I hope so, too, Mr. Armitage, although it seems this is a question that we only get answered toward the ends of our lives. I hope so, too.
Below, my Valentine’s Day video for Armitageworld. Hope you like it! As my mother would say: love’s right around the corner — it’s just a matter of finding the right corner.
84 Responses to “Do you believe that love is forever?”
Oh, Servetus,
I smiled my entire way through this. And cried, just a little. Because I do SO want the people I love to find love, to find that soul mate.
Happy Valentine’s Day, dearest Servetus. Hope he’s just around the corner.
And Happy Valentine’s Day, Mr. A. I surely hope you get your wish–in terms of projects and in terms of personal relationships.
It’s kind of amazing how regularly the love theme surfaces in his work — just because Lucas and John Porter were a bit separated from it doesn’t mean that he hasn’t had that opportunity 🙂
I know that Valentine’s Day focuses our minds on romantic love; but there are so many ways to love that my answer has to be yes.
There are people and a very special little dog who I loved and was loved by in this world; and who have passed over. The love remains however along with their memories.
I also believe that love is a healing force that we all have access to; and that if we send it out to the world we get it back magnified.
Just imagine if everyone sent out love instead of hate…How wonderful would that be ?
I remember with pleasure buying Valentine’s gifts for my parents and in-laws. They are not with us anymore, but I enjoy so much the memories and the love we all shared. And the love and comfort and companionship I have recieved from so many pets over the years–well, what a blessing my four (and in one cas, three) legged friends and family members have given me!!
Love is a powerful force and I do believe it to be ultimately stronger than hate. It is what we all need in our lives, from our families, our friends, our pets . . . it’s what we need to give.
Love generously. I believe Richard would approve of that.
What I’ve found recently is that, no matter how much it hurts, loving generously is the only way … half love doesn’t really do much. Love like you’ve never been hurt, isn’t that the slogan?
Yes, love generously, lavishly, without conditions. You will likely suffer along the way but the end results are worth it. If you’re gonna go, go all out!!
To borrow from Rosalind Russell, whom RAF mentioned as fav and she’s one of mine, too, these words from Auntie Mame: “Live, live, live. Life is a banquet and most of the poor suckers are starving to death!” I think that applies to love, too. I think people grow ill and wither and sometimes die from a lack of love. Not necessarily romantic; but the love of family, friends, neighbors . . .
We NEED love in our lives even though it may cause us pain from time to time. I think if we didn’t experience love in some form we would just shrivel up and die – whether actually or metaphorically!
A number of years ago a study was done here in the US at a foundling home. One group of the orphaned babies were given attention strictly at feeding and changing times. They were not handled or talked to otherwise. The other children were rocked and sung to and played with and given TLC outside of that absolutely required.
Many of the babies who had received minimal attention sickened and died. Authorities could find no medical reason for their deaths other than a failure to thrive. I believe they died from lack of love, Teuchter, exactly the point you were making.
Ever since I first read about that study for one of my college classes, I have never been able to get it out of my mind. When I taught a mini-unit on Les Miserables as part of my French II class, I brought that study up in the discussion as we talked about the need for love, not just romantic, but filial, sacrificial in our lives (ValJean being something of a Christ figure in the story). Indeed, we are not born to live in a vacuum. I am sure Adam was much happier even in the paradise that was the Garden once he had his Eve to share it with.
Your boys are very blessed to have a loving mother like you, AJ. When we give our hearts over to others, we do put ourselves at risk of pain, heartbreak and disappointment.
But the rewards are so very rich . . . imagine life without love in its many forms.
Yeah, I think that’s it, Ann Marie. Love without reservations, expectations, conditions or fear, knowing even if you do get hurt, you are richer and better for the experience.
I agree, Amandajane — the focus of marketers on the commercial aspects of the day isn’t the only way to think of it. And in the effort to love, we can change ourselves, too.
A friend of mine who is going through a great deal of health problems and felt no one really understood what she was going through sat down with me last year and I wrote a story about it to explain this very unusual and profound debilitating illness and the challenges she and her family faced.
