5242 - New Year’s Eve, you best believe

It’s that last day of the year once again 

Tired after a late night on the beer, chat

And TV until the wee small hours when 

I was watching The Roman Empire at

The climax of Julius Caesar but not

Quite got to the end, the fatal stabbing 

Watched that today, now Caligula, that 

Demonic mad emperor’s beginning 

But only for a while because coming 

Here before too long, Gerard and girlfriend 

From Iran, livening up this lonely flat

They’re bringing steak 🥩 but I won’t be eating 

Cos I’ve just had mince, peas and spuds 🥔 my friend 

Digesting now and feeling slightly fat 😀

5241 - Beer and cheer

Long day at work, Gerard interrupting 

From time to time but not in a bad way 

Had Brexit stuff to do, unrelenting 

Quite stressful at times, couldn’t get away 

Til 6, and as this was my last work day 

For a while with the approaching new year 

You kind of know what I am going to say 

I decided that I deserved some beer 

Gerard didn’t partake but he was here

In the living room and constantly talking 

Me talking too, with almost no delay 

For about 5 hours, hard to drink my beer 

So much talking went on that my drinking 

Of just four bottles took all night, hey hey 👋 

Thur 30 Dec

5240 - Curry in a hurry

Back to work though still home in Covid Town

A shortish day for sure, wish there were more

In the morning my first snow falling down 

The new white crystals held a strange allure 

But I had to remain inside, ignore 

The temptation to tramp through the white land

Early finish, shopped while sunlight still bore

Down on us. Swear the light’s already planned 

Its reconquest of Brexit old England 

It’s cheering that the spring seems near, but known

At the same time we’re at January’s door

Played guitar, feeling like a one man band 

Increasingly I wanna dance around 

To my own sound, cavort around the floor!!

5239 - Riverside walk

Gloomy and chilly. Even snowed not far

From here. Read about Shakespeare (Bill Bryson)

Then after snacking and chatting, time for 

A meet-up with Dermot, a long-time friend 

Not seen much of each other, not for some

Time. He paints nowadays, and he agreed

I could have one, and so I chose the one 

I wanted - a painting of Oxford Road

Or rather, two paintings, see if he could 

Paint one with left hand, one with right. It’s more

Interesting as a result, and it’s fun

Bright watercolour scene, a place I trod

Many times as a student with big hair

And bright shirts, shy but trying to be someone 

5238 - Physical Quizzical

It was sunny so I walked to the Quays 

Enjoying it, even walking further 

Than normal. But I’d forgotten the quiz

And when the call began, I’m still out there

I said to them, you start, I’ll join in. Where

Was I? Fifteen minutes away, that’s all. 

Oops!  The Christmas film quiz, the once a year 

Occasion hosted by Louis! A fool

I was, but they forgave me! And I fell

Below my best hopes, finished last, but he’s 

No film expert, they knew. This time Vera

Won. She usually comes last!  I expect we’ll 

Get over it eventually! I miss

The days when I would win, distant they are

Sun 27 Dec

5237 - Twas the night after Christmas

It certainly twas the night after Yule

And the day’s Boxing Day and enjoyed it!

Gerard saved my bacon. I felt a fool

When Jo rang from the station, a complete 

Disaster. No get-together, admit. 

Trains not running from Wilmslow, so she said

Though it said otherwise on the website 

G drove me there in the white van and made

The day ok after all. To Salford 

Jo and me spent a few hours. It was cool -

Too cool for her, though the heat rose a bit

As luck would have it, there was a fun mood 

Throughout. Great present, whisky- blending tool

Had a try, she helped, that’s Christmas spirit!

Sat 26 Dec

5236 - The big day

The big day of the year, well in some eyes 

And yet for me it wasn’t Christmassy 

On my own, reading, yes, what a surprise 

So focused since not drinking. Watched tv

Of course, but not what I’d expect to be

Watching on the big day. No - much better 

Stuff than the crap they put on, the family

Cartoons, soap extravaganzas, yep, where

A character falls victim to murder 

But watched American Horror Stories 

Brexit stuff, Auschwitz documentary

And Gerard turned up at seven to share

Good chat and yes, a social drink, not wise

Perhaps, but ended the evening happy 😃 

5235 - Eve of Consumption

It’s Christmas Eve, and it’s true normally 

The following day is one of mass eating 

And drinking, but not this year, nosirree

It’s looking more like I’ll be abstaining 

Can’t believe it but actually feeling 

Not sad but proud that all I have are snacks

And soft drinks, and I think that I’m going 

To bed soon, sober and naturally relaxed 

Refreshing change from habits that have grasped

And tightened round my throat for seemingly 

Always, always weekends, often middling 

Days of the week. Alone but this hard task

Strange dream, utter impossibility 

Is real, Christmas is great without drinking!

5234 - King of Brexit

Yes I’m the King of Brexit, done so much 

Now I’m taking some days off for Christmas 

Bloody deserved too, relaxation’s such

A contrast to recent weeks of madness 

And Christmas has crept up this year, no fuss

No Christmas markets in the town centre 

No carols, Slade or Cliff to make me cross 

No high street decorations hung up there

As we flock to buy presents to show we care

No, we’ve been insulated, hardly touched

By The Grinch, Santa, or stupid reindeers

OK, thanks, I know that should be reindeer

I logged off work, five twenty, time to switch 

On the TV, stay warm. Come, tiredness 

5233 - It’s almost Christmas

Suddenly it feels like Christmas within

My mind. One more workday and then I’m free

I’ve kept up, just about, my work routine 

Of long days paying off. Difficulty 

After difficulty assaulting me

But it’s made dreary November fly by

And even worse December now nearly 

Vanished, barely noticed, and that’s no lie

Staying home, saving money, so that I 

Can pay off more mortgage debt at the turn 

Of the new year, can’t wait til January 

Just to pay more, knowing each time that my 

Interest reduces. Rates low to begin

With, now I’m chipping away constantly!

5232 - Brexit / Covid alliance

Brexit and Covid, evil alliance 

Perfect storm, queues at Dover, no Christmas 

New year, new start, alone, take precautions 

Stockpile again, why not, fun while it lasts

Be selfish this year, reactions aghast 

Accept nothing less, piss off everyone

Or is it everyone’s pissed off, in fact?

No doubt we’re all supposed to blame Macron

Boris understands where he’s coming from 

Van drivers though won’t spread the virulence 

Of the new strain, he’s arguing, and that’s 

True if they stay in their cabs. He’s now on

TV along with Shappsy in defence 

Of this dire turn of events, UK-France

5231 - Why does it always rain on me?

It’s been a sunny day except for when 

I went out for my walk to Salford Quays 

I got wet jeans and socks from being caught in

A brief downpour but I don’t regret these

Minor inconveniences or damp toes

At least I got out, soon after Gerard 

Surprisingly turned up a day late. S’pose

He was bound to at some point. He then said

He’d quit his job at Heathrow but now had

Another at the same place, and again 

More quitting, of marijuana. It eased

His worries for a time, but then had led

To weekend apathy, not just weekends

But even weekdays in a brain-dulled haze

5230 - Great start

Yes, what a start to my Christmas dry spell 

Alone last night, Friday, didn’t succumb 

To the tradition of beer or wine. Felt

I didn’t need or want it, so it’s dumb

To do things out of habit. It’s become 

A great Saturday morning thanks to that 

Sober behaviour, I have overcome 

The usual lethargy where I’m just sat

Watching the news, or Netflix. No, I’ve met

All my goals for the day already. Well

Enough in mind and body to just zoom

Through it all, two videos, a Santa hat

On my head in the second one. Tinsel

Round my neck, green hair, red t-shirt. Bughum!

