the latest from an almost-26 year old

The mid-season hiatus of Atlantis is approaching, which means life is slowing down, so here I am again.  I can't believe we've made it this far already, and the time is flying by too fast for me.  I don't know what it is, but we've all agreed that this season has been quite relaxed as far as the on-set vibe goes.  Maybe everyone's just hit a stride, or mellowed out.  Maybe we've surrendered our fate to the TV gods.  In any case, there's been a lot of moments of reflection where I realize just how lucky I am to have such a cool job and to be working with such lovely people, and when you're tired and on your twelfth hour and you've been on your feet all day, to be able to still say that feels like quite an accomplishment.  I do a lot of laughing at work, and not just because I share a trailer with Jason Momoa and I'm pretty sure he's putting something through those vents to make me oddly euphoric.  Seriously, they should do tours of Jason's part of the trailer alone.  It's like King Tut's tomb meets Clan of the Cave Bear and I'm both in awe and worried for him. 

As you know from previous blogs, I've managed to fit in a couple of trips in my schedule. Australia was amazing, and I made some incredible friends there who still loved me after I puked my guts out on our last day there in the middle of the green room.  I still have no idea what happened to me or who or what gave me the Super Bug of Death but it took me a week to get it entirely out of my system.  Again, my regrets for having to leave early on the Sunday in Brisbane; although I did offer to do my last Q&A with a bucket in my lap, the promoter for the convention didn't seem to think that would win me any fans.  But it sure would have made for some interesting photo ops!  All of you who attended were so great to me, and when I'm invited back (?) to Australia again, I promise I'll make up for it.

A few weeks later, we took off to Maui for the renewal of our vows.  Thank you to everybody for your sweet messages on that day, and we're very proud to have made it this far, since in this business, five years is like fifty.  We were surrounded with twenty-five of our most devoted and completely mental friends, all with incredibly strong and dominating personalities, which made for quite an interesting trip.  Apologies to the entire bar staff of the Ritz Carlton hotel, Roberto Cavalli for making such tasty vodka that doesn't deserve to be abused, the lobby staff for having to see the impromptu streaking that took place (not me)… I have no idea what made twenty-five mature adults turn into a pack of wild boars, but I blame it on the magic isle.  Maui has a way of possessing people to let go of their inhibitions, and maybe that's why we love it so much.  All in all, it was a fantastic trip and we're already planning another one for Christmas.  Jamaica may be the unlucky place to receive us, but the Dominican Republic is also on the list.  Any suggestions are welcome, but our criteria is beach, sun, and all-inclusive. And not Mexico, cause we're already doing that for a wedding in November.  Tough life, I know.

Next up is a trip to Baltimore for a convention called Shoreleave.  I'm going with David Hewlett and Kate Hewlett to this one, which means there's going to be a lot of guffawing and really weird inside jokes, so I also apologize in advance for that.  David is also one of those people that turns me into a giggling idiotic eight year old, and I'm pretty sure the crew on set thinks we're out of our minds.  What would you think if you saw two grown adults calling each other "Bing-Bing" and dissolving into hysterical laughter?  I'm telling you, something is coming through those vents.

I am also pleased to be a part of the latest round of Serenity screenings across North America to support Equality Now ( www.equalitynow.org) .  I'll be making an appearance at the screening in Vancouver and doing a Q&A, so if you're in the area, go to www.cantstoptheserenity.com for more details.  Or just buy a ticket for one of the screenings in your area and be all nostalgic and wear your Jayne hat just 'cause.

No questions for today, because guess what?  All you people want to know is whether Jason looks good without his dreads!?!?!  Have you seen that man?  I'm pretty sure he'd look good in Rachel's wig.  Seriously, there has been a really disappointing decline in the interesting questions department, and I sincerely feel you are not doing your part to make these blogs interesting.  And "will there be another Firefly/Serenity?" does not count.  If there was, don't you think I would tell you immediately?  Also on the not-counting list:  "Can I have Morena/Summer/Gina's email address?"  As much as I think it would be hilarious to fill Morena's inbox with creepy letters, you know I can't do that.  Oh, but it would be so deliciously fun!

Off to pick a birthday dress.  Or three.

love Jewel

11:43 AM - 181 Comments - 273 Kudos - Add Comment

sickly

So here I am at the airport in Hong Kong about to board the last flight on my trip home to Canada.  I’m not going to be able to make this as long as I would like to, since there seems to be a guy hovering over me and wanting to use the computer... but I did want to extend my apologies for not appearing for the last couple of hours on Sunday at the Supanova convention in Brisbane, Australia.  I had one of those sleeps the night before where you wake up every other hour with extreme nausea, and by the morning, I was literally sick every other hour.  I’m thinking it was a bug, and not food poisoning, since my friend’s starting to feel nauseus now (oops), but whatever it was, by three o’clock that afternoon I was buckled.  Nothing like signing autographs and running to the nearest bathroom every half hour!  And my extended apologies to those of you who were in the parking lot at the wrong time when I was on my way back to the hotel... no need to go into detail there. 

(And for those of you that are determining I was "faking it", I hope someone holds a bowl of hot noodles under your nose the next time you have a stomach flu)...

Besides the last day of the trip, I had such an AWESOME time in Australia, and both conventions rocked.  As soon as I get home I’ll post some candid photos.. Fortunately, though, none of me being sick--- you’ll have to ask the guy in the autograph line up who was actually taking pictures of me holding a bucket to my face for that little keepsake.  (seriously, who would do that??)