I got a Valentine’s Day card today at work thanking me for that. I almost started to cry. It was so unexpected and also a good reminder that I do what I do not for Boone Newspapers, but for my community.
Thank you for that vid, I loved it! I had to laugh, and also cry a little… This last year Mr. Armitage has brought me closer to my own feelings, through the roles that he portrayed. I’ve learnt to be more open, and who knows… love may really just be around the corner 🙂
Love is forever. No matter how the relationship has worked out. No matter whether the pooch we so loved eventually lived his alloted span. No matter our kid or kids have flown the nest. No matter close friends live many miles away. Love remains; the love for the parents and grandparents. As long as there is memory, we love on.
@Elisabet, closer to feelings indeed. I don’t normally speak/write as this (very reserved Anglo-type, generally express feelings in hugs, not words. Ah well, touch is crucial to well-being, n’est-ce-pas?)
I like the connection you make between memory and love. It’s also the memory of past experiences of love that allows us to have the courage to have new experiences of it. I can’t ever really let go of people I have loved.
I am not sure we should try to let go of those we’ve loved and lost, just appreciate and value the memories and what we learned and how we grew from that relationship. Of course, we have to move on in life, but we can carry those memories with us.
Thank you for the lovely Valentine’s Day present. The scene with his mother in N &S where he says, No one loves me, no one cares for me but you” gets me everytime!
Wishing you, Armitageworld, and Richard, the kind of love that is constant and steady and makes you believe that anything is possible.
Much love,
AM
P.S. Angie, Sir Guy called when he arrived home safely- he wanted to be home with you on Valentine’s Day love….have a lovely day!
Oh, Ann Marie, that Guy really is a romantic fellow at heart. How can I not love him? Not to mention he lets me borrow his eyeliner if I misplace mine 😉
Servetus, what a beautiful video; it was perfect. The clips were so well chosen to illustrate various states of love and I smiled all the way through, with perhaps a few tears, too. Thank you.
Valentine’s Day is for romantic love; but there are so many other loves, that yes,I believe love can be forever.
I hope you find the right corner, Servetus. And I hope Mr A does, too.
I think HE will have to find a corner to stand on for awhile — seems like he’s so busy that it’s hard for him to even see who might also be “looking around the corner.”
hey, Frenz, everybody needs a little snark. Valentine’s Day really deserves a lot of it, I think. It’s really aggressive here, I notice: one of my favorite restaurants has a 3 day special on chocolate covered strawberries and then hires people to stand outside and wave customers in …
Thanks. It really started off as an examination of that “o” vowel, but then I thought, nah, why not make it “all about love,” since that’s what Mr. Armitage wants, after all?
From A Course in Miracles: Miracles occur naturally as an expression of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle.
Just watched your vid, now I have a big grin on my face, and that squishy feeling in my tummy. Love is all forms is a miracle. I hope that you all experience abundant miracles today.
One more thing, love at the end, his eyes travel back and forth and he gets that devilish grin when he talks of doing a project about love. So so so adorable! How can you not have a bit of a crush on him? Really.
I’ ve just discovered this vid on Twitter (via @armitageblogger) and guessed right away that it was you who created it. The clips are so appropriate and the descriptions are almost educational (adverbial intensifier – I hadn’t come across that expression before).
Marvellous – I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, dear Servetus, and to all those who are following your blog!
Thank you very much for this lovely video. It really made my “Valentine’s Day”, as I still was a bit down with my computers. But your lovely sequences really cheered me up and got me in a different mood.
Have a nice day and a Valentine for you around the next corner you come to.
Oh yes, my Valentine computer, what a lovely idea! Indeed they are two now ;o) Schnuckie and Max are both home and I really must admit, I am starting to fall in love with them. They came unfortunately without the software, so I installed almost the whole day today and did not get any further with work.
Your video about RA and ‘love’ really came at the right time!
