23 June 2012

Cheese and school and newts

Yesterday I got in trouble like John said on his blog, and Mrs T said she was disappointed in me and so did John and Lestrade and I wanted to go and see the pond because at the moment there are tiny newts and frogs and the newts have still got their external gills and I just wanted to see them and I wasn't allowed which wasn't fair and then I wasn't allowed out later either which was even more unfair because the cheese barely even hit her.

John was angry because of me and he made the tap leak worse and work wasn't fun and Lestrade was late home and when he did get home he just told me I needed to think about why I'd done it so I could explain myself and he said that it not being fair wasn't good enough for an explanation and I had to think more than that about why I thought throwing the cheese would make it better and it didn't anyway and in the end at bedtime he said that the last person who threw food at him was Bryan and that I wouldn't want anyone to think I was like Bryan because I'm not but that I should think about what I do because he wouldn't want anyone to think I was like that just because I got angry and did one thing that wasn't nice and so I did and I'm not like Bryan at all because everyone hates him and he's mean and I'm not so I went in to John and Lestrade this morning and said I wouldn't throw things again like that and I said I'd say sorry and then we had pancakes with banana and syrup and normally we're not allowed syrup for breakfast.

Then later we went to see the pond because I really wanted to show John and Lestrade the baby newts and how now it's really easy to tell them apart from the frogs and there's loads of them and then we went and had lunch and then for a walk out away from the city and there was really long grass to hide in and trees to climb and John and Lestrade held hands and we took a frisbee even though we didn't have the dogs but it was hard because it was windy so we looked for bugs instead and there were loads.

Here's a picture of two little newts but it was hard because they're hard to see and it's through water they're about 30mm long and Lestrade's given the blog a new tag for the pond because it needed one.


177 comments:

pandabob said...

It's good to know you've had a nice day Sherlock and that the frogs and newts are growing up well :-)

I’m glad you’ve made the correct decision about the throwing food thing :-) did you sleep OK? Those aren’t the best thoughts to have in your head at bedtime I wouldn’t have thought.

I hope the three of you have a lovely rest of day

Anonybob

Anonymous said...

Throwing things at people when you're angry with them never does work, in my experience, so I'm glad you've decided to remove it from your repertoire.

I left a link at John's blog to a picture of some really tall grass here in Boston. It's actually pampas grass, and it grows to be two meters high or more. It's down by the Muddy River, in a park called the Fens, or Fenway, ever you ever come to visit Boston. I don't know if there are newts in the water there, but there are frogs. I went to school nearby and in the spring you could hear the frogs "talking" every evening.

How do you observe the gills on the newtpoles and tadpoles? Do you have a way to pick them up in a plastic container for a closer look, or do you just have to lean close to the water?

rsf

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you had a good day today, Sherlock. It sounds like you've done a lot of thinking, and have realized a lot of things that people a lot older than you are still trying to learn.

It's really easy when we're angry to do something that we'll later wish we hadn't.

I have to bite my tongue sometimes to stop myself saying things when I'm mad, because I know I don't really mean them, I'm just upset.

What I've found works is to remove yourself from the situation if you can, and count really slowly to 100. Then you can talk to the person that made you upset, and find out why they did it. A lot of times, the person may not have known the reason they upset you at all!

Anon Without A Name said...

Sherlock - it was good of Lestrade to talk to you about how it feels to be the person who had food thrown at them, most of us don't really get to hear about how it feels, we have to try to guess (and we're not always good at that, which is why so many of us still do not-very-nice things sometimes).

It sounds like you had a proper, serious think about it all, and came to some very good decisions. I'm proud of you. I think John and Lestrade must feel proud of you too, if you all had syrup with your breakfast pancakes.

I'm glad you're having a lovely day with the pond and walking and lunch and frisbee and the long grass :-) And thank you for the photo and the update on the newts!

Anonymous said...

Oops. I should have said four meters instead of two, I think. Because pampas grass can be twice as tall or more than me, and I'm 5'8".

Also, I remembered the name of the plastic things I was thinking of. They're called magnifier jars, and you can use them for more than just bugs.

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/deluxe-bug-magnifier/p/BE-BUGVIEW/

And since I'm making another comment, I should say that I'm glad you're going to apologize. Throwing things can be pretty ineffective, but words work sometimes, and especially apologies when you need to make them.

rsf

Anonymous said...

Everyone knows you're not a bit like Bryan, Sherlock, the fact that you care what people think about you proves that, but it is important to learn how to keep your temper.

I'm really glad that you enjoyed your pond visiting and walk today, I assume the weather was better today than yesterday :)

Lancs. Anon

Desert Wanderer said...

That's a lot of very serious thinking to do for someone your age, Sherlock, so well done you. It's good that you've decided not to act like that anymore. The more important part is actually following through with it. It's very easy to say we're going to change the way we act when we're angry, but it's much harder to actually do it in the heat of the moment. Pip's advice about removing yourself and counting very slowly to 100 is very good, and I think if you were able to say that you were very angry and needed some time alone that people would respect that and let you do that. I haven't mastered that part all the way yet, so if you find a way that works, let me know, please?

