When he was ready (clean shirt and socks, both very important for dates I'm sure), Sherlock went outside and knocked on the door...because he remembered Lestrade saying it didn't count as a proper date otherwise...
He must've gone online looking for places to go, because he had the address written down to give to the taxi driver. I was not allowed to see it in advance, and I was...mildly concerned about where we'd end up. But it was, to my relief, a perfectly ordinary Japanese restaurant - or mainly ordinary.
He said he was looking for sea urchin sushi and found this place instead (I'd link but they don't seem to have a website). They do okonomiyaki, which is sort of...a cross between an omelet and a pizza? I'd never had it before, but it was quite good. You get to pick what goes in it, and, most important to Sherlock, they cook it right in front of you. Here's a picture of mine being cooked:
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He must've gone online looking for places to go, because he had the address written down to give to the taxi driver. I was not allowed to see it in advance, and I was...mildly concerned about where we'd end up. But it was, to my relief, a perfectly ordinary Japanese restaurant - or mainly ordinary.
He said he was looking for sea urchin sushi and found this place instead (I'd link but they don't seem to have a website). They do okonomiyaki, which is sort of...a cross between an omelet and a pizza? I'd never had it before, but it was quite good. You get to pick what goes in it, and, most important to Sherlock, they cook it right in front of you. Here's a picture of mine being cooked:
.jpg)
We also had a few bits of sushi while it was cooking, but not sea urchin. Sherlock told the waiter we were on a date. The man cooking our okonomiyaki said he was from Hokkaido, and Sherlock asked him many questions about it. Sherlock also told him we were on a date, which caused...a bit of confusion.
Having traumatised the staff, we headed out for... Oh, wait, I'm forgetting.
At the end of the meal, Sherlock produced L's bank card from his pocket and said he would pay... He swore L gave it to him of his own free will, so I let him. I have no idea what the waiter thought, but he looked amused.
We went to have liquid nitrogen ice cream - chocolate for him, and blueberry muffin for me. Had a nice walk, discussed various things, such as why bananas grow upside down (it's probably the right way up from the banana's perspective), the point of the Olympics, and why they shouldn't give misleading information on QI (Stephen Fry is still in his bad books over the bronze sky incident).
We came home, and he presented me with a somewhat wilted collection of reeds and grasses, which he forgot to give me before we left. He said he thought they'd be better than flowers because they came from the pond we built and that he was careful to take all the bugs off and leave them at school.
He's so sweet sometimes it amazes me.
171 comments:
Oh to have a boy like Sherlock :-)
Bit of a disappointmnet not to get sea urchins though John ;-)
I know you are in bed Sherlock and won't see this till the morning but you really really did get everything right, well done you :-)
Anonybob
I...really don't think I can compete!
Well done Sherlock :)
(And I did - I emailed him where to find the card, and he called me for the PIN, like I told him to.)
I'm glad the two of you had fun on your Date Night.
That wet splatter you heard? That was my heart melting at how sweet your date was. It sounds like you both had a lovely evening.
Sherlock, it sounds like you were a perfect gentleman!
I know you did now, but at the time...I was remembering Harrods and hoping we didn't need to have that talk again.
I must say, I've certainly had worse...all right, dates.
Oh. Oh, that's just lovely. Sherlock, you did AWESOME!
(John, save some of those carefully debugged reeds and grasses, which are indeed much more meaningful than flowers--dry them or press them or something. Or at least take some pictures.)
Well done, Sherlock! Sounds like everything was perfect from this end, and Doc seems happy! A*. (Maybe you could write a how to book on dates? I'm sure some of us have been on some really terrible ones with some people who could use the help!)
it says a lot about this household that I didn't even ask why we had a pot of grass on the mantlepiece...
So, Sherlock, when's the next date? Are you going to play hard-to-get? Treat 'em mean to keep 'em keen? Or are you going to see if John organises the next one?
It takes real confidence for a man to encourage someone else to take his partner on dates Greg ;-)
Do you have a plan for a return date John?
You're going to have an extremely clean motorcycle if he keeps this up.
Anonybob - I'm not sure I could do half as well!
Sherlock, what a brilliant date. You clearly put a lot of thought into it. I'm envious.
Hah. Well, if he paid for this one, you should pay for the next.
Or were you offering to clean my bike for date-night money too??
I should sleep. Far too little of that recently.
I'm more than sure you could get somewhere close John but I think I would have to agree that Sherlock has really raised the bar which in your household is pretty impressive ;-)
were you offering to clean my bike for date-night money too??
Ha! No, no. I'll just watch from a safe distance while he gets water and suds on everything in a twenty foot radius, including you. Sleep would be very nice, yes.
...why do I get a feeling that suddenyl all my clothes will disappear that morning apart from an old white t-shirt and my most ripped jeans??
