Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 561

October 24, 2010: Tried and True or Something New! A Tasty Spoiler! Mailbag!

The other day, we hit one of our favorite Korean restaurants.  As usual, I was torn between ordering something tried and true or going with something new.  And, as usual, I decided to do both -

Tried and true = the kimchee pancake.





Something new = The four pepper blow-your-mouth-off sea snails with cold noodles.

How spicy was it? It actually left me dazed and confused.

On the home front, I've been experimenting in the kitchen as well, often with recipes from Gordon Ramsay's The F Word.  Today's lunch was a seabass with warm potatoes and rosemary -

The puree contains sweated shallots, garlic, potatoes, rosemary, and olive oil. Atop it sits a caponata of reduced sherry vinegar, sultanas, toasted pine nuts, tomatoes and parsley.

Next layer: butter fried potatoes and baby spinach.

Top with the golden fried seabass.

While dinner was a Costa Brava fish stew -

Seabass, halibut, plum tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, paprika, fried bread, butter, parsley, fish stock, clams, saffron, roasted almonds, seasoning.

Since I've hopefully got your appetites going, I thought I'd offer up this little tidbit/spoiler from a forthcoming episode of Stargate: Universe's second season -

Mailbag:

Lewis writes: "Before being assigned to Icarus, were Young and/or Telford members of SG teams?"

Answer: Nope.  As far as we've discussed, they were on off-world assignment together at some point in their past but no mention of whether or not they were on a specific SG team.

Lewis also writes: "Which brings up another question (sorry), at its height how many SG teams were there running around the SGC?"

Answer: Again, we were never specific about the number of SG teams but, at one point, I believe there were upwards of twenty to twenty-five teams in active off-world rotation.

Chevron7 writes: "Did some Googling for "weird things to do in Tokyo". Got a lot of results, you may have done some of these previously…"

Answer: Hey. Chev, thanks for the list.  I have visited Venus Fort, Akihabara, and a Maid Cafe in my previous trips.  The Parasite Museum was also in my last in past visits, but it's way out of the way in Meguro.

Lisa R. writes: "If you find out about renewal in January, when would you start filming season 3? And when would it premiere? Next fall?"

Answer: No idea at this point.  I imagine we'd start production in February.  As for when we'd premiere – that would be up to the network.

Joan001 writes: "We see boxes in your office, Robert Cooper, Linda & Remi, leaving, and probably others that you haven't written about…not to mention, not a word about ideas for season 3."

Answer: I explained the boxes in yesterday's post (in fact, if you go back to previous entries featuring my office, you'll always seem boxes in the BG), Rob Cooper left months ago before we'd even premiered, Linda and Remi headed back to L.A. because they completed their script work for the year.  No mention of season 3 because we're still working on season 2.  Around this time in season 1, we weren't discussing season 2 either.

Joan001 also writes: "I would still like to know how your sister's Siberian is doing with the knee problems."

Answer: Aspen is doing alright but is still dealing with a host of little issues.  Poor boy.

Thornyrose writes: "Also note you're reading Dune. Hope you give us your take on that particular work."

Answer: It was a fine book.

Raynan writes: "I'd still not say it is the "generally positive nature of the stories" that might be the problem. After all, an anthology of "near-future pessimistic (or dystopian) science fiction" would also kill the suspense right on the cover."

Answer: I'd have the same problem with that version as well.

Jadeski writes: "Also, I'm heading down to New York on my own, and I was wondering how you find all those people to eat with when you go to Tokyo?"

Answer: I hit a lot of the city's dessert shops, chat with the usually female staff, and try to be as charming as possible.

October 23, 2010: January's Book of the Month Club Pick! Interesting video links! Mailbag!

Yesterday was a foray into the culinary unknown with my sampling of the Triple Down (see last issue, ed.).  This January, I hazard the literary unknown with my first foray into urban fantasy.  January's Book of the Month Club pick is…

The Iron Hunt, by Marjorie M. Liu

From the Publisher: "Living tattoos: demons of the flesh, turned into flesh, the only family demon hunter Maxine Kiss has left—and the only way she can survive, and fight, the imprisoned demonic army waiting to destroy humanity."

Publishers Weekly says: "Liu is one of the best new voices in paranormal fiction…"

Booklist says: "The boundlessness of Liu's imagination never ceases to amaze; her ability to translate that imagination into a lyrical work of art never ceases to impress."

Discussion the week of January 17th with author Marjorie M. Liu.

