8 March 2012

But what is this, that I can't see

 
I imagine that some people get through their entire lives without seeing a dead body. I would think many people reach reasonably old age before doing so.

Probably sounds like an odd thing to say, but I'm glad Danger has. We have a sort of point of reference. We've both seen violence of the most extreme sort. We can sort of understand each other, a bit.

I mean, I imagine it's very different to see casualties of war than murder victims. I don't know why. I suppose I feel like if you're involved in a war, then in some ways you know what you're getting into. But then that doesn't hold true for the innocent bystanders - the people who find themselves living in a war zone. Even then, though, there's that sort of... knowledge, the fact that you must live fearing the worst, being surrounded by violence in such an over way.


Murder, generally, is very personal. I think that's the difference, really. It's not just killing - not normally. It's targeted, it's not killing at random, it's picking a victim and planning. It is almost always someone the victim knows and usually trusts. It is frequently someone they're related to. It wrenches families apart. Sometimes irreparably.

It happens in personal spaces, too. Often in the victim's home.

Sometimes you find yourself looking through people's belongings, seeing things that perhaps no one else ever has. It's odd, that my job involves getting to know people very well, but only after they've died.

There are cases that are simple, and cases that are difficult. There are ones where the suspects give themselves up, and those that you never solve.

There's no pattern to which ones you remember, though. Sometimes it's the victim, sometimes the murderer. Sometimes it's the weapon, or the location, or the family left behind. Sometimes it's the oddest things, in their possessions.

Sometimes it's all of the above.

You get hardened to it. You learn to cope, you stop feeling squeamish or sick when the body isn't as fresh as you'd like. The smell of blood becomes another everyday thing. Murder scenes stop being gore and start being evidence.

Don't get me wrong, they still stick in your mind, but they lose the punch they have at first.

Part of what's brought this on is thinking about cases while I haven't been sleeping recently.

Part of it is the dismissal of a jury the other week, after a case that was particularly brutal and disturbing, where the judge not only reminded the jury that they had counselling available to them, but he also discharged them from jury duty for the rest of their lives... Which just,  never happens.

And it brought it home, how those people had been pulled from their everyday lives and thrown into the world of murders and court cases, shown and heard horrific evidence, and afterward, would go back to their homes and families and jobs different people. Those weeks they spent in court will be in their minds like a beacon in the dark, they will never forget them.

Whereas me and my team...we've dealt with many more bodies and deaths since then. Yes, it stood out, but it's also dulled by the sheer number of things we see. Is that a good thing? I couldn't say. Necessary, definitely.

I've never been in a war, I've no idea what it's like.

I know one of the differences John mentions is that you come home. Whereas we are home. The families - they walk the same streets, live in the same house - and if we can't catch the killer, they have no idea if they see that person every day. I suppose it's more of a constant background noise, rather than a specific sound. Or something.

I feel very lucky that I have John to share such thoughts with, late at night, when sleep seems far away.


Anyway, don't exactly know where all that came from. Be nice to each other, folks. There are bigger things in life to worry about.


In other fantastic news, John passed his bike test. I'm now going out with a biker!

163 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've always wondered how police officers ever manage to sleep at night, the idea of what might be going on in the world is enough to keep me awake nevermind being faced with the worst of it every day.

I am grateful for such hard working detectives as you L just as I am grateful for the soldiers who face the worst of the world for us all.

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

Murder, generally, is very personal. I think that's the difference, really.

Yeah. I'd agree with that. That and, as you said later, you can't go home because you are home...and at the same time you're expected to make that readjustment every day when you leave work. I think I'd be terrible at it, personally.

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

Bless you and your colleagues for being willing and able to put yourselves, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally in harm's way to protect the rest of us.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger - I don't think you'd be that bad at it. I mean, over time, same as the rest of us. I don't know. Don't think anyone does, until you do it.

Thanks, Cranky. I honestly do feel worse for jurors though. Especially as you can never talk about the specifics of trials with anyone (unless they're court appointed). As a team, at least we have each other.

Small Hobbit said...

I'm glad you have each other. It must make things a bit easier when you don't have to explain everything you are going through and especially if you don't want to talk about something to know that the other person understands.

You and your colleagues have all my admiration for the work that you do.

Desert wanderer said...

