The mighty Snowflakes...

A thousand years ago when I around 8 years old I played netball. I was part of the mighty all losing team called the Snowflakes. We were, in essence, pathetic bordering on hopelessly unco yet we turned up to every game. Looking back now I think it was because we got fed orange quarters at half time. Anyway, after the Snowflakes were confirmed bottom of the ladder, we didn’t despair. We came back the next year as the Defenders – crap name but one of the parents I believe thought it would inspire us to actually do stuff like defend, not run into each other or duck when the ball was thrown at us. Ah, those were the heady days. That year we actually came second last due to the fact one team had to pull out after only two games so they went to the bottom. You can imagine our euphoria at not being last. That spurred us on to become – the Hot Shots…oh yeah, a winning name for any other team but ours. But we soldiered on back down to the bottom of the league once more. And it was then that an epiphany came upon us – let’s go play hockey. The ex-Snowflakes players came second that year in hockey. Moral of the story? Hockey - so much potential for revenge.

Why I ramble on about this now is I have decided to make a netball comeback in Cairns – after all I feel it’s my obligation as I was actually vice-captain of the mighty Snowflakes and it's probably, possibly my professional due to take the court once more. Yep, you can't keep a snowflake down.





Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Bad Amarinda...

So, I updated the Sex Odyssey series video I had put on You Tube with these two covers. They’re the 5th and 6th in the series and all covers have been hot, naked and no holds barred. Why? Because the stories in Sex Odyssey are just that. Controversial. Anyway, You Tube had a hissy fit and sent me a note indicating I was particularly naughty with these two covers and that they violated something or other and I have a ‘strike against’ my name and ydah, ydah, ydah. Now, while it is completely their prerogative to decide content, I would take the whole Bad Amarinda thing more seriously if they had done it months ago when the first lot of our naked, controversial covers went up – or if they actually had a look at the graphically porno videos that are already on You Tube that make my book trailer look tame. But there it is. The secret police have rules for some and not for others. Am I annoyed? Nope. Just amused. If you can’t be good then be controversial…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

I spoke to a dear friend last night….

…whose words never fail to raise me up and make me feel better about me and everything going on in my life. He says things that I’ve never heard anyone say before. He brings contentment and peace in a world sorely in need of both I am grateful and want to bring the same to him. If only I could be half as good a friend to him. But some people have a gift to make others feel more and good and others just wonder how lucky they are to have found such a friend.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Things I know…

…on Saturday morning, in Australia….

…the laundry always has to be done
…the weekend won’t last forever so why waste time doing the laundry?
…good intentions only last til Saturday night
…Sunday morning is a time of reflection and not to worry about screwed up good intentions
…and don’t sleep in a subway darling…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Changing horses midstream…

Signing a contract for a book to be published is like any other contract. As a writer you should read it. As a publisher you have to uphold it and not suddenly try and change the playing field because you want to or have to because you screwed something up and therefore think an author has to go along with it. No, we don’t. Contracts - publishing or not - have to be agreed on by both parties – that’s why people sign it to show we are affirming those words we have just read. Pretty damn straight forward huh? Not to some it seems. I realize some publishers get in trouble but it’s not my job to bail them out when it is not financially smart for me to do so. Publishing is not a benevolent business. It’s a backbiting, two-faced business that just looks pretty on the outside. Writer beware of when they bring in a change of horses….

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Plotting world domination…

…or at least that’s what I believe…no, not me, not at the moment but there are eight people who sit in a board room that I pass by each day. They all have a seat at a long table and they all have a laptop. The room is dark and no one speaks and everyone is glued to their screen. I peered in through the gloom to check ‘em out. I asked everyone in the office – ‘who are those people?’ No one knows. How can eight strange people who never speak to anyone be in a room day after day and no one but me wonders? I reckon they’re plotting world domination and when it all happens I’ll be the first to know then I’ll let you know.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

I like it when a man…

…opens a door for me. Yes, I can do it myself but I like it when a man has the courtesy to stop and open a door. I don’t subscribe to rad fem bullshit that it’s patronizing and indicates a woman is helpless. It indicates a man has manners. But on the flipside of this – and I think this confuses a lot of men – I insist on paying my own way. Years ago when women were not working or made crap wages – and there are still sooooo many women who get paid way less than a man and it’s wrong but that’s another blog – I could see it as acceptable for a man to pay. But now? No. I believe it’s a two way street if you’re both earning money. Hmmm…how confusing it must be to be a man sometimes….open a door? Pay for a meal? What the hell does she want? Everything baby.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Life...who knew...