Came across some video links I thought I'd bring to your attention…

Making some of the big screen's saltier language a little more t.v. friendly: http://tv.gawker.com/5667748/the-most-ridiculous-edited+for+tv-movie-lines?skyline=true&s=i

A new study finds that most Americans get the majority of their exercise while drunk - http://www.theonion.com/video/study-americans-get-majority-of-exercise-while-dru,18198/

OK Go makes the best music videos.  Exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs&feature=player_embedded

Exhibit B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w&feature=channel

Lizard drinking a juice bar.  Yes, that's right.  http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1942633

Mailbag:

dasNdanger writes: "Yer freakin' SICK! Stay home, and stop infecting your co-workers!"

Answer: I had to go in to say goodbye to Linda on her last day – and hopefully pass the cold she passed on to me back to her.

JYS writes: "I met Alaina Huffman today while i was downtown. It was amazing. She's very nice."

Answer: Yes, she's an incredible sweetheart.

Arctic Goddess writes: "Are there any plans for next year for episodes? When will you know if you are writing for next season?"

Answer: I hope we'll know by December.  More likely January.

ytimynona writes: "Wait, huh? Your only woman writer left?!?"

Answer: Well, we have finished our script work for the year so that part of the process is complete.

sgfan writes: "where is the crew on Destiny getting there bullets for there guns from? They do have a limited supply of ammunition right?"

Answer: Yes, their supply is limited.  However - with the exception of the Incursion two-parter, we haven't really expended that much to date.  Also, after the events of Intervention, we added the Lucian weapons to our stockpile (pictured in a forthcoming episode).

Raynan writes: "I just noticed you had the "Shine" Anthology on your "recently read" list (don't stop by often, so… hi!). What'd you think about it?"

Answer: I liked it, but didn't love it.  There are some terrific writers in the collection but my main problem stems from the anthology's theme of "near-future optimistic science fiction".  On the surface, it sounds like a great idea but, once you're three stories in, the generally positive nature of the stories undermines much of the dramatic tension.  In short, you know it's not going to end badly so it's hard to get that emotionally invested when you're already aware of the outcome.

Sean D. writes: "Does the SG producers' team currently have anything in mind for a potential "tv movie turned new SG tv series", or any SG tv series, in the event SGU isn't renewed?"

Answer: Nope, not that I know of.  Brad and Robert may have something in the works.  As for Paul and me – if and when Stargate does end, we'll be moving on to some non-Stargate-related projects we've had brewing for some time now.

Brandon writes: "Will sgu ever encounter the asgard scout ship with living asgards inside and offer them assiatance?"

Answer: Nope.

Nicholas T. writes: "I am curious about your itinerary for your trip to Japan. What is your plan and your objective on this forthcoming trip? How long will you go for? What does Ivon think about it?"

Answer: Ivon and I will be going two Tokyo for two weeks in December.  I usually fly solo and my main interest is food but this time, I'll be accompanied by Ivon whose interests are more of the partying variety.  I assume we'll split the difference.

Lewis writes: "Hey, Joe, the doctor overseeing Eli's Mom looked really familiar, was she the same doctor who worked at the SGC shortly after Janet's death on SG-1?"

Answer: Yes.  And Dr. Brightman also made an appearance in SGU's season 1 episode Divided.

Elminster writes: "Oh, and Joe, I'm going to assume you've never heard of Andrew Nichols or Daryl Vickers."

Answer: Of course.  Nicholls and Vickers.  I believe they got their start in animation as well.

MrsB writes: "Can we expect the Lucians to be on the ship for a good length of time?"

Answer: Some, yes.  Some, no.

Ponytail writes: "That picture of Linda in your office…are you packing? (Books in boxes) What's up?"

Answer: Since starting my book of the month club here on the blog, I receive about a dozen books a month from various publishers.  Doubles and titles aren't exactly my cup of tea go into the boxes for my next bookswap meeting.

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!

It's been a while since my last Weird Food Purchase of the Day video installment so, today, I rectify that in grand style with a little something I like to call The Triple Down.

"What?"you may ask, "is a Triple Down?"

Well, I'm glad you asked -

Take one KFC Double Down (bacon, two different kinds of melted cheese, and the Colonel's secret sauce nestled between two fried chicken filets





Then take one Krispy Kreme original honey-dipped doughnut.





Cut the doughnut in half. It will form the bun for your sandwich.

And voila! The Triple Down!

So, how was it?

October 21, 2010: Cold remedies! ESP! Film! And Snow Monkeys!

I walked into the office this morning, sniffling away, noisily clearing my throat, and generally doing everything in my power to elicit sympathy from my disinterested co-workers.  Finally, Tanja took the bait and asked me if I was fighting off a cold.  Bingo!  I was expecting chicken soup, a warm blankie, maybe mug of hot cocoa.  Instead, she scurried back to her desk and returned, seconds later, with two small plastic bags filled with white powder that she insisted would have me feeling better in no time.  I bet!  No doubt picking up on my reticence, she set me straight.  The baggies did not, in fact, contain icing and flour (which was my obvious initial assumption) but powdered vitamin C (she didn't clarify exactly what the C stood for) and something called lycium (I'm guessing that's what the kids call it on the streets).

