We’ve been harvesting at the allotment recently. I asked Sherlock to take pictures because my hands were muddy, and that is why we have one photo of the garlic and twenty blurry shots of bees. I should have known how that was going to end, really.
He also took a dead bee home to look at under his microscope so expect potential photos of a dead bee in extreme closeup if we can work out how to take pictures through the microscope.
So…the marathon was good, especially in retrospect! Although honestly it wasn’t that bad even while I was running it. Definitely difficult, but not the hardest thing I’ve ever done — anything that lacks camel spiders and desert heat is automatically less difficult than anything that doesn’t. (No, Greg, I am not still thinking about the Marathon des Sables. Much. Don’t worry.)
But there are other ultramarathons with far lower risk of death… This one for instance.
I don’t know if it’s reasonable to except to be able to do that by October though, haven’t read up on it at all. Might be better to wait till next year, but we’ll see.
In other news, Roger Federer won Wimbledon again and all is right with the world. And my lovely husband bought me the limited edition T-shirt. Love it, and him.
(Greg's cranky because I'm threatening to sleep in it. Not sure if that's because he'd rather I didn't wear a shirt at all or if it's because he feels he can't compete with eight Wimbledon titles.)
He also took a dead bee home to look at under his microscope so expect potential photos of a dead bee in extreme closeup if we can work out how to take pictures through the microscope.
So…the marathon was good, especially in retrospect! Although honestly it wasn’t that bad even while I was running it. Definitely difficult, but not the hardest thing I’ve ever done — anything that lacks camel spiders and desert heat is automatically less difficult than anything that doesn’t. (No, Greg, I am not still thinking about the Marathon des Sables. Much. Don’t worry.)
But there are other ultramarathons with far lower risk of death… This one for instance.
I don’t know if it’s reasonable to except to be able to do that by October though, haven’t read up on it at all. Might be better to wait till next year, but we’ll see.
In other news, Roger Federer won Wimbledon again and all is right with the world. And my lovely husband bought me the limited edition T-shirt. Love it, and him.
(Greg's cranky because I'm threatening to sleep in it. Not sure if that's because he'd rather I didn't wear a shirt at all or if it's because he feels he can't compete with eight Wimbledon titles.)
92 comments:
I dunno, John--anything that involves running 50 miles--uphill--in one day is alarming to me!
I love the t-shirt, and am looking forward to seeing bee closeups if they can be managed!
(Query: Is there a reason all the regular text here is in italics, or is that just my browser?)
Both! Eight titles is ridiculous. And anything covering you up in bed is also ridiculous.
No italics for me, RR. Maybe a browser thing?)
Possibly, L--but it's still italic even though I changed default fonts and deleted all cookies and so on, and it's italic in both Safari and Chrome. *goes off muttering to self about possible corrupted fonts in Bloggers template*
AHA! It was a problem font used by Blogger's default template! (Times New Roman, of all things.) Now fixed.
(I shoulda been a coder.)
In bed. Then "Roger" is an invitation. Altough possibly only someone of a certain age would understand.
Rider - who is clearly of a certain age.
Totally an invitation Rider, I'm sure Greg never ever thought of that though ;-)
Bees are amazing things so I'm sure we'd all enjoy the close ups if the microscope allows.
That race looks terrifying John but a marathon seems impossible to most people and you managed that so why not? ;-)
I've discovered that if you use words like 'impossible' 'insane' 'terrifying' to John, he hears things like 'great idea!' 'amazing' 'you should definitely do it!'. There's clearly an issue with the universal translator.
You're right, Rider, it definitely looks like an inviting tick list. ;) It looks to me like John wearing that is saying he's open to all possibilities, Greg, including having you remove that 'ridiculous' clothing as a good start. ;)
You'll have to get Sherlock to work on a new kind of translator, maybe a bee in the ear if he can't use a fish. ;)
Hello again all. Glad the tennis had a satisfactory outcome! I've been AWOL for boring practical reasons (work, family) nothing dramatic or unfortunate. Hope everyone is doing well - or as well as can be expected.
