22 December 2011

Completely untrue of this Christmas...

But perhaps true tonight. Nights at this time of year do seem to be either completely lonely or far too busy.

So, this is my absolutely favourite Christmas song. I know it's bleak, and sad and all those things, but there's just something about it that really gets me.



Today we need to get everything to decorate the Christmas cake, so we can do that tomorrow, then Christmas Eve will be all the food prep we can do for the big day to make life easier.

Presents...errr... did people want presents? Sherlock? Mycroft? Johnny? How about some Scotland Yard stationary (actually, Sherlock would probably want that...)
I think we might go and drop in on Molly before I start work, Sherlock's made her a card and it would be a good time.

41 comments:

John H. D. Watson said...

He now does want that, I think so he can write to the Things in Jars tour people again if he doesn't hear back soon enough.

I can't think of anything I want that I don't already have anyway.

Desert Wanderer said...

Nights at this time of year do seem to be either completely lonely or far too busy.

So very sadly true.

I hadn't heard that song before, but I like it. Again with broadening my musical horizons.

REReader said...

Another song I hadn't heard before, with a great classic sound. I bet it sounds all the better for it's irrelevance, eh, L?

If only you could come up with a warrant card that works for not-policemen you could do all you shopping for Sherlock at the Yard. Pity, that. :D

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock, you know you can't write a search warrant, right? Courts do that, not us, tempted as I'm sure you are to issue them with one.

Sherlock said...

I know that! But it would be more official and I could say your super said they had to let me in.

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha, what, my name and rank not good enough? :)

REReader said...

In this case, less official will likely get you farther, Sherlock. Unfortunately you have to wait a bit--the "right person" probably only got your letter in her or his mail this morning, then they have to figure out what they can do and how to do it, then they have to write back to you. Then it could take a few days for a letter to get back to you. I'm completely sure you letter isn't going to be ignored!

Greg Lestrade said...

Probably after Christmas at least now, Shortstuff. Most people will be off for the break now, I'd've thought.

Patience, kiddo. I'm sure you'll get some reward.

Bronwyn said...

Since we're sharing Christmas songs, this one is my absolute favorite. And kind of embodies my family's approach to Christmas. I can't tell you how many times we've had ridiculous numbers of people to Christmas. We kind of specialize in sweeping up people who've no plans for Christmas and saying "now you do! Hope you like turkey. Lots of turkey."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=givAZ05_wJg

Yes. It's a Muppet.
Bronwyn

Bronwyn said...

Also, any of y'all in the Dallas area without plans, you're more than welcome.
Bronwyn

Desert Wanderer said...

Lestrade, that song reminds me of this one, which has the same kind of feel to it, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv9A_AelYgM

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - I finally put together my Christmas playlist (had to - can't decorate the tree without Christmas music) and that one's definitely one there. Really don't understand how they could have left it (and that specific performance - off the TOTP special the other night.

I have no idea why, but I had assumed that you and John would be buying presents together for each of the boys, MRs H (both), etc. I'm sure that you'll think of something you can give John on Christmas morning that he wants, if you don't have time to buy anything :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - exactly! Brilliant performance, including the little 'protest' at having to mime the song, with the dummy :)

And...there may have been a small amount of smoke and mirrors in the statement within this post regarding gifts... although now I'm worried Sherlock would actually prefer some MPS stationary!

Of course I am just planning on sticking a bow on myself for John, yes. Perhaps a small amount of ribbon or wrapping, just so he gets to unwrap...

REReader said...

I tremble to think what Sherlock would do with some official stationary. :)

Ribbon, definitely.

Anon Without A Name said...

I am not going to ask what you'd tie the ribbon around.
I am not going to ask what you'd tie the ribbon around.
I am not going to ask what you'd tie the ribbon around.
I am not going to ask what you'd tie the ribbon around.
I am not going to ask what you'd tie the ribbon around.

... or where you'd stick the bow ;-p

REReader said...

Like a Miss America sash, obviously. *innocent face*

Bronwyn said...

Now I'm humming "Tie a yellow ribbon".
Going to the Special Hell,
Bronwyn

RIder said...

I'm sorry, thinking about "old oak tree" is doing my head in

Greg Lestrade said...

