More thoughts on change in Doctor Who

Having refreshed my memory on more older Doctor Who (1963), I notice that many of the stories, at least up to the early eighties, have some elements I like: they at least try to explore some science fiction or otherworldly idea and, narratively, they often turn on a battle of wits rather than some new development that wasn't at all anticipated in earlier scenes.

Nonetheless, while my recent entry on this topic was much about drawing contrast, I must give the current Doctor Who (2005) at least some credit: the latest episode did clearly engage with a science fiction idea, albeit one so well-trodden it's become a trope, there was indeed some battle of wits, and the Daleks no longer seemed absurdly powerful. A couple of aspects were less what I would wish but I do try to appreciate silver linings.

Thoughts between sleep and wakefulness

When I am trying to fall asleep, I know that it is close when my thoughts become very strange and unreal, as if my dreaming is already starting. This morning, I was interested to notice that this was also true as I remained in bed for a while after awakening, experiencing similar strange thoughts, like imaginative daydreaming. It is not long after my thoughts turn to reality that I feel inclined to arise.

Getting back to actually doing more

I look forward to this year with my house being in better shape, bringing me nearer the things I want to do in it. I am most eager to do various software (outside work) and music. I would like to indulge in board games, foreign languages, reading, writing, drawing, but I don't right now see when, I must be realistic about having to push at least some activities aside. After all, it may be more important to make time for exercise and meditation, also finally sorting and sharing old family photographs. How people fit in much at all outside sleep, paid work, food, chores, correspondence, personal hygiene, I still don't know. I have the annual treat of my tax filing coming up soon and, now some time into winter, I have yet to split the firewood. Further, for over an hour before bed, I need to unwind and relax, just watch some television or something, not even read anything too stimulating, else I shan't be able to fall asleep quickly.

What is clear is that my most precious resource at this point is time. I am already variously capable, I should be sure to do things with that rather than just preparing for future things. It's partly a case of making priorities that I can genuinely embrace and of summoning the willpower to make the habit of doing the things I want to, and that's easier if they are mostly things I truly care about. Thoughts drawn from few different sources make me suspect that I should work on being consciously engaged with my environment and circumstances, not just drifting through life passively on autopilot, killing time with my head in the clouds.