Spend a bit more time on L's bike before looking for one for yourself. You'll have a better idea of things you want and things you don't.
(eg if you are thinking you might be ferrying Sherlock about, you might want lockable storage on it as backpacks are not good with a pillion and tankbags are tricky on a lot of bikes for those of us who's arms are like those of a human not an orangutan and whose chins are closer to our feet.)
John - Ahh...The only Alice in Wonderland I know is the Disney version, which (upon revisitation) isn't as child-friendly as I remembered it being... but I have seen the original manuscripts and wood blocks(?) at the British Library.
Speaking of which, I have a jar of blackberry jam that needs to be dealt with... Er, can jam spoil?
You do realize I am kidding, right? :D I just thought you'd appreciate my plight, and at least get a chuckle out of it. I'll see what today brought in oh, about 30 minutes.
We could swap with you... but you'd need a week or so to read through Mrs T's Book of Sherlock, so you knew what was and wasn't allowed... It would be interesting reading, though.
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to anyone whose feelings or emotions or sensibilities I may have hurt or offended. Jailbird!brother's car broke down an hour away, so I had to go rescue him, which means I've lost three hours of work. Clearly, Karma is not on my side.
Also, how did I not.know there was an entire Cabin Pressure.episode with limericks?!
Love's the Doc sat on the running bike Trying to recite "The Doc sat on The running bike." Love's the DI stood fondly watching on, while the brave Doc in denim went off.
Love's the unflappable Doc,the bike, Even the yammering Yarders, who Would like a motorcycle, too, Or an lesson from Lestrade some day. And love's the riding Doc.
Back from the Purim feast at my sister's (and yes! hamantaschen were eaten!) and wanted to repeat my congratulations, John, now I'm not running out the door. Most excellent!
And I voted jam today because I doubt my ability to eat anything at all tomorrow. :)
Congrats John :) And a sidecar, for sure! I bet Sherlock would love it.
DW - On the subject of Alice, I've always wanted an answer to the riddle of the raven and the writing desk. As our resident rhymer, do you have any bright ideas?
RR - Chag sameach! Hope your Purim is as full of joy as mine, I made hamentaschen completely solo, first time ever, and they were snarfed with delight.
According to the Annotated Alice, Carroll gave the answer DW cited above in the into to the 1896 edition and added "This, however, is merely an afterthought; the Riddle, as originally invented, had no answer at all."
And the b in both, n in neither answer was offered by Aldoys Huxley. In a similar vein, James Michie (I don't know who he is) offered "Because each begins with e."
(And there's another column and a bit about the matter.)
*going off to reread the Mad Tea Party, where there's never jam today*
Hey Mycroft are you home from school yet? I was just wondering how school was going and what you had planned for your time at home? We don't see you around much, I know you're a very busy young man, but we do all wonder how you're getting on :-)
Feel free to ignore my question and get on with having fun I won't be offended ;-)
DW - just been reading all my life, that's all. Family trait. Harry went into publishing, and I started hauling books around the world with me. It's about the only thing my whole family has in common. Mum even had a few short stories published before she got married.
CR - That is a happy flower. (Reminds self to check the forsythia.)
Kholly - That's me exactly. I feel the same way about the visual arts. No idea about the artistic reasons and values; it's pretty or it touches me or I'm not interested.
Yay for Mycroft weekend! How has school been treating you?
L - he wants you, despite my shiny new license! If you're too busy, he says I have to take the car. You'd think I'd only been riding a few weeks or something...
Hi, Mycroft! I'm sure Sherlock will be fully onboard with your pizza-making idea. :)
Sounds like your guitar playing us progressing nicely. I always enjoyed the feeling of the music vibrating right through me when I played. Are the self defense classes going well, too?
And here's hoping you have a far more relaxing time home this time than the last.
I'm always impressed by people who remember things like poetry and song lyrics. I'm doing well if I can remember my phone number! But lugging books around the world can be a pain. Thank goodness for e-readers! (Sorry, RR and CR)
Hope you get your pizza, Mycroft. :)
AfNW, I'm dying of curiosity! When will you know if your news has been unjinxed?
Well stick with it because I really regret the fact I gave up learning :-( I listen to other people play and I wish I could sound like them, I still play (if you can call it that) when the mood takes me though :-)
RR, the self defence lessons are all right, except that the more I learn, the more I worry about really hurting someone if I had to use it. It's all right now because I'm not very good, but I might be, eventually.
Anony, why did you give it up? You could still take lessons, couldn't you?
I gave up because I was a bit of a lazy kid to be honest :-( I couldn't do what I wanted to quick enough so I gave up! (not a good role model to my kids really!!)
I'd not really thought of taking lessons now, I guess I thought I was too old to learn but you're probably right I should do just that :-)
Mycroft, I think the fact you worry about hurting someone is a good thing. It means that you know the consequences of what could happen, and will do everything you can to refrain from hurting someone unless you absolutely have to.
It's not an easy thing, to know you could hurt someone. But I think you are responsible enough, and mature enough, to have that ability and not abuse it.
I'm glad that you're enjoying learning the guitar. I hope you have a great time this weekend!
