Birthday Boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN HAMISH DANGER WATSON!!

Everyone, I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing Danger the very happiest of birthdays.

And I shall risk Sherlock's ire ("the blog is for murders not boring stuff!") and say that I'm the luckiest bloke on the planet, because I have John in my life. So happy birthday, John, here's to the next 40 years.

polls

Well, thankfully the 60s managed to beat the 00s in the old poll. I can only assume some of you are too young to know better. You should rectify that.

The new poll, as at least 15 of you have noticed, is up.

I really don't know which my favourite is. The orange is striking - but it's matt, like the grey (apparently), and I'm not sure I'd like that. The grey is what I'd instinctively go for, but some pictures do make it look a bit boring. And the black is...well, black. but has gold accents - wheels etc.

You can look at the options here.

Also, it'd be hell to get Danger a jacket to match the orange.

where does the time go?

So, of course, the clocks choose to change just when I'm at my busiest. The gods wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm trying to get everyone sorted out for when I'm away, which means a lot of paper shuffling, meetings sorted out, checking people know when they should be in court, making sure different teams are chasing up different leads. Plus, of course, there's still fall out from the demo/riot at the weekend, and all the press interest that's kicking up. And then someone goes and plants a large bomb over in Londonderry/Derry, which puts us on even higher alert than we are anyway, and has the whole place overrun with the explosives dogs. All I'm trying to do is make sure everyone knows what they're doing for the four days I'm gone. I know in these modern times I'm only on the other end of the phone. But hopefully they won't need to call.

I've written about 30% of my seminar. And they found an arm on Sunday. For our torso, I mean, so as soon as the lab report is back on that (tomorrow, I hope) I shall be busy with that.

A new whistle...

Finally managed to buy myself a new suit. Of course, today chose to be a beautiful day, when the last thing I wanted to do was try on a whole load of formal wear. But didn't really have a choice.

John agreed to come with me and hold my hand, so at least I didn't have to face it all on my own. And Mrs H looked after the boys for a few hours, so we grabbed coffee and lunch too. It's not often I get him all to myself! And at least now I won't feel like I look like a tramp when I have to stand up in front of these bloody people later in the week. John said I looked okay, so all's well.

Then we had to get out and enjoy the sunshine a bit more. Ball games, frisbee, dogs, boys and John.

I'm a lucky bloke.

Going rowing...

GO OXFORD!!!

Well done the dark blues - been a few years since I've been to watch the boat race live, although I always try to catch it on the telly if I'm not able to get to the river. And I always cheer for Oxford - and this year they won by FOUR boat lengths. Fantastic.

Sherlock rooted for a sinking, Mycroft didn't seem to care who won, but was more interested in the technical aspects of the sport, and why Oxford rowed with a tandem rig this year. John was doing a fantastic job of remaining neutral and explaining winning wasn't everything...somehow I doubt these two boys have ever come second best at anything, but I guess it's a lesson they'll learn sooner or later. Hope John's around when that happens.

I tried to explain to Sherlock that the Thames really isn't much fun to be in...he seemed unconvinced. But I've been in it a few times (generally not through my own choice) and it's...nasty.

Crime and (self) punishment.

Any of you in the UK (I get the feeling quite a few of you aren't?) will have heard about the Night Stalker case. (Here on the BBC - It's a pretty disturbing serial rape/sexual assault case. Don't read it if you think it'll give you nightmares.) Anyway, glad that the suspect has been sent down for life (at least 27 years. Life doesn't mean life here.) I hope the Judge is right, and he won't ever be freed. I honestly can't see how anyone who does such things deserves to be free ever again. I'm all for rehabilitation, but if someone won't show any remorse, even when convicted, I think it's beyond that.

I knew a lot of people working that case, over the years. Even did a small amount of legwork myself, once or twice, helping out when I was still a Sergeant. And yes, the Met have apologised for missing the chance to catch him a long time ago.

Love is in the air...

After a day of trawling through files and files of gang-related violence, drugs, murders etc. and then finding out I missed out on frisbee and ice cream in the park, well, I figured I deserved to treat myself.

As a result I have to announce I might be a little bit in love.