Oo, nice about your fig crop, Gil. We had a cherry tree at our old house in Hamilton, Ontario and had one really good season with it.
Good morning, gang!
I brewed some Tobermory Flowerpot Island for the coffee crowd, Teas are Assam and Sunday Tea. Since the hot weather still lingers for my Southern neighbours, I've replenished the iced tea and lemonade.
Later.
And my new favourite song of 2023 might just be "Lovesick" by Laufey. The melody of the chorus is one of those ones that just hooks you right in and has you singing along. The whole album is wonderful, by the way. Had it on in the car and on my walk today. It's all original material save for one standard: the marvelous "Misty" by Johnny Blake and Erroll Garner. There's even a solo piano number as an interlude in the middle, with Laufey showing off some serious chops on that instrument. Her guitar shows up a lot and even her cello appears once or twice (she played cello with the Iceland Symphony at 15, returning a couple years ago to record her first live album).
Gen Z jazz singer Laufey is becoming one of my big discoveries of 2023. She comes armed with a wonderful voice perfect for soft jazz, the ability to play at least three instruments that I know of (guitar, piano, cello), and some terrific songwriting to boot. Her sophomore album drops tomorrow.
Besides her musical skills, Laufey is also quite good a self-promotion on social media. This song from the new album was teased on Tik Tok for a while before this video came out.
Quote by JustAnotherSapphic
Oh man. I think I picked my glasses a little too well.
I made a post elsewhere a few months ago about wanting to try on Drew’s glasses - only to find out that my new glasses are almost an exact replica of his.
Needless to say, I’m delighted to feel so close to him when I wear them.
Hmm. That's something I never did in my glasses wearing days. Compare my glasses to those of glasses-wearing celebs. Interesting connection you've made with Drew.
Another crazy day in my crazy life. Trying to revamp an integration between two systems at work and crap just keeps breaking. I think I have the final issue figured out. I think. Tomorrow I'll know for sure.
Writing is happening but not for here. I am starting to think the Tana sequel is done like dinner. Nothing is really hanging together for it. Might even take Shadows of Tan Maldrin offline for a bit while I decide what to do with it. It needs a followup and I just don't know where to go with it.
Not a parrothead myself but did enjoy Buffett's music. Sad to see him gone.
Been quiet around here, but in case anyone does drop by, I will clean things up and get a pot of Grotto coffee from Tobermory going. Just did one pot of tea, an Earl Grey Cream. Washed up the pitchers and put both iced tea and lemonade in the fridge. Hot around here (I just cut the grass and am sweating like crazy) and I imagine that I am not the only one seeking a cold beverage.
Some Buffett (a greatest hits compilation) to enjoy while you sip your beverage.
Yep, the monthly themed calls issue is out and that's an actual quote from one of the markets, called (surprise!) Crab Tales. Given that the crab form has actually evolved multiple times in the history of the Earth (not all modern "crabs" are actually "crabs" in strict taxonomic sense, just in appearance), could be a fun one to write.
Other themes on offer? Bears in the big hairy gay male sense, cats, the future of rodents (called Rattus Futura), tarot cards, and so much more. Heavy on spec fic (fantasy, s-f, horror) as usual but there's some other stuff, too.
https://authorspublish.com/47-themed-submission-calls-for-september-2023/
He's getting more distinguished and handsome with age, eh.
Nice, if a bit cool here. Supposed to be last hurrah of summer this weekend though. We shall see.
Coffee is on. Picked an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe in a medium roast. Teas are Irish Breakfast and Russian Caravan. Cold drinks are refreshed.
I have gone from absolutely flying along in my writing to blocked. Might need to move on to something else for a while just to clear the block.
Quote by gillianleeza
I always question why they send reporters to stand in the middle of a hurricane to give updates. I don't like watching them get battered by rain and winds. They aren't exactly setting a good example. I'd be fine with them reporting from the studio.
You and me both. Though depending on the reporter, it also gives me a bit of a chuckle at times.
