10 March 2012

All I needed for another day

All this talk of musical instruments. And then Calliope said "These days my voice is my only instrument." And it reminded me of how much I loved this song. I've just had it on repeat for about ten minutes, writing this. And yes, singing along.

I still remember watching this video, and thinking...look at these blokes, all so normal looking, and in a pub, doing what blokes do...and they sound like this! I don't know, it was a bit of a musical revelation for me, having grown up liking guitars and rock and yelling and swearing and amps turned up to 11. I hope you enjoy it.

The Flying Pickets - Only You.





Some more questions -

Do you think it's the most important thing to have a good romantic partnership? I mean, it certainly seems like it could be wonderful, but what if a person never finds someone they feel romantic about, should they try to just pair up with someone they like but don't really feel in love with?

That's such a hard question - I mean, it's got to be down to the person, hasn't it? How important it is to be 'with' someone.

Personally, I get lonely. I don't know why - I don't know if it's just how my brain works, or because I haven't ever really been alone much in my life. But for me, I am, generally, happier with a partner. Is it important that it's romantic? Again, personally, it is - but it hasn't always been. Now, though, it is.

I'm sorry this isn't really an answer. I know some people who, while not permanently single, have always lived alone, because they value their own space so highly. I actually know one married couple who still have 'their own' flats and have never lived together. And other people who certainly don't seem overtly 'romantic' when I've met them - but I can't know what they're like home alone.

So, no, it's only as important as you make it, I suppose is the answer.


There are some people I know (yes, truly, not someone standing in for me. Let's call them A and B. A and B have recently entered a relationship. Except B is married to C. I...am conflicted. One one hand, they're happy together, on the other, C is, as far as I know, unknowing. I don't know C, I just know A and B, and did before they got together. And it's...painful, to put it mildly, to watch their relationship play out in front of me, knowing what I know. I'm dreadfully uncomfortable with it all, I think the entire situation is completely unfair as there are no plans for B to divorce C, but I don't know how to tell them they're sort of being jerks about it all without sounding like a total prude, which, I'm not, normally, but...Sigh.

This...sorry it's taken so long. I don't feel like I have an answer to this, either. And with you not knowing C, it's even harder.

If I were C, I'd want to know. But I say that as someone who's been there - except...well, I knew, I knew my 'B' was cheating and I didn't know what to do about it, and my life was going to hell anyway so I sort of buried my head in the sand a bit - and actually, a friend telling me, it sort of...I felt like it gave me a bit of strength, and sort of validated my feelings...and this story loses all purpose here because I still handled it horribly badly, but my circumstances were probably very different. And the person who told me was a mutual friend, so it's not even the same situation.

I suppose if it were me I'd try to talk to A, maybe, and sort of frame it as 'I'm just worried about you, given B's situation, and don't want you being hurt', maybe? If that would work. And that might give you more of an idea of how much you think C knows...


Right. Today was good. Everyone bought something they needed. Mycroft tried to make me buy a tie, and I got great joy out of teasing him by pretending to like lurid shirts. I also got great joy out of watching John try on jeans.

I'm watching my poll with interest, by the way. Hmmmm.

203 comments:

1 – 200 of 203   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

Glad you got all you all needed :-)

I can't believe given the week you've god you've managed to think about these aswell but as ever you've done a great job :-)

Glad you've got people around you now so you don't get lonely :-)

Anony

Calliope said...

I haven't heard that song in *ages*, L! Thank you kindly.

(And for a bit of perspective musically, I've played the guitar (badly. Turns out the top joint on my ring fingers is not very functional. Doesn't bode well for my dreams of playing the Lute or violin.), drums (decently), recorder (*shrug*), and piano (okay.). I've always preferred singing (and drums.) )

DW - what would the band name be? :)

Greg Lestrade said...

ANony - Sherlock still needs more clothes - he's a. growing and b. able to reduce clothing to rags within minutes.

And thanks - I'm glad I've got such lovely people around me too.

Calliope - you could try a slide guitar and finger picks? I know a guy who used to play guitar a lot until he got arthritis in his left hand, switched to slide guitar instead. I don't know if it'd work for you, but worth a try, if you wanted?

I admire people who can sing really well. I just mumble and hope the guitar drowns it out :)

Anonymous said...

That obviously should have been week you've had ;-)

Anony

Anon Without A Name said...

I got great joy out of teasing him by pretending to like lurid shirts

What do you mean, "pretending"?

Glad the shopping was productive; a day spent perving at your boyfriend trying on jeans is a day well-spent :-)

The Flying Pickets' version of Only You is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I really quite like it, but my husband maintains that the only acceptable version is the orignal by Yazoo, he reckons that nothing compares to Alison Moyet's voice. There's a small part of me that wants to agree...