I...don't really have anything to say. Except maybe that I don't know how you guys root, day in and day out. I'm glad you have Doc to make your days brighter and that the rest of your team has the same. You deserve so, so much more credit and admiration for what you do than you get, but know that there are those of us who appreciate you. Every day.

Greg Lestrade said...

Feel like you all think you have to be nice to me now - that wasn't the point of the post! It was just a bit of a rambling thought that I failed to make into anything more coherent, so thought I'd write it down...

You don't have to be nice - you don't have to mention it! You can just talk about badgers and dwarves and stuff as usual.

Small Hobbit said...

All of which demonstrates why I voted for Bashful ;)

Anonymous said...

You know that we are nice to you because we like you don't you? If we didn't you could post anything here and we wouldn't even read it never mind be nice to you ;-)

You do do a fantastic job though and we are all grateful for it and it's nice every now and then to get a chance to say it, rather than it looking a bit random :-)

Anony

I went for Happy (I prefer you that way)

Desert Wanderer said...

Why can't we do both? We appreciate you for more than just your dedication to duty, you know.

But fine. Discovered today: weareallbadgers.com/badgersett.htm

Anonymous said...

There once was a badger named George,
Who often waded in fjords,
Though his fur would get wet,
He still worked for the Met,
And often bound bad guys in chords.

And that is my literary contribution for the day. :)

You work so hard, Lestrade, and I can't imagine half the things you have to deal with. Thank you for being one of the good guys.

Greg Lestrade said...

You can do both - I just didn't want you to think you had to be nice to me! I get all embarrassed.

And...badgers...JAM WARS?? Danger, you need to read this...

I found a Badgermin: http://www.geekosystem.com/badger-theremin-badgermin/

It doesn't seem as good now though. (And Sherlock wants to make one)

Desert Wanderer said...

I forgot the most important part, the excerpt!

" His plan went awry when his love of jam sandwiches led him into a trap created by a badger-trapping expert."

John H. D. Watson said...

Just don't show him the dead opossum cake...

Anonymous said...

I really wish I could come up with something not nice to say just so you wouldn't be embarrased but you're just too nice ;-)

I'm watching a very strange program at the minute where they've just asked people which wild animal they would like to have sex with, I think that's one conversation that's even too weird for here but apparently it's fine on the telly!!

Annoy

Desert Wanderer said...

*applauds* well done, Pip!

Anon Without A Name said...

I'm so appreciative of all that you and your colleagues do, Lestrade. I saw in the news reporting that those jurors had been excused jury duty for life. Such a terrible, terrible case. So much pain, so many lives affected.

All of this reminds me, how did your DC (it was a DC, wasn't it? Not a DS?) who wasn't doing well working murders? Did he get a move to another team?

So glad that you and John have each other to be able to talk about and understand this kind of stuff.

Finally: http://www.nataliedee.com/061211/doctor-unicorn-md.jpg

Greg Lestrade said...

Anony - I've already got a wild animal in my bed. Doctor Danger. (and you're Definitely Anony, not Annoy...)

Nameless - I think it's one of the most...tragic doesn't really cover it. Devastating? Cases I've ever worked.

'My' DC is mine no longer - he got a transfer out. I think he nearly cried when I told him, he was so pleased.

And yeah, so am I. It makes a huge difference to know that he can relate.

...that looks uncannily like him. :)

Desert Wanderer said...

You know, Lestrade.... I bet a certain doctor could really sport the rainbow-hair look. Especially as blonde is so easy to turn colours....would only take a night or so....

Anonymous said...

It's good to know that even though I can't even manage to type my name that doesn't annoy you ;-)

The Doc has never really struck me as a wild animal but I'll take your word for it.

Glad 'your' DC is happy now, you have to have a certain mental state to do the job you do I guess and some people are just better off elsewhere :-)

Anony (got it right this time)

Ria said...

That unicorn does bear a startling resemblance to Danger.

L, I really love the song that the title's from-- it's so morbidly beautiful. Did you have any particular version in mind?

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - so I just need some dye, and...tin foil? And a paint brush. He does sleep pretty deeply.

Anony - he is, absolutely wild.

Ria - Ralph Stanley's And yes, it is.

Anonymous said...

You're a very lucky man then ;-)

Rainbow hair would look great on him (and you) you've so got to do that Greg, don't tell him I said so though ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

I suppose he could wear a hat at the surgery. Or go into paediatrics.

