Well, it’s decided! Sort of. I’ve packed away most of my belongings and squirreled them away in the crawlspace. This week, the place gets a top to bottom interior cleaning, an exterior power wash, and then, on Friday, the stagers come in to prepare the place for showing. The house goes on the market this week and we have our first open house this weekend (during which Akemi, Lulu, Suji and I will make ourselves scarce).
On the one hand, I’ll miss the backyard and the downstairs work-out room. On the other hand, we only use 25% of our living space and it seems silly to be paying upkeep and property taxes on a summer home. Also, it would really be nice to live somewhere within walking distance of shops. On the other other hand, where am I going to put all my stuff?
Anyway, we’ll play it by ear. While I do think selling now is the right move, I can’t say I’m a motivated seller – meaning if I don’t get the price I’m looking for, I’ll have no problem taking it off the market and trying my luck next year. Of course, that’s provided the real estate market remains robust.
On the one hand, you have experts (like my buddy Ivon) who predict the housing bubble is due to collapse – and you don’t want to be caught when the prices drop. On the other hand, experts have been saying this for a while now and the market shows no signs of slowing down. On the other other hand, that’s also what they said about the housing market in Japan that, eventually, did crash and never recovered.
So, yeah. I’ve been fairly busy, getting the house ready for the big sale. And, as luck would have it, my timing couldn’t be any worse as we begin the Dark Matter season 4 writers’ room tomorrow. I’ve written up and distributed by plans for DM YR4 including seasonal and character arcs, story springboards, and a many of the beats I want to hit for the opening two-parter…that will be even bigger than season 3’s opener, if you can believe it. Joining me in the writers’ room this year will be series co-creator Paul Mullie, Co-Exec Producer Ivon Bartok, Co-Producer Alison Hepburn, and – making his Dark Matter debut – Stargate veteran Carl Binder.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. We’ve only just started airing season 3!
I chat about the upcoming season with Hollywood Soapbox’s John Soltes: Follow the link
“It’s kind of another time travel episode where it finds our crew traveling back to 2017 and having to go undercover in Fort Falls, Wisconsin, as a typical suburban family. Those two episodes [time loop episode and time travel episode] stand out for me as the type of episodes where if you’re not familiar with the show, you tune in, I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised. So if you have any friends who haven’t watched the show, circle episode four and episode nine, especially episode nine, on your calendar.”
BlackGirlNerds’ C.R. Sparrow: Dark Matter 3.1 Review
The first hour of the season three premiere is largely a character piece. Even the short bursts of action seem strangely calm as we deal with the fallout from the literally explosive season two finale.
BlackGirlNerds’ C.R. Sparrow: Dark Matter 3.2 Review
Ryo’s story starts in 3.1 as he takes steps to solidify and strengthen his rule. Misaki is displeased when he makes his old teacher, Teku an advisor. I’m sensing a pattern with Misaki. She may talk a good game about doing what’s best for Zairon, but it looks to me like her desire to isolate Ryo from anyone else who would influence him is a pretty strong motivator as well.
SciFiMoviePagie’s Craig Suide: Dark Matter Double Episode Review
I’m happy to report that Dark Matter is back and all is right with the world once again. I look forward to seeing what the season holds in store in the upcoming episodes.
SciFiPulse’s Ian Cullen: Dark Matter In Review
Dark Matter has returned and as always the plot twists come thick and fast as the new series gets underway.
TheNerdElement’s NattyWilly: Dark Matter Season 3 Premiere Review
What makes this show good is when we learn more about the main characters it adds a layer whether good or bad. This show is one of three that I will enjoy on my Friday nights this summer! The Raza crew’s journey has so many twists and turns that I can’t wait to see what creator Joseph Mallozzi has in store for us!
Good luck with the sale of the house! I’ve been complaining for about a year to my hubby, about having to clean rooms we don’t use. My youngest heads off to college in August, so hopefully only four more years of doing it. Haha.
I loved that Kim’s Convenience moved to Dark Matter. They both did a great job. I’m also looking forward to the time travel episodes.
The special effects, as usual, are awesome.
I can’t wait to see what creator Joseph Mallozzi has in store for us, either! 🙂
When I sold my house, it was a great (and necessary) opportunity to do a good purge of a bunch of stuff that hadn’t used (or even forgotten I had) in years. When I went to move it was a big relief to only have as much stuff as I did. Mind you, it was still too much, but still better than it was.
The S4 writing will go fine! I’m looking forward seeing what you guys come up with, already!
Wow selling the house, best of luck with that, from what I’ve seen of it, that house is beautiful, I’m sure you’ll get asking. Finally got to watch DM, had it recorded. My mother in law was admitted to the hospital Thursday night, so Friday we had to drive down to see her, by the time my husband and I settled down to watch it, we were exhausted, I crashed and missed like all of it. But cool, great way to start Season 3!!!
” …I can’t wait to see what creator Joseph Mallozzi has in store for us!”
Nice compliment Mr. Mallozzi. I bet seeing “Creator” by your name never gets old. Dark Matter’s season 3 is off to a fantastic start. Adding Carl Binder to your writer’s room for season 4 insures a great future. Can’t wait to see what he will bring. He wrote one of my favorite Stargate Atlantis episodes, Midway.
