2309 - Catch me if you can

I'm staying in on New Year's Eve - are you?
Currently wondering whether to get drink
While I wonder, here is a chance to do
Today's sonnet - well, the remembering
Is not so good these days, I keep missing
Them and having to write two. The film is
'Catch Me If You Can,' it's my first viewing
Though it's now ten years old and more. The year's
Ending, 2012 was mixed, it had highs
And lows like Frank in this film. Nothing's true
Like Frank's words, all words have little meaning
And yet words are beautiful, they caress
The ears and mind like waves from sea so blue
Like our own thoughts, soothing and receding

2308 - A day in the life of Pi

A busy day, got up quite late, then had
To wash some clothes and dry them before I
Went out to the hired car, leaving Salford
By the footbridge, to where it was parked by
The new flats on Ellesmere Street. Blink of eye
Took me to Josie in Wilmslow, then drove
To Manchester again where by and by
Met Pearl for lunch at a place where they gave
Me and Jo spicy sausages - I loved
Them but they were too hot for Jo. Knutsford
Is our fave place to go - Oxfam, then Ye
Old Sweet Shoppe, Waterstone's, and then time proved
Its fleeting nature, dropped both girls home. Good
Cinema trip with Louis - Life of Pi

2307 - Yesterday is gone

Yesterday's gone, a day I didn't post
Even though I was online most of it
I was wrapped up in Facebook, and the cost
To sonnetry is dear, I forgot it
Lots of exciting footy, nets being hit
Every few seconds, Norwich / Man City
Live on the radio that served to excite
Man United won, they have no pity
They seem destined to come top - how shitty
On Facebook I slagged Ferguson off most
And lots agreed, though one Red fan, nitwit
Defended him, but the nitty gritty
Of all his crimes were generally exposed
The consensus - he's a prat, and a twit

2306 - In your bass

Been home all day apart from a quick trip
With Louis to Maplins, where some advice
Proved fortuitous. A salesman made me hip
To not needing new speakers. It was nice
To simply connect mp3 device
To my laptop speakers and sub-woofer
And after a while without, got my bass
Back, so loaded more songs on, and played the
Thing for all it was worth, thrashed my guitar
Sore fingers even at the start - I kept
Playing for nearly three hours last night - wise
To practice in the holidays with more
Free time. Seen some Hitchcock flicks, they were top
Just had a Mac's milkshake - strawberry, please...

2305 - Pop and shop til you drop

Several shopping trips with Louis, spending
His Christmas money from me here and there
Before he appeared at one, been trying
To up my press-up total, but despair
Takes over when I reach twelve - no further
Can I ever seem to push, but muscles
Feel stronger than two weeks ago, so fair
Chance of reaching fifteen soon. Musicals
Like 'Fiddler On The Roof' were on, but I'll
Settle for best of the year's pop, watching
'Best of 2012' videos with Sia
Will-I-Am, David Guetta and Rizzle
Kicks' 'Mama Do The Hump.' It's fun listening
To new stuff, not just stuck in yesteryear

2304 - All presents are correct

A fun Boxing Day, started at mum's house
Her waking me up like a boy, half-eight
As I stretched and yawned, wiping out the years
After Coco Pops and a cheese omelette
Drove down the motorway and wasn't late
Collecting Jo from Wilmslow, then to Vee's
Where Pearl and Louis joined us, then drove straight
To my flat, opened presents, then the Quays
Where we dined and shopped, checked out the Lowry's
Peter Blake exhibition and a browse
Through Lowry's own pictures - not quite the Tate
But passes time nicely. Me and Louis
Are waiting to watch football and get news
Of what teams did on grass so green and wet

2303 - Facebookmas

And so, as Christmas Day comes to its end
It's been OK, I've had good food to eat
Courtesy of Mum, though she had to stand
In the kitchen, a long time on her feet
And got a bad back. Read some Frank McCourt
'Teacher Man,' watched 'Cocoon' and Emmerdale
Then a long Christmas Coronation Street
(Load of crap). Though it made my Mum exhale
I stuck to my guns, watched Swan Lake. She wailed
And went to bed, but it saved my night. Then
Watched Top Of The Pops '77, treat
Of old tunes, Deniece Williams, David Soul
Kept eye on Facebook through the day, a change
From the Christmas norm. Now the day's complete!

Tue 25 December

2302 - Eve of destruction, no, er, Christmas

It's Christmas Eve, though evening's still to come
Louis is still asleep, but not for long
The plan's to go shopping, things for my Mum
Like a photo album to bring along
When I drive to her place in the evening
I'll give Louis some spends, he needs a coat
Then he'll visit HIS mum, where Pearl's staying
On Boxing Day, with Josie, they'll come out
For a car ride to somewhere round about
Meanwhile, I'll spend Christmas day at my Mum's
This year we won't be going to Gillian
She's fed up with that boredom, won't go out
Either for a meal, so it's at her home
The two of us will stay and party on!

2301 - Ello Tosh, got a Toshiba?

Relaxing Sunday at home, well, apart
From a bit of shopping, got Mum's chocolates
Press-ups disappointing, only did eight
Four short of twelve which is my recent best
New tracks for mp3, selected lots
On this shit Toshiba laptop it took
Hours - even my old Dell would do these bits
Of audio ripping nice, simple and quick
But this Toshiba soundcard's gone to fuck
And the CD drive rejects a large part
Of my CD collection, meaning it's
Only my DVD player not too sick
To play CDs...! My music-lover's heart
Yearns for good sound, for bass that really bites

2300 - Blue moon rising

The rain continues, England is flooding
And twice today I've been out in that rain
Twice today I've had to change wet clothing
Two pairs of trousers and socks had to change
First off I collected Josephine's main
Christmas present, an Ipod, from Salford
Postal depot, then to a football game
With Louis, Man City / Reading. Were bored
Mainly as the rain fell, and City poured
Forward but wouldn't shoot, they kept passing
Like Arsenal, but failing to finally strain
The net, until the last minute. They scored
With a Gareth Barry header, keeping
Up our record of few nil-nils we've seen

2299 - Happiness is a warm pool of blood on the classroom floor

The world's still here, sorry, silly losers
The Mayan calendar's end's not the world's
And never was. Funny how there's always
Mad egotists who want all of life spoiled
Maybe next time, losers! Sorry! Meanwhile
In the United States of Armaments
After the latest shooting at high school
This time in Connecticut, more offence
And ridicule will follow the statement
Of the NRA - more guns, not less, yes
That's the answer. Doh! Think I'm going to hurl
A rifle up their fat asses. Judgement
Of the world - they're crazy motherfuckers
May their happy warm guns grow sad and cold

2298 - Taxi!!!

Another rainy night in Manchester
I had intended to collect Louis
And his luggage using a hired car
But when he arrived on the London bus
I was on foot, getting wet, cos there was
No way I knew how to drive that hybrid
Car, a perplexing Toyota Yaris
The gearstick, the clutch, it was all weird
I couldn't get it to move and was scared
That if I did I'd stall or crash. Better
To leave it in its parking bay. Taxi's
The solution to get us home, then I'd
Got to walk in the rain again to the
English Lounge for a meet-up. Walks R Us.

2297 - Quiz night

It's late, I've been out, into Manchester
TV21 bar, for a quiz night
The first one I've done in ages, I swear
And though we didn't get the answers right
And only came fourth, nonetheless I quite
Enjoyed it, cos my team won the last time
And I got some free drinks, several free pints
By cashing in their voucher, making mine
A free pint and a half of Carlsberg, fine
Danish lager it is, too. Yes, lager
Is okay sometimes. I got through alright
Without buying smokes, and writing this rhyme
Almost done, looking forward to supper
Which could be fish or eggs or toast. Good night!

Wed 19 Dec 

2296 - Start making sense

Today I had an ulcer on my tongue
It made it hard to talk at times today
Not talking sometimes makes the day last long
But means you get things done and out the way
Imagine if you couldn't talk all day
Couldn't hear, see, taste, smell or walk, senses
Well and truly fucked. Exactly, so they
Shouldn't moan over nothing, not when there's
People with more to moan about but less
Ways to make that moan. If we weren't so strong
Or wise, what would life be like? Would we stay
Or end it all? The crawling snake says yes
To life, so does the bug, won't find them hung
From a tree, but can they really enjoy?

2295 - Get your teeth into this

Can't type, I'm eating, can't hear the music
The sound of chewing dominates my head
That's better, all gone, but some salt to lick
Away from my teeth and gums, or rotted
Like when a kid and my mum's not bothered
We eat sweets when we like as long as we
Eat her boring meals. Dad's were worse, we'd dread
Veg boiled to death and piled up vertically
Sausages marooned in watery gravy
With islands of fat, frying pan relic
Running out of teeth to fill, dentist said
And as for the braces, failed miserably
To make my front teeth straight, it was a trick
But it was all National Health Service paid

2294 - Get fit for Christmas

Sleep disturbed last night by noise - ironic
As I was only congratulating
My recent long sleeps. Still, Managed to pick
Myself up and do some exercising
Though my arm muscles really need building
As demonstrated yesterday at pool
When I couldn't pull myself out, struggling...
Must do daily press-ups from now, must fill
Out my soft arms and tummy, keep the will-
Power going no matter how tired or sick
It must be every day like this writing
Wrote a Christmas poem, played guitar, all
The ironing done, went shopping, a new book
'Tis' by Frank McCourt, 'tis entertaining...

