Happy Birthday, dear Fan Blog... Happy Birthday to you!

*Sound the trumpets...*

It's
The Richard Armitage Fan Blog's
1st birthday!

Richard dressed up for the occasion.

Blog Stats~

Started: July 28, 2009

Number of Posts: 276

Number of site visits: 205,000

A year ago I thought, "It would be fun to start a blog all about that actor I love watching."
So I did. I had no idea that I would actually stick with it for this long  and that it would be

a hobby I'd enjoy so much. I didn't realize that I'd form friendships with awesome people from
around the world that I've never met in person.  And most of all, I didn't know that one actor could
be analyzed in SO MANY rediculous ways in great detail and have such a blast doing so.
(We've discussed facial hair, black leather, cravats, blinking, Guyliner, sweaters,  and 
"stuff you're not supposed to discuss about Richard" amongst other things.)

I was already overly excited at the 6 month anniversay,

doing a celebratory post in January listing my favorite moments of the

first 6 months... so if you haven't been around for the entire year (has anyone besides

me?) please go back and read those.  I'll spare the rest of you and not repeat myself

with that same list, but I will share my favorite moments of the last 6 months! 

(Can't resist.  Plus, it's now tradition.  And I'm a bit over-the-top sometimes.)

Click:
Nat's Favorite Moments of the
Richard Armitage Fan Blog's first 6 months.

And now...
Favorite blogging moments
from the last 6 months~
(links are in green)


Favorite Group Effort:
I have two for this category.

The RA Fanstravaganza

In March, a handful of RA bloggers came together for this week-long "event,"
each hosting polls about Richard's work, featuring his particular roles and highlighting various RA fans. 
Though some of you blog hoppers may have grown tired of hearing "Fanstravaganzaaaaaa" over and over,
I thought it was so fun.  I loved seeing what creative ideas the other bloggers came up with that week.
This whole thing was the brilliant idea of Maria Grazia at Fly High!

also, The Letter to Richard

Thanks to every one who added your messages to this letter!
Doing this with the help of others gave me the encouragement to actually mail it. :)


Favorite "Festive Cheesetastic" Video:
A Richard Armitage Valentine

It's just SO cheesy, you can't hate it.
(However, my favorite festive cheestastic over all is "An Armitage Christmas Carol")


Favorite holiday-related post:
"Sherwood Forest's Real Hero"
(In honor of Earth Day and because Gizzy and trees go together so nicely.)

Favorite odd-ball post idea:
(and I've posted a lot of weird stuff)
"Dr. Seuss: Armitage Style"
Red Rich, Blue Rich...

Because both Dr. Seuss and Richard Armitage are awesome.


Favorite attempt at being poetic:   
The limericks.

This is the only type of poetry I can write.  And I crack myself up.

Favorite "Nat's Stuff" post:
 "A Different Perspective"
Because everyone should count their blessings in life.

I realize that I put a lot of myself into this blog with personal thoughts and feelings.
That is the best way I know how to relate to something or share my perspective. 
Hopefully that doesn't take away from the focus on RA.


Favorite Drool-Worthy Moment:
The 2010 BAFTA obsession!

Just look at that!!!  *sigh*

That particular Sunday (June 6th), we were able to enjoy some of the BAFTA 

excitement thanks to various websites posting pics of the latest happenings as soon as possible. 

Then reading other's experiences of meeting RA in person was icing on the cake!

Favorite Dorktastic Creation:

Stick-Figure Richard

Over the last 6 months, a few more of SFR's adventures aired on YouTube:

 Part 5 (the search for a nose) and Part 6 (the way Spooks S8 should have been.)

Plus, he was turned into a watercolor painting (which made its way to Manda's house),

appeared in his own "Sexy Back" video, started his own Twitter account and

made travel plans to visit various regions of the world.

Before wrapping up this celebration,

I have to send a big shout out to our favorite actor,

Richard Armitage, whose work and talent brings us so much
entertainment and various creative outlets within the "fandom."

Richard, if you ever read this,
thank you and keep up the good work!
And I promise I'm not crazy... just have a goofy sense of humor.

I also want to say THANK YOU

to all of you lovely blog readers, who make this hobby of

mine so much more fun with your interaction and contributions.

