Armitage Day came and went, and I found myself at a loss for an appropriate blog piece to commemorate it. But it occurred to me yesterday that I gave Richard Armitage the perfect gift from me — a few days off from this blog. Taking off was made especially easy as my conscience was pricked by reading things like this. LOL! Notice the bold sentence. Third “paragraph” down if you’re not sure. Poor guy(s). And no, I have no need to instruct anyone on proper behavior toward Richard Armitage. It’s just that when I read something like that, or I see him duck his head when he hears, “women will chase you…,” I feel funny and wonder if anyone else feels a bit foolish. Maybe that’s a good sign?
Earlier today I was asking myself why I’m even keeping this blog up. Yeah, I’ve beaten this drum before about my conscience. Apparently, I’m really not as insane as I first feared, and the part of me that’s so cussed circumspect especially wants to take over after being inundated with the birthday gushing. I threw myself into the midst of that fangirling, and by Sunday night I was in a bit of a stupor from my tweeting. Come Monday I had run dry for the blog.
Have I made you feel sufficiently self-conscious yet? LOL! Well, no worries, ’cause I’m soon going to leave the self-flagellation behind.
Today, some inspiration for renewed gushing manifested in my email. A fan sent me one of her favorite private pictures of him taken a couple of years ago. Look at that face!
I love the candid shots. There is a freshness and sweetness to them that always makes it hard to look away. Richard Armitage seems to have such a pure smile, and that really does make me like the guy (even if he turns out to be a schmuck). See! I’m still a bit insane although not tempted to draw arrows on RA’s pictures yet. ;-) But if I were ever tempted to draw them on anyone’s pictures, it would be his. :D
As if this weren’t enough to put my addiction at full throttle, RA has sent another message to the troops:
Dear Friends,
I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for all the kind gifts which have been sent to me over the last few weeks, for my birthday; so many gifts, cards and emails of good wishes from all over the world. (Poland, Ukraine, Japan, Russia, Germany, Korea, Itlay, USA, Canada, Netherlands and all over the UK)
I will be so ‘well read’, drunk, fat, warm and sweet smelling thanks to your generosity.
I am particularly excited to let you know that the “Just Giving” donations to our four charities has reached an amazing £11,933! In addition to donations to Oxfam and Christchurch Earthquake appeal, which I find both thoughtful and moving.
I am afraid there may be some delay in remitting thank you letters and any requests for signing photos, as I am in New Zealand for the rest of the year, but am working on a system to remedy this.
So middle age has arrived and apparently ‘life now begins’. I look forward to the next chapter, there is nowhere I would rather be at this moment than exploring “Middle Earth” with my new family of Dwarves, Elves, Men, Wizard and Hobbit. What a gift to be here, in this place, at this time. I can’t wait to share it with everyone. I am a very fortunate man.
Much love
RA
And the crowd said, “Awwwwwww!” and beamed.
Did he make a cryptic acknowledgment of Calexora’s book of fan letters? Looks that way to me.
Man, that typing with thumbs is tough! No more references to the typo or we’ll revisit the apostrophe debacle. ;-) Also, I’m going to spare RA some more today by not waxing on about the topic of middle age. I will get to it later. Too good to pass up.
I would say what’s coming up next on this blog, but I’m learning I like flying by the seat of my pants, and a good thing since that’s what I’m forced to do these days.
Candid photo courtesy of KuchingGirl.
Message courtesy of Richard Armitage by way of RichardArmitageOnline.com
edit: the photos coming up, are, well, let me put it this way: take your heart medicine. Oh, you don’t take heart medicine? you might after looking at these photos.
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RAFrenzy 
Now THAT’S a face! But…does someone have their hand in his coat pocket? Possible crime shot?! Hehe!
I especially love the plaid coat lining. Really classes the coat up. IMHO! Thanks for sharing this Frenz and kushinggirl, you lucky duck you! There’s GOT to be a backstory to this shot tho…just sayin’.
BTW, the Alfalfa sprigs are just too cute for words!!!!! =o}
I think that is kushinggirl’s hand. I was very tempted to draw some arrows. :D
Is that alfalfa shooting out of his shoulders?
The hair, honey. The hair. As in “The Little Rascals” Alfalfa. Of course that WAS before your time!
Looks like rosemary behind those broa…errr, behind that shoulder?!
He truly has the most interesting coats and shoes!
LOL to your link “3rd paragraph”! Lucky Wellington ladies.
So grateful to kushingirl for sharing such a fine photo.
Frenz gives Armitage the gift of silence for his 40th. :)
It was a bit OTT; on the other hand, 40 is a big birthday. He showed his characteristic grace in letting us share it.
Ahhh, the hair. Yeah, you’re right; that was before my time. :D
Amanda, his shoes and coats have been an endless source of conversation — as if we needed the motivation. :D
Phylly, Oh, they’re lucky alright and apparently they know it. Why else would it be in bold? LOL!
Servetus, Uh, yeah, and I need to do that more often. The ranting video had a little effect on me too.
Does anyone think the comment about being “well read” has to do with the book of fan letters? Have you hashed this out somewhere else?
Oh, and I’m going to try to finish my KRA post that I started weeks ago. I need to catch up so I don’t duplicate.
But I’ve been so prolific today that I even posted on my other blog. So maybe there’s hope.
When I read his letter this morning, I was desperately hoping for a mention of Calexora’s book in which I contributed. I too thought the “well read” was acknowledgement of it, then thought I was just being ridiculous looking into it too much. Now you mention it too, I think it definitely is! It’s either that or many people were sending him novels. I love him more and more every day!!
