Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 543

March 27, 2011: Yet Another Travel Day!

Flying back to Toronto today with Bubba and Lulu today.  Carl convinced me I'd be better off flying during the day than taking the red-eye.  While the darkened environment and late-night hour of the 10:30 p.m. flight could make for sleepier dogs, it could also result in cranky fellow passengers trying to snooze through Bubba's incessant whining.

Took the dogs out for an early morning one hour walk to tire them out for the flight.  Along the way, came across about two dozen people. Almost all of them smiled in passing.  Fully half said "Good morning" without being prompted.  Compare to Toronto where people in your own apartment building barely make eye contact in the elevator.

While you're out there no doubt worrying about how the flight is going, why not enjoy some behind the scenes pics from this week's episode, Hope, written and produced by Carl Binder (oh, and a subsequent episode) -

March 26, 2011: Yet Another Travel Day!

Flying back to Toronto today with Bubba and Lulu today.  Carl convinced me I'd be better off flying during the day than taking the red-eye.  While the darkened environment and late-night hour of the 10:30 p.m. flight could make for sleepier dogs, it could also result in cranky fellow passengers trying to snooze through Bubba's incessant whining.

Took the dogs out for an early morning one hour walk to tire them out for the flight.  Along the way, came across about two dozen people. Almost all of them smiled in passing.  Fully half said "Good morning" without being prompted.  Compare to Toronto where people in your own apartment building barely make eye contact in the elevator.

While you're out there no doubt worrying about how the flight is going, why not enjoy some behind the scenes pics from this week's episode, Hope, written and produced by Carl Binder (oh, and a subsequent episode) -

March 26, 2011: Montreal is the place where people go to party, Vancouver is the place where people go to enjoy nature, and Toronto is the place where politicians and sad clowns go to retire.

I'm back in Vancouver today.  Back in my home with its open kitchen and fenced-in back yard and home theater and comfy king size bed.  But only for as long as it takes me to pack up my things, grab my dogs, and head back.  Back to Toronto with its endless driving and frigid temperatures and rundown buildings and bad sushi.  Yes, I complain a lot about it on this blog, and at work, and, sure, to most everyone I talk to – but I do try to keep a positive outlook back on the home/apartment front for Akemi's sake.  Clearly, she aint lovin' Hogtown and it doesn't take a genius to figure that out.  In the past, while writing emails to her English-speaking friends,  she's asked me to help with her spelling.  Words like "beautiful", "laughing", and "delight".  Then, last night, it was "How do you spell miserable?".  Lately, completely out of the blue while, say, we're watching t.v. or reading or doing dishes, she'll offer a wistful: "I miss Vancouver" before moving on to the business at hand.  This, of course, just compounds my anxiety since, unlike Vancouver, I don't have the time, the resources, the connections, or knowledge of the city to help.  Although her VISA isn't up until October, she has started talking about an early return to Japan.

Hopefully we'll settle in and, if not enjoy our new city, then at the very least not mind it so much.

Given my experience in Canada's three major cities, I'd say that Montreal is the place where people go to party, Vancouver is the place where people go to enjoy nature, and Toronto is the place where politicians and sad clowns go to retire.

Watched the last third of Black Swan on the plane.  Sort of.  The woman sitting in front of me was watching when the girl on girl scene caught my eye.  I followed along to the end and it didn't make any sense to me.  I'll watch it on the way back.  With sound, I'm sure it'll make perfect sense.

To those of you asking about Stargate – I have no new info for you.  From what I hear, Brad hasn't given up the fight and there's still hope for a proper ending to the SGU story.  So, until further notice, the gate remains -

 

Open!

Finally, thanks to Carl for alerting me to this report on the CIA's wildly successful Facebook Program:

March 25, 2011: I'm going to have to start living out of my office.

Desperado

Today marked the end of our my first week in Toronto, and it was a productive one.  Amid the madness of the pre-production process, we managed to break two stories (episodes 4 and 5)!

I also managed to put on five pounds.  The shape of things to come?  I've got to stop doing less burritos and burgers and more homemade meals.  Like this one…

You can always tell when Akemi packs my breakfast.

