Saturday, December 17, 2011

shiny and pine scented

The subject line describes our flat. The tree is up and draped with popcorn, lights, paper chains, ornaments, and more tinsel than should be legal. Mycroft and L flinch a tiny bit when they walk into the room, but it's their own fault for having taste.

Every tree on the lot was examined, and Sherlock actually wanted to go to another lot and see if they had a better one. No. It's a very nice tree, with regularly formed branches in approved tree-like fashion, and a good V at the top to wedge the comet into.

L has come up with the most impressive Christmas menu I've ever seen written down, let alone eaten, and seems not at all intimidated by producing that much food for 12 people.

Sherlock's wings are hanging over his bed so he could keep an eye on them while he went to sleep. Mycroft is upstairs with a book and two large dogs. The tree is all lit up, and L is making me tea. I don't see how anything could be better than it is right now. 

153 comments:

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't think it could be.

Well...slightly less tinsel, or some sunglasses when entering the living room.

And Sherlock is desperate for snow - enough for me not to go to work (so at least a couple of metres) but miraculously not so much we can't go out to play...can't blame him, really.

(Making me tea, too. May as well try this idea of not drinking coffee ALL the time, right?)

John H. D. Watson said...

Can't hurt. I know coffee is your first love, but tea's very nice too.

Ah yes, magic snow. That's what everyone wants, isn't it?

Greg Lestrade said...

blame my grandparents for making me such nice coffee to drink at a tender young age. Tea is better than nothing.

Isn't it just? We could go sledging up on the Heath - it'd be brilliant.

Anon Without A Name said...

Sounds... sparkly. And bright :-p I love the way a Christmas Tree makes the whole house smell gorgeous. Definitely worth getting a proper tree (even though we used to end up picking needles out of the carpet for months afterwards).

Tea is the correct response to all of life's problems. Mmmm, tea. Nice and strong, small splash of milk, no sugar. bliss.

You know, it's good to have traditions. And it sounds like you two already have a traditional way of celebrating the decorating of the tree :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

Maybe Mrs Holmes can make that happen.

We should go somewhere with snow some time. Lots of it, I mean.

John H. D. Watson said...

Nameless - can you think of a better way to celebrate?

Greg Lestrade said...

We will. Lots of snow and hot fires afterward.

I'm definitely buying mistletoe this week. Then Sherlock only glares at us for kissing, instead of loudly registering complaints. Magic.

(Just remind me to avoid either of the Mrs Hs under it. Awkward.)

John H. D. Watson said...

Are you going to snowboard?

I don't think you'll have a problem with Mrs H the younger, but watch out for Mrs Hudson.

Greg Lestrade said...

Mrs H the younger would be slightly awkward, potentially. Mrs Hudson...with a sherry in her? I'd be lucky to escape! (As would you. We'll watch each other's backs, deal?)

All I can guarantee is that I'd fall over, however many planks people strapped my feet to.

Anon Without A Name said...

John - I think most of my celebrations ideas are variations on a theme :-) I just hope the sofa can cope...

(I hope you guys managed to have a little celebration of Lestrade's freedom too, among the celebrations of Sherlock's triumphant performance at the show, even if it was just a congratulatory snog).

John H. D. Watson said...

L - if you could skateboard, I'm sure you'd be fine! I never could stay on one of those things.

(Deal.)

Anonymous said...

Doc, you should know:

Tea is a cure for hepatitis
It's a cure for chronic insomnia
It's a cure for tonsillitis
And for water on the knee.

Greg Lestrade said...

Skateboarding was a long time ago! And they only go forwards and backwards, not slithering downhill no matter which way you face! And I had nice springy bouncy bones then...

Now, a snowmobile, I could really enjoy.

REReader said...

Oops, just left a comment on Lestrade's blog, I didn't realize this was here! Oh, well. :)

Sherlock's wings are hanging over his bed so he could keep an eye on them while he went to sleep. Mycroft is upstairs with a book and two large dogs. The tree is all lit up, and L is making me tea. I don't see how anything could be better than it is right now.

