Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooorning!

Nice weather here, though there are supposed to be squalls West of us.

Comp entry getting near. I keep refining it but I think nothing major is going to change. I have 11 words to play with as of the latest draft, so going to give it a pass to see where I might use them. That said, I am fine going in under the thousand if the story doesn't need the full thousand. Got a Spotify playlist called "VOLUME" on as I write. Yes, there's a connection to the story.

There's some Tobermory Grotto in the coffee pot. I made some Scottish Breakfast and Buddha's Blend teas as well. Hot water is on for other hot beverages. Hot chocolate and marshmallows are available. Sodas are stocked up in the fridge if you're from the wrong side of the equator 😉and need to cool down rather than warm up.

Teaseer for the new Superman is out. I'm not really a big fan of Supes (more a Dark Knight guy) but I'm seeing some positive buzz around it. It's made by James Gunn of Guardian of the Galaxy fame, who is now in charge of DC's cinematic universe. Someone unfamiliar to me named David Corenswet is playing Clark Kent/Superman. He looks the part, at least.

Quote by verbal

Wonderful theme. No ideas, but I have been in an emotional state these past several days, so I suspect an idea might kick loose. I know how my mind works.

You could write about silent your house was absent Talia. Though I suppose the cats still made some noise.😉

Quote by gillianleeza
It's weird having holidays without my Mom.

Yeah, the first Christmas after my Mom died was a bit of a weird one, but the worst was the one where her brother died on Christmas Eve. Yep, that went well. Still not sure what Christmas is going to look like here.

Putting on some Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee. In the teapots, we've got Yorkshire Red and Earl Grey Vanilla. Hot water is, as always, ready for other teas and hot chocolate (mini marshmallows are stocked up). Sodas are stocked for those needing a cold beverage.

Just realized that I am on vacation when the announcement of the comp results is due to come down in January so have to remember to check in that day. Not even sure where I will be since it's a cruise. In fact, the deadline is the day my cruise leaves port so I'll apologize in advance for possibly missing any last minute entries. I will catch up on one of my sea days, I'm sure.

Mine is quite fictional and ties to my current taste in music, using the "noise" of metal to reflect on silence in what I hope is an interesting way. Might even have a playlist to go with it. 🤘

Over the ear, really, but they aren't that practical when I need mobility so I have both.

Listen to music or podcast while exercising?

The question is, will the next one be 28 decades later or something. 🤣 They kind of skipped months, too, so maybe 28 Months Later could be a prequel set between 28 Weeks later and 28 Years Later?? 😊 I saw a piece about it somewhere and Cillian Murphy seemed pretty danged happy about getting Boyle back.

Just found out this week that Clint Eastwood is still in the saddle at 94. New movie as director is Juror #2 and dropped in November. Getting fairly good scores on the metasites, too. Not surprisingly given how many of them have followed in his footsteps, one of his kids is in it. Francesca Eastwood, his daughter with actress Frances Fisher, has a supporting role.

Heh. Heh. I already have a first draft. 😊 And it's under the thousand so I even have wiggle room as I get into editing.

(The) Deadly Affair

(adapted from Call For The Dead, John Le Carre's first novel)

Quote by verbal
Seeing the doctor today, after a week and a half of waiting. It is starting to get better all by itself. Welcome to American health care!

LOL. Trust me, our system isn't much better on that front. Sometimes worse. The main benefit is that most medical stuff is paid for once you get in. The getting in part can be the trick.

At least you've got Talia back to look after you now.

Hey, it's hump day and a one week until Christmas!

Putting on some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Raspberry Tea and Sencha for the tea crowd.

We are into a new comp about, of all things, silence. I have something on the go already, though I tore it apart and kind of restarted. Let's just say my love of all things metal is going to be in play. Metal and silence? How do you do that? You'll see, won't you?

Quote by Molly

Every single time. I think I like to leave you little things to find now. It's like a word search!

I just have this horrible habit of proofing as I read. It's why I sometimes take days to write even a simple micro. Just as I go to post, my brain goes "ping" and finds a problem or something that could be worded better or whatever.

Entry is started. I have an idea. I have no idea where it goes.

(Psst. You misspelled Garfunkel.)

So the first order of business is ... the S&G original or the Disturbed cover?😊

Okay, no. Seriously now.

Interesting theme. Looking forward to what people do with it. Wheels are already turning in my head. And it's Flash so I can probably get something out fairly quickly once I have an idea.

Just discovered this young lady on the weekend. Gracie Abrams (daughter of film producer-director J.J. Abrams but I won't hold that against her) is 25 and quite an accomplished pop singer-songwriter. This is her appearance on SNL.

Quote by Cora

Jackal is primarily Bristish. Though his home is in Spain, he travels all over; Croatia and I think Estonia being another place. Headquarters is in Britain and New York is another place where people meet. The miniseries is set present day. I hope that answered your question, Mendalla.

Regarding Jackal being based off a novel, I have found lately more than a few shows and movies are basing them off novels. They are also doing sequels. Could Hollywood be running out of ideas?

Edit: The Jackal is the main target in the sense agent(s) are trying to kill him. He is always escaping by clever means and killing others. It’s streaming on Peacock if you want to watch it.

Hm. So not focussed on a single assassination like the novel was, more just his career in general. Sounds fun. There's a lot of spy-fi TV going around right now.

Quote by JamesPBear
with a 4-year-old granddaughter in school, we're likely to get anything that's going around as she visits here most days

Those kids, eh. Walking balls of germs. Don't miss those days. Norovirus, various flu strains, colds, you name it. COVID wasn't an issue yet, though.

