User:Gallifrey Librarian

 Ben, Earl of Broomhedge-Darlow

Scotticus Regalis Honorarius

County Antrim -  Northern Ireland  -  United Kingdom 

Yes, I am a Librarian… currently. I find it a natural outlet to utilize my various degrees, interests, and talents.

My Doctor Who</I> Interest, Background, and Current Involvement</B></FONT>

The Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker</I>, is “My Doctor</I>.” In the 1970s, while I was at school in London, and even while at University, I would watch Doctor Who</I></B> faithfully each week. As I moved into adulthood, other duties, responsibilities, and interests caused me to drift away from Doctor Who</I></B>. I also confess, I began to become dissatisfied with Doctor Who</I></B> at the end of the Sixth Doctor, Colin Baker</I>’s, and the beginning of the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy</I>’s tenures, although I did watch them out of a sense of commitment and faithfulness.

When Doctor Who</I></B> was cancelled, I continued my contact with Doctor Who</I></B> through the various books, comics, magazines, and the releases of the <I>Doctor Who</I></B> stories on video. By year 2000, most of those were resigned to boxes in closets. With the reintroduction of <B><I>Doctor Who</I></B>, everything has come out of the closets, and placed on several large bookcases.

I then devoted time and money to the hobby of filling in gaps, until I now own a “complete collection” of all “official canon” material, i.e. releases of all of the stories on DVD or VHS video, audio CDs of missing episodes and stories, stories books, additional books, CD stories, plays, short stories, and comics. All of them reside on the bookcases in “story order” format. The stories are indexed in a large catalog, cross-indexed by <I>Doctor</I>, item format, and story order format, and each item listed with a brief synopsis of the story. Any additional releases are acquired and added to my collection.

I am constantly browsing <I>EBay</I>, and used and online bookstores and shops looking for <B><I>Doctor Who</I></B> memorabilia, and related items. The <I>United States</I> is so large, while driving great distances, I often pass the time listening to the <I>Big Finish Audio <B>Doctor Who</B></I> stories.

Although my son, now age twenty (20) and at University, has watched with me the videos and DVDs of the older <B><I>Doctor Who</I></B> stories, he considers the <I>Tenth Doctor, David Tennant</I> as “His <I>Doctor</I>.” He says this because he is the best of the two new <I>Doctors</I>, and the current programme, according to him, “…matches more my generation.” Well, although his tenure was brief, I greatly appreciated the <I>Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston</I>, for his strong, confident interpretation of the <I>Doctor</I>. He set the foundation to the secure return of the programme, and passed the baton to a capable, talented, and likable successor in <I>David Tennant</I>.

<FONT SIZE=4><B>My Personal Life, Background, Interests, and Current Activities</B></FONT>

<B>Background</B>

My family and I are from the <I>United Kingdom, Northern Ireland</I>, the family estate located southwest of <I>Belfast</I>. I grew up, and went to school and university in <I>America</I> and <I>London</I>, life divided between the <I>U.K.</I> and the <I>U.S.A.</I> I am an only child. My father was in Local and National Politics, and my mother in the Education field.

<B>Youth And Adolescence</B>

<I>Walt Disney's "Pinocchio"</I> was the first movie I ever saw; I have had a life-long love for it ever since. Growing up, I identified with <I>"Pinocchio"</I> and <I>"Charlie Brown"</I> of the Comic Strip <I>"Peanuts,"</I> trying to fit in, become a "real boy," be liked and accepted. As a child, I had low self-esteem. Most of my childhood was spent either alone or with adults; I had few friends. I was not athletic, and I was made fun of by my peers for being tall and thin, not fitting in, being intellectual and nerdy. I never dated in secondary school years, and never went to any dances. I attended school and University in <I>America</I> and <I>London</I>. I graduated with degrees in <I>Education, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, English, Music, Geology, and Theology</I>. While at University, I attended a <I>Bible Study</I> and became a Christian. One of the <I>Bible Study</I> members became my best friend. We never formally dated, we just "became a couple." I got married because I believed it was what my parents, peers, society, and <I>God<I> expected.

