It looks like the next month or so is going to be very busy around here. Upcoming guests to this blog will include: Artist/Illustrator/Designer John Picacio. Stargate Atlantis Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Savela. Author Lois McMaster Bujold. Author Catherynne M. Valente. Author Stephen Dobyns. Stargate Atlantis Production Designer James Robbins. Stargate Atlantis Director of Photography…
July 20, 2008: Tipping the scales, okinomiyaki no-show, and mucho mailbag
I would be remiss if I didn’t report on Friday’s quasi-successful lunch, especially since I went to great lengths to detail Carl’s general unhappiness with his previous day’s order (just run a search for “curry cartilage” if you’re all that interested). Friday, we ordered from the Jagerhof Schnitzel House and while it wasn’t exactly a…
July 19, 2008: KGS BGT BSK KSB
Allow me to start off by thanking author Jennifer Pelland for dropping by and offering some insight into her writing process and her delightfully wicked works. As an example, I offer this little gem from yesterday’s Q&A: “Sometimes a pair of words come together in my head and a story follows (”Clone Barbecue” - my…
July 18, 2008: With Special Guest Author Jennifer Pelland
Before I turn this blog over to guest author Jennifer Pelland who has kindly taken time out of her busy writing/belly dancing schedule to spend time with us and field your questions about her dark SF collection, Unwelcome Bodies, I ‘d just like to remind everyone that - Emmy award nominated Stargate: Atlantis Visual Effects Guru…
July 17, 2008: Congratulations to our VFX crew, suggestions for this year’s crew gift, Jeff Carlson’s trailer for Plague War
I’d like to kick off today’s entry by congratulating our visual effects department on their well-deserved Emmy nomination in the category of “Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series” for last year’s season premiere, Adrift. Mark Savela and the gang outdid themselves in season 4 and they’re managing to top that effort with the work…
July 16, 2008: Meetings, book discussion, and lazy dogs
Today’s notes session on Remnants was long and involved but went very well. No requests to tone down or lose any of the key beats. Mainly requests for clarity and thematic reinforcement. We followed up with our final meetings of the week - 1) Stunts and SPFX in which we discussed squibs (What’s a squib?…
July 15, 2008: Our class field trip, Unwelcome Bodies discussion, and the mailbag
Thankfully, saner heads prevailed and the location scout initially scheduled for 7:15 a.m. this morning was moved to a much more bearable 8:00 a.m. The trip to Stokes Pitt took about 45 minutes and I spent the time chatting food with producer John G. Lenic, and catching up on my emails. You know, I used…
July 14, 2008: Unwelcome Bodies, by Jennifer Pelland
A short story anthology is not unlike a season of television. You’ll have your high points, your low points, and all else in between. More often than not, it’s the latter, those in-between entries making up the bulk of the assembly, that will determine whether a show or author warrants a repeat viewing. Take Jennifer…
July 13, 2008: Baron Destructo’s Investment Advice
Fun time’s over. It’s back to work for me tomorrow. And, by the looks of the prep schedule, it’s going to be a long day: 0900: Concept Meeting for Ep. #515 “Remnants” 1030: Prosthetics Meeting for Ep. #515, “Remnants” 1100: Art Department Meeting for Ep. #515, “Remnants” 1145: Props Meeting for Ep. #515, “Remnants” 1330:…
July 12, 2008: Bookly Things and Behind-the-Scenes on Search and Rescue
I’d like to begin today’s blog entry by once again thanking K.J. Bishop for stopping by to spend time with us. As expected, her novel, The Etched City, engendered some fairly strong and wide-ranging opinions. According to Kirsten, she was “just amazed at the detail and thoughtfulness of the responses”. So, kudos to all those…
July 11, 2008: K.J. Bishop drops by to answer your questions, discuss The Etched City, and much more
Today’s special guest author joins us all the way from her home in Bangkok, Thailand. As a result of your interest in her novel, her willingness to make time for us, and, of course, the magic that is the internet, K.J. Bishop is here to address a slew of your questions and…
July 10, 2008: My Montreal Wrap-Up
Hey, check out the - well, not exactly highlights but not exactly lowlights either, so let's call them midlights - of my trip to Montreal. I'm posting these to prove I didn't spend all of my time there eating. Occasionally, I took pictures of other people eating…
July 9, 2008: Liquorice notes with honey spice cake hints, redolent of tropical fruits and spicy flavors with an undertone of gut shank
“The first thing to do is look at the chocolate,”advised Pierre. “Study its appearance.” Everyone unwrapped and carefully scrutinized their squares. The woman to my right gaped as though she’d just borne witness to some astounding magic trick. Hey, that’s not a chocolate! That’s my card, the Ace of Clubs! “Now, break the chocolate.” Pierre…
July 8, 2008: Meals, Musings, and Mailbag
Napkin at m:brgr My surf 'n turf combo at Club Chasse et Peche: lobster and veal Hmmm. I’m busier now at home than I was back at work. So much for time off. And with Fondy out of town, my meals have tended toward the uninspired: tuna, chicken, soup, and salad. A far cry from…
July 7, 2008: K.J. Bishop’s The Etched City
It has drawn comparisons to the Dark Tower series and Perdido Street Station, yet The Etched City owes far less to King and Mieville than it does to ancient lore, Eastern mythology, spaghetti westerns, and the works of Hieronymous Bosch. At turns fascinating, frustrating, yet ultimately rewarding, this first novel by Aussie author K.J. Bishop…