Thanks so much for that vid Servetus, it really put a smile on my face. I especially loved the attention to thumb acting. I hope you have a lovely Valentines day.
I never thought of the thumb before. I just love your unique perspective on things. Very eye opening, and fun. Can’t you picture him texting? I can, and it’s giving me a warm fuzzy.
@Servetus. I really needed that today – however did you know?? My “Valentine” has been gone for nearly 9 years now but love lives on – even now! So yes!! I do believe that love is forever not just between he and I but continues on now with a very loving family and lots of wonderful friends. What was that Hugh Grant said in Love Actually? “Love actually IS all around!!” We just have to know where to look for it. Sometimes it simply finds US – even in the most unexpected places!!!
Thanks for all of the kind comments about the vid! They made my day. 🙂
For anyone who needs some additional romantic Valentine’s Day cheer, my beloved story “Truce” (warning: adult themes) updated with part 4 of the epilogue (15,000 words, and Angie, I really don’t believe that you want to finish this story anymore — grin) as did “A Heart for Milton” (adult themes, not explicit). Links below:
Awwww, Servetus!! Thanks for the love (on Valentine’s Day!):D I am really chuffed with the last part of Truce, too, and hope to have it completed in the next few days. Considering how much time and thought I have put into writing this fanfic, yup–got to get started on the novel.
I got to see a video of Benny’s singing Valentine being delivered to him. The ensemble did an absolutely fab job with “Let It Be Me” and when I went by to see him a little later, I do believe he was truly pleased and touched. And my $20 donation (I threw in an extra $5 for such a great performance) goes to support the American Cancer Society. A win-win situation! 😀
I think that you and RA are both correct. Since my candle is burning now at only one end, I can assert with authority that love is indeed, “stronger than death”. No question.
Me + Richard Armitage 
Oh, Servetus,
I smiled my entire way through this. And cried, just a little. Because I do SO want the people I love to find love, to find that soul mate.
Happy Valentine’s Day, dearest Servetus. Hope he’s just around the corner.
And Happy Valentine’s Day, Mr. A. I surely hope you get your wish–in terms of projects and in terms of personal relationships.
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It’s kind of amazing how regularly the love theme surfaces in his work — just because Lucas and John Porter were a bit separated from it doesn’t mean that he hasn’t had that opportunity 🙂
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Wow! Thank you so much for that Servetus! I LOVE it! Happy V Day to you!
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Right back atcha, Phylly3. Glad you liked it.
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I know that Valentine’s Day focuses our minds on romantic love; but there are so many ways to love that my answer has to be yes.
There are people and a very special little dog who I loved and was loved by in this world; and who have passed over. The love remains however along with their memories.
I also believe that love is a healing force that we all have access to; and that if we send it out to the world we get it back magnified.
Just imagine if everyone sent out love instead of hate…How wonderful would that be ?
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AJ,
I remember with pleasure buying Valentine’s gifts for my parents and in-laws. They are not with us anymore, but I enjoy so much the memories and the love we all shared. And the love and comfort and companionship I have recieved from so many pets over the years–well, what a blessing my four (and in one cas, three) legged friends and family members have given me!!
Love is a powerful force and I do believe it to be ultimately stronger than hate. It is what we all need in our lives, from our families, our friends, our pets . . . it’s what we need to give.
Love generously. I believe Richard would approve of that.
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What I’ve found recently is that, no matter how much it hurts, loving generously is the only way … half love doesn’t really do much. Love like you’ve never been hurt, isn’t that the slogan?
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Yes, love generously, lavishly, without conditions. You will likely suffer along the way but the end results are worth it. If you’re gonna go, go all out!!
To borrow from Rosalind Russell, whom RAF mentioned as fav and she’s one of mine, too, these words from Auntie Mame: “Live, live, live. Life is a banquet and most of the poor suckers are starving to death!” I think that applies to love, too. I think people grow ill and wither and sometimes die from a lack of love. Not necessarily romantic; but the love of family, friends, neighbors . . .
