24 July 2011

Normal service is resumed...

...with the aid of bike-gear porn. I mean...that's the sort of thing John says when I look at bike gear. I can't help coveting some stuff, can I??

Anyway, finally finally we got back to the shops and bought Mycroft some biker gear. [Biker gear makes me sound like, well, a biker. Which I'm not. M]

We got him some black jeans, and ...what the...Mycroft! How do you do that? You are a biker, I mean, you will be. Enough to need biker gear, anyway. Now either come down here and contribute to the post with me or stop...doing that thing. [Okay. M]

Okay to which? Oh, he's here. Right. So, jeans, a nice plain black helmet, some decent boots and gloves, and The Jacket. Yes, Mycroft, it does need capitals.



He tried on a few different ones, some waterproof touring jackets, some all-weather ones, different styles - and quite a few of them suited him. But we all thought this one was the best:

It's really nice - plain, but with those nice retro-styled stripes. A bit like Danger's own jacket, styling-wise. And it fitted him really well too. He looked like a really smart young man. Plus it's got really good padding and vents. (Mycroft says he likes it because he thinks John's looks good - stylish, but nothing flashy.) We got him in all the gear, and he sat on one of the display bikes, to check he thought it was comfortable. The jacket is a bit big, but he'll grow into it in no time, I'm sure.

Mycroft says I've never shown you my jacket, and I have to, now you've all seen his and John's. So here you go:






Please don't Google it. It was...horrifically expensive. Embarrassingly so. But it's really nice. Although mine is scuffed and patched and re-stitched from various crashes. But every mark is a memory. And I love it. Love the way it feels, the way it fits, the way it smells...yes, all right, Danger, shut up with your eyebrows there - it's not porn!

I also bought some intercom units for us to use - Me and Danger or Mycroft. They just fit into our helmets, and let you talk to each other. I think it's better, especially for Mycroft, rather than relying on squeezes and taps and other non-verbal signals to me. And if John and I go away on the bike we can chat on the ride, which will be nice.


Just to touch on the post of yesterday - and thank you, for the comments, by the way - the Met have sent some people out to help the investigation in Norway. And in some small way it makes me feel better to know we're helping, just a bit.

I think it just all...well, it's 25 years ago on Wednesday since a close friend of mine died, and I've been thinking about him a lot and...everything just sort of overtook me a bit yesterday. Especially because he was one of those people who...cared for everyone, and had a great future ahead of him, almost certainly working for charities, and...well, anyway, I think I'll go and visit his grave on Weds.

222 comments:

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Ro said...

New poll! I had to check 'no', as I'm no longer a lurker, though I have been for quite a while, so it felt very odd to not check 'yes'. Also, I'm posting under my initials, so not totally anonymous. (You know, your redefinition of the old ... is really playing with my mind! I normally use ... all the time, but I find I'm having to re-work how I write, now!)

Tink, I honestly do not own a single article of white clothing (not even socks or underwear), so no chance of wearing the team colours. I have plenty of black, but have a violent dislike of white clothing, not sure why.

Anonymous said...

Bronwyn, the sewing machine I have is from 1913, it's one of the sewing machines built into a desk kind of thing. It works perfectly, it just needs a bit of oil, but even with my mom showing me how to thread the needle and with the manual, I'm pretty hopeless with it. When I tried to the thread the needle, it really wasn't pretty, lol. I think I just need a lot of practice and someone to watch me to make sure I don't, as Tink said, sew my fingernail. *Shudder*

Anonymous said...

Not sure how much sense this will make, I could have sworn I posted a reply already but it's not showing up.

Lestrade, you and Sally still hold the record for posting while under the influence. I'm not even going to try an match it.

Bronwyn, my sewing machine is from 1913. It works perfectly and has the manual, but even with my mom showing me how to thread the needle, I still have trouble. When I tried to do it by myself it was not a pretty sight.

It's one of those sewing machines in a desk, where you unfold the machine. I would love to be able to use it, but I'm always scared I'll mess the machine up or sew my finger, like Tink said.

*Shudder*

Becca said...

Nameless - I believe that coriander is the seeds, while cilantro is the leaves (in the US, at least) though the names do tend to be used interchangeably.

Bronwyn said...

Oh God, Pip. Tell me it isn't a treadle machine. Because if it is just back away slowly. Sell it on eBay and buy a Bernina. Or a Viking. Something that runs on electricity and keeps the stitches properly tensioned for you. Lord. That's like announcing that you've a first generation glow in the dark watch, but it still glows so no problem, right? Except the the paint is radioactive and thus lethal. Just don't do it, man! Sorry. Bit over the top there.
Laters,
Bronwyn

X said...

Woo, second page comment! I feel like this merits some celebration.

Nearly my entire wardrobe is comprised of black and white (or grey, which is really just a muddling of the two) so whether I consciously remember or not, I'll be one of the readers in team colours for your match.

All this talk of sewing and knitting is boggling to me. I can darn a sock and put on a button, and that's it. My attempts at cooking are also well and truly laughable. I can paint/sketch, however, so I suppose that's something redeeming (though coupled with aforementioned inability to cook, it plays into the starving artist cliche).

On the subject of debatably tasty food, an American friend of mine started mocking poutine today. :[ So while I'm sure I'd join the anti-marmots brigade if ever I tasted it, L, I understand your impulse to defend it. ;)

X said...

MARMITE. Not marmots. This phone I swear. It also tried to correct poutine to pygmies, so it clearly has an agenda of transforming food into sentient beings. :/

Piplover said...

I posted twice, but I think the internet ate it.

Greg, you and Sally will always win for posting while under the influence.

