4117 - Naughty or nice?

A bloody cold day, but my cardigan
The red rusty one that was bought by Pearl
Stood me in good stead, kept me nice and warm
Even when some of us went for a small
Celebration of two birthdays, in Al-
bert Square, a temporary wooden building
Both pub and café, and it kept the chill
Away. I had a hot spiced orange drink
Laced with Jägermeister - it did the trick
Although once more it wasn't that much fun
Ignored once more by Emma - oh that girl
Has done it this time. My caring's ending
Gonna ignore her when Christmas meal comes
Tonight, 'Deep Thinkers' meeting number one!!

4116 - If music be the food of dub

A long day, prone to some sporadic lows
But just about got through, staying cheerful
In spite of real, imaginary blows
Which if not a hard man, I'd be tearful
Where is that Education job result?
Looks like I won't know til my holiday
But I won't wanna look then - I might spoil
My Christmas fun with thoughts of faraway
Failure back home. This evening, an array
Of CDs retrieved from bedroom, like those
Others last night, some well-known, some less well-
Known, but the choice tracks are now tucked away
On my MP3, and I'll enjoy those
When I hear them as I walk and travel

4115 - There ain't no blues after a snooze

Woke super early, about ten to five
Lay in bed awhile, then thought, may as well
Get up and go to work. Tried to behave
During my interview feedback, the hell
Of one more failure still a tolling bell
In my head. More emails, then the Lowry
Hotel for a corporate event, a stall
For all-comers asking 'bout Policy
Got tired by four, walked home, nice and easy
Snooze on the sofa, re-energised. Have
Spent all evening ripping CD tracks, brill
To hear old faves first time in years. They'll be
On my MP3 player before I've
Gone to Belgium. Even got some Jacques Brel!!!

4114 - Beerless and Bible Black

As a reward for not buying fags and beer
On the way home from acting, I instead
Have bought a foody treat which is just sheer
Naughty enjoyment. Second time I've fed
Myself on pork scratchings this long weekend
I bought some in Stalybridge, Friday night
In the pub, and tonight, I reoffend
But it's better than smoking. It's a right
Freezing cold evening anyway. I'd quite
Like to stay warm. And Belgium's nearly here
The home of great brewing, and also med-
ieval cloth halls and the like, and the lights
Of Christmas. Hope the Arctic wind will steer
Elsewhere by then, although snow would be good...

4113 - Border folly

A day indoors, apart from recycling
Bottles and clearing out papers and files
I listened to the news, quite exciting
As Brexit causes problems in these isles
No laughing party on the murder mile
Of the land border with the Republic
I watched The Apprentice, the usual pile
Of bigheads, but in Bruges, the historic
Old tourist town in Belgium that I have picked
To see the Christmas markets in full swing
Backed by illuminations and old styles
Of Flemish architecture.Terrific
Session on the uke later this evening
Playing Cast and Oasis faves. Big smiles!

4112 - TV beer dinner

A better day, recovery mode again
Bouncing back with inner strength, aided by
Family ties, healing wounds with acceptance
Aided by a timely book, called 'Happy'
By Derren Brown, using philosophy
In a modern context. There were showers
Today (Pennies From Heaven?!!), but still we
Avoided getting soaked in Manchester
After some hesitation a picture
Was taken (by me) of Jo in between
Two members of King No-One (she's so shy!)
I'm short on money right now, so we were
Eating in McDonalds, but it was fun
Now to watch football highlights on TV!!

