3725 - Exhausted fume

Whew! I'm exhausted, at just half-past ten
One of the hardest days at work, ever
I didn't have lots of sleep, number one
Number two, my workload was heavier
Than before, almost ever, or never
Bureau de change at Sainsburys was still shut
So no euros as yet, I'm unsure where
Or when tomorrow morning I can get
Them, and I haven't packed bags, think I'll wait
Til the morning and get some rest, with an
Alarm set for about 8. A shower
And shave, quick packing of bag, and head out
About ten, get the currency, then train
To Liverpool with Jo, and fly from there

3724 - Tippett and toilet

I'm tired despite a good night's sleep last night
Worked really hard but still stuff wasn't done
Straight afterwards walked to Vee's flat, three flights
In the lift, coffee and nuts, chat, cat, on
To the Bridgewater Hall - Copland, Britten
And Tippett's A Child of our Time, long piece
Good, but I needed the loo after an
Unwise second pint. Vee admitted she's
Not a fan of it, was not at her ease
Struggled to stay awake, but then you might
Struggle to find a free night out that comes
With that quality. As we approached Vee's
Flat, there was Carla rehearsing her part
In a comedy show that's all women

3723 - Insure enough and yes I do

I'm very tired, but it's been a good day
Got some good work done, despite the pressure
Still got to get my euro's, but I'd say
There's still time, you can get them anywhere
Sainsburys included, the rates are fair
Got boarding passes for Cyprus printed
Took out travel insurance, got cover
Bit more relaxed now. Had some fattening food
At a burger joint, Dave Turquoise was sad
I unexpectedly turned up when they
Should have been alone, but it was Carla
Who invited me. Then we visited
Women's open mic, Ape and Apple. Stayed
For two acts, then home. That's it! I'll see ya!

3722 - Pictures of silly

A hard day's work and at lunchtime, a tense
Trip to the shops, to Boots for repellent
(For the trip to Cyprus), and got a man's
Help to print a photo fromm my phone. Went
Well, only 40p per colour print
Also popped into Santander bank branch
Asked about their new style savings account
Turned out it was a bit shit, had a hunch
It would be. Stayed quite late, but there's a crunch
Going on. too much work. In my defence
I said, before I left, that I was spent
I had too much to do. Walked home, late lunch
Or early tea, whatever, great suspense
But still to attend comedy, hell-bent

3721 - Train to London

With hardly any sleep since I got back
From Bristol, it was time to catch the train
To London for a work meeting. Leaned back
In my seat and slept, Stoke to Milton Keynes
To be honest, the meeting was in vain
A bit of a waste of time, just the same
Old stuff, explained once more. Getting boring
But a relief it's done. read 'Mutual Friend'
But no energy for routine writing
Comedy routine, I mean. Was sleeping
On the train going down, and coming back
It was so quiet, I was lucky then
The clicketty-clack of the track, soothing
Run out of time now for a joke attack :(

3720 - Bristol 3

Final day of our long Bristol weekend
A little gloomy and misty at first
Late breakfast at ten, scrambled egg, bacon
Then caught the bus to Clifton, a short burst
Of walking, then we saw the bridge that crossed
The Avon Gorge, Brunel's fine achievement
Walked back along it with Vee and Pearl, just
Enjoying the autumn sunshine that streamed
In rays from the clouds like paintings or dreams
The hills, trees, water, houses, it all span
Pictorial magic. Terrace coffee, spent
An hour chatting, then museum, not worst
In the world, cup of tea, taxi, station
Long train journey with Vee, and home at last!

