Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 530

August 27, 2011: Wvrst! Geek Fest!

Last night, we checked out a place seemingly tailor-made for my buddy Carl: Wvrst.  The name is unfortunate and the room's acoustics are terrible (Carl and I, sitting across from each other, had to shout to be heard), but the food is great.  On the menu: sausages and beer.  You choose between currywurst (sausage served with a sauce that's a tasty mix of ketchup and curry) or sausage in a bun (along with two of four toppings: sauerkraut, jalapenos, sweet red peppers, or caramelized onions), then get to choose from a variety of sausages.

Carl, all smiles. I have a feeling this is going to be is home away from home while in Toronto. He'll just pack up his stuff at the hotel and move in here.

Banquet seating.

A terrific meal.  Akemi loved her Italian sausage because it was, to quote her – "shauwissen" (meaning it was just bursting with meat juices).  I loved my duck with maple and foie gras.  And we ALL loved the duck fat fries!  About the only thing nobody loved…

The Church Key Scotch Ale. Brutal. Carl likened it to drinking motor oil.

No dessert menu at Wvrst.  Fortunately, Soma was on the way home.  We stopped by for – oh, everything: chocolates, ice cream, flourless chocolate cake, and cookies.

Carl tut-tuts my boorish behavior.

Today, Akemi and I met up with Carl and dog park friends John and Nancy for lunch and Fan Expo.  We were really looking forward to enjoying a meal at our favorite Jamaican restaurant Ackee Tree…

Only to learn it had closed down. John was crushed.

We ended up at Bier Markt instead, another one of Carl's favorite haunts.  They do a killer Ahi Tuna burger.  But the highlight of the menu…

The Markt Poutine.

 Finally, it was time to hit the Fan Expo.  And, after coughing up $40 to get in (Actually, Carl treated!) we were in…

Carl having the time of his life.

Akemi and her Japanese buddy. We watched a trailer for what looked like Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots: The Movie.

March of the storm troopers. Dispatched for crowd control.

At the Space booth: Mark Askwith and fellow producer prep for the big show.

As I was leaving the Space booth, I was approached by Andrew here who recognized me (and not from that America's Most Wanted episode!). We chatted Stargate for a while.

Speaking of Stargate - it was nice to see the fans representing.

And a little something for Das!

GORN!!!

I gave myself top points for actually recognizing this character from the Silent Hill video game.

DC Heroes on display.

Perhaps the worst case of jaundice I've ever seen.

Spirited Away!

No, not really.

You climb in, they lock you up, then bury you out back. Two hours later, they dig you back up.

Hmmm. I think I know why that Wonder Woman pilot didn't go to series.

The Joker and Harley Quinn out and about.

I score two more supervillain statues for my office collection: The Vulture on the left and Modok on the right.

Carl calls it a day.

 "This was my second geek festival.  I think pretty successful." – Akemi, August 27 2011.

August 26, 2011: Feeling logy!

Whew.  For some reason, all sorts of exhausted.  Could be work.  Could be the lack of working out.  Could be the Maximus situation.  Could be the scramble to deal with Akemi's visa situation. Could just be the end of the week.  Or, it could be I'm still feeling the repercussions of last weekend's weird food blow-out at the CNE.

Not exactly weird, but notable…

Heard from my longtime Stargate VFX Supervisor, Mark Savela, who informs me he'll be in town next week pitching Echoes.  I foresee another Stargate alumni dinner in my future!

An interesting article our assistant, Trevor, sent our way:  People are biased against creative ideas, studies find.  Hmmmm.

Received the summary from Maximus's second visit to University of Guelph.  Among the points of interest:

Assessment: good response to the first RT but now has evidence of regional lymph node metastasis

Comments: Will include the lymph node for the next 3 radiation treatments and hope that the melanoma vaccine will turn on the immune system.  Prognosis is still guarded with an expected survival of 6-8 months.

