panik: (Shit!)
panik ([personal profile] panik) wrote2007-05-29 02:31 pm
Entry tags:

Police Academy, 13 and three-quarters.

Once again the PM newsletter brightens my day:

"Just been to stock up on a super strong coffee. I could be crashing by 5, but at least Channel 4 will put me in a documentary if I do."
::giggle:: But that has nothing to do with what I'm up to, but  it goes on;

"News just in puts the US military death toll in Iraq in May at its highest monthly figure. We may talk about that. But among our plans already in motion: we'll talk about the number of police officers who manage to avoid getting speeding fines..."

Which is of interest to me in the light of my next TS story, which concerns the police in a good-cop, bad-cop sort of a way, involving police corruption and the (cue organ chord, thunder clap) Academy.

I've been reseraching, looking at various US police academy websites, and I have to say, I'm more than a little stunned by what I'm seeing...


"The Academy is paramilitary in nature, and requires military discipline
(marching, saluting, etc.) They day begins at 5:30 am, with an exercise
program to strengthen the body and improve endurance..."

"Discipline is similar to boot camp. You’ll also be inspected daily for
creases in your uniform..."

"Military Bearing. Cadets are required to walk, stand, and sit in a
military manner at all times. Cadets shall give way and come to
attention whenever they are approached by someone recognized as a State
Police Officer. ..."

"Cadets will maintain correct military bearing at all times. The
position of attention will be assumed while marching to and from class
and standing in the chow line. The group will move as a single close
spaced unit marching single file."

"Cadets shall be neat and clean in appearance and dress. All uniforms
and equipment are to be in serviceable condition at all times. During
the training program, cadets shall wear their hair in the following
manner. Male cadets shall keep their hair cut in a "burr" and it
shall be no longer than one-half (1/2) inch in length. Sideburns shall
not be longer than an imaginary line drawn from the corner of the eye to
the top of the middle earlobe. The haircut on the neck shall be a
tapered style, blending a shaven area gradually into the longer *hair*.
Squared, "blocked" *hair* cuts and Military style "high" and "tight" are
*not* acceptable. No evidence of a beard or mustache will be acceptable.
A clean- appearance shall be presented at all times."

Which is wonderfully more than I was expecting! (hee!) I mean, I'm not complaining because it fits rather nicely with the story I have planned, but it's a whole lot more than I'd imagined.

Is this really what it's like? I mean, I have to assume so, because why else would they put it on their websites?  But I'm intrigued - there anyone out there with actual, real Academy experience they can share?


[identity profile] t-verano.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, God. Blair in boot camp?. Is horrifiedly fascinated, while failing to be able to picture it. Or picture Blair surviving it. (Or, possibly, anyone else surviving it.)

I'm attempting to go on a twelve-step program about Blair's hair... I know he looks great any which way, but I always mourn more than a little when it's cut short. But this -- 1/2 a freaking inch -- ::withdraws into a corner and begins to rock herself mindlessly::

You still being on the damn sofa sounds ominous -- the virus is still being a bear? So sorry, if so...

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I am still indisposed, yup. This virus is a bitch. (o:

"I know he looks great any which way, but I always mourn more than a little when it's cut short."
Me too. I love the hair and it's somehow such a part of my Essential Blair that when it's cut - there's a touch of the Samson about it. And the whole 'shearing for the Academy' bit totally kills me; it's like ritual humiliation to me - which is the point, really, in the story I'm planning. Blar loses himself to find himself, and so does Jim.

I must admit my idle wanderings around the various Academy's websites was a bit of an eye opener, to put it mildly! It strengthens my planned story, because I'm really not a 'Cop Blair' person and he won't complete the course, realising fairly quickly that this is not for him (it all works out, after a long road of extreme angst for our brave boys(o:). But I had no idea at all that it was this... tough! I mean... Gosh!
ext_14365: If you made this, tell me and I'll credit (TS: Holy cow)

[identity profile] fluterbev.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL I have this vision of Fanfic!Blair as a poor abused soul, just waiting for the next indignity he's going to get put through by teh ebil writers. Right now, he is rocking and crying in a corner. "Gilly is sending me to boot camp! Oh shit! Jiiiiiiim!"

