[Blast from the] RAmantic Past

/ January 13, 2019

You may have seen it in yesterday’s round-up: Tumblr is currently in the throes of a content review. They have changed the community guidelines over there, and plenty of posts are being culled because of it. Prudes. Ignoramuses. Eejits. The platform will never be the same again, I suspect. But there is one good thing about it all: the review process means that users whose posts have been flagged, have a review queue in which they see the flagged posts and from which they can start the appeals process. I have had to do so myself, and I came across a gem of a post. I read through it yesterday and couldn’t believe I had written that. It was funny and creative. And it consists of a great game that you might like to play yourselves – while we are waiting for new announcements etc. Sure, it is a bit silly, but hey, that’s entertainment 😋

So I am basically reposting my old tumblr post here below. I know, that’s kind of cheap recycling of old material. But well, I actually think some of the old stuff is quite funny/interesting/nostalgic/hot to look at. Especially for the newer members of the fandom. Anyway, as an explanation before you read the rest of this post – it was written in response to a so-called “click and drag game”. Thankfully, the game in question is still online to this day, so you can actually try it yourself – and either blog about it or tell me about it in my comments.

❧ 😍 ☙

Sorry, but I have a lot of catching up to do. I just came across one of those click and drag games – I think I saw it on http://thefrencharmitagearmy.tumblr.com – and I just couldn’t resist doing this. I have this silly, silly belief in providence. And even when I tell myself it is all coincidental rubbish, I still secretly think that there is a significance in the coincidence. So here are my comments on my personal RA characters click and drag:

BEST FRIEND: Alec Track

Well surprising – because that is about the only RA show and character that I haven’t caught up with yet. And yet he is my best friend? Mh. But ok, for the sake of the argument I will say that it is great to have a doctor as a best friend. Just in case you ever need some internalcardiothorassictamponading massage. And that is actually quite likely when you consider that I am…

SLEEPING WITH: John Thornton

*oooof* Yep, I don’t really mind that although John T. would not have been my first choice for a regular sleeping-with-partner. I am sure John T. would be a thoughtful intimate partner, full of love for his Margaret, and yet also selfish at the right time. The man combines softness and force – which seems a good combination when it comes to sex, no? Just to be ready for any need…

FIRST KISS: John Thornton

Hm, we are developing a story here. So I had my first kiss from John T. No better man for that – thoughtful, caring, hopefully a bit more experienced than myself, therefore an experience that swept me off my feet. How come then that

ENEMY: John Thornton

gif by thefrencharmitagearmy on tumblr

Whoa? My first kiss and my enemy but I am sleeping with him. I bet the man is a Scorpio (like myself) – contradictions and PASSION where you profess to hate someone while deeply loving them. The story emerges – he gave me the first kiss, then he became my enemy (did he ignore me after the first kiss, the bastard??) and now I am sleeping with him. To get back at him? Or because I simply can’t live without him? Maybe it all has got to do the fact that I am…

MARRIED TO: Heinz Krüger.

How extremely fitting: In RL I am German, too – but no Nazi, which is why my marriage to this Nazi spy is strained and I have no qualms about sleeping with John T. Krüger does not deserve me. He only got me because I temporarily lost my senses over his attractiveness. No, I much rather fantasize about my…

FIRST BOYFRIEND: Lucas North

gif by gadomingo on tumblr

What a wonderful man – so analytically clever and enduring and patient and gorgeous. I was gutted when he vanished one day, from that rooftop. I still cannot quite believe that he is dead. Who knows – maybe he is not. He may have manufactured his way out. To fool Harry and all into believing that he is dead. When what he really wants is a peaceful life, without hunting down spies and saving other people’s lives with no reward. I haven’t given up hope that he will remember his first love (me) and come back for me…

I must have a thing for tragic heroes, though, because there is another similar man in my life, the man I…

gif by gadomingo on tumblr

LOST MY VIRGINITY TO: John Porter

We were young. It was before he got married and he had just started training with the SAS. He was already in the great shape that he is still in, but he hadn’t been emotionally hardened and numbed by the things he witnessed on his later deployments. John P. was quite the gentleman when it came to my first time. He, I could tell, was already quite experienced (despite being so young, we were both 21). He was forceful but gentle, knew what to do and how to make me happy, too. Ahhhh, pleasant memories… I wouldn’t mind meeting him again, catch up, take up where we left off, just watch him take his top off…

