RR wanted to know about any celebrity encounters I might've had, and Random Anon Lurker wanted teenage celebrity crushes (although that might've been meant just for L, but I'm answering anyway).
Last one first: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Robin Sparkles (shut it), Angelina Jolie, DeForest Kelley...and I don't know if fictional characters count, but if they do, then Archie Goodwin and Lily Rowan, both from the Nero Wolfe mysteries. It's an odd collection, I know.
I don't know what else to say about the crushes - I certainly have no explanation for them - but if you have specific questions, you're welcome to ask.
Celebrity encounters... Well, there was one with someone you've never heard of, but for an Army surgeon, he was a celebrity. He'd been around forever, gone just about everywhere, awarded the George Cross for retrieving five injured soldiers from a mine field all on his own, nearly died of his wounds afterward. Basically, he was who I wanted to be when I grew up.
He was with us briefly in Kosovo, pre-haunted-mental-hospital. They'd sent him to do a report on medicine in modern warfare. That was about the time they were finally making adjustments in procedure for the fact that we were treating as many local civilian casualties as military - if not more.
He was very quiet. Barely there, really. It was funny, because the stories I'd heard about him made him seem like the sort of person who could fill up a room just by walking into it, if you know what I mean. He seemed very old to me at the time - in fact, I think he was about five years older than I am now. He watched everything, listened to everyone. I think I ended up telling him a lot more about myself than I meant to, almost certainly more than he wanted to hear.
I don't know if I'd call him kind, exactly, but he was very present. Mrs Holmes reminds me a bit of him actually, in that respect. I'm still honoured to have met him.
Last one first: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Robin Sparkles (shut it), Angelina Jolie, DeForest Kelley...and I don't know if fictional characters count, but if they do, then Archie Goodwin and Lily Rowan, both from the Nero Wolfe mysteries. It's an odd collection, I know.
I don't know what else to say about the crushes - I certainly have no explanation for them - but if you have specific questions, you're welcome to ask.
Celebrity encounters... Well, there was one with someone you've never heard of, but for an Army surgeon, he was a celebrity. He'd been around forever, gone just about everywhere, awarded the George Cross for retrieving five injured soldiers from a mine field all on his own, nearly died of his wounds afterward. Basically, he was who I wanted to be when I grew up.
He was with us briefly in Kosovo, pre-haunted-mental-hospital. They'd sent him to do a report on medicine in modern warfare. That was about the time they were finally making adjustments in procedure for the fact that we were treating as many local civilian casualties as military - if not more.
He was very quiet. Barely there, really. It was funny, because the stories I'd heard about him made him seem like the sort of person who could fill up a room just by walking into it, if you know what I mean. He seemed very old to me at the time - in fact, I think he was about five years older than I am now. He watched everything, listened to everyone. I think I ended up telling him a lot more about myself than I meant to, almost certainly more than he wanted to hear.
I don't know if I'd call him kind, exactly, but he was very present. Mrs Holmes reminds me a bit of him actually, in that respect. I'm still honoured to have met him.
85 comments:
Still think you should wear your denim jacket to the surgery. Sarah might be a fan!..
Come to bed? Don't want you falling asleep tomorrow either. And I could sort of do with a neck rub, if you wanted?
The neck rub, yes. The jacket, not a chance. Be there in a second.
Thanks, John!
I'm fascinated by the surgeon you described--he sounds like a very unusual person. It also sounds like you can close your eyes and see him still, which makes him a strong personality--and like someone who really made a deep impression on you.
(And YES! for Archie Goodwin and Lily Rowan! And of course Nero Wolfe is a great character, but not someone to have a crush on. :))
I really don't deserve you, you wonderful man
I love you. Go to sleep.
RR - he made quite an impression, yes. I wish I could've known him better.
Danger, I like you more and more each day. DeForrest Kelley! And Archie Goodwin (though I never cared for Lily)! What an eclectic (but lovely) mix. They're all people with presence and personalities all their own. Much like you and Lestallion. :)
I felt much the same way you did when I met Hal Moore (the guy from "We Were Soldiers." Such unassuming men to have done such things...
