Maybe it's listening to Spiritbox and Courtney's growls, but I'm back into melodic death metal again. And my favourite band of that ilk at the moment is Sweden's Arch Enemy. Though are a rather multinational band now, featuring a Canadian lead singer and an American as one of the guitarists.

Here's one from 2017 with current lead singer Alissa White-Gluz

And from 2003 featuring her predecessor, German Angela Gossow. Angela quit singing and became the band's manager in 2014 so she could have more time for other interests and her family.

Hm. Never X-country skiied so probably that. Though I have not snowshoed since my school days and I hear there's some nice snowshoes on the market now, better than the traditional ones we used back then.

Make your mark or live quietly and unnoticed?

Time for coffee and tea!

Throwing on some Deathwish Medium Roast for the coffee lovers. In the teapots are Irish Breakfast and Chai. Cold beverages are looking good. Hot chocolate is now out for those needing some warmth and a chocolate fix.

New story is probably on the way from the ape. It's only Flash length right now though I am contemplating fleshing some things out so it might up in the 1500-2000 range once I am done. Genre is fantasy, a bit mythical and a bit sword and sorcery.

Quote by AnnaMayZing

My choice would be Robbie Williams!

There was some video of his that had me going, "This is an audition to play Bond, isn't it?" Forget which one but it was quite a while ago. Another one who would really depend on whether they want a new, wet behind the ears Bond starting out or the ongoing adventures of a veteran agent. Robbie is getting up there so would work for the latter, not so much the former.

Quote by verbal
I took a walk yesterday and it was COLD - I will have to dress warmer to keep up this walking in winter thing.

Same here. Wore just a shirt and hoodie yesterday and it was a bit too chilly for that really. Was double digits Celsius but with a wind chill.

Quote by gillianleeza

So that's my problem? I live in Westeros? Because that so sums up our Fall weather here.

Tobogganing if I must do either. At least then I am sitting down and my crappy sense of balance isn't in play. Both involve going downhill at high speed which freaks me out.

Shovel or snowblower (or plough, I guess, if you have a truck that can take one)?

Good morning, folks!

Coffee du jour is Las Patronas, a special blend from Las Chicas for their 18th anniversary last year and the centennial of their family 's involvement in coffee growing (the business is owned and operated by two Nicaraguan sisters).

Teas are Yorkshire Gold and Russian Caravan.

Cold beverages are refreshed.

Trying a completely new fantasy tale. More sword & sorcery than my past stuff.

Quote by verbal
What do you guys think about the title “Christmas in Bedlam” for a book? Would it pique your interest?

I would certainly be curious to see what it exactly was about. I like it.

Good morning!

For the coffee lovers we have Fireside, a medium roast from Fire Roasted. In the teapots, there's Duke of Earl and English Breakfast. We now have the hot chocolate and mini marshmallows out since around here, at least, the weather is definitely getting there. And there's the usual cold beverages for those not in need of warming up.

It's Monday, the work week is getting underway. What's up, Inspirations?

Pumpkin with a dollop of whipped cream, though Apple pie a la mode would be a good second choice.

Dry cereal or porridge?

Brutal frost here last night. I thought we'd had light snow when I first peeked out, then realized it was just a heavy frost.

Got the yard cleaned up yesterday but there's still lots of trees left to drop so might have to take another swing at it later. Given recent surgery, I stuck to just raking and let Mrs. Mendalla handle what little bagging we did (we mostly piled them into out of the way corners as mulch/compost).

Coffee du jour is 454 Horse Powr from Kicking Horse. We've got Canadian Breakfast and Vinyl Cafe (named for a renowned Canadian radio show that, alas, died with its writer/storyteller) in the teapots. Washed the pitchers from the fridge and made fresh iced tea and lemonade.

1923 might actually be an interesting year to be alive in. And given currently reality, 2123 might no be so hot. So I might actually go back.

Rock or Jazz?

And it is the weekend! Good Saturday morning, crew!

For coffee, we've got some Dark Roast Private Reserve from Las Chicas. Teas du jour are Scottish Breakfast and Black Currant flavoured black tea. Cold beverages are, of course, also available.