I promise the next blog will be full of other details besides stomach contents and noodles.

love Jewel

PS Thank you to those who felt so inclined to give me the directions on eating vegemite.. After mentioning I had never had it, I got not one, but EIGHT letters of how to enjoy the pleasure of the stuff.  I am now extremely well informed.  And possibly about to be sick again.

7:01 AM - 243 Comments - 306 Kudos - Add Comment

Happy Spring

Well, Cancun didn't work out, but for good reason:  Matty booked a pilot, which is great for him and not so great for my online shopping addiction.  I was really hoping to accumulate somewhat of a tan and abuse the liver for a week, but hey.  Such is life, and work always comes before debauchery and sunstroke.  Yay Matt!  Yay sephora.com!

I thought I'd better write again before things got a little hectic, which, judging by the first few scripts I've read of Atlantis: season 5, is pretty darn imminent.  I guess the cat's been let out of the bag, so yes, I can confirm that I've signed on to the show as a regular cast member, meaning majority of episodes, meaning almost twice as many breakfast sandwiches (!!).  I'm thrilled, of course, for other reasons as well; it's a wonderful group to be around, even if they're teasing you incessantly for being the "newbie"…but now that we have, er, new newbies, maybe the teasing will relent?  Or at least move to a different outlet?  Anyway, so far so good on the character-building front, even if prosthetics are included far too soon for my taste.  Can't say much more than that on the subject, as well as others (I am also kept in the dark on whether it'll be Ronan or McKay fathering Jen's babies, so there's really no point in asking me these things) but stay tuned for more hints and surprises to come in the conclusion of season 4.  That's it.  That's all you get.  I'm still new enough to get in trouble for spilling too many beans, so don't entice me.  You know how I am with keeping secrets!

On to some questions I can answer:

1. Have I tuned in to the new season of Lost?  Are you drunk?  Not only have I tuned in, I've recorded and re-watched to feed my unhealthy addiction of everything that's Foxy, and I must say, I'm quite satisfied.  It was a long time coming.  Also a yes to the question of whether American Idol is again being watched religiously; the little kid with the big smile and the dark hair is my favorite so far, but these things change—I actually liked Sanjaya during Hollywood Week last year, so help me. 

2. Has anyone mentioned to Joe Flanigan that he has a striking resemblance to Disney's Aladdin?  No, but thanks for the ammo.

3. How does it feel being a role model?  I honestly have never thought of myself as one.  I think it's a bit unfair to put that title on anyone just because they happen to be relatively successful at one thing; it doesn't mean we're successful in all areas of our lives!  Sometimes the phrase "role model" connotes someone who doesn't and won't make a mistake, and since I'm very truly human, I may not be the best candidate for the job.  But I stick by my views, my opinions, my work ethic, and my self-respect, and if someone feels the need to mirror those qualities and look at me as a kind of "role model", then I think that's okay.  As long as they don't mirror things like my mysterious need to own six new bathing suits in the middle of February, or the fact that I never vacuum under my couch, or how I eat way too much fried food and drink wine like it's the middle ages.  Seriously, there must be someone a little less human to emulate.

4. How do I keep my performances so fresh?  Lots of Bounce.  Febreeze works too.  Seriously, reading things like this makes me feel like I'm doing something right, so thanks.  I needed that.

5. Who would I rather, George Clooney or Harrison Ford?  I am a Clooney girl.  Have been for a long time.  And I am loyal to my Clooney.

6. If I were to be cast as a former cast-mate's lover, would I and who with?  So this is basically a sneaky way of asking if I've ever had a crush on a former cast-member, so kudos to you for trying to pull a fast one.  Truth is, I can't really think of anyone I could comfortably imagine myself having to make out with.  When you're working so close to people, they kind of become like siblings to you, so it's off-putting to have to fake an attraction to any one of them.  If I HAD to choose, I'd say Sean Maher, just because I've already been there, done that.  And it reeeally wasn't that bad.  Heh heh.  Again, don't be jealous.

7. My favorite New Kid?  Joe, of course.  What a question.

8. Is my hair color natural?  My natural hair color hasn't seen the light of daybreak since I was about eleven years old and had to color it to match a "mom" in a TV movie I did.  Honestly, I couldn't tell you what it is, but I've always felt sunnier as a blonde.  And I realize that us blondes are the only people that would feel it was okay to use the word "sunnier" as a verb, but whatever.  It's not a verb, is it?  Damn.

9. Do I salsa dance, since I'm such a fan of salsa music?  Recently I made it out to the Spanish Harlem Orchestra concert (great band by the way) with my friend Laura Bertram, and we two white girls did our best to gyrate our hips and do that twirly thing with our arms, but I think we just looked like drunk octopi.  I would love to learn, though.  There is nothing sexier than a guy who can dance, even if he shows up at a concert wearing his weird dancing flats and taking it all seriously.  It's the commitment that's sexy.  Also the button down shirts.  Hell, even salsa on a chip is sexy.

10. What would be the soundtrack/song accompanying my life right now?  Clair de Lune.  Don't know why.  It's peaceful and soothing and invigorating, and I guess I feel at peace, soothed, and invigorated at the moment.  Must be the yoga.  I think spring has sprung here, too, and whenever that happens it feels like new beginnings, which are always welcome.

Enjoy the sunshine!