I wasn't sure whether to mix them in orange juice or snort them off a huge vanity mirror.

I elected to forego Tanja's suspect medication for a more proven cure, this one compliments of Production Designer James Robbins who stopped me in the hall to inform me he'd made a triple layer chocolate mousse cake for his daughter's birthday last night and would I like a slice?  WOULD I?!!  You know what they say: Stuff a cold and feed a fever! James led me back to the darkened confines of the Art Department and disappeared into the back, briefly leaving me to wonder whether I'd been set and was about to be ambushed by some crazed bevel-wielding Art Director.  Fortunately, he appeared seconds later with THIS -

James Robbins serves up the perfect remedy for cold symptoms.

I can't say it actually cured my cold, but I WAS feeling  A LOT better.

By the way, I would be remiss if I didn't make a point of thanking fellow writer/Executive Producer Carl Binder for taking me out for my birthday Monday night.  We hit Cobre (which is fast becoming a weekly haunt) where we enjoyed such culinary delights as pulled duck tacos, sea prawn corn arepas, and maple chipotle tamarind-glazed boar belly. The verdict?  I defer to my affable host -

The other day, I was talking to Isabelle from accounting and she told me that she was taking an ESP course on weekends.  I was, to say the least, intrigued and when the opportunity presented itself, immediately tested her burgeoning skills.  "What color am I think of?!"I shouted at her later that afternoon, surprising her in the kitchen.

"Uh, blue?"she guessed.  Incorrectly!

"Wrong!  Red!"  I proceeded to pass judgement on her shoddy mind-reading skills and the sham course she was taking, ridiculing the mendacity of supposed psychics and lambasting their devotees.  I was on quite the role.  Until she informed me that ESP stood for Effective Success Program.  Which really changed nothing because, whatever they wanted to call the course, she still was unable to guess red.

Also today, the lunchtime conversation turned to movies and we learned that both Lawren and Ashleigh hated one of the greatest comedies of all time (A Christmas Story) but just loved The Goonies (Lawren) and The Land Before Time (Ashleigh) which pretty much invalidates any opinion they may have in future film-centered discussions.  Carl and I got into our standard argument over Little Miss Sunshine, a movie he loved and I loathed.  Cloying/goofy kid/unrealistically mature kid?  Check!  Eccentric/Borderline psychotic friends and/or family members who, in reality, would more than likely to forget said kid in a hot car while they hit the outlet mall?  Check!  Embarrassing sequence at movie's end where everybody ends up dancing?  Check!  That's three for three, a true rarity!  I would have liked the movie far more if it had ended with social services taking the kid away and putting her in a better home, maybe somewhere in the Alsps where she would be raised by a German baroness who'd read to her every night from Gormenghast and the works of Algernon Blackwood.

My Snow Monkeys hold a record of 2-4 in the NFL Stargate Fantasy League and, with eight games to play, are still in playoff contention.  But this weekend's match-up against the 3-3 All-Stars will be key.  The Falcons' Matt Ryan gets the start at QB while San Fran workhorse Frank Gore and new Seahawk Marshawn Lynch shoulder the running duties.  KC's Moeaki, at the TE position, will hopefully see a lot more touches at home against the Jags.  My sole concern is at the wide receiver position where I have six excellent players but only three slots to fill.  My choices: Miami's Brandon Marshall who has been my best player to date, but who plays a stingy Pittsburgh D.  Saints wideout Lance Moore who has put up some solid numbers so far and should continue his steady ways against the Browns.  Fellow saints wide receiver Robert Meachem who started off slowly this season yet has just exploded of late.  Packers' wideout Donald Driver who is solid as well and playing for a team that can and should light it up this weekend, but is coming off a thigh injury.  Vikings' wideout Percy Harvin who has been putting up some great numbers with the addition of Randy Moss and should see plenty of catches this weekend, but is also nursing a hamstring injury.  And, finally, Cowboys' rookie Dez Bryant who is finally showing signs of life after a slow start, but will be going up against a very tough NY Giants pass defense Monday night.  so, who's it gonna be?  Help your Snow Monkeys win their third game of their season!

Snow Monkeys Rule!!!

October 20, 2010: Finally! An All Mailbag Entry!

