2875 - Nota bene

I've had a cool relaxing day at home
Not spent a penny, ate well, and worked on
My short stories for a while, for a tome
Of child-friendly fun characters all from
The town of Oldcastle-under-Lemon
A fictional town down in Staffordshire
Found a new hardback notebook sitting in
The living-room cupboard, so that is where
I'm transferring (and redrafting) my store
Of funny stories written so far, some
Already read out loud with some aplomb
And received well, specially Chocolatey Claire
She's my fantasy girl, sweet, mixed with rum
And good enough to eat all summer long

2874 - Arguments looming

A rainy morning, got wet as I went
On foot to Piccadilly Station. Got
The train to Wilmslow, Josie giving vent
To her anger once more with Tania. Hot-
tempered she can be when I stand there out-
side the door, arguments always with Mum
Tania, who herself has a fuse that's short
I guess that's where lil Josie gets it from
Got the train to Manchester, yet again
We wandered round the Arndale, and I spent
(Reluctantly) a tenner, though I'd not
Wanted to, on more loom bands for her when
She kept nagging me for them. Brazil sent
Through on penalties. Colombia look hot.

2873 - Moving fast

Yesterday was fraught with looming deadlines
As I helped Nancy move back to Bury
First, the van wasn't brought back there on time
So was forty minutes late already
Right at the start. Sofa from Chorlton - she
Wasn't happy I was late. Drove to town
Picked up Nance, then drove to Glossop for the
Odds and ends from where she'd been renting round
By the hills. Motorway to Bury, found
Some junk for the tip in the garden, tryin'
To drive it to the tip, it couldn't be
Done, the clock said, but we did it somehow
Then got two mattresses, hi-fi, entwined
In them we got them upstairs, painfully!

2872 - Recover, recycle, relocate

Thank God a decent lie-in (no drink had
Either - gonna try to cut down on that
And on what goes with it). Been a bad lad
Have enjoyed two nights in, it's played its part
In feeling good and saving, too. Must start
Saving for my two (no, three) holidays
(Hungary, London and Greece). Chance to sort
My balcony (off work you see), old chairs
Tennis rackets, bikes, now removed, oh yes
Was gonna take 'em to the tip inside
A hired van later on, but left them at
The recycling area by these flats. Guess
That'll save time when moving Nance from bad
Rented room in Glossop to Bury flat

2871 - Stodge dodge

Only four hours' sleep, alarm 6:30
To Liverpool today, a conference
Civil Service Live at the Adelphi
I was curious to see it, this immense
Stone building, and that sight was recompense
For, at times, stodgy discussions today
Well-presented though by stalwarts with sense
Of what's required so corporately to say
Train home with Steve, then on foot made my way
From Oxford Road to Salford rapidly
In time to see Argentina's advance
Confirmed. Nigeria, they will also play
In the next round. Nic's now at Glastonbury
While I'm watching Ecuador versus France

Wed 25 June

2870 - Manic Tuesday

Frenetic afternoon, rushed from work to
Do shopping, then saw most of the England
Game, but we both decided we should view
The Italy / Uruguay conclusion
Since Suarez bit an Italian, and then
The U's scored luckily, knocked Italy
Out, another shock, like England, like Spain
(England, though, got the least points of those three)
Greece / Ivory Coast to come, write this quickly
Then guitar practice. Ain't got time to do
Comedy tonight, Bad Language must come
Also under the axe, tomorrow - see
I'm in Liverpool then, time won't allow
These two nights out, and rest is what I want

2869 - Dreaming, scheming

Another scorcher, nice day to be out
But it was Monday, was in the office
Mainly, but walked with Steve in midday heat
To a work conference inside the Palace
Hotel, Oxford Road. Saw the odd old face
Not seen for a while. After work, I met
Nancy for a bite and natter, kept pace
With her Edinburgh trip, and our attempts
To get a love life going with our pet
People, or maybe just friendships. We ate
Not at the usual curry place. Chopstix
Instead was the venue. We tried to sort
Arrangements for Thursday, van hire, and flight
From Glossop to Bury. What a business!

