My record is 36-16-2. Not bad. Not bad at all. When I first decided to join a scifi book of the month club, I thought it would motivate me to read at least one novel a month. And it certainly has. It has also motivated me to pick up every past book the club has discussed and read them as well in a bid to play catch-up with my fellow SF literati. So – 36-12-2. 36 books read, 16 to read, and 2 I tried to get through but eventually abandoned. Since embracing my spanking new obsession in early October of 2006, that makes roughly six books a month. Of course the number is a little higher since I’m only keeping track of the official scifi reads. Still, I’m buying them faster than I can read them (and I can read pretty damn quickly). That said, I’m looking forward to the five hour flight to Montreal and back for the Easter long weekend during which I will attempt to up my record to 38-16-2 by immersing myself in David Brin’s Startide Rising (loved Kiln People), and Karen Travis’s City of Pearl. The Android’s Dream is out of my hands – literally out of my hands and home with either Brad or David – but I’m thinking of bringing along Joe Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself for a change of pace.
Things have been so busy lately I’ve actually fallen behind on my food blogging. I would therefore be remiss if I didn’t mention Carl (who paid) and Alex’s (who picked up) tag-team take-out for the underwhelming Florida-Ohio State final the other night. The game may have been disappointing, but the sushi was not.
And speaking of sushi, we hit my favorite Japanese tapas spot, Yuji’s, for dinner last night. As is often the case when we go to Yuji’s, we over-ordered…yet managed to finish everything nevertheless. The plates were coming so fast and furious that we were barely able to eat quickly enough to clear the table and make room for more. But we managed. The menu on this night: 1. Monkfish liver pate, 2. Smoked squid with miso paste and nori, 3. Smoked oysters and oyster mushrooms, 4. Sea snails, 5. Meguro avocado crepe, 6. Deep-fried spicy tuna roll, 7. Big eye tuna carpaccio with white truffle oil, 8. Curry calamari, 9. Flame-grilled kobe beef, 10. Seared albacore tuna with sesame seeds on a ponzu mustard sauce, 11. Tanaka-san’s roll of the day (tuna, cucumber, and avocado inside, prawn tempura outside, topped with his special sauce), 12. Beef short rib and garlic stalk lettuce wraps, 13. Meguro mille-feuille, 14. Grilled beef tongue, 15. Sea eel tempura, and 16. Monk fish poele with teriyaki butter and basil sauce. Believe it or not, we skipped dessert.
Moving on to the mailbag –
Anonymous #1 writes: “When you are writing do you tend to be the still and silent type, the pacing mutterer, or somewhere in between?”
Answer: I’m a pacer. I’ll print up a copy of what I’ve written and then walk up and down the halls, endlessly running the dialogue and rewriting.
Valerie writes: “Will there be a some nice lighter episodes (like Irresistible or Duet) as well?”
Answer: There will be “light” moments in all of the episodes but, to be perfectly honest, the show’s fourth season will be darker than its predecessors.
Misty writes: “Do you keep every book you buy or do you resell some of them after you are finished reading them?”
Answer: I keep them. They’re all on display in my office.
Anonymous #2 writes: “I’m sorry I already told my two professors yesterday at their office hours for the invite, but you and your wife were on top of my list.”
Answer: Much appreciated nevertheless.
Shipperahoy writes: “Have you ever read the Magic Kingdom series by Terry Brooks?”
Answer: I haven’t.
Hannah writes: “What’s your favorite Korean food? Do you like kimchi?”
Answer: I’m a big kalbi fan. And, yes, I do like kimchi.
Anonymous #3 writes: “How often do you sit down and watch episodes of Stargate?”
Answer: Outside the office? Never.
Katharina writes: “It’d be great if you could just tell anybody from wardrobe (or whoever looks out for stuff like that) that some German fans are really tired of seeing their flag patch upside down.”
Answer: Already done.
