With Fondy at the store, pricing stock and prepping for the Petits Fours opening (she‘ll be serving ube cake next Saturday!), I’ve spent the good part of the weekend lazing around with the dogs and catching up on some reading. Finished Iain M. Banks’s Use of Weapons, a novel I found a little tougher going than Player of Games and Consider Phlebas, but one that ultimately rewards with a rockingly great ending. I didn’t get around to the second book in the Ice and Fire series, until Friday as I was waylaid by a selection from my Fantasy Book Club. Utter garbage. It was the kind of book – slow-paced, cardboard characters, trite dialogue – that makes me not want to continue reading fantasy. Fortunately, the brilliance of George R. R. Martin washed away the stench of that particularly crappy read, and I’m about half-way through A Clash of Kings. Damn, is it great.
I gave a little more thought to the proposed Joseph Mallozzi’s Book Club idea and have decided to offer up two selections – one scifi, the other fantasy. Interested parties can choose to read one or both books between now and then end of September, at which point I invite all to weigh in with their thoughts and opinions.
Since I’m planning to eventually make my way through all of Iain M. Banks’s science fiction offerings, I’d like to make “Excession” the scifi pick. According to the wikipedia entry: “ It is the fourth of his novels to feature the Culture. It is a large-scale space opera, with a complex plot following many characters across large volumes of space.” It’s a stand-alone so you won’t have to have read any of his previously published works.
And, since I’m also planning to eventually make my way through all of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, I’d like to make “Hogfather” the fantasy pick. According to the wikipedia entry: “ The Hogfather is also a character in the book, representing something akin to Father Christmas. He grants children’s wishes on Hogswatchnight (32nd of December) and brings them presents.”
Well, that’s it. I’m heading back to my reading. Oh, and those set pics I mentioned I was sitting on a while back. Check ‘em out –
Today’s Q&A –
Jen Kirk writes: “Second, what type of files does your cam create?”
Answer: Problem solved. Rather than film in HD, I’ll switch to the lower quality Standard Def which has proven much easier to transfer and upload. I’ll give it my first official test tomorrow.
Sanura writes: “ If Stargate ever finishes for good (PTB and ratings and heaven forbid), would you be allowed/inclined to read any fanfiction?”
Answer: If and when Stargate ends, I believe I’ll be so Stargated out that the last thing I’ll want to check out is anything Stargate related.
Jill_Ion writes: “I’ve read Howl’s Moving Castle – pretty good book.”
Answer: There’s a book? Cool.
Alipeeps writes: “I’m sure half of those items are actually available in City of Villains…”
Answer: There’s a City of Villains game? Even cooler.
Alipeeps also writes: “Season 3 of Dr Who is due out on DVD in November – you planning to pick it up?”
Answer: I picked up and watched the first two seasons, so I’ll definitely be picking up the third.
Alipeeps who is just full of questions today writes: “What is your absolute favourite cut of meat (or is that a silly question, given your recent rhapsodizing over the Côte de Boeuf)?”
Answer: I prefer a nicely marbled rib-eye.
Pauline writes: “Roasted monkfish tail with a red wine butter sauce and herb risotto…”
Answer: I want.
Alipeeps at it again writes: “As a confirmed foodie and chocolate lover, could I get your opinion on a menu?”
Answer: Hmmm. Hard to judge. Offhand, I wouldn’t think to pair swordfish with chocolate but, hey, I’d be willing to give it a go. The duck with bitter chocolate sauce on the other hand – now that sounds a little more intriguing.
Rac76 writes: “I must have missed something, but who is Evil?”
Answer: Evil, aka Kenny Gibbs, is our props master.
Anonymous #1 writes: “I do recognize Lulu but which ones are Maximus, Jelly and Bubba? As for the 2 tan coloured ones do you need the bandana to distinguish which one is which?”
Answer: Maximus is the black one, Jelly is the chubbier female with the horizontal wrinkles, Bubba is the lanky male with the vertical wrinkles. If you spend enough time around them, pugs are fairly easy to tell apart. Unlike, say, babies.
Anonymous #2 writes: “I’m sorry if you mentioned this before, but I’m wondering, what is the garnish that accompanies your bowl of delicious corn soup?”
Answer: Okanagan peaches and chili.
Wingwyrm writes: “I can’t seem to find a single episode with Ra’s eye as a tattoo. Either I’m missing something or Ra had few to none warriors.”
Answer: My take has always been that Ra’s Jaffa were so fiercely loyal that they perished in battle rather than being taken alive and given the opportunity to switch their allegiance.
PG15 writes: “My question is, do you ever travel to just see the scenery? Or is it mainly for relaxation and food?”
Answer: Welcome back. What did you bring me? When I travel, it’s usually for relaxation and food, although I do end up checking out the scenery if I’m with my wife.
Laura writes: “I’m travelling to Vancouver in October, with my family, and I was wondering if you could suggest some good restaurants to visit?”
Answer: Check out past blog entries for restaurant recommendations. Off the top of my head: Fuel, Vij’s, Yuji’s, Aki’s, Bistrot Bistro, Don Francesco’s.
Laz writes: “ Normally I’ll ran a mile to get a sub rather than a dub, but in this case…”
Answer: My problem with dubbed versions has little to do with the voice actors or the accuracy of the script and everything to do with the voice directors who, more often than not, think “cartoon = wacky” and err on the side of embarrassing over-the-top performances.
Crazymom writes: “Did Fondy enjoy the dog expo? Did she bring back gifts for Lulu and the pugs? Did she bring you any New York chocolate?”
Answers: She had a great time. She didn’t bring back anything for me or the dogs. Come to think of it, she was supposed to stop by MarieBelle and pick me up a Margot 60% dark chocolate bar. Thanks for reminding me!
AtlantisFanNew1 a ecrit: “1)Vous avez toujour eu des bouldogues francais comme chiens? 2)Vous préférez, le chocolat blanc? noir? au lait? avec des noisettes?des amandes?aux riz soufflé? 3)Le bébé de teyla sera normal? 4)Avez vous un couple préféré dans stargate atlantis ? Lequel?”
Reponses: 1) Non. Lulu est un bouldogue francais, mais Jelly, Maximus, et Bubba sont des pugs. 2) Non. 3) ? 4) Non.
MrsB108 writes: “1)Will Rodney have continuing moments of selflessness this season, thoughtfully putting others before himself? 2)Can we expect some interesting interactions between Keller and Ronon? 3)Can we expect big storyline changes when Season Five gets picked up?”
Answer: 1) Yup. One particularly memorable moment from the first half of season four comes to mind. 2) Yup. Some particularly memorable scenes from the second half of season four come to mind. 3) We’ve set up something BIG for the end of this season that should make for a very exciting fifth season.
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