So, I finally found out what’s wrong with my dishwasher. Turns out it’s Al Gore. According to the repairman, there’s nothing wrong with the machine per se. Apparently, it takes two and half hour to clean dishes and occasionally leaves soap in the dispenser because it’s “better for the environment”. Sure, I’ve only had the damn thing for six months and its performance pales in comparison to that ten year old model that would get my dishes spotless in one fifth the time, but that’s neither here nor there because the important thing is I’m helping to save the planet one oatmeal-crusted spoon at a time.
The repairman advised me NOT to rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher because those food particles are what soak up the soap. I countered that while they may soak up the soap, more often than not, those food particles don’t wash off completely, leaving me with glassware and cutlery as dirty post-wash as pre-load. Thank God my new environmentally-friendly dishwasher does an equally shit-poor job of drying its contents or I’d be stuck with all sorts of dried-on and crusted disasters. “Yeah, you want to rinse off your dishes, but not too much,”said the repairman. “It’s hard finding the right balance.”
He was sympathetic, confiding that dishwashers aren’t the only “convenience” to suffer at the hands of the eco-autocrats. Refrigerators are louder, ovens don’t heat as effectively, and toilets – oh, don’t get me started on those fucking low-flow toilets. We may have laughed at the SNL parody, but I’m sure Edible Pampers are not that far from reality.
Look, it’s not like I hate the planet. I just hate people who want to save it. Or, more accurately, idiots who insist on shoving their fallacious agendas down everyone’s throats by imposing carbon taxes, charging for supermarket bags, and, yes, making it so it takes almost three fucking hours to do a load of dishes. I’m perfectly willing to listen to reason, but I refuse to be lectured to by an individual who has done more to adversely impact the environment than I have by, say –
eating meat (http://environmentalism.suite101.com/article.cfm/is-eating-meat-bad-for-the-environment),
eating fish (http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/03/15/bc-fish-guidelines.html),
driving a Prius (http://hubpages.com/hub/Prius),
using fluorescent light bulbs (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7431198),
reading physical books (http://dissociatedpress.com/2009/09/is-reading-a-book-bad-for-the-environment/),
divorcing or being divorced (http://www.thestar.com/News/article/282251),
googling (http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5489134.ece),
wearing manufactured clothing (http://www.natural-environment.com/blog/2008/01/23/why-clothes-are-bad-for-the-environment/),
consuming organic produce (http://www.science20.com/news/why_organic_food_is_bad_for_the_environment),
burying a loved one (http://thesoko.com/thesoko/article1301-0.html),
having a child (http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2009/jul/family-planning-major-environmental-emphasis),
or being green (http://www.neatorama.com/2010/07/21/why-going-green-is-actually-bad-for-the-environment/).
Like most self-important know-it-alls, these people are much, much better at telling others what to do than actually doing anything themselves. Instead of boosting their feelings of self-worth by haranguing SUV drivers or eating with the lights off for one hour a year, why don’t they actually do something that makes a difference? According to a report by Greenpeace in “2008, the top three Chinese power companies together emitted more than the total greenhouse gas emissions of the United Kingdom in the same year” at a global cost of $13 billion in environmental damage. If they really cared about the planet, these so-called green crusaders would be in China, lobbying the government there to shape up, thereby doing their part to really help the environment.
Or, alternately, ending up in some forced labor camp.
Either way, I’d say it will have been well worth it.
Mailbag:
Annie From Freemantle writes: “The dinner looked like dog turds. I kid you not.
http://tinypic.com/r/2564mle/3”
Answer: Wow. They got the color right and everything. That’s really hard to do.
Narelle from Aus writes: “How’s your Mum’s going?”
Answer: Mom is doing well and back at work three days a week.
Thornyrose writes: “Now, how is that act two progressing?”
Answer: Quite slowly. I’m 22 pages into the script and two scenes away from the end of the second act.
Ponytail writes: “Hey Joe, would you ask Carl what he would recommend from Chili’s”
Answer: I will the next time I see him. Or, you could just ask him yourself – twitter.com/cpbinder
Bilo&Bella writes: “I recently heard about the wine-fed cattle in BC which are suppose to make excellent beef products (kinda like the Kobe beef idea). Have you tried it yet?”
Answer: I’m not sure what restaurants serve the meat outside of Kelowna (where, no doubt, Jonas has enjoyed a good rib steak or two).
Ian Z. writes: “1. What would you change about the first season of SGU? Could be a line, or it could be a theme.
2. Would the producers/writers/whoever-else-makes-these-decisions ever consider going back and updating the SG1/SGA graphics to make them all match? For example the hyperspace windows are all different between the three series for the Daedalus ships. (examples can be found here: http://forums.stargateworlds.com/showthread.php?t=35776)”
Answers: 1. I would no more change anything about SGU’s first season than I would a season of Chuck or House or Reno 911! Brad and Robert created the series and it would be pretty presumptuous of me to second-guess them after the fact.
2. Nope. There was a conscious decision made to differentiate visuals like the hyperspace windows.
Ian Z. also writes: “So, someone on a forum I visit noticed that the suits from the “Lost Tribe” Asgard, and then Destiny’s Ancient suits are identical except for the helmet. (side by side picshttp://forums.stargateworlds.com/showthread.php?t=35159 )
1. Is this just because the suits were expensive and it allowed for a good time to reuse them? Or are we to assume this is because of the alliance? OR will the Asgard come into play at some point in SGU?
2. Will the Furlings or Nox be explored at all in SGU? (I know you don’t like the mythology story lines, so I don’t expect you to write it if you do think it will come in to play 
even though i’m sure you’d do great!)”