5229 - Abandoned

Feeling slightly abandoned but I know 

It’s ok really and anyway I 

Am more often than not alone although 

It’s nice to go mad on Friday and buy

Drinks, speak to friends and let loose generally 

But Tuesday was my last drink and I just 

Don’t feel like one right now, I think I’ll try 

To cut down over Christmas. It’s the cost 

Which is huge that I’ll save, but health is most 

Important of all. Those who have said no

To drink are the most productive. So why

Not give it a go, even at Christmas?

I’ll be at Mum’s, not a place I can throw 

Beer down my neck, so I’ll try to stay dry!

Fri 18 Dec

5228 - The chips are down

First time for ages, fish and chip supper

Last time was in Scotland or maybe at

Grandma’s. Some places they seem to give more 

Than even you or I could somehow eat 

I couldn’t eat it all, stomach would bloat

I hate that stuffed feeling, uncomfortable 😣 

I went for a walk after dark, had quit

Work for the day, got out my lone bubble 

Exercise and fresh air, but the trouble 

Is main roads are polluted, or the air

Is anyway. Two Chinese chippies what

I could choose from on Oldfield Road. They fill

Your bag up, seeing as so few customers 

Thanks mate, but you made me painfully fat!!!

5227 - Music mad

I’m music mad, me, completely bonkers

Can’t get enough, I listen when I’m out 

I listen when I’m in, yes I’m all ears

My headphones or my speaker always spout 

Sounds like a teapot pouring tea without 

Itself, outwith itself, the cup is me

I decode, analyse, react, I shout

Inside, I move inside, effortlessly 

I play guitar til my fingers agree

That I must stop reluctantly, immerse

My being into it and there’s no doubt 

I’m at home there, whether indoors or free

To roam, even just shopping for groceries 

All seems exciting, like catching a trout!!

5226 - Brexit wrecks it

My work’s dominated at the moment 

By Brexit and UK’s preparation 

With guidance for business who almost can’t 

Cope with the demands of alteration 

Of norms hitherto. New forms for customs

New procedures, some are still being worked out 

I’d hate it if I was a businessman 

At least there’s some restraint due to the doubt 

And last minute nature of it all, but

We’ll go easy when it comes to the count

Of how they’ve struggled but done their best on

Getting their tax right. Knackered but despite 

This, I drank because I thought I had spent 

My energy, needed stimulation!

Tue 15 Dec

5225 - Shocking news

Sometimes you hear some news that’s so shocking 

It jolts you out of your relaxation 

It’s fairly late tonight and I’m thinking 

I’ll just watch some TV, go to bed soon

And then a message of harm to someone 

I’m not gonna give details, but you’ll know 

Or can imagine how it brings you down 

Unsettles, turns gold to mud, you can’t go

Back to that settled state minutes ago

And then they say they’re all right, but lying

It’s such an upsetting situation 

It leaves you helpless. Wish that I could do

More, but what? I’ve been told that it’s nothing 

But now there’s just worry and frustration 

5224 - Very gloomy Sunday

It’s as gloomy as a Sunday could be 

Despite the dark grey sky, went for a walk 

As usual, destination Salford Quays 

Not many outside in the rain. Slight flock

Of joggers 🏃‍♂️ knowing they must chance their luck 

There’s only one weekend a week, they know 

And so determinedly they hit the track

Or rather the pathways they usually go

Walking does fine for me these days, and so

I passed United’s ground, quite sad to see

The red team name light on the stadium dark

That’s a first. I missed their glamorous glow

Put decorations up, though not many 

Even wrote some sketches, and they’re corkers!

5223 - Light and shade

Went shopping and I bought two new lampshades

For the living room which is now transformed 

Bright bulbs in silver metal throws its shades

Around the walls and ceiling. It’s now warm 

And glamorous. The room it feels reborn 

And silver’s always good - it’s a great look

So now this new look’s going down a storm 

Trying to fit the shades and bulbs, got stuck

A few times, but I did it, showed great pluck

Didn’t need Gerard’s help, needed no aid

Also sent Christmas cards. It ain’t good form 

To leave it late. I’ve played it by the book

Two cards goin’ to Milan, it’s just so great 

To think of Pearl’s surprise, as a smile forms

5222 - Better days ahead

Today’s been better than the entire week 

Got praise for my work and it’s so deserved 

Worked late last night again like a mad freak 

And they’re pleased with it, praise is unreserved 

So now I can relax this weekend, nerves

Calmed, anger abated, ready for fun

And things like Christmas cards still to be served 

Short of time to get them to everyone 

But that’s all easy in comparison 

Gerard arrived early, he heard me speak

To Sian my manager. I was so moved

Her understanding and appreciation 

Helps me through hard times when I could just break 

So cheers, some beers and my whole world is saved!

5221 - Much longer than D Day

Today was one of my longest ever

Work days, apart from train trips to London

For meetings, but they weren’t all work; rather 

A mixture of work and some relaxation 

Walking the ‘streets of gold’ is always fun

Whether with colleagues or alone, and just

Sitting on a train’s hardly taxing. Some

Good chats, no work done as the wheels caressed

The tracks at high speed. You forget the gist

Of your worries that same morning on the

Way down there. Green fields, trees, canals, the sun

(If you’re lucky) all passing by in haste

As you sit and relax, coffee or beer

But today, hard work, stress, near exhaustion 

5220 - Longer than D Day

Another long day’s work, I gotta say

Seems to be the norm these days, what a pain 

It’s certainly not the most healthiest way 

The hours I’m working now are just insane 

I’m going insane and not just in the brain 

After stopping at 7:30 I

Ate quorn, pasta and peas, and that sounds strange 

I know, but it was quick to cook and by

An hour later after shopping, could try

Relaxing with beer and wine, but today 

Was too tired to really drink fast, so stayin

Up late was the result. Podcasts were my

Accompaniment, discussions that they

Had about Sparks, then Lou Reed. Wrong as rain!

Wed 9 Dec

5219 - Back on the ropes

Compared to yesterday this wasn’t quite

As good by the end of eleven hours

Of hard work, as, mid-afternoon, a slight

Was what I faced, an insult, for small cause 

I’d not done much wrong at all, but the boss 

Of the team rang me directly to moan

And accuse me of trying to tell lies

About what I’d done, or rather, not done

But his accusations were overblown 

Afterwards I emailed him with my thoughts 

Defending myself against most of his

Erroneous contentions. Who’d have known 

After I felt good yesterday that right

Next day I’d be knocked down and at a loss?

5218 - Tough guy

There was a meeting this afternoon which

I was worried about. It could go bad

I thought, but no time to prepare my speech 

As I was in two meetings before, had

No time to think. Suddenly things were red 

As in red alert. What then should I say?

Lisa seemed ready to argue and chide

Sian ready to back her up. Well okay 

I’m on the ropes, but blows don’t come my way 

I duck and dive, dodge and weave, it takes such

An age but they’re beaten back, defeated

While Dean and Tracey listen, victory

Is secured, and the belt is mine to catch

And put round my waist! Tough guy, name’s not mud!

