9 November 2011

Nine to five yeah they got you where they want to

Today's been trying to the extreme. A trial my team have a big part of was declared a mistrial today, because the accused's friends have been threatening jury members and witnesses. So that's just masses of time and money wasted, and it'll now go to retrial at some points, probably with fewer witnesses now wondering if it's worth testifying.

Happily I came home to Danger having cooked a lovely meal, which made my day infinitely better. Well, just coming home to him does that anyway, but with dinner ready it's even better.

Tink's turn today.

Tink:

If you could go back in time to give yourself advice, when would you go back to and what advice would you give?

Would you ever let Sally make an actual guest post, as opposed to her popping on when you've forgotten to log off?

Has work settled down on the 'he's dating a guy' thing?





So, quick ones first. I don't think Sal would be interested in doing a guest post, really. I don't know. I suppose I might. No reason not to.

Advice to myself: Don't smoke.

I was twelve the first time I smoked a cigarette. By the time I was 14 I was 'a smoker' - as in, did it every day. At fifteen I'd get through a pack a day, and kept that up (two packs on bad days) until I was 45.

It made me ill. It made me smell. It made me irritable when I didn't have any fags. It made my sense of taste die a death. In the past few years, once you couldn't smoke indoors, it meant nights in the pub were actually nights outside the pub. It made me poor.

The first time I ever spoke to Bryan was to ask him for a light. Look where that got me.

It didn't make me cool, grown up or attractive.

So there we go. Don't do it. If you do do it, try and stop. If you can't stop, try and cut down.

I'll stop preaching.


Work. Oddly, Danger just touched on this topic in his blog post.

Work has settled, yes. I'm old news now. I'm sure most of the people there don't want to think about me dating at all, let alone dating a bloke.

There's been the odd thing that...I don't know. There's just been the odd thing. Met LGBT society stuff in my in tray. A rainbow sticker on my door. Someone vandalising my mugshot. The sort of stuff that if someone wanted to take issue with, they could. But I didn't. People get bored, it stops being fun for them if you ignore it and they don't get any entertainment.

Things I take a bit more seriously - but sort of rely on Sal or other team members to tell me - is when I've been out on stakeouts with some of the newer team members they've had grief about 'spending the night with the poof' and things. Asking what we got up to. That does bother me - not because it's me, but because that's not an attitude I tolerate in my team, or anywhere else. Especially on the force. Same goes for when a male and female team member are working together and people make that sort of implication. We deal with victims of crime - all sorts of crime - and having that sort of prejudice doesn't help anyone.

And then there's been the odd troll on here. I haven't really got time for anyone who posts anonymously like that. Must lead pretty sad empty lives if that's all the entertainment they can find for themselves.

What I actually find harder is the people who are all happy and chummy and ask if they should buy a hat for the wedding and that sort of stuff. I know they're just being friendly but...yeah, I feel awkward in those situations.

43 comments:

Calliope said...

Thanks heavens for Danger hugs, eh? And I am very glad that you've stopped with the smoking.

I hope that work suddenly goes through a spate of easily provable justice.

Small Hobbit said...

Another great question and answer. I'm once again struck by your determination that not just you, but your whole team do the best possible job, in what aren't ever easy circumstances and what at times, like today, must make you wonder whether it's worth it.

John H. D. Watson said...

Since you were twelve! Well, no wonder you've found it so hard to quit.

That does bother me - not because it's me, but because that's not an attitude I tolerate in my team, or anywhere else.

Do you talk to them about it? Or maybe Sally does? It doesn't seem like the kind of thing she'd let pass either.

Greg Lestrade said...

It gets dealt with. Doesn't happen often, thankfully.

I used to.nick cigarettes off mum. She wouldn't notice. Didn't buy my own until I was 14.

Days like today make me itch to smoke. Thinking of you and the boys stops me.

REReader said...

It's odd, isn't it? People who would never ask anyone about personal problems--that's rude, after all--feel absolutely free to make intrusive comments about love and babies and the like.

REReader said...

(That was in reference to the last para of the blog! I meant to quote it and forgot.)

Desert Wanderer said...

If only justice was based entirely on effort. London would be the safest city in the world. I'm sorry today sucked for you and your team. Hope tomorrow goes better for you.