4111 - The scores on the doors

I don't often feel down, though acting class
Has made me see I should perhaps feel more
And so why should I not feel like this, as
I've once more failed to advance on the floor
Where I work, after so many a year?
Newcomers, with 2 years under their belt
Have got their competencies, and their score
In interview is higher. I struggled
Once more, it seems that practice doesn't hold
Its usual benefits, not in my case
Then people tell me there's an open door
And I'm halfway there, over the threshold
Then I see others promoted so fast
And crowds of others. I'm still stuck outdoors

4110 - Crass ceiling

A bad day at work and at home - too down
To even remember to do diary
In the evening. Although I sent around
My pensions presentation, now with the
Excellent funny cartoons done by me
And these were liked, and laughed at, commented
On approvingly, still the Policy
Cloud hangs over me. It has prevented
Promotion, or a reserve slot, my bid
Thwarted once more, no hope in sight to bounce
Back, in this section of HMRC
Mind you, this is just history repeated
Instead of moving out, I played the clown
And stayed where there's no opportunity

Thur 23 Nov

4109 - That's nearly all, folks!

A day both good and bad, but mainly bad
The good part? Finished my presentation
Slotted in my own cartoons. I was glad
At how it looks. It should be lots of fun
Tomorrow when I present it in Room
303 (not 101...!!) The bad part?
Two out of two failures in promotion
Interviews with my colleagues, but I thought
It would be bad news, as I didn't thwart
My usual rambling answers that I had
Been punished for so many times. There's one
More result to hope for - that's the Depart-
ment for Education. Must be prepared
For one more disappointing frustration...

4108 - What a load of rubbish

I'm bloody tired, and look how comedy went
Not very well, too low on energy
Not only that, but had a great big dent
At work, low scores again from one of the
Interviews I had for promotion. See
The difference between scores in my building
And how I do with strangers marking me
Mind you, I don't yet know what's my marking
From the DfE. Yes, I'm still waiting
For that score. If I get that job, I'm spent
With my one department, HMRC
Who I've been with all my career. Moving
Would be nice after all the harsh treatment
Over the years I've had. It's goodbyeee...

4107 - Looking for me

What a day (again)! A long office day
Got in early, and stayed late, ready to
Go to acting class. Work was more like play
At the end, I began drawing a few
Cartoons, which were great, and caught the eyes too
Of workmates working late. They didn't know
I could draw. Pictures for my slide show two
Days away, on pensions, look great, or so
I thought! Admiration in their eyes grows
And then to acting class, while on the way
I bought tea from Tesco. I had a few
Important minutes with Chris, and disclosed
The remoteness of emotion, the way
Forward, and then acted well. Skies are blue!

4106 - Rants in my pants

Today's been about recovery and rest
To be honest, looking forward to bed
And doing nothing! At least, my vain quest
To recall what I said last night that led
To a slight falling out with those two lads
Has received factual help from D, witness
To my drunken rants, now he has texted
To explain that my bad-tempered nonsense
Was about comedy, oh for goodness'
Sake! How embarrassing! I might have guessed!
But it's not a subject to be treated
Lightly, it's not the funniest of subjects
It's worse than politics to be honest
Sometimes I wanna knock it on the head...

4105 - Fiery liquid

A fun day out with Jo, then met Dermot
For a pint in town. First I got coffee
I had a headache, so took a tablet
Or two, then met D and started to get
Drunk, although I started slow, as I was
Still recovering from last night's drinking spree
But I caught up in my liquidity
And a couple of people then joined us
But after a while they seemed to get pissed
Off as I got pissed! Can't remember it
Clearly enough to say if it was me
At fault, maybe, or whether it was not
It's a bit of a blank, but that of course
Means I won't see them again, probably...

Sat 18 Nov

4104 - Verbosity exhibition

It's been another hard day's interview, all right
Relieved it's over, four interviews now
Seems like I talked too long, but is that right?
I tried to concentrate, and not allow
Waffling to take over. Exactly how
Do they judge talking to be wrong? And when
Will I reign it in? Four interviews now
And still sometimes I talk too much, see them
Struggling to cope with my verbose torrent
They know I can do the job, but the slight
Verbal diarrhoea gets in the way, somehow
Nonetheless, I did quite well in the end
So time will tell. Don't be consumed with spite
Just be determined, and focused. Then, wow!

