I could’ve sworn I uploaded this entry a couple of hours ago but when I cruised by to check on comments, it had magically disappeared. Or maybe it never appeared in the first place. Hmmm. Okay, let’s try this again.
- Decisions, decisions…
For as long as it took me to throw on a pair of jeans, grab my camera, and hop in the car.
For lunch, I enjoyed a ½ kilo of that spit-roasted lamb, a Greek salad (to placate my guilty conscience. Tomatoes are chalk full of lycopenes!), the loukoumades (deep-fried dough soaked in honey and cinnamon and sprinkled with sesame seeds), and THE most cloying dessert imaginable – baklava (layered pastry dough with nuts soaked in honey).
I know, I know. It seems like an excess amount of food but, keep in mind, I had the full kilo of lamb last year. Also, it was my great meal because I am now absolutely, without a doubt, no excuses, REALLY “on the program”.
Unless, of course, I can convince the gang at work to make the five minute drive over to Boundary for lunch. Greek fest continues all this week.
In a desire to learn a little more about myself, I took a few online personality tests designed to reveal the inner me. The results were surprising to say the least…
First up, I answered the age-old question that has plagued man from the dawn of humanity: “Do you shop more than most women?” (http://www.blogthings.com/doyoushopmorethanmostwomenquiz/). According to the scientific study, I am a window shopper who who rarely gives into impulse buys but has a nice wardrobe.
Moving on, the next quiz afforded me the opportunity to answer a question that I’ve been wondering for a while now: “Which Victoria’s Secret Angel are you?” (http://www.blogthings.com/whichvictoriassecretangelareyouquiz/). Well, apparently, the data suggests I am most like Laetitia Casta.
And finally, just this morning I was asking myself “What kind of lip gloss should you wear?” (http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorlipglossshouldyouwearquiz/). The results: mauve. Smart, polished, and pretty.
Today’s entry is dedicated to birthday gal Luvnjack.
Let’s catch up with the mailbag:
Thornyrose writes: “Now, if TPTB would only make it official when we can expect to see a) the premiere of SGU b) the start of production on the next SG-1 movie, and c) the start of production of the Atlantis movie. Speaking of which, has the script for the last been approved, simply waiting for the wheels to turn so that the movie can be eventually made?”
Answer: Although I’ve yet to hear of an official date, my understanding is that Stargate: Universe will premiere in early October. Still no word on the production dates for either the SG-1 or the Atlantis movie, however, we have received some preliminary feedback on the first draft of Extinction.
MELorne-Super-Fan writes: “It came to my attention in the past days, that Mr. Kavan Smith may not be in the SGA movie!”
Answer: From who? Since I co-wrote the script, I’m in a better position to know which characters will be making an appearance – all of them.
Pastrygirl writes: “Do I remember correctly that Destiny is supposed to be an Ancient class ship? Like the one that Rodney got working on the volcano-riddled planet?
Also, is the gate to be a Pegasus galaxy gate or, like suggested above by Iamjohn, a milky way gate/DHD?”
Answer: Sorry. For the details on the ship and the gate, you’ll either have to wait for the studio to release the visuals or hold out until the premiere.
PG15 writes: “Are you writing episode 20? Is Paul writing episode 19?”
Answer: Yes and yes.
PG15 also writes: “I wanted to add a thank you for these short “profiles” on the cast members! First Jamil, now Brian. It’s great to get to know them a bit before seeing them on the screen, dazzling us with their talent.
Can we expect more of these for other cast members?”
Answer: Yep.
Major D. Davis writes: “And Joe, my B-day’s July second. Do you still do those blog dedication thingys for peoples birthday’s?”
Answer: Remind me closer to the date.
Major D. Davis also writes: “1. You already know my reasoning, so is episode 19’s title is hope?
2. Is Will Waring directing Faith?
3. Is there a chance that MGM will release it’s uber cool super secret project during Comic con this summer?
4. Are the VFX temps like those non-colored greyish fake looking Visuals that eventually turn into those shiny Visuals we see in the final cut?”
