Regarding Valinor, it and Tol Eressa (the Lonely Isle) were removed "from the circles of the world" after the downfall of Numenor. Picture them as on the tangent line of a circle, heading off into space. When any normal person tried to sail west, they'd simply find that Middle-Earth was round and would circle the world. However, the Elven ships would be able to take "the straight path." The end result is that, while Valinor and Eressa are technically of this world, they're not really a part of the normal world. At any rate, they're a part of Tolkien's world, so I'm saying they're valid.

Given the choice, I would like to have been Earendil. In general, I would like to be one of the Vanyar, the highest kindred of Elves who remained in Valinor. For partying, though, no one beats the Hobbits.

P.S. Yes, I know, I'm too obsessed for my own good.
