4875 - Train not in vain

Returned the car to Avis in Bolton
No scratches or surcharges, thank goodness
Got the train back, forgot my main mission
To buy a bedside alarm clock, replace
The broken one where time never changes
Main task once back has been to watch videos
And I've now seen those shot at Barbie's place
Back in early December! I suppose
They're not too bad, ten songs in all. I froze
From watching them all this time, a burden
I shrank from, watching myself make a mess
From inadequate rehearsal, but shows
I'm improving at the uke if I can
Make it sound ok while singing, I guess!!

4874 - No alarms

Went to work, did some things but I struggled
To concentrate. It was fairly useful
As a memory jogger, attempt to meld
Together my broken brain after full
Days and evenings of drinking and slow fall
Into stupor. I got some momentum
But left early, walking to the Arndale
Managed to get a refund for that bum
Bedside alarm clock. Argos will have one
That's better, I'm sure. My new boots niggled
And I'll get blisters soon, so I've now pulled
Out some plasters from the kitchen. Good strum
On the uke, exercised, forgot it'll
Be a party at Tom's tomorrow. Cool.

4873 - Ashton fashions

Got up slightly drunk after last night's binge
Of almost ten Guinnesses while I soaked
Up the Disgraceland stories, hearing strange
Tales of excess and death from rock stars coked
Up and more, doing stuff as careers choked
Like Brian Jones in his pool, stoned and drowned
Rock or soul stars, shot, who could not be woke
Most bought their drugs with dollar, some with pound
But today, took a break from Disgraceland
And had a day out in the car which ranged
From Uppermill to Ashton as we Merc'd
Along. I bought new boots, waiting around
For Pearl and Jo finally to re-emerge
From Ashton's arcade, we talked, laughed and joked

4872 - Podcasts at long last

Last night I listened to my new podcast
Obsession, specifically, Disgraceland
And loved it, so didn't wait long to blast
Through more tales of dangerous and decadent
Behaviour from music stars from the land
Of the USA, mainly, Britain too
Brian Jones, Amy Winehouse, James Brown and
The odd rock combo such as Motley Crue
The best one was the first I listened to
Dennis Wilson, who couldn't have forecast
The Manson Family's crimes when they hung round
His house, their orgies, sex turning into
Death which was nearly his. And then, at last,
To bed at 1:30, later than planned!

Sat 28 Dec

4871 - The weekend is postponed here

Woke early, very tired, but excited
Thinking tonight I'd go out with Helen
Firstly to watch Mike Joyce's DJ set
At Yes, and then from there, we could go on
Extending hopefully a long night's fun
To K2 karaoke bar, China-
Town, a place I've heard of but not yet been
But when checking the Yes address, I'm a
Little confused, the date had changed kinda
Secretly, suddenly, before we met
To Saturday. Given this confusion
And both our family commitments, kinder
To us and all of them, we thought, to wait
Til next Friday, then we'll have a good one!

4870 - Crowd saucing

Boxing Day, slept over on blow-up bed
Slept okay considering, saw the dark sky
Turn morning grey and overcast like lead
Waited for all to stir. They discussed my
Edinburgh experience and wondered why
I'd do it again, but it's hard to let
It go after that effort, have to try
At least apply, and if I could just get
A suitable venue, I won't regret
It, and not end up so disappointed
At crowd size, the main issue, passers-by
Assaulted by waves of flyerers forget
Your show in seconds. We all were well fed
At Piccolino's in West Didsbury

Thur 26 Dec

4869 - Wrap it up and start again

Took ages to wrap presents, then I rang
At almost twelve mid-day, to check they were
Expecting me at all, I'd heard nothing
From them so far, but they said come over
So I drove the hired Merc through Manchester
And parked in space 34 as was told
Bag of presents in the elevator
And got given mine in the family fold
Pearl cooked the meal, so tasty, all were filled
But not too much, then film quiz competing
I came second, not bad, beating Vera
But losing to Pearl, but I was more skilled
At Trivial Pursuit. They went off sleeping
I listened to podcasts for two hours

Wed 25 Dec

4867 - Can strain my brain

At work, sat with Charlotte, combination
Of good process mapping, and good chatting
I think it's safe to say we both had fun
And a day of some important learning
Stayed almost til six, then back home playing
The uke until ten, my favourite hobby
I love the way it gets my brain humming
My circuits fizz, they work excitingly
And most importantly, they work quickly
And then I ate my tea, with late night fun
Provided by The In-Betweeners fling
In Australia, which I wanted to see
Recommended by Jo. Nicely tucked in
I dropped off to the radio, soon dreaming...

