5006 - Manchester near united

Today felt low at times but still used it
Wisely, going for a long walk, something
I've not done enough since the lockdown hit
Cold wind and grey sky, Salford Quays, crossing
The Ship Canal, continued following
The tram track for a while round Trafford Park
Thought about possibly continuing
To the Trafford Centre, but that's a walk
And a half, so turned back. At Booth's, bought pork
Pie and shepherd's pie, but no fear, didn't
Eat both! Played uke pretty well. Practising
Is paying off. Though Netflix called, thought, Dork!
Beforehand, do a new comedy skit
United versus City recording

4979 - Good is boring

I'm finding it quite hard to concentrate
There's a film on - it's A Taste of Honey
Set in Salford along time ago. Wait -
Is that what the Quays used to look like? The
Ads are on now so I'll write this quickly
As I can before the film starts again
Might get some sandwiches soon to give me
A treat, seeing I've no beer. Recovering
From last night's binge and music listening
Which made me feel closer to Helen. Great
Fun doing the quiz with her and her friends. We
Got almost the same score. As usual, seem
To be so similar. This morning I wrote
More of my music quiz for Saturday

4916 - Marcellout

My left leg bone hurts just below the knee
No idea why, didn't bang it at all
When I walk it's OK, but when in the
Office it seemed to get far more painful
Disappointment after work. Missed Marcel
Proust-inspired 'La Captive' film and a talk
Beforehand. Didn't expect it to sell
Out! So, despite my bad knee, had to walk
Home, but it's cold out, that's almost a shock
These days. Winter's now almost already
Over, so I'm not complaining. Snowfall
Would have been nice to walk through, but no luck
Just relaxing now in Salford City
In my flat, in the warm, sore knee and all...

4915 - Rust sometimes sleeps

Storm Ciara battered us starting last night
At midday it was so dark, quite scary
Went for a walk when it then seemed more bright
Needed to go and find somewhere to be
Salford Quays is often the choice for me
Shops, the theatre, the Ship Canal, even
Studios of ITV and BBC
I bought a new duvet set, it's heaven
A rust colour, can't wait to lie within
And a new breadknife bought as the storm hit
The mall roof hard. The shops closed then, lucky
Me for not getting wet. Walked home again
Made my bed. The new colour's a delight!
Now, shall I write? Have I the energy?

4864 - Bumming and strumming

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

Fri 20 Dec

4837 - Wolf snack

A fun afternoon at Café Lupo
With Carla and Justyna. Carla was
Ill and nearly cancelled and didn't go
And Justyna, she went to the wrong place
Its old Chapel Street site, because of mis-
Information on the map, on Facebook
Anyhow, they were both there. Carla is
In a dilemma, happy with her bloke
But their house is in Huddersfield. She's stuck
There and would rather be here, and also
Seems to have stopped her comedy - that is
A shame - and in a low-paid job. She'd look
At a PhD course, but they are so
Costly here, less so in Sweden! Poor Miss!

4831 - Pasta master

It's getting late, and I must say I've not
Done much artistically as I hoped to
But otherwise it's been good. Showed the flat
To Ryan, who was interested but who
Later lamented in a message, blue
That he was unable to move in, so
The room's still free. Robin called, and who knew?
He was in Salford, with Liz, could I go
And meet them? Well, yes, I did, the talk flowed
And there's talk of a do next summer at
Their house in Lichfield for the family crew
Some of them will be shocked, put on a show
To astound them, I'm sure they will be rocked
Then watched England easily beat Kosovo!

4820 - Flat flap

Woke early, Chan's last day here, briefly saw
Her pop into the kitchen and the fridge
While at work, she messaged with a picture
Of the keys on the table, a message
Of goodbye and good luck. Now a passage
To Korea for her, as the fireworks bang
Back here in Salford, keeping heritage
Alive, it really feels like sturm und drang
Round here! Now the flat's empty, couldn't hang
Fire on a bottle of wine. So let's pour
It out while I ponder finding just which
Person's right for this flat. Talking to Chan
Last night, got feedback, so I can be sure
Who would fit well here and how much to charge

4777 - Doctor in the park

Been filming in the park with Barbie and
AJ, the rain just holding off enough
And not deluging us as it threatened
To allow us to do our comedy stuff
They were all my ideas, should raise a laugh
When I post them over the next few weeks
We went to Buile Hill Park, Salford, a tough
Area but some nice houses too. The leaks
From the clouds earlier made the grass wet, streaks
Of mud here and there, and I rolled around
In it in my white doctor's coat. I love
My new character, Dirty Doctor, seeks
Employment at your gig, he has laughs planned
Phone storage full now, got to take pix off

4769 - It's only shop and stroll

Spent the morning thinking of film ideas
And writing them with sharpie on a pad
Next Sunday we'll be filming, it's so near
So after that I walked around Salford
Hoping for more ideas as my feet toured
Nothing more came, but it was nice again
To see places I'd previously explored
But forgotten where they were. I went down
Liverpool Street as far as Pendleton
Kept on through Seedley and Weaste, saw the trees
Of Buile Hill Park, then soon realised I could
Reach Eccles, past Hope Hospital, and turned
Left. Soon there, checked out the shops. For my bus
I bought red paper, Now I need cardboard!