Answers: 1. Nope. 2. Yep. 3. No idea. 4. At first they can be, simple place holders designed to convey a sense of how the sequence will unfold.
Birddiemac writes: “Was wondering if we’ll ever find out what happened to Ba’al host after the extraction? I enjoyed the Carter/Baal scenes in Quest and Insiders. Any chance of seeing some interaction between Carter/Baal again in a future movie?”
Answer: Baal’s ultimate fate will remain unknown for the time being. Sorry to say he won’t be making an appearance in the SG-1 movie.
Nadine writes: “I think I’ve read (heard?) that story about your dad before. Was it the basis for Cam’s anecdote about “the spit-take of all spit-takes” in Ripple Effect?”
Answer: Yes, it was.
JJ writes: “Did you know who will go to Comic-Con this year?
Is there any chance that all the main cast would be there?”
Answer: I won’t be going this year but Brad Wright, Robert Cooper, and almost the entire cast will be there.
Arctic Goddess writes: “I would like to announce that I have recently found employment as a journalist. Yes, I am now with the press. I love what I do. I get to meet really interesting people and write a lot. I’d almost be willing to work for free, it’s so much fun. I should have done this years and years ago. Anyway, even though it’s not script writing, would you consider it a step closer to writing for t.v or film? Would it get my foot in the door?”
Answer: It may make someone more likely to read you, but being a journalist doesn’t give you a leg up on landing a staff position. It all comes down to the quality of that script.
Lisa writes: “What is it you dislike about the theatre contemporary or musical??”
Answer: Singing, dancing, and over-the-top acting performances reminiscent of the overly-enthusiastic actors in children’s programming. Do away with those, the crowds, and the uncomfortable seats and I’d like it just fine.
DemonHunter writes: “What do deep fried pigs feet taste like? Is it really pigs feet or just pork shaped like trotters?”
Answer: They taste like deep-fried pork. It is pig’s feet though, for the dish, I believe the actual meet is stripped from the trotter before being prepared.
DemonHunter also writes: “They love pasta ( so do I) and I want to try something different from the normal macaroni or carabonara type dishes. What would you suggest – maybe something with a bit of a kick?”
Answer: Squash-stuffed agnolotti with black truffle butter.
2cats writes: “What do you call reasonably priced? For instance the plate of agnolotti?”
Answer: Angolotti = $14.
Shannon writes: “Okay, you said you ate a fruit dessert and others had the Nutella tart.”
Answer: Uh, no. Definitely not. That would go against everything I hold dear and believe in.
Montrealer writes: “How is the refugees from the Icarus base able to function after the consumables are gone?”
Answer: Tune in and find out!
DasNdanger writes: “When you have to get the actors (and others) to sign off on pictures you use here, does that mean ALL pictures – even those from your private dinners and parties – or just those from the set? How does the process work – is it just a matter of asking permission, or what? And have you ever had an actor, friend, co-worker, wife refuse to let you share their images here?”
Answer: Oh, sure. Occasionally, Rachel would tell me if she wasn’t up to having her picture taken and that was totally cool. However, it wasn’t until midway through season five when I was chatting with Jason Momoa that he told me a couple of cast members didn’t like having their photos taken. I was surprised, not because of their reticence, but because neither had bothered to say a word about it to me. After that conversation, I made it a point to have anyone I snapped sign off on their pics – while Jason would occasionally recruit ME for an impromptu photo op, like his infamous Cruise-esque couch-jumping shots (http://josephmallozzi.com/2008/05/28/may-28-2008-major-retailer-recalls-combustible-underpants/) or his throwdown with Identity guest star Dawn Olivier (http://josephmallozzi.com/2008/08/23/august-23-2008-questions-answers-guests-and-pics/). Damn, I miss the big guy. Anyway, that was the one and only time I heard an objection but, out of courtesy and just to be on the safe side, I now have the actors okay or nix their pics. At the end of the day, you want them to feel comfortable and know that you’re not going to let them look silly. Unless, of course, they want to look silly. Then, all the better!