I’m all for down-sizing. Smart move. But I like your house. So I’m not too excited about you moving. But I’m sure everything will work out and be okay.
Good luck this week in the writers room and with the house. Maybe you should talk to Jeff T’s friend Gary G ??
He’s in real estate (thus, likely keeps a close eye on trends).
He knows who you are (via Jeff) so he probably wouldn’t mind chatting sometime to help you gain a slightly clearer grasp on the 12 month market forecast. He’s on twitter @GaryGoba.
I have an idea on how to seriously up the stakes in season 4..Its definitely shocking, soul wrenching and would be 1000% completely unexpected!, filled with many twists and turns and fits with the nature vs nurture and people aren’t always who or what they seem theme And …I’m pretty sure It’d seriously blast U.S ratings through the friggin’ roof!!! ( for at least one episode, anyway).
Albeit, question is – How deep is too deep for Dark Matter??????
It dives pretty damn deep into exploring the darkness and primal aspects of human nature and emotionally/intellectually pits male against female on the crew. I’m pretty sure it would scare the hell out of and horrify even you in exploring it, because it’d take you well out of your emotional comfort zone.
Anywho, you know where to find me if you are curious and think your’e brave enough. Its complicated enough to be interesting, deep enough to be undeniably compelling, yet basic and flexible enough to pull off within the productions time, monetary & story arc constraints.
What’s that, good Sir?! Your two-parter premiere for #DarkMatter S4 will be BIGGER than S3’s?!!
Umm………*FAAAAAINTZZZ!!!*
I think selling now is a great idea. You want to get the most for the sale. I’ve been watching a lot of Selling Houses Australia and staging is so important. You’re not just selling a house, you’re selling a lifestyle. Consider it like a TV production. Anything you can do to emphasise or increase the perception of the size of the kitchen and bathroom etc, do it! Look for anything that people might see as work to do. People just want to move straight in and start living rather than renovating.
Good luck! As for your possessions, a good rule for each item is assessing what it brings to your life and what is more valuable the possession or the space it would occupy. I’ve been reading The Joy of Less and can highly recommend it. It is really helping me sort through my rooms.
Cheers, Chev
Happy to hear the writer’s room is reconvening. Carl is an excellent addition. Don’t forget the snacks. 😉
Cheers, Chev
The Pittsburgh Penguins are Back-To-Back, and 5-Time, Stanley Cup Champions!!!
WOHOOO on Carl being there.
We are packing up.. moving to Israel. Sometimes you just have to make a leap of faith. So much easier if they could just beam our stuff there.
Awwwwww!!!
The S3 opener had lot of good moments. I’m trying not to give spoilers. So I’ll just say the Zoebot & Five had some great scenes.
Good luck on the move! (wish I could be there for the yard sale 😉 ) It would be nice if you didn’t have to move every few months.
Wonderful news about Mr. Carl joining the staff! If you get a larger condo in Toronto, he could bunk with you guys. 🙂
Bon début. 2 heures agréables. Le seul reproche que je ferais serait (et ce depuis le premier épisode de la première saison) que la musique est un peu trop présente à mon goût. (soit trop forte ou un peu trop insistante quand elle souligne tel ou tel scène) Rien pour nous enlever notre plaisir cependant.! On a hâte à vendredi prochain!
Here’s hoping the house sale progresses smoothly.
I suppose I will die in this house. It is stuffed full of stuff. I need an estate sale person to come in and organize a sale or auction. A yard sale or eBay listings simply would not do. Anyone need a service for 12 set of Noritake china in the original boxes? Nope. No one does.
Debra: Israel?! That’s pretty cool and I hope/pray your move goes smoothly. Please keep posting and give us updates.
Ooooo, it’s finally started … Season 3 Episode 1 …. It’s
Slow start
Dark Matter
Episodes 1 & 2: 587k, 0.15 18-49
Wynonna Earp
Episode 1: 462k, 0.09 18-49
Competition
NBA Finals: 19 million viewers, 6.8 18-49.
Not bad considering the competition. At least the show didn’t hit a series low.
Well fine news with addition of the Carl. I hope he is not jaded by the ease to write for preceding programs. He will have to but that soft shoulder to the wheel. We will be watching for continuity, yes?
Wow – those were two awesome episodes! So much happening, I’ll need to watch these again, at least once to catch everything I missed 😎
Dear Mr. Mallozi,
Just watched the premiere of DM on Syfy UK and it was glorious! And thank you for the After Dark show, it was great to see the cast insights on the episode, as well as all the BTS skits as well.
Thank you once again, my hubby & I will look forward to the rest of the season.
Holy moley Joe, that was (excuse me not!) bloody brilliant!!! I’m so …. Aaah! 😆
Love the hyper After Dark too, with it’s bts bits (including the Whisky/ey club!)
And yay, finally, a big thank you to Syfy for transmitting Dark Matter without the kangaroo hopping Raza et al sequences! Finally!
Thank you Joe and Paul and everyone involved … You’ve absolutely, definitely surpassed Season 2 big time!
Don’t think I can sleep til the next episode
Can you put a version of After Dark for each episode on your blog so that we can view it in Canada?