Dear Richard Armitage (right),
We have all had an embarrassing moment or two in our lives, and we shouldn’t beat ourselves up about it:
1) at five years old, I walked into a stranger’s hotel resort home rental because the other kids at the resort kid crafts activity mentioned that they were staying in what they didn’t know–but that I knew–was my grandmother’s former vacation home, only to realize where I was when the Dad looked up from his newspaper and said hello, which caused me to run screaming down the hill to my family’s guest cabin; that haunted me for years. Ha!
2) at twenty eight years old, I caught the heel of my shoe in my too long half slip when I was sitting down having lunch with my newly minted boyfriend, only to have my slip slowly slide down my tush and legs while I was walking in public with him after lunch as he walked me back to work across campus–until the only thing I could do was to let the slip puddle at my feet and then stuff it into my purse, as my boyfriend chuckled; but hey, he still married me 1.5 years later. Snap!
3) at forty one years old, you had an interviewer named George Stromboulopoulos play excerpts from a wonderful fan video by Romana55, “Richard Armitage: I Just Wanna Make Love to You” (And may I add, Yes, we really do!):
that showcases your muscular bare chest as gorgeous villainous medieval knight Sir Guy and other attributes in a small bathing costume as Lee, to an admiring studio audience, an admiring broadcast audience, and to the world via You Tube and Tumbler. I love Mabel’s Tumblr! (left and link below with her gifs of the Stroumbo interview): http://mabelalexa.tumblr.com/post/54961250727/richards-reaction-to-being-shown-a-fan-video
Yes, we can all relate to feeling embarrassed now and again. All I have to say is, Richard Honey, you got off sooooo easy because the Stroumbo interview was on broadcast tv that doesn’t allow some of your more adventuresome or edgy roles’ scenes to be shown–no peaches (as Paul in BTS) or your tender seduction and then sensuous mock lovemaking (as Percy in ML) that made us swoon for your tenderly passionate lover (that is, until Percy 
turned into a debauched lecher, ha!).
But your temporary insanity in mock attacking your Hobbit press tour interviewer George Stroumboulopoulos, to his giggles–and then you regaining your poise in stating sanguinely “that they talk about film being for life, and that’s why they say it”. And then you saying that “you do what you do and embrace it”, all the moments of ones’ life–endears you to us all the more.
Sighhhh!
And here again is the lin
k for the wonderful George Stroumboulopoulos 2012 Interview of Richard Armitage as part of his The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Press tour in a video made available by RACentral. Richard Armitage really delves (no pun intended, ha!) into the motivations of his character of Thorin Oakenshield (left) in the three The Hobbit films –and what his acting process is in bringing such a complex persona as Thorin to vivid life for us and for generations to come:
And what I wonder is, if Richard Armitage had a piece of his clothing malfunction in public–or slide off of his body as I did–how would he handle it? Of course, we, RA’s fans, are now eagerly contemplating what kind of clothing malfunction we might want him to have. *wink* Giggles!
Yes, life has its embarrassments, but it is in how we react to them that is the true test of our mettle. And Richard Armitage (right) — gracious, poised, and dignified gentleman that he is — shows us how to respond with aplomb. Well, except for the mock choking bit. Ha!
Very truly yours (day or night; click on my contact form; seriously, I would hop a plane and get over my fear of flying for you, Ha!), Gratiana Lovelace
P.S. At more than 41 years old, I think that I just added another embarrassing moment to my own hit parade of RA admiration gushing on this blog. Ha! But hey, If I can’t make fun of myself, then I have lost my sense of humor. Ha!
Something About Love (A) 
Lovely post, Gratiana. Embarrassing situations are a killer when they happen – and over time become ever more hilarious stuff for anecdotes. And yes, we can all relate. (But I will not regale you with my top 3 embarrassing moments – I am just laughing inside *haha*) I don’t think that RA has anything to be embarrassed about. Although I have to admit, I like to see him embarrassed. He’s kind of cute that way ;-) And there, now I have joined you and all other public “embarrassees” with that confession.
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Giggles Guylty!
I agree with you. RA is so cute and adorable when his “shyness” and humility is expressed about the effect that he has on women. And considering an even fully clothed Richard Armitage bursts ovaries around the world–oh his smouldering eyes, his velvety deep voice, and his ability to convey the heart and soul of his characters–the man can definitely choose his wardrobe to be coveralls (his John Standring character from Sparkhouse, 2002) or even an all over burlap sack if he wishes to and we will still sigh happily. Ha!
Cheers! Grati ;->
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July 10, 2013–And I would like to give a warm welcome to my readers from Greece today. They are 85 strong so far. Thanks for visiting!
