The Richard Armitage Blog Reunion

Welcome one and all

to the Richard Armitage Blog Reunion!
*trumpets sound dramatically*

It's like a family reunion, for old RA blogging buddies and
ALL Richard Armitage fans... except without the matching t-shirts
or awkward uncles. (Hopefully. Ya never know- the
Sheriff of Nottingham could show up, so watch out!!!) 

It's a time for us to share what our Armi fam has been 

up to since last blogging (or commenting) and fill each other in
on our current RA faves and any other new interests.

{Or just dust off the ol' blogs and write whatever the hell we want.}
Check out #RABlogReunion on Twitter to keep posted.

Life has been strange lately with a global pandemic

affecting all of us in one way or another.

Hopefully this post finds you all healthy and happy and
looking forward to better things ahead. *hugs*

Speaking of strange...
it has been so long since I've blogged,
this site had to verify it was ME trying to log into
my own blog by sending me a code through email AND text.

Is that you, Nat???

The limerick-writer?  The stick-figure drawer?
The one who abandoned me to oogle over that damn Scottish

drama series and my dwarf nephew-turned-tricorn hat-wearer?

It is I, dear Richard and fellow Armitage pals!!!

For I have never truly left you...

*sentimental music swells in the background*

Um. I lost my train of thought in the midst of all my dramatics.

But speaking of trains...

I don't think a person ever really stops being a
Richard Armitage fan, no matter how active or not they

are on social media.  How do I know this?
BECAUSE THIS SCENE ALONE, folks!

I mean, the end.
Go ahead and applause.  I'll wait.

fan art by LilyZ

As for me, personally, I have been busy the past few years

taking care of my big family (I have a lot of kids. They're awesome!),
traveling with family and friends when I get the chance
(Hawaii, Houston, Phoenix, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, DC, Austin, Denver),
leading an art program for elementary kids, being a book worm,
and watching ALL the period films I can.
(Still love a good costume drama.)

Richard Armitage favorites in my house:

*North & South, of course! 
It's like comfort food. I never get sick of it. Bring on the angst!

*Vicar of Dibley, which I watch every Christmas.

*The Hobbit Series. My oldest boys have watched it so

often over the years, it may have been played more than N&S.
We love Thorin (Richard was perfect for the role!) and

recently had a rewatch of the series while staying home
during this Covid-craziness. (Many family movie nights lately.)

My current RA viewing obsession:

*I just finished Season 1 of Berlin Station this week.
No spoilers, please!!!  I know I'm late to the game on this one,
but is has been fun catching up lately.

I have many thoughts on this show
and perhaps I'll write a review about it later. 

*My other current Richard fave is HIS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT.

Love it!!! If you don't follow him, or haven't seen it yet,
click HERE. So cute, funny and a bit dorky.

My favorites are the childhood photo and a glimpse of him
wearing the old Gizzy costumes. He gets us.

New interests over the last few years:
Poldark, Outlander (more the books than the show, but I like both),
Victoria, Vikings, Call the Midwife, Miranda (funniest show ever!),
I also love the movies Brooklyn and A United Kingdom.
I just finished watching the World on Fire series.

I look forward to reading updates about all of you!
I've thought about many of my old RA buddies over the years

and especially recently while revisiting some of Richard's 

old work, like Sparkhouse. It led me back to this blog to find out

what my initial thoughts were. This blog is like a journal in a way.

(A rather goofy one.)  Thanks for visiting!

Just gonna leave this here because *swoon.*

F4 Day 6: The Other Half

 

What does your significant other think about your Armi-Admiration?

(LittleSallyBoots calls Richard "Armi" and I'm totally copying her.)

 

My husband will mumble sarcastic little things
here or there, which always cracks me up... so I wondered if other

main squeezes do the same thing?  I asked around and here are a few responses.

 

"Oh him. That's sad, my wife's in love with the Guy on the telly".

~ What Mr. Siouxsie Sioux said after catching his wife swooning over Gizzy. 
(Her excuse of watching "Robin Hood" for the kids didn't pull the wool over his eyes!)

(Not Sioux.)

"Well I'm off to the farmer's market.
I heard Thornton will be there with cotton samples."
~Mr. Trudy likes to sneak the word "Thornton" into any
sentence to get his wife's attention.  And it works every time. :)

 

"I wonder if your mate went in the back of my friend's truck?"

