I will follow him, wherever he goes: The Chiaroscuro of Thorin

Found this on Pinterest. Would love to have one in a long-sleeved version . . .

I just saw the latest TV trailer for BOTFA. Not a lot of Thorin, but, oh! That scene where he turns his eyes–those beautiful, expressive eyes–to his company, and asks, “Will you follow me, one last time?”  And that lump comes to my throat again and I feel the sting in my own eyes.

Found on Pinterest. Not my edit, and not that scene to which I referred, but the expression captivates me.

 

Of course I will follow, my king. You may be a dwarf (but what a charismatic, majestic and beautiful one!), and I, a mere human, and completely useless with a sword or axe or bow and arrow, but I will follow. Heck, you might actually be a fictional character, but your CReAtor made me believe in you, believe in your quest, agonise over what is to come for you, the returned King Under the Mountain, and your kinsmen.

 

I know Peter Jackson has complete faith in the CReAtor’s ability to bring you to life, with all the lights and darks of this complex character, deeply flawed in some respects and yet so kingly, so admirable and so easy for us to follow both in spite of and because of it all.

 

This was one of my vocabulary words for the day delivered to my inbox this morning, and it struck me as an apt description of what RA achieves with his acting:

chiaroscuro: In painting, the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, especially to enhance the delineation of character and for general dramatic effect. Rembrandt was a master of chiaroscuro.

(Dictionary.com’s Word of the Day)

Richard is the master artist of the detailed character; we learn to appreciate the subtle and varied shading of emotions he delivers from his palette. From a wistful remembrance of past glories to a fellow relaxed and enjoying a hearty meal with his family and comrades . . .

The arkenstone-ck.tumblr.com

Yennifer-ice

From the proud and fierce warrior, always ready to enter the fray . . .

 

To a roaring lion, a force to be reckoned with . . .
 
One who can express a myriad of emotions with the flicker of an eyelash, a tilt of his head, the tightening of that jaw–silence speaking of an inner storm.

He’s an amazing actor and, I believe, a wonderful human being to boot. And so, dear Thorin, I will follow you into The Edge (local theater) with my Kleenex in hand in a few weeks. And Richard, although I have short breaks away from you due to work projects, health issues and money woes (we had limited/no access to internet for the past 10 days due to the la), I keep coming back. There’s just something about you . . .

And I swear, it’s not just the tush. Although it’s Grade A like the rest of you (inside and out). 😀

Sir Guy: The Most Toothsome Knight of ALL! Mmm, mmm, good.

And no, we aren’t just referring to those dazzling white chompers he too rarely displays (but, oh! When he does—be still our hearts).

Toothsome: (adjective) 1. Pleasing to the taste; palatable, delicious 2. Pleasing or desirable. 3. Sexually alluring. Synonyms~tasty, appetizing, mouthwatering, scrumptious.  Definition provided by Dictionary.com & Bing Dictionary.

Sir Guy–from the top of those touchable jetty tresses to the tips of those big, beautiful feet (let us help you out of those boots, my lord, and give your pinkies a nice massage . . .”), he is definitely toothsome. Oh, myyyyyyyyyy. Yummmmm.

Those kohl-rimmed azure eyes, giving those smouldering glances that could peel the bark right off Sherwood Forest’s trees (and the clothes right off Nottie’s wenches), the sensual lips with that delicate Cupid’s bow that begs to be traced with a finger tip (or tongue?) . . . the strong jaw with the stubble that a girl longs to stroke, the noshable swan-like throat, the magnificently masculine nose, the tempting raspberry-like nipples of the amazing chesticles, the—-*sigh* *swoon* *thud* (Damn, didn’t make it to the long, strong, lean horseman’s thighs AGAIN!)
Yep, he’s mighty toothsome!!

I’m Just a Wonk When it Comes to Mr. A: TAE Word for the Day

What in the world is Fedoralady going on about now?

Why, she’s learned a new word!

I’d heard of (and used) the British slang term “wonky” (unsteady, shaky, feeble) before, but I don’t recall hearing the word “wonk.” Well, here it is and it has several meanings. Let’s take a look:

wonk (noun): 1. A stupid, boring, unattractive person. Well, that doesn’t apply to Richard or to any of us! Heaven forbid!

