Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 489

September 2, 2012: YOUR sure-fire recipe for the perfect steak!

Meat Santa

Last night, Ivon came over with fifteen pounds of meat.  Now, normally, the writer in me would be instantly suspicious of a friend who just happened to show up on my doorstep with a bag full of red meat that needed eating, but in this case Ivon paved the way with a (suspicious?) story about placing an order with a farm that raises organic, grass-fed livestock.  He’d informed me he was scheduled to pick up his order at around 6:00 p.m. and suggested he and his girlfriend, Sarah, could swing by and taste test the meat at my place.

I said “Sure!”, swung by the farmers market and picked up some accompaniments – fresh carrots for Akemi’s honey-roasted carrot dish, fresh sungold tomatoes, lemon cukes, garlic, and basil for a nice end of summer salad, and an assortment of fresh desserts from French Made Baking.

Ivon and Sarah arrived at around 6:30, meat in tow.  We decided to sample four cuts:

New York, Sirloin, Rib, and Tenderloin.

My preferred preparation method involves heavily salting the meat and letting it sit for an hour to break down the tissue, then rinse it off, pat it dry, season with pepper and thyme, then sear in a cast iron pan for two minutes aside before topping it with more thyme, crushed garlic, and butter and popping it into the oven for ten minutes to finish.  Alas, the fact that the steaks were frozen solid put a bit of a crimp in those pans.  And so, instead, I looked up a recipe for searing frozen steaks.  According to the adherents of this method, frozen steaks actually sear better than room temperature steaks.  After searing, the steaks are popped into the oven for thirty minutes to an hour at fairly low heat (250 degrees) and then served to a perfect, buttery medium-rare.

Steaks!

The steaks seared nicely and, as per the instructions, I popped them into the oven at 250 degrees.  After about twenty minutes, we checked the meat.  It was still raw inside.  Patience may be a virtue but hunger trumps everything so we ratcheted up the oven to 350 degrees, waited another fifteen and -

Voila!

Our plate of meat.

The meat was very good, the tenderloin in particular, but I think we did it a disservice by rushing it along.  Some day, I’d like to prepare them, unfrozen, with my salt and sear method.

Steaks compliments of Ivon and Sarah.

Everyone has their version of the perfect steak.  Would love to hear yours.

Since we’re on the topic of perfecting cooking methods, here are a couple of pics of Akemi and my recent attempts at souffle:

Akemi

Me

Inspired by a recent episode of Master Chef (Can I just say how much I hate it when eliminated contestants are given the opportunity to return to the competition?  It gives them an unfair advantage over every chef that is eliminated moving forward, every other chef who DIDN’T luck out with a second chance.  But this is a topic for another blog rant), Akemi and I set out to try our hands at the difficult dish, baking up four versions: Savory Cheese, Blueberry, Cherry, and Chocolate.

Surprisingly, the cheese – while the ugliest – was the tastiest.  The chocolate was first runner up because, while slightly dried out, it turned out better than the undercooked fruit souffles.

Work continues on perfecting our souffle recipes.

We’re also working on perfecting our pork belly recipes.  The other day, we tried a Gordon Ramsay version that involved slow roasting the pork belly, pressed it, refrigerating it overnight, then slicing it up and finishing in the oven to crispy doneness.

Ramsay’s pork

As much as I loved the crispy top, I found the meat too tough, nestled between layers of fat that hadn’t rendered properly.  We still prefer a version Akemi makes (she calls it “Winnie the Pooh Pork”) that sees it braised for several hours in a soy, honey, orange and balsamic vinegar-based sauce.

Sometimes, simple is best.  Like this simple salad comprised of sweet sungolds, fresh basil, burrata cheese, Arbequina olive oil, and sea salt.

And, finally, a taste of Japan.  Akemi’s “happo sai”: nappa cabbage, shitake mushrooms, pork, carrots, and quail eggs in a chicken broth-based stew.

Natsukashii!