I must have a spot for men in uniform because there is another soldier in my life. But he…

CHEATED ON ME: Ian MacAlwain

You wouldn’t think that someone with the face of an angel could do that, cheat. But he did. I was heart-broken, and even more so, when I realised with whom. Still, I don’t think he deserved to be killed by that brute of a jilted husband. My

DRINKING BUDDY: Claude Monet

helped me over the hard time and grief over Ian. But only by keeping me company, nothing else. (I couldn’t kiss a man with moustache and goatee…)

Where does that leave me now: broken marriage, sleeping with the enemy, dreaming of the past. Tragic. I wish I was Maid Marian and Guy of Gisborne would come courting me. I’d give in before he finished his first ever word to me…

gif by jesuislemauvaisloup on tumblr

  ❧ 😍 ☙

Right, so that is this blast from the past. You can tell that it is an old game – from 2012, to be exact – because there are various important characters missing… Proctor! Chop! Daniel Miller! Francis Dolarhyde! And also some of the lesser characters. If I knew how to do it, I would make a new click and drag game… But in the meantime, you can find the old game still public on the WordPress blog of The French Armitage Army. (Unfortunately the blog has not been added to since early 2013… yet another fellow fan lost over the years…) Instructions are there, but just to reiterate – in order to determine the various characters, you click on the individual, fast-changing pictures. Keeping the left mouse-button pressed, drag the picture in any direction, and the gif will have stopped at one of the character pictures. You have to simply remember the name – and write it down – before you do the same with the next gif, because the gifs will not stop when you release the mouse-button.

Anyway, what did you think of this old post? Worth-while reading? Well, certainly in the spirit of saving the content that is in danger of being deleted from tumblr. But should I repost more of my old, prehistoric stuff – if I come across it at all? (I have no idea what is hiding among the oldest posts on my tumblr…) Or is that a cheap cop-out? Let me know in the comments. And have fun with your own version of your RAmantic past 😉

 

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90 thoughts on “[Blast from the] RAmantic Past”

  1. Eejits another new word! This was a delightful post to read on a snowy Sunday morning in DC/VA so thank you!! Absolutely continue to peruse old material which is new to me and several other compatriots here. You are innovative and your post is uplifting and cheeky and quite sweet!! I have no idea with the drag and click but I would shag all of them even Ian or Iain
    I’d marry John STANDRING But he’s not a lusted er listed choice 😘❤️🤣

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    • Oh, you deleted your tumblr? When did that happen???
      Yeah, I mean, I am not really active there anymore, but I always kept it going, just because it not only held a lot of memories but also a lot of pictures and gifs and references. Not sure whether they will all survive now…

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  4. haha, my results are quite funny! hope you enjoy my write up!

    Best Friend: Lucas North-well he’s clever and handsome. Who wouldn’t want someone as charming as Lucas in their life. He’s a loyal mate too!

    First Kiss: Thorin Oakenshield -we were teenagers when we met-he was a few years older and i loved a long haired angsty type. We would sit and listen to Pink Floyd albums whilst having a toke and he would declare his undying love for me whilst staring intensely at me with those blue eyes

    Drinking Buddy: Lucas North -well as my best mate he’s understandably my drinking pal! many a good night in getting rat arsed and talking about conspiracy theories with him!

    First Boyfriend: Thorin =we went out for a bit understandably after being my first kiss but after a tumultuous few months , his intense attitude and clingyness really started to annoy me

    Lost Virginity to: Lucas North-well that’s the problem with drinking hard with such a handsome chap. We just had a bit too much one night and I thought ” “what the hell” he gorgeous and fun, no one i’d rather lose my virginity to! he was great-sexy and kind

    Enemy: John Thornton- well he’s a dick tbh, he’s so bloody haughty and just winds me up

    Married to: Guy of Gisborne – didn’t last, he was also a dick

    Sleeping with: Lucas North -once tasted it’s impossible not to keep going back, usually when we’re both a bit tipsy or sometimes he’s a booty call

    Cheated on me: JohnThornton -see i said he was a dick!

