3877 - Sat 1 April 17

A rainy morning, sunny afternoon
Walked round town with Jo, Arndale as usual
Meanwhile it turns out that Carla is doin'
A gig somewhere in far-off Chesterfield
When she applied for it, she thought, it's real
Near. Chester... Well OK, it's not THAT near
But it's easier to reach by train, I feel
She rang me from the train - I could appear
There myself, someone had pulled out. I feared
It was too late, too far. I turned it down
It needed a car to get there, and fuel
No more in City Car Club, I'm stuck here
Public transport would not get me there soon
So instead, for a night in I'll settle!

3876 - Fri 31 March 17

Friday night in (least not in outpatients)
I'm getting back in the sobriety swing
After the blip of Wednesday when the drinks
Flowed after my comedy performing
Look what I've done, tonight exercising,
Clothes washing, and playing a mean guitar
Not to mention some creative writing
Eating fish earlier on, now eat some more
Some late night Ryvita with Marmite for
My supper, since tummy's giving hints
That it could do with a top-up, rumbling
When sober. Natural tiredness comes before
You know it, cos you've kept busy, so let's
Celebrate the achievement. Get clapping!!!

3875 - Stand and delivered

Woke up dehydrated in Newcastle
Two awkward pisses in the night while there
Struggling down the bunk ladder, bladder full
Avoiding the bloke below, didn't dare
Turn light on, still drunk, trying to be care-
ful not to injure myself. When day came
I slept til 9:20, then went downstairs
For a much-needed drink to try to tame
The after-effects. Got myself to blame
Had breakfast downstairs at Euro Hostel
Then read til Carla appeared, when dinner
(Or early lunch) was ordered. A nice time
Walking round Newcastle's Quayside, a real
Pleasure in the spring sunshine. Great weather!

Thur 30 March 17

3874 - Taking a Stand

Big day, went to Newcastle, comedy
Show at The Stand, big opportunity
Went with Carla, who was good company
The hostel room was empty, luckily
Allowing me to rehearse properly
Even practising on ukulele
The gig went very well, consequently
Carla videoed it, showed laughs aplenty
Afterwards, hung out in the bar  with the
Local comedians and club staff, had three
No, more like six pints, clowning rapidly
(After clowning rapidly), hee hee hee
It's on YouTube now, if you want to see
Slept on the top bunk, drunk, but happily!!!

Wed 29 March 17

3873 - Tuesday 28 March 17

Full of energy in these days of not
Staying up late, not drinking, being good
The amount I've read really knocks me out
Even on weekend evenings, I have read
A vast amount. Need to, so I get tired
Especially important tonight, because
Tomorrow me and Carla will have sped
Oop North on the train, comedy our cause
In Newcastle we dream of loud applause
Rehearsed again a little, must've got
Most of it off by heart now, but my head
Will constantly be fed with it for hours
On the journey up, minute by minute
My hunger must be for laughter as food!

3872 - Monday 27 March 17

Perhaps the last of this spell of hot days
Showers are forecast, unfortunately
Carla has been out again, she has stayed
Out all last night, and now, where could she be
Hopefully she will turn up presently
I don't see her preparing for The Stand
Now only two nights away, comedy
Night, golden opportunity SHE planned
Back in November, when we applied, and
Yet she's nowhere to be seen. I just played
A mean ukulele, practised the three
Or four quick comedy songs meant to stun
The Newcastle crowd, forcing them to say
Let's get this guy back! He is well crazy!!

3871 - 26 March 17

It's that great spring Sunday when the clocks go
Forward one hour, and evening light extends
Its rays into each corner, when shadow
Is diminished, and optimism spends
Its saved-up hoard. Meanwhile, new hope banks lend
Like crazy, whether we deserve or not
The clouds retreat and coldness goes to ground
T-shirts suffice, even shorts. It seems hot
To sun-starved Brits, rediscovering the plot
Bye bye golden disc, until tomorrow
You're sinking now, tired boy at the day's end
It would be fun down at the Old Pint Pot
Or some pub with somebody, don't know who
But now's the time for ME, and not for friends