Christmas Radio Times: check. Double edition NME: not as yet. Tijuana Christmas pumping out of the speakers: oh yes.

Been trying to track down a CD version of The Torero Band's seminal 1968 album for longer than is decent. Not helped by me thinking it was Herb Alpert all along, when it was actually a bunch of session musicians, apparently.

Then stumbled across a couple of MP3 tracks online --- very quickly downloaded and popped into iTunes --- which left me wanting the lot. Turns out that the guy behind the website had a lovely CD-R version available for a nominal fee: I was a very content bunny when this turned up in the post, c/w colour printed front & back covers.

In no time, had the dozen or so tracks into my 'Pod --- note that other MP3 players are available --- and now Hark The Herald follows me everywhere I go.

It's that time of year, ain't it? Gigantic Santa Claus inflatables lurk menacingly outside terraced houses, racks of flashing reindeer go nowhere fast atop flat-roofed garages, and there's no Nintendogs to be had for love nor money.

You know what's been missing, apart from the Radio Times double edition? That's right, the traditional (three years in a row, natch) Christmas Quiz, lovingly compiled by yours truly.

Well, here it is for 2005.

It's another episode in the not remotely autobiographical life of Billy Diamond: your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to fill in the gaps with Beatles songs. Entry is totally free --- use the cunningly devised online form --- and you have until the end of December. Oh, and there's a £20 Amazon voucher for the first all-correct entry pulled out of the inbox.

Have fun, and tell your friends (and possibly even your family?) too.