Category Archives: Doctor Who

On Being a “Dabbler Extraordinaire”

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Some people are what are known as a “Jack of all Trades, Master of None.” And for some people, that’s OK. For me, the way my brain is wired, I just hear the “master of none” part and start in with my Imposter Syndrome self-pity. So I like to see it as being a “Dabbler Extraordinaire.”

I get so fired up and passionate about so many different things, that I can’t really focus on any of them. Get me talking about Doctor Who (which might be the one subject I am most passionate about) and eventually I’ll it into an Android app I found, which will spawn an Android-centric tangent, leaving my precious Doctor in the wake. Talking about Android, I’m sure I’ll end spinning off into how you can actually use an app, on your phone to write and run Android apps! Which will spin-off into running PHP apps on your phone. Which will slide casually over into general PHP territory. Of course, once you’ve got me talking about PHP, and web dev, JavaScript/CSS will creep in, and what I do for a living, and then it’s off into the realm of working at Battelle. Then my entire job history. And somewhere in there, I’m sure to head off on a photography tangent, and how I would love to do some photojournalism. But of course, my real passion is acting, you know…and you know what role I’d love to play more than any other? Well, it’s actually a toss-up between Asparagus in CATS! or actually getting to play THE DOCTOR!!!

WHEW! and that’s just one shortened form of my tangential ramblings. You can see why it’s hard to stay focused. I just “LOVE ALL THE THINGS!” I could start anywhere in that loop of passions, and shift to any other tangent. It doesn’t have to be a neat, clean, sequential loop like the one described above. I could easily loop in any direction, or even turn the loop into a tangled web of spaghetti…Speaking of spaghetti, have you seen the code I wrote when I was starting out in PHP….(You see what I did there?)

One thing all this passion and dabbling has lead me to is having a huge skill set and knowledge base to pull from. I can spout out facts about Doctor Who; tell you the best ISO/aperture/shutter-speed settings for the current lighting conditions, based on what you want to achieve with your shot; whip up a little PHP app; discuss the best and worst Android devices for your carrier; or do a quick improv act based on whatever situation you like; et cetera. But it has also robbed me of a truly deep understanding of anything beyond the the basics. What to know which actor has been in the most episodes of Doctor Who? No clue, look it up. Which camera is best for your needs? No clue, ask an expert. Want me to write a full, enterprise level PHP app that runs in the cloud? ACK! get a team to that shit, DAMN! Write an Android app that does more than say “Hello World.” when you shake it? Umm, ok, I’ll try…maybe I can get started next week. You can see where this is going.

I know a lot of stuff about a lot of things. For some subjects, I even do consider myself an expert. But even those subjects, my expertise is a well-rounded one, not a specific grounding or specialty.

Yes, this leads to more Imposter Syndrome in many cases, but when I take a look at how much I do know, I relax a bit. I am damn smart. I just have so much passion for so many things, that I can’t contain it all, and so, some of the fine details are likely to slip away from me.

Goodbye. My Sarah Jane.

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How can I define my sorrow at the passing of Lis Sladen?

I did not know her, except through the character of Sarah Jane Smith. But Sarah Jane was my first TV crush. She was also like a friend of the family. I welcomed her into my home via the television on a regular basis. I was a kid, watching Dr. Who in America via PBS reruns.

I was sad when she left the show. I rejoiced when I saw her again in The Five Doctors. Years later, I found out she had made K9 & Company, so I searched for years, trying to find a copy. When I did, I watched it and I fell in love with her all over again. I kept hoping the series would get picked up and that there would be more episodes with my dear Sarah Jane. It never was, of course.

Then the new run of the Doctor Who started, and eventually the rumor surfaced that she would be in an episode. I was awash with joy. When I watched School Reunion, I cried several times. Tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears of empathy. I have teared up every time I’ve ever watched that episode. And I always will.

Then came Sarah Jane Adventures. I watched every episode as soon as I could find them. I loved that show as much as I loved Doctor Who, for me, it was still Doctor Who, just without the Doctor (usually.)

And now, she’s gone. There was no farewell episode to say goodbye to the character. The character still lives on, but she’ll never make a reappearance, she’ll never be seen again. There can be no good byes when she dies or retires or anything. The character will simply fade away from the Universe. But she will never fade away from my heart.

I’ve read (and listened to) many remembrances of Elisabeth Sladen. They were written or said by people close to her. Those who knew her say that Ms. Sladen was every bit as wonderful, brilliant, clever, fantastic and amazing as Sarah Jane ever was. Perhaps even more so. I never got to meet Lis but now, more than ever, I wish I had gotten the opportunity.

Fare thee well Lis Sladen, fare thee well on your next Great Adventure, where ever it may take you. And Sarah Jane, give our best to the Brig and the rest when you see them. We will miss you Sarah Jane, you were loved beyond any measure.