Director Steve DiMarco charges into his final days of production on Episode 303. Director of Photography Craig Wright mans the heavy machinery. Addressing the troops. Daenerys Riley Well, look who was in town on business - but took some time out for a little eating pleasure. If it isn't our old Stargate fellow writer-producer Carl Binder. In…
December 29, 2016: On Curveballs and Canines!
A previous blog entry saw me use some baseball terminology to make a point about some of the challenges I was facing. Specifically: "but then there are the unexpected curveballs that come at you from people who really should know fucking better". curveball: a pitch thrown with a strong downward spin, causing the ball to drop…
December 27, 2016: Home for the Holidogs!
Following yesterday's ice storm that created traffic chaos throughout the city and forced us to reschedule our planned outing, we elected to take things easy today. We dropped by a local coffee shop for some hot chocolate, interneting and, in Akemi's case, so coloring, then took the dogs out for the slipperiest of walks. Akemi…
December 24, 2016: Happy Night Before Christmas!
Last night, Akemi and I enjoyed dinner with some thoroughly charming company. Also, the guy she married. Yes, we had dinner with my old high school friend, Lawrence (a.k.a. Buddy) and his better half, Mel (a.k.a. Mrs. Buddy). We enjoyed drinks, jerk wings, hilarity (of course) and a double order of chocolate-espresso mousse. Then today,…
December 18, 2016: Suji and Secrets!
In a matter of days, we'll be in Montreal and my mother's house will come alive with the pitter patter of little paws - roughly thirty-two in all not counting the feline variety. In preparation, we're shopping, gift-wrapping, packing, and bathing... Suji deserved the spa treatment after a thoroughly exhausting afternoon at Trinity Bellwoods Park…
December 17, 2016: Suji enters rehab!
Yes, years of hard living have taken their toll. So, today, Suji entered rehab... First, a little test of those gimpy hindquarters. Yes, they're weak and she suffers from hip dysplasia, but she can really motor when she gets up a full head of steam. Into the tank for her hydrotherapy session. The handle…
December 15, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 20 of 91!
"Motorists should consider postponing non-essential travel..." Is going home considered non-essential? Should be interesting. We have a little over an hour before wrap and waze is already telling me it's going to take me a while to get home. A while that's going to get even whilier as the snowstorm continues to rage. Melissa is…
December 10, 2016: Contest winner!
Early in November, I held a little contest on this blog, asking fans to directly identify two props featured in Dark Matter's second season. Then, we rolled into production and I forgot to announce the winner. And so, better late than never, the winner of the cast-signed script who correctly identified the props - and the episodes…
December 6, 2016: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 13 of 91!
While I was back in the office, working on this latest script, production on season 3 continued at the Ishida Palace in Kitchener, Ontario Zairon. In tribute to Dark Matter's latest biggest bad, here are some family portraits c/o the spectacular Roxanne Borris, 1st Assistant Art Director/Graphics... Emperor Ishida Tetsuya Empress Ishida (Li Na) Katsumi Emperor Ishida Hiro…
December 4, 2016: Snow Monkeys on the brink! Suji settles in!
It's all over but the crying (as my dad used to say). Despite a valiant effort, and an impressive win in their last week of regular season play, it looks like my Snow Monkeys will come up one game short in their bid to grab that last playoff spot. There were a lot of missed…
December 3, 2016: Introducing…Suji!
Yesterday was the day! Akemi and I went down to Toronto's Union Station to meet the newest member of the family - Suji (aka Sujiko), who comes to us all the way from Portland, Oregon via The Pacific Pug Rescue. Akemi saw little Suji (formerly Suzie) on their website a few weeks back and instantly…
November 13, 2016: Dog Days of November!
"Weird. That woman's treating her kid like a dog." My reaction to witnessing a mother rocking, hugging and showering her child with kisses. Bubba models his new Christmas sweater. Lulu, all smiles. Bubba doing his best frog imitation. Lulu, reminding us it's dinner time. An introspective Bubba. Bubs and mom hit the Christmas market. So,…
November 6, 2016: My weekend summed up in 3 Bubba pictures!
Kicked back and relaxed a little. Headed out and hung out. Now feeling dazed and confused as I head back into prep. One of the nice things about the weekends is that it's a time when I can set aside my eating routine in favor of more, uh, adventurous culinary pursuits. Like, pictured above, the…
November 5, 2016: Thanks and a Lulu update!
Now that I can finally take a breather from prep, let me thank Drea, Gary, Hilda, Tam, Kathy, Jan, Randy, Maggie, Jeff, Zoe, and everyone else who contributed to my anniversary video. On November 21st it will be 10 years of daily blogging. Wow. Thanks to all everyone who has supported this decade-long endeavour by…
October 15, 2016: Phasing the dog dislikers out of my life!
I was leaving the farmer's market when I ran into an old friend. It had been years since I'd seen her and, clearly, much had changed. She was married, had a son, and had just moved into a new house. "We should go out for dinner and catch up,"she said. "Great,"I said. I loved the…