I also need to find that gym.  And, quite possibly, furniture for a new place. Saw another two places today.  The first was so far out of the way, Robert Cooper would be my neighbor!  The second was sad and creepy-looking on the outside, but nicely furnished on the inside.

So, to reiterate, my choices so far:

1. Stay where we are.  Pros: Furnished, well-situated, quick and easy access to doggy daycare, restaurants and downtown area (for Akemi).  Cons: No security system in apartment, kind of small, .

2. Townhouse #1: Pros: New, clean, well-located in nice neighborhood, not far from downtown, modest backyard.  Cons: Unfurnished.

3. House #1: Pros: Well-located in nice neighborhood, fenced-in backyard. #2: Old, no air-conditioning, unfurnished, probably haunted.

4. House #2: Pros: HUGE, enormous fenced-in backyard, squash court in the basement, Robert Cooper as neighbor.  Cons: Old, unfurnished, very remote, Robert Cooper as neighbor.

5. Apartment #1: Pros: Nicely furnished interior, well-located in nice neighborhood.  Cons: Weird-looking exterior, lobby hallway looks like something out of The Shining, no backyard.

"Come play with us, Danny."

Uh oh. I think they're looking for Carl.

So, them's my choices.  So far.  I intend to keep looking (maybe even look into a condo) but time is running out.  We've only got the place we're in until April 4th.  If I don't find a place by then, I'm going to have to start living out of my office.

Which isn't as bad as it sounds.  Work has become my place of refuge, the only place I've truly been happy since moving to the land of cold and concrete.

And I'm not the only one.  Check out Carl -

Another story broken. Carl is thrilled!

I'm trying.  I really am.  Tonight, I went out to dinner with Akemi and Alex.  We checked out a Japanese restaurant called Omi which was highly recommended over on the chowhound boards.  High recommended!  If this is the best of what Toronto has to offer, I may as well just give up any hope of ever enjoying sushi in this city.

Having said this, I should report that Alex seemed to enjoy himself. Which doesn't bode well for any future Berlin sashimi ventures.

Today was the day Jelly and Maximus had their interview of St. Roch's School for Gifted Canines.  Their assessments lasted about thirty minutes each.  I regret to report they failed to wow the judge.  Their excessive panting around the puppies (a sign of anxiety, they say) and reluctance to take part in any sort of extended play (they prefer to lie about and observe the action from a distance) makes them less than ideal candidates.  The invigilator suggested they'd be better disposed to a home setting from where they can partake in the occasional walk.  Bubba and Lulu, who are infinitely more playful and less, well, lazy, are scheduled for their interviews on Monday.

A friend pointed out that, for the money it would cost me to send the dogs to daycare, I could hire a full-time nanny.  Believe me, I've thought about it.

Tomorrow, I head back to Vancouver for all of a day.  In tomorrow afternoon and out Sunday morning – just enough time to run some errands, pack two more suitcases full of belongings, and squeeze in one final Van city dinner.  This time, Lulu and Bubba will be flying in style along with the lovely Leah Gauthier who'll be backing me up on the dog transport on this one.  No doubt she'll be offering a detailed account of the experience over on her blog here: http://keepinitleal.blogspot.com/

March 24, 2011: Hey, Phil, have you seen my headless, armless dummy? Oh. Here is is!

Moving to a new place always requires a bit of a readjustment.  Many of the aspects of your last home that you grew to know and love may be different, if not altogether  non-existent, in  your new home.  Things like roominess, grass, or a comfortable bed.  Sure, you can focus on the negatives – "It's a miserable city", "The people aren't friendly", or "Driving around is hell" – but why not focus on the positives instead: "The parking spaces are bigger than the ones in Vancouver!"?  Why not?  Well, for one – complaining is much more satisfying…

I'm not "one of those teenagers who's always playing their rock and roll music 'til all hours of the night" that Carl Binder complains about.  So why is the volume lock on my television set so low?  At maximum, I can barely hear the t.v. if someone is talking loudly outside the door of my apartment – and not at all if someone is taking a shower.

