Hello, all…it’s been a while, hasn’t it? I can’t remember if we’ve mentioned it, but I’ve been training for the London Marathon, which is coming up with slightly terrifying speed now. When I applied, I asked L if he wanted to do it with me, and he very sensibly said no. He actually said that someone would have to pick me up off the ground and carry me home afterward, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that…
So I’ve been training and working and entertaining Sherlock so he doesn’t pull the flat down around our ears; you know, the usual. We went to see the Robots exhibition at the Science Museum a little bit ago. Have some pictures:
So I’ve been training and working and entertaining Sherlock so he doesn’t pull the flat down around our ears; you know, the usual. We went to see the Robots exhibition at the Science Museum a little bit ago. Have some pictures:
The strange baby robot on the yellow sofa is meant to provide comfort during telephone conversations. I question whether it could provide comfort to anyone under any circumstances at all. They also had an automated scene of the crucifixion and a tiny mechanical spider that Sherlock wants to replicate. Actually I think he'd like an entire army of them.
Tomorrow my training schedule calls for me to run 20 miles. And then I'll call Sherlock's spider army to carry me home. Wish me luck.
176 comments:
Sherlock can somehow track you and I can run the last couple of miles of the 20 with you....but I'd probably still slow you down! You lovely, bonkers, man.
I honestly don't like to think I could be upset enough that that yellow baby thing would be a comfort. Creepy as.
Good luck with the running, that's a lot of miles.
Lancs. Anon - thank you, I'll need it!
L - I'd love it if you joined me for the last few miles. Judging by the last long one I did, I won't be moving that fast...
Mmmmm, you run too fast for me these days, and I feel that with focus like yours I'll be lost in your dust (not that the weather here allows us to get any dust...). But I can definitely try :)
Wow, as you say, that baby is completely creepy, why would they even think that would comfort anyone.
Well done on entering for the Marathon, John, that'll be a great achievement & I'm sure your supporters will be there for you all through with real people to help at the end if Sherlock doesn't get his spider army ready in time. Good luck. :)
You can only be called crazy for the marathon thing John but I guess a challenge is good for the health! Good luck with tomorrow's run :-)
Most of those robots look really cool but the baby one is just weird!!
I find them all fairly creepy, but the baby on the sofa gives me the chills.
I don't think it's crazy at all to do a marathon (I'm working toward a half myself), and wish you only the best with that undertaking!
I'm sure Team John will be there for you at the end of the race.
Baby robot is definitely unconfortong! (Did you know they have robot cats already on the market? My first reaction was that there are plenty of real cats in shelters, but they're aimed at senior citizens in situations where they can't have real pets, either because they aren't capable of caring for them or because they can't have pets where they live, so I guess it might be better than nothing?)
How'd your run go? I admire you madly for going for a marathon, I'm sure I couldn't do it!
Uncomforting, not whatever auto-incorrect put there!
We will definitely be there to collect John from the finish-line purveyors of sports drinks and leg massages and carry him home.
Also to cook him an array of pasta dishes in the days leading up to it.
I am SO IMPRESSED John. Training for a marathon is a huge emotional and time commitment. Running the last few together is a brilliant idea. They can be grueling, mentally. (I am told. I've never gone beyond a half marathon distance. I am neither that tough nor that driven!)
-fA
"Why don't you write a book about the best murders you've done?" Asks Sherlock.
"Because I'm not very good at writing. And can we not use the word 'done' to mean 'solved?"
"But I bet it would be okay." Says Sherlock.
"Why don't you write a book?" I ask.
...and now Sherlock is writing a book and John and I have had to walk and run over mud in the allotment for research.... I shudder to think what else we'll be made to do.
This book already sounds fascinating!
I feel that the practical limits of "research" in the service of accuracy are going to be tested . . . Good luck, research subjects/assistants!
But I bet the book will be riveting.
-fA
Today I had to give up some hair.
I refused to be strangled. Or see how long it took for the mark that my sock elastic made in my ankle go away if I died.
Generally I'm campaigning for no death in the pursuit of penning this mighty tome.
This seems like an excellent guideline.
(There are a half dozen or so body farms in the US; maybe Sherlock can dig out the information he's looking for in their research findings, assuming they are accessible online?)
