As much as I hated saying goodbye to my mother and sister, I have to admit that I was relieved to finally be heading home. Montreal is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
I caught an early flight out and, with the exception of some bizarre bread pudding-like catastrophe they deigned to call a spinach frittata (curiously devoid of any actual spinach), the trip back was uneventful and we ended up getting in on time. Unfortunately, we had to wait twenty-five minutes for the ground crew to figure out how to operate the new bridge that would connect us to the terminal. I sat there at my window seat and watched the guy work the controls, bringing the bridge forward, then back, then forward again, then a little too far to the right, then back, then a little further to the right, then way over to the left, then forward, then back, and so on. It was like sitting by and watching someone play a video game. You want to shout: “Left! Left! Okay, stop! Now forward! Ah, forget it! Let me try!“. The pilot came on to apologize and explain it was a new bridge and the ground crew wasn’t familiar with the equipment but they’d get it no time and, by the way, does anyone on board have to make a connecting flight? I mean, okay. They didn’t have the hang of the new equipment but, really, would it have killed them to perfect the process on their own time?
- Wait. Wait. I can do it…
- No, wait! I can do this!
Despite the delay, I arrived home in a great mood, delighted to be reunited with my dogs. Oh, and wife.
Now that I can finally sit back, relax, and access a reliable internet connection, I’d like to devote the rest of today’s entry to playing catch-up with the mailbag…
Ganymede writes: “ Don’t know if you’re at SHORELEAVE – if not, I was talking with TheTODD… mentioned *your* name… He says Hi! — Had “that” smile on his face…”
Answer: Did he happen to mention when he’ll be coming by to do a fan Q&A?
Montrealer writes: “You didn’t pick up additional reading material locally when your stash dwindled to nothing?”
Answer: I was able to ration my reading so that I finished the last book, Look To Windward, as we were touching down in Vancouver. I saved two books, Valis and The Midwich Cuckoo’s for my return.
DasNdanger writes: “I consider myself a social loner. I like chatting with people – especially strangers (explains why I’m on the net) – but when I’m done, I just want to be left alone!”
Answer: You and I are similar in that respect. While I do enjoy socializing, I’ll always prefer sitting at home watching a dvd or reading a good book.
Quade1 writes: “Your gonna love it even more when you get back here, it’s been mid to high 20s since you left and not a cloud in the forseable future!!”
Answer: Well, it’s been overcast and cool since I got back. I seem to be a bad weather magnet.
Lcshepp writes: “Word out of Shoreleave [Luttrell told] the SGA movie is a no-go. Jason was supposedly told by you it’s on. Can the SGA fans please have official word from the supposed hallowed tptb that might resemble some form of truth?”
Answer: There has been no official word on whether the movie is officially a go OR a no-go. I was told we would be making a movie and did go through the trouble of writing a script after all. When I spoke to Jason a couple of months ago, things were looking very positive and I felt an announcement was imminent. Yet despite the delay and the various economic factors that have complicated matters (not the least of which being the significant drop-off in dvd sales across the board in the past six months) I’m still confident that the movie will get made.
Sparrow_hawk writes: “ Anyway, as I said before, I hope you made sure your sister understands the new TV before you left so she can help your mom with the inevitable problems that will come up because she pressed the wrong button when she was trying to change channels!”
Answer: Already happened. She was holding the new remote upside-down and couldn’t understand why the channels wouldn’t change but the volume would get louder.
Sam Cavanaugh writes: “But The Wind Beneath My Wings and You Raise Me UP the same song? My suggestion is that you listen again!”
Answer: Never ever again if I can help it.
Quade1 writes: “i know your jet lagged and tired. but do you have any info on the wraith language?”
Answer: This was a perfect question for the gang at playback to answer. Where were you when Krista McLean dropped by to do her Q&A?
Josh Taylor writes: “How are the final two episodes going for Season One?”
Answer: Paul has already gone to script on episode 19. I received notes on the outline for 20 and plan to start work on the script later in the week.
Deeinsouthafrica writes: “I personally hate being forced into piracy.”
Answer: Same. I can’t wield a cutlass to save my life.
Chevron7 writes: “Is the dog twitter feed in the sidebar new or have I not been paying attention?”
Answer: It’s new. And you haven’t been paying attention.
Nadine writes: “Just a quick question: is it just me, or was that Atlantis on your t-shirt in the picture?”
Answer: Yes, it is. It was a crew gift for the show’s fifth season.
AnnieFromFreemantle writes: “ That restaurant has Oh My God food! Wow.. I’d have to visit the gym 7 days in a row (might as well camp there) to work off all that food.. looks heavenly and so decadent. No protestors there this time?”
Answer: No, this was Montreal. If the protesters showed, they’d get their asses handed to them.
Coronach writes: “Do you know what the circumstances of getting Janelle Monae to perform on the show were? By this I mean, was someone a fan of hers and wanted her on, or was there another reason behind it?”
Answer: The episode called for a club scene with background music by a performer. We looked into several possibilities and ultimately decided on Janelle. She has quite a few fans in the production office.
Maddog316 writes: “” How old is the Character Vala?” if you could provide you insight on this and use it to put the isseu to rest.”
Answer: Sorry to say that, at this point, I don’t even remember.
Sparrow_hawk writes: “I love Russian Tea Cakes! Does your mom put finely chopped or ground nuts in hers?”
Answer: Yep. Walnuts I believe.
Mishmee writes: “Um, does your mother ever ask you if you are ever going to get a real job?”
Answer: When I first left my 9 to 5 job as a Manager of Animation Development for life as a freelancer, my parents were horrified, figuring I was giving up job security for professional uncertainty. Some fifteen years later, I think mom has finally come around and accepted my career choice.
Quade1 writes: “did anyone correctly guess the names of episodes 18-19 or was it 19-20? what were the clues again?”
Answer: It was 19 and 20. And, yes, a couple of people guessed correctly. I just never confirmed their correct guesses.
Eric Stewart writes: “Taste of the Islands: Fine Caribbean Creole cuisine.”
Answer: That’s one thing Montreal does do well – Caribbean and Creole. What I’d give for a good Cajun restaurant in Vancouver.
Laurence Moroney writes: “Thanks for promoing the site on your blog. I’ve been a reader of yours for some time, though I sometimes hate reading your blog as I end up super hungry afterwards.”
Answer: Great job on the site. And if I ever do get down to Seattle, I’ll definitely look you up.
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