9 August 2012

Feels like I'm flying above you

Last night was just amazing. We took off in the sunshine, and landed just before it got dark, but after the lights of London had all started twinkling below us. Sherlock loved it, Mycroft did too, even if he could have done with gagging Sherlock.

It just felt heavenly, floating along, leaning back on the basket, John in my arms... yeah, amazing.

Here's some pictures:





You can have a prize if you can name the landmarks... (well, the prize of a feeling of superiority, anyway.)


And now the boys are both off on their own adventures - Sherlock with his mum and Mycroft with his mates. It's very odd without them. I do miss them, already, but it is brilliant having some time alone with John.

Today we got out on the bikes - I can't pretend I don't miss having him on the back of mine, but it's also nice to see him getting more confident on his bike, and getting the chance to ride out. We just ended up out in the sticks, a place I know where the river's pretty safe to swim. We didn't really, just messed about in the water, lazed in the sun, before finally getting our leathers back on and getting back here.

Still don't know what's wrong with me lately. Just feel down. Think I need to get out and have a good long run, or maybe get to the gym. Or maybe that's the Olympic fever talking. I don't know. Feel like I need to snap out of it though.

175 comments:

pandabob said...

The balloon ride sounds amazing and about the perfect way to view the world below :-)


If you think a run might help then give it a go BUT not to the point of distruction OK?

pandabob said...

(my spelling is rubbish today sorry)

Anon Without A Name said...

I think the first pic is the Emirates stadium. The second one... I'm really guessing here, I think I can see Centrepoint and the BT Tower, so is it Regent's Park?

The balloon ride sounds wonderful (if a little wearing on Mycroft and the pilot :-p); your day with John sounds really very lovely - chilled out and relaxed.

You do seem to feel good if you go running, but I would second Anonybob's note of caution; you do sometimes like to push yourself very hard sometimes. You only need to get yourself some endorphins :-)

"Snapping out of it", is easier said than done. In fact, I'm sure it's very rarely done. Moods slide slowly down, they have an annoying tendency to refuse to slide back up any faster. I do hope that a few days off work, being spoiled by John and the boys, is helping a bit.

John H. D. Watson said...

A run would be nice. And I have plans for tomorrow that may or may not help...

Small Hobbit said...

Nameless, I'm with you in feeling superior. Although I did name the tower as the Post Office tower, but you're technically correct ;)

As for feeling down, L, Nameless is again right in that it's not something that you can just snap out of. My guess would be the need for a proper holiday, and getting back to your own team and not feeling like you're being pushed around.

And the final piece of Hobbit wisdom - don't blame yourself for how you feel.

Meanwhile, the balloon trip looks and sounds wonderful.

REReader said...

Your analysis/diagnosis sounds very plausible to me, SH. :)

I have no idea about the pictures, but they look beautiful and impressive, and the balloon ride sounds quite magical and happy.

Running-produced endorphins are a fine idea, and I bet the Doc's plans will be even better, so have an even lovelier time tomorrow than today! (I'm sure both Mycroft and Sherlock are having wonderful times, too. :))

Greg Lestrade said...

I will try not to drive myself to destruction. It does help though.

I know I won't just snap out of it, I just meant... I wish I could stop, I suppose. Feels a bit...I'm not going to say it, because you'll only all tell me to stop feeling like it.

I look forward to your plans, John. I have had an amazing few days, thank you.

pandabob said...

never ever ever will I tell you to stop feeling something and I think the same goes for most people here. Feelings cannot be controlled and should not be, please don't keep whatever is going on running around your head please let it out somewhere.

I'm glad running helps :-)

REReader said...

I can't know what anyone else would say, but I certainly would never tell you to stop feeling what you're feeling, and I don't think many of those here would either. You feel what you feel.

I'm sorry you've not been happy within yourself lately, that's all.

Maz said...

If it were only that easy to just stop feeling that way, L. Life would be all that much simpler, wouldn't it? But you can't, and it isn't, and if you don't start feeling better soon it may not be a bad idea to talk to someone.

Hope you enjoy your day with John tomorrow. Very jealous of your alone time!

Anonymous said...

I agree with SH that when your work life gets back to something resembling normal it ought to help a bit, but I never expect people to just "snap out of it". Get your thyroid checked anyway though. Worst slump I ever had turned out to be a symptom, not a syndrome.

rsf

p.s. Chicken cacciatore sounds lovely. Did you have some of John's flourless cake for dessert or did he have something tastier in mind?

