November 16, 2012: Dark Matter! Mystery Projects! More J-pop and K-pop videos! And the mailbag!

Whew.  What a day!  It started with a doctor’s appointment and ended with a conference call about an exciting potential new project.  In between, I fielded texts, emails, and phone calls about Dark Matter, read what Paul has written so far on that “other” project, talked to a lawyer, met with my bank rep, and generally kept abreast of all developments on the football front as my Snow Monkeys face their toughest challenge to date, taking on the Mighty Molsons this weekend in fantasy football league action.

I went to see the doctor on Akemi’s (persistent) insistence today after experiencing a one-time pain in my left shoulder sometime during my Tokyo trip (while I was eating my second serving of foie gras and black pudding.  Hey, not my fault!  Akemi wouldn’t eat hers.).  My heart checked out fine and, given the details of my distress, he suspects it was merely an esophagal reaction.  Just to be on the safe side, however, I’m off to get a blood test and EKG on Monday.  The results should reaffirm the good doc’s prognosis.  If not, in the words of my buddy Ivon: “Well, you’ve had a good run.”

Dark Matter aint dead yet!  Those of you familiar with my SF comic book series about the amnesiac crew of a derelict spaceship and the mystery surrounding their interstellar mission (You can purchase the first four-issue arc here: Dark Matter #1 – #4 Bundle) know that I have my heart set on translating it to the small screen someday.  Well, after much back and forth, missed opportunities, lost causes, and blown deadlines, it appears as though – maybe, just maybe – there could be a deal in the works.  Or it could just be a precursor to a deal or some eternal optimist misinterpreting something somebody said.  Whichever the case, let’s call it positive news and leave it at that.  More information as it becomes available.  And if you hear anything before I do, let me know!

This year, Paul and I have focused on writing over producing.  While it pays significantly less, it has allowed me to work from home on my own projects while taking a much-needed year off after a most memorable (for all the wrong reasons) 2011.  Among the projects we’re working on is the development of a series pilot for a fantasy series that has garnered a fair amount of interest.  Paul sent me the first two acts this morning and it’s great!  We deliver at the end of the month and then, I expect, it’ll be smoooooooooth sailing!

Also, a good friend (and fantasy football league buddy whose team, sadly, has fallen on hard times) and ex-Stargate colleague has approached Paul and I about a fantastic personal project of his own that looks to have all sorts of potential.  Coming soon to a t.v. near you?  Things look very positive.  Next week, Paul and I will get together with him to discuss creative and what lies ahead.  Very nice of him to think of us.

Went to talk to a lawyer today about an outstanding issue that has plagued me for far too long.  I felt much better after talking to him and look forward to being a little more proactive starting next week as I take steps to finally resolve the issue. You can only be nice for so long…

Finally, an apology to a couple of individuals who are owed scripts.  I didn’t get a chance to send them before leaving for Japan and this has been a busy week, but I promise to give Richard Woolsey the go-ahead and he’ll dispatch the scripts, via jumper, first thing Monday morning.

What’s on your mind?  Let’s hit the mailbag and find out:

gforce writes: “It’s been a busy day or two – my step-mom wound up in the hospital again, this time with a subdural haematoma. They did an operation today to relieve the pressure today and the prognosis looks pretty good. Pretty stressful time, though.”

Answer: Hey, Gary, wishing your mom a speedy recovery.  And you a hopefully less stressful week ahead.

JeffW writes: “I’m over-nighting in London and found that ITV 4 is playing “My Super Ex-girlfriend”…I don’t really remember this one, but maybe Cookie would want to add it to his list?”

Answer: Yep, it’s on the list.

Randomness writes: “Hope you didn’t mind me posting a ton of JPop vids on your update post Joe.”

Answer: Not at all.  I’m always open to checking out new things – and new tunes, especially if it helps me get rid of an old tune stuck in my head.  Chewing chewing chewing chewing chewing cutie cutie chew-chew-chewing loooooooove!

noellam writes: “Here’s a question for Akemi: Why is the lead singer gal in Candy Candy running with a piece of toast in her mouth?”

Answer: Akemi isn’t sure.  I think it’s because she forgot her bento box.

PBMom writes: “It was $50 a plate and open bar (the facility fee, etc. would not have changed though). I think like 10 people did not show up. No one called to say, “Hey sorry I’m sick, I won’t make it.” Just no shows with no explanations.”

Answer: Hate that.  I recall inviting someone to one of my chocolate parties.  Since he had family visiting, I even extended the invitation to his out-of-town guests.  He not only didn’t show up  (meaning five dinners went uneaten and, most importantly, five seats that could have gone to other friends went unfilled) but the next day, at work, was totally oblivious to the inconvenience he’d caused.

Mike A. writes: “Um, Joe, is it weird that I totally enjoyed all of these videos?”

Answer: Who am I to criticize?  I’m a Kyamy Pamyu Pamyu convert.  Here ya go.  Her new video:

So kawaii!

Mike A. also writes: “Are the dogs joining your schedule or have they been able to stay on their normal sleep routine?”

Answer: Nope.  The dogs are pretty oblivious to my issues but make me well aware of theirs.  Issue #1 (first thing in the morning): Where’s breakfast?

Tam Dixon writes: “Did you see any of the groups live?”

Answer: I’m not much of a concert-goer.  In my case, they invariably end up disappointing.  A friend, a life-long Bob Dylan fan, went to his concert the other night – and ended up leaving partway through, this after criticizing a friend who had done the same thing the previous night.

osirisoflight writes: “In my wandering around youtube i came across a group called Baby Metal. They are a half Metal half j-pop teen group. the music is oddly catchy.”

Answer: Bizarrely entertaining!  I found this clip as well:

sylvia writes: “Then…there is the Gangnam Style by Psy that went viral. It’s from Korea.
Once you hear it…can’t get the tune out of your head.”

Answer: Yep.  Even the hard-to-impress Ivon Bartok isn’t immune to the catchy Gangnam Style.  And, while we’re on the subject of K-pop, may I introduce Super Junior…

Tagged: Dark Matter, J-pop, K-pop