Meanwhile, I am very, very excited at the prospect... ::is heartless:: ;-)

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Not *me* sending him to boot camp!! No no no! Blame the ebil writers who raised the notion in the first place.

I shall save him from evil boot camp, do not fear - but not till the lad's had a taste of the lash (not that one) heh heh heh!

I had assumed that the police academy would be more... searching for the right words; not academic, exactly, but a learning environment, only with a lot more gym and guns. I'm pretty stunned at the tone of the websites.

I mean, can you see Blair going for this, really? I'm having a hard time imagining it, myself.

"Meanwhile, I am very, very excited at the prospect"
::chortle:: You are The Evil.

[identity profile] patk.livejournal.com 2007-06-01 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
>>I mean, can you see Blair going for this, really?

No, I can't. *g* What I *can* see is Blair going for what comes *after* this. *ggg*

PatK
:-)

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-01 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
"What I *can* see is Blair going for what comes *after* this. *ggg*"
How'd you mean? You mean the police?? In which case I will have to politely disagree! I have a *massive* aversion to 'cop Blair'!

[identity profile] patk.livejournal.com 2007-06-01 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
No, not really the police, at least not just for "being a cop"s sake itself. I meant finally becoming Jims *permanent* partner (in whatever capacity). With the dissertation as the only official reason his position with Jim was always temporarily and I think he enjoyed working with Jim (and Jim himself *g*) enough that he somewhere along the way started to dream about turning it into a permanent thing.

With the "solution" canon provided I would think that no, he wouldn't really long to go to the academy, but he might try to do it for the sake of getting a permanent partnership with Jim. But then, canon didn't really require him to take the full academy curses. *g*

You know, I *do* know that in reality there wouldn't be a chance in hell that the canon-provided solution would work. Perfectly clear to me. But I simply take it as canon that the "solution" - complete firearms training and come on board in Cascade City and in the TS-reality *would* work. *ggg*

Somehow saying "it's unreal, it would never work this way" strikes me as saying "Harry Potter would never be able to work magic. There is no magic in real life, it's unreal". I'm not talking specifically of you, Gilly. :-) More in the general.

In Harry Potter's universe, there *is* magic, period. It's canon for Harry Potter.
For TS I take the viewpoint of "In the city of Cascade, in the TS-reality, there *is* a possibility, a perfectly fine procedure, that allows Simon's suggestion to work." The man isn't captain for nothing, he would have made sure of that before he made promises. :-)

And we shouldn't forget, Simon never said, Blair had to become a "cop". All he said was, that Jim was looking for a permanent partner after Blair had the necessary firearms training completed.

The conclusion that he would *have* to become a cop most likely comes from the badge that was thrown at Blair, which looks like a detective's badge. But what this badge really means, whether it was meant as a symbol, whether it was a badge meant for a special position... *shrugs* I guess we can interpret this every way we want. :-)

And politely disagree? *g* Man, Gilly you can disagree with me in any shape and form at any time and as much as you want. ;-) Imagine how boring it would be if nobody would ever disagree with anybody. ;-)

PatK
:-)

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-01 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
S'OK. I don't expect anyone to agree or disagree with me!

I really don't like Blair as a cop and few stories in which he is attract me; they're very - to the point of virtual non-existence - rare in my favourites file.

I'm all for Blair as Jim's permanent partner, but I prefer that to be in a voluntary capacity, rather than an official one - it's something they choose to do, together. But cop Blair is, to me, a cop out - it's so boring and un-imaginative! There are many, many more roads their partnership could take. I mean, why must Jim stay a cop? there seems to be a prevailing view that this is somehow, Jim's 'path' - but he was in the army before he was in the police; there must be many more roads Jim can follow, too. When they're both cops, what have you got? The groovy, streetwise cop and his clightly more up-tight partner? That's Starsky and Hutch, isn't it? It lacks imagination, imo.