REReader said...

Now you remind me, rsf, I had that same symptom for low thyroid.

Desert Wanderer said...

Feels a bit...

Worthless? Futile? Unbecoming of a grown adult? Frustrating?

We've all been there. There's a support group. It's called humanity. :)

Until you feel better, do what you've got to do. You've been around long enough; you know your limits.

Tea on the naughty porch, anyone?

Anonymous said...

Amen, DW. And I'll raise your tea with a lovely scone.

*Settles on the naughty porch*

I'm glad you had a good day, and that you and John will have some time to yourself tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Can we reposition the porch furniture?

I'll have biscuits with my tea, thanks.

rsf

REReader said...

I'll have a cuppa, yeah, thanks! (It's been a rough week, one way and another.)

Greg Lestrade said...

Like they're all being so good to me and I'm still being a grumpy bastard and it's not fair on them.

Desert Wanderer said...

That sounds like an eight-miler for sure, Lestrade. Maybe nine.

I bet being back with your team will be wonderful. It will be hard work and you'll be buried and there will be awful deadlines and crazy personnel issues and you'll love every minute of it. And things will *feel* better because at least you'll be where you're supposed to be. Anyway, that was a long way of saying keep your chin up. We're here if you need us.

REReader said...

Definitely a not-good feeling.

We're here if you need us.

^^^This.

(And--if it sits well with you after you think about it, and only if!--you might talk to John about that. I don't think he'd just tell you not to feel that way, and I suspect he might be quite helpful. And perhaps Mycroft and Sherlock, too.)

A from NW (who turns to virtual comfort food) said...

Greg - I echo everyone's comments here. Emotions are emotions, and there's no reasoning with them. Just know that you're not alone, not in real life, and most certainly not on the Internet.

I've got ice cream, egg tarts, watermelon slices, and some really nice European cakes to share with my companions on the naughty step. Anyone want a slice? (Also, has anyone seen the rum? My coworker wants/need a keg.)

~A from NW

Anonymous said...

What's the longest you've ever been with someone before things got messed up? Might be you're waiting for the shoe to drop. Don't think it will though. Not with John.

pandabob said...

I missed tea on the naughty porch :-( could really have used that right now!

Greg, you feel what you feel and adding the feeling that we'll tell you you shouldn't feel it or that John and the boys think that won't help much at all. Its a hard thought to get rid of though I know.

Its over a week since you first said you were feeling less than chipper so its not like you've only been feeling like this while they do things for you is it?

I'm not pushing you to tell us anything at all but you need to talk to someone or find a piece of paper and write down all the thoughts in your head so you can try and put them in some order and possibly some perspective.

I hope John's plans for today make you smile :-)

Small Hobbit said...

I think it's time for the UK wakers to have their spot on the naughty step - Nameless will probably be along in a bit. Cake would be nice AfNW, but the rum will have to wait until the evening, I've got a headache. Maybe we should celebrate L's birthday by partying here all weekend. You could join us L, but I suspect the Doc has better plans.

Anon Without A Name said...

*shuffles sleepily towards the naughty step*

Just tea for me please.

*yawns*

Lestrade - you feel how you feel. I doubt whether guilt about a mood slump on top of said mood slump is helping you feel better, but feeling don't tend to respond to logic and rational explanations, unfortunately. Pesky things.

I do hope you start to feel better soon, and I hope that you have a wonderful day with John, doing whatever mysterious thing it is he's got planned for you both :-)

Desert Wanderer said...

No worries, SH. I've been here all night. Er, morning now I suppose. The naughty porch is a bit like Lake Woebegone--the tea is always hot, the cake and biscuits warm, and the alcohol is free and free-flowing.

Lestrade, read a story about some NY police rescuing adeer. You should chair some sort of international summit of animal rescuing coppers.

Jaws said...

