Good morning, folks. Coffee is a nice dark roast from Nicaragua. There's Red Rose and English Breakfast in the teapots. Hot water is on for other teas or hot chocolate.

The Spirits of Tan Maldrin, my latest contribution to the wonderful world of fantasy fiction is out. It leans a bit dark but less so than earlier drafts where a character died (it is actually still obvious which one from what does happen). This one has been gestating for a very long time so I am kind of glad to have it out there. The inevitable second part will, hopefully, go quicker.

Later, alligators.

I have returned to the world of The Chronicles of Tana the Healer with my new fantasy story, The Spirits of Tan Maldrin. A priestess of the Denith Lorn (the world's main religion, mentioned briefly in The Chronicles) and her companions explore an abandoned palace in search of a rumoured haunting and find more than they bargained for. Not strictly a sequel to The Chronicles at this point, but I have left that door open. In earlier drafts, the character Elera was framed as being Tana's daughter. I pulled that out for now since I am rethinking how to work that in, if I use it at all.

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/fantasy/the-spirits-of-tan-maldrin

And for those who recall my musings about character death a while ago, that was this story. The ending has since been changed since I decided I really did want all three characters going forward as I develop this into another series a la The Chronicles.

So from the interesting coincidence file: One of my team at work mentioned that I might like a band called Asking Alexandria (he knows about my love of metal). So I mentally filed the name. Then, last night while checking out another band, Amazon Music recommended ... you guessed it, Asking Alexandria. Yeah, they're terrific. They are actually a relatively old band and have evolved over time. I listened to an album from 2011 and it was really heavy on screams and harsh vocals, but their recent stuff (including this song) feature more traditional rock vocals. The guest artist here, as I imagine Anna knows, is Sharon den Adel of the band Within Temptation who is another of those great female metal voices that I rant about.

Thanks, Sara. pours a Red Rose tea and scarfs a deer and a fox

New story is, finally, in the queue to stay. I have had a bit of a tussle with this one but I am finally happy with it. Now starting to tussle all over again with part two. For those who were in the discussion about killing off a character a while ago, this is that story and she lives. I decided I needed her in the story going forward. Does this mean someone won't die later? Nope, but as you know I am not someone prone to killing main characters other than in horror. In fact, I am hoping to lighten the mood of this series a bit. It's in the universe of, and might be a sequel to, the Tana chronicles and those got a bit heavy, I found.

Quote by CuriousAnnie
God forbid if Himself ever informs his father (or grandfathers) of a similar sentiment about cricket.

While cricket is next to non-existent in Canada outside the South Asian (and other immigrant) communities, a local radio station did used to do a cricket report early in the morning back in the eighties. I think the host was into it. And the words "two day test match" kind of had me going, "WTF? A sport that takes two days to play? And I thought baseball was bad." Keeping in mind that a regulation hockey game is technically only 90 minutes (3 20-minute periods with 2 fifteen-minute intermissions), even if pauses in play usually run the clock out closer to two or a bit more hours.

Good morning! There's lots of white stuff flying around and I'm not talking about my dandruff. We are looking at 10 or so cm of snow today. Already up to about 2-3 (c. an inch for you Americans).

So, I've got hot coffee ready for warming up. Tea, too, with some Assam and Red Rose. Hot water is ready for hot chocolate and other teas. And I've got the fire burning nice and bright so we can huddle next to it under a blanket and watch the flakes fly.

Where did you get the idea that stalking Drew Carey was a good plan?

Take a cup or two of Western rock and metal. Add a cup or three of Mongolian folk instrumentation and throat singing. Mix liberally. The outcome? Mongolian rockers The Hu.

First off, a musical "pick me up" from Mongolian rockers The Hu. This really got me rocking out in the car this morning (only at traffic lights, I promise 😉).

And then there's the oral (vs. aural) pick-me-ups. A pot of strong black coffee from the wilds of Ethiopia. Pots of Irish Breakfast and Lemon black teas. Hot water if you're craving some hot chocolate or other teas.

Have a fine, fine day. Which today looks like it will be here. Tomorrow? Yeah, 10cm more snow apparently. 🙄

Banned for kicking over Kat's sandcastle (you bully 😉)

Quote by verbal
I'm doing taxes and financial planning and all sorts of financial nonsense.

We've got problems with some tax slips from one of our investment companies so, yeah, me, too.

Quote by verbal
At least Talia cut my hair in the garage this weekend, so I don't have to find time for a haircut.

Need to get Lady Ape to do mine. Kind of came up and then slipped away on the weekend.

Thanks for the prep, James. I'll take a Red Rose with a bird and a bee. 😉

A Canadian band described as "punk metal" that I just found about this past weekend, even though they started in a city where I used to live (but about a decade after I moved away).