*heart is melting everywhere and making a mess*


I bet you are all feeling like the holidays now! :)

mazarin221b said...

Lovely. I don't know if there's anything better than that magic time in the evening when you've had a long, fun day, the kid(s) are in bed, and you and your love are snuggling on the sofa.

That's for us tonight, in about an hour. The fire, Christmas lights, a bottle of chocolate wine (Vin de cacao. I have no idea how such a concoction came about and don't care. It looks gorgeous.), and the classic film "Bringing Up Baby" with Hepburn and Grant on the TV. Bliss.

(Also - Tink, if you see this, check your Tumblr inbox. Thanks!)

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I definitely want to be on holiday from now!

Mazarin - No, it is one of the joys in life now. Chocolate wine sounds...interesting. I've had hot chocolate and red wine, which is...amazing. And I have no idea how you make it. Maybe I should try to find out.

REReader said...

:)

(As for the tinsel and glitter, enjoy them. In a few years, Sherlock may well want tasteful, too, and you'll miss all the sparkle. In fact, you may be responsible for future sparkle. Or John will be. :D)

Greg Lestrade said...

I really think downgrading to normal levels of tinsel and lights won't mean I miss the sort of display we currently have, which is probably being photographed from the ISS as we speak.

We only just managed to persuade Sherlock we didn't need to get on the roof and festoon the outside of the house in lights too.

John H. D. Watson said...

It's festive!

mazarin221b said...

Yes, it seems to look something like that...almost like chocolate milk in a bottle, but I'm assured by the label that there is red wine in there.

There better be. I plan on at least somewhat tipsy makeouts (snogging...etc) in front of the fire! *wink* It'll be like a horrible 80s romance movie! :D

REReader said...

There are times for tasteful, and there are times for festive. :)

(When there are children around, they will tell you which are which.)

Greg Lestrade said...

It is festive.

It will also be imprinted on my retinas every time I shut my eyes until about July.

The stuff I had was very dark, Mazarin. And hot. Almost black to look at. Tasted of red wine, then an amazing aftertaste of dark chocolate.

REReader said...

It will also be imprinted on my retinas every time I shut my eyes until about July.

A little bit of the holidays to carry with you, what could be nicer!

Anon Without A Name said...

There's festive, and then there's... festive. Speaking of which, I'm watching a compilation Top Of The Pops Christmas Special. It's definitely festive.

(Completely irrelevant to any part of this discussion, captcha just said "omprons". Well, quite, captcha. Quite)

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - Well, Last Christmas I did give my heart to Danger, but happily he hasn't given it away yet :)

(And a few of the hits may be making onto my blog in the coming days. Although I don't think they've played my favourite yet...we missed the start though.)

John H. D. Watson said...

Not planning to, either. Best gift I ever got.

You people. I'll have you know I was severely tinsel-deprived as a child. This is therapeutic.

REReader said...

Jewish has no tinsel. Perhaps you could make up for my tinsel-deprivation, too? :)

Greg Lestrade said...

tinsel deprivation...is that really worse than tinsel overdose?

I remember one year Mum's boyfriend's dog ate a length of tinsel. That rather took the shine off it. Literally.

Seriously, though, seeing you and Sherlock so happy, Mycroft and I will survive. And send you the bills when we get treated for being blinded by the bling. ;)

If you want to get really festive you can get up and dance with me to cheesy Christmas pop. With a tinsel boa.

Anon Without A Name said...

ReRe: have http://www.poundland.co.uk/images/2959/original/red-tinsel.jpg and http://www.poundland.co.uk/images/3154/original/red-ribbon-tinsel.jpg to be going on with.

Lestrade: you've missed Noddy Holder, if that's what you mean :-)

John - I think we've got some spare tinsel. Would you like me to pop it in the post?