L - I don't know if it's just me, but sometimes I do get a little grumpy or out of sorts, I call it "feeling blue". It happens for a few days every 6 weeks or thereabouts and I feel a bit sad and lacking in energy and sometimes snap at people, and then it goes away. It got pretty bad this January (lasted a month) and I went and talked to the doctor and they said it's perfectly normal, it happens, and it can be a combination of mental and physical aspects, or just something that happens for no reason.
I always found exercise helped hugely, and it sounds silly but taking the time to do something for just me, so I'd feel like "I shouldn't subject anyone else to my grumpy mood, so I'm trying to make myself less grumpy for them." Makes me feel less helpless, I guess, so I'd watch a favourite movie or sing loudly into a hairbrush, you may want to take John for a long ride on the back of your bike? I guess whatever makes you feel more alive?

Greg Lestrade said...

Jaws - yeah, I don't feel like there's anything wrong, beyond just a background feel of being a bit down. I'm sure I'll feel better soon, probably once I'm back on my team and things.

Anon - a lot longer than this. Was with Bry for years, and while it was always a bit volatile, it was also good. Just went wrong when I grew up and he didn't.

Anonymous said...

*curls up to go back to sleep on the naughty step, clutching a biscuit with one bite out of it*

Have you gone to run yet, L? I kind of envy you and John for being able to do that without falling over. Endorphins are a good thing. And I think that you're probably right about the efficacy of getting back to your team and your regular schedule. Not that you've sounded terribly grumpy here. Just a bit down. As if your resting state is lower on the enthusiasm scale that it normally is.

rsf

Jaws said...

I hear you RSF, I really miss running! I do some boxing now, just punching a bag, to get my endorphins, really stress-relieving :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, went for a run. It was good, but not sure it was quite enough. John paced me. Which is probably better for me in some senses. And not so good in others.

REReader said...

You can go for another run tomorrow morning, if you feel the need, if I have your schedule right?

Small Hobbit said...

We normally have pizza Friday lunchtime, but it was declared too hot for pizza so the boss sent us home instead. POETS day!

pandabob said...

Totally against everything I have ever said Greg but go out again and run till you feel its done its job. Somedays it's exactly what you need to do. I wish I could do that right now!!

Greg Lestrade said...

Having a nice time in peaceful gardens with John right now, soaking up the sun.

He's still grumbling that he's pale and interesting and my tan is getting out of control.

John H. D. Watson said...

We could split your tan between the two of us, how's that? You've got enough to share.

REReader said...

Serenity and sun sounds like a lovely way to spend an afternoon!

pandabob said...

What a lovely way to spend the afternoon :-)

Anonymous said...

Do you two dance?

Because this might be your chance tonight.

John H. D. Watson said...

We did go once. Wouldn't make a habit of it, but it was fun.

REReader said...

Are Sherlock and Mycroft coming back tonight or tomorrow?

Greg Lestrade said...

tomorrow.

REReader said...

Nice for everyone! :)

Anonymous said...

friday night, no boys and quiet on the blogs. I hope it means what I'm thinking it means guys ;)

HM

Greg Lestrade said...

That we're both asleep? We've lost a degu? John cooked? ;)

Anonymous said...

that something John did had you both retiring to bed but I'm not sure I was thinking about his cooking although it would have been rather hot and steamy ;)

HM

Greg Lestrade said...

Actually... I feel safe in saying you won't guess where we are or what we're doing.

REReader said...

No mislaying degus, even in jest!

Hope you're making the most of your temporary childlessness. ;)

REReader said...

Are you going to tell us? *hopeful*

Anonymous said...

That makes me feel really happy Greg and not because you might ever tell us but because you two being able to do anything sneaky and unusual is such a rare thing.

Mycroft if you see this at any point you have done an amazing thing arranging this time for Lestrade and John they are so lucky to have someone as thoughtful in their lives!

HM

Greg Lestrade said...

might. depends how wild the guesses get.

REReader said...

Come on people, come up with some wild guesses!

(Alas, I got nothin' but curiosity... :D)

Anon Without A Name said...

A cheesey 70s club - with plenty of bad dancing?

The Olympic park?

The London Eye?

A paint-your-own pottery shop?

An S&M dungeon?

Greg Lestrade said...

We're painting our own pottery in a pop-up S&M club on the London Eye, yeah.

Um...not even close, 'fraid, Nameless.

Anon Without A Name said...

Damn.

You are enjoying yourselves, though, right?

REReader said...

Board games--Scrabble, Yahtzee, Twister?

Flower arranging class?

Karaoke?

Clubbing?

John H. D. Watson said...

None of the above...

pandabob said...

camping?

walking in the moon light?

