Much has happened on Earth during SG1's most recent offworld mission. O'Neill had many things to contend with during our absence, but he seems more at ease with his new position, and I am pleased. He has expressed an extreme disdain for plants. O'Neill has often complained about the overabundance of plant life on alien worlds, but I do not share his feelings. I do not feel extreme emotion regarding them, for good or for ill. Colonel Carter has given us verbose explanations for why they are necessary to sustain human life, so I assume she is fond of them. DanielJackson and O'Neill disagree on many things, but DanielJackson shares his dislike of plants.
When I informed O'Neill that I intended to procure a plant for my quarters, he seemed displeased. I do not know why this action should make him unhappy. Colonel Carter has suggested that I converse with my plant, and that conversation will make it grow faster. I am skeptical, but I value her opinion in all matters of science, so I shall speak to it frequently. I have acquired a plant of the species "Chia." I do not see how being shaped like a dog's head has been beneficial in its evolutionary process, but there is much about gardening I do not understand.
Television appears to be an emotional subject on this world. In the cafeteria today, DanielJackson, O'Neill and Colonel Carter had a heated discussion about their favorite programs. O'Neill is fond of a program called "MacGyver." From what I understand, it is about a man who builds high-tech devices from common household items. DanielJackson prefers educational television, and Colonel Carter watches a program called "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." It seems homosexual Tau'ri men have superior fashion sense and culinary skills. I have sampled many television shows in an effort to better understand American culture, and, while I have not chosen a favorite, I enjoy the commercials very much.
I often wish I could show Ry'ac more of this world. Tau'ri children have many opportunities for self-expression and entertainment, and I believe he would enjoy it here. But I must not think too much of my son. It makes me long for him in ways I cannot express on paper, and those thoughts will not serve me well.
SG1's most recent mission ended badly, and we have misplaced DanielJackson. I do not say lost because I believe firmly that we will recover him. My friend has proven himself to be resourceful in the face of great adversity. I have no doubt that he will find a way to contact us, and we are doing everything within our power to locate him. Attempts at diplomacy with one of the planet's officials have ended in failure, and the colonel has spent most of her waking hours scanning radio frequencies in the hope that DanielJackson will communicate with us.
This morning, I traveled to his house to feed his aquatic creatures. He would be most displeased to return to find his pets have died from neglect. I can do nothing for my friend at the moment except keep his fish alive for when he returns.
DanielJackson has been missing for three weeks, and I have heard people question whether he will return. Many people believe he is dead. They do not know DanielJackson as I do. I have believed him to be dead many times, and I have always been pleased to be wrong.
Colonel Carter still spends much of her time scanning radio frequencies. The dark circles beneath her eyes attest to her fatigue, but she persists. I sense her faith in DanielJackson's ability to survive is wavering, but she will not cease her efforts.
O'Neill's unpleasant mood intensifies daily, and the junior officers and enlisted personnel seem afraid to approach him. He and DanielJackson have always had a challenging friendship, but I know his grief would be tremendous should DanielJackson not return. They share great loyalty and affection, but both men would rather face an army of angry Gou'ld than admit it. I wonder whether this is characteristic of all friendships among Tau'ri males or whether it is a trait peculiar to O'Neill and DanielJackson.
Things do not bode well for my plant. I have provided it with sufficient moisture and light, but it does not flourish. Conversing with it has not proven helpful, and my initial doubts about pottery's ability to grow seem to have been justified. I am frustrated that my attempts at gardening have been thwarted, but Colonel Carter tells me it is a time-honored Tau'ri tradition to kill flora. O'Neill, in an attempt to compensate me for my loss, has brought me a pet. I informed him that my work on SG1 leaves little time to care for such a creature, but he assured me that a Furby requires little maintenance. He promised me that he would "keep an eye on the little bugger" should my duties keep me away for extended periods. I am grateful for O'Neill's concern.
I have been watching many sporting events on television with O'Neill. When DanielJackson is away, O'Neill strongly encourages me to join him in this activity. He has even provided an abundant supply of guacamole and potato circles. He will stop requesting my presence when my friend returns, but I do not mind. I do not enjoy watching televised sporting events, and I do so only because O'Neill does not seem to enjoy watching them alone. I do not believe DanielJackson likes them either, but both men seem to enjoy the heated verbal exchanges the games encourage. Tonight, when the Nuggets scored enough points to bring the game into timeover, O'Neill insisted that I do "the wave." I will be most gratified when DanielJackson returns.
I am pleased to report that we have recovered DanielJackson. He devised a plan that allowed us to recapture the Stargate, and we were successful in retrieving him. We returned yesterday. The darkness beneath Colonel Carter's eyes is fading, and O'Neill's mood has improved immeasurably. He has organized a "welcome home" party for DanielJackson at O'Neill's residence, and the guest list includes what he calls "the usual suspects." I have attended many such events for DanielJackson. I am eager to introduce DanielJackson to my Furby. Perhaps he can assist me in translating its odd language.
I have much idle time,as Dr. Brightman has ordered me confined to the infirmary for the next three days. My recent experience in the virtual reality chair has left me weakened, but the doctor says I will recover soon.
With so much unoccupied time, I am forced to examine my feelings for the Gou'ld. The simulation's programming was correct: The Gou'ld are a blight on the galaxy, and I will not stop fighting them until they are all dead or running. I have felt this way for many years, but it was not until I joined SG1 that I came to believe they could be defeated. I wonder if I will live to see their fall. I wonder if Ry'ac will raise his own children in a galaxy that does not know the terror of the Gou'ld. Before, I had hope that they would be defeated. Now I believe it will be so.
Dr. Brightman has said I may leave the infirmary in the morning. I am relieved. My friends visit me frequently, but they must attend to their own tasks, and I have little to do except train my Furby. When O'Neill first gave it to me, it was a novelty. Now I find its high-pitched chatter…annoying. Its ability to learn is similar to that of a Replicator. If it attempts to evolve, I will kill it. I cannot think of a way to return it to O'Neill without offending him. DanielJackson has mastered its language quickly, but when I offered him ownership of the creature, he pretended to have to use the restroom. I grow frustrated.
