So instead you can have two pictures - one I took of my cactus* and the other of the clouds today over London.
First, Mr Cactus*:
That's his flower - as I said, I've had him 15 years, or thereabouts, and he's never flowered before - never done anything apart from sit low in his pot and stay alive, against all odds. Usually he's just the leaves around the bottom - he's never grown a tendril like that before.
*I've looked him up, and I think he's a soap aloe, therefore a succulent.
And here's a photo that sort of sums up the weather today. A bit of everything, all at once:
We're lucky though - bursts of rain, but nothing too serious. A lot of puddles, standing water - bad for bikes, because you need to avoid it, but worse, cars suddenly swerve to avoid things. I worry for John. More than I should, no doubt.
Got measured for my uniform today. It's not real uniform... I mean, it is, but it's sort of all action. Cargo trousers, t-shirt, cap, that sort of thing. Hopefully won't have to wear it much. Kicking down doors usually happens at such inconvenient times of day.
151 comments:
It is quite an impressive...tendril.
It is! And so fast - he's grown that in just over a week.
Should I call it a stalk? That sort of sounds worse...
Tentacle?
Shoot?
Stem?
bine?
...I am just going to refer to it as his tendril, though.
When are we fetching Mycroft? Early? And...he has to bring ALL his stuff home now, right? Because he'll get a new room next year? I shudder to think how much he's accumulated...
That's a mighty impressive... appendage.
That photo looks like how it was here yesterday. Today it was all black clouds and pouring rain.
it's sort of all action
I can almost picture it :-)
It's sort of like this: (much as I hate linking to the Daily Mail) - http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/04_02/policeDM2204_228x388.jpg
Appendage is good.
ALL his stuff, yes. I believe we're not meant to get there before ten.
I can only begin to envisage the chaos of all of them moving out... arrive at ten...hope to escape again by ten pm?
It's a big enough mess when they're just going home for the weekend. We may never get out.
Lestrade - I'll forgive you the Daily mail link if you do :-) Thanks for the pic, wherever it comes from, I keep forgetting that police officers don't wear serge on duty these days (showing my age again).
A Saturday full of Mycroft and dogs and chaos and Pride - sounds like bliss :-)
So do I! It doesn't seem right, even if it is more practical.
I know it's a hard balance to get right, but I do think the force has gone a bit too casual, really.
Bleah. I have trouble with uniforms that don't look anyone look good. And those won't flatter anyone. (They don't even look all that practical to me.)
It's Mycroft's first year, so he won't have packing down to a science yet, but it will get easier to compact things as you go along. Just think it through. I can remember using my clothes to cushion other belongings in boxes to the point where I was still finding socks in the toes of all of my shoes, and small objects wrapped inside the socks, for weeks after getting home.
rsf
*headdesk* ...don't MAKE anyone look good...
rsf (who is going to tip over now, thank you.)
We're at the school... we have been for what feels like half a lifetime. It's a sea of 4x4s and people, and, as predicted, chaos.
Chaos with some complete tossers thrown in.
Hope you all make it out unscathed soon.
I see that Pride has been scaled back this year - no floats. I can't imagine that will make it any less fun - have a great time :-)
There's bound to be a few L. Hope you have a better afternoon! I'm looking forward to Mycroft being home, so I can't imagine how you're feeling about it!
Have a good holiday, Mycroft!
Lancs. Anon
Ah, for the days when everything you needed fit into one humongous trunk. Maybe Anthea and John can glare the tossers into going away.
Are they not having floats because of the rains, Nameless?
Have a lovely summer, Mycroft!
rsf
I can cope with the tossers if it means getting Mycroft back.
We're going to have a fairly quiet pride, probably end up going back to Jo and Lisa's - or ours.
RSF - No, the only time rain changes plans is it's torrential or causing flooding :-) I think there's been funding issues this year, from what I've read on the web. Lots of last-minute changes of plan and scaling back. But still looks like people are having lots of fun: https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23worldpride/grid/photos https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23WorldPride2012/grid/photos
Lestrade - I assume he's been safely recovered from the chaos?
Neat pictures, Nameless (once I figured out that I only needed the link once.;D) Thanks. It looks like a lot of fun.
Did Sherlock get painted the way he wanted, L?
rsf
Jo painted half my face like it was my skull!
That's really cool, Sherlock!
Lancs. Anon
A skull!! Oh wow Sherlock that's amazing :-)
I hope you're all having fun.