2293 - Mr Muscles (not)

Been out to Wilmslow on the train to see
My almost-ten-year-old daughter again
Swimming club's paying off for my Josie
She does a mean butterfly, did a length
Or two in well under a minute, then
She told me her fastest time at the club
Was twenty-eight seconds. I realised when
I struggled to climb out of the pool, sub-
Standard fitness levels have now crept up
On me over time, though every work day
I walk for at least forty minutes. When
I ran and cycled, I was fitter. Stopped
Those, and also exercises daily
I'll start the latter again, build my strength

2292 - After the party, the void

Yesterday calling, yesterday calling
If you are wondering why I didn't post
And lack of sonnet had you worrying
The reason was simply that I got pissed
At the work do held to celebrate Christ-
Mas, and clean forgot about my blog when
I got back home, struggled to get undressed
And flopped into bed, sleeping until ten
This last week I've slept til late quite often
Two or three times I've slept til nine, getting
To work quite close to ten. I'm quite impressed
By that, in my flat, where neighbour noise can
Disrupt sleep badly sometimes, and drinking
A sleep aid, after earplugs failed their test

2291 - Here we go round the mulberry bush

Round things include the world, maybe even
The universe, if we could see it all
The atoms that make up everything in
Huge amounts, are round, as electrons whirl
In orbit, Saturn's moons, the orbital
Ring roads around London and Manchester
They describe life and death as a circle
Wheels on the bus crush motorbike rider
While each day repeats the same old order
Night and day, day and night, you are the one
The first shall be last, the last first, spiral
Ride down the dizzying helter skelter
Or up the spiral steps to the dungeon
Life's a game of rounders - don't drop the ball!

2290 - You've got to pick a picture or two

Got next year's wall calendar already
And a copy for Josie. It looks good
But the paper's a bit thin. It was free
So what d'you expect? Also, a t-shirt
Is on its way with my name on it, would
You believe? That was free too. Next I must
Order a photo album, pick a load
Of pictorial highlights of the year past
(50% off)... December, almost
Obligatory to look back quite fondly
And to create an album where you could
In future quickly skim through, see the most
Memorable moments, pix that are funny
And to have fun wondering what to include

2289 - The goose is getting fat

Listening to Rory Gallagher's guitar
Irish Tour '74, remastered
Been Christmas shopping, you see - I walked far
This lunchtime, got some CDs as I pored
Over the racks. 'Where's Will-I-Am?' I thought
Where there's a Will, there's a Sway. Flo-Rida
I did find, however, for my daughter
But got Rory for me, Tori, Hardcore
Compilation, very cheap, diary for
Next year (bit late for this one!), cards were a
Bargain in Poundland, but though I wandered
Round and round, no swimming float found. Got a
Few small Christmas trees for the flat - they are
Placed, all to praise the coming of the Lord!

2288 - City life and death

I was looking to see what's on tonight
And foolishly found City Life website
Though connected to the Evening News, quite
A lot of duff info on there - it's shite
I found gigs on through December and right
On into next year at the Iguana
That's a bar in Chorlton that closed about
Six months ago or more. Shame, it was a
Good venue for live gigs. And another
Error, it claimed - Trof Bar, comedy night
Not so when I rang them - it would be quiet
I'd have gone all that way in vain. Sandbar
Has something happening, but it is a blight
On the name of fun, like an iron kite

2287 - Lost city

Somewhere in the north-western wilderness
Is a lost city - because City lost
To United, at home - and so the less
Said the better. My own emotional cost
Is not that high. From the Midlands I crossed
To the North West so many moons ago
Today's blue moon will be powder blue dust
City folk will soon move on, tomorrow
Turning deaf ears to the red tide of woe
Blue Monday's usual lack of cheerfulness
Made worse by red sneers, like an evil ghost
Lurking by the water-cooler. Lift, go
Faster to third floor, an unwanted guest
Is sharing the ride - it's that smug red boss

2286 - Not a united city

Sainsbury's have their own brand Czech lager
After a long day's walk with Josephine
Rather than go to the pub, I'd rather
Stay in, though I'm missing out on the scene
Said I'd go down the Black Lion, but then
I'd miss the football highlights, which I'm loath
To do. I wouldn't get back by half-ten
Mind you, the big day's Sunday - that's when both
Manchester teams play each other. They loathe
Losing that match, of course - it's a bummer
Being the butt of jokes next week. It's been
Mainly City who've won. United's sloth-
Like defence is porous these days... Yet they're
Still top, somehow (thanks to the refereeing)

2285 - In the year 2285

Let's all imagine that we are alive
Far off into the future, really far
Imagine it's 2285
Mere 273 years
Into the far, really far-off future
Far out, as well, no doubt, if we could see
What it looked like on our TV screens here
Or what it will look like, more accurately
We'll have improved our natural body
We'll all be thin, yet muscle growth will thrive
Our houses or flats will be a theatre
Where we can design our own fantasy
With us as the lead actor. So we live
Out of touch with earth, trying to reach a star

2284 - Rainy day stop-in numbers 12 & 35

Afternoon off, chance for Christmas shopping
But it's so bloody cold and wet, I can't
Walk all the way to the Quays. Was meeting
Friends there, at the Victorian market
But I was put off when I heard Janet
Wasn't going to bother. Anne Marie
Hasn't answered my 'pologetic text
She's probably got enough other worries
Her mum will be there though, she's not lonely
After I left the office, was checking
Out Manchester's central magistrate's court
A magistrate is what I'd like to be
And the first step is to start observing
What goes on in one. Tres interessant...

2283 - Hello, chicken!

This evening I didn't smoke out the flat
The fish is gone, as B.B. King once said
And chicken in batter is not so wet
The oils don't leak and burn and hurt your head
And stink the flat out, meaning that instead
Of a nice warm flat, the door has to be
Left ajar, letting in cold air, to spread
Inside and disperse the acridity
These chicken steaks were filling, too - blimey!
I ate just two. All four would make me fat!
All this talk of food, I must eat some bread
And Marmite, and yogurt immediately
Afterwards, because it's now getting late
And soon little fat me must go to bed!

2282 - Smoke gets in your eyes

My eyes hurting from oven smoke again
When I cook that fish, the juices they burn
I open the door of the hot oven
And smoke gets in my eyes - I never learn
But this is hardly a major concern
It's temporary, as was my neck pain
Heart pain, any pain, it's all the same when
You look at it and think it through your brain
To worry unduly is just insane
Money worries belong to everyone
Even the rich get stressed out - will their turn
Come? The taxman and the wife won't complain
As long as you give it away (to them)
Bad as they seem, these days will not return

2281 - Red eyes and fingers

Been playing guitar, played a groovy set
Lots of soul, and some funk, and some disco
70s and 80s classics, forget
Them not! I'm sure I'll never be a pro
But it's fun hearing the improvement though
I ran through Pet Sounds like a dose of salts
Inspired by documentaries days ago
Almost easy at home - but live it's not
Cos then you have to sing as well - it's hot
Under those lights and the crowd's harsh judgement
In public's where the fuck-ups matter. Oh,
I finished with a Traffic jam, then stopped
When the lights in my eyes finally turned red
I've used this night in well. To bed, and so...

2280 - In the Lapland of the gods

I won't go on again about the cold
It's winter after all, and not Sweden
Or even worse Finland, where I am told
They kill themselves there about of depression
Over the dark and cold far more often
Logical, cos it's worse for that than here
So cold Brits, realise your good fortune
It's not nice to be there this time of year
Unless you fly there to see Santa where
He lives, in Lapland, just south of the pole
In which case, just maybe, that could be fun
Today I hired a car, drove to Yorkshire
Holmfirth, to be precise, where cameras rolled
Last of the Summer Wine, town of old men

2279 - Never the Mark Twain shall meet

Last night watched loads of stuff on the Beach Boys
This morning slept till after nine-thirty
Finished reading Mark Twain - on my journeys
To Scandinavia I took it with me -
Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, the Mississsippi
And Mark Twain with his brand new typewriter
Costing what was then a lot of money
Now started a book I bought in Malmo
Central Station, 129 kroner
This evening went to Chorlton to watch those
New female comediennes, and luckily
Janet got on the bill, and she did her
Cat routine, and it got her lots of noise
Three beers for me, then home for the footy

2278 - Walk out to winter

It's cold, so cold, winter is finally here
Watch out for icy leaves on the pavement
If I open my door, the cold's severe
The freezing air invades, it's a torment
And going out at night, you almost can't
Yet December's the party month, the cold
Is shut out, body heat builds, no we won't
Let the cold and dark get us down, we're sold
On staying cheerful, spending, drinking, old
Fears swallowed as we approach end of year
Become bohemian before we repent
Once again, endure January's sheer
Cold, penniless, but at least light appears
Slowly with hopes of improvement

2277 - Long day's journey into comedy night

Another night out, this time comedy
At the King's Arms, Salford, for just four pounds
I enjoyed it although amazingly
I woke at six this morning and got down
To the office by 7.30, found
I got a lot done, nine and a half hours
There! My flexi-time must now be skybound
And after all this, still had witty powers
Interjecting at the show, a good buzz
Not too drunk this time, no heckling from me
Held myself in check - can't just do the rounds
Of all the venues slagging performers
The four comedians were largely okay
Nice, intimate show in old Salford town

2276 - Hard times

A long hard day at work, that's a cliche
But that is what it was, not just for me
But maybe for you, too, I have to say
Hard work can be enjoyable, can be
A way of getting through the day quickly
And so it was for me. After it, met
John for a few pints, time passed again, we
Talked of our travels, he'd been to Viet-
Nam and I'd been to Denmark and then got
The train to Sweden. Talked about work - hey
That's what people do - and on the TV
In the pub, watched Manchester United
Beat West Ham. Not often on a Wednesday
A full Premier League programme there to see

Wed 28 Nov

2275 - Papa don't need a brand new bag

Good news about my bag - I got it back
And diary, brolly, MP3 were there
I walked down Oxford Road, retrod the track
Between town and student zone that I'd shared
With other eighties students, the era
Of being a Morrissey clone, this was
Before Madchester, ruled by New Order
The wider world didn't know Stone Roses
The Hacienda was often danceless
You could see some good groups there, Killing Joke
The Fall, and others, black coat and quiffed hair
Ian McCullough, style icon, a fuss
Over Madonna's arrival. Thank fuck
I got my stuff back from that student lair

