3996 - Bed of poses

Broken night's sleep, but got through a long day
At work, before heading off to acting
Last class until after my holiday
In September, a trip that's now looming
Although Barcelona's first. It's starting
On Thursday. Meanwhile, tomorrow night, it's
Comedy, but don't think I'm performing
At least not for long, as there may be acts
Doing extended festival-type sets
I'm tired so about to go to bed. May
Use the time before I doze off thinking
Of some ideas. Had no time to perfect
An act this time. Acting trumped comedy
On this occasion, don't mind admitting!

3995 - Some cities

My second film in a few days - I saw
City of Ghosts, about Raqqa, Syria
And the struggle to document the war
And ISIS occupation that's been there
Since 2014, causing great despair
Back home now, no time for uke, read about
Barcelona in Catalonia
Me and Jo go there on Thursday. Checked out
My Budget Guide to Europe. Little doubt
It should be a good one. I wrote some more
Creative diary entries. Sonneteer
Right now, followed by salted fish to eat
(Before it goes off!), watching the soccer
(Women's), and then acting - I must prepare!!!

3994 - Not yet dead poets society

A second trip to Las Iguanas in
Three days, this time with Jo, we were so full
After two courses of rich food eating
Walked round the Chapel Street area of Sal-
ford, then back to the centre, Piccadill-
y, took her back to Wilmslow, then wandered
Round Wilmslow's main park in the sun until
I caught the Didsbury train and then endured
The long walk to Withington and enjoyed
A (now) rare (for me) poetry evening
To raise dough for the poet John G Hall
Whose fallen on hard times, but he was buoyed
Up by the fun event, and late chatting
Over a few pints. Great stuff. Had a ball!

3993 - What?!!

And so here we are, once again, but what
Is there to say? Nothing, I guess, apart
From this, which is, that there's nothing, not that
Nothing is anything, or that is not
Nothing, or maybe everything, a start
But basically, what I am trying to say
Is not that, but this, which is, not that part
But this part, apart from that. Anyway,
I'd like to say that this is that, but they
Would have you believe that it's that, but what
Do they know? It's equivalent to a fart
When it comes down to it, they try to play
You for a fool, but studies show that that
Is not really true, not quite in the realms of art

3992 - Rest not assured

I've scared Carla off again, my playing
Has disturbed her peace of mind, though she says
It's fine, she doesn't hear it. But finding
A time when it's OK to play's a stress
If I can only play my uke when she's
Out, or playing her own music. She's just
Popped in for something and gone out. I guess
She must have noticed I've stopped now, and must
Realise she could have stayed in, but too fast
She's deprived herself of rest with stressing
Pret's been hard on her today, trying to mess
With her Edinburgh trip for a fest
Of Fringe comedy, but she's deciding
Rightly, to go no matter what Pret does

3991 - We're all going

Wore my walking boots because of the rain
It was finished by lunchtime, and then I
Booked hostels in Bucharest, and again
Booked Chisinau and Odessa, so my
Second summer holiday's sorted. Fly,
Time, let me at these places, let me roam
First, Barcelona with Jo, then walk by
The Dracula hills with John, he goes home
And I continue to Moldova, some
Hours there, then further eastwards to Ukraine,
And Odessa, with its beach where I'll lie
If the sun shines, far from the war-torn zone
After work, saw Dunkirk with Lou, a strain
On the senses, but gripping to the eye

3990 - Electric sock

A lovely sunny afternoon, but wait!
The next few days are going to be rainy
I'll have to wear my walking boots, or fate
May treat me to wet socks all day - yucky!
Carla got chatted up again on the
Way back from Darlington in this guy's car
Also in the car, Simon Lomas, a
Veteran of the King's Arms nights, but now far
Ahead of me in gigs and acclaim, for
He's doing well, winning contests. Debate
In my mind now about stand-up and me -
Are we the same thing, or am I rather
A variety act? Music, and wit
That aims for more than vulgar comedy...

3989 - Full throttle with the bottle

Went straight to acting class, via Tesco
After work, and we were given a new
Script to learn for next week, having a go
At it, reading from the paper, with two
Different people. Meanwhile, Carla, did you
Win the Darlington stand-up final? Now
She's messaged me, so let's see... No, she knew
Only that she didn't win, but still, wow
She's doing really well. Got to allow
Some respect for the Italian girl, yo!
She's got a lift back, and that's good news, too
I'm knocking back the beer, tastes good somehow
Despite dehydration from heat, you know
Must hurry and finish before she shows!!!