Answers: 1. Yes, no, and maybe.
2. No plans to explore either on SGU. Sorry.
Danielle Dyer writes: “After chatting with you in the office , I had to check out your blog.”
Answer: Hey, Danielle, thanks for stopping by. See you next week – and, quite possibly, on set one of these days.
E writes: “Is it true that there will finally be a TJ backstory episode in the back half of season 2?”
Answer: Working on it right now.
Jenks writes: “I hope the ‘edge of the universe’ line was just character ignorance, otherwise you need to fire your scientific advisor’s!”
Answer: Nope, we’re actually going to do a story where Destiny topples off the edge of the universe. Either that or reaches the end of the universe and has to turn around and go back the way they came.
Chris M. writes: “Hey Joe i was wondering if you have any behind the scenes pics of Rhona Mitra?”
Answer: Nope. Sorry.
MMert writes: “1. I’m in the U.S. Navy so I’m very curious why there never seems to be any Navy personnel in any Stargate series. Considering Navy personnel are generally much more accustomed to the long deployments and living conditions in a confined ship than Air Force personnel I would think we might see at least a few. Is there any chance I’ll eventually get to see a fellow sailor?
2. Will we find out anything more about the incredibly advanced aliens that created the planet/solar system in SGU season 1′s “Faith”?
3. Will we find out anything more about the aliens/civilization that left the ruins in SGU season 1′s “Lost”?
4. Will we find out anything more about what happened to Franklin when he disappeared after using the Ancient chair in SGU season 1′s “Justice”?
5. Should we expect any alternate timeline/alternate reality SGU episodes in the future?”
Answers: 1. Since the Stargate Program has established as being an Air Force operation, there was seldom opportunity to work in any Naval personnel.
2-5: Not for now, a little, yes, and definitely – and not necessarily in that order.
DP writes: “Were fifth acts so infernal when you were writing more stand-alone episodes?”
Answer: Are you kidding? Fifth Acts are the easiest acts, relatively speaking.
dioxholster writes: “oh and fans have been speculating about an MGM trailer, is that true?”
Answer: Sorry, haven’t heard anything about an MGM trailer.
dasNdanger writes: “Hope you’re feeling better today, Joe. If you play your cards right, you could get another day of pampering and meals in bed…maybe even a foot massage…if you’re that sort of man. Are you that sort of man, Joe??”
Answer: I don’t know. Are you offering?
Major D. Davis writes: “1. Any updates on the movies? Any more discussions take place on the SG-1 movie? Any new talk on the SGA movie?
2. I heard that the trailer released at comic con is a syfy trailer. Any chance we’ll see an MGM trailer for season 2.0?
3. Whats your favorite episode from season 2.0?
4. Have you guys filmed Visitation yet?”
Answers: 1. Not since the last time someone asked last week.
2. Sorry. Haven’t heard anything about an MGM trailer.
3. So far, Malice.
4. Nope. It’s first up after the hiatus.
dasNdanger writes: “Joe – my niece, ladyhgiggles – says you need one of these:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/japanese/74a3/”
Answer: Akemi says I don’t.
dasNdanger also writes: “1. Joe, have you ever had a man-crush on a celebrity? If so, who?
2. Are you ticklish? if so, where?
3. Have you been ‘French kissed’ by any of you dogs? If so, who is the worst culprit?
4. If forced, who would you rather dine with – a tramp, or a teamster?”
Answers: 1. When I was a kid, I was a huge Roddy McDowall fan. Does that count?
2. Nope. Not ticklish at all. Don’t even bother trying.
3. Not french kissed but I’ve had my face sneezed on on more than one occasion. Jelly’s the best and looking seemingly disinterested, then suddenly whipping around and letting fly.
4. Oh, a teamster, definitely, because they’d be more likely to treat.
Chevron7 writes: ”
1. If you had the power to crossover two current tv shows (don’t worry about networks etc) what would they be?
2. What’s on the SGU 1.5 bluray that’s gonna knock my socks off? What should I watch first?
3. Have you seen Teddy Almond Turtle the pug that sings along with the Batman theme song? Cute vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrIp3k5pJQM&feature=player_embedded
4. What do you have against fruit?”
Answers: 1. South Park and Coronation Street circa 1972.
2. I don’t know. What?
3. I have. I’d have actually been impressed if he sang the theme song to the old Adam West series.
4. I was harassed by a pineapple in elementary school. That may have something to do with it.
DasNdanger also writes: “Hey, Joe – sorry for being such a pain in the arse, but would it be possible for you – or Akemi – to tell me if this is Chinese, or Japanese: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/dasNdanger/bottle.jpg”
Answer: Akemi says old Chinese kanji.
Jim writes: “1. Looking back, do you think that a rewording of the SGA movie greenlight announcement in 2008 would have negated some of the negativism towards SGU? Instead of saying the SGA movie was “greenlit”, the release said “we plan to make the movie soon in the near future” for example. ( And yes I know you don’t control the press announcements just looking for YOUR opinion)
2. What is most difficult about writing for an ensemble cast, compared to a smaller core team in previous Stargate incarnations? Would you compare the cast to ST:TNG where all seven members from Picard to Wesley were featured, or ST:TOS where Kirk, Spock, and Bones took center stage?
3. What is your favorite episode from SGU first season, and your least favorite? (Yes you have to pick one, and even if you didn’t write it don’t chicken out and not mention it)”
Answers: 1. That’s just Monday morning quarterbacking. At the time of the announcement, all involved had every intention of making the movie. What should have been done differently was announcing the pick-up of SGU in the same press release as the SGA cancellation. It inferred a link between the two that didn’t exist.