Today's entry is dedicated to Debra.

August 25, 2011: Maximus's Radioactive Road Trip III! In my mailbox! Baby!

"It's cold out.  I think I will wear my window-breaker."  Akemi, August 23 2011.

Early this morning, we were back at the University of Guelph Small Animal Hospital for Maximus's 3rd (of 5) radiation treatments and anti-cancer vaccine. Needless to say, my boy was less than enthusiastic…

Maximus looking all anxious heading into this third radiation treatment.

There have been some notable changes in Maximus over the past month.  Beside the obvious – lethargy, loss of appetite – he's become unusually needy. Apparently, if we're all in the car and I pop out to get something, he'll cry until I come back.  He used to do this all the time back when he was a puppy, and it's unusual to hear he's suddenly doing it now.

Bummed.

Anyway, like I said, his Maximus's appetite has been off of late.  He's no longer the voracious eater he used to be, polishing off his meal before the rest of the pack were halfway through theirs.  Lately, he's been turning his nose up at dog food and so Akemi has been making him simmered chicken breast that he'll happily consume so long as its shredded and fed to him by hand.  The radiation oncologist told us that the treatment may affect his olfactory sense and suggested we try sprinkling parmesan on his food.  That or serve him scrambled eggs. Akemi tried the latter this afternoon and that did the trick.  Apparently, he scoffed them down like his old self.

Contemplating matters.

According to the radiation oncologist, the tumor is shrinking.  A hopeful sign.  The aim is to get it to divide and die, a process that – if successful – may not come about for months after the completion of the therapy.

Anyway, Maximus was in great spirits when we picked him up later that day.  I dropped him and Akemi off, then headed to the office where I found some mail awaiting me.  First -

An awesome get well card from PBMom, Jeff, and Patrick. Maximus thanks you!

And then -

A Pugs Not Drugs t-shirt from my friend Kellie!

A HUGE thank you to both.

Oh, by the way.  With time to kill while we waited for Maximus to complete that morning's treatment, we headed over to the nearby mall where we strolled the aisles of the neighborhood dollar store.  I couldn't resist snapping a pic of this -

I'm no expert but...

Fan Expo this weekend – from what I hear, the biggest con after Comic Con and The Big Apple Comic Con.  I'm thinking of going on Saturday to check out the supervillain statues.

And heckle Michael Shanks who'll be making an appearance along with his lovely wife Lexa.

Finally, I leave you tonight with a pic of mom's cat, Baby, after bath time.

Cute, no?

Today's entry is dedicated to blog regular Das and everyone affected by Hurricane Irene's approach.  Stay safe!

August 24, 2011: Yet another Carl Binder belated birthday dinner! And another Weird Food Purchase of the Day video installment! And one more bento box masterpiece!

Last night, we went out for yet another Carl Binder belated birthday dinner.  I mean, seriously.  How long is he going to keep milking this?  I think his birthday was back in March!

Anyway, we all gathered at Babur Restaurant that Carl happily declared his "favorite restaurant in Canada"!, apparently beating out the likes of Earls, Red Robin, and that little Mexican place with the taco soup they don't call "taco soup".

The birthday boy, all smiles.

With super special guest star: Alan McCullough.

Mike Dopud, in town shooting our show - and about a half dozen other shows as well.

Alexander and Sarah. Alex has been putting in such late hours that we actually had to wake him up for this picture.

Me and Akemi. Post vindaloo.

Alexander and Sarah surprise Carl with the perfect gift: one heavy-ass beer keg he had to lug all the way back to his place.

Today's weird food purchase of the day video installment: the classic deep-fried Mars Bar.

Finally, today's bento breakfast masterpiece compliments of Akemi…

Kuma-chan!

Hmmm. Many of you seem to be experiencing technical difficulties trying to play the videos on this blog.  Someone suggested it may be browser-related.  I just noticed my own browser-related quirk.  For some reason, I can't approve comments if I open this blog in Safari.  My "approve" button just doesn't exist unless I use Firefox.  Odd.

