The Tardis and the Timelord

Of the small amount of TV I end up watching, it's been a while since I've followed a show for very long. Of course I have all my Twilight Zone and Simpsons DVDs- classic favorites in which I can always turn to for entertainment and various life-lessons. But this year, I've stayed caught up with every new episode of the BBC series Doctor Who, which celebrates its 48th-year anniversary today!

The Doctor, his companions, and the various monsters have given me a[nother] good reason to stay in on Saturday nights to catch their latest adventures. I even found myself seeing the cast at their DVD release party this summer in Hollywood! (Woohoo!) I'm a bit surprised more people I know haven't heard of this show.. My mom watched it in the 70s, with Tom Baker and his significant scarf; and I still can enjoy the same show nowdays with Matt Smith and his quirky bowtie. A seemingly timeless series, perhaps because its plot involves time, and total control of it. And, while this blog would be much too long if I went into all that, it's the main reason I'm so into the concept of this show. Who wouldn't want to be in charge of time and where you fit into it?

I guess I'm now an official "Whovian"!

Whenever I think of Doctor Who, I instantly wish I had 2 things- A tardis and a timelord. (Well, 3 things if you count the fact I've always wanted a British accent...) The main character, the Doctor, is a timelord- a man from another planet that has the ability to go anywhere in time and space, exploring different eras on Earth, as well as inhabitants and activity on distant planets. The Doctor's time machine, called the Tardis, gives him the means to travel this way.
What I wouldn't give to have these elements in my life. I'd have met my greatest match, and my bug to be on the move would stay satisfied in such an ultimate way. But until a timelord lands his tardis in my backyard and takes me away into another life of new adventures, I'll have to just pull inspiration from the TV show...

One of my favorite episodes involves the Doctor's time machine temporarily becoming human in a woman's form- allowing them to finally verbally communicate with each other. The Doctor complains that she never takes him where he wants to go, and she replies "but I always take you where you NEED to go." He learns to put more trust and confidence in his travelling vessel, making it easier to relinquish control and enjoy the ride. He has to take care of her, but understands that in return, she'll keep him on the right path.
I've been trying to do the same in my life- making it easy to let fate steer me in the right directions. Even though it sometimes feels like it's pulling me away from everything I want and have been heading for, I know that unplanned opportunities happen for a reason, and I don't wanna miss a thing. This will probably always keep me travelling in some way or another, but also knowing when to stop at whatever points I need to.

The last page of my new Doctor Who comic book. (Wow, I AM a nerd..) Some awesome dialog at the end- The Doctor states, "The whole point of travelling is to find a place you want to call HOME!" (Odd to read this after writing my last blog..) His companion Amy Pond says, "So, we travel until we find a HOME, eh Doctor? So where's YOURS?" The Doctor replies, "Oh, mine found me before I even started travelling... ...and she's looked after me ever since."

In another episode I've watched many times and love for many reasons, the Doctor and his companions keep falling asleep and waking up between two different chapters of their lives. A "dream lord" says they need to choose which one is a dream and which is reality. The Doctor realizes "This is gonna be a tricky one.." The expression on his face always sticks in my mind. His eyes show concern and a need for figuring this out correctly through the confusion. But then his mouth forms this smirk that shows he's gonna enjoy this escapade and whatever comes with it, even in its difficulty.

And that's what I love the most about the Doctor's character. Sure he has crazy abilities to time-travel, do just about anything with his magic "sonic screwdriver", and form relationships with countless people throughout the history of this planet and beyond.. Yet he still possesses humanistic traits that hinder him at times- uncertainty, doubt, inexperience, fear, the need for friendship.. Even with compensation for those feelings resulting in sometimes recalculating plans, he works with what he has, smiles at a challenge, and accepts whatever the outcome- not seeming to ever fully rely on his capability to travel through time, because it doesn't always work out the way he'd plan- if he even knew how to plan it at all.

I feel like that fully describes me- partly in who I've been over the years, and partly who I hope to become in my journeys ahead. Even though, like the Doctor, I'm not always sure of myself, what to do, or what will happen next, I want to try and face everything with both caution and confidence, and always remember to enjoy the ride uncovering all that life has in store for me.

"Do you wanna come with me? 'Cause if you do, then I should warn you- you're gonna see all sorts of things... It won't be quiet, it won't be safe, and it won't be calm. But I'll tell you what it will be- the trip of a lifetime."
-Doctor Who, The 9th Doctor

Still busy enough time-travelling at the normal pace,

~emjae.