Last chance to vote (and most importantly, leave a comment on the poll page to win a signed script) for The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History:

Take Our Poll

Our Supermovie of the Week Club resumes tomorrow as this blog’s resident film critic, Cookie Monster, returns to offer his take on Ang Lee’s The Hulk (2003).  Monster has been uncharacteristically generous of late, doling out high cookie praise for movies like X-Men, X2: X-Men United, and Spiderman while demonstrating more typical disdain for recent stinker Daredevil.  How will The Hulk fare?  Tune in to tomorrow’s blog episode to find out.

Tagged: Stargate, steak, superhero movies, superheroes, SuperMovie of the Week Club, The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History, the perfect steak

September 1, 2012: The Snow Monkeys Cometh! The Dogs Eating Ice Cream summer finale!

Finally!  Today was the day our fantasy football league, Vancouver United, gathered for our fantasy football draft.  It looks like my team, the Snow Monkeys, will have its work cut out for it as it faces off against fourteen other tough teams.  Well, thirteen tough teams plus the ragtag assortment of players Tio will manage to assemble every week.

Determined to repeat as champions.

After staying up late last night going over my stats, I woke up early this morning – to go over my stats – then opened up my three laptops, pulled out my research documents, and counted down.  Our draft positions were randomly generated thirty minutes before the draft, so there was no way to prepare – well, short of over-preparing which is what I did, running some three hundred different simulations that saw me drafting at all fourteen spots.  If there was one thing I discovered, it was that I didn’t want to end up drafting in the #5-7 position.  #1-4 and I would draft one of the top three RB’s.  #8-14 and I would have a shot at a couple of fairly strong runners as well.  Of course, as it turned out, I ended up with the 6th pick.

Ready to draft!

The draft began at 11:00 a.m. sharp.  VFX Supervisor Mark Savela (The Savela Skitterers) had the first pick and my buddy Tio, who must be commended for attempting to field a team made up entirely of quarterbacks, had the last pick.  Inside that hour and a half, I snapped up some great players, missed out on a few I’d had my eye on, and even landed a couple of potential sleepers.

Here are my new look Snow Monkeys:

QB: Drew Brees

RB: Fred Jackson

RB: Doug Martin

WR: Dwayne Bowe

WR: Marques Colston

TE: Jared Cook

R/W/T: Mark Ingram

K: Ryan Succop

D: Atlanta Falcons

Bench

RB: Jacquizz Rodgers

WR: Pierre Garcon

WR: Austin Collie

WR: Greg Little

WR: Jon Baldwin

WR: Justin Blackmon

In the end, I had to draft one of the top tier quarterbacks and I’m very happy with Brees.  Regardless of the vendetta against them, the Saints will be a powerhouse this year.  Which is why I also picked up the scoring machine Marques Colston and lead Saints back Mark Ingram who should assume most goal line rushing duties.  A very solid offensive line will make the Chiefs much improved, which means another great year for Bowe and possible breakout status for Baldwin.

Speaking of breakout status, speedy Justin Blackmon has already become a favorite of QB Blaine Gabbart in Jacksonville and he looks to have plenty of upside.  Our opening week match-up will no doubt see me crush Tio’s team, the woefully undermanned Crossplane.  Fred Jackson was well on his to a rushing title last season before breaking his leg.  He’s on the mend and gets another shot this year.  Meanwhile, rookie Doug Martin assumes lead rushing duties on a Bucs squad that also boasts a pretty solid o-line.  I went with a couple of #1 receivers, and a tight end, on teams with new quarterbacks that should be throwing their way plenty: Pierre Garcon, Greg Little, and Jared Cook.

My biggest reach was Atlanta runningback Jacquizz Rodgers but, with Michael Turner slowing down, the pass-catching Rodgers coming out of the backfield presents a terrific opportunity for the pass-happy Falcons. The only pick I’m unsure of is Colts receiver Austin Collie.  Hopefully, he develops some kind of rapport with first year QB Andrew Luck. Finally, as for the kicker and defense – there’s no way to tell at the beginning of the season so I just rolled the dice and will wait and see.

Thoughts?  Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t know what the hell I’m talking about?   The last time I talked football with my friends, Akemi had this to say: “It sounds like you’re speaking English, but I don’t understand anything!”

As a reward for all those non-football fans who nevertheless read through the above post, here is video from this summer’s last soft serve outing with the dogs:

 

Tagged: dogs eating ice cream, fantasy football, NFL fantasy football

August 31, 2012: News of Note! Cast your ballot for The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History!

