The other day I woke up to an episode of Stargate SG-1 and I was reminded just how talented a performer is Michael Shanks. The episode is titled Lifeboat. The episode starts with the team investigating a crashed ship. While looking at equipment determined to stasis devices Shanks’ character Daniel Jackson is hit with some kind of energy wave. He regains consciousness and starts presenting unusual behavior, speaking in a manner not at all Daniel Jackson. Throughout his run on SG-1 he voiced the character Thor, and portrayed the character Ma’chello as both Ma’chello himself and Ma’chello inhabiting Daniel Jackson’s body. An interesting piece of work. He’s even portrayed very difficult conditions that are always hard for me to watch because his performance was extraordinarily close to my own experience. Now, in Lifeboat, Shanks portrays something like four or five different and distinct characters with rapid switches from one character to another. Some people would think “He’s an actor, that’s his job.” and other things to try and diminish this statement but watch a few people try and do this and then watch Shanks’ performance in this episode and then tell me with a straight face that this performance isn’t top three at the very least. Also, I just watched a clip of his interview on Dial the Gate where he shares a life-or-death experience from his time on SG-1. And for the record, I say all this being SUPER jealous that he’s married to Lexi Doig.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled…my bitching and whining I guess. But not so much! I’m getting my affairs in order here so I’ll be able to cut my ties to this shithole state and get moved within the next month. It’s again an odd sensation knowing my net worth isn’t in parentheses. I need to start seriously packing, though. I still need to figure out how best to transport some things like my production desk in the studio. I’m sure I’ll have to dismantle it to some extent. The thing is that I’ve cobbled together certain pieces to accommodate the equipment and the furniture components are differently shaped, let’s say. The more I think about it the more it seems I’ll just have to disconnect everything and pack up all the equipment normally and then reassemble everything later. It’s not a terrible thought in any case it’s just tedious. And not knowing exactly where I’ll end up ultimately, it’s difficult to visualize how I’ll reestablish the studio right now. Nonetheless, I can’t wait to be back home.
I spent many of my teen years walking three miles of Van Nuys Blvd. in the middle of the night, going to In-N-Out Burger to feed myself when my “mother” couldn’t be bothered. I look forward to being able to visit that same institution regularly again. A place where I experienced so many good times, find solace from the bad times. My friends and I celebrated and commiserated so much there. One place I truly hold sacred. And then time cherished loved ones and all that. Just one more month in my exile.
