Van Buren Supernova

Place for Sherlock related fun facts, can be anything from anywhere, something you read, found, books, news etc, because...season 4 is still soo... far away, we...have.. to...survive.... and I am bored! Some to start: Glow-in-the-dark rabbit experiment exists in real lab, as effort to improve treatment for life-threatening illness, created by injecting jellyfish DNA to the embryos. Capital punishment The only country in Europe that hasn't abolished death penalty is Belarus. It is illegal to die in the House of Parliament.** Imagine if the train bomb went off, how many law breakers they had to arrest.. Martin Freeman had his wallet stolen before he went on first audition. He was in the bad mood because of that, the producers thought he was not interested in the role. UK law; Mince pies cannot be eaten on Christmas Day.** I guess that's why Mrs. Hudson still have them in the fridge on New Year Eve. Pink used to be considered boy's color, it is the lighter version of red that is associated with men as men in England wear red uniform. A writer called John Radford uses three different methods in his book to gauge Sherlock's IQ and comes to conclusion that his IQ is 190. Dress codes at Buckingham Palace have changed greatly over two centuries. Evening court dress remained obligatory until the Second World War. Today there is no official dress code. Most men invited to Buckingham Palace in the daytime choose to wear service uniform or lounge suits. So Sherlock doesn't break any dressing code, he is just not ordinary man. Added: **Some sources say that these are myths, some others say these are legit. They could also be legit until certain point and repealed. P.S. Don't worry to mess this thread up, if we have collected significant list, I'd compiled them and put them on top for easier read.

Because apperently most of us here are introverts, but extroverts can contribute too, feel free to make fun of each side, in good spirit of course, so... I was in the elevator with these two ladies, they didn't know each other but managed to have good conversations a couple of floor up (!). When one alighted, the other one turned to me and started asking questions. She noticed that I was going to one floor above her and asked whether I know the source of noise of this and that in my floor. I told her I couldn't speak her language, well, I was being honest anyway, although I understood what she was talking about. At this point we had arrived at her floor, 8th, she was pushing some sort of shopping cart, so... she went out half way, turned 180 degree and placed her cart in the middle of elevator's door. Apparently she speaks English too, so she asked me about-languages-where-I-came-from-what-I-do-that-my face-looks-like.. blah blah, all these while the elevator's door was opening and closing around her cart. I was so unprepared that I dumbfoundedly kept pressing the close button. Hey lady, this is public elevator, I don't know you and I don't give a vibe that I'm interested to change that... The exact same day, I was checking for defects on this unique funny looking girly fabric wallet I wanted to buy for my friend. It has very long strings you should wrap around etc etc. I had noticed that the shop assistant had been eyeing me for a while, I didn't want questions and didn't need help so really wanted to pick one fast but I was too late. She approached me, standing beside, arm pressing to mine, too-close-freaking-space-invader-stranger-yuck-argh-nooo and asked me, of all things a shop assistant could ask, "Can you teach me how to tie that? I have always wanted to know." For me, this doesn't make sense on many levels. Yah, maybe she was bored, but I was not. And space out! "I'm not sure, I thought you should know. Oh I'm getting this one." And headed to cashier. P.S. I thought I should put warning that most from me would sound like rants. So, how is your day? Have your introversion ever seemed anti-social or have you found extroverts really difficult to understand sometimes?

Haiz. Same thing. Haven't read news for month, and it doesn't look very good. What happened?? I read the possible impacts of prolonged government closure and it seems like it's very risky and things could fall apart and creates domino effects. Why would.. why... gah!!! I don't know much, and ignorant enough, but isn't emergency declaration seem to fit more to the fact that the closure is still ongoing instead of wall not being built?????? Is it a mega tantrum?

Spoilsport! And here I am thinking that the carpet must be irresistible. I thought India is first..second biggest English speaking country? But maybe that is not their first language. Anyway I'm disappointed that there is no delicious carpet anywhere in the world.

It's amusing to me though, the type of stuff he wants to know. Again, I'm not really sure about his timeline, from quick search, it seems like he was frozen around the forties and woke up in 2011. But why would he particularly wants to know the World Cup Final of 1996, not others, and why Nirvana in both American and British list when Queen would be more reasonable choice. And I would think Seinfeld would be more popular than I Love Lucy since they are both happened after he was frozen anyway. And why Sean Connery and not James Bond? By 2011 he is not that well-known anymore but the franchise lives on. But then, this question is outside Sherlock realm

HEY THAT IS NOT FAIR. Giving advice is easy because I'm not the one who needs to suffer For me, I expect you guys to help me escape. No less. You are right, I'm just worry that it would feel icky. Have to be grateful though. Normally in those projected stressful situations I always think that I will get through it and imagining the night after, lying peacefully on the bed and say, "see told ya it would be over." It used to be much easier escape for me because I'd tell people on the last minute, but this time I can't because there are too many things I need to hand over.