Later, alligators.

So found out that Spiritbox, a metal band from BC, Canada that touches on many influences and styles, made the nominations for Best Metal Performance at the Grammy Awards. That puts them alongside popular metal luminaries Metallica, Slipknot, Ghost, and Disturbed. Not bad for a band that's only been going for six years with 1 LP and 3 EPs in that time. The nominated performance is from their EP The Fear of Fear, which dropped a week ago. I note that it is also the only female-fronted metal in the list, a nice feather in the cap of lead singer and band co-founder Courtney Laplante.

Quote by verbal
I think she's a great writer. and Red and 1989 are just phenomenal albums.

I'd say she is great within her niche, but doesn't hold a candle to someone like Kate Bush or Joni Mitchell (to stick with female singer-songwriters) in the bigger picture. And it really is not my niche, either.

Quote by verbal
We are gonna try to see the Taylor Swift concert movie.

I am so meh on her, it is not funny. And I am a big fan of female singer-songwriters. Her singing doesn't grab me and neither does her writing. But she has her fans and success and I respect that.

(Damn, that was a bitch-y post. Sorry. Deleted the bitch-y parts.)

Marcela Bovio began her career in metal and still performs metal a lot (e.g. she revived her old band Stream of Passion for an EP and concert this Fall). However, in her solo career, she has a much softer, more subdued sound, usually backed by a classical string trio. This is from her second solo album Through Your Eyes, which is one of my favourite albums right now.

Quote by AnnaMayZing

In the Trunk? 🤔

Ack, my old jokes are coming back to haunt me. 🤣

MGM and Eon seem to be no closer to casting Bond today than they were when we started this thread. I haven't even really heard any new casting rumours in a while.

Good morning and Happy Friday!!

Putting some Tobermory Grotto in the coffee machine. It's a lovely spot so I hope this dark roast is also lovely.

For teas, we got Assam and Sunday Tea.

Cold drinks are also refreshed.

Have a good one, folks!!

Interesting way to celebrate your anniversary. We usually take a trip for ours. Congrats!

RIP, Molly. At least she had someone good with her at the end.

Takes a turkey and a pumpkin pie

Quote by Meagananne1986

My daughters. They're letting me know they're hungry or they ready to be changed.

Babies are definitely not inclined to be shy about their needs, eh.

Nothing right now, but this was on in the car this morning.

Maze - Daze

Not a fan of car racing but when I did occasionally watch back in the day, I tended to prefer F1. My brother and his kids are more the NASCAR crowd.

Travel to space or to the deepest depths of the oceans?

Coffee ... the final frontier

These are the voyages of the Starship Inspirations

Our neverending mission

To seek out new sources of caffeine and sugar

To boldly go where no cafe has gone before ... Ah, ah, ah ah ah ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 🤣

Good morning. There's some Deathwish Dark in the coffeepot. Teas are Russian Caravan and Yorkshire Gold (which is a really, really good black blend). Pitchers in the fridge are washed and refilled with iced tea and lemonade.

Hope all are doing well.

See you 'round.

Depends on where I am, but usually a hotel/motel. B&Bs tend to be for longer stays (e.g. we've often stayed in homes rented off AirBnB when visiting our son).

Try out a new musical artist/band or dust off an old favourite?

Finally got around to listening to the debut album from Mia x Ally. It's a lively, enjoyable collection. Most of the tracks are ones they have covered to varying degrees finally getting full covers, but there's some new material, too. Electric violin and bagpipes seems like an odd combo (did to me at first, anyhow), but these two make it work. Both are lifelong musicians with both conservatory training and a heap of raw talent, which helps. They are currently touring the US in support of the album.

Hare - Bare

Hey, gang. Back in the office today so didn't have time to pop in. Thanks, Jeff, for looking after the hot beverages. Will check on Elyse's story. Think I had noted it and not got back to it.

Later...

Quote by verbal
It plus whatever music I tell Alexa to play (I use Alexa for music and news only, in my office).

Yeah, if you're using Alexa, then Amazon Music is a good choice. I don't so that doesn't factor into my decision.