I tend to prefer stories that emphasise Blair's supernatural role - Shaman Blair, if you like. I think, if the show had been prepared to go this route it could have gone on a lot longer - it gives Blair a reason to still be there beyond the diss, makes them more equal partners and just adds spice, t=rather than taking it out.

Most of all, I like academic Blair - it seems to me, the only times we see real passion from Blair is when he's talking about his work and as a former academic, I can understand that. i still get a massive thrill when someone is talking about my field and start seriously regretting I ever left. There's no reason Blair can't still get his doctorate, then link up with Jim in some capacity that doesn't involve guns, kevlar and short hair. (o:



[identity profile] betagoddess.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeesh! No wonder there are so many stories of red neck, macho cops around. I think they could all use a HUGE does of Sensitivitiy Training after their weeks at the Academy. *g*

Poor baby Blair. *sigh*

That having been said, I'm REALLY looking forward to this one. =>}

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL... Well, you could always bid (it's up at the auction).

It seems a tad extreme, dosn't it? (o:

[identity profile] betagoddess.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I have never seen the point of humiliation and degradation in order to "teach". I never will get that.

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
It's that whole 'military' thang that scares and intrigues me. Thinking of throwing Our Blair into that snakepit, shaving his head and leaving him to cope... Alone! Because (also from a PA website):

"Cadets shall not ride with nor be in contact with any State Police unit
at any time during their training unless directed to do so by a member
of the staff. This excludes needs for police service and contact with
family members who are state police units. This includes weekend leave."

Actually, I'll have to gloss over that bit for m'story ::G::

[identity profile] betagoddess.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Yikes! It's just a form of brainwashing, pure and simple! =<{

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
::scream!!!::

It's horrible, isn't it? The whole thing is freaking me out, and the thought of Blair in there... O:!

I'm hoping someone will happen along who can tell me what it's like first-hand, cos the websites are scaring me. (o:

[identity profile] betagoddess.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I can see why! It's atrocious behaviour! Ugh!!! =<{
ext_9267: (a-river- in-egypt)

Maybe not

[identity profile] aerianya.livejournal.com 2007-05-30 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Cadets shall not ride with nor be in contact with any State Police unit " Cascade PD would be City Police officers?

Re: Maybe not

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-30 09:09 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, good, thanks! That would have mucked up my story a bit. (o:

What's the difference, then? What does a State officer do that's different from what city officers do?
ext_9267: (Default)

Re: Maybe not

[identity profile] aerianya.livejournal.com 2007-05-30 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Mostly a matter of jurisdiction, State Police (or Troopers in some places) cover State wide, while City would work within their city limits.
I would think it would have to do with area of patrol and availability of units for any given purpose. State Police would probably need more training due to larger patrol areas and distance from available back-up I suppose, outside populous areas.
I have seen State Troopers come in as backup for the Muni Police here on occasion and would think it would be because of State vs City ordinances or laws.
They all have fitness training for obvious reasons, but the language of the part you posted clearly stated "State "Police Unit not polcie units in general.
Oh yes and some Fish and Game Officers are State police.
I'm sure there are better sources for this info than me out there some where.Because at his moment reading this over I make no sense at all. Gonna stick with what I know and go make some icons...

Re: Maybe not

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-30 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Actually Jade Bear already told me a little about the differences, but thanks anyway. I don't think it'll impinge on m'story in any way.

I'm wondering why cadets at the academy would be forbidden from contact with State police? I mean, are they a bad influence, or something? Are they naughty, long-haired, gum-chewing types who don;t shine their shoes or keep a crease in their uniforms? ::snicker::

[identity profile] mab-browne.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
What are the Washington websites like? I did a bit of research several years ago now (meep) for Shades of Blue and Grey, and it appeared to be quite different then. The strong implication of the Seattle Academy was that it wasn't live-in, and appeared to be more like your description of more study with extra gym and firearms training. However, I haven't looked recently, so couldn't say. Also I clearly remember that at that time recruits with 'outside' experience could get an express course (although not as express as what's implied in TS) but that seems to have changed.

