Busman's Holiday

[mlm828]

I've posted a new story, "Busman's Holiday," in the "Fan Fiction" section. It's not a new "episode," just a little diversion for your holiday reading. I thought Jim and Christie needed a little respite from the heavy-duty stuff -- or maybe I did. Jim accompanies Christie on a business trip to San Diego, where they stay at the historic Hotel Del Coronado, and Jim helps investigate a murder that turns out to be similar to a famous century-old case.

The story has also been posted at fanfiction.net: www.fanfiction.net/s/3024422/1/

For those who are not familiar with it, here is a picture of the Hotel Del (as we locals call it):

[Dreamfire]

Great Holiday!!! Thanks MLM. And I LOVE the idea of Jim surfing. He already has surfie dude hair anyhow.

Very visual piece, nice and light and enjoyable.

Natascha
PS. next time can he go to a warm water place so we can see him in something less than a wet suit!

[bjobsessed]

Loved it as always. What a nice little relaxing aside. Not that I mind your tense episodes. Like I told you already, my favourite thing was when the detectives were discussing whether or not Jim was the blind cop from NY and one said," Do you suppose he's that guy?"

Who else do we know with that same problem??

[mlm828]

I was asked the question, "Do blind people really surf?" The answer is "yes," as shown by these articles:

www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/08/29/news/coastal/82805191511.txt
and
www.sabwo.org.za/brette/rette163.htm

When you click on the second link, you need to scroll down to see the relevant article.

[bjobsessed]

Thanks for the links, mlm! Those are some great articles. The technology they're coming out with is amazing. So is the blind, partially deaf, and long/short legged surfer. As for the lady in Uganda, we could all take a lesson from her once in a while. Takes alot of courage to overcome any disability or difference in a country like that.

[rducasey]

Thanks MLM for this story. It's fun to think of Jim and Chrisite finally taking that well needed vacation. I see you live in San Diego and your descriptions of the area (and that great picture of the Hotel) make it a place I'd love to see someday. Jim surfing was so much fun to imagine. And thanks, too, for the links. Keep up all those great fanfics. If Bochco only knew to hire you maybe we would have had that second season. But we'll have it one way or the other through your 'episodes".

[mlm828]

ashatan said:

PS. next time can he go to a warm water place so we can see him in something less than a wet suit!

Around here, if the surfers aren't wearing wet suits, they're mostly wearing baggy (there's that word again!) swim trunks. So I opted for the wet suit!

[Duchess of Lashes]

A swimsuit is one of those things that might actually be preferred a little baggy - the image of Jim in a Speedo just doesn't quite do it!

Another good one, MLM, and I love how you have woven it around that grand old hotel - one of our favorite places to go play when we got tired of L.A. - which was quite often.

[doobrah]

Aw that's great -- I love the Del. At the risk of sounding like a lush, there's nothing better than a drink at the oceanside bar.

And I've been to that restaurant at the ferry landing!!!

[hoosier]

I could just visualize him in his wetsuit---and adding some more blond highlights to his hair, if thats possible! Wonder what gave him the idea to give surfing a try in the first place? If Christie had known what he had in mind, I am sure there would have been quite a row! ;D

[maggiethecat]

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!

Sorry I haven't weighed in sooner -- maybe I thought I already had? -- because you have done it again with "Busman's Holiday." Just wonderful, and with the added attraction of a setting you know well and truly brought to life.

Pardon my silence and just blame it on the heat. This is terrific stuff.

Once again, you nailed it.

[shmeep]

I'm so behind! I just caught this one. My apologies for not reading it sooner. This one was a lot of fun and you brought the setting to life beautifully. I even recognized the hotel from your description (I didn't remember the name) so when I saw this...

mlm828 said:

For those who are not familiar with it, here is a picture of the Hotel Del (as we locals call it):

...I went "Aha!" (to myself, of course, since I'm in a cubicle at work). I've never been there, but I did see it featured once on "America's Castles" and I knew that was what you meant right off.

Great job.

And the thought of Jim in a wetsuit is pretty sexy. Since I grew up going to the beaches just a couple of hours North, in Santa Monica and Malibu, I remember all the guys in their wetsuits and they looked mighty fine. Of course I also liked the baggy shorts as well. I'm glad you were realistic in the way you described Jim learning to surf and that you didn't make him master it instantly but allowed him to have a lot of fun. Perfect.

[mlm828]

longlashes said:

A swimsuit is one of those things that might actually be preferred a little baggy - the image of Jim in a Speedo just doesn't quite do it!

Not to worry, longlashes -- I would never have sent Jim to his surfing lesson in a Speedo! Shmeep is absolutely right:

admin said:

And the thought of Jim in a wetsuit is pretty sexy. Since I grew up going to the beaches just a couple of hours North, in Santa Monica and Malibu, I remember all the guys in their wetsuits and they looked mighty fine. Of course I also liked the baggy shorts as well.

doobrah said:

And I've been to that restaurant at the ferry landing!!!

So have I! It's one of my favorite places to take visitors from out of town.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment on the story. It was a lot of fun to write, and I'm glad to know it was fun to read, too.