I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

"Just a Suggestion, Perhaps" [HOUN]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4181746031/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="twis-05 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="twis-05" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2549/4181746031_de7435af0b_m.jpg" width="188" /></a> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">With the #<a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">BSIWeekend</a> quickly approaching, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike. After all, it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for 3+ days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may only know online. Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child. It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the Baker Street Irregulars Weekend. Not being the type to remember everything ourselves (we swear that on every trip, our mind isn't calmed until we can figure out just what it is that we forgot to pack), we reached out to several members of the Baker Street Irregulars - some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. <a name="more"></a>We were expecting a smattering of solid advice, but we were quite astonished at the quality and quantity of helpful hints that can make the BSI Weekend an enjoyable and stress-free one for you. Herewith the suggestions: <div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bags</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you bought.  If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so.</li><li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward.</li><li>You might also consider bringing a shopping bag to the Vendors Room on Saturday to carry your various purchases.</li></ul>Meeting Others <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bring business cards. You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information.  Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, Twitter handle, etc.</li><li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time.</li><li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner.</li><li>Allow yourself time to shmooze with other Sherlockians.  This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends.  </li></ul>Comportment <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>DO tell people how good it is to see them again. DO tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. DO tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship.</li><li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances.</li></ul>Attire <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bring comfortable shoes.  The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking.</li><li>This one is especially for the ladies:, it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li><li>Bring warm clothes.  It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say that know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather.</li><li>Dress in layers. Many times the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could - and did - comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on.</li></ul>Money <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bring small bills.  They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees.</li><li>Bring a checkbook to the Vendors Room as not everyone takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have.</li><li>If you see something you're interested in at the Vendors Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room  - it will probably be gone by then.</li><li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and double it. That might get you through.</li></ul>Time <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests.  Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition.Schedule your time. </li><li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home).</li><li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians on 10th Avenue after the Gillette Luncheon. If the weather is not inclement and you’re fairly healthy, you may find a brisk walk from 19th Street to 45th Street a way to burn off those calories.</li></ul>Getting Around <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified.  Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn).</li><li>Download and print the <a href="http://www.bsiweekend.com/2012/10/summary-of-weekend-events.html">Summary of Weekend Events</a> from <a href="http://bsiweekend.com/">bsiweekend.com</a> (and seen below), or bookmark it on your smartphone. </li><li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's Mysterious Bookshop and are staying at The Yale Club or the Roosevelt the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway.  From Grand Central take a 4 or 5 express train four stops to City Hall Station it is a very short walk over to Otto's.  Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes.</li></ul>Logistics <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system.  </li><li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now?  </li><li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable the past two years in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable 2 years ago) -- if this continues, vests/waistcoats are not advised.</li></ul>The Unscheduled <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you eat breakfast alone)</li><li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “You know my methods. Apply them.” </li></ul>Dining What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Roosevelt Hotel.  <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the Oyster Bar for dinner after the Thursday night lecture. </li><li>There is a Cosí across the street from the Roosevelt, at 38 East 45th Street, and of course Starbucks in the station and at nearly every corner.</li><li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries, <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2011/07/where-to-eat-near-grand-central-station-nyc-new-york-city-gcs-midtown-east-manhattan-restaurants.html">Serious Eats has a guide</a> that breaks them down by category and of course <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants+near+grand+central&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY%2C+USA">Yelp has many suggestions</a> as well.</li></ul> Online Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that: <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend on Twitter is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>. We have a feed set up on the BSI Weekend website, or you can simply follow along by clicking on the hashtag, or even on <a href="http://tweetgrid.com/">Tweetgrid</a>.</li><li>We'll be providing occasional updates on these pages, so please follow along.</li><li>Of course, we'll also be providing updates via our <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://ihearofsherlock.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> presence.</li><li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">The Baker Street Babes</a>, who will be out in force during the weekend, will undoubtedly have a unique real-time perspective of the weekend.</li><li>We also have a <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock/lists/sherlockians">list of Sherlockians on Twitter</a> whom you might consider following. A number of them will be at the weekend as well.</li></ul> Here is a handy downloadable and printable guide for the weekend; you may also bookmark it on your smartphone for easy reference (or download the Scribd app [<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDkQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fscribd-worlds-largest-online%2Fid542557212%3Fmt%3D8&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNFJrFun262V6ZZVXqQGlmr6dpo80A&sig2=1OSvbhebL4loQDJvzNIoJA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">iOS</a> or <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.scribd.app.reader0%26hl%3Den&ei=-CbdUJjZGcvkqQHM0IDoDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmLSiZ-MqZs3_glflhk5qz1KmvgQ&sig2=O0KNeNDotXW6UwFloblUBA&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.aWM">Android</a>] to make it easier). <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/111531792/The-2013-BSI-Weekend" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View The 2013 BSI Weekend on Scribd">The 2013 BSI Weekend</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.772727272727273" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_48954" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/111531792/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-2bgqubgkxqdi417fs9py" width="100%"></iframe> That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment here on our site or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be the beneficiaries. -- </div></div>

"Just a Suggestion, Perhaps" [HOUN]

With the # BSIWeekend quickly approaching, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the new...