2. It’s definitely more of a ST:TNG situation. The biggest challenge is obvious: servicing all of your main players.
3. My favorite is Time. Loved the episode, loved the ending.
Joe, I completely agree with everything you said in your green rant. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Have a good night!
Ok let me unscramble this
2. Will we find out anything more about the incredibly advanced aliens that created the planet/solar system in SGU season 1′s “Faith”?
a little
3. Will we find out anything more about the aliens/civilization that left the ruins in SGU season 1′s “Lost”?
Not for Now
4. Will we find out anything more about what happened to Franklin when he disappeared after using the Ancient chair in SGU season 1′s “Justice”?
Yes
5. Should we expect any alternate timeline/alternate reality SGU episodes in the future?”
Definitely
Or maybe number 4 was definitely and number 5 was yes. Either way its pretty close.
SO how’d I do?
Hey Joe? In “Revisions”, the doohickey they wore on their temples to access the thingie, remember? Ok, why were they taking it off like it was nothing in the beginning but then whatshisname freaked out when Carter told him to take it off and he would be ok?
@Das: You and that can of worms… 😉
Jeez, lazybones. You could wash your dishes by hand, you know.
And why do you assume people with a social conscience don’t practice what they preach?
Hey Joe do you like any british sci-fi like Doctor Who or Torchwood or Ufo?
Yeah, we got a new dishwasher a couple months ago, when our “old” one died at the ripe old age of…5 years. The first time we ran the new dishwasher I was convinced there was something wrong with it. Two hours and it still wasn’t finished? Was it going to be going all damned night?
At somewhere around the two and a half hour mark, it finally finished. Sure, it gets the dishes clean, but I’m really confused about how having an appliance run for 2.5 hours instead of 45 minutes is saving energy.
Infernal – I was referring to the June 9 post title. It makes more sense when I go back and read the context, but something about that title stuck in my head and took on a life of its own.
For your dishwasher, if you have a basket that sits close to the soap dispenser, make sure nothing is getting in the way of it opening.
Our house has 1960’s toilets.
For kids and environmental impact, our little family can’t afford to consume much in resources and there’s no guarantee the planet will survive long enough for them to contribute to exponential population growth so, no worries.
How could anyone hate Al? Ok, maybe that masseuse that is accusing him of groping her. Or the people who did wonderful/heroic/altruistic things but missed out on the Nobel Peace prize to someone that narrated a “film”. If you are going to hate Al, there are many more reasons than a dishwasher inconvenience. 🙄
Hubby agrees with all your sites. He has run those links past me before. He loves to rant, as well.
My physicist friend had informed me about Prius but I still want one. It gets nearly 50 miles per gallon!!!!!!
Thanks for the Q & A!
Hey Joe!
Look at this blooper i saw in SGU Episode 1×14 Human
That looks like a branch from a tree not a car
I hear you about toilets! They recently had this free toilet exchange program. Bring in your old toilet and get a new low flush for free. A free toilet? That right there tells you how crappy (pardon the pun) they are. They’re gonna have to break into my house and drag my old normal flush toilet out from under my big butt before I’ll ever give it up!
You are a man after my own heart. Or at least I like the way you think, since it is similiar to mine. Loved the green rant. Like you, I have nothing against the environment, and I really don’t mind doing little things to help out. But having measures that range from a) innocous but useless, b) doesn’t do any measurable amount of good but sounds like it does, c) is pure propoganda and is designed to guilt people into following certain behaviors d) a money making scheme by one group of people forcing us to buy certain products or services, to e) actually does as much or more harm as the older methods, but some ignoramous not held accountable by anyone thinks it does good so we pay for it. All of these and more start making me think the so called nut case survivalist types in the far west may have a point about their anti-government tendencies. Anyways, all that is to say great job in skewering all of these folks. And you actually cursed! Sometimes a crude response conveys more than paragraphs full of ranting.
Mailbag appreciated. Best of luck on slogging through the rest of the story, and looking forward to more Jelly pictures and videos.
Since most people rinse their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, I’ve always been of the opinion – why bother putting them in the dishwasher at all if what you are doing is half washing it to start with? So much faster to hand wash.
Best greeny I’ve ever known – somebody who painted themselves green.
I vote no more answering Stargate related movie questions, and in turn you promise to let us know when you here any information.
Joe, I am starting a project in my Menu Managment class, part of it is developing a menu, finding a market to open up shop in, and costing the recipes in the menu. I am thinking of a venue in Japan or S. Korea and Tex-Mex cuisine, or some similar “American” Cuisine being the featured food. I need your help, in your opinion as a foodie as well as Akemi’s opinion as a Japanese, would there be a market for that in Japan? I understand it would be risky and probably more of an attraction for tourists, but I was hoping to get the real deal opinion from you and Akemi since she is still on her visit with you. Can you help me out with this in your brilliant big brain?
On another note it might not hurt to open up shop on or near an American base just so they can get that little bit of home.
**OMG**!!! [oh and I’m devout atheist BTW] I just about destroyed my local eco-system and pissed myself reading your global-warmed-over dishwasher “experience”!! My elderly Mother echoes the EXACT same sentiment over our new portable washer!! EVERYTIME we use it! At this point, we were blaming it on the soap that came with it [the machine is a few months old], as we too, pre-soak and rinse the already dried up encrusted food off…
Personally, I think all of these *NEW* appliances, are part of an International Marketing Conspiracy. That, in fact, just about *EVERYTHING* that comes with a “warranty”, has been specifically designed and engineered to self-destruct at least one week AFTER said expiry date!! And, in turn, forcing one to purchase another, and another, and so on…
And YES! F*cking Low-Flow Toilets actually DO waste twice the water!!! I try to avoid staying at hotels that have them. Just see how *many* times you have to flush your “business” with one of those crappy things when you’re on the 20th floor!! If they want to “save” water, install airplane-suck-out-your-innards ones instead.