<B>Former Marriage, Ministry And Career Development, Learning About Life And Myself</B>

I was married several years. I started my career in <I>Education</I>, teaching <I>History</I>, and also serving as an Assistant Pastor in the <I>Presbyterian</I> Church Denomination. Later, I moved into the <I>Library Science</I> field. As the years passed, and I became more and more successful in my life, in my career and social standing, my self-esteem grew and things I avoided began to clarify. But, at the time, I could not reconcile my religious beliefs and my inner self. Then, my son was born. I was afraid to be open about my feelings for fear of rejection and the loss of the life I had. I finally began to allow myself to self-love and self-accept, and allow <I>God</I> to love and speak to me. For me, I knew remaining married was not good for either of us, and we divorced friends.

<B>Starting Over, New Life, Promising Future</B>

I raised my son his whole life, living with me, active in his life, school events, activities, and social standing. In the process of starting life over on my own, I lost some friends and social status, but gained many new connections and respected standing in the community. I continued my career as a Librarian, but lost credentials for ministry when the Presbyterian Church changed its regulations. I also expanded my interests, education, and training in <I>Music, Music Composition, Art, Antiques and Collecting, Counseling, Writing</I>, and <I>Teaching</I>.

<B>Current Location</B>

I live in <I>Topeka, Kansas, USA</I>, the capital of <I>Kansas</I>, on the western edge of the greater <I>Kansas City Metropolitan Area</I>. I divide my time between <I>Topeka</I> and <I>Kansas City</I>, an hour apart from each other. My career, family, social life, hobbies and interests involve me in both communities.

<B>Career</B>

I am a <I>Librarian</I> for patrons with special needs; recognized as a leading authority in the <I>Special Library</I> field, writing and providing consultant services. I am a <I>Counselor</I>, providing assistance to men and women who struggle with their inner selves, with self-acceptance, life challenges, and especially their spirituality. I am a <I>Musician</I> and <I>Music Composer</I>, <I>Classical</I> and <I>Celtic</I> styles. I am trained in <I>Keyboard, Vocal</I>, and <I>Hammered Dulcimer</I>. I perform on occasion, and teach music lessons. My music composing is mostly by commissions. Contact me, if interested in any of these services.

<B>Activities And Daily Life</B>

Daily life is pretty routine, spending time at work, with friends, my son and family, and involvement in my various hobbies and interests. My son is now at University, beginning his own life now. I will qualify for employment retirement in a few years, may do some work in either <I>Education</I> or <I>Ministry</I>, plan to ultimately relocate, devote more time to traveling, hobbies and interests, continue the responsibility of representing the family peerage through activities, organizations, groups, functions, and responsibilities, and maintain the family extensive land and investment holdings.

<B>Hobbies and Interests</B>

I enjoy <I>Classical, Country</I>, and <I>Celtic Music</I>; <I>Theatre</I>, especially musicals or mystery dramas; <I>Walt Disney</I> Movies, of course, but also other types of movies, animated, action, musicals, dramas, and comedies; <I>Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Pre-Raphaelite</I>, and some <I>Impressionist Art</I>. I enjoy <I>Window Shopping</I>, and learning new <I>Decorating</I> ideas; <I>Antiques; Cooking; Restaurants and Fine Dining</I>; <I>Travel</I> (<I>U.S.A., Canada, and Europe</I>) whenever I find the time; <I>Television</I> including the <I>History Channel, Food Network, Discovery Channel</I>, the <I>BBC, PBS, Travel Channel</I>, and of course, the <I>Disney Channel</I>; <I>Books</I> including <I>Mystery, Historical Fiction, History, Religion, Psychology, Sociology</I>, and <I>Biographies</I> (<I>Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry S Truman</I>, etc.). <I>Sports</I> in which I partake are the <I>Gym, Walking, Biking</I>, and <I>Swimming</I>; I like to watch <I>Soccer, Baseball</I>, and <I>Ice Hockey</I>.

I collect <I>Homer Laughlin Fiesta China</I>; <I>Wedgwood China</I>; the <I>BBC</I> television programme <B><I>Doctor Who</I></B> items, DVDs/videos, books, comics, and memorabilia; various types of <I>Milton Bradley Monopoly Games</I>; <I>Antique Holiday Decorations</I>; and, <I>Walt Disney Pinocchio</I> new and antique collectables and memorabilia.

<B>Additional Internet Information</B>

You may read more detailed information about me at this page in <I>My Website</I>: [www.gaychristianonline.org/gaychristianautobio01.html] <I>My Autobiography</I>.

<B>Contact Information</B>

I enjoy chatting, exchanging ideas and information, and making new friends and acquaintances. Feel free to contact me. Thank you for your interest. I remain

Respectfully,

<B><I>Ben, Earl of B.-D.</I></B>