Anon Without A Name said...

You smoked twenty a day for thirty years? I'm even more impressed that you've managed to quit.

I'm glad to hear that you don't tolerate people making insinuations in your team. I've been on the receiving end of that kind of crap, and it's no fun at all (especially because any kind of denial is seen as confirmation).

It's a shame you're still taking minor shit though; I can see how you prefer to ignore it. Low level crap, but still harassment of a sort. And sometimes well-meaning people can be a pain :-p

Given that you both tell us we're lovely (although seriously, I only know one other person who's ever described me that way, and they barely knew me) does any of the stuff we say on here bother you?

I hope tomorrow is a much better day than today was for you.

Greg Lestrade said...

Twenty ish, yeah. With the odd attempt to give up thrown in.

Thank you all. I'm sure today will be better.

REReader said...

Maybe you can fall asleep again?

Anonymous said...

Greg - *hugs* I hope tomorrow is better.

-A from NW

Anonymous said...

I live in a fairly large city and I'm always surprise by the amount of out there homophobia you manage to find in London nowadays. I suppose the kind of job you have is to blame but I hope things are better everywhere else in the city.

Anonymous said...

The bored and small-minded do tend to get their kicks by making insinuations about others. I'm glad (but not at all surprised) to hear you don't stand for it in any of your officers.

You don't really talk about any of your colleagues in particular besides Sgt. Sally and your Super. Do you tend to work with a small corps of people?

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I did. I'm just worried about our witnesses. About their safety and the fact they may now refuse to testify.

Anon - I don't feel like I find a lot! But yes, half the homophobia I face isn't even from people who know me. Just people who use homophobic insults to everyone. As for inside the force...I'm always surprised by the casual racism, too. Nowhere near as bad as it used to be, but there's still an undercurrent.

Hsavinien - yes, there's my team - not as large as I'd like it to be, and then we work closely with others MITs and other teams from Sapphire, Trident, and others.

REReader said...

Oh, good. Hopefully the situation will look better today.

Good morning to you lot--hi, Sherlock, I know you're awake!--and good night, as I'm hoping to get some sleep about now!

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - i did cut down first. So I suppose for the last year or two I really tried not to smoke more than ten a day, then five...then none. i didn't just quit cold turkey from 20 to nil. And I used patches for months and m onths.

The thing about well meaning people is it's harder to know what to do. Outright insults are far easier!

You lot are all right though. It did used to make me feel uncomfortable, but...well, I think I'm getting a bit better at accepting compliments. Danger's helping with that one, as are all of you. I'm just not very used to it all.

Desert Wanderer said...

That's what makes racism/homophobia/mysogeny so insidious-- some otherwise well-meaning people who don't understand how their comments or views fall into those categories. Qnd it's not like they're easy topics to discuss. Someone's bound to get hurt.

Hope today is much better for you and your team.

Desert Wanderer said...

Also, never would have pegged you as a Dollie Parton fan. Hidden depths, indeed.

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, it is difficult.

I should point out that I don't regret being out at work at all. It's nice to be able to talk to people like Sal, for John and the boys to visit, that sort of thing. That far outweighs the odd but of other stuff.

Desert Wanderer said...

Did Sally know about you and.John before you were "officially" out at work? I'd love to have her on any team of mine--she doesn't seem to suffer fools lightly and like she takes care.of business.

You must be picking the captchas now. I just got "crima"

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - Sal found out courtesy of a certain 5 yr old nearly being arrested in Harrods, and then announcing I was his nanny's boyfriend.

It was when aforementioned Nanny turned up that I was rather outed.

Desert Wanderer said...

Little jugs have big ears and big mouths, as my grandfather said.

No comment about Dolly Parton? ;)

(sorry, may have fallen back asleep for a.couple minutes)

Ro said...

Well done on the smoking, Lestrade. I've smoked 10-12 a day since I was 16 or so (I'm now 40). I've tried to quit a few times. Managed 3 months off after the patches, but unfortunately started up again. (My problem being that I really *like* smoking, so it's hard to stay away!) Even more unfortunately, I've developed a bad allergy to the adhesive in the patches and they leave burns on my skin. Real shame, a they're a great way to wean off nicotine.

