Good to get books boxed up and posted to Elaine Cusack for the weekend. Nice of Tony Gadd to order a copy of Letting the Minimalism Slip. Lloyds Bank seemed genuinely pleased that I mentioned the weekend underpayment by cash machine. I went out on the Sonder bike tonight. Did a hill climb that wiped me out for the rest of the ride. Need to start using free weights. Had a big corned-beef rissole for tea at half eight. I won't need any supper. I'll be working all of tomorrow, I think. OK. 10.17 p.m.
Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Aggravated before breakfast, but now I seem to be on top of the work for the week. Even mowed the grass. I've read a bit more of You Get So Alone At Times by Bukowski. I’d like it more if the pieces were written as prose vignettes instead of masquerading as poetry. 200 pages in, scores of pieces, but only four or five that I'd call poetry. I've prepped prompts for Friday’s surprise writing half-marathon. Hope it goes well. OK. 9.58pm.
Thursday 3rd April 2025
Pleased to find some of the only coloured cardstock that will go through my home laser printer to do the covers for tomorrow's half-marathon. I got next Saturday's full marathon covers printed at Waddington Street Centre this afternoon. I've ordered another Samsung Xpress M2070W laser printer from Ryman's. They last about five years. My second one is about done and was discontinued before I bought it. The only one they still have left has been in storage for years at their Scarborough shop. We had 36 people in the lounge at Waddington Street Centre for Poetry Jam tonight. The guests – Mayira T and Gill and Mark Connors – were great. Lots of people came just to listen. I read ‘Caution’ from Letting the Minimalism Slip and ‘Live for the Word’ from Hypomaniac. Chuffed to get a signed copy of ‘The Where We Were’, Mark and Gill’s travel poetry book. Had to race around after the gig to get tidied up and out for the bus. OK 11.52pm.
Friday 4th April 2025
So I find myself staying in a hotel in Whitley Bay tonight. Jenni had some free points and decided to use them up. We’re within spitting distance of the sea, have a big space, and Friday night TV. The writing half-marathon went well this afternoon. Loads of good pieces from the group. We did nine prompts. And I enjoyed all the rounds. Thanks to Alwyn Bathan for the lift back to Tyneside. I intended to drop my bags off a Jen’s and go for a wander around Newcastle. But then I got the invited to stay on the coast. Tomorrow we are going up to Blyth for Elaine Cusack's pamphlet launch. I'm now watching Gogglebox after a Pot Noodle and a bag of salted peanuts. OK.10.39pm.
Saturday 5th April 2025
Me and Jen had an awesome cereal, fruit and full English breakfast this morning then walked from Whitley Bay to Blyth for Elaine Cusack’s gig. She sold a fair number of her new pamphlet ‘Don’t Hassle Me with Your Sighs, Blyth’. We got the bus back to Newcastle. I bought a big pork pie. Jenni went back out for War of the Worlds. I've just been watching original artists perform songs made famous by others. OK 10.55 pm.
Sunday 6th April 2025
Another good day off. Me and Jen went to a craft and food market at Saltwell Park with Hillary and John this morning. Then had the guided tour of Bensham. Into town for supplies then watched Britain's Got Talent, a couple of game shows and Grace. Bus back to Consett. Walked to Moorside. Home at a quarter to twelve. OK. 1152 pm.
Monday 7th April 2025
In town this morning. Borrowed three library books again that I had out last year: Alan Rickman Diaries; Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert; and the C2C bike ride handbook. In addition to these, I got a weight training book to hopefully get me started for bike season. I bought paper stock and bathroom scales – then had a small, cooked breakfast in Wetherspoons. I am 13 stone 3 lb – which is about a stone too much to be trying to lift myself on a bike over obstacles. I went out for a couple of hours this afternoon, loving the dry trails, but I'm so unfit I was falling over trying to ride over stuff I did well last year. I doubt I’m capable of anything I did on video last autumn. I read some Big Magic tonight. Haven’t used the desktop computer since Thursday. Will have to work hard tomorrow to get through everything. 10.50pm.
