P is for Petrichor

Petrichor

The word was first coined in the scientific journal Nature in 1964, and stems from the Greek word for rock (Petra) and the word Ichor, the liquid that was said to flow through the veins of Greek gods. 

It describes the distinctive odour that occurs after rain falls after a prolonged drought. The water creates a distinctive earthy scent. 

I learnt the word from an episode of Doctor Who. 

Change ...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the stranger)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer one
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the stranger)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different one
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

(chorus from Changes by David Bowie)

“Change, my dear… and it seems not a moment too soon.”

(words of the Sixth Doctor, 'The Caves of Androzani")

R is for Regeneration

We hardly ever hear the term "regeneration" in our churches nowadays. You are more likely to hear it on Doctor Who!

Another way of talking about regeneration is talking about being "born again." Here's a more familiar term to our modern ears. A work of the Holy Spirit, the term speaks of a spiritual transformation where the believer is radically changed, becoming someone new. Without that spark of the divine, a person is spiritually dead, but God steps in and makes that person spiritually alive.

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
Ezekiel 37:3-5

P is for Portmeirion

Portmeirion was designed and built by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976, in the style of a Mediterranean village. He wanted to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. The results are truly spectacular.

The site has served as the location for numerous films and television shows (including Doctor Who), but is probably best known for being "The Village" in the 1960s classic television show The Prisoner.

The whole site is now a tourist attraction and is now owned by a charitable trust. It's located near to Porthmadog, in Gwynedd, North Wales.

M is for the Millennium Centre, Cardiff

The Welsh Millennium Centre is an arts centre in Cardiff. The 7.5 acre site contains a 1,900 seat lyric theatre, designed for opera, large scale musicals, ballet and contemporary dance – as well as a studio theatre, a dance house and orchestral hall.

The Centre has made numerous appearances in film and television including Doctor Who, as the latest series is produced locally by BBC Wales. The spin-off series Torchwood also features the Centre - in seasons 1 and 2 of the series, the team had their headquarters underneath the Water Tower in Roald Dahl Plass.

A Thought For Today

Self-Medication

These are the TV series that I watched during last month and this month to get me through a few weeks of frantic activity, followed by spates of inactivity which triggered off a few 'lows' whenever I stopped to take a break. In some cases, I must admit that I tended to binge-watch shows to get me through! I recommend this method of 'self-medication' over large quantities of intoxicants (which is how some people of my age seem to self-medicate). And it's cheaper, too!

• Blake's Seven, season one (YouTube)
• Dave Gorman's Modern Life Is Goodish (Dave)
• Doctor Who (BBC, Watch, Horror)
• Flash, season one (DVD)
• Flash, season two (Sky One)
• Humans, season one (DVD)
• Hunted (Channel Four)
• Star Trek (CBS Action)
• The Prisoner (DVD)
• The A-Team, season one (DVD)

O is for Oh I Really Couldn't Ignore This One

The TARDIS is a time machine and spacecraft - the name being an acronym for Time And Relative Dimension In Space. Properly maintained and piloted, a TARDIS can transport its occupants to any point in time and space. Dimensionally transcendental (the interior is much larger than its exterior), it can blend in with its surroundings using a 'chameleon circuit'. It also provides its users with additional tools, including a telepathically based universal translation system.

Interestingly, the best known version of the ship is that owned by The Doctor - an obsolete Type 40, Mark 1 TARDIS. Its chameleon circuit is broken, so it's stuck in the shape of a 1960s-style London police box. It's meant to be piloted by a crew of six, which makes life a bit tricky if you are trying to fly it on your own. And the ship itself is unpredictable - although it is later revealed that the TARDIS takes The Doctor 'where he needed to go' as opposed to where he 'wanted to go'.

Doctor Who is, of course, a British science-fiction television programme produced by the BBC from 1963 to the present day. The show is such a part of British popular culture, that the TARDIS is now much better known that the Police Box that shares its image.

Change, My Dear. And It Seems Not A Moment Too Soon

A podcast that I've been listening to recently reminded me of the need to expand the boundaries of my own particular Comfort Zone. It's essential to keep pushing yourself to new things if you want to grow. And I do.

However, the host warned me of the dangers of trying to make too many changes, too quickly. You still need to have a different degree of comfort left to retreat into when the day is over. That little place of calm. Changing too many things, say, in your work and in your personal life at the same time, could be problematic - too much, too soon.

