Sunday 25 November 2012

Rest In Peace, Dinah Sheridan

Another sad loss in the 'Doctor Who' world today. Dinah Sheridan passed away at the ripe old age of 92. Dinah made her name starring in much-loved British dramas and comedies, such as Genevieve (1953) and The Railway Children (1970). She was also a regular guest on hit Channel 4 show Countdown during the 90s.
 
Sheridan made just one appearance in 'Doctor Who', in 1983's 'The Five Doctors', as Chancellor Flavia. A memorable role in a memorable and special story secured Sheridans' place in Who-history, and she will be remembered forever.
 
Rest In Peace, Dinah Sheridan.
 
 

Everything I Learned In Life, I Got From Doctor Who

#3 Be Yourself


The Doctor has always maintained that he isn't “people”, that his personality and actions cannot be compared to those of others. “Do I even look like people?” he mutters in 'The Eleventh Hour' (2010), echoing similar sentiments from 1984's 'The Twin Dilemma'.

Although the Doctor is still on that voyage of self-discovery, learning his limits and what he can be capable of, he has always remained to true to himself. Aside from using disguises to hide from his enemies, the Doctor is never afraid to show off his own, unique persona to the world. Whether parading around in his multicolour dream-coat, or declaring the Mona Lisa to be among the best paintings in the Universe (in a room full of people, much to Romana's embarrassment), the Doctors' attitude is nearly always, “I don't care! Let them gawp, let them gape!”

That, I'd wager, is the best attitude to have. We should be proud of who we are, what we like, how we dress. I tried changing once, in a bid to try and fit in with a particular group (a group of people who bullied me, no less!). It didn't work out, and I returned to my journey of self-exploration, undeterred by the crowd. And today, I am still learning about myself. Developing, making mistakes and learning from them. But I'm still me. I'm quite happy to be who I am, as I'm sure you are too. It may mean that I'm often the odd one out, the weirdo, the freak. But that just means that those people who do like those qualities in me are much more valuable to myself, than those who would rather me change to suit them.

I am who I am. And I have the Doctor to thank for it.
 
 
 
For previous installments of 'Everything I Learned....' see below: