F4 Day 7: Life After RA Blogging

 

Today marks the end of FanstRAvaganza 4.

Thanks to all of you who have participated in any way~

those who have stopped by to check out my posts (especially those

who left comments!), my fellow RA bloggers, tumblr and

twitter peeps (your creativity is amazing!), and Traxy

for organizing this year's event.

 

 

Now that things are wrapping up, will I continue to blog about Richard Armitage? Maybe here or there, if an idea comes along.  Though I don't know him personally, Richard feels like an old friend.

I'm a passionate person. Whenever I like something, or the idea of something, I become obsessed over it until I get so over-loaded that I become sick of it, or a new interest comes along. (Example: a book or television series, a photography project I want to complete, a room in my house I am decorating...) Most of the time, these fixations come and go quickly, but sometimes they linger... like Richard, who has not been replaced as a fave. :)  I no longer consider myself obsessed with him, but that fangirly feeling always comes back when I see one of his new photo shoots or movies. The "squee" can't be controlled no matter how much time has passed!

When I started this blog 4 years ago, I posted new things daily or weekly.  There was always something RA-related popping into my head! This blog was the perfect hobby/outlet for my quirky, creative side and I loved sharing that with other RA buddies. But in the last year and a half, a lot of that creativity and motivation fizzled out.   It's not that I don't love RA... because he's still my favorite actor, by far. Probably always will be. I've continued to keep tabs on what he's up to and watch his shows/movies to get my fix now and then.  It's just that "real life" became busier than ever and truthfully, I lost some interest in blogging.  Its magic faded when I started worrying about not being original any more or the number of comments I received or if my posts would be interesting or funny enough... which can all lead to the dreaded "blogger's block."  I had to take a step back and remember why I started this blog in the first place... for myself, as a way to have fun.  (If others liked it, great- that was icing on the cake!)  But did all the other stuff really matter?  Nope.  I decided to blog only when I felt like it... not out of obligation.  So, the posts have slowed way down, and once out of the habit, it became less and less of a priority.  (Sorry if that sounds depressing... just keepin' it real!  And there's a positive ending so keep reading.)

This week of FanstRAvagaza has refreshed my love of RA blogging.  I've had so much fun whipping up random stuff that has come to mind.  I've loved reading other blogs regularly again.  So thank you for that boost, blog readers & participants! :)

 

Anyway, my point of this post is to let others know- there can be different phases of Armitage fanhood.  If you just barely discovered him and think, "Holy cow! Will I ever be the same again!?"  The answer is probably no... because chances are, through your love of RA, you will make all sorts of great friends online and maybe try things (like blogging?) that you hadn't thought of before.  Who knows when YOUR fixation will end, if ever? Many RA fans have been going strong since his start in "the business."  Some have faded in and out of the fandom, for whatever reason.  Perhaps my phase is considered a "mild simmer" now.  Maybe we all just need a shrink... is there a group theRApy session anywhere? :)

 

All I know is that for me, personally, there IS life after regular RA blogging.  The itch to post every day (or even month) did end for me. And that's okay!  Other hobbies have taken its place.  Other priorities (like sleep- haha!) have become more important. Dry spells or not, what I LOVE about being a Richard Armitage Admirer is that whenever I get the itch to temporarily lose my self in Armi goodness, the RA fandom is always there through forums, blogs, tumblr (which I have been learning all about this week) and amazing YouTube videos.   I know it's available to escape the daily "blahs" any time. So thank you fellow RA fans!  Like Richard, you have become "old friends," many whom I have come to know personally. And that means a great deal to me. :)

Stay tuned for future posts every so often... including a new Stick-Figure Richard adventure, coming soon

 

And to lighten the mood after that serious shpill...

(you didn't know I had it in me, did ya?)  I think we should
all take a look at Squirrel Beard and have a good laugh:

That is all. :)

 

Please visit

fanstravaganza.com

to see what the other participants

have contributed this week.





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! 



F4 Day 3: Call for Photo Captions

 

If you've been an RA fan for a while, chances are  that you belong to at least one
of the fan forums out there. My favorite thing about these forums (besides "meeting"
so many interesting, intellingent, funny ladies) has been the caption contests.
They always brighten my day!

When I saw this picture of my favorite actor and my old-time junior high crush

(Oh Wills! How I loved you!) I instantly thought, "We need photo captions!!!"

This is not a contest. Just for kicks and giggles.   Please leave your caption(s)
in the comments for all of us to enjoy. It will be lame if I have to write them all myself. :)

 

And as always, please visit

fanstravaganza.com

to check out the list of  all the other bloggers

participating in this year's event!

 

F4 Day 2: Thorin's Word Search

FanstRAvaganza wouldn't be complete on this blog

without some kind of cross-word or word search puzzle.

So here ya go...

You can print off your very own copy HERE.

Feel free to hang it on your fridge when completed. :)

For a list of the other F4 participants,

please visit fanstravaganza.com and check

out what they're all up to this week!



F4 Day 1: And so it begins...

Hello, there blog world,
and Happy FanstRAvaganza week!!!
Long, time, no see. :) It feels good to be "back" for a bit.
 

If you're new to the FanstRAvaganza thing,
click HERE to see how it all got started.

Richard reminiscing about past FanstRAvaganzas:

Yes, I know Richard... good times.

FanstRAvaganza was originally started
to focus on RA and his awesome fans. :)  So that's what
I will be focusing on this week- us, the fans.
 

Before I get started, let me re-introduce myself since I haven't posted much in the
 past year or so and this may be your first time visiting this blog. My name is Natalie, but you

can call me Nat.  I've been a Richard Armitage fan for the past 4 years, since first viewing
"North & South."  (It's a condition called "Thornton Syndrome." Read more about it HERE.)

I started this blog in July 2009 as a way to poke fun at my love of RA (because it's funny!) and
enjoy drawing stick figures, writing silly limericks and posting drool-worthy pics of Richard.

Enough chit-chat about me.
Let's talk about this guy:

Wow, what a year!
Seeing Richard for the first time on the BIG SCREEN
was amazing.  He is fabulous as Thorin.  And that's not just me being bias.
My hubs, a big Tolkien fan, even thought he was excellent.
Cannot wait for the blu-ray next week!!!

Watching Richard appear in "The Hobbit"
and making the rounds with the press felt like
watching one of my siblings leave for college:
a lot of pride, mixed with a tiny twinge of sadness,
knowing that things would change. 

I guess I haven't noticed a huge change in the RA fandom since Richard gained
the international spotlight... but then again, I've been out of the loop for a while.

So that's what I would like to know...
*How did you feel about seeing Richard in "The Hobbit?"
*Do you think the RA fandom has changed since
Richard appeared in "The Hobbit?"  If so, in what way?

After leaving your comments here,
please visit fanstravaganza.com to view a list of all
F4 participants and see what they have to contribute!