I don't think it's the same as gathering your own data.
Naturally not. (But it might be acceptable for the present...)
I'm with you on all choking/strangling things being skipped. Could not the length of time for the impression to disappear from living flesh be measured? It's important to have a base line. And wouldn't it vary? Depending on age, hydration, activity level, type of sock...there's a wealth of data just in live subjects!
(Incidentally, our family calls the impressions from socks 'sock noodles'. My eldest coined the term as a 2 year old and we just went with it.)
You are certainly making your contribution to scientific accuracy in literature! I feel you should move "no death" from a campaign to an iron clad rule. If reminded, Sherlock certainly could think of several things he would miss should you or John be prematurely removed from the family circle!
-fA
John saw a dead fox on his run yesterday. Sherlock begged him to bring it home today....
I don't want my husband arrested for running about with a decomposing fox...
To be completely honest, your husband doesn't really want to run around with a decomposing fox.
I somehow think Maf wouldn't approve either...
That is good news. I don't want you to smell like a rancid fox. Nor do I want Sherlock storing it in the freezer.
(Or in anyone else's freezer either, before he asks.)
It's snowing here. Yesterday it was too warm for my coat, and now it's SNOWING.
I disapprove.
Mmm, stilton, broccoli and mushroom gnocchi. Good fuel for my running man.
Also stilton has finally purged the smell of death from my head.
RR, you will probably not see this till after Purim, but if you hadn't come across it, it may amuse (I laughed, anyway):
http://animatedamerican.tumblr.com/post/158176313857/dialmformara-agitatedtortoise
Here's the beginning, if the link works you can get the full effect:
"so tonight I’m at synagogue, listening to the Purim Night reading of the Book of Esther, like you do
and near the end of this chapter my brain presents me with the following:
nooooo ooooone plots like Haman
calls the shots like Haman
plans a genocide by casting lots like Haman
(It only works with the Hebrew pronunciation of Haman, which, like Gaston, is accented on the second syllable.)"
(I didn't know I would laugh at a Purim-Beauty and the Beast mashup!)
-fA
Greg, cheese is an entirely, enormously, wonderful thing, but this is a virtue I had not thought of for it.
I hope the stench of death was not work related, but I fear it was, seeing as how Sherlock has been forbidden from including actual death in his research.
If it is work, I am reminded to be glad good people are willing to do your job.
-fA
fA--LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
fA - it was work related, yeah.
Today John has run. I have dug over part of the allotment.
I fear I am worse off than John is, somehow...
John has been training for his runs. I am not sure you've worked up gradually enough to digging over the allotment!
- fA
Blizzard conditions and up to two feet of snow predicted for NYC tonight and tomorrow. I will be rather amused (and considerably relieved!) if it all moves through quickly and leaves not much in its wake...
It is nice to have some relief from winter, but on the whole it's cruel for the weather to swing back and forth like this!
-fA
I know, right?
Looks like we aren't getting 2 feet of snow or blizzard winds (though they are getting the 2 feet northeast of the city), mostly because there is a lot of sleet mixed in. Which means heavy, wet, icy, slushy snow. Joy.
(And probably lots of downed power lines in areas that don't have underground power lines. Stay safe, anyone in those areas!)
Oh, hey, happy Pi day!
Stay safe, RR! Happy Pi day back, although my 14 year old points out that pi day should be pi days because 3.1415.
Ooh, I like that, Kestrel!
Me too! Well enough to provide two days worth of pie, anyway.
All the cherry trees and things are in blossom in London and it's absolutely gorgeous!
I want to move to London.
Sherlock has been reading about the immense planning which goes into preparing for the Queen's death.
"Why is there so much to do?" Is his question...
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/16/what-happens-when-queen-elizabeth-dies-london-bridge
Take the disruption (including emotional) involved with the death in the family and multiply by the number of families in the UK....Yeah.
Had today off. AND the sun shone. This doesn't usually happen!
I even baked biscuits. Which John keeps saying he mustn't eat. And still eating.
Sounds like a perfect day. I'm surprised John had any biscuits not to be eating with Sherlock around. ;)
Ooh, fun!