However, rainbow hair and talking to grieving families doesn't really go. If he made my hair rainbow, I'd have to shave my head again (and them I look like a slightly grumpy potato) AND Sherlock would then insist on shaving his, too. Probably.

Small Hobbit said...

Sherlock would almost certainly want rainbow hair too.

Anonymous said...

you could wear a wig?

kids would love rainbow hair, you could do sherlock's, I'm sure Mrs H wouldn't be too upset ;-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

No one is having rainbow hair! But of all the people who are not having it, I'm not having it the most.

Ria said...

You'd look like the most dashing potato the world has ever seen! (another of those sentences that no one else in human history has ever typed)

Really, though: do it! I'm definitely imagining both of you with this hair right now.

Good choice with the Ralph Stanley version. I also really like this one, sung by some random person on Youtube.

Greg Lestrade said...

feeling sleepy? :)

I was going to be on a half day tomorrow, to fetch Mycroft...but it occurred to me, if you wanted, you could take the bike and pick him up? But only if you and he are both okay with that. I can get the tube home.

Anonymous said...

Come on John don't be a spoil sport you know you'd look fab. ;-)

He'll be sleeping with one eye open now Greg you'll have to wait a few days until he drops his guard.

What would Mycroft's school think if he returned with rainbow hair? you could make it 'family time' over the weekend. ;-)

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

I'm not having it the most.

Second most, then?

John H. D. Watson said...

Hmm...probably. Second most. Mycroft is having it even less than me, I'm sure!

Anonymous said...

Well if none of you are going to do it I'll just have to do mine! I'm not scared of looking daft ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

I've made a start Anony... red.

I just cracked my head on the kitchen cupboard door...

My head and I aren't getting along this week.

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh dear.

Is this revenge on it for giving you a migraine?

Anonymous said...

My god man will you stop with this head thing, you need it you know!

How red is red? heads bleed rather a lot in my experience.

Seriously though will you be careful with yourself please you've a world to keep safe ;-)

Anony

Anonymous said...

o.O I'm hoping John is patching you up at the moment...

Well, I suppose that puts Greg out of the running for rainbow-dyed hair as I'm pretty sure open/healing wound + chemicals = disapproving doctors.

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

I think it's more of a graze. Not very red.

Entirely my fault for not shutting cupboard doors.

I'm going to bed. Where hopefully I won't suffocate on a pillow or something.

Anonymous said...

Not a good joke that given your current record!

Sleep well :-)

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

Ow, Lestrade. D: Maybe you should take to wearing your crash helmet all the time?

AftSO said...

Oh L, you've had one heck of a week haven't you.

By the way, thank you for that piece of information about the jurors excused for life-- I had never heard of such a thing until that trial. I don't even know if it's _possible_ to do that in the US-- possibly by a judge's decree but I don't know if it has ever been done, here.

And oh my goodness Ria, that version of "O Death" was marvelous. I _thought_ her videosong style was a little reminiscent of Pomplamoose-- turns out she's roommates with Nataly from Pomplamoose! Small musical world. I wish I was that kind of musician....

REReader said...

Yikes, L! It's never fun to bang one's head against something, but hard enough to draw blood...ouch! *winces* Your poor head. Hope it's all mostly painless by morning.


I voted Sleepy, in the spirit of contrariness. :)


That's...quite a post you put up. Not a lot of fun to think about, significantly less fun, I would imagine, to deal with.

The closest I've gotten to your experiences is that my mother's parents escaped with her from a Nazi detention camp (bribing a guard and fleeing through the night to France and eventually the US). I grew up with the deep understanding that any neighbor or friend might betray or murder me some day deeply ingrained in me (what has happened can happen)--but it's at one remove, something one knows without having experienced personally. I have friends whose parents lived in Soviet bloc countries, and who similarly have ingrained in them the knowledge that friends, neighbors, and even family members might at any time betray them--but again it's at a remove, not from experience.

I can't imagine how challenging it is to witness that personally, and then go home and trust people enough to love and care for them--not from a war abroad, and not from what is the equivalent of a war at home. That you both do it is wondrous and admirable, and I wonder at and admire it.

KHolly said...

L, you aren't fishing for us to say nice things, but we still want to say them. The thing is for me anyway, and probably a lot of us, I don't actually know anybody who does your job, but I am still deeply grateful to the people who do. So since I can't periodically say thank you to them you kind of stand in on their behalf.

