January 4, 2011: Yes and no. And yes. But no. And Stargate.

I got a call from my writing partner, Paul, today who told me that he was going through some of the items in his home office when he came across a couple of books I'd lent him.  "Guess I'll just give these to Joe when I go back to work,"he thought.  And then realized: "Wait.  There IS no work to go back to!".  Well, yes and no.  And yes.  And, as it turned out on this day – no.  I went in today because Kerry, our Post-Production Coordinator, prior to heading off on her vacation, made it a point to remind me that I had to watch the Day 1 Mix of my episode, The Hunt, by January 5th.  That's tomorrow.

Thus, I got in at little after 9:30 this morning to a very scaled-down production office.  Just David manning the phones.  The girls from accounting were in, as was Producer John G. Lenic.  And, of course, the incomparable Lawren Bancroft-Wilson was holding down the fort in the writing department.  I asked him to contact Post and let them know I was ready to watch that mix.  What mix?  Why, the mix Kerry told me I needed to watch by January 5th.  "Oh, that wasn't supposed to deliver until tomorrow,"Associate Producer Jennifer Johnson informed me.  "Originally.  But it's been pushed to Monday."

Well, since I was there, I decided to redirect my focus to some early, early Spring cleaning.  Back in SG-1′s fourth season, when I first joined the franchise, I started decorating my office with Simpsons figures.  They would invariably draw the attention of  curious tour guests, small children, and Richard Dean Anderson, any of whom could be found in my office on any given day, playing with my collection.  When Paul and I took over as Show Runners for Atlantis's fourth season, I packed away the Simpsons figures in favor of resin and cold cast porcelain statues of various comic book villains – something more thematically in keeping with my new role.  Given present circumstances, I thought it would be a good idea to just go ahead and pack 'em up and opt for another theme (say, pug paraphernalia) if and when Stargate does come back in some form in 2011.

I drive a Q7, one big-ass SUV, and it couldn't contain "my toys" (to quote a couple of my co-workers).

Not pictured: the boxes in the back and passenger seats – or the statues still sitting upstairs in my office.  This, of course, will pale in comparison to my book collection.  That should necessitate at least three trips.

Anyway, that took me all morning.  I didn't even get to clearing off my desk.  Exec. Producers' Assistant Ashleigh teased us with the possibility that she was a) coming in and b) stopping by that tasty sandwich place in Gastown to pick up lunch.  Instead, she elected to stay home and presumably watch Judge Judy, leaving us to fend for ourselves.  As a result, I had to eat mediocre Japanese food.  AND pick up after myself!

After lunch, I spoke to Brad about the future of the franchise.  We discussed "the plan", Universe mainly, but also talked SG-1 and Atlantis.  No word on progress yet but, given the recent holidays, that's to be expected I suppose.  Hopefully, we'll receive some positive news next week.

 

Lawren breaks the bad news. No sandwiches. I mean, Ashleigh.





Lisa from accounting stops by to wish me a happy new year. Then delivers three swift punches to my kidneys and, while I'm doubled over fighting to catch my breath, warns me to pay my outstanding petty cash balance. Then kicks in my t.v. screen and leaves. Great to see her.





Special Features Producer Ivon Bartok also dropped by. Since we're both looking at some free time ahead, we've been talking about starting an Oprah's Book Club type thing. Except that instead of books, we'd watch movies. And instead of discuss them, we'd just sit around and drink.





Executive Producer Carl Binder was with us in spirit.

Since the New Year rolled in, I've been afflicted with a host of mysterious maladies, the latest being an allergic reaction to…something?  Given the timing, I'm guessing 2011. Anyway, I've been drinking plenty of liquids, avoided dairy, switched my laundry detergent, and avoided all non-cooking reality shows.  No dice.  I mean, what the friggin' fudge, man?!  I'd planned to go see my doctor today, but he was booked, so I guess I'll try my luck tomorrow afternoon.  Between that and calling someone to fix the automatic garage door opener, looks to be a pretty exciting day.  Which means an equally exciting blog post for all of you!  Excited?!