4103 - Getting ready, Freddie

Today was intended as prepping for
Tomorrow's interview at 1:30
Got caught up in queries. Often before
This has happened, and rebounded on me
Ill-prepared for applying, or for the
Interview itself, but lately I've learned
To put myself first. After my history
Of years of hard work, and how I've been burned
By managerial neglect, I have turned
The corner. Last week's interview I scored
Well, earned promotion, but not instantly
Building on this, my script now rewritten
Tomorrow there's two jobs here on my floor
I'll need to interview impressively

4102 - Jobs on the line

Although promotion's not immediate
As hoped, I got an email of congrats
From my third and last interview, a great
Performance that I thought was my best yet
And that was in Liverpool (Direct Tax)
I'm on their reserve list, which means I passed
And just need to await a job offer
When a vacancy comes up - Manchester
Of course, not Liverpool - no daily treks
There and back on the train tracks - what despair
That commute would be! Time wasted, no fate
I wish for, crammed like sardines with nowhere
To sit, early start to avoid being late!
And I still hope for more job offers, natch!

4101 - Souper trooper

A fast-paced day at work, no time to rest
Barely had time to eat my soup for lunch
Upheaval in the Oils Team, and unrest
As one by one the whole team takes the plunge
And gets promotion. Like a leaky sponge
The team's losing its life-blood. There's just me
Left from the old gang. Almost have to pinch
Myself. And this very week it could see
Another departure - yes, me - Tony!
If I don't succeed, that'd be the worst
Feeling, but I'll keep trying. I've a hunch
I'll get there. No shortage of vacancy
At SO level. Have I passed the test?
Will I get emailed 'Congrats' for a change?

Tue 14 Nov

4100 - Apocal-oops now

Long Monday - work followed by acting class
It's a good day, stuff gets done, then I go
Uptown, to the street that is named Princess
En route buying a meal deal from Tesco
Then upstairs to the class, and try to slow
Things down, not quite the same as in real life
Keeping more still, letting deep feelings show
It's deceptively hard, you have to strive
To feel on the inside, but not to give
Too many gestures, no, act with finesse
Monologue went OK, but oh oh oh
My face, body and eyeline, all are so
Chaotic, like a madman - that's me, yes!
No wonder I fail interviews! Hello!!!!!

Mon 13 Nov

4099 - Soul rebel

A cold, windy sunny day, with autumn
Leaves a splendid gold, but they're falling fast...
I've eaten soup for lunch, and then fudge - yum!
There's no way I can make bags of fudge last!!!
I recently bought some fudge when I passed
Through Cumbria, on my last holiday
From Cartmel. Good fudge, and good beer! Got pissed
On that, on my first night in Kirkcudbright
I've been thinking, as time passes away
Retirement's not too far off. Promotion
Hopefully imminent. One thing that must
Be true, is I'll have both time and money
To travel widely, just go on the run
UK, Europe, the States... and all the rest!

4098 - Highlighters of the day

A fun day hanging with Jo, Manchester
Saw lots of street performers - King No-One
And the old reggae guy was also there
At last, Café Istanbul! Sampled some
Of its culinary delights. Some yum
Soup, and lamb, and some nice rocket lettuce
The Christmas markets, they have now begun
They were crowded, guarded by armed police
With machine guns, like Spain, just like somewhere
With real problems. And the Arndale Centre
Was so busy! Festivity has stirred
Commerciality... Well, it takes the piss
Even bought fudge from a stall - great flavour
And me and Jo bought yellow highlighters!