Banned for burning a batch of cookies. 😨

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic
Drew has a radio show when he’s not hosting TPIR (a hobby he has, I guess) and at the end of this week’s episode, he ended it with ‘I love you’ the way he does at the end of TPIR.

Interesting. Most celebs these days go for podcasts or satellite channels rather than radio, I find. It's a bit looser, I guess, and gives them a bit more control since the FCC regulations don't apply to podcasts. Good on Drew to do good old radio.

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess
Less wind today and less Red Tide toxins blowing around. I’m grateful for a bit of relief from the excessive coughing that causes.

Are they something that is expected to get worse or more frequent with climate change? This is not the first time I've heard you talk about your problems with red tides. When I found out about them as a kid (from book about "dangerous sea creatures" that including things like toxic algal blooms), they seemed like something more occasional, not a regular occurrence. Anyhow, glad things are improving. Take care.

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess
DIL sent me a video of my hubby pulling the baby on a little sled yesterday up north.

We've been discussing tobogganing memories on another site I am on. Sleds and toboggans are a big part of childhood memories in Canada and the Northern States, eh.

Good morning. Peaceful here as well. No shoveling to do. In fact, it is supposed to get above 0C here so might lose some of Friday's snowfall.

I am hoping to write but we shall see. I pulled the story I had in the queue for another rethink. I think it is a good story, just continue to be weirdly unsure of where to go from it. Also, it is rather darker than I had intended for the series it is to kick off.

Coffee pot is full, as are teapots (English Breakfast and Cream of Earl Grey). Hot water is on for hot chocolate and other drinks. Mini-marshmallows, sweeteners, whiteners, dairy products are all stocked up.

Add a dark spooky figure to one of those towers and you've got a scene from my new story, now in the queue.

Meanwhile, I'll take a beachball, a starfish, and a big mug of Scottish Breakfast tea.

That joke about cops and doughnut shops was really ill-timed, buddy.

Burger, though I don't even eat those much anymore.

Falafel or shawarma?

First round of snow shoveling is done. We got several inches of heavy, wet snow yesterday. Now awaiting the snowplow so I can clean up the mess it leaves.

I've put on a pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Teas are Earl Grey and Scottish Breakfast. The kettle is boiled for other hot beverages.

New story in draft, might need another editing pass before I hit Submit. This one was supposed to wait until I had a follow-up completed (it is a first part) but finally decided that maybe having part one out will motivate me to focus more on part two.

Quote by AnnaMayZing
I would love to be able to listen to anything in the car right now. Damn modern technology! The Infotainment system has failed and Mitsubishi are blaming the Chip shortage as the reason they can't replace it right away. 😠

Oh man, I'd go nuts without my Android Auto. I have an Amazon Music Unlimited sub so mostly use it in the car now rather than radio.

I have been listening to The Hu, a wonderful Mongolian folk metal band, on and off for a while but this is new track features them teaming up with William Duvall of Alice in Chains. Sounds like it's actually for a soundtrack.

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic

Don’t laugh but…The Vogues.

Wow. Blast from the past, eh. I do like some of those old vocal groups.

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic
That moment when you discover an amazing band only to find out they’re severely underrated.

Who? Now I am curious (and always up for a new band).

Good afternoon. Sorry I am kind of neglecting this place. Lots happening. I'll put on a pot of coffee and a couple pots of tea (Red Rose and Japanese green) then scoot off. Kettle is boiled, too, for those needing hot water for other stuff.

Later

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic

I’ve been waiting for dark mode. So much nicer on my eyes.

If you click on your avatar in the top right, click Settings on the menu, and scroll down, there's a section called Experimental where you can turn it on. As Molly said, it's in beta right now so there could be problems, but at least you can get a look at where they are headed with it.

Some goodies to celebrate. A king cake, natch. Good theme and good comp. Just wish I could have broken out of my slump and produced something for it.

Summer on the beach. Warmer and no ice except in my drink. 😊

Relax in the sun or enjoy some water fun (swimming, surfing, whatever)?

Had Sacrificium by Xandria on in the car this morning.

Woo hoo! Good list. Congrats to the podium winners, the top ten, and all who entered. Some terrific takes on the theme in there.

looks to make sure no cops are around, then throws beads at the podium

Quote by verbal
late 80s through early 90s

Baseball players I have heard of, in other words.😅 Even watched it the odd time back then. These days I only know what I pick up from listening to you and Sara gab about the sport.

(Ignoring off-topic post)

Mostly familiar, but I do delve into new things from time to time.

What's worse, snow or ice?

Good morning, one and all!!

We gather here for new members, Drew looking his finest, misunderstood Disney villains, and more.

There's some dark roast Nicaraguan in the coffee pot. Teas are Assam Tarajulie (my current Assam), and Cream of Earl Grey. Hot water is on for those what need it. Hot chocolate mix, assorted teas, and various add-ons and condiments all are replenished.