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Not sure about a Seattle Academy(?) This website: https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/blea/index.htm
says this is 'the only police academy in Washington State' and searches on individual police departments within Washington all lead back here eventually (this academy is in Spokane).

It doesn't give a lot of easily available info in terms of their courses and whatnot, or living conditions, though I'm sure you're required to live-in if you're more than 30 miles from the facility.

The quotes above came from a range of Police Academy websites with one a quote from a blog called 'ask an officer' - I'm assuming(?) they have similar requirements from their students.

Everything I read really gave the lie to the 'firearms training and you're a detective' business. They all seemed to last 6 months and required a minimum 12 months patrol experience post-academy. I haven't gone into it that deeply, mind you, but I really do doubt that Blair's experience would count.

[identity profile] mab-browne.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 08:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah well, I guess the producers never realised that six years on that fic writers would be trying to make sense of their finale...And given their deep awareness of how unis work, I'm not that surprised that the police details suck a bit, too. *g*

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-29 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
lol, well, no... and Garett was saying much the same thing at the GMOH - that you couldn't just 'walk in' to a detective's badge after a bit of weapons training.

From what I've seen - on just a cursory search, mind, I've not gone into massive detail so I could be WAY off here (o: - it's the militarism of it all that's freaked me out. I can;t see Blair in this environment at all. )o:

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-05-30 11:41 am (UTC)(link)
Hello there! I'm here way of T.'s suggestion. My husband is a police officer in the state of Ohio.
There are some state run academy's that are very boot camp in nature. But there are also a lot of privately run academys. The one my hubby attended was three months long and about four hours a day because the academy assumed that their attendees had full time jobs elsewhere. Hubby worked loss control on a midnight shift and then went to class right after. His academy was a little more relaxed, though there were marching drills and when an instructor entered the room, the first to spot him must call, "Attention on deck!". There is a ton of book work involved and if you ever saw a Revised Code for any state you'd blanch. The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) is friggin huge. They did the firing range most of the day on certain days, of course, it was done on the blacktop and during the hottest month, so poor hubby looked like a lobster. Durning one day of training, they practiced with the shotgun all day and he had this horribly huge bruise in the crease of his armpit from where he was holding the shotgun all day. They do the driving through cones, also driving towards barracades and told to go as fast as they could and the instructor will tell them when to apply the brakes to train them how to stop during high speed pursuits without killing themselves and hitting everything in sight. Defensive driving, I think they called it, but not sure. They have self-defence classes where they are taught pressure points on the human body to subdue a suspect. Anything they are taught however, they must also experience for themselves. If they're going to use it on a person, they have to know, first hand, what it feels like. There was a part of it where one cadet played the cop and was given a plastic gun and told not to let it go. The other cadet played the bad guy and tried to take the gun away. Jim would have failed this part. *G* One girl was nintey pounds soaked and wet, but she wouldn't let go of the gun. The 'perp' was twice her size, ended up swinging her around and accidently broke her wrist! But, she wouldn't let go of the gun. That's just stubborn dedication. geesh. Hmmm, what else? Oh, the Pledge is said everyday. And also, those going to the academy rely heavily on the support of those loved ones at home. The academy is hard, whether it's a private one or not. It's physically demanding and mentally draining. I was humbled when Hubby told me that my support is what kept him going. At the graduation dinner, the instructor made a point of honoring the family members of the cadets with a round of applause and every graduate was clapping. These men and women are given an incredible responsibility to make descisions at the drop of a hat and they have to pray that their training kicks in and they can run on autopilot. And there are some incompetent idiots out there. Hubby's worked with a few. Some of them are in it for the power trip they think it gives them. For the most part, other officers scorn these guys.
The difference between city police and state is jurisdiction. Our state police, Highway Patrol, have authority all over the state of ohio. If they're traveling through my town, they can pull me over if I do something illegal. These guys mainly work the road. City cops aren't supposed to leave their city. And cops are pretty territorial about 'their' city. They were sworn to protect it and don't like others doing their job. If they get in a pursuit and it travels outside their city limits, then they call the patrol or sheriff's office. Sometimes they'll recieve permission to continue the pursuit out of their jurisdiction, other times they have to back off. That's the big differnce anyhoo.
Well, now that I've written a whole novel here...*sheepish grin* I hope I've helped a little. Happy writing! I can't wait to read your story!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-30 12:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much for that! I've done a ton of research for this story because it's not a world I know anything about, and I like my stories to be right, and not just repeat 'fanon'.