For example: Meow = feed me before I claw on your face MEow = play with me before I claw on your face MeOw = let me out to mate and make you bunch of kittens before I claw on your face MeoW = surrender your tummy to be my throne before I claw on your face MEOW = nevermind, I just feel like clawing your face After a while, it's easy to get the pattern really. But as I said, it's been almost two decades since I had a cat, they might change it a bit now that I'm able to decipher their code to take over the world or just misbehave. ...Like puppy kidnapping. Coincidentally, my high school friend, the only one I'm keeping in touch with, said the same, he said there is a new small group chat (just the closest friends we both know) and it's quiet so he threw me in to make some noise. And I started by calling them all macaques and accusing them for being less cute...

OH MY GOD!

Somehow I missed a couple of last posts. There is a glitch in the matrix!! Anyway, haven't watched Captain America Winter Soldier, but found this small little fun fact. He has a list of thing to do/to learn, and apparently watching Sherlock is on top of his list! Welllll, at least in British version Below is the original version:

Having missed the festivities around here during holiday. Here, my treat. For what I've known, you guys are not from India, so feel free to munch on your airport carpet while you can. You are welcome!!

Watched a couple of movies during my holiday. Aquaman. Some parts are cheesy, but I did enjoy it. Aquaman was my chosen superhero power to have beside Flash back then, it would be nice to breathe underwater and communicate with fish, and I could mess with annoying land dweller as well. I hope DC will pick up more from here because I think I'm more of DC fans. The costumes seem different with Justice League which I'm grateful, because I remember hating Aquaman's costume in JL. Could remember wrongly though. 7.8/10 Bumblebee. Didn't know I would catch another transformer movie, haven't watched any since falling asleep in the first one. But we had time and mood for movie. It's not as bad and as dumb, I guess they changed the director, because it's not Michaelbayish anymore. Cliche, predictable and repeated joke though. 7/10 Seven Psychopath. Hey, I like this one more Entertaining, unusual and original enough. I like the casts and the madness. 8/10 The Voices. Another fun quite unpredictable crazy. Dark comedy, quite sad if you think about it but entertaining. Ryan Reynold is great here. 8/10

Party with all cats and no cake. You guys certainly know how to be dull!!! I used to ask myself the same question then was convinced (a little unsuccessfully but I would still do the same) that the easy one would eat my brain alive and crush my soul and I would die long boringgggggg insufferable death. (not quite but something like cat only party with no cake :p ) There. Enjoy your challenge.

Sea slug is one of my favorite for underwater photography. They are colorful, unique and most don't move as fast. And they have fascinating beautiful looking egg ribbons. Anyway, not sure I understand cats anymore. And..another magic trick!!!!

I'm having anxiety. It's one and half week before my last day at work, and resigning is still the best decision ever from seeing the mess that are soon not going to be my problem anymore. But now I start to deal with the social consequences. I had received hugs that I can't refuse. And my team had threatened me yesterday that we have to have a meal together after work, and picture, thing that I had been avoiding. No more excuse and I was made to promise that I won't disappear or escape or hide (whaaaaatttt, do they think I am...I am... huh..ehmm.. ehh...Waldo?) All those will be scary for me. Really wish I could escape.

How is the doggy? I understand how horrible it must be to see him suffering. My dog is having a problem that we have not able to diagnosed yet, although the symptoms are not that bad nowadays but I really really wish I could do more to find out the roor of the problem, Don't you wish you can transfer his pain? I read an article about social conduct thing recently, about things that one shouldn't ask. 99% consists of things introverts, or me, specifically hate. And one of them is actually asking about tattoos and piercings, I'm glad they list it because eventhough I had never asked anyone, I didn't know it's that annoying, since I saw my tattooed friends seemed happy to answer questions or showed theirs to others. But it is nice of you to pretend, because that means your mom's happiness is important to you, and you didn't act selfishly. It's not fun or easy, but think of it as you being better. Sound nice. I did the same thing couple of years ago. So four of us, who used to travel together, met up again in some neutral place one flight away from everybody since we are scattered everywhere, and wander around a park, I think the park is part of attraction we went to. There was a setup there and activities....pottery painting, for kids. But being old kids we were, we signed up for two potteries and split two to two, then painted and chatted happily. Me and my pair painted a turtle, and somehow we both painted on left and right side, we started on different body parts and got carried away. When it's finishing time, the other two looked at us and cracked out loud, apparently we painted the turtle in different color combination, so left and right looked like different turtle. Yah, old friends are fun.