And don’t get ME started on this whole CO2 business! One equatorial volcano kicks out more CO2 and other party-favours in ONE HOUR than ALL of the PLANET’s *TOTAL* emissions in 2 MONTHS!!
Oh, and let’s not forget that whole Cows FARTING theory!! It’s funny that we didn’t have this CO2 [or whatever comes out of bovines] problem 300 years ago when MOST of North America was covered black with millions of Buffalo!!! The sound of farting back then should have been deafening enough to cause massive landslides!
And melting Ice Caps…? Are caused by warming from BELOW. Either by warming oceans or earth. BOTH of which that are warmed by a warming CRUST. Which is warmed by MAGMA and TECTONIC activity!! Ozone holes and air quality have NOTHING to do with it!! But Sunspots and other astronomical gravitational anomalies DO!
Welcome Folks, to our particular infinitely fractional nano-second existence in THIS Universe! Oh, and watch out for that ginormous honking ROCK that’s about to make all of this AND Us, pretty much a *moot* point!!
1. Just got back from our annual trip to the Wildwood Boardwalk – ate Curley’s Fries, funnel cake, and Kohr Bros custard. Let’s see if I end up feeling like you did, Joe. 😛
2. We stood on the boardwalk and watched the moon rise – it was huge and blood red. Just lovely, especially with the lights from all the amusements around.
3. @ Joe – Thanks for answering so many of my questions. And no…I’m not offering, but Mr. Das does give a wicked mean foot rub, if you’re ever interested. 😉 Oh, and Roddy counts…but it also makes your answer really, really creepy. 🙂 And thank Akemi for me about the writing on the bottle…I was leaning towards Chinese, but just needed confirmation (pg15 was pretty sure it was Chinese, too).
4. @ Deni – Can o’ Worms is my middle name! 😀
That’s it for now…I’m totally pooped and will have to read the blog and comments in more detail tomorrow. Right now I gots to go seepy byes. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
das
Oh, and one last thing….
Joe, you’d hate me. I am one of those who would love to save the planet…probably why I fell so hard for Prince Nuada in Hellboy II. But I won’t get started on that right now – I’m sure you’ve had enough of me and my ‘save the Wraith’ rants, so I’ll save my ‘save the Earth’ rant for another time…perhaps after you’ve had a good food massage. 🙂
das
Joe, I think you need a hug.
Yes, those new dishwashers do usually take up to two hours to do a load. It doesn’t really bother me that much. We don’t rinse the dishes (I have teenagers doing the dishes). It seems to work just fine. My water bill actually went down when I got a new one. And it is quieter. The other one we had you could hear all the way at the other end of the house. My refrigerator is quieter than my old one too. My new washer uses a lot less water than my old one, plus it does a better job. You gotta research these things before buying. There are pieces of crap appliances out there, let me tell you. The one thing I hate about my dishwasher though is it doesn’t dry them completely. I just want them to work correctly. Using less water is a bonus, I guess.
FYI, if you’re looking for a new toilet, go with Toto.
Why are people who drive Priuses usually not very nice? Not anyone on here. They drive in the carpool lane, going at or under the speed limit. Didn’t they know that being in the carpool means you have to go really fast? I almost had a lady in a Prius run over me in a parking lot today. They’re so quiet, they freak me out. Yeah, one of my best friends has one.
FYI–every freaking appliance in my house died in the last two years. That’s why I’ve had to replace almost all of them! Geez.
@where Destiny topples off the edge of the universe
Lol. That should totally be a spoof ending Joe, or something equally funny, if placed at a well placed point in the series. You know like a dream or something.
BTW, did you hear about that “ECO-TAX” that the Ontario Govt tried to sneak in this month? *THAT* lasted for about as long as it took for CANADIAN TIRE [for the non-Canucks here, CT has its own CURRENCY!] to notice the rise in complaints and drop in customers!
And then, there’s the *lovely* GREEN BIN project that the City of Ottawa is forcing the taxpayers to fund, even though, most people are using the things for OTHER uses!
However, for those that are… Okay, 3 words – Heatwave [+30C for 4 weeks], Decomposition, MAGGOTS!!! — Apparently, the folks at City Hall have NEVER watched a CSI episode!! Especially, that little entomological tidbit about FLIES laying EGGS within *30 SECONDS* of necrosis!!
Ah, some KLINGON snacks, Anyone…?
oh and joe your whole green rant I can sympathize as far as the ecological impact, but I think the organic bit is more or less geared more towards the consumer side of food, not the ecological impact (although to some small degree).
http://www.theanimenetwork.com/images/fbfiles/images/funny_dog_pictures_psychiatrist_pug2.jpg
This should make you smile
OT: I trust this community, so copying my plea here (thanks, Joe).
Recommendations, please? Replacing 4-yr-old HP printer /scanner /copier. Heavy home office use: document /web printing, photocopying, scanning. Very little photo printing. Windows Vista compatible and Wired / wireless printing desired. $75–$125 price range. Stay with HP or change brands? (5 minutes ago)
Adding my GREEN rant: Would love to see unused asphalt parking spaces reclaimed as permeable cover, maybe even replanted or wildscaped.