After my third morning in a row boiling water in a pot for my morning green tea, I wished I had a kettle. Well, seconds letter "wish granted" when Akemi pulled this out of the bottom drawer. Unfortunately, I failed to wish for the accompanying cord that would allow me to plug it into an electrical outlet.

"Hey, Phil, have you seen my headless, armless dummy? Oh. Here is is!"

I hate modern art as much as the next guy, but this makes it too easy.

Speaking of new places, we switched writers' rooms today – leaving the dark, airless environment of the old writers' room for the bright, noisy, somewhat chilly environment of the new one.

The sun! It burns!!!

Inspired by the change in location, we finished breaking episode 3, started breaking episode 4, had another conference call to discuss the European shoot, and even found time to eat some chipotle-chicken burritos.  How's that for prolific?

Rob pitches.





Carl tries to stay warm.





Alex, living the dream.

Tonight, went to check out two new possible Toronto homes – the first cold and cramped, the second old and possibly haunted.  Two more on tap for tomorrow night.

Fondy reports Jelly and Maximus have settled in comfortably at her place.

Hopefully not too comfortably.

Tomorrow afternoon, Jelly and Maximus go in for their "assessment" at St. Roch's School for Gifted Canines.

They're gonna look so cute in those uniforms!

March 23, 2011: COME ON!!! Sporadic creativity! St. Roch's School for Gifted Dogs!

Just when things were starting to pick up here in Toronto, this morning I wake up to THIS -

Welcome to Toronto.

I mean, COME ON!  It's the end of March!  I bet you it's not snowing in Vancouver!

Today was a day of sporadic creative bursts as we attempted to start breaking episode 3 (Paul is doing the honors on this one) only to be continually sidetracked by meetings, some planned, some not.  We interviewed casting directors, selected sides for the fast-approaching Frank auditions, discussed the French and European shoots, and talked cars and stunts (a recurring theme, you may have noticed).  Oh, and we eventually did manage to break the tease and first act of that third episode.

 

The Germans.

 

Anna drops by with treats.

 

Homemade biscotti!

Early this morning, I started to fill out the application forms for that posh doggy daycare I have my heart set on.  It's about eight pages (x 4 dogs in my case) of rules, requirements, and questions covering everything from dietary restrictions and touch sensitivity to grooming preferences and their general disposition toward toy-sharing (to be honest, Jelly is less than equitable when it comes to sharing her ducky).  Before a dog can be accepted as a guest, he/she must undergo a thirty minute assessment which, I believe, involves a testing of their temperament, socialization skills, and foreign language proficiency. Depending on how they do, they may either be turned down or invited to visit from anywhere from a few hours to an entire day.

Seriously.  I feel like I'm trying to secure them a placement in an exclusive private school.

Was planning to check out a couple of houses today but, alas, the snowstorm quashed those plans.  At day's end, I was greeted by THIS -

 

My rental.

On the bright side, I hear it's going to stop snowing.

In April.

March 22, 2011: I really need to hit a gym!

I need to hit a gym.  It's been about two weeks since I last worked out and I'm beginning to feel myself getting fatter.  I spend the greater part of my days sitting down spinning stories, updating this blog, and sampling menu selections from a plethora of new restaurants.  It's a situation eerily similar to the one I was in twelve years ago when I first joined Stargate.  Back then, I ended up putting on fifteen pounds within my first year on the show – fifteen pounds that took me some eight years to lose, and this only because I happened to stumble across the perfect quick-weight-loss program that allowed me to drop those fifteen pounds in a week!  Unfortunately, the chances of my ordering snake soup from the Hong Kong airport anytime soon are slim, so I'm going to have to find an alternate means of keeping trim.

Yep, I need to hit a gym.  But first, I have to find one.

While I'm looking, however, a guy's gotta eat right?

Today, for lunch, we checked out a terrific Jamaican restaurant (I'll have to get back to you with the name) that everyone enjoyed.  Even Alex who had his heart set on Swiss Chalet.

 

The jerk ribs and oxtail combo. A generous portion of tasty meats!