Greg Lestrade said...

I got very boring shirts, I'll have you know. Boring shirts, boring suits, so I blend in.

Hmm...Yazoo were great, and she does have an amazing voice. But it wasn't written for her, and the public spoke...Yazoo didn't even get to number one - Flying Pickets spent 5 weeks on the top spot! ;)

I don't think they're comparable, really.

Greg Lestrade said...

By which I mean, they're both great, for different reasons. Not that one is way better than the other!

Desert Wanderer said...

I'm always amazed at your consideration, Lestrade, answering questions even though you don't have to.

having grown up liking guitars and rock and yelling and swearing and amps turned up to 11.

Is that...a Spinal Tap reference? Awesome. :)

Calliope, no ideas for a band name, alas. I'm sure someone can come up with something creative.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, I do ask people to ask them! it would seem churlish not to.

Spinal Tap...well, let's just say if Sherlock's play needed me, I could be a preserved moose... ;)

As for band names..Are we seriously going to top The Jammy Badgers?

John H. D. Watson said...

Are we seriously going to top The Jammy Badgers?

This sounds so wrong...

Anon Without A Name said...

DW, Lestrade - have you ever noticed that the volume control on BBC iPlayer goes up to 11?

Lestrade - if you wore shirts for pleasure rather than work, would you wear plain ones, or lurid ones?

Greg Lestrade said...

Don't know what you mean, Danger.

(Is that an Armadillo in your trousers...?)

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - I hadn't!

And I don't just wear plain shirts for work - I often wear ones with a light check or something.

For pleasure, I tend to wear plain colours. Well, I say colours...I've got about three black ones. Got a maroon one too, somewhere... I don't know, I just try to avoid it, unless I need to be smart.

Desert Wanderer said...

(Is that an Armadillo in your trousers...?)

Just FYI. I will be sending you a bill for liquid-spit-take damages to my computer. And enquiring minds want to know, Doc. Is it?!

The Jammy Badgers is perfect!

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - well, it would explain why all the girls have run away and he's just left with the boys, right?

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine you blending in whatever you wear Greg!

The Jammy Badgers seems an appropriate name but what kind of music are we going to be able to play with the instruments we have? I think we'll make a rather odd looking group ;-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

I hope it isn't...

Trouser Armadillo - alternative band name?

Desert Wanderer said...

Dr. Danger's Wonderous Trouser Armadillo sounds like...well, I don't know what it sounds like. But it certainly competes well with Lestallion's Upstanding Column of Love.

Greg Lestrade said...

(I can assure you, readers, it is ;) )

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - sorry for damage to your computer. It's your fault for noticing Spinal Tap references! Although I fear there will be a few who just don't understand anything I now say. (I fear for the drummers in The Jammy Badgers, though...)

Anonymous said...

Do you and John get to pick Sherlock's clothes Greg or is it up to him? If he's reducing them to rags in minutes it must be an expensive exercise keeping up with his needs!!

Spinal tap are a mystery to me but I'm sure the Jammy Badgers, or the trouser Armadillos if John gets his way will produce music that will be very memorable ;-)

Anony

Small Hobbit said...

I can play cymbals. So can I join The Jammy Badgers.

I went to a concert this evening - Mozart this time - a friend of mine was the soloist in a Mozart violin concerto.

Anonymous said...

That is impressive SH hope you enjoyed it :-)

I'm sure cymbals will be very necessary to the sound the Jammy Badgers produce ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

cymbals is great! Just...don't turn into a globule. Or a stain. I mean, dozens of people spontaneously combust every year, it's just not widely reported.

And I'm really influenced by Mozart. Mozart and Bach. Mach.

Desert Wanderer said...

The Jammy Badgers are open to everyone! Even if you just hum along or have a kazoo!

People should be envying us, you know. I envy us.

Anonymous said...

Who would have thought such a musical bunch of people could accidently end up in the same place ;-)

I don't have to hum or sing do I? I can play a few notes but I never manage to sing any ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Me too.

But, you know, as long as there's sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.

And, in the spirit of it hurting less to rip a plaster off quickly than peel it back carefully...

John has a new post up.

Desert Wanderer said...

And what a post it is! Clearly, The Jammy Badgers need to do a cover of "I Want to Break Free" complete with music video...

Greg Lestrade said...

Hah! Not sure I've got the figure for it anymore...

But John would look fantastic as the schoolgirl...

Anonymous said...

The policeman and the school girl, oh Greg you do like to throw ideas out there don't you ;-)

I'm sure the correctly fitted dress and the right heels and make up and you'd still look wonderful :-)

Anony

Anonymous said...

