So, the fact that I’m back in Vancouver sooner than expected surprised a few people – perhaps no one more than my buddy Lawren who was housesitting for me during my exile and was fully expecting me back in December at the earliest. My speedy return means he’ll have to find alternate accommodations but, like I told him, he needn’t rush. I have the extra room and he’s free to stay as long as he likes. It’s actually nice to have someone around to handle sundry duties like addressing technical issues with my projector or cleaning up the poop-studded backyard. Also, the house now full of personalized touches that offer insight into his character (and, alternately, the darkness of his soul). My office has been transformed into mission control, boasting three wide screen monitors on swivel mounts as well as bewildering equipment with multicolored lights that sounds like a portable air conditioner on its last legs. There are three bottles of fine Scotch in the wok kitchen alongside a bottle of flavored Bison Grass Vodka in the wok kitchen, and an almost empty bottle of tonic water in the fridge. Also, I discovered what I think is a didgeridoo in my umbrella stand.
The dogs seem to be equally happy to be back in familiar surroundings. Maximus has resumed eating again and seemed downright lively today during his afternoon walk. Some pics of the two oldsters…
First on my to-do list is completing the documents necessary for my sponsorship of Akemi. In addition to the two dozen things we’ve already done (fingerprinting, medical check, photo documentation, etc.) I also have to supply a recent notice of assessment, three statements outlining the genuine nature of our relationship, and declarations from people who have personal knowledge of our relationship which, come to think of it, is all of you. Once that’s done, I can finally redirect focus to that unfinished pilot I’ve been meaning to get around to.
Received some more of Garry Brown’s inks for issue #2 of Dark Matter, my comic book series coming out in January 2012. I’m loving the artwork. If you guys are nice, I’ll give you a sneak peek of what’s in the works as part of tomorrow’s blog entry. In the meantime, here’s another look at Garry’s early version of the cover for issue #1 –
What do you think? Pretty cool, no?
Mailbag:
2cats writes: “So, when are you peeking in on ReFuel?”
Answer: Actually, I was there on Sunday night with Lawren (see my Sunday entry) and then back again today for lunch with Akemi. We shared the sweet walla walla onion risotto, an heirloom tomato salad, some terrific corn with jalapeno butter, and an incredibly tender octopus and chicory salad.
Fiori writes: “‘Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand’ was wonderful; it reminded me of one of my favorite books — ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.”
Answer: On your recommendation, I’ll be sure to pick it up. I’m loving the characters in this book, especially the Major who is at turns stodgy, befuddled, and wholly charming.
Lou Zucaro writes: “A few weeks back, I went to dinner at Top Chef season 4 winner Stephanie Izard’s home for a charity event. Jessica brought gelato for dessert and they made some really great little gelato sundaes for us.
If you have any interest in the food that Stephanie / her team / Jessica made for us, you can read about it here:
http://blog.yumbly.com/2011/09/supper-at-stephs/”
Answer: I am SOOOOO jealous. As you may (or may not) know, Akemi and I are HUGE fans of Top Chef and loved the season 4 showdown between Stephanie and Richard Blais (and the third chef whose name I can’t recall). I also love goat! Very jealous.
DP writes: “Does he have time between rewrites to read our encouragement?”
Answer: Oh, I have no doubt Alexander drops by on occasion.
Jean writes: “Hi from all of us at Prairie Girl Bakery for your declaration that Prairie Girl makes “Canada’s Best Cupcake”- – thanks for that! We loved your visit and hope to see you again soon. The PGB team”
Answer: Damn, I’ll miss you guys – even though I discovered Prairie Girl Bakery in the last week of my stay. Like Buca Restaurant, it’s one of those places I’m really going to miss – along with our neighbors at the Soho, The Silver Snail, and Jamaican food.
Joan001 writes: “Life sucks sometimes and it would be nice to get into bed and pull the covers over your head for a good year. I’m so tired of the worry myself, but I know that there are people who are going through much worse…”
Answer: Hang in there, Joan! I was, admittedly, pretty damn miserable – but things turned around in spectacular/surprising/annoying fashion. Hopefully things take a far less dramatic but equally satisfying turn for you soon.
dasNdanger writes: “Vick grew up around a culture where dog fighting and killing were the norm.”
Answer: In some cultures, bride burning and female circumcision is considered the norm by some. Doesn’t make it any more acceptable.
dasNdanger also writes: “Then he went to prison. Then he was educated that what he did was wrong, and he has said so many times. ”
Answer: Would you expect him to say anything else given the backlash he received and his desire to resume his professional football career?
dasNdanger also writes: “Why? Because, in the end, he only killed dogs.”
Answer: Demonstrating borderline psychotic behavior. Studies of serial killers have shown a history of animal abuse in their early years. Vick didn’t just force dogs to fight to the death. When he was done with them or they proved too weak to continue fighting, he would personally dispatch of them with seeming delight. Body-slamming and electrocuting them were his apparent preferences. I’m sorry. An individual predisposed to such violence isn’t going to be “educated” about the errors of his ways.
dasNdanger also writes: “There is some sort of freaky moral imbalance going on when people have more hate for a football player who killed dogs than they do for a football player (Donte Stallworth) who killed a human being while driving under the influence, or a football player (Rae Carruth) who plotted the murder of his girlfriend.”
Answer: Last I heard, both Stallworth and Carruth were in prison and, unlike Vick, I doubt very much they’ll get a chance to resume their careers on the football field.
Dr. D. writes: “Do you think FTL or time travel might become a reality or are you siding with the notion of the faster than light muon neutrinos being a fluke?”
Answer: I am cautiously optimistic.
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