes Middle Earth Network personalities Mark Raymond, Tyler Michael Jonsson and John DiBartolo discussing the festivals of Hobbit Day! Videos are available at http://www.youtube.com/middleearthnetwork
All self respecting Hobbits know that September 22nd is birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. The Middle-earth Network and the largest gathering of worldwide fantasy fans are “planning a party of special magnificence” to celebrate the date!
Middle-earth Network will be taking the entire network off-line at 11:00pm EST tonight, September 11, 2012. The site will be down for anywhere from 24-72 hours. We of course will endeavor to get the transfer done ASAP and will let you all know when everything is back up.
The reason for the downtime is MEN is upgrading to a more robust server solution so this only means great things for your lucky MEN users!
You’ve heard of cupcake wars right? Bakers told to make fancy cupcakes to wow judges for prizes. Ok totally forget all that sissy girly cupcake stuff (I totally love cupcakes too) because My Middle Earth is broadcasting Arctic Fire 2012. We’re not making cupcakes here, we’re making weapons!
Arctic Fire is an invitational gathering of some of the most talented bladesmiths alive that is being held June 26 and 27, 2012 in Anchorage Alaska. The goal of the gathering is to help raise general awareness of the art and craft of bladesmithing, and advance the craft by inspiring others to try their hand at making a blade.
Middle-earth Network Radio will be playing ghosts stories on the air throughout the day, usually one or two an hour. The schedule is posted here and will be updated regularly!
In addition, tonight there will be some special live programming to tune in for!
They are giving away items for donations to support M-EN and I thought perhaps some would be interested.
For a donation of $10 or more get the digital download this month of ‘Second Breakfast’, the long awaited album from John DiBartolo of the Lonely Mountain Band to be released on September 22nd
It is a new center for Tolkien studies, offering fully interactive courses online with world-class professors.
The Institute is founded by Professor Corey Olsen, host of the celebrated Tolkien Professor podcast, in partnership with founders of Middle-Earth Network.
Tomorrow at 4pm Eastern (-4 GMT) starts the epic in-game music festival, Weatherstock!
Weatherstock is an in game music festival hosted on the Landroval server featuring bands from all sorts of LOTRO servers to come and perform in a massive concert set on top of Weathertop in the Lone-lands.
We’ve been gearing up and excited for this event since Harperella of the Lonely Mountain Band on Landroval announced it!
When I was in the BETA for LOTRO, I knew it was a game I would have to play but sadly I did not have the money for a subscription at the time. Once I found out LOTRO was going Free-to-Play, I knew I would have to find a podcast to find out about the game, which was already three years old. That was three years of information that I would have to quickly find out and dive into if I really wanted to get into the world LOTRO had created. After checking several LOTRO podcasts (none of which are still around that I know of) I decided that CSTM was by far the best for informing the player about all of the news, in-game activities and the interesting dynamic of a happily married couple. To give you an idea of how long ago the Free-to-Play announcement was…it was all the way back at episode 40 of CSTM and after listening to that episode I was hooked to CSTM. I quickly went through the previous 39 episodes and couldn’t wait for episode 41 to be released. (Yeah I was crazy back then) Fun fact: This is also the episode where Merric and Goldenstar mention Pineleaf’s old blog for the first time. It also talks about how, all this time ago, he already finished 100 run-throughs of Tuck. I can’t even imagine how many he has run by now.
Middle-earth Network will be taking the entire network off-line at 11:00pm EST tonight, September 11, 2012. The site will be down for anywhere from 24-72 hours. We of course will endeavor to get the transfer done ASAP and will let you all know when everything is back up.
It is almost August once again and that means that our little blog and podcast, A Casual Stroll to Mordor is turning two-years old!
Tomorrow at 4pm Eastern (-4 GMT) starts the epic in-game music festival, 