P.S. A huge thanks to everyone who has been offering advice on the whole Akemi immigration thing.  Extra special thanks to Lise for the informative pointers.

August 23, 2011: Lou and Hugo together at last! Doggy R&R! The Weird Food Purchase of the Day: Deep-Fried Jos Louis!!

Editor Lou Anders and his new budy

Congrats to my buddy, editor Lou Anders, for picking up his very first Hugo Award!

Prometheus Books put out the following press release:

"Anders received the trophy for "Best Editor–Long Form" at a ceremony on Aug. 20 at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada. Jay Lake and Ken Scholes presided as masters of ceremony, with additional presenters including Renovation Guests of Honor Tim Powers, Boris Vallejo, and Ellen Asher, along with leading genre writers George R. R. Martin and Robert Silverberg.

The Hugos are international, fan-voted awards. All members of the World Science Fiction Society are eligible to vote.

This was the fifth consecutive nomination and the first win for Anders in the category.

 "Words cannot express what an honor this award represents to me," Anders said. "But what I can express is how privileged I feel to work every day with the host of brilliant authors who have made Pyr what it is."

"Lou's taste, vision, and stewardship have been instrumental in shaping the Pyr brand," said Prometheus Books President Jonathan Kurtz. "We're extremely pleased and grateful for the tremendous reception Pyr has received since its inception."

Prometheus Books, an independent publisher of thoughtful nonfiction, launched the Pyr imprint in March 2005. Since then, it has become a brand known for books with quality both inside and out, from rich, engrossing narratives to award-winning cover art and design. Although technically an imprint, Pyr was called "one of a very few publishers I know of who have no bad books to their name" by a BiblioBuffet writer, and "one of the most exciting publishers in the business" by Black Gate magazine."

Hugo!

If you're interested, you can check out the whole ceremony here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16783348

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Checking in with the dogs…

Lulu's eyeing you!

Bubba squeeeeezes in.

Jelly's look of disdain

Maximus - hopefully on the mend.

Hanging out for the weekend.

Lulu all sprawly-comfy.

Yet another Weird Food Purchase of the Day installment.  Today – the deep-fried Jos Louis…

Goodnight!  I'm off to walk the dogs, then watch Bruce McDonald's director's cut of episode #102, 12 Hours!

August 22, 2011: If the karoshi doesn't kill me, the deep-fried fudge might!

"Have a good day.  Don't karoshi!" – Akemi, Every morning before I leave for work.

From wiki: "Karōshi (過労死?), which can be translated literally from Japanese as "death from overwork", is occupational sudden death. Although this category has a significant count, Japan is one of the few countries that reports it in the statistics as a separate category. The major medical causes of karōshi deaths are heart attack and stroke due to stress."

Hmmmm.  I suspect that, in her subtle way, Akemi is trying to tell me something.  But what?  WHAT?!!

Speaking of work – prep continues on my block (episodes #103 and #106, Sharks and Payback) as we try to cast, nail down locations, and get through that final round of meetings in advance of next Monday's start of production.  Also, have my hands full with these seemingly endless script revisions.  This morning, I received a call from one of the broadcasters informing me that the script for episode #103 was in great shape!

And that I could expect the next round of notes by day's end.

Anyway, the production express stops for no one.  I'm on board and racing toward the finish line – now December 2nd.  I'm sure that by that point, we'll have a thoroughly awesome first season under our collective belts and will have established a well-oiled machine for the second season's producing team (And, yes, I have no doubt that there WILL be a second season).  Following Christmas in Montreal with mom and sis, I'll be headed back to Vancouver for a much more easy-going 2012.  Hopefully, Akemi will be along for the return trip.