4665 - Match of yesterday

Yesterday evening all that I could do
Was listen to the big match on radio
While half-asleep on the sofa, trying to
Recover from Friday's misbehaviour
Pleased Liverpool beat Spurs because they are
The better team and almost won the League
Losing to City by one point - unfair
For them to finish with naught. Now, a big
Trophy is theirs once more. Nine this morning
Soon after I'd got up, Chan walked in through
The door, now she's resting. Planned to video
In a big coloured tent thing that was rigged
Up at Salford Media City, but too
Late, chance gone. But I'm filming tomorrow...

4655 - Salford pink

A sunny day and after work I made
Myself all pink, t-shirt, trousers, and hair
And headed to Salford Uni parade
Ready for filming with Jamal. Met there
And ad libbed very well, so much better
Than I thought possible. So just as planned
A collection of film and stills prepared
For social media scrutiny, yes and
There's still time for more as the sands
Of time blow towards the Fringe. At lunch, had
A meeting with Carla over Cokes - where?
The Old Pint Pot, Salford, her and Adham
Warm sun on back and neck, its rays just played
A merry tune. Overall, things look fair

4654 - Saltford, here we come

God, I'm knackered, three nights of not enough
Sleep, combined with daytime activity
At work and evenings too, it's been quite tough
But rewarding for little old TB
Managed to come up with some ideas that we
Could film tomorrow, despite my tiredness
The idea? To film at Salford Uni
Where Jamal's a student, can get access
To music rooms. Could be a real success
I'm also gonna deliberately screw up
And call Salford 'Saltford' for comedy
Purposes. As usual, with such quickness
The ideas came, no editing of stuff
No - if it's daft, it's good enough for me...!!!

4611 - Shit went down

First set at Worst Night in Salford in an
Age, went well I thought, with no rehearsal
My 5 minute 'shit' set premiered there, and
I did it well, not memorised at all
So quite pleased. Got a few laughs and a cool
Singalong, even, lots of smiles, but I
Couldn't stand OJ's boring closing bull
Dave Turquoise wasn't there, James was MC
It was half ten by that stage - time to fly
I had just two pints, but I've bought some wine
So I'm knocking that back now, maybe I'll
Get a good night's sleep. Chan's gone once more, by
The way, it's China this time! My headphone
Has packed in. Some old ones are working well!

4590 - Last night, tonight

It's been another at times difficult
Day but I feel I can cope and come through
Tomorrow's meeting I won't be at fault
I think I've done enough, they'll think that too
I hope. Some people, well one, wants me to
Fail or lose confidence, but no I won't
They're bullshitting and afraid I can do
Better than them, well yes I can. A point
I'll make of that. Justyna had a joint
Last night but not me, but gave me fags, inhaled
Them in the rain. then a comedy show
In the New Adelphi, Salford. I joined
Hands with Siouxsie, Cocteau Twins, not The Cult
Cos they're shit. Played uke well tonight, woo hoo!

4538 - Shop til you bop

A gloomy Saturday late afternoon
In January, though the sun shone before
For a while, and I went shopping for some
Underpants and trunks, got them, but oh lor!
When I tried on the Adidas trunks, Cor
Blimey! they were too tight, cannot wear those
In Morocco, or anywhere, so bore
Though it is, I went back and found Speedo's
That fitted OK around my Who Knows...
Got four new ties, a quid each, what a boon
From a new charity shop, bargain store
Over the road, with some real well-priced clothes
And DVDs, The In-Betweeners, soon
Will belatedly catch up and guffaw...

4496 - Coming down fast

Got a good night's sleep, much needed it was
In the morning, heard poor Helen had hurt
Her shoulder, falling over. Now that does
Remind me of early May, when I fought
But failed to stay on my feet, and lay sprawled
On a busy road in Salford, too pissed
To get up, my life at risk. Can get caught
Out necking copious amounts, but still wish
To do it regularly. Today, it's
All about taking it easy, because
I've not slept well this week, but I've felt good
Since getting my show signed up. It's the Ritz
Hotel for me, where I'll stay between shows!
Played The White Album on uke. 'Twas good sport!

4413 - Train in pain

Been out with Josie to watch United
At Old Trafford against Wolves, and Fergie
Returned after his brain op, they all stood
And applauded, although we couldn't see
Him from where we were. One-all draw. Next we
Walked to the Salford Quays mall for a drink
Jo had a nightmare return home journey
Train delayed nearly an hour, then filling
To bursting point, people even climbing
Onto tables and even overhead
Racks meant for bags. For Jo, alone, scary
Her mum met her, but she had been waiting
And worrying a good while til she did
See Josie finally arrive back safely

4358 - Several Nights In Paris

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

4324 - Enema of the people

Worked at home in the morning, and also
Booked bus tickets for Edinburgh Fringe
Five days up there but doing just three shows
But I'll be there, and that's a beginning
Never even been to see anything
At the Fringe before, and it won't cost much
A 5 a.m. coach from Manchester - think
That's a bit too early, yes, just a touch!
Meanwhile this afternoon I was engaged
In giving myself an enema - oh!
Then to Salford Royal for bowel screening
No trams running to Eccles. Taxi just
In time. They stuck a camera up there, saw
Two polyps, cut them out. Sunshine, walking