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Real Life and the Sherlockian . . .

Every now and then you’ll hear of a Sherlockian who has to take a little time off from our engrossing hobby to indulge in that thing we call "real life." Real life has a way of getting in the way of the Sherlockian life, which then gets relegated to the realm of "not so real." As this week’s site updates are a day overdue, I could probably use the excuse that real life got in the way, but sometimes, when you’re a truly fanatic Sherlockian, Sherlockian life actually gets in the way of the Sherlockian life.

This weekend, instead of getting out the new web updates, I was putting the finishing touches on the latest issue of The Holmes & Watson Report (which is also slightly tardy). Further research into the history of the Hansoms of John Clayton for the upcoming 25th anniversary meeting was also a big time-consumer, as was dressing the giant rat, looking for Professor Presbury (he hasn’t turned up yet, but I’ve found the serum of langur – he must be near), and a couple sets of e-mail correspondence with various Sherlockians.

It’s a very weird life. And as all of the above actually happened, I guess you could call it real. And it also got in the way of this little bit of Sherlockian living, as well as time spent with the Dark Lantern League, who had a meeting on Sunday.

One of the e-mail back-and-forths that I have yet to finish, but was enjoying, was a comparison of Sherlockian reclusiveness . . . which made me think even more of the way Sherlockian life gets in the way of Sherlockian life.

No matter where you go in the Sherlockian world, no matter who you get to see, you’re always missing something. There are Sherlockian trails and social circles out there that you aren’t the slightest bit aware of. There are Sherlockian pathways and societies that I don’t have a clue about. And even the most aware Sherlockian on the planet at this very moment is surely missing out on something . . . simply because there is so much going on.

Just within a four-hour drive of Peoria, there are more Sherlockian events than I could get to even if it was my sole occupation. Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, DuQuoin . . . a lot of overlap going on, just in that circle.

And no matter who you are, no matter where you go, somewhere one of your fellow Sherlockians can wonder why you’re so reclusive, never attending the same functions they’re at. And with true Sherlockian recluses like my neighbor Bob Burr, and semi-recluses as well, in decent numbers, one might actually expect that you’re just another Sherlockian in a cave.

Especially if REAL real life kicks in . . . (Expect next week's column to be a day or two late as well, real life you know!)

Your humble correspondent,
Brad Keefauver