Mycroft, the more you learn and the more expert you get, the less dangerous you'll be, because you'll have more control. And it shows something very good indeed about your character that you worry about it.
I certainly hope you never need to hurt someone, but it's a good thing, on the whole, to be able to if you ever do need to. John would be a good person to discuss the ifs and whens of it with, and Lestrade--and I think your mother, too. Your instructor, if you trust his character, might also be a good person to discuss that with--I have done with mine.
Yep, have a good weekend everyone. I'm sat here, with Queen on my headphones, having cleared my desk (well, pushed everything into a file) and on holiday for a week. And it's nearly time to open the bottle of wine.
Don't panic, L! I definitely know Queen and Freddie Mercury (no relation to any degus). :)
It's just that I listen more to singer/songwriter/alternative stuff. And classical. And world. And klezmer. And Great American Songbook standards. (And apparently, when I think about it, I have very eclectic musical tastes.)
I'm really impressed by people who do excellent work in multiple fields. Hard enough in one!
I think most people have very catholic tastes in music when exposed to different sorts, although people tend to play safe when spending money or tuning in to a radio station. The internet is brilliant for letting you get a good taste for different music free.
I think most people have very catholic tastes in music when exposed to different sorts
I totally agree with this, L! The problem is getting (some) people to even listen outside their comfort zone.
And absolutely! (About the internet.) I used to wander around MySpace a lot, a few years ago--now I more go to artist websites based on recommendations, and for the free downloads on Amazon and NoiseTrade. (NoiseTrade is great for hearing what new artists are putting out.)
Anony, you're never too old to learn something new. It may not be as easy, but you can do it!
SH, enjoy your holiday! (Three weeks to go.)
Mycroft, six-year-olds need mess and dirt to grow up healthy. It isn't a bad idea for 13-year-olds either. Of course, they also have to learn to clean it up.
Anony, I took piano when I was a kid, but haven't played one in years. Recently, I purchased a violin. I'm almost scared to touch it, because I know I'll be horrible at first, but it's something I've always wanted. I figure, what the heck? If I'm horrible I'm horrible, but at least I'll have tried!
I've recently been missing having a piano in the house, my whole family has pianos and I used to play reasonably well but I've nowhere to put one in my house at the minute so I think my guitar is becoming more important and I should take it more seriously which I am now going to do :-)
Violins are great once you're confident enough to play one properly. nerves bring squeaks ;-)
The learning to clean part is slowly sinking in, I think...
Heh. When you figure out if it has, let me know! I'm pretty sure this working/cooking/cleaning/laundry- doing mother had a Grade 1 Nanny Danger glare on her face last night at the "I have to do EVERYTHING around here!" I got for asking the boy to pick up his toys and dirty socks. Sigh.
I played piano as a kid, but just moving out of your parents house is no good time to lug around a piano. Wish I'd played a more portable instrument! Violin and guitar are good for that - take them wherever you go!
And Queen. There may be some sort of strange alternate reality where people don't know Queen, but I never want to go there.
I miss guitar, but my fingers haven't been able to manage it for years--that weird overstretched ligament thing. Doubt I'd even be able to manage piano, since the joints tend to buckle backwards. (Athough I 'm mostly okay with a computer keyboard, so maybe...)
I take it you and John are managing to link the learning to clean part with the cooking fun things part, L?
It never sinks in. So sayeth the six-foot pile of dishes in my sink and lack of clean forks after just a day.
If I admit that I didn't get the Queen reference until you explained it, will you all be disappointed? I'd blame it on the snowman throwing me off, but...
L & Maz, I didn't say learning the cleaning up part was "easy"! My 16-year-old is still shaky on the concept, so you have my full sympathy. And, yes, threats, glares, etc, etc, to get it done.
DW - if it's just me, I don't mind the mess. But this flat isn't that big, and once there's four of us, two Degus and to massive dogs, it's a bit more important! (Teaspoons. Where do they go?? They're not just dirty, they're absent!)
And I'll forgive you about Queen if you go and brush up on them, so you get the next reference.
My mom was all about early training--she had me dusting (no doubt extremely badly and I'm sure she followed behind and did it again) at about age three--and she'd pull out the photos to prove it anytime teenage me thought it would be a good idea if I didn't know how.
She also had me washing the crystal when I was 5 or so--with a thick towel down in the sink to protect the glass--but that was because I loved handling it, all rainbows and sparkle. :)
(Okay, it's probably at least partly genetic. Or I wouldn't start cleaning things as soon as I get really upset.)
I hate housework with a passion. Add to that my inherent laziness, and really, I'm only saved from living in a swamp of filth by my just-slightly-less-averse-to-housewok-than-me husband.
It really didn't help that my Mum persuaded me to do housework on the principle that my brothers had previously done so; when I found that wasn't true, I challenged her, and was told that I had to learn because I'd "have to do it for a man one day". Never did the housework again at my parents' house. Which was a shame on many levels, because if she'd just appealed to the fact that it was a big family and I should pull my weight, I'dve probably been persuaded (because she would have been right).
Maz - I have nothing against e-readers as long as nobody forces me to use one. I'd prefer a regular tablet, as they have many more functions...
