Lots of Lovely Details about The Hobbit Premiere in Wellington

Yep, we’re getting all sorts of details about the shindig the Kiwis are planning for The Hobbit premiere. They’re even renaming the town for the event.

Okay, okay, okay! I admit it! I would love to go to Wellington! There I said it. Phew.

That would be a dream. It’s not going to happen, but it’s nice to dream. :D And it’s springtime in New Zealand. *sigh*

I can’t stand it. I’ve got to stop thinking about this, or I’m going to have a meltdown. Yeah, yeah, I said I wasn’t going to watch the Royal Wedding either. I was so glued to the set and had no good excuse for it. I’m blaming this foolishness on Tolkien.

Maybe Billy was right. ;-)

I should have been a travel agent after I finished my career as a make-up artist.

note: I did publish something erroneously right before this post. Sorry, but it’s not ready yet.

October 7, 2012
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 8 Comments

Who Are You?

October 7, 2012

I was sitting here thinking I’m not quite sure where to put this post. Sometimes it seems this place is so full of snark that I’ve boxed myself into something and can’t get out of it. But that’s a lie. I’m not in a box and never have been. I’ve just believed at times I was. And I love snark. I love teasing. It’s stock and trade at my house, and I’m the least of the teasers there. But I can hold my own, and I’m glad. It’s made life so much more fun. Being able to laugh is a God send.

And if I had not been able to laugh for the last several years, I think I would have gone mad. Life can be rough and never turns out like we expect. I don’t know one person, not one, whose life has gone the way they planned. That sounds like a downer, but really, it’s not always a bad thing although it’s often an unnerving thing, and I’ve been unnerved plenty. Thankfully, I got early training in the unexpected, in being blindsided by what life can throw at us. Some of what I’ve been learning to write about has to do with all of the unexpected events that occurred to me as I was growing up. Trying to make sense of them and how they affected me.

One thing I’ve realized is how weird my childhood was by comparison to most others’. When I tell anyone even a little of what it was like, I can see their shock and sometimes pity at what they believe I endured, but I never really think of it that way. It’s taken me a long time to believe I endured anything, and I have never pitied myself and don’t relish anyone else’s pity. I just know I am what some people think of as damaged goods. But really we’re all damaged goods. My damage just seems more dramatic to some, and in a way, it’s a gift because it’s freed me. I’m not confined by nearly as much conventional wisdom as most people. My upbringing cut me loose almost from the beginning. The only real obstacle I had was in not realizing it. It used to really bother me that I wasn’t conventional and didn’t fit anywhere or with any group. I didn’t realize what a gift that is. To not fit in with a particular group leaves you free to fit in anywhere. But first you have to learn to live with being considered a weirdo. You have to embrace it. You have to embrace that gift. So anyone reading this who feels like you’re just out of step with the world, be glad. The world is often full of absurdity. You want to be in step with that?

And what brought this on? A video among other things. LOL! I can so relate to this:

What a little gem.

Should I bother with the proverbial Richard Armitage tie in or leave him alone for the evening? I think I’ll leave him be.

October 7, 2012
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 17 Comments

The Lovely Hobbit Premieres, What Do They Mean?

I love how Peter Jackson is using the The Hobbit premieres in London and New York to promote worthy causes. Effective and classy. But I wonder if the dates we’re getting will be public events with red carpet. Surely the causes being promoted would benefit. Unfortunately, my infernal gut is rethinking this. If I were to get inside Peter Jackson’s head, what would it be pondering about this all? Part of me thinks he loves the fans being so rabid. He really gets into that and likes to inflame it a bit otherwise why the involvement with TheOneRingnet. But another part of me thinks the fan thing is a big hassle and with these movies, perhaps unnecessary. It’s evident there is already a fan furor. Hmmm.

No matter what happens, I’m going to New York to see my daughters. That’s a given. It would just be nice to schedule it alongside The Hobbit premiere. If that doesn’t work out, oh well.

No, I’m not normally a pessimist, and really, I’m not being one now. I’m merely heeding this reservation I sense. So I’m taking a wait see for now.

The irony of all of this is I am not a red carpet kind of gal. I already did the Comic-Con thing, and that was enough. More than enough, thank you very much. Yes, that’s my way of saying, it’s not my thing. I’m still the person who wrote this.

edit: and the silence from TORn on this NYC showing also makes me take a wait see.

September 28, 2012
Categories: Fandom, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 10 Comments

Twitter and Richard Armitage — A Year or So Later

I was looking at the landscape on Twitter this morning and thought back to how it looked a little more than a year ago. Many Richard Armitage fans were not on Twitter at that time, and now there is a plethora by comparison. My curious gene is wondering how you all are liking it for intel and not just about Richard Armitage and also if you have realized I wasn’t lying when I said it won’t lower your IQ.

