Since we're all getting back into the swing of things and have all grown up quite a bit since the old days of the Plaza, it was mentioned in the "Fangorn Forever" thread that we should bring back our picture thread - "Behind the Bark."
A few other kingdoms have launched their own picture threads, as well:
Riders Unhorsed
Behind the Beards
Provide Your Head to Sauron
As an added layer of fun (and nostalgia) if you'd like, you can post a picture from your old plaza days alongside an updated one just so we can all see how much everyone has grown up!
Remember, be respectful to each other and have fun!
Behind the Bark: Then and Now
- Points: 882
Ent High Elder
Posts: 549
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 1:14 pm
I'll start....
Back from my early Plaza days (I think I took this picture while on vacation shortly after I became a ruler and it was used in my Valinor profile)
And more recently, my wife and I (wearing VERY on-brand shirts) with our littlest Enting
Back from my early Plaza days (I think I took this picture while on vacation shortly after I became a ruler and it was used in my Valinor profile)
And more recently, my wife and I (wearing VERY on-brand shirts) with our littlest Enting
- Points: 211
Wise Ent
Posts: 150
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 3:54 am
I can't find any snaps of me from back in the early-mid 2000s, so here is a recent(ish) picture of me when I received my PhD in biology :smiley8:
Mojo, I remember that picture of you with the balloon! I photoshopped it so your head was swapped
Mojo, I remember that picture of you with the balloon! I photoshopped it so your head was swapped
- Points: 882
Ent High Elder
Posts: 549
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 1:14 pm
@Li. I'd forgotten all about that face-balloon-swap photoshop until you just mentioned it! Oh man those were some good times 
Also, congrats on the PhD!
Also, congrats on the PhD!
- Points: 651
Fea
Posts: 472
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 4:01 pm
Congrats on the PhD, Li!
So I'm joining the fun just cause I always loved these faces behind the icons threads. This photo was taken after getting our GCSE results, so summer 2008 (12 years ago - yikes) - which I think was probably still when I was fairly active on the plaza outside of OoME. I can't remember which year I switched from Rohan to Fangorn, but I feel it appropriate for the purposes of this thread and my current kingdom choice that I am sat in a tree.
And fast forward 10 years later... this was one of my civil service career highlights so far :smiley8:
So I'm joining the fun just cause I always loved these faces behind the icons threads. This photo was taken after getting our GCSE results, so summer 2008 (12 years ago - yikes) - which I think was probably still when I was fairly active on the plaza outside of OoME. I can't remember which year I switched from Rohan to Fangorn, but I feel it appropriate for the purposes of this thread and my current kingdom choice that I am sat in a tree.
And fast forward 10 years later... this was one of my civil service career highlights so far :smiley8:
- Points: 316
Esquire of The Mark
Posts: 258
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 8:38 am
Everyone is looking so good! You don't look older, just more grown up, if you know what I mean?
For my part:
Here is me about 2-3 years after I joined the Plaza, the earliest photo I have of me online I think. I would have been 17.
Fun fact - the original, uncropped image includes two other ex-Plazaites Medieval_Ara and Pip Reyonea, my two best friends in real life at the time. I left them out as they're not here to see it.
And here is me around last year, age 33 - I haven't had my photo taken this year yet as usually it only happens when I am on holiday! I'm the one without the beard, the bearded one is my husband of 10 years. If it looks a bit windy its because we are on a ferris wheel.
Observations - I have better sunglasses now, and cameras have improved.
For my part:
Here is me about 2-3 years after I joined the Plaza, the earliest photo I have of me online I think. I would have been 17.
Fun fact - the original, uncropped image includes two other ex-Plazaites Medieval_Ara and Pip Reyonea, my two best friends in real life at the time. I left them out as they're not here to see it.
And here is me around last year, age 33 - I haven't had my photo taken this year yet as usually it only happens when I am on holiday! I'm the one without the beard, the bearded one is my husband of 10 years. If it looks a bit windy its because we are on a ferris wheel.
Observations - I have better sunglasses now, and cameras have improved.
- Points: 231
Khazad Elder
Posts: 226
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 8:46 pm
So many very attractive trees! It’s funny how young and awkward soo many people were on the Plaza (as is usual with young people) and how many have blossomed into such attractive people!
