I've been surprisingly busy since my return to Vancouver on Tuesday. Not stupid-busy as in months past, but diligently and satisfactorily so. In addition to the various issues that need to be addressed on the home front, there are the various potential and upcoming projects I finally have the time to get around to. On…
September 28, 2011: The Lodger! The Oldsters! The Mailbag! Oh, and Dark Matter!
So, the fact that I'm back in Vancouver sooner than expected surprised a few people - perhaps no one more than my buddy Lawren who was housesitting for me during my exile and was fully expecting me back in December at the earliest. My speedy return means he'll have to find alternate accommodations but, like…
September 27, 2011: I’m jet-lagged so this one’s a bit of a ramble…
"Who's Michael Vick?"asked Akemi. "A guy who killed a lot of dogs,"I replied. And then, almost as an after-thought: "He also plays football." And, lately, not very well. Turns out dog-killer has regressed to his original mediocre/selfish game play. And, of course, it's all the fault of the refs, according to Vick. He did so…
September 26, 2011: The Final Goodbye Dinner!
As far as years go, I've had better. Admittedly, it's been a rough 2011 for me and, while there's a lot I WON'T miss about Toronto, there are a few things I will. At the very top of the list, is these two - Meeting and getting to know Sarah and Alexander has been THE…
September 25, 2011: From East to West!
Dinner last night... Tonight's dinner.. Back on the west coast tonight, then back to the east coast tomorrow morning! Pleased to report that, while their General Manager was flying the friendly skies, the Snow Monkeys clawed their way to a 2-1 recrod following a close shave 0.64 victory over the Autodrafts. Bamboo leaves for…
September 24, 2011: Another Goodbye Dinner!
Last night, we were out for yet another goodbye dinner - this time, with my buddy Mega from across the hall. Well, across the hall when I was working on Transporter. During my stay on the production, Mega never failed to put a smile on my face, offer an understanding ear, or filch one of…
September 23, 2011: Carl’s farewell dinner! Cupcakes! What makes you sick?
A terrific send-off dinner last night as we all gathered at Babur Restaurant for Carl Binder's farewell feast. The attendees included Carl Binder (writer, Exec. Producer, SGA and SGU), Martin Gero (writer, Exec. Producer, SGA), Jewel Staite (aka Dr. Jennifer Keller, SGA), Andy Mikita (Director, SG-1, SGA, and SGU), Mike Banas P.I. (ace editor, SGA…
September 22, 2011: One final trip to Guelph for Maximus! Mailbag!
Today, we took Maximus for his last visit to University of Guelph's small animal hospital. He finished up his radiation treatments two weeks ago and, this morning, he was in for one of his last anti-cancer vaccines. While the initial results of the radiation treatment were encouraging in that we saw a shrinkage in the…
September 21, 2011: More Akemi-isms! Today – the breakdown! Mailbag!
"Tastes like old taxi driver." - Akemi on the gazpacho we had at Origin "Tastes like Santa Claus's socks." - Akemi on foie gras. While in Toronto, we were visiting my elderly aunt when the conversation turned to cell phone plans. Mom, miffed, suggested my sister and I change the topic of conversation to something…
September 20, 2011: Actress, Assistant, Stand-in, and Nemesis Tara Yelland Answers Your Questions!
Today, I turn this blog over to my east coast arch-nemesis, Tara Yelland for her much-anticipated Q&A. Tomorrow, I hit the mailbag to answer your questions. Hopefully. Over to Tara... TY: A note on the portrait: I'm not sure all of you fully realized this, but I drew that thing WITH MY EYES CLOSED! Try…
September 19, 2011: I need a less comfy car! Snow Monkeys in trouble! Pet pics!
I can lie awake in bed for hours, waiting to fall asleep, but put me in a meeting and I can doze off in no time at all. In addition to meetings, I've found that other snoozy-worthy environments include the back seat of a bus, during a late afternoon viewing of a mix, and any…
September 18, 2011: Dogs on vacation! My Auntie Jeanette! Sampling Montreal’s finest! Au Pied de Cochon!
I'm not the only who's enjoying the time off. My dogs seem to be having a grand old time at mom's place, making the most of her comfy couches... Today, we headed east to pay a visit to my Auntie Jeanette. At 93, she's still as chatty as ever. I remember, back when my grandmother…
September 17, 2011: Okay, a lot to get through! Let’s get started…
A full day today. Let the pictures tell the story... Some of you have asked how all the dogs are getting along. Well, I'm happy to report: "Great!". We adopted a go-slow approach, introducing members of my gang one at a time, starting best behaved to worst... Anyway, yes, my dogs get along well with…
September 16, 2011: Tara Yelland wants to hear from you! Road Trip!!!
Yesterday, I receive an email from my old friend/onset nemesis Tara. She wrote: "o pass the time on set, I'm playing a game called "Blind Portrait"; I approach people on set and ask if they would like their portrait drawn by me--but it has to be done with my eyes closed. I'm quite brilliant at…
September 15, 2011: Akemi, SG-1 and Uh-oh!
Yesterday, Akemi had her first good night's sleep in a long time. The news that she'd been approved for an extension of her visitor's visa had wiped away months of anxiety. Until early this morning when, while showering, she suddenly wondered if I'd made a mistake. Had Immigration Canada's automated call center really informed me…