Off to dinner with Ivon and Tio tonight to discuss – what else? – football!  Our fantasy football season kicks off tomorrow when our league (Vancouver Unite) holds its 2012 draft.  As you all know, my Snow Monkeys are 2011 league champions looking to defend the title. I’ve done my research and plan to spend most of tonight and tomorrow morning going over the stats and making adjustments to my player rankings.  So, any suggestions?  Sleepers?  Duds?  Should I be drafting a QB first?

Today’s blog entry is dedicated to all those who took the time to write about or post pics of their beloved pets in yesterday’s comment section.  And, by the way, my sister greatly appreciates all the well-wishes sent Aspen’s way.

Some news of note:

Imagine an alternate universe where Thunderbird took Wolverine’s place on the X-Men and Spock had less screen time than that whiney Chekov: 7 Iconic Characters They Saved from The Cutting Room Floor

Almost a candidate for the Darwin Awards: Man almost dies after mailing himself to girlfriend  ”I didn’t realize it would take so long,” said Seng in a Daily Mail article. “I tried to make a hole in the cardboard but it was too thick and I didn’t want to spoil the surprise by shouting.”

In you get, sweetheart.

19 Unintentionally Terrifying Children’s Album Covers

Relax.  You’re in good hands with our trained flight crew: ANA pilots unaware for 17 seconds that plane was almost turning …

It all makes sense now.  My great grandfather was addicted to the internet too!  Addicted to the internet? It could be all in your genes

Apparently there’s been a marked drop in demand for condos located near active super volcanoes: ‘Super volcano’ could kill millions near site of Pompeii

Chocolate linked to reduced risk of stroke — in men Which is why I’ve replaced Gatorade with a chocolate shake as my post-work out drink.

What, in your opinion, was the singular saddest moment in Stargate history?  The moment, above all others in the franchise’s 300+ episode run, that had you crying so hard you scared your dog?  What was THE most bawlworthy moment?  Was it Daniel’s ascension?  Janet’s surprise death?  Young’s gut wrenching mercy killing of Riley?  Or was it Beckett’s farewell?  I want to know.  Cast your vote – and leave a comment on the poll page – for a chance to win a signed script!

Take Our Poll

Hunh.  Here’s something interesting.  Of those top ten heartbreaking moments, one was written by Carl Binder (Epilogue), one by Martin Gero (Sunday), one by Paul Mullie and me (The Last Man) and the remaining seven were written by Robert C. Cooper.  Seven out of ten!  Next Comic Con, I’m going to make a tidy profit selling “ROBERT COOPER MADE ME CRY” t-shirts.

Tagged: Atlantis, SF television scifi television, SG-1, SGA, Stargate, Stargate Universe Stargate: Universe, Stargate: Atlantis, Stargate: SG-1, The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History

August 30, 2012: The things we do for our pets! Cast your vote for The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History!

Some of you were wondering about my sister’s dog, Aspen, who made an appearance in yesterday’s blog – a video of him following his post-chemo treatment, clearly feeling a little zoned-out.  Well, here’s the update. In early June, the poor boy was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bladder and lymph node.  He started chemo and, after a full round, he was switched to daily leukeran chemo pills.  Pictured below, Aspen following one of his treatments, receiving some TLC from his buddy Roxy.

A recent ultrasound showed a slight increase in the size of the mass on his prostate and lymph node so his treatment was again changed.  He is now receiving a high dose of mitoxantrone every three weeks. Another ultrasound in six weeks should reveal whether he responds to his new treatment.

Compounding the problem is the fact that he also suffers from autoimmune issues and takes medication for that as well.  The side effects of these meds include frequent urination, which requires sis to line to cover the floor and beds with pee pads (which must be handled with extra caution because of those chemo treatments).  Despite all this, sis and Aspen are in high spirits.  Hopefully we’ll hear some good news in late September.

