4148 - The Tractor Factor

New Year's Eve's here, but not drinking tonight
In the end I succumbed at nine o'clock
Last night and got four beers, will-power too slight
Combined with satisfaction, almost shock
At all I'd achieved thus far, and to look
With joy at the footy highlights in which
I'd see Derby's win - we held on with pluck
Away at the Tractor Boys of Ipswich
We're second now, thanks to Wolves who just nicked
It away at Bristol City, a sight
That deserved a beer! Rams' defence a rock!
Tonight there's not much happening on the pitch
So no booze tonight, detox is more liked
In my mind, watching films is more my schtick

4147 - Something Old Year, Something New Year

A busy Saturday at home doing
Everything you can even visualise
Early on, clothes sorting and ironing
Creating Wednesday's comedy surprise
At the Carlton Club. Themes include New Years
But not resolutions, fuck those, baby
Although, even before it's here, beers
And fags are not somewhere I want to be
They harm my wallet, health, and industry
In two days, succeeded in finishing
A book on Manchester music, sixties
To eighties, then found them on Spotify
Some tracks that the author was describing
Kept eye on Derby - up to second place!!

4146 - Stations of the dross

No car today, had to get a taxi
To take Jo, when she finally emerged,
From my flat to Station Piccadilly
A nice Olympic cab man didn't judge
Us for being late, trudging through the sludge
To reach the cab in McDonald's car park
After Jo got home, I was very much
Late for work. Caught the train, then a long walk
Through town to the office. A spoon, not fork,
Needed for eating lunchtime soup quickly
Lentil dahl always gives tastebuds that nudge
They need and desire, but then back to work
Or rather, to begin some work today
Out of duty, bit like singing in church

4145 - Nightmare in Bolton

First day back at work, but first, the trauma
Of driving the hired car back to Bolton
Through hail and rain and slush and ice and the
Poor visibility, wrong way taken
Found Avis in the end, having driven
In circles trying to find it. Got the train
To Salford Central. At ten past eleven
Finally walked in the office again
Ending their worries, wondering where I'd been
Two meetings, a late lunch, then left at four
Although I'd meant to stay for a late one
This evening, we tasted the food of Spain
At Evuna in the Northern Quarter
Pearl's 30th birthday meal was super yum!

4144 - Time's arrow

The queen of lie-ins, Josephine, she got
Up about 1 pm, in the meantime
I read 70 pages of Against
Nature, and listened to the radio - fine
Selection on Radio 6, passed the time
Sunny day running out, so we went out
For a late brunch at Sainsburys, then a fine
Late sunny drive to Avis Bolton, nowt
Difficult, reccy proved an easy route
For returning it tomorrow, I've got
To get it there, then on the train quick time
To work in Salford. Tomorrow we're out
For a meal in Evuna, Spanish food
Celebrating Pearl's 30th! How time..........

4143 - She's not there

Boxing Day! The Christmas period goes on
Woke on V's sofa, Louis on the floor
A rainy morning. Drove home on my own
Shopped in Sainsburys. Lots of bags dragged indoors
Sleeping bag, shopping, overnight stuff, more
Clean clothes changed into, made Jo's bed, then a
Drive to Wilmslow to collect Jo, but poor
Chatting from P, that's little Jo's sister
Who seemed distracted, mentally not there
Took J back to mine, had some chat and fun
Between us, watched School of Rock, Jack Black, or
Louis lookalike! Pie and beans for our
Tea, roundup of 2017 on
TV, then Match of the Day. Harry scores!

4142 - Cat has trophy

Christmas Day! Began with a beer or two
On the balcony before retiring
For the night. In the morning, picked up Lou
In the hired Hyundai, but got lost in
Ancoats, went too far right, started driving
In circles, found V's flat eventually
Had a good day, quizzes and food, arguing
At a minimum, but wobbles by P
Over Christmas dinner catastrophe
The veg was cooked too early, and while you
Could say the carrots were cold, was eating
It all up gladly, including turkey
Moderate drinking, no-one got pissed - who
Would have thought it? Good night sofa sleeping

4141 - Pass the mistletoe

Christmas Eve, made nice by having a car
(Hired) so I could take J to P and L
At V's in the evening, presents, cards are
All exchanged in time, quizzes, won by L
(Football) and me (music). Cleaned my flat. Hell
Of a job washing duvet for J's bed
But did it in the bath after I failed
To fit it in the washing machine - far
Too big! Took Louis home. I just couldn't tell
Which way to go but did it, succeeded
Finding Whalley Range, then Wilmslow, and had
A Christmas kiss from a tipsy Tania
Got home just as Eve turned to Day and poured
A beer to relax. Family Christmas Dad!