Painting the kitchen?

Whatever it is I'm glad you're having fun :-)

Small Hobbit said...

Dining at the Ritz?

Skateboarding?

Climbing on the lions in Trafalgar Square?

Bungee jumping from Tower Bridge?

Greg Lestrade said...

Hmm.. I think 'walking in the moonlight' is closest... but not quite there.

Want to put them out of their misery, Johnny?

Anon Without A Name said...

Getting matching My Little Pony tattoos?

Providing the entertainment at Mrs Hudson's bingo club?

The gym?

Wine tasting?

Cake tasting?

Ballroom dancing?

Snuggled up on the sofa having a peaceful night in?

pandabob said...

naked walking in the moonlight? ;-)

or something else in the moonlight? ;-)

REReader said...

And here I thought I had it with Yahtzee...

An event or party with Olympic athletes?

Movie?

Nighttime bike ride?

Skinny dipping in Hyde Park?

Anon Without A Name said...

Ooh - out watching for the Perseid meteors?

John H. D. Watson said...

But the guesses are so entertaining...

Here's a hint: we're in a cemetery.

pandabob said...

hunting werewolves and vampires?

John H. D. Watson said...

Nothing quite that exciting, sadly. I mean thankfully.

pandabob said...

that's a shame, I thought you might both have hit on new careers ;-)

I'm out of ideas and really hoping it's not the doing something else in the moon light given the location!

REReader said...

Taking rubbings from tombstones?

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, we are in each other's arms, AnonyBob...

John H. D. Watson said...

All right, I suppose we could tell you... L, want to do the honours?

Greg Lestrade said...

... we are in a cemetery, watching an outdoor screening of The Shining, with a beer or two.

pandabob said...

you're right it's unlikely we'd ever have guessed that :-)

It sounds like great fun and that sort of couple time that is much more wonderful because it is so rare! enjoy.

REReader said...

Ha...that's brilliant! Enjoy. :)

Anon Without A Name said...

Aww, that sounds wonderful. Plenty of opportunities for extra hugging at the scary bits :-)

Anonymous said...

What an excellent use of a cemetery! Does it have topiary to complement the movie?

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

It was brilliant. Lovely warm night, plenty of clutching each other and Danger squeaking with fear ;)

fantastic.

John H. D. Watson said...

Excuse me, who was squeaking?

REReader said...

No doubt there were some low-flying bats... :)

Greg Lestrade said...

well, I know you tried to pretend it was that poor couple near to us, but I'm fairly sure it was you...

John H. D. Watson said...

Nonsense. Squirrels.

Greg Lestrade said...

after your nuts, where they?

Anonymous said...

That sounds brilliant! I'm glad you two had a good night.

Greg Lestrade said...

Lovely morning, too. Sunny, peaceful, and the boys are back later.

Small Hobbit said...

I trust you and the squeaking squirrel are making the most of a restful morning.

Sherlock said...

Lestrade I was like a mountain biker and went really fast and John took a picture and when are you home?

Anonymous said...

We all seem pretty quiet this morning. Taking a breather before the arrival of boys and noise, or watching the Olympics, perhaps?

L, I do hope that you're willing to defend John's nuts from any squeaky squirrels in the vicinity. After all, you have first dibs.

rsf

pandabob said...

How was your time with your mum Sherlock? I hope you had lots of fun :-)

How's your day been John? Greg?

Anonymous said...

Good morning, Sherlock -- or afternoon, I guess, for you. I left you a tongue twister on the other blog, but it's harder if you say "goo" instead of "dew" even if it doesn't make any sense.

Have you decided which sport you want to play in the Olympics some day, or are you going to play more than one?

rsf

Sherlock said...

It was great and Mummy said if I get a good report from my new teacher at school then she'll buy me a leather jacket for Christmas like Mycroft's except mine will be even better.

John took me for a bike ride. Mycroft isnt back yet but he's on the way and Lestrade is at stupid work.

Anonymous said...

Do you know what colors you might want for your jacket yet or are you still thinking?

pandabob said...

I'm glad you had a good time Sherlock and I'm sure a good report is a certainty for a boy like you :-)

I thought lestrade wasn't at work today or have I got all mixed up again?

pandabob said...

after a bit of thought is he on a late today Sherlock?