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - It was Noddy when we changed channels onto it. And that is up there in the top five. But my favourite seems not to have made the cut. Not that it matters, YouTube will provide.

REReader said...

Nameless--plenty of tinsel around, but none for me. As I said, alas, Jewish doesn't do tinsel. (Because of it's association with Christmas, mostly.) But it's pretty. I also really like all the lights in the streets--downtown they have a great many trees wrapped in little white lights, lovely. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

L - I might just do that.

RR - we've definitely got enough to share with you, and possibly your entire family!

Nameless - I think might refuse to enter the room again until after Christmas if there was any more...

REReader said...

Alas, I cannot share, not acceptable. Too Christmas-y.

But if you put up lots, I can count some as mine. :) And I like to look!

(What? I have no idea why you're snickering.)

Anon Without A Name said...

ReRe: Perhaps you could store up Some tinsel for later in the year, disassociate it from Christmas?

Lestrade - oh well, I don't think you missed anything, then. Slade were first up. I haven't watched it all yet; we keep pausing it to do other stuff :-) Can I ask what your favourite is, or would that spoil some blog-related surprise? Did you check out the Tom McRae track, BTW? Definitely not cheerful, I warn you.

Anon Without A Name said...

John, does this mean Sherlock has helped you find your tinsel limit?

ReRe - having read your reply to John, you might want to ignore my suggestion...

John H. D. Watson said...

That was meant to read 'I think L and Mycroft might refuse to enter..." etc., not me. Although I admit we may be approaching some sort of tinsel critical mass.

Greg Lestrade said...

Tinsel is only considered Christmassy in some places though - some places it's just for any occasion where sparkles are a good thing. (every occasion, if left to Sherlock)

Nameless - Tom McRae, yep, I did listen. I liked it. My favourite is Mud though. Sad, depressing, but what a brilliant song.

mazarin221b said...

I cannot get my husband to put tinsel on the tree. So there are lights, and ornaments. And that's it. I wax nostalgic for the days when my sister and I would grab handfuls of the "icicle" tinsel and toss it artfully over the branches. Sigh. He has no idea what he's missing.

I have now tasted the chocolate wine. It's more like a rich, silky chocolate liqueur. Barely tastes like wine, but it is definitely warming!

John H. D. Watson said...

My father was dead against it too. Tell him if he resists now, in twenty (or so) years he'll being having Christmas dinner in a house that looks like a tinsel factory exploded.

Greg Lestrade said...

Don't understand how anyone could be against it to the extent of banning it. It smells divine. (Of plasticy terrible chemicals, no doubt, but divine).

I seem to remember our decorations being largely made by all of us at school - so card, glitter, cotton wool, pipe cleaners and tin foil featured heavily.

Sounds good, Mazarin

REReader said...

Tinsel is only considered Christmassy in some places though

Alas, to my deep disappointment, in the world of New York Judaism, tinsel is inextricably tied to Christmas. It can't even be used in sukkahs. (And it would be AWESOME in sukkahs! It's foil, it'd hold up to rain nicely. But no.)

I may not care much what other people think, but my mom does. And I do have to make some concessions for community standards or I won't have any community. Tinsel is not an issue to make a stand on. Especially when there is lots around to look at without me putting it up.

I will also concede that as I child I would have gone for tasteful rather than tacky. I'm now older and wiser and would go for fun and tacky. (As you did, after all, complaints not withstanding... :))

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm now older and wiser and would go for fun and tacky. (As you did, after all, complaints not withstanding... :))

As you say, there are some issues not to take a stand on. The only thing that brought Sherlock's spread of shiny sparkly things around this room was the sheer physics of attaching/hanging/draping it all. I didn't dare nap on the sofa - I'd've woken up covered.

Danger - can we send your folks a picture of the four of us, in our Santa's-Grotto-on-crack? Just to let your Dad know what he's missing?