I finally have time to come up for air, so I'm making today's post a dedicated mailbag entry.  It's a brief respite since it looks like I'm looking ahead to a crazy-busy few months to end 2010 chock full of Stargately excitement, holiday planning, a Tokyo trip, and not one, not two, but three super secret projects (including that comic book series I've been talking about for what seems like forever).  On to your questions…

But first, check out the snooze time photos -

Lulu

Bubba

Mailbag:

Tim Gaffney writes: "If they are 73% better with the +7 numbers, does SyFy take that into consideration when they decide on renewal? That has to be the highest addition of viewers to a shows ratings of any show. To me, it doesn't matter when or how a show is watched. Just count the total number of viewers and use that to make your decision."

Answer: Ah, if it were only that easy.  At present, there is no system in place that will provide an accurate assessment of how many viewers a show actually commands across the various viewing platforms.  The +7 numbers are good news in that we know there are far more viewers out there but, on the other hand, they are frustrating because networks generally don't place as much stock in those numbers.  Knowing that our audience could be three times as large if everyone watched the show live or same day is interesting to note, but it isn't as impressive to a network that generates ad revenue by selling to advertisers interested in reaching an audience that will actually sit through their commercials.

My Name Is Scott writes: "One question… what did Simeon say to Dr. Park?"

Answer: In the scene you're referring to, Simeon walks up to Dr. Park and whispers something in her ears, eliciting a horrified respond from her and causing everyone around her to leap up and confront Simeon.  The script never specified what, exactly, he whispers to her so we were curious to see what Robert Knepper would come up with.  Would he mumble something incomprehensible or would he actually offer up something offensive and egregious in a bid to remain in loathsome character?  Which would it be?  As it turned out, neither.  On the day, the director yelled "Action!".  Simeon spots Park sitting a table, walks up, leans in and silently whispers: "Try the carrots!".

amychr writes: "I've noticed you link to Goodreads for your book posts and I wanted to invite you to claim your Goodreads author page. I'm a librarian for the site, so inviting authors is kind of my thing  "

Answer: Done and done.  Thanks for the invite!

whiterose64 writes: "Will there be anymore of the Q & A with Louis Ferreira?"

Answer: I'll definitely try to track down Louis for another round of questions soon.

Alfredo De La Fe writes: "Is there ever a time when you go over time and rather than cut something you have a scene shot over again to save time?"

Answer: To save time?  Never.

Gilder writes: "What are the Snow Monkey's team colors, please?"

Answer: Grey and white with select pink bits.

maggiemayday writes: "Is it me, or is "first annual" just plain wrong?"

Answer: Not if you're trying to strongly hint at something.

Major D. Davis writes: "Will the Aliens/Telford/Seedership story be further explored later this season?"

Answer: At some point in the season, yes, we will learn the fate of Colonel Telford.

"2. The mystical elements have been so well done on season 2 so far. That said, will we see/learn more about Franklin and the faith planet this season?"

Answer: Yes.

"4. Besides the atlantis alums and Dr. Brightman, will there be any more characters from the older shows in season 2? I heard a rumor that Daniel might show up again? Could you comment on that?"

Answer: Daniel Jackson will not be making an appearance in season three.

"5. SPOILERS for UK! When exactly in awakening was that VFX extravaganza you were talking about? Was it at the end where the 30 aliens are closing in on Telford?"

Answer: You're getting your episodes mixed up.  The VFX extravaganza was a reference to episode 10, Resurgence.

MyNameIsNada writes: "Quick question, and I apologize if it has been asked before-when can we expect new Kino videos?"

Answer: Alas, no plans to produce new Kino-sodes.

nate writes: "Is there a working gate on the seeder ship?"

Answer: Presumably, yes.

"IS there a reason for the bridge of the Destiny rising from the hull other than being cool?"

Answer: It's a defensive measure.

Renegard writes: "What is the powder stuff the crew is eating on Destiny in reality?"

Answer: It's exactly what it's intended to be in the reality of the show – protein powder.

Kaleb writes: "Aside from the typical 'do your best, kid' segment, what advice could you give a student looking at getting into screenwriting?"

Answer: Read a lot.  Write a lot.  Watch a lot of film and television.  Try to get your foot in the door by writing for animation.

Audrey writes: "So I really liked that scene between TJ and Simeon in the infirmary in Awakening, and was wondering if we're going to see that sort of ass kicking/military side of her again?"

Answer: One of the things I loved about T.J. in season one were those flashes of the ass kicking/military side of her.  As a result, I wanted to do an episode that highlighted this aspect of her character.  We see a little of it in the scene you're referring to, but will see more of it later this season.

Nbkbauer writes: "Quick question….some of us over at gateworld are latching on to this little theory about these brown fellas having been former residents of the Milky Way…should we continue to hold out hope for this or forget about it right now?"