Sun 23 Oct

3719 - Bristol 2

Even more so, no lie-in, up at 6
40, quick shower in my hotel room
Then a tasty breakfast, though tired. We hitched
A ride in a taxi, through Bristol vroomed
To the Wills Memorial Tower, where they groomed
Themselves, graduates of teaching degree
By donning black gowns. Long wait til the room
Was opened up, another wait til the
Elders of teachingdom processed calmly
Through the great hall, sat on the stage, throwbacks
To schooldays, but the awards maturely
Awarded, Pearl's second degree. We switched
Off and slept, back at hotel. Night out. Boom!
Pints, cigs, curry, great fun, yum yum, yum yum

Sat 22 Oct

3718 - Bristol 1

No lie-in, up at 8.15, day off
Caught train to Bristol with Vee - very full
Met Pearl at Temple Meads, she looked quite rough
Eye problems, went to A&E a spell
But they couldn't do anything for Pearl
So we left, found the hotel, out to eat
Went to Piccolino's, think it was called
These long Italian names you can forget
A nice pollo ai funghi filled the pit
Without over-filling it, no pig trough
Good to meet and chat with Pearl - been a while
Now watching TV, but bed in a bit
Alarm set for 6.40. Must nod off
Quick as I can - tomorrow will be full

Fri 21 Oct

3717 - The late late show

A good sort of day, after work, went out
Met Jo at Wilmslow, went to United
At Old Trafford to watch the football bout
Between them and Fenerbahce from dread
Turkey, but it turned out to be sorted
By the first half, 3-0 up, another
Goal soon after the break. We decided
To queue for the train back early, missed the
Goal by Van Persie near the end. Oh dear!
Back home late, reading my Dickens en route
Back to town, finding that Our Mutual Friend
Is getting more engaging, pages blur
As I drink in the master's voice, oh but
It's true, people are crazy, self-centred

3716 - Hands on my time

A fun day, spent partly in Liverpool
A trade union meeting, Liner Hotel
Near Lime Street, interesting and new, and full
Of different people with such tales to tell
Then back to Manchester, with time to kill
Talking of time, I bought a big new clock
It's on the wall, I hope it doesn't fall
If it did, it'd be a real big shock
A big bang worthy of that first great tock
Out once again, to Richard's birthday meal
Calamari and ravioli, well
It was tasty, and so was Joanne, talked
To her through the evening, her eyes to drool
Over, good convo, so it ends all well

3715 - The show must go on (without me)

Quite tired, fancy an early night, and it's
Wet and windy outside, no Old Pint Pot
For me or Carla, for out there's the pits
Of hell, a winter-like darkness a lot
Like Halloween without the fun, no hot
Bonfire to cheer the spirit as you shake
And shiver against the elements that
Conspire against good health, threaten to wake
Evil beings, fires are lit, not just to bake
But to bring cheer and keep alive. I've put
A new set together, next time I get
Opportunity and desire to make
(Or try to) fuckers laugh, in those sad fights
For attention and love, or God knows what

3714 - Amusing muso musings

A strange day, mainly good, but then people
Are strange, there's good and bad in everyone
To be continued, no doubt, wishing well
Says all you need is love, don't drop the bomb
But life's a gamble, it's all in the game
You win again, I'm born to lose, pretty
Vacant, you're a c***, it's a shame shame shame
Sick of you, I love you love don't love me
I should subject you to AC/DC
Great balls of ire, I'm a killer like Seal
You're no better man than I, Gunga Din
Monday, bloody blue Monday Monday, be
There then, not here now, hey now, no Noel
Fly off from this oasis, woe begone!

3713 - Be There Then

Despite yesterday's day out at Derby
County with Little Jo and Big Louis
Today I again went out with Josie
To see an Oasis exhibition
At Old Granada Studios down in Quay
Street. Due to its being really busy
A long queue for the album cover re-
creation of Definitely Maybe
We didn't do that. Needs a collection
Of four or more peeps, not just two like we
Were. I won't see her next weekend. I've done
My best to make the most of this here one
Next weekend I'm in Bristol, where I'll see
Big daughter Pearl's teaching grad ceremony

3712 - Driving the points home

A great day although big problems at first
Had to go back home from the car hire place
National Insurance Number? That's a first
And passport and driving licence with face
Photo (not the piece of paper) replaced
By the card. One hour fifteen minutes we
Were now, in driving towards Derby, late
Picking up Jo en route, then to Derby
In the autumn sunshine. Parked right by the
I-Pro Stadium, that was a real boost
As time was short. Just time to take our place
And the match started. 1-0 win, Derby
Beat Leeds, rode our luck, thank God we weren't cursed
By our presence. Good chats, three points - good taste!