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh, definitely. I think multiple pictures are called for. Brilliant idea.

Greg Lestrade said...

You can buy us a set of matching festive woolly jumpers in the week, just to complete the horror. A Christmas Pudding on one, Reindeer, A Snowman and a Tree, on the others, or something.

For now...how did it get so late without us noticing? Oh, I know, because this room now gives off more light than the sun.

Bed?

John H. D. Watson said...

Don't forget the hats. There must be hats.

Bed, yes, wonderful idea.

REReader said...

Mustn't forget the dogs.

:D

REReader said...

Oh, phooey. That link was supposed to go here: http://amzn.to/tIckBx

Greg Lestrade said...

I can't imagine any jumper being big enough for the dogs. We can just get them antlers. They're about the size of reindeer.

REReader said...

SPARKLY antlers.

Anonymous said...

I think if we're going to continue down this path, Sherlock may suggest SPARKLY wings for the dogs and cast them as either flying "reindeer" (because you need wings to fly!) or flying "cherubs" (because, why else would they have wings?)

=D

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm just going to start arresting people for wasting police time if they don't stop walking slowly and getting in the bloody way. (yes, I'm right in the Christmas spirit.)

REReader said...

I'm sure they're all tourists who don't know any better. That's the case in NYC--all the slow-walkers are tourists. Must be true in London, too, right? Also they spread out across the sidewalk, and stop and Look At Things without pulling over to the side of the road first. (Yes, I'm talking about pedestrians.)

Tell them to go home, there's nothing to see here!

Greg Lestrade said...

Not just tourists, everyone. People who have no idea what to buy aunt Mable and who can't work out how much food they need to feed everyone.

Still, we'd be the same if Sherlock had his way, stopping to look at every single thing.

REReader said...

Having fun, is he? How about the rest of you? (even if it's blended with exasperation?)

mazarin221b said...

My fear with buying food for large meals is that I'll not get enough. So I end up overbuying. Like last year, when I bought a 14 pound turkey for four people.

Good luck today. I fought the crowds yesterday, so I'm hermiting it up today.

John H. D. Watson said...

There must be some more organised way to do this.

Greg Lestrade said...

It's fun...of a sort. He is certain we need more decorations. He has no concept of restraint in such areas. Or that just because we have money, we don't need to spend it.

Mazarin - well, I've ordered the meat already, and we'll get some stuff closer to the time. And I'll just be thankful I'll be working while John, Sherlock and Mycroft 'enjoy' the crowds for the next few days :)

REReader said...

John, I don't think organization is the point. (Says the woman who refuses to set foot in a store between Thanksgiving and Christmas if humanly avoidable. Heh.)

Lestrade, can you you redirect him from ornaments to gift-buying? Not that that will help with the spending question, but one thing at a time...

Greg Lestrade said...

Currently trying not to laugh hysterically at the faces he pulls when a shop assistant/waitress asks him if he's been good and if Father Christmas will be visiting him.

He's taken John's lecture to heart, and won't tell them that Santa doesn't exist, in case he ruins it for them...so just looks at them like they're idiots, and then complains that they must think he's an idiot. Such a hard life being six.

John H. D. Watson said...

He's being more reasonable about buying presents than I expected though.

REReader said...

Okay, that image has me giggling madly. Although I'm sure it's quite irritating to get that over and over, and I'm vicariously ridiculously proud of him for managing to keep his opinions to himself--at least verbally.

Greg Lestrade said...

after last year, anything that doesn't end up in a custody suite is 'more reasonable' though, isn't it?

They're both being very good. Mycroft has the patience of a saint.

REReader said...

Mycroft has the patience of a saint.

Indeed. And iI'd say it's harder for him--he's not distracted by the bright-and-shiny, after all.

Sherlock said...

I wasn't in a suite, I was just in a car, and they wouldn't even make the sirens go.

Greg Lestrade said...

