February 23, 2012: Now with 70% more Alexander and Sarah! And 10% more Tara Yelland!

Yes, they used to dress like this for work ALL the time. I think it's a European thing.

You'll never guess who I heard from yesterday.  Late last night I received an email – Oh.  As a matter of fact it was.  How did you – ? Oh, you read the title of today's entry?  And noticed the above pic. Well, yes.  My old Toronto cohorts, Alexander M. Ruemelin and Sarah Benab, dropped me an email from Jolly Olde Berlin.  Alex is back on his home turf and, apparently, loving it.  He's settled in and enjoying the view out his window, happily counting down the days to the end of March when tourist season begins.  Says Alex: "I always know that spring is in the air when the first Dixieland Jazz Boat glides past my building and I find myself hurling obscenities at the retirees on deck. Home sweet home."

Apparently, he's taking a well-earned break, sparring with his old boxing trainer, bemoaning the fact that he can't buy a pick-up truck in Berlin, and doing a little disco bowling for which he earned Berlin's most prestigious sporting trophy -

The coveted Smirnoff Cup!

I mentioned/threatened that Akemi and I were considering visiting them.  Well aware of my love of fine dining, he promised to treat me to dinner at his favorite upscale eatery:

http://www.western-saloon.de/

I think they also offer a fried salad.

Carl would be sooooooo jealous.

I also heard from Tara after I posted a pic of one of Akemi's banana messages.

Kind of weird, granted, but it IS better for the environment.

Tara wrote: "Akemi's banana made me laugh–she's very funny. Alistair never writes on my food. Also, we never have food."

When I offered to send her some fruit with my own special messages, she was quick to respond: "Yes, I want fruit! But I want Akemi to write the messages, not you. She's got the real talent. "

Well funny she should mention talent because, in one of her recent blog entries (Voiceover Artist Ordinaire!) Tara actually posts her demo for voice work.  It contains about a half dozen spots, all very good – but I think I could do better.  And will.  I'll be recording my own versions of Tara's ad work and will be posting it along with Tara's original voice demo – for your consideration.  And the consideration of future potential employers.  I'm toying with idea of a second career as the spokesperson for some upscale product like the McLobster or Clearasil Gold.

Mini mailbag:

Angelus writes: "I've been watching a lot of Atlantis on Blu-ray lately (Almost at mid season 5) and I noticed something kinda funny. Did you know that Rodney Mckay starts a LOT of his lines with the word "look". Was this done deliberately, Maybe to mimmick Teal'cs "indeed" or did nobody notice but me?"

Answer: It's funny, but I never noticed until Martin Gero pointed out to us while watching dailies one afternoon.  I suppose it is like Teal'c saying "Indeed" or me saying "Basically" about two dozen times a pitch session/interview.

Ponytail writes: "Joe, the Texas Rangers have a new pitcher this year. He is Japan's favorite son, pitching ace Yu Darvish. Have you or Akemi heard of him?"

Answer: I haven't.  I asked Akemi.  She informed me she has – and then proceeded to offer me the unsolicited sordid details of the poor guy's recent divorce.

mike mcginnis writes: "Will you be doing a trip doen memory lane with Stargate Atlantis like you did with SG-1. Ive been rewatching all the episodes and would like your opinion on them."

Answer: Thinking about it.