I’d like to say something intelligent today, but …
… all I seem to be able to do is look at pictures of Richard Armitage. Especially ones where he’s happy.
Richard Armitage at rehearsals for Vicar of Dibley Christmas specials. Source: RichardArmitageNet.com
Oh, and I listened to Venetia again. I started cutting some audio files to discuss, but discovered that my Audacity was missing some export subdirectory and then lost the edits I made. Grrr. Anyway.
A lick and a promise here. I’ve got so much to write — I had like six more ideas on the drive down — but I’m just so tired, still. I realize that last post was a bit cryptic. Still puzzling a little bit about how much to say about my “new life,” but I’ll write something more soon. Meanwhile, thanks for all of your good wishes yesterday; they mean a lot and I carry them with me when I find myself thinking, “uch, I just can’t do this.”
***
Happy Birthday month Richard Armitage! In honor of this event, consider donating your time, energy, and thoughts / prayers to an effort that’s meaningful to you. If you need a suggestion, here’s a link to Mr. Armitage’s recommended charities at JustGiving, as well as a link to means of generating a charity contribution on his behalf at RichardArmitageOnline.com, and a link to Act!onAid, a child sponsorship organization for which he recorded a voiceover in December 2010. Donate to Christchurch Earthquake Appeal here.
Me + Richard Armitage 
I am making a video of moments from Richard’s various interviews with all those sweet, shy smiles . . . and laughs. That we all adore.
*squee*
Computers are like a blessing and a curse sometimes. I can empathize.
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yeah. without computers I’d never have this extensive connection with all of you. But even so — aggravating. It’s also the first time I ever crashed this Mac, which I thought was impossible.
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Well, my Mac at work crashed last year. Then my co-workers crashed and since he did pagination, I had to give up mine with its new hard drive. So now I am working exclusively on this PC laptop. Maybe ours go down in part because we use them so much . . . but even Macs are not perfect, although some owners would like you to believe it’s so. 😉
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I crashed my PC laptop all the time — it was always just a question of when. Crashed my mac at work maybe four times in three years 🙂 But I still need the PC skills, so I’m still maintaining both systems.
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Looking forward to it. And if you could squeeze in some more fanfic while you’re at it?
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Cindy,
Have you read chappie 7 of The Lady & The Panther yet? Working on 8 now. I think it is turning into a rather ripping good yarn (if I do say so myself). 😀
Guy makes such a fab highwayman.
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will do my best
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I’ve stayed away from RA’s audiobooks because they are abridged, but you’ve persuaded me to give them a try. With which should I start?
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LOTN is not abridged, so you could start with that one, except it’s the most expensive. Though not ridiculously so — depending on what currency you’re buying it with.
My impression is that of the three Heyer books most people like Venetia the best. But others should weigh in on this.
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I am a Heyer fan of many years, and although I wish RA had been able to read unabridged versions, I can see the wisdom of shorter/easily consumed versions for the masses. I view them was “auditory movies” based on the novels — movies usually have to cut out something from the original works.
RA does such a wonderful job with the different voices. I particularly enjoy his older women voices. The duchess in Sylvester is a joy. As is the heroine’s friend Tom. He has such a vibrant sincerity about him, that I love him, too. I adore the Convenient Marriage — the hero has a lazy irony to his voice that gives me shivers. And the voice of the villian reminds me of RA’s Lovelace in Clarissa, but it’s still different. Venetia is great, too.
I could go on and on. It is amazing to me that all these wonderful voices and interpretations are the artistic work of one man. I knew RA was a fantastic actor, but his audiobooks are unbelievable. I just hope that someone smart decides to have him read the Hobbit, too, and then maybe the world will begin to appreciate him the way the rest of us do.
So are the Georgette Heyer books worth getting, even though they are abridged?
Do you find yourself relistening to bank ads and beer commercials?
I think you already know the answer.
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You’re right–I did know the answer.
