4360 - Groundhog day

I felt really annoyed today, dumped on
With work at short, nay, with no real notice
Also did a double class tuition
Of Creative Writing in an office
Over the road. Then home, where I practised
Tonight's set, some of it for Edinburgh
Some laughs, that's good, and meanwhile got quite pissed
Got a few cans on the way home, thorough
Good evening then. Tempted to say Hurrah!
Of Kronenbourg I purchased full four cans
Now Freakbeat's playing, oh sire, can you list?
If you can't dig this, then you must be poor
Of hearing, and understanding, oh son!
Now it's 'Grounded' by The Syn, it don't miss!

4359 - From uke to nuke

Some rain, much needed, but mainly just grey
Yet now, at sunset, it is beautiful
I'm glad it's rained over the last few days
And it's forecast to improve a little
This year we've had sunshine in a bottle
Felt better today, was quite energised
After work, quickly, managed to settle
My Edinburgh set. No exercise
Just yet, but maybe tomorrow, if eyes
Can get enough closure and dream away
Also played some great uke, comfortable
On wrists unlike yesterday. The TV's
Showing Who Is America shortly
But first, a programme about Chernobyl

4358 - Several Nights In Paris

Sunday evening, bedtime. Sadly was too
Tired and uninspired like Stevie Winwood
To do any writing, or even do
Thinking about the Fringe, or what I could
Do Tuesday night at the King's Arms, Salford...
Maybe tomorrow... If I get 'nuff rest
I may resume exercises. I should
Be able to do some, and gently test
My arm strength. It's been nearly three months less
Than fit, injured by my road fall. Watched two
Films - 'Meaning Of Life', and one by Woody
Allen, 'Midnight In Paris', plus the first
Two of 'Who Is America' I viewed
On catch-up, and 'An Equal Music' read

4357 - Park strife

Felt mentally tired this morning, struggled
To write my diary, then had to research
My films for the family film quiz scheduled
For 4pm. Took ages. After much
Reading, I cooked an omelette. As I marched
Outside, it started to rain. I held my
Umbrella ready, but there wasn't much
More rainfall, it dried out. It won't be dry
Tomorrow though, so I have said goodbye
To the Prestwich Park tribute festival
Instead I'll work on my comedic touch
My Edinburgh set, specifically
Got songs and jokes to learn, mustn't be fooled
That it's far off. Practice makes perfect, natch

4356 - Need coffee

A good few drinks drunk last night on the town
With Hell's Bells. It was too hot to stay in
The King's Arms, so initially we found
A seat outside and began the drinking
She wanted to go to the jazz playing
In Albert Square, where we watched a live band
Drinking Warsteiner, and remembering
Song lyrics and last-minute change of plans
For holiday destination options
Not sure how possible New York is round
September time, bit soon for the planning
I'd say, visas and whatnot. My brain can't
Cope right now, had good sleep, but bit run down
From all the booze, maybe! Struggling thinking!

About Fri 27 July and morning of Sat 28 July

4355 - Feeling hot, hot, hot

Better night's sleep, but tired as day went on
Might be the heat. I notice the office
Is often empty early afternoon
People are struggling, wearing odd outfits
Like flowery jumpsuits, or T-shirts and shorts
I wore suit trousers, with thin material
But even so, my legs' weather report
Was that it was baking hot. I was full
Having two ice creams, trying to be cool
Helped Louis sort his move down to London
Heard from Helen, watched Bonnie & Clyde, switched
DVDs, watched A Clockwork Orange, all
Two hours plus, a long anti-climax. One
Strange mix, violence and boring messages

4354 - Driving for pearls

A hot and mainly sunny day, and I
Was off work, visiting mother with girls
Bad start, drove the wrong way in Bolton. Why
There are so few signs to Manchester fools
Me every time. Was late picking up Pearl
She looked nice in her summer dress. Next we
Collected Josephine, then we were Wirral-
Bound, and a nice meal, chatted happily
No beach trip though, I didn't know Mummy
Didn't like the hot sun, she doesn't fry
Happily, so instead for a short while
We sat in her back garden, although she
Kept in the shade. The car's returned. Might try
To quickly watch a film now, yes I will...