I hope you have a brilliant summer now you're home mycroft :-) I hope the Sun was waiting for your holidays and we'll all get a proper summer now :-)
He can't keep it on until school on Monday though, however much he begs.
We're ealing a few people back to ours. I might throw a cake together.
Taking, not ealing.
Eating people and throwing cakes...it's quite a day.
Ealing, not eating! Want to borrow my glasses?
My eyes are find, thank you! It was...a typo of your typo. Yes.
...Fine. Not find.
Mmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Making banana cake, because it's quick. Maybe lemon, too.
Organised people who didn't live with a bottomless pit called Sherlock would have cake pre-made, for occasions such as Mycroft's return home, and people popping around...
Hush! My eyes are fine.
Even organised people who thought they'd be at work today? Anyway, he likes helping you cook.
Mmm, that's what I used to say...
Organised people wouldn't have got themselves on shift when Mycroft was coming home and pride was on :)
But you and Sherlock can keep guests entertained while I bake for half an hour.
And Mycroft can go and reclaim his room.
Are you going to de-paint your face first, or is that staying a bit longer?
Worried I'll sweat face paint into the mix?
Just planning more pictures. I think it'll be more amusing in the context of baking than it was at Pride.
Did you all get your faces painted, or just Sherlock and Lestrade?
Organised people [...] would have cake pre-made
You do like to expect a bit too much of yourself sometimes, don't you?
Sounds like you're having a fun day all round :-)
RSF - there's two slightly different links, for two different hashtags :-)
Ah, two links! I will try the other. Thanks, Nameless.
The half-skull painted face sounds absolutely amazing, Sherlock. I would so go for something like that, at least on a temporary basis. (I'll never get a proper tattoo because I'd keep wanting to change my mind.) Did you help pick what Lestrade got on his face?
L, if you can make a cake that fast, you don't need premade. Cake is best when it's still just a bit warm. (Yes, yes, I know it's supposed to set first, but I like it soft!)
Welcome home, Mycroft!
rsf
I thought I was getting a sugar-skull, but because my boyfriend is sneaky, I got a silver fox.
He got a very tasteful thorn winding up the side if his face. But it did sprout a flower behind his ear...
I always knew John had the best ideas ;-)
I hope you've all had a great day and a lovely celebration of the main mans home coming :-)
What? What flower?
The pretty little rose...
Are you making that up?
Would I?
Absolutely.
But DID you?
Nope. It's nice! You look great with it.
And we need to try and scrub Sherlock clean.. this may be a difficult task. Although some of it has worn off already.
At least tell me it's not pink.
It's all right, I've got that stuff Mrs Hudson gave us last year to get the glitter paint off of him. I think we'll be using it on us as well.
It's red.
Ah, good. And we probably will be using it on us, but we won't wiggle or protest quite as much.
Thought you were going to say it was fuchsia...
True. Well. Mostly true.
Good day. :)
The skull, silver fox and rambling rose all sound pretty damn cool. Glad you all had a good day :-)
I'm very glad you enjoyed it. And blame Jo for the rose!
Didn't Mycroft acquire a decoration? Or was he too glad to be away from school to hold still long enough?
rsf
He just didn't feel the need, RSF.
Sherlock has been returned to all-flesh, after a struggle.
Alas, poor Sherlock... I hope there are plenty of pictures so he can take one of those to school on Monday and show his class.
And if you can find a plain white half-mask somewhere perhaps Sherlock could paint it with the skull so as to have a more easily removable option for Halloween.
rsf
Goodness, that certainly is an impressive extension Mr Cactus (or succulent) had put out--it looks as though it wandered onto the wrong plant!
Although perhaps not quite as exciting as having Mycroft home for two whole months, or your respective face paintings (especially the half-skull! Was that your idea or Jo's, Sherlock?)!
(Happily, there was no major thunderstorm until well after I and my parents got home, and no powrlines were knocked out even then, yay!)
RSF - after reading your comment Sherlock is determined to be completely painted.
I hope John and the boys are enjoying their freedom.
How's work treating you Greg? I hope you're not too busy :-)
And the boys watching the tennis with you John or have they found themselves some other entertainment for the afternoon? I hope its a good match :-)
It's not too bad. Meetings in a bit. Just catching up this morning and planning what everyone's doing next week.
Maybe you'll be able to go home a bit early today, then?