"It's physically demanding and mentally draining."
I'm getting that impression! I think it's something you have to really want to do, and I suppose the point of my story is that Blair doesn't, in his heart; not enough to see it through when it gets rough. NOT because he's a drop-out, I don't think that's Blair at all, but because it's just not right for him, and he goes through some other stuff too, a lot of hostility that starts to turn him against the police... for a bit... Then he runs back to his roots, and finds himself living a life not unlike the one he would have had, had he become a cop and has to re-evaluate his whole life - and so does Jim; Jim in an even bigger way, actually.

And that's all I'm saying... ::G:: I'm looking forward to writing this one - it'll be an interesting delve into Jim and Blair's psychology, spanning three years of their lives and three locations and is almost certainly going to be very, very long. (o:

So, with your special insider knowledge, can I ask; assuming Blair did decide to be a cop and complete the academy, what would happen to him after that? Would he be able to 'just complete weapons training' (because I wouldn't have thought he's have anything like enough experience to be able to skip the full course) and would he be able to walk straight into Major Crime?

"Well, now that I've written a whole novel here...*sheepish grin*"
Gosh not at all, thanks for your input! I was hoping someone would give me something first-hand.

"Happy writing! I can't wait to read your story!"
Well, gosh, thanks... It's up at the special auctions for Moonridge, if you're interested (never missing a chance to pimp). $10 gets you in... ::chortle:: It'll eventually be on 852 and my website, too, if you're not into reading WIPs.

Are you the Jade Bear who wrote 'Where I can rest my head'? Love that story!

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
Ooooo, I love your story premise! I can't wait to see it. Sounds like just the right amount of angst to make me hug a box of kleenex throughout. Perfect. *doing a happy dance*
Aerianya had it spot on about the issue of State Police (Troopers). And like she said, there are other types of State Police. Hubby left his village and the road work and is now a State Police Officer. He works with the Department of Mental Health and Retardation. The campus he works at houses patients that range from fairly harmless to convicted cop killers. Some are mentaly handicapped from birth while others have just broken with reality. Some days it's calm, other days he gets the heck kicked out of him. Fun times.

But anyhoo, I was able to gleam a little more info from dear hubby for you. Like most of us suspected, it's unlikely that Blair would just complete a weapons course and then be thrown a badge. Now mind you, every state is different in how they train. I mentioned hubby went to a private academy. He says that most major cities, like what Cascade would be considered, would have it's own academy and is very unlikely that the Cascade PD would accept a certificate from another academy. The academies in larger cities would be very paramilitary. The one closest to us in Cleveland is like this. A friend of Mike's (hubby) went here and actually had to re-do the entire academy because he failed to meet the required number of sit-ups. He did it the second time around and is now a cop there. God love him. Cleveland three months? Six? I can't remember what he said. But they go for eight hours and day and they go home; no dorm, though other places may be different.

Mike said that what he would see happening more in today's world, is that Simon may have been able to pull some strings with the mayor or council to have Blair made a Special Detective. He would be partnered with another detective. Here's the fun part. He would be put on some kind of probation that would stipulate he'd have to finish the academy within a year and pending good behavior or some such things, he would be made a full fledged detective. He'd probably have full arrest powers as a Special Detective. But there's really no way his technically, observer status, would count as experience. What they're looking for there is someone that has already been through the academy; maybe they've transferred in from somewhere else, maybe they'ver let their commision lapse. Now, if you go with this kind of tract, Blair would go to the academy during the day, and then pursue his duties as detective as well when not in class. Like I say though, it all depends on the state you're in. Hope this helps as well!

