Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 123

June 5, 2022: Suji Sunday!

Samurai Suji.

Samurai Suji with a touch of Ninja.

Channeling her shinigami.

Cool cool cool.

Sunny day stroll.

Flower Power!

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Top 10 Most Unusual Foods I Have Eaten!

And by unusual, I mean unusual to me at the time they were first sampled.  Today, I don’t find most of them unusual at all.

Well.  Most of them.

10) Beef Tendon

This one was an usual one for me to wrap my head around at first.  No meat.  Just the tendon?  I’ll have to admit, I wasn’t convinced the first time I tried it but, on subsequent outings, the dish has grown on me – at first as an accompaniment to beef, and now a favorite all on its own.  Served with a side of white rice – delicious!

Recommended?  Yes!

9) Snake Soup

I have always considered myself an adventurous eater, so when the opportunity presented itself to try some snake soup at the Hong Kong airport enroute to Tokyo, I thought “Why not?”.  The verdict?  I found it unremarkable.  More notable, however, was the ensuing week of gastrointestinal distress that saw me shed 15 lbs, inadvertently allowing me to stumble upon what I would later coin The Snake Soup Diet!

Recommended?  Hell, no!

8) Alligator

I first tried alligator at a  cajun restaurant in Montreal back in college days.  I found it an uninspired dish that would be best described as as a cross between overcooked veal and frog.

Recommended?  Nope.

7) Frog’s Legs

Less chewy than alligator, but more fishy-tasting.

Recommended?  Also no.

6) Fugu

The first time I tried fugu was on one of my first trips to Japan when I was served it, sashimi style, as a part of an omakase (chef’s choice menu) meal at a high-end restaurant in Tokyo.  I was, admittedly leery.  We all remember that episode of The Simpsons, right?  The fish is deadly and can only be prepared and served by trained masters.  A misstep could mean certain death for the diner.  I have since learned that most fugu in Japan is now farmed and toxin-free – although some high-end restaurants still kick it old school.  I suspect my experience was the latter.  Although Akemi loves fugu, I found it neutral in flavor.

Recommended?  Not really.

5) Haggis

Sheep stomach stuffed with offal, oatmeal, onions and spices.  What’s not to like?  Well…  I picked up a haggis out of curiosity back in Vancouver and looked up preparation methods.  Most were incredibly unappealing, but I happened on one that involved roasting the haggis and serving it with a butter-whiskey sauce.  When I mentioned this to actor Robert Carlyle, he briefly looked like he was going to throttle me – before politely and calmly informing me that boiling is the proper preparation.

Recommended?  No.

4) Chicken Feet

It’s all skin and bone and, to be honest, cartilage.  But the sauce really puts it over the top.

Recommended?  Depending on the preparation, a cautious yes.

3) Lamb’s Brains

I came home from school one day to discover my visiting roasting up some lamb brains in the oven.  Seasoned with oil, garlic, salt and black pepper, they smelled delicious.  But had an off-putting coppery taste.

Recommend?  Afraid not.

2) Sweetbreads

A.k.a. thymus gland.  It has a bit of a brain-like appearance and, in that respect, is instantly off-putting – BUT is surprisingly delicious served bacon-wrapped, fried, or pan-roasted with garlic and thyme.

Recommended?  Yes.

1) Century Eggs.

A terrific accompaniment to most any congee, but I find a little goes a long way.  A deeper dive into their preparation methods has somewhat dampened my enthusiasm.

Recommended?  Yes.  Occasionally.  In congee.

And one for good luck) Shirako

On my first trip to Tokyo, I enjoyed a soup at the Hyatt in Shinjuku that contained some unusual dumplings – slightly sweet and very creamy.  When I asked the waitress about them, she informed me I was eating milt.  I asked her for the English translation and she told me that milt was the English translation.  It wasn’t until I got back to my hotel room that I was able to google it and learn milt is cod sperm.  I’ve since been served it steamed (not recommended) and tempura’d (high recommended).