Speaking of environmentalism… I just finished reading the fourth book in the Maximum Ride series, a kids’/YA series about a bunch of part-bird kids with wings. The first three were pretty good (despite some glaring plot holes)–mostly action stories about these kids on the run from evil scientists and their various genetically/technologically machined minions. Then I get to the fourth one, and the major driving force of the bird kids’ story is… going to Antarctica to help scientists catalog penguins. If they hadn’t gotten kidnapped by a really lame villain from nowhere, nothing at all would have happened. But the villain is easily dispatched by a freak hurricane and the bird kids go tell Congress why global warming is destroying the world and really need to do something about it RITE NAO! or the world will go kablooey. It was just so, so bad. Talk about a message getting in the way of a story.
oh. look…. A camel in the Sahara must have pooped in quicksand [the *original* low-flow toilet!], causing Kono, the Coconut Guy in YAP to drop one of his giant loose change coins down a mountainside to accidently set off that earthquake…
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010zfak.php
Joe said: “3. I have. I’d have actually been impressed if he sang the theme song to the old Adam West series.”
Uh, Joe, maybe you were kidding, but that IS the theme to the live-action “Batman” of 1960–1966. I watched that series as faithfully then as I watch SGU now. (Yes, I’m nine years older than you.).
Hey Joe,
Don’t know if this has been asked before, but the question about the hyperspace windows reminded me of it again: why did the visual effect of travelling through the wormhole change on SG1 between season 8 and 9? I get why you guys came up with a new wormhole effect when Atlantis started, but why convert SG1’s as well? In other words I miss the original from the movie and the first 7 seasons!
Hey Joe, I’ve commented here before as “My Name Is Scott”, but it’ll probably be this from now on.
I’ve got a recommendation for both Ponytail and Carl Binder for what to get at Chili’s. I’m not sure if it’s on the menu anymore or not (it’s not here), but they’ll still make it. It’s the grilled shrimp alfredo. Seriously fantastic. And filling. It’s my favorite meal from a Chili’s/TGIFridays/Applebees-style place.
Those truly going about their business in an Earth conscious way aren’t noticed. They’re out living their lives…
Sorry about leaving out the important word, hip, in my question Joe. Any day ending in ‘y’ means I shouldn’t be allowed near a keyboard. Glad to hear your Mum is doing well though.
Tammy – Thanks for the travel well-wishes. I’m going to freaking need the day at the start before the work begins to de-stress my brain. I’m ready to start punching things. But only 2 more days left of being the boss. It’s starting to sink in.
Joe I have to agree with you on this “green” stuff. I’ve got one of those so called water conservation toilets and its real pain some times and the fact that the state of California has made it illegal to buy the good stuff doesn’t help.
Hi Joe!
Speaking of the ending of “Time”, any chances of getting more episodes with similar-concept endings? Not the same topic of course but, more like, the concept of “okay, we trust that the viewers are intelligent enough to figure it out”. More like that?
There have been some episodes kind of like that already, spectacular episode endings. However, not quite as blatant and well-pronounced as the ending of Time.
It’d be neat if at least 1 of the episodes in season 2 would have an ending with that concept.
🙂
Sean
hmmm… I never ever had problems with any kind of ecofriendly machinery. And I’m supporting ecofriendly.
But if I were you I’d return that bloody dishwasher. before I’d submit to that much of a hassle I’d rather wash the dishes myself.
I’m all for saving the environment and everything but I always say that you can’t do everything to save it.
You know like I’m vegetarian because of the methane being produced but then I still eat eggs and fish and cheese. But it’s just as far as I want to go. And I also buy the cheapest food possible as I just can’t afford anything else.
Hi Joe!
Haven’t been able to read your blog for a while. I’m happy I started following in time to catch your annual green rant!
oris and ancients formed only one before.
We have never had the opportunity to be able to observe one of alteran ship.
given that the destiny is the oldest ancient ship we have ever known.
Is that possible he could looks be like the ships were before the seperation of ancients and oris
The new SGU trailer looks really cool. It’s going to be interesting to see how {edit}. It actually took me two viewings of the trailer to get excited. The first time around my inner geek got so hung up by the nonsensical “edge of the universe” line that I was unable to properly process the rest of the trailer. Does anyone know what {edit} job was before arriving on Destiny? I’m going to guess he isn’t an astrophysicist. Any chance that Chloe turns out to be the {edit} based on the short scene in the trailer where {edit}? He was by far the best {edit}.
@ganymede: Your arguments regarding global warming are either demonstrably false or supported by no evidence. For example, let’s examine your statement that “One equatorial volcano kicks out more CO2 and other party-favours in ONE HOUR than ALL of the PLANET’s *TOTAL* emissions in 2 MONTHS”. The truth is that subaerial volcanoes emit about 250 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year (Morner 2002). Humans emit about 30 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year according to the EIA (an agency within the Department of Energy). This means that humans emit 120 times more carbon dioxide per year than volcanoes.
{Sorry. Had to do a little creative editing. Several fans haven’t seen the trailer – which does include spoilers.
If anyone wants to comment on spoiler specifics in the future, please put a spoiler warning at the top of your post.
Thanks.
Joe}
about the planet, i dont hate it either but i do hate the fact that I have to share it with bugs and germs and all icky things.
As for the being green thing, its a mixed bag; some tech benefit from it and other tech dont. Im lead to believe by the media that “green” are better in general, especially cars and electronics. And thats not so bad, they consume less power and that means you dont have to pay much in the long run. But I wasnt aware that it will reduce their performance.
after checking those sites, all i can say is wow, I dont know if its a media thing or what. I think as with anything, “activists/supporters” go overboard when they are passionate for something especially when society gives them a free ticket to do whatever they want. Be it environmentalism or PETA or just simply a political correctness maniac; whatever they are into that fills some void in their life. The problem is that we actually get sucked into their world easily.