Tuesday 8th April 2025
At home all day. Wanted to ride the bike tonight but the work kept me at the computer longer than expected. I've got the writing marathon booklets folded. I've done some copy-ups and emailed people but I've not yet selected the 26 prompts required for Saturday. And I haven't done any college paperwork either. I've read a bit of You Get So Alone by Bukowski and am coming to the end of it. I've ordered his Screams from the Balcony - Letters 1960-1970. At some point, I'll order Living on Luck and Reach For The Sun. His letters are probably better than the later poems. I'd also like to read more Kevin Brooks. I knocked off around eight this evening. Had a headache since then. Should have been in bed about an hour ago 10.47pm.
Wednesday 9th April 2025
Still no indoor exercise. Unless you count wandering into rooms and out again, climbing the stairs, forgetting why and having to go back down to remember. I crossed the doorstep to get four rashers of smoked bacon costing £1.29 at Nisa which I paid for as follows: £1 coin, two ten pence pieces and nine pennies. I saved two rashers for tomorrow. I still have a few mushrooms. I've started to get headaches again. Maybe it's time to visit the optician. Maybe I'm just dehydrated. Social media is in an uproar because Farage was in County Durham yesterday. Try paying for the birth of your next kid or your mother's hip replacement on his watch and tell us you don't regret voting for Reform UK. What the fuck. It's bedtime. 11.04pm.
Thursday10th April 2025
Tuesday 8th April 2025
At home all day. Wanted to ride the bike tonight but the work kept me at the computer longer than expected. I've got the writing marathon booklets folded. I've done some copy-ups and emailed people but I've not yet selected the 26 prompts required for Saturday. And I haven't done any college paperwork either. I've read a bit of You Get So Alone by Bukowski and am coming to the end of it. I've ordered his Screams from the Balcony - Letters 1960-1970. At some point, I'll order Living on Luck and Reach For The Sun. His letters are probably better than the later poems. I'd also like to read more Kevin Brooks. I knocked off around eight this evening. Had a headache since then. Should have been in bed about an hour ago 10.47pm.
Wednesday 9th April 2025
Still no indoor exercise. Unless you count wandering into rooms and out again, climbing the stairs, forgetting why and having to go back down to remember. I crossed the doorstep to get four rashers of smoked bacon costing £1.29 at Nisa which I paid for as follows: £1 coin, two ten pence pieces and nine pennies. I saved two rashers for tomorrow. I still have a few mushrooms. I've started to get headaches again. Maybe it's time to visit the optician. Maybe I'm just dehydrated. Social media is in an uproar because Farage was in County Durham yesterday. Try paying for the birth of your next kid or your mother's hip replacement on his watch and tell us you don't regret voting for Reform UK. What the fuck. It's bedtime. 11.04pm.
Thursday10th April 2025
Awake around three or four and didn't sleep well afterwards, so consequently not feeling great this morning. I had a bacon sandwich, then packed up for Gateshead. In Consett I was tempted by a full English breakfast but resisted. got to Jen’s around ten past one. Quick pitstop then over to Details for more cardstock and endpapers for more copies of Elaine's pamphlets. Then a big start on the writing marathon buffet food. Two trips to Tesco. I've decided not to make sandwiches this time; I'm just going to buy some instead. Me and Jenni went to the Lit and Phil for Ellen Pheathean’s and Kathleen Kenny's writing group’s reading. I particularly liked the guy who read about being a Belle and Sebastian fan. And falling off his bike. Went to Tesco again for supper stuff. Then sent a message to the marathon writers. I’ve got big aches and pains in my feet and right leg. Bed soon. 11.03pm.
Friday 11th April 2025
Not a lot to add to the marathon stuff. I got sandwiches for people rather than making them. The big case is full of stuff and the fridge is full of stuff. I need to watch my calories but after the marathon there's going to be a lot of food to get rid of. I'm possibly not going to break even on the cost of this one. But we have a canny little group. Big Brother is on the telly. I've not seen it for decades. It's no different from how it was in the noughties. I'm just amazed that Mickey Rourke is in there. And Daley Thompson. OK. 10.03pm.