I'm onto you, Doc!
C'mon, or it's more muesli-tea for you in the morning.
I'm sure I have no idea of what you might be speaking...
Should such a, ahem, wardrobe malfunction occur, I hope you take a few photos to memorialize the mystery, John... :)
You know, Sherlock could take Lestrade on the next date. It would be a shame to let John have all the fun. :)
Pip - you make a very good point!
What can he do for you to earn money for another dinner, John? :)
I'm sure I could think of something!
I have complete faith in you. :D
(I don't know why "I have complete faith in you" ended up in the spam filter! :D And really, dry or press some of that grass, John. :))
Reading John's post again, I really am so very impressed by how carefully you planned out every detail, Sherlock. It was a wonderful date night you put together--I don't think I've been taken on a date that was so well thought out, ever!
Oh, that's a fantastic idea for L to have a night out next! Equal opportunity dates seem only fair. And maybe you could get some laundry done in return (towel loads are good for this) for date-night cash.
Sherlock - you are a fantastic, amazing, thoughtful person. Don't ever change.
Sorry for being dense, Sherlock, but can you please remind me what prompted you to take John on a date?
Whatever the reason, you clearly did splendidly - your thoughtfulness with the restaurant, the reeds, and the planning shows that you can apply your wonderful curiosity in winning ways.
And yes, it could be Lestrade's turn next! And then maybe Sally? Or maybe L is too busy in his Greg the Florist guise, looking up those reeds.
Your date sounds lovely, although the ice cream does sound the best part.
I seem to have caught the badger's disease of insomnia...not looking forward to 9am lectures tomorrow.
Oh, dear, Jaws! I hope you got some sleep in the end...perhaps you just handed it over, because I am manifestly not asleep!
I might take Lestrade out, I don't know I light see if John asks me out back.
Sherlock, that sounds like a lovely evening; you clearly put a lot of thought and effort into making sure it was something John would enjoy. Wonderful :-)
Hope you made it to sleep at decent.ish hours, Jaws and RR.
Waiting a bit might be prudent, Sherlock. What was your favorite part of the night?
Sherlock, I can't see how John can not ask you out in return after you gave him such a lovely date.
Well, Sherlock, of course and obviously it is up to you, but if you wanted you could do both--wait and see if John asks you out back and also take Lestrade on a date night. (This is a big advantage of friendship-type date, that if you want to you can go out with more than one person, although only one person on each date.)
Hey, Sherlock, dont let them talk you into dropping your standards. I think John would be dellighted to take you on a date back :)
Oh, Sherlock, what a lovely sweet young man you are! I'm sure Doctor Watson will ask you out after a night like that. And in the future anyone else you choose to court will be very lucky that you've had such good practice.
I could go on a date with you Mrs Hudson because you don't have anyone to go on dates with and John and Lestrade have each other as well as me but it can't be until at least next week unless I can get more pocket money from John by doing chores and I want a new platform for the degus too.
Just when we think you've reached the peak of your loveliness Sherlock you manage to surprise us again :-)
Hope school isn't working you too hard :-)
Anonybob
Sherlock, I think you just managed to charm the entire Internet. <3
You'll get a reputation, Sherlock, playing the field like this! Perhaps I should be taking notes....
I think everyone should be taking notes! Sherlock, you keep being you, you're doing great. (No joke. :))
I think that's a lovely idea, Sherlock. I'm sure I can find some more chores for you to do if you want to earn more money, for dates or degu platforms.
How good are you at paperwork, Sherlock? :)
You want to watch out with that, L! I think he'd be wonderful with it--but you'll be the one explaining all the "I already answered this" and "This is stupid"s. (Which won't be easy when you want to say that it's all true!) :D
I'd have to disagree there. I think he'd be terrible. He could undoubtedly fill the required headings with explanations of why it was stupid, how it could be done better etc. But actually doing it as the Met demands? I think it would be a disaster.
You'd miss the paperwork if there was someone to do it for you Greg you know you would ;-)
It is of course important that there is something you are better at than Sherlock and if Met paperwork is the thing then go with it ;-)
Anonybob
We are actually agreeing on everything but what to call the results... :D
(That last was in response to L, your comment came up while I was pecking away, Anony!)
Right. I'd call getting it done and filed ready for the CPS/court and a tidy conviction a good result. He wouldn't do that.
Well, I did offer a few examples of how I thought ithe forms would end up being filled out! (I think Sherlock would prefer jobs that include lots of sloshing water, anyway. :) Now, Mycroft might fill out your paperwork so as to get official approval--but I think he'd prefer other ways of earning money, too. :))
Tell you what, though, L--I'm a rule-following neatnik whose personal files would be the envy of the most finicky bureaucrat. You figure out how to get your paperwork to me (with some examples to work off) and I'll take care of it for you, for a suitable fee, of course. :). (This is not a good economy for freelancers, you know!)
