Hello, Richard Armitage!!

WOW!!!  Still trying to catch my breath!    It’s been a great day!!!

Yesterday was a great day too.   Hubby drove me around Oakland University to my fave vantage point for shooting pictures of the main scene of the tornado movie being filmed there.  He convinced me to go take my pictures even though there were crew members working there. Another man appeared out of nowhere and was giving the others some instructions. He smiled at us so I asked if I could take some pictures. He said go right ahead….take as many as you want. He asked which actor I was there to see, and I said Richard Armitage. He smiled again and said, “Oh, Richard! He’s our lead! Nice guy!” (I squeeeee’d silently in my head lol) I asked if it was alright to ask him a few questions and he said, “Shoot! I’ll answer whatever I can.”

I asked if he was familiar with the plot, and he said, “Oh yes…I’m the stunt coordinator.” First off, he verified that Richard is clean-shaven. The story takes place in Silverton, Oklahoma. Richard is playing a school teacher with *two* sons and Nathan Kress is playing the younger of the two. He said they will be filming there through Friday.

I took pictures of all the trailers, the craft services “tent” and a couple storm-chaser vehicles.

We drove back around to the main entrance so I could take some pictures from that side. The policeman told me I was more than welcome. I noticed a woman and a man walking on the side of the street opposite the parking lot. They didn’t appear to be part of the crew so I paid them no mind. I took my pictures, then the woman crossed over to me and said, “Are you here to see….” and she held up her Richard Armitage sign.  I asked if she was RAlover, and she said Yes! We talked for quite awhile until hubby let me know we had to get going so he could go to work. Before I left, I told her where the actors’ trailers were.  I had fun talking with her…she is really nice!

I spoke to her on the phone a few hours later and found out she hit the jackpot!  She got to meet Richard, got some pictures, and she was over the moon.    He told her that her sign was rubbish.  I got a kick out of that!  She told him that another fan had been there and he asked if she was coming.  She called me as soon as she left.  Unfortunately, I didn’t answer my phone!!!  *facedesk*  I was so happy for her.

RAlover suggested I should try again today.  Judiang talked me into making a sign so I ran to Walmart today for supplies.  While I did that, my husband and daughter took the motorcycle up to Oakland University.

My husband called me while I was on my way to the campus.  He said he took a stroll down the hill and talked to a woman outside the trailers.  He asked if Richard was there and would he be available to meet me once I arrived.  She said, he wasn’t there yet, but would be soon – hubby should hang out up on the hill and she would wave him back down when Richard was available.

A few minutes later he called back and said Richard is in makeup and if I don’t get there before he goes to costuming we would not be able to take pictures.   I was almost there, but had to take a most convoluted route – snaking my way through three more parking lots to where my husband was.

We didn’t have to wait long before the woman waved, and THERE HE WAS, striding towards us.  We ran down the hill (me praying that I would not have a Bridget Jones moment and fall on my arse, roll down the hill and end up at Richard’s feet).

My husband got there first and Richard met him with his hand outstretched and a “Hi, I’m Rich!”  They shook hands and my husband introduced me and Richard shook my hand.  All I could say was, “Hi!  I cannot believe I forgot my camera!”  He laughed at that and asked where we came from.  I told him we lived just down the road.  He smiled and shook hands with my daughter then bent down to talk to my 6-year-old son. Richard tried to shake his hand, but “Boy” had his hands full – a bottle of water in his right hand and a Captain America toy in his left.  I took the bottle so he could shake Richard’s hand, but he transferred the toy and offered Richard his left hand.   Richard asked him his name as they were shaking hands, but Boy wouldn’t answer.  I told him Boy’s name, and Richard took the Captain America figure and said, “Cool!  Captain America!!”

I told Richard I had brought another sign and showed it to him.  He cracked up.  He said, “We have to get a picture with this!!  Come over here!”  I walked over to him and he said, “Get in close.”   (SQUEEE)  He put his arm around my shoulder and grabbed the corner of the sign.  He told “Girl” to get in the picture and asked her to hold the other corner.

Of course, it was windy, and the wind blew all of my hair into my face. Grrr.  I hurried to push it back and put my arm around his waist (!)  *swoon*  My husband took the picture with his cell phone.

I asked if it was okay if I asked a few questions.  He said yes, so I asked him if he would be using a British or American accent for the film.  He paused.  His eyes twinkled at me as he smiled and said, “American.”

He started to leave, but I asked if he had time for one more question.  He turned to me and I grabbed his hand.  I said, “Please tell me your character’s name is not John.”  He didn’t quite hear me so he leaned in closer and I repeated what I had said.  He looked perplexed for a moment then laughed.  He said, “No, I am not John.”    Lame, I know, but I had to ask!

“Girl”, who talks to NO ONE, not even her teachers, asked if she could get a picture with him.  He said sure, and put his arm around her.  Then he said, “(Boy) come get in the picture!”  Boy stood next to his sister but Richard talked him into standing on Richard’s other side.  We snapped some pictures, and the woman said, “Richard, time to go or you’ll be late.”

I told him it was an absolute pleasure to meet him.  He smiled as he walked away.

And I squee, squee, squee’d all the way home!!!!!!!!!!!

I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors – my head is still spinning!!!  The whole thing took less than 3 minutes, but it was phenomenal!!

I’d like to go on record and say that my husband the BEST husband on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!