And I voted for Happy. You certainly aren't every day, no one could be, but unless bad things are actively happening to you my mental image of you is always with John and the boys and therefore happy.

Amy said...

In New Zealand, jurors on murder trials are always excused for life afterwards. Didn't realise that wasn't the case in other countries.

Anonymous said...

Neither did I Amy. Maybe it's because we've a fairly low murder rate per capita?

Greg Lestrade said...

You are all very kind, saying nice things. And I thanks you for it, on behalf of law enforcement officers everywhere.

Head is okay, just a little tender spot. I stood up underneath and open door, just caught the corner of it. As I said, entirely my fault for leaving it open.

DW - I could, but imagine the damage I'd do John when I forget and went for a quick kiss...

Anonymous said...

Glad you didn't manage to roll out of bed and knock yourself out on the bedside table or anything :-)

Have a good day saving the world ;-)

Anony

Anonymous said...

When I was 13, a friend of mine was murdered. They caught the guy who did it and I'm forever grateful to everyone who worked to accomplish that. It's not a job I could do (I tend to faint when I see blood), but I'm glad there are people who can and who do it well.

Lestrade- I hope your head feels better. I'm often not actually paying attention to what I'm doing, so I'm familiar with how much that hurts.

John- Congratulations on passing your test!

-Anon from Louisiana

CzechReader said...

I voted for Happy, because Naughty is not on the list for some reason!

I've read this post yesterday and decided to sleep on it before commenting. Now, this does not compare to homicides but I was an active minister in a church (totally doesn't matter which one) for about six years. Confessions are... Actually hard to describe.

On one hand you have people who will come and confess about stealing a paperclip at work and they repent and promise not to do it again and you just want to grab them and shake them, because at the same time they feel it's totally okay to cheat on their partner.

Or people who will come to you, tell you all of their problems and then sit back and wait because sure you will give your blessing and make everything okay for them magically or something.

And then there are people who are simply shocking and all you can do is get the process to the end, then sit back yourself and smoke two or three cigarettes, otherwise you'd get drunk and drinking on the job is never a good idea. Like the guy who grew his own marihuana and then sold it to his own son (Mycroft's age!!!) for the pocket money the kid got from his mom. No, they weren't divorced. They were a nice and respectable family in the city.

After a while it gets easier. Because that's what we do and we need to do it well - digging around in peoples' souls or solving murders...

Anyway, have a bit of spring - I've seen them in a stand near one cemetery and simply had to buy them. My office finally has a bit of spring too :-)

REReader said...

What a happy flower, CR! Do you know what kind it is? (I have a city dweller's ignorance of flowers. :))

Glad your head's okay, L--I hope that means the migraine dregs are gone, too. (I rarely bang my head on upper cabinet doors because I'm short and they're high and set back--but I've caught the freezer door more times than I count. Happily, it has no sharp edges. :))

Greg The Florist said...

That's a gerbera.

Living in the city is no excuse for not knowing flowers. Support your local florist!

CzechReader said...

RR - yup, this is a gerbera. The greenery are young birch branches. :-) They were both shining so brightly in the sun that I saw them from across the street and simply had to buy them. I just hope they will hold over the weekend so I can enjoy them some more the next week...

REReader said...

I'm sorry, Greg the Florist! It's not that I live in the city, it's that I've always lived in the city. And I do support my local florist! I just point at the ones I want. Or let her pick.

And thanks for the ID.


:D

REReader said...

Birch branches? They're pretty, too, CR.

Ro said...

RR - I believe they call it a Gerber Daisy in your neck of the woods, though. (It's a gerbera here in Australia, too.)

REReader said...

I have no idea, Ro, but it's entirely possible. Gives me two names to try! :)

mazarin said...

I've seen both gerber daisy and gerbera - they're my sister's favorite, so I've bought a lot over the years!

I think that doing the work you do, L, and being in the Army, John - it's so far beyond what the rest of the world can understand that I think that5's why such tight bonds develop between those that do it. It is difficult for us on the outside to to fully grasp it as you do. But while we don't always "get" it, we do appreciate you both for it.

mazarin said...

There is a random "5" in my post. I have no idea why or how.

Desert Wanderer said...