Not sure whether it was yesterday’s video of Aspen or just coincidence, but I dreamt of my boy Maximus last night.  As most of you know, Max (pictured in the blog banner) passed away early this year after being diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in July of 2011.  Like Aspen, he underwent a series of treatments, radiation rather than chemo, in addition to an anti-cancer vaccine.  It was expensive and exhausting and, ultimately, still wasn’t enough to save him in the end, and yet I don’t regret having done it.  Rather, I’m sure I would have regretted NOT having done everything I could have at the time.

Anyway, yes, I dreamt of Maximus.  But it wasn’t the sick, tired Maximus in the last few months of his life or the laid-back, chunky Maximus of most of his adult life.  It was puppy Max.  In the dream, I happened to look over and there he was, happy to be back with us. And, as I went over to pat his head, he sat up and started to gently nibble on the tip of my fingers with his front teeth.  It was something he used to do all the time when he was a puppy, something I’d completely forgotten about until I was reminded about it in my dream.  How weird is that?

I’m dedicating this entry to all of the furry four-legged friends who are no longer with us.  Tell me about them.  Post a pic if you have one.

Puppy Maximus…

Continuing the melancholy theme of this blog, I’d like to remind everyone to cast your vote for The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History.  And leave a comment on the poll page for a chance to win a signed script!  Polls close Sunday night.

Take Our Poll

Tagged: Atlantis, science fiction, scifi, scifi television, SF, SF television, SG-1, SGA, SGU, Stargate, Stargate SG-1. Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe, Stargate: Atlantis, Stargate: SG-1, The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History, Universe

August 29, 2012: My sister’s dog is high as a kite! A souffle-less souffle outing! What was The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History?

My sister’s dog is high:

Aspen apparently feeling uber-relaxed following his latest chemo treatment.  Fingers crossed it helps!

It never fails.  Every night, Akemi and I work out while watching one of the food shows, be it Hell’s Kitchen, Master Chef, Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, Chuck’s Day Off, Chef Academy, or Around the World in 80 Plates.  And, every night, we go to bed craving whatever dish happened to be featured on that evening’s show.  The other day, it was souffle.  Akemi had a hankering for a nice, airy, chocolate version of the dessert.  I hopped online and was surprised to discover that Joeys, a casual eatery in the downtown area, offered a chocolate lava souffle.  A chocolate lava souffle?  At Joey’s?  It sounded too good to be true. And, alas, it was.  Good, but also too good to be true.

I was expecting something like this -

But ended up being served this instead -

This isn’t a souffle.  It’s a chocolate lava cake.  It was good, but not a souffle – which is what Akemi had her heart set on.

The search continues.

As usual, I cast a wide dessert net.  In addition to the souffle chocolate lava cake, we had -

The Italian Donuts – which I found somewhat bland.

And a good apple pie topped with some terrific maple ice cream.

Joining us on this outing were my friend Marsha who was visiting from out of town with her friend Brett -

Marsha shows off her noodle something with lettuce(?).

Brett went with the fettuccine

Afterwards, we walked back to my car where I discovered some douchebag had parked his motorcycle mere inches from my front bumper.  I felt the urge to put my car in drive, knock it over, then drive over it, back over it, and drive over it again – but restrained myself because I knew that, if I did, I would be the one held responsible!  It’s like these namby pamby laws that prevent me from installing that in-car security system that delivers a 50 000 volt jolt to any car thieves foolish enough to attempt to hotwire my SUV.  I need me one of those after-market add-ons they sell in South Africa, built in flame throwers to discourage car jackers and squeejee kids.

Anyway, I was somewhat hearted because, the next day, Marsha sent me an email explaining that, after seeing us to our car, she and Brett stopped by the market.  On their way back, they came across this little scene -

 

The offending motorcycle being ticketed.  In retrospect, not running it over was the right choice.

Quick!  Cast your vote on The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History (and leave a comment) for a chance to win a signed script!

Take Our Poll

 

 

Tagged: Atlantis, Most Heart Breaking Moment in Stargate History, science fiction, Science Fiction Television, scifi television, SF, SG-1, SGA, SGU, souffle, Stargate, Stargate Universe, Stargate: Atlantis, Stargate: SG-1, Universe

August 28, 2012: The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History!

A new poll and another chance to win a signed script!

