Project 365

I’ve blown that. LOL! But hey, I’ve been observing some of the bigger bloggers who are doing the project, and they’ve blown it too. Made me feel a little better. Maybe I misunderstood the goal was a post everyday (actually all but one day since this is a leap year), and really, the goal is to be thinking everyday about posting, which means, I am so gooooooood! I’m in clover on that. This friggin’ blog is in my thoughts a lot. Definitely think about it at least once a day.

For those reading, I hope you have a warm fuzzy that I’m thinking about posts for you. For you, dammit! :D No, I’ve got nothing else tonight. Must rest up for tomorrow.

In the meantime, I was just reading again the “What Would You Do If You Were Checked Out by Richard Armitage” post, and my friends, the best part of that is the comment section. SO is sitting across the room from me, and I was laughing so hard he finally said, “What the heck is going on?” Of course I couldn’t explain it. No, I wouldn’t explain it.

Oh, one last thing. I’ve finally gotten SO to watch ‘North and South’. It’s only taken me four years, but hey, I’m pretty pumped about it. We’re halfway through it, and maybe we’ll finish it tonight. No promises though. But please send happy thoughts my way as SO takes in John Thornton’s glory. :D

A picture to put you in the mood:

Screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.Com

February 20, 2012
Categories: North and South, SO . Tags: , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 4 Comments

Richard Armitage “Paper” Dolls?

This one’s for you, Angie.

November Bride and I were talking about how much fun it was to play with paper dolls. My favorite was Betsy McCall, and not being satisfied with the monthly outfits, I made my own out of whatever fabric or paper or magazine photos I could find. Endless hours were spent doing this, and even though I’m a gadget freak, I’m hard pressed to think I had more fun with a set of Walkie Talkies as I had with those scraps of paper. There are still some creations in a keepsake box in the basement, but about a week ago, I had a little regression therapy on the ASOS Fashion Finder site.

These aren’t exactly paper dolls but so much fun!

Click on the image to see more:

I’ve been a fan of ASOS since Beth of Richard Armitage checked me out fame turned me onto it. Thank you, Beth! ASOS has some great looks and some great prices especially their sales, and they have free shipping. Yea! Just note that the Fashion Finder site is actually an off-shoot of ASOS and some items are not sold by them.

edit: If you click on the outfits at the Fashion Finder site, it will generate a list of the items and where they can be purchased.

Also, Beth no longer has her blog, but I’ve updated the linked post with a link to her picture. She’s a pretty woman, and I could see RA actually checking her out. :)

February 19, 2012
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 5 Comments

Do the Right Thing

As some of you know, there is a fan made quilt of Richard Armitage being auctioned for charity on ebay. I hope lots of money is generated for the cause. As a general rule, I adore supporting charities, and at the time of this posting, the bidding is up to £410.00, which is approx $650 USD. Not a bad sum, and I’m sure it will get higher with two days to go, and especially when I consider its very smart display:


[Click for the auction]

I thought about bidding and immediately had another thought. What would I do with this thing if I actually won it? (If that’s not a question for some who have thought about bidding, I’ll kiss my elbow). No way it would hang in my living room or any public room of the house. I would be laughed out of town. And I couldn’t put it in a private room either. My bedroom? SO would never let that happen. Our bathroom, which guests never enter? Too crass, and somehow I don’t think SO would like being so intimate with Richard Armitage. My lingerie drawer? No, that would accord it some sort of importance it would never have for me.

Sorry, Richard. This isn’t about you. You’re great. Love ya. But so far I’ve contained my love to this blog. That’s where I’d like to keep it. :D

All of this had me wondering if this might truly keep some others from bidding. That’s when I realized exactly where this quilt should go! It’s so obvious it made me laugh. Yet who would never be laughed at for having something like this in their living room? Who could point to this with pride and say, “Yes, he’s mine!” Could be a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, but we don’t know of any of those people, so how could this be sent to them? If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’ll be surprised. Yep, it’s Mum. This quilt is begging to be hung in Mrs. Armitage’s house, and my gut says she would really love it if she knew it was made for a charitable cause, and it seems to have the added perk of no pictures from ‘Between the Sheets.’ :D

Now I’m not trying to tell anyone what to do, but for some of you who want to support charity and have a husband like mine, you might want to think about getting the address of Margaret Armitage.

You may think this is snark, but I’m serious. If you feel funny about getting her address, send it to her in care of RA’s agent.

edit: the auction is over and the quilt sold for £650 or $1,031 USD.

February 19, 2012
Categories: Fandom . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 22 Comments

A Kindred Spirit

I just made a friend on Twitter, and yes, I’m using the term loosely, but this person and I share something dear in common, and no, it’s not just a liking for John Thornton. We both appreciate something real that shines out at us and edifies us. I was reading a guest blog post of hers, and she sums up in a small comment what has me so fascinated with Richard Armitage’s performances.

