Tell us what's happening in your life

I've had a bad dose of COVID for the last four days which has pretty much wiped me out & is the reason I haven't been listening to much music. The rest of the family has either COVID or RSV with our middle child having both so it's been a really fun time to be in my household this week.

Oh dear. Hope you and your family will get well soon, Daniel.

Bummer! Get well soon, all.

I've made the move to Florida and I am immediately a much happier man. Sunshine everyday is nice after 10months per year of darkness up north. People are friendlier too and my wife is happier at her new school so far. I just have to get my own ball rolling. All in due time. 

I haven't felt inspired to write reviews for a while.

I got to see Crowbar live down here, and that was amazing, Kirk's wife was working merch, so I know he got the hallmark card from my wife and I.  Life is good  down in dixie.

Awesome that you're happier down there.  My sister lives in Florida, but we haven't been speaking much.  She's had an awkward history with my family, even though we always tried to be friends.  But she seems to be making a lot of things private.  I've always wanted to go to Florida myself, though.

I've made the move to Florida and I am immediately a much happier man. Sunshine everyday is nice after 10months per year of darkness up north. People are friendlier too and my wife is happier at her new school so far. I just have to get my own ball rolling. All in due time. 

I haven't felt inspired to write reviews for a while.

I got to see Crowbar live down here, and that was amazing, Kirk's wife was working merch, so I know he got the hallmark card from my wife and I.  Life is good  down in dixie.

I was wondering how you were getting on as we hadn't heard from you in a while and it is great to hear that things are working out well. Good luck with your new life.

Glad you're doing well, Zach. Hope you continue living the good Florida life!

Well, I always said that I would rather have root canal surgery than listen to St. Anger again, but I have changed my mind. I had just such a procedure this afternoon and it sucked every bit as bad as St. Anger, except that the Metallica dud didn't cost me 600 quid, which makes it the winner in the battle of "Shittest things I have ever endured that last an hour and fifteen minutes!"

I had surgery today to repair a hernia and I will never underestimate how lucky I am to have private medical insurance.  The care I received today was outstanding.  Predicting a rough day tomorrow but at least I am back in my own bed tonight.

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery, Vinny.

Hope you get better soon, Vinny.

I had surgery today to repair a hernia and I will never underestimate how lucky I am to have private medical insurance.  The care I received today was outstanding.  Predicting a rough day tomorrow but at least I am back in my own bed tonight.

Ouch.  Well, at least you got some amazing care.  Kick that hernia's ass.

My wife has been very unwell for more than two weeks now, culminating in her being hospitalized for the last two days & nights. I've been home from work in order to look after the kids which hasn't been a drama but I'm really hoping that she comes good soon because the poor woman has endured more than enough health concerns over the last couple of years.

Sorry to hear that, Daniel. Wishing her all the very best and a speedy recovery.

Sorry to hear, Daniel. Hope your wife can recover soon.

Shit, those kids can't lose their mom so early.

I am sorry Daniel, I hope she gets better soon 

My wife has been very unwell for more than two weeks now, culminating in her being hospitalized for the last two days & nights. I've been home from work in order to look after the kids which hasn't been a drama but I'm really hoping that she comes good soon because the poor woman has endured more than enough health concerns over the last couple of years.

I am sorry to hear this, having just recovered from surgery myself I can empthasise with being away from home in hospital.  Let's hope she does get home and better soon and can get on with life.

I'm ready for my fourth clan.  I have officially posted full-on reviews for these three list challenges:

1. Guardians: Power Metal - The Early Days

2. Infinite: Prog Metal - The Second Decade

3. Pit: Thrash Metal - The 80's

I'm ready for my fourth clan.  I've thought very long and hard about this, and came to the best decision I can.  Not only has this been a genre my core has been more and more drawn to over the last couple years, but it's also the genre I feel I can do the most good on when voting on halls.

The North.

Excellent decision, Rex! Now which North clan challenge would you like to do to earn that clan?

Excellent decision, Rex! Now which North clan challenge would you like to do to earn that clan?

I'll go over many of the albums I've already heard but did not review yet in the 2nd Decade challenge.  It makes sense, because I still need to focus on genres outside metal for my lists, but I can always go back on something I've already heard before if I really need a metal kick, and metal does help with writing anything related to Wings of Nialoca.

Having said that, I decided to celebrate by ending this long streak of putting off Nachthymnen by Abigor.  Wonderfully black album, but needing more variety (again).  Perfect production and wonderful playing, though.  Easy 9/10.

My wife is on the mend now & I should be back at work tomorrow. She's had a really tough run though.

On the positive, I was surprised with a two-day visit to the Hunter Valley wine region on the way down to Sydney to see family to celebrate my 50th birthday last week. All of my Sydney & Newcastle based friends (including Ben & his wife) showed up & we had a brilliant couple of days, highlighted by a spectacular lunch at the legendary Bistro Molines. Then we continued down to Sydney where we stayed for five or six days. Just got back late yesterday to prepare for a brief two-day work stint before the Xmas break.

That's great news Daniel. Good to hear she is feeling much better. 

Glad to hear your wife's feeling better, Daniel. And happy birthday last week!