Answer: Abandon hope.  Sorry.

dasNdanger writes: "If, say…Todd and Rodney… switched using the communication stones, would Todd (in Rodney's body) chow down in the cafeteria all day, while Rodney (in Todd's body) threatens to suck on the first human 'snack' he stumbles upon? In other words, both have strong appetites, but would their food cravings be influenced by the bodies (and the needs of those bodies) their consciousness is in at the time?"

Answer: The need to feed is a physiological drive, so Rodney in Todd's body would have the desire to feed but his mind would undoubtedly be revolted at the prospect.

ytimynona writes: "Hey Joe, did you happen to see any of these while you were last in Japan?

http://www.mikesblender.com/indexblog88.htm"

Answer: Answer brought me two uniquely Japanese flavors of KitKat – green tea and wasabi.  Meh.

nate80 writes: "Another non-related question…are you a basketball fan? If so NBA or college?"

Answer: I love college basketball.  And the NBA just as passionately.

Tagged: SGU, Stargate, Stargate Universe

October 19, 2010: Stargate: Universe, "Pathogen", tonight at 9:00 p.m. on SyFy!

Just got the live+7 numbers for Intervention, the season 2 premiere.  Wow.  We jumped 78% from the live number, about 40% from the liv+SD.  That's a lot of eyeballs.  Of course that isn't even counting those who are viewing the show through alternate platforms (ie. netflix, iTunes, and other download options).

Merely a point of interest.

Well, finally completed work on that cursed script – surprisingly those last two acts were relatively painless – and passed the first draft off to my writing partner, Paul, to work his magic.  I've never been so relieved to write those glorious two words "FADE" and "OUT".

Hey, going through my backlog of pics, I came across some of the early design work on the aliens the crew encountered in Awakening (a.k.a. the Telford aliens, a.k.a. the Ursini)…

The early look was very cool, but my main concern was ensuring the creatures possessed a certain vulnerability. The teeth had to go and the face needed to be more expressive.

The idea that these creatures could leap and crawl along walls was something we had fun with in the episode.

The face is more expressive and we get an early look at a potential uniform (otherwise we would have had to pixelate its privates for the sensitive viewing public).

It's alien night in this galaxy's favorite S&M club!  Why invest in a whip when you have that tail?





I say, sirrah.  Fancy a spot of tea?





Close to the finished version.

Mark Savela and the VFX crew took James Robbins' alien design and did an unbelievable job of bringing it to life.  And I do mean unbelievable!

Thanks to dioxholster for the upload.

Hey, check out this interesting article in today's Vancouver Sun.  It lists Ten Foodies To Watch in Van including Refuel's awesome Ted Anderson and Boneta's Jeremie Bastien -

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/foodies+watch/3696111/story.html

Now go watch our show!

October 18, 2010: My diet of late has been sorely deficient in cuteness!

Oh my gosh! It's an All Akemi post!

You know what I've noticed?  That ever since Akemi headed back to Japan, I haven't been eating as cute.  Oh, I've been eating well – but nowhere near as cute as when she was around…

Exhibit A: Akemi herself. Kawaii, as they say in Japan.

Exhibit B: Mini Cherry Tomato and Buffalo Cheese Burger topped with Basil Leaf





Exhibit C: Her way of letting me know the egg has been cooked.





Exhibit D: Her take on a pizza pocket.





Exhibit E: More Creative Cookery.





Exhibit F: Her way of letting me know I should eat the last banana.





Exhibit G: Akemi mixing it up in the kitchen.





Exhibit H: Then, showing off her Pierre Marcolini Cafe skills.





Exhibit I: She's a serial snacker!

The clouds are parting.  I can finally see daylight!  I handed off the first four acts of Gauntlet to my writing partner, Paul, today, then went to Post and finished cutting episode 16, The Hunt, with editor Rick Martin.  I'm a minute and a half short with approximately five minutes of additional material yet to be shot!  Something's gonna have to give.

Tomorrow = I tackle Act V!

October 17, 2010: Pulled pork, football, and Snow Monkeys! And, yes, that DAMN SCRIPT! THANKS FOR REMINDING ME!

Today, for a few hours at least, I took my mind off my scriptly concerns to attend Ivon R. Bartok's First Annual Pulled Pork Shoulder Sandwich and Football Fiesta.  All last week, Ivon had been raving about this recipe for ten-hour slow-cooked pork shoulder he had  discovered in a recent issue of Matronly Meals & Macrame, so I challenged him to put his money where his mouth is.  No, that's not right.  We put our money where OUR mouths were.  No, that's not right either.  Well, we certainly didn't put our mouths were our money was because that would've been plain unsanitary.  I think, in the end, we put our mouths were the sandwiches were – in this case, over at stately Bartok Manor.