And don't let the military stuff scare you too much. I think the biggest thing is to keep in mind where these folks end up when they leave the academy and get a job. There has to be dicipline. They have to be trained to keep a cool head and not let what they see affect them on scene to the point they can't do their jobs. They take all kinds of crap all day. They see the stuff behind closed doors and then have to go home and try not to take it with them. I think the paramilitary setup gives them some structure and rigidity to fall back on. It's tough, but really, if I lived in a big city, I would only want those people patroling the streets that I knew were tough enough to make it through something so intence and so strict. If you look at it that way, maybe not so bad...but like you said, only if you want to be there. I'm with you, I can't see Blair wanting this. This isn't all gospel, and won't apply to everyplace, but hopefully it'll help out. I think hubby was kinda tickled to lend the advice to my favorite addition of TS fanfic. :)



Well, okay, novel number two...haha I'm just so happy I can help. Let me know if you need me to pick hubby's brain for more!

Nothing wrong with a novel when it's interesting.

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 09:36 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I'm glossing over the private academy bit of what you told me because my whole story rests on Blair going off to the main academy and living in and without that, the story is a non-starter, so it's off to Spokane with our boy, I'm afraid! ::G::

"And don't let the military stuff scare you too much."
It doesn't scare me, exactly (I've worked in El Salvador, I'm not that easily scared! (o:) I just have a real aversion to all that macho, 'sir yes sir' stuff. Hippie parents, you know... (o:

Blair never becomes a cop in my story, so all the ride-along and academy stuff was just for my information, thanks. Very interesting it is, too. I'm not a Blair cop person. I think he'd miss academia too much, the only time on the show you see Blair getting genuinely excited is over a woman (don't like to think too much about that...) or his subject. In my little post TSbyBS world, Sid and Chancellor Edwards get what's coming and Blair finishes his PhD and carries on working with thepolice (Jim ::G::), part-time as a consultant. Much more scope for interesting stories there, than 2 cops running around together doing the Sentinel/Guide thing.

Just MO.

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
haha I actually exceeded my word limit with my last reply. Here's what else I was going to say...

((Are you the Jade Bear who wrote 'Where I can rest my head'? Love that story!))

Thank you so much! Yup, that's me. T has gotten me hooked to LJ and I'm hoping to shake out the cobwebs that are currently lining my brain and start writing more again, or more properly, finishing what I'm writing. *G* There's always something. I'm tickled you liked this story. I always wanted to do more with it, but never got around to it. Gosh, I'm just so surprised anyone remembers that. Thank you again, that just makes my day! :)

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 09:41 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm just so surprised anyone remembers that."

I'm horribly bad at sending feedback so my abject apologies for having taken so long to say that. I loved that, loved the way it swings from the tension of their pursuers getting closer and the quieter Jim/Blair moments. It was like a scene in a really good movie; perfect. I've always loved it. It's on my list to rec next time I get behind the wheel of the crack van. (o:

"Thank you again, that just makes my day!"
Well, I'm glad and sorry again that I didn;t say so before. (o:

I mostly write on LJ now, too. It's an easy place to bang out a story.

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. Just wow. I'm just so touched that you liked it that much. And don't worry, you may have commented on it. It's just been a while since I've thought about that one. Your comments really means a lot to me.

::crack van:: *snerk* I love that

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"::crack van:: *snerk* I love that!
It's great isn't it? ::grins widely::

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
Geez louise, one more thing and I promise to leave you alone. *BG*

I forgot to mention that they may have Blair complete a quick course in firearms and weaponless self-defense, some book work on local ordinances. Then he could get his Special detectives badge with the stipulation to complete the full academy when the next class begins.

Okay, I'm done now. Promise.

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 09:43 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks again, but I really need Blair to do the full academy course for my story. I don't want him doing cop stuff before the academy (because it's my opinion that he'd pretty soon find out it's not for him. I need him doing that in a strange town, away from Jim).