This comment is the key to why I am blogging. Yes, I know, you just thought it was the snark. That’s fun, but I don’t think snark would have facilitated all of this. I really was inspired by Richard Armitage the same way I’ve been inspired by anything artistic that tries to portray truth. It’s as if something like this is diving him:

…if only a man knew how to choose among what he calls his experiences that which is really his experience, and how to record truth truly.– Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the most stunning scenes from North and South and a moment that I became choked just like John Thornton because he managed to take something potentially melodramatic and hollow and make it real:

[click to enlarge]

Yep, that kind of intense truth might make someone have an orgasm. :D

Screencap of the end of Episode 2 is courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.Com.

February 18, 2012
Categories: North and South . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 4 Comments

A Confession on Valentine’s

Imagine that.

Isn’t that what Valentine’s is really about?! Of course it is! Every time February 14th rolls around most women I know start spilling their guts, and I must admit I feel the need to do it as well and drafted a post with great detail about my passion for SO, and how it’s survived despite his refusal to participate in Valentine’s Day. But I thought better of it, and sent it to the trash bin. You can thank me now for that bit of wisdom. I also came with a piece about the music I habitually think of on Valentine’s. Yep, I trashed that one too. And just about the time I was saying valetines shmalentines, up popped some inspiration in the form of a Google Alert (God love Google. :D). “An Open Love Letter to Richard Armitage”, and what a letter it is. Made me feel ever so much better about my addiction, and now I can do what has been on my mind for the last hour — go to bed and get a good night’s sleep for the ides of February.

Night all, and I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

And just one sop to my musician gene; can’t think of a more fitting tune for this frenzy:

Okay, a picture too since Harry is Valentine’s:


[As Usual, Click to Englarge]

Screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.Com

February 14, 2012
Categories: Fandom, Musicilove, Vicar of Dibley . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 8 Comments

I Think I Found My Missing Brother

I don’t actually have a missing brother, but if I did (or maybe I do and just don’t know about him!), this has to be his handiwork:

By Chris Bucholz
February 12, 2012

Dear Car Owner,

You may have noticed the dent on the left side of your car. If not, allow me to draw your attention to it now. As you can see, it is there, and so is this note, and now two and two are getting put together in your head. Allow me to confirm your suspicions: The dent and note are connected. I have dented your car and wish to apologize for it.


Got it pretty good there, didn’t I? You get that kind of denting action from your core muscles; that’s where the power is.

Read the rest here

In my family we never did anything like everyone else. Everything was fraught with drama and sometimes comedy. Mom’s favorite phrase, “Comedy is next to tragedy” was a litany. Countless horrors fill my head as I type this. Mom wielding a pair of scissors to give me a little trim before a classmate’s birthday party. My hair had been at my shoulder blades when I sat down. I had a pixie when I stood up. I always felt bad about missing that party, and to this day I struggle with the name Felicia. She was the most popular girl in school, and how dare I snub her invitation?! She never let me forget it — right through our senior year.

Mom’s propensity to convolute the mundane touched every part of our lives. Use vanilla extract from the grocery store? You’ve got to be kidding?! We made our own! And it had to be vanilla beans from a certain part of South America and I forget what kind of alcohol, but I’m sure it was a particular brand. Yeah, Martha Stewart’s got nothing on Momma.

Then there were the stray dogs. At one point in my childhood, I honestly could not tell you how many dogs we owned. I think it dawned on me Mom’s passion for strays might have been a little much when over the course of a couple of weeks three irritated neighbors each brought us a new dog and swore they were ours. Despite the neighbors’ exasperation, the local vet adored Mom. When he died, his wife invited us to the funeral — never mind Mom hadn’t used that vet’s services in 20 years. What else could they do for the person who helped pay for a couple of their luxury vacations.

So this morning I was reading Chris Bucholz, and it all came back to me, and I could almost see my mother leaving that note on the dented car. But then I know where she is right now, so it must be her lost child.

And Richard Armitage’s part in this? I’m getting to it. :D

Note to Chris Bucholz:

Thank you. I read your columns regularly, and they never fail to make me laugh and think and not just about Momma.

Sincerely,
Frenz

February 13, 2012
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 2 Comments

Whitney Houston, May She Be at Peace at Last

Whitney Houston is dead at 48. I can’t stop shaking my head.

edit: I have to add this video even if it doesn’t seem to exactly fit the subject at hand. Whitney Houston is the ONLY one who sang this and it was enjoyable. The rest of the time I can feel the masochist who wrote the music laughing at us all when we sit through it.

February 11, 2012
Categories: Timeout . Tags: , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 12 Comments

Meeting Richard

Tammi, my close friend whom I’ve talked about on blog here and here (with her permission, and yes, that’s her real name although I gave her the option of a fake name, and she said run with the original. phew), has said to me several times recently, “Wouldn’t it be great if you met Richard Armitage?!” My feeling about it is, no, it probably wouldn’t. This occurred to me when Heather was sharing her experience. Don’t get me wrong. I am glad for Heather; it felt like my child making good on something. How wonderful for her to realize a dream of five years! But my dream is far different.

