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Crazy old ape
I'll take a jellyfish and an octopus with my green tea.
I have not been to the La Jolla aquarium but have seen similar displays in aquaria that I have visited. Apparently, Ripley's now has a nice aquarium in Toronto. Must try to get there someday.
Speaking of stingers, I appear to have new neighbours that I am less enamoured of than my various birdies. Some wasps are nesting in an opening in the brick over my front door. My phobia of stinging bugs has not really been triggered (yet), oddly enough. I brought a load of groceries in through that door yesterday and barely noticed them as they zipped back and forth. Debating whether to live and let live or get some wasp spray and go medieval on their little yellow asses.
I have not been to the La Jolla aquarium but have seen similar displays in aquaria that I have visited. Apparently, Ripley's now has a nice aquarium in Toronto. Must try to get there someday.
Speaking of stingers, I appear to have new neighbours that I am less enamoured of than my various birdies. Some wasps are nesting in an opening in the brick over my front door. My phobia of stinging bugs has not really been triggered (yet), oddly enough. I brought a load of groceries in through that door yesterday and barely noticed them as they zipped back and forth. Debating whether to live and let live or get some wasp spray and go medieval on their little yellow asses.
Crazy old ape
Quote by Rumple_deWriter
Morning, Scott. Glad I am to be back among all the inspired Inspirators. For some reason, I haven't been able to slip in for days now.
It was a technical issue on the SS side. All of us were having problems getting in. I don't know details, only that Nic got it fixed and that the transition to the new site was somehow involved. Apparently, the actual flip may happen tomorrow per her Ladyship's last post on the subject (see relevant thread).
Crazy old ape
Quote by aussie_kitty77
hi all
Been a while since I stopped by, hope every one is doing well
It’s a beautiful day here… Not a lot going on
Might stop by the library
Take care
Hey, nice to see you pop by. Hope all is well with you, too. Ape is good.
Coffee is brewing, kettle is whistling. Put some Earl Grey in the pot.
Grey day here so might have to stay inside, though it's only a 40% chance of showers. Still, got plenty of fresh air and sunshine the last couple days.
Crazy old ape
FYI, Armstrong and Huff both have other series in the genre as well, I just put the ones I am familiar with as examples.
Also, urban fantasy is also sometimes used to refer to more traditional fantasy that happens in an urban setting. So China Mieville's weird and wonderful Perdido Street Station takes place in a fantasy world but the story is set almost entirely in the city of Bas Lag so is often considered urban fantasy.
Also, urban fantasy is also sometimes used to refer to more traditional fantasy that happens in an urban setting. So China Mieville's weird and wonderful Perdido Street Station takes place in a fantasy world but the story is set almost entirely in the city of Bas Lag so is often considered urban fantasy.
Crazy old ape
Since Survivor didn't seem to sure what I meant by urban fantasy in connection with my new story, here's a thread about it. If you're into it, feel free to add thoughts, recommendations, etc.
Urban fantasy is just a sub-genre of fantasy that has magic and supernatural beings similar to those in fantasy worlds living in contemporary cities.
Some are paranormal romances, with humans and supernatural beings having romantic and/or erotic relationships
Some are paranormal detective stories, with the investigations focussing on supernatural crime and activities.
Some are just stories about what happens when mundane humans and magical beings share space.
In most, the supernatural is either an open secret with vampires and elves and such walking the streets, or else a secret, parallel world that only a few mundane humans get to penetrate (conveniently including the protagonists of the stories).
What We Do In the Shadows (both the original movie and the Prime series) kind of fits here, though I have not heard the term applied to it.
Some genre authors:
Kelley Armstrong - "Women of the Otherworld" features women, usually magical in some way, having adventures and romances in the contemporary world. For instance, the first novel Bitten, and its sequels, features a female werewolf.
Tanya Huff - "Victory Nelson" has a female private eye with failing eyesight teaming up with a Tudor-era vampire to solve supernatural mysteries in Toronto and environs
Jim Butcher - The "Dresden Files" series is about Harry Dresden, a practicing wizard based in Chicago and his adventures with various supernatural beings (vampires, werewolves, demons, fairies, etc.)
Laurell K. Hamilton - "Anita Blake" is about a necromancer battling vampires and other supernatural nastiness and getting into rather wild relationships with them (let's just say some of the novels are best discussed on another site)
Charles de Lint - writes rather wonderful, somewhat dreamy, fantasies set mostly (but not always) in his fictitious city of Newford, though a couple of early ones are set in Ottawa where he is from.
Note that 3 of those are Canadian but I don't think we are dominant in the genre or anything. They just happen to be ones I have come across and that may partly because of being from the Great White North myself.
Urban fantasy is just a sub-genre of fantasy that has magic and supernatural beings similar to those in fantasy worlds living in contemporary cities.
