- Carl says: “Be still my beating heart.” Me, Julia, and Peter (photo courtesy of Lawren Bancroft-Wilson)
- Will enjoys his chocolate rush (photo courtesy of Lawren Bancroft-Wilson)
I’m still recovering from this weekend’s excesses. Yes, while the chocolate party was indeed taxing, spending all of Sunday (Well, seven hours anyway) uploading pics and putting together a rundown of the festivities was outright exhausting. Thank God I’m back in the office today for some much-needed R&R.
Well, I finally got the notes on my first draft of Space (now episode 11). At 54 pages, the script is way too long and Rob had some helpful suggestions for trimming down the dialogue. I’ll have to make a slight adjustment to Wray’s attitude in line with Paul’s pass on Judgment, incorporate a costume suggestion, switch out a piece of set dec (actually, more of a prop all things considered) for something more suitable that Production Designer James Robbins came up with, include the two character beats Carl suggested, fiddle with the dialogue pertaining to the ship’s weapon systems, lose an unnecessary complication, and make a slight alteration to final exchange. And that’s it. Hope to have a revised draft later this week.
Now that the dust has settled from this weekend, I’d like to again thank editor Ellen Datlow for dropping by and fielding our questions. If you want to explore more of her work, check out her website (http://www.datlow.com/). I’ve included the link in my blogrolll where you’ll find links to the official sites, personal homepages, blogs, and livejournal pages of the many talented individuals who were kind enough to drop by this blog over the years.
Speaking of links, I updated yesterday’s entry with links to the websites of all 21 chocolatiers whose marvelous creations graced this year’s chocolate party. If you’re looking to treat a certain someone special (like, say you or, better yet, me), they may come in handy.
Yes, Saturday night was memorable for a number of reasons – the great dinner, the wide and wild chocolate assortment, and, of course, the bet that almost did in our Script Coordinator, Lawren Bancroft-Wilson. To all those of you with the memory retention of a common goldfish who can’t remember yesterday’s entry, after partaking in the chocolate buffet, Lawren was offered a significant sum of money if he could polish off four decadent chocolate desserts in twenty-five minutes. He gave it his best shot but came up short. And while it was painful to watch (some of the more squeamish onlookers had to avert their eyes), all admired his perseverance and sheer all-out craziness in thinking he could pull it off. There were a couple of moments where he paused and actually looked like he was going to be sick. “What if he vomits?”I asked my writing partner Paul who had was one of the architects of the nefarious wager (alongside Ivon, Will, and Alan). “Then he loses,”was his response. I thought it grossly unfair and asked “But what if he eats the vomit?”. “Okay,”Paul conceded with nod. “If he eats the vomit it still counts.” Fortunately, it never came to that. He gave up with only half a dessert to go because he “felt tingly and dizzy”.
Well, I’m happy to report that Lawren survived the experience and was back at work today. Happier still to report that he took some great pics of the party that he was kind enough to let me post, so check ’em out.
You know, for all this talk about the chocolate party and what a great time was had by all (except for maybe Lawren in those last fifteen minutes), I have to admit that the evening was missing a certain something. Actually, someone: Golden Boy Martin Gero, a chocolate party regular, who wasn’t able to make it this year as he is now in New York, working for HBO. As the party wrapped up and I thanked Tom Doughty and Chef Rob Belcham for the incredible meal, I had to admit: “I kind of miss Marty G.” They exchanged amazed looks, smiled, and informed me that they had said the same thing just moments earlier. Well, (not so) coincidentally, I got a call from Martin on Sunday. He’s been very busy but it sounds like he’s having a good time. And looking forward to visiting this summer.
Thanks for the update!
I don’t know what looks more delicious, the sorbet, or Kerry.
Yeah, I went there. What of it?
Ok, down to business. Space is Episode 11? That’s odd. Isn’t it part 1 of the mid-season parter? Oh, but you’ve said in the past that the show’s so serialized that it’s basically one big 20-parter…hmmm…
Finally, it looks like Lawren took the place of Alex Levine! Belated congrats on the promotion!