2868 - Beach balls

As for today, Sunday, a sunny day
I forgot my phone, was late arriving
At Josie's but we went out anyway
Headed as usual for Manchester, in
The big sandy pitch where they are showing
The World Cup matches, and some beach football
Today England's men gallantly trying
In the sand against Costa Rica, all
In vain, a 6-6 draw, but Jo enthralled
The nearest she's been to seeing guys play
Real-life football, and today she's asking
If we can see a United game. Small
Expense (not), maybe, maybe, maybe, may
Be able to watch a cup match (Carling)...

2867 - Dyeing to live

A day late - AGAIN!!! - yesterday was cool
Although it was hot. Went out and met Nic
Nice girl, beer, fags, enough to make me drool
She is someone who really makes me tick
We sat outside Dry Bar, Oldham Street chic
Then she bought some hair dye before Glasto
Where she is going to do some kiddie schtick
She's going the day after tomorrow
Then we went to Briton's Protection, so
Much fun, then to Hulme for some more, and you'll
Not be surprised to hear the clock's late tick
By the time I got home. Missed three games though
I saw the late highlights of games. It's full-
On summer now, solstice and the year's peak

About Sat 21 June 

2866 - Fun in the (Manchester!) sun

After work, met with Vee and Louis for
A funny sunny evening football fest
In Old Granada Studios, sandy floor
In front of a big screen showing the best
Games today from the World Cup, a real test
For Italy, lost to Costa Rica
A few pints and some food, so hot at first
I went home at half-time, changed to cooler
Clothing, shorts and a vest. It got cooler
Though, as shade replaced sun, and so once more
I walked quickly back home, took off that vest
And dressed appropriately to temperature
England are out, performance has been poor
Especially in midfield and in defence

Fri 20 June 

2865 - World Cup Fuck-Up

A day late - AGAIN! - it's habitual
In this World Cup furore, I forget
After a few beers, my duty to tell
The story of England's useless defeat
To plucky Uruguay, holes in the net
Of the Whites' defence, allowing Suarez
The Liverpool main man, to win his bet
Against colleagues like Gerrard and Henders-
on... I found it quite funny, quite a buzz
England's humiliation terrible
If you take it seriously. Best to get
Some laughs out of their failure, sure, because
They never had a chance, they always stall
On the big stage. I guess they always will...

About Thur 19 June, written on Fri 20 June

2864 - Yesterday once more

It's yesterday once more, the Carpenters
Sang, and that's true once more about my blog
I'm a day behind. Out last night, I was
Meant to visit Nance in Glossop, but big
Night out in town instead, Richard Swan's gig
(Edinburgh preview) at Ape and Apple
Missed all the football, home late, post-shindig
But I still stayed up to see what happened
In the Spain / Chile match, Spaniards appalled
No doubt by Spain going out early doors
I watched the game re-broadcast through a fog
Of cigarette smoke, Guinness cans and all
Now it's the build-up to England, big buzz
About the Uruguay game. Beers to glug...

About yesterday, Wed 18 June

2863 - Back home again

Tired today, two late nights, not enough sleep
At a seminar all day, some laughs but
Fighting off weariness, trying to keep
Focussed. At least I had plenty to eat
And even managed some more coconut
Meanwhile, back home (dig World Cup reference)
I'm watching two games, not all three tonight
Belgium beat Algeria's solid defence
2-1, and coming up, will Brazil trounce
Mexico, or will they falter, such deep
Pressure on them from the massed home support
I won't watch Russia / South Korea. For once
An early night's required, won't get a peep
Out of me. I should go out like a light...