Ah, housework! I don't mind it that much as long as I can do it when I want and how I want. As we are living with my mom, I usually don't do it simply on principle. Except for cooking - but cooking ain't a chore, it's a pleasure for me.
Music - I started to play the piano when I was 3 years old. When I was 18, I've dropped the lessons, as I didn't have the time. After 25 I picked it up again, only to dislocate the last joint in my right little finger and find out that I have a bone cyst growing there. Now it simply hurts to play with that finger anymore, so I am currently in a sulk mode regarding the piano. But I want to re-work all the tricks later without using the finger anymore (amputation of the last digit threatened by my orthopedist), only it will take me several years to de-sulk and then start working on all the skills from Adam again.
So I started to look for an alternative instrument, also something portable, as you can't lug your piano with you wherever you go (and please, keyboards are not a suitable equivalent for a classical pianist I used to be - we have very strong opinions about them).
I am currently deciding between violoncello and violin. The latter is more portable ;-) but at the same time, my dad plays the violin and I really don't like to be compared, which is what his wife would totally do. The cello is pretty big as well, though nowhere near the piano, on the other hand I enjoy the voice of it more. And after finding The Piano guys on YouTube I am 70% going for the cello...
I wanted to go for the transverse flute but I would need my right little finger to play it. So that one won't happen, even though this instrument also has one amazing tone. But today I've found an equivalent I think I will have a lots of fun learning to play: the tinwhistle! After the next pay I am so running to the shop and buying myself one, including the notes and a textbook! Driving neighbors mad is an added value :-)
CR - I have an e-reader, which I find great for when I'm on train journeys, so much lighter and I can choose what I want to read rather than just having one book.
Have you considered the viola? I know there are a lot of jokes around viola players eg "how do you get two viola players to play in tune? shoot one of them". My daughter progressed from the violin to the viola and enjoyed it. Her brother played the cello, so obviously there was no way she would learn that instrument ;)
The tinwhistle should be fun are you planning on buying a small and shrill version or a slightly larger one?
SH - nope, can't read the key. I am stuck on treble clef and bass clef, the alto one is a total enigma for me. And that's the key viola has the notes in. One of my classmates at the high school played the viola. It has really nice voice, but it is pretty rare to meet somebody who plays it...
I plan to buy exactly that one I've linked above - I think it's the higher pitched one, but at the same time it does not have the shrill tone. Here's a video of a tune played on this tinwhistle, only I want to buy a D-tuned one, which is more usual... The C-tuned can come later :-)
DW - not really my thing. From percussion I'd stick with chimes, tubular bells, maybe a frame drum and a steel tongue drum (hapi drum) - have a video: hang insomniac jam. I think nearly all of us can relate more or less to the name... :-D
L - I thought about it for a while too, there are people who can play the whole William Tell overture on a small Hohner harmonica, but again, not really my thing. Maybe sometime later...
On the subject of music (since football/soccer and rugby are about the only 2 sports we don't watch, so I have no input. My husband is rather addicted to sports.). I am now working on learning O Death, and I blame you, L. :). These days my voice is my only instrument.
CR - have you ever considered learning to play the harp? If you learn the classical method of playing you don't ever use your pinkies. I've been playing on and off (I have a lever harp and a cross-strung) for seven years now, and it's a really fun instrument-- not really that difficult as the skill set is about the same as the piano.
Also, since when does BBC America show rugby? It's one of the few sports I can actually stand watching, probably because of those tiny shorts.
CB, does the (three weeks to go) mean you're going on your own holiday? Where to?
Guys, I think we could get enough instruments for a Badger Band. So far, we've got guitars, violins, pianos, harps, and a Calliope singer. Doc didn't you take something earlier? Clarinet?
CR - I played the violin for 7 years before I went to college. The required posture did a number on my wrists and shoulders. Even though you're supposed to "rest" your right pinkie finger on the bow, many beginners will let their hand collapse on the bow and stress their pinkles in hopes of sounding louder. I never noticed until I couldn't bend my finger anymore.
So my two cents? Go with the cello. Less stress on your body all around...
Ria, I think it's because it's the Six Nations? I'm not sure. I know they've started playing them on Saturday when they're live, so this morning it was on at 6am, and next week's it's on on at 10am.
DW, yep, road trip, up and down the East Coast, hit both sets of parents in Florida and Western Maryland. One day at Disney World and three old college friends. And we're going to see the road show of Wicked in Florida with my father-in-law.
146 comments:
Good. Luck
Anony
Good Luck
Lancs. Anon
fingers and toes crossed for you
Best of luck! (Bet you don't need it, though. :))
Call me when you're done. You'll be great, I know you will - but I'm still biting my nails and watching the clock counting down the minutes.
Wish I could be there waiting for you.
GOod luck and safe riding!
Probably too late but... arms relaxed, head up, turn your head properly, use both brakes.
I'm sure you've already passed your test by now, and are having a quick celebratory ride with Lestrade, but just in case - good luck!
All done, and passed. Thanks, everyone. :)
You are fantastic.
Do you want me to pick you up, or are you already heading home? I'm leaving now.
Woo! Mazel tov. :)
If you pick me up do i get to drive, or am I not on your insurance yet?
You're on it. I knew you'd pass.