Tender head, Lestrade? I'd heard that was a common complaint. The head should always be treated with lots care, rubbed gently, given special attention, etc.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think the only times it's really affected me (effected? Someone tell me how I use those two correctly?) Is when it's been violence against me.

First time I got attacked in the job it was middle of summer, boiling hot, in the evening. The smell of hot festering dustbins still makes me think of that.

REReader said...

That makes perfect sense, L--a physical attack is as personal as it gets. How could anyone distance them self from that?

(Most of the time in current usage, affect is the verb and effect is the noun you want. When you affect someone or something, you have an effect on them or it.)

REReader said...

("themself" was supposed to be one word, no matter what auto correct thinks!)

KHolly said...

RR - I say you don't have to know the name of a flower to appreciate it. I take a lot of photographs of flowers and my scientist friends are always so frustrated with me because I'm not titling them with the scientific names when I matte and hang them. They say, what kind of flower is it? And I say, pretty. I'm not taking pictures of specimens for botany text books, I'm taking pictures of color and light to hang on people's walls.

REReader said...

Oooh, do you have any of those pictures on the interwebs, Kholky? I'd love a look!

KHolly said...

http://heron-media.com/slideshow/slideshow.html

It's been forever since I've updated it, and it takes a little while to load. But if you look at the "flora" slide show there is a lot of unidentified "pretty".

Greg Lestrade said...

I find it easy-ish to distance myself from work related things - because people hate the job or the uniform. Whereas actual personal stuff is much harder.

It is always smells that remind me of things, though.

Anonymous said...

Things are always easier to cope with when you can blame it on the mask you're wearing, thats why people wear make up I'm sure of it(gives added defences against the world).

Personal stuff just sucks in so many ways because you can't stop it being personal :-(

Anony

REReader said...

L--I may not understand how you can distance yourself from attacks even if you can tell yourself that it's job/role related, but I'm glad you can, however much you can.

I've read that smell is the most primal sense and therefore the most evocative--I don't know how true that is, but it makes sense.

Thank you do much for the link, KHolly--I can't look at it on my iPod, but I'm looking forward to having a nice coffee break admiring the pictures in a bit!

REReader said...

KHolly--your photos are beautiful! I'm bookmarking your site as a place to look for stock photos, when I need them. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Anony - wouldn't know about make up. Much :)

RR - I think it's something you learn or develop to cope. I know I'm not the same person at work than I am at home - never have been.

KHolly said...

RR - Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed them. I should probably update it with stuff I've shot in the last 5 years. Though there's probably not that much as I've been doing more films than still stuff lately.

Anonymous said...

Just eye liner ;-)

Are you a suit off, have shower, comfy clothes, now I'm Greg kind of person? I know a lot of people who have complete personality changes in the shower when they get home from work :-)

Anony

REReader said...

Much

:D Way to sidestep fingers pointing to certain old photos, L!


I'm very glad you have that functional "split personality" (not actual split personality, obviously!) thing working for you, however you do it L, since it clearly does work for you.

Anonymous said...

Bit thick me but just struck me that the bike is the thing! That's the line between Greg and the detective isn't it?

Some days I think my brain has gone to mush ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha! The bike helps. But I haven't had it that long. And it's part what you said before - changing out of my suit at work and into my bike gear helps. Getting on the road.

But I don't really know. John's seen me in work mode and home mode, although only occasionally at work... he might be able to tell you. Mainly it's just...mental, I suppose.

Anonymous said...

Hell of a strong mind then :-)

I can only imagine what riding a motorbike feels like but I imagine its great for blowing the cobwebs away :-)

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

They do say the clothes make the man. Or lack thereof...

John H. D. Watson said...

John's seen me in work mode and home mode, although only occasionally at work

Very different, I know that. Although I'm sure at least part of that is because when I've seen you in work mode it's because I've managed to get myself injured in some ridiculous way and you're worried as well as...work-y.

Greg Lestrade said...

...or because Sherlock's alerted a murderer to the fact they've been rumbled in a cafe full of innocent bystanders...yeah.

John H. D. Watson said...

And if that's not a reason to worry, I don't know what is...

Nicky said...

"wouldn't know about make up. Much :)"

Don't listen to him! I taught him to put lipstick on once!

And I have photos to prove it, so don't try to deny it, Orio Lestrade!

Anonymous said...

