Errands, errands, and more errands. And I still didn't have time to get around to a couple of them. Despite the fact that our apartment is an island of dog beds, that hasn't stopped us from picking up a few more. Like this one we thought might be too tiny and tiny but Lulu manages…
December 6, 2014: Stand or die!
Apparently, some Brazilian doctors have developed a test that predicts mortality. It's a "simple" sitting-standing exercise that measures flexibility and your chances of dropping dead soon. Real soon: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2858804/Can-exercise-test-predict-DEATH-People-struggle-sitting-rising-test-five-times-likely-die.html Here's it is: 1. From a barefoot standing position, lower yourself down to a cross-legged sitting position without using your hands (or any other body part) for…
December 5, 2014: Introducing Locations Manager Zachary Beckwith! And our first official Dark Matter locations scout!
Remember that guy back in the day? The one with all the connections? The one who could get you and your friends in anywhere, no matter how popular or exclusive the place? Well, that guy now works on Dark Matter. His name is Zachary Beckwith and he is our Locations Manager. If you're looking for somewhere…
December 4, 2014: Natalie’s Birthday Blog!
The announcement was made over the office P.A. system at around 2:00 p.m. this afternoon: "Natalie Cooper, please proceed to the production office for your surprise birthday party." I hurried down and joined the others in waiting for the birthday gal who showed up fashionably five minutes later. The candles on the cake were lit…
December 3, 2014: Introducing Dark Matter Visual Effects Supervisor Lawren Bancroft-Wilson!
Our Visual Effects Supervisor arrived today - all the way from Vancouver, B.C.! Some of you may recognize him as the manager of The Fighting Hyphens, a team my Snow Monkeys crushed back in Week 4 of fantasy football league play: Some of you may identify him as the guy who was offered $1000…
December 2, 2014: Cookies, Snow Monkeys, and Exercise Accessories!
We interrupt the previously scheduled blog post for this important announcement. Monday, December 15th will be the very first Dark Matter cookie exchange. Participants are required to make a half dozen cookies for every other baker in the exchange "plus a half dozen or so extra for the rest of the (lazy) office to sample!"…
December 1, 2014: Introducing Line Producer Norman Denver!
Sometimes, there are more producer credits on a show than acting credits and viewers can be excused for wondering: "Do they really need THAT many producers?". Which begs the next question - one I'm often asked: "What does a producer do?". Well, the answer is: "It depends." Producers can be divided into two groups: Group…
November 30, 2014: Videos of note!
Robot Dance Japan: Wanderers - a short film by Erik Wernquist: <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/108650530">Wanderers - a short film by Erik Wernquist</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user13714879">Erik Wernquist</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> Best Snow News Bloopers Ever: Black Friday shoppers, take note! This is how to line up in an orderly fashion: This reminds me that I've got to start…
November 29, 2014: Things I miss about Vancouver!
1. My Home Gym I'm not the most motivated guy when it comes to working out and yet, when I was living in Vancouver, I would schedule two-a-days: a 45 minute run in the morning and a 45 minute weight workout at night. How did I manage to pull off such an ambitious routine? Well,…
November 28, 2014: Operation Wine & Cheese!
"This five dollar bill has blood on it,"said Caitlin from the back seat, examining the keepsake from a recent road trip to Buffalo. "Maybe it's Buffalo wing sauce,"suggested Alison seated beside her. "Except we didn't have any wings while we were there." An awkward silence finally broken by Natalie, our navigator, who advised me to…
November 27, 2014: The Uninvited Dinner Guest!
Today, Akemi made a roasted pistachio-crusted lamb shoulder. She spent over a half an hour toiling away, de-shelling the pistachios and de-skinning them. Her arduous work finally complete, she stepped away to use the bathroom and, when she returned not a moment later, discovered Lulu up on the table, enjoying the fruits of her labor. She…
November 26, 2014: Welcome to the Gun Show – Part II!
Prep continues on Dark Matter! The other day, we had our follow-up gun meeting as we move toward arming our kick-ass crew. It's a dangerous galaxy out there! The inspiration for the weapon of choice the Ferrous Corp soldiers (corporate guards) will be carrying. Each corporation (Ferrous Corp, The Mikkei Combine, Traugott, Volkov-Rusi) will have a…
November 25, 2014: Akemi opining, Snow Monkeys winning, doggies relaxing!
"Tastes like old man who likes pachinko." - Akemi on the smoked trout I picked up last weekend. Well look at which team is sitting in second place in our fantasy football League of Accommodation. Yep, my Snow Monkeys, on the strength of a close-shave two-point victory this past weekend, wrapped up a playoff spot…
November 24, 2014: Introducing Dark Matter Set Designer Doug Slater!
I love working with talented people. Pleasant talented people? Even better. Pleasant talented people who also happen to be scifi fans? Best of all! Such is the case with Dark Matter Set Designer Doug Slater. He's a good guy, great at what he does, AND loves SF. And his love for the genre is clearly evident in his…
November 23, 2014: News of Note!
Why do Japanese people hate root beer? http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/11/21/why-almost-all-japanese-people-hate-root-beer/ But, on the other hand, they do seem to LOVE their tomato/cherry and carrot/orange ice creams: http://www.tsunagujapan.com/40-haagen-dazs-flavors-only-sold-in-japan/ Polish lawmakers take stand against pantsless "hermaphrodite" I used to spend time all the time in my younger years: http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2014/11/winnie-the-pooh-hermaphrodite 13 character posters for the upcoming live-action Attack on Titan movie: http://www.toplessrobot.com/2014/11/13_character_posters_for_live-action_attack_on_tit.php Mmmmm. 21…