Greg Lestrade said...

sorry mate, been busy. I'm glad you had fun with your mum and John. Is Mycroft home yet?

I'll be a bit late tonight, but I'll cook you a nice breakfast in the morning if you're good for John and go to bed on time, okay?

Anonymous said...

Mycroft, did you manage to see any Perseids? I'm sure it was no coincidence that your trip coincided! I hope you had a good time.

Lancs. Anon

Mycroft said...

Lestrade, I am home now, yes. Sherlock is telling me about everything he did with Mummy and we're going out for pizza. John says do you want us to bring you some?

Lancs Anon, we did see the Perseids. It was amazing. We got very lucky with the weather for the most part. I'm glad we waited to go until later in the summer.

Greg Lestrade said...

ah, I'm inside a security cordon, so I can't get out, or get you in, sorry.

I'm really glad the weather was good to you and you got to see the perseids. Did the others have a good time too?

John, I might be...dunno, an hour late? A bit late, anyway. Don't feel you have to wait up.

Small Hobbit said...

Nameless, Anonybob - anyone else lost their voice? Mo Farah is amazing!!!

Greg Lestrade said...

Don't get jealous, because I didn't see him win...but I could hear the roar of the crowd from where I am, so I knew he'd won. Then someone chose to announce it over the police radio, just in case we didn't know. The guy is amazing. What a wonderful example for youngsters, a man so driven, but so humble.

Mycroft said...

Lestrade, yes, I think everyone enjoyed it. I had a tent to myself, which was nice. It was very different from school. Do you think we could all go camping again before I have to go back, maybe just for a weekend?

pandabob said...

I woke the kids SH ;-) Mo is amazing!

I'm glad you enjoyed the camping Mycroft :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

when you say 'to yourself' I assume you mean 'you and two huge dogs'? Or did you boot them out?

Mycroft said...

The dogs were the reason I didn't have to share, I suppose. But it still seemed less crowded with both of them than with another person in there.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful camping trip Mycroft. I hope you do get a chance to go again! And I'm going to try to see the Perseids tonight, since I won't be in the middle of town for once.

L, I'm jealous anyway. Wish I could have come this year, actually, even if I probably would have avoided most of the Olympics and just wandered around.

rsf

Anon Without A Name said...

SH - would you believe I missed it? :-( But I did see the Beeb coverage from a few seconds after he won (and nearly ruined dinner because I got caught up in it); not quite the same though.

Fabulous win, seems like such a good bloke too.

Sherlock, Mycroft - I'm glad you both had a good time the last couple of days :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm sure we can go camping again, Mycroft.

Once I've done this shift rotation I'm back to MIT, so we should easily manage a bit of a holiday.

John okay? He's very quiet.

pandabob said...

did you just say the H word? ;-)

Back to MIT is a very smiley thing. :-) I hope they aren't working you too hard tonight.

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm all right, sorry. Just took forever to get Sherlock calmed down to a level where I no longer feared he would spontaneously combust...and now he's asleep on the floor with a degu sitting on his chest.

Greg Lestrade said...

no problem. I'm trying to ignore two people I'm working with constantly implying that a certain young British diver is my love-child. Apparently he looks like me.

At least it's a clean degu! I'm glad both boys had fun. sorry I wasn't there to share and dilute Sherlock's over-enthusiasm.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha! You disagree, I take it? (Not that he's your love child, which I assume you disagree with, but that he looks like you.)

You did, in part, with the 12 million texts he sent you, but he still has a lot for you to hear about in the morning, and so does Mycroft.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, don't see it myself. And yes, certain he isn't.

I'm sure he does. I did promise him breakfast too. Hope you're enjoying peace and quiet.

John H. D. Watson said...

I'll enjoy it more when you get home. How's work been? Not too exciting I hope.

Greg Lestrade said...

sorry, no, nothing much. I'll be home soon.

John H. D. Watson said...

All right. We saved you some pizza.

Greg Lestrade said...

mmmmm pizza

Greg Lestrade said...

Anon - Sherlock drew a pic of his fantasy-jacket, it's red and black.

And my boyfriend's a God.

John H. D. Watson said...

All I did was reheat pizza. If only that was all it took to become a deity...

John H. D. Watson said...

...Although I think I'm also going to get some ice for your hands now.

Greg Lestrade said...

