A Preface to My Comic-Con Experience

Before I tell you what happened at Comic-Con, I just want it clear that I was not planning on going. It was never a thought in my head. And when I’ve said I had no desire or plan to meet Richard Armitage, I have been serious. I love to make jokes about it certainly, and some of the pieces I’ve written, candidly, I’ve gone back to and laughed. Is it okay to admit I’ve laughed at some of my own stuff? I must sound arrogant, but oh well, I’m sure no matter what I do, someone is going to think poorly of me. The truth is that this blog started as a lark about an obscure English actor whom I never really thought would make it big, and therefore none but a very small number of fans would read it. (Sorry, Richard, I figured you were over the hill by Hollywood’s standards, but I was wrong, and I’m glad.)

My presence here was to have some laughs about this fangirl thing by casting myself as a nut, and to get out some thoughts about creativity and life. That more than a handful of people have read it was completely shocking to me, and my longtime readers know this is far from the first time I’ve said that. As for SO, he has given me good-natured hell about this place, and at first thought I was wasting my time when I “really should be writing! and not losing your story!” I understood that, but he didn’t understand that I had to get out of my comfort zone to reignite my creative thinking. And it’s been a blast. But never was it a real thought to communicate with Richard Armitage (the fake fan letters are a gag if some of you still don’t quite get it), send him gifts (never have) and certainly never to track him down (more on that later :D). Never going to stand at the stage door. Not happening, not part of who I am.

But I got invited to Comic-Con, and I really did want to go to help TORn and had no real expectation of meeting Richard Armitage at that madhouse let alone speaking to him. However, I am a person who likes to be prepared, so I figured if I went, I needed to be ready to talk to him or whomever if I got the chance. My friend, Heidi, who was a longtime AP reporter and now a freelance writer, explained how the process works with getting stories and asking interview questions. I loved listening to her, and thankfully, employed the techniques on the floor of the exhibit hall at Comic-Con with great success. The result of that will be coming up on TORn. And this was a labor of love. If I could do this sort of thing for a living, I would jump at the chance!

The only thing I will tell you today about my experience is I’ve learned a thing or two about being a Richard Armitage fangirl in public. I’m not sure when I’m going to post the experience, but it won’t be today as I’m traveling, and I doubt it’s going to be tomorrow since I’m whipped and need to do nothing for at least a day when I get back home. That won’t happen since I have a lot I normally do back home, but I’m going to try. Maybe I’ll get something up by Wednesday; just know I’ll try to get something up this week.

edit: I totally wimped out on this account. Not sure I’m ever going to tell it. Maybe a few years from now when it will be funnier to me.

Surveying the Landscape

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks thinking about whether or not I should continue this blog. Yeah, I know I’ve said this before. Part of it is my circumspect gene pestering me. Always pestering me. Always putting me in check, and then years go by, and I regret I got in the box, that my creativity was so squelched it’s a miracle it survived. But why do I listen? Very simple answer. I don’t want to be a fool. I do not want to be a fool. Yes, I said that twice. And the reality is I’m not a fool. I have been sensible almost from the time I exited the hatch. Sensible is my frigging middle name. At least according to my family and all who have known me with more than a passing acquaintance. But back there in childhood I was able to be sensible and creative.

The other part I’ve been mulling is my longing to do something else in cyber world, and I am going to do something else. Not now, but it’s coming, and sometimes I have a hard time not talking about it. I get excited while I’m working on it and want to start gabbing, but it’s not time. Some of you know, but keep it to yourself please since I’m not ready yet.

For now I’m continuing this blog for too many reasons to explain. Suffice to say Richard Armitage is just a small part of it. No offense, Rich.

And thanks to all of you for listening to my stuff or at least some of it.

Screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.com

MrCere, We Are Experiencing a Strange Emotion

I’m finally getting ’round to catching up on my reading of TORn and have discovered Larry D. Curtis (aka MrCere) is an embed on the set of ‘The Hobbit.’ Something ugly flickered in the middle of my being. It was a foreign feeling. One I’ve only felt perhaps two or three times in my life, but one I hope never to experience again, or I may not be responsible for my actions.

From the looks of things here, it might seem I’m jealous of MrCere meeting the cast and in particular, you know who. Nope. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to watch him work! I would love to do that — much more than meet him. C’mon what would I say to him or he would say to me that I couldn’t completely predict? I could write that script. Boring.