Quote by gillianleeza
The humidity here has been unpleasant. I am officially tired of summer.
Actually, we just went through a spell of cooler weather over the past week or two. Summer is returning for the long weekend (Labour Day is this coming weekend in Canada) with temps up to 30 or 31C. Probably be its last hurrah, though.
Good morning!! Putting on some Costa Rican Dark Roast in the coffee pot. Teas are Scottish Breakfast and Lemon Black. Iced tea and lemonade pitchers are washed and refilled. Soda stock is looking good.
Have a nice one!!
Last I heard, Kat was holding out okay. Hope that continues. Sounds like a nasty one (but aren't they all anymore, the weather boffins are saying that the warmer water is going to feed and strengthen these storms).
Coffee is Jamaican Blue Mountain. We've got English Breakfast and Earl Grey in the teapots. Cold beverages are refreshed though in my neck of the woods, we don't need 'em.
Not much writing the last couple days but I hope to get back onto something on the weekend, if not sooner.
Another new band that's come to my attention. Spiritbox is based in Victoria, BC, though several members are actually Americans. Core of the band is married couple Courtney Laplante (clean and harsh vocals) and Mike Stringer (guitar). This is the latest single, from an EP due out this Fall.
And from their debut (and to date only LP) album, 2022's Eternal Blue.
Here's to jellyfish-free waters, literally and/or metaphorically. Sounds like the wedding is making a lot of work for you, Gil. Hope it also brings some joy and fun to your home once you get there.
Good morning to all! It's been a week since I was on Flowerpot Island and in honour of that auspicious occasion (okay, the auspicious occasion was us being married for three decades, but whatever), we are serving Flowerpot Island coffee again today. Teas are Assam and Sunday Tea. Cold beverages are refreshed and ready for those in need of cold rather than heat.
Later.
Quote by verbal
President's Choice coffee! Let's hope he chose well!
LOL. Not sure how much the current president of Loblaws gets involved. It was Dave Nichols who ran the chain in the eighties and nineties that actually started PC. Galen Weston comes from a big corporate dynasty up here so might be too busy to personally sample the products.😉😁
Well, that f-ing sucks. Just woke up and had a revelation about my new story. Massive f-ing plot hole. I have people scrambling down a volcano that is about to blow ... in the dark. Grrrrrr. There is a moon up but I established earlier that the trail is pretty treacherous so not really one you want to be madly running down with only moonlight. It's the result of a change I made in the timing of the story so I probably need to revisit that change.
Anyhow, there is plenty of lovely sunlight here and no erupting volcanoes. In fact, we seem to be headed for a rather pleasant week weather-wise. Good morning!!
Coffee is President's Choice Great Canadian Medium Roast (house brand of our largest grocery chain). Teas are Earl Grey and English Breakfast. Usual cold beverages are waiting in the fridge for anyone still sweltering.
Quote by AnnaMayZing
This is ELAINE with We Shall Remain.
And there goes the ape down another musical rabbit hole. I have now listened to 3 of their 4 studio albums. Damn fine symphonic metal. Core of the band is Madeleine Liljestam (clean vocals) and Rikard Ekberg (guitars and growls), who are the original members. The rhythm section has changed a few times and they have a second guitarist who only joins them on tour. And the name is Eleine, not Elaine (i.e. the last part of Madeleine's name, apparently it was originally her nickname so they took it for the band name).
Quote by Mendalla
She's in my recommendations.
Oops. They. While that is the lead singer's nickname, it is also the band name in this case.
A favorite up and coming band of mine is Concrete Castles. Their second studio album dropped yesterday and with it this video for the leadoff track.
Happy Saturday! Another week draws to a close and we are here with hot and cold beverages. For the coffee set, there's Fire Roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Tea drinkers can choose between Scottish Breakfast and Russian Caravan. Cold drinks are the usual unsweetened iced tea and lemonade.
Major progress on the new story, though it needs some heavy refining. It is a bit too blunt with some plot elements and scenes right now. And I am not yet at the ending so there's work to be done there as well.