3:02 PM - 196 Comments - 331 Kudos - Add Comment

countdown to 2008

Congratulations to all who made it through the madness that is the "Holiday Season".  I have come out the other end with a few more grey hairs from standing in line-ups in warm malls (why do they blast the heat in there when they know we're wearing winter jackets??  No one likes to sweat while rummaging through piles of sweaters to find a medium while balancing an orange julius and text-messaging your Christmas list to those that love you all at the same time!), a sore tummy from too many turkey dinners (large family, lots of in-laws), and bruised toes from all those high-heeled festive holiday parties.  I'm done.  Time to rest up and hit the gym and start feeling pleasantly normal and functional again!  Right after I finish this plate of chicken strips.

I know I said I would not be spilling any personal tidbits or special news on myspace since I have a website now, but the truth is, I don't know how to work the damn thing yet.  It's too complicated for my jumbled little mind to master at the moment, but I'm working on it.  Just like I'm working on getting my drivers license and learning to speak French and work the fax machine.  All in good time, people.  For now, I will spill my beans here.

I guess it's common knowledge by now that Stargate: Atlantis has been picked up for a fifth season!  Yay!  I have exactly two months to get my ass in gear to fill those unforgiving little grey pants again!  I have no idea what they're planning for season five in terms of storyline, so don't bother asking, but I'm sure it'll be as harrowing and action-packed as the fourth, with me up in a friggin harness again over some swelling river or gorge.  I'm very pleased, though, and very excited that my Curse of the Canceled Series After I Show Up seems to be over for now.  'Cause that would have been embarrassing for the eighth time. 

Onward to the New Year, which we are celebrating in style, complete with an actual ball where I get to gussy up.  I had another bright idea to invite everyone we know over for a buffet-style dinner beforehand, so here I am, up to my elbows in prosciutto.  And still avoiding the gym.

Questions and answers, the last of them for 2007:

1. Why isn't Dr. Keller Canadian?  No idea.  Originally she was supposed to be, which would mark the first Canadian I've actually ever played, but alas, it wasn't in the cards.  Maybe she is a Canadian but is on the run for tax evasion?  No, she's too much of a wimp for that. 

2. The weirdest gift I've ever been given by a fan?  There's a man that insists on giving me a print-out of my page on imdb.com every time I see him at conventions, and since I'm pretty aware of my own resume, that's a weird one.  I've also received countless portraits, some that look just like me and some that look like the wolf man.  I also saw a tattoo someone had of me as "Kaylee" that was a little bit larger than I was comfortable with, but at least my boobs looked big!  And I've had some awesome gifts too:  a pillow someone sewed with "Serenity" floating on a black sky, beautiful artwork, great books, my favorite flavor of Snapple, and moonshine.  Oh, and a lot of strawberries.  Hilarious, guys.  I don't even really like strawberries so pleasepleaseplease just stick with moonshine.  I mean Snapple.

3. What are my religious beliefs?  To quote my friend Nathan, there are three things I never talk about:  religion, politics, and how much money I make.  It's a good philosophy.  Another one I enjoy:  a hot breakfast is key to my survival.  With bacon.

4. How do I handle the sight of blood for real?  I'm not bothered by it at all, unless it's my own, gushing out of some hole that can't be repaired with a bandaid.  I'm actually fascinated by those operation shows on TV, the ones where they really get in there with the camera and you can see the fat being sucked down the tube when people are getting lipo.  I guess I'm fascinated because of the human body's ability to heal after all of that.  I have to watch those shows when my husband's not around, though; he shrieks like a little girl at the sight of anything remotely bloody. 

5. My favorite movie of 2007?  That's tough.  I haven't seen enough of them to judge.  I loved Beowulf.  Loved Juno.  But I watch a lot of TV on DVD, and I just got through season one of Heroes.  I'm jealous.  I want to be a hero!  Maybe with the power to, like, get people to stop canceling my shows.

6. Do I read the message boards online?  I did once.  Not so fun.  Ten people can say the nicest things about you, and then the one person that says something rotten is the one comment you remember.  I think I stopped reading when someone said they hoped Dr. Keller gets pushed down the stairs by the end of season four.  Nice.  Here's the facts though: there's three opinions that matter.  My peers' opinions, the people I work for's opinions, and my own opinion, and so far I'm good on all fronts.  Not everybody's going to like me, and I haven't had it wildly easy with the position I'm in, so if someone wants to imagine pushing me down the stairs, or make up nasty nicknames for me, then so be it.  Everybody needs a hobby! 

7. How do I memorize lines?  I don't really know.  I've been doing it for a while so luckily it doesn't take me too long, unless it's a stream of techno-babble or doctor-speak, and then I just have to read it over and over and over again until it's locked in my head.  There's always that fear of forgetting them, though.  You know how people have those anxiety dreams about being naked in their office or the grocery store?  Mine is being on set and drawing a blank.  While nude. 

8. Was that me at the very end of National Treasure 2?  Nope.  That goes on the list of the other jobs my mystery twin has done, like the Axe deodorant commercial, Supernatural, or Space Cases.  Okay, that was me.

9. My fave three scenes of anything I've done?  This is tough.  There are a lot of Higher Ground scenes I really love.  That character was a lot of fun, and I was very uninhibited then so I think the majority of the stuff I did was really honest.  I like the cat-fight scene from Wonderfalls, and I love when Kaylee goes to the ball.  There are a couple of Keller scenes I'm really excited about, but I can't talk about them because they haven't aired yet.  None, however, involve strawberries, or, sadly, big poofy pink ball gowns. 

10. What are my New Years resolutions?  Besides hitting the treadmill, which is up there with eating live squid, I'm going to make an effort to infect my brain with positivism.  There is no point in obsessing about the things you can't change, and there's no such thing you can't do.  I've had a really positive year and I'm grateful for another one on its way. 