I don't think that Lakes in a Day run looks anywhere near as alarming - the course itself isn't going to kill anyone unless they cooperate with it. An experienced soldier & doctor isn't going to do that by pushing too hard, getting too tired and falling off the wrong switchback or not listening to their body's line between "this hurts" and "this is damaging me severely." Right????
I'd say the toughest part of that run would be training for it. Is there anywhere within an hour or so of London that could simulate that kind of rugged climbing?
-fA
You make a good point, fA. I suppose there's treadmills with inclines, but that seems awfully dull.
I bet you could work around it - I'm sure there's a building where people run stairs somewhere about. And it wouldn't be tragic to have to commit to as many out-of-town weekends in scenic spots as the work schedules permit . . . I'm willing to bet you two both have plenty of unused leave, and Sherlock seems to have liked your outdoor adventures just fine.
:-)
-fA
You make a good point, fA! ;)
I half want to encourage you because you'd be an excellent lakes runner. And half don't because it would make me feel awfully lazy...which is very self centred of me.
L - you still have to be there to catch me when I collapse, remember? ;)
Not to mention leading Sherlock on less grueling but still physically demanding adventures AND following where his active mind goes whilst John trains! That is not a task for a lazy man.
-fA
Danger - there's no tube for us to follow you around the lakes on! London was easy ;)
fA - you're not encouraging me here!
Sometimes...sadness really does feel like it drains every bit of energy from you. And somehow, it seems wrong, when it isn't really your sadness at all, but on the behalf of others. And I hope, somewhere, there are universes parallel to our own where good people do not die young.
Empathy is never wrong, Greg. Inconvenient or painful sometimes, but not wrong. Sorry you're having one of those days.
-fA
What fA said, L. We need more empathy in the world, not less.
Well, on a different note... just when you think your husband cannot get any more amazing, somehow he does.
Þakka þér fyrir, Hætta!
Sounds like your having a good day Greg :-D
Great work John whatever you've been up to ;-)
Happy birthday, love. How on earth did you get your phone to type that?
My phone? You mean...you don't believe my fluent Icelandic?? And that I just changed the keyboard and wrote it?
I'll have you know I'm a very talented linguist...
(Okay, okay, Mycroft helped me copy and paste it from google translate. But it is almost as hard to copy and paste on a phone screen as it is to learn Icelandic, so.)
AnonyBob - once again, everyone in my life has been incredibly sneaky, and this morning I was hustled off to an airport....and have ended up in Iceland! (The country, not the food store...). We have a large 4x4 and a map.... adventure awaits! And probably elves.
how absolutely awesome :-D sneaky, amazing and wonderful family are just what you need on your special day!
Enjoy the adventure and the elves.
I feel sure there will be elves.
There will not be elves. They are entirely fictitious.
There will be stunning scenery and beautiful natural phenomena.
You can't know that for sure Mycroft not until you've properly looked ;-)
I'm preeeeeettty sure the elves won't like being told they don't exist. Don't make them angry, Mycroft! We've got exploring to do. I don't want to be kidnapped by irritated elves.
Happy birthday, Greg :-)
Brilliant work, John. I hear Iceland is fantastic.
Mycroft, given that the Icelandic government employ someone to liaise with the elves on building projects, and they re-route roads around elf homes, I'm not sure it's a good idea for you to be quite so dismissive. As least until you've left the country :-)
Happy birthday, L!
Iceland! How about reindeer? If you can't find elves, maybe you can visit some reindeer!
This whole place seems...not quit magical, but...like another world. Like an alien landscape. So beautiful. Saw some water today so clear you could see into it for metres and metres. Just stunning.
Even without elves I think I'm a bit jealous!
Photos. One cannot be properly jealous without a photo or two!