Having said all that, here's a question that I've been left with to mull over:

• Should I change my inner passion to align with my circumstances?
• Or should I, perhaps, change my circumstances to align with my inner passion?

I know what I think. But dare I make that change? It will impact on everything! Will that be too drastic a change?

(picture: 'Change, My Dear' by Leda74. One for the Doctor Who fans! This blog entry's title comes from the first few lines spoken by the Sixth Doctor - "The Caves of Androzani", 1984. )

Ask The Right Questions

Vastra: Who or what could have done this thing?
Doctor: No.
Vastra: I'm sorry?
Doctor: No. That is not the question. That is not where we start.
Strax: The question is how. The flesh itself has been combusted.
Doctor: No, no, shut up. What do you all have for brains, pudding? Look at you. Why can't I meet a decent species? Planet of the pudding brains.
Clara: Doctor, I know you're upset, but you need to calm down and talk to us. What is the question?
(dialogue from 'Deep Breath' - Doctor Who)

The Doctor has a point here, you know. We humans are crashingly bad at asking the right questions. We seem to excel in excuses; to delight in dismissing opinions contrary to our own. We're good at some questions but we aren't very good at the tricky subjects. We don't like being out of our depth.

However, the best way to learn is to test what we hear - we need to keep on asking questions...

Just think for a moment would could happen if we actually started to ask the right questions for a change? To dig deep. To ask those difficult questions. To check those facts. To read around the subject. To test the answers that we get back. To write those answers down; then ask more questions. And repeat...

Those words were made very clear to me during this morning's prayer meeting at the Hall.

I will get the answers I seek if I keep on asking the right questions.

Awesome.

Psalm 119:18 (NIV)
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Changing Faces

There's been quite a lot of stray thoughts bouncing around in my head following the airing of the season première of Doctor Who last Saturday...

The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) is now a much older man; however, the reactions of those around him to this regeneration have proved most interesting... particularly the reaction of Clara (Jenna Coleman), his assistant. You see, she had got used to The Doctor being a much younger man - if only younger in appearance, in his manner, in his personality. She has trouble coping with the change. Despite the fact that the change happened right before her eyes!

At the end of the episode the Doctor does manage to convince Clara that he is, after all, the same person as the one she knew. Despite a change of face, of personality. Even a change in his speech - he now sports a fetching Scottish accent!

You know, we all wear different 'faces' in our life. Different roles; different jobs. Some of us even get a chance to change our name. Our appearance changes as we get older... many fail to cope with this!

I even listened to a documentary over the recent holiday period about someone who suddenly woke up and found that she spoke with a foreign accent. Apparently, it can happen! See here!

Change is a part of life. However, never forget - it's who we are inside that counts.

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts.
(William Shakespeare, "As You Like It")

Alone Again (Naturally)

It's amazing, the things that run through my mind sometimes...

As I have been reflecting on my last blog post about Knight Rider, I couldn't help but dwell for a bit on the concept of the lone adventurer, seeking to right wrongs in society. It's a popular theme in 20th and 21st Century popular culture, isn't it? The white-hat-toting Western sheriff; the detective who doggedly stays on the case; the time-traveller who appears just in time to sort out a problem; the fearless superhero. Those are my generation's role models.

As I eluded to in my last post, being alone and being lonely are two different things. As an introvert I have learnt the hard way about the importance of including some 'me time' into the equation, in order to escape from an increasingly noisy world - but that doesn't mean I want to be lonely. You can be alone without being lonely. However, you can be lonely in a crowded room!

Loneliness is, therefore, a state of mind, an emotive reaction to feelings of separation from other human beings. If you are lonely you feel isolated, cut off from your peers. Perhaps you lack like-minded friends; a supportive community; the love of a family; a soulmate...

It's a common theme. The title of this blog entry comes from a 1970's song by Gilbert O'Sullivan. An introspective ballad, it tells the sad story of a man left at the altar by his prospective bride. Left on his own...

Scripture talks about loneliness, of course. In the Old Testament one Hebrew word for loneliness is badad which means isolated, separated, withdrawn. This word is used in Genesis 2:18 which says: "it is not good for man to be alone."

Another Hebrew word for loneliness is yahid which means solitary or isolated. This word is used in Psalm 25:16 - "I am lonely and afflicted."

No one felt loneliness more keenly than King David. His own son rose up against him, the Israelites massed against him and he was forced to flee, leaving behind his house and the rest of his family. David cried out to God in his loneliness and despair; pleading for mercy and for God’s intervention (Psalm 25).