Less of the 'old', right?

RIder said...

It's the bark!

(I won't ask about biting)

Greg Lestrade said...

if anything on my body has the appearance of bark I think I do need a doctor...

Desert Wanderer said...

Around his head he wore a yellow ribbon
He wore it in the springtime, in the merry month of May
And if you asked him why the heck he wore it
He wore it for his soldier who was there 'cross the way
Cross the way!
Cross the way!
He wore it for his soldier who was there 'cross the way.

And then one day his soldier took his ribbon
Took it from his DI in the merry month of May
He took it off and off the sofa left it
He left it off his DI who was there on Christmas Day
Christmas Day!
Christmas Day!
He left it off his DI who was there on Christmas Day

As heard it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJO4fVbAXiM

Bronwyn said...

You have one, luckily enough.
Bronwyn

Rider said...

As long as the doctor is not a tree surgeon, they seem to only have one treatment.

Greg Lestrade said...

My point exactly, Bronwyn.

Ha, true, Rider.

Very good, DW.

Piplover said...

Ah, DW, how I do miss cadences. I had some amazing Sgts who could croon with the best of them. Others? Not so much, lol.

Bronwyn said...

My grandfather used to paint trees white up about four feet to keep the fire ants out of them. Until I was about four, that's how I thought trees grew. White to the armpits and then brown. The things that stick with you.
Merry Christmas!
Bronwyn

Ro said...

Since Christmas is meant to be about Jesus, here's Tim Minchin's new song about Jesus, which was cut from the Johnathan Ross Show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SFdUJLebzU

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha, brilliant, Ro. (Being at work alone has some advantages - can watch things like that!)

Although I really should be doing more paperwork and less blogging. But you lot make me feel less alone, that's for sure!

Bronwyn said...

We live to keep you entertained, Greg. After all, you keep us entertained. It seems only fair.
Toodles,
Bronwyn

REReader said...

We live to serve.

(And I definitely appreciate the distraction. :) Boo hiss to viruses.)

Desert Wanderer said...

Thanks for humouring me, Lestrade. :)

Yes, pip! The best ones are the ones that make you laugh while you're trying to be stract-like. Looking back, though, not a single one I can think of is PC. At all.

Greg Lestrade said...

We don't have them here - well, Danger can correct me, but I've certainly never heard any of our armed forces using them.

REReader said...

I'm not sure what cadences are, to be honest.

I'd bring a link, but the comments here don't let me paste, so just search "Tom Lehrer Hanukkah in Santa Monica" on YouTube for my contribution to the evening's festivities...

Desert Wanderer said...

Youtube says y'all do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK33OcIPvd0

But "rhythm and soul" sounds American. Maybe you stole our songs! *gasp*

Desert Wanderer said...

If you've ever seen a movie of people training in the American military, RR, you've heard one. It's the songs you "sing" as you're marching/running to help everyone keep in check. Usually quite...un politically correct.

Of course, my previous link could just be British soldiers making fun of Americans. We all know it's very hard to sing with a stiff upper lip. :P

REReader said...

Ah, okay--that pinpointed it for me, DW, thanks!

Small Hobbit said...

If we're sharing links, how about the HMS Ocean "All I Want for Christmas" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDZcGz4vmJc&feature=related

Anonymous said...

Terry Pratchett had a good cadence if that's what they are when Detritus the Troll was training City Watch recruits:

Now we sing this little song,
Sing it as we run along
Why we sing this we don't know
We can't make the words rhyme prop'ly

Sound off
One, two
Sound off
Many, lots
Sound off
Eh? What?

Always made me laugh

Scottish Anon said...

Possibly inappropriate comment, but the HMS Ocean vid just reminded me of 'Gary: Tank Commander'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sNac-tn41Y

It's a Scottish comedy about 'Gary', a Corporal in the army, and his pals.

X said...

Anon -- perfect Disc reference. I love that scene, and Detritus's general shout until they crumble approach to sergeanting. :) (I know that one of my Christmas presents is the latest Disc book and am so excited to be able to read it soon!).

L -- I'd imagined you were being facetious regarding the Xmas presents, but it sounds like now you also know what to get Sherlock for his birthday thanks to the offhand stationary comment. ;)

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