T (as in Tokyo) minus 4 days and counting! I leave for Japan on Saturday and, the other night, I had the first of what I expect to be numerous travel nightmares. In the dream, I had checked in, dropped off my bags, and was approaching security screening when I realized I had forgotten my ticket and VISA back home. How the hell I’d managed to check in without ‘em I don’t know, but did I really want to chance being held up at security? How long would it take to go back home and pick them up? My flight was scheduled to depart in half an hour!
Well, I finally completed my Tokyo To-Do list. Divvied up into wards and at seven solid pages, it includes such not-to-be-missed targets as the Parasitological Museum in Meguro, the Absolut ice bar, and festival in taito-ku during which I will have the opportunity to purchase a lucky rake.
For those of you asking, Maximus is on the mend as well. He’d been feeling a little under the weather so I phoned up the vet who asked me to acquire a stool sample for testing. Easier said than done given the fact that Max had not been, uh, solid of late (Fondy and I use the term “soft serve”). Anyway, not to dwell, but I did end up retrieving the requested sample, a complicated process that involved a couple of syringes and many plastic baggies. The results came back – he has the same thing as Jelly. And now, so does Lulu. Bubba, thankfully, is odd dog out. For now.
Went into the office today and did the Whispers commentary with director Will Waring, after which the writers gathered to discuss one of Rob’s story ideas. It’s a great premise that, when I read it, left me wondering “How the hell is this going to work?” and, after much back and forth, we eventually came up with the logic construct to make it work (see Brad‘s whiteboard diagram for the explanation). We broke for a late lunch compliments of Sonia from VFX who, having heard of our love for schnitzel, actually made some for us. Actually, made LOTS for us in addition to salad, potatoes, and blueberry pie. “I’m such a pig,”muttered Carl as he helped himself to his fifth piece. I kept my mouth shut. I’d eaten six. A huge thanks to Sonia for the fantastic feast. We concluded our day by watching a Day 1 Mix of Vegas. Wow, is this a gorgeous-looking episode! And a very unique one as well. When was the last time an individual episode soundtrack included the likes of Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, and Marilyn Manson?
Mailbag:
Earnestly writes: “have been feeling a little left out lately. I moved to the great North West last year and while I love my new job, I am missing my family and friends from the Philadelphia, Delaware region. I am single, (I know… a shocker), no kids, and I like the outdoors, camping, fishing, site seeing, reading and watch anything on the cooking and SciFi channels. I volunteer at the local animal shelter and have adopted two completely black kittens which I have named Saber and Sha’re. (They are Brother and Sister). They keep me company when I am home and are a good source of a laughs now and again. I’ve made a few friends on line while lurking around your not so typical blog sites, (ahem) but given your worldly and sometimes creepy ways, might you have some good advice for me? It’s coming on to the holiday time and you know how depressing that time can be when you are alone… so do you have any sure fire / fast ways of making new friends? Please reply soon!
Earnestly,
Lonely, but lovely (At least in the eye of the beholder!)”
Baron Destructo answers: Dear, Earnestly, know this – whether it is the result of a recent move, a break-up, or a secret serum that turns you into a blue-skinned bat-winged giant whenever you bleed, the fault for your social isolation rests not with you. It lies with the community that has singled you out and shunned you, one that will one day, with the proper planning, taste the bitter entrée of your unholy vengeance. Until then, however, I would suggest your making the effort to go out and meet likeminded individuals. Volunteering at an animal shelter is a great start, especially for those with telepathic abilities that would allow them to communicate with the creatures and get them to kill on command. But how about joining a club, perhaps one that will you to share your interests for things like global conquest, nano-virus construction, or origami. Also, seek out people who may cultivate similar hobbies such as line dancing, zombification, or flesh-eating plant creatures. Failing that, simply use your army of intelligent termites to vanquish a small nation and force its inhabitants to be your friend. Believe me, it works!
Mackenzie’s Momma writes: “I’m flying down to Burbank for the SGA/SG1 convention, promises to be a good time(I’m finally getting around to a convention, lol).
Any advice for the trip?”
Answer: Eat before you board. The in-light meal, if there is one, will be spectacularly bad.
Plastschu writes: “Is there any chance to make two Atlantis movie + one SG-1 movie next year? What will be titles? When will be released the newest movies? […] What happened with the Children Of The Gods – special edition? Why did Mr. Wright postpone it? Will you ever make an SG-1 movie for theatrical release from even bigger budget (10-20-30 million $)?”
Answers: At present, we’re only scheduled to produce one SGA movie next year. No title or release date yet. I have no idea when the special edition of Children of the Gods will be released. Sorry, no plans for a big screen SG-1 theatrical release.
PG15 writes: “Question: so far, does it look like personal conflicts are carrying through the subsequent episodes? Like, if two characters were angry with each other at the end of one episode, it’ll be picked up again in the next episode, instead of everything being hunky-dory again?”
Answer: SGU will be more serialized in some respects so, yes, the character relationships and attitudes will develop significantly from episode to episode.
Paula writes: “However, I have to admit to being shocked that you could so easily fall under the peer pressure of on Marty G. What happened to your world domination? Are you going soft on us?”
Answer: I think you’re getting me mixed up with Baron Destructo.
Lemming86_Au writes: “It’s no secret that Fuel is your favourite restaurant.
If you had to choose dishes from all the ones you have mentioned (& made us drool over) on this blog, which would make up your favourite menu?”
Answer: Corn soup, pig ear and black truffle salad, foie gras terrine, olive-oil poached salmon, crispy duck, beef cap, and dark chocolate truffle/banana-caramel fitter/coconut sorbet dessert. Just off the top of my head.
Sara writes: “BUT, don’t you think that there is a movie every once in a while that you just have to see as soon as it comes out?”
Answer: I can’t imagine a movie I’d need to see that badly.
Sami writes: “what happened to The Weird Food purchase of the Day?”
Answer: The Weird Food Purchase of the Day video segment will make a big comeback during my Tokyo trip.
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