Just don't blame me if I get jumpy riding pillion, first time with you on the road, in the dark, in the city...
We can stop and buy a bottle to calm my nerv... I mean celebrate.
yey :-) Well done John.
Hope you get to 'borrow' L bike soon
Anony
Excellent. I'll be very careful, promise!
Congrats, Doc! You sound like a teeneager who's just gotten their license. Does this mean you get to lose the L plates or are you starting them?
Loses them, DW. He is now allowed out, on his own, on a big bike, with no warning signs :)
God help us.
So sweet of you Greg to get the insurance sorted :-)
I'm suddenly very glad I'm safe in my house! Only kidding John enjoy the drive.
Anony
Congratulations and have fun, both now and later.
Congratulations! We all knew you could do it! Now, when are you getting your own bike? ;-)
Wow, congratulations! :-)
Yup, piplover has a very good question and I would like to know as well ;-)
Congratulations, John, well done :-)
Congratulations, John!
Here's to many future weekend getaways with Greg! ;)
~A from NW
P.S. Why are we limiting jam to a certain time period? (And do I want to ask if/how the jam will be consumed?)
Spend a bit more time on L's bike before looking for one for yourself. You'll have a better idea of things you want and things you don't.
(eg if you are thinking you might be ferrying Sherlock about, you might want lockable storage on it as backpacks are not good with a pillion and tankbags are tricky on a lot of bikes for those of us who's arms are like those of a human not an orangutan and whose chins are closer to our feet.)
Why are we limiting jam to a certain time period?
A - as in, Jam yesterday and jam tomorrow, but never jam today (from Alice in Wonderland). A sort of nonsense poll, really.
Spend a bit more time on L's bike before looking for one for yourself.
Heh. Easier said than done, but I'll try...
I'm sure he'll learn to share John ;-)
Did you enjoy your ride?
Anony
John - Ahh...The only Alice in Wonderland I know is the Disney version, which (upon revisitation) isn't as child-friendly as I remembered it being... but I have seen the original manuscripts and wood blocks(?) at the British Library.
Speaking of which, I have a jar of blackberry jam that needs to be dealt with... Er, can jam spoil?
~A from NW
You do realize I came straight over here to chide you both for your lack of sympathy to my plight and find this intead. Sigh. *puts pouting away*
Well done, John, and congratulations! Have fun celebrating, etc., :D
You can ride my bike - you can always come down the yard and pick it up if you want it.
Maz - sorry!
You do realize I am kidding, right? :D I just thought you'd appreciate my plight, and at least get a chuckle out of it. I'll see what today brought in oh, about 30 minutes.
We could swap with you... but you'd need a week or so to read through Mrs T's Book of Sherlock, so you knew what was and wasn't allowed... It would be interesting reading, though.
AfNW - jam can acquire green furry bits, which I believe are not too good.
You can ride my bike - you can always come down the yard and pick it up if you want it.
Greater love hath no man! If you were in any doubt Doc that should dispell it.
Not just letting a novice ride his bike, letting the novice ride it when he's not there! In traffic!
:D, Rider.
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to anyone whose feelings or emotions or sensibilities I may have hurt or offended. Jailbird!brother's car broke down an hour away, so I had to go rescue him, which means I've lost three hours of work. Clearly, Karma is not on my side.
Also, how did I not.know there was an entire Cabin Pressure.episode with limericks?!
SH - I have the general impression that it's never a good sign when anything acquires green furry bits. ;)
*is a bit bouncy with nerves* I have some (good) news, but I don't want to jinx it. Seriously, DW and company, you're good luck charms.
~A from NW
Congratulations, John, (Please drive safe.)
Pooh, AfNW. I'm excited and I don't even know what it is yet!
Possible badger bike-riding spots:
Borneo
Botswana
Brisbane
Bogota
Well done, John! That's brilliant.
Poor Sherlock must be even more annoyed he isn't tall enough now.
You will be soon, Sherlock! Don't be in a hurry to grow up.
I hope this means we might get to see more of the two of you ;)
(You are going to come and see Rachel, aren't you? She'd love to meet you, John. I've told her all about you!)
Hey Nicky - we will come down! I promise.
Rider - I've lost and replaced bikes before - as long as he's okay, I don't mind what he does to the bike.
A - hope your good news is un-jinxed!
Nicky - thanks! If L's going, then I am too, yeah...and the boys, the dogs... I hope we don't scare her!
as long as he's okay, I don't mind what he does to the bike.
Now that's love. ;)
Love's the Doc sat on the running bike
Trying to recite "The Doc sat on
The running bike." Love's the DI
stood fondly watching on,
while the brave Doc in denim went off.
Love's the unflappable Doc,the bike,
Even the yammering Yarders, who
Would like a motorcycle, too,
Or an lesson from Lestrade
some day. And love's the riding Doc.
A spider just met it's end under my foot, completly by accident and pretty gross seen as I'm a bare foot person but I thought you'd approve John :-)
Anony
Congratulations, John! Awesome news. Now you just need a sidecar and some goggles for Sherlock. And the Degus. Tiny, tiny Goo Goggles.
Back from the Purim feast at my sister's (and yes! hamantaschen were eaten!) and wanted to repeat my congratulations, John, now I'm not running out the door. Most excellent!
