The Open and Inclusive Worldwide Online Sherlockian Society (Really, We're about Having Fun)
Today is Mickey Mouse’s 92nd birthday! Mickey has worn a deerstalker on several occasions and is even known in Europe as a detective! But the most important thing to think about on this day is who would be Mickey’s Watson and why? Discuss.
Name (or alias):
Paul Thomas Miller
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Buck
Who is your favourite Watson and why?
Today, James Mason just for the line “You squashed me pea.” But I reserve the right to change my mind constantly. They all have something to offer.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
The Adventure of the Easily Distracted Moron.
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
I’ve made it this far through 2020 without crying more than once a day.
Why did you join the JHWS?
It seemed like the inclusive, playful, friendly group, and I wanted some of that!
We want to feature all of our Wonderful Watsonians! Especially you! Why don’t you respond to the questions above (picture optional) to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com?
Be your own Boswell and tell us a little about yourself!
1. Name (or alias): Margie Deck
2. Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Mopsy
3. Who is your favorite Watson and why?
Beyond the original in the Canon, I tend to favor Jude Law’s interpretation—he presents exasperated enthusiasm better than any other in my view, and he has the “natural advantages” Sherlock Holmes said Watson has.
4. If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
The Adventure of the Puzzled Imposter
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
In 1995, while in London for a honeymoon, I rang the bell at Westminster Abbey for a call to a prayer service.
Why did you join the JHWS?
When the first treasure hunt was announced in 2013, I gathered some friends from The Sound of the Baskervilles to work on the thing as a team. I contacted Don ‘Buttons’ Libey and told him we were playing along just for the fun of it even though the treasure hunt was not a team competition. [The treasure hunt was originally planned as an individual competition only.] Buttons added the team competition because of the SOBs, and I’ve happily been a member since then.
We want to feature all of our Wonderful Watsonians! Especially you! Why don’t you respond to the questions above (picture optional) to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com?
As mentioned a few days ago, Society members will receive an email inviting them to join the JHWS Announcement e-mail list. Those emails went out tonight, and should be arriving soon (if they haven’t already). See you there!
For the upcoming meeting of the John H Watson Society (Saturday, November 14 at 9 AM PDT, 10 AM MDT, 11AM CDT, 12 Noon EDT, 5 PM BST, 6 PM CEST, etc.) we are looking for a few toasters with the most-ers. We traditionally toast Murray, Medicine and Mary and if you hurry I believe any of those three topics are up for grabs. Contact buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com if you would like to volunteer or if you need the Zoom link.
This week’s Watsonian Weekly sets the year for the first use of the term Watsonian in a John H. Watson context as 1914. Do you know of an earlier use? If so, let us know at podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com . But give us a listen in any case!
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/november-9-2020-president-watson-and-the-first-watsonian
Society members will soon receive an email asking them to confirm their subscription to the John H Watson Society Announcement list.
We’ll be using this list to share important information with our members, so please do join us!
Name (or alias): Rich Krisciunas
Bullpup moniker: Hector
Who is your favorite Watson and why? My first answer was the former hockey player, Bryan “Bugsy” Watson but I remembered who was asking the question, so it has to be Nigel Bruce because he was my first. He is also as fearless as Bryan Watson.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
“The Romantic Adventure of the Tenacious Barrister and The Woman”
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
In 1984, I attended the first Detroit Tigers fantasy camp which reunited the 1968 World Championship team and I hit a single off world series MVP Mickey Lolich and a double off Mark “The Bird” Fidrych. I was MVP of the Lawyer’s softball league in Detroit.
Why did you join the JHWS?Everyone in JHWS is very welcoming and knowledgeable. I want to be part of a group that takes the “game” seriously and I love “playing the game.” After retiring from a 37-year career as a criminal trial lawyer and law school professor, I had more time to re-read the Canon and attend local scion meetings; Ribston-Pippins, Amateur Mendicant Society of Detroit and Greek Interpreters of East Lansing. I enjoy looking at the stories from a legal point of view and presenting papers, toasts and poems. I found the podcasts “I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere” and “Trifles.” Then, I discovered the blog Sherlock Peoria and listened to the “Watsonian Weekly” and “Sherlock Holmes is Real” podcasts because they are clever. I’m hooked.
Best wishes. Thanks for asking. Let me know if you need anything else.
