2361 - Two pints of lager and a Nazi salute, please

I'm being naughty, eating pork crackles
But I'll cook a meal later on tonight
There may well be European football
On TV, Spurs in France - there was a fight
Last night when fascists did Nazi salutes
Then attacked a pub in Lyon where fans
(Some may have been Jewish) held football chat
And pints in their football-supporting hands
Is this really still happening in France?
It happened to Spurs fans in Rome not all
That long ago (November), so it's quite
The trend, it seems. And by coincidence
Today downstairs at the Palace Hotel
Our diversity conference was alright

2360 - To your health

There's nothing quite as satisfying as
A late night snack, such as mince and pasta
After watching The Brits, and before that
35 press-ups, proving I'm fitter
Than for several years, that's 5 more than the
Previous best of 30, so how 'bout that?
OK, so I smoked and drank straight after
I earned the right, get a life all you twats
Sorry, just trying to rhyme (quickly), that's
All, so I can go to bed. Bought a hat
Suncream and lip balm, I'm ready for the
Holiday in Morocco and Spain, what
Else? Oh yeah, some euros and some dollars
Now I'm ready to go to Africa

2359 - Cold comfort

A cold night on the town, to comedy
Just watching, but it wasn't very good
Until the last act, which was both funny
And visually memorable, not too proud
To laugh at himself, and the impressed crowd
He was a juggler by trade, juggling balls
Including heavy bowling balls, and wowed
Them with his cloth-pulling, and then shocked all
By putting it back again! Bus was full
On the way back, Nancy got on it, she
Had been to a gig nearby, where I had
Gone to many student gigs an awful
Long time ago, way back in the eighties
Showed her my new tattoo - she said it's scarred!

Tue 19 February

2358 - Song without words

Quite quiet at work today, but very warm
Went for a walk at lunchtime to find out
About Moroccan currency, which can't
Be obtained in advance. Could take some pounds
But dollars are accepted just about
Everywhere there, so I'll get some greenbacks
And some euros for Spain. This evening, got
In another great guitar session, slapped
Along to soulful jazz, and Beach Boys tracks
Minus vocals, which was the perfect storm
Of memory and technique. Tomorrow, out
Again, hopefully down to Jabez Clegg's
For a performance night, not to perform
But probably just to watch and to chill out

2357 - Manchester's got talent

Got back from an abortive open mic
At the Crescent, Salford, it's happened more
Than once before, but at least it's no hike
Into town, it's just near home, on our door-
Step, and the beer was great! Could have drunk more
But we tore ourselves away, went back home
And here I am now, like others before
Wondering if I should organise my own
Talent night, some place where people could hone
Their acts, comedy, music, anything they like
It all costs money though, people get bored
Of losing cash, getting nowhere, alone
In a world of apathy, but to stick
On a night is too tempting to ignore

2356 - Snowdrops and daffodils

Today we went a-walking everywhere
Round the roads and leafy lanes of Wilmslow
Me and Josie, but my new boots I wore
For the first full day, the ones I'm to go
A-walking the mountains of Morocco
In, are basically just trainers, and not
Really suitable for long hikes, but no
I've spent enough already, and to boot
There are still more things I still need to get
Today the weather was lovely and fair
Just right for country lanes - bit muddy though
The alpacas all running to get fed
At White Peak Farm, and sheep, oh, and beware
Of cyclists. Blue sky with sun and moonglow

2355 - Map of dreams

Hey hey it's Friday, and we're home and dry
All those workers who long for the weekend
Work's alright (apart from the work), mostly
But it's nice having some 'me-time' to spend
What to do tomorrow? It's time I found
Out what Josie wants. Meanwhile, today, I
Looked at the map of where we'll be around
That's southern Spain and Morocco, and by
The end of this month we'll both think and sigh
At the excitement we had, both on ski
And on Morocco's elevated land
It's amazing, Africa's so nearby
I should brush up my Arabic, maybe
After less than a year, it's forgotten!