Sat 11 Nov

4097 - Keeping my cool in Liverpool

My best interview so far? I think so
For Direct Tax, at the grade of SO
Imperial Court, Liverpool, had to go
A nice and easy time, 11, though
Yesterday's 11-hour day proved so
Beneficial, I felt that I cruised through
The interview. Three strangers I don't know
Two of them quite severe-looking, although
I won them round, I hope. Got one more go
At promotion, a week on, as I grow
In my technique I have a good chance to
Get SO at Ralli Quays, where I now
Work in Excise Policy - but there's no
Denying a change would be nice to do

Fri 10 Nov

4096 - Talkin' bout a revolution

I forgot Thursday's sonnet. Too tired
And preoccupied with the interview
On Friday. I remember that I tried
Only to watch some TV, and to view
Lucy Worsley's third Romanov review
Alexanders 2 and 3, Nicholas
1 and 2, revolutions 1 and 2
1905, and '17, of course
I forgot my diary with all of this
And with the pressure, and my brain was tired
With 11 hours of prep. So would you
Be tired and forgetful with all that stress
(It paid off, I think. On Friday I did
Very well, best yet in an interview!)

Thur 9 Nov

4095 - Talk Talk

Morning interview - usual fault displayed
Of waffling too much. How do I stop it?
Still, despite this, I think I did OK
But not totally sure that I've got it
I do know, though, that I'm learning that I
Must be succinct, cut down on the bullshit
Or I'll keep failing! I've got one more try
In Liverpool on Friday, and so why
Should I make that mistake again. No way!
I must be short and sharp, and get the bit
Between my teeth, and just take a minute
To set the scene, and then launch into why
I'm the man for the job. Just need to say
The normal steps I took, year in, year out

Wed 8 Nov

4094 - Views on interviews

Incredibly, today I found out that
I had, unexpectedly, another
Interview tomorrow, and just one slot
Available, at five to ten in the
Morning, for Senior Policy Advisor
Where I currently work, in Ralli Quays
Salford, although there's no job anywhere
Just now, it's a reserve pool, and that means
I'll have to wait to see what it might be
And then, one day, dropping upon my mat
Or rather, by email, future offer
Of a job. Could be Brexit. Wait and see!
Rather than this uncertainty, I want
A solid job now. Where? I'm not bothered!

Tue 7 Nov

4093 - Babylon's Learning

Whoah! An even busier day than ever!
I've worked hard for several days to prepare
For this lunchtime's interview, and guess where?
Sheffield, Yorkshire. I got the train to there
And sat feeling exposed on the sofa
(A very comfortable sofa) for half
An hour or more, rehearsing my answer
To questions that could come up. I did, of
Course, quite well, performing somewhat above
My last fiasco. At least, this time, the
Panel did not know me. It was quite fair
In that there shouldn't be no loss of love
Twenty-five posts in the Department for
Education. Fingers crossed they say yeah!!!

4092 - Weekend? What weekend?

The hardest I have worked on a Sunday
That's how I'd describe my preparation
For tomorrow's interview, but there may
Be hours more work this evening still to come
I've got to learn answers to each question
There's four competencies, with six or eight
Sub-characteristics, so that becomes
Over thirty things to learn off by heart
In the past I've tended to under-rate
The prep needed to blow them all away
You gotta put the time in, it ain't fun
But it'll be worthwhile if I can state
I've got the job this time, and more money
You see? I really DO want promotion!

Sun 5 Nov

4091 - Sea saw

Saw Jo, which has taken most of the day
No time for interview study, therefore
Although tonight, as on TV, they play
Football highlights, I'll have to learn some more
Of my acting monologue, which I saw
In Scotland - from 'Manchester By The Sea'
This guy recalls, suppressing the horror
When he set fire to his house, fatally
For his kids, though his wife survived, and he
Of course. An internal conflict that may
Be desire to tell the awful story
But the guilt and trauma gets in the way
So this man, Lee, his mind all in uproar
Must relive the scene accurately once more

Sat 4 Nov

4090 - Jest a minute

What a day, worked at home for interview
The Department for Education next
Week, Monday, and did all that I could do
I read all the advice I could collect
Then drafted all four competency sets
Using the active verbs, and expanding
With added details. Previously perplexed
And adrift, ill-prepared for answering
In the correct way, now discovering
The methodology for getting through
Now I've all weekend to rehearse my text
And also my monologue for acting
I even wrote some jokes, hosting on Tue
(Comedy night). Will try them just in jest