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by Scott Monty

"The Second Morning After Christmas" [BLUE]

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As is our tradition this time of the year, we bring to you the Christmas classic that surrounds "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." 
 
Typically we try to provide the freshest and most unique content here, but there are times when a grand tradition prevents us from keeping such a mandate - including our own self-imposed rule of trying to capture a relevant and original Canonical phrase for the title of each entry, never to be repeated. Just as the Wall Street Journal annually reproduces a 1949 editorial written by Vermont Royster called "<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204464404577112431986005786.html">In Hoc Anno Domini</a>," we saw no reason to avoid replication here. 
 
In the case of "The Second Morning After Christmas" [BLUE] which has been used in <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2006/12/second-morning-after-christmas-blue_27.html">2006</a>, <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2008/12/second-morning-after-christmas-blue_27.html">2008</a>, <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2009/12/second-morning-after-christmas-blue_27.html">2009</a> <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2010/12/second-morning-after-christmas-blue_25.html">2010</a> and <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2011/12/second-morning-after-christmas-blue_27.html">2011</a>, we find that we have a post that continues to please, so we'll continue the tradition. 
 
 
<a href="" name="more"></a>If this is new to you, please feel free to share and use this at your own Sherlockian society holiday meetings. The only thing we ask is that you attribute the poem to its rightful author. We have taken the liberty of using this very poem in the latest episode of our sister podcast, <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2012/12/episode-49-ill-have-blue-christmas.html">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a>. We invite you to listen to the reading, as well as that of "A Christmas Story Without Slush" by Christopher Morley. The couplet provides a very satisfying listening session during this Christmas season. 
 
So, we bring you "Two Days After Christmas," a tribute to "The Blue Carbuncle" in the style of Clement Moore's <a href="http://iment.com/maida//familytree/henry/xmas/poemvariants/troysentinel1823.htm" style="color: #003366;">A Visit from St. Nick</a>. 
 
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We have the pleasure and honor of wishing you "the compliments of the season." 
 
 
Please consider visiting our sponsors from time to time. It helps defray the costs associated with running this site. Thank you for your generosity. 
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B000YE59BW" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0037AV3KG" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0046BVA44" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>

"The Second Morning After Christmas" [BLUE]

As is our tradition this time of the year, we bring to you the Christmas classic that surrounds "The Adventure of the Blue Carbun...

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by Scott Monty

"A Piece of Discoloured, Blue-Tinted Paper" [FIVE]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10NcRe2iB8M8EeQQOVgc_wZv4iZU9dWbJNyaZxp3fIAIl_igtv62P3Yt7U89p_j7MEwGWdZPBBncvXvzR38ufhWNZwTGJfHn7_j2HeoajWPttCgajWMoqxQ7oisOkIOslmcmhkD172M18/s1600/BLUEBSI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10NcRe2iB8M8EeQQOVgc_wZv4iZU9dWbJNyaZxp3fIAIl_igtv62P3Yt7U89p_j7MEwGWdZPBBncvXvzR38ufhWNZwTGJfHn7_j2HeoajWPttCgajWMoqxQ7oisOkIOslmcmhkD172M18/s320/BLUEBSI.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>The late 1940s were a Golden Age for the Baker Street Irregulars. The beautiful original series of The Baker Street Journal was in production, and it was in 1948 that the Irregulars took their first plunge into book publishing. This first effort was a deluxe slipcased edition of The Blue Carbuncle. Published in a limited edition of 1500, even this relatively small number was an over-estimation of its initial demand (a common occurrance for Sherlockian publishers even to this day…) However now, 50-plus years later, the availability of this book is limited. You can still find a copy…for a price, but a good one will cost you a premium. The Irregulars went on publishing books, and revived <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a> when it foundered upon the financial rocks of its own ambition. After decades <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/allitems.html">the BSI did issue books</a> on a scale as grand as this one, but never one with the charm of the 1948 edition of The Blue Carbuncle. While browsing an on-line rare book site, I ran across the following description by an anonymous dealer who describes what The Blue Carbuncle is for Sherlockians perfectly: <a name="more"></a><blockquote class="tr_bq">Rare, sought, somewhat mystical copy of one of the few publications that the most famous New York-based club dedicated to the scholarly romance of Sherlock Holmes ever produced. This was a Christmas gift idea to the membership back in 1948. There is a great introduction by one of it’s most famous members, the great Christopher Morley and historical background notes by the equally scholarly Edgar W. Smith in the back. Sherlockian Society members were basically encouraged to use this story as a “Read Aloud” Christmas message similar in design and nature to the famous classic “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. It was also the first time that “The Blue Carbuncle” ever appeared as a story by itself in the form of a book. A reflection of the golden age of private Gentlemen’s Clubs, of large high backed armchairs, of pipe smoke drifting in the air and a rattle of newpapers and tinkling glasses of port or brandy in quiet reflection. </blockquote> Gone, but not forgotten and I sure wish it were around again. The Blue Carbuncle The Baker Street Irregulars New York City, 1948 Introduction by Christopher Morley, Edited w/a Bibliographical Note by Edgar W. Smith. Blue slipcase with a pictorial pastedown on one side.; Blue & White Illustrations.; 64 pages; DeWaal #16. <div> </div> EDITOR'S NOTE: We just published <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2012/12/episode-49-ill-have-blue-christmas.html">Episode 49 of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a>, titled "I'll Have a Blue Christmas." In it, we read from the BSI publication and discuss Morley's timeless essay. You might want to have a listen. <center><iframe height="250" scrolling="no" src="http://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2162913/height/250/width/250/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" width="250"></iframe></center> --</div>