But to watch him work?! And the rest of the cast? And Peter Jackson?!! That would be something wonderful. A fantasy! Yes, I’ve had others — mainly where I cook and he talks, but this is my ultimate fantasy of an encounter with Richard Armitage, and Larry’s tweet has inflamed my envy:

https://twitter.com/#!/MrLDC/status/192225794565734400

To hell with sports. No, I don’t mean that but mean it for the moment. :D

I would so love to be a fly on the wall. Yes, I can see it. Me up there:

No, higher:

And maybe a little less obvious:

Looking down on all that creativity!

But then I suppose I would actually need to stand on one of these:

Can a fly really hang out on one those?

Or would I need to morph?

Wondering how Larry Curtis feels about now. Fly or Goat?

Dear Larry,

We are awaiting your report(s). Yes, it is a royal we. When you have as many personas (personae?) as I do, you can become royal too.

Signed,
One of Richard’s fans who may become a boom, a boulder or a horse in the near future. ;-)

P.S. Of course you rate a fake fan letter. *looks coyly*

Screencaps of Hobbit Set vlog from my stash.

Here We Go!

Into year three of this blog. Will I make it to the end? Who knows?! I surely don’t, but wherever I’m going, I hope you come along.

And I’m still having fun even when I look like a complete fool. Be sure to listen to this one to the end. :D

Are you grinning?

No statistics this year. Let’s just say that despite my near hiatus in the fall, I wrote some more posts, a lot more of you were kind enough to give me some love by reading, and I’m more addicted to the experience. Hope you are too. Let’s have some more fun!

Is It Possible Not to Fantasize Sexually About Richard Armitage?

Perhaps I am misreading, but I often get the feeling there is this belief that people who do not have sexual fantasies of Richard Armitage are somehow unhealthy or dishonest since everyone must have sexual fantasies of him. I’ve stated several times that I do not have sexual fantasies of him. Sometimes that’s met with good natured scoffing and sometimes it’s met with outright disbelief. Seldom is it met with agreement — unless in email. It seems to me (which means I could be wrong) that there is little public agreement with me because people do not want to be judged as sexually repressed. I’m sorry that dynamic has occurred, i.e., that people are muted by a fear of being labeled. So I come with this post to hopefully alter the dynamics such that someone can share freely about whatever they think on this topic.

Here’s why I don’t have sexual fantasies about Richard Armitage. I choose not to have them. From early childhood I’ve had a very active and vivid imagination. My family and close friends have often remarked on it. There is also a person with whom I am sexually connected. I adore him as my love and the father of my four children, and remain faithful to him not only physically but in the most important of places — my mind. If I were to let myself have a sexual fantasy of someone other than him, it would be an unhealthy distraction for me because I think I would become attached to someone who was featured in my sexual fantasies. This is one reason I tamped down my imagination for so many years. I knew its power to enslave me. Thankfully, I’ve been coming to a place where I could tap into its wonders without it submerging most everything of value to me. For that I give God credit.

So what am I about here? Besides liking to joke around, I am fascinated with the human condition which includes Richard Armitage’s portrayals of such, my own reactions to that and the reactions of others.

Okay, I have now shared what I think and hope the balance of my blog pieces have made it clear someone does not have to agree with my thinking on this to have a conversation. None of us are exactly alike, and I appreciate that.

Mining Gold

Last post about my reading of this year’s FanstRAvaganza.

Many times I’m tempted to turn serious on this blog. The few times I have are unsatisfying because I lack skills, but I press on, and one of the things that inspires me to do so is the rich application of Servetus’ skills to her pieces. I’ve often thought how rewarding it would be to be one of her students, and in a way I am already. Certainly when she deigns to share something of how she does what she does (scroll down to ‘Another Kind of Creativity’), I listen.

Once you’ve read that piece, go on and read the rest: the insinuation of North and South into her classroom, illusions of Richard III, the assessment of RichardArmitageOnline as a great site, the discussion of Guy’s durability, and the two interviews with fans.

All serve as a reminder that with a little investment of time, we’re getting what others are paying big bucks to receive.

Almost Done

My continuation of reading FanstRAvaganza posts.

Fanny (aka Iz4blue or Sinjoor) has a wonderful series of conversations with various fan fiction authors. If you like fan fic, are thinking about reading fan fic, have read fan fic and want to read some more or you’re thinking about writing your own fan fic, check out this series which begins here.