Fri 3 Nov

4089 - Flat out

Felt surprisingly OK today, my
Priority was preparation for
Next week's interviews, two of them, oh my!
The goal being, for once, to highly score
Realising how to play the game before
The moment of truth, interview panel
I've even bought, from Boots, a spray for more
Relaxed mood on the day. I had a real
Shock on leaving the flat. I couldn't feel
My keys after I locked the door, so I
Went to work locked out of my home, Oh Lor!
Would I need a locksmith? All turned out well
The lost keys were in my flat, by and by
After fetching some spares from Vee, haw haw!!!

Thur 2 Nov

4088 - Pension tension

Horrendous long day, and not without stress
Set alarm, went in early, to finish
My slideshow presentation, which was less
Than I intended - I'd hoped to furnish
It with some funny pictures, kinda kitsch
But no time to do that. It still went well
Two talks, well-attended, on pensions which
Is a big subject nowadays. Was well-
Knackered, tried to sleep at home, but the drill
Of road-mending was too loud, so I just
Walked to Oxford Road Station. Sardine fish
Jam-packed train to Liverpool, a struggle
To find poetry pals Steve R and Chris
Good evening there, late train home. Bed, two-ish :(

Wed 1 Nov

4087 - This is a reunion

Another long day at work - a union
Meeting, then soup for lunch. Popped out to buy
Some dragonfly tea, no less, and drank some
It's mint flavour, not made from dragonfly!!
Rather late in the day, finally turned my
Attention to preparing my pension
Talk tomorrow. Worked til seven. Still I
Have not yet prepared the presentation
And then, after that's done, I've said I'll come
To a poetry night a long way from
Here, in Liverpool. Promised to stop by
To see some old faces, even go on
Stage and read poetry. Reunion
With friends from an art form I've said goodbye

Tue 31 Oct

4086 - You've got a friend

Phew! Extraordinarily long, busy
Day! At 12:30, interview practice
With the wonderful Helen helping me
To get better at tricky interviews
And to get nearer where my expertise
Merits. It's nice someone cares for a change
Enough to do that, willingly assist
Me. Then read about pensions, to arrange
My thoughts for Wednesday, when I will exchange
My small knowledge in a talk, hopefully
Showing communication expertise
Then, straight from work to acting! Now less strange
And more natural, though still not easy
Helped by a friendly actor and actress

Mon 30 Oct

4085 - No baulking at the Balkans

Nice day out with Josephine - wandered round
The shops in our usual way, aimlessly
Sundays these days are so busy in town
The temperature, in the shade, was chilly
Ate at Pizza Express, discussed maybe
A Balkans trip next year, to Serbia
And Bosnia was not rejected. She
Is into war history, and there's lots there
Sarajevo, spark for the First World War
Belgrade, even Kosovo would be sound
I'd then have been to all Balkan countries
In the evening, meal at Sandinista
With N and D, then a film that expounds
The Death of Stalin. Good - not so funny

4084 - Jump Leeds

Carla's last day - she'll be gone in an hour
Leaving me alone again in my flat
Probably won't invite Louis for some more
Time here, he's stayed here several times, and what
Would be the point, when soon he'll relocate
To London? So the spare room may remain
Unoccupied for a few weeks. Keep it
Empty while I'm away - would be insane
To go to Belgium with a stranger in
My flat, and also Christmas and New Year
Isn't a good time to introduce that
Uncertainty. So then, Carla, stay in
Touch. Hopefully I'll visit Leeds before
Too long, to see you, and we'll chew the fat!

