Because of my shoes, I'm wearing today...

Firstly, most importantly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYCROFT! You have now entered that awkward twilight zone, where you can get married and buy a house - even join the army! But...you can't yet vote for the people who control all of those things...

You can work full time! But you can't buy alcohol or cigarettes... You can fly a glider! But not drive a car.

You can, however....start your scooter lessons. ;)

John and I did a little research the other day, when I was off. Visited a few bike schools. It's amazing how all the trainers claim to be the absolute best when two bikers turn up, one of whom is a DI, asking about lessons for their boy...

So, with Mrs Holme's agreement, John and I have 'given' Mycroft some bike lessons - for him to arrange whenever he wants to. He said he'd like to go to the off road place one more time before he actually starts 'for real', and also that he might not get much time before his exams, but still, he can get his licence all sorted out, and then go for it!

His Mum, in the spirit of allowing her eldest some hard-won freedom, has agreed to match his wages when he goes to work this summer, so he can save up and get himself a nice bike, and any further gear he needs :)  (We can only assume she's also putting swathes of security through their CBT too - only kidding Mycroft ;) )

(although maybe you should get a quad, so the dogs can hang on the back...not sure if they count as passengers or not??)

So happy birthday, kiddo, we hope you enjoy your freedom.


Anyway, on a completely different note...Eurovision!

I hope some of you will join in - I shall be passing comment ;) Murray said he'd turn up 'with enough beer to make it bearable'. Jo and Lisa said they'd probably come, depending on how knackered they are. I think Mrs Hudson will come up and join us, too - she's never one to turn down a nice young Europop moppet in a bit of leather ;) John has rolled his eyes so hard I'm surprised his head hasn't fallen off, but smiled indulgently. Sherlock has promised to dance with me.

Anyway, starts 8pm BST, if you can work it out from that. And you can watch, apparently, on the official Eurovision website. Live, free and legal!

I’m yours right now

Difficult day. The saddest of cases. You never get used to it, however many times you see dead children. It's the sort of case you just have to be incredibly careful on. And know that, in the eyes of the parents, everything you do will be wrong. You're the last person they want to see. Not just because of the obvious terrible reason you're there, but because of the horrible implication that they could somehow be responsible. And, you know, the reason we're there is...well, the tiny, truly, minescule number of times when we found it there is foul play. I mean, it's just incredibly rare. And even in the times it does happen, you still almost always have one parent was was completely innocent and unaware. And then they've lost two people.

Anyway, nothing we can do now until we get the reports back. And I won't be in then, because I'm off for two days. But the team will tell me.

So, rather more cheerfully, have this video. I mentioned it to John for the wedding. He picked other songs instead ;) Then I showed it to Sherlock the other day. He is now obsessed :)

There's a man I've found could remove his sorrow

How about this for a wedding song? Good, right? John rolled his eyes at me. Well, it was an eyeroll or a really high lob he was watching in the tennis...






We had a pretty good day today. Not sure we've found 'the suits' yet, but definitely getting closer.

After last night's degu-escape (well, I don't think she really escaped - just wandered off), Sherlock is being extra-careful with them both. He's sitting in the little run-thing we have in the sitting room with them, not just wandering around holding them.

We think she was in the sofa, but we're not sure, because one minute John and I were lying on the floor, talking about stuff, the next the pile of degu-treats (which we were halfway through eating...) had an extra guest nibbling at it.

My head has been given a clean bill of health - well, roughly speaking. Sherlock is most annoyed he didn't get to remove my stitches.

Because of my shoes I’m wearing today

We had a great time last night. Eurovision is so ridiculous that you need to either ignore it completely or embrace it entirely.

With alcohol. (Which is free*.)

So, for those of you who missed it, we've chosen some of our 'highlights'. I use this word VERY loosely.

Our favourite was Malta, who sang a very sweet song, perhaps the only one ever with a lyric about risk assessments....

I don't remember who Graham was talking about on the commentary when he said it (Iceland?), but I'll say it about this song - If the Eurovision song contest was a contest about singing, this could have won it...

Doctor Doctor

We were sort of going to save this for Valentine's (for 'we', read 'I'), but Sherlock insisted he's rehearsed enough, and wanted to perform to John tonight.

So this was our surprise for the good Doc - me playing the guitar and singing, Sherlock dancing and SHOUTING the chorus:

Cause I'm happy just to dance with you.

I'm off work on Thursday and Sunday. Giving up one day in an attempt to salvage a few of my hours back for next week, when I'll be doing the school run. It's going to show me just how few hours pass between sending Sherlock off to school and getting him back!

Just read a 'fact' (I have no evidence) - 'Sarcastic people are more creative'... thoughts?

Anyway, yes, Thursday, was going to take John out to meet Ella - our dance teacher :) Have a chat about what sort of thing we want to do. Should be fun. Or mortifyingly embarrassing. Or both?

And then ideally I'd like to get to the pub and play some guitar.

I can't stop thinking about John being away. I'm kind of excited - I mean, it'll be a challenge, fitting in work and keeping Sherlock entertained. But in a good way. I'm not sure I'm prepared for how much I'll miss John, though. Even thinking about him not being around at time like right now... just gets me right in the chest. Which is horrifically soppy, right? Been on my own plenty. But... yeah.