Recommended?   Yes.

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June 3, 2022: Meanwhile on the home front…

Discovering a new snack…

Discovering a variation on a new snack…

Today’s Yes/No…

Honey Cornbread with Strawberry Jam Ice Cream? Yes/No pic.twitter.com/EpD0PSMyOA

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 3, 2022

I mean – come on.  Why is there a “G” in G-Idle if you’re not even going to acknowledge it?

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June 2, 2022: Let’s see how it goes!

Today’s zoom call about that video game feature adaptation went well.  I’ve got 2-3 weeks to come up with a killer take that will blow their socks off.  I could probably do it in 1, but I don’t want to seem overly eager.  There’s a lot of world and a lot of story to cover in a single movie, but you can do it with: 1) a concise focus and 2) a character-driven narrative with heart and humor that pays tribute to the source material.  I know, I know.  Respect the source material?  How positively antiquated of you, Joe – especially in an era where adaptations are often so far removed from the I.P. that you’d swear the writers never even watched/read/played the original.  But let’s see how it goes.

The future looks increasingly less promising as time wears on…

Seeking bogus babysitter to watch over imaginary baby. Paying $15 bullshit dollars/hour.
We'll have 'virtual' babies within 50 years, AI expert predicts https://t.co/kKLUNZhLj3 via @nypost

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 2, 2022

I’m going to need a top up before I tackle the next draft…

"- scientists found that certain genes could be used to elicit the same response without extracting brain fluid from younger mice."
All things being equal, I think I'm going to go ahead with brain fluid from youngsters just to be on the safe side.https://t.co/dy01KMs7RN

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 2, 2022

In the event you’re going in for surgery shortly…

Substitute the antibiotics for Glen Moray!
Older boozers recover FASTER from surgery than teetotallers, study reveals https://t.co/RRnMkAhYFQ

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 2, 2022

Good boy! https://t.co/wMxrzN6NH0

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 2, 2022

And today’s Yes/No…

Cold Brew Margarita? Yes/No
Tequila comes to Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo with exclusive collaboration drinks https://t.co/TsNltKQfgA via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) June 2, 2022

 

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June 1, 2022: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Carnage #3 – cover art by Bjorn Barends

Strange #3 – cover art by Bjorn Barends

Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1 – cover art by Daniel Sampere

Suicide Squad: Get Joker! – cover art by Alex Maleev

Red Sonja: Red Sitha #2 – cover art by Jung-Geun Yoon

So, which were your favorites?

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May 31, 2022: What’s Polk Salad and do I really want to eat it?

I scored 29 but feel I could have done even better if I knew what Red Eye Gravy, Brunswick stew, Polk Salad, and Hoppin’ John were.

Anyway, I’m moving to Savannah.

Today’s Yes/No…

Mala Chicken Wing Tips? Yes/No pic.twitter.com/VcNpUAu8xr

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 31, 2022

I mean…how much meat are on those things?  I usually just trim them off to make wing-eating easier.  You?

Kale chips, anyone?
“Popcorn supply will be tight.” That’s a scary script for movie theaters worried about shortages behind the concession stand—just as Americans are returning to the cinema. https://t.co/ATISFb1uIS via @WSJ

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 31, 2022

For the longest time, there were three things I refused to eat: popcorn, candied fruit, and shepherd’s pie.

Ever noticed time seems to move faster when you’re in control of things? Science can explain why:https://t.co/CiwHjHIb0m

— Universal-Sci (@universal_sci) May 31, 2022

You know, now that you mention it, it has slowly dawned on me…

Great zoom call this morning about one of my pilots – very similar to Dark Matter in theme and tone but in a contemporary real(ish?) world setting.  Looks like we’ll be moving forward on the development of a pitch deck.  Provided they follow up.

Stranger things have happened.

