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