Excellent work you not-elves who planned (John & Mycroft?) and prepared and KEPT IT SECRET! (VERY well done Sherlock. I'm sure you knew before Greg and it must have been a challenge not to even give hints!
-fA
Happy birthdays and holidays. It sounds like a wonderful time is being had by all. Well done to the organisers for some excellent secret plans and I hope you see some amazing things, whether elf created or not. Are you going to make it to that volcano whilst you're there too, that's supposed to be stunning? Have fun. :)
Everything is stunning!
We got up before dawn today to see some icebergs - well worth it. And seems we're having far better weather than home, which sounds like it's underwater.
It's hard to believe we're on the same planet sometimes.
Wow! Wow wow wow!
Well that sounds pretty amazing. I can't help thinking what fabulous experiences (both foreign and domestic) you all have as a family.
Would love to know what Sherlock finds most interesting.
-fA
So yesterday we arrived back in Reykjavik, to have a look around the city...and it was pride! So naturally we joined in. Never felt more welcome anywhere, I don't think. It was beautiful weather, beautiful people, even some of the buildings had been painted with rainbows!
FANTASTIC!
Sounds like an all-round marvelous trip!
-fA
Sounds like an amazing trip!
Having now been back at work a few days...I want to go back to Iceland. Be amazing to see more of it. What we saw was only a little bit, and was completely stunning.
The caretaker at my primary school had been to Iceland and had a ton of old cine film of the place, we go shown it at the end of term once, it really made me want to go even then. So I'm quite jealous really!
It's always hard to get back to work after a holiday, even a normal one, it must be so much harder after super-holidays like you lot have!!
When does school start up again? So many of the ads I see on TV now are for back-to-school stuff, so it must be soon, no? (And where did Sherlock decided on, or is that for next year?)
Iceland seems to be a very popular destination these days, and you seem to be a great representative for why that is!
-fA
(RR, kids went back to school yesterday, here. But they start summer vacation earlier than most as well.)
-fA
These wildly variable school schedules fascinate me, especially since everyone feels the schedule they grew up with is the only one that makes sense. (Including me!)
I have travel envy again! What a great trip! hard to believe summer is nearly over.
I will never run a marathon, but i do have a new fitness program. My old riding mower finally died and i have a new walk behind (with push button start, thank goodness). Im good for about 1/2-3/4 hr each morning, so in a good week i can get all the way round the yard. I get the upper body workout pushing it under the bushes and chipping away at the edges of the jungle, which i couldnt do on the rider.
S
Happy anniversary to the love of my life. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! You make me the happiest man alive, every day.
I love you, Greg. I'm so glad we found each other.
A very Happy Anniversary to the two of you!
Happy anniversary indeed, when you feel that way about each other. Wishing you many more!
-fA
Happy anniversary guys, I hope there's been cake :-D
Great forces of the universe brought us together.... well, Mrs H, which is the same thing.
There has been cake. There has been silk and flowers and far too much kissing for Sherlock's liking.
Cake, flowers, and kissing are all excellent things for celebrating anniversaries! (Silk could be excellent, too, depending on silk whats.... ;) )
Late to the party, but many congratulations on your anniversary. You're a great couple of guys and it's so nice to see people as happy as you two clearly are. Did you go out for a nice meal or maybe even manage an evening away to celebrate. Here's to many more. :)
Most of our regular schools tend to go back in the first full week of September (in this case Tuesday 5th),RR, but the posh schools are usually a little earlier. It does indeed vary greatly from different countries, doesn't it.
Enjoy your weekend everyone. :)
Hey! How's everyone doing? We are in the middle of the Labor Day weekend in the US, so that makes a break, which I'm sure we can all use...
Well, Sherlock starts school tomorrow. So....we will see. Hopefully all will be well.
Best of luck, Sherlock. I'm sure you'll have great fun with so many exciting new things to learn then you can come home & enjoy telling John & Greg all about it. :)
A new school year is always exciting (and a bit nervous-making)! Is it a new school, too?