What, in your opinion, was The Most Heartbreaking Moment in Stargate History?  In coming up with the list of candidates, I tried to consider the events in context.  For instance, while Universe’s final episode was heartfelt, it was only heartbreaking insofar as the audience knew the show wasn’t coming back when the episode finally aired.  The same goes for Atlantis’s more upbeat finale which, in retrospect, was bittersweet given that fact that it turned out to be the show’s finale. Similarly, the last appearance of (the real) Elizabeth Weir which sees her seemingly sacrifice herself so that the team can escape is also much more heartbreaking with the knowledge that she doesn’t come back after Lifeline.

And so, considering these moments within the framework of their individual stories, here is my list of The Most Devastating Moments in Stargate History.

Ascension of the Abydonians (Stargate: SG-1 – Full Circle)

SG-1 is unable to save the Abydonians from Anubis but, in a bittersweet turn, we discover that Oma Desala has helped them ascend.  ”Death is only the beginning of one’s journey,”Skaara reminds O’Neill before disappearing.

Jacob’s Passing (Stargate: SG-1 – Threads)

A dying Jacob Carter receives a new lease on life after taking a symbiote, but, it turns out, even symbiotes are vulnerable to the ravages of time.  Jacob dies peacefully, a grieving Sam by his bedside.

The Death of Janet Fraiser (Stargate: SG-1 – Heroes I and II)

Dr. Fraiser was a mainstay at Stargate command, a familiar and friendly face we’d drawn comfort in over the course of SG-1′s seven years of adventuring – so the moment she was killed by an errant staff blast was not only shocking, it was downright heartbreaking.

Goodbye Daniel (Stargate: SG-1 – Meridian)

The moment of Daniel Jackson’s death is heartbreaking in itself but an even more poignant moments comes at episode’s end when he appears to Jack in his ascended form.

“So, what?”asks O’Neill.  ”See you around?”

“I don’t know,”says Daniel as he turns and walks up the ramp.

“Hey… where are you going?”

“I don’t know,”replies Daniel and then disappears through the gate.

Lives Unlived #1 (Stargate: SG-1 – Unending)

SG-1 live out the rest of their lives, trapped aboard the Odyssey cocooned in a time dilation field.  They grow old together. Relationships are developed.  Carter eventually figures out a way to turn back time, but it will undo the experience they’ve shared, the memories they hold.  Ultimately, they make the decision to sacrifice it all – and only Teal’c will bear witness to what happened.

Farewell to Carson Beckett (Stargate: Atlantis – Sunday)

Following a solemn send-off for Atlantis’s lovable Chief Medical Officer, a grieving Rodney is paid a visit by the recently deceased Dr. Beckett.

“Take care of yourself, Rodney,”says Beckett.

“Goodbye, Carson,”says Rodney as Beckett fades away.

Solitary Man (Stargate Atlantis – Vegas)

Johnny Cash’s Solitary Man is an appropriate theme song for this alternate reality’s Detective John Sheppard, a very familiar Shep whose life has taken a very unfamiliar term.  He cracks a dangerous case, saving who knows how many lives in the process and, in the episode’s final moments, dies alone and unsung in the desert.

Lives Unlived #2 (Stargate: Atlantis – The Last Man)

Sheppard travels to a future Atlantis where he uncovers the sad tale of what befell the Atlantis expedition: Teyla murdered by Michael, Carter sacrificing herself in battle, Ronon and Todd falling to Michael’s army of hybrids, the city of Atlantis abandoned.  But the worst if yet to come for Rodney who at first finds some solace in his relationship with Jennifer Keller, only to have that taken away from him when she falls ill.  Tests discover traces of the Hoffan drug in her system.  She dies three days later.

The Death of Riley (Stargate: Universe – Aftermath)

One of the most heart wrenching deaths in Stargate history comes early in Stargate Universe’s second season.  The shuttle crashes and Sgt. Riley is pinned and mortally wounded.  Two moments – first, his conversation with T.J., then Young’s mercy killing – leave the viewers (and our surviving characters) completely devastated.

