January 28, 2011: Just wake me up if I have to go to Toronto! Lunch with Ryan! Still no word – in case you're wondering! Clearing my DVR!

So, to recap: 1. An opportunity presents itself that would take us to Toronto.  I agonize over the prospect of upending my life and moving back to the east coast, suffering sleepless nights, dizziness, stomach problems, and hives in the process.  Friends and business associates tell me I'd be a fool to pass up this opportunity.  Eventually, I come to terms with the possible location change and even, dare I say it, begin to look forward to the prospect of doing something new.  Then – 2. The opportunity seems to fizzle overnight, going from an-almost-sure-thing to unlikely.  I'm genuinely disappointed BUT simultaneously relieved.  I shift focus to my pilots and setting up some meetings in L.A.  Then – 3. Things turn around and, suddenly, we're back on track. Anxiety returns. How the hell do I get my dogs across the country without flying them cargo?  What do I do about my house?  Where the hell am I going to find good chocolate in Toronto?!  My writing partner talks me down.  Further conversations with Rob Cooper renew my interest.  We make plans to go to Toronto for a week where we will meet the main players, discuss creative, and find out whether we're all on the same page.  I look forward to it.  Then – 4. Things appear to fall through.  A deal seems unlikely.  Now I'm annoyed.  I wanted to try the brain ravioli at Black Hoof!  Fine.  Moving on.  Then – 5. We've got a deal! For next week anyway.  We ARE going to Toronto after all.

Still no definite word on the Stargate front although I am being cc'd on the various emails concerning meetings, etc.  Alas, a third season looking less likely, but there are other scenarios that would allow us complete this incredible journey.

Today, I had lunch at Refuel with Ryan Copple, Executive Producer of Riese.  Very smart, very ambitious guy with a ton of stuff on the go.  As it turns out, we have a hell of a lot in common, sharing an affinity for pugs, french bulldogs, science fiction, Japan, and anime.  Regarding the latter, as our meal wrapped up (I highly recommend the extra messy pulled pork sandwich by the way!) I suggested we come up with a short list of anime properties, hunt down the rights, and develop them as live-action propertiessomething I started to do twelve years ago before I was sidetracked by a little something called Stargate.

 

Ryan patiently humors me, allowing me to snap some pics for the blog while his parsnip soup gets cold.

Chocolate Pot de Creme with with caramel mousse and peanuts. Delicious and delightful in its textural contrasts. One of the two best desserts I've had at Refuel.

Sugar Pie with pear puree and vanilla ice cream. As a Montreal boy, I really appreciated this one. One of the other two best desserts I've had at Refuel.

Once I got home, I realized that I had to make some room on my DVR for the shows I want to record while I'm away next week (ie. Top Chef All-Stars), so I watched Pandorum. Meh.  Did like the ending though.  On the to-watch-as-soon-as-possible line-up: Coraline, Shutter Island, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Drag Me to Hell, Crank: High Voltage, District 9, Hot Tub Time Machine, Julie and Julia, two episodes of House, and two episodes of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.  Looks like it's gonna be a busy weekend!