I'll take filed and ready for the CPS any day Greg!
We're you involved in the health and safety thing today? hope it didn't mess your day up too much if you were.
EBSanon
Sadly it mainly relies on having been there and knowing the law and relevant sections.
EBSAnon - no, not really involved much, thankfully. Although I'm sure there will be meetings....
Ah, well, I guess it's all yours, then. Sorry!
Glad it didn't mess up your day :)
Meetings!! there are always meetings!
EBSanon
I'm still clearing up from yesterday, and trying to find enough officers to cover the bank holiday. I desperately want to not be here - although I'm resigned to being on call. But, obviously, most people are keen not to be here!
Do you have to set the roster today? Or do you have time to guilt some ambitious youngsters into volunteering? ;)
It always amazes me how much paperwork has to be done by the police but if it could be months until it's used it needs to provide all the information I guess.
I had completely forgotten it was bank holiday monday until we got a letter from school tonight reminding us, that could have been embarrasing on Monday ;-)
Hope you get sorted for the day on call rather than in the office :-)
Anonybob
You don't really get ambitious youngsters in MITs. And they're all fantastic at letting me get away with as much time off as I get.
EBSAnon - I forgot, I did get evacuated along with every person in the yard, but forewarned is forearmed - I had a mug of coffee and a file to read, all ready to go. And resisted the impromptu smoking break most people took it as, so not very disruptive at all!
Sorry Greg not very clear was I. I thought you'd have said if you'd been involved in the early morning stuff.
I love the fact that you were working even when you'd been kick out, that really is commitment to the job (resisting the smoking is also pretty impressive!)
EBSanon
I was afraid of that. :( Best of luck wrangling schedules, perhaps you can work it out anyway...
What a sweet little boy.
EBSAnon -I was too busy just to mill about usselessly!
RR - I think I might get away with being on callas senior officer the whole weekend.
Not ideal, L, but definitely better than having to go in! We'll all just have to keep our fingers crossed that you won't actually BE called all weekend. :)
Hello, Ttid--are you new, or is my terrible memory for names showing? (I have to say that "little boy" is not a phrase I connect with Sherlock, age notwithstanding. :))
L - so you hope that the criminal classes will spend their time dancing round the maypole and slumped in front of the bank holiday Bond film.
Ttid - Hi :-) I hope Sherlock saw your comment before he went to bed because he really is a very sweet boy :-)
Do criminals stop working for the duration of such health and safety exercises Greg? ;-)
What happens with Mycroft an a bank holiday? does he get the day then or is he still in school? I hope you get away with on call and that you don't get many calls :-)
Anonybob
AnonyBob - I wish! I'm hoping the rain will keep a few of them indoors though.
Mycroft stays at school, but I think they do slightly more fun stuff. Although my idea of fun and Mycroft's probably differ quite a lot...
Ttid - Hello. And yes, he is. :)
I thought that would be the answer about Mycroft because I assume there are people who travel from other countries to his school and they can't really go home for a day can they ;-)
I hope you have had a nice evening :-)
Anonybob
I have, thanks. Really tired now - some idiot bought 'half caffeine' coffee for work! Reckon it's a criminal masterplan...
it's a criminal masterplan...
Oh, wow, yes, it's genius--make sure all the cops are only half awake!
Ha. Do you know who it was? Are they going to need protection?
glad you've had a nice one :-) half caff is a criminal offence in itself isn't it? ;-)
Anonybob
real criminal genius would be to put decaff in proper coffee bags. This was a bit obvious.
The person responsible has been reprimanded. I'll try to get out to get some proper stuff tomorrow.
Right now, though, I need to go to bed with a nice warm doctor. Anyone know of a free one?
I might know where you can find one...
I don't know any free ones but I do know of one who belongs to you ;-)
I hope you are successful in your coffee search, I couldn't make it to lunchtime without some serious caffeine!!
sleep well
Anonybob
Mmm. Point him in the right direction then - just get him to put himself next to the unconscious DI.
You'll be okay on the sofa, right? Or Mycroft's bed's free...
;)
Yeah, yeah. You can come and find me when your free doctor flinches away from your Feet of Ice...
My feet aren't icy!
(my toes...might be slightly chilly.)
Night night sleep tight.
Slightly... mmhmm. Come to bed, and I'll try to do something about that.
Ah, you can always warm my...cockles.
Night all.
Sweet dreams!
Don't wanna get up.
Thus proving you are a sane and sensible adult.
Good morning, L.
Was there doubt?
