17 April 2011

The calm before the...

Just finished work for the day, now grabbing a slice of toast and changing clothes before going with Danger and the boys to meet Nicky, Mark (her husband), Carla and Paul from the train. No idea if we're going straight down to my flat or what. Depends if they've packed the kitchen sink and need to dump luggage or not. And although I fear what Nicky will have brought for John - photo albums or whatever else she can find to embarrass me - it will be great for them to finally meet, face to face.





I wish I could get more time off during the week, but I've got to be in court Monday morning (hence working today and yesterday), so I'll just try and get some time off in the week. The Science Museum is currently winning the poll. To be honest, I imagine they'll do a lot of the stuff on the list. Hopefully Mycroft and Sherlock will enjoy the Science Museum too, though. Whereas perhaps they wouldn't be so into some of the other touristy things.

It'll be nice to see my little sis again, too. She knew Bryan, and everything that went on there, so I can maybe talk to her about that. We were pretty close growing up - our chaotic house and family meant that the two of us got on well, most of the time. United in the face of everything going on around us. The family I'm dealing with at the moment - the little boy who was murdered - is uncomfortably close to my own experiences. Except somehow no one ever murdered anyone else in mine. Although it seemed to come pretty close, sometimes.

Speaking of which - well, any of you who read Danger's blog already know that the dissolution is progressing, slowly. I'm really hoping we can sort it all out and just get the courts to do the official bit. But I fear it's not going to be that easy. Once it's all over, though, it will be brilliant. I can't wait until I never have to think about him again. Which is a somewhat uncomfortable thought, sometimes, when I remember the early days - because we did love each other, once. Did think it would be forever. And that's a sort of terrifying thought. Even picking up the phone to talk to him now brings me out in a cold sweat.


On a far, far happier note, I've pretty much settled on the configuration I want for the new bike. And Triumph have an offer at the moment to get some accessories free. Bellypan and rad cowls - which I might not have bothered with, but if it's free, why not? And a flyscreen etc. which I would have got anyway.

There you go. I've gone for shifting the exhaust from the two big pipes under the seat to the neat little side pipe. (Will stop Danger's bum from cooking). For some reason the website removes the pillion pegs when you do this - but rest assured, they'll be there on mine. The bloke in the dealer's assured me they still fitted. Upgraded the suspension. Gone for the gel seat (I'm old, I like the comfort these days.) Added a grab bar for Danger and will get a nice tank bag for taking my laptop/clothes etc. into work when I need to, or a bit of extra luggage if we go away places, so Danger doesn't have to have everything in a rucksack.

51 comments:

Elizabeth said...

You have so much going on at the moment! Hopefully work won't be too bad this week, and the dissolution will go as smoothly as possible... Congratulations on the bike, and have fun with Nicky and her gang! You lot should go to the Tower of London if anyone has the slightest interest in history. I went when I was Mycroft's age and loved it.

John H. D. Watson said...

It looks like the Batmobile's little brother.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger...You do realise what you've just opened yourself up to here?

If that's the BatBike...that would make me Batman.

And you ROBIN SPARKLES

Greg Lestrade said...

Elizabeth - I haven't been there for years, but I saw the other day they're having sculptures of animals put on the tower...because it used to be a zoo, for the King's menagerie. Apparently there used to be a polar bear there, and it was allowed to fish in the Thames! I wish I could have seen it.

And yes, busy doesn't seem to cover it...

John H. D. Watson said...

...Oh god. I really did set myself up for that, didn't I?

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm getting kevlar/armour for your denim jacket. You'll look so sweet on the back of the bike.

John H. D. Watson said...

If you do, I'll put bat ears on your helmet.

Greg Lestrade said...

It would be a small price to pay. Although I think the little angel wings would suit me better.

Will you wear your pants outside your trousers, too?

Anonymous said...

Do they put attachments on helmets? I went skiing with my brother's kids over the winter and they all wore what looked to me like motorcycle helmets (everyone on the mountain seemed to, it's very trendy, I felt so old school). But my nephew had accessorized his to have sort of stegosaurus bones on top. It made him very easy to find on the slopes. I can't imagine that kind of thing staying on at bike speeds though. But the boys might enjoy customizing.

Have fun with the family.

Anon Is Still Trying To Think Of A Name said...

You mean like these? (don't seem to be any bat ears, sadly).

Elizabeth said...

If that's the BatBike...that would make me Batman.

And you ROBIN SPARKLES.


Best setup ever. You should get his helmet bedazzled.

John H. D. Watson said...

DAMMIT ELIZABETH. Stop giving him terrible ideas!

Greg Lestrade said...

Kholly - you can indeed. They stay on remarkably well, it seems - I've never tried anything.

Anon-without-a-name - yes, I believe that's what Danger is referring to. Don't you think some innocent angel wings would suit me?

In all seriousness...no one is ever putting anything like that near my gear.

