Death of the Doctor

I've just finished watching the second part of "The Death of the Doctor" a story on The Sarah Jane Adventures and it was a great couple of episodes, highly recommended. Co-starring Katy Manning, aka Jo Grant (sorry Jo Jones), old Whovians will know her well, and Jo's grandson Santiago. I couldn't help but wonder if any more of the Doctor's old companions are going to turn up in any of the shows ("The Travels of Jo Jones"?). As if the show read my mind Sarah Jane admits that she checks up on them sometimes on the internet and mentioned quite a few and the work that they do: Tegan, Dorothy (i.e. Ace), Polly, Harry, Ian & Barbara (who haven't aged since the 60's!!). It would be silly to create spin-off series' for ALL of the previous companions (wouldn't it?), but maybe, just maybe, they could do a one-off series with either single stories for each companion, or a series-length story with multiple companions. Hmmmn.
I'd love to see Tegan, Nyssa, Ace, Ian & Barbara, Jamie, Susan, maybe Adam (from the newer Doctor stories) and now I also want to see more of Jo Grant, oh Jones (I can't get used to that!) and Santiago.

Australia?

I forgot to mention that when I was out on Friday with Richard, I mentioned to him that I was thinking of going to Australia next year. He told me that he was thinking the same and wanted to go around Christmas. So that is now 2 people who I could go to Aus with (Francis was possibly interested too dependant on his bonus). Christmas could be a problem if I am still in this dead-end job as I am not allowed to take time off over Christmas, but I really hope I won't still be there then (then again I said the same about THIS Christmas!!!).
I will have to make a decision though as, as things stand, I won't be able to afford a holiday AND a new place (which is bound to be more expensive), so I have to decided which is more important to me. Unfortunately I know which would win! So here's hoping that I come into some money soon (either through a Lotto win or a fantastic new job) so that I can finally do something that I have wanted to do for years.

It Gets Better

I’ve seen various YouTube videos, from well-known people, giving messages of support to teenagers and others who may be having a tough time, either because they are coming to terms with their sexuality or because other people are giving them a hard time (whether they are gay or not). this support is as a response to the recent batch of suicides in the USA.

I've wanted to send out my own message, but recently I’ve been feeling down and so not in the right frame of mind to send the correct message out.

My downers are not currently to do with my sexuality, though my depression may have started out as stemming from my feelings of being alone, rejected and reviled when I was a child, teenager and young adult, I’m a long way past that now.

With regards to bullying and “accepting” your sexuality I would have to admit that it DOES get better. When I finally found my own space and thus was allowed to become my own person, instead of what I thought everyone else thought I should be, I was instantly happier. Surrounding myself with real, supportive and like-minded friends was also a key ingredient.

My advice to help you make your life bearable and eventually enjoyable would be:

1) Learn to be yourself. Find the space that enables you to be true to who you are, be that in a private space at home, with a group of friends or at a club or in a support group.

2) Find something that you enjoy and focus on it. If you are a good artist, then draw and find others who can draw and who can help you focus those skills into a possible career or even just to enhance your enjoyment of this “hobby.”

3) The simplest piece of advice I can give is: If you need help ask for it.

There is always someone you can speak to. If not in your immediate group of friends or family then there are helplines and internet based organisations who you can speak to or who can put you in touch with the right person for you.

You are not weak because you are asking for help. It takes a strong person to admit they cannot do everything alone. It is an arrogant person who thinks that they do not need anyone. It is a stupid person who doesn’t seek help when they are in a state of desperation. I’ve been stupid, but I somehow came out the other side, you don’t always get a second chance.

It DOES get better

Unknown Family

My cousin, Santa, has just sent me a link on Facebook to YouTube showing a clip of a 1974 program called "The World at War." In it is a brief word from a former sergeant in the 14th Army, a Freddie Tomkins. Never heard of him? No, neither had I. But it turns out that he was my grandfather's half-brother. I didn't even know he had a half-brother.

Santa also sent me the transcript of a newspaper clipping that she found at her parents' house today (Jack Miller is my mum's dad):

"At the age of 55 Freddie Tomkins has suddenly found his family expanding. By two half brothers and a half sister, to be exact. After a break of 26 years he has re-established contact with the children of his mothers first marriage. Their reunion came by an accident of television. Mr Tomkins, appearing for the Burma Star association in the world at war series was spotted by his half brother Jack Miller from Sudbury in Suffolk. Mr Miller wrote to the series producer at Thames Television, who passed on his letter. Mr Tomkins who lives in New Cross, was delighted to learn that his half sister Lily was living just up the road at Brockley and that half brother Bill had retired to St Leonards. "We were a very close family until about 1948 when we just drifted apart" says Mr Tomkins. "It hasn't been hard to re-establish the old relationship" "When I walked into Bill's kitchen and tapped him on the shoulder he just turned and said "Well I'll be blowed,it's our Fred!" ..

I never really talked to my grandad about much, when I was young I was incredibly shy and when I was a teenager I wasn't interested. Mum never talked much about family at all either, so I know very little about my family's history. I think that is what makes this so much more interesting now.
Click here for the clip from the television show that they were talking about. Freddie Tomkins is the first face after the opening credits. It looks like he is in further slices on YouTube so I'm gonna check them out in a minute.

I can feel a personal project coming up, though I may lose interest if it gets too difficult tracking ALL my relatives and their personal stories.

Dreams

I had a really realistic dream last night, but can't remember the full details. It involved me fighting in a mix of Star Wars, Sherlock and a ninja movie in and around the Barbican estate. The girl in the dream (yes a girl!) was named "Startrek Starwars"!! And when I thought I was being really clever by trapping the "bad guy" by sliding some magazines out in front of his horse (I don't know why, it was a dream) it didn't work, the magazines didn't slide and I got my arse kicked, or at least would have done if I hadn't woken up! Strange, but I love remembering intricate dreams like that, even just snippets!