Hmmm, since I don't see many of the badgers claiming to be sane and sensible adults I don't see why you should be able to say you're any different. Although I'm with you on not wanting to get up, especially as, at least here, it's raining yet again.
Between the hours of 7 and 7 while in DI mode we always believe you to be a sane and sensible adult, the rest of the time not so much ;-)
I hope you manage to track down some proper coffee, thus allowing you to track down criminals ;-)
I hope the day is not too wet and not too busy for any of the badgers :-)
Anonybob
John Lestrade Mrs T said it was voting today and last time I wasn't allowed to go and she explained it and PLEASE can I come with you and see you vote because you took Mycroft last time and PLEASE?? I'll be good and quiet and everything!
John, if you're free between work and picking Sherlock up from school I'd really like to see you.
Sherlock I'm sure we can work something out.
I can come now if that's all right? You okay, love?
Sherlock - we'll talk about it when I come to pick you up.
Yeah, now's good. And I'm okay. i mean...i'm not, but I am. Seeing you will help, anyway. Sorry, not very good explanation. Don't worry. It's nothing you should worry about.
Was there any doubt?
It's the sort of thing that you like to be able to confirm now and again. :) (I was asleep by the time you asked, and am only just now prying open my eyes. Yay for sleeping late on a rainy day!)
I don't know what sort of voting machines you have in London, but up until just recently New York had these wonderful, solid, curtsined off booths, where you pushed a huge lever to start, then flipped little levers for your voting choices, then pushed back the huge lever to record your vote with a most satisfying clunk. My mother used to take me and my sister with her to vote, and it was always very impressive and thrilling. (Now we have these stupid sheets that you fill in, like taking a standardized test, and then scan. It doesn't feel like voting at all. :( )
L--Obviously I don't know what's up, but sending good vibes your way. Let us know if there's anything we can do or say, when you feel you can, okay?
L - almost there. I'll call you. You want to come down or am I coming up?
I'll come down.
All right. Here now, ready and waiting.
ON the way.
And feel free to tell me i'n being irrational and silly and should just...get a grip. Because I probably should.
But not until after coffee and a hug.
I feel like there should be some sort of Jammy Badger Affection System (JBAS). Sort of like "tea and Marmite sandwiches, activate!"
"Irrational" is not a word I think any of us would use to describe you, Lestrade. Hope things work out in your favo(u)r.
Coffee and a hug cures many bad days. Here's hoping it works for you as well.
Definitely not silly or irrational. You shall have as many hugs as you like...although I hesitate to offer you an unlimited amount of coffee.
Hugs are the best when not feeling great :-)
Hope you're ok Greg or at least better now you have John there :-)
Anonybob
Thanks, all of you.
John... I don't feel like it's fair to talk to you about him. I'm the one who married the tosser. But thank you for listening and... just, being there. And everything.
I'm glad you're willing to talk to me about him. Don't care if it's fair or not, though I don't think it's either really. I love you, and I'm happy if I can help a bit.
I agree with DW. And am therefore sending a JBAS. Because you deserve it.
Well you've moved me from guilt and feeling like I might throw up to anger... about feeling guilty. Which I think is a step up. And definitely feel better that you know, even if... well, anyway, yeah. Thank you.
Sherlock, you can choose what sort of tale away we get if we all go and vote.
Sending hugs your way best I can Greg.
Whatever is going on I hope you're ok or at least will be with the support of your boys (and us lot if you want it)
Anonybob
Thanks.
Well, basically, I was out to talk to a witness, and out on the street I saw Bryan, which is... well, I'd rather never see him.again, but I was sort of prepared that it was possible I would, given we both live here.
But I wasn't exactly expecting he'd be with someone, and he was, some younger guy, and when he saw me he just smirked and put his arm around this bloke and said something in his ear and then looked at me and bloody winked and blew me a kiss and... and I shouldn't be surprised, because he always knew how to wind me up.
well that's certainly a whole mixed up mess of feelings moment!! Talking to John was the right thing to do you know :-) He would have known there was something wrong the moment you got home and there is nothing worse than not being able to help those you love when you know they are upset, whatever they are upset about.
Be kind to yourself and keep talking wont ya (to John if not to anyone else) :-)
Anonybob
Well, I do feel sorry for the guy he was with, but you can't warn them all! (Yes, I know that's not what you meant. But it's true!) Of course he knows how to push your buttons--he even installed some--and being who he is, he wants to hurt. I'm sorry he knows how, and I'm sorry it worked. And I'm really glad you can go home and spend the evening with John and a Sherlock excited about voting (because everyone should be excited about voting!) and soak in normal and supportive and caring and love and home.
In a way I mean exactly that. I wish I could have warned him - told him what a bastard Bry is. But I seriously doubt he would have believed me.