I spent my afternoon with a composer, but I wisely left all the music making to him. My contribution was "can I have that in a minor key?" and "how about 10 seconds here?"

Greg Lestrade said...

D minor? That is the saddest of all the keys...

Desert Wanderer said...

Prone to making people week just hearing it.

Desert Wanderer said...

Weep! Weep!

:(

Anonymous said...

He kind of lost me when he started naming letters. I said I'm needing sad but not suicidal. My character is having a bad day, but the whole point is that it's not going to kill him. So I have no idea what the actual key was.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - don't you weep! I think we lost everyone else around about '11'...

And there's such a fine line between stupid and...err...

Desert Wanderer said...

Clever?

So, kholly, if you're not music, then you can be libretto! Can we be a rock opera company now?

Anonymous said...

Rock Opera?!? Sign me up.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, we need two distinct types of visionaries. Like fire and ice. And then something inbetween.

Anonymous said...

Superglue? Sparkles? Er, water and flame resistant fabric?

/Brain is melted from resume revisions/

~A from NW

Desert Wanderer said...

Lukewarm water. ;)

We should call our opera "Lick My Love Pump" and play at blues jazz festivals.

Greg Lestrade said...

NOT Jazz Blues festivals.

I can't believe it. Two days, and the musical growth of this band cannot even be charted. We're treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry.

Desert Wanderer said...

...I'm tapped out. I bow to your superior...superiorness. *bows* Well done, sir.

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha! Really isn't superior - I had to defer to Google there at the end, to make sure I didn't get it totally wrong!

I mean...I don't really think that the end can be assessed as of itself as being the end because what does the end feel like? It's like saying when you try to extrapolate the end of the universe, you say, if the universe is indeed infinite, then how - what does that mean? How far is all the way, and then if it stops, what's stopping it, and what's behind what's stopping it? So, what's the end, you know, is my question to you.

;)

REReader said...

I got totally lost somewhere in the comments here and may never find my way out!

I love a capella groups (sp?)! Have you ever heard Straight No Chaser? They're one of the very few anyones that actually got a major label recording contract out of a viral video. (I also love a good fairy tale story. ;))

I liked you answers to two very tricky questions, L.

Greg Lestrade said...

But you're not as confused as him are you? I mean, it's not your job to be as confused as Nigel.

I haven't heard of them, I'll look them up.

REReader said...

*stealthily putting This Is Spinal Tap on Netflix queue*

Greg Lestrade said...

Quite exciting, this computer magic!

Desert Wanderer said...

I went on IMDB to look up the movie rating (I think it was R?), and the user rating scale goes to 11. :D

Greg Lestrade said...

Brilliant! :)

REReader said...

L--Ha!

DW--Perfect! (Even not having seen that, I know why that's perfect. :))

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

Before I saw The Jammy Badgers, I was thinking The Pervs.

Rusty pianist and even rustier (auto-correct says dustier) clarinetist. And old, wavery voice.

Calliope said...

Well, my voice is pretty rusty too, CB.

Thanks for the suggestion, L. It's good to know the options. :)

Oh...and here's a little something I tried out. - O Death. It's not Ralph Stanley, but still...

AftSO said...

Hey Anony, you mentioned on the last post that alto clef was a mystery to you-- I promise, it's easy to learn if you already read music, which you do. The middle of the alto clef sign indicates middle C, and you read from there. I learned C-clefs when singing renaissance music, and you just get used to looking at the clef sign and going from there, wherever the line says middle C is. (We even learned a little from old chant notation with 4-line staves and neumes, which was tough at first, but really cool.) So whatever you decide, don't let a new clef put you off-- they're really fun!

Small Hobbit said...

Calliope, that is lovely. Your voice isn't rusty at all.

Calliope said...

Thanks, SH! I was just frustrated 'cause it took so many takes to get it right (enough.).

Greg Lestrade said...

Calliope - that was amazing! I'm so impressed. Sherlock wouldn't believe that was really a blog-reader, and not something I had on YouTube or something. (And I think it would have been a little shocking if you HAD sounded like Ralph Stanley ;) )

I'm...well, wow. Your audition for the Jammy Badgers has been successful - I think you're on lead vocals :)

Cranky - dustier? You can't really dust around here for vomit... (right, right, I lied about stopping the quotes...)

Anon Without A Name said...

Bloody hell, Calliope, that's gorgeous.

CzechReader said...

Hmmm, sign me up as The Annoying Impresario ;-)

Desert Wanderer said...

*applauds* Very nice, Calliope. :)

Lestrade, I hear Scotland Yard doesn't (don't) have the facilities to prove whose vomit it is. True?

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - All I can tell you is the official line. It was vomit. It was ugly, but there's no way to print a spectra-photograph.