It IS a promotion, right? 😉
Questions:
1. What is episode 10 now?
2. Was “Space” moved because a). one of the episodes before it was expanded into a 2-parter or b). another episode (it could be a whole new one, or one that was later than Space, but was moved ahead of it) was added to the line up before “Space”? or c). none of the above?
3. Has the episode “Justice” been renamed “Judgment” like you wanted, or was that just a typo?
4. With Lawren being the script coordinator, does that mean that he will take over Alex’s duties on the SciFi Stargate blog as well?
Thanks!
I was intrigued by the idea of a chocolate party. As I read your descriptions in yesterday’s post I was amazed at your knowledge and depth of chocolate creators. It sounds like an amazing event. I have to admit, all those chocolates I’ve received from my students just won’t cut it anymore!
Hey Joe,
The links to the chocolatiers is probably very dangerous ammo for my little typing fingers. Internet shopping here I come! 😀
And my mom has a message for you: Aren’t you so upset about The Amazing Race? There aren’t any good people left to win and that mom and son team are still in it. They are just terrible!
Ok… that was the message from my mom. Her name is Joan, by the way.
Thanks for all the lovely pics and stories. Good to know Marty will be visiting in the summer.
Trish
@PG15 or maybe that was Lawren’s conollation prize for NOT finishing the chocolate? Oh! I so went there! 😆 Also, I commented on yesterday’s blog but will repeat it here. Yay! \o/ Since you consider me family can I borrow $20? 😉 ha ha… maybe NOT worth repeating. Lame, I know.
Lawren’s photos are as fantastic as yours were. Thanks for sharing your party, so to speak, with us. And thanks to those attendees who were kind enough to allow their pictures to be used. I’m still trying to figure out how I can gain 15 pounds looking at pictures of people eating chocolate, while the attendees all look ready to leave the party for a modelling shoot.
So, you said to remind you about the current order of Universe titles once you were back at work. Please consider this that reminder(and plea) for a complete listing of the titles in play at the moment. And one question related to the party. Were there leftovers, and if so, what happened to them? I keep having this mental image of you wandering Vancouver’s rougher quarters(if Canadian cities have such things) passing out the remnants of the feast, to the startled joy and grateful tears of the homeless(again, do Canadians even have homeless people?). Thanks for all the time and effort invested in this weekend’s posts, as well as your ongoing work on keeping us informed.
Joseph,
Thanks for reviewing the book and hosting a discussion–I hope my responses were helpful to everyone. It was fun.
Hi Joe,
Hope lawren has good metabolism otherwise he has probably gained 20 pounds. Thanks for the extra pics.
@pg15: I would say Kerry.
Questions
1. Will water’s events include young and Scott being stranded somewhere together?
2. Will sgu still have the normal dose of stargate action?
3. Will Martin Wood be directing universe anytime soon?
Thanks so much,
Major D. Davis
Well, it seems once again you failed to invite me to the chocolate party. Is that any way to treat your best bud and Number 1 fan? Has anyone been as loyal as I?
Who was it who alerted the masses to your kidnapping? Me.
Who selflessly protected Col. Sheppard so that he’d be able to deliver the ransom as instructed? Me.
Who provided you with the best character name ever? Me.
Who took that bludgeoning weapon/timepiece off your hands so people would stop expecting you to wear it? Me.
Who didn’t tease you or even smile about you having to attend a musical? Me, that’s who!
I expect better treatment next year.
Anne Teldy 😀
Hey Joe,
Had to share. We went to a movie yesterday and they were showing the (incredibly length) trailer for Angels and Demons. In it Hanks’ Robert Langdon is explaining the significance of the signs and says, “Earth. Air. Fire. Water….” He goes on, but I nudged my partner and giggled with anticipatory glee, “Oh, those are the first four eps of SGU!”
She was, alas, relatively unimpressed. I, however, was all atwitter as anticipation builds for October’s premier.
Interestingly enough, if you go on the AaD website the flash bit also shows “Earth,” “Air,” “Fire,” and “Water.”