~ Said by Mr. Bathsheba when he heard that his friend's army truck
had been used while filming "Ultimate Force."  She was shocked because
she thought her love of RA was a well-kept secret at the time.

 

"Some women like Chippendale's...
my wife prefers buttoned up men with cravats and top hats."
~Mr. Ramones when he tells his friends about his wife's love of "period porn."

"Sir Gay."

~ What Mr. Squid calls Sir Guy of Gisborne.

(Probably makes him feel macho and less-threatened.)

Mr. Squid & Marian can only wish Gisborne was "batting for the other team."

 

"Oh, I see you have another date with your boyfriend."

~Mr. Nat whenever he walks in on me watching "North & South."

He always calls Richard my boyfriend as sarcastically as possible...
usually with some eye-rolling involved.   He didn't recognize him in "The Hobbit"
until I told him afterwards that Richard had played Thorin.  He was stunned and said,

"Your boyfriend was the dwarf leader?  He was great!"

(Yes, indeed, Mr. Nat.)  That was the first nice thing he has ever said about Armi...

perhaps Richard can win over even the most snarky of husbands when all is said and done?


Some husbands like to play pranks...
like Mr. @Rob, who enjoys hiding his wife's large Thorin cardboard cutout
throughout the house so that it surprises her around a corner or in a closet!
Imagine this popping up out of nowhere:

Get your life-size Thorin HERE!

 

 

Some main squeezes are down right sweet....

 

"I guess we're going to see a lot of your handsome man".

~Said Mr. Rose, when his favorite book "The Hobbit" came to the big screen.

He also asks his wife, "How are the gals on C19 these days?"

Click HERE for the C19 fan forum.

There's Mr. Mulubinba who waited with her forever on the

red carpet in New Zealand for an autograph/photo op with Richard.

(You can read about her experience HERE.)

He also gave her an Armitage Apron.  Who wouldn't want one of these!?

So what about YOU, dearest blog reader?

What does your significant other (or insignificant others)
do or say about Richard Armitage?  Please share!

Is there already a nickname for husbands-of-Armitage-fans?
Maybe we should come up with one... have any suggestions?

Be sure to check out what the other F4
participants are up to by visiting fanstravaganza.com
Your participation is just as important!

 



F4 Day 5: "North & South" from a toddler's view

 

Richard Armitage admirers

come in all sizes, ages and nationalities.

I know fans of every age group... including one of my favorite RA buddies, who is 80 years old. :)

I also know a certain 2 year-old little diva who thinks RA is pretty neat.  (Or Mr. Thornton, that is.) 

In this post, I'll call her Miss E... she's my daughter and cute side-kick, who has light brown hair

that falls in soft ringlets, huge brown eyes and the most adorable chubby cheeks ever. 

 

Miss E watched "North & South" with me for the first time last month.

I was folding the mountains of laundry I'd been avoiding for a few weeks (don't judge)

and decided to pop in a movie to help pass the boring time. 

JT: the cure for laundry day blues.

The boys were at school, so it was just us girls.  Miss E was happily playing with her doll house
and humming "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," but immediately paused when the movie came on and
plopped down her little diapered bum next to me to check out what was appearing. I didn't think

she would pay much attention to "North & South."  It's not one of her princess movies~

there's no song and dance or friendly animals that come to the rescue.

 

But she did pay attention!

 

Miss E danced around
the living room to the soundtrack.

(This is not Miss E.  Just a random toddler who
shows how awesome 2 year-olds are while dancing.)

 

She shouted, "It's snowing!"
when she first saw Mr. Thornton appear.

 

She oohed and ahhed at the beautiful dresses.

 

She commented on the tea cups,
and quickly went to retrieve her toy tea set to play along.

 

My favorite reaction of all~

she asked if Mr. Thornton was a "pince"
(translation: prince- thank you, Disney movies)
and said, "I like him. He my pince." 
It made me laugh out loud!

I guess this just proves that JT
can melt the heart of any female, even
those who are not yet potty trained.

 

 I'm so grateful that in a houseful of rambunctious boys,
I have at least one person who can appreciate period dramas with me.
I detect a true RA fan in the making!

 

Be sure to visit

fanstravaganza.com

for a list of all participating blogs

and check out what they're

up to this week!

 



F4 Day 4: An Armitage Limerick

There once was a fellow named Richard,

who, as Thorin, got stuck in a blizzard.
but fear not, dwarf-lovers,
for he indeed gained safe cover,

and his side-kick was a really cool wizard.

Go get 'em, boys!