Godliness was more because you managed t save pizza from being eaten than because of you microwaveing prowess

Greg Lestrade said...

see, God-like. Im okay thogh

John H. D. Watson said...

I used the oven for that, I'll have you know. It makes it crispier.

You're mostly okay. A bit puffy.

Greg Lestrade said...

and you claim to be no good in the kitchen.

the gloves were a bit tired. not as padded as they once might have been. and i didn't have any strapping with me.

John H. D. Watson said...

Did it help?

Anonymous said...

Fighting again, L?

Lancs. Anon

Greg Lestrade said...

only a punchbag, Lancs. Anon.

Although it might have won.

Yeah, helped a bit. Just need to go to the wall sometimes, sort of re-set or something.

pandabob said...

some days you just have to I guess Greg.

Glad it helped a bit (more glad it was just a punchbag!)

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah. I understand.

Greg Lestrade said...

yet another reason I love you

hard to type with ice blalanced

Anonymous said...

so why does thumping something help Lestrade? are you imagining someone or something when you do it or just lost in the blindness of engaging in the act?

I'm glad it helped I just wondered why.

HM

Anonymous said...

seriously? violence? you?

how does that come to happen, how can there be a time when all that will fix something is hitting something.

If you really do understand John then you are a better man than most!

Anonymous said...

It's not even remotely about violence in any meaningful use of the word, Anon. It's about exercise, it's about using muscles, it's about something to focus on while getting that exercise and using those muscles.

Even actual boxing isn't about violence, genuinely violent people make very poor boxers on the whole.

Lancs. Anon

Greg Lestrade said...

It's not about violence. Or if it is, just toward myself.

It's about just working my body til it hurts. I don't know why it helps.

Anonymous said...

As David Lloyd the cricketer once said "It's them dolphins!"

Lancs. Anon

Anonymous said...

so it's you and your own head as one Lestrade? I wasn't meaning anything bad by what i asked I really did just wonder how it works. making your body hurt is sometimes neccessary.

sorry if I offended you by asking

HM

pandabob said...

It's not about violence. Or if it is, just toward myself.

I'm not sure I like the idea of 'just towards myself' but I have very recently realised the value of being able to work your body until it clears itself and feels different (I am dying for a very very very long swim to clear my head) which is why I told you to go for another run if you wanted to ahving been guilty of sayign the opposite before, Whatever helps you feel better has got to be a good thing :-)

I hope you sleep once you've been sorted by your doc :-)

REReader said...

Wow, what a lot to catch up on!

Sherlock, it made me very happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time with your mum--and a leather jacket! That sounds like a perfect reward for a good school report, which will be easy for you to get! What else did you and your mum do together?

Mycroft, I'm so pleased that all your plans for everyone worked out so very well--especially for you. About it being very different from school--it's interesting how people are different in different contexts, isn't it? (I'm assuming it was better-different--correct?) (It was particularly lovely for you to arrange for Sherlock to have some one-on-one time with your mother. And very generous, too.)

John, thank you so much for that mental picture of Sherlock asleep with a degu on his chest, I love it! (And did you enjoy biking with him? No question as to whether he did! :))

L, I think I can understand how going one-on-one with a punching bag could be a good...is release the right word? Perhaps it's something you might make a regular part of your routine...just a thought.

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday morning!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes a really hard workout is the best medicine. One of the reasons I miss running, even though I hated it, is because of how it shut my brain down. Working the muscles and forcing yourself to focus only on the immediate can be an amazing head clearer.

pandabob said...

Hey Sherlock what have you got planned for this lovely Sunday morning? I hope its something fun and interesting :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

HM - I don't mind you asking. Sorry, I meant to answer last night but fell asleep. I'm not sure about being at one with my head...

Can tell you I'm lucky to have John looking after me. Got a few stiff muscles this morning.

Desert Wanderer said...

Good thing the Doc is well-versed in relieving morning muscle stiffness.

Anonymous said...

my misunderstanding sorry Lestrade I thought the punch bag was supposed to be the route of your feeling grumpy being dealt with not that the soution to you feeling grumpy was to make yourself hurt. I've annoyed you enough to mess that up for you as well I think but I hope it worked in some way for you.

stupid sleep deprived anon

Greg Lestrade said...

Please don't worry. I can't explain why feeling physically worse makes me feel mentally better - I don't really understand it, I just know it works for me.

