3293 - Sisters of noisy

Nice day in in Wilmslow and Manchester with
Josie and (in town) with Pearl. Koffee Pot
Was our first stop. A late breakfast. It pissed
It down while in there, but with lots and lots
Of toast to munch, was occupied and watched
The heavy rain in Manchester, second
Day in a row, flowers on tarmac plots
As heavy drops land and spread all around
Momentary petals as they rebound
From impact. Then to Ziferblat we switched
For drinks and cakes galore, also somewhat
Unexpectedly, Monopoly bound
Our attention for two hours. Hug and kiss
For both sisters, time with them is well-bought

3279 - Costa del Stockport

A nice trip out to Stockport with Josie
She wanted white trainers, Nike brand, so we
Looked for them in the mall, and in JD
Sports we found some that fit, fairly quickly
And she put them on instead of her D
Ms (Doc Marten boots) - she gave them to me
To carry round. So humid, so thirsty
We went to Costa soon after McD
For more drinks. I took her back home early
Probably wise, tomorrow is her holiday
To Nerja near Malaga, with mummy
Who's recovering from a back injury
I hope they both relax, take things easy
And don't get sunburn, keep nice and shady!

3275 - From Thailand to Spain via Croatia

Nice day at work, just three of us were in
And at lunchtime I met Pearl for a meal
We went to Thaikhun, two courses, filling
And tasty, catching up with news of Pearl
She's off to Croatia soon, me as well
But I'll be there about two weeks later
We're both visiting Split, it looks a real
Nice place. This evening at home, played guitar
I'm starting to play it now like a star
Although of course it's harder when playing
Live, trying to sing at the same time, tell
Me about it. Watching Barcelona
Play Roma on Spanish television
The commentary's so quick, can't catch their spiel

3264 - Hippy barthday

Always satisfying to hire a car
And get it back safely without a prang
Especially to Chorlton, that's a place where
I always lose my bearings, and feel anx-
iety, but I did it. Special thanks
To my mother, her birthday today, God
Knows how old she is, but no tanks
Could stop her in her tracks. We had
A nice meal at Ellie's. I should have had
Cod and chips, the chorizo was a far
Cry from filling, the lemon tart seeming
Far from big enough to fill my real bad
Appetite. Big up to Jo and Vee for
Being good company, we even sang!

Sat 25 July

3251 - Pushing

I'm loving life, I'm in complete control
It may not always show, I'm a loner
I have a few friends and family, not all
Have that, especially those who live on the
Social media in substitution for
Real life, and who have little that they can
When push comes to shove, genuinely offer
Anything of value to other men
(And women.) You could argue with this plan
I like to have fun, I am not a troll
I like everyone happy, like to share
Happiness, and not deprive anyone
I was brought up that way, respect to all
Have a great life, even though it's not fair

3243 - Quays to the city

A warm day, went out in shorts and t-shirt
On the train to see Jo, had a coffee
At Tania's, her back's broken but not worse
Than it was before her brace (fits nicely)
Avoiding in Ramadan the city
Centre where possible, we caught the bus
Part way to Salford Quays, got off safely
Despite a madman on the bus, then passed
Some time in Costa, and sat on the grass
Then sat by Man U's stadium talkin' bout
Britpop and Madchester, that's what Josie
Likes now, the Gallaghers from Oasis
Blur and the Stone Roses, she knows their 'shit'
While it's all funny memories for me

3236 - Is it safe?

Been to see Josie, and her mum with her
Broken back in a brace, recovering
Or trying to, while perched on the sofa
Didn't go to Manchester, worrying
About terrorist attacks is spreading
Her mum and her were worried of the threat
Especially in Ramadan, with frightening
Reports on the news of some beheaded
Victim, or a mosque bombed, or beach of death
So went to Heaton Chapel, big dinner
(Lunch) and cheesecake, my stomach was hurting
Couldn't finish my Coke. Then to Stockport
Wandered round the shops and sat in Costa
Pleased that tonight, from drink I'm abstaining

3231 - Not enough hours in the evening

Phew - been busy this eve since I got home!
And it's not the end yet, still time to go
Not painted tonight, but exercise done
My muscles are improving, can now do
Eighty press-ups. The first time I tried to
Do them, could only do three! Muscles need
Regular usage, and my walks and few
Exercises play their part, yes indeed
Transferred a debt balance from card to card
Also phoned O2 on my mobile phone
Got new SIM-card-only contract, woo-hoo
Ten quid a month's enough. Cooked and ate food
Great guitar session, comedy part-learned
Will learn more, but must ring Tania and Jo

3230 - It'll be all-white on the night

I'm happy with my Father's Day alone
Been out plenty, Friday and Saturday
Had cards and prezzies, pictures on my phone
But felt a bit worn-out, late yesterday
So I decided I'd stay in today
Need to refresh, and also to rehearse
My comedy, which as usual, was way
Rushed, had a quick read of it while the noise
From the washing machine span round my ears
Yet more white paint on bedroom wall, it's done
Now more or less, the paint tin's near-empty
And at last the walls look white like they're s'posed
To, not so streaky and brownish. Backbone
Broken, poor Tania's in a ward today

3228 - Souper trouper

What a long day, woke just after seven
Dozed for a bit, rose seven twenty five
Well, lying in bed is close to heaven
And I drifted, listening to Beeb Five Live
Got to the office at eight twenty five
It seems like yesterday, technically, it is
Worked hard as usual, annual report jive
Queries and such, the usual thankless biz
Some laughs with Emma, who is quite a wheeze
And quite a sneeze with her hay fever. Then
Walked to the station, met Jo, caught train to arrive
In Manchester, to Vee and Pearl's flat, these
Last moments with Pearl, meal at half seven
Tampopo, Laksa soup, Walked miles. Survived.