There were also cravats and nice hair,

when he played Mr. Hot-Piercing-Stare.

While watching "North & South,"

you'll wipe drool from your mouth,

or maybe fall out of your chair!

Dang you, Thornton!

Then there's ol' Gizzy in leather...

who was quite the hot-tempered, mean feller.

Though jaded and grim,

you can't help but love him,

unless you're a hermit cave-dweller.

The guyliner. The stubble. The brooding.

Of course there's our Lucas from Spooks,

who battled terrorists, blonde ladies and nukes.

I will always deny

that he was a bad guy,

'cause it surely was some kind of fluke!

I don't believe any of it, I tell you!  *sniff*



But Harry, with his sweaters and smile,

makes being an RA fan so worth while!

He's such a nice guy,

you can't help but sigh,

even if he doesn't have the best style.

Adorbes.

 Speaking of style... there's this chap named Monet.

Though it's never implied that he's gay,

he loves cheerful bright colors,

like his creative, artsy brothers,
and would die wearing something bland and gray!

Don't look at me like that.  Pink looks great on you, Claude!

John Porter seems hardened and tough,
with those muscles and weapons and scruff.
Rescuing one-handed ladies,
saving African babies,
we learn on the inside, he ain't rough.

Ah, the original Porter pic.

 Dear Richard, many thanks for these guys,
who bring entertainment to many a fan's lives.
We all sure do love them,
so keep 'em on-commin',
and may your career continue to thrive! :)

Lookin' good, Mr. A!

  For more RA limericks, click HERE.

Remember to visit
fanstravaganza.com
to see what all the other bloggers
are up to this week! 



What's the Matter with Me!? ~ by guest blogger Mary3

When I first came across John Thornton

in North and South, I really, realllly didn't like him. 

OMG! There he was, with a ferociously mean look on his face,

beating up a poor, pint-sized, helpless worker whom he had caught smoking in his cotton mill;

a much smaller man who was begging him for mercy, while the startled

minister's daughter, Margaret Hale, looked on in amazement... shocked, horrified and appalled.

Nope. John Thornton was definitely not going to be an ideal, Darcy-like, admirable hero,

neither to Margaret Hale, nor to me. (Why was I even watching this story about a grimy little mill

town up in the cold hinterlands of England, when I could be re-watching Jane Eyre or

Pride & Prejudice for the hundredth millionth time? What was the matter with me?)

But I stuck with the story and continued to watch North and South

because it was, after all, a period drama, and I love period dramas.

Then, just a few episodes later,

there I was madly in love with John Thornton!

Yes, that very same John Thornton who had beaten up that scrawny Lilliputian worker.

How'd Thornton do that? How'd he win me over and have me cheering for him, and not for Margaret Hale,

when Margaret Hale was obviously the much more admirable character? What was the matter with me?

Well, first of all, John Thornton looked like

Richard Armitage, (mainly because he was Richard Armitage).

Then one evening in the story he explained in a pained, yet stentorian

Armitagean voice just why he had almost beaten a poor scrubby devil senseless;

it was all to save his poor mill hand Eds and Ellas from being burnt to cinders by a weak and selfish lout.

How great was that?!  One simply could NOT argue with his ultra-noble motive for beating the little runt to
a pulp. (Are you going to tell me that one minuscule mill hand is more important than the possible incineration
of hundreds of innocent workers, and now even YOU are asking what is the matter with me!?)

Close to the end of the story, I wanted to shake that Margaret Hale for not appreciating

John Thornton, for humiliating him so, for making him feel unworthy of her and her love.

Could she not see that she had misjudged him badly; that this was in truth a kind,

caring, selfless, passionate and, OMG, so unbelievably tall and awesomely handsome man

whom any sane woman would die for?  What was the matter with her?

Finally, all ended up beautifully after a fortuitous,

felicitous, accidental encounter on a railway platform.

I re-watched that final scene over and over and over again. I couldn't get enough of it. Truth to tell, I still

can't get enough of it. Maybe I'll be re-watching it over and over ... and over ... for the rest of my life.

Have you seen that railway scene?

And if you have, can you blame me for being enthralled, for having developed such

a crush on John Thornton, aka Richard Armitage? Can you still ask what is the matter with me?  

If so, what is the matter with YOU?!

*        *        *        *        *

About Mary Grace, aka: Mary3 ~

Artist and writer Mary Grace Dembeck isn't sure which she loves to do most ... paint or write.