DW - the doc lost me very early to make Sherlock French toast and hear about his time with his mum.

Anon Without A Name said...

I don't think it's uncommon, Lestrade. For one thing, you get a nice burst of endorphins that make you feel good. There's also the fact that you move your focus away from the mental/emotional to the physical, and losing yourself in the physicality of an activity is always a good distraction.

I think you've mentioned before that you have tended to associate the resolution of difficult situations with pain, one way or another, so you've got that whole other psychological component where you swap the cause and effect (that is, if difficult situations tends to end in pain, then pain must signal the end of a difficult situation).

So there's plenty of reasons why it would work for you; and you seem to have found ways to do it safely, which is the main thing :-)

Has Sherlock calmed down at all yet? Sounds like he had an exciting time with his Mum :-)

Anonymous said...

Did Sherlock and his mum do something amazing? He sure sounds like he wants to tell everyone about it.

I think pushing your physical self to its limits sometimes sort of resets everything, including your brain. Endorphins maybe? There's probably somebody who is or has studied it, but I don't read that kind of periodical.

rsf (who is contemplating French Toast for breakfast now)

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm literally running out the door to work. Sherlock isn't calm, Mycroft'a going to see one of his old tutors to escape hurricane Sherlock.... I hope there is some of John left for me to come home to, after an afternoon hung Sherlock's sole focus.

REReader said...

Sherlock, maybe you'd like to write a blog post about some of the things you did with your mum? I'm sure John would let you if you asked, and I know we'd all love to hear about it!. (Of course, you may prefer to keep it all private, and that would be good, too.)

Anonymous said...

John, if Sherlock is still climbing walls, maybe you can take him somewhere he can do it literally and burn off some of that energy.

rsf

Anon Without A Name said...

How're holding up, John? Still in one piece?

Greg Lestrade said...

I fear that's a 'no', Nameless.

Sherlock, please revive John for me? Well, for all of us?

REReader said...

I'm sure they're just having too much fun...:D

Sherlock said...

I drew a picture and I'm going to make a post! And John and I went to a karate school and I got to watch a class but not do anything because they want a note from Mummy first saying I can which is stupid because she'll just say yes if John thinks it's okay and I told them that but they didn't listen. Then we went to the park and I karated trees and hung from a branch and did almost twenty pull ups!

REReader said...

Yay, a post! I'm really looking forward to that, Sherlock. And 20 pull ups is really very impressive--I know I can't do that!

(The karate school has to follow the rules and get permission from your mum so they don't get in trouble, Sherlock. It may seem nitpicky, but it's best not to argue too much with people who can break bones as easily as they breathe, you know!)

Greg Lestrade said...

Sounds like you're having a great day, Sherlock. You think karate might be your sort of thing?

Is John still alive?

RR - As Sherlock's guardian, I'd have thought John's word would be good enough. It's not like we can always get hold of his mum.

REReader said...

L, I'll be the first to say I don't know much about UK law, but I know karate schools here have to be very careful with permissions for children. That's because students can and do get injured, and courts have held that the schools and teachers are not responsible because taking martial arts classes has an assumption of risk, but only if the permission is granted formally and by the legally responsible person.

Greg Lestrade said...

I've no idea about karate schools, but yeah, I can imagine that being the case. I just think John is a legally responsible person, as far as Sherlock's concerned. He signs off for all the school trips and stuff.

Anyway, doesn't matter, I hope Sherlock gets to try it out soon.

Anonymous said...

If John has official guardianship of Sherlock then he is (one of) the legally responsible persons.

Lancs. Anon

Anonymous said...

Karate school sounds like an excellent idea. Maybe Mycroft would like to take lessons too. (If he hasn't already. I seem to remember him thinking about it.) I think the diving lessons Jaws suggested would be good too, if you're going to have to speak to Mrs. H about permissions anyway.

Looking forward to your post, Sherlock!

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

(I wouldn't blame the class at all if they wanted the person signing to watch one first. I mean, I doubt that many adults really know much about what happens in a karate school. Would be more responsible to make them watch first and understand what they're signing.)

Anonymous said...

That's an idea. Or they may just want to see the paperwork showing that John has that level of guardianship. The regular school probably has something authorizing him to authorize school trips.

rsf

John H. D. Watson said...