I haven’t had some good Greek food in ages. I recently tried goat which wasn’t bad at all. And Joe, I know you don’t do Facebook, but I’m sure you can find this quiz someplace else online: Which muppet are you?
I got Statler and Waldorf.
Read Joe’s blog…check!
I love Baklava! Best dessert ever! I haven’t been around much lately, bad me, but I figured I’d pop by and see how things were going over here. Just wondering, have you ever read Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead? It is first in his King Raven Trilogy which is like a rewrite of the Robin Hood myth, very interesting and great characters, I’m currently reading it for the second time before I start on the second one called Scarlet.
Also I am hoping Patrick Rothfuss’ release of Wise Man’s Fear doesn’t take too much longer, apparently the previously mentioned release date was wrong and wasn’t even when Pat thought it would be ready, Amazon or something just got it wrong. Hopefully it should be out sometime this year though.
First, thank you for answering my questions. I see the wisdom in your decision to have actors sign off on photos. I can certainly imagine actors get tired of always having to be ‘on’ for the camera, and they probably cringe a little when they see Paparazzi Joe coming their way. 😉
And I miss Jason, too. I hope you’ve done something better with his character in the movie…his development fell flat in the second half of S5, and Ronon just went back to being a big goon. Jason deserves much better than that.
Mmmmmm! I love Greek food! We have Greek friends who give us tubs of real feta (usually goat milk, but sometimes the coveted authentic sheep’s milk feta), and calamata olives. I have the most wonderful salads for weeks afterwards! And the lamb sounds delish! Finally a meal I could appreciate, too.
Onto your links:
1. Supposedly I’m a ‘Window Shopper’. Thing is, I don’t buy clothes – I HATE clothes shopping. I buy everything black so I don’t have to waste brain cells trying to figure out what to wear each day. However, I spend a heck of a lot on ‘stuff’…weird, cheap stuff…like this bunch of stuff I picked up lately:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/dasNdanger/stuff2.jpg
I will decorate with it – get rid of some old stuff to make room for this ‘new’ used stuff. Yup – I like crap, but not so much clothes.
2. I couldn’t do the second one because it didn’t have options like ‘moody gaze’, ‘bohemian look’, and ‘sexy elbows’… 🙄
3. Supposedly I should wear ‘cherry red’ lip gloss because it’s ‘wild, fresh, and totally alluring.’ I’ve worn cherry red lip color before, and it makes me look like a cheap, worn-out whore. 😛
THANK YOU for posting those links, Joe…they’ve totally convinced me that I shoulda been a dude.
I feel so miserably un-feminine right now… 🙁
das
Wow Joe , that is scary. I got the same answers you did on the quizzes. We are just alike, except your a boy and I’m a girl. Other than that – we’re twins! I bet mauve lip color would look good on you!
Speaking of Jason Momoa, I ordered Atlantis Season 5. It ships on Tuesday. Barnes and Noble had a special, buy 2 DVDs and get a 3rd free. So I ordered Season 5, Season 1, and “Learning Spanish with Paco”. When I tried to redeem the 3rd DVD free deal, of course they screwed me with the ole “your order does not quailify” crap. So I’m not going to learn spanish just yet.
Yep, thats right, I did not have the 1st season of Atlantis. Any guesses why?? Anyone? Anyone? No Ronon in season one!! I have seen all the episodes on TV. They are good, just no Ronon. And, I thought the full 5 set DVDs would sell better in the garage sale. Just kidding!! Too hot for a garage sale.
I also ordered “The Speed of Dark”, so I will be on board with that. I just hope my crazy beagle puppy lets me read it. She’s mean! Her sweet looks are deceiving. And she has some ears that rival Lulu’s. It they stood up like Lulu’s, they would block the sun!