4353 - I'll eat my pork pie hat

Listening to the last of the reggae songs
In my Spotify playlist, as I type
It's a hot night. the heatwave still goes on
There's been some rain, but it's been bad for crops
Hottest summer since '76, top
One I remember from my earlier days
Now Desmond Dekker, old-style reggae pop
All this stuff was revived in the ska craze
Of '79-'80 when the boys
Bought suits, jackets, pork pie hats, danced along
Smoked fags, maybe some even smoked a pipe
We did what we were told, followed the clues
Manipulated in a way that's wrong
But who cares when you're young, believe the hype

4352 - Jimmy Mackerel

Woke at five fifteen, another short night
So it'll be an early night, I think
Got to the office at 7, could write
My Creative Writing class, and finding
Some nice pictures to add the finishing
Touch with slides. I finished it just in time
Had soup, then set it up in the meeting
Room, presented it, and it went just fine
The exercises done, though without rhyme
No time for poetry, one hour is slight
For all that you could do, it's a mere blink
Good chat with Mutsa, then home for a strum
Mackerel for tea, more for tomorrow night
Now man jus' need to go to bed and ting

4351 - Barbecue quartet

My brain's so tired and has been for five hours
Worn out by writing workshop preparation
Followed by some comedy songwriter's
Work on comedy song development
My own songs this time, not cover versions
I have disinterred 'Barbecue In Crewe'
The true story of an invitation
To just such an event. I didn't go
But wrote a song about it, like you do
Wrote lyrics to 'What's The Point Of Lettuce?'
I had the chorus, but verses I'd none
I wrote some lyrics for a song that's new
No tune yet. It's 'If You Want My Advice'
Off to watch 'The Receptionist' at Home

4350 - Slice n Easy

Woke up early, so no weekend lie-in
Maybe tomorrow. So did some washing
And had a good ukulele session
Then Piccadilly to meet Josephine
An hour round the Arndale, Afflecks, walking
Then met Pearl at Slice. Sat outside but it
Was not hot any more. Almost shivering
After Pearl left, we went up Oldham Street
Looking in clothes shops, but nothing was bought
Got the tram part way home, nearly getting
Unwelcome attention from inspecting
Officers, but hopped off, didn't get caught
Now just want to relax. Probably going
To bed early tonight for some dreaming...

4349 - Time has come today

This is yesterday, written tomorrow
Yes, tomorrow HAS come, it does happen
After all, except that there's really no
Yesterday, tomorrow or today, hun
Anyway, let's not go there once again
Woke at 4:30, I could sleep no more
Went into the office before seven
Did lots, but I will still need to prepare
For my creative writing workshop here
At home on Sunday, and then when I go
To work on Monday morning. Out with friends
N and D, met at Leaf, then went upstairs
To Hunan Restaurant, Chinatown. Woh!
What good food! Write that name down with your pen!

Fri 20 July

4348 - Reasons to go to Bolton Part 3

Day trip to Liverpool, blue skies again
The venue was the Liner Hotel by
The temporarily closed Lime Street station
So I went by National Express coach, my
Ticket on my phone. Lunch, rice and curry
Chatted to Karen, and others besides
On way back, dropped off outside Sainsbury
Now I know how to arrange it, avoids
Walking to Chorlton Street for future rides
Played uke, ate, showered, recycled in bins
Ordered a car so we can see Mummy
On her birthday next week, and I've saved loads
By hiring from Bolton and not from town
Seventy quid saved, and no word of lie!!

4347 - Body of evidence

Today was the day of my appointment
For a full check-up in leafy Worsley
The venue was the Worsley Park Marriott
The nurse was a pleasant Brummie lady
The results will be posted out, but she
Said I scored 90% or more in
All the tests - good to know that I'm healthy
I'd just like a bit more confirmation
That my heart's in good nick, cos I've felt some
Weird twinges recently, hope I've not got
Narrowing or hardening of artery
The all-clear will clear me for all my fun
Though I'll still try not to smoke, saved not spent
Health savings not misspent and thrown away

4346 - Dub promotion

One day late, cos it was late and I was
Knackered when I got in from comedy
Needed to go to bed, couldn't compose
Jack, I'd had four pints, one Guinness and three
Bitters, I needed to relax, busy
Til 6 at the office, application
For promotion, the deadline was that day
Rewriting competencies, four of 'em
Until it was done, I couldn't go home
Quick tea, white fish, rocket and watercress
Spinach, maybe some beans, pasta, healthy
The last of the quinoa... In the King's Arms
Cradled me ukulele without pause
Played along to Dave's cuts of dub reggae

Tue 17 July

4345 - No lime with that

Drinking coconut milk instead of juice
Makes a nice change, and slightly healthier
Not only that, but today I ate shoots
And leaves aplenty. Question and answer
Over lunch with Helen, sea bass with a
Bunch of salad. For tea, when tea-time came
My rocket, watercress, spinach mixture
Populated half of the plate, with some
Beans and the rest of a quiche. In my tum!
Arranged Friday and Saturday pursuits
Plans foiled by Liverpool Lime Street closure
Meaning couldn't afford to visit Mum
With the kids. Pearl's too tired after Venice
And I cannot afford to hire a car...