You weren't an emergency. You don't get blues and twos if you're not an emergency.

And you were in the custody suite briefly - luckily for you we don't tend to lock up five year olds.

RR - Mycroft does, however, have the slight distraction of texting my neice, apparently...where would they be without mobile phones?

REReader said...

Sherlock, I would say "Maybe next time," but then John and Lestrade would be mad at me, so I won't. ;)

Ah, mobiles. Much better than the books I used to tuck in my coat pockets for the horrors of shopping!

Sherlock said...

How can it be a suite if it was just a room? A room isn't a suite. I could be an emergency if I wanted!

Greg Lestrade said...

Well...if they'd have known how worried John, Mycroft and your Mum were at the time, you might have been an emergency.

The custody suite is the whole shebang - the room with the custody desk, the cells, the rooms where we take swabs/photos/fingerprints, all of it. You just didn't see most of it because you didn't get booked in or processed.

mazarin221b said...

(going gooey here for a second) (Mycroft look away)

Mycroft does, however, have the slight distraction of texting my neice, apparently...where would they be without mobile phones?

That's so flippin' adorable, I can't stand it. I just want to smoosh them both. I wish my little guy had a friend that adored him like that.

(Ok, I'm over it now. Sorry if I've embarrassed you, Mycroft.)

Sherlock said...

I didn't even get locked in a cell! I don't think the man who arrested me was doing it properly.

Anonymous said...

You don't get blues and twos if you're not an emergency.

The blues are self-evident, but why are sirens "twos"?

mazarin221b said...

I could be an emergency if I wanted!

Sherlock, I strenuously advise against that in the most dire Mom tones I can manage from across the Atlantic.

Greg Lestrade said...

Anon - me showing my age - when I was a PC we just had the two-tone 'wailing' sirens, so when you were underway with lights and siren it was always referred to as 'blues and twos' - even officially, sometimes. Now the cars come with an alarming array of wails, yelps, white noise and all sorts. And it's called 'active audio/visual alerts' or something equally unmemorable. Not something I do much nowadays.

And Sherlock - you weren't ever arrested. You were detained for your own protection.

Greg Lestrade said...

You most definitely did need protection, whatever you think. I'm amazed you weren't mugged.

Anyway, I expect Harrods were fairly keen to get the jumper back, too. Not that they ever did. Hah.

John H. D. Watson said...

Right, that's enough people for one day. We need to go and sit down somewhere relatively quiet and have some tea and/or cake, or I'm going to start... okay, realistically I'll probably only start saying 'excuse me' in a snippy tone of voice, but my thoughts will be of running them down with a shopping trolley.

Greg Lestrade said...

it's definitely time for coffee. (I know, I know, the flesh is willing, but the spirit is weak, and after that, I think I deserve the reward of coffee.)

Mycroft's going to help me organise my food prep schedule tonight, which will be good, and undoubtedly mean an aura of calm will descend.

REReader said...

Mycroft's going to help me organise my food prep schedule tonight, which will be good, and undoubtedly mean an aura of calm will descend.

It's a gift.

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh good, I could use an aura of calm right about now.

Greg Lestrade said...

I'll give you a shoulder rub when we get home. Even Sherlock's starting to look a bit tired. And we have to take the dogs out yet, that should be pretty calming. Well...probably.

REReader said...

More along the lines of tension release. So indirectly calming!

John H. D. Watson said...

That'll be nice. Relaxing. Relatively speaking, anyway.

Anon Without A Name said...

I can't believe you actually went out shopping in central London on the last Sunday before Christmas. Are you mad? That's what the internet was invented for!

ReRe - yeah, I've noticed that blokes do seem calmer after a nice release of tension ;-p

Greg Lestrade said...

Mmm. Taking the hounds out when it's dark sort of reminds me of...when we met them.

Although now glow in the dark paint sounds like a good idea to keep track of them. Maybe we should buy them those light-up collars for Christmas.