2274 - Lost intellectual property

Been out in the November rain again
I've left my bag in the pub, goddammit
In there's my diary, MP3 and then
My umbrella, which is why I'm so wet
There was an open mike night on, but that
Clashed with a poetry group I've taken part
In many times before, and so I sat
With the latter, but eventually got
A slot in the open mike night, a hot
Spot full of young people. They liked my pen
Portrait of love gone wrong, a rhythmic skit
A comedic rap of sorts, from the heart
I've texted the pub about my bag, and
Hopefully tomorrow, I'll collect it

Mon 26 Nov

2273 - Fudge splurge

The rain stopped by lunchtime, the sky turned blue
Meaning we could still go ice-skating in
Manchester, so we caught the train there. You
Should see the Christmas market stalls, they bring
In lots of shoppers. Sunday's rarely seen
So many, but caveat, you emptors
These stalls aren't cheap, it ain't no bargain scene
Just for some fudge, I shelled out ten smackers
Good fudge, though - huge blocks, exotic flavours
We also went to Wagamama, too
Full to eat by then, but not Josephine
She'd not eaten her panini - orders
Were noodles for her, coffee for yours true
On the way there and back a packed-out train

2272 - Nothing doing

Doing nothing means there's nothing doing
Doing nothing is quite luxurious
It's better than DIY or working
Or most kinds of effort done cos we must
Or because someone tells us that we must
It's calming, just chilling with the heat on
A candle on my desk, yellow flame twists
Throws shadows, glows in a way that's bygone
Elizabethan or Victorian
This was their kind of light, at night, penning
Some love letter or perhaps their business
Accounting. I've got my rugby top on
It keeps me warm but this chilly evening
I need something, someone - wish me was us

2271 - Wet wet wet wet

Worked really hard today, got some stuff done
The trick was ignoring all the emails
I had no choice really, I didn't want
To leave those two big jobs til Monday, snail-
Like, and Monday there's more noise, and you fail
To do much for the first hour or two, you
Just chat or get distracted by chat all
Around. Anyway, the long-lasting news
This week, this year it seems, are floods produced
By endless rain or sudden showers on
The plains or in the hills, where water trails
Become raging torrents down streets, those views
On the TV of brown rivers among
The quaint cottages of Devon and Wales

2270 - Creeping death and taxes

The rain seems to have stopped, but I am not
Going out as planned, texted Anne Marie
I half feel like going now, but I won't
It's a long walk to near Piccadilly
Station. There's another Piccadilly
In Stockport, where today's meeting took place
Just tax stuff, not of interest, quite funny
Though in places with banter gathering pace
These national gatherings once involved some stays
Overnight in far-flung hotels, a lot
Of drink and food consumed, but not lately
Now civil servants like us have to base
Ourselves in the office mainly, to cut
Down on expenses, save your tax money

2269 - The prawn sandwich brigade

Sunday night I had fried eggs, beans and toast
Since then I've felt great, all energetic
So if you want to know what works the most
That, and also dark chocolate, and garlic
These, much like Popeye's spinach, do the trick
That, and sleeping better, which I do now
Since my neck pain lessened. Don't even take
Painkiller or sleeping tablet - somehow
They're not needed, so I forget them. How
Nice it is to be pain-free, such a boost
Feel like a fish in a cleaned-up oil slick
Like an only calf of big-uddered cow
A postman who's delivered all his post
A porn star with the most enormous ... prawn sandwich

2268 - My heckles are rising

Sense of humour required where I am at
Especially at the stand-up comedy
Club, especially when I have spent a lot
At their bar, getting drunk, consequently
Becoming a twat. At least I have the
Excuse of being drunk - what then is theirs?
Still, comedians of that type are rarely
Well-educated and know jack. Compared
To their pearls of wisdom, I think mine fared
Pretty well. Anyway, the friends' group that
I was with seem to have enjoyed it, we
Have all said hi online, so I'm prepared
To see them again soon, in actual fact
I'll do that at the English Lounge, Thursday!

2267 - Irish joke

I felt full of energy today, and
This lasted all through the whole evening
The Frog & Bucket comedy club on
Oldham Street is still there, we were meeting
Up and it went well, I was soon drinking
A bottle of red wine, followed by pints
Of Carling lager, and I was laughing
When they were funny, but was showing signs
When they were not, lifting the card which means
'Get off!' That was fun, but the usual end
Occurred, I was too honest, was saying
Not all Irish are funny, and the scenes
Then were quite funny, the poor Mancunian
Comedians think that's racist. Try thinking...

Mon 19 Nov

2266 - Rocket to Zion

This latest violence down in Palestine
Is repetitive as history can be
It's not the first and won't be the last time
Israel and Palestinians disagree
And that would be true with two states, surely
Because 80 per cent of Muslim land
Was stolen by the Jews, but it was we
In the West who supported what they planned
Backing the Zionists at world war's end
Displaced to refugee camps, a lifetime
Of humiliation, well how would we
Feel if we were those poor Palestinians
Does Israel have a future, is it kind
Or is their land a penitentiary?

2265 - Blue car in a blue town

Hired a nice new mid-blue Ford Fiesta
From Exchange Quay to Wilmslow, took Josie
For lunch to the place that we like bester
Namely the Stockport Toby Carvery
We ate our fill, then went all ice creamy
Next stop, Chorlton Park, with some crazy rides
I pushed her and some other kids madly
Round and round, til she kicked me in the side
And hurt her shin! She hobbled back outside
The park, we drove on (getting dark) to the
Stretford Mall, had a laugh there, then some tea
(Sausage and chips in gravy) - oh well, fried
Food's OK now and then! - in Urmston. A
Nice chat at Jo's grandparents to end the day

2264 - Pillow fight

My pain is slowly easing every day
But at night-time it flares up - when I wake
My right shoulder seems like it wants to say
Get me a physio - why don't you take
This pain away, this endless trapped nerve ache
But on the NHS it's not quick, dear old nerve
And you've got a nerve, want to have your cake
And eat it too, do you, d'you think I love
This war of nerves, too nervous to remove
Myself to a private clinic, won't pay
Can't pay, no way, no matter how high stakes
Tried dispensing with pillow - unlike glove
It doesn't fit my neck - but the pain stays
So please get better faster, for God's sake!

2263 - It's dim up north

It's nice to have a night off, the first one
For nearly two weeks, though I must admit
I should be practising guitar and song
In just over a week there is a spot
As part of a new meet-up music night
I also need to research comedy
Nights, but they should preferably be right
In the heart of Manchester, right near me
Don't want to go to Oldham or Bury
And definitely not Bolton or Wigan
I need an audience that's educated
Fed up wasting my time with fat silly
People, the great unwashed of north England
There's now a physical and mental split

2262 - Swedish comedy

Oh my God, I got home in time to see
England lose to Sweden, hoped we would win
Two days ago, in Sweden, that was me
But now I'm back home here in old England
The Swedes are into our culture, but in
Stockholm and Malmo, they're cheering quietly
Myself, I did a comedy set in
The Ape & Apple, there was some hee hee
I enjoyed it, the audience were funny
I took the piss, they responded to me
My rehearsed set went down OK, and then
I went home to watch the highlights, footy
Is the perfect ending, even though we
Lost this friendly. My shoulder's still hurtin'...

2261 - UK decay

Oh God, last night back in my own bed, it
Was aching - what was? - my old shoulder strain
That's been there about two weeks. Thought it got
Better on holiday, even stopped pain-
Killers so I could drink lager, and then
I also had to carry my baggage
And sleep in strange noisy dorms. Only when
I'm back home does it bloody hurt, savage
Interruption to sleep. Get up, forage
For almost forgotten sleeping tablet
Not needed for days. 6 a.m. layin'
In the spare room, almost time for leakage
Of dawn light round the curtains. Been a bit
Better at work, but body still complains

2260 - Swedish tattoo mirage

The holiday's last day - again, Malmo
The setting, cold but sunny, walked to town
Up Amiralsgatan. STILL that tattoo
Shop's closed. Fuck 'em then. Instead, paid cash down
On a Swedish soccer shirt, walked around
And sat in Lilletorg with a coffee
Just as the rain started to pummel down
I reached Central Station, still quite early
Bought a book, grabbed my bag, platform 1B
To Kastrup Airport, Copenhagen, so
Confusing, all these Nordic countries. Borne
Over the Oresund Bridge 'cross the sea
Then easyJet to Manchester. And oh
Yes, avoided rain, coped with aches and pains

Mon 12 Nov

2259 - Malmo is blue and yellow

The final full day in Scandinavia
A drizzly morning kept me in, planning
My next comedy set. Tried my humour
On the Danes - they liked it - but no laughing
From the Swedes, there's been no chance for testing
Because they're much more reserved. Sun came out
I caught the bus downtown. First, tried finding
That tattoo shop - found it but it was shut
The sun encouraged me to walk about
Headed for the world-famous Turning Tower
Close to the sea - residential building
Sea breezes of November through my coat
Strolled through parks and cemeteries, but back here
Before dark to do cooking and writing

Sun 11 Nov

2258 - From Central Station to Central Station

Slept til 10.30, checked out late, walked to
Central Station, caught the train to Malmo
I felt warm as I sat, the sky was blue
Bus to hostel, and then before you know
I'm back in Malmo centre, and I go
Walking round the shops. It was more boring
Than Copenhagen at first, it seemed so
Uniform, with no quirky shops. Searching
The streets, I found a tattoo place. Coming
Back in a few minutes, I'd have the blue
And yellow Swedish flag on my arm, though
I didn't, cos I got lost. Soon stumbling
Across a festival of light, it's true
There are good things to see here in Malmo

Sat 10 Nov

2257 - Lager lager lager

Second day, wonderful Copenhagen
When looking through a guidebook back at home
Roskilde seemed a good destination
But chats in Downtown Hostel led to some
Changes. Louisiana (a museum
To the north) is good, so the barmaid said
And it's on the train line to an awesome
Place - Helsingor (Elsinore) where Hamlet
(Shakespeare's legendary tortured prince) was set
I caught the train there first, the rain holding
Off just long enough as I walked alone
Along the fortress edge. Sadly I met
No ghost, but across the water, Sweden
Glared back. A third evening's drinking to come