Fantastic taste in celebrity crushes, John. Although some of those seem a bit obvious - nobody with a pulse doesn't have a crush on Angelina Jolie - and if Greg says he doesn't, he's either lying or his jealousy over her claim on Brad Pitt has overridden the essential human crush reaction, and he can't convince me otherwise.
And who doesn't have a bit of a lingering crush on DeForest Kelley and his blue, blue eyes?
Sorry, Random--but although I definitely have a pulse, I do not have a crush on Angelina Jolie. (I hesitate to say this in light of your obvious disagreement, but I don't even think she's very attractive. Tastes do differ, you know!)
OTOH, Bogart and Hepburn? Yesss!
I forever forever adore Tim DeKay, DeForest Kelley and Simon Pegg. Oh! And Adam Baldwin. And Matt Bomer. And Peter Wingfield. And I'll stop now.
Bronwyn
Random - sorry, but...really don't see the attraction. I mean, I can see why people say she's beautiful, but really doesn't do it for me. Or Brad. Her ex is a bit more like it...
Which ex?
Hey, John! Thank you so much for answering my question in your previous post - the dead bird story made me blink very hard, and the whole post was so very much what I wanted, a kind of "this is what it means to me to have a sibling" summary. As much as my little brother can be . . . difficult sometimes, I cannot imagine my life or the person I'd be without him.
And I'm pleased as punch that your first day at the surgery went well! They're not doing what L's work does and putting up pictures of the staff? If they did, I'd anticipate your caseload would increase exponentially.
Hey, Sherlock, my friend Kate L's suggestions for a fun outing on the last post reminded me: the college I went to was part of a university that had, as one of its affiliates, an agricultural college (no, this is not a Martin Crieff story). My boyfriend at the time attended the agricultural college, and once he took me to see the infamous "glass cow," which I couldn't believe really existed, but it did. It was a live cow that had been in some fairly horrible accident and needed major surgery to pull through, and apparently the powers that be at the college decided to make the cow a living lesson - they put a plastic panel in the cow so that you can see its internal organs and watch digestive and respiratory and circulatory functions. (At my request, my boyfriend kept pinching me as we stood in front of the cow and watched her calmly chewing her cud. I think he enjoyed the pinching.)
Billy Bob Thornton, Google tells me, RR. Far more interesting to look at than a quarter of an inch of make up (on her or Brad). He's got a face full of handsome character.
Oh, definitely! but then, I don't find Brad Pitt particularly attractive. (I asked because she was married twice before--her first husband was Jonny Lee Miller (according to Wikipedia, which is always right.)
If we're divvying up Angelina Jolie's exes and Angelina herself is off the table, I'm staking my claim for Jonny Lee Miller. I just want to bite his nose, it's so cute.
Ah, I see. I didn't know. My celebrity knowledge is a bit poor.
None of them are a patch on Danger though. :)
You say that to someone who had to go to Wikipedia because I didn't know Jolie had an ex...
His nose, innie?!
(I confess, most of my celebrity crushes have to with the voice more than the looks. To each their own!)
Meh, not really much for Angelina Jolie either. A lot of the movie star types nowadays just look too plastic to me. 'course I am regarded as a freak of nature for not finding Sean Connery at all attractive either, so.
His nose, RR - take a look at it and tell me it's not ridiculously biteable. Plus he's very talented as a stage and screen actor. And he's done the Austen rounds, which means I can play breeches bingo with him!
p.s. Lestrade, despite this paean to JLM, I'm going to have to agree with you. And pinch your cheek for being so cutely proud of your man.
Proud of him, in awe of him, humbled by him, and bloody lucky to have him, Innie.
Oh definitely Humphrey Bogart and I like Robert Mitchum as well.
Although I'm going to have to go with innie, but add that it should be both of you, not just Danger.
Dangerous one, if you want to do lunch, say the word. If you're too busy, no worries. Hope you're having a good day. Love you.
Yeah, if you can come soonish? Sorry, it's been a bit mad here.
If the Doc says no, hop on over to the States. There's plenty of us on the Eastern Seaboard who'll have lunch with you. ;)
Hush you, that's my DI. Also...Danger Wanderer? Heh.