2862 - I drink to forget

A day late, I'm afraid, no time to write
Yesterday, when I went out just to tell
A story upstairs at Gullivers. Quite
Full of punks at a wake, beered up, but all
Seemingly happy enough. But meanwhile
Upstairs I told my tale of bike riding
To London in '93, when I fell
Over a railway bridge quite near Kidling-
ton, Oxfordshire. After that, had a drink
Or two more with Derm, he was quite polite
This time. Jez, Roland, Conor, Mark, a tall
Girl whose name I forgot but was talking
To me for a while, helped to pass the night
Got home, forgot poem, saw end of football

About yesterday, Mon 16 June

2861 - Play to the whistle

So what happened in last night's games? you ask
Well, in order, the U's lost to Costa
Then the Whites lost to the Blues, so the task
Of England now is to beat the U's or
Probably go home disappointed once more
I missed Ivory Coast / Japan, sat and snored
On the sofa after beer and wine, score
Two-one to IC. Switzerland / Ecuador
Today, two-one to the Swiss at the door
Of the final whistle. France / Honduras
Is next. Let's hope it won't be the first poor
Or goalless game so far. Argentina
Against Bosnia is the late one to catch
before bed and the working week once more

2860 - The white and the blue

The big day has arrived, England playing
In the World Cup, and they face Italy
That will be hard, it goes without saying
English fans must prepare for nil, not three
Points, one maybe, and some ignominy
Is on the cards. Hope Rooney gets sent off
(Again) and Welbeck gets injured. Why's he
Predicted to be in the team? Kick-off
Imminent for the game before, that's of
Interest, cos it's the same group. It's between
Uruguay and Costa Rica. Should be
A win for the light blues, the U's, they'll stuff
CR, though Suarez is benched. Then starting
At eleven, whites and dark blues. Worry!

2859 - Hot shot

A hot day once again, and thank fuck it's
A Friday. Worked quite hard, and got things done
Then home in time to see more referee shit
At the World Cup. Last night, Brazil got home
Bias from the ref. They're through to next round
Already, after that. Now, Mexico
Were nearly stopped from winning. One-nil win
For them but two goals disallowed. Let's go
Now, and watch Spain / Holland. Time to follow
Two of the big teams clash, talents pitted
Against equivalents. Mind you, Holland
Looker weaker on paper than Spain. Don't know
If I'll watch Chile / Australia - that's late
I'll try to finish 'Bleak House' if I can!

2858 - Wheels in motion

It's a hot day, like up the devil's ass
It's almost midsummer, it comes round fast
But I'll not be too down as light gets less
Again, got two hols in Europe, a blast
To look forward to. Hungary and North West
Greece (and Albania). In Hungary, Miklos
Waits to welcome me, but partying first
In a youth hostel, central Budapest
That's late July, coming home in August
Good news when I got home. I'm on the list
To tell 'Tales of Whatever' Monday next
I'll get the cycling story off my chest
Whenever I recount it, they're impressed
I'm off to Vee's to watch some football next...

2857 - World Cup warm-up

The World Cup starts tomorrow, just about
To watch a Match of the Day preview prog
I hope to God they don't make England out
To have any chance at all, or I'll gag
That would be a gag, gag as in a joke
If they say that, I'm sick of their failures
I hope the stadiums are finished, they spoke
Of last-minute construction in Manaus
And elsewhere, ubiquitous protesters
Complaining about how money's dished out
On stadiums, while poverty wraps its cloak
On the poor neighbourhoods, the favelas
At the end one nation will feel real proud
And the rest depressed on their homeward slog

2856 - Forgotten verse

I totally forgot yesterday's verse
Had a good night at Salford comedy
Wasn't til late could satisfy my thirst
So ended up in Salford Arms with D
Then knocked back more when back home, deary me
Gone a bit over the top, last few days
Noticed my face looked red, quite shockingly
In the mirror at work, it's the Stellas
Which are cheap currently at Sainsburys
But I'll stop buying them now, could get worse
If I don't. Played guitar, spoke to Louis
He's been unlucky with his job offers
They keep making him wait. Tomorrow, first
World Cup match, in Brazil. Will watch at Vee's