I was driving through the early morning, darkened streets of Cairns to go to the gym and was thinking to myself about all the paperwork/appointments I have to finish/make for the purchase of my house – in Cairns…and then it hit me…huh…I’m living in Cairns…who’d of thunk it? How life changes. That inane question ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years’ is neither credible nor logical to me as who knows where life will take you? No one can plan that far ahead. I often think about several years ago when I was aimlessly floundering and I was offered two jobs and had to choose which one to take. I took the job with the stupid company and the minute I walked into the building I knew in my bones it would be a crap job – but then I started talking to the laid back, crazy, banana time people in the Cairns office and then voila…fate stepped in and said ‘this is where you’re supposed to be, stupid.’ Who knew? Five years from now? I don’t want to know. Surprise me.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

We gotta be good Johnny…

I got sidetracked, as I do, and started watching this 1959 movie call A Summer Place on TV Sunday arvo. It was interesting in the fact that I’m sure it would have been a sensation in it’s time. It was all about the appropriateness of sex. In a nutshell, Johnny and Molly – Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee – were 18 and in love and trying to restrict themselves to kissing because it’s 1959 and good girls can’t have knowledge of a vagina until they’re at least 21 and everyone has to ‘control their passions’ AKA he has to keep his dick in his pants and not wave it around enticing the virginal ‘to go all the way.’ There was talk about ‘how far’ you can go and ‘being a half virgin’ but as expected Johnny and Molly got lost in lust, went all the way and as expected she got preggers and her mother was expected to have a nervous breakdown as per 1959 rules.

Molly Jorgenson: They came just in time, we better cool off.
Johnny Hunter: Why?
Molly Jorgenson: Because I'm afraid...
Johnny Hunter: Of me?
Molly Jorgenson: [shakes head no]
Johnny Hunter: Of yourself?
Molly Jorgenson: Yes. That and some other new feelings that I can't explain.
Johnny Hunter: Are you angry because...
Molly Jorgenson: No. We've gotta be good Johnny.
Johnny Hunter: Good... Is it that easy to be good?
Molly Jorgenson: Are you bad Johnny? Have you been bad with girls?

I love old movies…

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Messy...

So I put an offer in on a house I want to buy. The house is one year old and it’s being sold due to a messy divorce settlement and yes, I am taking advantage of that fact to get a good price. However I have been thinking how hard it would be to share property and finances especially as I have never had to do it and then be caught up in a situation like divorce and division of assets. As my mother used to say ‘what’s yours is mine and what’s mine's me own.’ Mine has always been my own. I could share lots of things - love, bodies, and thoughts – but money and assets? Oh hard. I’d rather give money away freely then have to fight someone you love(d) over it. So, I applaud those who have the fortitude to stick it out together financially.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

House-hunting Goths...

Off to house hunt...I hope I meet a Goth called Tim...what a crack up...

Be very, very quiet…

…I’m hunting for houses…to buy. Two things I can tell you – in Cairns you are never to buy a house in an ‘M’ suburb. Why? No one will say why other than 'don't'…cue the spooky music. And two – all real estate agents are shorter and waaaay less attractive than their photos…but ain’t that just life.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

No excuse...

There’s this woman at work who gets all emotional over the over use of staples, treats everyone like they’re 6 years old and insists she knows more than everyone else and she will argue to the death other it and go into a snit if she loses that fight. In short, she is a pain in the arse bully with no respect for others. Someone told me yesterday that she had a hard childhood and that’s the reason behind her behavior. Ah no – that’s not a reason. That’s a made for television movie with B grade actors. No one I know had a Brady Bunch childhood. Stuff happened to everyone but you get by. You learn from it, toughen up and move into adulthood. By 35 you should have worked that out. You don’t use that as an excuse for being a rude, condescending, stick-up-the-arse cow for the rest of your life. It doesn’t wash with me. Grow up. No one owes you. If anything you owe it to yourself to make your own life better. Oh yeah...there's trouble in River City...

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Dark and wicked...