And, finally, tomorrow I should be completing work on the re-re-revised outline of that re-re-revise pilot.  I’ll review Thursday, make some final touches, send it on its way and then it’ll be SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH sailing!

 

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May 30, 2022: Hey! This is just like that other thing!

Awwww,  man.  I’m at the “gaming challenge” portion of the outline and coming up with puzzles is NOT my forte.  I spent the morning reviewing some of the classics: timed doors, water levels, moving blocks, reflecting sunlight with strategically placed mirrors, and, of course, searching the room for the hidden password or combination.  After much brain bending, I came up with three suitable variations.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is I’m only in Act 2.

Speaking of gaming, I have a zoom this Thursday to discuss the adaptation of sci-fi video game.  After reading the deck, I spent a few hours watching gameplay and, have to say it, there’s some incredible world building here in addition to some really great character work.  They apparently want to discuss going the feature route but I can’t help but think this would make a really great series.

And speaking of adaptations, we’re about to lock the final piece into place on our Promise of Blood (Powder Mage) pitch and we’re aiming for an early summer pitch tour.

Hey, you know what I hate?  When you write a pilot and, soon after, a movie or t.v. series comes out with the exact same premise.  So, embittered, you shelf the script, forget all about it until eight years later when a production company reads it and wants to talk to you about it.  And you can’t help but wonder if, maybe, they just didn’t see that other movie/series.  Or, if they did and still want to move forward, that maybe all the buyers will draw the obvious comparisons.  Or, maybe, you can find a way to change the script enough to make it distinct, like Armageddon and Deep Impact or Turner & Hooch and K9 were completely different.

P.S. The truth is anything you write will be similar to something else.  I remember when the trailer for Dark Matter dropped, some complained: “Hey, this is just Pandorum: The Series”.  Fortunately, those people were not buyers.

You know what I also hate?  Mistaking your wife’s miso paste for your homemade peanut butter – and not realizing it until you try your protein shake.

Awaiting word on a few other scripts, a couple of other projects.  In the meantime, gotta say, I’m a little disappointed in some of the old team.  If I was grading – which I am – I’d give them an A-, two D’s, and a big fat F for F-fort.

Today’s Yes/No…

Cola Chips? Yes/No pic.twitter.com/M6TZ3r2mQE

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 30, 2022

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May 29, 2022: Suji Sunday!

It’s flower-viewing season!

Ice cream break!

And winding down after an exhausting day…

 

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May 28, 2022: The Weekend Part 1 of 2!

Yozo!  How goes your weekend?  What’s new and exciting on your end?

Did a little writing today, completing the first of two outlines I’m looking to deliver beginning of next week.  Did a little (slow going) reading.    Packed Suji into her stroller and took a walk down to the park for a dog-related event.  Lots of rescues, toys, treats, food – and attention for Suji who was the belle of the ball in her fancy wheelchair.  On the way home, we finally checked out that new ice cream place…

WTF?  I found a piece of corn in my soft serve.

It was actually better than it looked.

Hey! What happened to the old neon green @KFC cole slaw I used to know and love and burn my throat? pic.twitter.com/n8sRs0gO81

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 28, 2022

Today’s Yes/No…

RITZxOREO mashup? Yes/No https://t.co/pa28SDcYGd

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 28, 2022

Honestly?  Meh.

My favorite type of producers are the kind who contribute to the success of a production.

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 28, 2022

My inspirational quote of the day…

Fly as high as you can as an exotic bird before everyone discovers you’re just a curry-dipped seagull.

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May 27, 2022: Meanwhile, on the home front…

Any item of clothing can become weapon…in the right hands!

Akemi checking in with Alexa on her “broccoli” and “water” timers…

Today’s Yes/No…

Frozen Sake? Yes/No
Frozen Japanese sake: A fantastic way to make easy summer cocktails https://t.co/3XeDPigZLb via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 27, 2022

Be honest.  Does this t-shirt make me look nerdy?

Auto Draft

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