Fri 9 Nov

2256 - Danish bacon

The Danish word for bacon is bacon
I know that cos I saw it in a shop
It rained all through breakfast (had no bacon)
Began my walk round Copenhagen, drops
From clouds meanwhile threatening to make a flop
Of the big day - but hey, the sun came out
So I saw the sights. Here's some of the tops -
Nyhavn, all colourful cafes and boats
The Little Mermaid showing off her tits
The Design Museum really awakened
My interest, the old fortress with its crop
Of tall earthworks, Rosenborg Castle, got
Brit news in the library - mistaken
Walk to Christiania after dark... ('bad trip')

NB: I didn't buy or smoke any dope in Christiania

Thur 8 Nov

2255 - Probably the best lager in the world

Good evening folks from old Copenhagen
Yes, I'm in the capital of Denmark
Sitting with a beer doing my planning
In the hostel bar lounge, all kinds of talk
Around me. It's happy hour in the dark
Danish evening, and here 40 krone
Gets you two pints of Carlsberg, and that works
Out at about two quid per pint - cheap beer
By Scandinavian standards, to be sure
Found Downtown Hostel without a map, in
Time-honoured tradition, the art of talk
Asking in various bars on the way here
In watering holes the Danes are not lacking
Just look left before you cross, or you're fucked...!

2254 - Thrills, pills and bar bills

Off work, first did ironing, then to the doc's
With my sore shoulder, it's still hurting now
But she gave me a strong painkiller that's
Helped, and deep heat rub ointment that allowed
Me to practice my songs for a good hour
Or two without pain, for tonight's big show
At the 3 Minute Theatre, as the showers
Ended, it began, raising funds to go
Towards a dyspraxia self-help group. So
What did I do? Three songs, the audience clapped
I didn't win the prize - they didn't know
My stage name maybe?! Excuses! I'll go
To bed now and hopefully sleep, with lots
Of pills to help me. Denmark tomorrow!

2253 - Miracle cure

My neck felt better today - it's still sore
But it's definitely getting better
After a weekend aching to the core
I rose early, telephoned the doctor
But was connected to the wrong number
I popped in on the way to work to make
An appointment for tomorrow, and sure
Enough, that act has worked its strange magic
I'm getting better, not well but less sick
May this improvement improve much much more
Tomorrow night's charity fundraiser
Needs me to feel good and play fantastic
The next day I fly to the Danish shore
To meet a little mermaid and net her

2252 - Gonga Din

In all day, decided not to see Jo
Still afflicted by pain, trapped nerve, maybe
Didn't feel like getting train to Wilmslow
Just for lunch, as I had a date you see
In the evening, with Janet - well, to be
Honest, she's just a friend. We like to go
Together to see nights of comedy
Tonight the Comedy Store, saw gong go
At King Gong, gonging them off, see them go
Going gonging gone. The amateur show
Saw several budding joke-tellers that we
Saw last time around. Still no ho-ho-ho
Most reliable is Dave Dynamo
He's accomplished at not being funny

Sun 4 Nov

2251 - While my brain turns to mush

Spent a nice day at home, not doing much
My neck and arm's been hurting quite a lot
Got some advice on Facebook, I should touch
The sore spots with warmth, maybe go to Boots
Got sleeping pills, just taken one and hopped
In bed but had to get out again, for
I realised that I'd completely forgot
To write my daily sonnet - oh, uproar
In my brain as the pill dissolved its store
Of sleep-inducing chemicals, but mush
Was not yet induced in my thinking spot
And here I am, late-night scribe. I deplore
Neglecting my diary, so it's such
A relief I remembered. Now - good night!

Sat 3 Nov

2250 - Heady days

I feel terrible, tired from several days'
Interrupted sleep. It's tough to settle
In bed when your head can't lower or raise
Without neck pain. Don't feel like rehearsal
Or much of anything. The usual
Fatherly time on Saturday is near
That will be quite a physical struggle
To have a good time with Josie, when we're
Possibly watching fireworks in the air
Don't fancy moving my neck that much, blaze
Of colour or not. Last night, so painful
Just sitting in Rain Bar, turning to the
Friend on my left, chatting. My holiday
Follows Tuesday's show. Sick of being ill!

2249 - Evening chill

I hear the the cool sound of Zero Seven
Nice backing to sonnet-writing, I think
It doesn't invade your mind and prevent
Concentration on small tasks like writing
A sonnet, or painting a wall. Chilling
Out music for small tasks, busy people
Unwinding after a day's back-stabbing
Plotting as they lie in the bath's bubble
Possessing sufficient strategic skill
To hold the unsuspecting victim down
Until they drown in that fine frothy drink
Happy thoughts make the evening tolerable
It could be worse, time might not be my own
But I'm alone, so I'm just relaxing

2248 - We could be flying

Listening to a Scott Walker collection
Mostly his crooning stuff, such retro cool
Reminds me of the kind of cheesy song
They'd sing at Butlin's in my years of school
In old smoky nightclubs and pubs with pool
Tables and jukeboxes, some years before
I interloped there, drank more than my fill
Alcohol tightened the knotted tongue more
Not for years did that change, but now the bore
Of it all is even beer's not golden
As it first looks. Perhaps that is life's rule
There's no panacea, empty at core
Unless you fill it or are filled in some
Early ceremony. Be king or fool

2247 - Red skin blues

Since Sainsbury's had their special beer offer
And after just two sessions with beer cans
My face has been red, dried-out, flaky, queer
It's good, though, if it steers me towards an
Alternative, practice of performance
Perhaps, as the Dyspraxia gig's quite soon
And while I'm on my travels, I've a chance
To think about the Comedy Balloon
It only seems like yesterday, not June
Not July, early August we were there
Janet and I, earning clapping of hands
Somewhat reluctant audience. Our return
Will hopefully be a good one, for the
Students should be back in town, could be fans

2246 - High on High Street

I've had another bad neck day, it's hurt
But it will get better as time goes on
Woke early, went very early to work
Left early, ate tea, then walked into town
To High Street, first time in the Ruby Lounge
It was a triple bill prog gig, was quite
Determined to go, though tired, and the sound
Of modern prog was fun, it was a flight
Of fancy on the dance floor, feet were light
Aided by for or five pints, red alert
It's not often you get this going on
Spoke to Chris H, Marc Riley, an old mate
Of Chris', had a quick chat. Was a sort
Of dreamlike evening. Hope sleep follows on...

Mon 29 Oct

2245 - Painting the roadside

Had very bad neck when I woke in bed
I couldn't comfortably lie on my side
And on my back was painful, too - my head
Had to be the right angle. I was wide
Awake at various points. Was early light
Because the clocks went back - always a shame
All of a sudden, tea-time is at night
Hired a car, drove to Swettenham in the rain
'S'wet in Swettenham' I caught myself sayin'
Took Josie to the Black Swan, where we had
Fish and chips near a blazing fireside
Autumn leaves also blazed, the Cheshire plain
Lovely perhaps for the last weekend, red
And yellow and green, painting the roadside

2244 - You don't know it makes sense

They've just revealed results of a survey
Women aged thirty who give up smoking
Can live as long as those who live healthy
While those who smoke till they're forty and then
Quit only get one extra year's living
That's science, but I can't help but wonder
Where's the incentive to quit for ageing
Girls and boys? I've seen the odd old-timer
Still puffing away outside pubs, and the
Old footage of smoke-filled pubs, looks like they
Were having a great time, laughing, singing
How can that good time be replaced? A year
Or two of infirm old age can't repay
Decades of abstinence from partying

2243 - (Un)loved tenant pigeon

There's a pigeon that wants to make its perch
On my outside light, on the balcony
A few times there's been a flap and flourish
When I step out there, it flies hurriedly
Away. At first this forced me to flinch. We
Don't expect loose-bowelled avian visitors
Perching with pride on human property
Especially when those dirty winged wankers
Loosen their bowels, turn into such shitters
There's white and green stuff on my lofty porch
Hot water and detergent poured on the
Mess this morning's not shifted it, this mess
Of shit has made me wait to pounce and lurch
At the feathered fucker with cleansing spray

2242 - 3 Minute Hero, one more time

I feel rather happy tonight, work's fine
And play's not bad, got lots that's coming up
Also need to practice for nine nights' time
When Dyspraxia's Got Talent is the hop
To be at, where we'll compete to be top
Act. I'm not dyspraxic myself, but got
An invite to take part, and I am up
For it, so why not? Should be hot
At the 3 Minute Theatre, where they've got
A decent sound system. And now I find
There's going to be a regular soul / pop /
Whatever music night, a Monday slot
At the Sandbar, just what is needed! I'm
Chilling out now with alcoholic pop!

2241 - Disgusted discussion

Not done much tonight, just chores and Facebook
And hearing how Manchester City lost
In Amsterdam, the Light Blues came unstuck
No European glory, they are toast
Even more than last year, they seem non-plussed
I'm annoyed though that I've not played guitar
I should play every day to be the best
Instead I only play weekly or there-
Abouts - not good enough. Going to Rain Bar
Next week, new friends to meet, maybe with luck
It will be fun. Before that, Monday next
I'm at a prog triple bill gig - that's far
Out, man... So bored, may as well take a look
At Costa Del Street Crime. Tonight's discussed!