To all of you inquiring about Akemi's future here in Canada – well, I've retained the services of an immigration lawyer to help us out.  With less than three months and counting before Akemi's visa expires, here's hoping we can figure something out.  I know that Carl would miss her terribly.  Tonight, we start by filling out oodles of paperwork!

A Weird Food Purchase of the Day video installment.  Deep-fried chocolate fudge!

August 21, 2011: Daredevil Eats at the CNE! The Return of the Weird Food Purchase of the Day!

Today, we hit the CNE (Canadian National Exhibit).  My goal: to eat as much crap as possible.  And, I'm pleased to report, this mission was a huge success…

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My back-up on this day: Akemi, Carl, and Karen. They were on hand to eat what I couldn't finish and, if need be, call an ambulance on my behalf.

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Akemi foolishly filling up on healthy calories.

Carl's "Your gonna eat what?!" look.

We arrived a little before 1:00 p.m. and ignored the solitary concessions, games, and rides, heading straight for the giant food court.  I was on a mission…

We arrive at Food Central. Let the games begin!

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions. Everything looks so not good...

Finally, we find what I'm looking for – my reason for making this trip…

The Luthor! A cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and a fried egg sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme doughnuts. And only 1500 calories.

So, how was it?

Carl was NOT a fan of the sweet doughnut/burger combination but I thought it worked just fine.  It was actually the fried egg I had a problem with.

Anyway, with the Luthor under my belt, I was free to adopt a more scattershot approach to my menu selections.  Next up was some not bad deep-fried chocolate fudge (see tomorrow's entry for the video) followed by…

Deep-fried mac 'n cheese curds.

While everyone else was taking a breather, I swung by another booth and picked up a medley of treats…

From bottom left clockwise: deep fried Jo Louis, deep fried Mars Bar, and deep fried Twinkie.

Rather than go with the deep fried pickle, Akemi elected to go with plain old plain. Crazy, no?

We intended to head back only discover it was pouring rain outside.  So headed back inside and killed time by walking around – and eating some more.  I sampled some deep-fried coca cola (I believe they deep-fried the syrup and the result resembled a brown funnel cake).  I also picked up some wings at this place that offered choices ranging from mild to suicide.  When I ordered the suicide, the girls at the counter chuckled.  They told me it was because the suicide was insanely hot but I suspect it was actually because they knew I'd be disappointed by their weak kick.

Lonely boy eating his wings.

At this point, Akemi began to fear for my life and suggested it was time to go.  It had stopped raining so we headed out.  Along the way, we happened by a few more concessions…

Hot waffle ice cream sandwich.

We were almost at the exit when THIS caught my eye.

 How the hell do you deep fry butter?  Well, I'm glad you asked!

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First you take the butter...

Then you dip them in batter...

Then, fry 'em up...

Top with various syrups and serve. Bon Appetit!

And that was it!  Oh, except for this -

Deep fried cherry aid.

Okay.  At this point, I started feeling a little dizzy, no doubt a result of the drop in barometric pressure.  So we decided to call it a day.

Homeward bound!

Carl and Karen will no doubt be back next weekend.

All in all, a truly memorable outing.

I was so full that I figured I wouldn't eat until breakfast tomorrow.

But got hungry at around 7:00 p.m. and cooked up some insanely hot peppers and scallops.  Fortunately, I was able to cool down with some Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream.

Needless to say, I fully expect NOT to sleep comfortably through the night.

Tomorrow, I try to tackle the mailbag!

August 20, 2011: I've got this song stuck in my head…either that or it's an earworm!

On the nutritional benefits of fish: "The tail is good for you can run fast.  The head is good for your brain.  The eyes are good for you eyes.  Your eyes are getting bad so you should eat eyes."  - Akemi, August 20 2011.

I had a song stuck in my head all day today.

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I suppose it's only fitting given that, in the episode, Spongebob is infected by an earworm that burrows into his brain and "addicts" him to this catchy tune. Well, the song, Musical Doodle by The Sonars, IS catchy.  So catchy, in fact, that I feared I'D been infected by the earworm.  I found myself humming it all day – until I finally looked the lyrics up online and actually started singing:

"Round and round the record spins all day.