Fri 19 June

3223 - Age of enlightenment (of the hair)

Went with Josie to Old T yet again
This time there was a fun match on
Man U Legends (old players) up against
Bayern Munich All-Stars, including one
Old great from my childhood years, the German
World Cup winner from '74, Paul
Breitner, then he had an afro, long gone
Now just thin grey hair ... how the hair does fall
Out in places, and get thinner. It's all
So inevitable, Paul. Yes, a win
For the home team, Jo's brought luck when we've gone
To watch games there, three out of three. Walk tall
United fans, though they're below the en-
emy, City, at present (they've less funds...!!)

3215 - Hexagon of life

The Champions League Final has just ended
And Barcelona did beat Juventus
As expected, yes, as I predicted
And they deserved it, they played the best stuff
The Cup's about to be dished out, Suarez
With his teeth will be smiling, no doubt. And
Today hung out with Josie Wosie, she's
In that pre-teen phase where she could offend
Her parents. Parents - hmmph! Old folks, the end
Of respectability for us. Did
The usual walk round the Arndale, purchased
Presents for Grandma Anita. Things end
But new things begin, grab them with both hands
Only one life, as they say to all us!

3197 - Rug flats

Popped round after work to see V and P
Forgot to take V's big wheel fridge magnet
From Vienna, how forgetful of me
It's so hard remembering not to forget
At their place I picked up a rug, carpet
Isn't that common in my flat, which means
I don't need a vacuum cleaner in it
As brushing's enough to keep the floor clean
But this rug means I can no more be seen
With no hoover in the flat. It might be
Let to tenants soon, if I do a flit
Down to London, prove I'm not a has-been
(That's if I ever was), but nice to be
In bed reading. How could I get upset?

3194 - Where it's at

And now today, had a good time with Jo
Not seen her for two weeks, she is the best
Her Mum's done her back in, but she will go
Back to normality after a rest
Meanwhile, I think London is the real test
If I can make it there I can make it
Anywhere, dreams maybe, but it is blessed
With movers and shakers, more than this shit-
Hole of northern-ness, where there's no real wit
A sideways job move would let me there grow
Without real poverty constraining, let's
Give it a try, get my act ready, flit
From trying to impress no marks, a flow
A trajectory leading to success...

Sat 16 May

3173 - United in Munich

Am enjoying my evening, had good day
With Josie in Arndale and Old Trafford
A bit of rain but mainly stayed away
And quite warm sunshine meant that it felt good
Strangely when we got to Old T Jo did
Not want to look round the club shop this time
So with the Jappy snappers, stood outside
Then wandered off to Lowry mall, a fine
Mocha in Costa til six, then soon flyin'
Home by tram and train. Now my holiday
Is looking even better, yes I've scored
A hit tonight, I'm meeting Minji Kim
In Munich. For timing that good I'd pray
But no need, it's gonna happen, by God!

3160 - Red letter day

A great day out with Jo at Old Trafford
Not only was it a vital derby
But she was a mascot for United
Held hands with Juan Mata, one of those she
Chose in the first place in her fantasy
Numbers were drawn from a hat in the end
She got number ten, we then thought Rooney!
She'll be at the front on TV, her hand
In hand with England's top player, the land
If not the world jealous! But hopes misled -
Instead it meant the tenth man stood in the
Excited queue of Red players, that band
Of men in the tunnel. 4-2 they scored
A great day for her, and of course for me!

3153 - Knock knock who's there? Dunno

Enjoying the evening light as it faaaaades
I see a pale yellow sun through curtain
Tomorrow builders are here, not with spades
To do three floors and leave 'em spick and span
Must remember to get up earlier than
Nine, or soon afterwards, cos by 9:30
They'll be knock-knocking. Yesterday was fun
Pearl met Jo for first time in 3 months, we
Went to Koffee Pot on Oldham Street, the
New location for a good breakfast. Plates
Of mushrooms, eggs, beans, and a real mountain
Of tasty toast. Later, King's Arms to see
Some improv comedy. While no side-aches
It was at least different. A drink or ten

3142 - Midweek drink

Good night out with Pearly on Tariff Street
First, Kosmonaut, then El Capo, and then
The Whisky Jar, although that was no treat
Five quid for a sip of whisky, I drained
It in no time, but never mind, I've been
In there and that's good, I've sampled it now
A cool part of Manchester, though nothing
Compared to London, as Pearl said, and wow
She's been to many places down there, how
Many great nights she's had, that can't be beat
By anything up here in this Northern
Powerhouse, as it's now called down below
Back home in time for a drink as the night
Draws on, as time moves on, as life moves on

Wed 25 March

3141 - Miles of smiles

Nice relaxing night in, listening to Miles
While chatting on Facebook and writing this
Must give Josie a call, she should be smiles
At getting United mascot duties
She was off school ill, so it is
Up to me to see if she's getting well
Or if she's still ill, a sickly business
So when I've done this, I'll give her a bell
She might be in the bath. More likely she'll
Be on Instagram, perusing the piles
Of pix on there, antics by some Misses
And Masters by the score. Miles' final
Track's on now, 'Sanctuary' ... it's a while
But now 'Bitches Brew' has finished, oh yes

3140 - Glory glory

Poor Josie's ill at home off school today
But good news cheered her up before too long
I got a call from Man United. They
Said she'd been selected to walk along
The Old Trafford tunnel, shyly clinging
To a United player's hand in hers
Then walking onto the pitch as roaring
Reaches a crescendo, Reds and City's
Rival fans outshouting each in chorus
It's the kind of experience kids pray
For, especially at that age. Dreams aren't wrong
She dreamed recently of meeting players
Now it's on the horizon, on Sunday
The 12th of April. Sing your football song!