LikeLike
We NEED love in our lives even though it may cause us pain from time to time. I think if we didn’t experience love in some form we would just shrivel up and die – whether actually or metaphorically!
LikeLike
A number of years ago a study was done here in the US at a foundling home. One group of the orphaned babies were given attention strictly at feeding and changing times. They were not handled or talked to otherwise. The other children were rocked and sung to and played with and given TLC outside of that absolutely required.
Many of the babies who had received minimal attention sickened and died. Authorities could find no medical reason for their deaths other than a failure to thrive. I believe they died from lack of love, Teuchter, exactly the point you were making.
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What a sad example, Angie. I believe we were created to be social creatures. We need eachother and most certainly need to receive AND give love.
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Ever since I first read about that study for one of my college classes, I have never been able to get it out of my mind. When I taught a mini-unit on Les Miserables as part of my French II class, I brought that study up in the discussion as we talked about the need for love, not just romantic, but filial, sacrificial in our lives (ValJean being something of a Christ figure in the story). Indeed, we are not born to live in a vacuum. I am sure Adam was much happier even in the paradise that was the Garden once he had his Eve to share it with.
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I’ve been learning for eleven years now that no love I experience has a greater certainty of causing me pain than the love I have for my children.
How well worth the risk it is though. My boys and I have a wonderful bond.
Getting through the pain when it comes just strengthens
what we have.
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Your boys are very blessed to have a loving mother like you, AJ. When we give our hearts over to others, we do put ourselves at risk of pain, heartbreak and disappointment.
But the rewards are so very rich . . . imagine life without love in its many forms.
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Perhaps a rephrase into, “Love like you don’t care if you get hurt”…
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Yeah, I think that’s it, Ann Marie. Love without reservations, expectations, conditions or fear, knowing even if you do get hurt, you are richer and better for the experience.
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I agree, Amandajane — the focus of marketers on the commercial aspects of the day isn’t the only way to think of it. And in the effort to love, we can change ourselves, too.
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A friend of mine who is going through a great deal of health problems and felt no one really understood what she was going through sat down with me last year and I wrote a story about it to explain this very unusual and profound debilitating illness and the challenges she and her family faced.
I got a Valentine’s Day card today at work thanking me for that. I almost started to cry. It was so unexpected and also a good reminder that I do what I do not for Boone Newspapers, but for my community.
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Oh that vid is absolutely perfect thank you Servetus * melts into a happy puddle *.
A wonderful selection of clips of characters in various states of love.
As for that final clip of Himself. * huge sigggggh * Oh yes Richard I hope so too bless your heart.
Wishing him and all of you a magical Valentines Day.
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Glad you liked it 🙂
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How LOVEly! Thank you for a Valentine’s present – and for reminding us of the utter beauty of love.
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Somehow Mr. Armitage can make even creepy love fascinating 🙂
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It’s a gift!:D
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Thank you for that vid, I loved it! I had to laugh, and also cry a little… This last year Mr. Armitage has brought me closer to my own feelings, through the roles that he portrayed. I’ve learnt to be more open, and who knows… love may really just be around the corner 🙂
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Long live love, Elisabet. Amazing how that fellow has touched our hearts, isn’t it?
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It’s totally wonderful. What a gift.
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Amen to that, darling AJ.
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This is well put, Elisabet — since watching him, I too experience my own emotions more fully.
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Me. too. I’ve always been what you would call a sensitive person, but I feel even more intuitive these days, thanks to the marvelous Mr. A.
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Love is forever. No matter how the relationship has worked out. No matter whether the pooch we so loved eventually lived his alloted span. No matter our kid or kids have flown the nest. No matter close friends live many miles away. Love remains; the love for the parents and grandparents. As long as there is memory, we love on.
@Elisabet, closer to feelings indeed. I don’t normally speak/write as this (very reserved Anglo-type, generally express feelings in hugs, not words. Ah well, touch is crucial to well-being, n’est-ce-pas?)