I don't think I've ever seen a grown-up newt, let alone a baby one, so I'm very jealous of your pond. Are you keeping a record of your observations for later? Do newts eventually lose their external gills?

Also, I've been wondering for a while: Can you breathe through your ears?

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm really proud of you, Sherlock, especially for offering to apologise because you know it's the right thing to do instead of waiting until someone said you had to. Pip and DW both have good advice about how to keep from doing something you'll regret when you're angry or upset. It's not an easy thing to learn, but I know you can do it, you just need practice.

Also, I'm sorry if you thought my grumpiness yesterday was all your fault. It was partly because of what happened at school, but it was also a lot because of the two hours I spent hauling boxes around a very small surgery and how much that made my shoulder hurt. I should've been more clear about that.

The newts are pretty amazing.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - thank you so much for talking to him.

Greg Lestrade said...

I feel I should point out I didn't say he was like Bryan, I just said that if all his new teacher knows of him is a grumpy little boy who throws things at her, she might start to think he's a mean person, because he's doing things a mean person might do - such as throwing food at others, like Bryan did to me.

He was very sensible and listened very carefully, and I know John and I are both proud of him for that. And for realising that he should apologise.

And I hope now he'll go about showing his new teacher why Mrs T is so fond of him, by proving what a nice, polite, enthusiastic young man he really is.

Sherlock said...

John and Lestrade said that next time we look at the pond with the lady who comes in and tells us about it our class should invite my new teacher and maybe her class to see too so she knows about it and she can get interested too.

pandabob said...

what a great idea Sherlock :-) it could become a whole school pond so you and all the other children can be involved with it fro years :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm sure Sherlock is cleverer than me but when I was sevenwe were having a picnic in the grden and my little sister was trying to steal my food so I threw a my drink over her. My mum went mad and told me that was just like my dad did my dads favourite punishment for my mum not having tea on the table or cooking the wrong thing or really just because he wanted to was to turn teh hose on her in the yard and then lock the door so she froze in the garden. I spent years thinking I was going to turn into him and worried abouteverything I did because it might be a sign I was becoiming him.

There is nothing scarier than thinking you might be ahything like the person who hurt someone you love and who can still upset them by turningup places or by ideas coming up that remind them of them. like I said Im sure Sherlock is cleverer than me and has it all right in his head but plese please dont ever let him think he has anything in common with that man

EBSanon said...

you are such a grown up boy Sherlock, it takes real maturity to do the thinking you've done and come to such a good decision. John and Lestrade are right to be proud of you.

I hope your new teacher is really interrested in the pond so you can continue to enjoy it and so you can give us updates!

have a nice evening all of you

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't really know what to say. I hope I didn't do that.

Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Getting your new teacher interested in the pond sounds like an excellent plan, Sherlock. Do you have classmates who like it as much as you do? Because more people asking for the same thing often works better than just one person asking.

It takes practice to find a good way to be angry or upset, and express it without making things worse. Not doing anything only works sometimes, because you can stay angry underneath and then find yourself shouting about something that wouldn't usually matter. And doing something right away doesn't always work because the people around you are usually upset or angry too when it's a bad situation. You have to think each time, which is why counting can help.

Just remember that people can only read minds in stories. You have a better chance of finding a way out of your upset or anger if you can talk about it, and if a person's making you angry, you have a better chance of understanding why they're doing what they're doing if you stop to listen to what they have to say.

Anon Without A Name said...

Anon - I'm so sorry you had to go through that; the whole experience of growing up in that environment, with a parent who acted like that, must have been terrifying.

But I don't think that Lestrade did that, not at all. Look at what Sherlock himself wrote:

"[Lestrade] said I wouldn't want anyone to think I was like Bryan because I'm not"

"I'm not like Bryan at all because [..] he's mean and I'm not"

From things Lestrade has said here, he's been in similar situations as you, so I'm guessing he was treading very carefully here.

Please don't think I'm making light of your concerns, Anon, I think that they're understandable given your experiences; I do think though, you can be reassured that, as far as I can see, Lestrade judged it pretty much perfectly.

John H. D. Watson said...

Anon - I'm really sorry your mum said those things to you, and that it hurt you so much. It sounds a lot like some of the things Lestrade's mum said to him when he was growing up. I know none of us want to make Sherlock or Mycroft feel like that.

I do think that what Lestrade said ( if all his new teacher knows of him is a grumpy little boy who throws things at her, she might start to think he's a mean person) is both true and related only tangentially to Bryan. We'll certainly make sure Sherlock understands that we know he's not like that. Thank you.

pandabob said...

I don't know exactly what you said to Sherlock Greg but I do know that you are always very careful to say the right thing at the right time so I am sure that any reference to Bryan was made in the same way as a reference to anyone you come into contact with at work is and not a personal connection between Sherlock and him.