A late posting of poem partly about yesterday, Tue 10 June

2855 - Stokeford

Hey, I was nearly late, but just in time
To get on the bill at Evidently
A monthly poetry night at the Eagle Inn
Dermot can't make it, but Nic will, maybe
She's driving here from Stoke, five towns city
To the city of Salford, where this is
It's hard to find, tucked away tidily
In a side street like nobody's business
An old historic pub though, quite a place
I'm writing this before the fun begins
Later on I might become mentally
Incapable of authorship, might freeze
At the late night laptop. Don't give a damn
Now it's all done, cue the night. I'm ready!

2854 - Loomy times

Went out to see Josie today, but no
Swimming cos not enough notice given
To me by her mum, and I don't want to
Carry swimming stuff if we're not doin'
It. This caused a scene between Josie and
Her mum, but soon after they made it up
And all was well. As usual, we went on
The train to Manchester, walked round the shops
I bought her some loom bands, which are the top
Accessory right now, it seems. Saw so
Many girls in wellies, they got the tram
To Heaton Park, a festival of pop
Popped into the book sale in St Ann's. Woah!
So hot in there! I spoke to Fat Roland!

2853 - Football is poetry

Gearing up to watch England / Honduras
With Louis, it's England's last warm-up game
Before the World Cup in Brazil. The first
Thing I saw on TV this morning came
Unexpectedly but very welcome
The highlights of Mexico '70
The first tournament I remember, as
I was only 7 then, shocked to see
That England were the holders. How could we
Be? But on the sticker album front was
Bobby Moore with the old gold cup aflame
In the Wembley sun. Weird discovery
That. Today's football film's useful because
It gave me an idea for Monday's poem

2852 - Peril on TV

It's the 70th anniversary
Of D-Day, and the hymns are being sung
While veterans all now aged around 90
Stand in the Arromanches afternoon sun
That last hymn was 'for those in peril on
The sea' - a hymn we often sang at school
Little knowing this was advance training
For a time when (maybe they thought) our rule
Would be under threat in war, and we'd all
Yet again have to board the warships, be
In 'peril' ourselves, dying protecting
Someone else's property, made to kill
Or be killed. I hope the schools of today
Don't still sing that psycho-warmongering

2851 - Rooney is a loony

Enjoying chilling at home, least I ate
Today, unlike yesterday! And I will
Probably eat more soon, be a pig tonight!
I'll eat my fill, then I'll eat still more fill
Must admit, drinking, not eating's, not brill
But I had fun last night, watching England
Fuck up as usual, Rooney unable
To do a thing, yet commentators sound
Amazed if he's criticised. He's rotund
And generally useless. But now I'm quite
Ready to eat, and it won't be pigswill
Unlike Rooney, my tummy's not too round
Even when I eat heavily - it's great!
I must go now, my hunger's getting shrill

2850 - We couldn't even beat Ecuador!

I've been watching England v Ecuador
And England couldn't beat them, oh my God
That's not surprising, seen it all before
The England team are like a batted cod
They are shit, and Rooney is the worst sod
If you can't beat Ecuador, just accept
That you are shit, that you are just no good
Let's not fall prey to the usual precept
That England have a chance, they are inept
They took the lead, but couldn't shut the door
Foster in goal, Hart's just as bad, oh God
I'd say to you that you should just accept
That England are shit, please let's not adore
Let's accept the truth that they just aren't good!

