Today’s notes session on Remnants was long and involved but went very well. No requests to tone down or lose any of the key beats. Mainly requests for clarity and thematic reinforcement. We followed up with our final meetings of the week - 1) Stunts and SPFX in which we discussed squibs (What’s a squib?…
July 15, 2008: Our class field trip, Unwelcome Bodies discussion, and the mailbag
Thankfully, saner heads prevailed and the location scout initially scheduled for 7:15 a.m. this morning was moved to a much more bearable 8:00 a.m. The trip to Stokes Pitt took about 45 minutes and I spent the time chatting food with producer John G. Lenic, and catching up on my emails. You know, I used…
July 14, 2008: Unwelcome Bodies, by Jennifer Pelland
A short story anthology is not unlike a season of television. You’ll have your high points, your low points, and all else in between. More often than not, it’s the latter, those in-between entries making up the bulk of the assembly, that will determine whether a show or author warrants a repeat viewing. Take Jennifer…
July 13, 2008: Baron Destructo’s Investment Advice
Fun time’s over. It’s back to work for me tomorrow. And, by the looks of the prep schedule, it’s going to be a long day: 0900: Concept Meeting for Ep. #515 “Remnants” 1030: Prosthetics Meeting for Ep. #515, “Remnants” 1100: Art Department Meeting for Ep. #515, “Remnants” 1145: Props Meeting for Ep. #515, “Remnants” 1330:…
July 12, 2008: Bookly Things and Behind-the-Scenes on Search and Rescue
I’d like to begin today’s blog entry by once again thanking K.J. Bishop for stopping by to spend time with us. As expected, her novel, The Etched City, engendered some fairly strong and wide-ranging opinions. According to Kirsten, she was “just amazed at the detail and thoughtfulness of the responses”. So, kudos to all those…
July 11, 2008: K.J. Bishop drops by to answer your questions, discuss The Etched City, and much more
Today’s special guest author joins us all the way from her home in Bangkok, Thailand. As a result of your interest in her novel, her willingness to make time for us, and, of course, the magic that is the internet, K.J. Bishop is here to address a slew of your questions and…
July 10, 2008: My Montreal Wrap-Up
Hey, check out the - well, not exactly highlights but not exactly lowlights either, so let's call them midlights - of my trip to Montreal. I'm posting these to prove I didn't spend all of my time there eating. Occasionally, I took pictures of other people eating…
July 9, 2008: Liquorice notes with honey spice cake hints, redolent of tropical fruits and spicy flavors with an undertone of gut shank
“The first thing to do is look at the chocolate,”advised Pierre. “Study its appearance.” Everyone unwrapped and carefully scrutinized their squares. The woman to my right gaped as though she’d just borne witness to some astounding magic trick. Hey, that’s not a chocolate! That’s my card, the Ace of Clubs! “Now, break the chocolate.” Pierre…
July 8, 2008: Meals, Musings, and Mailbag
Napkin at m:brgr My surf 'n turf combo at Club Chasse et Peche: lobster and veal Hmmm. I’m busier now at home than I was back at work. So much for time off. And with Fondy out of town, my meals have tended toward the uninspired: tuna, chicken, soup, and salad. A far cry from…
July 7, 2008: K.J. Bishop’s The Etched City
It has drawn comparisons to the Dark Tower series and Perdido Street Station, yet The Etched City owes far less to King and Mieville than it does to ancient lore, Eastern mythology, spaghetti westerns, and the works of Hieronymous Bosch. At turns fascinating, frustrating, yet ultimately rewarding, this first novel by Aussie author K.J. Bishop…
July 6, 2008: Actress Janina Gavankar swings by.
First, a big public thank you to Kage Baker for dropping by to spend time with us. It was a great Q&A to cap off our discussion on In the Garden of Iden, a BOMTC selection that turned out to be a book a number of you had already read. Second, finish up The Etched…
July 5, 2008: It all catches up with me, mom’s secret easy-to-make Friendship Cake recipe, In the Garden of Iden, and looking ahead.
I woke up at a little before 2:30 a.m., nauseous, sweating, a Miley Cyrus song on endless replay in my head. Finally, on my last night in Montreal, my hard-eating ways had caught up with me. Rabbit parpadelle, roasted suckling pig risotto with foie gras shavings, deep dish chocolate chip with vanilla ice cream -…
July 4, 2008: With Extra Special Guest Star…Kage Baker!
Today, I turn the blog over to Kage Baker who has graciously taken the time to field your questions and comments on In the Garden of Iden, this month’s SF BOTMC selection. Truth be told, this is actually Kage’s second appearance here. The first was a quick cameo back in February when she offered some…
July 3, 2008: Uh, basically, y’know…
The great thing about visiting Montreal is that it finally allows me the opportunity to relax and take my mind off work for a change. In the past two days, I’ve spent time with friends and family, walked the streets of my hometown, and, oh yeah, took part in a 90 minute conference call with…
July 2, 2008: A Disastrous Dinner and a Deepening Discussion
I took my eyes off the menu to glance outside. On the other side of the big bay window, one of the restaurant musicians was emptying his spit valve. I redirected my gaze back across the table to my mother who was weighing her choices. By the look on her face, I knew exactly what…