2240 - Portuguese stroll

Drank so much coffee today, I'm buzzing
So now I'm knocking back some beer while I
Watch Man United, currently losing
At home to Braga, Portuguese town I
Visited in 2009, why?
Because it has many fine old churches
And city walls. The sun shone from on high
Though it was October, the temperatures
Rose, as did my excitement, adventures
In the Basque Country, Portugal and Spain
Tonight, after work, played some Sparks tunes, why?
Because last night I saw them live, then Yes
(Close to the Edge). Like to choose challenging
Stuff to hone my guitar ability

2239 - Sparks are still flying

It's been an interesting day, work and play
At work I drafted a long response to
The things said by my manager, Friday
It may cause trouble, but what do you do
When they pick faults for no reason with you
I'm no longer prepared to support them
If they won't support me, that is my view
After drafting this, I popped home and then
Out again to the Ritz, my old student
Haunt, looking quite similar to the old days
How many dances and gigs this venue
Has hosted! Sparks were playing live, two men
(Brothers), pop stars from my junior school days
Looking and sounding just like they used to

2238 - Nothing but blue sky

A beautiful blue sky with golden leaves
Walked out and caught the train feeling quite good
It left Piccadilly, glass windows, roofs
Canals and stadiums all looked in the mood
From the tall railway viaduct I viewed
Stockport on the move - chimneys, buses, hills
Office blocks, even a glass pyramid
On into green Cheshire, cows in the fields
Walked through the town of Wilmslow, where my girl
Lives with her mum. (That's where I used to live.)
I was hungry and kept buying more food
Josie was not hungry though. Macclesfield
Was quiet on Sunday. Her mum Tania loves
Someone new - well, good luck to the poor sod!

2237 - Light thy fire

A different Saturday, such strange places
Nancy and me went, and such stranger sights
First, Ordsall Hall in Salford - that place is
Now refurbished, formerly black and white
Tudor-style beams replaced with brick and light
Brown unpainted beams like in Tudor days
The black and white fashion came later. Quite
An odd interactive Dickensian play
Based on Oliver Twist. Charles came to stay
There, apparently. Then, a few paces
To the tram, rode to Bury for Light Night
Where we sat in crowded Costa Coffee
Til Andrea arrived. Saw some blazes
But no fireworks. The night turned out just right

Sat 20 Oct

2236 - Band of old gold soul

Tonight I'm listening to Solid Gold Soul
Each song seems to be from the 70s
Old gold, therefore, and perfectly hand-rolled
More songs, more chart hits I've not heard in years
Osibisa, Jimmy James, The Whispers
The usual suspects, like The Foundations
And Freda Payne are on there, but others
Made me buy this at the service station
How long's it since I last heard The Moments
Sing 'Dolly My Love,' though there's also 'Girls'
On this collection, which also appears
On others quite often (it's a good 'un)
'Pillow Talk' always gets put on, that's all
Right, cos it's great too. And, well, 'There It Is'

2235 - I don't give a funk (I give two)

Listening to a great funk compilation
Hits from late 70s, early 80s
Bought at a motorway service station
It's got some tracks I haven't heard in years
Odyssey, Gap Band, Boz Scaggs, Isaac Hayes
OK, I've heard 'Shaft' a lot, but that rhymed
Unlike Gilbert O'Sullivan who plays
Elsewhere, castigating the cat that climbed
No, that was a dog - oh God. Get down, find
Your groove, not with Gilbert, move to the drum
And bass of Bootsy, hum to Fat Larry's
Band, even the Jacksons will make you wind
Your body down and around, Word Up, on
The floor, let the music play, hey DJ's

2234 - England, our England

Busy day at work, but short - I dashed home
To see the rearranged England football
Match, ate my tea, then wandered out again
To Bohemia, this half-finished place, all
Hidden beneath Castlefield's arches, walls
And bridges with trains on top, rumbling by
I met a few arty people there, cool
Evening, and just a coke with ice for me
Now I'm back and I've been having a sly
Read of bits of the Amy biog on
Amazon (written by Mitch) - it was full
Of her drug problems - why'd she have to die?
Still, she's immortal now, her kind of fame
Isn't easily won, and is fatal

2233 - A new sport - water football!

Oh dear, the rain has stopped the football match
In Warsaw between England and Poland
Luckily I've rented a film to watch
Oscar-nominated, 'The Descendants'
I could've gone out tonight - this is pants
Got beer in for nothing, I don't know why
All of a sudden I don't even want
To drink it. Staying in means staying dry
True for me and the footballers. I spy
Some guys throwing a ball on the wet grass
But it can't roll through deep puddles, it lands
Dead as a dodo. Wouldn't like to try
Passing it on that marinated pitch
The Polish match officials will get panned

2232 - The Ballad of Leicester City

I've been to a place people just don't go
It's called Leicester (and that's pronounced 'Lester')
It's near a place called Derby that you'll know
And also near Nottingham - heard of there?
Robin Hood and all that? But Leicester? Well -
I don't know what there is to say. It's fair
To say that Walkers Crisps come from there - hell
I spose they qualify as crisps, just. Smell
Them and you don't smell spuds, taste buds don't flow
Ecstatic with juice at such brittle fare
On a work trip, bought some crisps but I failed
To get a receipt. Shit. Can I claim now
For my crap lunch of crisps bought in Leicester
Or will expenses tell me, Go to Hell!?

2231 - I got around

Back from the Smoke, smokeless though it be now
I don't even get lost in Victoria
These days, multiple entrances knowhow
Multiple exits, where to go from there
Which direction leads there, and which leads here
Which way's the Palace and which way's the Thames
About the Oyster card I'm not quite clear
But on Saturday took it to extremes
To Sussex to be precise, past its terms
Of reference, boldly gone where none allowed
Hopefully there's no fine - please Oyster, spare
A stranger from the provinces where teems
Lowlife unaccustomed to your highbrow
Transport systems, underground and over

2230 - Bury buried

Good night's sleep at Matt and Jude's, Mottingham
Cold, but the sleeping bag was my saviour
After Marmite on toast, to the station
Up to London Bridge, then hopped onto the
Train to Brighton, but hopped off long before
(Three Bridges), met Louis there, then the bus
Into Crawley, then walked a mile or more
To the football ground. The match today was
Crawley 3 Bury 2, yes, very close
Sunny spells but it wasn't very warm
After, we had a meal, I had pasta
The place was run by friendly Portuguese
But no chance of making Covent Garden
For the poetry night taking place there

2229 - Manchester evening blues

This is the stuff of legend, those stories
That you can tell people for years to come
I came for a London weekend to see
My daughter, but her mum, my ex-wife's, gone
And made the front page of the papers, from
A car crash last Easter, she's a teacher
Does that make it newsworthy? That's the sum
Of a big news story up north? Daughter
Got stressed-out call from mum, and she caught the
Train north as I caught coach south, meaning she's
Not there (to quote The Zombies). Mottingham
Is where I'm staying, with good friends, so the
Weekend is saved from homelessness. Crawley's
Where I'll be, watching football with my son

2228 - Tyrannosaurus Mex

Family traumas are happening all around
Car crashes, court cases, and lots of stress
Been out late this evening trying to help out
Waiting for cabs in pouring rain, hopeless
Trying to stay dry. Been off work, but less
Done than normal with my free time - I just
Had no energy, was feeling listless
Couldn't even think up lyrics - the most
I managed was one line. On sofa, dozed
Briefly, and watched a silly film that found
Cowboys fighting dinosaurs somewhere west -
No, south - of the Rio Grande. They were toast
As the T Rex advanced but it was bound
With rope, and carted off to a zoo. Bless!

2227 - On the road, on the track, on the runway

These are the countries I've been to so far -
All parts of the UK, also Ireland
France (mainly north, but also Basque area)
Austria briefly, twice to Switzerland
Liechtenstein, Belgium, Germany, Holland
Friendly northern Portugal, much of Spain
Some Italian cities, Slovenia, and
Eastern Greece, western Turkey by both train
And bus, the USA, but tried in vain
To see the Falls over in Canada
Next month I'll add both Denmark and Sweden
Maybe Hungary next year. Hop on a plane
Enjoy the view from way up in the air
Drive through strange towns, from trains observe the land

2226 - You better believe it

Slight runny nose - wonder whose germs I've got
Hopefully my immune system will win
It's fighting ability's usually hot
Even when I've got a cold deep within
Right now I just can't seem to stop sniffin'
Meanwhile on TV Christian creationists
Are arguing against evolution
Even now, some people seem to have missed
The intellectual ark. Just let them twist
Reality into myth, lose the plot
I'd rather stay free to be enjoyin'
Life the way I want to, same as they must
Feel about their belief. Now - Oh My God -
Transporter 2 is on - more mush for brains!

2225 - Let the children play

It's made the news that Sir Jimmy Savile
(Now dead) did things the old boy shouldna done
It's alleged that he was a paedophile
Single people can always be picked on
Why aren't they married? They're weird, every one
Nevertheless, children must be kept safe
In Wales a week ago, lil April Jones
Was taken in a van. Though there's no proof
Yet that she's dead, she's been so long removed
The kidnapper's been charged with murder while
The hunt goes on. Horrible things happen
But let's not throw out baby with the bath
Water - let kids play, let them run a mile
We wouldn't need gyms if we learned to run

2224 - Playing around

Had a good play on the guitar again
Not my own songs this time, just played along
To CDs - it was good to hear the strain
Of old tunes and riffs I've known for so long
Made from my own hands that have become strong
In their practised art, ad lib repeated
Jazzy approaches, heavy bass lines slung
Beneath the more ethereal hues painted
On the upper reaches of the axe fret
Rhythms that make me move while I'm playing
Head, feet, hands and mind, they're all in motion
Music as exercise, music not read
But felt as it was felt down memory lane
Years vibrate into life like a hit gong

2223 - The foot is in the other boot

My feet are hurting, especially my heels
These new boots of mine aren't made for walking
Tis bootless to complain, methinks, but well
What shall I wear on my hols when touring
Copenhagen and Malmo? I'm spending
Again on more boots, I can see, comfy
Ones, not so stylish. For nagging, aching
Feet are bad for tourism - trying to see
The sights and climb the heights is made mighty
Awkward if you're limping and you can feel
Every step. Deichmann have boots, they're charging
Forty quid for comfy ones. Recently
However, they've not had my size on sale
Must look again soon - my hols are looming

