It's quiet.
We've gone from having Mycroft, Carla, Paul, Sherlock and two dogs to just Sherlock, all in a couple of hours. The flat seems very still.
We had a fantastic day today. Motorbikes, mud, the six of us...it was chaotic, crazy, but just loads of fun. The weather was perfect - recent rain, but beautiful today. We were with a good group to get out on the trails - everyone was fairly experienced. We got some real speed on. Got some good air off some kickers, it was just...yeah, great. I only fell of twice. One of them was a landing that I got all sorts of wrong - and the source of my (extra) painful bum.
Yesterday all the kids behaved impeccably. And ensured their greater freedom in the future, by being so responsible.
So, firstly, Sherlock and Paul said I had to post this:
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| It's a sea slug |
A Glaucus atlanticus to be precise. They're pretty clever things - they can feed on Portugese Men O' War, and then sort of...make the sting even more potent, and use it themselves.
You can read more here. Not to mention they're pretty beautiful. Wouldn't mind a bike in those colours...
And then there's this - a project I think is...well, good.
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| By Paul Harfleet |
You can
read more about this project too. Basically, the artist asks people to report places where homophobic abuse has taken place. He then plants a pansy there, names it after the abuse, and takes a photograph of it. He plants the flower in the closest patch of earth available to the actual site of the event. Currently he's working in London. He also plants at the site of murders with homophobic motive. I've worked on a few of the cases. I don't think a lot of people appreciate how widespread the problem is - of abuse, that is. If you look at the statistics it's bad. If you imagine the hundreds of thousands of instances which aren't reported, it's almost unthinkable.
Anyway, I think Greg the Florist would like it. And I like it.
66 comments:
Wow, those flowers are such a beautiful response to such an ugly reality.
I was walking the dog in the park this afternoon and passed a pair of guys out for a Sunday stroll holding hands. My first thought was how happy I am to be living in an area where they don't have to be afraid to do that. But then my next thought was wouldn't it be even better if I just didn't notice.
Though to be fair I tend to notice everybody when I'm walking the dog because I'm always on the look out for people who might react badly to her so I can keep her away. She's always so surprised that there are people in the world who don't want to pet her.
I know what you mean about noticing things like that... but honestly, sometimes, when I'm feeling brave enough to hold John's hand on the mean streets of London, and I spot someone 'noticing' and then they give us a big smile or something...it's pretty nice. But then, anyone smiling at you is pretty nice, I guess, whatever the reason.
We're lucky Mycroft has some sort of Jedi mind control over the hounds. Because they have potential to be very scary.
Thank you for having us Uncle Orio and John and Mycroft and Sherlock too. We had a great time and we're home safe and we had a totally amazing day.
I think it's possible I've learned more interesting things from these blogs than I did in some classes in school. I'm glad y'all had a lovely day!
Here to serve, DW.
Honestly, you can't help but learn loads with these boys. I've definitely learnt more than school ever taught me!
Carla - you were very welcome. Glad you got back okay.
You're very welcome, Carla. We had a great time too, it was good to see both of you. :)
DW - good to see you again too.
L - that project really is lovely.
And everyone else, yes, I'll go and tell you what the strange thing on my blog was now.
That sea slug is absolutely nothing like I would expect a creature with the name "slug" to look. It hardly looks real--the colors are electric, and the shape is both graceful and aggressive!
I think that project is a beautiful answer to an ugly problem--and powerful, too.
RR - a lot of sea slugs are pretty amazing.
Danger - you have plans for tomorrow? Beyond rebuilding the flat? Going to see Dr E/another FME/anyone?
More sea slug... :)
http://animalstalkinginallcaps.tumblr.com/post/36129739982/what-am-i-doing-im-juicing-my-pecs-bro-got-to
No, not tomorrow. Only laundry probably. A very quiet day.
yeah...I got mud on my boxers today. I mean, I've got no idea how mud got through all my kit and into my pants.
(And before any of you ask - yes, it's definitely mud!!)
Anonx - I am...not sure I even vaguely understand what's going on there. But it is a great picture of a sea slug.
Yeah, the mud gets...everywhere. There may still be some in my teeth.
