Fan site for the BBC miniseries North & South, starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe.
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January 19, 2008: It's a little late in coming, but IslaJane's 2008 North and South Calendar is ready! Don't blame IslaJane for the tardiness though—your humble webmistress got side-tracked, as usual. (But hey! It's January still, okay?) If for whatever reason you want to see what the 2007 Calendar looked like, it's here.
January 10, 2008: Happy New Year! We have a new update—no need for smelling salts this time, let's hope! C19 member Caffeinated (of rulethewaves.net) has generously allowed us to show her gorgeous wallpapers in the graphics section.
November 27, 2007: Get out your smelling salts, the site has been updated! The webmistress (that's me) has had an extraordinarily busy summer, and so updates were not forthcoming. (That's my story and I'm sticking with it.)
This time we have some fabulous new graphics by Kiteflier. You can admire them here!
Also, we have not abandoned the fanfiction site idea. It's just been a busy summer, okay? Check back for more news soon!
May 5, 2007: Updating the video clips on FoolishPassion.com was very much overdue! We've now got several different file sizes and formats, and the quality is so much better compared to our previous videos. We've also added two new clips—"Meet Nicholas," and an excerpt from the North & South DVD extra feature—an interview with actor Richard Armitage, who plays Mr. Thornton.
May 3, 2007: A blow to North & South fandom: Yorkshirewench's Yellow Rose fanfic site will be going offline on May 11th. We at Foolishpassion have decided to try to fill the void that her excellent site will leave behind. With the help of fellow C19 recruit Piccadilly, we're going to open a North & South fanfiction site on FoolishPassion.info. If you are a fan fiction author and would like to have your work included on this new site, please PM or email Remontant (email address: remontant AT foolishpassion.com). 
Plans and goals for this new fan fiction site are still in the planning stages, and will be posted here when more information is known.
April 30, 2007: Wow! This is a big event! We've added a new section to our site—Reviews and Recommendations. Our first entry is a fantastic review by C19 member Danusha Goska, Top Twelve Reasons why North & South is a Ten. Look for more articles in this section, with unique perspectives on the novel and BBC drama, as well as recommendations for other productions and novels that might please any North & South fan.
March 27, 2007: We have another big treat—a great new video from jancis, who has been on a fan video roll! View her lovely video Only Time on her fan video page.
March 18, 2007: FoolishPassion.com has another great addition to our fan video section. C19 member jancis has created a new and quite powerful video, Open Your Eyes. View it on her fan video page.
March 11, 2007: Another update! It's a long time coming, and misses our first year anniversary by a few weeks. Sorry about that! We have a new music video by C19 member Jancis, "Sand and Water." This is a profoundly lovely video and should be a must-see. Also, another C19 member, woohoo, has allowed us to republish her hilarious take on John and Margaret's text messages to each other. You'll find it in the humor section. Many thanks to both of these ladies for such superb additions to Foolishpassion.com!
Alas, you'll find (if you're really paying attention) that the guest book has been messed up. It is completely the fault of your humble webmistress (elvira). I have re-entered all the entries by hand (fortunately having a copy of the contents of the guestbook). Everything is as it was before I messed it up, except for the dates, which now all read March 11th. In fact, the guestbook has been up since September 2006. Sorry about that!
February 20, 2007: FoolishPassion.com has its own message board! I decided to go with a third-party solution (Proboards), because I do not like dealing with broken databases (that's what brought the previous FP.com message board down). This board is very modest and not at all ambitious. We just wanted to have a place to carry on polls and various North & South related discussions. It in no way is attempting to replace bigger, better boards (like C19).
December 3, 2006: Another update! It looks like we're cooking with gas! C19 member IslaJane has thoughtfully made some fantastic 2007 North & South Calendar Graphics. Mix and match images to make your own customized calendar for the new year!
November 10, 2006: What is this? Can it be? Yes, I believe it's an update! Wow! Amazing!