2222 - 2 much

All the 2's, sonnet number 2 and 2
And 2 and 2, too many, I hope not
Too, toowit toowoo, to wit, I hope you
Think this is too witty and not true rot
Hope you're not too snotty, hope that that snot
Isn't clotting your nose too much, you can
Breathe easy, don't feel queasy, not a spot
Of bother bothers you, but noses ran
In your family. If you're a wise owl, scan
These lines, don't snort them, sort them out into
Rhythms and rhymes fourteen times. I forgot
What to say, what I did today, no plan
Other than playing, nothing else to do
And now once more I've filled this vacant slot

Fri 5 Oct

2221 - No worries, mate

I thought I was immune to coffee but
It turns out I'm not. Three coffees while out
Last night, and I'm awake all night. I shut
My eyes to no avail, hearing them spout
Poshly on Radio Four (trying it out)
Drifted off as morning arrived, dawning
As morning tends to do, with sun blocked out
By clouds often these days - not complaining
About that, of course - it helps that dozing
That's much needed after a sleepless night
Too tired to do much after work - I've got
Footie on telly, got my clothes drying
On radiators, slippers on my feet
And fuck all that I need to fret about

2220 - Hard to be good

Felt good today - because again I'm clean
There's nothing in the blood that shouldn't be
For the second night running I have been
Drinking non-alcoholic, just coffee
Tonight, last night, lime cordial - both yummy
Enough for me. And though walking right through
Manchester on the way home, revelry
All around, clouds of smoke and not a few
Full hostelries with barely a spare pew
Even on a wet Wednesday, this loud scene
Although it swayed me, didn't betray me
I thought, I feel good, and I'll continue
In this clean vein one more day. So I'm being
Good to myself, though it's quite hard, strangely

2219 - Wake, man

Took ages to wake up - when that happens
You know you'll spend the day with energy
I whizzed through work feeling good in my brains
And body, knowing that tonight I'd see
A prog rock gig of sorts, guitar and key-
Board delights from Giltrap and O. Wakeman
Oliver W. of course being the
Offspring of Rick. Good repartee 'tween them
Olly had long straight hair like his old man
And I sat close so I could see Gordon's
Fretwork which was fraught but relaxed - that's the
Key to mastery of your instrument
There was a small and very square audience
Though maybe, back in the sixties, trendy!

2218 - Latin and mathematics

October the eighth month - no, it's month ten
How can that be, doesn't octo mean eight
In the marvellous old tongue of Latin?
Someone somewhere ballsed up, they couldn't count
Anyway, autumn's in full russet flight
The heat is on, not outside but inside
The heating bills sadly are wont to mount
In the evening sky the sun won't abide
In open top cars we don't wanna ride
No, things are different now it's the autumn
The season of brown, heading towards white
Getting a new warm set of clothes to hide
From the cold in, like when we were children
Woollen gloves, duffle coat, white breath, fire grate

2217 - Sleepless in Salford

Europe has won the Ryder Cup - yahoo
Or is that the sound of the fans? It's late
Well after midnight, went to bed, thought Oooh!
I've not written my sonnet - I can't wait
Til tomorrow. The rule is, I must write
The damn thing before sleeping, so I'm up
Out of bed once more, though it's late at night
But I have to keep writing til I stop
Fourteen lines done, then I can get some kip
But if I'd forgotten, that's what I'd rue
At least I've now seen the golf highlights - great
To see Europe beat the States. Go, Europe!
Also had a great guitar session - two
Songs written as well. Goodnight then - goodnight!

Sun 30 September

2216 - A day at the circus

A return to nutty Knutsford, our fave
Place to go when Pearl's here, but anyway
Josie and me were circus bound - they have
A big marquee in Tatton Park - but stay!
Had they any caged animals, quoth they?
No they did not, so ner! It was right on
As you'd expect from a Dutch troupe at play
Or work, I spose. Strange work, but moving on
From home, with your chums, must be lots of fun
But you must be young, glamorous, and brave
Enough! The high wire act was good, and a
Limbo dance act, with fire, a diablo man
And of course, the clown, who was quite depraved
Who soaked a shocked family with some weird spray...

2215 - Hitch up your pants

I watched four films on the TV today
It was the Hitchcock season on Film Four
The first two weren't Hitch films, but somehow they
Evoked him. Bill Murray, comic actor
Starred in The Man Who Knew Too Little, poor
Relation of The Man Who Knew Too Much
Then, surprisingly, just after lunch (for
Which I had soup), an arty film 'bout Hitch
Called Double Take that touched on him and touched
On the Cold War era, Sputnik, the Bay
Of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, saw
Those scary events that nearly dispatched
Me while still in the womb. The Lifeboat, a
Wartime film, then Topaz (Russia / Cuba)

2214 - Cool cool water

It's gloomy and dark again - it seems like
The only good weather we had was when
The Olympics was on. Those racing bikes
Usain bolting down the track - gold again
Not surprisingly, with all this damned rain
Rivers have burst their banks, towns are deluged
York and Morpeth, Northwich, as water drains
Down from higher ground. Towns with no refuge
But sandbags stoically waiting for huge
Torrents that tonight may or may not strike
Their homes and businesses. People swept in
The raging waters, found lying in sludge
They'd tried to save their dog. But there's a hike
This Saturday in temperature and sun!

2213 - Chilling in

An exciting evening not doing much
Still, after last night's guitar, gotta chill
Worked hard at work, got lots done, which is such
A relief when you've got a big workpile
Things are OK now on that front - meanwhile
I'm about to relax with a book called
'God Is Not Great' - it's got great hate and bile
Directed towards him up there, the old
Man with the beard whose story we were told
As kids. There's some TV drama to watch -
A new 'Room At The Top' - a retro thrill
Maybe. Changed the bed, shaved - shower (not cold)
Still to come. Did some ironing. Is a match
On tonight, I wonder? Enjoyed my meal!

2212 - England calling

News roundup - Andrew Mitchell, the Tory
Minister, and Chief Whip, called the police
'Fucking plebs' when one of them said that he
Couldn't ride his bike through the main gate. These
Insults came the same week as two police-
Women had been killed, causing great sadness
Doesn't this just prove that ruling Tories
Are privileged and arrogant? What else?
A maths schoolteacher's eloped to France, he's
On the run with a young school pupil. He
Faces jail. On the net, he sings a nice
Little song about their romance. Distress
In the North East, floods devastating the
Poor folk up there. Nature's not always nice

2211 - Love, work and rain

Love... load of bollocks isn't it? Today
I endured a long day at work and then
Walked through the incessant rain for some play
At a writing workshop. Two drunken men
Almost ruined it, as they do, but pen
Overcame sword, and I came away with
Some drafts that might become average poems
Or comedy sketches, whatever, if
I can be bothered. Learned more about life
It's funny, thank God, there's no need to pray
Yesterday finished The God Delusion
Next it's God Is Not Great. Poor God's such strife
Convincing us he exists. Science says
Not so, but death demands our exemption

Mon 24 Sep 2012

2210 - Key to the strings of my heart

The dark nights are drawing in - wish I had
A drawing room to draw them in, but all
I've got is a tiny living room, bad
If you're a pianist, but I'm not. Haul
A baby grand up the stairs? Laughable
No, I need money, room, but I have space
Of one kind, reliably - personal
I'd hit the wrong key anyway, misplace
My fingers, even heart, which beats its pace
To a rock or dance tune. This is no fad
A guitar fits in here though, lovable
Partner, not quiet, not hard to replace
But a thing of beauty - we are solid
As a rock, we are cute, we rock and roll

2209 - We'll keep a welcome by the seaside

Another day out in Wales - Llandudno
By train - a two hour ride from Manchester
A bit crazy, didn't get there til four
But after all, there's still some good weather
Poor little Jo's not seen the sea this year
So she paddled in the freezing cold brine
Me, needless to say, I didn't bother
Then onto the pier, ending in that kind
Of penny arcade from long ago times
The change machine rattles good luck, you go
Lose money but enjoy it, but better
Than Vegas - a small loss like this is fine!
Quick meal in Barnacles, eggs, chips, you know
The deal, then late train home, good chat to her...

2208 - Hair of the clog

It's nice to have short hair again sometimes

Like in the shower when I'm washing my hair

The plughole's no longer clogged with fine lines

Of dark hair, causing a rise in water

Levels, so that my feet splash as if they were

Paddling in the sea. When I come to dry

It afterwards, ah bliss, so much quicker

But other times I miss it's length. So why

Does everyone say I look younger? I

Don't know, but they all do. Friday lunchtime

I'm typing this while no-one else is here

Sandwiches eaten, banana and tea

Still here by me. Feeling lazy. It's time

I got on with work, but really, who cares?

2207 - Who do we think we are (divine version)

Does God exist? What is God? Or a god?
There are so many, they're like a species
With many branches, some long fallen out
Of favour, landed, rotted 'neath the trees
Trodden on by insensible feet, leaves
Of yesteryear, once beautiful, living
Now rotten, defunct, dethroned, no-one sees
Them or knows they ever reigned, creating
Our ancestors but not us. We're living
Now, not then, so we don't know who's the God-
Father of our god. Get the software please
To work on the ultimate family string
Who was the prime mover of all the gods?
Surely he's the real one (or maybe she's...)

2206 - The Godzilla delusion

I'm about to watch the fiilm 'Crazy Heart'
I never was a fan of Jeff Bridges
But he's got better as he's aged. It starts
In fifteen minutes, so I'll finish this
And then grab a yogurt, maybe. Finished
'Vanity Fair' at last. I found the film
In the library - so serendipitous
And timely - so I'll watch that, overwhelmed
With coincidence. Or does this confirm
The God hypothesis? Dawkins says not
I've started 'The God Delusion' - then it's
'God Is Not Great' by Hitchens, food for worms
Now, sadly. Both books bought in London. Thoughts
Of seeing kids there again soon. God bless!