I feel for you falling off the program. Tonight I managed to cook up some chocolate souffles that seemed to go over well with the gang at work. Next week is more ambitious, with a three course crepe meal in the works. All because of your pictures and food descriptions sparking an interest in cooking for me. I’ll let you know when I decide if you’ve done me a service or cursed me.
Thanks for the mailbag. With Universe starting in a bit over 3 months, I hope TPTB will find the time to greenlight the tv movies. Such an action will go a long way to inspiring myself,and possibly others, into following the new series with the loyalty we’ve shown the other shows.
As for the quizes/surveys.Shopping? lip gloss? Victoria’s Secret? Enough to send me shrieking away without bothering to click on the links. Anyways, good to see that they figured you you are in fact a man of taste when it comes to clothing. As always, thanks for the daily dose of blogging.
It’s been said that Stargate Universe won’t have a big, dominating race of villains like the Goa’uld or the Wraith. Will universe at least have some recurring villains, be they species, small, groups, or individuals, even if each villain is only around for a few episodes?
Mmmm, I love both of those Greek desserts. I hate sesame seeds on anything but those dough balls. YUM.
I am amused by your Victoria’s Secret results. What *is* your favorite type of lingerie, then? No, I know. It’s the bikini. 😉
FYEO
Thanks Joe, you’ve made Luvnjack’s day 🙂
*hugs*
Jumble
Hi – we took your recommendation and had dinner at Fuel tonight. It was amazing!
I purchased the SGA Season 5 DVD everytime I watched a Will Waring directed SG-1 episode I was able to find the Pineapple….however in tne Seed,Wispers I watched them a couple of times over and could never find the Pineapples….If you happen to run into him in the hallway sometime could you ask him if he stopped the pineapple thing or maybe I just wasn’t able to locate them….thanks
Hahaha, I just saw a commercial advertising the AltarBoyz.
Anyways, thank you for answering my questions! I can’t wait to read more about the cast! I also can’t wait to get more info about the show via Comic Con; it’s gonna be pretty awesome. Not only will we get some answers from Brad and Rob (or at least, vague hints), but we’ll also get our first taste of the cast’s chemistry with each other! Hopefully they’ll also have a teaser for the show to show.
The title is not “Hope”? Well then, let’s test another title:
Question:
1. Is episode 19 called “Duel”?
2. Is episode 19 called “Subversion”?
3. Is episode 19 called “Whiskers?”
I think they all have a chance. 😉
“I won’t be going this year but Brad Wright, Robert Cooper, and almost the entire cast will be there.”
Ah, but which cast? You’ve got a few…
Hey! i was just there today in the afternoon with my family enjoying the good food they have at the greek summer festival. i had a gyro for lunch and afterwards we tried all three of the desserts and i couldn’t decide which one was the best. the bougaste (sp?) was pretty good though-we finished it off first.
(The Universe cast, I’m assuming. Anyone else besides them?)
Hello from Greece. Happy you enjoyed our normal everyday food 😉 Hopefully they used olive oil with the greek salad and they put the feta cheese in the same plate. Did they add oreganon in it? If it was not presented to you this way then it was not a greek salad. Still though I think you can try it out one of the coming days 😉
As far as the lamp is concerned, why didn’t you treat us with a photo? Or was it gone fast? Oh, and for your next visit there, the best way to eat the lamp is with a decent Tzatziki.
As a die hard fan of science fiction and cooking food, for all of the above mentioned food, (deserts included) it will be my greatest pleasure to give you the recipes. So don’t hesitate to contact me for the recipes 😉 the original greek way!
Enjoy your summer holidays 😉
I’d like to feel smug because I didn’t think your dietary self-denial would last very long, but I empathize with you too much: food restrictions are hard, and compensatory exercise can be a bummer. — Uh-oh, self-pity. Time to go shopping! — Nah, not really a shopping diva; but when I do go, I enjoy it.
