Ian Burdon
@cosmicserf.bsky.social
Writer. Edinburgh.
DMs disabled.
I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train
DMs disabled.
I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train
I'm well aware that one of my novels, at least, was pirated as an eBook. Yesterday I found a company selling what looks very much like pirated paperbacks too - at 50% more than I sell them for.
I'm assured that they are now taken down, but not cool.
I'm assured that they are now taken down, but not cool.
December 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I'm well aware that one of my novels, at least, was pirated as an eBook. Yesterday I found a company selling what looks very much like pirated paperbacks too - at 50% more than I sell them for.
I'm assured that they are now taken down, but not cool.
I'm assured that they are now taken down, but not cool.
Found in a box in the shed. Grateful Dead, Edinburgh, Oct 1981.
November 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Found in a box in the shed. Grateful Dead, Edinburgh, Oct 1981.
I agree with Dave regarding screening. However more screening will lead to more diagnosis and that requires more resources. A propos resources, II might add that my consultant oncologist is from an immigrant family.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
David Cameron reveals prostate cancer diagnosis and calls for targeted screening
Former prime minister says he wants to join ranks of those pressing for more checks on men who may have disease
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
I agree with Dave regarding screening. However more screening will lead to more diagnosis and that requires more resources. A propos resources, II might add that my consultant oncologist is from an immigrant family.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
All this social media malarkey is a bit shit isn't it?
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
All this social media malarkey is a bit shit isn't it?
a word from my sponsor
November 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM
a word from my sponsor
Is it just me or does this season's mRNA COVID vaccination pack a punch?
October 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Is it just me or does this season's mRNA COVID vaccination pack a punch?
Five years ago, I wrote something to the effect that just as Sgt Pepper shaped the latter half of the 60s, Abbey Road ought to have shaped the early 70s but didn't. I've decided that was wrong because Dark Side of the Moon is basically a Beatles album.
October 17, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Five years ago, I wrote something to the effect that just as Sgt Pepper shaped the latter half of the 60s, Abbey Road ought to have shaped the early 70s but didn't. I've decided that was wrong because Dark Side of the Moon is basically a Beatles album.
I get irritated by journalists writing short, single-sentence paragraphs. I don't mind when Thomas Pynchon does it though ...
October 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I get irritated by journalists writing short, single-sentence paragraphs. I don't mind when Thomas Pynchon does it though ...
I do not particularly like modern DC films and generally avoid them. On the basis of a video by @damiengwalter.com I watched Joker: Folie a Deux. It is excellent in every respect.
September 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I do not particularly like modern DC films and generally avoid them. On the basis of a video by @damiengwalter.com I watched Joker: Folie a Deux. It is excellent in every respect.
Advertising a previous Rapture
September 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Advertising a previous Rapture
Right then, I have a couple of weeks to decide between surgery or radiotherapy. Not an easy calculation: both ought to work, both have consequences.
#prostate #prostatecancer
#prostate #prostatecancer
September 22, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Right then, I have a couple of weeks to decide between surgery or radiotherapy. Not an easy calculation: both ought to work, both have consequences.
#prostate #prostatecancer
#prostate #prostatecancer
South of the river you stop and you hold everything...
September 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
South of the river you stop and you hold everything...
Here we go again.
September 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Here we go again.
Taking an old friend for a wander. Hope I can remember how it works
September 11, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Taking an old friend for a wander. Hope I can remember how it works
At the hospital. Minor injuries unit. I suspect I've dislocated a finger. Changing a fitted sheet.
August 18, 2025 at 12:44 PM
At the hospital. Minor injuries unit. I suspect I've dislocated a finger. Changing a fitted sheet.
30 minutes into the new Superman. It is shite. The best character is the dog.
August 17, 2025 at 5:13 PM
30 minutes into the new Superman. It is shite. The best character is the dog.
There's a young magpie chattering away in our garden; I had not realised what a wide vocabulary of sounds they have.
August 17, 2025 at 1:52 PM
There's a young magpie chattering away in our garden; I had not realised what a wide vocabulary of sounds they have.
On Cancer and Blogging | Riding the Waves to Eternity
www.cosmicsurfer.co.uk
August 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
A Little Local Difficulty | Riding the Waves to Eternity
www.cosmicsurfer.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Some personal news.
I'm considering options for treatment for prostate cancer. It was found by chance and early. It has not spread and is very treatable.
I would encourage all men of a certain age to consider talking to their doctor about getting tested; for most of us there are no symptoms.
I'm considering options for treatment for prostate cancer. It was found by chance and early. It has not spread and is very treatable.
I would encourage all men of a certain age to consider talking to their doctor about getting tested; for most of us there are no symptoms.
August 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Some personal news.
I'm considering options for treatment for prostate cancer. It was found by chance and early. It has not spread and is very treatable.
I would encourage all men of a certain age to consider talking to their doctor about getting tested; for most of us there are no symptoms.
I'm considering options for treatment for prostate cancer. It was found by chance and early. It has not spread and is very treatable.
I would encourage all men of a certain age to consider talking to their doctor about getting tested; for most of us there are no symptoms.
I had been wondering how to get to the greengages that are too high in the tree for me to reach: the wind is doing it for me. Onto the second bowl collecting windfalls. Any that are too damage will feed the badgers in the garden tonight.
August 4, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I had been wondering how to get to the greengages that are too high in the tree for me to reach: the wind is doing it for me. Onto the second bowl collecting windfalls. Any that are too damage will feed the badgers in the garden tonight.
News from the north (Scottish Highlander, 11 Sept. 1885). Strong eulogiums, indeed
July 21, 2025 at 12:05 PM
News from the north (Scottish Highlander, 11 Sept. 1885). Strong eulogiums, indeed
Spotted in the Salvation Army on Lothian Road Edinburgh. No obvious price. For lovers of Dorothy Dunnett.
July 15, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Spotted in the Salvation Army on Lothian Road Edinburgh. No obvious price. For lovers of Dorothy Dunnett.
I dreamed last night that the Grateful Dead were playing a show in a church in Edinburgh. I was hanging with Pigpen in the sanctuary. He seemed like an OK guy.
July 2, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I dreamed last night that the Grateful Dead were playing a show in a church in Edinburgh. I was hanging with Pigpen in the sanctuary. He seemed like an OK guy.