4140 - Small towel affairs

Woke at 8, well-rested, morning chat and
Coffee (and porridge) in the old Mum way
I must admit I was worried to find
The bathroom half-naked, covered only
By a very small hand towel, but hey
I did it, washed, dressed, emerged dignified
Fully-clothed, preserved in my modesty
We chatted, then J joined us, lots more said
Then drove to West Kirby, shopped, ate some fried
Chips, gammon and beans / peas, then drove around
The area of Hoylake, and Derby
Beating Millwall 3-0 - what a great side!
Left without seeing Rob, my brother, went
At Tania's insistence, J home safely

4139 - Ant wrap

Worked til 3 at the office, then shopping
For last-minute Christmas stuff in Sainsburys
Once home, scissors, Sellotape, and wrapping
Then into the hired Hyundai (black), breezed
Down to collect J, foggy motorways
To Greasby, oft-travelled roads to Grandma's
Massive portions of fish and chips were ate
Good chat with the old lady, coke and sweets
A bit of Graham Norton, not too late
Retiring to our single beds, so great
To have such an easy time. Mum's going
To Robin's for Christmas, his girlfriend Liz
Good to catch up, poor Mum worries this date
Won't recur too many more times coming

Fri 22 Dec

4138 - Christmas highway star

It's the shortest day of the year today
And it felt like it as I drove the car
Homewards in the dark and wet rush hour, way
Unclear, rush hour in full swing, as the dear
Folk of Bolton headed home, Christmas cheer
No doubt in their hearts, no work for a few
Days - turkey, wine, the in-laws now a mere
Matter of hours away, the people who
We avoid all year round, unless they do
Something daft like dying, or maybe they
Make almost as big a mistake, they are
Determined to get married. My car's due
Back in a week. Til then I will make hay
And maybe be a Christmas highway star

4137 - Tapas fracas

This quorn mince it's lasted a whole week now
And there's still a bit left for tomorrow
Which I'll have with mushrooms. They go like wow
Together, like peaches and cream, like snow
And Santa. Talking of him, and the glow
Of Rudolf's knob, sorry, nose, and presents
I've hardly done any shopping, you know
And a handful of cards, what with recent
Oils team departures, no-one to present
Them to, at work, anyway. Was allowed
To join the Environmental Team who
Went for tapas at lunchtime. Excellent
Fish, beans and patatas bravas, washed down
With red wine. Memories of Spanish trips flow

4136 - Truly medley deeply

Another comedy night, the King's Arms
I did some Salford jokes, not Manchester
Trying out some new material does no harm
The Christmas party show, old faces there
Like Annalies and two friends, they looked fair
I did more from my set from last Saturday
Not heckled this time, and memory was clear
Enough to do 6 pages worth - ok
Thanks to extensive rehearsal today
And yesterday evening back here at home
They liked my Christmas medley on guitar
No, ukelele, actually, I say
Lift there and back, on way home got some cans
Now a quick drink and then some sleep, oh yeah

4135 - More sonnets about buildings and fog

A foggy day in old Manchester town
Could not see the buildings through the windows
As I worked. Once home, I quickly got down
On the bedroom floor. It was time to throw
Shapes, press-ups, back stretches, bending and low
Down on bended knees. Next task was to write
A few jokes for comedy tomorrow
The Christmas party at the King's Arms. Quite
A few years of this now, but sadly, slight
Progression in the business of the clown
Another uke session, then beans on toast
With fried eggs on top - that's an old favourite
And so, at 9pm, I'll now sit down
Try to learn my jokes, then a well-earned doze

4134 - On the front foot(ball)

A busy Sunday so far, arranging
Stuff, bought tickets for United / Derby
FA Cup, January - that's exciting!
Also have hired a car for all through the
Christmas period, a whole week. It'll be
Fun seeing more of Jo, going places
First off, visiting my Mum on Friday
And staying overnight with Jo. There is
A good chance we'll see Robin there, cos he's
Driving Mum to the Midlands. She's staying
There this Christmas. Right now, dinner for me
Looking forward to more of that quorn mince
It's healthy, tasty, and also filling
Then I might play on my ukulele...!!

4133 - Blue Air Planet

Went out with Josie to town as usual
Bought her present from Urban Outfitters
It was busy as you'd expect, shops full
Even book shops. I bought her some trousers
Black cords with frayed bottoms, then back to hers
In time for me to make the Garratt pub
For a stand-up comedy night, hecklers
Included. And there was quite a hubbub
Of dissent from the locals, and the nub
Of it, they didn't want political
Or David Attenborough stuff! Thought there's
A safe topic, Blue Planet, but it rubbed
Them up the wrong way! Gave them an earful
Back, then some beers with two comic fellas!!

