February 17, 2011: Almost smoooooth sailing! And more mailbag!

A double-note session with Rob today for both scripts, Paul's in the morning and mine this afternoon.  I was a little concerned going in given that we had both emailed our scripts out yesterday and received the following email from Rob: "You guys okay with 11am your time, 2pm my time to do some notes?  Paul, I left you a message.  Good job.  Call me if you want, or we can talk tomorrow."  I scrolled down for the "P.S. Joe – Good job too" or "P.S. Joe – the fuck you thinking?" but, alas, that was it.  In all fairness, chances were he simply hadn't gotten around to reading my script but, of course, that didn't stop me from considering the worst. No, not loss of face or the revocation of the job offer.  Much, MUCH worse: a significant rewrite.

As it turns out, he hadn't gotten around to reading the script.   The notes turned out to be quite manageable and – dare I say – pretty darn good.  Now, I all I need is for Alex to weigh in with his thoughts and, once that's done, it's smoooooooooooth sailing.

Yep, all that remains is another round of approvals and then finding a place to live in Toronto before March 21st.  I've found three possible candidates to help me ferry the dogs cross-country, but will have to check the Air Canada regulations covering pet travel.  From what I've heard, it's a maximum of two pets per cabin which I took to mean two per flight – but Fondy insists Economy and Business class are two different cabins so it WOULD be possible to get all four on the same flight.  That would, of course, be the runner up best case scenario (the best case scenario, of course, being the production moving to Vancouver).

Busy, busy day tomorrow.  Lunch with a visiting Fondy and our accountant followed by packing up my office followed by a Day 1 mix of Epilogue followed by schnitzel dinner with Stargate Exec. Producer Carl Binder (and, perhaps, others) followed by working on the script rewrite followed by work-out.  And Saturday don't look any less busy.  I've got a slew of movies to clear off my PVR.

Speaking of PVR-clearing, did anyone else catch the season premiere of Survivor or was it just Carl and I?  Usually, it takes a couple of episodes for the show to get going but this season really hit the ground running thanks to that crazy former Federal Agent (?) who had a complete meltdown at tribal council.  If he truly IS a former Federal Agent, then I think the U.S. is in A LOT of trouble.

Last night, it was with great sadness that I read about the passing of Chef Santi Santamaria, the first Catalan chef to earn three Michelin stars.  Years ago, I had the good fortune to attend a special event at Vancouver's Lumiere Restaurant: a spectacular, multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Santamaria, resident culinary bad boy Rob Feenie, local chef Pino Posteraro, and dessert master Thomas Haas.  It was a wonderful, wonderful meal, one of the most memorable epicurean outings I've enjoyed here in North America, and the evening that introduced to me to one of my favorite – albeit rare – dessert accompaniments: the Pedro Ximenez Montilla-Moriles Solera 1910.  This weekend, I'll break open one of my two remaining bottles and toast the man, his memory, and the great meal.

Mailbag:

PG15 writes: "Been a busy couple of weeks over here, thus explaining the lack of commenting."

Answer: How goes CalTech?

Thornyrose writes: "When do we get the official word on what it is you're going to be working on? And little details, like when the show will be airing?"

Answer: Hopefully in a few weeks.

Sean D. writes: "Does Brad Wright have a blog or could he perhaps get one?"

Answer: No, and doubtful.  Sorry.

sparrow_hawk writes: "Just spring for one of the economy plus seats."

Answer: That would be a step down from how I usually fly to Tokyo (on points).  Even the comfiest of seats get a little uncomfy after ten hours.

Sandy writes: "So Joe, did you check out Richard Morgan's books?"

Answer: I've read Thirteen and The Steel Remains.  Enjoyed both.

DALLAS MARSHALL writes: "Since you say you will not be privy to new SGU developments after your move, do you have any suggestions regarding other people "in the know" that we should be watching on Twitter, blogs, Facebook or web sites?"

Answer: Again, if production does proceed on Stargate in some form, I have no doubt most of the cast and crew will be twittering away on a daily basis.

Saryn writes: "Remember, you'll also miss the Richmond Night Market!"

Answer: Apparently there are a few in Toronto as well.

dasNdanger writes: "Are you keeping your place in Vancouver, then? If so, will you rent it out until you figure out where you're going to settle?"

Answer: Keeping it for the time being.  We'll see how both the new show and the new city work out.  While I'm away, some friend(s) will be enjoying the home theater and low-to-the-ground, dog-accessible king size bed.

dasNdanger also writes: "How's Secret Six coming along? Can't wait to hear what you have to say about 'Doll…"

Answer: Finished!  A big fan of all of the characters, Ragdoll and Jeanette in particular.

Josh writes: "What I was wondering is, how do you suggest to go about the making dialogue, and how much information of the technology in a SF book is a good amount?"

Answer: Tough question.  It varies and is entirely dependent upon the subject matter and the author's writing style.  There is no set formula, so I'm afraid you'll have to discover the proper balance through the act of of writing your novel.

Chris L. writes: "If you have the option, make the transportation your main character uses, the 2011 Audi A8 .. it appears to be a damn nice car."

Answer: Maybe something like THIS but in black?

Shadow Step writes: "What purpose ? MONEY – they are not in it to be nice. Previously canceled shows have been yanked rather than shown because, apparently , ratings matter even for non returning shows."

Answer: Matter to who and why?  Also, money for who?  The producers?  We've already been paid for our work on the show.  The studio? They've already been paid a licensing fee by the network to air the show.  The network?  I believe their ad rates have already been set and, even if not how does that involve me?

Quade writes: "Joe just remember, You can't judge a neighbourhood by the neighbours."

Answer: Actually, that was my line.  As was Volker's response: "Are you kidding?  That's exactly how you judge a neighborhood."

Randomness writes: "But anyway, I'm sorry. I wasn't angry at you or anything. If I came accross like that. I'm sorry =/"

Answer: No problem.

David J. writes: "the we were canceled not renewed part was crossed out. is this a mistake or is this telling us something in a subtle way?"

Answer: No, it was my way of having fun with someone who maintained the show hadn't been "canceled", simply "not renewed".

Nick Danger writes: "Have you ever read any of the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett? If so, which one is your favorite?"

Answer: Yes.  The Light Fantastic.

whovian writes: "Also, are you having to fly all the dogs out there? Are they small enough to fly in the cabin with you?"

Answer: Yes and that's the plan.

Morticae writes: "Why don't you visit Korea? The food is better here than in Japan."

Answer: I would love to go to South Korea.  I'd make it part of my Asian culinary tour alongside Japan and Hong Kong.

hal ehlrich writes: "One question I have is knowing that the show was cancelled back in late Decemeber and you still had several episodes that were being edited and going through the VFX process , was there anything that could be done to somehow put closure to things. I know all of the scenes were already shot, but I wonder if things could have been done using Visual/Special Effects to change things up a bit ?"

Answer: Short of blowing up the ship in the final shot, no.