Anonymous #4 writes: “Just finished Steven Erikson’s “The Bonehunters”. I’ve read the whole 7 books one after the other and I really got into the characters .. Now I’m going to have to wait until the next book comes out and I’m missing my friends.. Ever feel like that about a book or series? “
Answer: I have felt that way with several book series and television shows. Looking forward to that Sopranos premiere this weekend.
Allison writes: “What do you usually eat for breakfast since you’re at home?”
Answer: The same thing every morning – three tablespoons of low-fat natural yogurt, a scoop of whey protein powder, All-Bran cereal, and some sliced fruit. Sounds yummy, no?
Anonymous #5 writes: “When you take pictures of the food in the restaurant, do you ask the owner or waiter/waitress if you could take some snapshots of it? Has anyone been bothered by it yet?”
Answer: I don’t ask permission and no one is ever bothered by my pic snapping (except for the guy sitting beside us at dinner last night who kept frowning over at me). Quite the opposite in fact. Many times, I’m taken on kitchen tours and invited back to meet the chef.
Ssknh writes: “I was wondering if there were any such thing as a set or location tour that you guys provide?”
Answer: Nope, sorry.
Anonymous #6 writes: “So you have a copy of the mythology thingie they are showing on Scifi when Stargate finally returns. Have you watched it yet? And as TV Guide has stated do Christopher Judge and Michael Shanks host it? And how do they do?”
Answer: They both do a terrific job and look quite dashing in their dark suits. Set your tivo’s, ladies.
Anonymous #7 writes: “Yesterday, you said : “Everything about the script was a gag. Except the part about killing off McKay in Adrift.” But, on March 31st, to the question : “Can you tell us the name of the episode that the pictures are from?” you answered : “Lifeline.” However, in these pictures, we can see McKay in the jumper.
How do you explain that?”
Answer: Two words – “Row” and “Bot”.
Anonymous #8 writes: “”Anonymous #2 writes: “ I was wondering about the ship that you said carter will come with in season 4.””
Joseph Mallozzi writes: Did I say that?
Answer:Yup.”
Answer: Really?
Anonymous #9 writes: “The Save Beckett fans have now begun garnering bad publicity in major trade magazines.”
Answer: I have no problem with the campaign. In fact, I think they’ve been quite inventive.
Peggy writes: “Do you celebrate Easter, Joe?”
Answer: I do. Fondy and I will be heading back to Montreal to celebrate (eat our faces off) with our families.
Apryl writes: “A friend directed me toward your blog (which I’m loving btw!). Anyway, she said you were wanting to try some real southern BBQ – here you go – strait from central Appalachia!”
Answer: Thanks, Apryl. Now all I need is a barbecue.
Joe,
Please don’t forget about us Jack fans. We’d love to see Jack on Atlantis in season four.
JackAttack
I know a few people who go through books like mad, who can finish off a novel in a couple hours, and it always amazes me. I wish I could read that fast (I was terribly jealous of Daniel in “Upgrades” and totally with him on his excitement when he said, “I can read *really* fast.”).
I always have to wonder, how do you do it? Do you sort of skim, gleaning the meaning while skipping over words like “the” and “and”, or do you read every word, but somehow do so at an amazing speed? Try as I might, I can never read all that much faster than I could read out loud, while still comprehending as much…but that may have to do with the fact that I think I’m slightly dyslexic.
Joe,
Will Carter and Teal’c get to interact and have scenes together? Thanks.
William
I admit that most of the foods that you talk about are not readily available in our part of the world – Scotland. We have some great suppliers of fish’n’chips though! I think that they smell better than they taste.
Have you visited Scotland? It is a lovely holiday destination, if you like rain and rain and more rain.
Wow…that’s a lot of food. My stomach hurts just from looking at it. Still, glad you enjoyed it; they do look yummy.