Dark at Heart – horrotica, romance, pure evil, erotica, controversial. Just another day in my world…

*Dark at Heart out in April 2011 at Wicked Nights Publishing

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Record sleeves

Some selected scans from the Record Sleeves series of drawings, prints and collage onto found paper 45 sleeves.

The first is a laser-jet print of a transcript from two tape recordings of journeys. Typed onto a till roll as part of a 2008 project of recording random journeys and later typing from the tapes, the text is a mix of describing what I heard on the tape and the memory of what I heard, saw and did on the journey. At the time I was only vaguely aware of Situationism and the similarities in my work. It has since become a valuable reference point.

The second is another re-used image from a previous stage in my work- part of the Mechanical Drawings  series from 2007-2009- is laser printed onto the top corner of the paper sleeve. The old sticky-tape, number 37 and signature of the previous owner become part of the new composition and of course the hole which has removed a large part of the original drawing.

These two circular drawings are made by fixing drawing media- a black marker pen and graphite stick to the arm of a record player and letting the turntable do the drawing. The graphite was so light that the record player had to be left running for some time before the pattern became clear. The writing crossed out in blue felt-pen was already on the sleeve when found.

Gypsies, tramps and theives...

So the Australian government announced that people who had gone through Cyclone Yasi and had lost power for a certain period of time were entitled to make a claim for an ex-gratia payment. Initially I wasn’t going to claim as I’m one of those odd people who actually work for their money and don’t dole bludge nor do I have 57 kids and expect to live on welfare for the rest of my life because I don’t like to work because it means you can’t watch TV all day nor do I have the belief that having ovaries entitles me to be supported by taxpayers so I can be impregnated by ten loser boyfriends, on a regular basis, who are also bludging on society…oh, don’t get me started…anyway, I thought about it for a while and considered the lost wages and food and I thought ‘Bugger it. I will apply – like everyone else – as I have been paying tax since I was 14 so I reckon I had a right to get something back.

Now, see, if you’re an established bludger already on the welfare payroll you just have to turn up and claim the money and whiz-bang presto it’s in your bank account the next day and you can go out and buy useless crap instead of actual food, clothes and stuff for the kids. If you’ve worked all your life you have to jump through all these hoops and prove who you are as there are no records of you being a drain on society's financial resources. I had three phone calls tonight with the mob that are dispensing the funds because the proof of ID letter they sent me wasn’t complete. Why the 3 calls? Well, because no one at this agency – somewhere I once used to work at – could confirm what ID I had to bring to prove who I am as they have no record of me being a bludger on society. In the end they said bring in everything you can think of to prove you pay tax and are an upright, hardworking citizen and maybe we’ll consider handing back some of your tax dollars. Funny old world huh?

Why the crab picture? I just liked it.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

The speed of love...

I was reading this book review and the reviewer was arguing that no one can fall in love that fast. Basically the lovers saw each other, were overcome by all sorts of feelings, they acted upon them and then they each contemplated what they were feeling and each called it love. Yep, it happened pretty fast. But, as we all know, love can be a sudden madness of the heart or a slow realization of the bleeding obvious. While I’m a great believer in having an opinion, how can you or I judge exactly what is the correct timing for love? It’s not possible to do so is it? I can’t see inside another to know what they are feeling. There are no rules to love. How can a person read a book and go – "Whoa! That was too fast for them to be saying ‘I love you’.” If the book were two people in real life would it have made more sense to the reviewer – you know – that they could see it played out before their eyes and not have to use their imagination? Or would they still have applied a time limit perception?

Love – don’t let anyone tell you how fast or slow love must be. Never accept anyone to use you in the name of love. And never allow anyone to decree who you can or cannot love. Tell ‘em to bugger off if they do.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Phantom's Rest~Anny Cook

Phantom’s Rest by Anny Cook from Passion in Print ~ out now

The blurb...

When Beauregard Barker leaves his military career due to injuries, he takes refuge at the Phantom’s Rest RV Park, expecting no more than a place to recover as he helps renovate the park. First he discovers the place is full of ghosts. Then Emmeline Fairchild arrives for her annual stay and everything changes. Beau falls hard for the shy calligrapher who’s being stalked by a killer. Whatever it takes, he’s determined to keep her safe and persuade her he’s the man for her.