Aside from all the piles of dirty ice (and the slushy moats at every corner) it was a lovely day here, too. :) My favorite thing today was when I was out and about, I saw a man walking a little black chihuahua--or really, I should say trying to walk a little black chihuahua, because they had reached a patch of dirty, icy snow extending into the part of the sidewalk that was cleared, and that dog Was Not Having It. It had all four legs braced, and it was leaning back, and the man was trying to reason with it, and it was just all NO. I really wish I had thought to take a quick vid, it would have made the most awesome GIF!
Joolz - John's biscuit eating was after his run, but before Sherlock was home...so it was his perfect moment, really. Before Shernado hit the flat and devoured everything in his path.
Aww, that man of yours has perfect timing ;) I hope you got your share too, between The Running Man and Shernado.
That was lovely for the two of you to have a day off together, though, even if he was running from you half the time - or should I be a 'the glass was half full' person and say he was, of course, running towards you. :)
All of you in London--are you all okay?
Fine but very busy. Will be at work for the foseeable future, trying to help however we can
Sorry guys. It's never good, but it always feels worse when it happens in the place one calls home.
-fA
Well I'm on my way home, unlike so many other people. Some of whom Will never go home to their families again.
Be good to yourselves, hmm?
I glorious day. Parliament square was full earlier with a pro-EU march - they went by the back of the yard when I was out getting a sandwich. I shouted a bit of encouragement to some Italians :)
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums, Nans, Carers and anyone else who performs the equivalent tasks that make someone else feel special.
Hope everyone had a great day. :)
Mycroft has finished uni for the term - but he's gone straight to his mum's, and Sherlock has gone there too....so what does this mean??
The sun is shining...the flat is empty....the world is our oyster!!
(The allotment needs digging...)
Happy Mother's Day to all you mums. Especially the ones who have to supervise their own breakfast being made, or give the kids money for them to buy a present. May your cards be glittery and your days filled with smiles.
Have fun! And Happy Mothers Day to all U.K. mums! (After having a brief panic attack, and then remembering that it's a different day here...)
I nearly panicked with you, RR!
A huge loafing teenager has taken over most of the sofa. The dogs have taken over what's left. Maf has moved to the back...
Still, that's fine, because I'm chained to the stove anyway :)
It all sounds very homey and domestic... :D
Nothing better then cooking for the family though is there? 😀
I'm being mean really. Mycroft does cook lots. It is definitely great having him home.
Not to worry--we all know that Mycroft is not an ordinary teen but is rather an extraordinary teen.
And I should say....bye bye Europe. It's been nice knowing you. It's not you, it's very much us...apparently. Well, about 27% of 'us', anyway.
Now, where's my Italian passport application....
At least 63 million Americans empathize. Deeply.
Yes, RR, yes.
Enjoy Mycroft while you've got him!
-fA
Let's hope you guys sort yourself out in 4 years. Sadly not an option for us.
Mycroft is busy trying to find the 9th planet in our solar system...as you do.
It's going to be a long four years, with my fingers staying crossed that whole time...
Mycroft, is there enough in the way of gravitational anomalies to indicate a ninth planet?
I have 4 days off! Lovely.
What a wonderful long stretch! Any special plans?
It was too intriguing to wait on an answer, sooooo...Mycroft, is this where you were looking for the ninth planet?: planet9search.org
(And apparently the answer to my question is yes, there are orbital anomalies that could indicate another planet, roughly twice the mass of earth. COOL!)
He and Sherlock are busy plotting something.... Sherlock has that wild-eyed 'I know something you don't' look going on.
I think he was using Zooniverse, RR - same project, though. Be an amazing thing to be part of.
I think that domain name leads to Zooniverse, yeah--and it really would be amazing to be a part of! I'll have to spend some time on it, if only to say I did. (And they've said they'll let the people helping out have a say in naming the planet if they find it--with the caveat that it will not be Planety McPlanetFace. Spoilsports!)
Plots, hmmmm? I wonder how to google that... ;)
Happy birthday to my gorgeous husband. He's kind, he's generous, he's an amazing man who has put up with being woken up by the entire household and forced to eat breakfast in bed at a time far earlier than he would have chosen, because Sherlock was far too excited to wait longer.