3 Questions, if you don’t mind:
1. Besides that snake soup thing, when was the last time you got sick from eating bad food, and how bad was it?
2. Doing any on-location shoots near Metrotown in the near future?
3. Since you’re making Atlantis darker with the coming season, do you believe that the previous 3 seasons have not been dark enough?
Thanks!
Re: Terry Brooks’ Magic Kingdom series that was mentioned – I highly suggest reading it!
I believe “Magic Kingdom For Sale: Sold” (the first in the series) was actually his first novel (He was a lawyer – I don’t know if he still practices or not) – or at least, the first novel he got published, who knows what he wrote before that.
It’s not super-heavy fantasy like his Shannara series, and it’s actually quite fun.
Also, have you ever read “Girl in Landscape” by John Letham? Fantastic (in my naive and limited opinion) science fiction novel.
This is what happens when you start talking about books. I get all excited.
Also, the sushi looks. um. Raw.
😀
Ayla McKay
Nova Scotia
Was your posting of the pic of Torri a ploy to stop her fans asking you questions?
Suddenly I’m noticing that either they’re not being asked, or you’re not unscreening them
Anyway, just to stand out from the crowd, how many eps is Torri in so far?
And what did Brad Wright mean when he said she’ll be back “for some time” in a recurring role? Don’t say you don’t know, because we know you do!!
Does the episode “Miller’s Crossing” have anything to do with McKay’s sister, Jeanie Miller?
Do you ever eat fast food?
i question for ya.
what does it cost to fully develope a single episode.
a ball park figure.
how any thousands and millions.
and if you also know how much did the movies cost.
joshua
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been enjoying your blog a great deal! I’m a definate restaraunt person, though I don’t get to go out as often, unfortunately.
However, I saw those tuna rolls and those looked /great/. I was mostly curious because when I saw the picture, I immediately thought of tempura rolls (which are my personal favorite). Have you had them before? I notice a lot of restaraunts have a different way of doing them, too.
Is there a particular way you like them if you’ve had them? And where should I go to try them if I’m ever in Vancouver?
Thanks!
And my bad. I just realized that it was the roll of the day I was looking at, I think. XD Still- question stands. 😀
Joe,
I realize that you don’t have a whole lot to do with “Ark of Truth”, but when does shooting wrap up or has it already? Thanks
Is there any season SG-1 that you find similar to season four of Atlantis? Season one was very different, but similar in definition like season one of SG-1-although stylized like season four of SG-1. Season two was much like season six of SG-1. Season three was much like season three of SG-1, with great developments and a better ending than season two, but not as good as season one.
Anonymous #9 writes: “The Save Beckett fans have now begun garnering bad publicity in major trade magazines.”
Answer: I have no problem with the campaign. In fact, I think they’ve been quite inventive.
Nice to hear that you don’t think one bad blip in Variety (which is going down the tubes anyways) doesn’t outshine the other numerous possitive press pieces SCB has gotten.
Sushi, yum!
Dark SGA stories, very yum!
If you could compare how dark SGA will get to an episode of SG1 which one would it be?
Is it true that you made the decision for Elizabeth to become a recurring character because you want to pursue the John/Elizabeth relationship? She wouldn’t be his boss if someone else took over her leadership position. Anything could be possible between the two of them. *hint hint*
Hi,
I was wondering if we’re gonna see either the Apollo or the Daedalus or maybe both of them in season 4 ?
And one other question about the Wraith, will we find out what was the beam in “Letters from Pegasus” ?
Dunno if it has already been asked.
Thanks for you answers. 😉
Why was Jessica Steen who was the original Dr. Weir not cast in the Atlantis series????
Why everytime i go to your blog I have to re-sighn like a new memeber ???when I write a question it always says incrrect password.but I know its the right password.By the way I like your food pics ..you eat good!!!
To the ‘anonymous’ asking about Carter coming on her own ship: Joe never said anything about that. It was Brad Wright who mentioned it in that interview that was ‘leaked’
Dear Joe,
1. I was wondering why the production pushed SGA season 4 all the way to a fall 2007 debut. Is it due to the cancellation of SG1 as a series or just to you know ” the more one desires something the better it will be when he gets it” reason.
