Make the break

This past summer, I picked up two habits - Stargate Atlantis and Doctor Who.

In my defence, I was already a fan of the third entity of the Stargate franchise, Stargate Universe (with its vague resemblance to Battlestar Galactica, of which I was also a huge fan), and found myself drawn to the previous two Stargates before finally settling, for sheer logistical reasons, on Atlantis.

As well, I was a late bloomer with respect to the Doctor Who series, picking up with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, affectionately with David Tennant, and now with Matt Smith. While impatiently waiting for the 6th season to start (Spring 2011, I believe), I decided to follow the journey of Rose as the Doctor's companion and see how they parted - an episode I missed the first time round.

Essentially, I was looking for something to fill the void created by the summer TV schedule, and was naturally drawn to great programming on Space Channel. (Small plug there, folks!)

TV and pop culture are habits I enjoy - useful for speech ideas, book and story ideas, conversation starters, and mindful and mindless distractions. I have no plans to give either of them up, and am, in fact, quite adept at working while viewing. But I do need to stay the course and focus on those nearest and dearest to my heart. Especially love the character-driven stories with engaging elements, outstanding scripts and unexpected arcs. Atlantis and the Doctor succeeded on all counts.

However, with my summer mission completed, it was time to let them go and refocus my attention on matters and programs of a more long-term and essential pursuit.

And so, with an audible and formal statement to make the break, I farewelled those small-screen companions and tuned instead to my speaking and writing projects - gaining an extra two hours a day that I was keen to devote to creative thinking and quiet contemplation.

To Colonel John Sheppard and crew and the 10th Doctor and companions, thanks to you all - your stories and adventures will accompany me as I delve into my imagination and set course for success in my own dimension, if not in my own mind.