I can check. With my tongue?
I've got no idea how mud got through all my kit and into my pants.
The usual way something gets into your pants, I'd assume...
...nah, DW. The mud has definitely not chased down a murderer on a moor, flirted with me over coffee, before inviting me back to its place and jumping my bones on its sofa...
I'm sure it would've, given half a chance.
Hmm. Without wishing to sound like I'm bigging myself up - there's no room in my pants or my heart for anyone but you ;)
I'm relieved to hear it. I wouldn't want mud in our bed as well...
chased down a murderer on a moor, flirted with me over coffee, before inviting me back to its place and jumping my bones on its sofa.
Have to admit it's a hell of an entrance exam.
So to speak.
There's only one person allowed to examine my entrance, ta.
I wouldn't want mud in our bed as well...
Dr. John Watson, breaking hearts of Golem around the world.
just breaking hearts around the world, DW. Now I've met Murray I know all about 3C's worldwide trail of heartbreak...
And I'm off to bed. Undoubtedly going to be limping around the Yard tomorrow, getting all sorts of knowing looks.
Strange, from Murray's comments it didn't sound like it was their hearts he was playing with...
...but I do hope it was the only bit of them he broke!
Hope the return to work wasn't too painful L.
And the same for everyone else back at work/school/whatever.
Fairly painful. And just... Not nice cases. But I knew its shat I'd be getting today.
Trying to keep thinking about Sherlock and his utter glee about getting the eggs at school. And John enjoying the weather and probably going to the allotment. And not about how horrible the world can be.
Sorry works rubbish Greg :-( I hope it gets better or at least that it speeds towards time to go home :-)
How's the peace and quiet John?
Peaceful and quiet. But also a bit dull. I've done an almost unbelievable amount of laundry.
Is the washing machine now full of mud?
Want a coffee?
L - I would love one. On my way.
SH - no, although I did have to fish a few pebbles and less identifiable things out of the bottom of it that I missed in the pocket check.
Thanks. Sorry I dragged you down here and barely spoke to you
Days like today make me wish I'd never suggested being an fme. I don't want you to see the horrible things I do.
Pebbles and things make a lot of noise, but unless the "things" wreck the washer, tissues are the worst, I think. (Of things that were never alive, that is...O_O)
Sorry work is particularly unpleasant today, L.
I'm excited to hear about Sherlock's classes' incubator and eggs!
L - it's all right, love. I'm sorry you have to deal with all this. It's a terrible job sometimes.
Just makes you wonder how we let people down so badly.
I'm so sorry your day has been so bad Greg :-(
John, I know the feeling about the quiet, its weird how much you can get done on your own though isn't it ;-)
I hope you had a good day at school Sherlock and Mycroft, if you happen to have a spare second to read this, I hope school went well for you as well today :-)
Think of how many more people would never know what happened, or would never have any justice if there was no one out there to face the harsh side of life. And then spend some thought on the good side of things too. You're needed, and you're loved.
rsf
Off home to my boys, who will undoubtedly make me feel better about the world.
Will you help me make asparagus except I want to do it by myself
Course I will mate.
Just hearing the news from Boston - I hope all of you lot are okay. Not much info here yet, but it sounds terrible.
I know several people from Boston, and a few who are running in the marathon, but I have no idea where any of them are right now. Got my fingers crossed.
How did you make the asparagus, Sherlock?
@Rereader: The Red Cross in Boston has a "safe and well" list here:
http://www.redcross.org/find-help/contact-family/register-safe-listing
In case that helps.
Thanks, Anon. It won't load for me, but maybe it's just overloaded; I'll try again later (or hopefully I won't have to).
I hope everyone here from those parts is fine.
Cell service is over loaded, so if you don't hear from your loved ones it's not necessarily bad news. I keep getting voice mail from my mother but I haven't been able to call her back.
I was nowhere near it, but hopefully at some point RSF will check in with us. I don't know if she's at the main library or not, but the main library would have been in the neighborhood. Though anyone inside would have been safe enough, from what I can tell.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking (about the cell service)--I remember it was all but impossible to reach anyone on 9/11, even by land lines.