Love you, John.
Happy birthday John, I hope you have the most awesome day, after you've been back to sleep of course ;-).
It is one of the better reasons for being awake too early!
Happy birthday, John, have an awesome.celebration!
Happy Birthday, John! I can't imagine what could be better than having all of your boys/men home for a few days, but I'm sure *they* have come up with several somethings!
-fA
Thanks, everyone! It was a lovely breakfast and a great day and I definitely didn't forget it was my birthday until this morning, don't believe any rumors you may hear.
Hmmmm... although to be fair you coped very well with being set upon by a slightly buttery Sherlock, some slobbery dogs, Maf's fish breath, given you didn't know what was going on...
In this household, I could wake up to an all-degu marching band parading across the bed and I wouldn't even be surprised.
Hopefully we can still manage to surprise you sometimes....
Are you plotting something?
Me? No. I just have information suggesting that your birthday isn't quite over yet...
Yay for extended birthdays! Hope you had a good one yesterday
Hope you´re still celebrating :-)
Happy birthday!
Hope you've had a great birthday, John. Surprises are always wonderful, especially when you have such inventive plotters. To what others delights have you been subjected this weekend. :)
He'll shortly be subject to the delights of a cake...chocolate and coffee cake.
Hope that the mysterious birthday doings foretold this morning are unfolding satisfactorily!
-fA
John and Lestrade don't know anything yet Lestrade only knows the smallest bit because I couldn't find John's passport and Mycroft needed the number so I had to ask Lestrade but he doesn't know ANYTHING. It'll be good though.
Anything that needs a passport number sounds exciting already!
Oh my goodness, that sounds very exciting! I do wonder how exciting/convoluted/cagey the conversation about John's passport was, though. :D
You two are fabulous young men! This sounds quite exciting!
-fA
It's true. I don't know anything. At all. Ever.
Your plans sound very exciting, Sherlock. Have they happened yet or are you still keeping everyone in suspense & dangling ideas over their heads. :)
I know the feeling, Greg. I feel like that most of the time & that's without having two geniuses in my family to keep me guessing as you do. :)
Hahahah! Add me to the list of those who feel like they don't know anything. Ever.
(that was me, fA, who doesn't even remember to sign their post)
So now that the weekend is upon us, is the rest of John's birthday surprise in motion?
Okay, I feel like I should admit that although I don't know much, I do know the dates, because oddly enough, small children ringing up and telling HR that I want some holiday doesn't get believed... So I know it's not this weekend. I also know some favours had to be called in and promises made to get the weekend it is off...
But that is all I know.
It's a sad day when Human Resources is so suspicious of perfectly reasonable phone calls...
I've been away so long maybe nobody remembers me, but I enjoyed reading the latest post and "catching up" on all the news. Impressed with the running, and Happy belated Birthday to John. Impressed with the gardening so early, and happy anticipation of some sort of trip I guess to all. I was just away for a week and a half visiting my daughter and son in law in the sunny south, came home to cold rain (but missed the last snow/slush storm!). I do have a few crocuses and mini daffodils peeking up so that's a nice promise of spring.
S
Hi S! Are you the Morris dancer? If not I bet we'll match you up to our memories before long.
I am quite impressed with the industry and initiative Sherlock is bringing to this birthday surprise - though I'm sure I shouldn't be surprised, given his track history.
-fA
Hi fA, yes, that's me. :) My garland team is gearing up for dancing out again this spring, and the lads have already gone down to DC for the cherry blossom tour.
Hi S.
Gardening is going well here. Glorious weather last weekend.
Sad day today, with the funeral of the officer who died in the attack on parliament. A few of us who could get there got all dressed up in our number ones and joined the officers lining the route.
Sad indeed, Greg.
-fA
Very sad.
I've got little white flowers that I can't remember what they are coming up, but we might get more snow tonight so who knows if they'll make it.
So, we were given a note this morning. Said 'set your alarms for 4.30am. Pack clothes for cool spring weather. Pack walking boots. Pack swimming gear.'
Mysterious....
I'd say good things are in store! Hiking & swimming . . .
-fA
At this point you probably won't see this till it's over, RR, but I hope you've had a good Passover - lots of family and everyone healthy or at least feeling reasonably well!