2. a student who spends much time studying and has little or no social life; a grind.  OK, we may spend a lot of time studying Richard, but we still have social lives–look at how we come together for our joint Richarding, right? And that’s no grind!

2. A person who studies a subject or issue in an excessively assiduous, thorough manner. Ah, here we go!! Certainly we are very thorough and assiduous (constant, unremitting, dedicated) in our studies of all things Richard. Oh, the length and breadth and depth we shall go to regarding our TDHBEW, from studying those endearing cowlicks and the cut of his jacket to every expression, small and large, he wears on that amazing face. His voice. His body language. *wibble* His roles. Interviews. Articles. Every new photo, pristine professional or blurry candid. We are drawn to it all like moths to the flame . . .

We wuvs you, Wichard, and so we are wonks. Yes, I’m in need of a nap and being silly. What can I say?

Still, it’s true.  (By the way, wonk entered US slang back in the 1960s, but the origin is unknown–although it might be a shortened form of “wonky.”)

Mr. Armitage Works His Mojo on Me

Mojo: (noun) magical power; charm

Apparently of W. African origin, akin to Gullah moco (witchcraft), Fula moco’o (medicine man). Fula is a West African language. Early documented use in English: 1926.

I have often thought I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find out Richard Armitage has some sort of magical powers.  The way he can completely captivate one’s attention. The way his eyes can absolutely mesmerize and his smile turn one’s legs positively wobbly.

The way he can make a heart beat faster, a mouth go dry, a strange fluttery sensation flow through one’s body–the healing properties, too, of the sound and sight of him.

For it’s definitely “white magic,” benign, benevolent, beneficent.  When we ache and doubt and grieve and worry, there’s the wonderful manner in which he can somehow make it all better.

Richard Armitage–you and your chaRActers have got the mojo. Long may you all work it, my darling.

It’s Tuesday: Take a ‘Gander’ at Mr. A

Gander: (noun) (1) slang; take a look.  Take a gander at Mr. Armitage! (2) the male of a goose.

Well, Richard Armitage is definitely male, if not a male goose. 😉 And don’t we love looking at him? So, ladies, take a gander at Mr. A!

As for me, I’ve been busy and I desperately need a nap, so I am going to seek the arms of Morpheus (who looks just like Richard in my fantasies, imagine that!).

I’ll be shooting stills at the dress rehearsal tonight. Tomorrow Benny takes the day off to deliver and pick up Seabee for her transport to Montgomery for spaying and he’ll be editing and making POTR DVDs to sell, amongst other things. He’s got a busy week, too! May we both retain our sanity and not get on each other’s nerves too much. 😉

TAE Word for the Day: My man ain’t no fanfaron!

Nothing wrong with being a fan or aficionado. But you really don’t want to be a fanfaron. Or be a fan of a fanfaron.

FANFARON: a boaster or a braggart. From the French fanfaron, from the Spanish fanfarron, perhaps from Arabic farfar (talkative), of expressive origin. The words fanfaronade and fanfare have the same origin. Earliest use in English language traced back to 1622.

Fortunately, Richard is many things, but one thing he isn’t is a fanfaron.   Put it down to typical English self-effacement, to a very proper upbringing by John and Margaret, to something innate–Rich is not a lad to go around tooting his own horn. Instead, there is a sort of quiet confidence in his stillness. He’s the thoughtful, grown-up fellow who doesn’t feel the need to try to impress us.

And there’s that rather adorable–if occasionally maddening–tendency to downplay his talents and abilities.   I wouldn’t take a hundred boastful egocentric Kanye West types for one man who’s the real thing. Richard Armitage: my man ain’t no fanfaron! And I love him all the more for it.

Holey-moley, He’s a Lollapalooza!: TAE Word for the Day

lollapalooza (noun): an extraordinary or unusual thing, person or event; an exceptional example or circumstance.

(Also the name of a certain giant rock tour here in the United States.)

Really, can we say Richard, our extraordinarily talented, unusually attractive, amazingly charismatic and exceptionally gentlemanly fellow, is truly a lollapalooza of a guy? I think so.