Mojo I like the facial hair
Li congrats on the PhD
Nia I love your boots O.O
Better sunglasses, better camera, bearded man. Looks like lots has improved!
Picture of me a few years after joining the plaza. Still in my active stage, around 17-18 years old.
Here is a picture of me in my quarantine prison.
Mojo I like the facial hair
Li congrats on the PhD
Nia I love your boots O.O
Better sunglasses, better camera, bearded man. Looks like lots has improved!
Picture of me a few years after joining the plaza. Still in my active stage, around 17-18 years old.
Here is a picture of me in my quarantine prison.
- Points: 60
Craftsman of Gondor
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 12:24 pm
wow, it's incredible, how little everybody has changed over such a long time. All grown up now with partners and kids! Wonderful!
- Points: 5
Istari Novice
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 16, 2020 1:16 pm
Congrats on the PhD Li.!
Nia, I'm pretty sure I have a picture of me in that same tree somewhere in my old photos of my England visit a decade ago. Or maybe it was a tree close by? Or maybe it just looked like that one? Sorry, I'm not as good at recognizing different trees as you all are. :smiley10:
Fairy Nuff, right?! Everyone looks like the more mature version of their first plaza self.
Oro, it's funny how much a slight change in glasses can completely change someone's look. Also funny how different glasses trends have changed. Back in 2006/2007, I would make fun of my dad's old graduation photos where him and all 3 of his brothers are wearing those black, thick-rimmed "Buddy Holly" style glasses. Now, those are basically the trend and I think the very thin-rimmed glasses look awful on me!
Well, since us wizzies have no home at the moment, Fangorn is as good as any to post in! Hope you don't mind, I swear the whole chopping down your woods/burning your friends was all Saruman's idea.
Anyways, here's one of me back in 2007, which was around the time I started becoming very active on the Plaza.
Aaannnddd here's me now. A couple minor changes, but nothing too drastic. :smiley10:
Oh, and since some people are posting pictures of their children, here's mine:
His name is Wyn.
Nia, I'm pretty sure I have a picture of me in that same tree somewhere in my old photos of my England visit a decade ago. Or maybe it was a tree close by? Or maybe it just looked like that one? Sorry, I'm not as good at recognizing different trees as you all are. :smiley10:
Fairy Nuff, right?! Everyone looks like the more mature version of their first plaza self.
Oro, it's funny how much a slight change in glasses can completely change someone's look. Also funny how different glasses trends have changed. Back in 2006/2007, I would make fun of my dad's old graduation photos where him and all 3 of his brothers are wearing those black, thick-rimmed "Buddy Holly" style glasses. Now, those are basically the trend and I think the very thin-rimmed glasses look awful on me!
Well, since us wizzies have no home at the moment, Fangorn is as good as any to post in! Hope you don't mind, I swear the whole chopping down your woods/burning your friends was all Saruman's idea.
Anyways, here's one of me back in 2007, which was around the time I started becoming very active on the Plaza.
Aaannnddd here's me now. A couple minor changes, but nothing too drastic. :smiley10:
Oh, and since some people are posting pictures of their children, here's mine:
His name is Wyn.
- Points: 651
Fea
Posts: 472
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 4:01 pm
@Sovielus you probably did, it was definitely near where we met in Reading! Speaking of, I just went hunting for the photo of us, which I am sure was taken somewhere nearby, but sadly cannot find it 
Wyn is adorable! I'm in the unlucky camp of people who are pet-less, so I live vicariously through other people's pets. I do have a pretty good relationship with a squirrel in our back garden, which we have named Clive, if that counts.
This was the one of the last pre lockdown excursions I did to see a friend's new cat. I was utterly besotted, as you can tell (look at those EYES!!). Dr Meowstus was less enamoured.
Wyn is adorable! I'm in the unlucky camp of people who are pet-less, so I live vicariously through other people's pets. I do have a pretty good relationship with a squirrel in our back garden, which we have named Clive, if that counts.
This was the one of the last pre lockdown excursions I did to see a friend's new cat. I was utterly besotted, as you can tell (look at those EYES!!). Dr Meowstus was less enamoured.