Happy New Year to all of you.  I wish you nothing but the best kinds of success and love for 2008. 

11:29 AM - 181 Comments - 304 Kudos - Add Comment

www.jewelstaite.com

This blog is now strictly for answering your questions.  That's right, no other info divulged, because my website is up and running!  Check it out at www.jewelstaite.com and try not to be scared because my eyes aren't really that alien green.  Unless I'm on absynth, but that's only on Sundays.  I'll be announcing appearances there, as well as giving you the low-down on the haps in my life (okay I'll stop) and posting pictures as well.  Some from my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta may even make it!  And some will be burned.

Onward!

1. Do I have a Facebook page?  Yup.  But it's for certain eyes only and will forever remain private.  It's just for buddies from way back to keep in touch with me, and I only joined because my friends were starting to make fun of me for not being on Facebook.  So unless you used to hang out outside the corner store on Cardero with me, or came to my slumber parties to sleep in my New Kids On the Block sleeping bag, you can't be my friend on Facebook. 

2. Is the strike affecting Stargate/my life?  Not really.  Stargate doesn't even start up again until the spring, and this time of year is usually dead anyway in the acting world, so I'm going to kick back and use my Tivo while supporting those picketing writers and pray that it all works out in time for pilot season.  Otherwise there's going to be a lot of out-of-work actors running around, and the fires will be the least of LA's problems.

3. A typical day in the life of me?  While working, I'm usually up at 5, out the door at 5:30, at Starbucks at 5:33, at work at 6, eating a breakfast sandwich at 6:10, getting primped in the make up chair until 7, and on my feet for the next twelve hours.  I get home on a good day around 8, and usually fall asleep on the couch with dinner in my lap.  Glamorous, yes.  When I'm not working, I get up anywhere between 9 and noon, walk my dog, laze around, have a latte, do some shopping, read a book, maybe lift a weight in the gym, then cook a meal for my picky prince of a husband, or go out for dinner with my friends which usually ends in eating beef and blue cheese pizza at Numero Uno at 3 AM. 

4. Favorite things/places to visit in Vancouver?  Besides Numero Uno, I am in love with a restaurant called Italian Kitchen right now, as well as Yuji's for sushi, Browns for a cheeseburger, Glowbal for tapas, and Mel's for brunch.  Things you must do include a walk around English Bay, going to Granville Island for lunch, hiking the Grouse Grind if you're mental (or at least go to the top of one of the mountains to sigh at the view) shopping at Aritzia if you like what I wear because everything's from there (see? Plug!  Free clothes please!), Vida Wellness if you love a spa, and the Vancouver Aquarium, which just rocks (they even throw parties there on New Years Eve!).  The best thing about Vancouver is there's always something to do, and it's incredibly beautiful, even if it's raining. 

5. Favorite thing about conventions?  Least favorite?  Going to a convention is like taking a vacation with a bunch of people you haven't seen in a while, sometimes actors from shows I've worked on, and sometimes actors I've bonded with at other conventions (that's how Laura Bertram and I became friends—thanks, Sean Harry!)  My least favorite thing is how I feel the morning after hanging out with these "friends".  But I always have fun.  I wouldn't do them if they weren't fun.  I think science fiction fans get a bad rap sometimes; they've been nothing but lovely and welcoming to me, especially the ones that bring me food, and sometimes moonshine.

6. Out of all of the characters I've played, who do I relate to the most?  Probably Dr. Keller so far.  Except I'm not afraid of heights, at all.  The writers know this and keep writing me death-defying scenarios where I'm balanced precariously on something.  Thanks, guys.  I wouldn't care except harnesses suck, and apparently whenever I'm in one, people think I'm pregnant.  Again, thanks.

7. What's with all the Morena jokes?  I like to pick on Morena.  It's fun.  She picks on me too, though; we've always had that relationship.  Whenever we're around each other we revert back to six year old sisters who pull each others hair and push each other down stairs.  But she's a good friend, too.  When I got married (on the beach) she held my dress down for me so it wouldn't blow up and expose my goodies to my inlaws, so in all of my wedding photos from the ceremony, you can see her fist near my leg and it looks like she's about to punch me. 

8. Is Higher Ground/Flash Forward/Space Cases etc etc ever going to come out on DVD?  I have no idea.  Ask Fox Family/Disney/Nickelodeon.  I'd love it if they would though.  I miss Becca.  And my Catalina wig.

9. How does the Stargate family feel about Firefly?  I think most of them have seen it.  I know David Hewlett has; he told me how much he loved it, and that's why he's my favorite.  And I saw someone in the production office with a picture of Serenity the ship as their screen saver, but I won't tell you who.

10. Here's a good one:  "Why haven't you done any theatre?  Ain't got the stones for 8 shows a week?"  quote.  No, it's because I have a mortgage to pay.  And I love the medium of film.  It's more intimate to have a camera that close to your face, watching your every move.  It's difficult to master, and that's why I like it.

11. Someone asked "What's your story?"  Interesting question.  What does it mean?  Is that another way of asking "Who are you?"  "What defines you?"  My story is a nice one.  I've had more highs than lows, and I'm more blessed than I remember to acknowledge sometimes.  I've learned a lot of lessons, though, and I'm not finished yet.  One day I'll write it all down.  And it'll be full of serenity.