@thornyrose
(again, do Canadians even have homeless people?)
After visiting Canada I can confirm that they definitely do, at least in Toronto and Vancouver. However at one point a homeless chap came up to me when I was unsuccessfully throwing coins at a ticket machine and gave me money so I wasn’t stranded, so they’re a kindler, gentler, Canadian homeless people.*
*I should note that I gave him a dollar note in return, I’m not about to take money off the homeless. Though I did of course punch him in the kidneys and make off with his shopping trolley filled with his worldly goods, but that just goes without saying.
Do any of your chocalatiers do chocolate for people with allergies? Milk is the big one, but some oils give me issues as well….
-Jock
@ Joe, do any of them cater to diabetics? My grams birthday is coming up as is my sisters and I always order chocolates and flowers for them. Grams gets some sort of solid chocolate thing and an orchid. My sis gets chocolate peanut butter things and purple Gerber daises. But both were diagnosed with diabetes over the last year and I just don’t know what to do.
Great pics by Lawren. Love the artful composition aided by the small depth-of-field. Nicely done.
Joe you could save massive upload time if you learned to shrink your photos just a bit before uploading. In face I marvel that WordPress doesn’t charge you a fortune for the disk space you must be using.
As for writing things up… I spent 4 nights and ALL of Easter weekend editing images and writing up the panels from the Vancouver con, so I feel your pain. Almost makes you wish you hadn’t been there, or could claim dementia and complete loss of memory of the event.
@ Trish: Sorry, but I don’t lend money to my family. Now, if you were just some stranger I don’t know, then I’d totally give you as much as you want. This is how my system works. :p
@ Major D. Davis: I’m forced to agree with you. 😉
Oh, and regarding the topic of uploading photos – I can totally relate. After every family trip I write reports of them on my blog, and that includes uploading all the photos that I deem worthy of public adoration, which can total upwards of a hundred. Thank God for Photobucket and its ability to upload 50 photos at a time.
Death by chocolate. What a way to go. Poor Lawren. He does take amazing photos though.
I think I gained a few pounds just looking at all those pics from you and Lawren. Tell Paul that was cruel and unusual punishment for placing that bet. Ouch. And funny.
Hey Mr M!
THanks for the website links! My assistant was drooling over the chocs and was about to do Google the names this morning…So that saves a lot of bother and time!
Glad to see Lawren’s snaps (thanks to Lawren)….and was there really chanting as Lawren tried to finish the desserts? I sense Will Waring as the Leader of same!!
Wow, the notes on Space are pretty comprehensive..
What news on the Short Story by the by? Reitrement home scene / hotel brow beating / back to scene of crime and ???
Best to all
Shirt’n’Tie
@Anne Teldy: Ha ha ha! I’m kidnapping you next year and we’ll BOTH crash the chocolate party. 😈 And just FYI, we’re tied for Joe’s number one fan. 😉
Chocolate is heavy on the liver. I’d suggest a prophylactic course of some or other hepaprotector for every single guest there…
Uh…I’m still full from yesterday’s pictures!
Ack! I have been so busy that I didn’t post anything after I read Ellen Datlow’s replies.
@ Ellen Datlow: Thanks, Ellen for your interesting replies – I hadn’t realized that the stories were written especially for the anthology, but had thought that they were compiled from previously written ones.
And I didn’t realize that you had also edited “A Wolf at the Door” which is in my daughter’s book collection!
@Joe:And thanks again Joe for recommending another good book and for hosting! And it is very cruel to run another day of chocolate pictures. Hmm. I may have to order myself some for Mother’s Day.
I need to get me one of those chocolate fountains. .. I went to the gym this morning, had to try and lose the lbs I gained from peering at the pictures, thanks so much for sharing! Looks like everyone had fun. Good to see shots of you, considering you are mostly behind the camera( my favorite spot). Keep up the good work and have a grand day!
Coucou Joseph!
Lol oui en effet impossible d’oublier une telle journée^^! Merci encore pour ces nombreuses photos!