Good luck to you Sherlock! There's generally good and bad things about change, I hope you find many more good!
Hope you have a good quarterfinal match to watch tomorrow John (I just assume that you manage to see Federer's match somehow, disregarding the demands daily life can make on your time.)
-fA
I hope the first day of school left you at least cautiously hopeful, Sherlock--well, actually I hope you thoroughly enjoyed yourself!
Well, there is no wailing and gnashing of teeth about going to school tomorrow. I think we can class it as a success so far. His favourite bits are the science labs and what used to be called 'woodwork'.... except they've got a laser cutter and all sorts. He likes that.
It sounds like a school that understands the advantages of hands-on learning, which is pretty awesome.
I hope you keep finding things you like about it, Sherlock!
When is the first parent-teacher conference? (I assume you have some routine early-in-the-year visit, even if you don't call it that?) It's always interesting to get a different view and compare it to what the kids think worthy of mentioning at home.
-fA
Well goddammit. You Londonites ought to be able to effing go to work in the morning in peace.
-fA
I just saw the news, too, fA, and YES.
I hope you all are okay.
Shana tova--a happy new year--to all! (The Jewish new year begins tonight. :) )
("Card" back here!)
Shana tova to you, RR! Hope you and your family have a restorative celebration as well as a happy one - the first without your dad must be bittersweet.
- fA
Shana Tova RR! Best wishes for the new year to you and your loved ones.
Thank you both!
I'm off work. Creating an outrageous cake for the birthday boy (who has registered a formal protest that he has to go to school)
How old is Sherlock now? 11 or 12-ish? (sorry Sherlock for not remembering. Time just rushes by as one gets older.)
Happy Birthday anyway! Enjoy your cake!
-fA
He's right, it's totally wrong to have to do things on your birthday. Outrageous cake sounds like I nice reward for doing it though :-D
Happy birthday Sherlock. Hope you had a great day even though you had to go to school and that you had great fun and lots of celebrations when you got home again. :)
Happy birthday, Sherlock--I apologize for being so late, but I was offline for the holiday and Shabbat. Still, it just means your birthday lasts longer, right? Hope you had a great birthday weekend!
So did you all go somewhere special for Sgerlock's birthday? (Or is that yet to come?)
We haven't been on a trip. Things are a bit busy. He's settling into school okay though.
Hates wearing his tie - I can sympathise with that though.
The school I went to (which was awful) didn't insist on ties and blazers and had blue shirts as part of the uniform, I was really quite old when I worked through the politics of the thing when compared to the ex grammar school up the road who, for girls had only just abandoned the beret!
Settling in is good. (I don't like anything snug around my neck myself, so I quite sympathize as well.)
Happy birthday, pandabob!
(Assuming LJ knows what it's talking about... )
Thanks RR 21 again ;-) and being spoilt rotten by my three (not so little) monkeys
I'm glad Sherlock's settling in ok Greg, change is never easy but often necessary :-)
21 is a great age no matter how often you celebrate it! ;)
Well glad you've had a good one, pandabob!
-fA
I know I'm being petty, ok? But I am not sad to see all the . . . um . . . "mistaken" individuals I know who bleat on about how much more *interesting* men's soccer (football) is to watch compared to women's [as justification for the egregious income differential] digesting that World Cup performance.
-fA
(to be accurate, World Cup-qualifier performance)
-fA
This is totally beyond amazing! (I'm sure Mycroft already knows all about it...): LIGO Detects Fierce Collision of Neutron Stars for the First Time
Well, glad the world didn't end after yesterday's apocalyptic skies... Here in London the sun was red and the clouds somehow yellow, even though it was very dark. Very weird.
The photos I've seen of that are very weird indeed. Small planet, isn't it?
Sorry we've been so quiet.
Sherlock has had (we hope) a nice half term, and is ready to return to the fray of school. It's had its ups and downs - a big change for all of us, especially him, but it seems he's enjoying it more than not...mostly.
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