Finally, can't really let this post go without mentioning that the Commons passed the bill on same-sex marriage today, meaning it will now move to the stage of discussion by committee. And this has been pushed through by the same party who brought in Section 28 (although it was a minority of their members who actually voted for it) - hard to believe how times change.

(If anyone's confused by the Commons, the Lords, divisions, lobbying, the whips - just ask. I can't promise to give any sort of understandable or even accurate answer, though.)

Ravi Shankar - RIP

I was going to post a video here. But really, you should just go to YouTube and watch them all. Hours of them.

An amazing talent. He was generous enough to share his skill and passion with us all.




I've...well, we've made a light up halo. Sherlock seems happy enough. I think it's reasonably  Sherlock-proof, and can easily have all the glowsticks changed when those ones run out of glow.

Tis the season to kill people at the moment, so work is busy.

I've taken New Years night as my 'shit shift' as they're known.

And now, I need to go and tuck Sherlock in, and pretty soon, tuck myself in. I'm knackered.

The tune that is yours and mine to play upon this earth

Right, as Sherlock noticed tonight, I'm always a bit late home on a Thursday.

This is because, all those weeks ago when I went for a drink on my own, I found a little pub that has an open mic night on a Thursday. And it seemed...nice. Quiet, friendly, a mix of talent. And Jo and Lisa recently asked if I would play a few songs at their wedding reception.

When Jo and I first met I was still playing a lot - to audiences. I suppose she thought I still was. Anyway, I sort of agreed, but then I wanted a bit of practice, where no one I knew would be watching.

So I decided to give it a go for a while. Didn't bank on Sherlock, PI, rumbling me quite so soon.

EuroLiveBlogginVision

Right, Mycroft tells me this is called 'liveblogging'. Although I'm not sure I'm doing it right...

Anyway, nearly Eurovision time, so we're watching and I'll probably be commenting on here, with help from my beautiful assistant(s).

Now...plates, takeaway, tv buttons, Pimms, and if anyone gives us 'nil points'...

DANGER SMASH!

(Insert any amusing comments regarding fist....s here.)

BadgerBadgerBadgerBadgerJaaammyBaaadger

It's not big, it's not clever... but I was subjected to it, so you should be too.

City Trash...

Obs tonight much more enjoyable. Partly because I'm not on my own.

(Hello! I didn't really believe Greg when he said this is the reason he's been humming the same tune for the last hour but now it seems like it was true. Also, Doctor John, very sensible to have a back up career in medicine and child care, after modelling. Nice picture though. DC Amy.)

So, now for the newest track for the album.

Coz I Luv Things and Stuff

Things and Stuff.

(Forgive me if it's not very good. I'll re-read it when I've slept.)

You make stuff and things, the food of kings, and I love it,

Stuff that's baked and things in cakes and I love it,

I just like the stuff you make, mmm

Don't you change the things you bake, mmm

You make stew in a pot, with that stuff you got and I love it,

There's soup on the hob when you finish the job and I love it,

I just like the stuff you make, mmm

Don't you change the things you bake, mmm.

When you stir things up, or make cake in a cup I love it,

When you mix up some stuff, there's never enough and I love it,

I just like the stuff you make, mmm

Don't you change the things you bake, mmm

Only time can tell if stuff will turn out well, and I love it,

Some things burn but how else will we learn and I love it,

I just like the stuff you make, mmm

Don't you change the things you bake, mmm.

To the tune of 'Coz I Luv You' by Slade:

John's some sort of utterly wonderous being, and packed me snacks and coffee and all sorts in my bag for tonight. Which has ranked up in the top ten of boring obbos.

Bloke who (finally) turned up from drugs is nice though. Very down to earth. Supports Liverpool, but no one's perfect. A DS, few years younger than me.

He told me he 'thinks' the DC who was meant to be here got 'frightened off' because word got around I was gay. And who wants to spend the night in a deserted flat with a gay DI, who'll clearly be desperate to jump you for a quick shag? (Danger, dont answer that.) Not like it could ever be proved that was the case. Apparently he's just 'ill'. To be fair (which I am too much, apparently) it sounds like some other were really winding him up about it, it's not like he just came to that conclusion alone. He's quite new on their team, the DS says, still a bit green, so others thought they'd make a big thing of it.

Just want to go home and sleep now.

Jam Jar Jimjams...

To the tune of 'We Are The Champions'...

 

I've got my jam,

And some toast too,

Spread the butter on thick,

Cos breakfast time's due,

Kettle is boiling,

Ready for a brew,

Now slather jam on all over,

On the toast and on you

We are the Badgers, my friends,

And we'll keep on blogging 'til the end

We are the Badgers,

We are the Badgers,

No time for trolls,

'Cause we are the Badgers, of the blogs.

I've got jimjams on,

And stand in them tall,

You bought me hugs and love and everything that goes with it,

We thank you all,

There's crumbs in the bed now,

But what do I care?

I've got jamjar jimjams on,

Don't mind if you stare.

We are the Badgers, my friends,

And we'll keep on blogging 'til the end

We are the Badgers,

We are the Badgers,

No time for trolls,

'Cause we are the Badgers, of the blogs.