The other night, Akemi and I checked out one of the buzziest Taiwanese restaurants in Vancouver, the well-reviewed, foodie favorite: Kalvin's Szechuan Restaurant. Akemi has a couple of Taiwanese friends who swear by the place and so, more than a little intrigued, we headed out to Victoria Street to see (and taste) for ourselves. The…
April 6, 2013: Design your own Destiny! Let the Resurgence Art Department package be your guide!
In advance of my official Days of Stargate Universe Past trip down memory, how about a little something to whet your appetite? Ah, this takes me back! The Resurgence Art Department package accompanied by visuals from various points in Stargate: Universe's two-year run... The Gate Room... The control interface room... The apple core... In his…
April 5, 2013: Nebula Awards Showcase 2013!
I know a guy who knows a gal who knows someone (another guy? another gal? a super-intelligent chimp?) who knows a gal who got me an advance copy of... Nebula Awards Showcase 2013 edited by Catherine Asaro The book includes Nebula winners in the categories of Best Short Story, Best Novelette, Best Novella, Best Novel, the…
April 4, 2013: Akemi-isms! Okay, here’s the plan!
"I'd love to be a judge on this episode of Iron Chef,"said Akemi. "The secret ingredient is heroin." "Heroin?"I asked. And here I'd thought they couldn't get any more surprising than "battle scotch". "Heroin,"she repeated. And then enunciating just to be sure: "He-ro-in." Hunh. You think you know a person... "The fish,"she added. "Like aji."…
April 3, 2013: My gals! News of Note! Mailbag!
Check out what I picked up today at The Comic Shop today. It's the latest addition to my collection of supervillain statues. Magneto, Master of Magnetism! When Akemi asked me what I bought, I told her it was her early birthday present (two weeks away!). Unbeknownst to her (in the unlikely event she doesn't read this blog),…
April 2, 2013: From guest stars to recurring favorites! My Top 10! And 1 for good luck!
Television, like life, is just full of surprises. Shows you expect to be huge hits tank while apparent duds become breakout hits. Seemingly average episodes on the page magically come together onscreen while guest characters envisioned for a single episode appearance will pop, surpassing all expectations to develop into fan - if not writer -…
April 1, 2013: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews Kick-Ass! Goa’uld-related news!
Dis film be filled wit violence, torture, and a little girl charakter more potty-mouthed den Grover dat time he developed "chemikal burns" on his blueberries after jacuzzi party wit Madonna. It be a terruble, TERRUBLE movie for kids. But a super, FANTASTIK movie for monster. Me loved it! Kick Ass ask de qwestion: What if?…
March 31, 2013: Days of Stargate Atlantis past concludes! Stargate: Extinction! And beyond!
Looking back over my 11+ years with the Stargate franchise, I have one giant regret - the missed opportunity of bringing you that Atlantis movie. We came close...so close... Late in Atlantis's fifth year, when we were working on the final few scripts of the season, we had no way of knowing what the future…
March 30, 2013: Support your local bakers! And umbrella dancers!
Every Saturday morning (and Sunday morning during the summer), Akemi and I head down to the farmers market to support our local growers. Starting this weekend, we can now head down to the bakers market and support our local bakers as well. And so, today, after swinging by Nat Bailey stadium, we headed over to…
March 29, 2013: Build your own wraith facility! Here’s how!
So, how's everyone doing? Good, good. Enjoying the long weekend? Great. Here in Vancouver, it looks like we've finally put winter behind us. The sun is out, the temperature has risen, and my french bulldog, Lulu, is in full spring mode - As for me - well, I'm taking the long weekend off. I plan…
March 28, 2013: Other not-quite-production issues!
When I sat down to write yesterday's blog entry, I hadn't really intended it to be a rant about the state of the BC film & television industry - and the willingness of the standing provincial to help out in the least. I had planned to write about my dogs, but once I started writing…
March 27, 2013: A rare political tirade!
By this time next week, I should have pretty good idea of what I'll be working on next - and, more importantly, where. Whether it's the SF space opera or the urban fantasy series or the non-genre cable show or one of a number of other opportunities, scoring the gig will only be half the…
March 26, 2013: You asked for it! Atlantis floor plans! The Control Room! The ZPM Room! Weir’s Office! The Adrift & Lifeline Art Department Package!
This week feels like the calm before the storm. Of course, I could be wrong and it may actually be the calm before the calm before the storm. Or, worse, the calm before the storm that never comes. Paul and I are closing on several writing assignments (an action feature, an SF pilot, another SF…
March 25, 2013: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews X-Men Origins: Wolverine!
Noooooooooooooooo! BIRDSEYE VIEW of monster on knees, head trown back, staring up at de sky in anguish while me scream: Nooooooooooooooooo! DAT pretty much sum up monster's review of dis movie. Me know, me know. Why would monster use such a hackneyed and cliched camera shot to sum up X-Men Origins: Wolverine? Well, read on...…
March 24, 2013: Pasta-making 101!
A little over a week ago, Akemi and I attended a gelato-making class. Today, we took part part in a pasta-making class. Yes, we're working our way backwards. Next week, who knows? Deviled eggs and pigs-in-a-blanket? Being huge fans of Pasta Famiglia artisan pasta (available only at our local winter farmer's market), we were thrilled…