I suppose I'll be offering this one without comment as well, since I can't think of anything useful to say. There are bits of it on youtube, but not the bits I wanted to show you.
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I don't know if this embedding deal is actually going to work (it's not showing up on post preview), so I'm going to link it as well.
Inside Afghanistan part 1
Inside Afghanistan part 2
And now for something completely different, since I don't especially want to talk about the first part of this post - i.e. liquid nitrogen ice cream.
This is the place Lestrade told Sherlock about, and if Sherlock hadn't already decided L would be taking us there, I would have. It looks completely amazing. Most things to do with ice cream and liquid nitrogen separately are amazing, so combining them can only be a winner. (Things that will always be as amazing to me as when I was five: liquid nitrogen, tadpoles, bugs. There might be more. I'll let you know.)
On the last day of my astronomy course at uni they passed around a pretty sizable container of liquid nitrogen and let us dip things in it - whatever we wanted. No attempt was made to relate it to astronomy, just "Hey, it's the last day, and this is really cool!" And it was. The girl sitting next to me froze about a foot of her hair and snapped it off. Most original way to get a haircut I've seen to this day.
I told Mycroft about that when we were walking the dogs yesterday (for about three hours; they were almost tired at the end of it), and he said it was a good thing I hadn't told Sherlock before they got the liquid nitrogen demo in school or he would've come home bald. Probably true. I hope Mrs T and her guest teacher are keeping a close eye on that stuff. I'm sure Sherlock's not the only one fascinated with it. Oh, and speaking of guests, L, you're not alone - Mycroft's tutor Ms P is doing a talk tomorrow to Sherlock's class as well, on Jupiter and its moons I think.
Also vaguely on the subject of school, Mycroft said he wants self defense lessons. I'm not surprised, but I am sad he thinks he thinks it'll be necessary. I'm sad it's something he feels the need to think about at all.
Edited for clarity after reading a few of the comments - Self defense in general, I am all for. It's that his sudden interest has been brought on by the thought of going away to school in September. That's what gets to me. He shouldn't have to worry about that.
-
I don't know if this embedding deal is actually going to work (it's not showing up on post preview), so I'm going to link it as well.
Inside Afghanistan part 1
Inside Afghanistan part 2
And now for something completely different, since I don't especially want to talk about the first part of this post - i.e. liquid nitrogen ice cream.
This is the place Lestrade told Sherlock about, and if Sherlock hadn't already decided L would be taking us there, I would have. It looks completely amazing. Most things to do with ice cream and liquid nitrogen separately are amazing, so combining them can only be a winner. (Things that will always be as amazing to me as when I was five: liquid nitrogen, tadpoles, bugs. There might be more. I'll let you know.)
On the last day of my astronomy course at uni they passed around a pretty sizable container of liquid nitrogen and let us dip things in it - whatever we wanted. No attempt was made to relate it to astronomy, just "Hey, it's the last day, and this is really cool!" And it was. The girl sitting next to me froze about a foot of her hair and snapped it off. Most original way to get a haircut I've seen to this day.
I told Mycroft about that when we were walking the dogs yesterday (for about three hours; they were almost tired at the end of it), and he said it was a good thing I hadn't told Sherlock before they got the liquid nitrogen demo in school or he would've come home bald. Probably true. I hope Mrs T and her guest teacher are keeping a close eye on that stuff. I'm sure Sherlock's not the only one fascinated with it. Oh, and speaking of guests, L, you're not alone - Mycroft's tutor Ms P is doing a talk tomorrow to Sherlock's class as well, on Jupiter and its moons I think.
Also vaguely on the subject of school, Mycroft said he wants self defense lessons. I'm not surprised, but I am sad he thinks he thinks it'll be necessary. I'm sad it's something he feels the need to think about at all.
Edited for clarity after reading a few of the comments - Self defense in general, I am all for. It's that his sudden interest has been brought on by the thought of going away to school in September. That's what gets to me. He shouldn't have to worry about that.
25 comments:
Might I suggest Judo for Mycroft? It's a full-contact martial art (which is useful if you ever want it to have practical applications) which is nevertheless fairly safe (as safe as anything involving fighting can be.) My father, brother, sister, and husband have all done Judo. My dad once put his training to use to avoid getting shot (and subsequently stabbed, because his attacker was drunk and angry and didn't know when to give up.)
Anyway. Judo: as safe as any martial art can be, involves both standing and grappling techniques. Eminently practical.
The videos look interesting. I'll have to watch them when I get back from grocery shopping.