Anon - parents and guardians try their best to always say the right thing and do the best for their children sadly they don't always get it right :-( I hope you're ok and that you can feel slightly reassured that Greg will have dealt with this in the best way he can.

Anonymous said...

my mum would be heartbroken to no how what she said bothered me for so long and i would never tell her as shes been through enough in her life it just upset me to read what sherlock worte. sorry i didnt mean to make you feel bad Lestrade i know its hard to know what to say a lot of the time when you are always coloured by memories of bad people.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks, everyone.

And Anon, thank you too. I try and make sure I never say things to Sherlock or Mycroft - or anyone - to make them feel like that, but I know it's easy not to realise the impact of your words.

I don't really know what else to say. I'm sure I'll make a lot of mistakes trying to help raise the boys.

pandabob said...

You'll make no more mistakes than the rest of us Greg we all stumble through blindly trying not to get it too wrong ;-)

my dad told me that parenthood is getting 25% of stuff exactly right 25% completely wrong and 50% neither one thing or the other and I am beginning to think he might be right!!

I hope Sherlock has had a nice evening and is relaxing his way towards bedtime :-)

Anonymous said...

I've been trying to compose a response to this for some time now. It's clear that Sherlock knows he's not like Bryan,it's clear from his blog post above. Sometimes you absolutely have to show a child or anyone really how others see them and for Sherlock that was about the most effective comparison you could make to make him think. I don't think you should beat yourself up about it at all.

Lancs. Anon

Anonymous said...

Anon, you might want to consider talking to your mum about your dad, because after she's gone, you'll never get the chance. Now that you're grown up all the stories will be different to you, and she may need to tell them, and hasn't, in hopes of protecting you. Maybe.

But I think you should definitely tell her how hard you worked not to be like him in the ways that he hurt her, because that's a way of saying how much you love her. I know it was hard for you, hearing what she said and internalizing it, but you didn't use it as an excuse to be like your dad, you used it as incentive to do the right thing and make better choices than he did.

rsf

Anonymous said...

Lestrade you are a wonderful man and a great rolemodel fro the boys, that fact you try to do right by them teaches them something some children will never know. simple words can get mixed up in kids heads but I think you are the best person to know how Sherlock will have understood you its not like it was said in anger and wihtout thought. (should have thaought that earlier and kept my mouth shut sorry.)

rsf - I dont need to no anymore about my dad than I know and if my mum needs to tell someone that cant be me sorry. it wasn't hard work not being like my dad it was hard work fearing I would be because of a childish reaction between me and my sister that woudl have ment nothing in any other family.

Anonymous said...

Anon, it isn't that what happened wouldn't have meant anything in another family, it's that it mattered to you. But you know your situation best. In my case talking to my mom as an adult has helped me understand a lot about what happened when I was a child (my father was an alcoholic), and has brought us closer together. (And like you, I probably should think before I post, but I'm glad you did post because it's good to say things sometimes.)

rsf

REReader said...

Sherlock--

First, the easy part--Thank you so much for sharing about the newts and frogs! As you said, it's hard to see in the picture, but it's very interesting to hear about the external gills--I've never seen that, but I googled it and found some good pictures, fascinating! And it must be very cool to see the differences between baby newts and frogs live and close up.

Second--I want to say that the rest of your post makes me very proud to know you (even though I only know you over the internet). I am very impressed that you thought out how to make things better, not only by deciding to apologize for this one thing (which is right and good) but also by deciding not to do the same thing in the future when you are upset and angry. That is very good thinking.

I know from experience that it can be very hard indeed to stop and think how to act when you get angry and hurt and things don't seem fair. You've already got some good ideas from people about how to calm down enough to give yourself that time to think first, and you should try those. I find that for me it can help to make myself breathe very slowly for a bit--maybe counting 20 slooooow breaths in and out. It makes my heart stop beating so fast, and that makes me feel calmer. But every person is different, and you have to find what works for you. I'm sure that John and Lestrade will be happy to help you find what works for you--Mrs T, too.


L--From what Sherlock wrote, I think he understood what you were saying. It sounds like you said it just right.

pandabob said...

Would today be the half day at work day Greg? if so I hope you get everything done quickly and easily :-)

Are you three watching the match tonight or avoiding it due to split loyalties?

I hope you all have a fun day whatever you get up to :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Anon, you shouldn't feel bad - I've spent a lot of my life fearing I'll turn into my dad. And probably not enough realising I'm turning into my mum instead. I'm glad you said what you did. And I completely understand that you're not the person your mum can talk to if she needs to. Sometimes you have to protect yourself before helping others.

AnonyBob - been to work, fetched paperwork, now back home determined to fight off this migraine before it claims me.

Definitely watching the match!

pandabob said...

Good luck getting rid of the migraine :-)

Will it be Italy or England for you?

Anonymous said...