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I like the connection you make between memory and love. It’s also the memory of past experiences of love that allows us to have the courage to have new experiences of it. I can’t ever really let go of people I have loved.
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I am not sure we should try to let go of those we’ve loved and lost, just appreciate and value the memories and what we learned and how we grew from that relationship. Of course, we have to move on in life, but we can carry those memories with us.
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Dear servetus,
Thank you for the lovely Valentine’s Day present. The scene with his mother in N &S where he says, No one loves me, no one cares for me but you” gets me everytime!
Wishing you, Armitageworld, and Richard, the kind of love that is constant and steady and makes you believe that anything is possible.
Much love,
AM
P.S. Angie, Sir Guy called when he arrived home safely- he wanted to be home with you on Valentine’s Day love….have a lovely day!
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Oh, Ann Marie, that Guy really is a romantic fellow at heart. How can I not love him? Not to mention he lets me borrow his eyeliner if I misplace mine 😉
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It’s true, love really inflates our confidence!
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It boosts our morale, it is a great beautifer; it makes us want others to experience ir, too.
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Servetus, what a beautiful video; it was perfect. The clips were so well chosen to illustrate various states of love and I smiled all the way through, with perhaps a few tears, too. Thank you.
Valentine’s Day is for romantic love; but there are so many other loves, that yes,I believe love can be forever.
I hope you find the right corner, Servetus. And I hope Mr A does, too.
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Aaaw, thanks, ladyj, for your kind wishes.
I think HE will have to find a corner to stand on for awhile — seems like he’s so busy that it’s hard for him to even see who might also be “looking around the corner.”
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Haven’t read the other comments but look forward to it. My answer: it depends on how you define love.
Your post almost makes me want to can the snarky one I have to publish.
Love the video of course. : )
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hey, Frenz, everybody needs a little snark. Valentine’s Day really deserves a lot of it, I think. It’s really aggressive here, I notice: one of my favorite restaurants has a 3 day special on chocolate covered strawberries and then hires people to stand outside and wave customers in …
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What a lovely video of Mr. A for Valentine’s Day!
Thank you for this and Happy Valentine’s Day to you Servetus!
Feliz Dia de San Valentin Everyone!
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Thanks. It really started off as an examination of that “o” vowel, but then I thought, nah, why not make it “all about love,” since that’s what Mr. Armitage wants, after all?
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How did you know that this is exactly what I wanted for Valentine’s Day (and was unlikely to get it from my partner)?
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Every time I see your name, I want to reach for my copy of Slouching Toward Bethlehem. Joan Didion is one of my favorites.
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and I’m a major Rosalind Russell fan. : D
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Giggle. Happy Valentine’s Day to mr. didion, too 🙂
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From A Course in Miracles: Miracles occur naturally as an expression of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle.
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I’ve been meaning to read that for years: perhaps it’s time.
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Just watched your vid, now I have a big grin on my face, and that squishy feeling in my tummy. Love is all forms is a miracle. I hope that you all experience abundant miracles today.
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One more thing, love at the end, his eyes travel back and forth and he gets that devilish grin when he talks of doing a project about love. So so so adorable! How can you not have a bit of a crush on him? Really.
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@Rob I scare myself sometimes as it has become so much more than “just a bit of a crush” for me.
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Indeed, Teuchter … for me, too.
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Indeed, it’s pretty danged hard not to squee over this man.
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For Valentine’s Day… that collage of vids is magical and special !!! May we in our own way find our Valentine in any shape or form so as RA. Thanks
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From your mouth to G-d’s ear 🙂
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I’ ve just discovered this vid on Twitter (via @armitageblogger) and guessed right away that it was you who created it. The clips are so appropriate and the descriptions are almost educational (adverbial intensifier – I hadn’t come across that expression before).
Marvellous – I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, dear Servetus, and to all those who are following your blog!
