I’m in a cranky mood. Cranky for reasons too numerous to mention. Cranky because of today. Cranky because of tomorrow. And cranky because the memories of the pre-poker crappy meal I had last Saturday night have been stewing in my head like not so much as lukewarm periwinkle meat – which, coincidentally, was one of the items that made up that wholly forgettable meal. Let me tell you about it.
The Richmond Night Market is a big open air annual event that takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening during the Summer months. It’s an opportunity for bargain hunters to check out the 400-some booths selling everything from Vietnamese karaoke CD’s and Mashi Moro pyjamas to silly doggy outfits and Designer imitation Handbags (“Many not available in stores!”promised the salesman. Really? You mean Louis Vuitton and Gucci don’t offer in-store knock-offs of their own merchandise? How crazy is that?) In the past, I’ve always enjoyed going, not so much for the stuff being shilled, but for the exotic fare available at the various food stalls: beef muffins, Vietnamese sandwiches, Taiwanese sausages, and a waffle topped with peanut butter and condensed milk on a visit last year. Well sadly, this year the quality of the food has taken a nosedive. Lots of skewers. Lots of dumplings. And about five different places making those battered octopus balls with the alarmingly undercooked centers.
On this night, my meal consisted of: fried diced turnip cake that proved wholly underwhelming and thus relatively speaking one of the highlights of the night, rather plain siu long bao (minced pork dumplings), tepid (not so)spicy wontons, peculiar-tasting periwinkle meat, an overcooked lamb skewer, mushy steamed pork buns fairly devoid of pork, a great cup of corn, a very good chicken skewer, some very glutinous sweet rice dumplings, a slightly-burnt tasting tofu pudding, dry short ribs, an even drier pork skewer, Korean rice cakes in a somewhat unpleasant spicy red sauce, and lukewarm fried dumplings.
Alas, with poker night looming, I never did get to hit the various merchant stalls including one offering a “Free Stress Test!” (and, oh by the way and since you‘re akreadt here, how about a plethora of books by B-grade scifi writer L. Ron Hubbard?). All the same, I really don’t need a machine to tell me I’m stressed. Trust me. I know.
Today’s viewer mail –
Susan the Tartan Turtle writes: “Have you ever thought of writing a Sci-Fi book yourself?”
Answer: Depending on how things shake out, I may just do that next year.
Vaberella writes: “Okay if Teyla doesn’t go to Earth in MC, is there a chance of her character going to Earth in the second half?”
Answer: Highly unlikely.
Promogirl writes: “On average how many books would you say you read a week?”
Answer: On average 1 to 2 books a week.
Alipeeps writes: “I think you mentioned previously that you’ve enjoyed the past coupla seasons of new Dr Who – I believe the next Season (currently showing in the UK) is due to air in Canada in just a couple of weeks. You planning to watch?”
Answer: I’m going to wait for it to come out on DVD.
M writes: “ Does Martin Wood ever wear “wintery” looking clothes? He seems to be perenially in shorts and tshirt?”
Answer: The city can be battling a snowstorm and Martin Wood and Dan Shea will show up for work in their shorts. In fact, if someone told me that Martin wore shorts under his special cold weather gear while he was filming in the Arctic, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Anonymous #1 writes: “Ever tried Cevapcici?”
Answer: I don’t even know what that is.
Anonymous #2 writes: “ Are you really going to ship Carter and CG Wraith? Is this a joke?”
Answer: I never joke. We’re planning a hilarious two-parter where the CG wraith brings Carter home to meet his strictly traditional and very Catholic parents.
Cel writes: “Uh oh, you’re watching Domino? What’s your opinion of it so far? People seem to either love it or hate it!”
Answer: So far? I’m not loving it. But I’m reserving judgment until I finish watching the whole thing. I have less than 45 minutes to go.
Michelle writes: “Any decision on a new ride yet?”
Answer: With the Canadian dollar almost at part with the floundering American greenback, we’ve decided to buy out the lease on Fondy’s A4 and hold off on a new car purchase until the Canadian prices better reflect the currency shift.
PG 15 writes: There is the notion in the storytelling world that there are only a few original ideas out there, and that it’s the execution of those ideas that really makes for the entertainment. As a writer yourself, do you agree with this, or do you think that there are always original ideas?”
Answer: I think there are plenty of original ideas out there waiting to be discovered. However, I would agree that, generally speaking, every story has been told and what makes them original is in the storytelling and, specifically, how they relate to the characters in your world.
Paula writes: “Does Chris have his own card table? Or is that one of those table top things?”
Answer: We’re actually playing on his pool table.
Klemen writes: “At the beginning of EP The Game Rodney talks about a runaway train and whom to save ,the 10 people or the one baby. I was wondering what would you do?”
Answer: Probably take the bus instead.
Edward4th writes: “Did you see Shaun of the Dead adn what did you think?”
Answer: I liked it, found it very funny, but thought it took a strangely serious turn partway through when his mother turned into a zombie (which could have been played for laughs).
Anonymous #3 writes: “Joe, say someone would happen to see you and presumably your wife at a restaurant in Kits, would you be offended if said person came over to say ‘hi’?”
Answer: Nope, especially if you have a good dessert recommendation.
Benjamin writes: “Was the story of the mythological Incubus an inspiration for upcoming episode “Doppelganger”?”
Answer: Nope.
SMB Books writes: “Camping – Yay or Nay?”
Answer: So long as I have somewhere to plug in my t.v. and room service doesn’t take too long to deliver my order, sure why not?
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