Good morning people! How is life treating you? Weather has been quite meh here. Cloudy, showers. Then the temperature drops tomorrow and the snow returns. Lovely.

For coffee, we've got some Fireroasted Fireside brewing. Teas are Assam Organic and Buddha's Blend. Hot water is ready for other teas or hot chocolate (mini marshmallows are here). There's sodas in the fridge for those needing a cooler liquid refreshment.

If you haven't yet noticed, WriterGirl swung by with a nice micro reflection on writing. Give it a look.

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/micro-fiction/never-alone

Mid-morning here. Been busy with housework, now resting a bit. I'll put on some random coffee. Looks like it's a medium roast from Costa Rica. Teas? Hm. English Breakfast and Peach White. Hot water is there for other hot drinks. Lots of hot chocolate and mini marshmallows.

Quote by Cora

"The Day of the Jackal." I have always liked Eddie Redmayne; a model and actor. He usually plays sweet, gentle characters very well. It's surprising to see him play a very serious contractor who kills but he does a great job in this miniseries.

I have read the novel. Brilliant thriller by Frederick Forsyth. Have not seen the 1973 faithful film or the 1997 one that was so unfaithful that Forsyth made them change the title to just The Jackal. Is the TV version a faithful period adaptation (i.e. Charles de Gaulle is the target) or some kind of updating (as the 1997 film was)?

Star. They put up less fuss about being tied to a tree. 😨

String up the lights yourself or get a pre-lit artificial tree?

Oh oh. It's ... FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!!!

glances around nervously looking for guys in hockey masks. Then remembers it's Canada in winter and, yeah, those are everywhere.

Thanks for the setup, Cora. Winter Mint tea with Peppermint Bark sounds ... minty. WHich is to say, tres yummy.

Quote by gillianleeza
I feel for your daughter; kidney stones are awful. They were worse than labor pains.

You know, you're the second woman I've heard say that. I went to the cottage with my uncle and aunt once to bring Dad home when he had a stone up there and my aunt said basically the same thing. There is a propensity for them in my paternal line (grandfather, father, at least one brother) but it's a bullet I have dodged so far. Not sure why.

Vibes to Jeff and his daughter. Hope they get their respective ailments healed soon.

And Cora's back! Yay! grabs a couple raspberry swirls

Temperature took a dip last night so we are back into the cold stuff after a few somewhat warmer days. Lost some of our snow at least. The banks were getting pretty crazy high.

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrning!

We gots coffee, some Fire-Roasted St. Drogo. It's a blend of 3 roasts, 1 dark and two medium, with beans from the 3 different countries. Sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me, but I don't drink the stuff.

As for teas, I've got Naughty & Spice from Tea Haus, a holiday-themed spiced tea, and a Darjeeling.

Hot water is out for other hot bevvies.

If you're needing something cold, there's sodas in the fridge.

And I picked up some goodies from a local bakery since we are short on cookies these days.

Forget about it. Image was in a stupid format for some reason.

Gas. I love wood but have never been especially adept, or comfortable, at handling fire.

Brick or flat (asphalt or concrete) driveway?

Hey, hey, hey, it's ... coffee time!!

We've got some Nicaraguan Dark Roast brewing in the coffee machine. For teas, I have selected some Darjeeling and Buddha's Blend. Sodas are looking good. Hot water is on standby for other hot beverages.

Just saw an article about the incredibly prolific James Patterson. Apparently, he gives out money to staff at independent bookshops at Christmas, a Christmas bonus basically. Cool guy. The article also talks about his philanthropic work.

Hundreds of bookstore staffers receive holiday bonuses from author James Patterson

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand good morning!!

I'll put on some Tobermory Grotto coffee for you lovers of the bean. For the lovers of the leaf, we've got English Breakfast and Earl Grey Supreme. Hot water is ready for other teas and hot chocolate. Sodas are stocked in the fridge if you're needing something chillier.

Sadly, the marshmallow stock looks like it will last out the season this year. Anyone heard anything from Sara lately?

Quote by gillianleeza
My knees are less than reliable these days. I hope yours heals quickly.

I had some trouble with mine this year, too, but they seem to be better now. Age, I guess. X-rays showed "mild deterioriation" meaning my arthritis is starting to get in there, I guess. It's mostly in my hands, still, and a bit in my feet.

Quote by gillianleeza
I hope the weather has improved for you, Scott. It is chilly here, but there has been no winter precipitation so far.

We are actually losing some of the snow today. Positive temps and showers. Supposed to be back to winter by mid-week, though.

Nice village. My parents never had a full village, just a nice church that someone build as a handicraft.

Brazilian alto Violet Orlandi usually hews more to alt-rock and metal in her work, both covers and originals. So hearing her tackle the Billie Holliday classic "Gloomy Sunday" was a pleasant surprise. She does bring some of that alt- sensibility to it, but it also suggests that jazz is another route she could pursue if the mood took her.

Good morning! Looking nice here. We did end up getting some snow yesterday but not enough to bother shoveling.

Got a story or two on the go and some writing time, so will keep plugging away at those.

For coffee, we've got some Deathwish Dark Roast.

Teas are Assam Organic and Wakoucha.

Sodas are stock for anyone needing a cold drink.

And the hot water is ready for other teas or hot chocolate.

Hope you're all having a fine weekend.

Later, alligators.

Was out shoveling. Nasty, nasty day. Snow ranging from flurries to squalls, fairly high, cold winds. Think Hoth in Star Wars but minus the tauntauns and wampas.