I've updated my Amazon pages.  Here is the link to the U.S. one, since most readers seem to be from there. The U.S. page also shows blog posts, which the U.K. one doesn't, so it's better. 
I intend doing pages for France and Germany as well, since I've had interest from there.  I'm not sure if I might write them in my own pretty brutal Franglais and pidgin German, just for a laugh. 
It's inconvenient/a right pain to have to do separate pages for each country.   You'd think Amazon would be able to fix that. 
Probably something to do with tax, I imagine.

THE TROGGS TAPES FULL EXTENDED 11 MIN VERSION WARNING! VERY STRONG LANGU...

"YOU'RE DOING IT FUCKING WRONG!!" Marvellous.  The Troggs were great, despite the execrable Love is all Around.  Glad Reg Presley made some money out of that, however, because I gather that they didn't make much in the 60s.

Fairport Convention The Hanging Song

One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands.  Love Dave Swarbrick's voice.
From their album Babbacombe Lee.

Robert Wyatt - Sea Song

Mr. Creosote

Is it Possible to be Bored and Terrified at the Same Time?

Ah well.  It's great to be home, toasting my feet before a roaring driftwood fire and sipping a large mug of Madeira.
How did I get here?  I can't for the life of me remember,  and it's probably just as well.  Geoffrey assures me that it was all a horrible dream - except for the part where we were sitting on Saturn's rings.  Which leads me to think that we might still be there, and that my cosy fireside is an illusion, brought on by either boredom or terror.  Or both.
Is it possible to be bored and terrified at the same time?
I will ask Geoffrey.
"Geoffrey?"
"Yes, I think it is.  For example - "
"But I haven't asked you anything yet.  Oh no!  Don't tell me you're at the mind-reading again.  Where's your Mind-reading Prevention Device, or M.P.D.?  Put it on immediately."
"No.  I have a new Device.  It's a Mind-reading Filtre,  or M.F.  It enables me to choose which minds to home in on and read, rather than having to endure the chitter chatter of many minds, when in range of course.  Some people's minds are rather unsavoury, Tuppy.  You'd be surprised."
"I wouldn't," I thought.
"Yes you would.  And no, I don't mean normal dirt and muck, or wanting to put a pillow over my face to stop me snoring PERMANENTLY, or hiding packets of Gypsy Creams and Black Bogey behind the skirting and pretending we've run out.  Yes, I know about all that, because I saw your thoughts - it was just like being at a magick lantern show, except it was deeply hurtful and upsetting and there was no popcorn and nobody sneezing in the seat behind without covering their mouth."
I was aghast.  Talk about intrusive!  I tried to make my mind as blank as possible by thinking about Nothing...nothing.....nothing.....Gosh it was difficult.  So much for people saying I'm empty-headed.
Geoffrey was still rattling on. "It's all right Tuppy - I forgive you.  I understand your foibles,  despite your not understanding mine and being horribly impatient with me.  What I mean is, some people think nasty, poisonous thoughts about other people.  They assume the worst.  They suffer agonies of jealousy and they want to bring them down.  These thoughts occupy most of their waking moments, and as a result they make their own lives miserable as well as the lives of those around them.  I can't bear it Tuppy!"
He began to sob.
"Fetch the M.P.D. right now Geoffrey,"  I snapped, "I'm sure it's still in the attic - possibly underneath the coracle.  The new-fangled M.F. obviously is no earthly use whatever, and you're starting to rave, albeit rather feebly.  This carry-on has to stop, and stop NOW.  While you're searching for it I'm going to have an opium tabloid to take the edge off my morbid fear of still being on Saturn's ring and my own cosy fireside just being a trick of the over-taxed brain, and ponder today's conundrum - is it possible to be both bored and terrified at the same time."

more later

Quote of the Day - from Scott's Journals

Extract from Robert Falcon Scott's Journals -  'Sunday, October 8. - ....Troubles rarely come singly, and it occurred to me after Clissold had been brought in that Taylor, who had been bicycling to the Turk's Head, was overdue.  We were relieved to hear that with glasses two figures could be seen approaching in South Bay, but at supper Wright appeared very hot and said that Taylor was exhausted in South Bay - he wanted brandy and hot drink.  I thought it best to despatch another relief party,  but before they were well round the point Taylor was seen coming over the land.  He was fearfully done.  He must have pressed on towards his objective long after his reason should have warned him that it was time to turn;  with this and a good deal of anxiety about Clissold, the day terminates very unpleasantly.'

Prog track of the Day - Egg - Long Piece No.3 Part 2

Really like Egg at the moment. 

Jimmy Page In Conversation (BBC Dec 2012) *Full Interview*

Kennedy Medals and a comfy middle-aged-style interview with the BBC.  It'll be knighthoods next.  Ghastly, yes - but Led Zeppelin can transcend all.    Marvellous to see Jimmy Page at any rate.
(Nice teeth.)

'Wreck of a Ship' by Donald MacDonald & the Islands

EGG - A VISIT TO NEWPORT HOSPITAL - THE GUIDED TOUR

My Year on the Blog

.....started off badly, and has improved, steadily, since.

I didn't think I could do it - didn't think I wanted to do it - but I've got my head back into Rocky Outcrop mode, which is a reassuring place to be.

Aims for 2013?  To stay alive, mainly, and, hopefully, well.  And to find some form of writing-related "income generation", no matter how minor.

I hope to grow some leeks this year, and I'd like a different car.

Resolutions? None. 

Thank you to all who have purchased my books.  I hope you enjoyed them.  I hope to produce more, in due course.



That is all.

Christmas Dawn 2012