Anyway, we're a bit busy down the Yard, writing a Rock Musical about Jack the Ripper.

Desert Wanderer said...

Ah, that reminds me. Guys, if we're going to do a rock opera, we need a subject. Thoughts, anyone? Obviously, the naughty and haughty Saucy Jack is taken...

Greg Lestrade said...

Stonehenge? Druids? I mean, I know no-one knows who druids were and what they were doing...but we could work with that?

Anon Without A Name said...

John, Joooooohn, they're still talking in Spinal Tap references, John. Make them stop, John. Pleeeease...

;-)

Small Hobbit said...

Nameless, he's starting to sound like a dripping Spinal Tap ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, come on John, do me a favor. Just kick my ass, okay? Kick this ass for a man, that's all. Kick my ass. Enjoy. Come on. I'm not asking, I'm telling with this. Kick my ass.

(I'd say I'm sorry...but...a. I'm not. b. It's all DW's fault.)

Desert Wanderer said...

Hey! Is not! Well, alright, yeah maybe a bit. I feel like a shlub. It's me, I did it, it's my fault.

WRT Stonehenge, I'm not sure you know the difference between feet and inches...

John H. D. Watson said...

Nameless - I can't do it, sorry. It's making him grin like a loon every time he types up another ridiculous comment.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - okay, not all your fault. I'll split fault 50/50 with you.

But don't make a big thing about it, right? At least we're not in danger of being crushed by a dwarf...

Danger - have you seen Spinal Tap? You really should.

John H. D. Watson said...

I have not. The only thing I know about it is that 'goes to 11' bit. Is it something we could watch with the boys?

Greg Lestrade said...

Errr...It's a 15. I think Mycroft would be fine. Not so sure about Sherlock.

The sustain...listen to it...

Greg Lestrade said...

(Not that I think Sherlock wouldn't be fine watching it. But do we really want to subject Mrs T and Mrs H to Spinal Tap references via a 6 yr old... he already air guitars like a pro...)

Sherlock said...

But I want to see it! If John gets to see it I should too.

Greg Lestrade said...

There is absolutely no rule to say you get to do everything John does! In fact, there are many, many rules that say quite the opposite.

I don't know if it would be your sort of thing, Sherlock. It's mainly amusing because the people aren't very bright...in a way you'd probably find annoying.

They weren't exactly university material...

Anon Without A Name said...

Ok, John, if you insist. I suppose I can't begrudge you the fun of seeing Lestrade grinning every time he types up a comment, especially after you posted that lovely photo for us :-)

Lestrade - is "it's DW's fault" going to be a new tag? 0:)

SH - I absolutely didn't giggle out loud at that. Definitely not... (OK, maybe I did)

Ooh, England just scored in the rugby...

Sherlock said...

But stupid people aren't funny.

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - John is on the edge of his seat. I he could jump into the telly and join the England team he would.

Sherlock - it's a bit complicated. It's made as if it's a serious documentary, but it isn't...it's all pretend. So it plays on stereotypes of rock bands. But if you don't know those stereotypes it's probably not as funny.

No one's going to make you watch it - don't worry. You don't have to find it funny. But John might. He and I can just watch it together one night, though.

Desert Wanderer said...

Lestrade - is "it's DW's fault" going to be a new tag? 0:)

Hey, now Nameless. Don't go being the Good Idea Fairy. I get blamed enough as it is! :)

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

Calliope, that is gorgeous! And in no way comparable to mine.

L, I'm afraid I'm missing all the Spinal Tap references. I think I've seen it, but that was many years (decades?) ago.

Greg Lestrade said...

Cranky - really, I think DW and I lost everyone after '11', so don't worry!

Come on half-time, I want coffee...

Small Hobbit said...

I've given up and ordered a copy from Amazon. Second hand copies are really cheap for some reason.

Is this a good time to say I normally support Wales in rugby?

Desert Wanderer said...

It's so easy to get lost backstage...

Why do you have to wait for halftime for coffee?

Greg Lestrade said...

SH - after yesterday, it's never going to be a good time to say that.

DW - because the Law of Sporting Events means if I get up to make coffee something good will happen and I'll miss it.

REReader said...

*needs to watch current Netflix selection very quickly*

Anonymous said...

What's the score? I've done far too much travelling and far to little rugby watchin this weekend :-(

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Cheese eating surrender monkeys - 9
Limeys - 17

Anonymous said...

Cool thanks for that :-)

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

I bet you a whole cheese tray more people here get Monty Python references than Spinal Tap, Lestrade.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW...Monty Python?

Greg Lestrade said...

Jesus, commentator's curse! Don't they ever learn?? Shhhhh!