MGM release nice trailers that dont spoil much, they convey it better. So its a shame. I will try my best to not see the trailer though or see the interviews on youtube, btw, does Robert Carlyle understand the concept of spoilers? haha he looks excited though, moreso than pre-season 1 interviews where he seemed uncomfortable alittle and kept to himself. I think maybe now he knows he made the right decision in joining stargate. Probably because its more fun. wait what am I saying, didnt he get tortured?!!
okay I havent been following which scripts youre doing now exactly, but are they action-packed as the last ones you did? the first season, you seemed to get all the actiony fast-paced episodes.
@ ganthetjr – thanks “My Name Is Scott”! I love grilled shrimp, so I’ll give it a try. We’ll just pretend it is Carl’s favorite too!
@ganymede Just getting the ‘Green Bins’? We’ve had them for years here in Oshawa. I had to take the hose to the large ‘outside’ box every 2 weeks just to be able to get close enough to bring it back in from the curb. I can’t imagine what it’s like for the poor suckers that have to empty them every day.
@Gilder Stick with HP. With all the problems I keep hearing about from the ‘other’ printer makers, HP is your best bet. I’ve still got an 11 or 12 year old HP 5L, and a HP laserjet 3200 and a Hp deskjet 5550. I’ve not known anyone who’s been happy with a Brother a Canon or Lexmark. I’m not sure how Epsons quality has faired but they used to make fine machines.
Elminster
Hey Joe…
1. Asuming, SG-1 movie will be green-lighted in winter 2010/2011. How long from that moment on would it be, until the movie get’s finished? The first both movies were close to the end of SG-1. I think, now it takes more time?!
2. Do you have any plans to appear yourself as a cameo in SGU? Or have you been in there before and we only didn’t see you? 😛
3. Have you ever watched any fan movie about stargate? I know, you aren’t allowed to copy the stories 😉 , but have you ever seen one? And if so…which one? What’s your opinon about such projects?
(little selection: http://www.stargatefanfilme.de )
I am so on the same rant page as you. I’ve just about had it – and living in Ottawa is particularly frustrating with the constipated city council that we have.
I’m ducking into sci-fi as much as I can and skipping the news. So far I’ve seen Star Trek Voyager – all 7 seasons and now am on Enterprise. I was unable to see it when it was live and now that it’s over, am wondering why (again) that the suits (who, I don’t think know anything about science fiction or the fans) seem to think themselves experts on what should be on TV and constantly cancel quality shows.
Watching a show live does not necessarily guarantee that it won’t be cancelled… why do they expect anyone to bother when they seem to cancel shows on a whim. What do we have left???… mindless and silly sit coms and sometimes absolutely stooopid “reality” shows.
I guess that’s another rant… 🙁
Exactomundo on the rant….they tell us to conserve, conserve, conserve and what do they do??? They raise your utility bills and make you buy appliances that use more power or water. Yeah, makes perfect sense to me 🙄
in regards to the “edge of the universe” question. When you say Destiny will topple off the edge of the universe, you are referring to the well known fact that the universe is flat, correct?
Das, I love ThinkGeek. It’s my favorite website.
Hey Joe, I finally found Masked! only took a week. Now I need to hammer through it as quick as i can.
There’s only so far I’m willing to go to be green and low flow toilets (and crappy dishwashers – add that to the list) just isn’t in the cards for me. If you have to flush more often to do the same job, how is that conserving anything? How is taling more time to do less work conserving anything? Something seriously wrong in that thinking.
I’m glad you mentioned Malice as a favorite. I haven’t seen a thing of it and I’m already jonesing for the episode.
Lurking… lots of catching up to do, brain is not up to it though. I do have a Jelly-smile though, that’s nice.
Random thought: it really, really sucks being the responsible adult when you were raised as the baby girl of the family. I am having an :I shouldn’t be the one who has to do this” kinda day.
Second random thought: I did make a wise decision to have the dove release after the 21 gun salute at dad’s memorial. Scared the birds, but was less tacky than releasing the birds and having the honor guard raise their rifles…..
OMG Joe!
I couldn’t friggin’ agree more with you on the green movement! The whole world is going down the green eco-crapper (low flow of course, so we’ll probably get stuck!).
Anyways, I also just saw the season 2.0 SyFy promo on the web and I now have to say….. Why the hell is is not September 28th yet!!!! Seriously, looks fantastic and I can’t wait.
Comment about the promo… There is a scene with Dr. Rush and in the background is a blurry [spoiler edit], why show me this!! I wanna see how, why, who, what…AHHHH!
Obviously, the crew at your workplace is doing their jobs and doing them well. I eagerly await the new season. Early congrats to everyone involved!
Joe,
I also am sick of this eco-friendly crap. NUKE THE WHALES! BURN THE OCEANS! EXTRA-HIGH FLOW TOILETS!
Answer: Akemi says I don’t.
Well, that answers that then. 😉
Really frantically busy today, so can’t really sit and ‘chat’ – but I am a bit disturbed by how many people DON’T want to help the planet. If the planet dies, we die…but I guess more people are concerned with their personal comfort now than the survival of future generations, or that of the beautiful and varied animal life that calls this planet home, too.
Shame we are such selfish bastards…we don’t really deserve such a magnificent home as planet earth.
das
Whew, that was a long one!
Bravo for telling it like it is re ecowarriors. Every sane person wants a clean environment, but this current “movement/religion” is just nuts.
Might I suggest a module in your sidebar entitled “Have their been any updates on the SG Movies” “Yes/No” [Date module last updated here].
People would have no reason to keep asking then.
Hey Joe. You’re environmental rant reminds me of a book I read, The Last Centurion by John Ringo.
