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…

September 14, 2011: Let’s Celebrate!

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…