Listen again it takes you far away.

Trying to stop it is futile.

So just listen now to my musical doodle!

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo."

Etc.

Sadly, the song is unavailable for download on iTunes.  What's with that?!

Anyway, if you were foolish enough to listen to the tune, you've no doubt become infected by now as well.  Sorry about that.  There's nothing you can do now but spread the joy.  Indoctrinate your friends and family to the Musical Doodle masses!

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo!

So I was driving to work the other day and noticed I was driving behind this truck -

Note the plate!  Mere coincidence?  I don't think so!

Tomorrow, Akemi, Carl, Karen (and possibly Alexander and Sarah) and I will be going to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibit) NOT to check out the shows or the concerts, the rides or events – but to sample some of the weirdest culinary treats this side of the southern U.S.  Among the items I'm looking forward to trying tomorrow: deep fried vanilla fudge on a stick, deep fried mac and cheese, whipped sweet butter deep fried in funnel cake batter, and something called The Luthor – a cheeseburger with two glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts in place of the mundane traditional bun.  Kind of reminds me of the time I sampled "the triple down": https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/october-22nd-the-return-of-the-weird-food-purchase-of-the-day-a-little-something-i-like-to-call-the-triple-down-and-another-au-revoir/

Yep, The Weird Food Purchase of the Day returns in fine fashion.  And, to whet your appetite check out the links to some previous Weird Food Purchase of the Day Installments:

Carl and I sample Naga Bhut Jolokia Pepper: https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/october-22-2009-julia-benson-jennifer-spence-birthday-swag-the-weird-food-purchase-of-the-day/

Squid sauce: https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/january-4-2009-a-guest-blogger-announcement-and-the-most-horrific-weird-food-purchase-of-the-day-yet/

Japanese ice creams: https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/november-26-2008-tokyo-trip-day-4-kaiseki-feast-porking-out-sweets-and-such-and-the-weird-food-purchase-of-the-day-japanese-ice-cream-edition/

Canned cod liver: https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/august-16-2008-a-strategic-dinner-some-25-cent-porn-and-the-weird-food-purchase-of-the-day/

And a weird medicinal purchase of the day: https://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/august-20-2008-production-update-more-guest-announcements-and-the-weird-foodmedicinal-purchase-of-the-day/

August 19, 2011: Shit My Japanese Girlfriend Says!

"Truffles taste like old man's pillow." – Akemi, August 19 2011.

I'm thinking of starting a twitter account called "Shit My Japanese Girlfriend Says".  Seriously.  Akemi is a seemingly endless reservoir of curious comments and comical expressions that I feel must be noted in some semi-official capacity.  And so – provided I remember – I'm going to start chronicling her most memorable turns of phrase and unique insights here on this blog.  And, boy, there've been some doozies to date.  Yep.  As Akemi would say: "Jesus Crisis!".

On the Transporter front – we keep taking days out of the present shooting schedule and, as a result: a) I not only lose prep days but 2) the start date for my upcoming episode block keeps getting pulled up.  Anymore dropped scenes and I'll have to start shooting Sharks and Payback last Thursday!  Today, I put out another Dieter scene to accompany the one yet to be shot for #102.  I also, put out a revised draft of #103 (Sharks) – only to receive notes mere moments after the latest version came out.  This weekend, I start revising Payback but, once that's out, I'm sure it'll be smooooooooooth sailing.

A somewhat discouraging call from the radiation oncologist at the small animal clinic where Maximus has been receiving treatment.  A sample of a swollen lymph node came back "suspicious", so they're going to have to start treating that area as well.  If the little guy's lymph nodes have been compromised, he's going to need those nutritional supplements more than ever – but he refuses to eat them, preferring to stick with his all chicken breast diet instead.