Anonymous said...

That's not sounding good :-(

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

Never mind, I was wrong. I thought "cheese eating surrender monkeys" was from Monty Python, but Google tells me it's not.

Anon Without A Name said...

Blimey. Everybody breathing again after that?

(And United have gone top of the table again, where they belong - good day all round)

Greg Lestrade said...

Anony - it's okay. Stupid commentator nearly ruined it, but the French missed a kick.

DW - Ah, are you thinking of blessed are the cheesemakers? Well, any manufacturers of dairy products...

(Okay, I change my claim of the other week. Danger remembers beautiful poetry and prose. I remember laws, lyrics and film quotes...)

Nameless - What happened to Man City? Crossed the border and lost plot?

Anonymous said...

Good good :-) thanks for that :-)

Man u :-(

Anony

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - yep, exactly that. Sounds like they struggled all match.

Anony- not a United fan? s'OK, Lestrade's an Arsenal fan and we somehow manage to get along :-)

Anonymous said...

No sorry not a united fan. I don't believe in football coming between friends though ;-)

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

*ahem* Quick homework break to just drop this here. Does this remind you of anyone?

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee282/bikinirash/frontcover-1.jpg

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha!

That actually reminds me of Bodger and Badger!

(YouTube it - kid's TV from the 90s.)

My only excuse for knowing that is that I did a lot of shift work, and used to eat my breakfast to afternoon kid's TV when I was on nights...

Desert Wanderer said...

Bodger and Badger look a little like Lamb Chop's Playalong, also from the 90s. My only excuse is...I was a kid in the 90s. :P

Sherlock, do you think you could do the art for the Jammy Badgers' first album, once we've settled on a title, please? Something tasteful? :)

John H. D. Watson said...

I hope that by tasteful you mean 'with glitter'...

Greg Lestrade said...

All the best rock groups have glitter!

I'm now imagining badgers with Kiss-like black and white stripes...

Anonymous said...

DW that's great :-)

I second Sherlock for artist, that is a brilliant idea :-)

Anony

Anonymous said...

the cover must be covered with glitter it's the only way to go John

Anony

REReader said...

(Is Sherlock drawing badgers or rolling his eye? :D)

REReader said...

EyeS. Stupid autocorrect...

Anon Without A Name said...

I'd normally side with Lestrade on the tastefulness or otherwise of glitter, but somehow a Jammy Badger album cover without glitter just wouldn't be right.

I can't find you any Kiss badgers, would Kiss pandas do instead? http://images.mylot.com/userImages/images/postphotos/2247434.jpg

Greg Lestrade said...

The fact there are Kiss pandas but no Kiss badgers is a crime.

Desert Wanderer said...

*cough*

http://mr-o.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/kiss.jpg

:D

REReader said...

*snerk*

Greg Lestrade said...

Brilliant, DW! Who could have guessed that Kiss Badgers could make my weekend so much better?

http://mr-o.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/kiss2.jpg

(Oh, and Lestrade says 'don't Google 'kiss the badger'' - right??)

Desert Wanderer said...

I am laughing so hard, Lestrade, it's ridiculous. Is that you undercover as a badger?

Greg Lestrade said...

I have to say, that badger has rather similar fur to me... I'll let John give you an opinion on the tongue...

Anon Without A Name said...

Hah, nice one DW, I bow to your superior badger-finding skillz :-)

Lestrade - That's... a thing I'd heard of, but never with that name. 0_0 Um, not that I googled, obviously. *ahem*

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - yeah, I hadn't heard that name before either. Not that I think you Googled it.

Desert Wanderer said...

Just wanted to point out that the KIZZ Badgers were a direct result of Nameless's KIZZ Pandas, so all weekend-brightening credit should go to her. <3

No comments on your tongue, but that one looks more...anteater-y. Or maybe armadillo-y.

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

The Jammy Badgers MUST have glitter on all their art! Will Sherlock take the commission?

Anonymous said...

I really need to learn to not google when you tell us not to google. I mean I'm all for people doing whatever works for them, but I'd have been quite happy not knowing about that one.

Greg Lestrade said...

Nanny John! KHolly's been Googling things again!

Rider said...

DW Presumably the tongue goes with (or near or something) the Trouser Armadillo.

Desert Wanderer said...

*snerk*

Good point, Rider. :D

REReader said...

Being in the middle of bill paying and tax preparing, I can't handle a Look of any level, so I'll possibly pass on googling that one...

Greg Lestrade said...

Rider - I really can't comment on my tongue's proximity to John's trouser armadillo.

Rider said...

Lestrade, I'm sure if it was close to the trouser armadillo it would have better things to do than comment on anything.