3988 - We vote for Cote!

A fun day with younger daughter, Josie
The usual chat and then some, laughs and stuff
We ate at  great value Cote Brasserie
She had chicken, I had haddock, we loved
It. Even had a glass of beer, was tough
To say no to a second, but I did!
We briefly went into Affleck's but were stuffed
In our hopes to reach the top floor, stairs hid
Behind a barrier, closed on Sundays, bid
To visit that branch of Black Milk cafe
Unsuccessful, so instead we removed
To the Oldham Street Black Milk cafe. Had
A good shake, Jo had a tasty sundae
Back home, fancy a beer now, that's no bluff!!

3987 - Uke-nown pleasures

I was at home today, and first I tried
To write a comedy song 'Hands Up' and
I had a few diary entries to write
In my creative writing book and found
I was able to write 3 weeks' worth. Round
Early afternoon time, walked to Aldi
And bought some jars of curry sauce back down
From Trafford Bar to Salford. That'll be
An exciting time - pasta with curry!
Soon after, a great uke session, applied
To a 60s compilation, then wound
My uke around Unknown Pleasures (JD)
Had steak quorn pie with beans and mushrooms. Might
Have a quick shave before the dark surrounds

3986 - Transylukrainia

A good day on the whole, especially when
In the afternoon at work, I booked my
Return flight at last, and it's from Ukraine
A touch costly, but September 9th, I
Will fly from Odessa to Warsaw, fly
After changing planes to London Heathrow
So: with John, fly to Cluj, then walk the high
Hills of Transylvania, then he will go
Back home, while I'll explore Bucharest, no
Doubt in some hip hostel with girls and men
Travellers, maybe in a dorm. Then I'll try
To get to Chisinau, Moldova, oh
Yeah, then further east still into Ukraine
But extreme west, far from the battle-cry

3985 - Fish ball blues

A good day for getting things done although
Not enough sleep for two nights now, so I'm
Getting tired now, in lovely sunset glow
It's been a great summer, temperatures climb
Into the late twenties time after time
But there's also been cooling wind and rain
It's always fun guessing whether our clime
On any given day in Great Britain
Will treat us to a soaking or a tan
For tea tonight, fish balls, and they were so
Untasty, but there's some left I'll be tryin'
To eat tomorrow night, though I'm no fan
They were reduced in price and good to go
But not good to eat - what a fishin' shame!

3984 - Storm in a D cup

Not enough sleep after Leeds. Not til two
In the morning did I drop off, but out
Of bed soon after eight. Worked OK though
Despite my being almost out for the count
New to-do list created from a mound
Of separate ones, from note-filled agendas
Of various meetings that I've been around
With action points waiting to be addressed
Finding the time and energy's the test
Managed to get home and keep dry with no
Coat, but no storm has soaked the north west yet
Now very tired, but can relax and rest
An early night - may happy dreams preview
Happy realities... Will they? Some doubt...

3983 - Tattoo-filarious!

A busy day but a long night ahead
A trip to Leeds by National Express
It left 40 minutes late. Avoided
For this reason of being late, Megabus
And yet it's the same with National Express
I've been jinxed with my coach journeys to Leeds
Headed once more for Verve Bar. Arrived as
Things were beginning, as the compere greets
The (smallish) crowd, and tries to meet their needs
Tom from work was there with a new girlfriend
Both heavily tattooed - good match, I guess!
Nervous beforehand, confidence increased
Early in the set, but I neglected
Sufficient practice for complete success

3982 - It's all an act

A better day at last, and acting class
Is where it happened. I thought long and hard
About this week's acting class acting task
And it paid off, not when I delivered
The lines the first time round, but when I heard
Chris' feedback about over-acting
And showing you're listening to what was said
By the other person in the scene - zing!
The second run-through, I had Chris praising
My improvement, which acted like a Class
A drug on my well-being that's taken hard
Knocks lately, but is now recovering
Now my thoughts turn to Leeds, where I must pass
The funny test. Work mate Tom won't be bored!