More wish id done something when I could. Could meaning in an evidence-gathering sense, not a mental-capacity-to-act sense, because I've never had that.
And he doubtless knew that's exactly what i was thinking as I stood there half of me wanting to speak out, half wanting to ignore the tosser, resulting in me standing and staring like an idiot.
Oh what a f$*^*#$ @*%#$@&! If I ever saw that tit I'd kick #&$ *%&@@ #&$*#Q@ #&$!
AND THEN SOME.
I know, I know, anger doesn't help, and yes, he knows just how to twist that knife and he apparently takes glee in doing it. But even knowing it you can't help but react, sometimes. It's a kick in the gut, no matter when it happens. People suck. He sucks more than most. I hope you have a better evening surrounded by the people that love you. And they do. They *so* do.
John, you're a F@&#$* star of a boyfriend.
(sorry, Bryan talk makes me cuss a lot.)
L, I know you're not big on hugs from people you don't really know, so even if I were there, I wouldn't--but I really wish I could give you an enormous hug. You're a wonderful person.
I WOULD KICK HIM TOO.
When are you home? We're going to get pizza after we've gone to the polling station and why is it called that? John says we might even stay out and go to sit in at the ice cream place so I can have a big ice cream and you can too but only if you want to because he says you might rather be at home.
I know, Sherlock, I really do. But you know neither one of us could, no matter how much we want to. It's so hard, knowing there's a person out there that was horrible to someone you love, isn't it? And that they'd totally deserve it. But we can't. But that's what growing up is - understanding that desire and being able to control it.
But it's really stupid hard sometimes. I think that's why saying it makes us feel a bit better.
I hope you get ice cream, kid, with all the chocolate you want.
You know better than most Greg that it isn't always possible, or even best for you at the time, to speak out in an evidence gathering sense. You did what was right for you at the time and you are NOT responsible for anyone Bryan meets and sees at any point in the future.
I'm with Sherlock on the kicking thing and I really am not a violent person!!
You know that what he thinks of you doesn't matter one jot right? John, Sherlock, Mycroft and a lot more people besides think you're a lovely person and we all know Bryan didn't deserve you at all!
Anonybob
Since you can't kick him, Sherlock, (and really, do you want to get that close to him? Ew!) maybe you could give Lestrade some extra hugs instead.
And "polling" is another word for voting--it comes from a Middle English word meaning head, so it's like taking a head count. Only with votes.
I know, AnonyBob. I think I just feel more guilty because of the hours I've spent trying to persuade people to do exactly what I didn't. But you're right that I did what was right for me at the time.
We'll get ice cream, Sherlock.
How was school? Did John tell you that he saw someone today with a dried pea stuck in their ear?
I'm so sorry you had to see that wanker today, Lestrade. It's always like a kick in the gut when that happens.
I'm glad you have John and the boys to turn to.
Just remember these wonderful words from Labyrinth: He has no power over me.
The young buck he was with will learn or he won't, but he's not your responsibility. Be kind to yourself, and know you are loved.
I am going to bet that you have spent far more hours trying to persuade yourself than you have ever spent trying to persuade others!!
I know it's a daft thing to say but try not to let him eat up any more of your brain time than you need to use to process today. You need to think about it and talk about it in order to file it away in the dealt with part of your brain but try to focus on the ice cream and the smiling Sherlock you're eating it with and remind yourself who really is the lucky one :-)
Ice cream makes the world a happier place :-)
Anonybob
Yeah.
Sometimes Greg-the-bloke-who-knows-there's-a-violent-manipulative-bastard-walking-free and DI Lestrade-the-one-who's-supposed-to-be-keeping-London-safe-from-violent-manipulative-bastards don't really get along very well.
Think tonight'll be dedicated to Lestallion-the-lucky-git-who's-about-to-vote-and-then-eat-epic-amounts-of-pizza-and-ice-cream-with-two-brilliant-guys.
Argh. Sorry you had to go through that, Lestrade. I mean, really, what a complete twat that man has turned into. No wonder you were thrown by the whole experience. I'm so, so glad you got in touch with John, had a chat and a hug and a coffee.
Enjoy the voting, the pizza and the ice cream with your wonderful guys :-)
Sherlock - please do tell us what you thought of the voting process.
ReRe - we don't have voting machines here; you write a cross in a box on a piece of paper; the papers are then sorted and counted by hand.
Sorry, I meant to say, RR - thanks Nameless. It's a flimsy booth split into a cross-shape normally, so you stand in a corner, you say your name and pick up your ballots when you go in, walk to the booth, there'll be a tiny stubby pencil sellotaped to a bit of string so you don't nick it, and probably a bad photocopy of instructions about how many things to vote for on each sheet, and then you put your cross(es) in the box next to whoever you want to vote for, fold it in half and go and slip it into the ballot box and leave.
