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

5005 - Bassic instinct

So yesterday - cos I am one day late -
Sunbathed late morning thru almost to lunch
I knew the weather would deteriorate
Certainly by tomorrow, had a hunch
And saw the forecasts predicting a plunge
In temperature. Exercised to music
Lee Perry's Super Ape still packs a punch
That phased reggae piano sounds so slick
And the always good bass sure does the trick
Missed hearing from Helen, she has gone quiet
Hope she's OK and soon gets back in touch
Drank wine in the evening, with more music
Nice sunset, but I'd have preferred a date
With Helen on the screen, not left in lurch

Sat 9 May

5000 - Cherry-picking

Felt wide awake today, at last, thank God
Concentrated better at work, for once
First time in two weeks, because I was good
And had an OK night's sleep, though not tons
After work, went for a walk. Lots of runs
Going on, post-work joggers all around
The sky was blue, but faintly felt the sun's
Heat. Kept my jacket on. Should've pulled down
My zip to show my T-shirt, but I'd found
An unexpected place to film, forgot
About the t-shirt and about my plans
To head for a park bench. Liked this background
Of the cherry pickers across the road
So filmed right there as I downed all my mints!

4994 - I spied a spider

Just ate some chicken, and I enjoyed it
After a few beers, just had to chill out
Got the heat on, surprised a little bit
But it's gone cold, of that there is no doubt
I'm tanned though from last week from head to foot
I'm glad the rain has come. April was dry
And I'm sure there'll be more sun soon. Without
Much sleep these last few nights, my eyes don't cry
They ache, but I've exercised, built up my
Muscles nicely and I'm feeling quite fit
Watching a film to make kids scream and shout
Blood-sucking spiders roam the house, they die
One by one. Will the kids survive this shit?
I'll soon see what the end is all about

4991 - Happy feet

Been clean today, and that's an achievement
Considering it's a sunny Saturday
Evening, but drank too much on Thursday. Felt
A bit rough Friday, drank wine but no way
Did I enjoy it. Decided I would stay
Home, not go out for more, and soup went down
Nicely before bed. Even so, today
Still felt rough early on, and a bit down
But soon cheered up. At lunchtime, headed down
Stairs to sit on the grass. Second day spent
Getting a tan. My feet look more healthy
They've gone from purest white to a light brown
At four, Vee's history quiz. I won. Second
Quiz I've won in less than even one day

4988 - The big (enforced) read

Another sunny day, but always there
Seems to be a cold wind around the place
Makes staying in easier. Hope when summer
Comes, we can go out, enjoy time and space
And enjoying not just a pretty face
My plan tonight - the mini-series 'Quiz'
Had rave reviews, so my plan is to base
Myself around my laptop and to lose
Myself in at least one episode. There's
Only three to watch in all. There's a fair
Chance if I'm hooked I'll watch it all. Replaced
My finished book with Louis' Christmas prez
To me, my first Stephen King book ever
And JFK's death date is when it's based

4985 - Bedding in

Sunday, and almost a normal Sunday
Much like any other Sunday. Sunny
But quite chilly, not quite a lovely day
Wore my coat while queuing for Sainsbury
Got beer in, had a few, felt quite cheery
Didn't do all I should, but exercised
Press-ups, did 85, not quite 90
Did a song lyrics sketch, with a few likes
I hope folk found it funny, I surmised
They did. Tomorrow, it's a purple day
T-shirt and hair-wise, channelling Jimi
I feel weary now, bit de-energised
So bed here I come, I am on my way
Watched Snatched, Amy Schumer, minor hee hee

4983 - Quiz Night

Busy day at work, at home, Friday does
Often to seem to work out that way. Sunny
But a chilly wind as I joined the queues
Outside Sainsbury's at lunchtime with the
Intention of buying beer and stuff. Then re-
sumed work, coronavirus related
Emergency measures, but at four, we
That is, me and Helen, began our chat
With a quiz at seven in which I did
Okay but didn't win the blasted quiz
But last week I won one, my family
Quiz, on literature. I've now completed
Tomorrow's music quiz. Resumed the buzz
Of video chat with Helen, then sleepy....

Fri 17 April

4977 - I know my John Bunyans

Much more relaxed, though still no time to waste
Wrote song lyrics for a musical sketch
It wasn't hot enough to have sunbathed
Fifth exercise session this week - I stretched
And pulled my muscles taut. Ate. Then I fetched
The next Bony Tony t-shirt - it's pink
I knew then the Punk Panther would well match
My pink shirt and hair, and it matched a punk
Version of the Pink Panther tune, I thunk…
But had less than an hour til the quiz. Haste
Was then required. Listened a few times, checked
The chords to play on the uke, a quick plink
Then launched into it, in the best of taste
Then won the lit quiz, as they all expect...