Your Blogthing results were funny. I can just picture you talking bras over a salad niçoise with Laetitia Casta. If you’re like any other guy in that scenario — and I’d bet my clothes budget you would be — she’d be chatting away about various types and what they do for her (demonstrating as needed), and you’d politely agree when indicated while resorting more and more to mopping your brow with your handkerchief, then with kitchen towels brought by a thoughtful server. But actually being like Casta? I must be missing something deeply metaphysical here. I’ll think about it when I’m done laughing.
Mauve lipgloss, absolutely, it’s just your look. Still, I’m glad you didn’t wear it with your black t-shirt and shades. ^_^ (Very nice shot, too.)
Ok, here goes my answers…….
I’m a window shopper
Most like Heidi Klum
Should wear mauve lip gloss
And here’s a few new ones…
What Mexican food am I?…Quesadilla (You are easy going, laid back, go with the flow, loyal friend)
What font am I? …Helvetica (Your life is ultra modern and ultra streamlined. You don’t get bogged down in details or decoration)
Are you a PC or Mac?… Mac (You are creative, stylish, and super trendy. You are a bit obsessed with gadgets, and you like owning the newest devices. You aren’t the type of person who separates work from pleasure. In your opinion, all work should be fun. You love creating)
Thanks heaps Joe. I love a good quiz. Maybe when you’re bored you could come up with one we could all do….what Stargate writer are you?
Cheers, Chev
So…. what’s your workout routine to burn off half a kilo of lamb and all that baklava??
hey joe,
Any chance of getting a shot of the new gate?
and another thing, is ep 19’s title Duel? (from atlantis’ Duet)
Oh….baklava! *sigh*
I missed Greek Fest this weekend 🙁 Now I’m wishing I would have made the extra effort to squeeze in just a quick run in for food!
Well I am relieved about the nutella tart. Must have misread 🙂
I can respect that of the actors, I don’t particulary like my pic taken unless I’m looking my best. That’s cool of you Joe with getting an ok from the actors to take pics and post them, my own family isn’t that considerate. Of course I think fans just wanna see them no matter how they look, but I can appreciate them wanting a voice.
…And we all know who’s silly.
Tarpon Springs is the Greek enclave around here, always some great food to be had. Hmm, I think I’ll have a gyro today.
DD
Hey Joe, I’ve got a writing/production questing that I hope you can answer. It’s been bugging me for a while and you’re the only one I know of that takes questions like this.
Hypothetical situation: Character A has been a loyal member of organization B during their long tenure on the show. After several years as a loyal organization B member, the writers want to introduce a storyline where character A is revealed to have been a spy all along for opposing organization C. My question is this: Is actor A consulted on this character change?
I really hope you respond to this. It’s been driving me nuts.
-Ravenfur
Great Q & A! Your dessert items looked awesome, also. I love most ethnic foods.
I’m not very good at cooking fish but I can make a mean baklava. I like working with phyllo dough.
So Mr. M, you never said why the new diet. From your pictures, you are definitely not having a weight problem. High cholesterol?
Off to order my SGA-5.
Tam
Mmm, baklava. In our house, making baklava is a two person job, and uses nearly a full pound of butter on the phyllo.
I love Greek food, and there’s plenty in Utah. Although on our trip to San Diego, we stopped at the Mad Greek in Baker, CA. Baker is a tiny … I guess “town” works, and there’s not much there except the World’s Tallest Thermometer, a Big Boy (next to the Bun Boy Motel, giggle), and the Mad Greek. They advertise the world’s best gyros, and I think they may be right. Giant portions and yummy. Very crowded for an empty town! And they give the truckers free drinks and a discount on food.
Joe! Thank you so much for the birthday dedication! (And thanks to my Awesome friend who mentioned it to you!) 🙂 It induced a happy dance and a huge fangirl moment. I may have to make another video. 😉
Good luck with “The Program.” I think you look great, but if you feel you need to lose some weight, more power to you. Or are you just trying to be healthier?
Have a great day, Joe! I know I will!
Omg. I’m really glad something is happening with the movies.