Born in New York City, she has lived in Westport, CT, for the past 45 years. She has exhibited paintings at The National Academy of Design, and her writing has been published in The Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, Ranger Rick, and various other US journals and magazines.

Mary also collaborated on a number of songs with singer Maureen McGovern, and on a children's musical, The Bengal Tiger's Ball , based on one of Mary's poems, and it was performed in a month long run by Ms. McGovern at The Civic Theatres near Orlando, Florida. The musical was based mainly on Mary's lyrics.

Her short story "Act of Memory" is included in the Paul Auster/NPR anthology "I Thought My Father Was God" (in Britain, the book is entitled: "True Stories of American Life".)  It has been made into a short film by British actor/director Jack Ryder (formerly of Eastenders). The film has been entered in the Cannes Film Festival, as well as other festivals, and makes its World Premiere in America on March 24, 2012 at the Garden State Film Festival in New Jersey.  The film has now also been accepted at the Newport Beach Film Festival in California. Jack Ryder's goal is to have the film shown on the BBC this coming Christmas Eve.

Mary Grace is also the author of a collection of children's wacky poetry entitled

MOONSNACKS and Assorted Nuts.

Nat's Notes: Mary Grace is one of my newest RA buddies!
We met on C19 a few months ago when I chose her hilarious caption as the winner of one of the
Crinkle Zone caption contests.  (She writes the funniest captions!)  We started messaging back and
forth, and despite our age difference (she called me a "young whippersnapper") and living thousands of
miles apart, we felt like "kindred spirits." Mary Grace is so witty and charming...
I've enjoyed getting to know her.

When I asked her to be a guest blogger, I had no idea Mary Grace was a published author!
In fact, it wasn't until she sent me her "about me" information that I learned of her accomplishments.

I was so surprised, since she had never mentioned anything about being a writer in our messages, and seemed so nervous and humble about being a guest blogger.  (As if The Washington Post isn't much compared to The RA Fan Blog!  HA!)  I had to tease her about that. :)  I recently read her book of poems, "Moonsnacks and Assorted Nuts," to my children and they LOVED it.  She has written a few RA-inspired poems, which you can read in the C19 forum... maybe one day she'll publish another poetry book called 
"RA Fans: The Real Assorted Nuts."  I hope it includes limericks! :)

If Richard had a Superpower... ~ by guest blogger Longhairedtoad

As I sit here and wonder in my artless, obsessed fan way, I can’t help but guess what superpower Richard Armitage would have. There are so many kinds to contemplate and consider, of course. We can go with the basic ones like invisibility, for example. But honestly, would you really want to have those sigh worthy looks disappear in a moment’s notice? God forbid we would lose the opportunity to enjoy viewing RA, whether it be a prolonged sighting or a quick glimpse. Invisibility is really something I prefer to have instead. Who wouldn’t want the power to hide in a moment’s notice and at the same time be able to walk right up to his ‘Lusciousness’ and view him without hindrance or interruption?

What about Telekinesis, the mental capability to move objects? Now that’s something to consider, RA with the ability to move objects and people as he sees fit. It has possibilities, both positive and negative. Physical feats would no longer be a problem for him. There are so many physical feats I can imagine him doing at the moment. Oh dear me, those wicked thoughts do come at the most inopportune times don’t they. But to get back to my point, I really don’t think having it would do RA justice. Telekinesis is another superpower I would rather have instead. The damage I could do. ‘Snickers Wickedly’

So what else is there? How about the ability to breath underwater? Interesting, but to what purpose would that serve? Off hand, the promise of constantly having RA wet! Envision it, RA rising from the foamy waves of the ocean. His chest, abdomen, arms, and thighs are covered in hundreds of thin, watery streams. His skin glistens. His hair is slicked back into a black skull cap. His muscles become much more defined from the watery film. His glorious jaw and neck drip with hundreds of droplets. It’s a sight as alluring as the most majestic waterfall. Oh where, oh where is that towel?

Now these superpowers are all well and good, but if you really think about it, they are quite ordinary. So many super heroes possess similar qualities. Wouldn’t you want RA to have a unique kind?

I believe he has one. His is a superpower is undefined at present or at least, it is not a recognized one. To a lesser degrees, some do possess something similar, but nowhere near as powerful. So what do I refer to? It’s simple really. Think Tall, Dark, and Handsome? What automatically what follows? ‘Broodiness’ Yes, yes, yes, it’s the power to render the most sensible fan from being a normal, breathing person to a heaping mass of wobbly jello. Now don’t tell me you don’t know what I mean.