Lives Unlived #3 (Stargate: Universe – Epilogue)

This time it’s the Universe crew’s turn to offer a There But the Grace of God.  Happy outcomes for some, far sadder for others, T.J. in particular.  In one of the most heartbreaking sequences in Stargate history, we see her deterioration as the disease ravages her body, leaving her bedridden and unable to feed herself.  And then, she is gone,  leaving her husband and young children to mourn her absence.

So, what do you think?  What gets your vote?  Leave a comment for a chance to win a signed script!

Take Our Poll

Tagged: film & television, Science Fiction Television, scifi television, SF, SG-1, SGA, SGU, Stargate, Stargate Universe, Stargate: Atlantis, Stargate: SG-1

August 27, 2012: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews X2: X-Men United!

Monster bummed after watching X2: X-Men United.  Why?  Becuz next to eat cookies, nothing me like better dan to complain.  But X2: X-Men United not give monster much to complain about.  It an even better movie dan original X-Men movie.  For true!

Furry Blue Power!

Movie kick off wit awesum aktion sekwence in which furry blue mutant (not to be confused wit furry blue muppet) use teleport power to ALMOST kill President.  Dis attack give bad guy Colonel William Stryker excuse to move against Xavier’s School for Mutant.

Wolverine kick ass.

BUT Wolverine happen to be at de school and he be VERY cranky.  So cranky, in fakt, dat he go all shish kebab on Stryker’s strike team.  Most kids escape. Meanwhile, Professor X and Cyclops captured!

FireBoyLad have fiery temper

Wolverine, Iceman, Rogue, and FireBoyLad escape and hideout at home of Bobby Drake (Iceman).  Bobby’s family come home and Bobby come out to dem.  Everyone very understanding, except mutaphobic little brother who call cops.  Wolverine shot in head and dis make FireBoyLad very angry.  He torch some cop cars (didn’t Stanley Cup riot in Vancouver teach him anyting?) and dey eskape again – wit Wolverine who bounce back pretty well from head shot.

Magneto escape

Meanwhile, Magneto eskape prison wit help of Mystique – and prison guard’s high iron content.  No doubt, guard deeply regret decision to go wit spinach salad lunch!  Magneto and Mystique team up wit Wolverine, Rogue, Iceman, FireBoyLad, Jean Grey, Storm, and furry-blue-almost-president-killer Nightcrawler (who was mind-control viktim after all) to stop Stryker.  Dey track him down to old dam facility.  Dis always de way.  For once, monster want to see supervillain set up HQ in nice Viktorian brownstone or food truck speshulizing in Korean fusion quizine.  Everybody suspekt abandoned missile silo but nobody suspekt Bill’s Bulgogi Buggy.

Anyway, X-Men infiltrate facility while Stryker use his own mutant son to control Professor X to control Cerebro to locate all mutants and kill dem!  Jean fights Cyclops and smack some sense into him.

Lady Deathstrike

Wolverine face off against Lady Deathstrike who have adamantium clawz, just like him.  Dey fight and he kill her but monster feel very sorry for Lady Deathstrike becuz she under Stryker’s control and not herself.  Me imagine dat when not under mind control, Lady Deathstrike very pleasant gal who like to laugh, romantik walks on de beach, and perforating eyeballs.

Magneto turn tables on Stryker AND Professor X, controlling him to control Cerebro to locate all humans and kill dem!  Magneto and Mystique eskape in helicopter – along wit FireBoyLad who join up becuz dey promise to help him come up wit cool nickname (monster’s suggestions inklude: Flamer de Flaming Man, Burny, and Hot Pantz).

Wit Nightcrawler’s help, Storm reach Professor X in nick of time and stop him from wiping out humanity.

X-Men

Monster like original X-Men movie a lot and dis one even better.  De skript be clever and fun, all de charakters get enuf screen time, and Cyclops slightly less annoying dis time out.

Verdikt: Dis movie be de equivalent of de double-stuffed Oreo platter at Sesame Street’s fanciest French restaurant, La Vieille Chaussette = Exquizit!

Rating: 9 out of 10 chocolate chippee cookies.

Sneak preview of next week’s videogame superhero movie of de week:

Tagged: Comic Books, Comics, Cookie Monster, Cookie Monster reviews X2: X-Men United, superhero movies, superheroes, SuperMovie of the Week Club, X-Men, X-Men 2, X2: X-Men United

August 26, 2012: Checking out Cos & Effect!

