The second issue of my comic book series, Dark Matter, came out last weekend to some terrific reviews. Thanks to everyone who has been supporting the book by picking up a copy. If you haven't already checked it out, please do so by swinging by your local bookstore, or ordering a copy (for those of…
February 9, 2012: Max
I picked up Max's ashes from the animal hospital yesterday, shortly after getting back into town. They were accompanied by a certificate of cremation and a copy of The Rainbow Bridge, a poem I've never been able to bring myself to read in its entirety. Amongst the mail that had amassed over my twelve days…
February 8, 2012: Tokyo Day #13! The Longer Longest Day! And Dark Matter #2 hits the stands!
The second issue of my comic book series, Dark Matter, hit the shelves today. Did you pick up your copy? Have you read it yet? If so, what did you think? Were you shocked by the surprise ending or did you see it coming? Do tell? THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS TOKYO TRIP: 1.…
February 7, 2012: Tokyo Day #12! Berkserk! Nakajima! Taku! And a fond farewell to Star Bar! A mini mailbag!
On my second day in Tokyo, I came across a poster for Berserk (Golden Age Arc I: Egg of the Supreme Ruler), the first part of a three-part film trilogy based on one of my all-time favorite anime series (which was, in turn, based on a wildly popular manga series). The movie's opening happened to…
February 7, 2012: Tokyo Day #11! The gang back home! Okonomiyaki! And my weirdest meal yet! Well, actually not so much a meal as a bite.
I received an email from my dog-sitter Christine who informs me Jelly, Bubba, and Lulu are doing well. The latter two can apparently go on endless walks while Jelly can only manage the occasional half block - but only if she's enticed with treats. Anyway, Christine forwarded the following pics of the gang back on…
February 6, 2012: Tokyo Day #10! Still thinking about it! Dim Sum! Ueno! Back to Harujuku! Another night with the ladies!
Hey, I hear what you're all saying. There's a big difference between visiting a place for two weeks out of the year and actually living there, however I am a creature of habit. I adjusted quite quickly to Vancouver after the move from Montreal and then adjusted to life alone with the dogs. When Akemi…
February 5, 2012: Tokyo Day #9! Good news! A formal lunch at a casual restaurant! A gay egg! A rose-donkey! And a night out with the gals!
Woke up to some very good news. From the government no less! Akemi's application for permanent residency has been approved, meaning she won't have to leave Canada when her visitor's visa expires (on her birthday!) this April. According to the letter I received, the paperwork has been sent to Tokyo for processing - whatever that…
February 4, 2012: Day #8! Considering a change in location! Visiting Geek Central! Dessert for dinner and dinner for dessert! Make your own ice cubes – Star Bar style! And a mini mailbag!
The more I consider it, the more I think I could actually give it a go here in Tokyo. Of course, the move wouldn't be as simple as just picking up and shifting my life over to the other side of the world. Some issues would have to be addressed. Chiefly: 1. What would I…
February 3, 2012: Tokyo Day #7! Braving the cold! Kaiseki! Football Avenue! And it’s all business! Sort of!
Woke up to an email from my friend, Sohaib, over at www.fictionalfrontiers.com informing me that the audio interview I did in support of my comic book series, Dark Matter, is up. You can check it out here: http://bit.ly/yiGl0i. We talk about making the transition from television to comic books, my years on Stargate, and the various mysteries (and…
February 2, 2012: Tokyo Day #6! Samurai Joe, Nodaiwa, Faro!
We started the day by checking out the surroundings - and it don't get any closer than the Imperial Hotel itself. We strolled through the shops on the basement level where we happened across a place called Shokendo, a shop that sells and displays antique Japanese swords. Mrs. Aota struck up a conversation with the…
February 1, 2012: Tokyo Day #5! Catching up with my old friends Joel Robuchon and Ishikawa-san,
The second issue of my comic book series, Dark Matter, hits the shelves soon (February 8th last I heard). If you haven't picked up the first issue yet, I strongly urge you to do so as reports have it selling out. This, of course, means it is a sought-after collectible no doubt destined to be…
January 31, 2012: Tokyo Day #4! I discover the world’s greatest pizza, check out some ukiyo-e, partake in more desserts than most eat in an entire week, do some sushi, then cap the night off Star Bars style!
I woke up from my previous night's sleep well-rested, with ten hours of uninterrupted snoozing under my zzzzz belt, ready for a big day. The great thing about traveling to Asia is that jet lag actually works to your benefit provided you're not a night owl looking to party. By the time 10:00 p.m. rolls…
January 30, 2012: Tokyo Day #3! Testing my cranial limits, pizza over pasta, and feeling the burn!
Well, after being up for twenty-four hours straight, traveling halfway across the world, suffering two sleepless nights and two early wake-ups, and experiencing the most splendiferous sugar-high, I came crashing down last night halfway between the Pierre Herme pistachio macaroni and the Margherita pizza. But I get ahead of myself. I'm not much of a…
January 29, 2012: Tokyo Day #2! Chocolate, Tonkatsu, Le Bourguignon, and a visit to The Master!
With my first full day in Tokyo behind me, I have a lot to cover here on the blog - and a lot to look forward to in the coming days. The change of pace and location has provided a much-needed, greatly appreciated distraction. Still, I think of Maximus often and wonder how the other…
January 28, 2012: Tokyo Day #1! Earthquakes, interviews, and chicken butts!
When I woke up this morning, my eyeballs felt like desiccated husks swarming with fire ants. Compounding the issue was the fact that "morning", in this case, was 3:37 a.m. Following a series of travel-related delays, we didn't end up checking into our hotel until 9:00 p.m. local time. After grabbing a quick meal, showering,…