The excerpt...

Narrow shafts of sunlight sneaked past the blinds to bombard him in the face. Grumpily, Beau rolled over and pulled the lumpy pillow over his head. A series of muffled thumps from outside invaded his restless sleep.
Woobie whined.
Beau groped in the covers for Woobie’s “baby”—a tattered, ragged teddy bear—and tossed it in her direction.
Then the familiar strains of a man singing something Italian wove their way from next door. Vaguely, he recognized the artist as one of Aunt Agatha’s favorites, though his name escaped Beau at the moment. When the volume abruptly grew louder, Woobie lifted her head and howled along with the singer in a doggie duet. The music soared to a towering crescendo as Woobie ended on a high note.
Cursing, Beau sat up and glared at the door. The melody sounded a lot like opera—his least favorite genre of music. When the singer switched from operatic Italian to a hypnotic Spanish number accompanied by flashy guitar work, his patience reached its limits. While Woobie soulfully howled along with the new song, Beau knuckled his burning eyes, listening to his dog in disbelief. He leaned over, groping on the floor for his clothes. Finally, he snatched up his plaid boxers, jerking them on wrong side out before leaping from his camper to storm his way to the driveway next door.
His eyes were bloodshot from the inside out. Tiny leprechauns were lustily hammering in his head. He yelped and cursed as he stepped on a sharp stone. Hopping sideways on his bad foot, he twisted his ankle, landing squarely on his butt in a small puddle of water. Clapping his hands over his ears, he tried to block out the soaring music as the singer reached a powerful finale with Woobie howling in the background.
Abruptly, the music stopped. He closed his eyes, savoring the exquisite relief.
And then she laughed.

buy here - http://passioninprint.com/ShowBook.php?CR=AC_PHANTOM

Grace of fate...

We went down south of Cairns to help clean up some of the mess left by Cyclone Yasi. We landed in Silkwood – a small town with a lot of damage. During the mass clean up I got to see a brown snake and I believe I drank my body weight in water but I sweated that much I expect it all evened out somewhere. The people were really nice and grateful. It made me realize how lucky I was to have escaped severe damage – there but for the grace of fate go I.

We then wandered over to Paronella Park and did a couple of hours there. It’s an interesting place. Click here to read more - http://www.paronellapark.com.au/whatisparonella.html

I’m completely knackered, sunburnt and bruised yet pleased I did it as it makes me feel more grateful for what I have.

Amarinda

Eat Me Up by Amarinda Jones - Evernight Publishing

Out now - Eat Me Up by Amarinda Jones - Evernight Publishing

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Yes…yes…yes…

Friday!!!!! Better than an orgasm...

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Indecent Encounters ~ out now

Indecent Encounters ~ out now ~ click on the cover to buy. It’s all about women who want sex, enjoy sex and damn it they’re going to have it. ‘Sounds reasonable to me.

Bonus ~ I noticed there is 25% off all e-books til Feb 18th at Evernight Publishing. You can afford to double the amount of stories to read.

Sometimes a woman needs more than a lover…

Independent, lustful ladies find pleasure and intrigue with more than one man, from a scandalous vacation in Australia, to a forced seduction at a cabin in the woods. A witch needs to break a shameful spell, and an older woman slakes her sexual needs with two younger men. Cougars purr with unrequited desire and werewolves compete for the love of their mate. Satisfaction is just a sigh away as a surgeon bends the rules for her patient, and an over-stressed boss finds more than a little peace with secret admirers.

Find out what wicked delights await you with Indecent Encounters.

8 Author Anthology

Raw by Amarinda Jones Be Warned: f/m/m/m/m/m, m/m, bondage, sex toys, anal sex.

Taken by Three by Delilah Hunt Be Warned: menage a quatre, forced seduction.

Post Op by Erin O'Riordan Be Warned: menage a trois, brief m/m interaction.

The Birthday Surprise by Pepper Anthony Be Warned: menage a trois

Admired by Ashlynn Monroe Be Warned: menage a trois, anal sex.

Waking the Lioness by Tessa Monroe Be Warned: menage a trois, brief m/m interaction.

Do It Fur Love by Melissa Hosack Be Warned: menage a trois.

The Problem With Love Spells by Angelina Rain Be Warned: menage a trois, anal sex.