3:08 PM - 95 Comments - 176 Kudos - Add Comment

The next installment

Okay, okay, okay:  Lets address these Serenity 2 rumors before anything else.  I have no idea what you people are talking about!  Seems to me someone (with a name that starts with A and ends in LAN) said something in an interview that was misconstrued as the sequel being greenlit, which is not the case at the moment.  I will never say it will never happen, because that's just blasphemy in my opinion, but it's not happening at the moment… no matter what you read on the internet. You know better than to believe everything you read, anyway!  (except this blog… cuz it's all true.)

Thanks for your kind words on all my doctorin' lately on Atlantis.  Although I've been absent in the last couple of weeks, I'll be back this Friday, so set those Tivos/VCRs…. Unless you've already downloaded it on bloody iTunes, in which case, I hope you watch it still, because we need season 5 to happen so we don't have to resort to Stargate: the Musical (Hewlett's already written the score.  I'm not joking around).  For those of you across the pond, I'll be appearing at Collectormania next weekend, hopefully with luggage this time, and then we're on to LA for a Serenity convention with some chick named Morena who now has no hair.  Party on!

Wants some questions answered?

1. Why do I call Amanda Tapping "the Tappinator?"  Someone also asked "Do you actually call her that to her FACE???"  Why not?  Are you guys under some sort of illusion that Amanda's this scary bad-ass diva or something?  Hate to break the fourth wall here, but she's pretty much the opposite.  She's sweet, funny, self-deprecating, and lovely.  She's the Tappinator.  And a total spottie. (space hottie)

2. How come I missed out on doing voices for Halo 3 along with the rest of the Firefly cast?  Dunno.  Nathan's a halo geek who somehow got the word out, and was asked to participate in Halo 3 along with his two other Halo-geek friends (Alan and Adam).  I can't even play Halo.  But those guys have never made out with Sean Maher, so they can eat that!  Um….

3. The best piece of advice I've ever been given:  live well to live long.  Which I've interpreted as: indulge, make yourself happy, treat yourself at the spa, buy that jacket even if it's not on sale and spend lots of time on Maui! 

4. Was it difficult going from Kaylee to Keller?  It's not like they were shot back to back.  Plus, the uniform helps.  You kinda can't talk about twixting nether regions in a Stargate uniform and expect to be taken seriously.

5. Have I ever thought about writing a book?  I'm going to write a memoir one day about a certain project I did that took years off my life.  Literally.  Just when my lawyer says it's okay. 

6. Do I have any unusual talents?  Like what, cooking a quiche with my legs behind my head?  I wish.  I love quiche.

7. What was it like working with David Duchovny?  It was my first glimpse of jealousy in the industry; he gave me mouth-to-mouth in a scene that took about six hours to film, and all the ladies off camera were shooting daggers at me with their eyes.  I was 12.  I was just too busy trying to look dead to give a crap.  Plus, I was TWELVE.  Anyway, he was very nice to me, and I would love to work with him again someday where he would be more, er, appreciated.  You know, as an actor.

8. If it were up to me, how would the characters' relationships conclude in Serenity 2?  Okay.  Hypothetically speaking only.  River and Zoe really hit it off, fall in love, and decide to form their own renegade girls-who-kick-ass space team and leave us in the dust; Mal realizes he's more destroyed over Wash's death than he ever thought and spends the rest of his days wearing Hawaiian shirts and drinking booze out of the engine; Simon and Kaylee have a set of genius triplets and turn the ship into a cocker spaniel search-and-rescue with "crazy Grandpa Mal" still at the helm cradling toy dinosaurs; and Inara finally realizes the potential in Jayne as a male companion, loans him a toga, and takes him back to the training house where they become King and Companion Queen.   ???  you know you want that sequel!

9. What's David Hewlett like?  Ridiculously hysterical.  Really creative, really fun to be around, and one of my favorites.  He's always very generous as an actor, and I just like him a lot.  And he writes a mean musical.

10.  Thanks to the guy who said my episode of "Supernatural" was great!  Awesome!  I've never even been on Supernatural!

Okay that's it for now.  Except can I just say one more thing?  It's JOSS.  Not Josh.  It's not a typo, that extra 's'.  No 'h'.  K?

Rock on.

Love Jewel

6:46 PM - 233 Comments - 378 Kudos - Add Comment

Stargate Atlantis Premiere!

To begin, a friendly plug-induced reminder:  The first episode of the fourth season of Stargate: Atlantis airs this Friday night, September 28^th.  Not that series pick ups are solely dependant on good ratings, but they definitely do help.  Find a friend with a Nielson box, invade their territory, and turn on the damn show, okay?  The stakes are high, everyone's in peril, major jeopardy, etc etc.  You'll like it.  Plus, I look all cool and doctor-like.

We've reached pretty much the end of the season now, shooting-wise, and I just wrapped a very grueling episode with Amanda "The Tappinator" Tapping and David Hewlett… and after spending two weeks in the set we now fondly refer to as Satan's Hell-hole, we are the best of friends.  This happens with actors when they're exhausted and have their inhibitions taken away from them while balancing precariously in harnesses; somehow it's a major bonding moment, and despite the strenuousness we all faced, we had a lot of laughs.  And subsequently ruined a lot of film.  On the last day of shooting I got a surprise phone call from Nathan, who was in town, and had dinner with him on Saturday night, which was really nice.  It's kinda funny seeing people go bug-eyed when they see the Captain and Kaylee downing chardonnay and eating fried shrimp. 