You persuaded me with your “auditory movie” analogy, and I’m almost done with Venetia. The very obvious holes irk me, but that voice makes up for it. What a wonderful performance. I’ll have to read the book for the full experience.
Alas, here in the U.S. bank ads and beer commercials lack the charm of that voice.
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I read Heyer as a teenager and enjoyed her, but was never a purist, so the abridgements as such bothered me less. I also think that on the whole they were good abridgements, although, as with any abridgement, the things that I found most worthy of retention were not always retained.
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Please don’t be afraid to get the audiobooks because they are abridged!! They are wonderful! Because of the audiobooks I am now in the process of gradually buying Georgette Heyer’s books and loving them. The way he does the women is incredible!! i can still hear the “Oh Lizzie!!” from “The Convenient Marriage”!! Always makes me giggle!! 🙂 Even though he has only read three to date I really hope he is able to do more of them in the future. Venetia is my favorite too (RA is Damerel in my mind 😉 )but as I think he has THE most fantastic voice to listen to, I somehow can hear it even when I read her books he hasn’t yet narrated!! 😀
LOTN is worth every cent/penny etc that it costs and he just brings all the characters to life in such a way that it is hard to believe it is RA alone who is voicing them!! Truly unforgetable.
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That happens to me, too, Teuchter. I can hear his voice in my head sometimes when I’m reading something appropriate. Glad to know I am not alone.
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I like all of the Heyer books. I went ahead and read The Convenient Marriage after I listened to it and there was significant that was missing.
The best part of the books is RA’s portrayal of the characters. I really have a lot of fun listening to them.
I do not have LotN yet, too expensive, but I look forward to listening to it too.
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I agree, the characterizations are just amazing. Especially how he does all those women.
I have to confess that I have not finished LOTN yet. I’m on disc 4. I keep relistening to those discs and it’s enough. I’m saving the rest for a day when I really need it badly.
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Almost done with Venetia. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and feel that very few readings qualify as strong performances (or even good readings). I should have known that RA would be in a category of his own. It’s really extraordinary, but I’ll continue to regret that it’s abridged. It’s a snack when I want a meal.
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I think that’s fair. You can see why that set was nominated for an award, I think. He’s such a strong performer.
The problem is that no matter how much he reads you always want more. LOTN is ten discs and at the end you wish he’d read the whole series of books.
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Best wishes and strength for your “new life”, sweet lady! I learnt a new phrase in German today – Bedingungen der Möglichkeit. Perhaps my application of it to this context is a bit clunky – but may you be on the way to creating yours xox
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Thanks Skully. Love what German can do with nouns — and this phrase is well put.
(for non-German readers: conditions of possibility)
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@Sydney…w/o a doubt, go for LotN! The people at Audiogo are unbelievably helpful but it does take a while for the order to get to you, so be patient! It’s worth the wait!! The costs for my set was around $30, give or take, but it’s probably gone up since then?! LotN is my favorite although this genre is not my usual read…the reader and his stellar talents absolutely held me in the palm of his hand. Ahem. And I love it because the length of it is great for a long trip.
Serv…best and warmest wishes for your future!! I’m excited for you!!!!! Go git ’em!
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Thanks, NB.
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May you find happiness, harmony and peace of mind in whatever you do!
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Thanks, TedGirl.
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Definitely LoTN!!
When RA laughs/chuckles/guffaws, everyone is right with him. Totally therapeutic. Great project, angie – hurry up! (don’t forget the teasing smiles, too!).
Good wishes, servetus. 😀
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Fitzg,
The video is up and I think I sent you a link . . . you may need to send me your new addy again. My brain is so addled these days I don’t know whether I am coming or going! Oh, there are some teasing smiles, too. 😉
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Dawn French is the kinda gal you’d just love to have drinks with…isn’t she?
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I agree–she just seems like a really fun lady. 😀
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I like these comments a lot because I identify with her 🙂
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