Off to Oz...

Quick update - busy travel month...
.
Australia is confirmed and happening, I'm just off to the airport. See all you in Brisbane this weekend!!

So Precious

Aren't they just so darling? These are the models I got "for review" from the Action Toy Doll Making Company. Yeah. They're making an action doll out of Zelenka! Ain't that cool.
.
Resemblance ?...

3-2-1 Hiatus

Has anyone who blogs noticed that Hindi translator button tucked away up on the blogger compose page? Neither did I. I thought I was going crazy there for a while. Suddenly, I was able to type in fluent Hindi. Cool.
.
Well I wrapped out of the mid-season two parter today - my final scenes before summer hiatus. There's still a week of production before the break, but I got let out early for good behaviour. It's been a fun episode to shoot - and a great script -finally getting some screen time with the very fine Rachel Luttrell.
.
Next up: a guest spot on Sanctuary, (Thanks, Martin Wood!) That's going to be fun - I've never been to the Hindu Kush Mountains before. Then there's the second of the audio dramas I'm doing with Big Finish. I did one last week and the script was really really good. And they're a lot of fun to do. I think you'll like them a lot.
.
Still possible I'll make it out to Brisbane in July, if all goes well. Still waiting on that one. I have, however booked another convention in the U.S. in Cherry Hill, NJ, in November. So that brings the total to three for this year - finally - I know it's been a while but I'm making up for it this summer and fall. Looking forward to seeing you all.
.
There's this picture I really have to show you... but it will have to wait till next post...
.
Be well!

Never too far from a sandwich on Stargate Atlantis

Many people don't know this but transporting processed cheese slices through the stargate causes the enzymes to reconstitute into pure sugar. So not only do you get grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, you also get the taste of blue cotton candy. It's why Glen's sandwich cart is so popular.
.
Meet our new gate tech Banks. Since coming to the control room this past year, Chuck hasn't quite been himself. Something's going on...

The Beast inches closer...

Hey ho internet voyageurs: nice to see you wash up on the sunny beaches of Zelenkandia.
.
I've just read the mid-season two parter, and let me tell you you won't believe what happens to - -- -- mmmmphphp mpp pphpp. *muzzled from offstage*
.
Fun stuff coming up - The Beast of Bottomless Lake is going through a rigorous post-production process - I've seen bits and pieces and it looks damn good. Check out the new website: Beast of Bottomless Lake Website
.
Also a shout-out to Brendan Beiser and all the folks at the new "made in Vancouver" talk show he's hosting: This Conversation. I was a guest there last week and they run a fine show. I wish them much luck with it.
.
Next up: Did someone say video podcast?...

"You should update your blog..."

When I first started blogging many months ago, I had no idea I was getting into a publish or perish situation. I mean really! The pressure!!
.
It's when Joe M only half-jokingly mentioned that he's been asked on his blog to ask me to update mine that I realized the gravity of the situation: I'm losing touch with all you lovelies out there. Quick get me a keyboard!! I. Must. Update. It's been more than a month!
.
I blame the weather. It's been sunny. And after a dismal monsoon season here in B'an Coober, I'm outside all the time. Since I'm not much of a "bring the computer with me wherever I go" guy, my blogging suffers for it. As does my FARKing, chess playing, emailing, google earthing, Onioning, and hacking of the Academy Awards website to get Marketa Irglova her oscar.
.
It's raining. So here I am. Whadd'ya want?
.
Ah yes. News. What's news... Well I guess I can officially announce TWO conventions in the U.S. this summer. FINALLY! (trumpets &c) All within two weeks of each other: Chicago Creation con in August, and the following weekend Dragon Con in Atlanta. I've only been to one con in the U.S. - United con in Massachusettes a few years back, so I'm looking forward to meeting you again, and many more at either of these two venues. I've not been to either con yet, so I hope they'll be good ones - especially to you guys.
.
I've just finished a nice six-day run out at the Bridge Studio (did you know that the Golden Gate bridge was manufactured in the same building we have our puddle jumper set? - It's true. It was shipped down to San Francisco for assembly) Two episodes in those six days: Ghost in the Machine and The Shrine. Some nice McKay/Zelenka scenes in there. Two great eppies too.
.
Got some auditions to prepare. Must run. Oh, and finally - thanks for all your questions about when "Beast of Bottomless Lake" is coming out. Latest I've heard is all the money's been sewn up, a work copy is ready, and it's "Almost ready". Whatever that means. Here. Ask Kennedy. here's his email: jedischooldropout@telus.net

Season Five , Episode Two, Day One

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Robert Picardo, Mr Paul McGillion, and Mr David Nykl on the first day of the season for me.