Also one thing…. Is there people really working hard the whole day working on the movies, I mean you must be really busy with universe, so is it just sitting on the shelf or are there people working it out with MGM on a daily basis ( I know you guys have put in enormus effort to write the script, so please don’t misunderstand my question) Cause if you only start working on the movies after universe wraps, there is no way it will film in the fall.
Sorry it’s just you say there is a ton of work to be done on the movies, but you have said virtually nothing regarding the movies on your blog( except today). When fans like us hear nothing, it looks to us that the movies are sitting on the shelf. I mean if you guys were working that hard on the movies, there has to be something non spoilery you could share. I open you understand what I am trying to say. ( really I don’t think your lazy, getting a TV show off the ground must be hard work, so I say those with all respect possible)
Ha
Well i am sitting inthe hotel writing this on my itouch. I had to leave camp for a day cause i was sick. Lol. But now i can post on your blog. 🙂
Also one other question.
If I wrote up a letter as a comment to security guard bill, could you forward it to him? (he was really kind to me when I talked to him when I visited the bridge, so I just wanted to write him a thank you note.)
Also don’t I get some type of award for guessing all the directors? Mboy got an award for titles, whats wrong with directors?
(Serious question, at least I get a junior award….. Right)
Thanks so much,
Major D. Davis
@ otros ojos – I hear what you are saying about the healthcare system. It’s exactly what my obgyn recently told me. He’s trying to help reform the system, but feels it’s a losing battle, and will only get worse.
Bottom line: Healthcare should NOT be run like a business. It’s NOT a business – it’s a service…it’s about human lives, not about profit. To even think of profitting from human suffering and illness sickens me…and to manipulate the system at the expense of human well-being, just so that you get more profit, is downright criminal.
There comes a time when someone must stand up to the bureaucrats, but I feel it’s not up to the patients to do so, since they are often suffering will disease and illness when they run into these problems, and are in no position to take on such a fight. No, I think it’s really the doctors that need to speak out – and speak out LOUDLY – for their patients. Problem is, I’m seeing more and more doctors playing along with the system because it’s become financially beneficial to them…and that’s scary as hell.
das
Hi Mr M!
Just want to echo a Thank You for the great Dad stories recently. I did wonder whether the Cam Mitchell story about Aunt Em(ily?) in Ripple Effect was based on reality..I thought the detail too good not to be real.
Just another Dad story which that tale put in mind:
I am very very fortunate that my Dad is still with us. Alive, active in his 70’s and playing 18 holes of golf a day. His only medication being a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc with dinner, and we speak almost every day.
Anyhoo, my very best friend, (and godfather to one of my twins) lost his Dad while we were at College, to cancer in 1995. We were still a couple of years from qualifying and it made for some trying times.
Anyway, as soon as we qualified some 2 years later, we both organised different “thank you” events for our families who had persevered (and paid for) our College Education.
In the case of my Dad, I flew him over to London, put him up in topstar hotel and got him tickets to Ireland v England. (This was back in 1998, when the Irish team were about as good as….well the Kamloops Under 12 Tiddly Wink team)
As I was organising the itinerary, the major stumbling block was the tickets to the game. Having no connections with the Rugby world, I had to purchase the tickets through a Corporate Events Management Team, thereby divorcing the tickets from the supper/drinks/after dinner speech etc…just to get the tickets. I remember paying an exorbitant amount for them, as I had to buy THE ENTIRE package ( by two!).
As I placed the receiver down, head shaking in frustration, I mentioned to my buddy about the £xxxxx I had to spend, just to go to a rugby game with my father.
He went quiet. And slowly he turned and said…”I’d pay a million pounds to go to a rugby game with my Dad”.
I have never forgotten that moment, or his words.
I realised then, and even more so now (as a Dad myself) just how important our time is with our parents.
Best to all
S’n’T
@eternaldestiny
I’m guessing everyone -LDP and maybe a shy cast member.
Wow Joe I was just thinking with all the wonderful food you eat, how do you stay in shape? I struggle with it, like if I ate as much as you did, I probably would be totally out of shape. LOL
I didn’t know about will and pineapples. Cool I’ll have to look next time. I don’t think it will happen in SGU though. Also, do you know of an ep when the pineapple is easy to spot in season 9 or 7.( the ones I own).