What else is new?  Apparently a pregnancy, from the amount of questions I got about us "expecting".  After some investigating, I realized the rumors began after Joe Mallozzi mentioned having to deal with a few pregnancies on this season of Atlantis on his blog, and then included a rather unflattering picture of me with my stunt harness on, bent over at an odd angle while trying to balance on a beam.  Charming.  Well, folks, I hate to disappoint, but that was just a roll of fat spilling over a very tight belt-like contraption that pinches you in all the wrong places while ultimately saving your life.  After the paranoia that I had had one too many breakfast sandwiches from the catering truck (the caterer has actually been known to say "That Jewel, she's a good eater" which I'll take as a compliment coming from a caterer), I realized that those harnesses would make Gisele Bunchen look preggers, and continued on my merry way with the bacon/egg/mayo goodness.  Which is a good thing, because ask anyone: if I don't have my morning breakfast sandwich, I turn into Jewella DeVille, skinned puppies and all.

On to your questions:  (you're getting good!)

1. Just what is the deal with the competition Nathan and I had/have with flipping the bird to each other?  I don't know.  It started with us bored out of our minds on set one day, thinking up new and original ways of giving each other the finger, and then it just escalated into epic proportions, thanks to Nathan never letting a joke die.   I think it reached the danger zone the day he gave me what looked like a beautiful hand-made jewelery box, along with a heart-felt speech about how much he loved working with me, and upon opening the box, I discovered he'd made a hole in the bottom and inserted his middle finger in there.  I then dropped off a creepy valentine at his front door, seemingly from a deranged and psychotic fan who knew where he lived, and included a mini envelope inside with a photograph of me flipping him the bird while laughing hysterically (photo is now framed in his bathroom).  Then at the end of the Serenity blooper reel he had the editors put in a shot that said "For Jewel" with a Caleb/Nathan doll giving me the finger, which followed with me getting three thousand people at Dragon*Con to give it right back that very same year.  Like I said, it reached epic, stupid heights, and I won.  I think.  But you never know with him.

2. Things I like/dislike about Vancouver?  Likes: the greenery, the mountains, the ocean, boating around Indian Arm in the summers, Whistler, the fabulous restaurants (Feenies, Yuji's, Tapastree, La Terrazza, Rodney's, the list goes on and on), the people, and the fact that my family lives here.  Dislikes: the friggin' rain.

3. What kind of a student was I in school?  Depends on what teacher you ask.  My English, art, and social studies teachers would tell you I was responsible, diligent, smart, and quiet.  My math teacher would tell you I was dim and glassy-eyed.  And my Phys-Ed teacher would have never heard of me.

4. How do I handle my schedule and my marriage?  It's not that difficult.  I married an actor, so luckily he understands when I come home all zombie-like after a long day of being "on" and all I want to do is sit in front of the TV and fall asleep with a bologna sandwich in my hand.  What really sucks is being out of town.  I cannot stand being away from him, even for a week at a time, so we usually make a vow to never let it go past two weeks without a visit.  It's important to keep your priorities straight in this business, and my first priority is my marriage and my family. 

5. Have I ever regretted turning down a role?  Never.  My instincts are usually right about those things.  Plus, when I do make the decision to turn something down, it's usually with my manager and my agent backing that decision, so I'm pretty confident when I make that choice.  And sometimes it's reeeeal easy.  Topless vampires, terrible Dawn of the Dead rip-offs, movies about racing cars, movies involving gyrating in a bikini, things like that.  I'd rather be a Kate (Winslet, Blanchett, Hepburn) than a Jessica. 

6. If I could live anywhere in the world..?  Maui.  Right on the beach, in a cute little beach house.  It's where I would be if I didn't love what I do so much.  It's hard to be an actor in Hawaii.  Unless Baywatch: Hawaii gets picked up again, but red's not my color.

7. Do I choose the parts I play because they're smart women, and not helpless?  Not really.  I love that I get these smart women roles, but it's also fun to play the helpless victim sometimes, when it's written well.  What's really great is someone who starts out as helpless and grows into the hero.  Or superhero.  That flies.  And kicks ass. 

8. Has the person that canceled Firefly in jail yet?   No.  They are still on the lam.

Enjoy the premiere of Atlantis!  Keller's in serious doctor-mode in this one, but you'll see a totally different side to her soon.  I think you'll really enjoy the season, and we're all really proud of it.

J

PS.  Sorry to the redheads out there for not giving you a shout-out:  your complaints have been heard, loud and clear.  We bow down to your freakishly flawless complexions and cower in the presence of your tempers.I would know, my sister's one.

3:11 PM - 163 Comments - 284 Kudos - Add Comment

Musings from Vancouver in June-uary

I'm back from Europe and recovered from the debaucheryImeanjetlag, and I've been asked to write another blog, so ask and ye shall receive.  Thank you to all of you for your birthday presents, birthday wishes, and that gigantic card I received from the Starfury event.  Even though I didn't have my luggage for four days (which caused my husband to have the meltdown as he followed me on a scavenger hunt through Blackpool for some pumps and a decent outfit), you truly made this 19 year old's birthday very special indeed.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Love you guys.

I also have to say a huge thank you to the Browncoats who made it out to the Serenity screenings across the world for Equality Now (and various other charities).  What an incredibly kind and dedicated community.  I'm very proud of you all, and to the Vancouver group, I'm so glad you still laugh at all my jokes. 

Here's some questions:  Or answers, I mean:

1. Have I ever read fan fiction on the internet?  Once, a long time ago, I got curious (wouldn't you?) and I started reading something about Jayne and Kaylee getting it on and started barfing.  No more fan fic for me.  But knock your horny selves out.