2. Also, sir, is there any way to convince you and your people to revert back to a 22 episode season instead of the new format of 20.
salutations,
Heineken
Answer: Two words – “Row” and “Bot”.
Do you mean that there was an argument between the scriptwriters concerning the death of McKay?
Joe,
How Rodney is going to die ?
Although a big sci-fi fan, I find it difficult to get into the more recent novels as they are just too convoluted and samey.
What 5 would you recommend I start with to get back into the swing of things?
“Anonymous #2 writes: I was wondering about the ship that you said carter will come with in season 4.”
“Joseph Mallozzi writes: Did I say that?
Answer:Yup.”
Answer: Really?
In fact, no. It’s Brad Wright in an interview at StargateSG1.com.
So, can you confirm Carter indeed comand her own spaceship ?
Hiya Joe,
Three questions this time;
1) Will season 4 explain how the Wraith became such a big threat to the Ancients so quickly?
2) “Aurora” mentioned that the Ancient crew found a weakness in the Wraith, will we find out what that was?
3) Will the Atlantis Expedition encounter any Ancients this season?
Thanks Joe and take care!
Craig MacD. said…
“Does the episode “Miller’s Crossing” have anything to do with McKay’s sister, Jeanie Miller?”
To add to that does the “Crossing” part perhaps refer to the Jeannie from Rod McKay’s universe?
Two questions…
1) As many fans want whumpage next season, what is your defnition of whumpage, as you say we’ll get some, but wanna make sure we’re all on the same tract 😉
2) Does Skiffy has any input into putting SG1 characters onto SGA, or is that solely at the producers’ discretion?
I love monkfish, neve know how to cook it though, the flavers just melt in your mouth. I’ve always been a bit faddy with my food, so am reticent to try anything new. After seeing all your food pics, it has stirred my interest in trying different foods though, so thanks for that. Now I just need to bite the bullet and order it 😀 Have you always been a food lover? or were you a picky eater when you were young?
On a completely seperate note, I was watching Sateda today (great ep btw) and wondered what your magic 8 ball says about us having some lovely bonding scenes in S4, like the Sheppard and Teyla scene in Sateda, or the Mckay and Ronon/Sheppard scenes in ToR.
Thanking you kindly
Hi Joe!
Can we expect to see, in S4, a full on Shep whump episode, (where Sheppard is the whump victim), like we have had in the past three seasons with 38 Minutes, Conversion and Common Ground?
Thank you!
from the march 30th blog, you posted pics of a jumper scene that was being shot for lifeline, is rachel in that episode also? becasue it only shows torri, david,jason and joe but not her.
Ahhh!! I actually think SGA would benefit from a shorter season. I love how UK shows have 13 episodes or less. There’s no need for fillers and the plot moves along nicely. Plus it gives the actors a chance to work on other projects. BSG was so much better when it only had to deal with 13 eps.
on a random note:
Will Sam tell Rodney about the other universe where they were married at some point?
Joe, for you, the season 4 has better of the other?
Mr. Mallozzi:
A few quick things please – since someone else cleared up the issue with WHO said Sam Carter was comig in a ship (it was Brad Wright) I will simply ask – which episode this occurs in, which ship she arrives on, is she in command of that ship when she arrives at Atlantis and is that command temporary or permanent? Also, if she is in command of a ship full-time will that factor into the movies at all or will she be in command of SG-1 for the movies as she should be?
Thank you.
Grett O’Shaughnessy
Dear Mr.M
Long-time fan of SG1 and blog… First time poster here. A recent Sky 1 poll of all time greats put Window of Opportunity at No.1 in a Top 10. Can we expect a similar episode type in SGA? Many thanks. Am making a “pilgrimage” to Vancouver in ’08 and am noting all of these fab. restaurants. Regards from Ireland.