Not really work mode when you're worried about John is it Greg, that really is worlds colliding :-(

I'm guessing home mode is a bit cheekier than work mode ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Exactly, Anony.

Nicky, you'll get a taste of work mode if you're talking about what I think you're talking about. Sisters, who'd have 'em?

John H. D. Watson said...

Nicky - ha! Bless you and your camera for recording these precious moments...

Desert Wanderer said...

That's fantastic, Nicky! Did you find a shade to match his skin tone? ;)

Anonymous said...

Come on Nicky you know you want to show us ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

One minute you're all being so nice...then look what happens.

REReader said...

I don't understand what's this problem you have with knowing how to put on makeup, L--it's a skill, not a crime!

Nicky said...

Really, John's blog is my chance to get back for every time Orio scared off a boy I liked, or embarrassed me in front of his mates. Thanks, John!

I just wish I had pictures of him as a baby to share with you all.

Anonymous said...

We're still being nice :-) you take the mick out of your friends sometimes it doesn't mean we're not nice ;-)

Anony

REReader said...

Baby pictures would have been lovely, Nicky, but we're happy with whatever we get. :)

Desert Wanderer said...

There's just no pleasing you, is there, Lestrade? We're nice and you say its embarrassing. We tease you, you say we should be nice. It's enough to give a commtormentor a complex! ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I don't know how to put on make up! I admit I could probably still manage eyeliner, but lipstick was beyond me then, let alone now.

Anony...Mmm. Maybe.

Nicky, shhhhhh now. You're lucky I'm decent enough not to put up pictures of you!

REReader said...

In all fairness, I think he's getting a bit better in the "too nice" category--what do you say, DW?

Anonymous said...

John, you met Lestrade in work mode too, didn't you ? I'm-thinkin-you-might-be-a-serial-killer-work-mode, even. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

I said no such thing, DW. I just said one minute you're nice....what you think I meant by it is down to you.

REReader said...

Eyeliner is much harder than lipstick! You just need a proper brush. :)

(Say the woman who goes without any makeup at all 29 days out of the month, at least.)

REReader said...

(SayS etc.)

Greg Lestrade said...

A brush for what? I don't even brush my hair...

Nicky's massive make up bag was always a complete mystery to me.

Anonymous said...

Are you really saying I'm not being nice? :-(

I think you're lovely and nice and only want to see nice pictures of you. ;-)

Anony

REReader said...

It's easier to put on lipstick neatly with a brush made for the purpose than straight from the stick. (Hardly anyone bothers, though--I rarely even use lipstick. Tinted lip balm, if I remember, which I mostly don't. But I learned how!)

Greg Lestrade said...

Nah, you're lovely. But you won't get nice pictures off my sister. She seems to specialise only in taking pictures of me exhibiting the best of 80s fashions.

Anonymous said...

Ok then I won't ask for pictures again I promise ;-) but whats wrong with 80's fashion really?

Anony (I'm not really lovely I just pretend)

REReader said...

Well, it was the '80s. Styles from the '60s would have looked odd! :D

Greg Lestrade said...

Nothing was wrong, in the 80s. (Well, it was, but no one noticed). Now, however... it could scar the boys for life.

RR - In the 80s, I don't think anything looked odd. Unless you somehow managed to look utterly normal, as in plain colours, conservative cuts. Which would have been odd.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure it's good for children to know it's ok to look stupid, I read somewhere that it builds character ;-)

Is there a fashion era that you did like? or is it better never to look back? ;-)

Anony

REReader said...

L--bell bottoms and love beads would have looked pretty odd in the 80s! (Striped leg warmers, feathers in the hair, pastel jackets for men and bustiers for top for women were all fine. Not fashion's finest moment. :D)

REReader said...

conservative cuts

Wasn't the preppy look an 80s thing?


(Captcha votes yes with "Beamer". :))

Greg Lestrade said...

It wasn't where I went out, but there were a lot of horribly cut suits.

As for beads etc...as long as it was either completely colour co-ordinated, or clashed horribly, and preferably plastic, it was fine, wasn't it? The bigger and more garish the better.

REReader said...

...and here's sunset. Shabbat shalom, all--have a fun Saturday!

(It makes me very happy to see you so relaxed and jokey, L. :))

REReader said...

Weren't love beads those small hand made things? Big and plastic, like Cyndi Lauper, yep, I remember that...

Bye!

Anonymous said...

On women or men?

