Do cookie fairies even age? Anyhow, this being Sara, I went with birthday cookies. Voila!

An interesting case that occurred because of Canada being 50 years rather than 70:

Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond and Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, died in 1964. That means that in most of the world, his works go out of copyright in 2034. But in Canada, they are already Public Domain, since 50 years puts the date in 2014. So, shortly after that happened, Canadian book chain Indigo-Chapters put out their own cheap hardcover editions of the original James Bond series and a bunch of Canadian authors released an anthology (only available in Canada) of James Bond short stories. But these could not be sold outside Canada since Bond was still in copyright in the US, UK, etc.

It is tricky, though, because it only covers characters, settings, plot elements, etc. from Fleming's original novels. So, for instance, the popular villain Jaws is not included because he was created by screenwriter Michael Wood for the movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker in the seventies. Basically, if you're Canadian and going to write a Bond story, make sure you read Fleming first, so you know exactly what is available to use.

Guests are always welcome in Inspirations. There's hot coffee ready, a couple pots of tea (Russian Caravan and Irish Breakfast), and hot water for other teas and hot chocolate.

I have cleaned up from the New Year's buffet, packed things away until next year, and put another log on the virtual perpetual fireplace.

I posted a thread in Resources for Writers about changes to copyright in Canada. Copyright is something to be mindful of even if you are not selling your work. Unless you specifically sign it away in a legally binding contract (which usually happens in certain segments of publishing like the big comic publishers) or specify that the story is public domain, you own the copyright on anything you write and publish, even stories posted for free on the Internet. Never forget that.

A story on what is happening in Canada.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-extends-copyright-protection-another-20-years-to-meet-new-trade-obligation-1.6215102

So Canada has finally joined the rest of the Western world in making artistic works remain in copyright for 70 years after the creator's death. It was 50 here. What this means in practical, immediate terms is that works by authors who died in 1973 which would have become public domain in Canada this year, now will not become PD until 2043 and that no works will enter PD in Canada due to the author's death until then. Authors can, of course, put their works in public domain or under Creative Commons licenses at any time voluntarily. This only affects works automatically becoming public domain.

There are arguments both ways.

Academics prefer a shorter term since copyright can make it expensive to do things like textual analysis and some forms of criticism.

Families, esp. of popular authors, like a longer term since it often means they or the estate make money off the works longer.

There's also those who argue copyright should die with the the author or be limited based on date of publication, not the author's death.

And there's the radical crowd (I know one) who argue that there should be no copyright. Artists should be making art for the good of all and not expect to make money off it.

What do the writers of SS think?

Yay, cartoon cookie jars! Will the middle one have Scooby Snacks in it? 😋

Quote by JamesPBear

Lady Jay and I watched the fireworks in Sydney Harbour online as our way to ring in the New Year…then texted our cousins who live there, and got a text back with a photo of the fireworks from their condo window!

Sometimes technology is maddening, but it can also be really cool!

We watched the Toronto fireworks yesterday (we watched bunch from all over the world between Christmas Eve and yesterday). Two large displays more or less concurrently on the waterfront. Some of the waterfront condos there must have had a good show. Or a late night if the noise kept them up.

But Sydney's show was out of this world. Looked like the entire shoreline was launching rockets at times.

Quote by rolandlytle

May your 2023

Be good for thee!

Happy new year.

Hey, old friend. Nice to see you. Happy New Year back at ya'!

A bit grey here on day 2 of 2023 but the snow remains AWOL which I can live with.

Watched some fireworks and the Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert and that was kind of the extent of my celebration.

Putting on pots of dark and medium roast for the coffee crowd. Teas are English Breakfast and Lemon. Hot water is up for other fine teas, hot chocolate, or our selection of fine, homemade instant coffee drinks.

Later.

Amberian Dawn, a Finnish metal band (yes, Finland produces a lot of those) is about to drop an album of ABBA covers. Apparently they are big fans. This song originally appeared on Super Trouper as well and Dawn's cover actually predates the album project.

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.