Shirt’n’Tie
Is it true that the “Horizon” weapons’ platform in 320 “First Strike” was a reference to the virtual series “Stargate: Horizon?”
The other day, you referred to Doppelganger parts A & B. Is this a two-parter and, if so, is it the mid-season two-parter?
Did I see that you were going to be in Montreal. That is a place I love to visit. One of my favorite places up there is the Thai restaurant Ong Ca Can. What is your favorite restaurant there?
My bad- Ong Ca Can is Vietnemese food. Still good!
Yes, we have SGA on the far side of the planet too!
Just seen Submersion (318).
If Gourmet magazine asked you to be their Vancouver correspondent would you do it?
Not that I have any say – I just lick the pages occasionally…
Do any of the restaurants ever mistake you for a food critic? If so, do you ever correct them, or “go with the flow” so to say.
Be honest now!
How are you? Is it still raining there or have you moved into the beautiful world of Spring? I have a couple of questions (in addition to the ones above)
1. Do you ever take your Pugs to work? I’ve seen other dogs wandering about on the set when they’ve been filming the special features but I don’t think I’ve ever seen any pugs.
2. With all the dogs that visit the set, who’s job is it to scoop the poop? Do the dog owners have to do it themselves/is there someone paid to do it/do the dogs have to have a colonic before visiting the set?
3. Please keep reading and hopefully answer this question even though I know you are probably fed up with the why did you kill off Carson questions. This isn’t so much a why did you kill of this particular character question (and I don’t mean you personally). I was just wondering how those type of decisions are made. What is the process to them. How many levels does it have to go through before the final decision is made. What kind of things are taken into consideration when you make the decision?
4. Will you still be fully kitted out in a suit and tie in the summer or do you go a bit crazy with heat stroke and just where a shirt with an open neck collar?
Did Dr Weir get command of the Atlantis expedition because of what she knew or because of who she knew? Because I have always got the impression it was the latter …
Hiya. One quick question while I’m here. Will the Ascension machine be used again in S4, which we saw in TAO of Rodney?
I hope you enjoy your long Easter weekend with your family.
The Spring days are so beautiful here right now that today I visited the Japanese Garden in Ft.Worth, meandering and taking photos. I know you enjoy Asian cuisine and culture, as do some others on this blog, so everyone feel free to take a look at the pics I’ll be posting to my blog in a little while.
My mac won’t let me create links inside blogger, so here’s the address:
http://www.tangerinehondaelementdreams.blogspot.com
I warned you all that I named my blog after my vehicle.
I visit the Japanese Garden at least twice a year, and I have framed photographs in my apartment that I have taken there. Beauty and serenity does little justice in describing the Garden.
Joe,
Another question, do you get to Toronto? If so what high end restaurant would you recommend? Thanks
when you say two words row and bot, do you mean robot like in replicators.
thanks
molson
Hi Joe,
Just a quick question as I know you’re extremely busy, but I just wondered if there was any chance of seeing Sheppard delusional and in the flesh, so to speak 😀 Since turnabout is fairplay we’ve seen McKay, Radek and Ronon semi nekid and it’s been a long time, 3 years since we’e seen Sheppard semi nekid 😀 You could even write it into the plot that he was fevered 😀 and have maybe Ronon shoot him or have to restrain him from doing damage to the city.
The Sheppard fans would really appreciate it. 😀
Thanks very much you’re a very kind and considerate man 😀
Maja said….
Is it true that you made the decision for Elizabeth to become a recurring character because you want to pursue the John/Elizabeth relationship? She wouldn’t be his boss if someone else took over her leadership position. Anything could be possible between the two of them. *hint hint*
You know Joe asked you all to stop with the shipper questions. It would be nice if you would listen for a change.
Are there any new recurring characters in season 4 you can tell us about?