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    • LOL – loved it. And tehre was definitely a theme there. Lucas obviously really caught your heart even though he started out as a buddy. But well, maybe that is the nicest thing – to be sleeping with a FRIEND!
      And Thornton: NOT surprised that he has turned out a bit of a dick. That trend was already there in my experience with him *hehe*.
      Sorry to hear it didn’t work out with Guy. Although I am slightly relieved – at least that means I can still hope… Especially as good old Lucas, for whom I was waiting, is sleeping with you.

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      • Also auf Guy musst du noch ein bißchen warten. Mindestens solange, bis ich mit ihm fertig bin 😉😈😂. Wie ich gestern erfahren habe, schlafe ich ja mit ihm. Und ich teile nicht gerne.

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          • Happy New Year ro you, too, Michele 🎆! Yeah, Guy´s doing the best he can to keep me busy all the time 😉. He has quite an appetite 😂. Did you try the click and drag game?

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              • Maybe I can arrange something for you in this matter Michele 😉. John Standring is my drinking buddy after all. You can join us next time we meet for a boozing 🍻🥂🥴.

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                    • Yeah, I´m quite busy at the moment so not much time to hang around here, unfortunately. But I hope it´ll get better at the end of the month. I´m afraid I´m not sure if I get your question right, sorry. What do you wanna know?

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                    • Nordlicht, I had to go back and look what I was asking you, who do you shag? Marry? Drink with? First time with? Cheated on you? First boyfriend? I forgot the other ones.. That’s what I meant by line up.

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                    • Ah, so my guess was right. I was not totally happy with the results I have to say. And the one I was hoping for didn´t show up at all.
                      This is just for you, you curious girl 😉.
                      As I said my drinking buddy is John Standring. With the right amount of alcohol he becomes very talkative. And he starts telling the best dirty stories then. Sometimes still waters run very, very deep. We meet quite often for some drinks, maybe too often. Sometimes my best friend joins us, John Porter. Couldn´t wish for a better one. He was also the first one I kissed. Sweet memories, I´ll never forget that, he just managed the right amount of tenderness and passion. Luckily, my first boyfriend Lucas North could keep up with his kissing. Unfortunately, we couldn´t build up a long lasting relationship because he was always busy with his job and I feld neglected. Must be the reason why I lost my virginity to John Mulligan. Well, I was told that but I can´t remember it and I don´t even know that guy. Apparently I drank a lot that night. Seems Lucas was the love of my life and I never overcame our separation. So on a trip to Las Vegas I drank too much again and got married to Lee Preston. I can tell you I was shocked the next day and luckily I was able to annul the marriage within one week. Nevertheless Lee managed to cheat on me during these short time. As a punishment I had to burn his Speedos, of course. At the moment I´m through with looking for true love. I only want to have some fun and that´s the reason why I´m sleeping with Guy. And I can tell you he knows exactly what he´s doing between the sheets (and everywhere else). Anyway, I think I have to stop spending so many evenings with John Standring because I´m afraid I have a drinking problem. My enemy is Ian Macalwain and I can´t even remember what I might have done. I´d say I never met that guy before. But well, sometimes alcohol is a very false friend.

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                    • Nordlicht, wow ok so
                      1. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (I’ve never been to Vegas though)
                      2. John Standring would be a mighty fine drinking buddy b/c he would always have your back (hmmm)
                      3. Mulligan -yuck
                      4. Lee-I’ve only heard about the Speedos I’ve never seen them in action
                      5. Porter Porter Porter-one day I’ll get on the program with him

                      My short term memory has already forgotten the rest but I’ll go drinking with you any day!!

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    • Hahaha ha Guy all the way for me before Proctor before Daniel before Harry
      Guy has it all clean shaven
      Stubbly leather misunderstood and romantic my first,last and best frog s. I would chest w Thornton esp if we were at a train station and he gave me a yellow flower and cupped my face with those hands 😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️❤️

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          • Hahaha jou jou !!!! You can keep Lucas or fight Rachel for him too aloof for me I’m not cool like Ros
            Thornton my poor boy! He gets a bum rap he’s just dying to release himself 😘😉😉🤣

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                • LOL – nah, not just for the armpitage. I recommend you watch the first double episode again. The way Porter looks after the hostage (Katie) is just *thud* – he is very gentle, very caring, very sensitive, and he proves he is more than just a macho killing machine. It took me a little while to really get into him, but he is now my favourite fantasy boyfriend…