Your humble webmistress has been very busy (and side-tracked) but now she's back on track, presenting some fabulous new content for this site—namely, lots of beautiful graphics! IslaJane has made some gorgeous bookmark graphics—these are images that you can print out, laminate, and use as actual bookmarks. New C19 member kiteflier created these stunning sigs and avatars. And, stella submitted more fantastic graphics some *ahem* time ago, and finally they are being put up on the site. (Sorry, stella! I'm a bad, bad webmistress.)
August 10, 2006: Time for another exciting update! C19 member stella has graciously allowed us to show some of her stunning signature graphics and avatars. Beautiful! In addition, Elvira (that's me) has made a new fan video, "A New Love," which you can find on the fan video page.
July 19, 2006: It's been a lazy summer here at FoolishPassion.com. Finally, some very nice updates! Neelma has graced us with an evocative new fan video using music by film composer Thomas Newman. In the Graphics section of the site IslaJane has created a powerful new wallpaper graphic entitled "Are You Satisfied?" You'll definitely enjoy both of these creative offerings!
June 20, 2006: Well, it's been done. Now FoolishPassion.com has video clips for the iPod! (You can view them on your computer as well.) Perfect for the "addict" who wants to bring a little bit of North & South with them wherever they go!
June 19, 2006: We've added another North and South fan music video by C19 member and video artist Neelma. In addtion, we're starting to work on making some of the videos here iPod-friendly. Expect to see some new additions for video soon. (iPod video files will also play in iTunes or Quicktime Player, so even if you don't have an iPod, you won't be left out!)
June 9, 2006: More diversions for your humble webmistress (that's me, elvira) have caused this latest update to be long-overdue. But the new stuff is finally up, and it's all fabulous!
Additional offerings from C19 members: Neelma has joined the ranks as a Foolish Passion Fan Video artist. Be sure to view her lovely videos. Yorkshirewench made some more beautiful North & South wallpaper—check out her updated wallpaper pages. And our own Red Queen has consented to have her very witty "Diary of an Addict" added to the humor section of the site.
The Links page has also been updated.
May 15, 2006: C19 member Elisavet has graciously created sound files of excerpts from the BBC miniseries for North and South. Remontant has summarized what each clip is about. Listen to them in the Audio Clip section.
Mr. Thornton and Mr. Darcy chat about women troubles. C19 member Red Queen has penned a most hilarious "conversation" between these two. You can find it in the Humor Section.
May 9, 2006: FoolishPassion.com's humble webmistress went on a much-anticipated vacation to Central and Northern California (including the California coast and Yosemite National Park) and therefore the site hasn't been updated in a while. However, today we have some new additions: Milton lass has a new music video (and hilarious it is) and elvira (that's me) has decided to try out this whole music video thing as well. You'll see our video pages in the Fan Video section.
Stay tuned, more updates are expected really soon!
April 21, 2006: After you take a quiz (in Polls & Quizzes section) read what Milton lass has to say about your test score. Very hilarious!
April 20, 2006: It appears as if FoolishPassion has taken a bit of a hiatus, hasn't it? But we've still got plenty of goodies in the works. Just added is a Music Video section— Remontant has been so inspired by John Thornton, she's decided to try her hand at music videos. Her lovely, ethereal fan video is not to be missed! And be sure to check out Piccadilly's wonderful fan videos, if you haven't already enjoyed them.
IslaJane has added some special "Foolish Passion" wallpapers to her wallpaper page. They're absolutely gorgeous!
April 1, 2006: I've been remiss in announcing updates to the site. First of all, we've got a new addition to the Humor section—C19 member IslaJane has contributed a most hilarious play-by-play of a race between Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice) and Mr. Thornton as the most swoon-worthy romantic hero: Rosings Rose Bowl Steeplechase.
Milton lass has been wonderful in contributing some great new cards to the eCards section of the site.
March 27, 2006: Some more exciting updates! Remontant has written some FAQs about all things North and South, including information about the two miniseries (yes! there have been two!) and the author of the novel, Elizabeth Gaskell. She includes links to more resources and gives you the lowdown on fanfiction and music videos. You'll find her article in the newly-formed FAQs section.