(Man, teasing/joking never comes across right on the internet)
The Jolie-Pitts are definately the Hollywood family of the generation. She's the epitome of voluptuous womanhood, he's one of the poster boys for pretty-boy-turned-serious-actor, and I for one will be very surprised if none of their six (?) kids go into acting... or possibly band together and take over the world. Yes, there's types - Orlando Bloom for bishie!boy, Ashton Kutcher for Sk8ter Boi, Viggo Mortensen for hunka-mountain-man (in Lord of the Rings, anyhow, but as a geek, I'm biased,) etc...
I had a feeling Angelina wasn't your type, Gregg, which is why I added that little dig, there. Your type seems like the cuddly, ex-military, domestic-ish type, yeah? (And go have lunch with your celebrity crush before DW steals him!)
Er..is now soonish enough? If I come bearing sandwiches? I'll bring Sarah one too, if she'd like. Sorry, bit busy here.
Now would be lovely, and sandwiches would be deeply appreciated by both of us. Nearly everyone who had an appointment has had to bring their kids because of the strike...and everyone who's off work because of the strike now wants an appointment. Be prepared for mild chaos.
Mild chaos is my middle name...no, wait, I've got loads of those already.
I shall arrive asap, like a knight in shining...leather, upon my trusty stead, bearing bread and fillings and edible delights.
Perfect. Love you.
Helm and all. *nods soberly*
(I thought he was Sherlock's DI?!)
Love you too.
Now banish all those ill people. Walking wounded can stay. I don't want to catch anything, did enough barfing yesterday...
;)
Yeah...the waiting room may have a certain lingering eau de vomit about it at the moment. Don't breathe too deeply.
...Apparently I have Lestrade Syndrome--Danger on the brain. Apologies
Until you've got a dead body in there that's been marinated in its own juices for a few months I'll be fine.
And I hope one of you would notice before it got to that state!
DW - are you going to tell us about meeting Hal Moore? Sounds like a story that ought to be shared.
L - I want to make a joke about marinades and basting corpses, but I'm too done in to think of one. Thanks for the sandwich, you're a life saver.
You're the life saver.
Sarah seems very nice.
Does she know about the blog?
No. Unless she googled me. Which I suppose is possible.
Ah, so she shouldn't get embarrassed when I day that she likes you, Doc. :)
Perhaps you coulld bring Sherlock by to meet her one day--he might feel a bit more proprietary and a bit less like it's "stupid" if he has more of a picture in his head?
(And we all like the Doc, Lestrade--she'll have to get in line. Forever. ;) )
L - well I hope so, I like her too. She seems a very nice person.
RR - maybe, if the timing works out at some point. It is meant to be only when the boys are at school.
You know what I mean! But yes, she is very nice, and clearly impressed by your skills.
RR - Sherlock's been to the yard plenty of times, and my job is still stupid when it gets in the way of his plans, so not sure that would work.
I know what you mean, though I'm not entirely sure you're right. And I think my most impressive skill today was breaking up a fight between two six year olds before it came to blows.
Ha! But it might be an idea, anyway--perhaps on a day you're not working there, John, you could ask her when would be good--before he decides to, er, acquaint himself with her on his own. Which, as I recall, he did with your Super, L... :). (And he might feel better about it even if he does keep calling it stupid.)
I'm entirely sure. She's nice and she has great taste in men.
She looked like i'd look if I had a gorgeous bloke working for me who was apparently already taken by an ageing sandwich courier :)
You okay? Tired? I'll repay you for the neck rub later.
(she looked vastly prettier than I'd look, obviously, but the rest stands)
(Perjuring yourself about you looks is not kosher, L.)
...
(you are not an unbiased judge. Ask anyone commenting here, THAT'S an unbiased opinion.)
I don't think even Danger, who is vastly biased, would describe me as 'pretty'
Neck rub would be wonderful and you are my vet favourite sandwich courier. Do you know when you'll be home? I'm making that Chinese beef thing.
Very, not vet.
That photo of young rocker you is pretty. :)
I haven't looked like that for a long time!
And just gone 7, i hope, Dangereux
Let's see, how did that go...a face full of handsome character, wasn't it? That sounds about right. :) (About either of you, really!)
Flatterer.
Sherlock, is Danger in a coma, or just busy? And has he got any idea when Sarah might want him back? And are you both free to answer a question?
He's swearing at dinner, but I can answer for him!
Okay. I have to pick at least one out of Christmas eve, Christmas eve night, new year night or new year's day to work. Which would you all prefer to get rid of me for?
And tell him not to corrupt your innocent little mind with his culinary cursing.
Do I have to go to school on any of those?
No, you'll all be on holiday for all of them.
Then why do you have to work on one of them?
Because the police have to have some people working all the time, and as I'm having all of Christmas day off with you, I need to work another day so that no one has to work too many.
New year's day I think, unless you have a preference. But definitely not Christmas.
Okay, I'll put my name down for that.
You okay? I'll be leaving in a mo, you gorgeous man.
Flatterer.
It's not flattery if it's truth. *bats eyelashes*
Not bad. You? Dinner should be ready by the time you get here unless it goes horribly wrong. Is that Christmas tree lot we went to last year there again?
I'm here. It ready?
And yes. Still selling trees to cheap coppers.
She should go to the City and sell them to rich bankers instead.
You want to ambush me for another snog in the festive forest? Bad influence, you are.
You want to ambush me for another snog in the festive forest?
Maybe. It was pretty nice the first time.
It was very nice. Although this year there's to be no grabbing stray coppers you barely know and dragging them into the woods.
Maybe when Mycroft's back you, he and Sherlock could come down and meet me one evening and we'll all go an choose an ornament each from somewhere posh? The rest of them can be yards of paper chains and Sherlock can go wild with glitter.
(And maybe bake some ornaments--inedible ornaments!--too?)
What can I say, you really looked like you wanted to be snogged in an artificial forest.
Sounds perfect. Maybe we can do those cookies you bake and lacquer or whatever it is, and the popcorn strings too.
We can do all sorts. You and the boys and the dogs will need something to keep you all occupied :)
It will be the glitteriest tree ever.
There'll be glitter in my hair for a whole month. I honestly don't know how glitter attracts toit even when I've been nowhere near whatever shiny creation Sherlock is making. But without fail, the next morning, there'll be glitter on me.
It knows it's your job to clean it up. It's just trying to help you out.
It is a well known fact, in the Fairy Kingdom, that Lestallions are bred with glitter-attracting manes, so that when the gallop through the sparkly forest they can gather the Sparkles.
Because they know there's nothing their Danger's like more than Sparkles.
Ha! Yes of course, everyone knows that...
*snort giggle*
I REALLY hope you're able to take some sufficiently discreet photos of the decorations for us!
that apostrophe is just a stray sparkle, not a real apostrophe, by the way...
Want that neck massage? Shoulders? Back? Whatever you desire?
Or should I tuck Sherlock in before we get started?
If you tuck Sherlock in, I can finish this post first I think. I don't want to miss the last day when I've done it all month. After that I would love any sort of massage you care to give me.
will do.
C'mon, Shortstuff, your lovely bed awaits.
One small boy installed in bed.
One tired Doctor next on the list.
Mmm. Can't wait.
DW - are you going to tell us about meeting Hal Moore? Sounds like a story that ought to be shared.
Because it's not fair to ask questions and then not answer them, I will, but I warn you it's not a very interesting story.
The third most important day in a cadet's life is Ring Dance, where you get your class rings. You "build" them in the fall and everything in/on them has some sort of symbolism and at the end of the year there's a three-day weekend off. All anyone talks about is what you're doing for Ring Dance weekend, who your guest is, etc. The actual Ring Dance is a very formal occasion, with everyone in their mess dress, and Hal Moore was the guest speaker. Our original speaker had fallen through and he agreed about three days beforehand. He talked about duty, specifically about the duties of an officer: take care of your troops, the line between duty and loyalty, never mix arrogance with ignorance, etc. It was...inspiring to say the least.
You'd never know how old he is, his voice and bearing and character fill a room so. But he went and sat at every table, and talked to us cadets, taking pictures and learning about what our jobs were going to be and dispensing advice. A really, really *good* man and the epitome of a leader.
He does sound like a good man, especially to come on such short notice and to stay to talk to everyone afterward - and I'm sure he got a lot out of it too. Thank you for sharing the story.
Post a Comment