And I voted jam today because I doubt my ability to eat anything at all tomorrow. :)
Congratulations, Doc! Yay for Alice quotes as well.
Just to make up for falling behind:
Yay for John's license, L.'s return to work, Sherlock's play, DW's poetry, and lovely folks who teach me all sorts of new things.
*makes tea and scones for all*
Congrats John :) Happy riding (motobikes) !
Anon from Paris
Congrats John :) And a sidecar, for sure! I bet Sherlock would love it.
DW - On the subject of Alice, I've always wanted an answer to the riddle of the raven and the writing desk. As our resident rhymer, do you have any bright ideas?
RR - Chag sameach! Hope your Purim is as full of joy as mine, I made hamentaschen completely solo, first time ever, and they were snarfed with delight.
~Jaws
Jaws, the answer I heard was "Poe wrote on both"
Carroll's answer was something like:
"Because it can produce notes, though a little flat and because it is nevar put back to front" ("nevar" being "raven" backwards)
But the favorite I've ever heard was "Because there's a B in both and an N in neither."
Alas, riddles are not my forte. I'm nowhere near clever enough to come up with answers on my own.
Chag samesch, Jaws! My Purim was lovely, thank you--and cheers for your joyous holiday and successful solo hamantaschen!
When I can pry my eyes open, I'll see if the Annotated Alice offers any insight on ravens and writing desks. (My favorite bit was Jabberwocky. :))
Thanks DW, I do like the B in both, N in neither, it's very Carroll-esque.
According to the Annotated Alice, Carroll gave the answer DW cited above in the into to the 1896 edition and added "This, however, is merely an afterthought; the Riddle, as originally invented, had no answer at all."
And the b in both, n in neither answer was offered by Aldoys Huxley. In a similar vein, James Michie (I don't know who he is) offered "Because each begins with e."
(And there's another column and a bit about the matter.)
*going off to reread the Mad Tea Party, where there's never jam today*
My favorite part is the Lobster Quadrille, specifically the porpoise. :D
Doc, how is it that you can quote/reference literature and poetry with such faculty?
Hey Mycroft are you home from school yet? I was just wondering how school was going and what you had planned for your time at home? We don't see you around much, I know you're a very busy young man, but we do all wonder how you're getting on :-)
Feel free to ignore my question and get on with having fun I won't be offended ;-)
Anony
DW - just been reading all my life, that's all. Family trait. Harry went into publishing, and I started hauling books around the world with me. It's about the only thing my whole family has in common. Mum even had a few short stories published before she got married.
Ah! And we begin to get to the bottom of Danger's past as an erotic novelist! I knew he couldn't deny it forever....
(It is amazing how you remember poems and things. But I suppose that bit of my brain is just full of song lyrics.)
Song lyrics, motorcycle parts, recipes, apparently every law ever written...
I knew he couldn't deny it forever....
Can so.
Oh, and are you going to fetch Mycroft from school today?
I am if you're not...
CR - That is a happy flower. (Reminds self to check the forsythia.)
Kholly - That's me exactly. I feel the same way about the visual arts. No idea about the artistic reasons and values; it's pretty or it touches me or I'm not interested.
Yay for Mycroft weekend! How has school been treating you?
L - he wants you, despite my shiny new license! If you're too busy, he says I have to take the car. You'd think I'd only been riding a few weeks or something...
Huh, obviously wants you to practice with your poor defenceless boyfriend first...
I can go. I think I should have gone already... sorry, Mycroft! Be there by 5.
It's all right; I can wait. I'm practising my guitar.
Anony, school is all right. I'm not sure if we have any plans for this weekend, but I hope we can make pizza.
Glad schools all right Mycroft, Do you play guitar well? I'm always very jealous of people who can do more than strum a chord ;-)
Pizza sounds good hope you get a chance to do that :-)
Anony
No, not really. I only got it at Christmas. I have lessons here though, and Lestrade helps me at home, so I'm learning.
Hi, Mycroft! I'm sure Sherlock will be fully onboard with your pizza-making idea. :)
Sounds like your guitar playing us progressing nicely. I always enjoyed the feeling of the music vibrating right through me when I played. Are the self defense classes going well, too?
And here's hoping you have a far more relaxing time home this time than the last.
I'm always impressed by people who remember things like poetry and song lyrics. I'm doing well if I can remember my phone number! But lugging books around the world can be a pain. Thank goodness for e-readers! (Sorry, RR and CR)
Hope you get your pizza, Mycroft. :)
AfNW, I'm dying of curiosity! When will you know if your news has been unjinxed?
Well stick with it because I really regret the fact I gave up learning :-( I listen to other people play and I wish I could sound like them, I still play (if you can call it that) when the mood takes me though :-)
Anony
Glad to hear school isn't too much torture, and that you're enjoying the guitar. ANSI suspect your brother will be thrilled at the thought of pizza?
Danger, I wonder if it's not more that he thinks he can talk L into going faster and longer than he can talk you.
Weekend! Here's hoping it's a good one for allof us!
RR, the self defence lessons are all right, except that the more I learn, the more I worry about really hurting someone if I had to use it. It's all right now because I'm not very good, but I might be, eventually.