Elizabeth - I could! Lovely. Or maybe just get his name written in sparkles. He would clearly love it.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger - don't pick on Elizabeth. I think she knows you better than you know yourself. I've seen you staring at the jacket in your room.

John H. D. Watson said...

Nameless Anon - I didn't know that was actually a thing one could purchase. I may have to wreak my revenge in the form of fluffy bunny ears.

Nicky said...

Is this what you two do? Sit a few feet away from each other and wind the other one up via your blogs? And I thought my kids were bad!

Nicky
xx

John H. D. Watson said...

L - Yes. Because it haunts me.

Greg Lestrade said...

nicky - it's his fault, he started it by having a blog.

Danger - haunts you? You mean appears in your dreams, as you imagine yourself cavorting about in 'malls' wearing it.

John H. D. Watson said...

Nicky - Not all the time. Sometimes we manage it when he's at work as well.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - The really awful thing is, I probably would've liked it when I was twelve. Where were you then, eh?

Nicky said...

This is so confusing! These two have a normal conversation like - well, normally, here, over the kitchen table - and then a whole different conversation online. And Orio keeps laughing when he checks his phone. I'm not sure I'm going to keep up!

But, to everyone reading this who isn't in the room, John is as lovely as he seems - and definitely brings out the best in Orio. I haven't seen him smile so much for a long time.

Mind you, he hasn't been so childish for a long time, either! Although when I say childish, I should point out that Mycroft isn't childish at all, he seems very grown up. I would never have guessed he was only 12. And I haven't seen a lot of Sherlock yet. He seems to prefer watching us all from the doorway, scampering off occasionally. I'm sure he'll join in when he's used to us.

And he's just told me I should keep signing my name at the bottom of these. So I'll stop.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger - when you were twelve? I think I was just moving to London. First motorbike, first bedsit, first real taste of punk and clubs and...well, other things I won't go into!

Anon Is Still Trying To Think Of A Name said...

John - he was busy being DI Guyliner about that time, wasn't he?

Lestrade - from what I've read, innocent angel wings would never have suited you; maybe the devil horns?

Nicky - very glad to hear that you're having a lovely family gathering :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

Nicky - you ought to do a guest blog. Preferably with as many embarrassing photos from L's past as possible.

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh, John, I'm sure he's not embarrassed. Not by his punk phase, or his new romantic phase, or anything! I mean, he was so cool at the time!

I hope you know his passwords, because I'm fairly sure he won't allow me to use his blog willingly.

John H. D. Watson said...

Heh. Just steal his computer like you did just now. He's almost always logged in.

Mycroft said...

If he isn't I can help you. His passwords aren't very hard to work out. And I think it might be a suitable apology for helping to cut off your internet - if John says it's okay.

John H. D. Watson said...

...In this one instance, yes, all right. But we're not setting a precedent here, all right? Lestrade sort of brought this one on himself.

Greg Lestrade said...

They're not! Well, okay, maybe not very hard for you to work out, but for a normal person...and I change them!

And I didn't bring it on myself - my darling sister brought it upon herself by providing you with pictures of me.

Mycroft said...

Yes, you do change them. Which is more than John does.

And I wouldn't do it without permission, John. Don't worry.

Greg Lestrade said...

I might just go and live under my desk at work until all this is over.

Lawless said...

Enjoy your sister's visit. I voted for the Tower of London because I like history. I figure that between the historical aspects and the bloodiness of much of it, both Mycroft and Sherlock will be entertained.

Congratulations on working out what you want in a motorcycle. I'm not going to get anywhere near the discussion of helmet accoutrements, though.

Greg Lestrade said...

Lawless - Nothing is being stuck on my helmet, I assure you.

I've just eaten my own bodyweight in Italian food. Although not quite as much as Sherlock - sometimes he refuses to eat anything, other times he's got hollow legs, that boy.

And I'm deeply, deeply jealous that no one else has to go to work tomorrow (well, apart from Danger, who works 24/7...but I'd rather have his job tomorrow than go to court.)

Bronwyn said...

Holy crap, John, I want that sparkly helmet NOW, never mind when I was twelve. And given current obsessions, I'd put a TARDIS on it. Ohhh! Or maybe a Dalek! *slaps self out of fangirlish idiocy*

Anyway, don't let Lestrade get to you on the Sparkles thing. You're definitely not Robin as that would make your whole relationship with bat!Lestrade creepy and disturbing. You could be . . . someone else. I have to think. Maybe one of the Green Lanterns? You could pull off John Stewart pretty well I think.

*snaps fingers* I have it! You're Vigilante! *thinks* Or maybe Shining Knight.

God, I'm a nerd.

To sum up - the bike is tres sexy. The helmet is made of pure awesome. Sherlock continues to be simultaneously cute as hell and more potentially sinister than the little girl from The Ring. And Mycroft remains more amazing than any one human has a right to be.

See you next time.
Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!
Bronwyn

Bee said...