4344 - Write on time

Humidity, humidity - they've all
Got humidity! Went out for a meal
With Carla. Ate three courses, feeling full
Back in time to watch the World Cup Final
France winning in the end, Croatia failed
The rains fell as the trophy was produced
Putin under a big brolly, but real
Soakings for Macron et al in their suits
Now I'm going to work at home, for I must
Work on my Creative Writing upskill
Workshop, just for an hour. I have a pile
Of six books with ideas, so best I use
This chance now, as tomorrow the day's filled
With other tasks (and with a lunchtime meal!)

4343 - Achy breaky eyes

My eyes are aching, cos I woke early
When Bart went out to work soon after six
I stayed awake, got up and read quickly
About a north-east woman sold to sex
Slavery in Amsterdam, turning tricks
In shabby rooms, earning nothing at all
When I went there I didn't see that sick
Scene, I'm glad to say, didn't have a ball
Instead, well never mind. Finally cancelled
My incorrect parking fine Saturday
Morning at Avis, then met Jo, a quick
Snack in the Football Café, watched people
Visiting the Italian Food Fair. Vee
Hosted us, lots of talk on politics

4342 - Seasons in the sun - reasons they could be fun

Yesterday sat in my old seat once more
And so could chat to Helen, Dave, Cesar
Helen looked swell, she agreed to go for
Lunch next week, it's useful to go over
Interview tips, cos that's my weak area
Or so they tell me. Forgot my diary
Friday evening, was on social media
A rare state of affairs I'm that busy
On there, so much so, forgot completely
I'd not done this sonnet! I remember
It was a warm evening, long hot summer
We'll look back on this hot time so fondly
When the darkness descends towards winter
Especially if heat was spent together

Fri 13 July

4341 - Here has come that rainy day

Back to today, or is it yesterday
When you're reading it? It's not tomorrow
We know that, it never will be, no way
Although in two days' time that tomorrow
Is yesterday. In one day, tomorrow
Will be today. These words aren't meaningless
But they're not true, they speak of what's not so
A comforting illusion, like a guest
Who says nice things, but doesn't have your best
Interests at heart. Big news - it rained today!
Should I pack my umbrella tomorrow?
No, do it today, now. The mind forgets...
So nice to see the ground fed, like coffee
In the morning, woken up, nice and slow

4340 - If we had but World Cup enough, and time

A day late, because last night's football was
The World Cup semi-final, with England
Playing Croatia. Til near the end, scores
Were level, but our players had reached the end
Of their stamina and strength, just outgunned
By older, wiser players, but still close
Could still have gone to penalties again
My prediction was right, we wouldn't raise
The trophy ourselves, and, well, heaven knows
I'm glad they've stopped playing that dirge, the buzz
Of irrational nationalism, pretend
'It's coming home' and get up the world's nose
And mine too. Time to grow up. Each game is
Different, the future's not to comprehend

Wed 11 July

4339 - Lion eyes

Just watched the first World Cup semi-final
And France beat Belgium, bit disappointing
But France were more effective, in control
After the first half-hour finished ticking
And now those two teams' players have stopped kicking
Thoughts begin to turn to tomorrow's game
England versus Croatia is looming
For both teams a chance for eternal fame
A polished winner's medal hung and framed
That's the dream that they're trying to fulfil
And it's fair to say that England's dreaming
About getting through, lions not being tame
(This time). Now we head on towards nightfall
I need an early night, I'm now wilting!

4338 - Water, water, nowhere!

The return of that most British of things -
Clouds! We've seen so few that I almost miss them
And like the '76 drought, lashings
Of rain would be surprisingly welcome
Although preferably at night when we're dumb
And deaf to the outside world and weather
The moors need a good sprinkle near Oldham
All the grass is turning to straw, and the
Crops everywhere must be wilting for sure
(Especially in Wiltshire!) We were wilting
In the office today despite the stream
Of clouds. Still humid, still high temperature
Time now for a shower, a refreshing
Clean of the pores, like I was taught by Mum!

4337 - There's not only one Christopher James

I went to an open mic night down in
Heaton Moor, Stockport - The Plough on the Moor
I must admit that I had been thinking
It was a comedy night. The poster
Said Christopher James would be the compere
A funny friendly guy I know from Leeds
But it wasn't the same guy! Most acts were
Musical, but still, they liked my disease
Songs like 'Ebola', these strangers were pleased
They'd never heard the like before within
The well=heeled walls of pubs in Heaton Moor
I've had two strong pints and I'm half-way pissed
But there's still such a long wait for the train
The night's ended early, become a bore...