As a lollapalooza, Richard, you really do ROCK.

Related articles

• Eurhythmic Armitage: TAE Word for the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Would Richard Armitage make you plotz?: TAE Word for the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Marvelously Mellifluous Mr. Armitage: TAE Word of the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• A Prince of Pseudology: TAE Word for the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)

Would Richard Armitage make you plotz?: TAE Word for the Day

Those eyes get me every time.

Plotz: (verb) to collapse or to faint, as from surprise, excitement or exhaustion.

Plotz is an Americanism that arose in the 1940s. It comes from the Yiddish word platsn, which means to “crack, burst or split.” That word in turn originated from the German word blatzen or platzen.

With the likes of Comic-Con, the Black Sky set and the various premieres and Hobbit press junket events, a growing number of fans have had the opportunity to have an encounter with Mr. Armitage, whether it’s to shake his hand, get an autograph or photo, or have a snippet of conversation with him.

I still find myself wondering how I would react if I ever got to look into those beautiful eyes or had one of those spectacular smiles aimed in my direction.  Would I freeze up, would I manage to maintain my composure–would I simply plotz in the presence of such deliciousity?

The mind boggles.

Related articles

• I will not abjure from my Armitage avidity: TAE Words For the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Eurhythmic Armitage: TAE Word for the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Marvelously Mellifluous Mr. Armitage: TAE Word of the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Such a Bonny, Couthie Lad: TAE Word for the Day (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)

Armitage’s Don Juan: Lee Preston, Flirt of the First Order

Our word for the day is Don Juan (noun): an obsessed womanizer.  See Lee  Preston, lifeguard, (very) personal trainer and total flirty-girty in series 5 of Cold Feet.  Lee has never met a woman he wouldn’t be happy to seduce, methinks. And he’s very good at it, with that deceptively angelic face, those puppy-dog eyes. engaging grins and the killer bod.

The original Don Juan was, of course, a legendary 14th century Spanish nobleman, who devoted his life to seducing women. His story has been portrayed by many authors and composers, amongst them Moliere, Mozart, Byron and Shaw. But did any of their incarnations of the legendary lover wear midnight blue Speedos and look like this?

I think not.

One of the things I find delicious about this character is that the actor behind it is so gorgeous, sexy and charismatic he could have been a very successful womanizer, a veritable Don Juan, like Lee, if he so chose that road. But he isn’t and he didn’t and I love him all the more for it.

As for Lee, I do think he could be a heck of a good time for a girl–as long as she took proper precautions and never expected more than a good time. Mr. Preston is not marriage or long-term partnership material.

But he is awfully pretty (even if I prefer the more mature beauty of Mr. Armitage these days).

Eupeptic Armitage: TAE Word for the Day

Eupeptic: (adjective) of good digestion; producting or relating to good digestion. Cheerfu, happyl; having a cheerful manner or disposition. Origin: from the Greek eupeptos

I unfortunately have acid reflux disease and have to take medication for it daily. Makes my tummy much happier, more eupeptic, you might say.

I try to be a eupeptic individual in the sense of how I conduct myself each day, to look at life seeing “the glass half full” and the positive side of things.

I think it’s safe to say that Harry Kennedy, that sunny-natured accountant with the sweetest smile that Richard brings to life in The Vicar of Dibley, is a man with a eupeptic nature.

And just think: Mr. A has said that the character most like him happens to be the delightfully eupeptic Harry Jasper Kennedy.  *sigh*

Coincidence? I don’t know. But it’s PERFECT.

It’s a blustery, cold, wet day here in Lower Alabama. Upper Alabama just may get some wet snow out of this massive storm system moving across the Southeast.

A day to stay in with a big mug of coffee and do some Richarding! 😀 Last night I was joking on Twitter about feeling like Pavlov’s dog. You know, any sight or hearing or mention of a certain TDHBEW, and I practically start drooling.

So what did I see in my inbox this morning? My A.Word.A.Day email. And what was the word, you ask? Heeheehee.

