In the spirit of a # TODO in your source code, these are the things that I’ve set myself up to completely forget to do complete by the end of 2023. Will see you back here in a year to see how I did! Write A Game Like many developers, gaming was my gateway into programming and computers. Although I wrote a few smaller games a long time ago for the Commodore 64, it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything other than start up writing a game, only to be distracted by building a game engine instead, then getting bored and forgetting about it.

Thus, 2022 drew to a close. It marked the return of live gigs for Grumpy Metal Guy and Girl (Cradle! Tribulation! Devin! Opeth!), as well as the discovery of new music by familiar and unfamiliar bands. What music decked the halls of Grumpy Manor this Christmas? Borknagar - True North While this came out a little while ago, it had somehow slipped out of our regular rotation. Which is pretty much a crime against music, as this is a cracking album.

As the skies darken here at Grumpy Labs and winter draws closer, the choice of music being played tends to the darker side… or does it? Devin Townsend - Lightwork You most certainly can’t call Devin’s latest work dark. It’s very much the opposite of that. The opening track Moonpeople is a whimsical track that sets the scene for much of what follows. Although the end of the album becomes a little darker in places, this is an uplifting album that strips back the layers from previous releases.

October 2022 Halloween is the Grumpy Household’s favourite time of the year, so October is normally fairly spooktacular1 musically. This year was no different, as evidenced by the most played album of the month… Danny Elfman - The Nightmare Before Christmas “No animal or man can SCREEEEEEAAMMMMM like I can” has been shouted loudly throughout Grumpy Manor2 by all of us so many times that I’ve lost count. This gets played year-round, but during October, it gets a few extra spins for good measure.

September 2022 Another month, and not enough music listened to. However, it also marked the return of gig attendance, with Grumpy Metal Girl and myself attending a gig together for the first time in nearly 3 years. Was a strange sensation to be sure, but also a welcome one, and hopefully the first of many more! Blind Guardian - The God Machine I’ve been a massive BG fan since the Imaginations… days, so hearing that the new album was going to be a more stripped back affair brought happy tinglings to this Grumpy Metal Guy.