The Geek In Me
How am I a geek? Let me count the ways.
Comics, obviously. Sci-Fi, clearly. Doctor Who specifically, self-evidently. Computer games, periodically, Role-playing games, demonstrably.
Yes, it is indeed demonstrable that I'm playing an RPG again. After an abortive effort to spark some Call of Cthulhu love among an unfortunately disparate group which led to things fizzling out after one session, I have now emerged from the promised Dungeons and Dragons session with an established group who will really keep turning up... And it was a lot of fun. It helps that we're playing the updated version of one of the all-time great scenarios, and one that I remember incredibly fondly from twenty-odd years ago when I ran it myself. It also helps that I'm playing a very interesting character class which simply didn't exist back in my day. And the fact that The Mrs is running things is also a bonus.
I've never been the kind of player who likes measuring every little detail of moves with figures on grids, so it's probably safe to say that I won't be hanging around after this game has run its course, but it's nice to get a sense of how the other half games 
Churchgoing
Given that neither of us maintains a churchgoing habit, we didn't think to expect the full two hour Easter service to accompany the christening of the twins we'd been invited to. I had a worry when everyone was settling in and I saw the band setting up with their guitar, clarinet and drum kit, and then I saw the eight page order of service....
But on the upside we got to see some people we haven't for a while, and the twins were both cute and very well behaved. Lunch on the lawn and the grandparents' house was a bonus given what a beautiful day it was, and it was good to have a bit of a run out of town given that so much of the rest of this weekend's many activities are quite close to home.
But having had the run out, it's also *lovely* to be back home relatively early and able to slump for the rest of the day.
Author! Author!
So, I've always been a bit worried about being in the room with the writer of a piece of drama when it's actually being viewed. What if it's not very good, but you don't like to say? What if it's all arse-kissing lovies with no actual conversation or critical faculties?
Fortunately, none of these worries need have troubled me ahead of watching The Shakespeare Code in the company of author Gareth Roberts and assorted gays (mostly). The programme was great, and the script absolutely cracking; intelligent, funny, and actually feeling like Doctor Who, which can't be said of every script since the start of the series 'new era'. Everyone was suitably appreciative, and many of those who were present have long associations with the programme, so I'd say their appreciation is significant.
Let's have another next year
At The Start Of The Long Weekend…
(I've got a day's leave tomorrow, so for me it starts here.)
I think we're going to be quite busy over the next few days. Friday's quite quiet, though we're thinking of going to see Sunshine, Danny Boyle's new film. Saturday we're going to friends for lunch, then to watch the new episode of Doctor Who at the author's house (darling!), followed by dinner out with some other friends. Sunday it's off to Essex for a christening (always a trying experience for me, involving religion as they tend to), and on Monday for the first time in around twenty years, I'm going to play a game of Dungeons and Dragons. Strictly speaking; play the first of a series of games.
It's all go chez nous.
He’s Back… And It’s About (oh you’ve all heard that gag before).
I just realised I hadn't discussed the first episode of Doctor Who series 3 yet. This is simple oversight on my part and nothing to do with any disappointment in it. On the contrary, I'd say that Smith and Jones is the strongest series opener since the revamp, and by all accounts the quality just goes up from here.
Things I loved:
- Martha - immediate presence, a clearly defined character, and a great rapport with Tennant's Doctor.
- 'Planet Zovirax?"
- The consultant who had his blood drained being called B Stoker.
- Tennant's playing of the Doctor - huge leaps and bounds ahead of this point last year, and especially his routine as the overawed patient.
- The Doctor's quiet self-sacrifice, which played much better than one of his 'avenging angel' routines would have.
- The fact that the Judoon's high-tech species scanner was followed up by marking its subjects with squeaky magic marker.
- The overall confidence of the thing. "Let's transplant a hospital to the moon. Let's have Anne Reid as a blood sucking alien hunted by an army of other, rhino-headed, aliens. Let's make it clear from the outset that this companion absolutely doesn't fancy The Doctor."
- And loads more.
Those Poor Sore Eyes
I did a bad thing when I switched the blog over to WordPress, which is not include a number of the blogs I used to have listed on the new 'blogroll'. I have slowly but surely been reinstating those I remember/still frequent, but somehow have been forgetting one that should really have been a much sooner restoration. John at Sore Eyes and I have discussed many a TV programme in the threads of either his blog or mine, usually to a point of some accord, and I've been neglecting him for the last few months.
I am ashamed, and yet now also glad that restoring his site to its proper place means that I can give it an active little plug.