John H. D. Watson said...

At least we can keep the dogs on a leash. Maybe we should've made Sherlock's wings glow in the dark.

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't think it would be entirely wrong of us to keep Sherlock on a leash, either. We'd be doing it for the safety of other Londoners, or something.

John H. D. Watson said...

Especially if he's planning to be an emergency all by himself.

REReader said...

You could always get him a light-up collar, too. :)

(Don't glare at me, Sherlock, it's a joke!)


(My captcha was amensi. It agrees. Ha!)

Greg Lestrade said...

I actually think he'd quite enjoy being covered in glow sticks.

Add a few strobes and a heavy bass beat and it'd be like warehouse raves of my (comparative) youth...

John H. D. Watson said...

Were you at any point covered in glow sticks?

REReader said...

You COULD put reflective strips on his jacket or shoes.

(That "his" could really be any of 'em, come to think of it.)

Greg Lestrade said...

A responsible, upstanding pillar of the community like me?...

There may possibly have been times when I was covered only in glowsticks. But you know what it's like, if you remember it, you can't have been there...

Small Hobbit said...

According to my student nurse daughter the ambulance service still have blues and twos.

And I echo Mazarin's Mom tones from slightly closer, Sherlock. Don't be an emergency! That most worrying of phone calls, "Mum, you're not to worry, but ..."

John H. D. Watson said...

covered only in glowsticks

That is...an amazing mental picture.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, you just ruminate on that while I sit here being glad it's only a mental picture, not an actual one.

RR - his jacket has got reflective bits - seemed only sensible, given he walks to school every day. But the park is pretty dark. We really need him to give off light, rather than reflect it. Or just get him to remember that him knowing where we are is not the same as us knowing where he is, and how heart attacks aren't considered healthy things for us to have.

Maybe his Mum could microchip him and fit a tracking device under his skin for us for Christmas.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ah, you were born too soon. If you were dancing covered in glow sticks now, you'd be on youtube the next morning.

Greg Lestrade said...

Gien the number of potentially YouTubeable incidents in my life, no, I really wasn't. For which I'm very grateful.

Anyway, it wouldn't just have been me! Or...I doubt it would have been. Lots of other drunkards, too. And other things, which, being a responsible police officer, I would never have touched. And definitely not inhaled ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

Yes, but you're more attractive than the other drunkards, and I'm sure you wore your glow sticks with more style.

REReader said...

Maybe his Mum could microchip him and fit a tracking device under his skin for us for Christmas.

The technology exists--they do it for pets. :) (However, if you can track him, anyone can track him.)

We really need him to give off light, rather than reflect it.

Decorate a baseball cap with glow-in-the-dark paint.

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh yes, very stylish, I'm sure.

RR - can't quite imagine a baseball cap on Sherlock. And yeah, wasn't being serious. He is fairly good at not running off now. But sometimes he just gets a bit too into something and gets out of sight.

Wouldn't be that surprised if his Mum hadn't doneit already, really...

REReader said...

Oh yes, very stylish, I'm sure.

I don't know that "stylish" would have been precisely the point. ;D


Ha! If she did, I bet she won't tell you. :) (Unless it turns out to be needed, so hopefully that would be never.)

Greg Lestrade said...

I think everyone concerned would struggle to find any point to anything during those raves.

Well, she hadn't this time last year...but maybe that would have prompted it :)

REReader said...

She did have that time when he was visiting...

John H. D. Watson said...

How come your youth was so much more interesting than mine? Hardly seems fair.

Greg Lestrade said...

Only small parts of my youth. Most of it was trying to afford rent, heat and food. And you were probably, you know, studying, bettering yourself, lining up to your dream career and university and stuff.

I was just bouncing from one thing to another, assuming everything would probably be okay in the end (which it was - is - luckily.)

John H. D. Watson said...

You were acquiring life experience! And dancing with glow sticks. I was in the library.