3711 - Chatterback toad

A goodish day, work quite demanding but
A few fun chats along the way, not bad
Hot desking means we don't know where we're sat
Each day it's musical chairs for this lad
New haircut on display today, thank God
It was starting to look really messy
I could've been called Lionel. withstood
That insult like a man, so easily
Back home I exercised, ukulele
And guitared away, fingerwork's real hot
Nowadays, move from chord to chord, a tad
Like greased lightning before striking a tree
I'm settling down now, can I get to bed
Without booze (I'm on my own, in my pad)

3710 - Blond on grey

Good news from Carla, who's in Liverpool
She's forgiven me for our spat, thank God
Would've been a shame if these pals had cooled
We really should get along like we should
And usually do, real well. Had a haircut
Badly needed it was, Monday back there
For colouring (but not bleaching). Opted
For another blond attempt, and blond hair
Is apt when Dylan's won the literature
Nobel Prize, well deserved too, he's the sole
Singer candidate for that accolade
His lyrics are so intense, to be fair
Now for a happy bedtime, no more fuel
On my mental fire, just relax in bed

3709 - Off the ball

After a late night, did OK today
Considering, but meetings are easier
Than working on documents - but still they
Were looked at too! And about five, repaired
Back home, played well on uke and on guitar
Sadly, had a disagreement tonight
About comedy, it's my fault I fear
But not sure how best I can make things right
Missed a chance to perform at a good night
The Ape and Apple, others do OK
But I am not on the ball, rarely there
When the call goes out, social media blight
Just not switched on, I'm old-fashioned TJ
But must keep on, and next time try harder!

3708 - Ungrateful bastards

A quick one, it's late Tuesday evening, and
I'm quickly typing this so I can down
Some beer, then go to bed and meet the sand-
man, whoever the fuck he is. From round
Here, no, from the States, maybe, things abound
From there, don't they, they churn shit out, just like
Britain used to do, but they'd surround
Our redcoats and shoot at us til we're spiked
Gratitude for spreading our white attack
Removing the natives, it then rebounds
On us, they remove us, karma astounds
But then though we're a monarchy, they hike
Us out of there like we're not cool, but sound
The Yanks out now, they like our Queen and throne!

3707 - Zoo's out

Stayed up a little too late last night so
Consequently I'm too tired to go out
Tonight, to the Pub Zoo. We said we'd go
And do some stand-up at open mic night
But Carla's still honing her act, and I'd
Like to stay in and rest, to be honest
I wasn't sharp at work today, my mind
Dented by late night boozing, I confessed
Don't want to be like that tomorrow, pissed
Last thing at night's not clever, so won't show
At Pub Zoo tonight - could be next week's treat
On Monday evening, I could be a guest
Then. This means I can escape going there now
I mustn't overdo it! (Lazy git!)

3706 - Ye Olde Shocke

An interesting visit to Ye Old Cocke
Once in a blue moon, trouble kicks off there
And it happened tonight. Instead of rock
(Open mic stylee) the highlight was a
Weirdo on drugs throws a glass at the bar
I didn't even see it, cos I was
In the loo at the time, after a jar
Or two of beer! They sat on him because
He was still kicking off outside. The fuzz
Have got him now, he's in the cells and locked
Up, maybe, maybe not. Seen programmes where
The cops let them go home/ So populous
Are the streets of drunken fools also packed
Full of amphetamines, not worth their care

3705 - Band on the ball

Good day out with Josie after a row
Over pictures with her mum, previous night
I wasn't involved, cos I know how
Much J hates having pix taken, the sight
Of her forehead apparently's not quite
To her liking (her mum's the same!). How odd
I can't see much wrong with it! We walked straight
To Deansgate AMC cinema, got
Worried she was too young, but we weren't stopped
It was the new film on Oasis, ploughed
Through lots of old early footage. In spite
Of their later naffness their live sound rocked
Then ate at the Topkapi. No time now
To watch England v Malta, not tonight

3704 - The family that plays together

The weekend's here, hurray, and I've been out
With Vee to see a Margaret Atwood talk
Followed by a Lebanese meal - was not
Too filling, so that's good. No knife and fork
Picked up those lamb chops and bit, and that worked
Greasy fingers, caught up on family news
Looking forward to meeting Pearl soon, walk
Up to receive her graduation dues
In Bristol. Also soon it's me and Lou's
Trip to Derby v Leeds, Thinking about
Inviting Josephine, that football hawk
(I mean she watches it like one!) We'll lose
Ourselves in the Cyprus sun when school's out
Plus comedy galore - no need to mawk!