Sun 8 July

4336 - It's coming home - but which home?

Wow, what a day, England beat Sweden by
2 goals to nil, and they will meet Croatia
Who beat Russia on pens, they should be tired
This is our chance, it seems we're together
The momentum is with us, and it's our
Opportunity, so come on England
Croatia are tired, so you just must score
One goal against them, win the semi, and
You'll be in the final, and up against
Either Belgium or France, oh my, oh my
New generations haven't seen this, woah
It's starting to seem like they can't defend
Kane, Alli, Maguire, et al, and so I
Am enjoying this, despite whatever!

4335 - The other side of midnight

Felt reasonably energetic today
Got quite a lot done, no going for a walk
To the shops, just sat at my desk and stayed
Put. Got lots to do, see? Not very much talk
Now sat on the far side, further from folk
This makes it easier to crack on and get
Stuff done. Thinking 'bout Berlin, took a look
At some info on clubs, bars, and all that
Kind of scheiss. Some are hard to penetrate
The bouncers want dancers, not pissheads. They
Stay open til dawn, these clubs. How the fuck
Do you last the night? Don't inebriate
Yourself, you'd think, though that still seems the way
In bars before, til midnight hits the clock

4334 - She's got it

A tense morning with Helen's interview
And urgent work I didn't understand
But did anyway, though didn't need to
Someone else went and did it in the end
Lots of dids and didn'ts there, can't defend
Them, so I won't try. Didn't have my lunch
Went for a drink with a relieved Helen
Interview over, went well, she is such
A trooper for trying that hard and whoosh -
She's got it (yeah baby)… The skies are blue
Two beers, then back to work, then home again
More uke playing, but first, an email pushed
Me into ringing Opodo. A new
Holiday's booked, to Nice with Jo. Clap hands!!

4333 - Foot Tapper

Bad news, only one speaker is working
So I had to play uke using headphones
But it was fine in the end, my playing
Adapted, and I played to lots of tunes
The neighbours should listen if they're no dunce
Maybe as they listen and smoke, they might
Even be tempted to tap feet or dance
It's another heatwave day, a hot night
I've washed clothes, ironed, cooked, eaten a bite
Of salmon fishcake, with liberal covering
Of dill, also baked beans and some mushrooms
I've had some fun but now need peace and quiet
Good luck to Helen in interviewing
Tomorrow, you've worked hard, no lazy bones!

4332 - Kicker conspiracy

It's been a long and stressful day at times
Tried to work at home but lost the wi-fi
Connection and couldn't seem to re-find
It at all, so had to go in to my
Office after all. My wi-fi's shit! Why?
Then the England match, 'gainst Colombia
They kicked, pushed and argued, dirty and sly
We got a penalty, scored, but oh dear!
Conceded in the last seconds. The fear
Returned, the deja-vu, the inner squirm
It looked like the chance had gone, and bye bye
Then England won on penalties, with Dier
Knocking the winner excellently home
Just goes to show what happens when you try!

4331 - Berlinton Bertie

Woke very early, went in quite early
Got a few things done, with interruptions
No Helen today, and annoyingly
Had to move seats, the new guy parked his buns
On mine, would you believe? The cheeky son!
When I had time, I checked the flight prices
From Manchester to Sicily, but funds
Might not run to it, that is, not unless
They do package deals - that could be the best
Option, but I'm looking for Jo and me
In October-November, the autumn
We may have to choose cheaper. Berlin, West
And East will be close to that trip. Must be
Sensible, not go bankrupt, but have fun!

4330 - End of the weekend

Too tired and hot to do much, but rescued
By two long football matches, both going
Into extra time and penalty shoot-
Outs. I'm even struggling now while typing
This. Just want to go to bed, do nothing
My brain feels like soggy over-boiled veg
After it's been left and thrown in the bin
Mind you, I had more beer - near sacrilege
When so dehydrated, but then the fridge
Was a bit too crowded with both our food
All teams today had real trouble scoring
Like me the players turned into cabbage
Too much heat, too much of everything proved
Too much, end the weekend just relaxing

4329 - Smoke on the moortop

It's so hot that the north west's literally
Catching fire, the ground's so dry and smoke drifts
Across from the moor top to the city
Sometimes you smell it wherever you sit
At home or in the park. It must be shit
To live nearby the fires, breathing it in
Met Jo who really looks like her mum, bit
Of shopping in town, then up to Heaton
Park by tram for a picnic. Red face, burned
On legs a bit too, and inevitably
On the back of the neck. Popped home, then nipped
Back into town to meet Helen and friends
A good time had by all, and hopefully
I came across OK to Helen's set!

Sat 30 June