Mon 7 Dec

5217 - Walk for your life

Went for a Sunday morning walk despite

It being gloomy, the walk was still pleasant 

Always enjoy the Quays no matter what 

And walking through the park, which I didn’t 

Even know was there until a few months

Ago, is always fun, watching football 

Games with grown-ups or kids all in the hunt

For the ball. Kids on the roundabout all

Having a laugh and keeping fit, so full

Of energy. Doesn’t need to be hot

To enjoy walking or running. I can’t 

Always fit walks into my day. It’s cool

When I do, but even when cold 🥶 a right

Enjoyable experience it grants

Sun 6 Dec

5216 - We met again

So long since I met Josephine. Her mocks

Completed, though there’s more early next year

She seemed to have forgotten not just books

And exams suddenly but also where 

I live. We met at Deansgate and walked there

And stopped in at KFC on the way 

Sat at the new table and chairs, the pair

Of us chatting like we used to. Someday 

Soon we’ll be able to resume and stay

More in touch. But Uni next year! It looks

Like occasional meetings in the future 

Once she goes off there studying far away

Saw her back on the tram, then took a walk

Slowly back to the flat for smokes and beer

Sat 5 Dec

5215 - Off day off

It’s Friday and I’m off work, oh how nice 

Terrible gloomy day though, but busy 

Once I finally got up, though, that is 

I had intended to do comedy 

But no ideas came. Knew Gerard would be 

Maybe around 5, so not much time to

Do stuff. Guitar my choice activity 

Three hours it felt like I played, and I knew 

I was still getting better with each go

Soon as I put it down, I heard noises 

Gerard was here, the sound of lock and key

Pretty soon things would go the way they do

And the evening would descend into mist

I stayed up late just watching the TV

Fri 4 Dec

5214 - Thor’s Day

If I had a hammer, but then again 

No ... Oh! I don’t want one, if truth be told 

Today is Thursday, yesterday was when 

It was Whensday and I was good as gold

I wasn’t accepted within the fold

I’m off work tomorrow so excited 

For I’m not one of those whose soul is sold

I’ll rise when ready from my great new bed

And live like a king but happier instead 

Royals aren’t happy, so series all claim

Like Diana in her own words. Behold!

Felt sorry for her sadness though she did 

Achieve almost by accident great fame

She didn’t fit the frozen royal mould 

5213 - Blood from a stone

They want blood and seems they’ve almost got it

I am a rock, no, maybe just a stone

Needed stamina, needed to be fit

To cope with all the workload I’ve been thrown

And so once more in my diary I moan

My energy spent, skin worn down to bone

Metaphorically anyway! At least 

These awful days go quick this way, time’s flown

Again from morn to eve, I never ceased

But glad to say when I was then released 

At 6pm, I walked outside a bit

Instead of getting booze and trying to drown 

My consciousness. A little rain, it eased 

After a while but walking means you get

And stay warm, no matter what’s raining down 

5212 - Tuesday Loseday

Actually it wasn’t too bad. A good

Job of catching up was done by myself 

After I took Monday off so I could 

Lower my flexi credit, and the health 

Benefits of relaxing. But I felt

I’d achieved lots yesterday. New videos

Three called Dances With Worms 🐛 a real assault 

On the mind and senses to make all those 

Millions of imaginary viewers

Wonder what someone had put in their food

Anyway, back to today, it’s the twelfth 

Month of this terrible year. Not just us

It’s affected though, so balance your mood

At least I’ve saved money, increased my wealth 

5211 - Fish wish

I enjoyed my fish, it was smoked mackerel 

So tasty, no you can’t beat oily fish

So tender, melting as the fork can tell

It’s luxurious taste more than you could wish

I can still taste it on my grateful lips

Best meal I’ve had for days, I’ve not ate much 

Over the weekend, more interested in sips

And slugs of beer, I didn’t lose my touch 

But my day off’s nearly dead in a ditch 

With work tomorrow I can’t be a fool

I need to behave now and real sharpish

So I’ll stay on Netflix, and what to watch?

Saw The Last of the Czars, Bolsheviks killed

Them. Now, World War Two in colour. Tanks rush

5210 - Today again

It’s today again, always seems to be

Except when you’re writing a diary

Sometimes you forget to write it, you see

So before I forget, I’ll quite quickly 

Write while I have the opportunity 

Been for a walk down there at Salford Quay

In the grey atmosphere still nice to see

And stretch my legs among its scenery

Old Trafford football ground seeming ghostly

Alas I’m late, not finished completely 

And now my brain has turned somewhat foggy 

Thought processes becoming unruly 

Memories tarnished now show untruly 

The dog barking starting to annoy me 

5209 - Today today

It’s today today and I’m up to date

It’s now, now, at is always is I suppose 

The third sonnet I’ve written in this spate

Is this one as I catch up where I lost

Some ground by being lazy, forgetting those

Duties, like this daily diary, that does

Depend on my willpower and quite a dose

Of determination but sometimes booze 

Takes over, and then those duties can lose

Out and not get done, that’s often their fate

But give or take a day, I rarely froze

And gave up. No, next day, after all those 

Missed diaries, lost days, somehow I would wait

And complete them in one or two more days

5207 - Thursday so far away

Two days late with this entry, so lazy

And naughty too, Thursday finished early 

So I could drink in freedom, no worry 

Listened to Transmissions podcast closely 

The early New Order struggles to be

Different from Joy Division. Manager

Insisted they don’t play the songs JD

Wrote, even the Closer stuff that barely 

Was played live due to the sad untimely 

Demise of their front man, yes, Ian C

I bought the album Movement in 80

No, late 81, took an age to see

That first New Order album finally 

It was a disappointment quite frankly 

Thur 26 Nov

5208 - Friday yesterday

Was still working when Gerard arrived here

But soon we settled down to an evening 

Of chat, music and smoke that was so clear 

A break from the week’s work, just relaxing 

And time passing with sociable acting

So rare in these last months, been so alone 

Apart from boring work online meetings

Although we try our best to make them fun

Most of the time, needing a break, but one

Day off and there’s emails from ear to ear

And that fear of falling behind, nagging 

The evening started early but went on

Til 2:20, seemingly forever

Watching YouTube, Ali talking boxing 

Fri 27 Nov

5206 - Hand of God

The real Hand of God struck with force today 

Removing that bloody cheat from this place 

He is no more, and was never the way

He should be, not after that huge disgrace 

Took to drugs, ate and drank too much, a phase

Or rather a lifelong punishment since

He’d abused his platform, shown the wrong face

When the world watched him punch the ball, his fist

Reaching higher than Shilton’s. Not the best

Situation for a goalie. No way

Should short Diego be nearer to space

Stars and heavenly bodies in that test

Of agility. Peter’s hands they may

Have since prayed for this day, this day of days!!

5205 - Tired somehow

How am I tired but who cares? Played guitar 

For two hours only but it felt intense 

Like a long gym session or running far 

And though I slept well last night, no immense

Long day at work. Had time for lunch, and bends

And sit-ups on the mat down on the floor 

First time this week for testing muscle strengths 

Nearly a hundred push-ups. Could do more

Tomorrow if I sleep well. I adore 

The new bed. Two weeks of such comfort. Ah -

How quiet, too. The noisy night-time ends

At last. I’m free of creaks!  Watching horror 

That’s worth watching, but it’s too long. Why are

There so many episodes? Makes no sense!

5204 - Did all I could

I had space and time today, so I thought 

In my work diary to do more than done

Typical, I suppose, time once more caught

Up on me, though I worked til 6 again 

May have to get up early next morning 

Got a course but lots more work still to do

Best chance to get it done is early on

Then do the course before other not few

Things also need doing. Tonight, no brew

As in beer or wine, that affects my thought 

When tomorrow comes, can be partaken

The month of November, thank God, it flew

Just one week more, it’s quite a nasty sort

Early December a break from lockdown 

5203 - Sunday school

Today was Sunday school for DIY 

Putting the chairs together at long last 

Thanks to Gerard for his help - what a guy!

The days of parts lying around are past 

Screws, wood, metallic legs are now bound fast

Together, and the place looks much better 

We even sat on the chairs outside, chats

And smokes. Also, my bedroom’s tidier

Records, cassettes, shoes, hats, all hidden where

They take up no space, in the bed where I

Sleep noiselessly, creaks gone, what more to ask?

Well, not in the bed exactly, under

It in the large storage space. Pearl said try

American Horror Story. It’s class!

Sun 22 Nov

5202 - Rain not in vain

A rainy afternoon but walk I did

Through Deserted Manchester Saturday 

Few walked in the rain, though it’s the weekend 

I took some pix of the somewhat eerie

Empty central shopping centres, pathways 

Drug dealer feeling by the Berlin Wall

Of Manchester, Piccadilly’s the place 

Some of it’s gonna feel the wrecking ball

They say, and we pray for a concrete fall

Shopped at Aldi, big bag, heavy things hid

At its bottom. Home just in time to see 

Gerard balcony-bound. Not bad at all!