Fried plantain.  Sweet and meaty rather than dry and crispy.  The best I've had since Rainbo-ites in Montreal.





Ting. Tang's tarter grapefruity cousin.

We finished up going over the network notes on my script (episode 2), then shifted gears.  We discussed our first year arc, cars, stunts, our big bad, and some of the wild cards Frank will have to contend over the course of season one.  We also found time to spin two new stories that we should start breaking tomorrow.

 

Alex comes up with a brilliant idea.





Carl likes what he hears.





Rob puts his game face on.

I checked out three potential doggy daycares today and found one I think would be perfect for the dogs.  It's a little out of the way, but it's nice, clean, professional and, most important of all – the dogs in their care look like they're having fun.  I've got a bunch of paperwork to fill out after which I'm going to have to make an appointment to bring them in for an "assessment", presumably to ensure they're not your average dumb beasts – which they're not, of course. I mean, just check out this pic that Christine, the dog-sitter, sent me today.

Bubba is studying for his police tech exam.

BTW – Jelly went to the vet today for some tests.  Could be nothing more than a bladder infection.  Fondy reports she's resting comfortably.

Tonight, Rob Cooper brought us to a pretty damn impressive Chinese restaurant: Wah Sing Seafood Restaurant.  We had what, in retrospect, seemed like one of everything on the menu: hot and sour soup, Cantonese chow mein, garlic-sauteed snow pea leaves, sweet and sour pork chops, chicken balls (that Rob likened to chicken-stuffed mini doughnuts), and -

 

Lobster with ginger and green onions.  Served with the delicious lobster liver, something I never saw in Vancouver!





Alaskan King Crab.  Akemi's favorite!

Tomorrow, I begin my quest for my new Toronto headquarters as I check out a house in the Rosedale area.

Also, I really need to hit a gym.

 

March 21, 2011: Conference calls, budget talks, casting, and stage walk-thrus! What a relief!

Following an exhausting few days – capped by a poor night's sleep – it was finally time to head into the production offices and kick off the pre-production on the new show.  Now given the circumstances, you'd think that going in to work would be the last thing I'd want to do but, in truth, it was exactly what I needed.  The team convened, got our new offices, checked out the stages, talked budgets and casting, discussed notes and scripts, ate veal and eggplant sandwiches from California Sandwiches, and, generally, just had a really good, really productive day – the first in what feels like a very long time.

The new production offices. I know it doesn't look like much now, but just give it a few weeks.

First thing we did was take a tour of the facilities.

The big stage.

We did a walk-through of the main stages.  The Silent Hill sequel had just wrapped production and we had the opportunity to walk some of the creepy-looking sets.

Alex looking his scary best.

We discussed standing sets, swing sets, and the possibility of shooting a significant portion of the car interior sequences in the smaller stage.  Then, we headed back to pick out our offices -

My office. The wireless is a bit slow but, fortunately, I'm able to hardwire as well - something I was unable to do back on Stargate because I apparently had a defective dongle (It's not something I like to talk about).

In no time, I was settled in…

And thinking about lunch! What did you think I was imagining? My next script?

Also in attendance on this first day…

The lovely Sue Murdoch who came bearing gifts: in the form of myriad budgets.

My fellow foodie, Anna, who I suspect will be my partner on many future culinary adventures.

Matt, our driver and Mr. Fixit.

Those budgets can wait.  Rob Cooper gets to work on those various take-out menus.

We had a conference call to discuss casting, talked directors and, most important of all -

Had lunch. Now THIS is a sandwich!

The afternoon was dedicated to getting everyone up to speed on the budget and notes on the pilot.  About halfway through the process, the jet lag finally caught up with Alex -

Either that or was he was reacting to my pitch for the musical episode.

Finally, the moment we'd all been waiting for: the arrival of our special guest…

Look who it is! It's Stargate alum Carl Binder!

More notes discussions.  Some spinning.  We wrapped up at 6:00 p.m.  So how'd we do?

Carl gives us the thumbs up.

We called it a day.

Alex has the look of someone satisfied with another job well done.