Thanks so much,
Major D. Davis
from Amazon.com :
Attention all Stargate fans! The Gold Box will be featuring a full day of deals on Stargate TV and movies DVDs. If you have been wanting to add Stargate to your DVD collection, make sure to visit the Gold Box on Tuesday, June 30.
The Gold Box Team
If you are a fan of Baklava, have you ever tried a Baklava Sundae?
Homemade Ice Cream + Baklava = Bliss!!!
The quiz: I’m a window shopper. I’m most like Heidi Klum 😀 . My lip stick is Cherry Red. Funny.
tatianajb: The ice cream sundae sounds awesome! What part to what part? Still……hmmm, the baklava is just too good to put in anything.
We have an abundance of black walnuts here, so I usually use that when I bake.
Anyone ever try black walnuts? They are stronger and have a different flavor than the english ones. I took black walnut banana bread to work once. It was great but… for the receptionist that had an allergic reaction to it. Oophs!
Tam
@ otros ojos
@ dasNdanger
I’ve been following the discussion since it came up, and I’ve been finding the different takes on the healthcare system quite interesting.
See, I’m up here in Canada, and so far my experience with the Canadian healthcare system is far less..frustrating than the various stories I’ve been reading. I do know that people up in Canada have trouble – a big one being waiting times for Doctors.
For a long time I mostly had one perspective on the healthcare system: both of my parents are doctors, so I saw most of it through that lens.
Then, 2 years ago, my little brother suffered a bad biking accident and was in the hospital for 7 months, and we experienced the healthcare system from the other side… Not an enjoyable experience – but for different reasons than a failing system. Most of our experience with doctors/health-care proffesionals was quite positive. The issues came with various beurocratic quibbles in the rehab hospital to which my brother was transferred after the general hospital.
However, we met some very interesting people along the way – some of whom had stories to tell. One of them was a Canadian, working for an American company (covered by an American insurance company), working down in South America when he was injured. He was working as a tour guide when the van they were in rolled and he suffered a high cervical spine fracture, leaving him quadriplegic. This was where things got a bit dicey. The insurance provided by the Tour company covered him and he received the treatment he needed. However, about 8-12 months after the accident, the insurance company actually decided to *sue* him for the medical costs he’d recouped so far.
That was pretty much the first experience I had had with the American healthcare system, and I was quite…appalled. Giving that it hit so close to home, at the time (and now) I was very glad that we lived in Canada – even with the problems we have with our own healthcare system…
Just my two cents..
I hear that about the photos, I can’t stand someone just taking a photo of me. That said, more fool them for wanting to own a photo of me unless it’s an experiment in find the ‘non-photogenic specimens of society’ LOL.
But yes, while certain things are given with your actors i.e. they’re working an a TV show, the photograph can feel like a prying in to the personal.
And like you say, all it needs is for a simple question to be asked and 99 times out a 100, you’ll always get a resounding ‘yes’ from most people.
Nadine: I’ve had excellent care in the health care system in America. Sure some insurance companies are unethical! (I had to prove I wasn’t 13 months pregnant once.) That is one reason they want competition for private insurance companies here.
When I needed surgery, it was scheduled right away. If I need a specialist appointment-it’s not a problem. In the Memphis, TN area, we have specialist a plenty! Steve Jobs from Apple had his liver transplant here.
The new health care system they are proposing is a “selective” care system. I wonder if the congress/senate members will get access to things the common people will no longer be eligible for. Kind of scary to me.