-fA
ooh adventure time is about to begin! :)
S
Thanks, fA. Unfortunately, my dad is not at all doing well.
Ooh, the adventure is about to begin! Have fun, guys!
Sorry about your dad, RR.
The question we have is...Will we reach our destination before John fully wakes up?
John is asleep at the gate....But we're going to Geneva!
Showing my age, undoubtedly, but I'm hoping to spot a Nemesis agent posing by the big fountain...
Think I've said before, when I was little I considered Craig Sterling to be the pinnacle of human evolution, so I'd be with you on that one. Hope you have a brilliant time.
RE, hope you're doing ok
Well the surprises keep on coming. We aren't going to the hotel...We are going to a bag storage place (despite being dragged along at speed I managed to stop to buy coffee, during which Sherlock audibly tutted and asked the man why his machine was so slow...)...
Because right now we are heading to CERN for a guided tour before they close for Easter! I feel much of what happens next will go over my head...But the boys Will love it.
That is radically cool, hope you enjoy!
How awesome :-)
great organising boys
Oh, WOW!!! I mean, Switzerland is a cool destination by itself, but CERN definitely kicks it up to super-holiday!
What an excellent surprise. :) Well done Sherlock & Mycroft for arranging all that & squeezing in such an exciting beginning to your break. I'm sure it was worth only a marginally quick coffee to get there in time & hopefully you'll be able to indulge more as your holiday goes on.
Have a wonderful time. :)
It was amazing.We were shown around by an actual particle physicist, who got very excited when the boys asked him questions in French. I didn't even understand the questions in English.
I doubt I'd've understood the questions either, but yeah, I would think "amazing" would be very accurate!
wow, what a fantastic trip! :D Do they let you take photos?
S
Holy COW! You have some amazing boys and that's some amazing trip. CERN. I mean, that's unbelievable.
RR, I'm sorry about your dad. Hope you and your family, especially you & your mom, are holding up. You're in my thoughts.
-fA
What an awesome surprise, and how blessed are children whose adults don't stifle their creativity and intelligence.
RR, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Holding you in my thoughts.
Today was a little less taxing on the grey matter... a cable car, a hike, amazing views, glorious sunshine...John's ears and nose are decidedly pink... and then we ran under the fountain and got wet and had ice cream. I feel a fondue is looming large in our future too... cheese here is so good!
Alpine cable cars...mmmmm, sounds equally awesome!
Fairly sure my blood type Will have changed to 'cheese positive' by the end of this trip.
Fondue is GREAT
"cheese positive"! :D
RR, hope things are going better??
S
Up and down, S--thanks for asking.
I have heard that Switzerland has the best cheese because of having grass-fed cows. And melted cheese is the BEST because MELTED!
I think a lot of places have grass fed cows....but the Swiss are good at cheese. And chocolate, but we've tried to stay away from that so far!
Went on a brilliant boat today.
Oh, my yes, Swiss chocolate...
MMMMMMMmmmmmm cheese . . .
Great planning Mycroft & Sherlock!
-fA
Well, we go home tomorrow. Probably still with 'It's FRENCH' ringing in my ears, as I default to pronouncing any new word as Italian, and that irks Sherlock.
Well that was a surprise...Take off and all is normal, land to find we're going to the polls in 6 weeks!
It was certainly a bit sudden - see, that's what happens when you're not here to keep an eye on things. ;)
Sounds like your trip has been amazing. Were you able to fit any clothes back in your suitcase with all the cheese & chocolate you might have brought back, especially if Sherlock had any say in the matter. ;)
So, John, how'd you like your birthday holiday? From here it sounds like you had the best planners on the job!
I'd moan about being back at work... but I could be at home, trying to find John under a mountain of laundry. So i'll keep my head down!
that's the way it always is after a trip, and the longer the trip the more time you need to get caught up at home. :)
S
So true, S! (And the better the vacation, the worse the load feels.)
If anyone sees a mountain of laundry jogging through London's streets, possibly with a cat clinging to it, it may be my husband...
I don't know if 'mound of laundry' is an appropriate fancy dress for a marathon? Or if Maf would need her own number/tag to run.