It's all in how you look at it I suppose.

REReader said...

Got you both to the same place, didn't it?

Greg Lestrade said...

There is perhaps more advantage to me understanding the way drunk people's minds work, and meeting all sorts of nefarious types, in my chosen career than you in yours? I mean.......well ,me experienceing drunkeness and other...things, might have helped me know how their minds work.

You breaking your face getting sloshed probably wouldn't have helped you treat said injuries.

Maybe ;)

Rider said...

Am I the only one wondering where those glowsticks were attached and how?

(I suppose it is one method of signalling interest across a dance floor...)

REReader said...

*bops Rider on head*

This is a family blog!

Calliope said...

Actually, you can make them glow, crack them open, and put the stuff on your skin. Not that I recommend that at all. Also? Don't get any in your eye. It hurts. A lot.

Not that I know any of this from experience. No. *looks innocent*

Rider said...

I have no idea what you are talking about.

And it's up to John to say what goes on on his blog, not you to beat up people you don't know.

John H. D. Watson said...

You breaking your face getting sloshed probably wouldn't have helped you treat said injuries.

Might've given me more sympathy for people who broke their faces while sloshed though.

Rider - I think you've just made 'glow stick' into a euphemism. Ha.

Rider said...

It isn't as if there aren't enough words for that here already!

I was never much of the party type. Not the face breaking kind anyway. I managed to break enough things without the help of being sloshed!

I wonder if Lestrade should suggest it as a training tool. All new PCs should be at clubs getting plastered for first hand experience?

Greg Lestrade said...

Believe me, if I'd met a sympathetic you after breaking my face falling down drunk I would have done it more often - which I don't think would have been your aim at all! Heh.

Rider - heh, it would have been, indeed. Like...birds of prey, shaking their tail feathers. Or Doc Hotson, cocking his tail...

John H. D. Watson said...

Is that my Pony name now? How has my life come to a point where I have a My Little Pony name?

All new PCs should be at clubs getting plastered for first hand experience?

I suspect most of them do it of their own accord, but maybe he could require that they carry glow sticks for the full experience.

Rider said...

maybe he could require that they carry glow sticks for the full experience

Although perhaps not as their entire uniform.

(Where would they put their warrant cards?)

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't know...what other names could be your My Little Pony name? Doc Hotson has an air of respectability, whilst not forgetting you're HOT.

It's undercover work, Rider ;)

Rider said...

Are glowsticks enough cover to be under? I think we need proof before this can become in any way standard operating procedure.

Especially the signalling methods.

Greg Lestrade said...

A glowstick...you'd have to rely on distraction, rather than full cover, I think?

Sadly I don't feel the Met will adopt this procedure.

Greg Lestrade said...

I didn't mean sadly...

I meant happily.

John H. D. Watson said...

Sure you did...

Greg Lestrade said...

You're the only one I go undercover with now.

Well...unless my Super order me ...not like that.

REReader said...

It's been a long day.

Greg Lestrade said...

you're telling me!

Danger, allow me to drag you to bed?

John H. D. Watson said...

By all means.

Greg Lestrade said...

if you need a break from Sherlock's relentless enthusiasm tomorow, just call me. we can do lunch. I can't promise I'd help with him much, but could maybe dilute him for half an hour ?

John H. D. Watson said...

Lunch would be nice. Maybe I can get Mrs Hudson to watch them for a bit and sneak off with you.

sabrina phyn said...

Tinsel has been abandoned as I have cats who would chew it. Glad to hear the shopping went better than expected though. I keep thinking that I am all done but more stuff keeps popping up to get.

Greg Lestrade said...

Now you're really making me not want to go to work at all.

That would be lovely. But...as ever, you'll have to see if the criminals of London want to give us a break.

John H. D. Watson said...

Sabrina - maybe the kind that comes in garlands would be okay for them? Harder to eat at least.

L - yeah, just let me know. I'll try to wear them out in the morning.

