Whew. What an exhausting day spent dealing with an avalanche of issues: dogs, Dark Matter, banking, and bills. Bubba went in for some follow-up tests: a physical examination, an ultrasound, and some fine needle aspirations of his lymph nodes - as well as another growth on his leg. All this on the heels of a…
September 26, 2016: Rewrites! Birthday invitations! And the dogs!
You know what I hate? More than being late? More than driving around, looking for parking? Even more than the New England Patriots? Rewrites. I was a notorious rewrite-hater back in the Stargate days, so much so that years after Paul and I had stopped co-writing, we still shared script credits because, while I was…
September 25, 2016: Dark Matter DON’TS and Dogs!
So, what do you NOT want to see in Dark Matter's third season? I always get requests for the things fans WANT to see in the show but rarely do I ever hear about what fans DON'T want to see...until after the fact. So, weigh in. I'm asking. I'm curious because at the beginning of every season, there…
September 24, 2016: Back in Van!
My last meal in Tokyo was an unagi don at Chikuyotei in Ginza. My first meal in Vancouver was duck confit, buttermilk biscuit, with onion gravy and a fried egg at Mission in Kitsilano. And their crazy-delicious french toast. Then, over to Beta5 for a Butter Beer Sundae: chocolate stout ice cream, butterscotch ripple ice cream,…
September 24, 2016: Sayanora, Japan!
Well, it's been a fun two weeks in Japan and, while I'd hoped the time away would prove restful, I'm actually more wound up and stressed out now than I was upon my arrival two weeks ago. My bid to "get away from it all" proved fabulously unsuccessful. And so I'll return, vexed, seething, and…
September 23, 2016: Tokyo Day #9!
Today marks our last full day in Japan. Tomorrow, we head back to Canada and I have very mixed feelings about that. Yesterday, we met up with Akemi's sister, Hiromi, at Tokyo Midtown. While waiting for her to show, I ate one of the largest pistachio cream puffs I've ever encountered. It was...indescribably good. I…
September 22, 2016: Tokyo Day #8!
"Blow a gasket". I'd always heard that quaint turn of phrase but could never really envision it, or apply it to my life...until this morning when I woke up to an email that made me, well, "blow a gasket". I mean, holy shit. Really? REALLY??? I am presently seething and should progress to a nice…
September 21, 2016: Tokyo Day #7!
Typhoon Malakas rolled through Tokyo late last night and most of yesterday was one long wet preamble to the storm. To be honest, I didn't mind so much. It cleared out the crowds, clearly dampening many Tokyoites enthusiasm for shopping, and also cooled things down a few degrees. Also, hey, I'm from Vancouver. I love…
September 20, 2016: Tokyo Day #6!
Well, I spent most of the day thinking and worrying about my french bulldog Lulu and how best to proceed with her soft palate surgery, then the other most of the day thinking and worrying about the show's third season. In the case of the latter - I mean, sure, I know where I want…
September 19, 2016: Tokyo Day #5!
I love Tokyo at night. The bright lights. The flashing neon. The sights. The sounds. Throw in the time difference, a touch of jet lag, and you have an almost surreal experience Anthony Bourdain once likened to the sensation of dropping acid. After wandering about for half an hour, looking for somewhere to eat, Akemi…
September 17, 2016: Tokyo Day #4!
So, that finale... Yeah. I'll avoid commenting suffice it to say we are hard at work, providing answers to a few of the, uh, outstanding questions we were left with at episode's end. And, I guarantee you - BIG answers coming your way in season 3. But, for now, I'm still enjoying Japan with Akemi. Yesterday,…
September 17, 2016: Tokyo Day #3! Oh, and that Dark Matter season finale!
Tonight, following the season premiere of Z Nation, it's the season 2 finale of Dark Matter. This episode changes everything. Trust me. Fans are going to be feeling passionate after this one. And, while you're all watching Dark Matter, I'll be continuing my Tokyo travels. Yesterday, we took the shinkansen from Osaka (arriving in a lightning 2.5…
September 16, 2016: Goodbye, Osaka! Hello, Tokyo! Again!
I always found it interesting that, despite the crazy amount of food I would eat every time I visited Japan, I would return home actually lighter than when I left. At first, I assumed it was because I'd lost heavier muscle mass and gained comparatively lighter body fat BUT when I started measuring said body…
September 15, 2016: Osaka Day #2!
Good morning! The hotel (Intercontinental) upgraded us to a suite complete with kitchen so we took advantage by picking up some items at the local farmers' market and shops and making breakfast. Giant figs, two types of dried mushrooms, Okinawa sea salt, garlic & thyme olive oil, three types of dried pepper, local honey, local…
September 14, 2016: Osaka Day #1!
We got into Osaka a little after 6:30 p.m. last night, checked into our hotel, then headed out in time to watch the stores close. We were so chocolated out that we skipped dinner. I know, I know. A rarity for me. This morning, however, we were out bright and early. As were many eager…