On the heels of his What does a producer do? blog entry, I'd like to start off today's instalment by saying Thank You to Dark Matter Co-Executive Producer Ivon Bartok who, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, despite shitty weather and atmospheric stages, oversees on-set action when I can't be there. Like tomorrow, in…
February 26, 2017: The Doggy Update! Hiatus winds down!
Despite his dire prognosis (2-3 months), Bubba has seemed pretty good this past week. Following a single morning when his appetite apparently deserted him, he's been back to his old self - eager to eat, walk, and sit on our laps. He has been unusually needy of late, following Akemi around the apartment whenever she…
February 20, 2017: Hot sauce! Directors! And our Android!
My third and final batch of hot sauce (habanero, shallots, garlic, salt, pepper, smoked Chilean merken pepper, organic apple puree, apple cider, honey, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar) is a lip-smacking (in both senses of the word) masterpiece. It's a scorcher...but delicious as well. A true culinary capsicum achievement. I don't know whether to…
February 18, 2017: What’s best for Bubba
There are still some rewrites to do, a couple of polishes to finish, and a series finale to break but, for now, I'm taking it easy. For now, it's all about the dogs. We broke out the stroller for the dogs while Lulu managed to limp her way to the dog park long enough to…
February 17, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 Day 56 of 91!
And that's a wrap on Dark Matter Season 3 Production Phase II. The third and final phase commences a little over a week from now. Until then, it'll be R&R&R (Rest and Relaxation and Reading) for me. Unfortunately, not everyone made it to the hiatus. But those that did have earned a well-deserved break from 7:30…
February 16, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 55 of 91!
"It's like when you make ganache and you put it in the fridge and when you take it out it's an hour too early and it's not yet set. That's what it was like." Akemi describing Bubba's stool sample this morning. Today, we took Bubba a very relaxed Bubba (he's already on vacation!) to see…
February 15, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 54 of 91!
"Is your dog relaxing or in distress?"asked the receptionist, prompting Akemi and I to swing a look over to the shiba inu sprawled out on the floor by a row of seats at the back. "Relaxing,"replied her owner. "She hasn't eaten in five days." Five days?!!! If any of my dogs skipped a single meal,…
February 11, 2017: My dogs are getting old :(
It feels like not all that long ago I had four dogs. Now to most, four dogs would seems like at least a couple dogs too many but for me at the time, it was the ideal number. First there was Jelly - alpha, bossy, troublemaking Jelly - who used to run the corridors of…
January 15, 2017: Sunday Dog Therapy! And the mailbag!
Another weekend come and gone. Between the demands of writing, plotting, chores, and bills, a little on-couch therapy with the new girl. Bubba, bundled up, ears tucked in, ready for the winter weather. Suji is one tough cookie. Any guest to our apartment automatically forfeits all rights to self-respect and become defacto dog beds. Let's…
January 11, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 29 of 91!
What's this? Could I have finally given in and granted Jodelle Ferland's request for a shipboard mascot. Director of Photography test tastes the commissary offerings. Space beer! Laying some track for the commissary walk 'n talk. The masterful work of Dark Matter Production Designer Ian Brock and his teams - art and construction departments. The early…
January 10, 2017: Dark Matter Season 3 – Day 28 of 91!
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…