It is interesting to note that the word 'lonely' is never used in the New Testament to describe people. In the New Testament the Greek word for loneliness is eremos meaning abandoned or solitary. For example, Luke 4:42: "He departed and went to a lonely place". It refers to desolate places, like the wilderness where Jesus went off to be alone.

Thus, the Bible reveals that there is often a positive side to being alone. It's an opportunity to retreat, rest, and to talk with God. Jesus did this frequently, therefore I take this as a sign that we should do this, too...

Through our relationship with Christ, we have a special bond, a special fellowship. It's the sort of relationship that has reassured and encouraged those saints who have languished in prisons for their faith. He is a friend who "sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24), who lays down His life for His friends (John 15:13-15), and who has promised never to leave us or forsake us - He is with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Anyone can face moments of loneliness - times when you long to be known and to be loved. But we are reminded that God knows us, loves us and that God hears our cries. God is always with us.

As for me, perhaps I am not Michael Knight, Bruce Wayne, or even the Lone Ranger. However much I feel inclined to be. However, there is one thing. I'm not out there on my own.

The Twelfth Doctor

Peter Capaldi made a brief cameo appearance in 'Doctor Who' as a part of the show's fiftieth anniversary special 'The Day of the Doctor'. His regeneration scene took place at the end of 'The Time of the Doctor' (Christmas Day, 2013). His first full series as the Twelfth Doctor is scheduled for the Autumn of 2014.

Happy New Year, folks!

The Eleventh Doctor

The next actor to play the lead in Doctor Who was in fact the youngest yet to be cast in the role. Matt Smith was aged only 26 at the time.

The Eleventh Doctor is particularly childlike, allowing him to connect very well with children (the first person he meets after his regeneration is a seven-year-old Amy Pond; the adult version would become his first companion). In fact, this persona is quite ignorant of correct behaviour, awkward in social situations, and seems incredibly slow in realising things (the audience are often a step or two ahead of him)! It's said to due to his advanced age (mentioned in one episode) or being too stupid to remember details (as mentioned in another). He is secretive, keeps vital information from his companions, and then blames himself for ruining many so many other lives. 

And yet... this Doctor can get excited over anything different and yet interesting. He has a powerful sense of right and wrong and a determination to do what's right. And he knows that bowties are cool. 

Matt Smith has appeared in 37 stories (42 episodes) and will hand over the TARDIS keys to Peter Capaldi after this year's Christmas special...

An Adventure In Space And Time

Ever wondered what all the fuss is about? Why all this talk about 'Doctor Who'? Perhaps this drama might give you just a little glimpse into how this show evolved into what is now the longest-running science-fiction television series in the world...

"An Adventure in Space and Time" retells the story of the First Doctor William Hartnell (David Bradley) and producer Verity Lambert (Jessica Raine) as they set out to create a Saturday tea-time family drama in 1963. Brian Cox plays the BBC head of drama Sydney Newman, with Sacha Dhawan playing Waris Hussein, who directed the first story. Lesley Manville will play Heather, Hartnell's wife.

The 90 minute docu-drama is written by Mark Gatiss. This is due to air on the BBC in the week before the special 50th anniversary episode is aired on 23th November. 

The Tenth Doctor

David Tennant's incarnation of The Doctor is particularly light-hearted... at least on the surface. The Tenth Doctor's persona seems to have a tendency to babble, mixing apparent nonsense with nuggets of vital information. He develops closer ties than ever with his companions, their friends and family than he ever did in any of his previous versions.

However, beneath the surface this version of the Time Lord reveals intense emotions in play. One of this Doctor's recurring lines is the fact that he is "so sorry" for what has occurred - or what is going to occur. The shows begins to explore the loneliness of the character, with Time Lord longevity described as a curse - while his human companions all someday leave him and eventually die, he continues on.

The Tenth Doctor wears a four-buttoned suit, a shirt and a tie, a light brown overcoat (reportedly given to him by Janis Joplin) and trainers. He also dons a pair of glasses from time to time - and even a pair of red-blue 3D glasses! The character speaks with an Estuary English accent - unlike Tennant whose natural accent is Scottish English...

Taking over from Ecclestone in 2005, Tennant would appear in 36 stories (47 episodes) until handing over to Matt Smith in early 2010.

The Ninth Doctor

Christopher Eccleston took over the helm of the TARDIS for the series' revival in 2005.