Anony, why did you give it up? You could still take lessons, couldn't you?
CB, Sherlock will be very happy about eating it, yes, and about making a huge mess in the kitchen, and I like to help Lestrade make the dough.
I gave up because I was a bit of a lazy kid to be honest :-( I couldn't do what I wanted to quick enough so I gave up! (not a good role model to my kids really!!)
I'd not really thought of taking lessons now, I guess I thought I was too old to learn but you're probably right I should do just that :-)
Anony
Mycroft, I think the fact you worry about hurting someone is a good thing. It means that you know the consequences of what could happen, and will do everything you can to refrain from hurting someone unless you absolutely have to.
It's not an easy thing, to know you could hurt someone. But I think you are responsible enough, and mature enough, to have that ability and not abuse it.
I'm glad that you're enjoying learning the guitar. I hope you have a great time this weekend!
Mycroft, the more you learn and the more expert you get, the less dangerous you'll be, because you'll have more control. And it shows something very good indeed about your character that you worry about it.
I certainly hope you never need to hurt someone, but it's a good thing, on the whole, to be able to if you ever do need to. John would be a good person to discuss the ifs and whens of it with, and Lestrade--and I think your mother, too. Your instructor, if you trust his character, might also be a good person to discuss that with--I have done with mine.
Yep, have a good weekend everyone. I'm sat here, with Queen on my headphones, having cleared my desk (well, pushed everything into a file) and on holiday for a week. And it's nearly time to open the bottle of wine.
Thank you, Pip. I'm glad you think so, and I will try to be careful.
SH - I'm trying to get Mycroft to imitate Brian May. He's having none of it...
(i said I'd do John Deacon, Danger can be Roger and Sherlock's enough of a snowman to be Freddie. He's still not interested. He gave me a look.)
If I admit to having to look up who Brian May is, L, you'll never have the least respect for me again, so I won't. ;)
(ASTROPHYSICIST?)
But you've heard of Queen, right? Please tell me you've heard of Queen, and Freddie...
And yes, astrophysicist. Mycroft knows him better from The Sky At Night than he does for being a guitar god. The youth of today, eh?
Mycroft - you disappoint me, you'd be great as Brian May. Do you model your looks on what John has taught you?
I'm sure Sherlock would be good as a snowman or Freddie ;)
Ah. Showman, I mean. He'd never stay still enough to be a snowman.
Ooh, if Mycroft's about maybe he can solve why I'm no longer getting the comments on John's blog via my RSS feed
(I know well enough that J & L probably won't know (no offence guys))
Don't panic, L! I definitely know Queen and Freddie Mercury (no relation to any degus). :)
It's just that I listen more to singer/songwriter/alternative stuff. And classical. And world. And klezmer. And Great American Songbook standards. (And apparently, when I think about it, I have very eclectic musical tastes.)
I'm really impressed by people who do excellent work in multiple fields. Hard enough in one!
I think most people have very catholic tastes in music when exposed to different sorts, although people tend to play safe when spending money or tuning in to a radio station. The internet is brilliant for letting you get a good taste for different music free.
I think most people have very catholic tastes in music when exposed to different sorts
I totally agree with this, L! The problem is getting (some) people to even listen outside their comfort zone.
And absolutely! (About the internet.) I used to wander around MySpace a lot, a few years ago--now I more go to artist websites based on recommendations, and for the free downloads on Amazon and NoiseTrade. (NoiseTrade is great for hearing what new artists are putting out.)
I wouldn't say it's a problem. If they're happy then there's need to bother them - the only people who'll miss out is them.
True.
If music's good, it's just good.
Anony, you're never too old to learn something new. It may not be as easy, but you can do it!
SH, enjoy your holiday! (Three weeks to go.)
Mycroft, six-year-olds need mess and dirt to grow up healthy. It isn't a bad idea for 13-year-olds either. Of course, they also have to learn to clean it up.
Cranky - 46 year olds don't need mess and dirt in the kitchen they're trying to cook in... but it seems inevitable, so no point complaining.
The learning to clean part is slowly sinking in, I think...
You're right CB I should take mycroft's advice and give it a go. Think I'll look into it on Monday.
Anony
Anony, I took piano when I was a kid, but haven't played one in years. Recently, I purchased a violin. I'm almost scared to touch it, because I know I'll be horrible at first, but it's something I've always wanted. I figure, what the heck? If I'm horrible I'm horrible, but at least I'll have tried!
I've recently been missing having a piano in the house, my whole family has pianos and I used to play reasonably well but I've nowhere to put one in my house at the minute so I think my guitar is becoming more important and I should take it more seriously which I am now going to do :-)
Violins are great once you're confident enough to play one properly. nerves bring squeaks ;-)
Anony
The learning to clean part is slowly sinking in, I think...
Heh. When you figure out if it has, let me know! I'm pretty sure this working/cooking/cleaning/laundry- doing mother had a Grade 1 Nanny Danger glare on her face last night at the "I have to do EVERYTHING around here!" I got for asking the boy to pick up his toys and dirty socks. Sigh.