I don’t believe real health care reform will happen in America until we get tort reform and since the lawyers run the senate/congress, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Tam
Hi all , Sheryl here, just got back from a 4 day cruise to Key West, Fl. and Cuzomel, Mexico (SP?) . Even had a balcony room! Very cool, Wonderful food, even Joe might like it! It’s a great way to vacation and reasonable prices, no kids, no cats, no cooking , or cleaning up, did’nt even have to make my bed!!! NOW, BACK TO REALITY!! Next up, a getaway to gainesville Fl. to see my sis and DENI B. – hope you feel better deni ! Only 4 weeks away. I just caught up on all blog days missed, wow alot, and Mr. Mcg’s q&a , very informative! Joe, i did miss reading ya every night, just felt like something was missing , yea , i know, i need a life! Well time to go thru all my e-mail and spam-ugh!. Sheryl
The Last dvd of atlantis season 5, disc 5 is out soon,
Can you tell me please, will we have the Televised version of Enemy at the gate, or the uncut version..
If its not the Uncut version, then when will we see it on DVd..
A awfull lot of people can’t afford the Blueray machine let along the price tag of the Discs them selves.
Me my self, don’t give a flying Pig about Blueray..
So Enemy at the Gate Uncut Version, on DVD When will we get it…You can be sure of one thing here hundreds if not thousands of fans want to know the same..
ROFLMAO, this is freaky. I never do those stupid things, but yesterday for some reason I don’t understand, I did a bunch at noon yesterday. Is there some virus that has infected us both? LOL but I did things like will I survive a horror movie, which True Blood Character am I, which NCIS.
@ Shirt’n’Tie: Wow, man; that’s an incredible story. I got a little misty-eyed just reading it.
Makes you think. Thank you for sharing. Really.
Hmmm, I am a window shopping, Heidi Klum, mauve lipstick wearing kinda people. Who would have guessed, thanks Joe for the opportunity to find out the true me. good luck with the program you are trying, sounds pretty flexible to me, way to go. I would have a tough choice choosing between these desserts.
Glad to hear someone has heard from Morjana, and yeah, where has Anne Teldy been, hope things are ok.
The birthday cake looked awesome on a previous blog, I was catching up, have been gone a few days, maybe I am hungry, I should go to the kitchen now.
Congrats on getting your episode in working order, Getting ready for vacation??
Have a great day!
Just got my copy of Bon Appetit today and there’s an article about restaurants in Vancouver. They mentioned Fuel. I thought you would like that!
@ Das, Nadine, and Tammy:
Tammy said, “I don’t believe real health care reform will happen in America until we get tort reform and since the lawyers run the senate/congress, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”
Good point, and going by what I hear and read, I also suspect that’s the heart of the matter. I don’t fully understand all the legal issues involved, but we all know that Americans file medically related lawsuits at a rate that boggles the mind. Some are justified, some are frivolous, some are aimed at getting revenge, and almost all seem to be talking dollar amounts in the stratosphere. It’s a horrendous situation, and so many patients, insurers, and lawyers seem to want a part of whatever damages juries are awarding (or else they’re settling things out of court, and that’s probably the bulk of the iceberg.)
Das, it’s a shame, but I think your ob-gyn doc is right about things getting worse. The AMA is doing a lot of advocacy, but not all doctors belong to the AMA, and apparently the AMA has bought trouble for itself by being incredibly selfish and autocratic in the past. But however this mess started, a lot of it gets dumped on the courts and brought up before legislators, who, as Tammy pointed out, have their own interests, although honesty is still to be found in a lot of places.
I do understand that self-advocacy, and efforts to change the system, can be a burden. Still, healthcare malfunctions — in the face of ever-changing and increasing global health problems — could wind up being one of the worst nightmares of this century, or maybe *the* worst. With so much ill-will between various interest groups, and the law not keeping up with medical realities, you have to wonder about the ultimate outcome.
Grrr! Now I’m feeling hungry for Greek food too! I went to our cities Greek fest in early June and I’m still have fond memories of the spankopita. It is a huge affair with thousands of people, both a take out and eat-in section, plus additional outdoor seating but all extremely well organized. I’m going to the Greek diner at lunch, but I will also eat my salad so that I can feel only half as guilty for the calories. BTW I am getting excited about SGU! I’ve missed those beetle sconces and shiny gates.