Sat 28 Oct

4083 - Fish to fry

Phew!!! So busy at work today! Applied
For two jobs, and did lots of other stuff
Now I'm back home and I've bought salmon. Fried
It should be nice. I know Carla has tried
Salmon (reduced price) a few times, so hope
She'll share it with me - our last night tonight!
She's leaving home tomorrow, wants to slope
Off to Leeds, but she's bought some wine to quaff
So I bought salmon, and two spuds to gulp
Down with that wine. Fourteen months have expired
Our time together has been long enough
But it's from neighbours that she wants to hide
We'll keep in touch fairly often, I hope
I think our friendship's strong, which time will prove

Fri 27 Oct

4082 - Missing

Thur 26 Oct 2017

4081 - Missing

Wed 25 Oct 2017

4080 - F-f-fire!

I went to a talk on devolution
In Manchester Fire Station, by Wing Yip
On Oldham Road. And then, when I got home
On the local news, my ears nearly flipped
When they showed a big fire. Where? At Wing Yip!
I thought, my God, I was there, just today!
That was a lucky escape! What a trip!
But at least the firemen weren't far away!!
It turned out, though, that eventually they
Revealed it was a different location -
Not Oldham Road, but another Wing Yip
Near Man City's stadium. The comedy
Tonight was good. Eddie, Lukas and Tom
All came. I went on last and let it rip!

Tue 24 Oct

4079 - Kirkcudbright Day 4

Last day. Had 3 fried eggs, and cheese, before
Leaving the house, and Galloway oatmeal cakes
The weather has returned to being poor
It looked like constant misty rain in spades
But I didn't care. Yesterday was great!
My luck remained good, however, cos when
I reached first stop, Castle Douglas, my fate
Was half an hour of sudden sunshine, and
A rainbow. Dumfries next, and then, Annan
The rain held off. I bought chips, coffee for
Lunch. Ate while driving. Next, Gretna Green. Wait!
A bagpipe-playing Scotsman, one man band
Stopped at Shap and Kendal, then quickly tore
Up the M6 to Manchester, yes mate.

Mon 23 Oct

4078 - Kirkcudbright Day 3

What a day, what a drive, what fun, what sun!
Filled up with petrol, chatted about beer
Agreed Black Galloway beer's the top one!!!
Recycled empty bottles. Now to steer
My way through Dumfries and Galloway, near
The Solway Coast the whole time, from Gatehouse
Of Fleet to Stranraer, the roads nice and clear
Castles and flaming autumn leaves and cows
Sheep and pigs and pheasants, or maybe grouse
Took pix and even a video. Such fun
In Glenluce Abbey chapterhouse! Beware -
Phone battery was low! A public house
In Drummore, charged it a bit. Last pix in
The Mull of Galloway. Meal in Stranraer...

Sun 22 Oct

4077 - Kirkcudbright Day 2

First full day in Scotland, got up at 10
Had a bath, shave, looked at maps. For breakfast
Liz's home-made soup. Despite heavy rain
I knew I had to explore this artist's
Town of Kirkcudbright. There was a food fest
In the local school. Bought both food and wine
(And beer), then walked to the Dee Bridge, and crossed...
The rain held off - I was lucky this time...
Even bought clothes! Back 'home' played uke, a fine
Use of this atmospheric room, and then
Wrote a Morrissey spoof song. Then a feast
Of haddock and chips. So full, was in pain!
Watched 'Girl On The Train' DVD. Watchin'
Football highlights now, then some well-earned rest!

Sat 21 Oct

4076 - Kirkcudbright Day 1

It started at 8 at Avis in town
Near Piccadilly. Hired car, drove northwards
The rain cleared up as I got near Morecambe
From there I drove to Cartmel, then towards
Windermere, then Ulverston - hey, this car's
Doing well! It's quite touristy there now!
Lots of cafes, but I had quite a hoard
Of food and drink in my car. Next, Barrow
The sun had left us, grey clouds glowered, no
Rain yet, though, thank God. On to Whitehaven
Via Bootle, which was cutle. Onwards
Through Carlisle. It was dark now - there was no
Point delaying, for my destination
Was still far-off! Kirkcudbright! Go forward!

Fri 20 Oct