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                  • Guylty I’ve seen him twice now all the way 6 episodes after a lot of chatter about Porter. I mean yeah but he doesn’t have Guys charisma or Lucas wardrobe or cock walk or Thornton’s smoldering stare or Standrings compassion he took care of Carol !
                    We are going ITS as our Feb rewatch right? Gary is sweet daddy fix

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                    • Seriously? You think Gary is better than Porter? *eeeek* 😉 Well, let’s just agree to disagree here. Porter is a clever guy who knows what’s wrong and what is right. He knows how to manipulate and how to pussyfoot, if needed. He never had much opportunity to explore the relationship side of things, though, so the few scenes he has with women in legacy SB is all we have… And he is quite a sweet daddy in that, too!
                      But it just occurs to me that maybe one of my favourite ever fan fics has somehow sneaked into the John Porter Canon. If you haven’t read it yet, go and check out “Recovery” by Obscura. She totally sold Porter to me… https://archiveofourown.org/works/1682291/chapters/3575048

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                    • Yes Guylty I read that one. Gary is honest and reserved and loved his sons and appreciates in the end what he has. There’s no romance there either but Gary is a quiet hero rather than a macho man. Armitage has a great quote where he says some like red some like blue some like clean shaven some like beards ok to have differences I’m paraphrasing here so forgive me! We are doing ITS for Feb right? I’m ready to discuss as are I’m sure some other commenters😘😉

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                    • Maybe that is what it comes down to, Michele – some girls prefer quiet, reserved guys (Standring, Gary?), others are more into the assertive types (Porter). Or maybe it depends on which needs need to be fulfilled in the respective fans’ lives. I have got my very own John Standring at home; hence I’d rather like a bit of macho Guy and Porter in my fantasy life 😉
                      If you insist we can do ITS in February. (Is that film on Netflix?) I suspect we’re not going to draw big crowds with that film, though 😂

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                    • Well I thought you had mentioned that after my Guy campaign failed! There is much to discuss w ITS it’s more deep then it looks. But whatever you want don’t want to step on any toes here 😉😘👁🤐would be later in Feb anyway due to hmmmmm I know it is on Amazon US but not sure in Europe

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                    • No, you’re not stepping on any toes. I don’t really mind, and in fairness – *I* selfishly decided on Hannibal for this re-watch, so it’s only fair that we also watch something that I am not that keen on. Have to get hold of the thing first, though, it’s not on Prime Video UK/IRL…

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                    • Well, I saw it in the cinema when it came out, and the best I could say about it was that it was an ordinary summer action film. But yeah, it’s a long time since I saw it…

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                    • In all honesty my first view it looked like. Twister copycat but viewing it second time I really missed a lot of action and plot development esp w Gary and the two sons. Your Hannibal discussion is very good as I am lurking so I think ITS would be great!

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                    • Oh yeah! Recovery was one of the fan fic I ever read! It’s really gripping and a bit naughty too! Very high calibre writing

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                    • Yep, agreed. Well, Obscura really is/was top quality in terms of fan fic. I’ve read other stuff by her (unpublished) and it was just stunning. (I really wish she was back active online…)

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                  • I adore Porter. He’s everything I want in a fantasy boyfriend – he’s loyal, brave, intelligent and caring, has a sense of humour, plus he’s totally and utterly sex on legs ❤️ #porterismyhero

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                    • I’m must be missing something Greece Porter. I get Lucas and the attraction now but Strike Back was all action
                      I wish there had been more smut w Porter and Dani or even a kiss w Katie although I don’t think that was the direction Perceval was going in. Name a scene where Porter was funny?

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                    • He uses great British sarcasm quite a bit. You must remember the Rorschach test -vagina vagina vagina. Try to remember other bits but definatley in the 2nd and 3rd stories more when he’s built up his confidence again. There’s quite a bit of banter with Masuka too.

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                    • The bit when he is in Afghanistan w the contractor who went rogue is funny and when they run into those women who want to be on tv with the sofa in the middle of the road I admit was cute! But I just didn’t connect w Porter
                      The Rorschach test? Is that when Dani goes down on him?

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  6. With your revelation about your feelings re North and South from previous posts, I had to smile when I read your game results 😆
    Revisiting old posts is a great idea, not a cheap cop out at all!