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh, I dunno, I comment on the armadillo. I mean, I'm an animal lover.

REReader said...

I have absolutely and totally lost the thread of this conversation. :?

Anonymous said...

the fact that you even think there might be a thread means you're doing better than me RR ;-)

Anony

REReader said...

Well, Anony, it's not Seinfeld, so I assume it's about something! :D

Desert Wanderer said...

Oh, I dunno, I comment on the armadillo. I mean, I'm an animal lover.

An Ode to the Armadillo? How it lies unassuming until something perks its interest? And then it becomes fearsome, scaring off women until only men are left?

Greg Lestrade said...

Don't worry, DW and I know some people find armadillos quite frightening.

Desert Wanderer said...

Some armadillos jump straight vertically when prodded. Useful trick, that. Bit shocking if you're unprepared, though.

Anonymous said...

*choking on afternoon cup of tea*

I'm...I'm going back to researching and re-writing my resume now.

*giggling*
~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

True. It's the size, DW. People run screaming!

Small Hobbit said...

KHolly, I have of course not googled what L said not to google and now have learnt something I didn't need to learn.

Anonymous said...

KHolly and SH I wonder how many of us will be in trouble with Nanny John for not following the rules ;-) We really should though some things you just don't need to know!!

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm not sure there's enough space on the naughty step for all of you...

But he's got enough glares to go around.

I imagine I'll be getting one too.

Anon Without A Name said...

DW - I think there's plenty of credit to go round. Unless we get glared at by Nanny John, then you're on your own :-p

ReRe - So far the thread appears to be half people being odd about badgers, and half people being terribly, terribly smutty :-)

Mind you, I'm learning more about Armadillos than I expected. So educational, these blogs.

Anonymous said...

I could do with a time out I think I deserve one ;-) One minute for each year of my life would be a nice break.

Bit scared of the glares though that might actually work as a punishment!

Anony

Small Hobbit said...

It could be quite cosy if we all get sent to sit on the naughty step :)

Our cat once jumped vertically. It had just patted a snake on the head with its paw, which the snake didn't take kindly to.

Greg Lestrade said...

His glares are scary. Sherlock and I both stand, shuffling our feet, too scared to meet his eyes...

SH - patting an armadillo on the head is very much like patting a snake. Except trouser armadillos enjoy it more, as long as you're gentle.

Desert Wanderer said...

Psh. Whatever. Naughty step isn't even that bad. Lestrade brings you crepes. And dumb fake pancakes.

(The thing about jumping vertically has the delightful pleasure of being wonderful innuendo AND true. It's why American armadillos are so easily squarshed, since they tend to jump vertically into fenders and undercarriages of vehicles.)

Thanks for the backup, Nameless. I like to think we're delightfully smutty, though. :P

Anonymous said...

Not too gently Greg I'm sure I heard they prefer a firm hand. ;-)

The death stare is a good look on someone looking after children

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

AfNW, is tomorrow your first day?

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - I've heard most American Armadillos don't have as much protection on the head as European Armadillos.

REReader said...

Nameless--I have the strong suspicion that it's all terribly, terribly smutty, but I'm too deeply drowned in tax tallies I to look any of it up.

Does that mean I get to come inside with Nanny John?

Greg Lestrade said...

Does that mean I get to come inside with Nanny John?

...and all my suggestiveness pales in comparison.

REReader said...

What?

(Would it fix it if I say "indoors"?)

Anonymous said...

RR you are a star ;-)

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

Out of the mouth of....RRs. ;)

Re: American vs. European Armadillos. Having not made any serious (or non-serious) study of the variations in armadillo physiology, cosmetology, or reflexology, I really don't feel qualified to comment. Perhaps Dr. Danger, with his three continents (four? five?) of experience could...lend a hand.

Anonymous said...

DW - Yes, tomorrow is my first day. It is also the deadline for 3 federal career fair positions, so I'm ... reading about badgers while looking at job requirements and hoping that a stray comment about jam does not end up submitted to a federal agency on my resume. ;)

All - I believe at the rate you're all going, the naughty step is going to become the naughty porch or balcony... All the better to party on!

~A from NW

REReader said...

(I honestly have no idea--I'll have to read it later and see what I said. :?

I just found out I paid just a hair under $7500 in health insurance premiums and drug copays last year. I haven't even added in the doctor copays yet, or the copays for tests. And that's with no major health problems. I need to move to a civilized country.)

Greg Lestrade said...

A - Best of luck! I hope you have a brilliant first day.

And, well, may as well be hung for an armadillo as a lamb, eh?

DW - He's watching highlights of men running about in shorts, although to be honest, looks like he may fall asleep at any moment.

Which I might, too. Off to bed shortly.

KHolly said...

