Ladywriter averts a crisis . . .

“His own action figure!” Sir Guy was clearly not happy. He tossed back his mane and stamped his booted foot in a fit of pique. He always reminded Ladywriter of a gorgeous and spirited stallion at moments like that. LW gave a wistful inner sigh and fixed her stern schoolmarm expression on her face.

“Guy . . . what have I said about reading over my shoulder?”

“I know, I know. You don’t like it, you never liked it when you were working at the newspaper, it makes you feel as if someone is invading your space . . .” He grumbled as he gave a loud, manly sniff, folding his arms across his broad and equally manly chest.

“It’s just that, well–I’ve been the only one with one of these action figures. With my sword and Richie. Will he have a Richie, do you suppose? And a sword?” Guy asked, a slight furrow appearing in his brow, a plaintive note in his deep voice.

“I don’t know yet, Sir Guy. Technically, however, what with Thorin being a dwarf, he rides a lovely shaggy pony and not a real horse like yours, of course.”

Sir Guy lifted his chin, a smile playing at the corner of his lips as one dark brow rose. “Really? . . . of course, he is quite short, isn’t he?  Compared to me? He has no stallion then, like me.”

“Sir Guy, no one is a sta–erm, has a stallion like you, I assure you. Or could look any better seated upon it.”

Those lips curled into a full-fledged smirk. “True. And his weapon? Is it as impressive as mine?”

LW thought of the large and lethal-looking  Orcrist.  Sometimes discretion was the better part of valor. Sometimes you just don’t want to hurt the feelings of the ones you love.  Little white lies, surely?

“No one can wield a weapon quite like you, Sir Guy. Not even Thorin.”

Sir Guy gave her a small and gracious nod. “I thank you for affirming this for me, dear Ladywriter. Naturally, I knew this. I just–wanted to hear you say it, I suppose.”

“You’re very welcome, my dearest Sir Guy. You are still  and shall always be my number one . . .”

He took her hand in his and pressed a tender kiss to the back of it. “And you are my lady who Loved me Into Being.”

She smiled up at him. “Only one of very, very many. You daft sod, you.” LW added with a distinctly cheeky grin.

Guy gave her that beautiful dark angel’s smile with a beguiling hint of sheepishness.

“I love you, LW.”

“And I love you, Sir Guy of Gisborne.”

Getting in touch with my Inner Geek Girl (on the road to Comic-Con)

Since I am going to be reporting for a website titled Comic Book Resources (CBR) at Comic-Con, I have been refreshing my knowledge on the comic book universe.

It’s big, y’all.

Graphic novels are being turned into hit television shows like one of the Long Household favorites  The Walking Dead (starring former RA co-star Andrew Lincoln) and films. You’ve got a multitude of superheroes battling away on the big screen with franchises like The Amazing Spider-Man and Superman getting reboots.  And there are video games and films based on those games along with comics exclusive to the Web.

Even chef, author and television host Anthony Bourdain is climbing on the bandwagon, co-authoring a new graphic novel Get Jiro! about LA chefs who rule like crime lords with people literally killing to get seats in the best restaurants. Sounds like a dark, twisted comedy to me. I like dark and twisted.

Richard Armitage has his place in this universe, having played the villainous Hydra spy Heinz Kruger in the hit Captain America, one of the best-reviewed of The Avengers film franchise.  And while Thorin is not a comic book or graphic novel character, no doubt lots of geeky fanboyz will be taking particular interest in Mr. Armitage’s performance as this legendary figure created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Heck, there is going to be a collectible action figure, almost certain to be in very high demand.  Mr. A, you have arrived!

Uh-oh. Guy’s gonna be jealous. Thorin, competing with him once again.

But will Thorin also have a Richie to ride? That’s what my dark knight wants to know. So alpha male . . .

Yep, things have come a long way from my days of regular comic book reading. My tastes were eclectic back then, too.  I liked Batman and Robin, Superman, the Archie comics, various romance comics with a Gothic edge and some that featured a character who was a model. For the life of me, I can’t remember her name. Millie? Madge?  I hate it when I can’t remember! Ah, the things you can find out with Google. Millie! Created by none other than the legendary Stan Lee, no less, back in the 1940s, with the last edition featuring the bubbly blonde coming out in 1972.

The aforementioned Millie the Model, courtesy of comicvine.com  Poor Millie, stuck with a sexist pig of a cabbie.

And I watched Saturday morning cartoons featuring various super heroes (although none of them eclipsed my beloved Looney Tunes and Rocky & Bullwinkle).  Now, I’m trying to get back in touch with my inner Comic Book Geek Girl.   I’m already a geek who adores the Thinking Woman’s DIY-loving Greek God-Like Geek–Richard Armitage, naturellement.  I am gearing up to expand my Geek Gurl horizons.

I just got an email from Jonah at CBR and he says he’ll be in touch in a couple of weeks with lots more details. *squee*

Thanks again to everyone who has supported my efforts to cross the country to be a reporter at Comic-Con International in San Diego July 12-15.

