Jan 29, 2010

Celebrating 6 Months!


As of today,
The Richard Armitage Fan Blog
has been around for 6 months!

This calls for a celebration!

(Look, I even decorated.)

Stats~
Blog Started: July 29, 2009
Number of Posts: 163
Number of site visits: 87,420
(14,570 per month/ 520 per day)

~I don't know if that's considered great by internet standards,
but I'm flattered that people are interested in my RA tid-bits.


Apologies if this appears to be a brag fest... it is meant to be a review, but I have a hard time containing my excitement about anything as you're probably aware by now! :)  Six months may not seem like a big deal, but I think it's neat!  This blog has provided a fun outlet for me to be creative, nutty, make friends from all over the world, and analyze/obsess over everything that has to do with our favorite actor! I want to send a big THANKS and *hug* to you blog readers for stopping by, whether you've commented or not.  I appreciate those of you who have offered ideas, art work and encouragement. The world feels like a smaller place and "meeting" you (RA convert or not) has been a blast!  Of course, the main attraction is Mr. Armitage himself and I owe a big shout-out to him.  Thanks Richie-poo!  (He gave me permission to call him that... *cough*)  Richard's work has brightened my life, providing entertainment and plenty of swooning! :)

Here are a few of my favorite
blogging moments over the last 6 months:

(Links provided in green.)

Favorite themed week:  Tux Week
Because RA in a tux is smokin' hot!


Favorite borrowed idea:
 Photo Friday (from Mulubinba)
Because it's a good idea and several of our blogging buddies now participate.


Favorite "other site stuff" link:  Ragtag's hilarious review of North & South
Because she describes the Thornton Syndrome so perfectly and I nearly bust a gut laughing.


Favorite original idea: Stick-Figure Richard
Because I like to draw stick figures and SFR is cute.

Favorite holiday post: The Armitage 12 Days of Christmas
Because there are 12 Thorntons brooding, 11 accountants counting, 10 lords a-leath'ring, etc.  

Favorite Themed posts: RA's Fickle Facial Hair and Before & Afters
Because they cracked me up... yes, I laugh at myself.

Favorite Weird Photo Posted: Richard as Willy Wonka
Because it was just plain nutty.

Favorite Original Feature: A Cool Find (School Boy Richard photo/interview)
Because I felt like an investigative reporter.

Favorite Poll Questions & Results:
5th Poll- RA's personal life: okay for fans to discuss & share?
Because I was the most anxious to know the outcome of this.
7th Poll- What kind of a Richard Armitage fan are you?
12th Poll- What do you think you'd do if you met RA in person?
Because these were funny!

Favorite things about blogging:
I've loved having an outlet and making all sorts of friends!  Speaking of friends, be sure to check out
the "Enjoyable Blogs" links on the sidebar.  Each blogger is unique and have qualities about
them/their blog that I admire.  (Recently added: Hollywood Spy and Ribbons of Light)

Yay for Richard and blogging!

Just so you know... while I love to blog about the lovely and talented Richard, "real life" has become super busy lately and I will probably have to cut down on the posting now and then. I think I've averaged about 5 posts per week (holy cow!) but there may be periods of time when I'll only fit in one or two weekly posts, if that. Just know that I'll still be around! I'll continue to post whatever RA-related idea pops into my head.
Stick-Figure Richard will continue to have adventures. Please remember to drop by often and feel free to contact me with any suggestions or contributions. I'm looking forward to making more friends and creating new ideas. Again, thanks for your support! :)

Do you have a favorite post/moment from
the RA Fan Blog's first 6 months?

16 comments:

flandersdreamer said...

Easy!
The Armitage 12 Days of Christmas!

Fabulous, that one!
I also love the polls, every single one of them.

And, of course, I'm in love with SFR, he's the best!

Thanks, Nat, and don't let "real life" overpowering you.

Longhairedtoad said...

Congrats at reaching 6 months Nat!

I loved your SFR adventures and Thornt-a-licious Thursdays. But really, I just loved it all. Looking forward to the next six months and beyond that. :)

WitchyWoman said...

Woo-Hoo!! 6 months Nat. Congratulations!!!

I wonder what Stick figure Richard would have to say about that??

DEZMOND said...

congrats on the jubilee :))

While reading your post I thought I'd read "analyze/obsess over everything we would do to our favorite actor" but than I saw it actually says "analyze/obsess over everything that has to do with our favorite actor" :)))

Starheart said...

Happy 6 months blorthday!

It's been a blast mate, let's see what the next 6 months will be in year 1. :)

Lots of great posts...but my favs would be the 12 days, and Gizzie limerick.

Phylly3 said...

Wow! Six Month Anniversary! YAY! This certainly does deserve a celebration!
I love Thornton Thursdays, Stick-Figure Richard and your Caption Contests -- really anything RA-related that your creative brain can conjure up is wonderful!
I also really like the fact that you introduced me to so many other wonderful blogs! You were my first stop in the world of RA fandom! (My obsession is not quite as old as this blog!) LOL
Keep up the great work whenever you have the time and I will be along for the ride!

bZirk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rup said...

Congratulations Nat. Absolutely love your blog. SFR has me on the floor laughing :-)!

Rup

bZirk said...

One more time!

Yea, Natalie!

As much as I like Richard Armitage, you know what I like about this blog? You. Your cleverness and the way you look at and treat others is refreshing. So I'm not surprised that your blog has done so well.

I'm glad you're not going away, but I certainly understand the need to pace yourself.

BTW, if you ever want to come skiing in Colorado, let me know. :D

mulubinba said...

Congratulations Nat!!! My favourite was the Armitage Christmas Carol (did that get a mention?). Your site stats are way better then mine ...lol! 520 hits a day!?!!! I'm lucky if I average 50 ...lol!! I think it has to be the sense of humour and fun this blog exudes and how cleverly you are able to put the posts together. Thanks for all the great work!!

Avalon said...

Congratulations!
There are so many good ones, I cant choose.
Just think with that many, one might have been R.A himself....

Myrtle said...

Hoorah! Here in the UK we are sharing a 'virtual' glass of bubbly with everyone to celebrate this wonderful event!

I too love the Twelve Days of Christmas,the Polls and everything with the word 'Thornton' in it. SFR is a legend.

Thankyou Nat, you are a busy 'mom' and it is a joy to share in the fun of your blog.

Greek RA fan said...

Thank you Nat for the wonderful work. I'm married with children too (little boys actually same as you) and I know how difficult it can be to maintain a blog, always keep it fresh and fun.

And I known how difficult -and some times embarrassing it is- to apologies for the time you spend doing it (as if it's not your time to spare...) I love your work, your polls and most of all your sense of humor - you have made SFA a close friend of mine. After all it was that brilliant humor that make me share my RA interest with my husband (he will never forget my laughter with the comments of the BAFTA).

So I wish you for the future:
1) To be well (you and your family) and never lose the same passion (i imagine) you have in life and
2) Never to give up this blog, RA and us (even we are somewhere far far away - Europe/ Greece -we fell very close to you)
3) To actually meet RA in the future, give us some funny details, and keep the personal stuff to yourself. And RA would appreciate your work and have a post here (from time to time).
He can post personal stuff (it doesn't matter :)
4) Ok, we can all (including RA of course) meet on a Greek island!

bZirk said...

Oh, yes, may we all meet on a Greek Island! :D

Charleybrown said...

Congrats Nat on 6 months of "official obsessing" of RA. Tough job but someone's got to do it!

Traxy said...

Party on, Nat! Keep up the good work and congratulations on the first six months - looking forward to many more! :D Your blog never fails to put a smile on my face and it's a good source of RA news as well. :)