I have to say the 80's passed me by I'm afraid but it did all look very bright in the pictures ;-)

Anony

Anon Without A Name said...

Stupid, Anony? We all looked like that in the 80's! It was cool. Or something :-p

(Although it is true that Lestrade appears to have worn more make-up than I did in the 80s.)

Anon Without A Name said...

ReRe - love beads? 0_0 Or are love beads something different in the US?

Anonymous said...

If you say so nameless :-) what was no doubt cool then will still look stupid now surely.

I think the make-up thing might be too weird an area to explore any further ;-) (without L getting upset with us anyway ;-) )

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - I Googled. Because it was RR. Little wooden crafty-folky handmade beads strung into necklaces. Apparently.

Although the clubs I went to in the 80s you were more likely to see the other sort!

John H. D. Watson said...

Although it is true that Lestrade appears to have worn more make-up than I did in the 80s.

Nicky's just sent me something...and you don't know how right you are!

Anonymous said...

I'm not going to ask to see that John because I promised I wouldn't but it doesn't surprise me really ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Anony - YOU may not be going to explore it further.

The way my boyfriend just creased up and went paralytic with laughter, I have a feeling you are the only one though.

I won't get annoyed. I mean, provided she hasn't photoshopped it. But, given the lipstick comment, I think I know what's coming. Because she has only taught me to put on lipstick once.

Anonymous said...

You should be claiming she has photoshopped it that is your get out clause ;-)

It's good to know John is having a laugh :-) I didn't really think you'd get annoyed I know you're a big softy really ;-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

Well, it's the sort of thing you only need to learn once, right? And then you can put it to good use all the days of your life...

Greg Lestrade said...

Are you trying to tell me something, Doc?

John H. D. Watson said...

Yes - that I'm grateful to finally have a photo of you that rivals the absurdity of all those ones of me with food hanging out of my face!

Greg Lestrade said...

But you clearly did that a LOT.

I've no idea how many photos she sent you, but they would all have been from the SAME party.

John H. D. Watson said...

Half the ones you posted of me were from the same party!

Anonymous said...

So, the good news that I was talking about yesterday...

Starting next Monday, I have a full-time job. I signed the paperwork this morning. Unfortunately, it probably means that I won't be commenting here at all (until I figure out the computer policy at work), but I'll be reading and cheering.

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! I'm definitely celebrating my last weekend of freedom. ;)

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

... meaning half of them weren't.

Anyway, I want you to expand on your lipstick comment. You enjoy wearing lipstick? Or you'd like me to? ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

A- That's brilliant! Well done :) At least comment in an evening so we know how you're getting along?

Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

You went to a party like that!!

you are most certainly a fun loving chap L!

I'm sure the actual photo wouldn't be as bad as the image I have in my head right now but I'll never know ;-)

Try not to get each other in to much mess with make up and hair dye won't you. ;-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

A - that's wonderful, I'm so glad for you! Good luck for Monday. I hope it all goes smoothly.

Anonymous said...

A from NW congratulations on the job that is great news :-) sorry you won't be around much for a bit though :-(

Most of all CONGRATULATIONS.

Anony

Small Hobbit said...

AfNW, that's great news. Can I offer you a drink, cup of tea, pancake, jammy badger to celebrate.

Anon Without A Name said...

AfromNW - \o/ Wonderful news :-D

Lestrade - ISTR you mentioning something about having worn a miniskirt at some point. This wouldn't be the same party would it?

John - you are going to post the pic(s), aren't you? *big pleading puppy eyes*

Greg Lestrade said...

Knowing Danger, Anony, you will know. He and Nicky love conspiring against me.

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - YES. Glad at least one person doesn't imagine I make a habit of such behaviour. It was indeed all the same party.

Anonymous said...

John, Greg - Thank you! I do plan on commenting in the evenings. I've got a 90-minute commute (if I'm lucky), and I hope there's Wi-Fi on the bus to keep me awake. :)

~A from NW

Anonymous said...

I promise not to look then Greg, or does it not count if I didn't ask for it?

same party was still A party! ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm developing OCD refreshing John's blog. I don't want to sleep because I know he'll post it when I do.

Anon Without A Name said...

So,you were wearing lipstick, you were wearing a miniskirt. Possibly the only question left is, stockings & sussies, or tights?

John - anything you'd like to share? Can we expect any similar photos likely to surface?