God keep you, Danger Watson. I think you and Lestrade are the perfect people to teach Mycroft a good blend of physical and persuasive power.
On a much lighter note, which I think you'll appreciate, today the chow hall had orange juice, bananas, and strawberry yogurt. Combat smoothie!
Don't feel sad about Mycroft wanting self-defence lessons, I think it'd be good for him! I mean, aside from the obvious (protecting himself in case he's attacked--though let's hope that never happens!), it could give him a great physical condition, as well as strength, confidence and knowledge of his own body. I think that could be good for a young teen, uh? :) I took a few months of Wu Shu after dropping out for being too lazy to go on, but I loved it and it did me well. Aikido is also very good, a friend of mine practised that for a couple of years and she still remembers some moves! So hopefully whatever martial art he chooses will do him well. :)
My favourite liquid nitrogen thing was to plunge my hand into a vat of it in front of schoolkids on their uni interview tours :)
(Done quickly, the stuff next to your skin evaporates and insulates you from the rest. Done straight after freezing a rose - and then smashing it - it gets absolutely *awesome* reactions :D)
J
I'd suggest Muay Thai or Kickboxing, because I love both. But it's possible that Mycroft is too young for it? I don't know the age limits in your country.
Mycroft - You should try different martial arts and find out which one you like best. I'm sure that you'll find one that you'll like. They're all a lot of fun.
I know what you mean about feeling sad, John. But as long as it isn't something he feels he has to force himself to do (ie something he doesn't actually enjoy) it can be tremendous fun. I was the sort who always hated exercise and physical education, but I found a tremendous amount of joy and peace in teaching my body to do what I told it.
Does Mycroft want just general self-defense, or does he actually want to learn a martial art? I would think the latter would be more interesting and more practical, generally. I personally learned shotokan karate, which I love; but it always struck me as a more form-based martial art.
I think Judo is probably a good choice. Aikido also emphasizes throws and grappling, with the ability to overcome stronger opponents by using their strength against them.
Danger, I'm sure we can get him into some master sessions of different ones. See what he enjoys. And between you and I we can teach him some self defence anyway.
I took true self-defense. Thus I fight filthy filthy dirty. I mean, pinching, hair-pulling, sensitive-parts grabbing. Hell, even licking. I once got out of a fight because someone pinned my hands, so I licked his ear. He was so disconcerted he let go. So I hit him in the head with a book.
I try not to fight very much, really. But, Lord knows I did in middle school.
Good luck, Mycroft!
TTFN,
Bronwyn
J - someone in our class tried that too. There was a collective gasp of horror and then sigh of relief when her hand didn't fall off and shatter on the floor.
Desert Wanderer - but was it strawberry on the bottom or strawberry flavour all the way through? It's an important distinction.
Everyone - I'd be quite relieved if he'd picked a martial art, or was interested in picking a martial art. He wants us to teach him.
The teacher is at least as important as the art.
First you need a teacher who can teach him in the way that works for him, my guess is he needs the explanation type, not the monkey see monkey do type. Someone who explains why things work, and who also understands about how to think before a fight.
I studied under a fencing master trained in Italy who was very good at explaining why you did this and not that, why you held your hand here and not there, how you should approach your opponent, how you think about what their movements and reactions mean. Perfect for an intellectual type!
If he wants it for self defence, then he needs someone who knows about what to do before anything happens: how to read people, how to manouver them into being where you want them. I strongly suspect you should involve Anthea in this, a woman with her position is going to have a very good idea about what I mean.
It's all about confidence that he can manage when there isn't an adult (or a dog) to back him up. Schoolyard fights are mostly about theatrics and dominance games, the martial art will give him confidence he won't be an easy mark, the reading people before the fight will help him not have to.
I wrote a big comment but it was lost lol. So cliffnotes...
I did Karate, loved it. Started at 6, black belt by 11.
I have a huge family and between 2 and 4 of my older cousins were in the same class. It helped a lot, though they did basically use me as a punching bag. This also helped (with life).
I think the bottom line is: all martial arts are great for discipline, self-confidence, work-ethic and kicking ass when called for.
:-)
He wants us to teach him? Hmmm. It'll take a lot of reminding me before I manage to knock you down/have you knock me down without trying to ravish you.
Although that could work...but Mycroft would get a black belt in eye rolling first.
I think he's already got that black belt. And one in disappointed sighs, too.
I think it might be better if it were you and Anthea teaching him.
Anthea, maybe...
but I slightly fat middle aged copper teaching him self defence, when he has a highly trained ex-British Army soldier on hand? I don't think so.