I'd quite like his mum to know about it too, before he starts. Not that I think she'll say no, but it seems like the sort of thing she ought to know.

Sherlock was dubious initially (this was my idea, so I survive until school starts again), but after we watched the class he wanted to try what they were doing, so we'll see how it goes. There's also a kung fu place that has foam swords for the kids to learn sword forms with, so we might look at that too.

REReader said...

If Sherlock is interested, I think karate could be a good fit for him. To advance takes energy, intelligence, attention to detail, and lots of practice and self-discipline. (True of all the martial arts, really!) It's very satisfying.

Anonymous said...

It does sound like a good idea. If his mum is dubious about karate, you could also try that climbing center I linked above. They take kids as young as four according to the website, and you already know Sherlock likes to climb. (And a school's emphasis on safety might be good for him to hear.)

Foam swords, though. Now that sounds irresistable. Too bad they don't have any moose!

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, she should know. Sounds good. It'd be good for him to make more friends through different shared interests, too.

Did Mycroft have a nice time with his old tutor?

John H. D. Watson said...

RSF - we might look at the climbing place too, yeah. Thanks. And I need to look at some more museums or something. Feel like we're wasting the summer, even though it is fun.

L - I think so, yes. They talked about his camping trip and apparently she's got some even more massive telescope she says he borrow at some point, so I know he'll like that.

Greg Lestrade said...

Glad he had a nice time.

Did you see anything you were tempted to take up?

John H. D. Watson said...

I wouldn't mind trying the climbing. What about you? Maybe the four of us could go together at some point if Mycroft's interested.

Small Hobbit said...

L - Sherlock's post has left me with visions of you patrolling the streets with a bear on your head. Could be a good deterrent.

Greg Lestrade said...

climbing...yeah, wouldn't mind a go. All the blokes I've known into climbing were lanky streaks who could take a bath in a shotgun barrell, but it does look like fun when you can't fall off :)

John H. D. Watson said...

I had a friend who used to go ice climbing for fun. Mad bastard.

REReader said...

Ice climbing is terrifying! Those frozen waterfalls can BREAK. Eep!

My brother's been rappelling. I have not. *is not good with heights*

Kate L said...

John - I recently went on a London Underground walking tour, which was really fascinating (http://www.insider-london.co.uk). Not sure if it's something you'll want to do with the boys while it's so gorgeous outside, but could be worth bearing in mind...

Lestrade - sorry to hear you've been getting run into the ground lately. But perhaps an advantage of the Games being almost over is that things will get back to normal? Or do you also have different arrangements for the Paralympics?

Mycroft - your stargazing trip sounds amazing, I hope you had clear skies where you were.

Sherlock - learning a martial art is certainly a good way to exercise your mind as well as your body - I hope you find something you like.

John H. D. Watson said...

Kate - that sounds like a great idea, thanks!

Anonymous said...

Climbing walls is a lot of fun, and it helps you get ready for climbing rocks and mountains. Ice climbing takes slightly different skills -- and a lot of faith in your ability to switch plans quickly if the ice cracks. I've only ever gone once, and I wound up sliding down the waterfall and landing on my dignity. Didn't break anything but my glasses though, so it counts as a success.

John, this website has lots of ideas of places to take kids, all across the UK. I stumbled across it and got downright jealous of some of the options. Wish Boston had something similar!

rsf

Rider said...

Speaking of uniforms... A quote from today's paper:

"Because in the armed forces, authority announces itself rather loudly, by way of epaulettes, aiguillettes, shoulder braids, badges, fancy hat ornaments and lashings of gold and red orris basketcord. As a basic rule of thumb, the more comfortable someone would look at Mardi Gras, the more trouble they're likely to give you. What could be easier?"

I presume as L is only a lowly DI he's not quite ready for Pride then.

Anonymous said...

mr policeman can I ask you a question? is it possible to ask the police what would happen if you reported something without actually reporting it?

Greg Lestrade said...

Ah, difficult one. It depends on the crime. Some things we have a duty to investigate. Other things then yes, someone will probably willingly tell you.

You can't be forced to give a statement or report something. But certain crimes require us to act, even if you choose not to be further involved.

Crimestoppers can be called anonymously, and they will never trace your call or make any attempt to contact you. 0800 555111.

Of course that's if you're in the uk.

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