RR the best innuendos are the ones that the speaker never realized they were saying until it's too late. (The kind of mistake I made time and again until I learned to stop blushing over it and my friends got bored pointing out other ways to take what I'd said.) Just run with it.

I'll be over here on the naughty step with the gang. Can I bring my fresh pot of tea along?

Anon Without A Name said...

If Armadillos like being patted, do they enjoy being stroked too, I wonder?

DW - with smut as wonderful as this, being terribly smutty and delightfully smutty are the same thing :-)

Anonymous said...

Hope it goes well for you AfNW I'm sure they will understand any stray jam and badger comments it must be a well known thing now if we all know about it ;-)

'Party on the naughty porch' That wouldn't be a bad song title for The Jammy Badgers.

Anony

Small Hobbit said...

What sort of balls are the men in shorts playing with? *returns to the naughty step*

Anonymous said...

KHolly - Yes, bring your teapot, and I'm sure someone else will bring the alochol and --

Yeah, I ought to be stone cold sober the night before my big day. Dangit.

Greg - Thanks! It should go fairly well. We'll see how badly I panic when faced with my first Mandarin-only report.

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

Very quick calculation says I pay about $7,800 NI per year, RR. But obviously that covers other benefits, if I needed them, as well as health.

SH - funny shaped ones.

REReader said...

NI?

Greg Lestrade said...

National Insurance

Anon Without A Name said...

AfromNW: good luck for tomorrow, I'm sure you won't need it. Have an excellent day :-)

Unlike John, I'm watching highlights of men in shorts playing with round balls.

Anony - excellent idea :-)

Small Hobbit said...

AfNW - all the best for your first day. Having to deal with a Mandarin-only report sounds incredibly impressive.

Yes, I have the alcohol and the jammy dodgers (you are correct, Nameless and L, I said dodgers)

Desert Wanderer said...

You're right, Anony. "Party on the Naughty Porch" is a great song for the first album. Anyone got any others?

Good luck, AfNW. It feels like your first day of Kindergarden. *sniffle* So proud. *wipes a tear*

Lots of tea, KHolly! I'm sure we could rustle up some grub, too. Or, grubs.

Anonymous said...

All - Thanks for the well-wishers! I'll be missing you all tomorrow...

Anony - As much as I hope the recruiters would overlook the 'badger' situation, they probably wouldn't. I'm not always sure some of these people have a sense of humor...

~A from NW

REReader said...

National Insurance

So what does that cover besides health insurance? (My health insurance has some large deductibles, and doesn't cover dental. And it doesn't cover anything else. I'm lucky, because I could get group insurance with the Freelancers Union--when I was going it alone it was very nearly twice that.)

AfNW--have a great first day on the job!

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

AfNW, good luck tomorrow!

Party on the Naughty Step sounds like a great song, album and idea. :-)

Anonymous said...

people who lack sense of humour make me cry :-(

You don't get many professional badgers I suppose so maybe best to keep it out of work ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Contributes towards unemployment benefits and state pensions, as well as the NHS.

And while you can try and get some dentistry on the NHS you always have to pay, and it's bloody hard to get. I pay for that privately - I'd rather pay a bit more for a decent job!

I mean, it's a great system, but people seem to think the NHS is magically free, whereas actually we're just used to paying for it, as it's taken out of your wage before you get the money.

Anonymous said...

Tax is all a bit serious Greg I was much preferring the armadillo's head gear conversation ;-)

He is right though RR we are just used to having the money taken off us before we see it :-)

Anony

Anon Without A Name said...

ReRe: National Insurance nominally pays for the National Health Service. It's also used to pay for certain benefits and allowances, like the state pension, unemployment benefits, and health-related payments for disabled people.

There are some benefits that relate directly to how much NI contributions you've paid; you can't get your full state pension unless you've paid your full NI contributions. But access to NHS services is universal, and not related to payment of NI.

SH, DW - I may be prevailed upon to provide custard creams.

Desert Wanderer said...

\o/ Nameless!

"Armadillo Head Gear" for Track 2?

Greg Lestrade said...

Anony - it is a bit! Let's get back to Jammy badgers...or custard creams. Which Sherlock wants to make again (And John does that 'I'm not going to plead like Sherlock does, but subtly suggest that's a really good idea, because I want to eat them' thing about.)

Nameless - I feel like I've got my money's worth out of the NHS recently. Whereas pensions...let's not go there!

Anon Without A Name said...

Oh, oops - while I was pausing to watch Rooney score, Lestrade answered your question better then I did, ReRe :-)

REReader said...