A terrific day with some terrific actors. Oh, and David Hewlett says "hi".

Zelenka má doživotí. Z vězení půjde nejdřív za 30 let

Hradec Králové - Heparinový vrah Zelenka stráví zbytek života ve vězení. Byl uznán vinným ze sedmi vražd a deseti pokusů o vraždu a dostal za ně doživotí.

K výjimečnému trestu ho odsoudil senát Krajského soudu v Hradci Králové. Zelenka si bude moci o podmínečné propuštění požádat nejdříve po třiceti letech, tedy v roce 2038. Trest si odpyká ve věznici se zvýšenou ostrahou.

This is not how I thought season 4 would end!!!

You people!!

Well gee thanks for the birthday wishes you all: Rosehawk, darkrose, pedantic_bohemian, morjana, faithchan, leaper 182, audrey, 42, fififolle, tori, scarym, michelle lunsford, suekay the intrepid photographer, irish faery, fiarynne, thedancingarchelologist, emma, bitter crimson, carolyn, elyse, shelfsc, lapis, queenserenity42,maggiemayday, rachelfrompegasus2, nigrum, kanku, kdvb1, becky s, czechie, nicolas, fran, snorchl, osirisofflight, sulien, chevrontwosix, elyse, freaky-darling, allison, rrmf, watcher652, paula, ivanaa, kim, julie, and ohmigod the list goes on and it's only 10:30 in the morning.
.
Thank you all so much, I KNOW I've missed some, most, lots of you, the love is there, the typing skills aren't. So even if you've THOUGHT happy birthday, then thanks. And the wiki: priceless.
.
(I had no idea it would be such a big deal. Now go back to work...)

Snow Day

Doesn't snow much here on the green edge of the Great White North. We see the pictures of our neighbours getting covered, then frozen, and then wallowing in the muck quite often in the press, but it visits Vancouver maybe once or twice a season.
.
Well today is one of those days. It's everywhere. And it's great. Love the snow - probably because we just don't see so much of it. Except for up on the mountains.
.
I was up there last week, on Grouse Mountain, for a quick ski day. It's no Whistler, but when it comes to skiing right ON TOP of the city, it's pretty spectacular.
.
Well it looks like we're off to Season Five on Atlantis shortly. How lucky are we, eh? Despite a writer's strike and a woozy economy, mama Stargate she just keeps rolling. I haven't heard anything definitive yet, but I do know I'm in two of the first four eppies which kick off season 5. So yahoo. And thanks to all who have posted the comments and support the cause of greater cosmic Zelenkism. You rock. Thanks also to the writers and producers (if any ever happen to read this) for year five. I look forward.
.
Once cameras start rolling I'll be posting more pics of Hewlett chewing food and Momoa playing with his dollies. Stay tuned.
.
Looking forward to three days on set for the supernatural thriller "SEWN" in which I will be appearing as Donny, the father of the lead heroine. Sounds scary kids. Great production and an interesting cast (names escape me now, more on that later) should make for a fun shoot up on the sunshine coast. (I'll remember to look behind me, something so many actors forget to do in these kinds of movies...)
.
Oh and one more thing. The birthday. It's February 7th. Never was a huge secret - I don't know where that came from...

Peace, Love, and Christmas Baking

I hope it's been a good year for you folks, and if not I hope the next one is much better for you. I've had the pleasure of meeting several of you in the past year, but not nearly enough in the good ol' U.S. and A. - and that's got to change. And it will. It's being worked on currently and hopefully I'll be able to attend some in the new year.
.
In the meantime have a lovely Christmas season all, and may the highs of your past be the lows of your future...

...and a bit of Berlin...

The dour rennaissance.
Those German's have a different word for everything.
Potsdamer platz as I'd never seen it.
And the new (to me at least) Bundestag.
The TV tower makes for great late-night orientation...

...more still...