I played piano as a kid, but just moving out of your parents house is no good time to lug around a piano. Wish I'd played a more portable instrument! Violin and guitar are good for that - take them wherever you go!
And Queen. There may be some sort of strange alternate reality where people don't know Queen, but I never want to go there.
I miss guitar, but my fingers haven't been able to manage it for years--that weird overstretched ligament thing. Doubt I'd even be able to manage piano, since the joints tend to buckle backwards. (Athough I 'm mostly okay with a computer keyboard, so maybe...)
I take it you and John are managing to link the learning to clean part with the cooking fun things part, L?
Maz - combination of bribery, glaring, rules and deals, really.
It never sinks in. So sayeth the six-foot pile of dishes in my sink and lack of clean forks after just a day.
If I admit that I didn't get the Queen reference until you explained it, will you all be disappointed? I'd blame it on the snowman throwing me off, but...
L & Maz, I didn't say learning the cleaning up part was "easy"! My 16-year-old is still shaky on the concept, so you have my full sympathy. And, yes, threats, glares, etc, etc, to get it done.
DW - if it's just me, I don't mind the mess. But this flat isn't that big, and once there's four of us, two Degus and to massive dogs, it's a bit more important! (Teaspoons. Where do they go?? They're not just dirty, they're absent!)
And I'll forgive you about Queen if you go and brush up on them, so you get the next reference.
My mom was all about early training--she had me dusting (no doubt extremely badly and I'm sure she followed behind and did it again) at about age three--and she'd pull out the photos to prove it anytime teenage me thought it would be a good idea if I didn't know how.
She also had me washing the crystal when I was 5 or so--with a thick towel down in the sink to protect the glass--but that was because I loved handling it, all rainbows and sparkle. :)
(Okay, it's probably at least partly genetic. Or I wouldn't start cleaning things as soon as I get really upset.)
I hate housework with a passion. Add to that my inherent laziness, and really, I'm only saved from living in a swamp of filth by my just-slightly-less-averse-to-housewok-than-me husband.
It really didn't help that my Mum persuaded me to do housework on the principle that my brothers had previously done so; when I found that wasn't true, I challenged her, and was told that I had to learn because I'd "have to do it for a man one day". Never did the housework again at my parents' house. Which was a shame on many levels, because if she'd just appealed to the fact that it was a big family and I should pull my weight, I'dve probably been persuaded (because she would have been right).
Maz - I have nothing against e-readers as long as nobody forces me to use one. I'd prefer a regular tablet, as they have many more functions...
Ah, housework! I don't mind it that much as long as I can do it when I want and how I want. As we are living with my mom, I usually don't do it simply on principle. Except for cooking - but cooking ain't a chore, it's a pleasure for me.
Music - I started to play the piano when I was 3 years old. When I was 18, I've dropped the lessons, as I didn't have the time. After 25 I picked it up again, only to dislocate the last joint in my right little finger and find out that I have a bone cyst growing there. Now it simply hurts to play with that finger anymore, so I am currently in a sulk mode regarding the piano. But I want to re-work all the tricks later without using the finger anymore (amputation of the last digit threatened by my orthopedist), only it will take me several years to de-sulk and then start working on all the skills from Adam again.
So I started to look for an alternative instrument, also something portable, as you can't lug your piano with you wherever you go (and please, keyboards are not a suitable equivalent for a classical pianist I used to be - we have very strong opinions about them).
I am currently deciding between violoncello and violin. The latter is more portable ;-) but at the same time, my dad plays the violin and I really don't like to be compared, which is what his wife would totally do. The cello is pretty big as well, though nowhere near the piano, on the other hand I enjoy the voice of it more. And after finding The Piano guys on YouTube I am 70% going for the cello...
I wanted to go for the transverse flute but I would need my right little finger to play it. So that one won't happen, even though this instrument also has one amazing tone. But today I've found an equivalent I think I will have a lots of fun learning to play: the tinwhistle! After the next pay I am so running to the shop and buying myself one, including the notes and a textbook! Driving neighbors mad is an added value :-)
CR - I have an e-reader, which I find great for when I'm on train journeys, so much lighter and I can choose what I want to read rather than just having one book.
Have you considered the viola? I know there are a lot of jokes around viola players eg "how do you get two viola players to play in tune? shoot one of them". My daughter progressed from the violin to the viola and enjoyed it. Her brother played the cello, so obviously there was no way she would learn that instrument ;)
The tinwhistle should be fun are you planning on buying a small and shrill version or a slightly larger one?
SH, how many violinists does it take to screw in a lightbulb? One, to hold the lightbulb while the world revolves around her. :)
CR, what about the xylophone? Slightly less portable than a violin, I'll grant you, but interesting nonetheless.
I've always wanted to play the mouth organ. Maybe because it just sounds slightly filthy though...'blowing and sucking on my mouth organ'.
(harmonica, to be precise, if it's not called a mouth organ elsewhere in the world)
Too early in the day for that Mr Lestrade!! ;-)
Anony
It would be good, though! Carry it with you everywhere, whip it out of your pocket for a little play...
... and you could also learn to do it hands-free, just using your mouth. Certainly an impressive skill.