In addition, some new polls have been created, just to keep things fresh. We really want to get your input, so please participate! They can be found in the Polls & Quizzes section.
March 26, 2006: More happening behind the scenes here at FoolishPassion.com. There are some pages that will be ready to go live soon. Check back later for updates on those. Also, we've (well, I've) got a new obsession—setting up a message board. (Update 8-11-06: I hate databases. Databases are from Satan. Message board will return later - elvira) Yes, a board seems a bit redundant, especially since C19 is so fabulously North and South-centric. But we want to start discussions on specific articles we plan to have on the site, so a message board seemed like a good solution. Don't get the wrong idea, though—we have no lofty ambitions here. While we encourage everyone to register and participate on our boards, a little bit of fun is all we're aiming for. The big fun will always be found at C19!
March 21, 2006: Did a few very subtle updates to the site—nothing you're likely to notice. Mostly, some tweaking to make the site more "search engine friendly." (I'm not an expert at this, but I try.) Otherwise, took it easy. My update yesterday sounded more than a little pathetic—I don't need any more days like that!
March 20, 2006: More videos. Check the Foolish Video page. Lots still to learn about this video stuff. A bit tired. Can no longer form complete sentences. Put a fork in me. I am done for the day!
March 19, 2006: UPDATE: More videos are on the Foolish Video page. It must be emphasized that I really don't know what I'm doing yet, but am learning as I go along. Only the video clips that are "passable" are published, but in time I hope that better quality ones will replace what's there now.
March 19, 2006: The latest addition to FoolishPassion.com: Video. There are several new things coming to the site as well, but I (elvira) have been especially obsessed with making some small, short video clips. They are embedded Flash videos, and are bandwidth-friendly (mostly). Our intention for showing these is merely to whet the appetite of those who have not yet purchased the DVD. More clips coming soon (but not too many!). See what we've got up so far on the Foolish Video page.
March 16, 2006: UPDATE. You might have noticed that there's a new listing on the side menu. We now have a humor section! Our first offering is a reprint of a very funny thread from the C19 message board—Remontant was able to get permission from most of the participants to republish it here. It is called "Life Lessons Learned from North and South" and is in the Humor section.
Another crossword puzzle from Remontant is in the pipeline, just about ready to go live. In addition, Piccadilly and I (elvira) are still busy working on the super-fantastic FoolishPassion.com image gallery. We've gotten through part of Episode One, and can tell that it's going to take a while to complete. You can take a peek at what we've got up so far—but realize that it's not remotely done, and you are apt to get 404 File Not Found notices (or incorrect links) if you wander around long enough.
March 16, 2006: Well, I've been very behind in updating this page, but plenty of updates have been happening elsewhere on the site! C19 member piccadilly has submitted a new video, "Always." It's available on her Music Video Page. Fellow C19 member Remontant has been busy making new crossword puzzles, and reminded me that the software she is using also creates printable versions of the puzzles. These have been added as well. You'll find them all in the Polls & Quizzes section.
We've got some goodies coming up, including a humor section. We think you'll really enjoy it. In addition, piccadilly and I (elvira) are crazy enough to try to create a North and South image gallery. It won't be as extraordinarily comprehensive as the wonderful collection of screencaps made by C19 member Veronica (available on The Armitage Army site), but piccadilly has been capturing high res images from the DVD, so we thought we'd share them on the site. It's a big job and will take a while, but we're obsessed . . . err . . . dedicated!
March 12, 2006: Still a lot going on behind the scenes, with many more exciting updates and goodies in the works. In the wee hours, on a whim, I wrote a page about getting started on making web pages. I do love to ramble, and a few people had indicated that they were interested in starting their own sites.
March 10, 2006: UPDATED: Remontant has created the most addictive North and South online crossword puzzle! There's also fresh new poll—both of these are found in the Polls and Quizzes section. Be sure to give your opinion! Also, a few FoolishPassion.com web buttons have been added to the Links page, for use in linking to our site.
