Oh, shi-ooooooooooot. I woke up to discover I'd left my internet tethering on overnight. I wasn't actually surfing for those eight hours. Hope that makes a difference. First, for those of you who asked about sis's dogs... Well, last night was Christmas Eve and, as has been custom, my sister, Andria, hosted dinner... My sister's…
December 24, 2009: My New Writer’s Room. You Can Quote Me. And Back In Montreal.
I’ve finally discovered my “writing zone”, that oh-so-elusive long sought-after artistic sweet spot, a place that marries private serenity and social dynamism, where focus sharpens and creativity blossoms. I refer, of course, to the Air Canada lounge in the Vancouver Airport where, yesterday, I hit the 35 page mark, and concluded Act III of my…
December 23, 2009: Travel Day! Mucho Mailbag!
Oh, boy. Here we go. Just checked my flight status. Delayed by 15 minutes. So far. Ikitakunai!!! Since I'll be traveling all day today and it's unlikely I'll be able to get around to posting something tonight, I leave you all with an all-mailbag blog entry... Andrea FWhite writes: "I saw on IMDB that StarGate:Extinction…
December 22, 2009: Okay, now I’m really done! And great gift ideas for your kids!
Sigh. I hate being the bearer of bad news, especially when the individual I'm bearing the news to already had a sneaking suspicion. Like cats and certain fans, mothers possess a sixth sense that makes it near impossible to surprise them. As a result, potentially earth-shattering revelations are met with little more than an "I'm…
December 21, 2009: Done and Done! Barbecue! And Miss July!
Osoko natte sumimasen! I was skyping with sis, discussing Christmas gifts and getting her up to speed on recent (and not-so-recent) developments. Hey, speaking of Christmas gifts - I went shopping today, braving the crowds to drop off mini-cupcakes and ice wine for friends, then picking up presents for everyone else on my Christmas list. …
December 20, 2009: Forgetsies! Malt Loaf! And The Mailbag!
So I received my new, replacement credit card the other day. The one with the chip. This time, I made a point of immediately signing the back and memorizing the pin number before promptly misplacing it. I spent about an hour looking for the damn thing and eventually discovered it in the side pocket of…
December 19, 2009: Author Lawrence Watt-Evans Answers Your Questions!
Two big thank you's to kick off today's entry. First a big thank you to Lawrence Watt-Evans, author of The Misenchanted Sword, December's Book of the Month Club pick, for kindly taking the time to drop by and field our questions. Second, an equally big thank you to the nameless blog regular who sent me…
December 18, 2009: SGU, Emoticon Envy, and The Mailbag!
To mark our last day in the office, we watched not one but TWO mixes - a Day 2 mix of Pain, and a Day 1 mix of Subversion. You know what I really love? The cute that plays over the previously on segment. Love. It. Joel Goldsmith did his usual spectacular job and I…
December 17, 2009: I’m getting angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry. I guess most wouldn’t. Except for my writing partner Paul who tends to find it endlessly amusing.
Lately, I've been reuniting with old friends, occasionally quite by accident. For instance, yesterday I forgot my phone in the office and when I came back for it, discovered I'd missed a call. I didn't recognize the number on the all display and curiosity got the best of me, so I called back. "Hi,"I said…
December 16, 2009: A Quickie Update
I'll admit to being a little bummed since my return to cold, rainy, overcast Vancouver. I must now come to terms with the fact that the excitement of those two weeks in Tokyo are, sadly, behind me, along with the infectious energy of the city itself, its fine restaurants, and the many wonderful friends I…
December 15, 2009: A Day of Surprises.
Right. So I'm in the office today, pacing about as I'm talking on my cell phone, when I notice that one of the Spiderman Supervillain busts sitting by the window isn't facing forward. For some reason, The Lizard has been turned away to face the wall. What gives? I turn turn it around to face…
December 14, 2009: The Misenchanted Sword, by Lawrence Watt-Evans. And, oh yeah, we were picked up for a second season. Also, some mailbag.
Valder is a scout for the Esthshar army in its centuries old war with dark forces of the Northern Empire and, when we are first introduced to our hero, it is clear he isn't having the best of days. Having stumbled upon a bold enemy assault force, he is determined to return to his comrades…
December 13, 2009: Celebrity Skinflints! Pooch Pictures! The Mailbag!
So, I've been following this whole Tiger Woods debacle and, despite all of the increasingly sordid details that have emerged, I've remained unfazed. Until today,that is, when I read something truly shocking about the guy and, if true, will forever tarnish him in my eyes. According to one of the gals he dated, Tiger NEVER…
December 12, 2009: The Return of The Weird Food Purchase of the Day, Stefan Checks In, and The Yuutai.
Let's kick things off with a brand new Weird Food Purchase of the Day video installment... That wasn't so bad. In retrospect, I also should've picked up that bottle of Aloe Vera juice. Hey, I heard from my Tokyo travel buddy Stefan today. He dropped me an email in which he related his late-night visit…
December 11, 2009: Contemplating a Change of Residence! Vote Felix! And Hotel Room Porn!
While it's certainly nice to be back enjoying the comforts of home, I really feel that not enough can be said about the relative comforts of a truly great hotel with its mini-bar, complimentary fruits, and pointless but nevertheless much-appreciated turn-down service. In fact, were money not an issue, I wouldn't hesitate to switch my…