Watched stuff on TV, he heavy eyelid

But thanks to my wet walk I felt OK

5201 - Friday freedom

Took Friday off, and ‘twas a happy day 

It started with a moderate lie-in

Did nothing much that morning anyway 

To do much when you’re off, twould be a sin

But even before lunch somehow got in

The mood to film a sketch, the theme of friends 

Had come to me, I’ve quite a collection

I got em out their box, stacked end to end 

On my work desk. A couple of attempts 

And film shot, in a green-haired kinda way 

Hair restored to greying, I ate something 

And got out the guitar to strut the frets

No sweat, well, tuning problems, actually 

And soon the lodger was now entering...

Fri 20 Nov

5200 - Ever closer

Just listened to Transmissions podcast 4

About Ian Curtis’ death, it still affects 

Also about production of Closer

An album that’s among the very best 

Still got my vinyl copy. We reflect 

On events that affect us our life long 

They played most tracks from Closer as they talked 

Still inspiring to hear those classic songs

Love Will Tear Us Apart, the single, sung

About failed love, no holds barred, where’s the fear?

I’m not afraid any more, the lyrics 

From Insight from Unknown Pleasures, had rung

The bells in advance.  Could it be more clear?

Legend created, fulfilled, remains fixed

5199 - Full stomach

A full stomach is not my favourite thing 

But eating the food up, that’s not so bad

What brings us discomfort can be thrilling 

So bring on the reaction- accepted. 

Am watching Caliphate now. True I could 

Finish it tonight, four episodes to go

And I might, we’ll see. Finishing is good 

If I can then rejoin The Crown- themed flow

And watch some progs on Lady Di and so

Compare to the fictionalised screening 

I finished last night. I’m pleased that I did 

Exercises today. Nights are cold now 

That at least reduces drinking, smoking 

Desires. Still loving my big quiet bed 🛌 

5198 - Should I be naughty again?

Off to the shop shortly. I think I should 

Steer clear of naughty stuff tonight so I 

Can fully recover my health, feel good 

Tomorrow, do exercises, get my

Mind back to top level and satisfy

Work needs fully tomorrow. This means

At Sainsbury’s shortly I’ll have to try

Not to buy bad things. But I do need beans

I had no porridge this morning so tins 

Of beans were sought, but see any I could 

Not. Bread, yes, but no beans on toast, sadly

Because of beanlessness. The Europeans 

Are negotiating in Brussels. David

Frost is our man. Bye bye Brussels, bye bye!

5197 - No dinner again

Was hungry this evening. Why? Didn’t eat!

Why not? I had a bottle of red wine 

I meant to share with Gerard, but complete 

Brain fog took over Sunday night and I’m 

Ashamed to say I forgot. What a crime

Of hospitality to make that gaffe 

So it was standing there calling my mind

Which meant drink prevailed and food was just left 

While binge-watching The Crown. Elizabeth 

Ain’t half an old cold crow. Poor Margaret

Was treated quite badly time after time 

I keep expecting to get to her death

Or at least her scalding in the bath’s heat

But it’s now Charles and Diana’s showtime 

Mon 16 Nov

5195 - Watched Andrew Marr

Watched Andrew Marr, then Gerard fetched some tools

So I could dismantle the old bed to

Get it out of the bedroom. That was cool

I’ve waited for the new bed twice times two

Months, but if they’d delivered it a few

Months back, the old bed would have still been stuck 

There too, until now that Gerard, the new

Lodger finally moved in with tools in truck

Well, van more like. That was a piece of luck

What if the lodger had no tools?  This fool’s

Got none and knows no-one that has. I’ll do

The next task next - and soon now I’ll have flung

Things in the storage space of the bed, full

Of things cluttering the flat, now out of view 

5194 - Sat a day

Saturday yesterday and I did sit

Around, finished Unorthodox quickly 

Mid-afternoon, a shave and shower. It

Was then that Gerard arrived and soon he

Started the process and all went smoothly 

I said I’ve made a list of stuff to watch 

So I gave him control of the TV

We watched a yoga documentary which 

Exposed Bikram Choudhary as rapist, such

Evidence for the court case collected 

That pretty soon Bikram fled the country 

Then How To Stage A Coup. Gerard then switched

To his bedroom for an early night. Snatched

Some snacks from the Co-op and then binge ate

In the absence of booze with the munchies 

Saturday 14 Oct

5193 - It’s over

It’s over for another week. So fast

The working week it flies by in a flash 

And the weekend itself would be a waste 

If not celebrated with the odd glass 

So I did, and I caught up with podcasts 

Then finished The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix 

Started Unorthodox, about the clash

Between Hasidic Jewishness and things

In the mainstream western world, and Berlin’s

The setting for the drama, and I’ve passed 

That way before so it’s nice to rehash 

Memories when I see places that are fixed

There. Wonder if I’ll go back there at last 

When we’re all vaccinated. Hurry, rush!

5192 - Guitar God

Just played some great guitar, Joy Division 

New Order, Cure, Bunnymen, Magazine 

And the like, like Bowie’s Sound And Vision

A bit of Banshees, listen to the scream

Beatles and Stones, a jangly guitar scene 

Now there’s some football on TV - England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 

Against Ireland 🇮🇪 though The Post film’s being 

Shown on another channel. I had planned 

To watch Netflix tonight but it’s all grand 

I can always review my decision 

Really want to finish watching the Queen 

Of chess, The Queen’s Gambit. I understand 

Gerard might start coming here earlier, on

Fridays, can’t watch while chatting like we’ve been!

5191 - Game of chess

Watching The Queen’s Gambit TV series 

Episode 3 is about to begin 

I’m exhausted, woke at 5, busy bees 

Couldn’t have done more today than I’ve done 

Tidied the bedroom before the bed men

Delivered the new bed. Waited so long 

For this, since early July. Creaks will end

And a memory foam mattress to fling

Myself around on. I could sing a song

But too tired. There’s an aching in my eyes 

An early night, that seems so appealing 

Now for some TV, moving chess pieces 

Real life’s like that sometimes. Let’s play to win!

5190 - Bit better

Today was a bit better I would say 

Started quite early, and got some things done 

Finished two hours earlier than yesterday 

And that meant I could relax with a strum

Of the old guitar, ‘82 edition 

Played Yes, other prog, Lou Reed and then all

Of a sudden the battery ran out on

The speaker, so I had to stop - appalled 

But in truth I’d played enough. Up the wall 

May have been the neighbours. I hope that they

Enjoy it though. No complaints have yet come 

It’s great that I have this hobby. Enthralled 

Was I in my own playing, and each day

I get better. How good can I become?

5189 - Too much pressure

Work’s so intense and pressurised right now 

No energy or time to do much more 

But despite another such day, somehow 

I still did exercises on the floor 

At nearly half past six, and somehow scored

A hundred press-ups, recycled rubbish 

Washed clothes, ate tea, put on my mask in store

And bought some wine so I could go get pissed

Now tiredness is coming on really fast 

No matter, I’ve earned this, so biff bang pow 

If you don’t like it you must be a bore

Helen’s birthday today, had hoped for clinks

Of glasses last Friday, then this, but no

It’s now the 20th. Bring it on. Haw haw!