2205 - Crime and lack of punishment

Terrible news from Manchester today
Two policewomen killed by a fugitive
Who then hands himself in without delay
Having achieved notoriety with
Little or no risk to himself, he gives
Himself up to the police, expects justice
And mercy, and a cushy life, captive
Instead of a nice secluded cell, this
Man should have to face the public with his
Crimes on a big noticeboard. What they say
He should hear, each day, as they come and leave
Society's disgust fully expressed
And his shame magnified. Harsh, yes, but they
Would teach him that some things we can't forgive

2204 - Less than nothing

This sonnet's about nothing, I'm afraid
Nothing to say, want to get it done quick
I'm watching the X Factor being replayed
It's that bad, yes, and I might even check
YouTube to see clips I've missed - what the heck
It's better than getting drunk - well, it's not
But money must be saved! Will watch a flick
In a bit, Taxi Driver's a film not
To miss. Have I seen it before or not?
Not sure - probably have. Tension in spades
Most taxi drivers are nuts, psychotic
Oops, nearly sick then - burped, acid in throat
But it stayed down, yes, down is where it stayed
To have been sick then would have made me sick!

2203 - The unbearable lightness of snacks

Watched 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being'
I don't know what it means but it sounds good
In a pretentious eighties way, starring
Daniel Day-Lewis with a strange haircut
Though I probably had the same about
That time... Been hungry for most of the day
Quite fancy a snack, so I might go out
To the garage. Got lots of soup in. Say
I have that instead of crisps and choc, stay
In and save money, eat better, getting
Back to tip top shape like I know I should
The film had scenes in Geneva, the way
I remember it, enjoyed recalling
The Swiss trip last year, got the travel mood

2202 - Hair of the dog

I'm so full, because I just drank a drink
A banana-flavoured yellow milky
Very filling one, actually, eating
A load of curry and rice immediately
After that. Digesting it all quickly
So I can drink beer while the football's on
Yes, Match of the Day's starting presently
I've a feeling Man City haven't won
Man United have though - they played Wigan
Saw both sets of fans today, travelling
On the train and in pubs in Didsbury
It was nice out in the September sun
But first, I had a haircut, soon losing
That long hair I'd grown for two years or three

2201 - Salford cabaret

Home late-ish from a night out in Salford
The King's Arms, to be quite nicely precise
Janet was doing her comedy, bored
Not at all, she's a star in my tired eyes
It's always fun watching these misfit guys
And girls doing their thing, especially when
They really are misfits, so worldly wise
And yet so other-worldly, window on
That netherworld in which we all begin
And some of us don't quite escape, the mud
Of our own shortcomings, no good advice
Can clean off with words or smiles. Life's begun
Badly, and like a sprint race when you heard
The gun but didn't move quick for the prize

Fri 14 September

2200 - Got to give it up (one more time)

I'm doing well on my latest attempt
To give up fags, and cut down on the drink
I'm calculating savings, and I count
A day without either as a saving
Of seven pounds fifty, and I'm adding
Each day's saving up on the calendar
As I go - it's called incentivising
And it can help me go to rich from poor
Rich in relative terms, compared to where
My own finances were before. I went
Out of the red and into black this spring
Last time I kicked it, so now autumn's here
I'll keep on not keeping on with that shit
And soon my Swiss wallet will be bulging

2199 - No nibbles allowed

Nutty yogurt awaits, when I've done this
It's my last yogurt, and I've no chocolate
Might nip out after this to Sainsburys
Friendly local orange supermarket
Then I can buy more chocolate and yogurt
Not milk chocolate, before you moan and groan
Dark chocolate, rich in cocoa, hits the spot
I only have one row each day, don't own
A cupboard full of snacks, but might go on
To buy some nibbles tonight. No, that is
Not a good idea, definitely not
I've got some sardines, I don't need to roam
And buy shit, and be tempted to get those
Special offers, and beer, cigs and whatnot

2198 - Keep a cool head

Showery and autumnal, though still some sun

My new mp3 player's not half full

Need to practise guitar, but football's on

This evening - England versus Ukraine. Well

I may put it off one more day, to heal

My aches and pains, of course, not laziness

Seriously though, I really give it hell

When I thrash my guitar, and that's not best

For shoulders, wrists and fingers - they need rest

After a good rock, funk n soul session

I really want to get my hair cut, feel

The wind on my bonce, then I can invest

In some groovy headgear, and look different

Still need new boots too, and also a girl!!!

2197 - Tune in, turn on, pick nose

What a long day, and a busy evening
On the computer, ripping tracks from my
CDs - mainly prog rock - and then putting
Them on my new mp3 player. I
Can now hear lots of compo tracks any
Time I want. Some chat too as I did this
On the mobile and on Facebook. TV
Showed some interesting documentaries
On old folk getting drunk, getting well pissed
Then two progs about food, then I'm seeing
Police on the streets of Blackpool challenged by
Drug-taking bingers mad of eye and fist
Political satire, then examining
The bedroom and its secret history

2196 - Do mention the war

Read more Vanity Fair, then headed out
To Water Street Car Park and my hired car
It wasn't the usual Duke Street grey Fiat
It was a nice white five-door Toyota
The acceleration could be better
Anyway, we headed for the Wirral
A small northwest England peninsula
My mum lives there, Josie's grandma - we all
Went for lunch (Grandma paid!), got very full
Then to the beach at West Kirby. Despite
The grey clouds it was fun. Tried to fly our
Butterfly kite in the sea breeze. We called
On Grandma again, had tea, talked about
The war for Jo's school project - home once more

2195 - Bug a boots

Got my new mp3 player, and its
On my head and in my head, so much now
To hear when I go out and about, but
It seems my laptop can't rip anymore
And won't even play anything loud - how
Friggin' annoying is that? Still, I've done
That, and bought some new jeans today, although
Even more than that I need boots! They've worn
Out, my current ones, and the store, Deichmann
Has run out of boots my size. Idiots!
T K Maxx had very few boots too. Too
Bad. Will have to hunt round Manchester town
Perhaps try Primark, relive last year's riots
Too many people grabbing things. Ouch! Oww!

2194 - Hairbrained schemes

A fun day at work chatting with the crew
Discussing my lack of dating success
And me disclosing that I need a new
Haircut, namely completely bald, no less
A big step, that haircut is the deepest
And what about the onset of winter
Methinks I'll need to buy some caps and hats
To keep my bonce from freezing, and there's the
Trip to Denmark and Sweden, November
To worry about. Frostbite on my new
Exposed scalp's an issue, under duress
My poor cranial tissue, exposed and bare
Right, now to watch football - can England do
Better in the World Cup, these next two years?

2193 - While the leaves are still green

Red berries through the window remind me
It's six years ago now I started this
Fourteen line daily sonnet diary
Around that time I noticed those berries
And described them, early September days
Are similar no matter what the year
Outside, this red and green backdrop displays
The same phenomena always appear
Like they did as a child in Staffordshire
My bedroom window then is blind to me
And I to it, though memories resurface
Nonetheless I'm glad I moved out of there
Change is refreshing, opportunity
More frequent when you change friends and places

2192 - Serge surge

Sunny but cool's the best way to describe
The evening. Writing this, listening to
Serge's 'Goodbye Emmanuelle' - the vibe
On this compilation is clearly too....
Rude for some... I remember in the queue
For the Serge G. exhibition, Paris
A few years ago, chatting, soon to view
Serge's own old scrawled handwritten lyrics
Behind glass, that's the thing I recollect
Listening to his stuff, though he was a scribe
Of the sordid and sexy, passing through
The years, he became more and more rhythmic
'Chatterton' has a great bass line, diatribe
Against dying young, which Serge didn't do

2191 - Dull autumn skies

As the sky becomes dull, it's echoed by
The songs of Jacques Brel (in French) playing now
'Les vieux' is a scream. 'Chanson de Jacky'
Now, trying to hear the lyrics and how
They compare to the English ones. And so
We come to 'La valse a mille temps.' That's quite
A laugh, I suppose. Listen to Jacques go
Go, Jacky, go! 'Le prochain amour' light
In comparison, but back to that flight
From the sun. Belgium's favourite son. The sky
Illuminated by pale rays, sad glow
Of autumn evening, leaves that have seen slight
Summer light this year, this life, will soon die
'Feuilles mortes' indeed, and you've gone away now

2190 - Autumn leaves eventually

The usual early autumn improvement
In the weather, the post-Bank Holiday
Change for the better, now the breaks are spent
Now that we've all come back from going away
Those of us that went, that is, sad to say
I'm not one, but one went from me instead
The season for loving's here yesterday
And gone today, tomorrow by them led
Thus facing backwards, we lose half our speed
Was it always so? Yes. Then that's what's meant
For yesterday, tomorrow and today
Sleep is the only heaven where we're led
Each day the yawns herald its encroachment
Happy shadows, drawn curtains, end of day

2189 - Button it...

At home all day, comedy this evening
I didn't even wake up until ten
And soon the Belgian Grand Prix was starting
With a crash and a bang, with Hamilton
And Alonso victims, thanks to Grosjean
Button won the race in Spa as I read
More 'Vanity Fair'. Put the radio on
To hear the football. Shame Man United
Won at the death. That's two weeks they've garnered
The full three points although undeserving
You had a good go, though, brave Southampton
The Paralympics continue - that said
I've not been following them. I'm hoping
To visit the Olympic site quite soon...

2188 - Sun of York

Hello chums - it's been a nice sunny day
Caught the train to Manchester, City fans
Everywhere, QPR the team they'll play
Watched bikers in Piccadilly, then on
To Victoria Station, train to Hebden
Canalside walk, then a filling pub meal
Had gammon at the Shoulder of Mutton
Jo had haddock, we were both really full
Some drunken arguments, kids with cycles
The old and young out in the sun, at play
Green hills on all sides, lit up by the sun
Dropped Josie home as darkness fell on all
It's autumn now, heading towards the grey
And the black, but let's all hope for some fun!