Rich Krisciunas JHWS Hector
Retired Professor Trial PracticeDetroit Mercy School of Law
734-620-1052Ribston-PippinsAmateur Mendicant Society of DetroitGreek Interpreters of East LansingCrew of the Barque Lone StarThe Fourth GarridebSherlockians of BaltimoreJohn H. Watson SocietyTankerville Club of Cincinnati Harpooners of Sea Unicorn St. CharlesBlue Carbuncle of PortlandWatson’s Tin BoxParallel Case of St. LouisOrder of the Last Bow
Cesspudlians of London (Ontario)Sherlock Holmes Society of London
We want to feature all of our Wonderful Watsonians! Especially you! Please feel free to answer the questions above and send the response (photo optional but we love to see your smiling faces) to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Come for the traditional toasts, a little show and tell, the finals of our poetry contest, and a Watsonian artist panel on Saturday, November 14 at 9 AM PDT, 10 AM MDT, 11AM CDT, 12 Noon EDT, 5 PM BST, 6 PM CEST, etc. Wear your Watson hat if you’ve got one, and come say “Hi!” to our brand new Buttons. Our fifth meeting ever, and we’re hoping to get better every time.
If you need the Zoom invitation, please send a request to podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com and we’ll get you the links.
Also, it’s time for your weekly does of Watson with the Watsonian Weekly!
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/november-2-2020-watson-drinks-beaune-and-dies
Be your own Boswell and tell us a little about yourself!
Name (or alias):
Brad Keefauver
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Calder
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
John C. Reilly, whose genius as a comic actor in movies like Walk Hard and Step Brothers brought a John H. Watson to the screen who could explore his relationship with Sherlock Holmes in the movie “Holmes and Watson” more than any other film Watson has done. (Yes, I’m serious about this point. There is more insight in “Holmes and Watson” than most folks would like to admit.) Unfortunately, Reilly’s Watson is not discussed on this week’s episode of The Watsonian Weekly, but you can listen to it anyway at:
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/october-26-2020-sherlock-holmes-is-the-weasel-one-not-watson
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
“The Case of the Persistent Podcaster?” (No, that’s too Perry Mason.) How about “The Adventure of the Perpetual Writer?” That gets it, I think.
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
I served a year aboard the S.S. Albatross under Captain Jinks and first mate Salty Sam. (It was an afternoon kids show that I wrote for and occasionally appeared on camera as “Bosun Brad.” And that’s the whole of my experience as a seaman, as I do not swim well.)
Why did you join the JHWS?
I don’t know. I think it was just cool that there was a John H. Watson Society.
(Also, it has this great podcast that you can also listen to on Apple Podcasts at
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-watsonian-weekly/id1465553726 )
You’re a Wonderful Watsonian, aren’t you? Answer the questions above and send to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com because we want to know your Watsonian secrets too!
Desperate for the sound of another human voice talking about John H. Watson? Well, look no further — here comes another Watsonian Weekly, the Frankenstein’s monster of podcasting!
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/watson-and-the-baboons-candy-bass
Name (or alias):
Elinor Gray, aka mistyzeo
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Misty
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
I have a strong fondness for Michael Williams, the Watson to Clive Merrison’s Holmes in the 1989 audio series by Bert Coules. His warm voice and laugh and his energy with Merrison make them a delightful pair to enjoy the stories with.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
The Three Cat Problem
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
I have knit over 65 pairs of socks in my 15+ year knitting career, most of them in the first 5 years. Now I can’t stop knitting sweaters.
Why did you join the JHWS?
I’ve moved several times since getting into Sherlock Holmes–from Philadelphia to Baltimore, from Baltimore to London, and from London to Portland–so an online society was a big draw for me! That, and the opportunity to be part of something as it was built, to put having fun and being chill at the forefront of “traditional” Sherlockian appreciation, and to make new friends. The crossover of internet fandom and old school Sherlockiana is awesome.
Want to participate? Answer the questions above and send to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com!
Over at Book Riot, Eileen Gonzalez gives us her take on 7 Unconventional HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Adaptations.
Both BBC Sherlock and Elementary get mentions, along with Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century, which I just started watching, courtesy of my public library’s digital collections. I haven’t watched the episode she mentions yet, though.