Saturday 12th April 2025
Friday 11th April 2025
Not a lot to add to the marathon stuff. I got sandwiches for people rather than making them. The big case is full of stuff and the fridge is full of stuff. I need to watch my calories but after the marathon there's going to be a lot of food to get rid of. I'm possibly not going to break even on the cost of this one. But we have a canny little group. Big Brother is on the telly. I've not seen it for decades. It's no different from how it was in the noughties. I'm just amazed that Mickey Rourke is in there. And Daley Thompson. OK. 10.03pm.
Saturday 12th April 2025
Awake at six for morning pages. Bags packed for writing marathon. Buses fine. All set up by half ten with big help from Jenni. Six people booked and all made it. No glitches. We did fifteen rounds of writing today. I wote a few pieces that I really liked. Jenni was on form. Afidi was amazing. People didn’t eat much. I had quite a lot this evening. OK. 9.57pm.
Sunday 13th April 2025
Me, Jenni and a few others had a guided walk around Sunderland city centre this afternoon with keen music historian Ian Mole. We heard about places where the Stones, Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Faces, The Clash, The Adverts and loads of others played. It was good. Back in Bensham, we ate vindaloo beans and sausage rolls. Home by nine o'clock. OK.10.26pm.
Monday 14th April 2025
Went to Durham to pick up the new laser printer. The box was damaged so Ryman’s gave me 10% discount, so it only cost me £89.99. I've seen the same discontinued model online for close to £200. This afternoon I tweaked a poster for the Waddington Street Centre writing sessions but didn't like it, so I did another one tonight. I prepped for the new session. I got all my vocal entries onto the mobile device. 10.47 pm.
Tuesday 15th April 2025
Workshop at Waddy went well. Only one absentee. We looked at sonnets and wrote about influences. I'll start on specific poets soon, and close reading, and I want to do some more on flash fiction. I got a lot of college paperwork photocopied this afternoon. I slept on the Arriva bus to Gateshead. Me and Jenni watched a bit of ‘Phantom of the Opera - Live at the Royal Albert Hall’ on Sky Arts. The buses back to Consett were fine. No more official engagements until next Tuesday. Catch-up time from tomorrow. OK. 11.45pm.
Wednesday 16th April 2025
More copies of Laughter to Split Glass ordered. And some flash fiction titles. Bit more college paperwork done, but still a long way to go. I've been trying to read but my head drops to the page, my eyes close, and I'm away. It's cold again. My feet are numb. I'm back to my winter gear, physically and mentally. I need to get the college stuff sorted. I'm sick of looking at it. I read more Bukowski letters tonight. 10.42pm.
Thursday 17th April 2025
Long day. Headache. Think it's time I got to the optician. I made the Poetry Jam event page yesterday, but little else. I bought supplies in Consett. My head is splitting. I want at least ten hours sleep. 11.21pm.
Friday 18th April 2025
Another day indoors. I need to get out on the bike again soon. Almost completed college paperwork this evening. I read Going Short by Nancy Stohlman. I particularly liked the bits about sequencing a collection of flash fiction pieces. Similar to how I structure my pamphlets, books and gig sets. I'm going to Bristol for the flash fiction festival in July. I hope I can write something there. I am tired. I need new glasses. 10.54 pm.
Saturday 19th April 2025
Got the Unlocking Novella-in-Flash book from Michael Loveday. Went out on the bike for an hour and over to Bridgehill to reminisce. Bought an Easter egg in town for Jenni. We listened to lots of songs this evening. Brandi Carlisle and Elton John. OK. 11.08pm.
Sunday 20th April 2025
Nice lazy Sunday. Big chat about creativity and plans for future. Morning pages about my way forward. Big dinner delivery with so much meat I had enough for teatime sandwiches. Big walk around Gateshead. And a visit to see John and Hillary tonight. Grace on TV. But I missed the end. 11.16pm.