3981 - Proper preparation is preparation to prosper

A sunny day but stayed in all day long
Don't care, I enjoyed it, I did rehearse
Both acting and comedy, as I'm going
To acting Monday eve, have to please Chris
And put the effort in, not take the piss
I've been upset lately over the way
I've lacked success, but how to get success
Is to work hard, if you're not so lucky
No-one wants to give anything to me
I just have to work hard on words and song
Gonna keep the uke to hand now always
Not kept in the bedroom where I can't see
Or grab any moment music comes on
It's time to act professional, I profess!

3980 - Putting me through the mill

A tiring hot day but with a downpour
On the way to Piccadilly station
Dry afterwards, walked around Manchester
With Jo, ate at Wagamama, going down
To their basement in the Printworks, and then
We had a quick look in the cinema
Nothing to see there. Walked to the Northern
Quarter, two great shakes at Black Milk. Later
After popping home and showering, I saw
A show with Vee - Cotton Panic - a raw
Depiction through music and dance, cotton
Crisis of the northern mill towns in the
19th century, US Civil War
Meaning no cotton imports. Freedom won!

3979 - Friday night Scrabble

Friday, and Helen's last day in the team
She got flowers and presents, well-deserved
I wore my thin anorak, got quite steamed
Up walking into work, thought we'd be served
Up a nice day, of which we've not been starved
And it was OK, went straight to meet N
Afterwards, ate at Ply, a pizza carved
And polished off with relish, then we went
To a bookshop-themed cafe, Chapter One
Where we played Scrabble - was this a strange dream?
N won a close game where our fortunes swerved
And she came out on top, yes N has won!
Took her to a dance show, left and walked home
My thin anorak so wet - undeserved!

3978 - From nowhere to where?

Carla's signed up for a spot in Scouseland
That's where she is, testing her material
For Darlington's stand-up competition
Next Monday. She's also in the final
Of So You Think You're Funny, which I failed
To make, so much for my variety
It seems in the stand-up scene what prevails
Is monologues at the mic - not for me
Especially if you can't sing songs or be
A clown, no, don't get too many laughs, son
Unless it's from just talking. Callow male
And wanton girls are the cliche, very
Hard to fit in, a closed shop. Have to find
An invisible scene where I'll do well

3977 - Black comedy

I nearly forgot tonight's diary blog
So I'm typing this just after midnight
I feel energised tonight, and can log
What I've managed to do, apart from slight
Achievements - eating, remembering to write
This sonnet, and complaining to Carla
That my comedy hopes were taking flight
But not in the right direction. Career?
No chance, it seems that I am still nowhere
But despite potential depressive fog
Of inactivity, inactive blight
Instead, I got a new Leeds set prepared
For Tuesday night, played good uke, then still strong
Enough to learn my acting script. All right!!

3976 - Joy discussion

Another night out after work, a meal
Followed by a film, with Vee. A good chat
At Launderette, so much so, had to reveal
To her surprise, time flies, and we should flit
Immediately to Home cinema. It
Was a one-off showing of an old film
'Joy Division' about the band. I had
Seen in it in '07 at the old film
Centre called The Cornerhouse where art films
Were shown, now moved to Home. At work, the real
Highlight for me was talking about that
Neurodiversity workshop, the realm
Of OCD, ADHD, the squeal
And jerk of Tourettes, autism. Good chat!

3975 - Fantasy world

Another good night's acting class where I
Learn a little bit more each time, I hope
At work, meanwhile, a long meeting, felt by
And by more sliding down a slippery slope
Of tedium. In days gone by I'd elope
Mentally into music reverie
Thinking through some rhythm, but not hip hop
It's an age thing, and taste, depends on me
And what I grew up liking, melody
Rather than lyrics, drum beats, bass lines, my
Drug of denial and also escape
Like when I was a kid in primary
School in maths class, elsewhere, trying to fly
Out the window, superman in his cape

3974 - Failure is my middle name!

ANOTHER sunny day - what a good year!
Went out with Jo, to the Art Gallery
Mosley Street, in the heart of Manchester
While I was waiting for her patiently
Reading Spike Milligan, Carla told me
By message, that she'd won through from her heat
And will make the Edinburgh semi-
Final of comedy which we did both compete
But I've heard nothing - seems I didn't meet
The required standard - damn - Could've been the
Relationship stuff, saying I was anti
It was sort of weak I guess, and, and yet...
My whole act was so varied, and got cheers
Is it coz I is old? (Soz, Ali G!!)