There is also what is clearly a massive labor of love, an animated short film using LEGO® blocks.
Have you seen any (or all) of these? Do you have a favorite HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES adaptation?
This week we ramble on about our usual bits, but eventually get to talking about yesterday’s Left Coast Sherlockian Symposium. Maybe we’re not completely Watson-focused this week as a result, but after a day like yesterday, things need to be said! Spend a few minutes out of your lazy Sunday with Margie Deck, Robert Perret, Paul Thomas Miller, Rob Nunn, Phil Bergem, Heather Hinson, and Brad Keefauver (though not all at once) with some chat about John Watson and more.
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/october-12-2020-we-get-to-left-coast-watson-eventually
https://open.spotify.com/show/23X2gDGeWfsvapGDrZfVQs
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-watsonian-weekly/id1465553726
Be your own Boswell and tell us a little about yourself!
Name (or alias):
Beth Gallego, but you can find me as plexippa on most social media platforms
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Selena
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
I’m partial to Dr David Q Dawson, faithful companion to Eve Titus’s Basil (of Baker Street). I’m a Children’s Librarian, and I collect Sherlockian children’s books, and Dawson is Watson, but adapted for children.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
The Adventure of the Lost Librarian
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
I completed all six of the Tinker Bell Half Marathons at Disneyland.
Why did you join the JHWS?
I fell into the Sherlockian world comparatively late and a little bit backwards, and when I get interested in something, I want to know everything I can about it. I ran across the Watson Society site in my digital wanderings and loved it right away. Through the Society, I’ve met so many clever and interesting people who are here to have fun among friends, and what could be better than that?
Want to participate? Answer the questions above and send to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com!
Podcast time again, with a brand new feature!
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/october-5-2020-its-a-wild-wild-watson
My dear Watsonians, we are starting a new feature all about you! At the end of this interview you will find a set of questions that we would love to hear your responses to, if convenient. If inconvenient, maybe come back to it in a little while all the same?
Be your own Boswell and tell us a little about yourself!
Name (or alias):
Robert Perret
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Sampson
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
I have never met a Watson I didn’t like. I think H. Marion Crawford is the happy medium of a lot of traditional Watsons. I think Lucy Liu is the most compelling of the modern Watsons. She really develops as a detective in her own right.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
The Adventure of the Facetious Footnote
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
I have a published Nancy Drew story.
Why did you join the JHWS?
I love the character and the stories of Dr. Watson (and that guy he lives with, I guess) and I want to celebrate him. I have yet to meet a Watsonian who isn’t friendly, engaged, creative and welcoming. I am very excited to serve as the new Buttons and hope to continue our great legacy as the open and inclusive worldwide online society! We need more Watson energy in the world!
We want to hear from all our Wonderful Watsonians! (Yes, especially YOU!) Please answer these brief questions so we can introduce the world to our friends.
Be your own Boswell and tell us a little about yourself!
Name (or alias):
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
Why did you join the JHWS?
Please feel free to include a picture that we can use alongside your interview. Or you may elect to see what sort of bullpup image we pluck from Sherman’s digital menagerie in lieu.
Send your responses to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
October’s coming up on us soon, the costume shops are open, and you can buy a deerstalker cap in most of them. But what about the faithful Watsonian? Where’s our hat? What’s our hat?
A hat is perhaps the simplest cosplay available and with the costume shops selling hats of all varieties, it seems like a great time to start picking out a Watson hat for your Zoom calls and the like. But what was Watson’s hat of choice?
Let’s take a little poll in the comment section below and start thinking about a little Watsonian cosplay from the top down, even if we never get past the moustache. (Oh, no, once the hat’s discussion is down, we have to start with moustache talk. But don’t rush it. Don’t rush it.)
Also, it’s a new episode of The Watsonian Weekly!
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/september-28-2020-hats-on-for-john
It has been my immense honor to serve as your Boy-in-Buttons since March of 2016. Our Society has grown and changed over the last four-and-a-half years, and it is time for a new person to lead us into the future.
I am delighted to announce that Robert Perret (JHWS “Sampson”) is our “Sampson Buttons”, effective 1 October 2020.
While I am passing on the mantle of “Buttons”, I remain JHWS “Selena”, and your faithful webmistress. While I work on improving the site, I look forward to seeing our Society as a whole move forward with new energy and ideas.