Greg Lestrade said...

Dolly Parton isn't my guest choice of music, but I do respect her - and that is a great song!
and if I'm honest, Sherlock outing me was easier than doing it myself.


Ro - I gave up and lapsed back a few times myself. If I'm honest, it's being around the boys now that is my biggest motivator.

Desert Wanderer said...

Better day so far? Criminals, old ladies, hot doctors, and small animals falling at your feet again?

Desert Wanderer said...

That's supposed to say small children. Although small animals could work, too. You'd be like Snow White, and the Doc would be Prince Danger (i don't think the Prince has a name).

Greg Lestrade said...

Ankle deep in small animals, me.

Snow White...more like a dirty grey, really.

I can't say there's been a massive improvement in my day. Trying to talk to terrified witnesses.

John H. D. Watson said...

Is there anything I can do to help? Lunch later if you're not too busy?

Greg Lestrade said...

That would be great

John H. D. Watson said...

Just let me know when.

I'll be over here trying to get that song out of my head. Once DW said who it was by, it suddenly came back to me and has lodged in my brain.

REReader said...

To get rid of an earworm it sometimes helps to go listen to the whole song. I have no idea why.

Sorry your today isn't an improvement over your yesterday, L.

Desert Wanderer said...

Hey! When did things start becoming my fault? I can't help it if Lestrade's taste in music is continually surprising. That makes it his fault!

:P

John H. D. Watson said...

I was fine until you said Dolly Parton! Clearly your fault.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry, in free now, although I imagine you're fetching Sherlock so...anyway, if the two of you want to come over that would be nice, but no worries If not.

It's a great song! And you work 6 til 10, which fits the tune too.

Desert Wanderer said...

...fair enough. :D. Damn your logic!

What can I do to make it up to you? My set of skillz isn't as vast as Lestrade's or yours, but I'll do my best.

Greg Lestrade said...

He was still humming it when he and Sherlock came to meet me.

Wouldn't be surprised if Sherlock isn't playing it on the violin when I get home.

REReader said...

Hee!

And that would sound...interesting....

You'll just have to play something else for them tonight to drive it out.

Greg Lestrade said...

He plays a lot of interesting things...

I'll play Bad Moon Rising again. That gets in my head all the time.

REReader said...

Heh--but that's good, no? It means he isn't getting bored of it--however hard it is on your ears. :D

Yeah, that should work! (They do say a change is a good as a rest. :))

Ria said...

I hope Sherlock's having fun with his violin-- or at least that he's better at it than I was at that age. My violin playing sort of sounded like someone doing unspeakable things to a cat (I've since switched to the harp, which is much more tuneful even if you're not very good at it).

Sherlock, you might be interested in listening to Paul Dateh on Youtube, who does violin covers of pop songs. They're really fun and catchy.

I know I haven't been around for a while, but I really enjoyed catching up on both of your daily posts. You both have a real gift for telling stories and relating your experiences in a vary accessible way.

In other news, if anyone wants dessert recipes, that's mostly what I've been busy with this month. In the past ten days I've baked (deep breath): Carrot cake, banana bread, oatmeal coconut chocolate chip cookies, cashew truffles, chocolate pumpkin cookies, chocolate pumpkin scones, pumpkin cheesecake, gluten-free brownies, pumpkin cake, peanut butter oatmeal cookies, an apple tart, coconut macaroons, two types of Moroccan pastries, and chocolate cupcakes.

That's my excuse for skipping out on NaNoWriMo, and I'm sticking to it.

Anonymous said...

You just had to go and mention 'Bad Moon Rising' didn't you. The worst time it took me five whole days to get that out of my head, five days! The only thing worse is 'Last Train to San Fernando'

MTMM

Rider said...

If you want Bad Moon Rising then can't go past http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ophI4q0xkCw

(voilin? bagpipes? same deal...)

ro said...

You guys might like to check out the Australian group, Fourplay String Quartet. They play violins, violas and cellos and do a mix of original songs and covers. Some of my favourites are Rage Against The Machines' "Killing In The Name", the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage", and the Doctor Who theme. They're amazing to see live!

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