Lestrade held me so I could see everything and I didn't tell anyone who he voted for not even John and now we're going for pizza and I'm going to have a whole one just for me.
is there a time limit on reporting things Greg? could you not do something now? I know evidence wise it might not go very far but would they not look at it at least? you seem to feel some guilt towards what might happen to the guy he's with now so wouldn't a report of some kind help him if he ever had need to report something? I don't know how it works but do you really have to report things right at the time to have any hope when it comes to partners? I'd have thought that domestic things were more often reported late than at the time because it's such an awful situation to be in.
Thanks for the info, Nameless and L! As I said, a couple of years ago they changed the NYC voting to be something similar, only instead of the ballots being folded and then counted by hand you now scan them in, and those scanner machines are not very private and I don't trust them to record properly *gives imaginary vote scanner a hard glare* and then deposit them so they can be counted by hand if a recount is called for.
The old machines were wonderful. When you pulled the lever to start it closed a curtain behind you, and you really knew you were doing something special. (Picture behind this this link here.) I miss them.
Enjoy your voting-pizza-ice cream evening together, all three of you!
The conflict will probably always be there Greg but now and again even DI's have to do what is best for them which might not always be what's considered 'right' but is most definitely what is right for them. :-)
I hope Lestallion-the-lucky-git-who's-about-to-vote-and-then-eat-epic-amounts-of-pizza-and-ice-cream-with-two-brilliant-guys has a wonderful evening :-)
Anonybob
Quite right, Sherlock--it's called a secret ballot for a reason. (I never told anyone who my mom voted for when she'd take me along, either. A few times she even let me flip some of the little levers for her, which of course she couldn't do now and Lestrade couldn't do either because there are no levers, but it was very exciting!)
REReader how did you know what lever did what did they put labels on them? and then what if someone changed the labels so you all voted for the wrong person that you didn't like. I can only see the picture small on John's phone but it doesn't look like it's got enough levers for all of the people Lestrade could have voted for on the three papers and when you finished did it put all the levers back so the next person didn't know what you'd picked?
Sherlock, they did indeed put labels on them, to identify what the office was, and then there were columns with each party and the people from each party. They were really big machines--I'd guess about six feet tall and maybe four feet wide, so there was plenty of room for everyone running every time when it was all divided into columns that way. See those black lines going down? From the left there's one long and a white stripe (that listed the offices), and then another long one and then a bunch of lines that start a little lower down? Those shorter lines were where the little levers were, and there were dozens, one right next to the other. If they needed to, they'd put another column of offices in the middle.
But the labels weren't like sticky things, it was a whole big sheet that was put into the machines from the back where you couldn't get to it from the front, and they were put into the machines before they went out to the polling stations, with lots of supervision to make sure it was right, and you couldn't even open it to change it without keys that didn't go to the polling stations either.
And then at the end, when you pulled the big lever back to the left side to open the curtain and register your vote, it automatically flipped all the little levers up at the same time, so no one could see which ones you had flipped down.
Oh! I found a close-up picture of a part of the voting machine with the little levers showing... here! See, the labels are behind glass.
And here is a picture showing how they would take away levers when they had only a few choices, so you couldn't vote for a blank line by accident.
I've been completely confused by all the talk of voting. Visions of having been asleep - but it turns out we only have two local councillors and with a three year cycle we don't vote this year.
One year, where we used to live, it was hot, so instead of voting in the old church hall the booths were set up outside, which was different.
And yeah Lestallion, hope you have a good, pizza and ice cream filled evening.
Maz - sorry, Bryan talk makes me cuss a lot.
Yeah, I know the feeling.
Pizza and ice cream were achieved, and one sleepy Sherlock is now in bed.
Anon - sorry, was out and then putting Sherlock to bed and didn't really have a chance to answer.
I think, knowing what I do about the legal system, my lack of evidence, the way the CPS works and, if it got that far, defence lawyers... nothing would stick. It would be masses of time and effort, and a lot of me telling my colleagues things I'd rather they didn't know, and at the end of it, it would be my word against his. I don't think the CPS would touch it.
Danger - have some baby sloths to calm you down. Don't want you to be angry.
http://youtu.be/AN997d_rT8w
Don't be sorry you are supposed to be enjoying your evening.
I guess you're right if you don't report it at the time I suppose the police probably think you're not that bothered about it or that you've forgotten what actually happened and they can't prove it anyway so there's not much to be done. In your position it would be harder still you're right because it does change how people see you and that just isn't ok when it's not your fault!!
L - ...all right, that actually was quite calming.