I picked up my rental car and, with the help of google maps (and the fact that I was following my writing partner in his rental car all the way back into town), I managed to find my way back to my place.  I rested up, then headed out for dinner at a place called Duggan's Pub where we enjoyed…well, to be honest, we didn't enjoy much.  The striploin sandwich was chewy and the desserts were pretty awful, but one menu item did stand out -

The duck confit poutine. No kidding. French fries, cheese curds, gravy, and duck poutine. Have to admit, it was probably the best version I've ever had.

It's not the picture that's fuzzy. It's the Germans.

Got home just in time to miss Top Chef, then spent a good thirty minutes attempting to access the recorded event – to no avail.  The Rogers box says it was recording the show but, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to play it back.  Whenever I hit the personal video recorder button, a message flashes up onscreen informing me that I don't have the service – and yet, I WAS able to set it to record the show.  WTF?

Finally, checked in with Fondy.  Both Jelly and Maximus are doing well.  Maximus is still a little freaked out and follows her around everywhere.  Jelly is unwell and is scheduled for a vet visit.

Jelly seems to be doing alright.





Maximus and Stewie, best of buddies.

Tomorrow, I'm going to leave the apartment early so that I can check out a couple of doggy daycares.

Meanwhile, the house search continues.  Fondy – on the hunt on my behalf – thinks she may have found the perfect place.  Fingers crossed!

Back in the office tomorrow to discuss the network notes on both scripts and then, finally, start breaking some new stories!

March 20, 2011: Damn, I miss Vancouver!

The title of this blog entry should leave no doubt as to how I'm feeling right about now.

Jelly - all relaxed and flight-ready.

So we got to the airport late last night, dogs in tow.  Check-in and security were a breeze.  The airport personnel were very kind; all smiles and great with the pooches.  After some initial scratching and whining, both Jelly and Maximus seemed to settle down and I figured we were in the clear.  The lead up to this trip had exacted a toll on me.  I was fatigued and really looking forward to sleeping through the flight.

Yep, that would've been nice.

Easy-going Maximus, nestled in the carrier at my feet, was so quiet and still for the duration of the trip that I found myself checking him every so often, just to make sure he was, in fact, still alive.  Jelly, on the other hand, was another matter entirely.   Whenever I would start to doze off, she would start crying – so I would have to reach back (Akemi was seated behind me), into her carrier, and give her a pat to reassure her.  Every time she fell asleep, I'd withdraw my hand and try to get some shut eye – only to have her start up again.  And so it went.  For four and a half hours.

By the time we got into Toronto, I was exhausted.  After wandering around the Toronto airport looking for the baggage claim (the signs suddenly disappear at some point), we collected our luggage and headed out.  But only after paying $2 for this -

Seriously? You're charging me for a baggage cart?

We caught a limo into town and, eventually, pulled up in front of our apartment building (with the very tiny address).  I went inside and informed the security guard that I was moving in.  He didn't know anything about it.  I explained that I was instructed to pick up my keys at the front desk.  He didn't know anything about it.  I also added that I'd been instructed to leave a check with the concierge.  He didn't know anything about it.  I wandered back outside, bewildered, and was scrolling through my emails to get the realtor's number when, suddenly, the security guard waved me back in.  "Mr. Mazzolli?".  Close enough.  "Yes,"I said, eager to just get upstairs and into bed.  "This is for you."  He handed me an envelope.  Inside, was the apartment key. Right then!

We headed upstairs and into our apartment (until April 4th).  There, we found a nice surprise awaiting us, compliments of our realtor.  A little something(s) for the dogs -

Dog swag!

We unpacked and, while Akemi crawled into bed, I lay down on the floor atop the island of doggy beds and fell asleep with Jelly and Maximus.  Granted, the bed WOULD have been more comfortable, but the dogs clearly needed some reassurance, especially Jelly who hasn't stopped crying since we got in, wandering around the apartment and, inevitably, always parking herself in front of the door.  I'm sure she's thinking "Okay, ready to go now!"

After waking up, I showered and took the dogs for a walk.  We checked out the closest green spaces – the first, a tiny brown and withered parcel littered with mountainous horse dumps, the second a bleak, muddy "park" where four homeless men loudly hurled insults at each other across a lone picnic table.