Monday 21st April 2025
Big chat about work and literature. Parsnip and carrot soup for dinner. Then over to Newcastle for a little look in HMV. Loads and loads of music and books I'd like to check out, but will never have time to read. Metallica tracks were playing on the sound system. I looked at Lou Reed stuff. Behemoth, The Cure, The Cult… Later, in Waterstones, I looked at a huge Roger McGough Collected Poems hardback. Back at Jen’s, we had hot cross buns, watched Coronation Street, then a really disturbing episode of Black Mirror about brain implants and dodgy things people do to pay for healthcare. 11.56pm.
Tuesday 22nd April 2025
I wrote a load of notes on the bus, prompted by a ‘What If?’ when someone paid for a ticket then threw it in the bin. I did more stepping stones and small stones, and we looked at Taxing Rain by Penelope Shuttle. We chatted about the creative process. After the session, I wrote notes for the next one. Then did more photocopying for the college. I ate a bacon and chicken pasta on the bus to Consett then bought supplies for the week. OK. 9.26pm.
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Read reviews of Vanessa Gebbie books on Amazon. Then I did some assisted abdominal exercises with the roll bar. After mowing the grass this afternoon, I had to go to bed for a couple of hours coz the headache was too bad. Chris Powell from Weardale Word Fest has invited me to run a workshop and host an open mic. I'm off to bed soon and hope to read a few more of Charles Bukowski's letters. 10.08pm.
Thursday 24th April 2025
Good little ride to Ebchester and back on the old Rockhopper bike. Spent what seemed like ages booking National Express coach tickets online with the Divine comedy song in my head the whole time. I finally got writing marathon pictures up on Facebook. I got a collection of flash fiction from Michael Loveday through the post today. I'm unable to read much tonight because of a recurring headache. Three times this week. A visit to the optician is long overdue. 920pm.
Friday 25th April 2025
Jenni and I went to see Nev Clay and the singer from Fables at Alphabetti Theatre. They both played really well. Amplified acoustic, but nothing excessive. It was good to see Steve May at this gig. 11.O6 pm.
Saturday 26th April 2025
Hot cross bun with banana for breakfast. Read a bunch of flash fictions. Went into town this afternoon for food. Lots of reductions on chicken. Watched a frame of snooker. Recorded vocal entries, watched Britain's Got Talent and Top of the Pops. OK. 11.01 pm.
Sunday 27th April 2025
I read more flash fiction and info on Bukowski’s ‘Hot Water Music’ story collection. Watched snooker. Trump and Murphy again. 100th century this season for Trump. Salads and scotch eggs. Jenni is amused by Camberwick Green. OK. 10.20pm.
Monday 28th April 2025
Went to see Kay Wilson talk about her novel The Stand Up Mam at The Word in South Shields this afternoon. Trawled charity shops then got fish/pea fritter and chips from Colemans. Jenni got the devastating news via phone that poet Sky Hawkins has died. An announcement was made on social media later this evening. At present we are at a loss for words. 11.20pm.
Tuesday 29th April 2025
Morning pages, email checks, backpack, setup at Waddy. session was mainly poetry, including pieces from last week plus similes, extended metaphors, national poetry competition-winning entry. Poems for a homelessness anthology. Flood piece by Lydia Davis, then line break exercises. 9.27pm.
Wednesday 30th April 2025
Eye-test this morning was an hour-long appointment. I spent £230 and should have two new pairs of glasses in less than a fortnight. This afternoon, I uploaded Poetry Jam pictures. Haven’t managed much else. I had a big chicken salad for tea. I want a week away from responsibilities. I'm tired and feeling run down this evening. What the fuck. Hopefully a bit better soon 9.35pm.
Sunday 13th April 2025
Me, Jenni and a few others had a guided walk around Sunderland city centre this afternoon with keen music historian Ian Mole. We heard about places where the Stones, Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Faces, The Clash, The Adverts and loads of others played. It was good. Back in Bensham, we ate vindaloo beans and sausage rolls. Home by nine o'clock. OK.10.26pm.