Passez une bonne journée! bizz
What sort of camera do you have Joe? I think the colour looks better/more natural on your photos. Thanks to yourself and Lawren for the pics and all of the gang for hamming it up for the cameras. So many hats.
You looked very Hugh Hefner in the jacket. Was that the look you were going for? Ivon & Alan looked fantastic – do they ever not?
Cheers, Chev
MMMMMM CHOCOLATE, wwwaaahhh. if only I could eat chocolate – I have decided that migraines actually haved saved my life – if I could eat chocolate I’d wieght 300 lbs and if I drank like I want to I’d be an acoholic in rehab – so insted I’m 106 lbs, and not a drunk. That is good, right?
Joe, I have question, in some of your photos, you have as “Jamil and I” , there was one yesterday where you had the same thing (different people listed) . One photo with you Julia and Peter you have “Me, Julia, and Peter ” – if you list yourself first or last wouldn’t you still identify youself as “me”? Sorry don’t mean to be picky, just was wondering.
Mmmmm…chocolate…. *said in my best Homer Simpson ‘donuts’ voice*
Just a quickie…
Joe, sent you something via e-mail…I figured it was time. (And no, it’s NOT a bomb… 🙄 )
das
@das: But it IS dah bomb, right? 😆
Today I took care to get Raisinettes before reading the blog. The sorbet looked really good. For your next event I recommend Sally Williams Nougat. It’s the stuff that is normally covered by chocalate, but at Sally Williams the nougat by itself is the thing. I ordered a box and it came from Canada which explains the outrageous shipping cost.
They also serve chocolate covered nougat:
http://www.sallywilliamsusa.com/index.php
Did you insist on a dress code? Everyone was clad in black/blue/white and combination’s thereof.
Or were people thinking ahead, knowing that chocolate stains are harder to see on dark cloth… 🙂
How are the teeth? Did they survive that much sugar all in one go?
If we all send you our addresses will you post us leftovers? 😀
@ Trish – Ha! And NO. It’s more like a dud…and a dude. 😉
das
Mmm, drool drool.
@suziesbluefeather
Most sugar free chocolates taste odd to me, and too many can cause tummy troubles. I used to get it for mom who was diabetic. Local shop, I’d have to look up the name. There’s plenty of sugarfree mass produced varieties, some aren’t so bad.
See’s candies doe some sugar free things, but I don’t really care for them. A bit dry.
http://www.sees.com/Cat.cfm/Sugar_Free
This site talks about suagrfree chocolate and has a short list of the best ones:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=77692
Whew…some free time (for the next ten minutes…)
1. Joe, I love that ‘decisions…decisions’ pic, with you snatching a piece of chocolate in the background, and the one with Elyse, where I suspect you are doing the same thing. You were totally in the zone, weren’t you?
2. Who gets the ‘leftovers’, if there are any?
3. Did you try any wine/chocolate pairings?
4. Does Carl practice his faces in the mirror before coming to these events?
das
I want to go to a chocolate party just to see how long it will take to end up on the floor in the foetal position with a migraine. Before succumbing to the inevitable, you would be witness to a Narelle sugar high, which may involve random acrobatics, bad jokes complete with a ‘titty boom’ finish and definitely, definitely jazz hands.
@das: 😆 Sorry but my dad’s horrible humor has rubbed off on me and sometimes I just can’t *not* say things. I’m like Roger Rabbit with the Shave and a Haircut bit. 😛
Chocolate paradise!
Thank you so much for yesterday and today’s photos , some of those chocolates look like miniature works of art.
So my questions, a- It must cost you a fortune to host such a fantastic party, do you have to pay for all of those chocolates or do you get some reduction and freebies?
b- who gets invited to it? your friends and co-workers who have a fondness for chocolate, people you want to impress, or just a good excuse to have a good time with friends in general?
Did not see pics of Fondy did she make the party???? everyone at the party looked great….
wow these pics look awesome.
Ok…I’m working my way through the archives and found myself drooling over the pics – after recent trip to Switzerland and going into chocolate coma but days ago I MUST get an invite to next chocolate party – is that April 2010? RT and I will fly up special!