Merry Arctic Inflow

Snow. And again. I've not seen this much in this city for over a dozen years at least. And it's not about to go anywhere. It's going to stay piled up right on top of my car, and then freeze, and then compress with the salt and turn into a sedentary layer of white limestone betraying to future civic paeleontologists the location of that 1/2 inch copper hose coupling I dropped today and could not find anywhere. Burst outdoor piping. Don't ask.

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I've heard the meteorologists down south repeat the phrase "arctic air coming down from Canada" when this kind of weather blows in. We don't have no 'Canada' to blame up here. Instead the weatherpeople use the ominous "arctic inflow" to describe weather that's meant for Edmonton but somehow ends up getting lost and howls down the coast. And let me tell you "arctic inflow" ain't no appliance manufacturer. It's nasty cold. Above is a picture of the inflow inflowing - on a recent crossing of Hotham sound. That's cold you can see. 

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But it will soon be Christmas. And that's good. So let me take this chance to wish you all a wonderful Christmas, and a healthy, happy, prosperous New Year.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Boom de yada boom de yada

I love the mountains too. Isn't that a great commercial?...

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Well here we are. December. If you're tucked into this corner of the world December looks and feels much like that first picture: wet and gloomy. Great weather to make a movie..

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I've been filming an MOW - movie of the week - in Maple Ridge for the past few weeks. I play the main baddie, a CEO with the heart of a crouton. Now how did they ever come up with a charcter like that?! I get to make life difficult for our herione, Shannen Doherty by kidnapping her boyfriend. Muhahahaha... ohp - have I given away too much already? Anyway, watch for it, coming soon to a cable channel (I'm guessing) near you. It's called "Resistance". 

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The dressing rooms (above) have got much nicer wallpaper than we had on Atlantis. See. Change IS good.

Cherry Hill/NYC

Whoosh. That's how fast it goes. Four days. WHOOSH. Like the November wind. Four days on the eastcoast. Everything's much closer together and there's lots of trains everywhere. You can get around pretty fast. Relatively. -Exept maybe Brooklyn on a Saturday night. 

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Cherry Hill was terrific, it was great to meet those of you I had a chance to talk to. I did't really see much of Philly, it was all about New York this time aroud. Went to the MOMA, saw Chekhov's "The Seagull" on Broadway with Kristin Scott Thomas, Stellan Skarsgaard, and Mackenzie Crook the guy from the English version of the Office. It was good - just good, unfortunately - it needed a lot more of that slavic despair and humour - a tough thing to get for most Chekhov productions I've seen in the west. Hey - everybody's a critic, right? 

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Thanks for all your comments and wishes. Be back soon...

Here comes Philly!

Almost election day down there isn't it?... go VOTE!!!
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It's also almost Philadelphia time! Finally I'm coming out to the east coast! See you all in just a few days! ...And speaking of Jason Momoa and Gary Jones: here's two pics from the last few days of shooting. Poor Jason and that horrible wolverine incident. I hope his ass gets better...

Boo!

Two wheels are better than one

You guys are the best. Really. Your posts, emails and support are very encouraging as we wrap up production on our fifth and final season of SG:A. I mean how many people during these tough economic times have a group with placards and guitars show up to protest the end of your job? You don't know how much I appreciate your support, because I don't say it enough: so thanks. Thanks for your posts and emails, your pictures, poems and ahem, imaginations. You're wonderful.
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Now with a bit of free time on my hands, I pulled out the map and revisited something I've wanted to do since I was nine. I've always wanted to explore the thousands of kilometres of logging roads in the mountains up the coast from Vancouver. There's so many compelling places on the map that are simply empty of anything except a dotted line indicating a hiking trail or deactivated logging road. "I wonder what's there..."
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I spent three days a few weeks ago on my motorbike in the hills above Jervis Inlet. The weather was glorious and the bears were cooperative - opting to leave the trail when they heard me approaching. A good thing too, because they've been loading up on calories for the winter and 20 pounds of blackberries makes for an ursine sugar rush I don't want to witness.
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A week later, I was back on the mean streets, this time in L.A. and without the benefit of an internal combustion engine. I opted to do most of my biking at Venice beach - but you don't actually go anywhere except up and down the boardwalk. And I had people to meet, things to do, places to go. Besides, the wildlife was scaring me.
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Los Angeles, auditions, and peddle as fast as you can. That's the best way to evade the bear.

CERN, VIFF, and Presidential Debates

Okay, so now they've had to take the Large Hadron Collider offline because it was overheating. Well duh. I could see that one coming. I kept telling them 'just pull over and top up that radiator fluid' but did they listen?.. They NEVER listen to me...
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Went to some pretty cool forums today at the Vancouver Film Festival. It was TV Day and the topic was "Series That Have Legs". Ironic, no? And you know what was the most common factor cited as "hooking" and audience? -- Character. Good strong, identifiable characters. They draw an audience.
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Whew. There's hope for me yet... (so if you know any exec. producers out there looking to cast a series - bump my name up, will ya?)
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Speaking of hope in troubled times: watched the US presidential debate on TV tonight (the Canadian election was on another channel, but it wasn't as good a show) and I must say I was impressed with the level of debating going on. It was sure a relief to hear intelligent discussion after what we've been seeing and hearing for the past eight years. I wish you guys well. I wish us ALL well. Pick the right guy.
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Can you guess the song Robert Picardo is playing?

Goodbye Reuben Tuesday

The Large Hadron Collider went online today. Big news for Switzerland. Not such a big deal for us on Atlantis. We use ours at work to make Reuben sandwiches.