Cheers! Grati ;->
And via Google Translate:
10 Ιούλη, 2013–Και εγώ θα ήθελα να δώσω ένα θερμό καλωσόρισμα προς τους αναγνώστες μου από την Ελλάδα σήμερα. Είναι 85 ισχυρά μέχρι τώρα. Ευχαριστίες για την επίσκεψη!
Cheers! Grati ;->
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I can’t help getting the feeling, every time I read a post about Richard, or any other celebrity, that all that is going on is a completely sensual (disgusting) “love”. When you love someone, when you really care about someone, you want their every good etc – not their unmentionables to slip off!!! I think we should take into consideration what HE would think if he read this post – embarrassed…..not laughing
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Dear Floppy,
Perhaps I should have put a “facetious” alert next to my statement about “my” slip falling off–I took it in stride and made the best of an embarrassing situation–and how Richard would respond to a clothing malfunction. Did you read the next paragraph?
“Yes, life has its embarrassments, but it is in how we react to them that is the true test of our mettle. And Richard Armitage (right) — gracious, poised, and dignified gentleman that he is — shows us how to respond with aplomb. Well, except for the mock choking bit. Ha!”
You will find that is not “disgusting” at all. Cheers! Grati;->
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Floppy, the knicker-unbuncher is on the table. Of all the things on the internet to get exercized about you’re choosing this? It leads me to believe that you see Grati as someone weaker than you that you can bully. You and the rest of the Biddy Committee — yeah, y’all have been around so long we named you about a year ago — seem to think that you have a line straight into his head to determine what would embarrass him based on the notion that if it would embarrass you it would embarrass him. Two things about that: 1, that’s not empathy it’s projection which means you have your own issues to work out and fine but DEAL WITH THEM instead of foisting them on the fandom; and 2, he just got done working with a bunch of rowdy guys and if he was so delicate that he couldn’t take a little razzing he would not have survived. This? This is mild and funny and the chancez of his ever reading ANY of the blogs are slim to none. He doesn’t micomanage us and we do nonsense crap. It works for us and it’ll take more than some embarrassed-on-his-behalf finger wagging to bring it down.
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Gee thanks for your support, Jazzy!
I really appreciate it! I had forgotten about the ABC moniker–Armitage Biddy Committee–for some folks trying to “protect” a grown man. Ha! And you are so right about guessing Mr. Armitage’s constitution. A man like Richard Armitage who can deal with “raucous, dirty, sweaty, smelly Dwarves” and then pose for a one shot racy calendar as a gag gift for his Director is a dude who is strong–and not concerned with silliness such as my humorous essays.
Thanks and Cheers! Hugs! Grati ;->
P.S. And as to Floppy’s charge of my post being “sensual”, that probably only ramped up this essay’s visibility in Google keyword searches. Hope those folks who visit this post looking for something sensual here are not too disappointed. I can do sensual, but my essay here isn’t. Go read some of my stories for the sensual–tastefully sensual, I might add. Thanks!
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As for being around too long…I am 17. I am a traditional Roman Catholic and for me chastity is one if the most important things. Ok I know no one else out there worries about that, Richard included, but when you guys talk about dreaming about Richard, gosh it’s pretty obvious what kind of dreaming ur doing. You have probably all been bought up thinking that’s all ok, but we have been brought up knowing it is wrong. So that’s why I’m protective – and I’m not embarrassed, I’m disgusted.
But Grati, I do agree with your embarrassing moments stuff
God Bless
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Look, if you’re 17 I’ll temper further comments. I have been Roman Catholic so I get what you’re saying about chastity but in your conscience formation you should have learned that the only chastity you have to worry about and protect is YOUR OWN. Not mine, not Grati’s and certainly not his. How I think about Richard Armitage is not your call. I am over twice your age and if you think I’m going to edit what I say (other than above) to suit your worldview think again. You are not my target audience; other adults are.
Speaking of worldviews, the RC one is one that I shared for a long time. I currently identify as agnostic along with Judiang, Servetus is a Jew, Skully is an atheist…are we all supposed to only publish things that square with your worldview? Because I can tell you now that isn’t going to happen. And what about RA’s religious views? Chances are if he was raised anything it was Anglican or Methodist and though there can be overlap in liturgy the theologies are very different.
My point here is that the only person you are responsible for on the internet is you. If you find that something is troubling you then don’t do that thing or go to that site. My intuitive hit about you is that what you’re REALLY struggling with is idolatry, or devoting time to the fandom anf RA at all and that’s something you need to discuss with a priest. Just don’t go see the one that counselled me right out of the Church. All the best to you. :)
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We’re u a novus ordo or Latin mass catholic – just out of interest. If novus ordo I can see why you left. We went to visit the cathedral in Wellington and there was a mass on – we were all in tears to see how they had butchered the mass.
