The Grey Pilgrim Rides Again: 2014

I was asked to write my story of my Trip in London by My Friend Jenny from Australia's blog, here is my story

My Impressions on Meeting Richard Armitage @The Crucible

Allow me a little background. I was never a fan of Richard Armitage! I didn't know who he was that is until The Hobbit ! . Before the release of the Film, Peter Jackson every few months released picture of the Dwarves and I scrutinized the photos very carefully. I'm a huge Lord of the Rings Fan. film and since I was 7 years old Book fan too. When they released the Thorin photo, I cried. He was so ugly, he looked like Worf from Star Trek and that's not a compliments. I hated the picture. The fan cry is overwhelming. I heard rumors that Jackson heard this complaint also, (don't know if that's true) but, something changed . I kept an open mind ! When Thorin turned around I gasped, He looked beautiful ! I could not believe how regal and majestic and unlike Worf he was. Armitage with his beautiful deep voice brought something to the screen that amazed me,,,,, so after being disappointed in New Zealand trying to meet him for my Friend Jenny, I still wasn't a personal fan,, which means I love his work in The Hobbit but didn't take a personal stance with him either way.... then,,,, Juan died,,,, Juan was my partner at work for a long time. He was always kind, gentle and friendly, never had a bad thing to say to anyone. In a work place that has over a thousand people working in it,,I dare you to find anyone who didn't love Juan. the night of his wake, I'm laying in bed reflecting and wondering what lesson could I learn from not only his death but his life as well... Life is so short, Juan got sick and died months later, he went that quick ! He never traveled, I don't know his reasons. I know he loved listening to my adventures traveling and my photos. So I thought I cant put everything off,, I need to enjoy my life and what would I do right now, I if I had a chance, and since its on my bucket list to meet everyone Actor who had a line of dialogue from LOTR/Hobbit movies, I would want to travel to England and meet Richard Armitage ! I knew he was starring in The Crucible At the Old Vic, I bought a ticket to the play the next day ! then worked my butt off for the other traveling expenses... 6 Weeks later,,,,,

I bought a ticket to see the Crucible for Saturday night 30 Aug, for 2 reasons. I flew into London early Friday and thought I would enjoy a leisure day and be more relaxed on a Saturday night. Also Saturday night feels like Theatre night! I thought I had a fantastic seat and the closer the date came the more excited I got. But then something happened , The Vic canceled a performance, and I heard Richard voice was going ! I panicked, what would I do if he canceled my show ? after traveling so far ! Life is so short ! money isn't important. I bought another ticket, for Friday 29th, double shot to see him perform, and 2x the chance to meet him. I hatched a plan,, I would meet Richard, get a fabulous photo, take it to get printed and then Saturday have him sign it, Great Plan right ?!! But I never factored in the Army... The Armitage Army is a large group of Richards Fans. some are fanatical some not! I left my hotel in my best suit, walked to the Theatre and went into the theatre. The usher showed me to my seat which was in the FRONT ROW! I couldn't believe my eyes,, The Old Vics production of the Crucible is in the round, meaning if you have front row, you feel like your siting on the STAGE !!!! When the play started and Richard appeared I lost my breath, there he was, 3 ft from me, I could've kicked him. I was stunned. There He was !!! He looked 12 feet tall !!! His voice is so powerful, I felt it. He commanded the Stage. I cannot stress enough how much his presence filled the room. the intensity of the play left me exhausted, I can only guess how he felt,,,,,,, but now nerves started I was going to meet him now.....

I always try to prep myself when meeting famous celebrities, and I know a couple of ladies who have been to see the play previously, so they clued me in, on where to stand to have an optimum chance of meeting Richard,, Enter That Army,,, I was conned,, Since I was by myself, and Beyonce has nothing on my Vanity,not to mention I love photography, I wanted a beautiful picture, ! Richard moves through the crowd quickly, very quickly. The couple of army ladies asked if I wouldn't mind snapping pics of them with Richard, I said sure but would they then take my picture, perfect deal, right ? Remember he moves very quickly,, they approached him I snapped beautiful pics of them, One snotty female asked him to sign her poster with her pen, not his pen, he made a face at her Then He approached me ! Goose bumps, Thorin looked me in the eyes !!! I politely asked him if he wouldn't mind taking a picture with me, he said sure but where's my camera? I didn't have it, I had handed it to someone to take my picture and in the excitement, or what, they left! with MY CAMERA. I shook my head to him and off he was again,, I was pissed, The lady realized she had my camera really it was my phone by the way, brought it back to me and then had the NERVE to complain to me about the quality of her picture that I took !!!! I snapped on her, and said Richard looks fantastic in that photo, why do you care what you look like, plus I didn't get a photo !!!! I stomped back to my hotel ! Calming myself I rationalized that like Germany when I had dinner with 11 of the 13 Dwarves and no camera then, that I should just enjoy the experience, enjoy the few words we had, and at least I got his autograph, and then plot and scheme for Saturday night !

Saturday night came along, I walked to the theatre and tried to sit in the front row again, and was kindly removed, I thought Saturdays ticket was better than Fridays, and found out it wasn't! Thank God I bought a ticket for Friday !!! but this seat offered my the opportunity to really enjoy the play. Richard wasn't that close to me, and I saw different aspects of it, being in a different seat and different point of view ! but then I saw the ugly ! after the intermission, and towards the end of the play, I saw people leaving the theatre ! I was appalled ! They were leaving to get a primo spot in line at the Stage Door! I had no doubt ! remember the night before I had front row, I was one of the first out the stage door, and I was about 30 people back, I did wonder then how could these old ladies beat me out,, Now I knew how,, They left Early. Before the show I watched a Lady with a cane, carefully find her seat, and she literally took forever too walk 30 feet ! but yet there she was after the play in Front , before everyone else ! Shame people ! if you are truly his fan, WATCH his performance, enjoy his performance and the rest of the cast! How Rude ! This night I was about 100 people back, so seriously thought, ! oh well I at least enjoyed the show, its too bad I didn't get to have a picture with him. I almost turned and walked away ! but something stopped me! I thought just stay, its a beautiful night, hotel isn't far away and who know what will happen! There he is again, exiting the door, and just like the night before, moving through the crowd very quickly, never raising his head, siging and posing for photos very quickly ! and before I knew it, he was standing in front of me! not trying to make the mistake I made the night before, I never spoke to anyone, but him ! " Richard would you mind a picture? " Surely he said, and I snapped a quick pic. My heart was in my throat. He looked directly at me and directly at the camera ! Giving a perfectly Thorin stare ! I was thrilled,, Rooted to where I was standing,, it was then I realized he was still close and I could take video ! Quickly I turned it on, as he was turning back at me,, as he walked past thanked him again, and he blessed me ! I was blessed by The King Under The Mountain ! What's more fantastic than that could happen to a Hobbit Superfan than that ??!! Nothing ! Mission Accomplished ! Its not a great picture, I went for speed and knew I would lose quality, I practiced a couple of nights before,, but its a Great Picture of me and Richard Armitage to me !!!!