You bastard. You utter, utter bastard. It’s your fault I’m addicted to Danila’s chocolate at Chocoatl! 😛 We have a local chili farm that makes chili chocolate which is totally amazing. What is your favourite chocolate/flavouring combination, and why?
What does Doppelganger mean?
I just recently got my copy of the June 2007 Sci-Fi magazine. I really enjoyed the “Closing the Gate” article. It nearly had me in tears though! It shouldn’t be closing… I really loved all the commentary from actors and wirters. I particularly enjoyed RDA and Christopher Judge’s comments.
It also had a segment about Carter coming to Atlantis. In the article, she ocmments that you and Paul Mullie sold her on the idea of Carter in command. In the same piece, she mentioned that her character, because of her firendship with Teal’c, has a lot of respect for Ronan as the silent warrior. My question, will she be getting a good amount of screen time with Ronan? I think it would draw his (and her) character out quite a bit.
One more thing, if Robert Cooper is still lurking, Heroes: 2 was a fantastic episode. I just recently saw it, and I was truly moved.
That was longer than I intended. Thanks much, and have a wonderful Easter,(pugs too)
Royal
I took some pictures of the brood tonight. I guess I was inspired by the photos you posted of your guys. My kids love to play fight with each other, it’s really quite a friendly social thing, though looking at the photos one might think I require them to feed off each other for basic sustenance. My girl doesn’t like her photo taken so stays out of it for the most part, but the boys … they’re boys. And apparently quite proud of it. Dolby idolizes his older brother. I’m spamming your blog comments with this because, well, one can never have too many funny pug photos.
The Trio
Dolby in his Lil Devil T-Shirt
Show Off
WWP
I swear I feed them…
Blessings,
geek
Anonymous said…
Answer: Two words – “Row” and “Bot”.
Do you mean that there was an argument between the scriptwriters concerning the death of McKay?
Nicolas said…
Joe,
How Rodney is going to die ?
Psssst… guys? It’s a joke… 🙂
I was wondering about the alliance of 4 great races. Are we going to be learning new stuff about the nox and furlings in detailin season 4 atlantis.
Also, according to your knowledge on the stargate saga which is 1)the most powerful ship and 2) your favorite in the stories. The choices are the following: Ancient Aurora class warship, Ori ship, Wraith Hive, Asgard O’Neill Class, Tauri Odyssey( Suped up), Anubis’s Hatak, Regular Hatak, Apophis’s Hatak, the alien ship from Grace episode, the travellers genrational ship. The Ancient city ship is not included because its overkill.
Thanks a lot,
Your Moroccan fan
Will season 4 be a sort of Star Wars episode 3 type dark?
Joe,
Can you clarify the airing order for the first five or ten episodes of season four?
V
When Atlantis floats can you drive it around like a giant boat?
When you say “dark”, do you mean emotionally dark or character death dark or meeting a new enemy dark? Or can you not say for fear of spoilers?
When you say Season4 will be dark, you don’t mean Battlestar Galactica “bitter despair and isn’t humanity awful” dark, do you? Because that would be a bummer.
Anonymous said…
“You know Joe asked you all to stop with the shipper questions. It would be nice if you would listen for a change.”
Joe said that he will put an end to the Shep/Weir vs. Shep/Teyla debate. I believe what I’ve written isn’t it, I’m sure he doesn’t need your help in moderating his blog, he approved my comment so…
Anonymous said…
A few quick things please – since someone else cleared up the issue with WHO said Sam Carter was comig in a ship (it was Brad Wright) I will simply ask – which episode this occurs in, which ship she arrives on, is she in command of that ship when she arrives at Atlantis and is that command temporary or permanent? Also, if she is in command of a ship full-time will that factor into the movies at all or will she be in command of SG-1 for the movies as she should be?
Wow. How about you just ask Joe to publish the entire scripts of the first few episodes on his blog? Then you’ll have all your questions answered and won’t need to watch the show at all… oh.. wait..