Desert Wanderer said...

AfNaw!!!! \0/

Congrats. So fantastic!

SH, how much do I love that jammy Badgers are now accepted currency? :D

Greg Lestrade said...

I want to see how bad the picture is before I admit to anything I don't have to, and whether it's full length.

Anonymous said...

Surely it's more fun if you're around to be embarrased by it so sleep might keep you safe :-)

You need to sleep it's been a long week (couple of weeks really) and you have two very energetic boys to entertain tomorrow.

One thing to remember whatever John does is he has to sleep to someday ;-)

Anony

Anonymous said...

Greg - Lipstick or not, we'll always respect you. :)

All - Thanks for the well wishes!

Anony - I hope you can share the same kind of news very soon!

SH - If you'll help, let's make tea for everyone and for those who want/need/are of age, they can add a little "kick" to their cup. *goes to find the teapots*

~A from NW

John H. D. Watson said...

L - I'll be happy to wait until tomorrow providing you drag me off to bed now.

Greg Lestrade said...

Dragging you off to bed sounds brilliant.

Spending the next however-long with the make-up covered miniskirt wearing photo of damocles hanging over me, not so much.

You better do a very good job of distracting me.

Anonymous said...

You give me hope A from NW which is something I could do with right now :-)

Hope it goes really well for you :-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

L - I'll certainly do my best.

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

AfNW, yay for new job!!! I hope Monday brings you joy.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure John can come up with some form of compensation Greg.

Sleep well, if thats what you chose to do ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Come on then, Doc. To bed with you.

And we've got LOADS to do tomorrow, so you won't have a chance to post a new blog entry. How sad.

Small Hobbit said...

Certainly AfNW tea all round and the bottles are lined up for those who wish to add to their tea. Now, does anyone apart from DW want a jammy badger?

Which prompts the obvious question: how many jammy badgers can you imagine?

Greg Lestrade said...

I keep reading that as Jammy Dodger, not Jammy Badger.

And I've heard more than one person use that as slang for...something we don't need to discuss here.

So I keep doing double takes.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your tea and Jammy badgers everyone and John and Greg enjoy whatever you're doing ;-)

Time for night night here.

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

At least 12, SH. Just sugar in my tea, please. :)

Desert Wanderer said...

So, "lots to do tomorrow.". Care to elaborate, Lestrade?

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - it was just a pathetic attempt to get him not to post.

Although we are, obviously, with the boys, busy.

Breakfast out, Sherlock needs some less-wintery clothes, I need a new shirt. I'd be willing to buy John some new jeans for the ones that got a bit paint-y, Mycroft wants some summer-ish trousers.

Then there's dogs to walk and eating to be done, pizzas to be made...

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - it seems to have worked, for now :-) Oh, and you're not the only one who kept misreading Jammy Badgers as Jammy Dodgers.

Enjoy the shopping, all.

Desert Wanderer said...

No worries, mine was a pathetic attempt to combat insomnia. Sounds like a busy day indeed, though. You guys can keep the clothes shopping, though. So boring! So very, very, very, very boring! ;)

Small Hobbit said...

Nameless, if you're getting confused Jammy Badgers are stickier than Jammy Dodgers, whilst Jammy Dodgers drop crumbs (I won't say what Jammy Badgers drop). And when you eat a Jammy Dodger do you bite the biscuit and pull the jammy bit off with your teeth, or is that just me?

DW - I'd enjoy clothes shopping if I could go into the first shop and find exactly what I want, in my size, at a reasonable price. Since however this rarely happens, I'm with you.

Desert Wanderer said...

Apologies for overuse of the word "though"

SH, that's a brilliant primer on Identification of Jammed Objects. You should offer a course at university. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't like clothes shopping, hence why we've waited until all of us need something, get it done in one hit.

My bit's easy. Walk into shop, scan rack/shelf, find shirt that is largely white, check collar size, purchase. Done. :)

Of course, with Mycroft, my choices might be called into question...

Anonymous said...

Leaving shopping to the men folk (which is a very weird concept really) what's everyone else up to today?

I'm off to get rained on sitting in a field watching 22 fit men in shorts kick a bag of air around ;-)

Anony

Ps You must have done a good job of distracting John Greg hope it lasts for you :-)

CzechReader said...

L, you shop exactly how my husband does :-)

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