“Ocean currents have a lag that runs from five hundred to 10 thousand years. Anything that ocean currents were doing, now, was because of something that happened a long time ago.
Here’s how it really works. And it’s more complicated than ‘CO2 makes the temperature rise!. Reuse, reduce, recycle! SUV owners are global terrorists!’
Cosmic rays are produced from big stars exploding a long way away. They’re all over the place in any galaxy and Earth is constantly bombarded by them. Cosmic rays hitting water droplets in the upper atmosphere form clouds. These clouds cool the Earth. Cosmic ray impact is controlled by solar winds. What are solar winds?
The sun is a big ball of fusing hydrogen that pumps out an enormous amount of power every second. It not only emits heat and light but particles that fly out headed for deep space. Solar wind. When there’s a lot of solar wind, it blows back the cosmic rays so less get to Earth. Less cosmic rays, less clouds. Things warm up. More cosmic rays, more clouds, things cool down. Decreased solar activity equals decreased solar wind. Decreased solar wind equals more cosmic rays impacting the Earth. More cosmic rays equals more clouds. More clouds equal cooler temperatures. QE Fucking D.
Child translation: less solar output equals cooler temperatures. But not by direct effect. This had been studied repeatedly, proven rigorously and WAS the reason for Earth’s long term heating and cooling trends. Or, hell, short term.
“But CO2 tracks with temperature!”
Sort of. CO2 increases lag behind temperature increases. CO2 increases in the atmosphere are a result of temperature increases, not the cause of temperature increases. They track 800 years later. Something that changes 800 years later cannot be a cause. It’s an effect (ice core data taken from glaciers prove this). Why?
Boyle’s Law. Go see “oceans as CO2 repositories.” It’s ok. I’ll wait.
Back? Okay.
Less solar output equals colder temperatures. (Also, in 800 years, less CO2. In the meantime, it’s going to keep increasing.)”
I thought you might like that, and the following:
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/05/22/a-look-at-human-co2-emissions-vs-ocean-absorption/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milankovitch_cycles
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11640-climate-myths-ice-cores-show-co2-rising-as-temperatures-fell.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_variation
Ganymede said: “And then, there’s the *lovely* GREEN BIN project that the City of Ottawa is forcing the taxpayers to fund, even though, most people are using the things for OTHER uses!
However, for those that are… Okay, 3 words – Heatwave [+30C for 4 weeks], Decomposition, MAGGOTS!!! — Apparently, the folks at City Hall have NEVER watched a CSI episode!! Especially, that little entomological tidbit about FLIES laying EGGS within *30 SECONDS* of necrosis!!”
LOL!! I can *so* relate! My husband, who is from Halifax where they have been composting for *years*, insisted that we start that too, especially since we have to fund it anyway. Of course, Halifax doesn’t get the kind of humidity that we get…. and voila…. maggots!!… all over our garage floor and driveway! EEEWWWW. I had never seen a maggot before in my life until then. Personally, I’d rather hold off composting until the fall when it gets cooler and the flies are gone, but since my husband is doing all the dirty work anyway (hosing down the green bin, etc.), I guess we’ll soldier on.
Joe – your dishwasher soap… are you using liquid [the stuff that comes with the new machines] or powder? Mom just switched to the powder – says it works a lot better! But we still have that “non-drying” issue as well! My guess is that the moisture just isn’t venting with these newer machines as it probably should. Maybe you should get the dogs to lick the plates first…
@ GILDER
The bin that the City “gave” us, were actually different from the Pilot Programme ones apparently… Problem is, THEY are telling people that you can put meat in them – hence the lab experiments. Otherwise, most folks have been doing their regular composting with no probs. The part that bites, is that whether you use the Green Bins or not, the City is still nailing everyone with x-many dollars to cover the whole operation!
@ ASCENDEDALTERAN
Personally, I find the DOE have been taking “research” lessons from the FDA at times… Not *quite* “Gospel”… [Please bear in mind here, I worked for over 2 decades in a Federal technical library, reading a lot of this stuff AND working *with* frontline Researchers in several disciplines! I’ve seen the “politicking” going on between the actual SCIENCE and the PR!]. I also remember being in Hawaii in the 80s a week after some Central American volcano had gone up… Despite the sunny weather, if you *really* looked, you could see a layer of yellowish ash several thousand feet up – for WEEKS!! And, I don’t know how old you are, but the weather in North America started getting funky AFTER Mount St. Helene!! And NOT because 6 billion people decided to cut wind at the same time! .. Well, except may for those Chinese Govt Guys…
The Point being – the PLANET does most of this crap ON its OWN! Whether we’re crawling all over it making messes in the corners or not!
oops, sorry, my previous comment should have gone to ELMINSTER!! *sorry* GILDER!!
@VALAUR
YES!! *EXACTLY*, what you SAID!! 😀
Ack, ack, ACK!!!
I TOTALLY feel for this guy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rABPA9LEp5c&feature=fvhl
Big, freakin’ ACK! 😯
(If you can’t watch the entire thing, at least get to the part where his cat climbs up his leg…lol. )
das
Does your green rant mean we in Michigan can blame the Canadians for the pollution of the Great Lakes after all? I always thought that you guys north of the border were more eco-friendly, but apparently not of their own free will :D.
Why doesn’t Sateda have television? As I was watching John explain TV to Teyla and Ronon I found myself surprised at Ronon’s surprise, seeing as Sateda seemed to be pretty advanced. Is this because they’ve been living under the shadow of the wraith and would have considered this entertainment ‘frivolous’?
I know you like photo-bombs so here are many by the same person. Enjoy!
Das: Comment on the video; Why didn’t he just smack it with a shoe? It’s going to go back into the house and lay eggs. Men….