I arrived fashionably late but just in time to find Ivon prepping lunch…

Ivon slaving over a hot pork shoulder.





Pulled pork sandwiches with slaw and barbecue sauce. The pics didn't come out very good, but these sandwiches sure as hell did. Carl ate three!





The shameless food horde.

The sandwiches were great.  Better than the late games to be perfectly honest.  And for dessert?  Well, what else would seven testosterone-fueled football fanatics have?  Mini cupcakes of course.

Also, you'll be pleased to hear the Snow Monkeys are about to wrap up their second win of the Stargate NFL Fantasy Football season.  At 2-4, they're down but not out, slowly but surely creeping their way back into contention and a potential playoff spot in week 14.  Looks like I'll be managing my Monkeys from Tokyo for their final game and first two play-off games (since, the way the Creamers and Milita are playing, we'd be looking at having to go the wildcard route).  Fortunately, I'll be back in Canada the weekend of December 21st, just in time to manage the Snow Monkeys to the league championship.  I'm already celebrating!

Tonight's schedule looks like this: work-out, Amazing Race, rewrite, rewrite, write and write.  I'm going to satisfy myself with completing a solid four acts which I intend to send my writing partner's way in the morning.  He can tinker with the script while I head to post and finish my producer's cut of The Hunt, then forge ahead and finish the fifth act.

I fully intend to tackle that mounting mailbag and offer my thoughts on last week's episode, Awakening, just as soon as I bury this script.

I also intend to, one day, eventually, get a full eight hours sleep.

 

October 16, 2010: The Birthday Post!

Yesterday, I came back from Post (where I was spending quality time with editor Rick Martin on my producer's cut of The Hunt) to find a familiar red, ribboned box awaiting my return…

 

Quelle surprise!

 

 

Birthday cookies!

 

Yet another round of Cookies By George, this time compliments of the lovely Marjorie M. Liu, author extraordinaire (and Stargate fan - http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2010/10/02/october-2-2010-your-affable-host-tia-carrere-marjorie-m-liu/).  What a sweetheart.  I informed her that the next time she's in town, the pig head's on me!

 

Ashleigh approves.

 

Between the cookies and lunch's poppyseed strudel, I was about ready for bed.  Unfortunately, it was 1:30 p.m. and I was due back at Post to continue editing and approve some visual effects shots for episode 10, Resurgence.  I was on my way down the corridor when Ashleigh suddenly popped out from the kitchen and ambushed me with this -

A cake from Safeway.  The dozen or so people in attendance (curious passersby and the front office personnel who had no choice to take part because we were standing in front of their desks) sang a half-hearted rendition of happy birthday.  There was a smattering of applause followed by someone shouting "Speech!  Speech!".  I complied, short and sweet: "You shouldn't have."  Really, they shouldn't have.  The cake looked horrendously unpalatable.  Which is, no doubt, why Ashleigh cut me a HUGE slice and made me eat a piece -

 

She made sure to include the Crisco-flavored roses.

 

It had the taste and textural profile of a congealed oil slick.  A sickly sweet congealed oil slick.

Anyway, spent most of the day working on my producer's cut of The Hunt.  It's timing quite long and there are still some scenes to be shot.  Hate to say it, but the T.J. flashbacks may have to go (and, ideally, find their way into another episode).

Also approved a multitude of spectacular visual effects for Resurgence.  This one is BIG!

AND also watched the producer's cut of Seizure.  Great performances all around but I have to put in a great word for guest stars Victor Garber, Bob Picardo, and David Hewlett. Loved having McKay and Woolsey back in the swing of things.  Seeing them on screen again really made me realize how much I miss 'em!

Today, my birthday festivities kicked off with a visit from fellow foodie Denise who dropped by, looking very lavender, with a little a little something -

 

No, not for the dogs!

 

 

Left hand corner: Denise assumes I turned 15 today.

 

Once inside, I gave her a tour of the place -

 

First stop of the tour = the liquor cabinet for some 15 year old scotch.

 

Once the tour was over and I had swept up the last shards of the glass Denise had dropped in the backyard (Girl can't hold her liquor!), we were off…to the local Greek Orthodox Church for Greek Fest!

 

What excitement! No, seriously. What excitement?

 

We strolled past the church proper and into the community center where we lined up for meal tickets.  I ordered us two gyros only to be told that the guy who makes the gyros was a no-show.  We settled for chicken and pork skewers so I purchased the meal tickets, then went over to the food station where the guy on duty was completely overwhelmed by the three customers he had to contend with.  The meat was overcooked.  Too late, I noticed a completely different food station offering roast lamb but, given the quality of the other meats, I elected to skip it and head straight to sweets.