SH - nope, can't read the key. I am stuck on treble clef and bass clef, the alto one is a total enigma for me. And that's the key viola has the notes in. One of my classmates at the high school played the viola. It has really nice voice, but it is pretty rare to meet somebody who plays it...
I plan to buy exactly that one I've linked above - I think it's the higher pitched one, but at the same time it does not have the shrill tone. Here's a video of a tune played on this tinwhistle, only I want to buy a D-tuned one, which is more usual... The C-tuned can come later :-)
DW - not really my thing. From percussion I'd stick with chimes, tubular bells, maybe a frame drum and a steel tongue drum (hapi drum) - have a video: hang insomniac jam. I think nearly all of us can relate more or less to the name... :-D
L - I thought about it for a while too, there are people who can play the whole William Tell overture on a small Hohner harmonica, but again, not really my thing. Maybe sometime later...
Nameless - I wouldn't recommend to play it hands-free standing under a tree though ;-)
Do you not have to have a permit to do it in public? ;-)
Anony
L - which is better: busking with a mouth organ or on a tin whistle?
Lestrade, as soon as you mentioned the mouth organ, I thought of this. This guy is amazing!
http://www.wimp.com/harmonicacarnegie/
That was amazing! I had no idea it could produce that wide a range of sound. Almost sounded like the violin at some points.
Holy cow, Pip! That was awesome. And that guy looked so happy! :D
There you go, Lestrade. Bar's set pretty high.
(I didn't know the Gaithers went to Carnegie Hall!)
If you're looking for a easy and portable instrument, there is that too :
http://music.amandapalmer.net/track/ukulele-anthem
:D
I actually don't play anything. We had to play the flute in middle school, but it was terrible. I'd love to learn to sing actually.
Anon from Paris
Err..I'll stick to the guitar.
Another thing I would love to play is steel pans. I just love the sound.
Anyway, enough music. COME ON ITALY!
(I'm mean, I'll stick to the guitar rather than compete with the amazing guy on the mouth organ)
Enjoy the rugby :-)
Anony
Thank goodness for BBC America! It's almost 7am here, but I can watch the rugby live. It makes working not quite to tedious, lol.
I think you could be quite proficient at the mouth organ, Lestrade, if you applied yourself properly. Lots of practice, day and night, is the key.
Hope the rugby goes your way. :)
I'm sure John would help you practise.
Anon from Paris
Thanks. It's not, but we're not going down without a fight.
I mean the rugby! I frequently go down without a fight...
Oh, really? Well-practiced then? That explains the handiness of the toothbrush advice...
Wouldn't know what you mean, DW... ;)
How'd it finish Greg?
I'm going to resist the temptation to comment on anything else ;-)
Anony
Badly. Unless you're Welsh.
24-3.
I have to admit, it was a bit painful to watch, but they did give it all they had, it seemed!
Not a good day for sport :-(
Anony
Anony - What's up?
(Also, please note that I am SO glad that I don't have a TV at home!)
CR Poor football and bad rugby results does not a good sport day make :-(
Good job everything else is good :-)
Anony
Don't worry Lestrade I understood you were talking about rugby :)
Sorry about that match by the way!
Anon from Paris
On the subject of music (since football/soccer and rugby are about the only 2 sports we don't watch, so I have no input. My husband is rather addicted to sports.). I am now working on learning O Death, and I blame you, L. :). These days my voice is my only instrument.
CR - have you ever considered learning to play the harp? If you learn the classical method of playing you don't ever use your pinkies. I've been playing on and off (I have a lever harp and a cross-strung) for seven years now, and it's a really fun instrument-- not really that difficult as the skill set is about the same as the piano.
Also, since when does BBC America show rugby? It's one of the few sports I can actually stand watching, probably because of those tiny shorts.
CB, does the (three weeks to go) mean you're going on your own holiday? Where to?
Guys, I think we could get enough instruments for a Badger Band. So far, we've got guitars, violins, pianos, harps, and a Calliope singer. Doc didn't you take something earlier? Clarinet?
Anyone else?
CR - I played the violin for 7 years before I went to college. The required posture did a number on my wrists and shoulders. Even though you're supposed to "rest" your right pinkie finger on the bow, many beginners will let their hand collapse on the bow and stress their pinkles in hopes of sounding louder. I never noticed until I couldn't bend my finger anymore.
So my two cents? Go with the cello. Less stress on your body all around...
~A from NW
Ria, I think it's because it's the Six Nations? I'm not sure. I know they've started playing them on Saturday when they're live, so this morning it was on at 6am, and next week's it's on on at 10am.
Calliope - you've just inspired my latest blog.
And I think I've answered the last of the questions on it. But tell me if I missed one!
DW, yep, road trip, up and down the East Coast, hit both sets of parents in Florida and Western Maryland. One day at Disney World and three old college friends. And we're going to see the road show of Wicked in Florida with my father-in-law.
Anyone else with vacation plans?
I'm trying to persuade John and the boys to pick somewhere for the summer...
Ria - you mean the concert harp or the smaller versions? I would be slightly worried about the transportation issues with the big concert one again...
AfNW - good point. 75% for cello now :-)
Sounds awesome, CB! I really liked seeing Wicked. Long road trips are my favorite. Hope it goes well for you!
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