5188 - Salmon Salmon

Salmon with rocket, that’s my meal eaten

Unusual simplicity but high class 

For me who used to keep eating 

Garbage through my twenties, early thirties 

Been somewhat lethargic, sat on my ass

Feel a bit guilty but when Gerard’s here

It’s hard to get things done. But if I ask 

Myself honestly, can I ever be a

Hard worker or am I just a mere shirker

It’s hard to duck that charge if you’re charging 

But I will if it can be done with ease

Watching more of The Crown 👑 it’s from last year 

To write this can be done by just pausing 

The TV. What an advantage that is 

5187 - Biden my time

Sunny Saturday spent mostly inside

Doing what? Three episodes of The Crown

Then went for a walk before got too tired

And just before the lovely sun sank down 

As usual to the Quays, walking around 

The waterside heading towards the bridge 

Crossing the bridge from Salford to the town 

Of Stretford, or Old Trafford, a village 

In the city of Manchester, a stretch

From there to home, some energy applied 

Popped into Aldi, queues to make you frown

But good value. A few things for the fridge

When I got back Gerard was here. We found 

The latest on Biden. Seems like Trump’s fired!

Sat 7 Nov

5186 - Much quieter tonight

Although it’s Friday it’s much quieter 

Than last night which was the real Fireworks Night

I had to work til six fifteen, not the

Way it should be, especially here tonight

The weekend is upon us. Should be quiet 

Work wise, but no dice, things are too hectic 

Anyway, it’s done now, so I can sit

And relax after all the shit and sick

For two days, allowing my mind to clear 

And take it easy, just as is my right 

I’ve got beer, wonder if Gerard will stick 

In London or maybe he’ll turn up here

Time will tell. Who cares? Let’s have a good night!!

5185 - Fireworks aplenty

I had to work with fireworks going off

Although after finishing I could then

Watch the displays through the window, a puff

Of smoke turning to fog as time went on

Which lasted all evening. This night is an

Enjoyable tradition for families 

Dating back to the Gunpowder Plot when 

Guy Fawkes and chums set up their explosives 

This is a Protestant rite. Catholics 

And Celts perhaps see Halloween above 

Fireworks night in importance to their clan 

It’s interesting, these subtle differences 

I stayed up late to see Trump’s speech upon

So-called fraud by vote counters. Oh, what fun!

Thur 5 Nov

5184 - Cold

It’s cold tonight, I thought it wouldn’t be 

The sun shone, clear skies, but when the sun sets 

It gets cold, sure enough, it is chilly 

And so it proved to be, so I was sat

On the balcony, shivering, couldn’t get 

Comfortable, the summer has now gone 

Strange how after these decades I’m upset 

But anyway I’m now inside, forgone 

Are those balmy evenings and that warm sun

Even sitting inside now I feel the

Effects of the cold air. Fireworks have set

The scene, one day early, their raucous sound

And vision lights the sky, brings cheer, maybe 

But it’s not the same this year of such shit 

5183 - Only Tuesday?

How can it only be Tuesday? But still 

Work’s okay at present, I quite like it

So lucky, it almost gives me a thrill 

Sometimes as I just get better at it

That’s it really, you gradually start to fit

And feel comfortable even though there’s lots

To do, and that helps make each day go quick

Then work is done, teatime, eat, then wash pots

On my copybook, not too many blots

Watching The Crown, on and off, also kills

Time. So does the guitar as I play hit

After hit, riff after riff. Hands in knots

As they do don’t know what, too fast to feel 

You know what’s happening, but you still do it

5182 - Monday blue or red?

The last day before the Yank election 

Biden appears to be leading in polls

But Trump has been touring, rallies been done 

He seems confident, that impresses those

With a macho outlook. I think he knows 

He has won over many previously 

And thinks this will happen again, can’t lose 

But his pandemic handling’s been ropey

He thought it was fake, like climate change. We

Don’t believe that, and so, please vote to turn

This around. Maybe Biden he won’t be

The saviour of the Earth, less troublesome 

Though surely than Trump and his stupid pose

5181 - Sunday is here again

So here we are again, one more Sunday 

A dreary sort of day, well, weather-wise 

I was mainly in, but I made my way 

To Salford Quays walking to keep my eyes

And brain and body active, there’s no lies

Gerard was here, the weekend has been fun

He is a thoughtful guy, we analyse 

What’s going on as we partake of some

Useful things to help us consider them 

I picked up the guitar, began to play 

He woke up, came in to listen. Surprise 

For him, first time he’s heard me do my strum

It’s nice to play for someone, usually 

It’s just me hearing music of the skies

Sun 1 Nov

5180 - I forgot Halloween

That’s me with a choccy Father Christmas 

I somewhat strangely ate on Halloween 🎃 

In fact I forgot completely it was

Halloween at all. I’d looked up and seen 

The calendar, took it down, my routine 

At month’s end, thinking 30th October 

Was the last day of the month, so I’d been 

Thinking tomorrow’s 1st of November 

Forgetting the 31st. Dumb, dumber!

But when tomorrow came, clearly the scene 

On TV and social media discussed 

Was pumpkins 🎃, scary outfits, etc

Gerard came round, the evening was a buzz

Watched YouTube Music, accompanied by wine

Sat 31 Oct

5179 - The Crown

I’m going to watch The Crown on Netflix now

Only three series, but then how many 

Episodes?  Still, it’s popular and how!

It might be fun acting out royalty

It’s hard to look like people so ugly 

Casting is problematic, I would think

Friday night in, in front of the TV

Might actually be ok 👌, make boredom shrink 

Even though it’s a beer night off, no drink 🍷 

Allowed, need to replenish stocks, allow

Rehydration, feel better Saturday 

Do more in the day, maybe later, clink

The glasses, to make up for alky drought 

A big tub of choc mini rolls all for me!

5178 - Yet again

I think because work has been so hectic

No that’s not right, it wasn’t always so

But while working away as the clock tick

And tock took me towards when I could slow

Down at last, free to relax, couldn’t go

On without wanting to let off some steam

So like a vision of heaven, a glow

In the distance, an oasis, a dream 

The thought of some reward, preferably extreme 

Was hard to shake, and the reward I’d pick

Was the usual one, where the beer would flow 

But because it gives me a flushed face, keen

Nowadays to try more wine, do the trick 

Of getting sloshed 🥴 with less beer, more vino 

Thur 29 Oct

5177 - My type of hangover

After last night’s wine and beer, didn’t feel 

As energetic as just yesterday 

Struggled to focus in the morning, real

Foggy mind, mental cogs stuck in thick clay

The colour of my mind a cloudy grey

No pain, just lethargy, my hangover 

I’m fairly lucky how I feel next day 

Unlike many who are forced to beware 

Of drink when later pain’s so hard to bear 

I’d hoped it might be a short day. No deal!

Always drags on beyond when I would say 

That’s when I’ll stop, I’ve earned it, can’t defer

A shorter day no longer, but I feel 

Unable to stop. Work gets in the way!

5176 - After work

After work, as it gradually grew dark

Unnecessarily spent the evening 

Sitting outside but enjoying the craic

Just listening to the music and drinking 

The last week or so it’s been increasing 

To every other day or so it seems 

As autumn sunshine cools and dark sets in

Round late October, get these foolish schemes 

In my head, that through winter I’ll have been 

Unwilling to drink because of the stark

Bitter weather, the sheer cold that’s stopping 

Me. Why, when I can sit inside with scenes

On TV, tunes playing, heat on?  It works

I do it every year. You just stay in

Tue 27 Oct

5175 - Relaxing

A horrid rainy day, I just stayed in

Tried to work but was hard to concentrate 

Mainly because of wine and some smoking 

Last night, as Gerard dropped by until late

We sat and chatted. I enjoy the chat

It’s great to share some wine and other stuff

But my mind’s been quite foggy as I sat

At the computer, finding thinking tough

That fun team quiz was too hard, and enough 

To do that I just couldn’t face. Though grim

Outside, it’s warm in here, it’s feeling great 

Did exercises despite feeling rough

Now it’s time for documentary watching 

Mainly music, for this YouTube’s so great!