I steamed it and we had butter and meat. Lestrade keeps telling me to shhhh
Steamed asparagus with butter is extremely yummy, I think, Sherlock. Did your class get the eggs today?
Yes they're for the whole school but they aren't doing anything yet they just look like eggs
Oh, that's even more fun! (And yes, that's how they look. If eggs are fertilized and kept warm and given time, they become chicks, as hopefully most of your school's will!)
I'm sorry kiddo. I've had a hard day, and the news from Boston is pretty horrible, and this week's just going to be a bit stressful because on Wednesday London has a big funeral and some people might want to cause trouble, and on Sunday London hosts the biggest marathon in the world - so I've just got a lot on my mind.
I'll come and tuck you in if you get your pyjamas on.
And once the chicks started really developing in the eggs you can hold them in front of a very bright lamp and actually see them through the shell. That's how my grandfather always showed us which eggs would be chicks.
Yes Mrs N said we could do that Zeph
why are some people so horrible? John said he wanted to run in a marathon and he shouldn't.
Nearly all the time, the only bad thing that happens when people run in marathons is they get really tired, Sherlock.
And I don't know why some people are so horrible. They all give different reasons, but I have to think people like that have to feel that no one matters but themselves, or maybe themselves and people that agree with them. Whatever it is, we're lucky to have people like Lestrade to catch them and stop them.
I'm in no shape to run a marathon, don't worry.
And I don't know why some people choose to do things that hurt so many people. That's one of those things that even grown ups don't understand. I'm sure they all have reasons for what they do and I'm equally sure that they're not good reasons.
C'mon, kiddo, we'll all have a hug and a chat in bed. But you mustn't worry. Everyone's going to be very careful now. And if John ever does run a marathon everyone will be being very careful then too.
KHolly - glad you're okay.
Sherlock, though it doesn't seem so at times like this almost everyone is actually pretty nice, we just don't hear about the nice people very often. L. is right you shouldn't worry about it all more than you can help.
Lancs. Anon
Hi all. I'm home and safe -- the closest I got to the excitement was being stranded downtown when the central subway stations were evacuated and closed.
KHolly, yes, the main library is right at the finish line, but they were closed today. It's a holiday in this part of New England -- Patriot's Day -- and also the explosions were across the street. Since I got home I've been looking at the news. Sorry if I worried you all.
Sherlock, there were thousands of people down there today, and all but a few -- or perhaps even only one -- were nice, good people. And because these explosions happened at the marathon, there were lots of doctors a few hundred feet away. There were also lots of cameras, so they'll catch the person responsible. And Lancs. Anon is right, everyone I saw who knew what happened was busy helping everyone else, or making sure they were all right. Even knowing about the explosions, I never felt afraid.
rsf
Glad you're okay, RSF.
Sherlock's in bed, seems to be okay. He knows where we are.
Here's a picture for both of you.
http://www.chailife.com/wp-content/uploads/mr_rogers_helpers_quote.png
Something I know I'll be saying to the kids at the library this week. Thanks for being what you are, Gregory Lestrade. Without people like you the world would be a much scarier place.
rsf
KHolly, RSF, I'm so glad you're both OK, hope any anons in the area are OK too.
Lestrade, I hope this week remains bearable.
I'm glad you're all right, RSF, Kholly. You beat me to that quote, RSF, I was going to post it, too. :)
That Mr. Rogers quote has brought me through tough times before. Glad it is helpful to others. And yes, all thanks and blessings to those who run in when everyone else runs away, uniformed or otherwise.
Kholly, I'm reading more carefully this morning and realized that you're actually here. Guess I was a little shaken up after all. I hope you were able to reach your mom. Once they cut off all the cell phone service I know things got harder. (Glad I still have a landline!) Most of my friends and acquaintances are okay, but I don't know about library staff yet.
I hope everything is much quieter in London, and that nothing happens for your big events coming up.
rsf
RSF, I did eventually talk to my Mom. But in the meantime I had texted my nephew and asked him to call her. In fact getting a text from my nephew asking if I was ok was how I heard about it in the first place, I was so otherwise removed from it.
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