We did a dessert medley -

 

Not a fan of the shortbreadish cookies on the right, but enjoyed all three honey-dipped selections on the left. What? Surprised?

 

All in all, a bleak affair.  It felt like a Greek Festival in a Palliative Care ward.

I also celebrated today by agonizing over my damn script.  I've struggled with scripts before but this one has me truly and thoroughly mystified.  In the past, whenever I reached an impasse, I'd spin my wheels for a few days and then, almost miraculously, I'd have that epiphany, that moment of true clarity that would allow me to find the missing thematic element or linchpin scene or dialogue runner.  The fix.  Well, it would seem my eleventh hour save fairy is on sabbatical.  I lay awake in bed last night, going over each scene in my head until, at a little after one a.m., I threw off my covers, jumped out of bed, and headed downstairs to my office for a round of late-night writing.  I was up until three, restructuring what I had.  And still, I'm a long way off.

The festivities continue…

October 15, 2010: La Carmina!

Less than a month to go before I head off on my annual culinary odyssey to the land of the rising sun and the excitement continues to build.  Unfortunately, this year, the late start to production and my increased Exec. Producing duties (to say nothing of this cursed script) have prevented me from doing much in the way of research for my forthcoming trip.  Hell, this time last year I already had my restaurants booked and was happily perusing print-outs on the various temples, museums, and maid cafes I intended to visit. Still, I think I'll be alright.  I've spent enough time in Tokyo to consider it my home away from home, an awesome vacation destination that offers the best of both worlds: the comfortingly familiar and the adventurously unusual.

And so, in the lead up to my trip, I'd like to offer a series of spotlight pieces on some of the individuals that make Tokyo so damn interesting.

Today, a Q&A with resident Tokyo fashion diva La Carmina…

La Carmina is a travel TV host, author of 3 books (Penguin USA and Random House), and writer for CNNGo.com and Lip Service.  Her popular blog on Japanese Goth fashion and subcultures - www.lacarmina.com/blog - has been featured in major publications (The New Yorker, Washington Post, WWD, Village Voice, Time Out New York, Fox News, LA Times). She's appeared on The Today Show and co-hosted an episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel. Recent TV hosting and arranging credits include Dutch Pepsi, Sony Australia, Canal Plus France, and CNN International in Tokyo. She will be the Asia host for educational travel TV series, Project Explorer.

So how does a girl from Vancouver, Canada end up at the heart of the alternative fashion in Tokyo?  What brought you to Japan and what led you to stay?

LC: I've always had a yen for Japanese pop culture. There were Hello Kitty toys on my shelves for as long as I can remember. I first went to Japan with my parents when I was quite young; we traveled around Asia pretty much every summer. I loved the opulent and Gothic fashions I saw in Harajuku, and started dressing in alternative clothing as a teenager.

While I was in law school, I began my La Carmina blog ( http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/ ) to share my love of Japanese youth fashion and subcultures. It led to bigger projects — books, fashion design, TV hosting — which continue to bring me to Japan.

So would you consider Japan your second home? Did you face any specific challenges in acclimatizing yourself to life in Japan?

LC: I certainly consider Japan a second home. Many of my closest friends are in Tokyo, and it's the center of the Visual Kei music and Japanese Goth/Lolita/Cyber fashion we love. I've got to say… I'm not a fan of the summer "mushi-atsui" weather (hot and humid). Or the mosquitoes, who feast on me like vampires!

You're an author, illustrator, photographer, blogger, a travel TV host, and a fashion designer.  Not exactly the type of life one would expect from a Columbia and Yale Law graduate.  How did your friends and family respond to your decision not to pursue a career in law?  And how have they responded to your success?

LC: Did you know Ben Stein also graduated from Columbia and Yale Law? He's an actor (Ferris Bueller), novelist, Nixon speechwriter, financial expert, former NY Times columnist and overall funny guy. He's a great example of someone who succeeds in a creative path full-time, and in a variety of artistic media. My friend and family know that creative pursuits were always of the highest importance to me; it's hard to imagine me working in a law firm. So it's not at all surprising that I'm doing what I do.

Has that degree nevertheless come in handy in time?

LC: Absolutely. I think many artist don't (or refuse to) pay enough attention to the business and legal aspects of their work. As a result, they're too often short-changed.

What makes the Japanese fashion scene so unique?  Is there something particular to Japanese society that inspires such inventive counter-cultural display?

LC: Often, too much is read into Japan's street fashion and its social meaning… Japanese festivals (matsuri) are traditional outlets for letting loose and wearing vivid fashion. Today, young people wear alternative styles for fun and personal expression. For the most part, there's not much more to it.