5174 - Sudden news

Poor old Helen’s having a real rough time 

And me I’m doing my usual nondescript 

Livening things up with bottle of wine 

Punk documentaries on TV that lift

The mood, though then it all seemed fuckin shit

Now Gerard’s stopping over, he’s texted

Shaking things up, I didn’t expect it

I suppose expect the unexpected 

Wonder if he is going to get wasted?

This crazy life I find hard to define 

But this is exciting, a real uplift 

Writing this quickly, soon interrupted 

Especially if he has stuff that’s forbid

If not, I’m slightly drunk, and that’s a gift!

5172 - Bottle of wine and two beers

Couldn’t resist finishing work at 3

It’s Friday afternoon, you understand 

And it’s sunny out on the balcony 

So put the stool out, grab headphones for sound

A bottle of wine’s an idea that’s grand

Nip to Sainsbury’s to get one, and get two 

Beers with it, they will taste nice beforehand 

Indeed after the beers, already you

Feel affected, but first taste of wine, phew!

Makes your head swim. So it’s a mystery 

How you drink the rest and you can still stand 

When I was done I felt tired, that was true 

And went to bed at ten, yes, real early 

With a glass of water real close at hand 

Fri 23 Oct

5173 - A miserable rainy day

A miserable rainy day - happy inside 

The heat and light’s on. Tonight clocks go back

The autumn’s in its later phase. Can’t hide 

From the wind if you’re a leaf. Odds are stacked 

Against those at the ends of branches. Plucked

By strong gusts, they sail onwards in the gale

To find their final resting place, they’re tucked 

Against a wall, a tree trunk, they prevail 

For a few days, beautiful red and pale

Yellow. For a week or two they abide 

Then break down into mush under heel’s clack 

Or organic decay on grassy vale

Meanwhile I’m safe and warm, not stuck outside 

Might watch a film, energy has gone slack

5171 - Tired but happy

Yes one of my eyes is shut, how I feel 

Today after broken sleep and early 

Meetings, a stressful start, quite a big deal 

And they carried on intermittently 

Throughout the day, talking near constantly 

Or sometimes listening. Overall it went well 

I even had some praise so quite happy 

Celebrated with a shave, recycle 

Of glass, tins, plastic, cardboard, off to fill

The bins outside. And then I had a real

Blast on the old acoustic guitar- three

Hours, almost, played a blinder. Bloody hell!

Forgot my tiredness. The guitar can steal 

Time, absorbing the mind so completely 

5170 - Henry the Eighth

He was the top king of English history 

Our kids all learn about his selfish reign 

He was a bastard but his legacy 

Is to separate England from well Spain

As well as the Vatican’s holy chain

All because Anne Boleyn she resisted

In the end he split from Rome, not in vain 

He became God’s representative, bid

Himself the new pope, unprecedented 

Hard to appreciate now, revolutionary 

More important than his emotional pain 

The power structure of ages upended

Thomas Cromwell aided him because he

Was not high born and helped him in his gain

5169 - Hidden treasure

Late last night, by chance, browsing on Facebook 

I came across a YouTube link. It was

Complete Rehearsals (Joy Division). Luck

Was mine. It lasts for one and a half hours 

The sounds from their rehearsal studios

Before anyone knew them, and the best

Thing about it, it’s those hidden treasures 

Unheard songs back then didn’t pass the test 

Got left out of the repertoire, suppressed

Not played in gigs if you had gone to look 

Unknown treasures not on Unknown Pleasures

Pictures added by someone. The lads rest

Eating chips on Oxford Road. Soon they’d cook

Up their own feast that the world still devours

5168 - Watching the detectives

Last night I watched Roadkill, episode one

Starring Hugh Laurie as a minister 

It was ok, a bit cliched, but some 

Good scenes inside Number Ten and other 

Nearby locations. Hugh will come under 

The gaze of the police as they find out

The naughty things he’s done all over the

Country, probably. Then afterwards I put

On a film I wanted to see - ‘Detroit’

I’d seen trailers for it when I had gone 

Before Covid, to that Home cinema 

About police brutality. They were not

Nice guys to the innocent on the run

When the whole ghetto area was on fire

5167 - Guitar god

I’m slowly becoming a guitar god

I can now play along to anything 

Today I treated my own neighbourhood 

Well, those who could hear me madly strumming 

To sixties and late seventies rocking 

And new waving and reggaeing besides 

I could hardly believe what I’m hearing 

Though my own skill is the thing that provides

It’s a weird feeling that never subsides

All the years I had this guitar but could 

Barely play it. I remember buying 

It in Birmingham, teenage dreams so wide

Of the mark, but eventually persevered 

And now I hear my own superb playing!

Sun 18 Oct

5166 - Brrr

It’s starting to get noticeably cold 

And dark early, oh what a bloody shame 

Saw Josephine again and yes I told 

Her, we’re supposed to meet tomorrow. Blame

Was accepted. The prices aren’t the same 

Tomorrow, eat out to help out applies

At Don Marco’s on Sunday, but she came 

Today. It cost me twice as much. It’s lies

To say it was a great meal, and a fly’s

Buzzin’ in my face as my tales got told 

Penne pasta with salmon, she chose. I’m 

Having it too, I said, but not so wise

In the end. Went to Archies, got a hold

Of a milkshake each, bye, and head for home!

5165 - Fun on Friday

It’s fun on Friday, and it always has

Been. The day when work turns into freedom 

I’m watching tv now but before was

Listening to music, til the cold then won

But despite this it has still been good fun 

Now watching Rock Against Racism and

Before that, Guy Garvey’s From The Vaults. In

My home I’ve seen some good stuff and good sound 

I love it from my head down to my hand

Old music but it’s still cool and because 

It’s raw, sometimes well played, or less well done 

It’s nostalgic to listen to old bands

Old racism such as the law of sus 

So good it was defeated and it’s gone 

5164 - It’s getting to the stage

I can’t imagine this thought applying 

To Frank, him in the picture, him up there

But for me, strangely, frankly, it’s getting 

To the stage where work, though hard, is better 

Than the evenings that follow. That’s so rare!

Perhaps I should be grateful that I just 

Need to rest and do nothing more after 

I close the laptop on the desk, just rest 

With a clear conscience since I’ve done my best 

The problem though is it’s become boring 

No company, and even if there were

A desire every two days to get pissed 

That’s more like Frank isn’t it, don’t you think?

Except for him it’s each day of the year!!

5163 - Stuff you

So stop bullshitting, asserting you’re right 

You’re not, because you’re not considering 

Anyone else, as usual, think it’s white 

And black, and you’re right and any differing 

Views must be wrong. I am not dithering 

I have an independent brain, that’s what 

I have been trained to have, and I’m using 

It to debunk your egocentric rot 

So spare me from your assertiveness, not

Impressive, it’s just ego, and can quite 

Easily be debunked, I’m resisting 

Your utter rubbish, not scared, heard the lot 

You think you know it all but it’s all shite 

I’m ready and able for arguing! 

5162 - Insomnia

I haven’t got insomnia really 

But last night sleep just wouldn’t come for hours 

I’d dozed off briefly earlier you see

So today I’ve been knackered, but was forced

To work anyway, it doesn’t stop, pours

On with emails, meeting invites and calls 

All to help the UK Transition cause 

I hear the nutter below through the walls 

And floors, muttering, bellowing, a fool’s

Life, even clapping, singing tunelessly

Dropping things on his floor as if he’s lost

Coordination and mind, alone, dull

Survival, pointlessness, perhaps pity

Is appropriate, though he makes me cross

5161 - Woah!

What a great day, it just ended so well 

Had to get a bottle of wine and neck

It, which I did, and you don’t have to sell

Madness to me, and so it’s what the heck

Right now I’m recovering but while not sick

I’m not a hundred percent either, no

Sometimes you feel you’ve got to pick

Between health and well being. Hard to quite know 

What to do anytime or how to grow 

Another good day and evening. Rebel -

Tune out, if things are good or bad. Just stick 

To your guns, do what you feel, with the flow 

We’re stuck in our bodies and minds, a cell

It’s natural to break out, break out, break!

