Sorry for not being online much lately. I'm just really busy with work and life...
But I will try to read through my favorite categories over the weekend

Wow, the cheese tray fight sounds like a Christmas to remember for sure! ;-)

I had a good time, thanks. Too much food, too much drink, but within socially acceptable limits I would say.
New Year's eve was fairly warm here this year (-1 during the night), so it was actually quite nice to be outside, join the crowd and watch the fireworks.

Just a little sad as always that all the festivities are over now... back to work tomorrow... oh well.

I just watched it yesterday, as I was away over the holidays, and must say I liked it a lot better than the last few Christmas special. Granted, it was not really all that "Christmassy", but I didn't mind that. It was nice to have a fun episode for a change, with lots of comedic references and jokes.
I wouldn't say it was any stranger than the Christmas invasion or the one about the Starship Titanic. Dr. Who is always strange, and even more so at Christmas.
I'm actually quite curious to see the outcome of the "Who is Oswin"-story, but I hope it's not something to do with regeneration.

Thanks for the update!

I think the comparison with people like Will Smith who started out as TV actors is not applicable to Benedict and Marting, because they both were considerable well known actors at the time they accepted their parts in Sherlock. Ok, so probably Star Trek and The Hobbit are a step up regarding international fame, but it's not like they were begging for work before.
Also, as Ivy has said (and others in other threads), BBC Sherlock is "massive" by British TV standards, and has been sold worldwide. It's not a bad job to have, even for someone who has been working in Hollywood.

Sounds like a good plan, Kazza!
I won't be online over Christmas either, cause I'll be celebrating in a more rural part of the country, but I'll be back on the 26th, so you will hardly notice I'm gone.

Much of what I would have suggested has already been posted, so I will just add some advice based on my own experience:

Many ACD's Sherlock Holmes stories are short stories, around 20-50 pages long. They would therefore not take too long for you to get through, even if you don't have a lot of time or energy to read.
Also, if you feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stories and cases, why not start with "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" rather than buying the full collection? It consists of 12 short stories, the first one being "A Scandal in Bohemia", which would ease you into the world of ACD nicely. If you don't like e-books, just get a cheap paperback copy, you can get them from around 5 EUR.

As tempting as it may be, I would not recommend to start with " A Study in Scarlet", as it is a full novel (ca. 160 pages), and not really "typical" Sherlock Holmes at all.

Regarding the language, I pretty much agree with what everyone has said, maybe just two smalls thoughts on the side:
- While 19th Century language might be a little difficult to get used to, it is very consistent, i.e. once you have read a few stories, it will seem a lot easier.
- ACD's books are among the most popular worldwide, so please do not worry about reading a translation, they are very good. If you feel you would get more enjoyment out of reading the German version, by all means do. As Mattlocked pointed out, you might miss more by not precisely understanding a definition than by reading a good translation.

Tantalus wrote:

I'd go read it right now, but I'm off to the gasfitter's ball.

Actually, I've read it numerous times. What exactly are we to do once we've read it?

You post your own little review, or your thoughts, whatever you want really.

I have read it, though I might have to go over the details again before I post anything... just remember that it was a bit far fetched IMO... but I'll give it another shot, and maybe change my mind.
See you back here in a few days!

A warm Viennese welcome to you, KG. Glad to see new people are still coming in, looking forward to reading your posts!

As much as I would love to come, but New Zealand may just be little far for a weekend trip from Vienna ;-)

Have fun, knowing how much the rest of us here envy you!

Interesting...

Reichenbach Fall is full of fairy tale references, and that Moriarty loves these little hints and riddles. I'm quite sure he picked the pin for a reason. The fox is known as a shrewd animal, and is often portrayed as a cheat in fables and fairy tales.

That said, I don't really believe these small hints are directly linked to the solution of the "fall". As you say, Susi, I think Moftiss want to keep the hardcore fans happy, they love all their little details and references.