I would want a chat with him that would last at least a few weeks non-stop. But my real fantasy (yes, I’m admitting to a fantasy about Richard Armitage) is him sitting in my den discussing various subjects with SO and with me as spectator. Two interesting men having wonderful discussions about topics that fascinate me? Umm, I might get lightheaded if I think about it for long. RA is so intriguing, but honestly, after knowing SO for more than two decades, he’s still an enigma to me, and what I really love about him (among many other things) is his ability to bring out the interesting in others. Can you imagine RA being more interesting? It could happen if he were to sit with SO, who could get at what RA thinks and what he likes, and I would marvel at what RA would willingly reveal in the discussion, and I don’t mean any sordid details but rather something probably to do with his view of the world and what he would love to see and how he thinks art reflects that or should and thinking more outside the box than even he is accustomed to doing. I’m always amazed at how SO can evoke this from others, and they love him for it. Maybe because they usually feel hopeful after a discussion with him.


And since my den and kitchen sort of make up one giant room, I would get to cook all the foods I think RA would love and I know SO loves while I listen to them plumbing the mysteries of the universe and creating new ones. Some chicken flautas with sour cream and guacamole, rice and beans and definitely some hand made flour tortillas cooked on my cast iron griddle to complement. Grilled shrimp, asparagus on the side and some homemade yeast rolls. Smothered steak with mashed potatoes and steamed, whole green beans with a little butter and garlic, and maybe some bread pudding with brandy (recipe from the Southern Living cookbook). Yeah, I can see myself cooking away while savoring their conversation. This would be heaven. And now that Tammi is coming along nicely as an RA Addict, I might invite her to help me cook. :D

Maybe when the discussion lulls, we could take RA to our local ski “hill” and let him schuss and slalom with some of the world class athletes who frequent the slopes around here. We might even get him to take on the ski jump — at night when it really gets fun.

But an actual meeting with him wouldn’t be like Heather’s where she had something to discuss with him. Mine would consist of manifesting a gibbering idiot while trying to get out the terribly original, “Oh, I love your work.” Nope, that wouldn’t be satisfying at all, and frankly, I would feel like a ditz while it was happening and later. Yes, I’m proud, and if I’m going to even think about meeting RA, it’s going to be one heck of a fantasy.

However, if I ever get anywhere near him in the flesh, I’ll just settle for ogling him from a distance close enough to assess the condition of his skin. :D

Promotional still courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.com

February 11, 2012
Categories: SO . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 24 Comments

Do I Dare?

I said I was recapturing my childhood, and now November Bride has come with a post about Barbies, and the recent talk of Lord of the Rings Lego set has me in a dither. Purchasing Little Guy action figures should have been enough, and it’s true the Thorin Lego isn’t out yet, but…. look at those eyes:

I’m really thinking about ordering a set. I could skip this and wait until “The Hobbit” version is out, but my OCD tendencies demand I have LOTR as well. And how can I pass up being conned into availing myself of this fun?

Just please someone stop me if I start talking about buying the Pez set.

In the meantime, there are some sets by Lego fans. Like this one (three guesses which is Thorin):


This is a set by a kid named Michael Kringe. Michael has been busy, and the kid in me who had an erector set could very easily be sucked down into this. In fact, I do have a set of K’NEX in my possession. My son left them when he went to college, and my 11 year old and I have been playing with them. Maybe we can make a home for Thorin. I’ll keep you posted on my progress unless I decide blogging is too grown up and never return. Off to spend time with my sweet girl.

February 10, 2012
Categories: The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 18 Comments

Maybe It is Your Momma’s Opera

Would that be so bad? If your momma’s part of the Pink Floyd generation or if you are, maybe not.

If you just don’t get opera, that’s okay. It does often take tenacity to study it simply because there aren’t enough opportunities to passively listen to it except occasionally in a movie or a commercial. And most people like it when they hear it that way. As long as no one tells them it’s opera.

The piece above, “Flower Duet Redux,” is an adaptation of the “Flower Duet” from the Opera Lakmé by Leo Delibes. You might recognize it from the British Airways spots.

East Village Opera Company is one of my favorites, and I love how they added a male voice instead of only female voices as in the original. I also love the Queen cum David Gilmour vibe going on about two-thirds in.

Another adapation:

This one is “O Mio Babbino Caro” from the Opera Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini. Once again a male voice is blended with the female instead of keeping with the original soprano aria.

Oh, and it would be cool to attend the event hosted by International Festival of Arts and Ideas.

Yep, this one gets the Richard Armitage tag ’cause if he doesn’t love this, then I’ve completely misread him. LOL!

February 8, 2012
Categories: Musicilove . Tags: , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 9 Comments

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