Actually, my favorite from that album (which I consider to be their best, though The Visitors, their criminally underrated final album of their original run, comes damn close) is

Quote by DenimAngel

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE !

And to you also, magic cookie fairy! (well, that's how you come across here, anyway). Thanks for the past 12 months of baked goodies and here's to 12 more in 2023!

(scarfs one of each and heads for the temporary bar)

A favorite New Year's tune from an old favorite band. The reference to "end of '89" is problematic for covering it today, I guess, but it's otherwise a good song for the occasion.

If I ever get to Cambodia, I do mean to try their grilled tarantula so it's not an absolute "no" but until that happens, they aren't exactly high on my menu. But I figure that I eat shrimp, which are also arthropods, without flinching so why not arachnids or insects?

WYE perform music on a public stage (singing, instrument, whatever)?

I do want to thank all those commenting, too. Had some really good, thoughtful comments on this one. The comps aren't just about the writers, but also about the readers, so your likes, favorites, and comments do matter.

Happy New Year to all the writers, readers, and other folks hanging out here! Been a good year on SS, I think. Let's make 2023 an even better one.

The Almighty LLBO has seen fit to give us an event license for today. So, for one day only, there's beer, wine (red and white), and champagne ready for toasting and welcoming the new year.

Of course, there's also the usual coffee, a selection of fine teas, hot chocolate, and instant coffee drinks.

And a buffet! Open now and running until past midnight in all time zones (even ones already past midnight)!

Quote by verbal
Bad news: I accidently took the cats' meds last night! Don't ask meow.

Is telling bad jokes part of the side effects? 🤣

FYI, Kat dropped a last minute entry in the comp to bring us to a dozen.

Focus on the Beauty | Stories Space

Welp, that's an even dozen now. Anyone for a baker's dozen?

6233 (this is a mystery to me)

The deadline looms ...

But there is still time ...

Will there be a twelfth story? A thirteenth?

Yeah, that could be fun. Would it be a "Magical Mystery Tour"? 😉

WYE spend a whole day, rising to bed, doing nothing but binging a single TV show?

As the New Year draws closer, so does the end date for the comp. Anyone else going to jump in? We're at 11 entries so a couple more would be nice to have.

Putting on some Jamaican Blue Mountain for the coffee crowd. For teas, we have Russian Caravan (Assam and Chinese black tea with some Lapsang added to give it a smoky flavour) and Irish Breakfast. Hot water is on standby if you want hot chocolate, our flavourful instant coffee drinks (the cappuchino is yum), or other fine teas.

Later, folks.

Quote by DenimAngel

January,....3rd .just around the corner

Woo hoo. We'll have to have a party in the cafe next week!

Quote by verbal
Saw Jennifer's Body

I once saw Jennifer's body but she called the cops and claimed I was peeping. Though she also said my name was "Tom" so maybe I misunderstood? 😲🤣

A bit of both. I think marking the passage of time is important, but we also need to keep in mind that our system of timekeeping is a bit arbitrary and others celebrate in other ways. Of course, I have a bit of a different perspective, since I celebrate both our New Year and the Asian Lunar New Year, which comes as much as a month later.

Drive quickly and directly to your destination or chill and enjoy the ride?

Quote by gillianleeza
Tomorrow is the Spy Museum in DC. It should be fun.

If I ever get to DC again, that one is on my agenda. I don't think it existed yet last time I was in your capital.

Good morning, all! We are transitioning from cold, snowy winter to mild, wet winter. Which is just as yucky in its own way but at least you don't have to shovel rain, as we say up here.

Putting some fresh ground Nicaraguan dark roast in the coffee pot. Teas are Scottish Breakfast and Black Currant. Hot water is ready for other fine teas, hot chocolate, or fancy instant coffee drinks.

Later, alligators.

I might just to see what happens. Might get a pleasant surprise. Or not.

WYE date an old friend/partner who returns to your life after years/decades?

I already did, but not sure 34 (the age I changed from librarian to IT management) is mid-life. At this point, I am too close to retirement to consider changing again.

WYE go back to school to study a subject just for the sake of learning?

Gloves mostly. I tend to find mittens too restricting but there are times when I find them useful.

New Year's party or just enjoy the holiday at home?

Welp, I am caught up and must say, there's some fantastic stories here. The latest three are all excellent takes on the lake picture, each different and each using the scene its own special way. With three days left, I am hoping we will get some more.

We once had our sump fail on a rather soggy Christmas. Flooded the basement which, fortunately, we only use for storage. Cleaning up anything water over the holidays is not fun. My sympathies, Gil.

And good morning all!

Finally got my writer's cap on and started on a follow-up to the story that I still have not published from earlier this fall (some may recall my emo agonizing over killing off a character). Wrote a fight scene yesterday and it went well, so I think I might have this one. Might even finally post the predecessor if I feel things are moving well.

Coffee is on. Some nice dark roast from Costa Rica. Teas are Red Rose and Earl Grey. And there's hot water for all your other hot beverage needs.

Later!

Today's Author's Publish list is 22 respected literary journals and magazines. IOW, it's the big guns. Atlantic, New Yorker, Paris Review, etc. The ones where, if you somehow got in the door, you'd be rubbing shoulders with names like Franzen, Oates, Naipaul, Murakami, and so on. But, hey, maybe it gives us all something to aspire to. 😉

https://authorspublish.com/22-respected-literary-journals-and-magazines/

Steam has the romantic history associated with it but a modern diesel/electric will get you there a lot faster. So I guess it depends why I'm on a train ride, nostalgia for a time I never really knew or to get somewhere.

Snowblower or shovel? (yes, this question crossed my mind the other day as I dug out)

Quote by AnnaMayZing

Oh Helga Natt - Tommy Johansson

And Tommy singing it in the familiar English version. This was his final Christmas video for this year. I am not usually crazy about rock and pop singers singing this one. It really needs a voice with a some range and skill. However, between Tommy's two versions and Floor Jansen's performance of the Finnish version from a few years back, I am realizing that the better metal singers can pull it off.

Let's see, there's the comp entries here (I have a few to catch up on), the aforementioned bio of Leonard Cohen, and maybe other stuff. I am trying to get back into the Great Courses course on New Testament that I started earlier in the year so might do some Bible reading (though the last two lectures were more background on the early church as reflected in Paul's letters than the testament itself).

And the same to you, Ceebees. Welcome. Loved your comp entry and glad to hear you'll be around more in the New Year.

Here in Canada, we are celebrating Boxing Day. Which means one of two things: We are buying lots of stuff in boxes or we are getting into fisticuffs trying to get to the bargains. 🙄😜

Coffee pot is full up with some Ethiopian. Tea pots have Assam and Duke of Earl (my current black teas). Hot water is ready for those wanting other teas, hot chocolate, or some of our homemade instant coffee drinks (cappuchino, cocoa, and latte).

Off to stuff myself at a local buffet. See you 'round.

Seems to finally be settling down around here. Still have some shoveling to do but it's not a rush. We kind of had our Christmas yesterday.

Got a nice dark roast in the coffee pot and English Breakfast and Earl Grey in the teapots. Hot water is on for other teas and hot chocolate.

takes a couple snowflake cookies

Quote by Verity

Happy Christmas everyone. I hope the new year gives you everything you need. Regards, Verity.

Hey, nice to see you. Hope all is well. Happy Christmas and all the best from the ape.

The song was originally by British rockers Slade, this version is by German band Blind Guardian.