Yesterday, Akemi and I checked out the second year of the Cos & Effect cosplay convention taking place at the beautiful UBC campus…

Just some creepy homeless dark elf we ran into ON OUR WAY to the con.

Bear kicking back with friend.

Melty from Tsubasa (?)

Damn. I missed taking a picture of Thor eating a hamburger by about thirty seconds.

Akemi recognized these characters from Final Fantasy.

Hey, lady. How YOU doin’?

Captain Jack Sparrow needs a drink.

Frilly, no?

Convention organizer Antonia and (I want to say) Mark.

Servers of the Maid Cafe!

Apparently it took her three months to make the costume. Hope that included the portable air conditioning unit.

Animal control was called and these animals were sedated and taken away to be released into their natural habitat.

Weird. This is the exact same outfit Carl Binder wore to the Stargate Universe wrap party.

Taking a break from the hellfire and brimstone.

Mutant Ninja Pizza Server.

I’m admittedly no expert but this doesn’t look like proper sword wielding technique.

Kawaii Batgirl.

Tough walking in this outfit, but she looked great.

Akemi’s favorite.

Vash says: “Love and Peace!”

I caught Black Widow just as she was heading in after parking her Subaru.

Great fun.  Looking forward to next year!

Tagged: Anime, Cos & Effect, Cos & Effect 2012, cosplay

August 25, 2012: The Perfect Meal! Cos & Effect Kicks Off!

What’s cookin’?

Last night, I had THE perfect meal.  And, by “perfect”, I mean perfect for me.  And no wonder given that my dinner was planned and prepared by Chef Rob Belcham.  No one knows my culinary likes and dislikes, leanings and particulars better than Rob and the gang from Campagnolo/Campagnolo Roma/Fat Dragon.

Fellow owner Tom Doughty texted me earlier this week to let me know they had some very special pork in and would I be interested in having dinner at Campagnolo?  Would I!

Chef Rob Belcham, the master of ceremonies on this night.

So, last night, Akemi and I showed up at Campagnolo where we were greeted by Chef Belcham who had that glint in his eye, the look of someone who was about to spring a surprise.  As it turned out, several them over the course of our meal.  No menus for us on this night.  But I wasn’t worried.  We were in infinitely capable hands.

First up, the corn soup.  Not just any corn soup.  This is THE corn soup, the corn soup they used to serve at Refuel, available only during peak season.  The corn is pressed through a cheesecloth, several times to achieve its thick, rich consistency.  My favorite soup of all time.

It was served chilled with melon and a touch of chili.  I told Akemi that, back in the day, when it was on the menu at the old location, I used to have two bowls – one to start the meal and one to end it.  It’s that good.

The salad included sungolds from Stoney Paradise, the sweetest tomatoes you’ll ever eat (contrasted with the slightly tarter heirloom), along with some fresh basil, mozzarella, and a little something from the charcuterie. 

We were presented with the piece de resistance, the star of the evening: The Pork Belly Rack

Bar Director Giovanni Giardino heard I was a fan of the Moscow Mule and asked me if I wanted to try his take on the classic.

Instead of ginger beer, he uses a ginger syrup that packs quite the wicked throat punch.  

It is accompanied by the same concentrated syrup with overproof.  One single drop will blow away your tastebuds.

The rack was served with polenta, peas, radish…it was unbelievable.  The meat was tasty and melt-in-your-mouth tender, the skin crisp and delicious.  Unforgettable.  

Then, it was time for dessert and I was presented with…

Another serving of corn soup, this one topped with peaches and dill.  Just like old times!

For Akemi, a fabulous butterscotch trifle.

What a great dinner.  Thoroughly satisfied, we – WAIT!  THERE’S MORE!  Onto our second round of desserts -

Akemi loves cheesecake and this mascarpone cheesecake with fresh cherries didn’t disappoint.  Even I was a fan!

“Didn’t think we would let you go without some chocolate, did you?”asked Chef Belcham.  Corn soup, sungold tomatoes, crispy pork, more corn soup, AND a chocolate dessert!  Valhrona Chocolate Pudding with Nutella cream and crushed hazelnuts.  Best Dessert Ever!