By the way, I will be making a post this weekend about how to filter tweets. This will be in time for the group discussion of Sunne in Splendour on Sunday. Not that everyone shouldn’t want to read and discuss it! :D But realistically, not everyone has time nor wants to read our tweets on the matter. So I’ll come with some tips.

In the meantime, I would love to hear your thoughts about Twitter.

If you want to read more of my thoughts on Twitter, they’re found either by hitting the ‘twitter’ tag or you can go to the pieces of any great note here and here and maybe here.

For those of you not on Twitter yet, what are you waiting for? It’s free, and it could blow your mind with its power.

And no, our guy is still not on Twitter — at least that he’s made himself known. Doesn’t matter; it’s still a great tool.

September 28, 2012
Categories: Fandom, Geek . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 9 Comments

James Nesbitt is an Imp

Whenever I see pictures of James “Jimmy” Nesbitt, I want to laugh. Not at him but at whatever is making him laugh. His frequent grin makes him immediately likeable, but honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think of him at first. Thankfully, over the last year or so, I’ve come to think he’s a good guy. Not a perfect guy (who is?) but someone personable and real. I began to understand this when those on The Hobbit set were saying how truly nice he is, “One of the nicest people you would ever want to meet.”

His recent interview in the Telegraph just continues the perception, and what I love is that he’s candid about his life without making anyone wallow in it. And I really appreciate he took his wife and kids with him to New Zealand and then admitted the kids weren’t crazy about it at first. Real, real and more real. Thank you, Jimmy. :D Plus, the whole time I was reading I could see his eyes smiling. Hmmm. I would bet when Dad gets serious those kids listen! LOL!

As of today, I have not viewed much that he’s been cast in, but I intend to change that in the near future! Until then, a few pictures to make it clear his eyes twinkle:

With his wife, Sonia

As Gabriel Monroe

As Bofur

Oh, and a must:

Dear Jimmy,

Next time you see your friend Dickie, please say hello for me.

Signed,
One of Dickie’s crazy fans

September 24, 2012
Categories: Interviews, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 7 Comments

Finally Did It

From the time I started this blog, I’ve been talking to my friends about something else I had in mind, and I’ve finally started it. It’s a new blog. Yeah, I am a glutton for punishment it seems, and no, this blog is not going away. For a long, long time I’ve wrestled with what to do about this place, and it occurred to me that I had given myself the untenable position of choosing between this blog or the other one. The other day it hit that God had not come down from on high and told me I had to have one or the other. So I’m keeping them both. Richard Armitage is too much fun to talk about to stop now. How long I can manage this I don’t know, but I have SO‘s support. This is key.

For those who are wondering about my loose ends here, I will get to all of them, and most notably to some of you that I have more to say about my conversation with Todd Garner and my Comic-con experience. No worries! I will share it and soon. Until then, I hope you will forgive my distraction.

So where is this new blog? I’m so glad you asked. :D It’s over here.

September 18, 2012
Categories: SO . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 5 Comments

Advanced Fangirling

I asked the other day if you are really a fan of Richard Armitage? This is a test to see if you are really, really a fan of Richard Armitage.

Yesterday this picture was posted on Twitter:

And immediately a fan spotted him. At first I didn’t believe it, but I had to go into Advanced Fangirling to determine it was really him. Advanced mode is when I break out Photoshop and feel the urge to draw arrows. I didn’t quite get to the arrows, but I couldn’t resist the urge to blow this thing up, and yes, he’s in the middle of the pic.

Now I’m really scaring myself that I know that. It’s the way he’s holding his arms out from his torso, and obviously those are his hands. This is worse than the Cats video. LOL!

And now Todd Garner must think we’re all nuts, and you know what? I don’t blame him. ;D

edit: Okay, you all forced me to resort to arrows. His head, which doesn’t show, would be to the right of the black spot. The upper green arrow points to his hand, and the lower green arrow points to his leg. Hope this helps. LOL!

second edit: this one is for the really, really blind among you. :D

third edit: for comparison purposes (thanks, Kaprekar); assuming you can actually see him in the other pic:

Black Sky pic courtesy of Todd Garner; Spooks screencap courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.com

September 5, 2012
Categories: Black Sky (Into the Storm), Movies, Spooks . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 133 Comments

Forget Richard Armitage

If you’re like me, you’ve been wanting to get in someone’s head other than Richard’s the last few days. Oh, you never want to get in Richard’s head? I guess this isn’t directed at you. :D Or maybe I’m the only one who is wondering what Todd Garner is thinking about all these women on the ‘Black Sky’ set. Notice I left out the men. LOL! Don’t get me wrong. I have loved hearing the stories. Absolutely loved it, and I think we’re all falling in love with RA all over again. Thank you, ladies for sharing!! And then there’s Todd himself or whoever runs his Twitter account being such a good sport. But I can’t stop wondering what Garner is really thinking about the “Army” showing up? No, don’t give me any bullshit about some of these people not being part of the Army. It doesn’t matter what they consider themselves, they’re Army according to the arbiter of the term (see that linked piece if you’re unsure, and it will also help you understand why the men coming to the set don’t count).