What can you tell us about some of the more colorful fashion sub-groups (ie. Lolita, gyaru, etc.).

LC: The various "style tribes" are associated with certain brands, magazines and lifestyles. For example, Loli fashion is associated with the Gothic Lolita Bible and Kera magazine, designers like Baby the Stars Shine Bright, and cute-retro-elegant activities such as tea parties. In Japan, however, the "tribes" are fluid; many young people mix styles and don't have any particular "manifesto" about them.

How does the Goth scene in Japan differ from that of North America if at all?

LC: Goth fashion in Japan is much more intricate, with an attention to detail and quality. Think Interview with the Vampire meets Queen Victoria and Marie Antoinette.

One of your books, Cute Yummy Time: 70 recipes for the cutest food you'll ever eat, offers up some of the most adorable culinary creations to ever grace a cook book.  What was the inspiration behind the book and how prevalent is "cute cooking" in Japan?  Is it limited to children's bento boxes or do grown ups delight in chowing down on hedgehog risotto balls and pecan pie turkeys?

LC: The interest in cute charaben (character bentos) probably peaked a year or two ago; there aren't as many cookbooks or tools displayed in Tokyo any more. However, it remains a recurrent theme in Japanese cuisine — you'll typically see cakes with kawaii bear faces, or ice cream decorated to look like a cat. People of all ages enjoy cute food.

Another one of your books, Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo is a guide to some of the city's most inspired theme restaurants, from Alice in Wonderland to the Vampire Café.  Do you have a favorite?  In a city where you can sample anything from crab ice cream to fugu sperm tempura, I imagine an adventurous eater such as yourself has tried pretty much everything.  What was your most memorable meal in Tokyo?  The biggest pleasant surprise?  And is there anything you wouldn't eat?

LC: My Theme Restaurants book ( http://www.lacarmina.com/tokyorestaurants.php ) has photos and stories from over 30 maid cafes and bizarre theme restaurants; it's hard to pick a favorite. I always have a great time with my friends at the Alice in Wonderland café, which is charmingly decorated and offers Cheshire Cat sundaes and pizza. Here are photos and a video from our last visit to Tokyo Alice: ( http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2010/08/pepsi-tv-show-fun-places-in-tokyo-japan-alice-in-wonderland-cafe-shinjuku-karaoke-singing-harajuku-fashion/ )

I try to stay open to any experience, but I'm quite certain I'd never eat a cat, dog or other animal companion… The horror.

What can you tell us about your La Carmina line?  What kind of people wear your clothing?

LC: I most recently did a T-shirt collaboration with Akumu Ink, which you can see here: http://www.lacarmina.com/main.php Anyone who appreciates Edward Gorey, Japanese scary-cute girls and Scottish Fold cats might enjoy these designs. Quite a few people have told me they've seen La Carmina shirts at anime conventions and Visual Kei (Jrock) concerts.

Put on your travel TV host hat.  What kind of itinerary would you put together for an adventurer who only has one day in Tokyo?

LC: I also do fixing (local production coordinating, scheduling, arranging) for TV crews that come to Tokyo, so I've had quite a bit of experience with taking people around to my favorite pop culture underground spots. Typically, we begin with shopping in Harajuku and visiting wild Gothic Lolita Punk stores (here are maps and my Tokyo shopping guide http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2009/04/tokyo-gothic-lolita-shopping-guide-sweet-and-goth-harajuku-stores-where-to-buy-clothes-in-japan/ ). Then we might stop by a game center and eat cheap conveyer belt sushi. Popping into a cat café and a theme restaurant are musts. And the adventure isn't complete until we've partied all night at my favorite Goth/Fetish/underground nightclubs! (Here is a list with directions to my favorite clubs. http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2009/04/japan-goth-club-nightlife-guide-tokyo-decadance-dark-castle-midnight-mess-gothic-lolita-heaven/ )

Where do you see La Carmina in twenty years?  What else has she accomplished? Is she still in Tokyo?  Is she still cute cooking, laced up, and hitting the Harajuku scene?

LC: The legendary "Yellow House baba" hasn't stopped — 25 years later, the elderly lady is still partying with Japanese rockers and designing clothes in Harajuku. I feel like I've only begin this journey; I am always striving to push things further in every arena. Stay tuned to my blog http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/ , as I'm about to announce a new business venture and more exciting projects!

xxx

† LA CARMINA †

blogger. author. tv host. designer.

URL - http://www.lacarmina.com

EMAIL - gothiccarmina@gmail.com

Twitter        http://twitter.com/lacarmina

YouTube       http://www.youtube.com/lacarmina

MySpace       http://www.myspace.com/la_carmina

Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10225211197 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Carmina/7168818462