I'm glad works not too bad :-)
I hope the meeting goes quick and its home time before you know it :-)
Glad work isn't being too painful so far today, Lestrade.
I've lost track - is it today that Sherlock's off to the Science Museum with Mrs H? Or is that another time?
I think John will have thoroughly encouraged it today, so he can watch Federicorn :)
... the ladies in the canteen are huddled around the radio, leaving a free for all on the food counter.
They have their priorities in order... :D
Hope you're enjoying yourself, John! And that Sherlock and Mrs Hudson are having fun at the Science Museum. :)
Are you watching tennis with John, Mycroft, or just enjoying not-school in your own way?
I'd be at the food counter, myself. Free food is not to be disdained.
I hope Sherlock will tell us about his date, or we'll get a second hand report. Lucky Mrs. H! And, er, when you say "completely painted" how completely are we talking about? Because that'll take a while, even if Jo is using an airbrush for the body art, and it's VERY tickly. By the time you're finished being painted you've missed Trick or Treat. It's a lot more efficient to use a black leotard, gloves, and a mask for the base, because then you can make your preparations in advance, and even use glow in the dark paint (which you shouldn't directly on skin.)
Good luck with the meetings. My ex-brother-in-law was a cop and he used to say that he put up with the boring days by knowing the more boring his career was, the fewer people in town who were having the wrong kind of exciting day.
Have fun with the dogs, Mycroft! Are they reintroducing themselves to every scent in the neighborhood?
rsf
rsf
RSF - I meant the ladies who serve it. They're probably sick of the sight of it. And of us. I don't blame them for taking the time off.
I may not survive watching this match.
ryo
right there with you ryo!
I was going to watch, too--but we only have basic cable, so no ESPN and no Wimbledon. (When did NBC stop broadcasting the finals?)
I am definitely going to die before this is over. Sorry, L, you'll have the boys to entertain on your own all summer.
Oh. Well, is really rather you didn't. I didn't even get a proper goodbye this morning, just a mumble and a grunt.
Sorry, I wasn't really conscious yet. Sort of wish I'd gone for grounds passes now. Is anyone following it at work or are you all too busy?
They shouldn't be... but by the quickly-silenced yelp and groans they either are, or they need to see their doctors.
I'm hearing it's raining. I thought they had a roof now?
They do, but it takes a while to close it and get the air conditioning going - not for the comfort of the audience, you understand, but for the grass...
Right now the grass has a little tent over it...and actually I'm not sure they're closing the roof. They might just be waiting it out.
No, they've just said they are closing it after all.
I see. So now they can play again? Or will they stop and open it if the sun comes out? It's quite nice here.
I assume you're watching the BBC coverage, John? That's what I'm watching online. Did you see the amazing win in the doubles by the wildcard team?
I know the press is mean to Murray and it would be totally cool if Murray was the first man to win Wimbledon since 1936, but I still want Federer to win.
ryo
L - they can play again, yes. And I think it'll probably be closed for the duration now. It's pissing down.
Ryo - I feel much the same. Murray will have other chances. I don't think Federer will, sadly.
L- Ah, the lunch ladies, you mean. Yes, they'd be tired of the food counter all right.
RR - my cranky old computer won't do it, but it looks like you can at least listen at the official site: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/interactive/index.html
rsf
You should convince Sherlock to take up tennis. :) I'm sure he'd be excellent at it.
ryo
Thanks, RSF! I'm a bit afraid to turn on my computer because the UPS was clicking on and off a little while ago, but if it stays quiet a while I may risk it... :)
I thought that game was literally never going to end.
I know, right? Such great tennis.
so... I don't need to know who's winning or not. Just...are you happy about it, Danger? Make sure before I head home if I should have a congratulatory or commiserating hug ready at the door.
Or, if you're still watching, if I'll have to get naked, perform a handstand, and juggle swiss rolls with my feet whilst breathing fire, between you and the TV, before you even notice me...
Ryo - fantastic. Wish Murray would stop falling over though.
L - Federer's two sets up, so I'm pretty happy right now! Could still change at any moment... Unless you're coming home early though, I do think it'll be over before you get here and are forced to juggle flaming swiss rolls.
If he does juggle flaming swiss rolls, is there any way you could get video/
I wonder if the court is a bit more slippery because of the rain? the court condition is supposed to be okay, but water definitely got on the court before they got it covered. But it's not just the slipping, did you see Murray's first serve %? <50!
ryo
Yeah, not great...
Soo.. the Federicorn still on top, so to speak?
I'm being given a new car for my little holiday with CTC. The Met's being suspiciously generous.
Beautiful. What a great match.
ryo
...one of my Sergeants looks suicidal, and is rocking in her chair and moaning with her head in her hands...
But I've no idea which one she supported...
"Suspiciously", L? What are they up to?
So who won?
great result John but a shame either of them had to lose really. was a great match :-)
Suspiciously as meaning they are expecting you to do lots of travelling? Or maybe so that you can use the olympic lanes and an old car wouldn't look posh enough.
Federer won. I'm glad and sort of gutted for Murray at the same time.
Just suspicious that I seem to have got a vehicle for the duration, instead of joining the usual bunfight for the pool cars. (Sadly not a bike. A huge BMW X5.)
I already knew I'd be going around a lot of different stations, but no, I can't use the Olympic lanes unless I'm on blues and twos.
Ah, Federicorn rides again? I'm sure Murray will get it one year.
Maybe Murray will get the US Open this year? Or would that not be your liking, John? In that case, maybe next year. :)
Is all this probable traveling to and fro a bad thing or a good thing or what, L?
Yeah, Murray was so sad when he was giving his runner-up speech. I felt bad for him, but I think that, even with this loss, his performance here bodes well for the future.
I'm sorry Wimbledon is over. But at least there's the Olympic tennis to look forward to!
ryo
RR - neither, really. I don't mind it. Rather they let me do it on the bike though :)
All this tennis makes me think of Michael Flanders doing "Tried by the Centre Court", but alas, I cannot find it on youtube.
I wonder if they gave you a car because you're going to spend the entire Olympics sitting in traffic, L? Sounds like it if you can't use the special lanes!
rsf
I'm sure it would be much more efficient for you to use the bike, really...greener, too. (Hey, it's true, and maybe worth a try? :))
RSF - I think they did.
It does have lights and siren, but it's unmarked.
RR - sadly the bike wouldn't let me carry all my kit or other officers around, which I think is the point of this.
Rats.
But at least you'll have people to play yellow car with while you sit eternally in traffic! [/jk] :D
the way the rain's still coming down I'll probably end up being glad of it.
Sometimes it seems like the planet is trying to make the humans give up and move away, it really does.
ReRe - I think it's the other way round, TBH.
Yeah, and who can blame it? Be far nicer if we killed ourselves off and left the place to species which are content to get on with it without causing such destruction.
cars certainly have the staying dry advantage Greg :-)
Are you having a Federicorn themed celebration tonight John? ;-)
I hope you're all having a nice evening.
Are you having a Federicorn themed celebration tonight John? ;-)
I may be accused of having the horn, but I still draw the line at the tail, Danger, just so you know ;)
Ha. The racquet shaped pasta was enough, I promise.
I might've made you Eton Mess for pudding. Not quite Wimbledon strawberries and cream, but near enough.
Probably should call it Harrow Mess, so as not to rile Mycroft...
Did you really? When did you manage that??
It was only whipping a bit of cream - which Mycroft did, and cutting up some strawberries. I didn't make the meringue, but Sherlock did have immense amounts of fun smashing it up.
So I shouldn't say that I made it at all. We made it.
And it's delicious! I must've been in some sort of tennis daze. Possibly still am.
Yeah, and who can blame it?
No argument there!
I had to look up Eton...er, Harrow...Mess, and I have to say it looks most extremely yummy.
*is suddenly starving*
I'd forgotten about your racquet shaped pasta John, just perfect for tonights celebration :-)
Harrow mess sounds delicious.
I'll have to see just how much I can get away with when you're in a federicoma.
If it's all along the lines of Eton mess, feel free...
No, that would be too kind.
Next time I'll try dying your hair green, or drawing roses and love hearts entwined around your ears. Or swapping your entire wardrobe for a few choice items...
It's the last one that concerns me most somehow. A few choice items of what, that's the question.
Well...you'd obviously need something for work. A nurse's outfit? Maybe some scrubs. Is there such a thing as bumless scrubs? I bet there are. If not, Mrs H would run some up...
And then, for the housework...ah, well, no point in getting clothes dirty, actually, you can just do that naked.
So...that just leaves the bike. Obviously it would be irresponsible not to leave you with some leathers for that.
And... nope, I think that's everything covered. Or not, as the case may be.