2. What do I like to be called by fans?  Your favorite.

3. When do the new episodes of Atlantis start airing?  I don't even know what day it is now, so your best bet would be to check the various Stargate websites.  I heard September in the US, which I hope is true, so I can at least stop keeping secrets.  Little segue question was whether I could give you any info on Dr. Keller, which I cannot, except to say that she's awesome, and we're very similar.  Other Atlantis related questions included what it was like on the set (one of the best crews I've ever worked with, truly), do I plan to stay blonde (?? If this is important I'm not doing my job properly), and is Jason Momoa as gorgeous in person as he is on TV.  You guys crack me up. 

4. Do I have any guilty pleasures?  Lots of TV, the occasional US magazine, chocolate lava cake, and sephora.com. 

5. What is the Canadian cure for a hangover?  If you find a cure, any at all, let me know.  The only thing that sort of half works is a greasy breakfast, a nap, and a night in with a stack of DVDs.

6. Will I be attending the Creation event this fall and is it in association with Universal?  I really can't answer the Universal thing, that would be news to me, but I have previous commitments as of now.  I will be at Collectormania 12 at the end of October in England, and in LA the following weekend at the first-ever Starfury event in North America (!!).  Other events are still in the works.

7. Do I do my own decorating?  Hell, no.  There are some things best left to the professionals, like flying planes, performing various surgical procedures, and decorating.  I decided on a bit of a theme (or themes) and she decided how to put them together.  We all have our own special skills, but decorating isn't really one of mine.  Some things are worth spending the money on.  .

8. What are my flaws/shortcomings?  I can't sew.  I don't drive.  Which makes me dependant on both seamstresses and cab drivers, but I do cook (once a month), so I'm thinking that sort of makes up for the other stuff.  I can also be a bit shy sometimes, which you may or may not believe, but it's true.  Most people think I'm just being aloof, but I'm usually just trying to think of something to say.  I also get the hiccups a lot.  Don't know what this is about, really.  But holding your breath for ten seconds to get rid of your hiccups can also be perceived as being aloof, or so my friends tell me.

9. A lot of you want to know the breed of my dog.  Have none of you seen Lady and the Tramp??  She's an American Cocker Spaniel.  I got her in LA while I was filming Firefly; she's a California girl and loves to surf in her spare time and shop at Abercrombie.  Not really.

10. I get a lot of questions from people wanting advice on how to start/stay in the Biz.  First of all, good for you for abandoning all reason and wanting to get into this business in the first place!  It's tough, I'm not going to lie.  People can be cruel, judgmental, and discouraging.  Don't let that happen.  Get some contacts, get an agent or a manager (or both), get out on some meetings, take some classes to brush up your skills and learn everything there is to know on how to reach your goal.  Be prepared to pay some dues, because it never happens over night.  Don't give up and persevere—it works!  And please, please, please, don't be in it for the "fame" thing.  That only leads to disappointment and a shallow sense of self-worth.  Be in it because you love it and it's what you were born to do.

Off to oversee the installation of my new kitchen cabinets.  Exciting times, here, people.

Love, Jewel

PS  To the person congratulating me on my guest spot on How I Met Your Mother, that was Morena.  You know, Baccarin?  Never mind.

12:40 PM - 171 Comments - 286 Kudos - Add Comment

If I were a cake, I'd be coconut cream

I'm taking a break from crying into my grigio over Melinda Dolittle getting voted off to say hello and answer the most interesting questions of the last few weeks.  Nothing puts the world right for me like telling you what kind of cereal is my favorite (today it's Honey Nut Cheerios).

1. To the person who asked me to "please make Mal check his myspace messages":  I know I'm shattering a bit of a bubble here, but his name's not really Mal, and we don't live on a space ship.  I really hope you're, like, eight.

2. If I had to give up caffeine, chocolate, or booze, which would it be?  This is a sick thing to ask anyone.  These three things are a part of who I am.

3. If I could meet me as a child, what would I say?  Invest in Krispy Cremes, don't cut your damn bangs, and stay out of the sun, you vain little thing.

4. Am I a sci fi fan, or just starting to get type cast?  First of all, I'm just generally a fan of good projects, no matter what the genre.  And secondly, I have done other things besides sci-fi, you know.  There was life before Firefly.  Not my fault you didn't watch Disney.

5. Why haven't I relocated to LA?  I can't permanently leave Vancouver.  I just can't.  I'm happy to go elsewhere to work and to travel for a while, but I always love to come home.  That, and I value my sanity.  Being an actor in LA can be nauseating sometimes.  There's no escape.  It's like working in a zoo, and then going home to a house full of baboons.

6. If I made a documentary, what would it be about?  I think it's time for an updated version of Trekkies.  We could call it Browncoats… or Brownies.  Too much?

7. What's usually my deal-breaker as far as scripts are concerned?  Anything including werewolves, gratuitous nudity, or things that have been done too many times before.  I'm not interested in doing things purely for money, purely for fame, or to be on the cover of Maxim.  Nothing wrong with a career like that.  It's just not mine.

8. Any embarrassing moments?  Lots, most involving a pair of high heels and me bailing somewhere.  The best is the ankle-roll when you're mid-strut.  I took it one step further once and catapulted down the front steps of my house with my skirt in the air.  That's the night rum and I broke up.

9. What five famous people would I have over for dinner?  As of late it would be Johnny Depp, Stevie Wonder, Antonio Banderas, Bobby Flay, and Matthew Fox.  Want to come to my party?