I woke up with a lurking migraine too, L. I hope yours goes away before the match.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Depends who wins, AnonyBob... ;)

Have chucked codeine and paracetamol down my throat, so I'm hoping.

Desert Wanderer said...

I have heard head massages are helpful instaving off migraines, FWIW. I'm sure you could fine someone there to oblige you, if you looked hard enough... ;)

REReader said...

I hope you fended it off, L. (I'm sure a head- or neck-and-shoulder-massage couldn't hurt...)

Anonymous said...

Hey, Sherlock, I was looking for timelapse photography of newts because you got me interested, and I found a link that won't work for me, but maybe it will for you:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/from-egg-to-newt/query/lapse

I also found a link of a newt's leg growing back after it was damaged. It took a long time and I don't think it came back just the way it was before, though.

http://www.luc.edu/faculty/wwasser/dev/regen2.htm

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

That Pathe film is great, RSF!

Migraine is... being held at bay. But still there. I really hate feeling like crap when I'm with John and the boys and all I want to do is enjoy their company.

pandabob said...

I'm glad the pills have worked at keeping it from getting any worse Greg but it is a real shame when these things happen on family days!

I hope it clears up before the match and that you take the risk and pick a side ;-)

REReader said...

I'm sorry you're not feeling better, L--although not worse is something to be grateful for. I hope it starts ebbing soon.

I'm off to help my mom shop for a dress for my nephew's wedding this summer. (Apparently this cannot be accomplished solo...?) Happily, I can still fit into the dress I wore to my niece's wedding--I say happily because I hate shopping. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - well, I'll pick Italy. And know that whoever it is will be crushed by Germany next round.

I should probably get something proper for my migraines. Codeine sort of works, but I get a side effect of being really sensitive to sound.

Anonymous said...

Don't know why this works, but usually a regular Coke helps. Something about the sugar and caffeine.

Hope the migraine goes away soon for you.

pandabob said...

If you can find something without side effects that will stop your migraines then it would be a good idea :-)

have you managed much fun this afternoon? I hope Sherlock has had another good day :-)

Anon Without A Name said...

I've seen a commentator today hope that England lose with pride against Italy, rather than get our arses kicked by Germany again in the next round. Personally I wish England would just keep winning, but if wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak, as the man said.

I used to take migrileve, which helped take the edge off enough that I could usually sleep a bit. Sleeping and throwing up were the only two things that actually killed off a migraine for me, pain relief was just an enabler to sleep. ISTR reading about some studies that suggested that sleep was significantly effective in helping ease a migraine, but I may be misremembering. Touch wood, I haven't had a migraine in about ten or fifteen years - no idea why not (and I never did manage to identify a trigger for them, either).

Greg Lestrade said...

Piplover - I can think of nicer ways to get sugar and caffeine ;)

AnonyBob - we went for a gentle bike ride.

Nameless - John's been pulling my hair, which works, and I've sort of probably taken pills at the wrong time, wasn't sick, and now just feel low-level queasy. I did have a nap late morning, but it didn't quite do the job.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - Feeling any better? You look marginally less grey.

pandabob said...

is he not looking rather blue now John? ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, a bit. Thanks, you are amazing.

Better if Italy score...

Greg Lestrade said...

I can't believe no one's scored.

I'm going to make a cpmplaint.

pandabob said...

it's going to be a long night at this rate!!

REReader said...

So my mom and I went downtown to look for a dress for her for my nephew's wedding--and we walked right into NYC's Gay Pride Parade! We were right where they were starting, so we watched the marchers form up for a bit--fun if a bit ear-blasting. :)

And we also found a really nice dress for my mother--long, a subdues electric blue, with just the right amount of silver sparkles on the bodice and jacket. Success!

Glad you're feeling marginally better, L--leaving out sports-related feelings.

Greg Lestrade said...

I thought I might put a new blog background up. But it keeps telling me it's too big.

I'm a bit lost.

Football might bring my headache back. I'm trying not to get too involved and jump about or yell. it's hard.

Anon Without A Name said...

If England score, some of us will do the yelling and jumping for you; if Italy score... I think you might be on your own :-p

Greg Lestrade said...

Jesus. How can you miss tha?

Greg Lestrade said...

is there a forcefield around that goal??

pandabob said...

I hope so!

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - If Italy win, they're just saving England the humiliation of being beaten by Germany again - doing you all a favour!

REReader said...

Hey, John, you should look into that force field technology for your bike! :)

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - good point, but I'm still hoping for a win tonight and then again on Thursday (that's optimism over experience, obviously).

Small Hobbit said...

Blog background is very pretty L.

pandabob said...

That's a picture of your migraine right Greg ;-)

long night ahead!!

John H. D. Watson said...

You're all flowery...

Greg Lestrade said...

It's a picture I took the other week. Thought my blog was a bit grey for spring, and I could do what Danger used to do, and change the picture.

Anon Without A Name said...

Ooh, flowers. Very summery- more so than the weather :-p

And bums - extra time :-( That last Rooney attempt would have been a fabulous goal if he'd scored. Can't believe either team want to play another half hour - or go to penalties.