3973 - Tea for one as usual

A sunny day, popped to the office where
Yesterday I left my notes for my talk
On Tuesday, about the neurodiverse
Popped into Sainsburys, then did some work
On the talk, then wrote a song, hope it works
It's called, er, Bit By Bit (I Get Less Shit)
Had soup for lunch, cleaned the flat, made it spick
(And a bit span), played uke with some spirit
Got a bit restless, after tea, felt it
Was time to get me outside, some fresh air
And exercise, so I took a long walk
To Hulme, it's not far, but my old habit
Is not to find the best way to get there
But now I know, and found a vibrant park

3972 - Like pulling teeth

A very busy day at work til two
Then we went to Artisan restaurant
I had a huge garlic bread like a New
York pizza, then a chicken I couldn't
Finish without difficulty, then went
To the new nearby Garage bar that's on
Three floors. In total, 25 quid spent
Got fairly drunk, but then met at seven
Outside the Royal Exchange Theatre, my son
Louis, and ex-wife Vee. Went to the loo
But during the play, which was Fatherland
Had to grit teeth and clock-watch, in bad pain
But it ended well, long wee, walked with Lou
Am tired now, so an early night beckons...

3971 - The bright and the bubbly

Still digesting the things I learned this week
A lot of dots joined up, experience
Shared with others, whose lives could have been bleak
But most of them showed real resilience
And, at least at this union event
They were bright and bubbly, so much to say
Which may not always have been true. It meant
A lot to be surrounded in that way
By life's losers, now matter how smart. They
Know how biased society is, the weak
Preyed on by the strong, strong in numbers' sense
And in a power sense, abuse display
Because they can, and it suits them. They speak
Unaware of their discriminations

3970 - I don't know

An amazing revelatory day, in
Liverpool, a union meeting at which
Fucked over people met in discussion
Intelligent, talented types, the witch
Of yesteryear, they would have been drowned, pitched
Into a lake, by the patriarchy
I don't know where I'll go from here, might switch
Into activism, like some, or be
Middle ground, head down, opting for safety
If the latter, then maybe I'm within
The consensus that liars win, can't teach
A better world, but is that fantasy?
The weak can't prevail, the strong always win
So what do we do? Time will tell, eh, watch?!

3969 - Ground under

Another busy day and busy eve
Up early by my standards - at seven
Train to Scouse City for a union brief
On neurodiversity from Janine
A neurodivergent London woman
Who works on the Underground (manager
Of five Victoria Line tube staysh-ee-ons)
Back home on the express train, and learned the
Set for tonight's King's Arms show. Easier
In the end, five minutes only, relief
In terms of learning it, reduced from ten
Because of Seymour Mace's Edinburgh
Preview, an hour long, depressing stuff
But we cheered up when he left, had some fun

3968 - The acts of the old fossils

Acting class tonight was the monologue
Mine was the shortest, and I rehearsed it
In my mind on the way there, how to speak
It, but didn't think of environment
Or who I was addressing, comportment
I just forgot the who and when and why
Only when Chris the teacher luckily spent
A few minutes to open our mind's eye
Did I start to think who and when and why
That was poor preparation, a mistake
I make with comedy, work and whatsit
Maybe that's why I flunk interviews, try
As I might (but must try harder). To work
Hard goes against my nature, no bullshit

3967 - Fun for all the family

A lovely sunny day, I hired a car
From Avis, all went well, collected Jo
Then P, L and V, managed to stop near
V's New Islington flat, and then drove to
Greasby to Greave Dunning, spotted a few
Of Claire's family outside, parked, and went in
Alan was there, Martin came later, so
Let's look at the menu, chose food. Robin
And girlfriend Liz came, Edward (Robin's son)
And his girlfriend, Chloe, my Mum the star
Well, sort of, unfortunately she's so
Shy, but still enjoyed herself in the sun
The car's parked in my flat's car park, so far
So good, got to return it tomorrow

3966 - We got the love

I got wet this evening, and my ears hurt
From the heavy bass. Where then have I been?
Been to a show, Pavilion Theatre
Temporary venue, respite from the rain
In Albert Square, Manchester, heard refrains
And saw dance moves under the lights on stage
The House Gospel Choir from London, great strains
Of songs of nineties house and of garage
Me, Vee and P were grooving, dance rampage
But not too wild, thank goodness, it was part
Of the Manchester Festival, so clean
And middle class, largely, punters were aged
In some cases (me and Vee!). Had to part
Early, tomorrow must be up at nine...