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! 



Therapy Session

Do you ever feel

possessive about your favorite things?

I do!

The left cushion of our love seat is mine.

(Nobody better sit there on movie night!)

Sometimes I'll discover something I love and take it over...

like one of my husband's old t-shirts that I've claimed for a

pajama/lounge-around-on-Sunday shirts.  It, too, is now mine.

And then there's Richard Armitage.

I've never felt territorial about my favorite actor before. 

In fact, since being hit with Thornton Syndrome a few years

back ("Oh the good ol' days, so long ago" *said in my best granny

voice, like I'm an old timer now*), I've felt that it was my

responsibility to spread the RA love.

I haven't had much success in bringing

others "into the fold," but I've tried, dang it!
I've tried. 

Today, I was browsing my personal facebook account,

when I noticed a family friend had posted something about

loving Richard Armitage as Thorin... and went off about him

and how amazing he is.  I immediately felt excited that I could

FINALLY discuss RA with someone I knew in "real life."

Then, I felt a twinge of... possessiveness!

Suddenly, I DID feel territorial!

Grrrr!!!

A stream of senseless thoughts rushed through my head:

Who does this girl think she is!?

I know SO much more about Richard than she does!

I bet she hasn't even watched "Vicar of Dibley" yet.

Then I realized how CRAZY my

thoughts were and snapped out of it quickly! 

Wow. How embarrassing!

Humph!



Something similar happened a few weeks ago,

when a bunch of male family members were discussing

"The Hobbit" and the different dwarf characters. One person

mentioned Thorin and I had to refrain myself from spouting

off all sorts of information about Thorin and the guy

who plays him in a know-it-all voice.

CRAZY, I tell ya!!!

These territorial feelings are so strange to me because:

1. I'm no longer obsessed with Richard Armitage. 

(I was for the first 6 months to a year of being an admirer. 

I can admit that now.)  He is still my favorite actor,

but he doesn't consume my thoughts.  My husband has

always been my #1 and only true love.  So what's the deal!?!

(I am not judging anyone who is currently obsessed with RA.  It's probably that

dang Thornton's fault anyway.  That show should come with a warning label!)

2. As long as I've been an RA fan, I've wanted to share

his talent with others... so why the sudden possessiveness???

Is it because he's becoming more and more popular

and doesn't feel like our best kept secret any more?

3. Richard is not a love seat cushion.

(Although Gizzy's leather sometimes reminds me of a couch I once knew.)

How DARE you!!!



I'm not sure why I had these odd reactions recently,

but that's why I'm seeing my therapists (YOU)

for professional RA help.

Has something similar ever happened to you???

Do share.

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!

Deck the Halls with Lots of Richard!

It's that time of year again, folks...

time to sing Christmas carols, Armitage style. :)

So clear those throats and let's belt it out together!

Deck the halls with brooding Thornton,

a dash of dwarfs with big cheese Thorin,

add some stubble and some leather,

plus a few striped, fuzzy sweaters

Pour the cocoa and the cider!

Cinch those pants a wee bit tighter!

Trim your beard, adjust that collar.

Could those legs get any taller!?

Happy Holidays, dear RA buddies! 

I hope you have a wonderful season filled with

family, friends, health and happiness! 

Love, Nat

For more RA Christmas fun from the past 2 years~

Click HERE for "An Armitage Christmas Carol" video

Click HERE for "The 12 Days of Richard Armitage"

Click HERE for "How the Giz Stole Christmas"

Click HERE for my 2010 Holiday Recap

Oh me, oh my.

Giving Thanks ~ by Guest Blogger Joan

Thanksgiving is upon us in the Colonies.

How can you NOT love a day that involves tons of great food, football games,

family and a four-day weekend with SHOPPING!?

 In the spirit of the Season, I have declared today

Richard Armitage International Thanksgiving Day.

Since I first discovered Richard Armitage in January 2008,

I have found many things to be thankful for.

First and foremost, there is Sir Guy of Gisborne.

Doesn’t he look pleased with himself? I am always thankful to see him briefly smug.

Please note that I took the high ground

and used the photo where he has turned to face the camera.

 Just because I love the photo

This is one of those “God loves me and wants me to be happy” photos.