@Bronwyn, I just have to say, I love you for signing off like that <3 same Bat-time same Bat-channel... I have to use that now, not here obviously, in real life. I can't wait! =D
-that is all

P.S. Ditto on the helmet.I was a goody-two shoes 12 year old so I don't think I'd want it when I was 12, but now that I'm older and wiser(that second part is questionable)I think it's a great idea C: oh, and for some reason I see him as Flash? But I like John Stewart too

Bronwyn said...

@Bee Lord, I loved the Adam West Batman. And the Van Williams and Bruce Lee Green Hornet. Man, those were awful. But so much fun.

I agree John could be the Barry Allen Flash, maybe. Definitely not the Wally West Flash (my favorite Flash personally). John Stewart just strikes me as having the same military bearing.

Though, just to stay with the theme of stuff that glitters, I'll offer Booster Gold?

See you next time,
Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!
Bronwyn

Lindsay said...

I have to go to court tomorrow too, if that makes you feel any better?

God, I don't miss being in school but I do miss spring break. Sigh. I guess I shouldn't whinge too much, I have a couple days off coming up week after next. But it's not the same!

Bee said...

@Bronwyn haha old campy tv shows FTW =D

I like that about the John Stewart similarities as well. But I can't believe you brought up Booster Gold, I say we choose that one, for fun!

ahh bat-time, bat-channel, I can't get over that, thank you =D

John H. D. Watson said...

Bronwyn - isn't John Stewart a television host? I have no idea who most of those people are, except the Green Lantern, and wasn't his fatal weakness the color yellow? I object on principal. Also no one who wears tights please. I'm only just getting used to the idea of leather trousers.

Greg Lestrade said...

Lindsay - yeah it does. Feels like the whole world is on holiday.

Danger - glad you don't know what they're talking about either. Although you know more than I do. I will join you in your objection to tights. But you will look stunning in bike gear.

Anonymous said...

Another jacket for...either of you. (Or, okay, possibly me. If I had that kind of money.)

http://www.forzieri.com/style/genuine_leather_jacket.asp

Lindsay said...

John- Jon Stewart is the television host. John Stewart is one of the Green Lanterns. There have been a bunch of guys who used the ring and the Green Lantern handle. I can't tell you more than that though, DC Comics just confuse the hell out of me.

Polaris said...

Lawless -- I voted for the Tower of London too; history is kind of my thing.

Thanks to the "wings on the helmet" thing, now I'm picturing Captain America. Which is really not apt at all (fond as I am of Steve). OTOH, Captain Britain looks like this, so that wouldn't really work.

There should be more British superheroes.

Anonymous said...

I think our good DI is a British superhero.

annoyedwabbit said...

So if the DI is a British superhero (he totally is) then does that make Danger his sidekick, or his partner in superhero-ing? I'd go for the latter, myself - "es army doctor" sounds like a pretty good superhero origin story.

Mrs. Holmes is the head of the shadowy umbrella organization that directs superheroes (SHIELD, basically, if I've got my shadow umbrella organizations straight,) Sally is the DI's long-suffering minion who suspects something is up with her boss... I'm sure we can think up roles for everyone, if we try.

GIR'S DOOMETTE said...

To Bronwyn: I love that you would get a Dalek or a TARDIS. I'm a nerd too! I just joined my university's Quidditch team and I carry around the 10th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver. Nerds FTW!!!!!

Bronwyn said...

John Stewart is a television host.

But, there is a comic book character of the same name. He's a former marine turned Green Lantern and while I suppose he does technically wear spandex, he does so in a brash and manly fashion. Also he makes giant green hammers with his ring and smashes things. Which is fun.

Booster Gold is . . . the embodiment of all things shiny? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Booster_Gold_by_Benes.jpg This guy. Lord, he's hilarious. And from the future. And a bit of a loon. Also, not spandex. More . . . gold lame.

Vigilante is a cowboy and Shining Knight is, well, a knight. In armor. Which is also awesome.

Late on the reply, I know, but still.

To infinity and beyond!
Bronwyn

John H. D. Watson said...

Booster Gold looks like he's wearing body paint and nothing else.

Shining Knight is, well, a knight. In armor.

That'd be Lestrade then.

Bronwyn said...

Now John, I'm sure Lestrade wouldn't object to you in body paint. Especially if it were edible. But enough of that. I'm sure you're far nicer and less arrogant than Booster Gold anyway. I kind of like the idea of creating you your very own superhero, but that leads us back to the naming difficulty because almost all the doctors in comic books are deeply weird supernatural beings or psychotic loons bent on world destruction. I'll ponder it. *beams*

In brightest day! In darkest night!
Bronwyn

Bee said...

@Bronwyn, No evil shall escape my sight...

-that is all.

I can't wait to see what you come up with :D

Polaris said...

@Bronwyn: Jon Stewart is the television host; John Stewart is the Green Lantern. The spelling is how you remember the difference.

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