I am a huge Doctor Who fan. Mostly of the latest episodes in the 2000s - but I enjoyed watching as a kid in the 1980s. I’ve always been a bit fascinated by time travel. Imagine stepping out of a Tardis into Ancient Athens? Or in the middle of a forest in England in the 1400s? Or even better, pre-colonised Australia? What would I notice? What would people be like? What would my senses pick up?
One thing that’s never a problem for Doctor Who (an alien) and his companions (earthlings) is any kind of ‘lag.’ I guess you can’t really call it ‘Jetlag’ as they travel by Tardis. Perhaps it’s the Tardis that magically readjusts the traveller’s brains as they appear in different times and planets. I really wish that was the same here on earth with plane travel!
Since returning home to Finland over a week ago I’ve slowly readjusted to the changes in time, place and season that happens when you travel around the planet. My brain seemed less foggy than when I landed in Australia - I managed a full week of work in a Year 3 class on Day 4 of my return - not something I would have managed travelling there.
There were a few days in the last week where time seemed to stretch and contract. Some hours went slowly, others quickly. I don’t know if that’s something flight attendants experience - the strange muddle of time - but I’ve thought quite a bit about the impact the constant travel must have on their brains and bodies. I might have to search some more on that!
Arriving here, we were greeted with snow, wind and really changeable weather - typical April weather, actually. We’ve had all the seasons, often in a few hours (except warmth!). I had thought I’d packed my penguin waddle away until winter, but no! The ice has been very persistent, particularly in the shady spots, like directly out the front of our apartment building.
It seems so strange to think I was only enjoying a dip in the sea two weeks ago, soaking up the beach vibes and warm air.
Spring seems to arrive a bit later here, being so far north, and only the sturdiest of flowers brave poking their heads above the ground. Invariably they have to survivor a bit more snow. And they do! I managed to snap these little beauties before it snowed again.
Despite only being back just over a week it really does seem like much longer. Time has played it’s tricks again and I keep revisiting photos of my trip to remind myself that I’d actually been away. I’m not really sure how Doctor Who and his companions manage it. Perhaps that’s why the companions end up staying behind - because they just want time to run normally. (And yes, it’s fiction!)
If we ever do have the chance to travel in time I guess it’s these kinds of things scientists will need to consider - or perhaps they won’t, like with many inventions, and just forge ahead with a ‘deal with it later’ attitude. Perhaps we haven’t evolved fast enough and our brains and bodies need the weeks it takes to sail anywhere (before air travel) to adjust to changes in time and season? I don’t really ever want to sail anywhere though, big waves and sea terrify me so I guess I’ll just have to live with the strange happenings in my brain when I fly around the globe.
Stay well
Lisa x
Other Things:
Reading:
As time travel is my theme this week, I’ll recommend some books I’ve read and some on my list.
Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park: this was my first foray into time travel or a ‘time slip’ that I remember reading as a child. I loved it and read it multiple times. I remember being very angry at the movie version because a key item in the book was the wrong colour in the film. It was perhaps my first realisation that a film is merely someone else’s interpretation of a story and they may not get everything ‘right.’
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon: I’m sure many of you have seen the TV series (it’s pretty awesome!) but the books are also a great read I first read them in 1999 when I was living in Germany and I could get English books delivered! Just that alone was exciting for this book lover. I remember not being able to get one of the books in the series, to my disappointment at the time, and still haven’t read it.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: I really enjoyed this book, although it’s been a few years since I read it. I haven’t even seen the film or the series yet.
Making History by Stephen Fry is not so much about time travel as what would happen if we could change a few key historical events after-the-fact. I read this years ago (last century, even!) but the premise has stayed with me. Fry is always a pleasure to read.
On my to-read list is Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library. I’ve read a few of his books and have heard good things about this one.
Watching:
About Time is one of my all time favourite films. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy and Rachel McAdams, and directed by Richard Curtis, it explores ideas of love and family with a little time-travel twist. It’s one of my go-to feel good films.
Doctor Who: all of the new series, all the Doctors, including Jodie Whittaker. My favourite Doctor will always be David Tennant though - and Christopher Ecclestone’s Doctor shouldn’t be underestimated.
Travelers is a Netflix series I’ve enjoyed with a slightly different premise to other time travel stories involving people’s consciousness being sent back in time into everyday people’s bodies from a distant future. I’m waiting for the next season!
Outlanders. I’ve enjoyed the series as a whole. Not all seasons have been as good as the first one, but worth watching. They’re making a new season too. Love me a kilt!
New film, The Adam Project, is on my to-watch list. It’s on Netflix, stars Ryan Reynolds, and looks pretty action packed.
Events for Women:
Join us in the Garden of Neuro Institute for a book chat on April 20th. There are two times to suit global time zones. These are a free fortnightly event, giving you a chance to talk about whatever book you’re currently reading, have read and loved, have published yourself - whatever you like!
One Mind Book Club: also a part of the Garden of Neuro Institute, we’re doing a deep-dive into 4 books this year, with our current book for April-June, Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta. Stay tuned for monthly zoom chats about it.
Love it! By the way, I have a research library card for Newberry Library here in Chicago and I’m going to write about that soon (and maybe the pasta from “The Time Traveler’s” wife!
Oh, time travel. Always an interesting concept. Just like jet lag. Anyway, my two cents of time travel tips: 12 monkeys and it was quite funny to rewatch Back to the Future with the kids. In general, it's not always my favorite genre, although the concept is extremely appealing. As for reading, any Spike and Suzy comic with professor Barabas might also be fun. (I know them in Dutch as Suske and Wiske, in French they're known as Bob & Bobette).