Sat 16 Dec

4132 - Your good health? What about mine?

Second night of quorn mince all piled up high
On my plate with peas, spaghetti, quinoa
And gravy, a weird mix, perhaps, but why
Should I care? There's no-one to please lives here
And anyway, I'd say that's good for ya
Played uke again, but even more pleasing
My third exercise session on the floor
Of my bedroom this week. Yes, restarting
My quest for health and fitness, following
The Belgian beer fest and other things I
Used as excuses. They're all gone, I'm more
Interested now in tummy reducing
And muscle defining! Some comedy
To learn now, tomorrow's gig's drawing near...

4131 - Failures

A fun day at work, coffee in morning
With team in People's History Museum
Then just an hour later I was eating
In Comptoir Libanais with the small team
Under Emma's management, and the theme
Was office managers, their many flaws
How this has impacted time after time
On most of us, not our fault, their failures
To deal with the ubiquitous slackers
(One in each team, at least), and bullying
And victimisation, a modicum
Of justification for the whoppers
They tell you in your appraisal, making
A negative impact on their own team

4130 - Marmite find it funny

Early start, set the alarm for seven
Three interviews, I was on the panel
I contributed my views, while seeing
Things from the other side of the table
It was interesting seeing them struggle
The best performer was the most chatty
That's what I have had feedback critical
Of, but today it's seen positively
I was tired, and went home to doze briefly
I then ate rocket and Ryvita, run
Out of Marmite, must buy some, and I will
Next time I find myself in Sainsbury
Comedy night at the Eagle, good fun
Helping the homeless, I feel less evil!

4129 - Chopped unions

Two morning meetings, first a union
Recruitment / information talk, given
To five new officers who have just come
Onto the 3rd Floor West to join the fun
Then, straight after, into another one
In Room 303, where I had to sum
Up the Oils regime, well, the HO10
Mainly, which is all about deferment
Explaining its complexities to men
Putting together CDS within
ETMP. Do you all understand?
This afternoon, I had to prepare an
Enormous pile of printouts, cos I am
Interviewing tomorrow. Pressure's on!

4128 - It's all an acting class

At lunchtime at work - Jingle and Mingle
Everyone brings in food. I walked to town
And fetched three curries back in a single
Carrier bag, hoped they wouldn't cool down
On the way back. I had one, others downed
The other two, so it wasn't wasted
I ate so much though, couldn't stick around
After savouries, desserts, felt exhausted
Had to go home and lie down, exhausted
I managed to doze half an hour, recall
My energy levels back to the crown
Needed for acting classes, Princess Street
Last one this term, and all things being equal
I've improved lots, and feel happier within!

4127 - Don't worry, no do, no don't, oh I don't know!!!

Not done much so far today, but finished
'Happy' by Derren Brown, concluded by
Saying don't just try for that happiness
The whole book was about, even to die
Happy. No, don't ignore anxiety
By studying how to relax or hide
No, and don't repress worries, and do cry
And all that, thus undoing all he'd tried
To say all through the book. Despite this, I'd
Say he was correct, and maybe that it's
Impossible to be fully happy
And be successful or fulfilled besides
With fear reduced by calmness and detached
From what's outside our control, let's still try

4126 - Uke can't touch this

Felt pretty bad, and tired, and even sick
This morning, but improved as day progressed
Stayed in, Josie too busy with schoolwork
I watched TV, read, ate, some texts, some rest
Derby won at Barnsley 3-0, depressed
Last week when the Rams lost, lost momentum
At home to the Tractor Boys - who'd have guessed?
Also arranged a Christmas trip to Mum
Hiring a car (Mum's agreed to pay some!!)
First go on the uke for over a week
Played some new stuff, so that was quite a test
Didn't even know some of those songs. Strum
Session still went well, I am getting slick
I want to keep improving - that's my quest!