Or do you just have a strange wish to see Anthea wipe the floor with me?
It would be the closest I'd ever got to making it with a woman, pretty much, I suppose. (Sorry Anthea, not meaning to be disrespectful. But I do wonder, sometimes, what all the fuss is about...)
But I do wonder, sometimes, what all the fuss is about...
You wouldn't like it. Put it entirely out of your mind.
I just think it's a better idea, that's all. And you're not even slightly fat, stop that.
I was very confused by that comment at first...
It started telling me to put things out of my mind, and then told me you thought they were a better idea. I was beginning to think I'd lost you to Anthea...
And I am at the very least 'slightly' fat, because I spend too much time behind a desk and not enough time doing most types of exercise. And even the one type I do get I don't get enough of, because of silly things like sleep getting in the way.
You know I'd started out thinking school yard bully and was trying to think of things that would give him the confidence to deal with peers. Then I remembered that he was once over powered by a bigger, stronger adult. Martial arts are great for lots of reasons, but I doubt it would have helped him much then. And really probably nothing would have helped. But I can certainly see why he would want self defense and why he would only want to learn from adults he already knows and respects and trusts. I think it's a very good sign that he's asked you at all.
I think my major point was that I've got enough competition as it is; I don't need the entire other half of the population thinking they've got a chance with you too! Remember the disappointed queeb.
You've got no competition! No one else has a chance. Promise.
kholly - Yeah, he mentioned that as well, and I agree there wasn't much he could've done in that situation, unfortunately.
As for the school...I really do hope he's worrying needlessly, but obviously I can't promise him that. It's a good skill to have in any case.
I also can't help wondering if he doesn't want to make sure to have some time with you before he goes away. In which case Anthea & Co. are definitely not going to fill the bill.
Mycroft seems like the sort to try to anticipate everything. So: Academics? Well taken care of. Security? Anthea and the dogs; taken care of. Pecking order fighting? Hm, best take care of that.
Don't I remember your saying that he'd refused to go back to school before whatever level y'all call this? If that was due to his peers, this could just be old memories coming up.
Although I agree it's a shame he has to think about it, most kids do, one way or the other. I'm more than a little amazed Max hasn't had more problems with being beat up, especially with his social issues. On that note, if that's what he's concerned about, is there someone at school he, or you, can speak with and get honest information?
Humantales - Maybe if we start off helping him out he might decide he'd like to continue honing his skills with some 'proper' lessons.
(one look at all my scars should be sufficient to tell him I'm not exactly good at avoiding trouble.)
And I'm sure we'll all be spending as much time with him as possible. We'll have to get int ouch with the school more when we go for visits etc.
Danger - new blog is very...err...urban chic? Grunge? i don't know what people call it. Maybe one day Mycroft wold help me change mine. But i'm a bit stuck in my ways.
Interesting new layout Doctor!
I started learning a martial art just after I left (escaped??) my ex. Was very cathartic. Then again, it also trashed my back and destroyed my knee. I can however still use the techniques I learnt. The best thing was that the senior sensi also worked as a bouncer and periodically used lessons to show us how to change the traditional moves we needed for gradings into self defence. As I am very small he did encourage a somewhat fluid acknowlegment of fair play on my part though - go for the bollocks being the first part of any review of my bouts!
Although time and medical intervention have stopped me going to lessons the stuff I learned there has stayed - especially the idea that I can fight back - and that fighting dirty is allowed and in some cases to be positively encouraged!!
This ramble is to say maybe Mycroft needs the internal boost. He may have run the house and everything else before but school is a whole different thing, and self esteem is a fragile glass ornament that needs taken care of and protected.
######
On a totally different note I watched the vids. Glad you are still here. Amazed you are in one piece. Hope all can come home eventually.
Kira
xoxo
humantales - if that's what he's concerned about, is there someone at school he, or you, can speak with and get honest information?
That is what he's concerned about, yeah. He had a really hard time of it at his last school. And I don't think Harrow's going to particularly forthcoming with the likes of me on that subject, but maybe his mum can talk to someone there.
I'm glad things haven't been too hard for your boy. God knows schools can be more Lord of the Flies than most adults really want to think about.
L - I just wanted a change! I don't know how you can stare at the same layout for months on end.
Kira - Good on your teacher. Fair play has no place in a fight where someone's genuinely trying to hurt you (as opposed to practice, I mean), especially when they're bigger than you are - and unfortunately most people are going to be bigger than Mycroft for a while yet.
I'm often amazed myself. And yet I would've gone back in a heartbeat if they'd let me.
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