The sloths are cute Greg :-) How is Lestallion going this evening? Smiling Sherlock, lovely huggy John and ice cream must have raised a number of smiles this evening surely? :-)
Anonybob
Glad it was calming, or I'd have to bring out the baby badgers.
http://youtu.be/OFPTTQEen1M
Don't want any of you lot to be angry - I'm angry enough for all of us, ta.
AnonyBob - they certainly did. Sherlock tried to guess who John voted for. He must have got it right - he said every single on in the end! And I had coffee ice cream with chocolate sprinkles.
Anon - yes, there are a lot of questions to be answered when someone like me hasn't reported a crime for that long, in addition to the lack of evidence.
Chocolate sprinkles and baby badgers... Surely that must be a song waiting to be written.
Badgers :-) :-) :-)
Us getting angry is not conducive to you talking so I'm doing my best not to be angry with Bryan and I'm fairly sure John and everyone else is aswell :-) (you need to try not to be angry you know, it eats up energy there is no point in wasting on him)
coffee ice cream sounds amazing! i'm very glad you've had a good evening :-)
Anonybob
We had espresso frozen yogurt with chocolate chunks in the house last week. It quickly disappeared. I know nothing about that, nothing at all, absolutely nothing. :D
Aw, cute baby critters.... :) :) :)
Not to mention sleepy Sherlock. :) (And curious Sherlock! If my college students had asked as cogent questions, I might still be teaching. :))
What do you mean someone like you Lestrade? would it be different if you were a scared little women who had finally found someone to love her and help her come to terms with things that had happened to her? If people don't go to the police on the day or the week or month is it too late than? there would be no more evidence then than in years time would there? I'm not saying you should do anything if you don't want to, you have very good reasons not too, but the comment 'someone like me' is a bit of a horrible thought!
Us getting angry is not conducive to you talking so I'm doing my best not to be angry with Bryan and I'm fairly sure John and everyone else is aswell :-)
My anger is, of course, directed at Bryan entirely. And honestly, I think anger is perfectly fine to feel sometimes, as long as it doesn't consume your life or overtake your better sense! :D My bit of lashing out is that sort of flame-bright indignant protectiveness one feels for a friend, and while I'm perfectly calm now (and didn't mean to upset L, if I did, seriously tell me and I'll knock it off), I don't really feel too badly for getting ticked off. I hope the negative energy traveled across the ocean and caused Bryan loss of function, if you know what I mean (and I think you do.)
I meant a police officer. That's all. Someone who knew the system, knew what evidence was valuable, knew how it would work, the support structures, the way a case is built, all of that. And no, it wouldn't make a difference if I was male, female, old, young, whatever. No one would know better than me what evidence to gather, and I didn't do it. Any brief would twist that to mean it never existed.
Legally, yes. But from a human point of view--L, that's just the sort of person who wouldn't be able to believe that it was happening to them. That's just being human and normal, dealing with something, someone, who was less than either.
I can see why you find it so difficult, with the police officer half saying that you should have done something (because you're always far harder on yourself than anyone else) whilst the "victim" half having equally valid reasons for not having acted. And now I guess you feel responsible for what may happen to someone else, because of your failure to act.
But there is no easy solution, no "right" response and I think sometimes all we can say is that life sucks. And sad though it is, even if you had done something at the time there is no guarantee that any charge would have stuck.
Not my best work but if John will suggest these things late at night :-)
to close every door to me from Joseph.
Badgers and ice cream
Glitter and coffee
Blogs and my boyfriend
Will bring me a smile
Nothing can get too me
Life cannot dampen me
For I have a family
The best in the world
If the past was important I
Might let it define me
But I know that joy lives
In my family
Badgers and ice cream
Glitter and coffee
Dark chocolate sprinkles
And marshmallows sweet
For I know I shall find
Sweet peace of mind
If I just keep focused
On this family of mine
Badgers and ice cream
Glitter and coffee
Blogs and my boyfriend
Will bring me a smile
Just give me some creatures
Playful and small
Degus and canines
And sea urchins too
He does not matter
I’m not that person
I am much different
Than I thought I would be
If the past was important I
Might let it define me
But I know the joy lives
In my family
Badgers and ice cream
Glitter and coffee
Blogs and my boyfriend
Will bring me a smile
For I know I shall find
Sweet peace of mind
If I just keep focus
On this family of mine
Anonybob
I understand now Greg thanks.
How come everything around here becomes a song in the end? They aren't bad songs but its a bit weird isn't it?
RR - I don't understand.
AnonyBob, great song :)
Anon - no problem. And everything becomes a song because... we're all a little mad? :)
Glad you like it Greg :-)
Anon - I would like to correct Greg's assessment of the songs thing slightly because when it comes to me 'a little mad' is the biggest understatement you'll ever get ;-) I am entirely crazy but I very much like it that way :-)
I hope work goes well today Greg :-) do you finish today for your on call weekend or are you actually in the office for some of it?