HI, welcome! Sorry about your situation, did they say why they hate it? I'm one of those insufferable jerks who is persistant on knowing the reasons of why someone hates or disagree with something that I approve of. I'm open-minded, ready to accept their reasoning, but they have to justify it. Many of time they realized it's not that bad, or the reasons are too trivial. And of course, I'd make them admit it. Friendly warning though, if you are sensitive to spoilers, we are actually already at the stage when we'd talk about all the seasons, even in season 1 thread. I'm not sure how to avoid it. To be honest, we talk about all seasons everywhere, even in general threads. Other than that, I'm jealous that you have the rest of the seasons to look forward to. Here she goes again..

Persistent kitty. Love the face!

Failing eyes, what about failing memory? Two months ago I stayed for the weekend in this place with quite a decent library. It's been a while since I read, but I picked up a book and finished it in between the spare time I had for that two days. And then, a week ago, I went back there and struggled, very hard, to recall which book that I read. It's so absurd that I forget! It's not something I saw in a brief, but for the two whole day with that many words, story, what happened? I also remember choosing that particular book because I knew something about it and confident that I would like it, but what? I really spend a day and half not remembering which book, went through all the shelves to see if it's still there to jog my memory. The funny thing is I remember what color was the cover, how thick it was, which shelf did I find it, which spot did I read it, the condition of the book, slightly yellowish but still in good condition, no pig ear but curved from frequent reading, all those. It was so frustrating because I didn't read another book and very sure I know something about it before I read it, so I should have more lasting impression. Too bad, the book was no longer there, so I had agonizing time eventhough I kept looking because the curiosity was just too much. And then, in a snap, just when I was about to leave the place, it came back to me. It was The Reader, I had watched the movie therefore I know at the very least I would probably like the book. Why I have memory blackout is annoying to me, but this is not the first time.

YESS LIKE THAT! I have real-life maniacal laugh that everyone in my life is weary about. And I learned it from Western animation and Chinese Kungfu movie. Very tempted to decorate it with lime-green smoke. Scuba company, sigh.. I'm one exam away from getting guiding license, but I avoided it so that don't have to pay annual fee since I don't earn anything from it. And my passion of working in that line is almost non-existent now from the effort needed to be nice to the customers. (It's be fun to go with passionate photographers and well behaved people, but the sport has gotten too popular this decade that there are annoying people (read, rich spoiled brats) who go just for style and socialize. And above all, I have to train you! GAHH For my whole working life, I was caught off guard one time, the company went bankrupt and owed me salaries and left me jobless. It was my second job in strange country. Other than that, I actually always leave earlier than I should. But it is time for me to leave before they drove me mad. Dodge one or two bullets, I believe they are all right decision, although for reason that many regular people can't understand, because two of those companies are actually 'safe', means iron bowl, somewhere you could stay and latch on forever. The works were relatively easy, sometimes very because we had plenty of time to do everything, and there are never problems with off or holidays, but that is that, I felt like dying inside and decaying because of boredom and non-challenging situation or mind numbingly working style that I couldn't get on board. I notice that is how I practice life as well. I try to detach from something before it's gone from me, because I know it will. Well, it doesn't work on everything, but for majority of things, yes. It's tiring though. I wish there is somewhere and something that is always safe. HEY! None of my gifs is working today. GRUMBLEEE grmbblllll...

@hate speech, From what I've experienced, "hate speech" is mostly made illegal to prosecute anything that threaten the existing power. Some are even manipulated to resemble that, although in actuality it is NOT a hate speech. Imho, it's only a tool for the powerful. Good god! And you made me excited for a moment thinking I could now going jumping without worrying about the cost of those useless parachute.