RA doesn’t have a religion
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A. You have no idea why I left. Do not try to reduce my leaving to your own issues with a perfectly valid liturgy.
B. Unless you are in RA’s head you cannot possibly know his religious views.
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Well said.
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Armitage has stated he’s not religious which doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a religion. As Jazzy’s said, I doubt you know what’s in his head.
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Well said.
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Dear Floppy,
Now reading that you’re only 17 and you are already seemingly judging others harshly, I’m putting my Aunt Grati hat on. Youth is a time filled with absolutes and extremes as you try to find your way as a unique individual. Sometimes that is found in celebrating our similarities, sometimes in celebrating our differences. And realize that our differences are what make the world interesting–it would be a pretty bland and boring place otherwise. So I hope that you have wonderful guidance in your life. Although, as with anything, moderation is the key with regard to life choices–including your internet usage, as Jazzy mentioned above. If you dislike a web site post, tv show, book, then avoid it. But I am glad that you came here to engage with me and others so that we could share with you our points of view. I always find myself appreciating other peoples points of view–even when they differ from my own. And that includes yours.
Everyone is entitled to their own religious or philosophical beliefs, or lack thereof–so long as their beliefs do not encroach upon another person and their beliefs. Church canon and civil laws are pretty much based upon that. So calling people names, making assumptions about their lives because one disagrees with them, etc., is impolite and not a very Christian response. Even the new Pope–of whom I am a fan, though I am Anglican–is trying to bring his faithful flock back to an understanding of the basics of church teachings of love and compassion. Bravo to him!
And if you read your bible–speaking as one who taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for 8 years–you will know that in the Christian tradition, the overriding message is that of “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14) and “Love they neighbor as thyself”(Mark 12:31). It doesn’t mean that we follow that person’s choices–everyone has to make decisions that are right for their own life. But it does mean that we respect each other and are kind to each other.
Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)–where everyone passed a sickly man by because he was unclean, etc.? The Samaritan who stopped to help him was called “good” because Samaritans were not known for their kindness and compassion–so they were making a distinction about his kind behavior. Yet, this Samaritan on this day saw the person in front of him as one who needed help. It is a story about breaking out of one’s own world view to see the heart of the person in front of you beats just like our own, and that they deserve our kindness and consideration, as we would hope to receive from them. And as Jazzy mentioned, we should respectfully not make assumptions about another person’s spiritual life–and that includes, Mr. Armitage.
And if chastity is one of your life choices, that’s great. I was brought up with a similarly sheltered view–happily tempered with a wonderful college friend who helped me come to know that romantic love is joyous through her lovely zest for life. And yet, I chose to wait for the right man–even though the sexual revolution was happening all around me–not because I thought that others were wrong, I was just making the right choice for me. And as I have mentioned on my blog, my husband was and is my only lover. We will sentimentally celebrate our 24th anniversary this year.
Finally, I am heartened that you agreed with “my” embarrassing moments–I assume you mean my slip falling off. Ha! I have rarely worn half slips since because of it. Although, when my hubby mentions to me if my slip hem is showing, I remember what my dear late Mom always used to say, “that’s why slips have pretty lacy edges, Dear”. And she was the most prim lady I knew. Then I cinch up my slip. Ha!
Cheers! Grati ;->
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:-) I like advice, my parents never give it…
The present pope is sad. It’s good he’s got the St Francis attitude, but he’s already done some pretty horrid things (beach balls and t-shirts on the altar?!!!). I’m more for Pope Emeritus (Benedict)
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Giggles! A beach ball, really? Well, what some might view as being “horrid”, another person might view as being easy going. You should see some of the vacation bible school themes we had and how we decorated our classrooms and the church to enthuse everyone.
But I suggest that we look at the whole person and all of their contributions–such as Pope Francis. I look at how a person acts and what they say. Are they kind to others? Do they follow what they preach/believe in? So far, Pope Francis seems like a kind fellow, eschewing the extravagant trappings of Vatican life, and trying to maintain a connection to everyday people in charming ways.
Will he or anyone have a misstep or two? Of course. Remember my half slip dilemma. Ha! But missteps and mistakes are how we learn and grow–they are not to be feared, but rather embraced as teachable moments.