Greg Lestrade said...

(after all, it's grey enough outside. We can pretend it's summery on here, right?)

REReader said...

It's really pretty on the regular site! (On the mobile site, the design shows up behind all the text, and it's really hard to read.)

pandabob said...

honestly not sure but it is a nice summer like picture :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

What do you mean used to do! I like it, it's easier to read the poll this way.

Greg Lestrade said...

Right... on my phone it's easy to read, although it is behind the text, it's so faded out it's almost unnoticable.

So, blog users, I can go back to a design that doesn't show up, or stick with this one, or do something else. cast a vote.

Greg Lestrade said...

I just meant...didn't you used to do it every month? And now it's more...seasonal...

For Winter I might put a picture of you glaring on here, see if the traffic drops right off, out of fear... or picks up because you're so handsome.

Anonymous said...

Everything's easier to read on this one, except the "Interesting Murders not Boring Stuff."

pandabob said...

it's your blog Greg so you should do your thing, I was guilty of complaining about John's hurting my eyes once and he changed it and hasn't done it again since so go with what you want :-)

Anon Without A Name said...

Happy for you to stick with this one (on my phone it looks the way you describe, Lestrade).

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, I changed it, to try and fix the title and the mobile site.

And the title now works...

Mobile site is the same.

REReader said...

I really can't read anything on my Touch--it's not at all faded. :(

(I could try reading the regular site on this thing if I'm outvoted...)

Small Hobbit said...

It looks okay on my phone, so I vote stick with it.

Greg Lestrade said...

is that an iPod, RR? Anyone reading it on an iPhone and can't see it? We don't have an iPhone in the house... my testing ability is limited.

John H. D. Watson said...

I just like the clouds, that's all. I'm sure I'll get bored again and change it eventually.

L - it looks fine on my phone? The photo's nice too.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks. I thought it sort of looked like nature's confetti. The grass was so covered in it.

Although I was tempted to put up a big picture of the waterlillies from Kew.

Thought I could change it whenever I took a picture I felt like sharing.

I think Greg the Florist would approve.

REReader said...

Yep, a iPod, L. I think it may be faded back some, but not enough to read the text--I have to either change to web version or read the comments in email. I'll try to get you a screenshot...

Anon Without A Name said...

ReRe - are you using a blogger/blogspot app? I've tried the mobile version of the website, and the normal website rescaled using three different browsers on my phone, and the mobile site definitely has a very faded background...

Lestrade - I'm really hoping this doesn't go to penalties...

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - I'm sort of zoning out...

feels like they're never going to score.

Oh...and now, FINALLY...they're offside.

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - there may have been some shouting here, at that point.

Greg Lestrade said...

There was shouting here.

Enough to make Sherlock yell downstairs thinking he'd missed something.

REReader said...

No app, Nameless, just the browser. I think the background is faded in the mobile version, but not enough for me to read the text really. I CAN read it in the web version, but it opens automatically in the mobile version, and I have to scroll to the bottom of the page to switch, then search back up to find the right place in the comments--not impossible, just a bit of a pain.

I have a screenshot, but no way to upload it to Photobucket--would it be useful for me to tweet it? I can do that.

Greg Lestrade said...

sorry, penalties.

oh, Jeeeez, Italia!

England have a chance...

Greg Lestrade said...

Come on Italia!!

Greg Lestrade said...

Cole - that was never going in, for every step of the run up.

ITALIA!! Come on...


YEEEAHHHHH, ITALIAAAAAAA!!!!

Anon Without A Name said...

Oh... bugger.

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh no...

John H. D. Watson said...

At least it wasn't Germany.

Greg Lestrade said...

Come here, Danger, have a hug. And a kiss. And stop looking so ...crumpled. Let your Italian Lestallion make it better.

RR - um, if we can see the picture then, yeah, put it up if you want? But I can't change the mobile site, as far as I can tell.

REReader said...

Did done.

If you can't, you can't. *shrug*
Maybe the next picture will fade back better. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Mm. That's nice. Still think it's unfair you get to root for both though.

Greg Lestrade said...

I blame the parents...

Don't worry, I'm sure we'll lose to Germany, just like you would. Well, maybe with a bit more passion and style ;)

RR... I've no idea how Twitter works, or, if you've put a picture up, how we see it?

All I can do is try different blog style or something, if people have a hard time reading it.

REReader said...

There's a link in the tweet to the picture--and it might show in the tweet itself depending on the Twitter client.

It looks like I'm the only one who can't read with this background in the mobile version so far, that's not enough to change it!

pandabob said...

just braveing this to say I wasn't joking about the migraine thing RR but I really do think Greg should do as he wishes with his blog and I'll manage :-)

well done with the football Greg, I hope they'll do the right thing and beat the Germans now :-)

REReader said...

(It actually is more legible in the screenshot than on screen because it's a bit blurrier, so the background is easier to ignore.)

