Akemi occasionally sends me off to work with some pretty amazing breakfasts - tasty and artistically elaborate bento creations that are, apparently, all the rage back in Japan. I've posted pics of these edible masterpieces in recent months... Well, not to be outdone, Carl's wife, Karen, sent him off with his own bento box creation…
August 14, 2011: Laws of Attraction!
For some reason, drunks flock to my french bulldog, Lulu, as if she were a kiosk dispensing wine samples at an all-night liquor store. If we're out on a walk and there's a drunk within staggering distance, guaranteed he'll find his way to her, cooing, occasionally crying, invariably getting down on the ground the better…
August 13, 2011: A Quaint Southern Saying!
There's an old Southern saying that goes: "Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.". I remember hearing it ages ago and not thinking much of it at the time - but over the course of this past week, I've been thinking about it. A lot. I'm a pretty reasonable guy. Most people…
August 12, 2011: Work! A surprise guest! And more Maximus!
Despite the fact that I was only on set three days this week, I'm more exhausted today than I have been all year. Yep, one of those weeks. Expect to have a lot more of these between now and the end of November... Today, we were paid a visit by surprise guest... A usually voracious…
August 11, 2011: Maximus’s first radioactive road trip!
Today, we woke up early to bring Maximus to the University of Guelph for his first radiation treatment. We left at 7:00 a.m. so that we could be there for 8:30. Once there, we checked in and, while we waited, Maximus picked himself a comfy spot and cowered. We spoke to the radiation oncologist who…
August 10, 2011: Back on set!
Back on set today - even though my episode (#102 - 12 Hours) wrapped two days ago. I've been standing in for Paul who has been busy prepping episodes #104-105 (The Switch and Harvest), overseeing the final two outstanding days on the pilot. Yes, it's true! So much awesomeness it couldn't be contained in one…
August 9, 2011: Snow Monkeys Return! Back on Set!
Even though I'm on the other side of the country, my Snow Monkeys will be making another bid for Fantasy Football supremacy. This season, they square off against the likes of The New Old Spice Guys, Van Isle Vultures, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, and Ivon Bartok's The Running Dead (among others). The League,…
August 8, 2011: Another Maximus Update
Maximus let me carry him this morning. On the surface, it may not sound like such a big deal but it really is when one considers that, throughout his life, he has never willingly allowed himself to be carried. All it would take was an: "I'm going to pick you up!" and he would quicken…
August 7, 2011: Out and about with the Stargate gang! Ice cream with Sue and co.! The Maximus update!
Michael Shanks was back in town so, last night, we headed over to what is fast becoming a second home for me here in Toronto: Scarpetta. And, this time, we were joined by fellow Stargate alums Carl Binder and Martin Gero for pasta, wine, and reminiscences. Michael was in town shooting a guest spot on…
August 6, 2011: There’s nothing like a nice, homemade card!
When we were kids, my mother used to emphasize the importance of a good, homemade card. The way she saw it, it took hardly any effort to buy a card. Making one, on the other hand, was a demonstration of love, an achievement of time, toil, and determination. Mom was right. And so, with a…
August 5, 2011: The Transporter – Episode #102 – 12 Hours – Day #7!
Sweet, sweeet Saturday sleep. I now look forward to my late weekend mornings the same way I used to look forward to new issues of The Mighty Avengers or ice cream on a hot summer day. It's been another exhausting week, but we got some really great stuff - thanks, in great part, to our…
August 4, 2011: The Maximus Update!
An even longer and more exhausting day than the usual. I woke up bright and early this morning to take the 90 minute drive to the University of Guelph Small Animal Hospital where my pug Maximus had a visit with one of the resident Oncologists. We met with the doctor who gave us the rundown…
August 3, 2011: Transporter – Episode #2 – 12 Hours – Day 5!
Although we started an hour later this morning, I had to add an hour to my travel time so it was a wash: no extra sleep for me. 5:20 a.m. wake-up, walk the dogs, wash up, then out the door at 6:30 a.m. By the time I rolled into The Devil's Punch Bowl at Stoney…
August 2, 2011: The Transporter – Episode #2 – 12 Hours – Day #4! Thanks from me and Maximus!
Back at it again today, this time in Stouffville for a visit to Geneva and a very unique home plus a healthy dose of action compliments of Fight Choreographer Cyril Raffaelli (pictured above, calling YOU out). The day was a scorcher! It was a hot, long day and, as a thank you to my terrific…
August 1, 2011: Maximus…
I noticed the change in Maximus several weeks ago. Normally possessed of an appetite characteristic of most pugs, he would scoff down treats on sight, snapping up kibble, liver brownies, and fingertips with equal relish. And then suddenly, three weeks ago, something changed. While he didn't exactly turn down the treats, he no longer attacked…