The important thing would be to ensure the number/tag was on the outside of the mound of laundry. You wouldn't want to accused of not running all the way because a muddy sock covered your number and the tag didn't register ;-)
You GO John! I'm super-impressed - it takes a lot of time, on top of all the mental & physical fortitude - to train for a marathon.
-fA
So, he's in bed....and tomorrow is the big day!!
I have a rucksack with supplies to meet him with, a bit past the halfway mark.
So proud of him.
Best of luck tomorrow, John. I'm sure you'll be amazing & have the best group of supporters there to cheer you on & pick you up when you get to the finish. *\o/*
Have fun tomorrow John :-)
Rooting for you, John!
How goes the marathoning?
He was all done a while ago. Took some time to retrieve him though!
Managed to meet him a few times around the course. I was so proud I cried at Embankment.
I didn't die!
CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN! *insert loud celebratory whistles and thrown confetti here*
(I'm honestly in awe!)
Well done, John. That's just brilliant, a real achievement. :)
Time for some nicely earned R&R and to be spoiled rotten by your worthy supporters. You deserve it. :)
He has been mugged for the contents of his goodie bag, Sherlock is already wearing his finishers t-shirt. But John did keep hold of his medal. And has now eaten the contents of our house, drunk about five mugs of tea and had a hot bath. He is definitely not dead.
I may sleep for a month though, starting any time now...
Thanks, guys :)
You've earned sleeping for a month.
I'm so proud of you.
Love you, Greg.
Love you too.
(Have to say it here, have basically lost my voice from yelling encouragement at sweaty running people all day....)
The sweaty running people appreciated it.
It's a good way to spend a day... ;)
I'm glad it went well John, you deserve a good sleep after all your training :-)
awesome and amazing! A accomplishment to be proud of all around!
Congratulations! What an accomplishment, John, I'm so happy for you.
Congratulations, John! That's a lotta miles! And Greg, sounds like you were hugely successful in your support! (Did Sherlock follow John 'round the course with you?)
Be kind to yourself for the next day or two if your body needs it, John . . .
-fA
Both boys came to support John.
Sherlock had a lot of questions regarding the choice of fancy dress for some runners. He also ate more jelly babies than most runners.
I PROMISE to Sherlock that I will sort out our photos from Geneva and do a post soon. He's made me swear.
In other news, why, in late April, when John still has sunburnt ears, does the first break I get today - to attempt to find a sandwich and a decent coffee at gone 5pm - involve BEING SNOWED ON?? It's not right.
I bet Sherlock is happy about both the promise and the snow!
we had snow here today, too. Blech.
Whereas we look like we've just ended the last "cool" spell, and all days henceforth until October will hit 90 Fahrenheit or higher. WEATHER.
-fA
I know what you mean, fA--it's supposed to be in the low 80s today and tomorrow! But at least 80s is not so miserable as 90s...and it is supposed to go back to 60s and 70s after Saturday here. (But I still ran around unwrapping all the air conditioners, just in case!)
My goodness--how did it get to be May already? (Hey, happy Star Wars day! :) )
I was wondering--has Sherlock made a decision about next year? I know there's time yet, I was just curious.
(Well, that's weird--I just got a message that my comment will be visible after approval. Have you been having a problem with spam, John?)
7 murders in ten days.
I really don't understnd people
That sounds a horrible reason for being so busy, sorry you're having to cope with all that, Greg, and I hope you find the culprits quickly.
Hope you've recovered from all your exertions now, John. Have you got the Marathon bug out of your system or has it only inspired you on to do more. :)
Not a good week, L. I'm sorry. :(
I'd really like to do more! Now that it's over, it was, in retrospect, a lot of fun.
re: the comments - I have it set to moderate comments on old posts and this is now officially an old post, apparently. I need to change that time limit, if only I can find the right setting... I know I've done it before...
How time flies when you're having fun, John!
I really will try to do a post. If for no other reason than Sherlock will kill me if I don't.
But I also need him to choose 1 picture to put in it, not 200....
Joolz - we often do find the culprits quickly, but sometimes it feels like you're just making an ever expanding web of ruined lives.
200 pictures is more like an Instagram account than a blog post.
:)
Post a Comment