Sat 1 Sep 

2187 - Manchester, Bury and Scandinavia

Hey, at work today had a real good chat
With Tony Mac, an Irishman, yes sir
That made a long day go quick, then I hit
The tram to Bury, I was on the draw
With Nancy at the Art Gallery where
An Australian gal was posing, was fun
Ten quid well spent. Glad I paid the tram fare
The inspectors boarded on the return
Journey, unexpectedly, eleven
O' clock or later! Then, back in my flat
An easyJet email, led to an air
Flight booking, November, Copenhagen
From Manchester, five days, time to visit
Denmark, and Sweden. Scandinavia!

Fri 31 Aug 2012

2186 - Space racing

The universe is almost infinite

It can't be truly infinite because

There may be other universes that

Could be infinite too, both in numbers

And size, and meanwhile the planets and stars

In our insignificant galaxy

Rush apart as we go through the light years

Thanks to that mysterious dark energy

That though invisible, beats gravity

And stretches space past the outer limits

Faster than light, if we can see far as

Thanks to Hubble we seem able to see

Though we feel separate, we're all part of it

All subject to the same natural laws

2185 - Hairem scarem

Can't decide what to do about my hair
A lot of people like it long, it seems
My locks get lots of looks when I'm out there
But after I wash it I want to scream
It gets so thick and curly, a bad dream
When I'm out of the flat and in public
I only wash it now and then, it's been
Getting greyer for years, so I now stick
Dark brown dye on, but that's not symmetric
With my chest hair that keeps getting whiter
Even the odd pubic hair's now light cream
I had short hair for ages and got sick
Of it, but my receding forehead's where
My long-haired look falls down. So - haircut time?

2184 - Thoughts on whatever

Loud music blocks my creativity
Yet I will try once more to blast on through
While listening to songs simultaneously
Type anything perhaps that comes to view
Like a writing exercise, not think too
Hard about what comes out, just let it flow
That way there might be thoughts that seem brand new
Personally I'm not a fan of all that though
Such artificial techniques they fool no-
One, aren't proof of originality
Just tools for those with dull brains who want to
Impress the gullible, so I say no
The music's nearly done, it's time for me
To close this sonnet and depart on cue

2183 - Shelter from the storm

After two days out, staying in today
Horrible weather, not as bad as thought
Read 'Vanity Fair' (W. M. Thackeray)
Still nowhere near the end, but it has caught
My interest, by Gad, by Jove! Also sought
Out my Amy Winehouse CDs and then
Mark Ronson. While cooking, managed to draft
Some quick new lyrics, then back to the pan
Will work on this new song when I am done
Writing this sonnet. Can't seem to obey
My own wishes sometimes, my will is fraught
With fear and inertia. No dates have come
Yet. Too honest, was I? In that case they
Are typical love fools I won't support

2182 - Mystery train

An unexpected second day with Jo
Her mum's recovering from an op and she
Invited me to take Jo out and so
I did, beginning with a carvery
At The Rifleman's - not a single pea!
Tasty though, but we saw Steve, ex-neighbour
And decorator. Then we walked to the
Train station, deciding as we went, where
We should go today. On the map, she saw
Sheffield, so I thought yes, that's where we'll go
I've been before, not walked round the city
Though, so we did. Sat in Millennium Square
Then walked round the corner and had a go
On the dodgems. Egg fried rice for our tea

2181 - Trip to the Pool

Hello, it's late on Saturday night now
I've been to Liverpool today with Jo
The weather forecast was dire, that we knew
Brollies at the ready, all set to go
Soon after arriving there, ate well, though
My haddock was quite small, not Jo's pizza
At The Hub. Tall helter skelter, quick go
For Jo, and a bubble on the water
Was fun, then on the Mersey ferry. The
Rain fell thinly at first, the started to
Bucket down from then on. We got wet through
But sheltered in Lime Street. To Manchester
Then on to Wilmslow. Got back home somehow
In time to see the footy, don't you know!

Sat 25 Aug

2180 - Love you, hate your dog

Wet Bank Holiday weekend coming up
Something to look forward to then, all right
Starting tonight, nothing on telly, stuck
All by myself on this damp Friday night
Last night I spent time on the dating site
Left a nice, funny unreturned message
That's OK, just wait, women, and the slight
Will be returned when one of you manage
To send me a one-liner with a large
Emoticon or exclamation mark
Or kiss, expecting that this slight effort
Is all you need to make for me to forge
A long and adoring relationship
Well I got some news for you 'babes' - it ain't

2179 - Spider's website

No luck yet on the dating front. I have
Ignored one message from America
What the fuck is the point of being in love
With someone that far away, I ask you?
It's wasted time - maybe they don't have a
Good grasp of geography? I'm English
And live in the north west, in Manchester
If you've got your rod out and want to fish
Please remember I'm in the Isles British
Stick to your own continent, big enough
And populous enough for you, I'm sure
Right now, singing about love, it's Otis
He'd have gone on dating websites full of
Women of all kinds, some less prettier

2178 - Let there be bathroom light

The electrician came to fix the light
In the bathroom that had not shone so bright
For weeks now, in fact it was dark as night
In there, except for just one small spotlight
Above the mirror. Shaving has been quite
Difficult after dark, been risking sliced
Neck and chin because of lack of clear sight
It's a frequent occurrence in daylight
So God knows this needed to be put right
I shouldn't admit this, but the man's quote
Was reduced by ten quid, no VAT
If I paid in cash, so I did - not right
Morally, but let our leaders be white
Themselves before they tell us to live right

2177 - Yesterday's man

Oops, I did it again, forgot to write
Dunno why really, was OK last night
The radio on in the background, quite quiet
With football commentary, Rams with a fight
On their hands at Bolton, and just not quite
Good enough to get a draw, though they hit
The post and deserved a penalty spot
Kick. What else was I doing? I had hit
Upon the scheme of dating - joined a site
And was looking at pictures - quite a lot
To look at. There were three I felt I might
Want to meet, so quite timidly I typed
Messages to them, the types who quite liked
Their lives now, but still felt, well, not quite right

2176 - Radio nights

I've been to work today but now two days
Off work to look forward to! Last night lay
Awake listening to the radio, cos
There was a piece on northern soul, then they
Went on to a feature on comedy
Old Americans, Groucho, George Carlin
I'd left the radio turned up quite loud - see
You don't do that when you have been drinking
Cos when you wake up, the thing is blaring
Out conversation, laughter, tunes - it was
That which woke up my mind, then long delay
In getting back to sleep, which was tiring
Me for the day ahead. So now I'll laze
On the sofa, read, hear United play

2175 - Sketch and the city

Hello, it's me again, it's Sunday night
Another night out, and I'm pissed again
Life drawing, a male nude, sketches are like
Cartoons done in three minutes are such fun
A thick pencil or charcoal and I'm done
A couple of coffees and hot chocolate
Then on the way to Odd Bar we are stunned
To hear the open mike night's off, and chat
To Nearly Dead Poets, discuss a twat
Then we go there anyway, have a bite
To eat, very tasty, chinwag, and then
I walk home and arrive in time to sit
And watch Match of the Day. Man City might
Screw up here but they just beat Southampton!

2174 - August isn't the coolest month

A hot day, shorts-wearing weather for sure
My feet ache cos I wore pumps and walked far
Went swimming with Josie and then bought her
The new season's new Man United gear
From Sports Direct, Stockport, fifty knicker
But that's cheaper than the United shop
At Old Trafford by some way. Soon it's the
First Match of the Day, in some ways the top
Time of the week, the climax til the drop
Back towards the working week. I'm quite poor
Now, it's been a high-spending month, summer
Being a time for going out, non-stop
Sightseeing, fun and mad expenditure
A time to live wildly til September

2173 - Heated park

A walk over the green bridge in Salford
Connecting it to the Manchester side
I found Cornbrook tram station to then board
The tram to Bury, the aim to alight
At Heaton Park where I met Nancy, tried
To attend a variety night nearby
But it was not on this month, so we spied
A nearby pub and caught up, she and I
Chatting about our lives, both said we'd try
To spice up our lives, cos we can't afford
To go on waiting, we both can't abide
Boredom and want more. But we don't fancy
Each other, we're just friends. There's one that I'd
Go with, and others that I've yet to find...

2172 - Hungry but happy

Hey, days off work are great, like retirement
Come early, when you're still younger and fit
Because I've still got a lot of leave left
I can take two days off a week til it
Gets too autumnal, darkness and that shit
Today I read 'The Corrections' and wrote
Some new song lyrics, continuing to hit
That road in a new direction, the road
To happiness, and we must not forget
It's the journey that counts with contentment
Not the arrival. Cliche, hit the spot!
It's a wonderful life, and you can't tempt
Me with religion, disillusionment
With life's definitely not where it's at!

2171 - Virgin on the ridiculous

They're arguing about who runs the trains
Virgin on the ridiculous, they're gone
First have won the new contract, they have gained
The dear-won confidence of government
For the West Coast mainline down to London
First promise their passengers improvements
Like more seats and some new destinations
But I think they're a bunch of fucking shunts
Watch for price increases, not those announced
Already for January, but more pain
In the pocket as First try to hold on
To making a profit, not easy since
There's a recession, inflation remains
An issue. But I'm laughing at Branson

2170 - Faithful friends

It's been fun today on my own at home
I've read 'The Corrections' and heard  music
Reflecting people who are left alone
How could I for one minute think I'm sick
When these high achievers do the same schtick
Soul Sessions, Van Morrison's Veedon Fleece
And Into the Music, MC5, pick
In hand I played for a while, a reprise
Of my own songs, indie from the 90s
Then moved on with some beer, Charles Trenet, homme
De Paris, followed by Sia, Topographic
Oceans is next, got lined up Welsh choirs
Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding to come
And by then I'll be satisfied, tock tick