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - here's ReRe's pic: https://p.twimg.com/AwLz4OWCIAAB7Gx.jpg. That's how it looks for me too ReRe, but for me the contrast is OK for me to read it (I know different things work for different people - I tend to have problems with strong black on bright white backgrounds, or light text on dark backgrounds)

maybe with a bit more passion and style ;)

:-p

John H. D. Watson said...

But we don't know where your twitter is? Do you have a link?

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh sorry, thanks Nameless.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks Nameless. And yeah, I can read that fine - and it's roughly how it looks on my phone.

Anyone feel free to pile in with suggestions. I can pick a different picture.

And I changed this background to grey because the black on white is harder for me to cope with, especially days like today.

REReader said...

Thanks, Nameless! As I said, it's a lot sharper on screen than in the screenshot, which paradoxically makes it harder for me to see the text because of all the crisp edges. But as I also said--just me having a problem reading is not at all enough to change anything!

pandabob said...

kew garden lilies greg or something a bit less busy? the grey is fine but I can't do this picture :-( (Iona will miss the otorike though ;-) )

But most of all your blog your thing and summer flowers are nice :-)

Anonymous said...

The new background is tons easier to read on my iPad, especially the poll!

Lancs. Anon

Anonymous said...

It looks nice. Just... er... green. And flowery. When I was expecting motorcycle man. I did kind of blink a few times. But I'll adapt!

Actually, I can only see the colors well at the edges of my screen. The rest is kind of covered by a grey film or in the "text is here" block. But I'm in firefox on an ancient computer.

rsf (who still is trying to fend of that migraine...)

Greg Lestrade said...

After Weds I might have another motorbike picture to put up - all mud and fun...and after John's bike comes, I might have yet another!

I'll have a look tomorrow and see if I can find another picture, one that's a bit calmer. I took some of the meadow we ended up in yesterday, so maybe that. Although the sky was a bit grey!

I'll keep the easier-to-read menus/widgets though, not go back to the old ones, don't worry.

Greg Lestrade said...

(I thought you'd all be bored of Guy and his bike! Glad some of you will miss him. I miss him!)

pandabob said...

Iona only learnt to say otorike this week! along side egg, doc and egus ;-)

(I think I've registered my love of motorbike pictures before, I hope Johns bike arrives soon :-) )

John H. D. Watson said...

after John's bike comes

It's this week! In case anyone forgot. :)

Anon Without A Name said...

As if anyone would forget :-p Do you know which day?

Desert Wanderer said...

Oh, are you getting a bike, Doc?

ryo said...

L -- I like the new background, and I like your "nature's confetti" description. But I must admit that I was very surprised not to see the motorcycle. Maybe you could get a pic of John on his new bike and put that up after awhile?

It occurred to me, with Sherlock and his cheese, that, while that's not good, he's already making progress in how he deals with things he doesn't like because he didn't kick the new teacher in the shins!

I got to see part of a US Open (tennis) qualifier match -- they were doing one of the rounds at my local tennis court. I'm definitely looking forward to more tennis this summer.

Congrats to Italy!

ryo

John H. D. Watson said...

Nameless - I believe it's Friday. Not that I have it marked on the calendar or anything.

DW - why yes. Yes I am. My boyfriend bought it for me. :)

Ryo - how was the match, any good?

ryo said...

John -- yes, it was pretty good. Went to 3 sets. I had to leave when the third set was at 3-2, so very close. Kind of amazing to see that level of play in person.

ryo

Greg Lestrade said...

He still stares dreamily at pictures of his bike. I'm beginning to think he shouldn't have it....

Desert Wanderer said...

Says he man who made approximately 87 posts about his bike. :P

The two of you. Smitten teenagers, i swear!

Greg Lestrade said...

I didn't! One or two, max...

Apparently it's armed forces day today. I shall hug an ex soldier extra hard.

Small Hobbit said...

Could you give him a hug from some of us as well - he'd prefer it coming from you ;)

Have a good week everyone :)

Desert Wanderer said...

Is it? I'm sure you'll take good care of him. You always do.

Desert Wanderer said...

Also, 8 posts about getting your bike or gear for it, by my count. Just sayin'.

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm sure you lot were egging me on...

Today I'm feeling rather more like he needs to take care of me.

I may not make it through the day.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear you're still feeling rough, is it still the migraine?

Lancs. Anon

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah.thought it was receding, but it came back.

Anonymous said...

Longer you leave it, the worse it'll be :(

Lancs. Anon

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else ever worry that the captcha codes are part of some secret conspiracy? Or, as seems more likely, do I need to get more sleep?

Lancs. Anon

John H. D. Watson said...

L - I'm almost done here. Do you want me to come and get you?

REReader said...

I'm sorry you're hurting, L. Do you have him, John?

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry, was in court. Going back to the yard now.

Depends how much you'd like to spend an afternoon with a grey puking boyfriend.

Small Hobbit said...

