One of the great things about traveling east is that the time shift doesn't play havoc with your sleeping patterns. Not really. The first few days after you're arrival, you're in bed by 10:00 p.m. and up at a refreshing 6:00 to 7:00 a.m.-ish, ready for a full day of activities and, first and foremost,…

I'm Tokyo-bound today.  But here's a little something to tide you (actually, me) over as I leave the pooches behind for a while. Jelly goes to town on her mallard... Bubba, ready for bedtime... The always cool Maximus. If some ever casts for a salty pirate dog, I think he'd be perfect... Lulu in "Get…

I phoned my mother tonight to say goodbye as I'm off to Tokyo for two weeks.  I'd love to say I was expecting a "Have a nice time!" or "Enjoy yourself!" or even a "Have fun but be careful!" but I got pretty much what I expected.  A few seconds of ominous silent contemplation after…

While Wednesday may have delivered death by a thousand cuts (and four needles), today was more of a death by a couple of gouging slashes and a very deep stab.  It would seem everything is going sideways.  Given my recent bad luck, I suppose I should consider myself fortunate that I don't have any scheduled…

In January, we'll be dabbling in urban fantasy when our little book club tackles Marjorie M. Liu's The Iron Hunt (Check the right sidebar for details.  Oh, alright, you lazy good-for-nothings.  Discussion the week of January 17th with author Marjorie M. Liu).  In February, we'll be switching gears to take on a little Hard SF…

You know how they say your entire life flashes before your eyes before you die?  Well, if I was dying and my entire life flashed before my eyes, a replay of December 1st, 2010 would seriously make me reconsider rescinding that do not resuscitate order. I woke up late this morning - and it was…

Damnit!  My Snow Monkeys are about to go down to defeat.  With 18 points to make up, my sole player tonight, Frank Gore, racked up 5.3 points in the first quarter alone! Then suffered an ouchy and took himself out of the game.  Thanks.  Thanks a lot, Frank.  With two more weeks to go in…

I woke up at 5:20 a.m. to deal with a dog-related issue and, by the time I was done, it was almost six.  Rather than head back to bed, I elected to head downstairs and tackle that long overdue pantry cleaning.  I was amazed at some of the interest/weird/downright mysterious items I discovered including two…

Yes, it's that time of year.  The time of year when thoughts turn to home, family, and lovable Directors of Photography bearing gifts!  Thanks for the vino, boys.  Your work continues to amaze and here's hoping we get a chance to do it all over again next year! In addition to home, family, and Directors…

Hey, Canadian Stargate: Universe fans!  Did you get a chance to watch last night's post-SGU episode of Innerspace.  It featured special guest Robert C. Cooper who fielded a rapidfire barrage of fan questions on everything from directing to the furlings.  Ah, the furlings, those mysterious aliens, alternately loved and despised (I suppose it depends on…

THIS was the first sight to greet me when I walked into work this morning - Most gloaters do their gloating verbally.  Best Boy Mike goes one step further, celebrating Bailey's Irish Creamers' defeat of my Snow Monkeys with a painstakingly assembled collage.  Obviously, someone has put their weekend scrapbooking classes to good use.  Well,…

The "I Make the Best Whatever" contest is off to a great start.  Check out yesterday's blog for full contest details but, in short, I'm asking blog readers to send in a description of THE dish they're known for  - be it rack of lamb, walnut cream cake, or those bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with almonds…