Salivate: (verb) (1) to show great relish in anticipation of something desirable. (2) to produce saliva.  From the Latin salivare (to salivate). Earliest documented use: 1669.

Let me say I laughed aloud. Coincidence? Fate? Who knows. But it’s a perfect word for the effect Mr. A and his chaRActers have on me. I can feel my eyes light up, my lips part as I softly, rapturously exhale,  a fatuous grin crossing my face when I see images like this:

So, do you salivate when you see/hear/contemplate Mr. A and his sensational selection of alluring, adorable, amazing ChaRActers?

Marvelously Mellifluous Mr. Armitage: TAE Word of the Day

This is one of those words that I love to say: mellifluous. It flows so beautifully.

And I love its meaning and how I connect it to Richard Armitage. Mellifluous (adjective): pleasant to hear, pleasant and soothing to listen to, and sweet and rich in tone. Oh, my–isn’t he just??

Synonyms for mellifluous include smooth, flowing, melodious, honeyed, silky, mellow, dulcet, soothing.

So, let’s listen to a little of Mr. A’s honeyed, melodious, mellifluous voice.

Eurhythmic Armitage: TAE Word for the Day

I ran across this in both my new book of superlatives and my Dictionary.com Word of the Day and it seems quite perfect for our RA.

eurhythmic:(adjective) (1) characterized by a pleasing rhythm; harmoniously ordered or proportioned. (2) of or pertaining to eurhythmics.

There is certainly a “pleasing rhythm” to the way Richard Armitage moves, whether it’s as dancer or actor or simply “civilian” striding purposefully across a room.  Poetry in motion, I like to call the man. And poetry in stillness.

This post calls for a glimpse of musical theatre Armitage vintage 1994.

As far as I am concerned, this beautifully knit-together man is also “harmoniously ordered or proportioned,” perfect in his imperfections, a princely beauty, heir to Adonis.  Eurhythmic Armitage, indeed.

Nourishing, Nurturing Dwarf: TAE Words for the Day

We know that Richard has said he is a man who wishes to be involved in “nourishing and nurturing” in his life.

According to Bing Dictionary, “nourishing” means:

providing good sustenance: providing people, animals, or plants with a substantial quantity of the substances they require to live, grow, or remain fit and healthy

And “nurturing” is defined as:

(1) to take care of a young thing: to give tender care and protection to a young child, animal, or plant, helping it to grow and develop

(2) to encourage somebody or something to flourish: to encourage somebody or something to grow, develop, thrive, and be successful

(3) to keep feeling: to keep a feeling in the mind for a long time, allowing it to grow or deepen

Richard Armitage and the woman who transformed him into Thorin for more than 250 days, Oscar Nominee Tami Lane.

I love this photo. Tami looks so happy and Richard, well, Richard is wearing that customary sweet smile. And there are those beautiful, capable, strong hands resting on Tami’s shoulders in an almost protective pose.

Then, notice that his midnight blue Thorin robe appears to be wrapped around his makeup artist.  Is it a cold day in spite of the sunshine with Richard trying to keep Tami from getting chilled?  Is it merely a playful gesture on Richard’s part? Whatever the case, they obviously have a bond of friendship between them.

When I think of Richard as someone who nourishes and nurtures, I think of a man who is kind and considerate, a true friend, an encourager, a team player, a mentor. I remember how enthusiastically Lucy Griffiths spoke of Richard being the best screen partner on Robin Hood. I think of how Richard always makes sure he mentions the various crew members and praises their work in helping him look and move like and become the character.

Richard Armitage:  dedicated actor, active supporter of charitable endeavors, a man who nourishes and nurtures.

Altogether a worthy fellow to emulate in so many ways.

A Prince of Pseudology: TAE Word for the Day

Pseudology: (noun) lying considered as an art.  Pseudology comes from two Greek words, pseudo-, meaning “false,” and ology, meaning “the study of.”  The word does not literally mean the study of lying, but has come to embody “the art of lying.”

I found myself thinking of the crafty charmer John Mulligan, who is awfully good at deception. The silver-tongued devil could be considered a master of pseudology. And here’s a tribute to the prince of pseudology I made a while back, Hypnotize Me.