What a difference a day makes. Well, a day - and a decision. Yesterday, I briefly outlined the problem we faced regarding our desire to extend Akemi's visitor visa. In short, we'd made a mistake by applying online rather than going through a lawyer - a mistake that, I feared, could result in Akemi being…
September 13, 2011: Snow Monkeys enroute to their undefeated season! Akemi! Jen!
After eking out a two point opening week win, my Snow Monkeys are 1-0 in this young Fantasy Football season. Despite injuries, poor player performances, and suspect managerial decisions, they got the W - marking the first step in what I predict will be an undefeated season. Spoke to the immigration lawyer to with regard…
September 12, 2011: Steampunk Tara! News of Note!
Our friend Tara Yelland leads the blog in her sassy steampunk attire. This pic taken, last weekend, at - where else? - a steampunk-themed wedding. Apparently, it was a beautiful ceremony. Up until they were attacked by a giant mechanized squid. Happily, Tara was saved by airship pirates and will, thus, be available for a…
September 11, 2011: Our Toronto Farewell Tour Commenceth!
Well, our Toronto Farewell tour officially kicked off tonight. Not sure when, exactly, we're leaving, but I imagine it's somewhere between next week and December, depending on how quickly several outstanding issues can be addressed and put to bed. In the meantime, I've lined up a slew of goodbye and see-you-later dinners that, if necessary,…
September 10, 2011: Montreal-bound! Dogs! SFSignal’s Mind Meld!
Planning a road trip to Montreal next weekend, Akemi and doggies in tow. Looks like my visit will coincide with the Montreal Comic Con (Montreal Comic Con). "You excited to meet Stan Lee and Adam West?"my sister texted me. Yes, would love to meet Adam West and check out the original batmobile (was and still…
September 9, 2011: Maximus’s last radioactive road trip!
Yesterday, our pug Maximus underwent his last radiation treatment targeting the tumor in his mouth. Unlike humans, dogs can only undergo a set number of treatments. Any more, I was informed, and they risk damaging the surrounding healthy cells. Don't know why this same logic doesn't apply to human beings but all this to say…
September 8, 2011: Satan sends his love! My Snow Monkeys suffer their first loss – and the season hasn’t even started yet! Mailbag!
Hey, check it out. My sister, Andria, recently received a card from Satan. He professes his love for her and then, rather ominously, vows to never forget her. Well, truth be told, it was a card from one of the kids at her daycare - a kid who, apparently, has trouble spelling his real name.…
September 7, 2011: My new favorite Toronto restaurant! Akemi’s awesome day! Maximus!
"Why your aunt has so many pictures of Justin Bieber?"asked Akemi. "That isn't Justin Bieber,"I told her. "That's my cousin Jake." Akemi scanned the photos on the shelf, then cast me a dubious look. "Sure?" "Yeah,"I said. "I'm sure." We'd just returned from a fantastic dinner at what is now my favorite restaurant in Toronto:…
September 6, 2011: Memories of SG-1’s 10th season! More I’ll miss!
Back when Stargate was heading into it's tenth season, I was feeling very good about its chances for a pick-up. And I wasn't the only one. I remember standing on set one day while we were shooting The Quest II, chatting with actor Chris Judge (Teal'c) as the faux snow fluttered down around us (and…
September 5, 2011: It’s an all Alex weekend!
I woke up this morning unable to move, my dogs clustered around me like a Cruella Deville topcoat. I figured it was one of two things: 1) Like animals who sense earthquakes or similar natural disasters, my super-sensitive dogs were consoling me ahead of inevitable catastrophe, or 2) Winter had arrived. Today's weather convinced me…
September 4, 2011: What a day!
Sure, this year has had it's fair share of twists and turns, exhilarating highs and crushing lows, but nothing has even come close to the rollercoaster of emotions I experienced today. It was, in a word, "brutal" - tough, at times distressing, and yet, ultimately, incredibly cathartic. I'm thoroughly exhausted and, while a part of…
September 3, 2011: That dinner with Marty G.!
The other day I received an afternoon text from Golden Boy Martin Gero: "Are you and Carl free for dinner tonight?". "Will check with Carl,"I responded. And then, before I fully committed: "Where to?" "416 Snackbar?" "Great." I'd heard good things about the place, a restaurant that specialized in comfort finger food. Apparently, it was…
September 2, 2011: Dark Matter! Carl’s bento surprise!
I'm holding off on booking my return flight(s) to Vancouver until I get a few things settled here in Toronto. Between tying up these various loose ends, I'll also take the opportunity to catch up with friends coming into town: Anne-Marie from Montreal, my old Stargate co-worker Jennifer Johnson, and - surprise, surprise - blog…
September 1, 2011: My history with Toronto! Maximus’s radioactive road trip #4! It’s raaaaaaaw!
I'm sure it'll come as no surprise to you all, but I never really grew to love Toronto over the course of my short stay here. Part of it was due to the fact that we moved here in the dead of winter, the overcast bleakness that welcomed us a perfect complement to the city's…
August 31, 2011: And a huge thank you to all of you! The faces behind the scenes! Time for another chocolate run!
I've been averaging between 65-70 emails a day since joining the production. Yesterday, I doubled that with over 165 emails and counting. Since posting my last blog entry, I've received a slew of supportive missives from friends in the industry, former co-workers, my mom (!), and even a (Trevor-style) card from Akemi hastily assembled last…