10. Am I happy?  How do I know?  My life is incredibly hectic right now.  Nothing says panic like a torn-up house in the middle of major renovations while trying to work a full time job and plan a trip to Europe somehow in there to do two conventions back to back  (you listening, Jesus?  Take the wheel) But these are all happy problems.  I love my new house, I love my job, I love to travel… The only thing that really makes me unhappy is being bored.  So yes, I'm happy.  Tired and happy.

11:05 PM - 170 Comments - 273 Kudos - Add Comment

Happy Day

Holler.

Spring has sprung in beautiful Vancouver!  At the first glimmer of sunshine, I raced out to TNA on South Granville and packed my purse full of cute little shorts and surprises, matching hoodies and capris!  It's a bit sad when one can think of so many excuses to go shopping, i.e. something green for St Patrick's day (thanks, Bebe), something to wear to my husband's high school reunion (I'm thinking candy apple red, as in arm candy), and something for moving day (nothing's cuter than a pair of leggings and a fitted tee, right Ali MacGraw?)

Thank you to everyone who wished us a happy anniversary.  We've made it to year four of being married, and year seven of being together.  This is quite a feat in the business we're in.  We spent the day at the spa and dined at Quattro's where we laughed at this couple who were on their first date behind us.  (She told him she kept her dog locked in the bathroom while she was out because he "chewed things" and then he accused her of "imprisoning a defenseless animal".  Awesome!)  It's a wonderful thing to be married to your best friend, even if that best friend still does not know how to put the folded laundry away or how to tip a cab driver, or is such a neurotic he actually has to smell the table in a restaurant before he agrees to eat there.  There is a reason why our friends call him Prince Matt.  But I love him just the same.

On to some questions:

1. What was my best and worst Hallowe'en costume?  This one made me think of my mother, because she was the kind of mom who would jump at the chance to sew me some God-awful outfit and make me wear it to school.  She did make me a wicked genie costume though, complete with bells on the shoes, but I have to mention my personal low-light:  one Valentine's Day, the school decided they would give a prize to the person wearing the most red.  My mother, bless her sadistic soul, made me a giant white and red doily-like apron thingy to wear over my clothes with huge felt hearts sewn all over it.  I think she painted red hearts on my cheeks, too. Needless to say, I won the prize, which was, like, an extra hot dog at lunch or something.  I'm going to dig through our family photos and find the one of me crying with that outfit on and post it for all to see.  You just have to see it to believe it.

2. Am I at all mechanically inclined?  Um, no.  On a trip to Europe, I was terrified I had broken Matt's brand new digital camera, and when I took it home, I was told I had just inserted the batteries backwards.  I am also terrible at working the VCR, blow fuses just by walking by outlets, and have only recently learned how to send a fax.  Me and machines don't mix.  Unless it's an ATM.  I can work those like nobody's business.

3. What is my beach bum vacation of choice?  Maui.  I've been to a lot of places in the world, and nothing seems to compare, in my opinion.  It's an energy thing.  That island is truly blessed. 

4.  What did I win my Oscar for?   You serious?  That statement was part positive-thinking and part sarcasm.  I have a somewhat demented sense of humor.  Don't worry, you'll get used to me.

5. If Disneyland wanted me to be a cast member, who would I choose to be?  Kudos for such a creative question.  It would be fun to play one of the villains, but in every girl, there's a wish to be a princess, so out of them all, I'd have to say Ariel.  I've always identified with her.  When I'm swimming around in my hobbit hole full of forks and trinkets, pouting up at the surface, I just think, "I wanna be… where the people are".  We also wear the same seashells, which is just a weird coincidence.

6. What was it like to work on Flash Forward?  Really fun, actually.  I was a fourteen year old kid, playing dress-up and make-believe all day.  Truthfully, I don't remember every detail of it, but Ben Foster and I had a blast.  He was my absolute bestest friend back then.  We weren't doing a lot of acting.  To those of you also wondering, I doubt it'll be released on DVD at some point, but who knows.

7. What music do I listen to when I'm happy/sad/drunk?  I have a thing for salsa and Brazilian music.  I don't know why.  It gets me goin'.  I'm also madly in love with Amy Winehouse lately.  If you like soul/jazz/old school R&B, she's worth a listening to.  She kinda sounds like Lauryn Hill.  I miss her.  Where are you, Lauryn????

8. To the person who's question I can't remember because she started out her message with "I love your blogs almost as much as Nathans!"  FYI: Ix-nay on the avoritism-fay.

9. To those of you mentioning the videos of me answering questions at a Q&A on youtube:  Here's a question for ya.  I have this thing with people recording me secretly while I'm in Q&As, so I usually get the moderator to please ask people not to do that, but somebody did it anyway and then put it on youtube without my permission.  Since I don't know much about the internet and its workings (see question number 2), is it possible for me to get this taken off, since I didn't ok it?  And if so, how do I do that? 

10. And lastly, I just wanted to express my disappointment that Drive was so short-lived.  Tim Minear's always been really good to me, and besides that, he's crazy talented and deserves a hit.  And I may be a bit biased (he owes me money), but Nathan Fillion's a star, and I wish someone would just figure that out already.  I've come to learn that a set's energy is determined by its lead actor; it carries over into everybody, cast and crew, and Nathan's energy was always positive, always friendly, and always inviting.  He made everybody feel instantly at home, he took the time to learn everyone's names right off the bat, and was always a total joy to be around.  Plus, he makes me laugh like hell.  Love you buddy. 

Keep the quirky questions coming.  Don't be shy.

Jewel

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