"A Piece of Discoloured, Blue-Tinted Paper" [FIVE]

The late 1940s were a Golden Age for the Baker Street Irregulars. The beautiful original series of The Baker Street Journal was in producti...

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by Scott Monty

"And Again, Vampires in Transylvania" [SUSS]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47-VCUDNC82_ndESJ1oCqAMEypz0XP1Z0RNqlWTBskgUybYzhhJhNOOGWjeMJwiGujRI_9MgTeLaq855TM3kl4Zw1Z3dSMGSyc_C7AqF5nxXDZJbzdWVHcbL2t7WcK9j5grhW7BNs4O4/s1600/Sherlock+Holmes+and+the+Affair+in+Transylvania.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47-VCUDNC82_ndESJ1oCqAMEypz0XP1Z0RNqlWTBskgUybYzhhJhNOOGWjeMJwiGujRI_9MgTeLaq855TM3kl4Zw1Z3dSMGSyc_C7AqF5nxXDZJbzdWVHcbL2t7WcK9j5grhW7BNs4O4/s320/Sherlock+Holmes+and+the+Affair+in+Transylvania.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Sherlock Holmes meets Count Dracula! 
 
A review of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1780920369/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1780920369&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20">Sherlock Holmes and the Affair in Transylvania</a> by Gerry O'Hara. 
 
I love the cover and artwork inside the book. The illustrations are by P.M. Rose (the author's wife) and punctuate the feel of the story perfectly. (You can even buy the artwork you see in the book!) 
 
The writing on the back cover is in a small font even though there's plenty of room, and the margins inside the book are quite large. My hackles were raised and I questioned the writing before I even started reading.  
 
Unfortunately, I found a mistake on the first page. Because of these red flags, it took me some effort to get into the story. I understand that the book was edited (by Tom Evans) but, with great respect to Mr. Evans, I say it could do with another thorough edit. There are mistakes throughout the story and the writing gets bogged down by extraneous words and over-full descriptions but the story shone through, anyway. 
 
The book is strong and purposeful and though my preferences lie in more of a fun read, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. It's a shame the errors in grammar and punctuation detract from what would otherwise be a great book. 
 
<a name="more"></a> 
 
It was a darker book than I had anticipated but it is about vampires and murder! As I said, the story was solid and well told. However, I didn't like the author's use of a scene from one of Doyle's stories, as if it was the first time Sherlock Holmes talked about viewing a peaceful countryside as a hotbed of hidden crime. The author presented it as if it was his own. 
 
I would have liked to have seen more deducing from Sherlock-his character didn't quite ring true to the original for me. Dr. Watson's character was spot on. I loved him and his narration. 
 
All in all, I would recommend this book to readers who love Dr. Watson, a good vampire story and those who aren't bothered by errors throughout the book that seem, to me, avoidable. 
 
<div style="text-align: center;"> ***** </div> 
 
Review by Jennifer Oberth, author of the <a href="http://jenniferoberth.com/ellawestinmysteries/">Ella Westin Mysteries</a>. <a href="http://cmp.ly/1">Disclosure</a>: a free review copy was provided in preparation for this review. 
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