I love the way Jonia has divided her posts into academic subjects — math, science, psychology, etc. I’ve always been a math and science girl, so the post on his legs and feet were of particular interest. :D

Nat had some fun stuff as usual with her games, but she also has a way of making connections with people, which obviously resulted in a lovely series of guest posts from SiouxsieSioux to Liza aka LonghairedToad to Phoebe (one of my favorite fans) to a newcomer that is a total delight, Mary! Funny and packed with a lot of truth. LOL!

Then there’s Traxy, who usually has something entertaining and provoking to say. No disappointments this year either. She asks the question I’ve been trying to articulate an answer to but not sure I have quite yet. And concerning RA, are we looking for a hero?. Or is it our admiration of his passion for his art? Or maybe because he’s a loyal guy? Or do some of us just love to love him? As for Traxy’s other two questions, I’m not sure of the answers but probably have a lot more to say on it later.

That’s all for today. One more blogger tomorrow.

Can I Take It All In?

Moving onto the FanstRAvaganza posts for what is known as the anchor or core — bloggers who posted each day of the event. Just to be clear, my intent is not to highlight every post I’ve read. That would defeat the purpose of this exercise, which is to share what struck me enough to make me write something about it, and yes, in hope that this might send you there to check it out and read the rest of their wonderful posts. :D

Mulubinba is up first. The thing to remember with her blog pieces is they are not little bits to be eaten like cotton candy which evaporates almost immediately in your mouth. These pieces are to be savored and also made a reference point. This makes it difficult to just highlight one of these, but I’m going to list the one or two I would read if there’s no time to read anything else. Given her investment in ‘The Hobbit’, I had to read her detailed piece on Thorin’s costume and props as well as her piece about visiting the ‘The Hobbit’ locations. But also check out the post about an actor’s physical preparation for roles and how this relates to avoiding injury. Okay, that was three. LOL!

Bccmee is known for being prolific with her graphics, and she doesn’t disappoint during FanstRAvaganza, but she’s also becoming known for her being interactive with the fans, and that was certainly the hallmark of her FanstRA postings. I loved the drag and drop magazines but also be sure to check out her interview with the dad of the boy who had scenes with RA in ‘Captain America’.

Christine or CDoart has a thoughtful piece about men who are into history. Maybe I should cut SO a break every now and then since he’s a man who is enormously interested in history. LOL! And I adored the piece on history and fantasy and how they may relate to Richard Armitage.

On this next blog, you get two great writers, Judiang and Fitzg, in one place. Judi comes clean about where she’s headed, and the tale begins here (don’t peek at the ending!) Judi, I’m still laughing as I write this. :D
And then there’s Fitz, who honestly needs a blog. The woman has a lot of interesting things to say, and she may yet turn me into a Richard III zealot. LOL!

Okay, that’s it for today; more tomorrow.

A Celebration Along the Way!

More perusal of this year’s FanstRAvaganza posts.

And now for Phylly, who celebrated her 2nd blogiversary!

A 1st anniversary of blogging is special since blogging is not as easy as it looks, and obviously a second one is even more special. Congrats to Phylly on this accomplishment, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer person.

Phylly and I have known each other for a while now — before RAFrenzy was born, and I’ve found repeatedly that we’re sympatico about a lot of things and most especially in our taste of music and humor and of course male actors. Phylly also has the “distinction” ;-) of being the inspiration for the Do Wah Diddy Diddy Award, which I’ll have to award again sometime soon.

Phylly, take care and I look forward to year three. :)

More tomorrow as I get into the anchor bloggers.

Continuing the Stroll through FanstRAvaganza

More strolling through FanstRAvaganza.


E.B. Darcy speculates about Thorin’s role. Interesting speculation on where the movie will end, and I second the advice to “Read the book before you see the movie!” Then E.B tries to get us ready for the marketing of Thorin. I’m especially interested in an audiobook (more on that later). Of course all of this has her wondering where it might lead RA’s career.

Grati comes with her Crazy Caption contest, and then a poem about RA from an interesting perspective. Suddenly I’m hungry. ;-)

Angie (aka FedoraLady) takes us through a bit of her odyssey in making fan videos. And instead of the usual interview, the Hot Henchman interviews Lady Writer. :D


Fabo and her friend and fellow RA lover, Zibeline, thoroughly explore the power of the Armitage eyes and lashes, and then Fabo muses about who could play Anne Neville to Richard’s III. I’m starting to get into this RIII thing. LOL!

I’ve really enjoyed going through these posts. One more tagteam blogger tomorrow, and then I move onto the anchor bloggers.

Promo still courtesy of TheOneRing and screencap courtesy of Fabo’s blog.