Wednesday, September 12, 2012

BBAW Day 3: What does book blogging mean to me (with a special guest)



Today as I was thinking about what to write for this post, I came up with a few different words, all very worthy, that I was going to expand upon. Words like friendship, validation, encouragement, entertainment, and so many more.

Instead though, I want to give an example of the kind of thing that makes blogging so much fun.

Several years ago now, Kristie J from Rambling on Romance started a crusade to get as many people as possible to watch the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South starring the scrumptious Richard Armitage. Now I was prepared to like the mini-series and I did. What I didn't expect was to get completely hooked, and to still be completely gaga over Richard, mainly because I don't tend to get obsessed with specific actors normally.


Since then, I had the DVD player that revolted when I tried to put anything other than a Richard Armitage disc in, I have watched the lovely RA read bedtime stories, The Vicar of Dibley, Captain America, Robin Hood and more, and I can't wait for The Hobbit. More than 4 years later watching North and South and The Vicar of Dibley still bring me joy on a regular basis.

Whenever I happen to see someone discovering the mini-series, I still get excited and it invariably leads me to rewatching more clips. I can pretty much do the final scene of North and South word for word.

Just tonight I happened on a conversation about Richard Armitage on Twitter, which had me thinking about the various famous scenes and then suddenly I found myself watching the final scene of North and South again (sigh) and then all of The Vicar of Dibley wedding specials. And here's the thing. I actually really needed a laugh. As in really needed a laugh because I was in danger of becoming a bit morose tonight. And this moment is something that I can directly attribute back to the influence of bloggers and blogging not only back when my obsession started but also now, just in having a conversation with friends tonight.

Whilst using this as my example does mean that I can insert gratuitous Richard Armitage pictures here, the fact is that I could have talked about the discovery of some of my favourite authors, some of my favourite books, some great friends and so much more to illustrate my point.

If I have to summarise really briefly though, it would be this.

Blogging makes me happy!

And let's face it, you can't ask for more than that for something that you have stuck with for as long as I have, and that I can't see stopping anytime soon!

46 comments:

  1. Yes I have a mancrush on Richard. There, I said it.

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  2. Thanks ... I think. I just re-added N&S to my Netflix instant queue. Time for a re-watch.

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    1. If you need a quick fix you can just watch the final scene over and over again on Youtube. I do that quite regularly!

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  3. I had to click the link in my reader straight away when I saw who your special guest was! The Vicar of Dibley is so funny, it's a pity it ended even if it ran for a good length of time.

    I've recently been told to give N&S a try and plan to later this week, so feel free to watch some clips! I love your ending statement, it's surely the very basis of everything everyone is talking about today.

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    1. I hope you enjoy North and South!

      I guess it is the simple truth of how I feel about it.

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  4. *drool* You can add pictures of him any time you like, to any post about anything!

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  5. Hear, hear! I especially enjoyed your special guest. He's welcome to be my special guest anytime.

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  6. Saw the movie once, but not the show.

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    1. It's available on Youtube and it is a very different side to RA!

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  7. Now I want to go watch North and South! Haha

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    1. Haha! An unintended side effect of writing this post!

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  8. That sounds like the very best reason of all!

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  9. So, what you're saying is you blog for Richard Armitage. ;)

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    1. I live and breathe for Richard Armitage.

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  10. Oh, I wish I was home to rewatch that scene. You picked the best still! *gazes at that smolder*

    Going to look up the Vicar tonight! Yum.

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    1. Here is the link to the first part. You will need to search for Vicar of Dibley the wedding (I think the first episode is called The Handsome Stranger)

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  11. I haven't seen this either! I can't believe it, with how long I've been blogging, and well aware of everyone's Armitage love.

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  12. Blogging makes me happy as well, and the friends I have made make all the hard work worth it. Thanks for being one of those friends, Marg!

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  13. 150% concurrence to everything you said in this post. ;)

    EXCEPT: Richard Armitage pictures are never gratuitous. He spreads happiness all over the land. :)

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  14. Your special guest and your post made me happy too Marg! ;)

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  15. I'm a member of the Crusaders, too, Marg! Actually, I remember when Kristie J and I were on romance bulletin boards together before we ever started blogging, and I still follow her (of course). It's amazing how relationships can carry over on the interwebz even though it's such a transient community. Anyway... I love this example of book blogging, and The Armitage... *swoon* Can't wait for The Hobbit! Did you ever watch MI-5?

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    1. I watched a few episodes but I never really got into it.

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  16. Lovely post. You had me grinning. Must watch North and South, now!

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  17. You have exceptional taste Marg, anyone who doesn't get excited over Richard Armitage can't be breathing.
    Happy blogging :)

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  18. I think I've seen Richard Armitage in the MI-5 TV series, right? Wow he is pretty good. You got me curious now on North & South. thanks

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    1. That's right! I hope you enjoy North and South if you do get to watch it!

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  19. I promise to watch N&S as soon as I read the book first! I also cam e to adore Armitage from Robin Hood. Always felt bad for his character but glad he made a turn around by the end.

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    1. Jenny, I watched the mini-series first, and I think that it really helped me with a lot of the dialogue in the book.

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  20. Oh my goodness. I totally have a thing for Richard Armitage too, although my attachment started with the BBC Robin Hood series. I, too, love North & South and have watched it many, many times. I can't wait for The Hobbit!

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  21. Oooh, Richard Armitage. Count me in on the secret fanclub ;) Although, it's not that secret as I try to push the miniseries on everyone I meet with the slightest interest in costume drama too.

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  22. I loved this post because I adore Richard Armitage. I just couldn't get into reading North and South but I adore the mini-series. Have you seen Richard Armitage in MI-5 (also called Spooks in the UK)? He doesn't come along until later in the series but until then there are a lot of other great actors to watch.

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