Sex, sex, sex...bring it on...

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Knife job...

I’m not big on reality TV shows – mainly I think because I forget to find time to watch TV. Anyway, I started watching this cooking contest called My Kitchen Rules. I don’t like to cook – I can – I just prefer not to. It’s crapacious and if I can’t toasted or microwaved then I don’t wish to play. I do however like to watch other people cook.

MKR has 6 couples from around Australia and they all have to bung on a dinner and be judged by the other competitors and two top chefs. The thing I enjoy about this? There is this stick-up-their-arses couple from Tasmania who are the quintessential people you love to hate. Why? They drag every other contestant down in an effort to make themselves look good. That’s why I keep watching. I want to see the Tasmanians come a cropper – and they did. I understand that it’s a competition and you have to have your game face on and think tactics but you also have to be pretty bloody sure of your ability as a cook, after belittling others attempts at cuisine, to front up on TV and be judged yourself.

Be a smart arse by all means. I have no problem with that but be damned sure you can back yourself up when push comes to shove.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Elephant in ballet slippers…

So, I’ve been checking out camping stores. I loathe camping. I think it’s wrong and unnatural and it has a high pukeability factor. To me, camping is as natural as an elephant in ballet slippers. But, after the big blow of Cyclone Yasi I decided I needed to update my emergency supplies – hence the dalliance in the realms of the great outdoors. I like nature. I just don’t want to sleep or pee in it.

Anyway, I’ve been driving camping store people mad with my questions. They’ve been quite stoic. I think I amuse them.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Mondays...

Nothing good comes from them...and motivation? I don't got none...

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

'Went for an early morning…

…beach walk along Trinity Beach at 6am (today-Sunday). It’s about 10 mins from where I live in Cairns. I have been tossing up where to buy a house. As much as I like beach walks, I believe my heart is in the mountains. But, with being 10 mins away from beach to the mountains – it’s perfect.

Trinity Beach is like a lot of the Far North Qld beaches – it’s simple and unspoiled. There is no glitz or tacky tourist shops. I did come across one American gentleman who I said ‘G’day’ to and I believe I made his day by speaking Aussie.

The picture with the palm trees is when I was leaning my arse against Patrick, my car, and drinking coffee. Patrick is very stoic.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Raping a story…

So, I’ve been writing some deep, dark books that are not pretty. Yes, there is sex and romance but the plot is ugly. I sent it off to one publisher. Yes, they liked the book and they wanted to give me a contract – but – I had to take out the rape of a secondary character. Could I have done this? Yes, but the book would lose its edge. The villain is ugly, evil, psychotic bad – not Cruella De Ville Disney bad. Taking out the rape would make him less a villain and more someone that’s just ‘not nice’ in that Disney TV dinner way. I declined the offer. While I respect their opinion and stance, unlike some I’m not about to completely sell my soul for a contract.

So – is it that we can only, as readers, accept ‘pretty’ romances? How bad is the villain allowed to be? Or do we have to homogenize him to be politically correct? Me? I think fiction is just that and we’ll politically correct ourselves to death one day.

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book

Electronic Organica IX 28/01

Electronic Organica IX at the Briton's Protection, Manchester
28/01/2011


The piece went well. Even though a the tape recorder didn't work the sound of the buttons being pushed was good. Starting out with a clean cymbal and then gradually introducing delays and loops. Made a nice collage of textures with scratching, scraping, tapping sounds along with more metallic sounds from cymbal and a reverb spring (removed from a guitar amp and mounted in a cigar box) with some sounds building up and some dropping in and out. Made a loop between the radio ariel touching the cymbal with both going through the mixer then touching the cymbal with a skewer linking myself to the ariel. Moving the skewer around the cymbal changed the tone of the static. A bit of experimenting during the performance is always fun. Built up  loop of loud rumbling clattering cymbal and that electronic whipping sound from the reverb then dropped everything to reveal the textured sound of the brush bristling and scratching on the cymbal.

^ Phone pic by Ian Simpson.

     Notes for the composition.>

Objects / insrtuments used: Cymbal with contact mic, skewer, book with contact mic, pocket radio, reverb spring, Buddha Machine, tape recorder, workshop brush, 'beater' (a rubber ball on a knitting needle), digital loops and delays.