We’ve all been there. We’ve all felt that tingling sensation, which starts in our bellies and quickly escalates when RA flashes those baby-blues. He often follows with the angry stare. Sometimes it’s tinged with a hint of curiosity or has a dash of confusion. The intensity of his look is always just enough to make you gasp. Whether you’re young or old, married or single, alone or in a crowd of hundreds, the effect is the same. Your jaw slacks open. A dribble of saliva emerges or not. Every person reacts differently. Some develop cold and clammy hands. For others, deep blushing occurs and eyes sparkle. Coherent thought is usually unreliable, and chances of muttering nonsensical comments are high. In some rare cases, the urge to pucker your lips happens. I can’t say it’s happened with me, but some friends have declared it is fact. I know they were imagining things.


Now tell me, how many superheroes can boast of a power that can render a whole generation of women speechless at the same time? Even Superman in his prime could only boast of lifting a trailer truck in one hand and Lois Lane in another. The ‘Broodiness’ superpower is simply indescribable as it attacks without warning and leaves a lasting effect, which has been known to thrive for years. No known cure has yet been found, thank God!

Did someone say spandex?

There isn’t even a need to wear the superhero uniform. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve got nothing against spandex. The image of RA in tight spandex has its merits. There’s no denying his chest and abdomen, not to mention those manly thighs would be amply emphasized. The tush factor is always a plus too. But no further accessories like a cape, is necessary. RA’s look is perfectly situated in black jeans, black top, and black boots. Simplicity at it’s best.

To prove my point, imagine this. RA stands before you. His back faces you at first. The singularly perfect backside is still. Without warning, there is a slight movement of muscles undulating beneath the denim. Suddenly his neck stiffens. He senses someone behind him and prepares to unleash the ‘Broodiness’ superpower. His hands remain dangling at his sides and his legs are apart. Ever so slowly, his head turns. We catch just a glimpse of his profile and instantly our breathing grows unsteady.

Behold the power of the Super Brood!

The finely chiseled jaw line, those cheekbones looked like they’ve been carved from stone. Thick, black lashes hide his eyes but slowly the eyelids are raised and we see blue. His gaze is down and his expression is neutral for the moment. We know a change coming. His head turns some more and the aquiline nose is now fully exposed. The tip is so alluring I feel a pucker coming on. Just one kiss please! His eyes dart upward and before you know it they are fixed you with a hard stare. You’re tingling. Yes, you are. If you’re standing within a group, someone will undoubtedly sigh. Another person will giggle. All of you will feel lightheaded at first as the tingling sensation grows. It gains strength that the person on your right puckers too. You, on the other hand, are beyond that. His stare turns more intense. It’s as though RA sees inside of you. Now you’re a goner.

For just a moment, he twists his head again, from side to side. It’s a small thing, almost not worth noticing but you cannot dismiss it. He takes a deep breath while you struggle to find yours. For a second it seems he will say something but he doesn’t. There is a look of confusion on his face and the trace of anger grows more prominent. It doesn’t matter at this point if he’s angry with you or the person behind you. You’ve been hit. The ‘Broodiness’ superpower renders you speechless. You do not speak, you do not move. You can do nothing until he turns away. Even then you do not recover but wait, like the helpless victim you are, to be hit again.

Now tell me, is this not a superpower to equal Superman’s superhuman strength or no?

I think it is or maybe this really isn’t a superpower and I’m just thinking too much. Perhaps we’ll never really know. All I do know is I’m still puckering. Yes, I believe I am and I’m certain I’m not the only one.

                                                                   *           *           *           *           *

About the Guest Blogger~Liza aka Longhairedtoad/LHT:

I currently reside in the Bay Area of Northern California.

My hobbies vary from baking and sewing, to traveling, reading,

and writing some fanfic. (Featured on the Dreamer Fiction forum.)

I've been an RA fan ever since I saw him in North and South.

One look and I was a goner.




Nat's Notes:  LHT and I are old NJTS forum buddies. (Not Just Toby Stephens Fans.) 
That was the first forum I ever joined and I met a lot of fun, smart women there who shared my love of RA! 
Unfortunately the NJTS forum was closed within the year that I joined. :(  Anyway, LHT was among those
ladies who made me think and laugh. I've read a few of  her fanfics, which made me blush! :) 
I love how she can paint a picture with her words.  Thanks, Liza!