For the new series, Russell T Davies presented what has been described as a 'stripped down' version of the previous Doctors, an effort to reintroduce the character to a brand new audience. The Ninth Doctor was different again, speaking with Ecclestone's distinct Northern accent, and dressed in a dark leather jacket and jeans. Far less eccentric than some of his predecessors, subtle elements of his personality began to emerge, revealing aspects of character that were definitely not human...

This particular Doctor lived solely for the present, keen to share his life with Rose (Billie Piper) but somehow avoiding discussing his own past because "there's some pain there". This series would later reveal the reason why -  he carries guilt about the Time War which saw the destruction of his own race, the Time Lords, occurring sometime before the series relaunch. The reintroduction of the Daleks during this year's run and in the concept of regeneration in "The Parting of the Ways" makes this a very powerful series. Although Eccleston's Doctor only ended up featuring in ten stories (thirteen hour-long episodes), handing over to David Tennant at the end of the final show, his characterisation gave the show a very strong relaunch.

The Eighth Doctor

The Eighth Doctor made his debut in the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, the first time the Doctor had been on our screens (apart from re-runs) since 1989. At the helm was Sylvester McCoy, who regenerated into Paul McGann in an early scene. 

Intended as a pilot movie by the Fox Network in the States, the movie didn't draw enough Nielsen ratings to warrant a TV series. However, it was well received in the rest of the world, with the Eighth Doctor's adventures featured in novels, comic strips, and audio plays from Big Finish Productions. 

McGann's Doctor encouraged those around him - he enjoyed giving people a hint of their own futures, perhaps steering them  into making the right decisions. The audio plays (voiced by McGann) built upon his sole screen appearance, although indicating a much darker personality. He also seems to be very forgetful - perhaps inspired by the plot of his television appearance.

The audio plays and books continued to develop the character until the TV series was successfully revived in 2005 - when Christopher Ecclestone took over the role as the Doctor...

The Seventh Doctor

Sylvester McCoy became the Seventh Doctor in 1987, taking over from Colin Baker who had by then been rather curtly dismissed from the role. Colin declined the invitation to appear in the show for the handover, so McCoy wore a curly blond wig during the brief regeneration scene. 

McCoy's Doctor is initially portrayed as a comical, even thoughtful character - he uses the actor's natural  Scottish accent to good effect. Later in his run this persona is revealed to be rather  secretive and even manipulative. Towards the end we even start to explore the profound question of who the Doctor actually is...

Sylvester played the role until the show's regular run was discontinued in 1989. He played the Doctor in the 1993 charity special 'Dimensions in Time', and again in 1996 for the TV movie. McCoy is thus acknowledged as the actor who, in a way, played the Doctor for a longer period of time than any other.

The Seventh Doctor's last appearance was at the start of the TV movie where he was replaced by the Eighth Doctor - Paul McGann ...

The Sixth Doctor

Colin Baker's portrayal of the title character in Doctor Who was... shall we say... controversial. This new regeneration was unpredictable and egotistic, portentous and eloquent, bombastic and confident. The most striking aspect of his persona was his tasteless, multicoloured and clashing costume. In fact, Colin wanted to dress his Doctor in black, specifically black velvet, to reflect his character's darker personality. It was producer John Nathan-Turner who insisted on his garish apparel. Fans quickly categorised this persona as the 'unlikeable' Doctor... 

Colin's era included an 18-month hiatus, announced mid-way through transmission of Colin's first full season. The criticism came straight from the higher echelons of the BBC, attacking the overly violent shows, nonsensical storylines. Colin's next season was reduced in size, 14 episodes in all, and entitled "The Trial of a Time Lord." Apt, as the series itself was "on trial" at this time. Although Colin had his heart set on beating Tom Baker's run of seven years... he was dismissed from the part at the insistence of BBC management, who wanted to make some major changes to the show. He was removed after starring in only eleven televised stories and just short of three years in the part (1984-1986). 

The Sixth Doctor has since returned in Big Finish Productions audio plays, and these have been better received. A fan poll in 2001 voted him as the "greatest Doctor" of the audio plays. It's been said that he was not given enough time in the 1980s to 'unpeel the layers' of his character. And the Big Finish covers that have featured an all-blue variation of the costume has become a popular alternative. Ironically, one of the few requirements set down by the designer of the costume Colin wore in his televised stories was that it shouldn't feature any blue at all, as this would interfere with some of the series' special effects.

It's fair to say that Colin didn't hand over the TARDIS keys to Sylvester McCoy - they were taken away from him!