5160 - The long march

Here I am, in front of the new mural 

In Manchester’s Port Street. I came back here 

Because I filmed a video by this wall 

Yesterday, but I discovered later

I must’ve pressed the wrong button and there

Was no video on my phone- a photo

Was all I had. So I came back, a clear 

Determination for a second go

And though it wasn’t as much fun you know 

When you do something again, and you’re all

Alone, the film was a little better 

I walked from there to Salford even though 

It was a long way to the shopping mall

Ordered table and chairs to deliver

5159 - Last orders

Possibly the last Saturday pub crawl 

For a while. In Manchester it seems that

The government just wants to close them all 

For three weeks maybe is the estimate 

It started with a nice welcome invite

From Paul to meet in Manchester to see

The Ian Curtis mural, new street art

On the side of a building, and then we

Went for a few pints, having more than three

More like six. I had videoed the mural 

But I had pressed ‘photo’ not ‘video’ - twat!

I was talking to a phone pointlessly 

In front of others by the mural wall

Cameras at the ready they had to wait!

Sat 10 Oct

5158 - TFI Friday

After more hard work 😓 I felt great relief 

And I only wanted to do one thing 

After the efforts of the week, a brief 

Trip to the shop in order to buy drink 

Sit on the balcony, watch the sun sink

And when my four beer bottles had all gone 

I walked round the room and began to think 

I’ll get some more, and did the Co-op run

It was now half eight, darkness long set in

I couldn’t finish four more bottles. If

I had, then I could have made myself sick 🤢 

But I really needed relaxation 

If not quite oblivion. Drink is time’s thief

But in a strange way it helps my well- being 

Fri 9 Oct

5157 - Ingsland versus Whales

Watching a live international match

First one for months, England are playing Wales

Danny Ings, surprisingly, on the pitch

For England. Mings is a sub!  For Wales, Bale’s

Not there for some reason. The ball just sailed

Into the Wales net. Giggsy is gutted

While Southgate smiles. Calvert-Lewin can’t fail

In almost every game he has netted

Everton are top, couldn’t have predicted 

A nice relaxing evening just to watch 

After a hard day’s work. I’m hard as nails

Or need to be in this job. Was tested

Today, not helped by some, but it’s now such 

A demanding role, even for this male!

5156 - Now or even sooner

OK so I have ordered my will stuff

From Amazon and it will soon be here 

I know I’ll die like everyone, so tough 

Though it is, time to acknowledge that we’re 

All in the same boat, floating on the mere 

This is for future generations that 

Depend on us to keep our minds quite clear 

And I won’t let them down, won’t be a twat 

I sit here now in this miserable flat 

But I’ll help them, won’t make things tougher, stuff 

Is bad enough without boomers, so they’re 

Doing our best to pass on what we’ve got 

That’s not always a lot, but it appears 

Our duty to do what we can. So cheers 🍻 

5155 - Trump lives

Great to see Trumpy Trump Trump doing so well 

Straight outta hospital, he’s such a man 

He doesn’t need a mask, no girly veil

Into the White House, scaring everyone 

They back away, more than before even 

He stuffs the hated mask in his pocket 

He’s the kind of leader you all would want 

Illness is for pussies, hard men stay fit

Although he dodged the army, wouldn’t fight 

White Christians vote for him, but black ones will 

More likely vote Democrat. Religion 

Can’t make whites vote the same as blacks, the white

Agenda is reduce crime, meaning fill

Prisons with blacks, vote Trump, God understands!

5154 - Lennon lives

Lennon responded to my ad for an

Assistant in comedy or podcast 

Although it was late, I texted him and

Said shall we talk, and he rang me back fast 

The reception wasn’t great, hard to grasp 

At times what he was saying, but he’s quite 

A character. A lot of water’s passed

Under his bridge. So the rest of the night 

I’ll upload the film it was a delight 

To shoot yesterday, ruminating on

What happens to us when we breathe our last 

Do not go gentle? I say lie back, right 

At the start of eternity, become Ready for a long ride by being relaxed 

5153 - He’s here at last

The lodger’s turned up almost two months late

He’s carrying lots of bags up from the van

I was agonising, having debate 

With myself whether it’s safe to begin 

Uploading today’s video, off-putting 

Earlier, expecting a guy to ring me 

About doing a podcast and helping 

My comedy. He seemed keen but sadly 

Didn’t get in touch. Gerard puzzlingly 

Said he might move stuff in or he might wait 

Til later in the week. Uncertain then

Uploading takes two hours and it would be

In vain if he broke the connection. Write

This first, I thought. Then he came waltzing in!

5152 - The Never-Ending Supper

By God I’ve been hungry today given 

The fight against the urge to get more beer

It’s not been all that hard, I easily won

But I’ve been eating more than my fair share 

Maybe that’s not so bad if my hunger 

Has replaced my thirst for the alcohol 

Especially if I enjoy my food more 

Even if that food is nothing special 

Omelette for breakfast, had no cereal 

Bought a small bag of porridge. Not eaten 

It for a few weeks. When ill, nowhere near 

Able to eat a normal-sized bowlful 

Kept throwing half of it into the bin 

I’ll try to go back to it. No sugar...

5151- Now

This is now, not yesterday, tomorrow 

What occurs to me now is what I’ll say 

I don’t plan these things, I just write and go 

I don’t care how it looks or who will pay 

They won’t part with their money anyway 

Screw them and their idiocy, they’re not 

Important to a rational approach. Hey 

Better be true and fill your own piss pot

Just looking for rhymes to mean all but naught 

I’ve drunk my share and soon I’ll have to show 

That hard work will pay off or maybe they 

Are fooling me. But anyway, I’m caught 

In their web of deceit. But all I know 

Is I love it. The weekend’s here, okay 

5150 - Good stuff

A good day at work, actually at home 

Decided to celebrate with some beers 

And sent some music to Helen Horton 

And added comments saying have no fears

We’re great friends and there never need be tears

Listened to music on the balcony 

The autumn sun and music in my ears 

Then watched women’s football, it’s Man City 

At home to Arsenal, and victory

Went to the Blues, although goals had gone in

Before I tuned in, next up it appears 

Is Motherland, then Frankie Boyle, hee hee 

So nice to work well, then relax. All done

Apart from bedtime, dreams can be so weird!!

5149 - 7 til 6

Workin’ 7 til 6, Dolly Parton

Would not be pleased to be workin’ that hard

Seems most days are like this, I’m put upon

Exploited, beavering away, a sword

Hangs over me, at least I can’t get bored 

But it’s almost dark soon after logging 

Off, feeling like my evenings are real short

But at least I’m once more exercising 

And right now I am coconut eating 

Living the high life, a jet set tycoon 

Well hardly, not in this flat where I’m caught 

Like a trapped animal, just existing 

Like a zoo captive pacing round its pen

Not been out, where to go, with whom to sport?

