February 16, 2011: Musings on the move! Mailbag!

Things I will miss about Vancouver: my house, the restaurants, easy access to fresh produce and seafood, the summers, Greek Fest's spit-roasted lamb, great sushi, close proximity to terrific vacation destinations (Vegas, San Francisco, L.A.) and closer proximity to others (Hawaii, Tokyo, Hong Kong), going outdoors in winter and not freezing my ears off.

Things I won't miss about Vancouver: narrow car lanes and parking stalls, outrageously high-priced public parking, the rainy season, cyclists.

These lists are a work in progress.

Today, I read Paul's draft of the pilot.  It's very good and, as is always the case with my writing partner's work, very tight.  We'll discuss tomorrow and I'll give him my thoughts, then one of us will do a pass after which it'll be smoooooooth sailing.  Oh, and I suppose he'll have read my script and undoubtedly have thoughts on it as well (ie. "Great job!").

Thanks to everyone who offered recommendations and references for the coming moves: ideal neighborhoods, real estate agents, even tiny little houses.  Come February 28th (or sooner) things are going to happen very quickly.  I've already lined up one (maybe two, even three!) friends to housesit while I'm away and already have a (sort of) game plan for transporting the dogs.  Rather than hire a moving company, I figure I'll just pack the bare necessities into three suitcases (x 2 trips = 6) and pick up any necessary extras (ie. dog beds and corkscrews) there.  The big decision has been made (we're heading east) but the equally big decision will come at year's end when, circumstances permitting, I face a choice between moving rolling the dice and moving back to Vancouver, or staying put and shutting down my westcoast operations.  I suspect many variables will be taken into account.  How much will I miss Vancouver?  Will there be an opportunity awaiting me if I choose to return?  How much will I enjoy my Toronto experience?  Enough to settle down and call the city home?  Finishing up production on a show on the other side of the country is going to throw one hell of a wrench into plans for my annual Tokyo trip.  Not loving the prospect of a 13 hours flight.  Of course I could just go somewhere closer and nowhere near as enjoyable.  Suggestions?

Damn.  Whatever happened to just taking a year off and going to cooking school?

Mailbag:

hal ehrlich writes: "I was noticing that you have been keeping a bit quiet about stargate lately."

Answer: Have elected to remain silent on the subject until I hear definite word either way.

hal ehrlich also writes: "Are you still going to keep us informed on any news about the future of the franchise, or are we going to have to look at other places for any new news?"

Answer: Tough to say.  I'll certainly know if we'll be proceeding with more Stargate (or not) and will let you know – however, given that I'll be moving on to another show soon, I'll no longer be privy to the type of detailed behind-the-scenes Stargate information I offered in the past.

hal ehrlich also writes: "It seems to me that you are trying to move on in your life with this new show."

Answer: I love Stargate (the franchise, the people, etc.) but, realistically, I can't wait around for something to happen.  Another opportunity presented itself and I have to think of the the future.  The dogs gotta eat.

Narelle from Aus writes: "My tip on finding a decent suburb; the less shoes over power-lines, the better."

Answer: Yeah, what does that signify?  I checked out Yahoo Answers and the responses varied: drug front, gang turf, murder, and – my favorite – "It means that somewhere on that Block, some poor kids is walking around without shoes."

fsmn36 writes: "I can't quite recall; are you joining a current show, or crafting a new one?"

Answer: IF all goes as presently planned (and, honestly, who knows?) we'll be heading to Toronto to Exec. Produce a new series based on an established franchise.

cherluvya writes: "I am looking forward to finding out more details of your show. You are telling us…without telling us. *giggles* Do you get any input into cast? Is it set yet?"

Answer: Yes, IF things pan out (see above), Paul and I will be weighing in on casting.  In a few weeks, things will be moving very quickly.

Honza "Torp" writes: "At one SG Forum in the Czech Republic we debating about whether seederships mined raw materials themselves or not. Then, too, how puting Stargate on the planet, they land or send it from orbit?"

Answer: Can't answer this one because we discussed several possibilities in the room.  We talked about doing a story that would offer details on the seeding process but, alas, we were canceled not renewed given the opportunity to pursue other interests like not working.

Anais a ecrit: "Aprés mes années d'étude je vais faire une formation de doublage VF"

Reponse: Felicitations!  Et bonne chance!

Kevin writes: "For some reason, It makes me fuzzy inside to know that Joe is probably moving closer to where I live in the US."

Answer: Does this mean I can now look forward to the occasional home-cooked meal?

Allen P. writes: "I know the purpose of the pilot is to establish much of the foundation of the series, so should I take the time to write a bible for my series?"

Answer: If you think it'll be helpful to you and your co-workers, then by all means.

Wintermute writes: "Anyway, what I really wanted to ask you was, do you read Iain M. Banks at all?"

Answer: Yes.  Consider Phlebas, The Player of Games, Use of Weapons, and Inversions are among my fave SF novels.

Narekke from Aus writes: "What do you think of the Kindle as a Reader?"

Answer: I like it a lot – and will no doubt make good use of it in Toronto.  The two drawbacks are 1) an inability to flip back and forth with ease and 2) the lack of a reading light.

Lloyd67 writes: "Hi Joseph, can you answer a few questions?"

Answer: All of your questions focus on the future of the Stargate franchise and, at present, I don't have any of those answers for you.  Sorry.

irish pete writes: "Is it true that jason statham is on board for the transporter tv series??"

Answer: There's going to be a Transporter t.v. series?  That sounds awesome.  Will definitely check it out (as should you).

Shadow Step writes: ""And I'm not sure what you're suggesting at when you say "are we all being played?". To what purpose? " Getting as many as possible to watch the remaining 10 episodes on TV?"

Answer: Again – to what purpose?  The show has been canceled not renewed placed on permanent hiatus relieved of its broadcast duties.