Mon 23 Dec

4866 - Song sung blue

The main focus of today - to prepare
To go out and play new songs live, video
Footage to be obtained so I can share
The musical side of my act some know
Well, but not Edinburgh venues, although
I've still to decide finally whether
I want to do the Fringe, another go
After the trials of this closing year
I certainly felt it spoiled Edinburgh
All those young flyerers and some cynical fare
Pirates, Potter, sci-fi, and so and so
Not to mention endless takes on Shakespeare
At times it was almost too much to bear
But tonight I went out and led the show

Sun 22 Dec

4868 - Eve of dissipation

Christmas Eve, was supposed to work at home
But also had to collect a hired car
A Mercedes, no less, quite a big one
Train to Bolton, drove home, then bought cheap beer
From Sainsbury's, and drank and watched five hours
Of my Chernobyl DVD. Dozed off
In episode three, replayed it, then four
And five on disc two, by then I felt rough
And went to bed soon after, disposed of
Christmas Eve satisfactorily on my own
Not a great fan of this time of the year
Mainly it's the darkness I find quite tough
That's why we have the lights, music and some
Big eating and drinking to revive cheer

Tue 24 Dec

4865 - Christmas fever

Met Josephine for a walk around town
She was quite late arriving - after two
In the rapidly darkening afternoon
Left Piccadilly Station, headed to
Las Iguanas, a favourite when we do
Lunch in Manchester. Pleased that they have changed
Their chilli con carne recipe. Few
Times I've had it, and it was rearranged
Somewhat, and it was enjoyably strange
Jo was cold, somewhat feverish. Walked round
The Arndale Centre to stay warm, and cue
Christmas shopping, amongst the mass deranged
Festive frenzy, all subordinate clowns
To big commerce all of us must be true

Sat 21 Dec

4864 - Bumming and strumming

Day off, although I'm back at work next week
Slight hangover after some beers last night
Couldn't be arsed doing much, so had a peek
At a film while cooking lunch, with the heat
On, making it a pleasant place to sit
Didn't do much more. Harry went back south
What did I do next as the big clock ticked
Towards time to leave at six, to head out
To Tom and Rhiannon's party. Had doubts
About walking there through dark Salford streets
But it was fine, and I got there all right
Brought the red wine my bosses handed out
To my fellow senior officers. Necked
This and some San Miguel. Had a good night!

Fri 20 Dec

4863 - You're a loser, baby

Hard day at work, doing everything myself
But I'm growing, becoming hard to beat
I don't need to rely on other's help
To get around my failings. No defeat
Is mine, I'm winning with each stressful week
Afterwards, exercised, and played my uke
Drove Harry out the flat, who cares, I can't be weak
Onwards and upwards, losers make me puke
No-one has helped me, I just face rebuke
But now I see I was always right, felt
It inside, what they'll never do, they bleat
Even though they're conformist, they can't shake
The status quo, why do they oppose my stealth
Well I've been kind long enough, now, shit, eat!

4862 - Labour of hate

The fallout from the election goes on
The Labour MPs all slag off Corbyn
Meetings of blame and recrimination
But now is socialism in the bin?
Was it ever out of it, in Britain?
Now the media's wheeling out Tony Blair
What a drag! No rehabilitation
For that poodle of Bush, deciding there
Could be no objection to joining war
Making up evidence when there was none
And copying Tory methods to win
Been to see two films these last two nights. Her
Smell, about a female rock musician
And Blue Story, London gangs and knifing

4861 - Flat broke

So luxurious to heat up the flat first
Thing in the morning. Into the kitchen
Turned on the heat remotely. Soon, like toast
The flat became, hot water at tap's turn
Harry loved it, what a contrast, what fun
Especially new for me. I've lived here for
Thirteen years, and it's never really burned
With this wonderful warmth. But just before
Going out to work, a message of horror
Reached my eyes - the bank would now charge interest
Daily on the overdraft just begun
By the boiler purchase, my Santander
Account 60 quid in the red, but worst
Fears calmed - it's just a quid a day taken

4860 - Nothing stirred, except a mouse

Day off, new boiler installed, main event
What a relief after a week, freezing
No more, whacked it on when convenient
And did my laundry washing, floor cleaning
My exercises and my recycling
Popped to the shop, then haircut, shave, shower
Then enjoyed myself ukulele-ing
As my clothes dried on the radiator
Popped out for Secret Santa stuff later
Harry came home, stays hidden and silent
If he don't want to know, no explaining
From me how it works, bored now with his mere
Mouse-like hiding, it's a disappointment
Fine mate, I'll forget you're there, do my thing