5148 - Itchy head

There’s Beachy Head, but I’ve got Itchy Head

It’s not so long since I last washed my hair 

In fact I’m itchy all over. I dread

Another restless night of lying there

So when this documentary’s done, shower 

Awaits, scrub myself clean, a shave to boot

Itchy chin and neck an interrupter 

Of sweet dreams and a long and peaceful night 

A late night shower for most’s a normal rite

But not for me, I feel exposed, displayed 

I should pull down the blinds though, to be fair 

But I don’t, and worry if neighbours might 

Be able to see me there all naked

But only my top half, body, head, hair

5147 - Taxing times

Taxing times unless you are President 

Trump. We’ll all get taxed until the pips squeak 

Yes we’ll be paying back the money spent 

On us, while some stand in the House to speak 

Looking after us all, but it’s all Greek

They look after themselves financially 

And meantime they can be observed to break 

The social distancing rules constantly 

The parliamentary bars allegedly 

Exempt, as well as subsidised. Contempt

For rules that we must keep and that they make 

If they ignore the rules why shouldn’t we

Politicians were never innocent 

Taxpayers pay while they’re just on the take 

5146 - Fine time

So surprisingly sunny once again 

Blue sky all day, too warm to wear a coat 

So I carried it when I left Helen 

But first breakfast and then a film. Saw that

Film called Saw, Final Chapter, saws that bit

Into the flesh to give you quite a kick

As long as it’s not me, another twat 

Gets cut in half with more than just a nick

Got the V1 bus home and with four cigs

Left and four drinks in the fridge, might have been 

A bit soon since I last drank, but I sat 

On the balcony once again to make 

The most of possibly the last sunshine 

Of the year with such warmth to celebrate 

5145 - Went out spent out

Went to see Helen, found her home in Leigh

It’s such a nice place for a youngish girl 

All on her own, always full of envy

To see that great place, so nice it’s unreal 

Had wine there before walking to a full 

Bar, didn’t stay, no we relocated 

To somewhere easier to find a table 

And it was cheaper too, called the Boar’s Head

Out back there was a singer. Visited

Him for a fun dance and we happily 

Sang and danced, helping Helen do the twirl 

Went round to Paul’s house, nearly banged my head 

As I slipped to the floor in the yard, the

Ill-advised mix of weed and drink my fall

5144 - Still nice but no drink

Friday was busy but not quite ten hours 

Thank God, or I’ll be making myself ill 

Still sunny, but no drinking. Why? Because 

I drank last night and tomorrow I will

Be at it again, so I had my fill

Not of beer but of quorn for a nice tea

And watched more Schitt’s Creek, always makes me smile 

The Dad’s the sensible one. Family

Is mad apart from him. He’s still funny 

Though, and those great scripts flow without a pause 

By bedtime I was nice and tired, and fell

Into a long deep sleep quite rapidly 

Trying not to let the excitement rise

About tomorrow’s night out with that girl 

Fri 25 Sep

5143 - Unexpectedly nice

It was unexpectedly nice today

So after ten hours’ work and with the sun 

So inviting, with autumn underway 

And possibly warm afternoons soon gone

Couldn’t resist another drink. Last one 

Was Monday, and justification that 

Day was the same. Cold weather has begun 

So let’s not waste this fine afternoon sat

Inside. I’m watching a series called Schitt’s

Creek. Nearly finished season two. I’d say

Though still four more seasons left and that’s some 

Commitment, think I’ll watch the whole damn lot

It’s funny, well-acted, and a great way 

To kill time rather than get something done!

Thur 24 Sep

5142 - Early Bird

That’s my breakfast last month in Stonehaven 

On my short but intense tour of Scotland 

It’s merely that my theme is once again 

About an early start (earlyish end)

Mainly due to my workload. Get a hand

Now from Dean, and he is reliable 

He seems keen too, and can meet the demands 

Which are great right now. Would be terrible 

If, faced with pressure, he would just crumble 

Like an apple. The evening is half gone 

And all I’ve done is eat my tea. I planned 

To speak to Josephine next, and so I’ll 

Finish this diary, brew up, sit down, then

See if she’s free to chat. If she is, grand!

5141 - Busy TB

Hard working day again, with early start 

TV breakfast, Piers Morgan slagging off

The government, seems to be falling apart 

On COVID, amongst all the other stuff 

Then hours of work, no exercise could shove 

Its way into my day. I had to rush 

To the shop, then it’s back to work at five

And still working much later. Got to push

It forward. Guitar practice, my new crush 

It’s my acoustic, never been apart 

Since November ‘82, we’re in love

Again after years of neglect. Finished 

Watching’This Is The End’, started a short 

Episode length show, Schitt’s Creek. That’s enough 

Tue 22 Sep

5140 - Monday

Oh well, this guy’s face really does me in

Some actor assuming a stereotype 

I’ve never watched this show and won’t begin 

I can’t be fooled into this media hype 

Middle class condescension ain’t my type 

Of thing, putting down poor people for cheap fun

Anyway, today we have things like Skype 

But we should remember that we’re the one

Our individuality should still triumph 

Our brains should overcome corporate pressuring 

And independent thought should load the pipe 

Speaking for myself, this has always gone

Ahead of bullshit that’s dominating 

Our world, and so that’s how I’ll live my life 

5139 - Sunday is a sunny day

There’s been some sunny days, early autumn

And temperatures high for the time of year 

But it’s coming to an end, weathermen 

Tell us, in a day or so, quelle bummer 

Another entirely wasted summer 

As for today I woke up so early 

Twenty to six, and though I still lay there

Two more hours, sleep wouldn’t return to me 

So all I’ve really done today’s TV

Netflix mainly. Documentaries on some

Stuff like the end of the universe, fear

Notwithstanding, it’s interesting!  Kept me

Awake, as did some true American 

Cults, cover-ups, KKK and Mafia!

5138 - Saturday that’s the day

A pretty good day most people agree

Started off well ticking off tasks real fast

Two important ones were done, messaging the

Invisible lodger, Gerard, who’s messed

Up my trust, late with rent, though we discussed 

A week ago that it was due. If I 

Don’t get it paid in I’ll have to insist 

He returns the keys so that I can try

And get some other lodger. No reply

Yet. He’s weird, starting to wonder if he

Is right in the head. Second worthwhile task

Was going into Benson’s Beds nearby

Old Trafford. Where’s my bed?  Paid in July 

But must wait til November. Not the best!

5137 - Friday night

Oh what fun Friday nights are in my flat 

Actually it was fine, I’m just joking 

Having a clean Friday night having had

Some beers last night and now was detoxing 

I knew this was right, this recovering 

Particularly after the hard week 

Of work I’ve had, that although challenging 

Has also been exciting, a unique 

Feeling of fulfilment, even a sneak

Suspicion that at last managers take 

An appreciative view. Makes me proud that

I’m appreciated. It’s a great feeling 

Finished watching Narcos. Was hard to take

Seeing Escobar escape justice, but

At last he bit the bullet, was dying

Fri 18 Sep

5136 - Thursday Thursday

Woke early once more, earliest start ever

Computer on at quarter to seven 

Worked hard and finished shortly after four 

And through my window I noticed the sun

Dog tired, but would I under-sleep again?

That was my worry. It keeps happening 

So getting beer in was my solution 

Sat on the balcony and basking in

The mid-September sun was so tempting 

I deserved it after my hard work for

So many hours. It’s just an easy win

And a proven method of relaxing 

After the sun set, chicken for dinner 

Watched TV, then flopped into bed - gone!

Thur 17 Sep

5135 - Early bird

Woke up at five past six and decided

I’d get up, have a tv breakfast, then

An early start to work would do me good 

Had meetings later, so could get stuff done 

And then join them in a good position 

That’s how it went. Did my exercises 

Too at lunchtime. And then the work went on

Til four thirty. Ate chicken, pasta, peas

Plan was to talk to Josephine, but she’s 

Got too much work, like me! And so instead 

Just sitting binge-watching television 

Watching the second series of Narcos 

Pablo Escobar, he escaped and hid

From the cops once again. Such frustration! 

5134 - Helen again, or

Yesterday while drinking and sunbathing 

Helen was messaging and we arranged

A visit from me, us both expecting 

Tomorrow to be sunny, but it’s strange 

That it didn’t happen. The weather changed 

Still warm, but lots more cloud, quite dark and grey 

Just as well the visit was called off. Tinged

With disappointment but gave me all day 

To work hard and fast and to clear my way 

Through mounds of work, no need to go rushing 

For the bus there and later on, unhinged 

By drink (which I didn’t need anyway)

Getting the late bus back. Now relaxing 

And rehydrated from yesterday’s binge