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    • Maybe it is this game that is to blame for my resistance re. North and South??? (Actually, no – I disliked the book before I became a fan of the actor…)
      Hehe, well, let’s see what else I will dredge up from the deepest depths of Tumblr…

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      • You do hone on Thornton though even vehemently against what he stands for so perhaps there is hope!! He’s not my fav and I thought Guy was your ultimate dude not Porter?? Revelations today!! 👁😘🤣❤️❤️

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      • Dredging up from the deepest depths of Tumblr……..I’ve had fun trawling through The French Armitage Army’s archives. Have reblogged a few posts for the same reason you are dredging; keeps my blog active and there is so much out there that more recent bloggers wouldn’t have seen.

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        • There are lots of gems there! And some of it is still valid – and if not, it is at least entertaining. I looked through French Armitage Army, too, and at the end of it I felt sorry that she’s not active anymore…

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            • You shouldn’t have a problem Michele, if the blogs are public. Just search “richard armitage tumblr” and the blogs will come up in the results. Not all blog home pages show an archive link though, and I’m not sure if you need to be logged in if they do, but you could spend hours scrolling!

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  7. My results are a hoot!
    Best friend: John Standring,well yeah, I can completely agree with that.
    First kiss: Also John Standring, well it happens with besties sometimes!
    Drinking buddy: Claude Monet,, seems to be everyone’s choice to share a glass of giggles.
    First boyfriend: Thorin Oakenshield. Mmmmm, baptism of fires there, but what a way to burn, oh yeah!
    Lost virginity to: John Mulligan. Oh god NOOOO…………..
    Enemy: John Porter, Oh crap, I’m in DEEP trouble there………….
    Married to: Claude Monet, Mmmm, not too excited about that, which is why I’m having an affair with…
    Sleeping with: John Thornton, seems a popular choice, sorry Guilty for muscling in.
    Cheated on me; Alec Track. Didn’t expect that!

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    • LOL – wonderful. I mean, it kind of starts out pretty well. Standring is a good starting point. Thorin as first boyfriend – ouch, I’m sure that was majorly intense. Way to burn indeed *hahaha*
      Mulligan as the first – *ugh* nonono, I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. Definitely a bit of a sleezeball. (How did you *ever* let him talk you into bed???)
      Porter as enemy: Ouch, that’s definitely a problem. He’s just way too good.
      Thornton as a bed buddy: Oh, you are welcome, austoz. He’s my enemy, so I’m glad of you distract him!

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  8. This was a lot of fun!
    My BFF is Thorin (hmm, does that make me Bilbo or Dwalin?).
    First kiss (& first boyfriend 😊) was Lucas North, who I’m apparently still sleeping with even though I’m married to dear sweet Harry.
    My enemy is Ricky for some reason (maybe I filched his bike).
    My drinking buddy is Alec (might be handy to drink with someone who knows CPR).
    And I lost my virginity to the cheating b*stard that is Sir Guy.

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    • That kind of all makes sense… first kiss and first boyfriend the same guy (and Lucas at that – I think he would’ve made a good first experience). No wonder then that you’re still sleeping with him 😉
      Ricky makes a good enemy – especially with his general loathing of society, it’s easy to get on the wrong side of him.
      Um, and Sir Guy stole your virginity. Something tells me that that is quite his thing…

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  10. That was fun! Here are my results:
    Best Friend: Harry Kennedy. Really… we’re just friends! But what’s with Geraldine? She gets so jealous when we go on our long walks with talks!
    First Kiss: Dr. Alec Track. Okay, look. I don’t even know this guy! Never even laid eyes on him!
    Drinking Buddy: Thorin Oakenshield. Nobody like a dwarf for drinking beer! (And psst. He sings when he’s in his cups!)
    First Boyfriend: John Thornton. A little awkward, but very gentle. Unfortunately, his mother disapproved and let me know it at every opportunity!
    Lost Virginity to: Lee Preston. I used to hang around the pool a lot and boy could he wear a Speedo!
    Enemy: Claude Monet. This guy owes me so much money! I helped him out before he was famous and now he won’t give me the time of day.
    Married to: Lucas North. After he faked his death to get out of the service, my Luke took up painting. I keep telling him that he’ll be bigger than Claude one day.
    Sleeping with: Guy of Gisborne. Well, who wouldn’t be?
    Cheated on me: Guy of Gisborne. Why am I not surprised?

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