Richard Armitage

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 !!!!

I'm Home

Thoughts on the last 10 days. Mom and I, had a wonderful experience, together. I love Europe. London was better than I thought it was going to be. They preserved and are proud of their history, beautiful churches and building. The royal influence is everywhere, surprisingly. But I think the English like it that way. They are very friendly, and warm. I would love to go back, and spend a week there. Of course, I would love to tour all of the United Kingdom. Germany. I wasn't thrilled with it. I loved the Castles, and they are loaded with them. I want to go inside next time, but the weather was dreary and cold, exactly how I pictured Germany. People were fine. But abrupt. And it was hard to get a connection with them, because of the language. Austria. The natural beauty is spectacular. The weather helped, it was sunny and warm. One minute your driving , flat, and then bam mountains everywhere. I like to be in them. Italy was exciting. Very hot, and the people were soo good looking, No kidding. Venice was full of history and exciting to walk the streets. I even enjoyed Verona. The villas along the river, looked just like you imagine Italy looking. I bet Rome is something to see. Switzerland was surprising to me. It was the only country we had to have our passports available. Not in the European Union also. They accept Euros, but give back Franks. But the mountains and lakes are stunning. I don't think they have much of a summer, but otherwise, I would go back. I enjoyed going up the mountains in a tram,, and hiking them,,, exhausting but exhilarating. The cowbells need to go,, they are loud in the morning. France. I don't know why I love France so much. But I do. Je'taime Paris. the history, The architecture, I love Everything, except the food. sorry,, I'm still an American Boy. I like our hot dogs and hamburgers and pizza. I have another furlo in October. So I'm looking for a place to go, Maybe I'll go back to one of these places again,,,, London is definitely a possibility,, by myself this time...

Goodbye London

Hello All,,

Yesterday we toured the Queens Castle, Windsor. Very nice. Very medieval. Very Lord of the Rings. It was a little much for Mom to walk, but she perservered. What a trooper. English breakfasts, yuck. I remember not liking them in New Zealand too. Today we are off to the continent. Belgium and the capitol city of Brussels. We take a ferry over, hopefully it wont be too cold. London was a beautiful city, and very friendly people. I definitely want to return for a longer visit.. Pictures are turning out great, I will try and post them in our next hotel.... Brian

London

Sorry for the late post, but yesterday we were exhausted. Plane ride was fine, but tiring. We had good seats, right up against the bulkhead, so plenty of leg room. But I cant sleep on a plane, and evidently neither can Mom. We werent allowed in our rooms until 2. I had to sweet talk a pretty Italian girl named Imma to get into them early, we so wanted to sleep. against everyones better advice.But Mom was sooo tired and her legs were bothering her. We slept about 3 hrs, and then joined a night tour to Tower Bridge which included dinner and a nice but very chilly boat ride along the Thames. It was very enjoyable. No wi-fi in hotel, so no pics yet, but hopefully when we move on. Today. we just finished a bus tour of London, very enjoable tour guide, Carlotte. We saw St Pauls Cathedral, ST James Palace, Buckingham Palace, the changing of the Guard, Big Ben, and many others. Lots of pics forthcoming. We are now waiting for another bus, which will take us to Windsor Castle. Mom is meeting lots of people from all over the World, and from other states in America. We leave London tomorrow,,, oh and before I forgot. Funny Story. I called yesterday for a 6:30 wake up call, just to make sure Mom had breakfast before our London Tour. We got a wake up call at 05:30 this morning, via FIRE ALARM. And let me tell you it was loud and a little frightening. People were running thru the hallways in their pajamas. We got dressed very quickly and walked down 5 flights of stairs, and everyone congregated in the streets.No one panicked, but I broke a major rule of mine,,, I LEFT my camera in the room!!!! How I wish I wouldve grabbed it. I did remember to grab my wallet, the room key and Mom without her teeth , mind you, but I did think to take her with me. , so at least that! No injuries, someone evidently was smoking in their room and set of the alarm. London is marvelous and exciting. I do think I will be back, so much to see... until tomorrow and hopefully I will post pics,,,,ps I am getting video tho, which takes away from reg photos, so I'm a little aggravated. I do like taking pictures,,,,,,,, Brian

P.S,, European keyboards are different, I remember this problem in France, configuration different, and its in a foreign language, I dont know how to change it, so pardon the misspellings...

Europe

The Twins and I, having started planning our new vacation for this year. They want to go to England and Scotland. While I don't mind that suggesting, I'm think of more. I think it would be nice to travel to a few countries, like France ( at least for 1 day, I loved Paris), and Italy. I saw in a travel magazine, some European tours, where we would travel to 4 or 5 countries. The one that really caught my eye, was London to Rome. I thought this might be nice, because we could have a bit of everything. If I or they, find that they really really like a certain country, then we could always come back to it, another time. Why not get a wonderful taste of Europe. Money is really tight. Overtime is almost non existent. So fingers crossed. Prayers offered. That's my side. The Twins of course have their part. Excellent grades and good behavior..... Max