4974 - Howay the sads

I had a good day at the office - no!
How can that be, when we're all working at
Home? And the sun shone. Decided to go
Join the Sainsbury's queue for food and that
Keep two meters away, you bloody prat!
Afterwards, exercised, third time this week
Did 90 press-ups today on the mat
One prick does handstands outside - what a geek
All on his own, showing off, takes a peek
To see if anyone's looking, ho ho
Only to laugh, mate. Hope you fall down flat!
Recorded a vid, then got out my uke
Pleased with today's comedy film. I know
I'm good at ad lobbing. Think I nailed it!

4961 - In suspense

A lovely sunny day. people lying
On the grass, some doing exercises
Some phone calls meant I failed in finishing
The main work to be done, but no crisis
While tax inspections are halted through this
Coronavirus epidemic all
Around, suspending most activities
My lot is easy, some have terrible
Lives right now, no wages, having to kill
Time at home with no work, or arguing
Spouses and kids, and domestic abuse
Health workers made to work until they're ill
At eight there was supposed to be clapping
For carers. I heard none from these houses

Thur 26 March

4959 - Freaky Tuesday

Stuck at home again of course, have to be
Mainly indoors, though the weather's quite nice
I see lots of joggers pass close by me
On the pavements, and that cannot be right
Breathing heavily. OK, exercise
Might be allowed, once a day, but they take
It too far, acting contrary to advice
Yes, exercise, but in doing so, don't break
The 2 metre distance rule, for they make
Those rules to save lives, not for us to see
Your fitness regime. Gym freaks, paradise
Lost to them, competitiveness mistake
OK, it's nice they want to keep healthy
But they should keep back from my mouth and eyes

Tue 24th March

4935 - This is the new sheet

Where's Storm Jorge? I thought it would pour down
I think it did last night, but today it's
Been cold and sunny, suitable for goin'
Out for a walk, no rain, not even spits
Popped to the shops, got new holiday bits
And bobs as Prague draws near, some underwear
I needed that - and some good new t-shirts
Also new bedsheets, though those are for here!
Might throw the old one out, the wear and tear
Has made it feel bobbly, can't move around
My feet and legs without slight discomforts
It needs to be super-smooth lying there
Rolling around, enough to bring on spurts
Here come the clouds, darkness sudden, profound

4926 - Lisbon Day 3

Cloudy at first, then the sunshine shone through
After confusion 'bout departure point
Caught the Yellow Boat with its friendly crew
Got off on the far bank - our appoint-
ment with the Christ statue was imminent
We took a tuk-tuk to Rio's twin bro'
Built in '59, the same monument
As the one in Brazil - no need to go
There now!) Only had half an hour or so
Then took the tuk-tuk back. Quick meal. Yellow
Boat just about to leave. Jo feeling faint
Headed back to the hotel so that Jo
Could have a lie down. There might be time to
Have an evening meal. Last night in this joint

Thur 20 February

4922 - Smoking by the pool

How strange! The weather forecast yesterday
Showed heavy rain all day, with Storm Dennis
The culprit. And yet it's quite a nice day!
Hopefully the devastation promised
In West Yorkshire once again will be missed
The sandbags in place give reassurance
In Australia of course it's even worse
The vital forests were burning for months
Melbourne, world list-topper for residence
Now shrouded in choking smoke. Stay away!
Summers by the pool, barbecues and beers
No longer safe. Make sure someone fastens
Windows and doors. Golden days of sports play
Gone forever, green now brown, ash for grass

4921 - Expecting to fly

Storm Dennis hits, though real rain's tomorrow
As half-term holiday week gets going
And family holiday flights cannot go
Ahead, ruining their hopes and plans, costing
An arm and a leg if organising
Replacement flights to their destinations
If not, all wasted time, disappointing
The kids and parents. Me and Jo's Lisbon
Trip's two days after the storm disruption
That was a close one. Even if we flew
Through the storm, at first, returning
To the start in peril of destruction
Would be a possibility, and so
Fingers crossed we'll get cool calm journeying

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?

4888 - Back to Drac

It's getting mad at work, I'm exhausted
Was gonna go out to Frog and Bucket
To see some peeps I know humiliated
Trying to Beat The Frog, but got so wet
In a downpour on the way home. Forget
Walking for miles to that venue and back
And possibly wet again, I felt that
Was beyond me, and so instead watched Drac
Episode 3, and slowly using slack
Wi-fi and phone, all night long, to upload
My performance last night, seven minutes
In length, I feared the time that this would take
But it's nearly done. When I go to bed
I think the alarm might need to be set

4870 - Crowd saucing

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

Thur 26 Dec