No it wouldn’t be easy. In fact, I’m legally not allowed to work for their competitors in the same country for the next two years. The other thing is they are the biggest and monopolize the industry here and have mass network of acquaintances internationally. However, it is not easy wherever I am, since the work is very niche and back then I moved here for that reason because there were not many options in previous place. I would have to move if I want to work in the same line. But I don’t plan to look for another similar job. It requires too much to move again, maybe I want to settle down and try something else that I have never done before. It won’t be easy at all, I don’t know what the future holds actually, but it’d be worth it to save my sanity. I was happy here for the first few years, I like what I do and still, but those other things tainted them so much that I foresee only stress and unhappiness ahead. HR is merely one of the problems although it’s my last straw. To give you guys example about the ridiculousness of HR situation; one year when we negotiated about my contract renewal, we reached agreement and it was all good eventhough it was super late (which is already my pet peeve) and they sent me a legal copy to sign. As a habit, I reread the pages of contract and found that they had changed a couple of clauses sneakily, that would result in very significant pay and benefit cut. The other year I had to agree that my salary would be in local currency (I was hired in another currency) because of new local law (which is true) and apparently something broke their ancient calculator because the final number is significantly lower than my previous contract (maybe they think I am really really suck at math). So those are two examples in case anyone has doubt and think that I exaggerate the situation or demanding too much. I hate paperwork and administrative stuff, negotiation and money talk, so all these BS are infuriating to me. The one that made me quit is a different amusing trick but they pulled the same thing before. But sorry to bore you all with all those! But anyway... FREEDOOOOMMMM.. I have this maniacal smile that is difficult to shake off. P.S Sorry folks, notice a lot of grammar errors everywhere in my posts.

When your family or friends force you to smile for picture.

Loooong time ago when I had blog, I disabled comments, there are options for that as well, although I'm not sure about now. I posted about neighbor's housewarming sometimes ago, that I desperately wanted to avoid (it actually kind of stressed me out XD). So I did what most sensible people do. Party at 12. We stayed away for the weekend (not really for this purpose ), and left the place at 3pm. It is 45 minutes ride home. To be really really sure that the party was really over by the time we reached, I went around town running errands eventhough it's not urgent at all with car full of luggages, my mom and dog for another two hours before heading home. Score! It was quiet as Diogenes Club by the time we were home. Their finished house looks like white cages, all white inclusive of natural stone facade they painted over) while mine looks like wild forbidden garden (I'd say it looks much better than theirs :P) But I passed their housewarming gifts to the housetaker, he is always outside taking care of stuffs every morning when I depart for work. At least I appreciate their effort trying to be hospitable. Since they seem arty farty and love neat and white feature I bought them two candle glass jars with nice subtle scents that I actually tempted to owe myself. They gifted me a nice mug back. Two days later a long blackout happened at night. Black out is not common at all and very rare occurrence, so most household is probably not equipped to deal with it. My narcissistic self of course thinks that I saved their lives with those candles.

