Ape comes in. Sniffs tea. Starts kettle.

Here's some real tea. A nice cup of English Breakfast.

After reading through the calls from Author's Publish (see thread I started), I am looking at a couple of them. There's one where "Down In The Well" might be a fit so I am thinking of taking it down from here and submitting it there after giving it an editing pass or two. And there's the Bigfoot anthology I mentioned in the thread. I am thinking about story ideas. I was a bit obsessed with cryptids as a kid and the giant ape variety (Bigfoot/Sasquatch, the Yeti) were favourites (surprised?😉).

And a Canadian outfit called Celticfrog (great name) is doing a Bigfoot-themed anthology, which is something that I have always wanted to write a story about. Deadline is Feb. 1 so I might just take a stab at submitting, my muse willing. Pays decently. CAD$100, could be more if the Kickstarter they will be running in February does well.

Quite a mixed bag as usual. Not just markets seeking submissions but a long list of contests, awards, fellowships, etc.

https://authorspublish.com/44-themed-submission-calls-and-contests-for-january-2024/

A couple samples of ones that caught my eye. First is The Cosmic Background, which is a flash fiction magazine.

"We are primarily a slipstream publication — that means we like your stories that don’t make a ton of sense. We want your giant talking frogs. We want your people with unexplained, never commented-upon eyes in their fingertips. We enjoy character-focused writing, with an emphasis on voice."

And for the anthology And One Day We Will Die, which is looking for stories inspired by the music of a band called Neutral Milk Hotel (Mangum is the founder and songwriter of the band it seems).

“Look at the inspiration material. Mangum’s surreal, opaque, and stream of consciousness writing draws inspiration from childhood fantasies, historical events (including the life and death of Anne Frank), sexual tensions, tarot, and more. Night terrors and lucid dreaming also proved a rich vein for lyrical inspiration. These songs feature characters that could be denizens of Weird and dark fantasy tales already, with names like “The King of Carrot Flowers” and “The Two-Headed Boy.”"

Walk the dog. More fun and counts as exercise (depending on the dog, some are more exercise than others)

Snow or rain?

Sara's b-day, eh. I have just the thing. A little supply of New Year's goodness that I didn't use up.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote by verbal
So, today, I am spending the day playing with Stop Motion Studio! Today I learn how to use a green screen!

So when do we get the "Verbal Studios Monsterverse"? 😜

Hey, thanks Sara. After a green Christmas and a wet Christmas week, we are actually getting some snow here finally. "I'm dreaming of a white New Year's" doesn't quite have the same ring to it, though.

Sent the year out with a bang on my other site with the classic Nightwish banger "Last Ride of the Day". Just sub "year" for "day" and it works nicely. 😋

So how was your 2023? And what are you predicting/expecting/hoping for in 2024?

(And, yes, one of the things I am expecting and hoping for in 2024 is for Nightwish's tenth studio album to hit it out of the park. Literally. Their recent concert in their hometown of Kitee, Finland was in the baseball team's stadium. Only place in the town big enough, I guess. 😜)

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The recent renaissance of kaiju films has been wonderful for us old Godzilla fans.

And yesterday, I was mostly listening to recent work by prog giants Yes. Their work of late hasn't exactly inspired me (to be fair, I've barely paid attention since the death of original member and longtime bassist Chris Squire), but their 2023 release made at least one "best prog of 2023" list I saw so thought I should give it a whirl. It is quite good. Maybe not classic Yes (after all, the only member from that era left is guitarist Steve Howe), but very good modern prog.

From "Mirror in the Sky", their latest album, the current lineup of Yes:

I am actually listening to a mix of prog and death metal (yes, really) these days, sometimes at the same time (hi, Opeth). But a week ago, Nightwish dropped their final video of 2023. It's tour highlights from 2022-23 set to the song "Tribal" from their last album. Kind of weird how Floor is pregnant in some clips (from this past Spring) but not others (from earlier in the tour) as it switches around.

Passive, I think. I'm someone who just enjoys taking in art or artifacts and learning about them.

Art gallery or history museum?

I haven't been sick for Christmas in a long time but for a period there, often came down with flu between Christmas and New Year's. Vibes to all those dealing with illness or injury on the holidays.

Glad to hear your daughter and clan made it safely, verbs. My wife worries when our son drives between here and Ottawa (6-8 hours depending on traffic and how many stops you take) so I can't imagine how she would be if they were going cross country.

Little Mendalla and Mrs. Little Mendalla are headed home to Ottawa today. Actually saw them three times. Last night had dinner at her folks' place. Even got to see their kitty, who was staying with them at her parents' place.

So, let's get some caffeine going for the weekend, eh.

Hmmmm. Some Tobermory Grotto coffee in the coffee pot. Teas are Irish Breakfast and Earl Grey. Pitchers from the fridge are washed and refilled with iced tea and lemonade. Kettle is primed for hot chocolate and other teas.

Ouch. Not an injury you want when you're hosting stuff, eh. Healing vibes sent. And happy birthday to your dad. Making it to your 90s is still no mean feat

Back at the office for a couple days.

Started a new story about the characters from Shadows of Tan Maldrin, but I am trying something a bit different. No evil spirits or monsters, instead it's a bit of a comic fantasy with Nalia being romanced by a prince while Elera does research in far off land. Shooting to mess around with the fairy tale "girl swept off her feet by a prince" storyline.