The oldsters (Maximus and Jelly) soak up the sun.

Finally, let me leave you with a pic of Akemi's most recent Breakfast Bento Box creation.  She claims it's "Elmo's friend"…

Bert?

G'night.  Keep up the good work!

August 18, 2011: Maximus's Radioactive Roadtrip II! Carl's Belated Birthday Dinner!

Early this morning, we were back at the University of Guelph for Maximus's 2nd (of 5) radiation treatments.  Like the last time, it involved sedating Max and then targeting the tumor on the inside of his right cheek with an intense burst of radiation aimed at reducing the mass.  Every second week, he also receives what is called an "anti-cancer vaccine" designed to stop the spread of the highly aggressive melanoma.

Maximus - at this point, he has no idea what he's getting into.

Maximus - at this point, he realizes. Bummed.

As usual, we had to escort him in because he wouldn't have gone willingly otherwise.  And, as usual, he cowered in a corner, trembling, until one of the staff members scooped him up and carried him off.  And, again, as usual, I felt terrible because he kept looking up at me with those huge pleading eyes, no doubt wondering what he'd done to deserve this.

We killed time on this trip by heading over to one of the big malls.  There I ate a gyro, perused some remaindered dvd's, and accompanied Akemi on a stroll through a hat shop.  Time flies when you're having… Well, time flies anyway.

Eventually, we headed back to the hospital where we found Maximus waiting for us – upbeat and happier than he's been in weeks.  The mere sight of us had him scurrying about, tail wagging, barking excitedly.  I can only assume the doctor had informed him of the good news prior to our arrival.  Apparently, the radiation is having the desired effect and the tumor is shrinking.  A hopeful sign.

Maximus celebrates the good news!

Things have been so busy of late that I've neglected aspects of my life I'd once held dear: cooking, reading, and, most perhaps most importantly, my buddy Carl Binder.  Turns out I missed his birthday last week.  Fortunately, a friend was quick to remind me of the forgotten special occasion.  That friend being one Carl Binder.  And so, last night, we go together for a rare double date: Carl and Karen, Akemi and I.

Before heading out, Akemi preps Carl's present.

While waiting for Carl and Karen to show, Akemi and I pose for a pic.

Karen and Carl.

Yeah, that' s more like it.

Carl and his birthday present.

A handmade birthday card! How thoughtful. And Akemi made this one all by herself without the help of an assistant.

The cover. Me, of course, front and center. Flip the birthday heart to reveal a picture of Ashleigh.

The inside. Japanese style pose from Carl along with his birthdate and, naturally, a picture of Greedo from Star Wars. Above a photo of Carl surrounded by his friends (a seamless bit of photoshop places me there as well) accompanies the heartfelt message: "We like you Carl. Please live longer."

No doubt inspired by Trevor's birthday trademark, Akemi comes up with her own personalized version.

And, in addition to the card, yet another thoughtful gift. I hope he doesn't already have one.

We had dinner at Bier Markt. As I suspected he would, Carl loved it (although he did complain about the three block walk - this from a guy who supposedly runs marathons). We started with the house poutine and a wurst platter. Good eatin'.

Carl is delighted with his main: schnitzel! How prescient of Akemi.

For dessert, I went with the Belgian waffles and ice cream (two scoops). The dish of the night!

Our evening ended with Akemi knocking over and breaking a wine glass.  Mortified, she apologized profusely to the waitress, then turned to us and uttering the line of the night: "We go now".

And we did.

The end to yet another memorable night in Toronto.

Thanks to everyone who has weighed in with their thoughts on the perfect douchebag car.  In answer to your question, sparrow_hawk, I do not drive a high-end black SUV.  I drive a high-end silver SUV only because I'm too lazy to keep a black one clean.  And, for your information, I chose an SUV for decidedly non-douchebaggy reasons: to shuttle my dogs to and from daycare, and to outmuscle assholes in smaller cars.