Freelancers don't get unemployment benefits, nor do we get pensions. :(

Of course, I used to get the fees for medical benefits and contributions to a retirement account taken out of my salary before getting paid as well, in pretax dollars, when I was getting a paycheck. Also Social Security payments, which now I pay (literally) twice as much for on my taxes, because now I have to pay both the employee and employer halves. And none of it is now pre-tax.

I haz a sad.

Anonymous said...

How many songs do we need do you think DW?

I'm liking track 2 :-)

Anony

CzechReader said...

Party on the naughty step? Heh, the Jam Jars Jimjams need to be another song on this album, just because this would make an awesome line in the chorus.

Also we need a slow ballad, I suggest Your Stuff And Things Are The Best...

Nighty night, I'm logging of the Net for the evening :-) Have a survivable Monday morning, everybody.

CzechReader said...

Armadillo Head Gear for Track 2 definitely!

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - you answered it waaay better!

RR, I doubt freelancers here get much either. No idea, not having been one.

Anonymous said...

do you seriously make custard creams Greg? I can understand the pleading!!

So have we got to 4 songs now? I think it's starting to become a good album we do need some artwork though so who's going to do that?

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

All excellent, CR. That gives us four tracks. I'd say we need 8-10? Halfway there! What about Biker Boy Blues (Danger Sparkles Rides Again)?

REReader said...

4 or 5 songs is enough for an EP.

Greg Lestrade said...

I try not to do much seriously... but yes, I do make custard creams.

More tracks -
Dogs n sprogs.

A slow ballad (possibly in d minor) 'Insomnia'.

Anonymous said...

That one's fab DW :-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

He makes seriously good custard creams.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - genius!

'My Boring Life'?

Anonymous said...

Somehow that doesn't surprise me ;-)

Will you bring homemade custard creams to The Jammy Badgers first gig?

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger - planning for The Jammy Badgers' debut album may have to spill over to your blog shortly, if you don't mind?

John H. D. Watson said...

As long as no one tries to make me play clarinet, I'm all for it.

Anonymous said...

not another Blog crawl!! who's taking orders this time?

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

I now hope and pray that Nicky never kept record of any of the deep and meaningful song lyrics I wrote or sang for my band...

Small Hobbit said...

For anyone who is interested, although given the choice of subjects on here tonight I doubt they are: freelancers (ie self-employed) pay National Insurance contributions, Class 2 on a monthly basis and Class 4 at the same time as their tax.

As for tracks, "Insomnia" sounds good (well, no it doesn't, but as a track name), but "My Boring Life" doesn't really describe what goes on here at all.

Anonymous said...

Nicky Nicky where are you? ;-)

Anony

REReader said...

I could run the Jammy Badgers fansite, if you'd like? (You have to have one! What kind of band doesn't have fans?!)

(My medical expenses--insurance + copays + dental--total over 9,500 for the year. Yikes. Doing taxes is DEPRESSING. :( )

John H. D. Watson said...

L - You must remember some...

CzechReader said...

Hmmm, the tracks are awesome!

I suggest also slightly jazzy and frantic "Papers, Papers Everywhere", maybe a short instrumental of "Caffeine IV" to go with it.

And "Booooooring" for Sherlock's theme with "You Don't Notice Me (But I Notice You)" or something like that for Mycroft's...

Okay, and now I really turn the laptop off; my husband's glaring at me for keeping him from sleep... ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

SH - I didn't know what freelancers did about unemployment. Can't just take along your p45, can you? I assumed it was horribly complex.

And it does describe John's blog either! :)

REReader said...

Thanks, SH. I would LOVE to pay for unemployment insurance, and the Freelancers Union keeps introducing bills to allow for it, but they never get anywhere.

Anonymous said...

If you've paid your Class 2 NI you go to the job centre and claim Job seekers Greg, they have a record of what you've paid and if you qualify.

I hate tax!!

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

Doc, how about being our bouncer? We're sure to have...tens of fans! RR, web design is good. :)

Alright, here's the draft track list:
Party on the Naughty Porch:

1. Party on the Naughty Porch
2. Armadillo Head Gear
3. Jam Jar Jimjams
4. Your Stuff and Things are the Best
5. Biker Boy Blues (Danger Sparkles Rides Again)
6. Insomnia
7. My Boring LIfe
8. Dogs 'n' Sprogs
9. Papers, Papers, Everywere (Where Has My Stapler Gone?)
10. Caffeine IV

Thoughts before we send it over to Sherlock for album art?

Greg Lestrade said...

Right. I just assumed it must be hard to judge when you're having a bad few weeks with regards to freelancers, or you're in enough trouble to go and sign on the rock n roll, with all the bother that entails as you jump through their hoops.

Anyway, go on, the lot of you, get orff my land! Go bother Danger's blog (just ignore the picture)

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