3703 - All work and some play

Great day at work, did lots, cos so few there
Also some fun chats every now and then
Afterwards, Caffe Nero and Carla
I got a free coffee and a muffin
Not the chocolate flavour, but the lemon
Got an invite to a literature show
Tomorrow night at RNCM, an
Educational end to the week, slow
Maybe - go, Margaret Atwood, go!
Vee Baxter had a ticket going spare
Asked for a comedy spot from Jason
Last night. No answer. Looks like I won't go
On his stage anytime soon. Don't despair
Though, he can't stop me growing - no-one can!

3702 - You're so normal

Still angry, like Take That, Never Forget
Everything Changes But You (you're still dull)
Or are you, rather, naff, full of regret
And bitterness, pretend you're oh so full
Of fun, but when it comes to the crunch, cruel
Which comes of course from hatred of yourself
I feel no sorrow or pity, I'm cool
You are now marked down on some lower shelf
You've chosen and you discriminate well
Intolerant, early to bed you flit
Having lowered the energy to nil
You're like my Mum (in-law), your mental health
I question, you say I'm mad, why? What's it
To you, if you're such fun? You're so ... normal.....;..;..

3701 - Telford Workshop 3, Day 2

An extremely tedious workshop, yes sir
Although well-rested, almost dozed off there
The talk was dull, my eyes struggled to stare
Instead they wanted to close, couldn't bear
The thing, but eventually it was over
I felt OK then, but the evening was
A further disappointment, oh my Lord
What's the point of wasting time with such dross
Although there were some good stories from Chris
Very poor show from Angela, yes the
Woman from my own team likes to ignore
And insult me for fun, and to excess
This time I won't forgive or forget her
Let her do what she wants to, I don't care

Tue 4 Oct

3700 - Telford Workshop 3, Day 1

A sunny day, weather's better than last
Year, for sure, sunshine makes you happier
First day of three in Shrewsbury, train fast
Took us there, attended the workshop there
In Telford - International House was the
Venue, then back by taxi, Lion Inn
Met at 7, to The Curry House, where
We'd dined previously, now dined there again
Then a beer in the Hole in the Wall, fun
Now back in my room, single bed, oh blast
This ain't good, no room, if I roll over
I'll end up on the floor, oh what a sin!
Better lie still, like mummy in a cast
Peppermint tea, diary, then sleep, please sir!

Mon 3 Oct

3699 - Not so ripping yarns

Stayed in today, I won't go to King Gong
Can't be bothered, will be out next two nights
In Shropshire, with workmates. Main thing I've done
Is reading about Peter Sutcliffe's frights
In the 60s and 70s. That's right -
He was at it earlier than widely known
Because of bungled policing, oversights
Police forces intelligence they owned
But didn't share properly, so he went on
Attacking women from behind upon
The backs of their heads on those northern nights
But some further south, even in London
This quiet man, capable of such wrong
Salutary lesson, dark human insights

3698 - Autumn taught 'em

Nice sunny day, rain forecast, but held off
Noticeably cooler though than summer
Good sleep badly needed, Carla chat, off
Caught train to Wilmslow, then to Manchester
With Jo, even read some John Lydon there
On the train, singer of Public Image
He loves music, so such a big honour
For him to have done that song in an age
When music mattered. Now it's disengaged
And run by old men for young kids. I loved
Bella Italia, tasted much better
Than Zizzi or Pizza Express. Wastage
There was none. Garlic bread all polished off
And lovely lasagne, coffee, oh yeah