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Thanks, suse 🙂 I want to imply that everything we discuss about Mr. Armitage can be treated in a scholarly, dispassionate fashion. Well, maybe not 🙂
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Thank you very much for this lovely video. It really made my “Valentine’s Day”, as I still was a bit down with my computers. But your lovely sequences really cheered me up and got me in a different mood.
Have a nice day and a Valentine for you around the next corner you come to.
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CDoart, I’m sorry the computers are STILL getting you down. Maybe there is a better computer for you, right around the corner ? 🙂
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Oh yes, my Valentine computer, what a lovely idea! Indeed they are two now ;o) Schnuckie and Max are both home and I really must admit, I am starting to fall in love with them. They came unfortunately without the software, so I installed almost the whole day today and did not get any further with work.
Your video about RA and ‘love’ really came at the right time!
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Wow, you named your computer Schnuckie — that IS love 🙂
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Servetus thanks for the vid 🙂 Indeed, love is power.
For Valentine’s Day, I wish you all a lot of love.
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You, too, Ania! As Armitage would say: take a little, give a lot.
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Thanks so much for that vid Servetus, it really put a smile on my face. I especially loved the attention to thumb acting. I hope you have a lovely Valentines day.
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Thanks, D. Will have to pursue that theme more in future. My own personal little fetish 🙂
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I never thought of the thumb before. I just love your unique perspective on things. Very eye opening, and fun. Can’t you picture him texting? I can, and it’s giving me a warm fuzzy.
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Oooh, I hadn’t thought of that!!!
There are a lot of thumb-related posts on this blog. Thanks for your kind words.
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@Servetus. I really needed that today – however did you know?? My “Valentine” has been gone for nearly 9 years now but love lives on – even now! So yes!! I do believe that love is forever not just between he and I but continues on now with a very loving family and lots of wonderful friends. What was that Hugh Grant said in Love Actually? “Love actually IS all around!!” We just have to know where to look for it. Sometimes it simply finds US – even in the most unexpected places!!!
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I thought of Love, Actually, myself. I’m glad that your memories and family connect you to both past and future!
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One further note. PLEASE Mr Armitage PLEASE, do something “ALL ABOUT LOVE”!!
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I second that emotion!!
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Yeah, I was wondering when I heard that for the first time, “surely it cannot be the case that no one offers him scripts with romantic themes?”
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“Crush”? What crush? Hooves firmly on ground1 Yup. Right.
Happy St. Valentine’s, everyone 😀
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
ps: If only we were taught grammar in that format. 😉
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I know. It’s, for example, a basic theory of language acquisition pedagogy that students should be engaged with content that interests them 🙂
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Thanks for all of the kind comments about the vid! They made my day. 🙂
For anyone who needs some additional romantic Valentine’s Day cheer, my beloved story “Truce” (warning: adult themes) updated with part 4 of the epilogue (15,000 words, and Angie, I really don’t believe that you want to finish this story anymore — grin) as did “A Heart for Milton” (adult themes, not explicit). Links below:
http://www.wattpad.com/1034490-a-heart-for-milton-chapter-21
http://fedoralady.livejournal.com/53505.html
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Awwww, Servetus!! Thanks for the love (on Valentine’s Day!):D I am really chuffed with the last part of Truce, too, and hope to have it completed in the next few days. Considering how much time and thought I have put into writing this fanfic, yup–got to get started on the novel.
I got to see a video of Benny’s singing Valentine being delivered to him. The ensemble did an absolutely fab job with “Let It Be Me” and when I went by to see him a little later, I do believe he was truly pleased and touched. And my $20 donation (I threw in an extra $5 for such a great performance) goes to support the American Cancer Society. A win-win situation! 😀
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🙂
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I think that you and RA are both correct. Since my candle is burning now at only one end, I can assert with authority that love is indeed, “stronger than death”. No question.
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It’s good to know, pi. I’ve been challenged in that regard a lot lately.
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Excellent vid. Exemplifies the phrase, “Show, don’t tell.” Well done, you1 Mmmm….love….
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Thanks — this means a lot coming from you!
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This is just fab! 🙂
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Thanks!
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