Right now a lot is going on behind the scenes. Remontant and Elizavet are toiling on audio clips, while I (elvira) still remain fascinated by the concept of adding more interactivity to the site.
March 8, 2006: The Guestbook is now live and seems to be working well. C19 member yorkshirewench (also the webmistress of a music video site and a North & South fanfiction site) has contributed some really lovely desktop wallpapers. They're in the Graphics section.
March 6, 2006: Today was a slow day, though two absolutely charming quizzes from Milton lass were added to the Polls & Quizzes section (thanks to Remontant's excellent coding!). I kicked back and watched a DVD that C19 member Piccadilly sent. (Thanks Piccadilly!) I needed a break, what can I say?
March 5, 2006: C19 moderator deansay49 has contributed some Quizzes for the Truly Obsessed. These are tough but fascinating—and just the thing for a truly obsessed fan. They can be found in Polls and Quizzes.
The Foolish Passion Cards site is ready to go. There are only about a dozen e-cards up there right now, and many more are planned. In addition, the guest book seems to be working fine. We haven't formally announced either of these new features—but if you want to take a peek and sign the guestbook or send out a card, go for it!
March 4, 2006: UPDATE: Well, today was a busy, busy day. The passion to develop interactive features on this site has not waned. The poll and quizzes are working well, and can be found in the Polls and Quizzes section. More quizzes will be coming soon. Remontant was enlisted to help with editing the code used to make the quizzes, and did a great job!
A guest book is in beta testing, and should be online shortly. In addition, we're going to have our own Foolish Passion eCards! They should be lots of fun.
March 4, 2006: In a passionate zeal to add some interactivity to this site, I (elvira) have been toiling to find ways to use polls and quizzes on the site. Here are the first efforts: North & South quiz, and a North & South poll. Feel free to participate! (Links open up to new windows.)
March 2, 2006: Much more work has been done to the site. IslaJane has submitted her outstanding North & South-inspired wallpapers, and I (elvira) have made up some signature graphics that would be perfect for use on the C19 message board (not too big or anything!). Remontant was able to glean permission from many ladies on the board for us to re-publish some rengas (unique collaborative poetry) that they wrote for John and Margaret. These are quite remarkable and beautiful, and will undoubtedly be enjoyed by everyone—even those who do not usually appreciate poetry. They can be found on the poetry/prose section of the site.
It's quite amazing how wide-reaching this project has become. We've got contributors from the USA, the UK, Greece, Germany and Australia! We've got many other surprises and goodies in the works—this is just the start!
February 28, 2006: Foolishpassion.com is the collaborative work of several members of the C19 message board, and is intended to be a fan site for the 2004 BBC miniseries North & South. Remontant came up with idea for the domain name (foolishpassion.com), and elvira (that's me) rushed out and reserved the name. (I collect domain names in the same way that Imelda Marcos collects shoes.) The initial intention for the site was for it to host sound clips from North & South. But then our ideas grew and evolved—and are still evolving as I write this page.
Currently, our plans include having a portion of this site designed to be more friendly for the visually impaired. Some of us have loved ones with vision problems, so such an idea seems to be a good fit. The sound clips should enhance the visually impaired visitor's appreciation for the site's commentary and reviews for North & South, and ultimately this should encourage more interest in the series. Remontant is working hard on developing this section of the site, as well as writing articles in the Foolish Passion blog.
There are so many talented and inventive members on C19, and a few are onboard here at FP.com with their own unique contributions. Piccadilly has shared some fabulous music videos which are inspired by North & South. Milton lass is our resident creative genius who has already provided some wonderful screensavers, and has more goodies coming soon. IslaJane is contributing some things that are very lovely to look at, while Elisavet has been fantastic in contributing and editing many sound clips. And I've got some plans to make some special fan graphics for the site. We have many other (sometimes lofty) ambitions for this site as well.
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