Dear Benedict,
WOW.
That was about all I could say when I entered the kasbah earlier this week and saw your big surprise. I know, it’s a pretty lame response given the amazing changes that took place here while the kasbah was in your and Laird’s capable and creative hands. Actually, that WOW should be written in a much bigger font to fully express itself. I would have made it in 72 point font size if I could have figured out how to do that, but I’m still getting used to all the new levers and buttons on the shiny new control panel. But even that would still have fallen way short of the loads of thanks owed to you.
It’s almost enough to make me send you directions to the writing cave just so I can properly thank you.
Almost.*
What I am really trying to say with all of this rambling and nonsensical gibberish is I LOVE what you and Laird have done with the place. (BTW – she says you’re a peach to work with on a project. I think you may have a new career to consider. Just sayin’.)
Also, thanks for your offer to return once again as caretaker of the kasbah. Oh, I know that’s not the moniker you bestow upon yourself each time you’re filling in for me. It’s all o.k. In fact, if you can figure out how to make text into 72 point font, you can call yourself the Font Master. Whatever. It’s all good with me.
I may not have sorted out the font size thing yet, but I did, however, figure out how to insert adorable gif’s like this one:
I know, it’s not a terribly difficult thing to do and no, I don’t go scouring the interwebz for things like this. You know I don’t have time for that. But I couldn’t pass up the chance to try my hand at putting one in here. Blame it on the bold changes to the kasbah for inspiring me to do something new.
I think I’m going to be inspired to do many more things in the kasbah in the coming year. I’ve already been engaged in a few brainstorming sessions this week. Sorry, I can’t reveal what the idea seedlings are yet since they’re not fully formed. I am, however, open to hearing about any real suggestions you may have in lieu of the notes recently left in the kasbah’s suggestion box written in handwriting strangely similar to yours:
“Bedazzler jammed again. Need a new one. Hugs, Crafty McBlingster”
“Disco ball needed for the much-anticipated Salute to Barry White Night. Peace, Mr. Gottadance”
“More tortilla chips and guacamole. Signed, Jose Cuervo”.
All of which begs the question: why was I not informed when there was guacamole in the kasbah? You know how I love the stuff.
You know what else I love? Finishing things, things like letters to classy British actors. But with that .gif of you smiling and laughing up there, I can’t seem to get focused enough to finish composing my letter. It’s… kind of… hypnotic. Is that what a .gif is supposed to do? Lull you into an unproductive trance? Or is it just this particular .gif that is pulling me in with its incapacitating tractor beam? How do people ever get anything done when they’ve been watching these demonic gifts of technology?
Speaking of getting things done, the 12 year-old and I finished reading The Hobbit and then had a most enchanted evening seeing the movie together. Martin was, as you know, absolutely brilliant in it. He was completely perfect for the role of Bilbo Baggins. He is truly an amazing actor at being able to succinctly express so much with a single look, all while wearing large hobbit feet and telling riddles to Gollum.
Don’t tell him I said this, but for a long time Martin has been my Second Favorite Classy British Actor and has been steadily moving up on my highly exclusive list of People I Adore. I’m afraid for him to know all of this because he may want to correspond with me, too, and as much as I would love to chat with him, I really do need to spend as much time as possible on my novel. Send him my good wishes and give him a big hug from me next time you see him, would you?
Thanks again, friend, for all of your hard work here and for holding down the fort while I do another round of word slinging. My resident genius is getting antsy and is threatening to cut me off from the chocolate bourbon pudding if I don’t resume the tapping on the keyboard. Back to the writing cave I go.
Industriously yours,
Tami
*We both know I am not one to have my mind so easily swayed with gifts, but dang it all if it didn’t cross my mind a few hundred times to send those directions. Just sayin’.
~*~
*Editor’s note: The views, ideas, and opinions expressed in the Letters from Benedict series are works of fiction and obviously did not come from the actor himself. This series is just my way of expressing adoration for Mr. Cumberbatch and his work and is not intended to be seen or read as a true collaborative writing endeavor with him.
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Ellen Gregory said:
…So you can ‘properly’ thank him… oh yes?
Glad to hear the Hobbit was good!
That .gif is rather, er, compelling!
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Tami Clayton said:
A 72 point WOW felt a bit inadequate for all of the work done here. A proper thank you can take many forms. I’ll just leave it at that. 😉
The Hobbit was really good. Exceeded my expectations and that of the 12 year old’s. We both loved it.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds that .gif compelling. It’s still hypnotizing me. Must. Look. Away.
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Brinda said:
It’s good that you thanked him with, “Industriously yours,”. At least one of us is bring industrious this month. I saw that my blog link is at the left! *big hug*
I need to work on my own site. It is on the December to-do list. Your new digs are awesome.
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Tami Clayton said:
I’ve been industrious this month, just not in the ways I would have liked. And you’re so welcome for the blog link. Your blog does indeed rock. If either of us has been industrious lately it is YOU.
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Sherry Isaac said:
Tami, imagination runs amok wondering what tender secret you whispered in Ben’s ear to make him smile so shyly.
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Tami Clayton said:
I believe I told him I just read his letter about having naked one-man dance parties in the kasbah while I was away.
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Elizabeth Fais said:
I concur. Laird and Benedict did a smashing job on the Kasbah redesign. You will have to elaborate on “the many forms of your proper thank yous” at some point. I’m sure your other readers would be interested too. 😉 I’m saving The Hobbit for Christmas Day. I’m glad it exceeded your expectations. I’ve been looking forward to it.
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Tami Clayton said:
Thanks for the compliment, Elizabeth. I’m glad you like it. I think you’ll like The Hobbit as well. I can’t wait for the next one to come out.
As for sharing what my proper thank you might be, I believe it is a far more meaningful thing when shared only between the giver and the receiver. 😉
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Elizabeth Fais said:
I agree with you on keeping meaningful thank you’s between giver and receiver. As my father would say, “I was just giving you the raspberry.” 🙂
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Tami Clayton said:
I know. I felt obligated to share my ‘kiss and don’t tell’ policy nonetheless. 🙂
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Elizabeth Fais said:
As any lady of honorable standards should. 🙂
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Liv Rancourt said:
Okay, like, I had to re-read the post three times because I kept getting distracted by smiling Ben, enough to where I couldn’t read the words around him. Unfair!
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Tami Clayton said:
I know, right? So distracting! Thank goodness the writing cave’s location is still a secret. 😉
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Debra Eve said:
WOW! Love the new digs. You should see my living room — definitely modern casbah with a little bit of Provence thrown in. Mr. Cumberbatch definitely has taste (like that was ever in doubt). And Laird is the maven of making things happen. Congrats!
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Tami Clayton said:
Thanks, Debra! Your living room sounds like a lovely mix of cultures. And yes, Benedict and Laird make a good team and have transformed the kasbah in such an amazing way.