- Points: 5
Istari Novice
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 16, 2020 1:16 pm
@Nia, sounds familiar. We have rabbits in the backyard and more just keep popping up! One unfortunately broke his leg or something when he was little, but he's still alive and kicking (pun intended)! He has learned to adapt by more or less crawling at high speeds since he can't hop. We called him Champion.
Been thinking about getting a cat, but Wyn is already enough of a handful (he's a smart little bugger and he knows it).
Oh, and by the way... look at these BEAUTIES that I dug up! About a decade old now, I think.
Been thinking about getting a cat, but Wyn is already enough of a handful (he's a smart little bugger and he knows it).
Oh, and by the way... look at these BEAUTIES that I dug up! About a decade old now, I think.
- Points: 651
Fea
Posts: 472
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 4:01 pm
Yes - you found them!! :smiley8: Hahahah oh I love them all!! Bright-eyed and baby faced! (I wasn't exactly pushing the boat out in the tree climbing department though was I?!) I had thought they were taken in Forbury Gardens, glad to see my memory serves me well. And that is so typical UK; both of us out with the umbrellas in hand. I must admit I'd forgotten the rain!
I had thought they were taken in Forbury Gardens, glad to see my memory serves me well. And that is so typical UK; both of us out with the umbrellas in hand. I must admit I'd forgotten the rain!- Points: 195
Istari Savant
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun May 31, 2020 10:45 pm
Got a lil' fancy for dinner the other night. Don't have a photo from my earlier days handy, but I'll do some digging for a comparison.
- Points: 882
Ent High Elder
Posts: 549
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020 1:14 pm
Everyone is out here growing quarantine beards and @Túrin is dressing like James Bond. Well done, sir!
- Points: 651
Fea
Posts: 472
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 4:01 pm
Not being able to grow a quarantine beard is something I am really quite sad about.
- Points: 1 886
Istari Sage
Posts: 1046
Joined: Thu May 21, 2020 3:10 pm
@Túrin Man, classy photo!
@Mojo I love the family picture, everyone looks so happy!
@Sovielus It's weird to see those old photos, I feel like I remember seeing at least one of them soooo many years ago on the old plaza. I see you have also joined the beard club.
I have too, but I don't have a good hosting site account for pictures yet, so they will have to wait until things settle down and I can look into that.
@Mojo I love the family picture, everyone looks so happy!
@Sovielus It's weird to see those old photos, I feel like I remember seeing at least one of them soooo many years ago on the old plaza. I see you have also joined the beard club.
I have too, but I don't have a good hosting site account for pictures yet, so they will have to wait until things settle down and I can look into that.
- Points: 651
Fea
Posts: 472
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 4:01 pm
Welcoming our newest plaza member @Fory !! We've been friends since day one of secondary school at the grand old age of 11, joined the Plaza together back in the day (around time of the bottom right photo, which was my 13th birthday). And despite my being the world's most ANNOYING chemistry partner, we've stayed friends ever since (see other two photos) :smiley8: 
- Points: 2
New Soul
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:18 am
Hey people, long time no see! I'm trying to remember the last time I would have been here - scary thing is it's probably significantly over a decade :?Nia wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:32 pm Welcoming our newest plaza member @Fory !! We've been friends since day one of secondary school at the grand old age of 11, joined the Plaza together back in the day (around time of the bottom right photo, which was my 13th birthday). And despite my being the world's most ANNOYING chemistry partner, we've stayed friends ever since (see other two photos) :smiley8:
So many good teenage memories from the plaza though!
(highly thankful for the hugely photogenic pictures)
- Points: 1 463
Newborn of Imladris
Posts: 1319
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 10:54 am
You look like Good People. :smiley8:
- Points: 2 867
Ilmarë
Posts: 3005
Joined: Sat May 16, 2020 9:29 pm
There are some seriously marvelous ents and wizzies and candles in this thread.
- Points: 4 293
Nazgûl
Posts: 2756
Joined: Mon May 18, 2020 11:02 am
More ridiculously attractive people! What as Fleeg supposed to do with all this nonsense?! Fangorn was a hostile place toward beings of his persuasion (he blamed Reg for because... reasons) but somehow in his search of eagle eggs he found himself here. Stuff was getting very, very weird here. As long as Peep Peep didn't find him in this place (again) he would be okay. Oh look! An egg!