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 11:23 am (UTC)(link)
This story just sounds soooooo good! I love that Sid and Edwards will finally reap wha they've sown, the poopheads. And Blair leaving...*sniff* there's gonna be so much angst here- I love it. I'm with you as I never saw Blair as a cop. Loving to learn a new concept, a new sub-society- sure, but to join them? I always felt it was more about being with Jim and doing what he was born to do.
Man, I have enjoyed all of your stories and cannot wait to read this. And WiPs, oh I'm a glutton for WiP's.

Happy writing!

Oh baby!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-05-31 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh wow. Thank you... ::beams The Luuurve at new friend::

We'd best stop this now, lest we drown in the syrup of our mutual smooching. ::is giggling like a loony::

Re: Oh baby!

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
*snerk* *snicker* hahaha

::beams The Luuurve at new friend:: *JB twists big toe on the floor and shyly looks away* Aw shucks...*BG* I'm just so thrilled that T flung the notion on me to join LJ. I've met so many wonderful people, and now a new friend...passing the syrup back to you. But yes, lest we drown, we should now hurumph muchly and roughly pat each other on the back then swig down a tall boy...you know, like guys do. ;) There, death by syrup avoided.

LOL ::giggling right back at you::

Re: Oh baby!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh man! Sugar rush!!! ::dances about with a manic expression. Sensible people place kitchen knives out of temptation's way::

Ah, LJ - spreading the love since... whenever. (o:

I'm just wasting a sunny Saturday afternoon making Blair 'anti-cop' icons. How about yourself? ::G::

Re: Oh baby!

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmmmmm...sugar ::eyes glaze over, drool running down chin in a homage to Homer Simpson::

Your afternoon sounds much more fun than mine. Anti-cop icons...I love it! And you're not wasting a sunny afternoon... You're indulging in your creative side. To heck with everything else! ::waving banner high::

I'm *sigh* cleaning. The joy just never stops. hehe I have also determined that there is absolutely nothing on tv on Saturdays. I think I'm just gonna throw Monty Python's Holy Grail in and be done with it. Hubby is working overtime today, so I've been cleaning my little heart out. Always easier to clean when no one else is here. Washed all the blankets cause my sweet mutt has them smelling as un-rosy as he is. Next step is wrangling him into a bath so my blankets continue to smell spring-time fresh. :)

I'm hoping to work on my WiP, well, actually, I have several. I have a short attention span so I tend to start one thing and then jump to another. *darn me and my hampster wheel mind* *BG*

Icon making sounds absolutley wonderful. I hope to get into that eventually. I've seen some amazing ones since I've joined LJ. Talk about a whole new world being opened up.
Ahh, happy contentment...

Re: Oh baby!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yup, laundry... check; cleaning... check. Done this morning. I'm just waiting for the pasta sauce to cook so we can eat (o:

After the icon (above) I made a banner for my story. I luuuuurve photoshop; it is my friend.

Dogs = wonderful at all times, no matter how smelly. And the Holy Grail ::flails:: One of my top 5 all-time favourite films. I think only Withnail and I surpasses it in my affections.

Have a groovy Saturday.

Re: Oh baby!

[identity profile] jadebear07.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
hehe Love the icon!

Finally done with most the cleaning, feel much better now. Mmmm, pasta...sounds delicious. I'm waffling between fried chicken and simply ordering dinner.

Photoshop is great. I usesd to make covers for my stories, especially if I was stuck.

Oh, yes, I love my mutt. Always ready to be loved and happy to love you back. Even when stinky. ;) He now smells rosy and may lay on the bed to his heart's content.

Holy Grail is my favorite flick. My cousins sit around quoting it all the time. The black knight and killer rabbit have me on the floor every time. Hmmm, don't think I've ever seen Withnail and I... think I'll go look that up.

Have fun with icons today!

Re: Oh baby!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hmmm, don't think I've ever seen Withnail and I... think I'll go look that up."
Oh, please do! My favourite film of all time, bar none.