4859 - The guy who came in from the cold

Last full day of this cold flat, I hope so
Slightly less cold than yesterday somehow
Thank goodness. Stayed in mostly, but did go
Out to Home Cinema, warmth was my vow
That's where I found it, Sons of Denmark now
The latest film I've seen, a potent tale
And pertinent, the rise of the right, how
It affects families on all sides and fails
To resolve or unite, luring young males
Against their own best interests. Some may sow
The seeds of hate but we mustn't allow
It to triumph, scapegoat innocents. Fail
And things could sink so much further below
A reminder to stay strong and not bow

4858 - Cold cold Christmas

A boring day at home, and cold throughout
The boiler's dead and I sat in my coat
I was recovering from my drinking bout
So took it easy, played uke note for note
Along with some Spotify tunes by rote
In the evening, forgot my shivers by
A fun spell on Facebook, though still not put
My songs on from a week ago, so I
May do that on Monday, when at last my
New boiler is installed, when I will shout
For joy, whack the heat on, remove my coat
Looking forward to the heat, I won't lie!
Meanwhile, was so engrossed in online chat
Match of the Day was completely forgot!

Sat 14 Dec

4857 - Do do ron ron

Friday, a manic morning prior to
Going to the Wellington for our do
It was the first Christmas do in my new
Job that I properly took part in. We two,
Helen and I, last year, followed my crew
But mainly stuck together, chats were few
With my new colleagues. This year, I did do
The do fully, Helen out with hers too
In Castlefield. Nice meal, then drink flowed through
And enjoyed the evening, it almost flew
Left around ten, maybe, dunno, do you?
And on the way home, bought more beery brew
But could only manage one more can. Too
Much and I'd be ill, so bedtime was due!

Fri 13 Dec

4856 - The old boiler

What a tiring day. Woke at 6:30
Tried to get back to sleep for a while, but
Gave up and got up. I knew I would be
Interrupted at work by a call - it
Was the boiler repair man. Had to split
Back home. He prodded around, but he could
Not revive it, it was truly kaput
My finances will be spilling like blood
It was sixteen hundred and fifty quid
For fitting a new boiler - oh Lordy!
Back to work, in the rain, again got wet
Felt shivery by the time I lowered my hood
Worked on, or chatted, there til 6:30
Home again, rained again, again I'm wet

4855 - Off the boil

Less work done today, but lots of vital
Other stuff. Firstly, I emailed Helen
Arranged another meet just before Yule
That meant I knew better than before when
I should hire a car from Avis, Bolton
And it's Christmas Eve, though a working day
I'll collect it late morning, drive it home, then
Go to work. Not many in anyway
Jo will be pleased, she likes those drives away
Around Christmas. It's easier to see Pearl
And Louis too when I'm driving. I went
To the T-shirt shop, Oldham Street, to buy
More, same design, new colours. Boiler hell
It won't ignite, got plumber appointment

4854 - Nothing up top

Too busy at work to even eat my
Lunch, or pop to the shops, or to message
Anyone. Now I'm home it's hard to try
And do much, don't feel like doing too much
I exercised though, my body image
And overall health still very important
It's chucking it down, and cold, a deluge
So at least going out tonight, well, can't
Not that there's much on. At least I don't want
To spend, cos in December it can fly
Out. That's to my bank account's advantage
Jon Ashworth's slagged off Corbyn. So the hunt
For the Labour fox gains 'momentum'... Why
Do so many help the Tory message?

4853 - Election direction

Not doing much, just got the radio on
A debate's on later, one of the last
Perhaps, of 2019's election
Most people think that Corbyn cannot catch
Johnson, although the last time they thought that
He almost caught Theresa May, closing
From a long way behind, but this time's lacked
The same campaign excitement following
Corbyn around. Maybe they're all trying
To ignore him, concentrate on Johnson
And his claims of hospitals being enhanced
Nurses, police officer numbers growing
And above all things, let's Get Brexit Done!
And then it'll be great, we'll all be blessed

4852 - A day not at the races

I need to get my decorations out
It's the twelfth of December already
I also need a shave, of that, no doubt
Big week to come, I mustn't look scruffy
So time to find the silver Christmas tree
I bought three years ago, Krakow market
A few bits of tinsel, minimally
Acknowledge it rather than deny it
This has been almost the lost weekend, not
Quite at the races, spinning roundabout
Feeling at times, eyes shut, turn nauseously
As you deny the turning and get hot
And bothered, can't control within, without
As the whole world spins nauseatingly

4851 - Lasagne man, yeah

I rose at twelve, I did, how about that?
Return to the teen lifestyle, you could say!
Except I drank a bottle of Buckfast
At Barbie's house last night, plus shots and way
Weird syrupy stuff. He'd bought loads that day
Turned out to be a head changer, that did
Today Jo called, already on her way
I met her in town. It was quite crowded
Being Saturday near Christmas, but we had
A meal at Bella Italia, Deansgate
One of my favourites, good again today
Discussed politics, then they delivered
Lasagne for me, heaven on a plate
Now listening to boxing. It's Joshua, A

4850 - A case of me

Left work early, because Barbie messaged
He wanted to start our videos early
And yet soon after that he then messaged
Again to say, contradictorily
That he was going to town for a drink. He
Met me outside the Brooklands tram station
Me with my suitcase of props, easily
Transporting them in that way, better than
In big heavy bags where nosey types can
See the stupid stuff inside I've foraged
From supermarket toy aisles, charity
Shops, and the like. We then did film all ten
Songs, but it lasted all evening. I cadged
Some stuff and it all ended quite hazy

Fri 6 Dec

4849 - It's only words

This evening, rehearsed ten songs, they were mine
I had intended to cover The Doors
Song, People Are Strange, but, time-pressed, my mind
Forgot to practice it. I spent two hours
Or maybe three, going through the songs, a pause
For the odd fag, and wrote the words in black
Marker pen on big A3 sheets, the chords
Above the words they happen, keep on track
With these new songs as tomorrow I'm back
In Barbie's house, the sheet's there to remind
Me so I don't keep messing up because
I've lost my way while recording each track
On video. Saves memorising the lines
Like in acting class, back one or two years

Thur 5 Dec

4848 - Breakfast in Belfast

A filling hotel Irish breakfast at
The Ramada, so near to everything
At Custom House on time, the meeting starts
At 9am til 10:30, covering
All the items, though I needed more time
After those two colleagues left, I was lucky
To chat to C, she gave me everything
I needed. By coincidence, and funnily
Those two women tomorrow both will be
In my building in Manchester! Contact
Was fun with three important peeps, growing
My reputation gradually, slowly
But surely. Back home, pulverised the frets
Of my uke, The Jam and The Doors did ring!

4847 - Fishy on a dishy

Worked at home for a while, then caught the train
To the airport, from there flew to Belfast
Had a lovely walk round, there was no rain
In fact it was pleasant, though when I passed
Custom House to the Quays, the wind was iced
A little. Headed to City Hall in
Quick time. The Christmas market there, quite fast
I walked round, bought nothing, time for eating
Fish City, Ann Street, an award-winning
Restaurant, expensive, filling just the same
Then to the Duke of York, a lovely glass
Of Guinness, possibly the best-tasting
I've ever had, then hotel film, and lain
In bed thinking of Helen. What a blast!

Tue 3 Dec

4846 - Putting it off again

Like last night, feeling a bit too tired to
Do what I should. Last night it was go out
To Worst Comedy Night and video
Some live audience interactive stuff, shoot
It and then get it edited to suit
The Musical Comedy Awards push
And also for next year's Ed Fringe, to boot
Tonight, it's rehearsing the songs to smash
It on Thursday evening, I'm in a rush
Got to put more videos out, something new
For actual and potential fans to shout
About and spread the word, so I go WHOOSH
If Barbie can't do it I'll have to do
It with Jamal, because time's growing short

4845 - Doors of {near) perfection

Last night I went out to a gig. It was
The Doors Alive, a Doors tribute band, and
The lead singer really looked the part as
Jim Morrison, wrapped round microphone stand
The keyboard man seemed to have grafted hands
From Ray Manzarek. The drummer was okay
But the guitarist, he let down the band
He couldn't play like Robbie, sad to say
But they did some good mash-ups, where they'd play
The long songs, with some short ones interspersed
I enjoyed the night jointly with my friend
A feast of friends, her, me and some class A
Music. I feel like I've now seen The Doors
More memories, close to you. This is the end.

About Sat 30 Nov

4844 - Christmas - what a turkey!

Have yourself a shitty little Christmas
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
Transplant after I died, my best wishes
For your survival. These tunes always start
In October. Yule Will Tear Us Apart!
All I want for Christmas is a big poo
On Boxing Day, after turkey and sprout
So here it is, Merry Christmas to you
From October onwards. Spend your cash through
Those three months, long before the 'here it is'
Walk through a winter wonderland, and fart
In a reindeer's face til Rudolph says 'Eeuuuw!'
Light the log fire, burn Santa alive as
He climbs down and gets stuck cos he's so fat!