Wanna hear sweet revenge story? Well, not actually pretty sweet... and not actually revenge... But BUT! It is something, at least for me. Don't worry, I remember what thread it is but I need at least five gifs to illustrate how I am feeling now. And a story. Goddammit I want to tell it. WARNING FRIGGING LONG STORY Maybe you guys familiar (or had too much ) of me ranting about my work. But those are mostly work problems, that are bound to be found everywhere. Although I mentioned it, I never got into details about how messed up our Human Resource is, and how long it had plagued me. But these couple of month was the worse example that happened to others but affected me indirectly, which is something like uhmm... say... a lid put on my coffin. But hey, I was not ready to give up yet, because I want to see the project that I started from scratch coming to the end, eventhough things haven't been ideal for a long time, I thought I would tough it up. But then... two days ago they tried to repeat their same old trick to me. So every year, when it's time to renew my contract, eventhough they are asking me to stay, they would somehow try to do something funny, I wouldn't go into details, except saying that it's very stupid and idiotic HR move, with lack of common sense (I had condemned it to their face in the past and even put a ultimatum, protest and fight against it). I had always had what I wanted, but I had always needed to struggle for it. Why would they do that if they could just give me on the first place and save all the troubles? Because I had never asked for anything unreasonable, unusual, it's just something common. My contract is up for renewal. Then... they do the same thing again. Since I have the lid already, consider this as rabid bullet nails to the coffin with permanent glue and industrial clippers to the good quality coffin unlike ..scoff.. the one that Eurus bought. I took a few minutes, feeling furious and sitting somewhere random (I was in the middle of supervising a field work) with fingers ready to fire back with another ultimatum, then it hit me. Why should I do this again? Do I want to? Do I need to? How many more time? Have they learned? Apparently not. And after years and time I tried to push it behind the back of my head, I don't want these bullshit anymore. Maybe I don't have to. You see, it's small thing actually. But collection of small things could be deadly when it reaches saturation. So I calmly finished what I did, went back to office and sort everything I have. It's six years worth of mountain of stuffs, and there are numerous original work of mine created by my own hand (something really precious in these digital time). In one day I had secured whatever necessary intelligent original properties that are belong to me (I will still handover finished digital products as required too, I am not thief), went home, discussed my intention with significant people. The day after I secured everything else, including my digital files that need whole day of copying (perfectly my right as long as they have the copy too), and at the end of the day throw in my resignation letter. Beside the HR, I keep all my bosses in the loop. You have to understand that they don't expect this at all, they expect me to negotiate, protest, to complain, to fight, like I used to. They expect me to get back on them in five minutes or couple of hours the latest like I used to. They expect me to always stay. But this time, I kept silent for two days, and ended it with polite thank you and a letter to all. I'm tired of playing your games, idiots. What happened next are very amusing to me. Half an hour riding home, when I checked phone again, I found that the HR and my direct boss (the one that I'm involved with the most) had frantically trying to get in touch with me. Decided to ignore them but remained active in the chat with others (it's Whataps, people know that you are active but choose not to reply them). It wasn't intentional, I just needed to keep in touch with others but don't feel like discussing the matter with them then. I replied my boss the next morning (which is yesterday) but repeating my intention (because I have no idea what to say) and he called me for a long time and tried to talk me out of it because he really need me especially in this coming months (duh), and he said it himself that it is difficult job (duh), big responsibility (duh), very niche (duh), he is sure he wouldn't be able to find my replacement that easily, if any. (duh) and even so, most likely they wouldn't be as good (well...). He admitted they were wrong to test the water with me, and he was not part of it but admitting knowing about it and didn't do anything about it. He pulled the pity card, and the card that I should see the works until the end, as this would be a complete things in my career that I could be proud of. He is right, but those things don't matter as much as my jaded disappointment anymore. Not even the prospect of losing good incomes. And lasting this long is already something I could feel proud of, borderline feeling like a moron because I manage to last this long. I need to explain another thing; for this couple of months, I had tried various method to improve the work situation and my colleague situation, I had tried to talk and be brutally honest with them about what they did wrong and how to improve on that, because those things affect me as well. And they know full well my role has always been critical and this upcoming months would be the most time they would need me. But I believe they thought I would always be here. I have foresee that those unsolved problem would lead to exodus and I'm not going to be the one who pick it up for them, as I had done that before. But do they listeeeennnn? He insisted on me taking another consideration and not to answer it yet (if it's not preferable) and will talk to me on Sunday when we'd have a meeting in person. But I gave it only a night and replied with same answer this morning. He still insisted that I reconsidered back and forth, so I had to say I already have another plan. That is not end of the story. So starting yesterday, I have let my colleagues know in order to smooth our works before I go because I am not a irresponsible jerks. They were all surprised and guess what, all of them were indeed one two steps away from leaving (some had let me know their intention, for others I could foresee it but it's confirmed now) as this is nail in their coffin too. So it's going to a be mass exodus and the only person left would be a yes man who are supposed to manage us but incapable and imbecile (but unknown since we were all did our parts properly so his asses is covered, so they will be up for nice shocks). It is actually sweet that they seemed pretty sad, especially the ones that I've only known for months. I will still serve the company well until my end of contract in January professionally, with same commitment as ever. But not beyond that. So that is my story. I may be jumping to the unknown, I may be an ungrateful idiots, I may be throwing my bowls. Unknown difficulties in the future. I might swear off working for others but I have no idea where would I go. But its' not that I haven't done this before. In fact, this is not the second as well. At least I know one thing that regardless what happens, anytime I make a decision, I'd never let myself regret it, ever. And the satisfaction of seeing how they unexpectedly getting a slap back is priceless, after all these time and what they had done, they deserve worse than this tbh. It would be interesting to see how they will cope after all of us, the ones who are actually do real stuffs, leave. They won't die, it's for sure. Everyone is replaceable, but not without a price to pay and I'm scrubbing my palm together in excitement. These are my gifs.

I don't think any of my parents get me. Mom understand when I'm angry though, but it doesn't go much further than that. But I don't blame them, I think nobody really got me. Sometimes I think I also don't get me, I can't really answer what I actually want or the direction I want to go. I know a lot of relationships are actually saved by living apart. That is something that I ponder a lot as well. Back then, I learned a lot about the phrase of 'man are social creature', but books, are you sure?? really really sure?? Maybe they are right, dang it, because everytime they do the movies about someone being left alone, all they want is company. Dang it. I hate the concept that we can't survive on our own.