Needless, to say, this aint gonna work out.  There is no way I can live in this area with my foursome.

I gave Fondy a call and she was kind enough to swing by to pick up Jelly and Maximus.  They'll be with her until I find a suitable doggy daycare, and a house with a proper back yard.

March 19, 2011: Travel Day! Actually, no! No, actually, yes!

After much back and forthing, stressing, and weighing of options, I decided to just pull the trigger and charter a jet for the cross-country flight to Toronto. Expensive, yes, but at least this way, I would only have to do one trip, wouldn't have to cram the dogs under any seats, and wouldn't have to worry about major flight delays (and even if there were delays, I'd have the option of actually taking the dogs for a walk rather than keeping them sealed up in their individual little carriers).  Instead, of commercial, I'd be kicking back and flying private in a Learjet 35.  It has the distinction of being the type of aircraft golfer Payne Stewart perished aboard!

So, the charter company sent me the paper work.  I signed the proper documents, scanned, and emailed them back.  At which point we came to the "payment" portion of the show.  I assumed I could pay by credit card – in spite of the outrageous 5% "administrative fee".  Unfortunately, the company doesn't take VISA; only American Express.  My only other option was to pay by wire transfer.  So, late yesterday, armed with their banking info, I headed off to my bank (CIBC), got a bank draft, and went to their bank (TD) to make the transaction.  Unfortunately, this proved impossible because, even though they share the same name, the TD bank in the U.S. and the TD bank in Canada aren't quite the same.  I could still wire the money, but it wouldn't be an instantaneous transaction. I briefly reconsidering the whole thing, but the company rep Isuggested we could move forward with the wire transfer provided I fax them a copy of the completed transaction and use my VISA credit card as a back-up.  And so, I headed back to my bank (CIBC), cashed the bank draft back into my account, completed the wire transfer, faxed the company a copy of the paperwork, provided them with whatever other information they required, then redirected my focus to packing.  We were scheduled to leave at 12:00 noon.   I…

Cancelled my standing reservations with Air Canada.

Informed my friend who was to join me on my planned second trip, next week, that we wouldn't be going after all.

Called up my dog sitter and informed her that I wouldn't need her to stay after all.

Contacted the shipping company scheduled to pick up my car on Monday to change the Vancouver contact number from my dog sitter's phone to Lawren's phone -

And contacted Lawren to tell him he would be taking possession of the house one week early.

It was a little after 11:00 p.m. when I finally finished packing.  I headed downstairs and found a message awaiting me from the company rep informing me that they had yet to receive the wire transfer and without the funds, they would be unable to offer me my scheduled flight.  I pointed out that wire transfers usually take a few days to clear but, according to him, they'd had transfers go through almost immediately in the past.

Well, with the banks closed, there was nothing to do but get a good night's sleep – or stay up all night wondering whether we would, in fact, be flying out tomorrow.

This morning, I went to the bank.  I spoke to the manager who informed me that wire transfers are never immediate, they always take a couple of days, and, in this instant, the time lag is compounded by the fact that the transaction was completed late Friday night – which would push things to the next business day = Monday.  However, she assured me that she would be happy to speak to a company rep or provide them with any supporting documentation required.  I called up the company rep.  They talked.  And talked.  And talked.  No dice.  The flight was cancelled.  Alas, the same can't be said for the wire transaction which, once initiated, cannot be stopped.  So, I -

Rebooked with Air Canada.

Informed my friend who was to join me on my planned second trip, next week, that we WOULD be going after all.

Called up my dog sitter and informed her that I WOULD need her to stay after all.

Contacted the shipping company scheduled to pick up my car on Monday to change the Vancouver contact number from Lawren's phone back to my dog-sitter's phone -

And contacted Lawren to tell him he WOULDN'T be taking possession of the house one week early after all.

Flying out tonight on a 10:30 p.m. flight that will get us in to Toronto for 5:55 a.m.

And await my refund.

Boy, that year off in Vancouver is looking real good right about now.