Unless we’re just being left in the dark about some bad behavior, Todd has to know the ladies of the Armitage Army are pretty nice. At least that’s always been my experience whenever I’ve had any interaction with them in cyberworld or away from it, and I know I appreciate that very much. Certainly, there are some nutty people in this world, and of course the media loves to make a spectacle of the Army, but really, what can they say about us other than we really, really like Richard and we (not me but enough of you) send him presents and make graphics (no, I don’t do that either) and videos (afraid to start doing that as I may never stop) and run websites (guilty of that big time) to show our appreciation. I mean how bad can that be? Okay, so we like to see him in person too. But damn! that so many actors when they’re still not well known should garner (sorry I couldn’t help myself) that kind of devotion.

Richard Armitage is just so nice and has that fantastic work ethic, Garner probably doesn’t care about visitors as long as it doesn’t interfere with shooting. Then again, the news media has kept us well apprised of all of the locations, which wouldn’t happen without the production staff notifying them, and Garner seems to love that we’re reveling in this. I hope it lasts.

And Dear Todd,

If I haven’t fawned said this enough, let me say again, “Thank you for the picture!”

It is a stretch to think of Richard Armitage as a Oklahoma school teacher, but I’m sure his performance will convince me. Can’t wait!

Signed,
One of Richard’s crazy fans who can’t make it to Michigan :D

Photo courtesy of Todd Garner. Imagine that!

August 29, 2012
Categories: Black Sky (Into the Storm), Movies . Tags: , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 10 Comments

Dragon*Con Awaits


[Click on the Dragon*Con logo to access TORn’s GoFundMe page. It’s an easy and safe way to donate.]

Before all of you think I’ve gone off the deep end, I have to tell you I enjoy the bunch at TORn and have a special fondness for MrCere (aka Larry Curtis). :D So yeah, if I can help Larry and the others out, I will.

Here’s the scoop from the TORn staff:

TheOneRing.net thought it would be fun to send a group of staffers on a cross-country road trip (see the map) from Los Angeles, California to Atlanta, Georgia meeting fans along the way, supporting the official Tolkien track while we are there, and delivering a series of Hobbit panels at DRAGON*CON 2012. Then we want to make a short documentary film of the entire experience to share free online! The entire trip will be live streamed so the “company of drivers” can interact with fans 24 hours a day. With gas (or petrol) prices reaching new heights, we need your help to make this a success!

Dare I say the route looks like a ring? LOL! Ought to be interesting to watch. I know I will be.

Even if some of you don’t get to watch this adventure, the TORn staff has been so good to bring us news about ‘The Hobbit’ and our guy, Richard, and they’re going to continue. That’s right. Richard’s days on ‘The Hobbit’ set are not done! And Larry may have some more reports to make. I can spare him a few dollars. I hope you can too. Anything as little as $1 or as great as, well, you call it. Maybe one of you wants to sponsor next year’s trip. Yeah, I like to think big. :D

August 25, 2012
Categories: The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 9 Comments

Black Sky Fun

A couple of weeks ago I was planning on having a naming contest for the then as yet unnamed tornado project. UTP sounded like an infection, and my control freak wanted to come with a remedy. But alas, the makers of the film have decided it shall be ‘Black Sky,’ which does sound interesting.

Not to be defeated, I’ve decided to have a contest for a tagline for said ‘Black Sky.’ Just for fun. It’s not on yet but hopefully soon.

In the meantime, I asked Todd Garner if he would provide a signed t-shirt or poster for the winner. But I understand from him that I need to ask Warner Brothers. If I’m not successful, never fear. I already have a prize lined up:

Do I need a fake fan letter to Todd? Oh, yeah.

Dear Todd,

You have been so much fun. Thank you for that!

This letter is to also tell you how much I would love to change the picture above to an RA signed ‘Black Sky’ t-shirt or poster. I’m not picky. And I was even willing to ask openly with the possibility of your thinking I’m a nut. Well, I am a nut, but damn man, it’s fun.

Off to talk to WB.

Sincerely,
One of Richard’s crazy fans

PS. Can’t wait for “Here Comes the Boom.”

T-shirt courtesy of the lovely people at TheOneRingnet.

Disclaimer: t-shirt will be sans buttons

August 24, 2012
Categories: Black Sky (Into the Storm), Movies . Tags: , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 10 Comments

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