Hope the Doc can get you soon and that you start to feel a bit better.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - I'll take that as a yes, be there shortly. Did you make it through court all right? Or...at least without vomiting on anyone?

Greg Lestrade said...

Didn't vomit on anyone. Just did a lot of listening with my eyes shut and breathing through my nose.

Anonymous said...

I hope you feel better soon. My own migraine appears to have been the precursor to a cold, as I woke up to a mild earache today. Can't miss work though -- we're shortstaffed, and at least the headache has shifted a bit.

Gah, Mondays.

rsf

John H. D. Watson said...

Well done. About ten minutes, okay? You want to come down and wait for me or shall I call you when I get there?

Greg Lestrade said...

Never thought Id get a 'well done' for managing not to puke in a court room...

You bringing your stuff to ride my bike back? Or...what?

I'll meet you outisde. With or without bike.

John H. D. Watson said...

Bringing a car. Didn't think you'd want to risk puking in your helmet. I'll come back for your bike later if you want me to.

Greg Lestrade said...

Okay. Be outside. Wearing sunglasses.

I'll just get the tube in tomorrow, don't worry.

And I wouldn't have puked down your back. Wouldn't be polite.

Hope your morning's been ok.

pandabob said...

Are you feeling any better now your under the care of your Doc Greg?

Anonymous said...

Hope you feel better when you're awake to read this.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Feeling a bit better after drink and medicatioin and tlc from the doc.

And go on, have at the new-new blog layout...

pandabob said...

Thankyou, I prefer that pic and I'm sure it must be better for your head as well ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

I live to serve, Anonybob

pandabob said...

I'd have managed you know I really did mean it when I said your blog your thing :-)

Glad you're feeling better :-)

Anonymous said...

Glad you're feeling a little more the thing! I liked both backgrounds :)

Lancs. Anon

REReader said...

It's really very pretty, L--and a lot easier to read where there are lighter patches behind the text. (Bit squinty under the darker bits of water, but I can always go back to the web version!)

Very glad you're feeling better. :)

EBSanon said...

beautiful L, full of summer happiness, the blog as well for that matter ;-)

glad you're feeling better.

Small Hobbit said...

This is even prettier than the last background. Glad you're feeling a bit better and hope you're asleep now.

Greg Lestrade said...

Not asleep. Dozing on a comfy doc on the sofa

John H. D. Watson said...

I like it too. The lilies are nice. Peaceful.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're feeling better.

I liked both backgrounds, but I think I like this a bit better, just because I can't help wanting to walk across the lily pads and see if they'll hold me!

Greg Lestrade said...

Mmm. Bed?

I was worried you wouldn't want to be reminded of the day at Kew.

Piplover - yeah, Sherlock was desperate to walk on them.

John H. D. Watson said...

It was still a good day. We should go back. So it won't be just...that day, if you see what I mean.

Yeah, bed.

Greg Lestrade said...

And this is why I hate sleeping in the daytime...

(yeah,all I do is moan)

REReader said...

Under the circumstances, moaning is totally permitted.

(The background is very Monet-like, only green instead of blue. And I love Monet. :))

Desert Wanderer said...

That can't be all you do, Lestrade. There has to be some groaning in there. Maybe a bit of gasping. And I'm sure a word or two (perhaps a name?) sneaks out once in a while.

Hope you get to sleep soon. I'm off to bed. Fitness assessment at 0530. Wish me luck; I'm hella nervous. D:

REReader said...

Best of luck, DW!

I could use a bit of luck myself--I've an eye appointment at 7:15 tomorrow morning, to check out the blurred vision I have in my left eye, and I'm very nervous about it...

AftSO said...

Oh, luck to you, RR. You too, DW. And L, I hope you feel better tomorrow. Er, today. Er, you know what I mean.

pandabob said...

I hope you got back to sleep Greg and that you feel better today than you did yesterday :-)

Good luck DW and RR and anyone else who might need luck for any reason :-)

Have a good day everyone.

Anonybob

Small Hobbit said...

Good luck DW and RR - hope all goes well for both of you.

I'll take some of that luck too Anonybob, I've a fraught day at work which managed to attack my dreams last night. I would prefer not to lose my temper and remain icily in control. I shall take cheese sandwiches and remind myself not to throw them at people ;)

Hope you're feeling rather better today L.

Greg Lestrade said...

Unbelievably.... headache is still there.

Small Hobbit said...

In which case I'll leave you in the capable hands of the Doc and send good wishes that it gets sorted soon.

Anon Without A Name said...

Sorry to hear you'll still feeling under the weather, Lestrade. You home, or did you go to work?

Good luck, RR, DW and SH :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Err... guess.

Good luck everyone who needs it.

REReader said...

Thanks, everyone--and I hope you already passed by now, DW! On my way now myself...

And I hope you're hurting less by now, L.

Anonymous said...

The new background makes me think of Burl Ives singing about the little black duck.

rsf (Who thinks the version on youtube is far cutesier than the song she remembers. Didn't the snake eat the duck and the frog?)

