The best show you're not watching

I have decided to do installments of what will be referred to as "The Best Show You're Not Watching." In each, I will review, that's right, the best shows you're not watching. And what makes them the best? Obviously the fact that I enjoy them to no end. So let's begin, shall we?

For this first installment I give you, Doctor Who. What's that? You've never heard of it? That sounds about right, most haven't. In fact, I wouldn't know of this little gem if it hadn't been for that wonderful gossip blog I read religiously, OhNoTheyDidn't (check it out if you're bored). After all the hooplah last year about a new "doctor", I was intrigued. What kind of show could generate this kind of discussion across the board? I learned the basics and sat down to watch the first episode of series (season in America) five.

Here's what you need to know. The Doctor is a Time Lord, an alien from another planet who is all alone. He travels through space and time in the Tardis, which looks like a Police Box on the outside. His tool of choice? A screwdriver. But not just any screwdriver, no, a sonic screwdriver. What exactly this means, I'm still not sure, but I will tell you the screwdriver seems capable of doing just about anything. So there you have it, the basics to Doctor Who.

Now, what makes this show so great isn't the fact that it's the longest running television show in the world (it's been going since the 60's!) but that fact that while it's technically a children's show, it's smart, witty and fun. It's quirky, comical and keeps you on edge, waiting and wanting more. Be prepared, the first episode you watch of this brilliant show will be a bit odd. You'll think, what exactly am I watching? But I guarantee that the end of that episode will do just enough to make you wonder what happens next for the Doctor and his companion and you'll tune into the next episode.

I highly recommend this show. The 6th series is currently showing on BBCAmerica, Saturdays at 9/8central. If you have netflix and the time, I would suggest going back and watching the 13 episodes of series 5. That's when the Doctor "regenerated" (a term they use to allow a new actor to come in and play the same character) and essentially a whole new show was born. If you already watch it, I would love to hear your thoughts/comments on the newest season!

Show: Doctor Who

Where: BBCAmerica

When: Saturdays 9/8central

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Those Winter Sundays
By Robert Hayden

Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love’s austere and lonely offices?

A dear family friend sent me that poem after my last post (see here: http://justemachance.blogspot.com/search/label/kate%20middleton) and I'm so glad he did. So many times it's the unseen, thankless acts that love is found in and so many times those go overlooked. Of course, once mentioned you think back and review/realize the little things in your life that were done out of love. Dinner on the table by 6, dishwasher unloaded, a dog taken out in the morning. He raises a good point, the unprovoked gestures and acts are most often the sweetest and most love-filled gestures out there. Those acts can be the simplest gesture, making the coffee in the morning or staying in on a Friday night, or the things that are larger in scale but slightly convoluted.

So the next time your sheets are washed or your car is full of gas, remember the love inside those gestures. It makes the little things so much more, and that much more special. And the next time you're wondering if the love is really there, just look back on those gestures to find your answer.

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"All it takes is Faith and Trust." --Peter Pan

It's been a while since a post and I'm going to blame it on my recent lack of anything post-worthy. That's not to say that exciting and good things haven't been happening, but I won't bore you with those thoughts and details. What is post-worthy? That's right, the Royal Wedding. Are you sick of hearing about it and seeing it all over the internet? Well, here's one more page that will bing when 'Royal Wedding' is searched.

Catherine Middleton and William of Wales have finally tied the knot. I remember being younger and having such a crush on Wills. He was so handsome even when he was young. And I remember when I learned about Kate Middleton. I expected them to break up and that I would eventually wind up in William's life. Well, that plan is obviously kaput and I am quite alright with that. I have found my new girl crush in Miss Middleton. She is both classy and trendy while being incredible traditional and has yet to do something that puts her in a negative light.

After watching the wedding, it was obvious that these two are absolutely in love and adore each other. Reading various articles and reports only confirm that notion, telling of how he was doting on her at the reception or how she never left his side. It's all terribly romantic but like most, I am curious to watch their relationship unfold. When polled, 9 out of 10 British women said they did not envy Kate, due to her inability to lead a normal life now. But when we're kids and even as we grow up, who thinks "I want a normal life" and who thinks "I want an exciting future"? Yes, Kate Middleton can no longer take a walk in the park or run to the grocery in busy London, but really, who wants to run errands?

That being said, Catherine did sacrifice everything for William. She essentially left the life she knew behind, although she had grown accustomed to the public eye since they have been dating for 8 years. But, as a royal, she can no longer vote or hold a job...well, she can but it's apparently frowned upon by the monarchy. Yes, she left normalcy behind but she did it for love. Men find marriage and commitment terrifying but it seems common that women will do what ever they have to for love. I'm not saying men won't go above and beyond but at the same time I wonder, would they? Maybe it's something that's hardwired into the female brain, maybe it's something we're surrounded with in culture and media, I have no idea but it raises the question, what would you do for the person you love?

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