I don’t eat out as much as I used to but the dinner made me wistful for the good old days at Fuel/Refuel – and, quite frankly, eager to come back to Campagnolo to sample the incredible-looking pastas and pizzas that passed our table over the course of the evening.

The meal was nothing short of perfection.  A huge thanks to Rob, Tom, and the rest of the gang!

CAMPAGNOLO RESTAURANT

CAMPAGNOLO ROMA

FAT DRAGON BAR-B-Q

Hey, Cos & Effect (Cos & Effect) kicked off on Friday and continues through the weekend.  Akemi and I dropped by this afternoon and I snapped a few pics – which I’ll be posting as part of tomorrow’s blog entry.  Here’s a sneak peek:

Captain Jack says: “A con? I love cons. Drinks all around!”

Carl’s faves: The ladies of Final Fantasy

Tagged: Anime, Camapgnolo, Campagnolo Roma, Chef Belcham, Chef Rob Belcham, Cos & Effect, cosplay, dining Vancouver, Fat Dragon, Rob Belcham, Tom Doughty, Vancouver Restaurants

August 24, 2012: Days of Stargate Atlantis Past! First Strike!

Days of Stargate Atlantis past wraps up SGA’s third season with…

FIRST STRIKE (320)

Atlantis’s third season concludes in fine style.  Under threat from a powerful Asuran weapon, Atlantis has no choice but to do the unthinkable – leave!  And the City of Atlantis does just that, rising up off the surface of the ocean and taking flight.  It was an awesome sight and it opened the door to some wondrous possibilities – that were only explored for about two episodes, which was the length of time it took for Atlantis to find a new planet’s ocean to settle down on.  As much as I love the visual of Atlantis being surrounded by water, I was even more intrigued by the visual of Atlantis surrounded by stars, for all intents and purposes one giant space ship.  The argument against keeping Atlantis aloft (or having it touch down on a complete different setting like, say, a desert milieu or a snow covered expanse which were both ideas I pitched), came down to budget.  Over the course of the show’s three seasons, we had banked some amazing establishing shots, all of which captured Atlantis surrounded by water.  By placing the city in different surroundings, all of these establishers would have been shelved, necessitating the creation of all new establishers.  Ultimately, I understood why Atlantis had to end up on another body of water, but I still feel we could have extended the journey through space over a few more episodes.

This episode marked the introduction of Dr. Jennifer Keller played by the amazing Jewel Staite.  In the episode, she sports a Canadian patch on her uniform – which was later changed to an American patch through the magic of visual effects because Paul felt that Canada was already more than well-represented on Atlantis.

Also, that lovable technician played by actor Chuck Campbell finally gets a name.  After much brainstorming and careful consideration, the writing department decided to name him…Chuck.  Inspired, no?

First Strike also marked Torri Higginson’s final appearance as a series regular.  Despite the serious injuries Weir sustains at episode’s end, a decision on the fate of the character wasn’t made until shooting on the episode had almost completed.  I liked Torri a lot, both professionally (I couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role) and personally (as a fellow dog-lover, she had my respect), and felt she had to know as soon as possible.  And, since Paul and I were going to take over as show runners in the show’s fourth season, I thought it only right that we be the ones to tell her.  Sure, it would have been easier to follow the lead of other productions, put off the talk and let the studio tell her agent, but, after three years, we owed her that much.  Torri was a consummate professional, graciously accepting the news and the opportunity we pitched her to continue on the show (as we had plans to take the character in what we hoped would be an exciting new direction, one that wouldn’t see her appear in every episode but would make her the point of focus of every episode she would appear in). Unfortunately, the planned arc we had envisioned for Elizabeth didn’t pan out (for reasons I’ll touch upon in future blog entries) and so, in retrospect, this will always remain a bittersweet episode for me.

Head on over to Gateworld and cast your vote in the Stargate Atlantis Season 3 Awards: Atlantis Season Three Awards: Vote Now!

Tagged: Atlantis, Days of Stargate Atlantis Past, Days of Stargate Past, First Strike, science fiction, scifi, scifi television, SF, SGA, Stargate: Atlantis