Desert Wanderer said...

Guys, guys, guys! You are lucky, lucky badgers. I not only passed, I added 3.5 points to my score (out of 100) and dropped 45 seconds off my run time! Thank you!

RR, hope the luck carries over to you!


Lestrade, I know, being part of our sett, you are naturally good at everything you do, and I know you're a bit of a perfectionist, but! I think we'll forgive you if quit trying to perfect the migraine. ;)

Here, have some nice, relaxing wheat. Or, maybe the ocean and sky? Or, an otter swim lesson? (warning, some of the music might not be quite your thing!)

Greg Lestrade said...

Well done, DW!

I'll have to listen/watch your links later, when I'm back in the sett.

After I've faced John, who will probably be after me for not telling him I still had a headache this morning... (not a migraine now, just a headache.)

REReader said...

Way to go, DW!!

Headaches aren't so "just", L, but I'm glad there's been improvement.

As for me--the blurriness in my left eye is being caused by cataracts, which the doctor is inclined to leave alone for now and check in 6 months. Me, I'd prefer to keep sharp objects away from my eyes forever if possible, but that doesn't seem like a viable option, considering my work involves making judgments in 1/144s of an inch or smaller (no, that's not a typo--I regularly work in half-points, and there are 72 points to the inch). Not feeling very happy at the moment.

(FOUR tries so far at the captcha, due to dilated eyes...!!)

pandabob said...

great news DW

sorry it wasn't better news RR

SH I hope luck worked better for you than me!

Greg - I hope you've not had too bad a day with your head and that you haven't worked too hard today!

Anonybob

REReader said...

Thanks, Anony. I know it could have been much worse, so I really shouldn't complain. It's just a bit of a shock.

Small Hobbit said...

Well done DW. Sorry to hear your trip wasn't as good - definitely a shock. And I imagine leading to some serious thinking.

As for me, the good news is that I ate my sandwiches rather than throwing them at anyone. It's just extremely frustrating working somewhere so disorganised and where everyone assumes things will appear out of the air.

Anon Without A Name said...

Well done, DW! And you, SH :-)

Sorry you didn't have better news, RR.

Lestrade - I'm rolling my eyes at you, just so you know. Also, today's Independent had a headline that made me think of you, "it's not just penalties: why Italians are better at everything".

Inspirational moment of the day (and I needed one): Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, a Paratrooper who is reckoned to be the most badly wounded British soldier to survive Afghanistan, carried the Olympic torch on the relay today http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18579631. Hopefully the video will work for those not in the UK, but in case it doesn't he was surrounded by a cheering crowd of thousands, his family, and members of the Paratroop regiment as he made the 300 metre walk on his prosthetic legs, determined not to use crutches.

pandabob said...

Well done SH :-) I'm glad luck (or self restraint) was in the air for so many badgers today :-)

I didn't have the same luck sadly and didn't get a job today because I was to 'mummyish'!! (and not male) I'd rather have my kids than the job though so not all bad ;-)

Anonybob

ryo said...

Way to go, DW!

Sorry to hear about the cataract, RR, but apparently the surgery nowadays is pretty safe. Just be careful about which kind of lens you choose whenever you get around to it.

Glad you're finally feeling better, Lestrade.

Watching some Wimbledon -- Roddick/Baker, Roddick took the first set. The Fed, Nadal and Djokovic have made it through the first round, as expected. But Isner and Nabaldian are out. I'm looking forward to seeing how Raonic does.

ryo
(though the tennis probably already gave it away)

John H. D. Watson said...

Isner is out already? I hadn't heard. Wow.

SH - very impressed with you for not throwing sandwiches. ;)

RR - I'm sorry to hear that. Glad it's fixable though at least.

DW - that is brilliant, congratulations!

Anonymous said...

pandabob what was the job? can they really give the reason for not giving you a job as too mummyish? that cant be right can it? or is it different where you are? can they not give you a job because your a woman? sorry to interrupt I just cant believe anywhere canstill do that.

REReader said...

Thanks, everyone. Both my parents had cataract surgery, so I knew I had a good chance of needing it some day, but, again going by them, I figured I had 10 or 20 years before I had to worry about it. (But at least I have some good recommendations for surgeons if and when!)

Anonymous said...

No, they really aren't allowed to do that, doesn't always stop people

It's bloody rough, sorry Anonybob. My unionised mate reckons you probably have a case but it may very well not be worth the strife

Lancs. Anon

pandabob said...

teaching in the good old UK anon and no they aren't supposed to do it, I should have known within minutes of getting there but I thought the deputy was kidding when they said they wanted to increase the male membership of the department due to too much maternity leave being taken. the 7 men to 1 woman shortlist should have been a giveaway but I guess I'm an idiot and thought that sort of thing didn't happen any more!

Thanks Lancs. anon I'm sure I'd have a case of some sort against them but I think I would rather never speak to or see any of them every again ;-)

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