Re: Oh baby!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh... Icon love!!!

Trust me, you want some military training!

[identity profile] roslynsmuse.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 10:10 am (UTC)(link)
I lived most of my life in New York City and was there during 9/11. The cops there are under seige most of the time, given the huge population and urban culture. Trust me, you want them to have some military type training so they don't shoot at every shadow! I was frequently stopped by cops after 9.11 on the roads (as were many people) and when someone is speaking to you while keeping a hand on their hip holsters, you pray for their discipline and training!

My "Becoming a Cop" series centered on course work (lists the course names in one part of it) and firearms training. But I had Blair test out of numerous courses (and Jim forced to attend some too) The courses were all out of police training manuals around the US.

As an anthropoligist, yeah, he might get through the culture shock since he lived among warrior cultures in the field :)) But the hunter/gatherer part in the U.S. just applied to finding the nearest Dunkin Donuts. . .

Roslyn

Re: Trust me, you want some military training!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 10:18 am (UTC)(link)
" Trust me, you want some military training!"
I'm sure you do. I'm sure the courses are very tough and you'd need to be pretty dedicated to want to do them - which is my point; I don't ever see Blair really wanting to be a cop. He loves working with Jim, sure, when he's *studying* him and doing his academic thing. The rest... naw, just don't see it.

I used to be an academic; I know those people well and I can't think of a single one who'd want to join the police, and Blair is, very much, an academic. That part of his character was spot-on, I think.

I haven't read your stories, sorry, but if they were called 'Becoming a Cop' that probably explains why ::G:: Where can I find them?

Re: Trust me, you want some military training!

[identity profile] roslynsmuse.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 11:14 am (UTC)(link)
I used to be an academic; I know those people well and I can't think of a single one who'd want to join the police, and Blair is, very much, an academic. That part of his character was spot-on, I think.

I'm pretty new at this but yes, he would be an academic first and foremost. Still, the press conference would have limited those options for some time to come. Academia in the US is pretty cut throat from my experiences there. (I just got him through the PhD finally) :-)

I might have written differently had I seen the show before beginning to scribble. However, Blair's desperation for family and belonging could have led him in that direction for a spell (with a lot of literary license modifying the birth process for that incarnation!). And then moving towards a more specialized aspect of that job. . .

I haven't read your stories, sorry, but if they were called 'Becoming a Cop' that probably explains why ::G:: Where can I find them?

Oh, yeah well (blush), they are all post TSbyBS with Blair as a cop - it offered a framework for writing, prior to seeing the series. Link at my LJ to www.wolfpanther.com

The academy description is in the first part of the 'Becoming' series called 'Idealistic Cop'.

Now that I've found your LJ, I will spend this rainy morning happily wallowing at your Temple!

Roslyn

Re: Trust me, you want some military training!

[identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com 2007-06-02 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm pretty new at this but yes, he would be an academic first and foremost. Still, the press conference would have limited those options for some time to come. Academia in the US is pretty cut throat from my experiences there. (I just got him through the PhD finally) :-)"
Well I'd say that legally, neither Rainier nor Sid Graham would have a leg to stand on. Blair never submitted the thesis that was publicised so, strictly speaking, he defrauded nobody academically. IF he'd submitted a fraudulent thesis, then that would be a different story; he didn't. Blair would, IMO, sue.

Likewise, Sid Graham who publicised a manuscript without the authors permission - again, Blair is in his rights to take them to court over that. (One day I'm going to write that Boston Legal crossover. Alan Shore would be perfect... (o:

Eve canonically... Dany Bilsdon said there was no way Blair would ever be a cop; he would go to the academy, realise it wasn;t forhim and they would 'get him back in academia, somehow'. Of course, since there was no 5th season there's no post TSbyBS canon so we can all do just exactly what we like ::G:: Those who want Blair as a cop can do that, those, like me, who don't like that idea at all, can take it the way we like - everyone's happy. (o:

Wallow away! It's mostly the nonsensical ramblings of a fool. I hope you find something to interest you. (o: