7 January 2013

You will look for me and I'll be gone and I'll be gone.

Today was one of those days.

It's not often I seriously think about what I'd do if I wasn't a police officer. Today I did...and didn't come up with much.

The job... I don't know. Didn't have the best start to the day, with a witness deciding they hadn't seen anything, in court. Got back to the yard to get my DCI on my back about doing the Crisis Negotiation stuff, because the Super's been on his. Told him flat out I didn't want to, which then led to him moaning about every single case my team have got on right now.

You've just got to wonder if it's worth it. Not enough staff, not enough time, too few resources, even things like forensics being squeezed to death. And at the end of it all...

Yeah, well, it's not like there's anything else I can do, so...no point thinking about it, really.

Got home to find Sherlock had bought me a cactus to cheer me up - it's very nice. And very kind of him. Now in pride of place next to Mr Cactus, on the windowsill.

64 comments:

pandabob said...

Could you not just do nothing for a bit?

I hope the straight no is enough to get them off your back about the crisis negotiation stuff but not if they're just going to nag at you about everything else. When did grown adults start thinking that was how to get their way?

I am sure there are a lot of jobs you could do instead, you are a man of many talents after all :-)

REReader said...

Well...you could do any number of other things, going with just your (impressive) talents and skills. Some might need extra training (or certification), but you could do that. The question is if you really want to do something else, and no one can answer that but you. Something to put on the back burner and let simmer a bit, I'd say.

Say hello to Cactus Jr. for me!

John H. D. Watson said...

Time for a florist shop?

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha, yeah, maybe.

Honestly...I don't think I could leave the job. But sometimes....just feels like we're fighting everyone.

John H. D. Watson said...

Including your superiors, who ought to be looking out for you. Do they give policemen sabbaticals? They should.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think you can get an unpaid sabbatical.

I've no idea what I'd do, though. I mean, if I left.

I'll take a sabbatical when both the boys are big enough to not care if we run off and bike around the world :)

Anon Without A Name said...

I think this is a terrible time to be a public sector worker... I agree with John, your bosses should be looking out for you, that's what a boss/manager's job is.

I hope you get your mojo back soon, Lestrade, I know how crappy it is when you feel like every day at work is an uphill battle, I can't imagine what it's like when that work is as necessary and difficult as yours.

John H. D. Watson said...

Can we go to Siberia?

Greg Lestrade said...

Right now? I'll go and pack...

Nameless - thanks. I'm just a bit down generally I think. Normally I can battle on through all the stupid politics at work and focus on getting the job done better.

REReader said...

I'll take a sabbatical when both the boys are big enough to not care if we run off and bike around the world

And you'll get to some far-off corner of the world to find them waiting for you. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

L - ha. We could, but it might be a little chilly there right now...

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - as long as they didn't feel like we were abandoning them, they'd be welcome to come with, or meet us on the way.

Mind you, I'll be retired before Sherlock's at uni. Which is a scary thought.

Danger - can't have been as cold as my DCI's office. positively arctic in there.

REReader said...

I was just teasing, L--I know neither of you would ever want to abandon them, or let them feel as though you'd want to. I'm sorry if it came out sounding wrong.

Have a relaxing evening and a good night, guys, I'm outta here!

John H. D. Watson said...

Which is a scary thought.

Terrifying.

Greg Lestrade said...

You were smiling entirely too much then.

You'll be sick of me under your feet within a week of me retiring.

John H. D. Watson said...

Will notttt.

Greg Lestrade said...

Willllll.

I'd be horrible. All fidgety. Checking the local news every few minutes for murders I should have been working.

John H. D. Watson said...

Will not times 100.

That's why we're going to Siberia!

Jaws said...

L don't leave the police, how will us Londoners feel safe at night! :P
All silliness aside, it does make me feel better in a big, often dangerous city, that there's people like you and your team on the side of the good guys. But because you do work so hard and it isn't an easy job at all, I can certainly understand why you feel like you need a break.
Maybe some time off? Your summer leave did get cancelled this year, a body can only take so much time without a break...?

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh, well, you didn't say we'd be going back to Siberia then. I thought we were going now? I packed my longjohns. And extra socks for you.

John H. D. Watson said...

And my unicorn hoodie?

Greg Lestrade said...

of course!

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh good. Well, if we're going to Siberia now, perhaps we should go somewhere warmer when you retire...or to see penguins.

Greg Lestrade said...

Italy? Or just hop about, place to place, until we stop somewhere?

I'd love to go to the Caribbean... Jamaica and places. But I don't suppose it would be very wise.

John H. D. Watson said...

Caribbean would be nice. Italy, Spain... Egypt? If I promise not to get arrested?

Greg Lestrade said...

If we went to Jamaica we'd probably both be arrested. Not exactly big on gay rights there.

Egypt would be good.

But for now, you can just take me to bed. And sing lullabies to me until I forget all my troubles and fall asleep. I mean....all Nannies can sing lullabies, right? I bet Mrs H tested your lullaby singing in an interview.

John H. D. Watson said...

There's lots of other islands though. St Bart's is supposed to be nice.

Oh, yeah...sure...

Anonymous said...

You don't have to answer this here, but what are the things you like about being a DI? What are the parts of the job that make you feel fulfilled as a person? Sometimes I find thinking about stuff like that not only makes the exasperating parts of the job easier to handle, but if you were to leave (temporarily or permanently) and do something else, maybe you can think of something to do that would give you the same feeling of usefulness without all the headaches. If you're good at dealing with victims, you could volunteer for a victim support center. If you like the investigating, you could get a Private Investigators license (assuming they have those in the UK, I don't actually know if they do?). Something like that. Or something entirely different.

And if you can truly think of NOTHING redeeming about the job, then I recommend retiring early. And going to Siberia. Or possibly Sussex, I hear it's nice.

REReader said...

And if you get tired of island hopping, you could come back home and open that flower shop. Or a bakery...or a cafe...or you know, some other little hobby. ;)

Anonymous said...

Or just rant about the job a bit, till you feel better (and had a full night of sleep with your favourite doctor).
Hope today is better!
Tina

Anonymous said...

... ehm, next to, I meant, of course! Tina

Small Hobbit said...

Yes, hope today is better L, and your DCI has gone off to moan at another DI.

Greg Lestrade said...

Tina - think youve got it pretty spot on there.

I can't think of anything i could do that gave the same ... Sense of worth, i suppose, as this job.

Tina, who still doesn't speak English as a first langage said...

I can understand that. As a police officer you do a very important job, and even more so because you care. It makes it more difficult for you, personally, but I guess it helps the victims families to now that you care. And an occasional rant about the job is simply human!

Greg Lestrade said...

Tina - if ranting is human, we're very human in this office!

REReader said...

I hope today is less rant-inducing, L--and that it's a good one for all of you. :)

Kestrel337 said...

It's hard transitioning back to routine after a break, the more so when routine has the potential to be confrontational and/or emotionally gruelling. Sort of a 'vacation hangover'.

I hope today feels better.

A Not So Silent Lurker said...

On Policemen:
I watch an inordinate amount of cop shows (I know, I know, not a good depiction of RL) but my interest in these have me reading the section of the news papers that talk about cops. Also, advice, don't lose faith in humanity. Here's a pic :http://static.mamamia.com.au/wp-content/gallery/21-pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity/enhanced-buzz-9656-1340127251-3.jpeg It's a group of formerly-bigoted christian people apologizing to gays for their being homophobic at a pride parade. Hope this helps.

Greg Lestrade said...

Cheers, all of you. Today is a bit better. Doing some 'real work', not stuck in meetings.

pandabob said...

real work is good, I'm glad you're feeling a bit more positive about about the day :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, real work can at least remind you why you took the job in the first place.

A Not So Silent Lurker said...

Question for everyone to cheer L up. What super power would you have, if you could?

Anonymous said...

If I were a superhero, I'd probably be one of this kind. On the other hand, just watching the video might cheer L up.

rsf

pandabob said...

how goes the evening gents? peaceful but fun I hope :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Only just going home. That probably says it all.

pandabob said...

oh :-( sorry you're so late away.

Anon Without A Name said...

Hi Lurker :-) I think I'd quote like to be able to wear fabulous red stiletto heels without my feet hurting at all, but I'm not sure if it's a superpower (it should be). Flying, maybe? That would be pretty cool.

Anon Without A Name said...

Lestrade - ouch. I hope you manage to have a nice, relaxed, cuddly rest-of-the-evening.

REReader said...

Yikes, L, as though you didn't work long-enough days to start with. I hope you can wind down now you're home.

Greg Lestrade said...

Travel through time. Be invisible. Fly....

I guess fly, out of all of those? Or invisibility... I think flying.

Greg Lestrade said...

You all as asleep as I am tonight? It's not normal!

John H. D. Watson said...

I am...

Greg Lestrade said...

Bed, then? Feel like I've barely seen you today.

John H. D. Watson said...

Bed sounds wonderful. I was going to post about Sherlock's day of extreme crankiness, but it'll wait till tomorrow.

pandabob said...

sleep some guys :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Cheers AnonyBob.

Danger - at least he went to sleep. Eventually.

REReader said...

Not asleep, L, although a nap is much needed!--just a insanely running around sort of day. (Rest of the week looks worse, too. :( )

I'm sorry Sherlock had a Not Good sort of day. And I hope you all wake up tomorrow to a nice and Good day. :)

Kestrel337 said...

Sounds like it was a hard day all around. I hope calming dreams come, and tomorrow goes better for everyone.

My superpower is high A, but I'd trade it for being able to be in two places at once, given the school and activity schedules around here.

Anonymous said...

Sleep well guys. I'm realizing that the time difference between here and there means that y'all go to bed around the time that I get home from work and have time to leave comments, but such is life.

If I could have a superpower it'd be flying, as well as the ability to sit, Mary Poppins-style, on top of clouds. Then when it all got to be too much I could just escape for a couple of hours and Winnie the Pooh's Little Black Raincloud song while on top of a raincloud until I felt better.

That was probably unnecessarily specific.

Piplover said...

I hope you all get some rest tonight and tomorrow is a brighter day.

I think I would like the superpower of being able to travel through time. To go back to events in history that are still mysterious. Can you imagine being around when Stonehenge was built? Or to sit on the same bus as Rosa Parks?

Yeah, that would be a cool superpower.

Anonymous said...

I hope that Sherlock's day of crankiness doesn't mean that he's coming down with the germiness that had half the kids coughing in my library this week. (And that he doesn't share if he's got it. We're already down one staff member, and now my boss and I appear to be in a race to see who tips over first.)

rsf

REReader said...

(Oh, dear. Feel better, rsf.)

Tina said...

Hope today is better, L. Have a nice day!

Unknown said...

RSF, that is an awesome video about superheros! I am going to check out the young man's other videos... what a great sense of humor. :)
I think I'd go for the time-travel superpower too... and/or instantaneous travel. So many things I'd like to do, but the travel time is too much. Or just being able to go somewhere interesting but come home and sleep in my own bed at the end of the day!
S

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