Anonybob
(Meant that Bryan is subhuman and subnormal.)
Sorry, I'm still lost... Whos the sort of person?
Anonybob - i might have to go in, but only very briefly.
Oh, sorry, I wasn't meaning to be cryptic. I just meant a police officer--or anyone who really knows the system--would finder it much harder to deep-down believe that they could be a victim, since a victim is the other person.
Right, got you. I think feeling pike a 'victim' is a lot about personality, too.
It did tale me a long time - a stupidly long time - to admit what he was doing to me was all about him and not about me, and that it wasn't okay. To be honest, that's still something I struggle with sometimes. And i remember vividly the moment I did admit to myself what was happening.
Danger, your Lestalluon has put into action a very cunning plan. :)
Sadly part of the plan isn't proofreading comments...
'It did tale me a long time - a stupidly long time - to admit what he was doing to me was all about him and not about me, and that it wasn't okay. To be honest, that's still something I struggle with sometimes. And i remember vividly the moment I did admit to myself what was happening.'
Thank god you got there Lestrade some people never do!!
As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University?
Surely you mean Foxford, Nameless! :D
(L, yes on personality-- and there's overlap and reinforcement between personality and profession. And "stupidly" doesn't apply--it takes as long as it takes, that's all.)
Nevermind with the proof reading, we're all reasonably fluent in Autocorrect! ;)
Oh yes? What sort of plan?
Nameless - indeed! A cunning and subtle plan :)
Danger - you'll have to wait and see! Just dont plan anything for Monday afternoon. I have played matchmaker and set up Mrs Hudson and Sherlock on their date having high tea together... Meaning we two are free to err... Well, be free. :)
RR - stuidly certainly felt like it applied, spending half my life dealing with domestics and having watched Mum go through it all more than once. Stupid felt completely applicable. And was an accusation Id levelled at Mum more than. Once.
Feeling stupid and being stupid are after all two very different things Greg!
cunning plans sound interesting and almost certainly fun :-)
Anonybob
L, I absolutely get it feels that way from the inside. I can tell you it doesn't look stupid from the outside, that's all.
A high tea date? Oh, we'll done! Both Mrs Hudson and Sherlock should enjoy that thoroughly (and I'm enormously eager to hear about it after!)--and so should you and John! :)
That is indeed a cunning plan! I approve and shall make sure to be completely free on Monday.
AnonyBob, they certainly are.
RR - well, not always. I can assure you it does sometimes. It did with Mum, sometimes. Whereas hundreds of the people I meet through the job, no, it doesn't seem stupid at all.
Danger - glad you approve :) plans might be weather-dependent. And we should try and pick a day for you off-roading soon, because it will be gloriously muddy!
(You were partly inside with your mother, L.)
Muddy off-roading...I imagine you'll have a wonderful messy time of it! (And I'm glad it'll be you and not me... *girly*;D)
And I'm very nearly as interested in hearing about your Monday afternoon as I am in hearing about Sherlock's... :)
I may be completely out of turn here so please ignore if you want Lestrade.
Do you think if you told your mother about what happened with Bryan it might actually help your relationship with her? If she thinks you think her stupid for putting up with bad guys (and in some mind twisted way that you consider it her fault for being stupid) then it must be hard for her not to feel jealous of you not being stupid enough to put up with bad guys if you see what I mean. (I don't think I've put that as well as I could but I can't work out how to put it better sorry)
I know there are lots of good reasons not to tell anyone, or at least that there are lots of things that appear to be good reasons not to tell anyone but she would understand your position better than people who haven't been there and it might be just what you both need.
Anyway, I think that could be considered as jumping on toes and crashing in where I shouldn't so sorry if thats how you feel but I hope you can understand what I am actually trying to say.
EBSanon
If anyone wants a laugh I had the following phone conversation with my son yesterday:
Son "Hello, Mum. Can you remember when the wedding rehearsal is?"
Me "Next Thursday evening."
Son "I've just scheduled myself to work then. I'd better unschedule myself."
Me: deep sigh.
Phone background noise: Son's boss killing himself laughing.
*killing self laughing*
EBSAnon - I'd never thought of it quite like that. I'll have to have a think. Maybe talk to John and Nicky.
Please don't ever worry about saying things on here.
SH - maybe check your son has booked the wedding day off?
you can do a lot of damage crashing in with size 9 steel toed boots when you wear aiming for floating in in size 4 fluffy pink slippers!
it's hard to know if words will come across to someone else in the same way you write them down, maybe I should investigate the whole smiley face thing.
Hope you've had a good (and less eventful) day today.
EBSanon
SH - ha! I'm especially amused that he called you and not his fiancee.
I think he didn't want her to know!
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