Finally met my son's in-laws. Nice folks, as I expected from knowing their daughter. Probably heading over to their place for a reciprocal visit later in the week. Then we're down to only two weeks until winter vacay (which we have mostly planned now)! Hooray!

Good ... well, whatever it is where you are.

Kicking off the post-Christmas period with some dark roast from Las Chicas. Teas are English Breakfast and Sunday Tea. Kettle is ready for your hot chocolate and other fine teas. Cold beverages are ready.

Kicked off a new story. Kind of know where it goes but will take some fiddling, I think.

I'll take it either way (my mother used to grow her own and make all kinds of goodies with it) but with, I would say.

Strawberries as a dessert or as strawberry jam?

Good morning and Merry Christmas!!!

Put on fresh pots of Christmas Blend coffee and the seasonal teas. Put out some more candy canes. Cold beverages are looking good and kettle is primed.

Enjoy the holiday, y'all!

Natalia Sarsgard (formerly Tsarikova) is a marvelous Russian-born soprano with a love of rock music. Her holiday release is a cover of what may be my favourite song right now, Nightwish classic "Ever Dream".

So after a bit of hunting around, I found a suitable coffee. Christmas Blend is from a place called Murchie's. Got some brewed up.

For teas, we have Santa's Secret from David's (mint black tea) and Naught & Nice from Tea Haus.

Cold beverages are the usual, but I made pink lemonade just to brighten things up for the holidays.

And the kettle is ready for making hot chocolate or other fine teas.

And there's a treat out, too.

Apollo5, and their sibling group Voces8, have been favourites of mine for a few years now. This new arrangement of "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan still managed to blow me away. Soprano Penelope Appleyard, who opens the performance, did the arranging and it is magnificent.

Death Wish puts the "dark" in "Dark Roast" in a special way, so I've put some on. I'll find something cheerier for the holidays.

Teas? I've got Tea Haus' Christmas blend Naughty and Spice along with some more conventional Yorkshire Gold (a nice black tea blend).

Cold beverages? The usual, but in freshly cleaned pitchers decorated with with red ribbons.

And the kettle stands ready for hot chocolate or our selection of other fine teas.

I've got the fire going and stockings hung. A tree is blinking its lights in the back corner. Garlands festoon the counter.

I would say that Christmas is here.

Peach, I think. Haven't had either in a long time, though. Last pie I had was blueberry, in honour of a major project at work that somehow got codenamed "Blueberry Pie". And now we've added "Ice Cream" in the form of a follow-up that has now been merged with the main project.

Anyhow, pie with or without ice cream?

Never had it with custard. Or really cream sauce either. The sauce Mom used to put on was some kind of dark, sweet one. Couldn't even tell you now what it was. I will take custard.

Ice cream or cheese on apple pie?

Ape walks in and wipes brow. Had to scrape ice off the flipping car again. Winter. You know I hate it.

Washes sundry pots and pitchers

Now, we have some dark roast Nicaraguan in the coffee pot. There's Russian Caravan and Yorkshire Gold in the teapots. Hot chocolate and other teas are stocked up. Pitchers are filled with fresh iced tea and lemonade.

I am truly in a writing rut. Nothing I start goes anywhere but the bin. Maybe the muse will show up on the coming long weekends or my cruise next month. Do muses like cookies? 🤔

Porcupine Tree, with one of their "hits" (for their fanbase anyhow), "Fear of a Blank Planet" from their new live album.

I don't think we have an iHeart affiliate around here. They are rarer in Canada than in the US, I guess. Not interested in 24x7 Christmas anyhow.

Been listening to UK artist Steven Wilson, both solo and with his band Porcupine Tree, quite a bit. His blend of rock, pop, prog, jazz, and even metal is quite appealing to my eclectic musical tastes.

How cold are we talking? I was out in single digit weather yesterday, but once we get much below freezing (I'm talking Celsius, by the way), my inclination to do so drops noticeably unless there's a good reason to do so (e.g. when my kid was little and I took him tobogganing or to an outdoor rink for skating).

Laptop or Pro tablet (e.g. MS Surface) with a keyboard dock?

It's Sunday. So where the eff is the sun. Dark as all get out here. with some rain to boot.

But here in Inspirations, we have the flickering firelight to keep us cozy even on the dreariest of days. And to remind of summer, there's Tobermory Flowerpot Island coffee brewing. Teas are English Breakfast and Sunday tea. Kettle is ready for hot chocolate and other teas while the cold beverages are refreshed.

Later...

Hey there and happy weekend.

Got some Fire-Roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe in the coffee pot. Teas are Scottish Breakfast and Earl Grey Cream. The kettle is filled and ready if you want hot chocolate or other teas. Mini marshmallows and various coffee and tea additives are all stocked up. Usual cold beverages are in the fridge.

One week until the holidays. No big plans here. Probably a visit from my son and d-i-l. We have a vacation coming up in January so that's our big plan, I guess.

Dang. Missed the beignets. I got in a walk today, too. 10C and sunny, which is pretty good for a week before the Winter Solstice here.

Kind of flailing with writing. Nothing is really holding my attention past a few paragraphs. Will keep trying different ideas to see what sticks.