Cheers! Grati ;->
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Great blog, Grati. I don’t feel you were overly sensual at all. Floppy is a young girl brought up with good morals and I applaud her for that. I do feel that perhaps as young as she is, she should not be reading blogs or even paper magazines and radio interviews as he himself is not a moralist. A bit conservative in the area of his sexual exploits, but certainly not above a tryst out of wedlock, so to speak. My husband and I are Christians with the same values as Floppy. My daughter is 19 years old and saving herself for marriage but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had “thoughts” about a celebrity or even a young man her age. It’s human nature. A person as staunchly moral as Floppy should stay away from blogs she is unfamiliar with for this very reason. Having said that, Grati, I don’t think you were at all being too sensual in your discussion of embarrassing moments in Richard’s life.
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Hi Jeannie,
Thanks so much for your kind note! I will leave each person to decide what is best for them. However, I am cautious about labeling one person’s life choices as “moral” compared to another person’s life choices. I state this for Floppy’s benefit–not yours.
To me, morality is more than issues having to do with sexuality. For me, morality has to do with kindness and compassion, respecting oneself and others, fighting injustice when we witness it rather than turning a blind eye, trying to make a positive difference in the world by starting in one’s hometown but also thinking about how we can help our neighbors in other countries–and how they make a positive difference in our lives–and being graciously accepting of other people’s help when “we” need it, etc. I could go on, but I’ll stop there.
One delight for me about the Richard Armitage fandom are the wonderful new friendships–such as yours, Guylty, Kitty, Judiang, and Jazzy’s and others–that I have made along this journey. Yes, we can be giggly about our admiring Richard Armitage’s handsomeness. Sighhhh! But we are also very heartfelt about how RA’s exquisite talent for storytelling and him bringing characters to life in a way that illuminates and transforms the human condition. He has touched our lives in very profound ways–enriching our lives, healing some hurts with some lovely distRAction, and through his creativity he has sparked our creativity, etc.
And Richard Armitage’s unfailingly polite, poised, and gentlemanly demeanor in the past and now in the face of his rising international stardom is a humbling example of goodness for us all. Is RA perfect? No, he bites his cuticles, and is a self avowed messy housekeeper, etc. Ha! But that just makes him more endearing. And I wish him every happiness that he wishes for himself.
Thanks for visiting and commenting! Love and Cheers! Grati ;->
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Hi there –
Just found this and as much as I loved the article, loving the respect in the comment threads even more. I’m a liberal (for Floppy’s reference, Latin Novus Ordo) Catholic who attend the Oratory – a church with a high traddy (like Floppy) membership, and I find them deeply frustrating, reflexively repeating what they’ve been taught rather than thinking things through – with parents who desperately try to keep their children in a narrow world, from homeschooling to controlling friendships, so they don’t ‘leave the fold’. I love how you guys spoke your truth to her and gave her a lot of important things to consider – seeds well planted.
And Jeannie, you’re lovely! Agreeing with you that Floppy needs to be responsible for her own ‘custody of the eyes’ and no one else’s. Glad to find you, LOVED the article, it really was the cutest reaction ever. And Richard is gorgeous. Meanwhile, allow me to tank your productivity: http://richardarmitagewithcats.tumblr.com/
Hope to catch you soon – will definitely be back!
xx
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Wow your comments are not Catholic at all if you claim to be one very sad for discouraging this young girl. She seems to have a better sense than you on the Faith. Catholicism is neither like real or conservative it just is what it is with it’s teaching that happen to be more conservative in relation to the secular world.
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Liberal*
And I’m not sure why you are calling to only care about your own virginity. Of course care for yourself but also encourage others to do the same. This applies to many teachings not just sexual.
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Hi Jen, Thanks for your comment. However questioning ones beliefs are at the core of the Christian faith. Jesus was in his words and in his actions, a dissenter.
What I mean by the term dissenter is that Jesus questioned why the traditions and customs of religion had become warped and self serving to the priests and to others. You’ll recall the famous story of Jesus decrying the commerce that was going on in the synagogue–the Lord’s house.
And where Jesus saw injustice, illness, and want he performed what we term miracles in order to right the wrongs. He stopped the stoning of a woman by inviting the mob to consider that their own lives are not unblemished. He cured another woman’s outlook on life, even though she remained an invalid. And when the multitude came to hear him speak, Jesus gave us the miracle of the loaves and fishes–their becoming abundant to feed everyone.
By Jesus’ own example of faith, we derive guidance to become informed and questioning disciples. And while rituals have their place, they do not provide a substitute for faith. IMHO.
Cheers! Grati ;)
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Hi Irim, Thanks for your very nice note! Respect for oneself and respect for others are two halves that make a whole. Cheers! Grati ;)
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I’m out for some XMAS shopping with my Sis,
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