1. Why in the last ep of staragte atlantis did the control start frying because i thought the sheilds are impentrable yet it looks like a very small yet potent energy got in?
2. How does merlin know where the ark of truth how did he know the story cause it show in ark of truth daneil saw a memory of the alterans which is impossible since he wasnt born?
3. Why does the destiny expeditiion and th lucian alliance poeple get thrown out of the gate after walking in is it because of the receiving gate is bigger then the destinanation gate which is two feet thinner then the milky gate or was it the distance?
4. If Destiny Gate Is Faraway is it possible that the 9 cheveron address uses a all gate buletin program that cause a gate to gate connection( Like the milky gate dials all the galaxies it can access then dial the gate at those galaxies until it find a destiny gates path and disconect all useless glactic connections then uses the path that has destiny style gates and jumps to the next galaxcy until it finds the last gate to connect to destiny since all gate can hold about 50 addresses but since most of the planets we seen are unhinhabted the gate only need to dial a few and once they find destiny the gate then connects or does the destiny gate uses this kind of system but instead use the information on how the milky way gate connected to destiny and then use what stargates its dialed since then to make a less power using dialing?
5. how did the fog aliens knew it would take about a month for promethius to get to atlantis even through one even if they use rodney macays brain there is no way he should know how powerful the asgard harddrives were at this time and how what power sources that sgc could use to replace naquadah?
Hey Joe. Just curious, why do you film episodes out of order (such as visitation). I’ve always wondered exactly why.
Thanks so much,
Major D. Davis
@ Tammy Dixon – Ever see the splat a spider that big makes??! Hubby and I do the same thing – catch ’em, and release ’em…only I release ’em in my neighbor’s yard. 😀
das
Das: Those cleaning wipes work well for spider splats. Don’t kid yourself, they go right back to their nest under your house later 😉 😀 .
@ Tammy Dixon – Sorry. I don’t like to kill things if I can avoid it. In fact, that guy was rather ‘sexy’ to me because he didn’t kill the spider. I like men like that…live and let live sorts…works better with me than muscles and stunning good looks.
I watched a few of that guy’s videos, and he had an even bigger spider in his garage….he caught that one and let it loose in a park…and only a few feet away they saw another one just like it, with what appeared to have babies on its back. *shudder* I think they are wolf spiders. Dude lives in Oklahoma – remind me to NEVER live in Oklahoma. :p
das
Oops, meant ECO-friendliness 🙂 So sorry.
In the happy spirit of ec–friendliness, I think we should all run out and buy a Chevy Volt. Forty thousand bucks will get you anywhere you want to go, within 40 miles. 🙂
das – Agree with you re environment and guys that let things live 🙂
Hey Joe,
May I share with you how I almost became a Darwin Award Nominee last night? Sorry, I can’t hear you. So I’m taking that as a yes.
Last night I was standing up I leaned over to give Ralph a big pat and hug. He has one hell of a whip for a tail. Right Deni? His tail was wagging away, which can generally clear tables, and managed to get me perfectly in the reflex area of my knees. Next thing I knew my legs were doing the reflex thing and I just saved myself from face planting into the floor. I found his alien soft toy in my handbag this morning. I think that was his apology.
It isn’t the first time Ralph’s almost taken me out. He has a very hard head and he tries to lick my face before I can move away. Sometimes that means he head butts me in his haste. Very hard. I’m expecting Nathan to come home one day and find me unconscious on the floor. Jack gets upset at Ralph when he does things like that. It’s amusing to watch my furry buddy tell his Brother off. Especially considering Ralph is close to 3 times the size of Jack.
So I ask the question, have the pugs ever managed to almost take you out?
Sorry for not including spoiler warnings in my last post.
@ganymede: You’re quite correct that volcanoes affect global climate. They temporarily decrease global temperature due to the aerosols they release. However, to suggest that humans have no substantial effect on the climate is demonstrably false. One way to check whether the changing atmospheric composition is caused by humans is to examine carbon dioxide isotope ratios. The C13/C12 ratio is decreasing, indicating that the rise in carbon dioxide levels is primarily attributable to anthropogenic activities (Ghosh 2003). Furthermore, only climate models which take into account both natural and anthropogenic effects are able to predict the climate’s behavior over the past century.
das That guy wasn’t very good with his spider catching. He should have just put the cup over the spider and slid an ad insert from a magazine under the cup, then turned it over and evicted the spider from the premises. Way too much drama. 😉
Must always have spider evicting equipment handy, otherwise you get something like my cat Tia when she caught a big one – long black chitonous legs hanging out of her mouth as she chowed down on it. Ick.
I was reading an article recently, can’t find it for the life of me, on dishwashers and soap. Turns out if we fill up the little trays they preinstall in our dishwashers, we’re using too much soap. Unfortunately it didn’t bother to give any advice on how much to reduce the soap we put in. Just know that you aren’t alone in your dishwasher angst. Nothing is more annoying than waiting two + hours for the machine to finish, find the dishes still dirty, and have to wait at least another two hours to get all the soap scum and remnant food particles off. Its quicker, easier, and better on the environment (i’d wager) for me to just hand-wash the dishes instead of relying on that infernal machine.
Everybody invents excuses to not give a shit.
Hi Joe,
I emailed to your other email address, but realize that perhaps it isn’t yours anymore?
& I sure hope this isn’t an email faux pas…
Do you have, or need, consult on the scientific facts? It turns out 2 of my now regulars are string theory PhD’s – one of whom is also a sci-fi whiz.
Hodie
PS. Love catching up on your adventures, musings, & recognition of creative spam. Thanks for sharing.