John Porter won his own place in my Thanksgiving homage for many reasons, but primarily because

the opening scenes of Strike Back reminded me of stories my husband told about his time on board ship.

The crowded compartments and the small racks (that’s beds for you non-Navy types.)

Just like the picture... sorry.  Love a man in uniform.

 The white tee shirt was a United States Navy uniform requirement.

In my husband’s case, it was crew-necked and showed above the open neck of his uniform.

The subject wears it well….

Not everything I am thankful for is completely shallow.

The friends I have made through as a result of being a fan of Richard Armitage

 are a source of great joy and hours of fun! The bloggers, vidders, fiction writers, proboard admins,

the UK fans who upload interviews and television for those of us otherwise deprived…

for all of you and those I haven’t met yet, I am thankful.

Since I couldn’t get you all together for a big group hug and photo op,

this photo of Richard graciously offered to stand in for us.

I am also thankful to Richard for introducing me to Bernard Cornwell,

Georgette Heyer, Inspector Lynley, and Richard Sharpe. Two authors to devour and two series to enjoy,

all because I listened to Richard’s audio works. (I already read Elizabeth George.)

I am thankful for Richard himself for so many reasons:

his talent, his choices, his good looks, encouraging his fans to give to

charities on his behalf, the voice, and more.

Finally, I am thankful to richardarmitagenet.com and compleatseanbean.com for the photos

and Nat for the opportunity to jump into the deep end of the pool.

Couldn’t resist!!!!

Happy Richard Armitage International Thanksgiving Day!

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

About the Guest Blogger:

Joan lives in Central California where she works as a data analyst

for a small U.S. government organization.  She is taller than a Hobbit and shorter than a Bearded Dwarf.

She is massively jealous of Malcolm and Tariq’s abilities to get data to return so fast and from so

 many sources. Her life is blissfully chaotic since her two grandchildren,

their parents and multiple pets occupy the same home.

Photo Friday~ That's Amore

You may have heard of love at first sight.

But have you ever experienced love at first...

brood?

smirk?

smile?

silhouette?

cell phone call?

gun grip?

I know I have. :) 

*prescheduled post*

Time Fillers

A list of fun, time-wasting entertainment for days when you're told to stay off your feet

(or just feel lazy, tired or unmotivated/can't to do something active)

and don't want the cabin fever setting in:

1. Rewatch North & South for the millionth time because

it's one of those movies you can watch over and over.

Heck, go ahead and rewatch any other RA show while you're at it!

Pretty.

2. Blog surf Richard Armitage blogs + any other interesting blog.

This has nothing to do with RA, but have you heard of Cake Wrecks?  SO FUNNY.

(A blog about "how professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong.")

3.  Watch tons of YouTube vids, especially those featuring Richie-dearest.

This one has been around for a while, but is new to me this week.  It made me laugh.

*Remember to pause the blog's background music (bottom of screen) before viewing.*

I get a kick out of those character-swapping musical vids.

4. Ask people to be guest bloggers and then enjoy reading their posts.

I can't wait to share them with you!  It's going to take self restraint to publish only one

per week since I'm so excited about them. (Also, a new friend taught me how to schedule posts to

be published at a future date and time... so maybe I'll put together a few now that will appear
later when I'm out of commission!  (So if I don't respond to emails/comments in a

timely manner, know that I might not be active online.)

Since I've had a few emails asking about this,
here's what to do if you'd like to try your hand at RA blogging~
Pick an RA topic of any kind, create a post in your own style and voice
and then email it to me with a list of pictures/links/videos you'd like included.
Also, please share a little blurb about yourself (where you live in the world, when/how you
discovered RA, and/or anything else you'd feel comfortable sharing so that blog
readers can get to know the person behind the post.) Pretty easy!

5. Read The Hobbit to get to know Richard's character, Thorin.

(I haven't actually done this yet, but it's on my list.)

How many of you have suddenly taken an interest in reading The Hobbit?

6.  Speaking of The Hobbit, start saving money and book your flight
to New Zealand so that you can stalk RA during filming see the beautiful countryside.

What would you add to this list?

Have a lovely weekend!