Greg Lestrade said...

Excellent. Will do.

My blog is now as festive as it's going to get. Heh.

John H. D. Watson said...

Looks extremely festive to me! Where was that taken?

Greg Lestrade said...

Probably last year. Although as this blog has been proving, there's no shortage of times I've put on silly outfits. Could have been the year before. Undoubtedly something to do with my sister. Or Sally. But it's not often I dress that casually around her.

REReader said...

Ha! Awesome! Are you going to match him, John?

John H. D. Watson said...

I don't think a photo of me wearing a Santa hat exists.

REReader said...

That can be fixed.... :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Oooh, actually, it was Sally. At last year's Christmas party. When she knew about you, but didn't know you properly. She took it and told me I had to show you because I was 'cute' (she was drunk), obviously I chose to forget about it by the morning, and just wish that I had my lovely Doctor to consult on hangover remedies...

Mycroft, Sherlock, your mission over the next few days is to get a picture of Danger looking festive. Hat, tinsel, antlers, glitter hehheh. You name it.

John H. D. Watson said...

And you never showed me until now? For shame! You do look cute. Sally's Christmas party or your office one?

Greg Lestrade said...

How would that conversation even have gone? "hey new boyfriend, probably still under the impression I'm a responsible adult, my sergeant thought you'd like to see a picture of me looking 'cute' in a novelty hat!"

I'd've felt ridiculous!

Office party. Well, work. It's a sort of rolling party people drop in on, depending on work and shifts. Tuesday night, before you ask.

REReader said...

Aha! It's actually a Chanukah party then, as that the first night of Chanukah. ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

my sergeant thought you'd like to see a picture of me looking 'cute' in a novelty hat!"

Ha. She would've been right though!

Are you going? And are you going to take custard creams in the shape of policemen's helmets?

Greg Lestrade said...

I think the massive amount of tinsel and bad taste Christmas decorations mean it's definitely not.

And how does excessive drinking fit in with Chanukah? It's horribly messy every year. Happily my rank means I get to escape fairly early.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger, I will go, because...well, it's just good to show your face, buy the team a round, all that. But no, biscuits aren't really what it's about. It's mainly about getting horribly drunk.

Year before last two of Dimmock's team got arrested by another nick. Like I say, messy.

Anon Without A Name said...

custard creams in the shape of policemen's helmets?

...

You look terribly festive, Lestrade.

John - have you never been photographed in a santa hat because you've successfully dodged the cameras, or because you just don't wear santa hats?

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - I think I look slightly glazed. Probably a few pints and shorts into the night, given I don't seem to be protesting about the hat...

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm still getting you that pastry cutter. One must exist.

It's mainly about getting horribly drunk.

Ah, yes. The true spirit of Christmas.

Nameless - I'm sure I must have at some point? I don't remember refusing to wear one, certainly. Maybe there are pictures I don't know about.

REReader said...

I think the massive amount of tinsel and bad taste Christmas decorations mean it's definitely not.

Not? :(

(On second thought, and on reading your description, that may be as well.)

Greg Lestrade said...

Only going by what you've said. Your celebrations seem a bit more...dignified.

Danger, I imagine the army and the job celebrate in roughly the same manner. Not to mention doctors...

I promise to come home while I still remember where I live.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. That's all I can ask.

REReader said...

Your celebrations seem a bit more...dignified.


Mmmmmmm...mostly, true. Some Yeshiva students get horribly drunk on Purim. Chanukah, not usually so much. (Not that a party of 18- to 24-year-old boys is ever going to be dignified--the Yeshiva Chanukah parties can get a bit rowdy--but there isn't much of an alcohol issue at Chanukah.)

John H. D. Watson said...

(Sally, any further Christmas party photos will be gratefully received. Just so you know.)

Goodnight, all.

REReader said...

Sweet dreams!

Greg Lestrade said...

Sally, ignore the good doctor.

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