Some are paranormal romances, with humans and supernatural beings having romantic and/or erotic relationships
Some are paranormal detective stories, with the investigations focussing on supernatural crime and activities.
Some are just stories about what happens when mundane humans and magical beings share space.
In most, the supernatural is either an open secret with vampires and elves and such walking the streets, or else a secret, parallel world that only a few mundane humans get to penetrate (conveniently including the protagonists of the stories).
What We Do In the Shadows (both the original movie and the Prime series) kind of fits here, though I have not heard the term applied to it.
Some genre authors:
Kelley Armstrong - "Women of the Otherworld" features women, usually magical in some way, having adventures and romances in the contemporary world. For instance, the first novel Bitten, and its sequels, features a female werewolf.
Tanya Huff - "Victory Nelson" has a female private eye with failing eyesight teaming up with a Tudor-era vampire to solve supernatural mysteries in Toronto and environs
Jim Butcher - The "Dresden Files" series is about Harry Dresden, a practicing wizard based in Chicago and his adventures with various supernatural beings (vampires, werewolves, demons, fairies, etc.)
Laurell K. Hamilton - "Anita Blake" is about a necromancer battling vampires and other supernatural nastiness and getting into rather wild relationships with them (let's just say some of the novels are best discussed on another site)
Charles de Lint - writes rather wonderful, somewhat dreamy, fantasies set mostly (but not always) in his fictitious city of Newford, though a couple of early ones are set in Ottawa where he is from.
Note that 3 of those are Canadian but I don't think we are dominant in the genre or anything. They just happen to be ones I have come across and that may partly because of being from the Great White North myself.
Crazy old ape
Lots of nice stories coming out. Amazing how many ways we can find to use the same opening line.
My contribution:
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/supernatural/-songs-to-keep-monsters-away-.aspx
My contribution:
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/supernatural/-songs-to-keep-monsters-away-.aspx
Crazy old ape
Ah, things are running nicely again. Got a tea with lime going. Funny thing I found in my timeline. Apparently, I really like my own stories.
Or maybe just had a slip of the finger.
Anyhow, I am now contemplating where my somewhat mysterious characters "the man" and "the girl" should go from here. Who are they? What are they up to (besides chasing off monsters)?
Or maybe just had a slip of the finger.
Anyhow, I am now contemplating where my somewhat mysterious characters "the man" and "the girl" should go from here. Who are they? What are they up to (besides chasing off monsters)?
Crazy old ape
Good morning. The forum pokiness continues but I am glad a few of us are pushing through it.
My new story is up, if you want something easier to access (but comments are experiencing the slowdown, too, it seems). It's my take on the Inspirator's Challenge.
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/supernatural/-songs-to-keep-monsters-away-.aspx
Hope all are keeping well. Kettle is on and there's Scottish Breakfast in the pot.
My new story is up, if you want something easier to access (but comments are experiencing the slowdown, too, it seems). It's my take on the Inspirator's Challenge.
https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/supernatural/-songs-to-keep-monsters-away-.aspx
Hope all are keeping well. Kettle is on and there's Scottish Breakfast in the pot.
Crazy old ape
Managed to get in. Seems a bit faster today.
Coffee and kettle are on, Irish Breakfast is in the teapot.
I have a story written based on the challenge first line. Been letting it "stew" but will be revisiting (and likely editing the hell out of) it today and then maybe posting if I'm happy with the outcome. It's urban fantasy and I am already contemplating if I want to write more stories using a couple of the characters.
Coffee and kettle are on, Irish Breakfast is in the teapot.
I have a story written based on the challenge first line. Been letting it "stew" but will be revisiting (and likely editing the hell out of) it today and then maybe posting if I'm happy with the outcome. It's urban fantasy and I am already contemplating if I want to write more stories using a couple of the characters.
Crazy old ape
Might want to give the servers a cup or two of that coffee to perk them up.UAUV73q5LZUwdq49
Putting the kettle on and have a pot with some Earl Grey ready to go.
Now officially on vacation for two weeks. First order of business should be a story for the Inspirators Challenge. I have expanded the challenge first line into a paragraph, but that's about it. Keep waffling on where I want to take the story from there.
Putting the kettle on and have a pot with some Earl Grey ready to go.
Now officially on vacation for two weeks. First order of business should be a story for the Inspirators Challenge. I have expanded the challenge first line into a paragraph, but that's about it. Keep waffling on where I want to take the story from there.
Crazy old ape
Quote by Tams
Yay... I am excited to read it (when it's done, of course). Take your time. I was just teasing Violet who seems to work better when faced with a timeline.The cottage sounds like it will be fun. Was that the setting for your Lady in the Lake story? That was bone-chilling!
Pretty much. That story is certainly set in that part of Ontario and the lake is inspired by "our" lake. Even the idea of the painter having a cabin out back as his studio. My grandfather was a painter in his spare time and built himself a small studio/workshop at the back of the property.