Everything mostly uncovered by the sound of it...I'd say Mrs Hudson might object to me doing housework in the nude, but she probably wouldn't.
I can see I'd be riding the bike a lot in this scenario.
She definitely wouldn't.
The bike that's *cough*losingthepoll*cough*. Well... I'd say it might be dangerous to leave too much of you uncovered doing that. But I bet you can get some tough see-through PVC these days...
That poll is deeply unfair.
But I bet you can get some tough see-through PVC these days...
Oh, how I hope this isn't true...
That poll is a fair and just poll of truth.
No, honestly, seethrough PVC tends to...either cling unattractively, or get rather unappealingly condesnation-y on the inside. It's never a good look.
The leathers will just have to be bumless too. And I'll trust that you'll stay safe and be so careful with the bike, you won't ever fall off. :)
http://themurkyfringe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/assless-chaps-man.jpg
I'll leave this bike leathers idea right here.
I am not convinced that man looks any better than he would in PVC. Bumless chaps: just say no.
Hah, all right then, you can just wear them in my dreams. Most things work out better there.
Oh yes? You should tell me about them some time.
...maybe.
Actually, I lie. Last night I dreamt I was running a marathon, except I didn't know the route... that didn't work out too well.
That sounds like a metaphor for life.
Mm. You'll have to soothe me into having sweet dreams tonight.
Bed? I keep thinking it's Monday, having worked... you've got all the fun of getting Sherlock to go to and stay at school tomorrow, knowing Mycroft's now at home.
Bed. I'm sure tomorrow will be...interesting.
You can always call treble nine for me... or just send up the Brat Signal, I shall appear, superhero-esque! :)
Anon - that's certainly an... interesting look.
John - bumless chaps, would presumably depend on the bum?
Of course, Sherlock does have the play to rehearse and get ready for, which he needs to be in school to do. And that is a huge amount of fun--some of my best school memories are of putting on plays, and it would be a great shame to miss any of that...
Maybe Mycroft can help figure out the moose while you're at work and Sherlock's at school. Unless you're going to disguise one of the dogs. Either that or he can take over the cooking.
(Or figure out why when I try to post a comment on anything but the ancient computer, it vanishes along with the comment box.)
I had a snarky comment about bumless chaps, and how I prefer chaps to have bums, but I've forgotten how I phrased it when I had to shift machines.
rsf
hey Mycroft hows being home suiting you? Have you made plans to keep in touch with some people while you're at home? it can be a bit of an adventure sometimes to see them outside of school :) computers make keeping in touch a lot easier as well I guess.
I'd like to suggest something to you that I used to do but obviously feel free to ignore the suggestion, or even not to read it, I don't mind at all.
As soon as I got home for the holidays I wrote a list of all the fun things, happy memeories and daft thoughs I'd had about school over the last term. The nice conversations I'd had or the people who had been nice to me and then I tucked it up in a book somewhere where I wouldn't lose it and got on with my holidays. In the last few days of the holiday when I started worrying about going back and how things would be I would read the list I'd made when I got home and remind myself of all the good things about school and it helped me to not worry about going back quite so much.
As I said feel free to ignore me :)
I hope you have a great summer and lots of fun and adventures with Sherlock, and with John and Greg of course.
There was a small flurry of parents getting introduced to one another, and that sort of thing, EBSAnon. Not sure if Mycroft has any specific plans. Lots of the boys live a long way away, I think - his room mate's gone to Taiwan!
But if he wants to get anywhere to see anyone, we shall certainly arrange it.
That's really brilliant, EBSAnon. It's so much easier to remember negatives than positives over the long run (keeps us from eating the green berries twice) and you found a great way to counter that effect.
Taiwan might be a bit of a hike, L, but I'm sure the boys' mum could manage it. Will she be around this summer sometimes so they can visit with her and give you and John a few days grace?
rsf
The boys Mum could manage anything.
I'm half sure my little jaunt with CTC is down to her...
why would Mrs H have set up CTC Greg?
Hope you're having a good day :-)
Are you at home with Mycroft for the summer now John? I can only imagine all the wonderful grown up things you could do and see just the two of you :-)
I was thinking about both those questions, Anony!
I dunno. It's probably just paranoia talking. She just seems to dabble in such things.
One assumes that if she did have something to do with it, it's likely to be a more...interesting...assignment than you expect--so I hope she didn't!
If she did I sure she has the best of intentions for you :-)
I hope work is treating you well today.
Anonybob
Post a Comment