Angie’s Comic-Con Trip Fund is growing (see button at right to donate through PayPal), and you’ll never know how much I appreciate your help. I’ve already got butterflies in my stomach.

Related articles

• Richard set to visit US in July for Comic-Con! (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)

Thoughts on Thorin

I was watching The Two Towers this afternoon–the second film in the LOTR trilogy–and naturally, I was thinking about the world’s tallest dwarf.

Richard Armitage channeling his inner Thorin. It always amazes me how wide he can open that expressive mouth of his.

I found myself paying particular attention to Gimli the dwarf, played by John Rhys-Davies. Davies has said the makeup process for the three films was less than enjoyable.  Since it was only his voice that particularly resembled him once he was out of the makeup chair, I can see why.

If  ladies world-wide were chasing John after the first LOTR film, imagine what they will do to Richard. Then again, maybe we shouldn’t imagine.

John Rhys-Davies as Gimli in LOTR.

 

 

English: British actor John Rhys-Davies at the Lord of the Rings-Convention Ring*Con 2003 in Bonn, Germany. Deutsch: Der britische Schauspieler John Rhys-Davies auf der Ring*Con 2003 in Bonn, Deutschland. Français : L’acteur britannique John Rhys-Davies à la Ring*Con 2003 à Bonn, en Allemagne. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wonder how long Richard has to spend each day getting his Thorin hair, makeup and prosthetics into place (and then getting out of it all)? We know he’s a guy who doesn’t like to fuss about his appearance in RL. But he is also a professional who wants to get all the details right, so I am sure he undergoes the process with grace and good humor. And considering what some of the other actors playing dwarves in TH have to undergo for their comical looks, he may very well count himself lucky.

Richard from one of the earlier video blogs, getting his fierce on in rehearsals.

His look has evolved somewhat from the earliest glimpses we had of Thorin.  The hooked nose seems to have been modified; we know adjustments were made to allow his mouth and jaw greater mobility. I am very glad of this because Mr. A has a marvelously expressive face. He also has a very regal-looking countenance  to go with that regal bearing. His character is, after all, the uncrowned King Under the Mountain.

They opted for Richard’s own facial hair rather than a long false beard, a change which disturbs certain purists. However, I am sure Richard’s magnificent mane of hair is enough to contend with (I will be interested to see what sort of hair acting he will bring to the role).

In the end, it is not the beard that makes the dwarf; it’s the actor inhabiting the role.  And I would say Thorin is in safe hands with Richard.

There’s that wonderful rawr Mr. A does so well. Hooray for a mobile face not saddled with too much makeup and prosthetics.

One of the things I anticipate about Comic-Con next month in San Diego is getting to see more of Thorin in a sneak peek. Apparently the largest conference room at Comic-Con is equipped to show films in 3D.  I can’t wait to drink it all in!!

And speaking of Comic-Con, donations are being taken to help fund my dream trip. Use the donate button on the right to contribute through PayPal or contact me if you want to go a different route. Asilomar is also offering her beautiful sterling silver jewelry as part of this fundraising effort. The winged heart reminds me of Mr. A, and how he makes our hearts and spirits soar. “Do you want to give your heart wings? And fedoralady wings?” The necklaces are $35 including the cost of shipping and are made to order in the length you specify.

 

 

Do you want to give your heart wings? And help give fedoralady wings?

Asilomar creates these necklaces, made to order in the length you request.

The lovely Asilomar, fellow RA fan and Comic-Con attendee, graciously offered to help me with another Comic-Con Trip fundraiser. In her free time, she makes some beautiful sterling silver jewelry which sells at Etsy, Amazon and Artfire. One of the most popular pieces is the Heart with Wings necklace pictured above.

Here’s her description of it:

                        A heart with wings represents a joyful, optimistic, and free spirit. Often, love is said to make the heart take wing. This petite charm has a lot of detail in a small package. It makes a great gift for the free spirit in your life.
Sterling silver winged heart pendant is just half an inch tall and less than 1.2 inches wide (30x15mm). 
Fine cable chain is wire-wrapped to the springring clasp for greater security. Sized at 16 inches (41cm). If you would like another length, either shorter or longer, just send a convo with your request.        

             The necklaces are selling for a discounted price of $35 for this fundraiser and Asilomar makes each one to order.  She is sharing a generous portion of the sales with me to help pay my way to San Diego to serve as a reporter for Comic-Con and the opportunity to see the fabulous Richard Armitage as a panelist for The Hobbit.

If you are interested in ordering one or more of these lovely necklaces for yourself or fellow free spirits, please send me your shipping address and specify a length.  Payment should be made through the donate button for PayPal posted in the sidebar; please be sure and let me know the donation is for a necklace (s).  Allow five business days for shipping.

Contact me with your info at angieDOTlongATcenturytelDOTnet.

Many thanks to Asilomar for coming up with this idea as a way to help me raise the funds I need! She’s a peach!

Of course, donations of any size are appreciated. And thanks again for everyone’s support!

Comic-Con (Photo credit: Scott Beale)