Tired Monsters

Doesn't it get hot under all that rubber? Especially in Atlanta in the summer?!... You guys are epic. Most of the 30,000 of you at DragonCon last weekend were dressed up in some way, and often it was pretty amazing. I saw several Shaun's of the Dead, many many Stormtroopers, and at least two dozen "new" smeared make-up Jokers. Impressive. There were fairies and furries, clones and clowns, and all manner of living dead. The hotel was pretty epic too. Love that 50 storey atrium.
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Met many of you from a part of the world I rarely travel to and wish I did more: the U.S. South. I even had the Cream of Wheat porridge FOR SUPPER instead of breakfast, like y'all do down there. And it taste nothing like grit. It taste like porridge for dinner is all...
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Hard to believe but this will be my last week on Atlantis the series. Three days this week, two on "Enemy at the Gate", the finale; and a day on "Vegas" the penultimate Atlantis adventure. Whew. Those five years went fast! It seems like only yesterday a hapless doctor with a weird accent told his commanding officer to "stop talking please". That was way back. Atlantis old school.
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I'll bring my camera. Take some piccies.

Mirror Beans, Big Pizzas, and the Next Thing

Hard to believe - cancelled - after five years. Atlantis the series has been wrapped. It's all so sudden. Even when you know it can happen anytime, when it does you go: where did that come from? I barely have digested the news before the "what's next?" questions started up. What's next?
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Well, frankly, I don't know. More work. More good roles. More ways to connect. I hope.
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We move on.. and next up Atlanta! Never been, leaving in a few hours. Understand it can get hot there. Pshaw.
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Chicago last weekend was terrific - met some great people, went up a tall building, saw a magical mirror-bean which predicted that in the future, we will all take pictures of ourselves with our telephones and speak to people that are not really there. Weird. Ducked into the Art Institute of Chicago and stared at a Maigritte for a long time. I like how he tells a story in his paintings.
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The blog will continue its current haphazard reportage. If I find out anything about the fate of the good doctor, I will let you know; however - they never tell me anything.
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It was great to see you guys. Thanks for the support. See you again soon.

And the winner is...

How do you do it? I mean you had the answer within hours of me posting it! The internet is sure a pretty big place when you're looking for things.
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Congratulations to Susan the Tartan Turtle for being the first in correctly identifying Cadboro Bay, Victoria, BC - and Gyro Park. Send me a mailing address and watch your mail! Seriously - how'd you do it?
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Shooting for "Identity" coming up this week, after a bit of a break. And then - the last two of season 5. We better hurry up, you guys are eating them up fast...

Many Places

The middle of summer. Ahhh. Time to do some CSI'n.(See above) That's the venerable and highly misunderstood Sean Murphy, the best-of-the-best, our Second A.D. (not b.c - just to be clear) He's the glue that holds the lot together. He's, I dunno, Italian, I think.
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Dispatches from a moment by the desktop -I'm very old school that way: a couple more scripts have rolled in, and they are, by all accounts, stunning because of what happens to- mmmGrgp PHkhh h . ff.F.
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There's also a behind the scenes videoblog coming out on the MGM site somewhere, I think, soon, and - last but utterly not least, a visit to the many of you very fine folk out there in Americalandia - is that how you pronounce it?.. in CHICAGO very soon, and then ATLANTA soon after that. Most excellentness.
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And, last but utterly least: Name the Location - Episode 7 or something: To the Correct Identifier goes a signed photograph of the good doctor with a Special Added Bonus of a shard of glass from a 'recent episode'. Guess the exact location of the first picture, and the staff over here at Letters From Pegasus will send you that and more!!...
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Enjoy summer. Go for a swim.

Townsvillians?... Rockhampters?...

Okay. Here it is. I'm delivering on my promise: the ever-popular and very fine Paul McGillion and a Pachyderm (he's the one on the -- ... aw ha ha ha..). There's also some Alan Tudyk - very nice to meet you, a fine fellow indeed, again, and of course the ever-popular David Nykl, who who's generating some serious Oscar® buzz with his latest picture "Queensland Mystic". Yup.
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Thank You Australia Zoo! It was... was... Crikey!
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I'm also very proud to be publishing what I'm pretty sure is the only know photo of Paul McGillion and a Wombat in existence.
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Oh and I can't forget the enigmatic and virtuous Mungo McKay (right) who showed up just on the nick of time. Awesome.
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We haven't played Name the Location in an age, haven't we?... Remember? The Name the Exact Location Game, where I publish a photo and you try to guess the location? I think it's time. It's been far too long. And I've got a bunch of new ones...Right after this commercial break .. ..

Brisbanonians

Like Torontonians, except for "from a warmer climate". It's winter here, which means a frigid 19 degrees celsius. The poor locals are forced to wear something called a "jumper" along with several shawls to fend off the inclement weather. How do they do it? I mean it's almost a wee bit chilly here. Better "rug up". I have one word for you, Brisbane, when it comes to winter: Winnipeg.
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*rolls eyes*
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Loving it here, meeting a lot of awesome fans and seeing another chunk of my beloved Oz. We're off to the zoo today. Hope to get some pictures of Paul McGillion feeding a croc. I'll keep you updated...

Off to Oz...

Quick update - busy travel month...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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There's this picture I really have to show you... but it will have to wait till next post...
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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.
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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.
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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*
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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
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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.
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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!!
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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!
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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.
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It's raining. So here I am. Whadd'ya want?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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(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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Once cameras start rolling I'll be posting more pics of Hewlett chewing food and Momoa playing with his dollies. Stay tuned.
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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...)
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Oh and one more thing. The birthday. It's February 7th. Never was a huge secret - I don't know where that came from...