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