I greatly appreciate your support over the last year, whether

you've followed along for a while, or just recently.

I hope we will share more laughs
and swooning to come! 

Farewell, AA!

As of today, the Armitage Army site no longer exists.

Does that feel strange or what!?

The site administrator, Eli, explained that after 6 years, "real life" commitments no longer allow her

the time to run the site.  I'm sure most of  us understand.  (I've wondered how much this blog will take a
back seat after #3 arrives this fall.) The Armitage Army forum is still up and running, however, which is

where you will be directed from now on if you click on the Armitage Army's old web site address.

I am saddened by the news, which I first heard about thanks to Mulubinba's post.

I thought, "But... but... it can't just disappear!" and felt a little lost for a few minutes.

It is odd knowing that one of the "big 4" Richard Armitage sites is gone.

Thanks to Eli for all the time and effort in the past!

I seems like we should be having a going-away party or something.

(Though I'm sure she'll still pop into the AA forum.)

Luckily, there are still several other RA websites available,

each providing information, photos and the latest news:

Richard Armitage Central

This site includes its own forum~ The Armitage Army @ Richard Armitage Central

(which I belong to and enjoy) and an excellent, very detailed photo gallery.

Richard Armitage Online

I think of this site as the "RA library."  It has the best index of Richard's work,

including detailed descriptions of each role, whether film, TV, voice, etc.

Richard Armitage Net

This site provides the most updated news, in my opinion.

I love the art and screepcap galleries, as well as its other features.

There are many other great

RA-dedicated sites, for example:

RAfanvids

It's what it sounds like... a fabulous site with a collection of fan-made RA videos,

ran by the lovely Elvira.  Plus, there are polls, tips on making your own vid, etc.

C-19

This is a wonderful forum.  It's not all about Richard,

but there are pleny of photos and chatter going on about him there...

and a place called "The Crinkle Zone" which is too good to miss!

Instead of explaining what it is, take a look at this pic, which

I like to call "Cravat with a side of crinkles."

And of course, there are plenty of RA blogs,

most of which are linked on the sidebar to your right.

So I guess we won't really be that deprived...

but I'll still miss the AA site.

Okay, I really need to stop getting online and start packing my bags! 

In the words of Lucas North, "Bloody internet." :)

See you towards the end of next week!

Photo Friday ~ Gisborne Eye Candy

I'm a little late with this post today,

but it's still Friday in my neck of the woods, so better late than never! :)

I usually try to keep my posts original...

but right now I'm throwing that out the window to post a photo I snaffled

from RA Frenzy this very week.  I just can't help it because I love the photo that much! 

When I saw it on her blog, I sat there staring at my screen way too long.

Warning: it may happen to you too.

Ta-da!!!

 Good one, right?  If you like that, check THIS out.
Let's all let out a collective sigh of swooning at the same time.
Ready?  1, 2, 3... *SIGH*

I've preferred the Season 3 Gizzy look, but after seeing these pics,

I am on the fence.  Way to mess up my way of thinking, Frenz.

A North & South Limerick

There once was a chap named Johnny,

who had quite the protective Mommy.

A cravat he did wear,

with a strong piercing stare,

though he was not what most would call brawny.

Now, John-boy had eyes for dear Maggie,

who was never too boastful or braggie.

At first she was ticked,

since a worker he kicked,

so their relationship started out saggie.

Johnny asked his dear Maggie to wed...

and can you believe what she said!?

She turned him down flat.

(Maybe he should've worn his hat.)

And then he thinks her sweetheart is Fred!

They still have feelings for each other,

despite that meddlesome mother.

although neither will admit it,

they want to get with it.

Then John finds out Fred is her brother!

Johnny was having trouble with the mill,

since he had way too many big bills.

Maggie had left town,

and with the mill shutting down,

poor Johnny didn't know what to feel.

JT traveled South on a train,

hoping there'd be something to gain.

To his great surprise,

Maggie caught his blue eyes!

From their love, they could no longer refrain.

*thud*

"A Lucas Limerick" ~ HERE

"A Gisborne Limerick" ~ HERE

Screencaps thanks to Richard Armitage Net, Nancherrow,

Enchanted Serenity of Period Films, JRinla, and Richard Armitage Central.