Bronwyn, my sewing machine is from 1913. It's one of those fold out desk ones. I do have the manual for it, and it works perfectly, but I'm horrible at threading the needle. My mom tried to help, but when I try it by myself, it's not pretty.

I would love to know how to use it without, as Tink said, sewing my finger. Ick!

Piplover said...

Sorry for the spam! Didn't realize this was posting to a new page. I think I had better back away from the posting screen until I am no longer on the good stuff.

Bronwyn, the sewing machine is from the White Company and is a rotary electric. Not sure what that means, except it does use electricity, lol. It's a lovely machine, in almost perfect condition. I just feel very stupid whenever I try to use it.

annoyedwabbit said...

Pip, your machine sounds very interesting! If it's anything like the old Singer machines, it's made entirely of steel and will still be running when all our modern plastic machines have fallen to pieces. They can be a little persnickety, though.

That said, I second Bronwyn's recommendation of a Viking. I have a Husqvarna Viking and I love it dearly. It has handled everything I have thrown at it, all with remarkable aplomb. I wouldn't trust Ebay, though - see if there's a sewing machine or quilting store nearby. Sewing machine stores usually have refurbished machines for less than the price of new ones, and if they stop working, you can go back and bother the seller in person.

And somehow we got from motorcycle gear to sewing machines. My only defense is that Husqvarna does, in fact, make motorcycles, so should I ever need a motorcycle to match my sewing machine, I'm set.

Bronwyn said...

My aunt was a deep Viking devotee, but I managed to get a hands on a Bernina 830, which is Bernina's original practically indestructible machine, and I love it immensely. If you want to take your machine into a shop and have it tuned, the people who work there will be more than happy to help you set it up. I will say that a more modern machine will be easier to use and learn.

And I love the sewing machine discussion.
Laters,
Bronwyn

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - Can't think of anything to say about today that won't sound trite, so... just I'm sure I'm not alone in saying I'm thinking of you and hope that you get through today OK.

And I hope the run this morning helped.

Tink said...

X: Oh my lord. How can anyone hate poutine?! WTH?! OM NOM NOM. Also, find white post it notes and put them on your clothing on match day. Or buy a white scarf. YOU CAN DO IT. IT'S THE MET'S GAME OF A LIFETIME ON THE LINE! :D *cheers*

Pip: Don't sell it on E-Bay. Lurk on the crafter boards and find ones that have sewers that like old machines. And then advertise there! My vote for a new machine is either Viking or Bernina. You can find classes at local craft shops usually.

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - thanks. I just put up a bit of a post. Made me feel a bit better, actually. He'd have hated people being sad, really. So I shall try to think of the good things, not tha bad.

The rest of you - post up a couple of pictures of leather jackets and you all go wild in comments! I never even knew you could get a page 2 of comments.

Tink said...

Greg: That's because you + Danger + leather jackets + us is a winning combination <3 (Also, good on you for knowing he wouldn't want you to be sad.)

PAGE TWO PARTY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA

Anon Without A Name said...

Becca - yeah, over here we tend to use coriander to mean the leaves, and coriander seeds to mean, well, the seeds :-) But at least I got the right herb :-p

Tink - I'm not a dressing up kind of person. And also I'm terribly British, so I will be quietly rooting for Lestrade's team to win, whilst openly downplaying and mocking any pain or injuries he suffers. Possibly whilst drinking tea.

Lestrade - well, there are rather fine jackets :-) And, if you'd care to share a happy memory or two of Steve, I'm sure we'd love to read them. Well, I would. Um, but only if you want to, obviously. (I just read your post; he sounds like a good man, and exactly who you needed in your life. Which I should probably say there, not here)

Tink said...

Nameless: ... But... but it's rugby!!! Not only that, but it's Greg playing rugby!!!

O___O

Greg Lestrade said...

Tink, you underestimate the British ability to be reserved. In answer to your comment of...ages ago... I don't think we have cheerleaders or anything here. I've never known any, anyway.

Nameless, I will alternately whine about very small injuries whilst downplaying any major ones.

And thanks. I suppose, really, he was more like a big brother and best friend than a boyfriend. And it was, at the time, what I needed. I'll think of some things to tell you about him. Most will probably involve his love of making fun of me being from the country, because he was a city boy, through and through.

Tink said...

Greg: I am frankly shocked and appalled at the ability to stay reserved in the face of rugby. *nods, wide eyed* People who join rugby clubs are on a drinking team with a rugby problem! How can you stay reserved in the face of that?

John, you really have to back me up here. Somehow.

Anon Without A Name said...

Tink: I think you mean "amazed and impressed" at our ability to stay reserved in the face of rugby :-p I will happily spend a few moments considering the concept of Lestrade (and John) in rugby shorts, but otherwise... snarking about injuries and conjuring up innuendo about being tackled by rugger buggers is as far as it goes for me :-)

Lestrade: I will alternately whine about very small injuries whilst downplaying any major ones

I would expect nothing less :-)

And I look forward to reading your stories. It has been lovely watching the appreciation for Steve on the blogs today. People who never knew him, know he was a good man, because they know you. I agree with KHolly; I'm quite sure he would have been so proud of the man you've become. I'm glad you feel better this evening, after visiting his grave today.

X said...

Tink: I KNOW. I was utterly baffled as this seemed a mathematical impossibility. Gravy = good, fries = good, cheese = good. Logically, gravy + fries + cheese (or good + good + good) must of necessity = EXCELLENT.

And I do have white clothing! So post its won't be necessary. As I mentioned I may end up in the colours by accident if I neglect to do it deliberately. :)

Cartlin said...

zucchino tempura...which means ZUCCHINI! American's say it right, you're the ones calling it by the completely wrong name!

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