2849 - Thoughts for food

Late night last night, went to bed around three
Considering that, I felt OK today
At lunchtime got some soup from Sainsbury
Chicken and sweetcorn, wolfed it down the way
To my tum, at eating I didn't play
I'm getting hungry now, thinking of food
When I've done this, I'll cook tea right away
Even though it's now half ten. P'raps I should
Just get a snack, as it's so late. I could
Polish off soup and Ryvita, but the
Earlier soup I had makes me think, hey
That's not a good plan, no, that plan's not good
I've got other things, starvation's not me
And so in front of this screen I'll not stay

2848 - Default is all mine

I've been out again to The Castle and
I missed the Frog and Bucket, cos Nancy
And Dermot were chatting, there was no end
But that's OK, their chat made me happy
I spent a lot on beer, like frequently
It's a default mode when life deals you bad
As it does frequently, I'm sure you see
You react to it, try not to be sad
It's important to conquer it. I've had
Lots of practice, not lots of cash to spend
People think I live paradisically
They don't know, but then again it's been said
Meanwhile, nights come and go, and just like sand
On the beach, merge, and are washed by the sea

Mon 2 June

2847 - So this is what it's like to be brain dead

Feel drained today, mentally, physically
Had hoped to go to King Gong, but I'm not...
Beat The Frog tomorrow, though, me and D
Then we'll discuss ideas and start to plot
Our next comedy sketch for which we've got
A week to develop it, then perform
It at the next King's Arms night, where we're hot
When we do sketches that are not quite norm
I suppose most sketches are weird in form
And performance. Ours fit that category
As I'm in tonight, may as well take part
In Sunday Punday pun fest, write a storm
Nay, blizzard of wizard wheezes, hee hee
On Twitter, before my name there's forgot

2846 - Hot stuff at the Chilli Banana

A lovely day with Josie in Wilmslow
And Manchester, National Football Museum
Before that, the library. She had a go
At playing 'Fur Elise' again, again
Probably drove people mad and screwed their brain
Topped it off at the Chilli Banana
She had beef stir fry, and me, I had green
Thai curry, it was real tasty, oh yeah
My phone's packed up though, and I don't know why
On Monday, try to get it sorted though
When I'll be back at work, and I'll see 'em
Til then, thoughts of work are anathema
Tomorrow I'll try to write, then I'll go
To King Gong, hilarious comedy storm

Sat 31 May

2845 - Knock back the porter, you portly Stockporter

Here I am now, safely back from Stockport
Beer Festival, it was full of obese
Blokes, but some more folks as well, we're all caught
In the alcoholic net, we're all squeezed
By life into a situation. Please
Don't pretend all's well. But failure is fun
If you can have a laugh and so appease
Your ego now and then, if not often
Because beer costs quite a lot, my son
I got in free though, saved 5 quid. That's eased
My bank account, fuck you, FC Stockport!
Louise, Richard, Steve, I chinwagged with them
I'd have liked to go to the disco but
Next time maybe. Now it's time for a snooze...

Fri 30 May

2844 - Posting my Post Office post

Very tired at work after last night
Got through it, went to Post Office at lunch-
time to apply for a card that I might
Use abroad (no fee) and transfer some funds -
Well, debt, actually - from my bank account
After work, met Nancy, and yet more spent
This time on a buffet, then for a pint
Or two at The Castle. But she has went
Now, and won't be around much. A good friend
Though! I'm tryin' to get an early night
And it's not working! Stop messaging, peeps! Quite
Exhausted. bed bed bed, you are the height
Of my ambition now, and so in spite
Of everything, it is now time to quit!

Thur 29 May

2843 - What a 'performance'

It's a quarter to two at night, you know
I've been out tonight to a poetry show
It was mainly a night of highs, not lows
High-falutin' rootin' tootin' - not prose
Bad Language at The Castle, yes of course
People expressing themselves using verse
In the loose sense, some of it quite perverse
Delivered quickly by me, words let loose
Hanging there by metaphorical noose
Without too many references to news
I kept the audience sniggering in the pews
I'd like to think I gave no-one the blues
Great company, good friends, nothing to lose
And so we all walk on in our own shoes

Wed 28 May