4125 - It's all an act

It was the night of our team Christmas meal
A great meal at Albert's Shed and then we
Had drinks at Dukes 92 that was real
Interesting. Claire was there, and now she's free
And when she met me she got tearful. We
Could be something, but you know the problem
Everyone is the same, but that's not me
She became tearful, but I know that I'm
Not worthy of her emotions, a bum
That she's better off without. And the seal
Is I don't really care, I'm solitary
Then I danced with Lou, and we touched our bums
Like many times before, I made them feel
There was something, but that's illusory

4124 - Belg-Lux Day 6 - Bruges to Manchester

This morning was the stuff of recurring
Nightmares, the ones about missing a plane
At 6:30, my alarm was ringing
No breakfast, walked in the dark to the train
Station of Bruges, hopped on the airport train
Straight away, thought all was well, how lucky
To catch it like that, but I thought again
As it crawled along, no longer early
It was getting late. Started to worry
No time to get a boarding pass, running
To security, then to the gate, knowin'
I'd missed it, take-off five minutes away
And yet... around the gate, people milling
Take-off delayed! So I boarded the plane!

4123 - Belg-Lux Day 5 - Ghent to Bruges

Had breakfast, put the old dry jeans back on
After a welcome shower in the hostel
Hostel De Draeke, Ghent, it was that one
Walked to the station, train to Bruges, a stroll
Round the edge of town, circular canal
The Bauhaus Hostel, Langstraat, is the place
It has its own bar, good beer, I can tell
Ate at Lion Belge, spaghetti bolognese
A huge amount, and topped with grated cheese
Guided tour of Bruges started 2 pm
Then syrupy waffle - what a waffle!
Next, viewed the blood of Christ, which was encased
In a glass cylinder. Market place, some
Christmas stalls, but didn't linger at all

Wed 6 Dec

4122 - Belg-Lux Day 4 - Luxembourg to Ghent

Woken early, some prick put the light on
And dazzled me. It turned out fortunate
Caught the 10am train going to Arlon
And on to Brussels. Changed for Ghent, and that
Enabled me to see it in the light
I tried to sleep for an hour, then went out
Ate from a supermarket - then my night
Was all about finding a bar with quiet
Atmosphere, somewhere I could drink and write
In the end, found a strange place - one old man
Bicycles on the ceiling, and a lot
Of junk everywhere. Musical delight
Provided by Radio Maria, some
Catholic station. Pissed my pants - they're wet!!!

Tue 5 Dec

4121 - Belg-Lux Day 3 - Antwerp to Luxembourg

A good night's sleep, just one guy in my room
Turned out a friendly German, a good chat
At breakfast, about writing. He writes some
Sci-fi, while I've just begun writing what
Is philosophical, with funny parts
Provisional title - Winning is for cunts
I wrote ideas while drinking beers. How's that?
Walked to Antwerp Station, a three-hour shunt
To Luxembourg City, through snowy woods
And fields. This raised my hopes that when I came
To the capital and saw the market
It would be all snowy, but that didn't
Happen. It was soon dark, I took some time
To look around. Tonight is all I've got

Mon 4 Dec

4120 - Belg-Lux Day 2 - Brussels to Antwerp

First full day in Belgium - woke at Karen's
Place. Great breakfast, her and Sebastian
Continuing the chat from last night, since
We got on so well. Some dehydration
From the beer, but slept well. I caught the train
From Brussels Central to Antwerp, but walked
Completely in the wrong direction
Hopped on a tram back to the centre, looked
At the map I'd forgot I had, and took
The right way to the shops and hostel in
The old town. Guided tour at two. Met on
The Grote Markt. Marta, our guide, she packed
A lot into the dark wet afternoon's
Chill. Had frites and beer. Now I'm staying in...

Sun 3 Dec

4119 - Belg-Lux Day 1 - Brussels

Tania drove me to Wilmslow rail station
I caught the airport train, read 'Happy' by
Derren Brown, a Stoics fan, had a ham
Sandwich on the plane. Got there in misty
Conditions to Brussels Airport, and why
Linger there? Brussels Central Station next
A quick look round Grand Place, a darkening sky
Met Karen, went to Café Leffe, looked
At the choices, chose a spicy drink, necked
It and had a good chat. Caught bus. Her home
Is in Schaerbeek, rue Artan, precisely
Had a nice stew, then we went for some ex-
cellent Belgian beer at a bar. They've gone
To bed, they're tired, so I'll go to mine. Bye!

Sat 2 Dec

4118 - Gorillaz in the mist

This day was initially in the office
Got some feedback from Katherine, on a failed
Interview from two weeks ago, and this
Didn't come as too big a surprise tale
I talked too much. You don't say! Caught the rail-
way train to Wilmslow, met Josie and went
To the Arena, the place where a hail
Of nails from a bomb blast caused huge torment
In early summer, lost young lives that meant
So much to Manchester people - but this
Was a concert by Gorillaz - assailed
Our ears with heavy bass, but each moment
Was entertaining. Late night train delays
Slept on Tania's mattress, slept really well

Fri 1 Dec