Some thoughts.
A little muddled myself after such a ‘frenzied’ few days – and I’m only reading!
Giving RA the gift of Golden Silence may not have been the original plan but how profound. Didn’t he say in a previous message something along the lines of:
” how wonderful it feels for it all to stop albeit briefly even for just one day
at Xmastime” ?
Now would that be the very same Kushinggirl who tweeted S. Fry about passing on B-Day wishes and got her wish fulfilled… AND she has a photo? Oh dear I’m turning a delicate shade of green…lucky lucky girl!
Although completely new to posting (this week was a Big Week for me jumping in the water here there and everywhere) I’d like to beg you not to stop at least not any time soon as I’ve so enjoyed my visits here over the past few months and got down to some serious research (eg. The Lexicon, Addict List), so a huge THANKYOU is in order.
1st posts and now 1st uses (after careful and uncool checking of the Urban Dictionary, Wiki et al. ) of : BTW, LOL, ROFL…wonders will never cease!
So here goes…
BTW, I read, I think over at Calexora’s, about the breakfast with that Bloom fellow at a surf club cafe. Saw the menu. LOL nearly fell off chair had to take a closer look at the black ink typed print at the bottom of the menu. How in the heck did you manage to get your name just casually inserted into the food choices where his lovely eyes would see it? ROFL had to take a second look. “Oh, that cunning lady has outsmarted us all” I thought. Now RA will forever associate your name with a delicious breakfast, good company and a fantastic view of the surf. The rest of us don’t stand a chance!
Seriously, did you see Calexora’s 6th Aug post? If I’m not the millionth to tell you then I really hope it makes you smile.
I’m too tired to respond beyond a smile to this pic (^_^) really loved your other post :)
Thanks for your funny blog entry and that wonderful picture!!!
Do you know when and where it was taken????
Wow I love that picture!
Ohmygosh! So much for the joke about the apostrophe debacle when I misspelled apostrophe!! LOL! Gone to change. BRB
Welcome, Jessica! yes, I think it was a reference to the letter, or maybe he got a bunch of books as gifts. I think it’s a reference to THE book! LOL! and probably to a comment in the book. The preface perhaps? Maybe Calexora will tell us.
Also Welcome, hainaut!
Psst, the boiling is what gave the name for this piece. ;-) Aren’t I dedicated? :D Seriously, that’s the first I knew. I’m a bit behind on my blog reading.
So what kind of word is hainaut? No, I think I know, and Edward III was rather interesting not to mention prolific. LOL!
No worries on me quitting. I wax on about it periodically just to con myself into believing I’m sane. I probably won’t quit unless I get hit by a bus.
Iz, I assume you mean the music post. That is some of my favorite stuff and has been since I was 18, so I’ve never tired of it.
bccmee, Yeah, it’s a sweet picture. We move out of sweet with the pics coming up. :D
Julischka, I don’t know but maybe we can get kushinggirl to tell us.
Cute Cute private picture. Looking foreward to the ones coming up!!
July 2009, Spooks set.
@kuchinggirl: Thanks for letting us know. You were really lucky!
Great photo @kuchinggirl and thanks for getting @stephenFry for tweeting :)
I was a bit overwhelmed by the birthday bash, I have to confess … I didn’t expect so much gushing….lolol!!! I even came out of blog retirement to write a few inane posts.
Not sure what/who he was referring to in his message … I’ve given up reading too much into them being an old and jaded fan. What I did like was how happy he sounds in ‘Middle Earth’. That paragraph was a pure joy to read :)
Agree, mulubinba, on not overinterpreting (this from the poster child for intensive interpretation) — it will just make us crazy.
@mulubinba You’re welcome ! I have to admit the tweet response from Stephen Fry was totally unexpected. It was really sweet of him to reply.
Re Richard’s message, I’m pleased too he seems so happy and contented in New Zealand. He strikes me as being quite spiritual but then it might just be his arty side. lol. I bet he wakes up every morning pinching himself that he is really there. Yes, it must be a dream come true for him to be in The Hobbit. I hope he enjoys the journey and we will all get to enjoy the final product.
True enough: only so much to be read into messages and/or interviews. The gentleman (“gentleman” might not be be off the mark) , but he is an actor. Nevertheless, his earliest interviews do convey the sense of a rather decent chap.
Yes, Hainult/Hainaut was rather significant. As Edward’s wife was a princess of Hainault, and their younger son John of Gaunt, was born in Ghent. There were strong ties to the Low Countries. And John was the progenitor of the Lancastrian line of kings…etc. (Going into librarian/historian mode – ignore me!!!) Please. Only I love mediaeval history; and Richard III….
I’ll make a heart attack if you don’t show those photos soon…
L.
I promise I will do them within this week. I have a few other surprises up my sleeve as well, but maybe not all this week. :D
Everyone deserves some time off, RAfrenzy, it’s okay. Love the pix of Richard. I don’t think I have seen this one before. He looks so beaming alive and full of fun. Love it when he goes casual. :):):)
The German Fan Board has sent a book as well.. not that I was nosing, but I stumbled upon it. Even then, I won´t rule out more books being sent as well…
http://armitage.iphpbb3.com/forum/66380294nx22390/newsticker-f119/richard-wird-40-t2360-s135.html
Gasp! How did you know I said “awwwwwww” after reading his message? :o
Haha … Joking aside, it’s great to hear from him again. Such a sweet message it is too. Awww.
There were words on this post? Really? Hadn’t noticed… O_O *thud*