Crazy old ape
Quote by Tams
You have until the end of next week! Better?
Hm. Might just take that as a challenge itself but I may be headed for my family cottage next week and have no idea of the state of the Internet up there. And mine is going to be at least flash length, maybe longer, I think. Kind of know where it is going but haven't had time to do much work yet.
Crazy old ape
Quote by Survivor
They were yellers and the f-bomb was a frequent shout. Let's hope the next group of renters have more couth.
Good riddance. My first place was in an iffy neighbourhood, something we realized only after the fact. Had a couple ex-con drug abusers on one side and a promiscuous party animal on the other. The party animal's landlady was a pain to deal with, too. Had to sic the city on them once or twice for failing to properly maintain the property. Fortunately, we only lived there a couple years.
Good morning, y'all. Storms overnight but seems to be brightening up now. No more twisters at least. Had a small one (EF0) touch down not far from work the other day.
Kettle is on. Tea is in the pot (a nice breakfast blend unique to my local store).
Crazy old ape
Quote by rolandlytleHi my friends.
I have been off my rocker for a few days but started feeling better last night. I am falling so far behind on my reading. Please accept my apology.
I love my father, but he believed in so many of the right-wing conspiracies like Covid-19 was a hoax. So he did not get the vaccine. Last week he got sick. He would not go to the doctor because he did not think it was serious. My sister and her husband, who live with my father, made him go to the hospital on Sunday night with labored breathing and a fever. When they arrived My sister and her husband had their temperatures taken to get in the hospital and found out they both had fevers too. All three were tested and were positive for Covid-19. Last night my father died of Covid-19. My sister and her husband both had their vaccines. My sister still has a slight fever and a sore throat and her husband no longer has any symptoms. Next week I will be going to Charlotte, NC with my family for his funeral.
I am heartbroken and upset. I can not help but think my father threw his life away because of the lies he listened to and believed.
Until I return from the funeral, I will not be writing much, but I will try to read some. I am sure that reading your stories will help keep me sane for the next two weeks.
Death is a part of life, just like birth, happiness, love, and tragedy.
Till later. Be safe, happy, and continue being the great people you are.
Laughter is healing, so remember; chameleons who can not change color are suffering from reptile dysfunction.
Sorry to hear this, roland. Take care and keep yourself well. Condolences to you and your family. Sending some good vibes your way in this difficult time.
Crazy old ape
Quote by Ping
Anyone else feel there are too many words in the English language and many of those words are redundant?
The quote I always trot out about the English language and its proliferation of vocabulary. The originator is the guy I used to buy my D&D and other roleplaying stuff from back in the eighties. He closed the store a while back and is now an sf and fantasy reviewer and blogger. This was posted on Usenet a few decades ago.
“The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.”
― James D. Nicoll
So the TLDR is that English has too many words because it keeps stealing them from other languages.
Good evening, all. * raids cookie jar and puts on kettle *
So, I'm playing with a story for the challenge. I basically know the story, just need to flesh things out. That first line really lends itself to a lot of possibilities I am finding.
Crazy old ape
Mostly the Olympics for the last couple weeks. My wife found a good three-part bio documentary about George Washington and we watched the first two parts of that. It features dramatizations of Washington's life interspersed with an assortment of talking heads. Most are historians or biographers but Bill Clinton and Colin Powell also show up. Part 1 covers his early life and the French & Indian War. Part 2 covers the Revolution. Part 3, I presume, covers his presidency and the end of his life. It was made for History Channel but we found it on Kanopy, a video lending service available through a lot of libraries.
Crazy old ape
Hooray for snickerdoodles (though white chocolate supremes are more my speed). So after yard work this morning, this afternoon was floors (wash hard floors, vacuum carpets). So I am sweaty again. Iced tea is in order.
Verity, believe me, there are mornings when that's about the amount of tea I need. I go through four cups of black tea a morning (2 with breakfast, 2 around lunchtime) and that's not always enough.
Verity, believe me, there are mornings when that's about the amount of tea I need. I go through four cups of black tea a morning (2 with breakfast, 2 around lunchtime) and that's not always enough.
Crazy old ape
Tragedy with romance as a tag? Depends on your focus. If the heartbreak is the focus, then Tragedy. If the memories of better times are the focus, then Romance. If what to do to the (censored) who broke your heart is the focus, then maybe Crime 
(we don't have one for Revenge Porn 
).
(we don't have one for Revenge Porn ). Crazy old ape
Quote by Verity
Oh my, Mr Mendalla. How could you think such a thing about a sweet old lady like me.
Never said it about you, just about that story.
And if mine was in any way an influence, you are welcome. I don't think I have ever been cited as an influence (other than a bad one ) before.