Whew! After two winless weeks in fantasy football league play, my Snow Monkeys appear poised to claim their first victory. Ivon's team, The Running Dead, require a near miraculous performance by both his wide receivers to make up a big 49 point deficit. This win is, of course, huge for the defending champions who are…
September 20, 2012: A chance encounter! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Harmony!
Well, look who it is. Yes, it's my former Stargate arch-nemesis Ashleigh (not to be confused with my former Transporter arch-nemesis Tara) and her adorable pug, L'Eau. I happened to be in Gastown, enjoying an afternoon stroll with my frenchie, Lulu, when I happened to spot our former Exec. Producers' Assistant across the street. The…
September 19, 2012: The Curious Case of the Vindictive Vespula Germanica: A Joseph Mallozzi Mystery! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Quarantine!
It was a fiery pain, sharp and sudden, as if I'd brushed up against a white hot stove element. I dropped my bag of dog treats and immediately checked the source of the intense burning, discovered the detached wasp's stinger embedded on the inside base of my right ring finger. It instantly brought to mind…
September 18, 2012: Recommend me a great mystery read! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Spoils of War!
Not a fine mystery read or a good mystery read. I'd like you to recommend me a great one. A couple of guidelines: 1. As much as I respect the classics, I'd prefer to read something set in our contemporary world. Well, contemporary-ish. I'll pass on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allen Poe but…
September 15, 2012: Our Major Teldy! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Be All My Sins Remember’d!
One of the nice things about this blog is the sense of community that has developed over the past 5+ years I've been updating it. Readers have come and gone but many have stuck it out and become regulars, distinguishing themselves through insightful posts, amusing anecdotes, or their single-minded devotion to the wraith. One such…
September 13, 2012: My brush with the law! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Millers Crossing!
Technically, I was not operating a cell phone while driving. I was checking a football score while stopped at a red light. Still, there was no point in arguing with a motorcycle cop who, I suspect, was simply angry that I hadn't allowed him to pass me on the right. Boy, it's been a while.…
September 12, 2012: Conversations with my Japanese Girlfriend – Podcast #1 (the story of Noah)! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Seer!
The cultural divide between Akemi and I has made for some very interesting conversations. More often than not, my attempts to explain certain facets of the Western world have only served to baffle her as she makes the all too innocent error of attempting to apply logic to such notions as tipping, fashion, and vegetarianism.…
September 11, 2012: Fantasy Ennui! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past continues! Missing! Mailbag!
What a difference a week makes. Well, actually a weekend in which my Snow Monkeys were upset in fantasy football league play. In the days leading up to the week one kick-off, I was incredibly excited, scouring the internet in preparation for the season to come - researching, analyzing, deciding. Today, I could barely muster…
September 8, 2012: We’re go for Philly Cheesesteak Sunday! Fuji blows its top? Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Travelers!
While out shopping this afternoon, I came across this: Okay all you know-it-all gourmets, let's hear your best ostrich egg recipe. According to the shop owner, although it may seem daunting, I shouldn't feel obliged to use the entire egg in one meal. Apparently, ostrich eggs keep surprisingly well. I honestly considered picking it up…
September 6, 2012: The Great Philly Cheesesteak Debate! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Reunion!
Well damn. Little did I realize the firestorm reaction I would elicit when I mentioned that I would be making Philly Cheesesteaks this weekend and serving them in focaccia. Apparently, there are some Philly Cheesesteak purists among this blog's readership who would sooner smack me upside the head than eat a Philly Cheesesteak with focaccia.…
September 5, 2012: Philly Cheesesteak secrets! The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History results and winners! Let’s hear ’em! Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! Lifeline!
Look out! My Snow Monkeys are back and gunning for their second consecutive Fantasy Football league championship. The season kicks off tonight but things will really get interesting on Sunday when I'll be hosting an all-day football fest and feast. And, since I'm hosting, it falls on me to put together a schedule for the…
September 4, 2012: Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! SGA’s Fourth Season! Adrift!
2007 marked the year Paul Mullie and I took over as showrunners for Atlantis's fourth season. It also marked my first full year of blogging. As a result, some of these look-backs will be a little more involved, starting with... ADRIFT (401) The episode opens with a frenzied shot of the medical team wheeling a…
August 31, 2012: News of Note! Cast your ballot for The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History!
Off to dinner with Ivon and Tio tonight to discuss - what else? - football! Our fantasy football season kicks off tomorrow when our league (Vancouver Unite) holds its 2012 draft. As you all know, my Snow Monkeys are 2011 league champions looking to defend the title. I've done my research and plan to spend…
August 30, 2012: The things we do for our pets! Cast your vote for The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History!
Some of you were wondering about my sister's dog, Aspen, who made an appearance in yesterday's blog - a video of him following his post-chemo treatment, clearly feeling a little zoned-out. Well, here's the update. In early June, the poor boy was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bladder and lymph node.…
August 29, 2012: My sister’s dog is high as a kite! A souffle-less souffle outing! What was The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History?
My sister's dog is high: Aspen apparently feeling uber-relaxed following his latest chemo treatment. Fingers crossed it helps! It never fails. Every night, Akemi and I work out while watching one of the food shows, be it Hell's Kitchen, Master Chef, Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, Chuck's Day Off, Chef Academy, or Around the World…