Monday 14th April 2025
Went to Durham to pick up the new laser printer. The box was damaged so Ryman’s gave me 10% discount, so it only cost me £89.99. I've seen the same discontinued model online for close to £200. This afternoon I tweaked a poster for the Waddington Street Centre writing sessions but didn't like it, so I did another one tonight. I prepped for the new session. I got all my vocal entries onto the mobile device. 10.47 pm.
Tuesday 15th April 2025
Workshop at Waddy went well. Only one absentee. We looked at sonnets and wrote about influences. I'll start on specific poets soon, and close reading, and I want to do some more on flash fiction. I got a lot of college paperwork photocopied this afternoon. I slept on the Arriva bus to Gateshead. Me and Jenni watched a bit of ‘Phantom of the Opera - Live at the Royal Albert Hall’ on Sky Arts. The buses back to Consett were fine. No more official engagements until next Tuesday. Catch-up time from tomorrow. OK. 11.45pm.
Wednesday 16th April 2025
More copies of Laughter to Split Glass ordered. And some flash fiction titles. Bit more college paperwork done, but still a long way to go. I've been trying to read but my head drops to the page, my eyes close, and I'm away. It's cold again. My feet are numb. I'm back to my winter gear, physically and mentally. I need to get the college stuff sorted. I'm sick of looking at it. I read more Bukowski letters tonight. 10.42pm.
Thursday 17th April 2025
Long day. Headache. Think it's time I got to the optician. I made the Poetry Jam event page yesterday, but little else. I bought supplies in Consett. My head is splitting. I want at least ten hours sleep. 11.21pm.
Friday 18th April 2025
Another day indoors. I need to get out on the bike again soon. Almost completed college paperwork this evening. I read Going Short by Nancy Stohlman. I particularly liked the bits about sequencing a collection of flash fiction pieces. Similar to how I structure my pamphlets, books and gig sets. I'm going to Bristol for the flash fiction festival in July. I hope I can write something there. I am tired. I need new glasses. 10.54 pm.
Saturday 19th April 2025
Got the Unlocking Novella-in-Flash book from Michael Loveday. Went out on the bike for an hour and over to Bridgehill to reminisce. Bought an Easter egg in town for Jenni. We listened to lots of songs this evening. Brandi Carlisle and Elton John. OK. 11.08pm.
Sunday 20th April 2025
Nice lazy Sunday. Big chat about creativity and plans for future. Morning pages about my way forward. Big dinner delivery with so much meat I had enough for teatime sandwiches. Big walk around Gateshead. And a visit to see John and Hillary tonight. Grace on TV. But I missed the end. 11.16pm.
Monday 21st April 2025
Big chat about work and literature. Parsnip and carrot soup for dinner. Then over to Newcastle for a little look in HMV. Loads and loads of music and books I'd like to check out, but will never have time to read. Metallica tracks were playing on the sound system. I looked at Lou Reed stuff. Behemoth, The Cure, The Cult… Later, in Waterstones, I looked at a huge Roger McGough Collected Poems hardback. Back at Jen’s, we had hot cross buns, watched Coronation Street, then a really disturbing episode of Black Mirror about brain implants and dodgy things people do to pay for healthcare. 11.56pm.
Tuesday 22nd April 2025
I wrote a load of notes on the bus, prompted by a ‘What If?’ when someone paid for a ticket then threw it in the bin. I did more stepping stones and small stones, and we looked at Taxing Rain by Penelope Shuttle. We chatted about the creative process. After the session, I wrote notes for the next one. Then did more photocopying for the college. I ate a bacon and chicken pasta on the bus to Consett then bought supplies for the week. OK. 9.26pm.
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Read reviews of Vanessa Gebbie books on Amazon. Then I did some assisted abdominal exercises with the roll bar. After mowing the grass this afternoon, I had to go to bed for a couple of hours coz the headache was too bad. Chris Powell from Weardale Word Fest has invited me to run a workshop and host an open mic. I'm off to bed soon and hope to read a few more of Charles Bukowski's letters. 10.08pm.
Thursday 24th April 2025
Good little ride to Ebchester and back on the old Rockhopper bike. Spent what seemed like ages booking National Express coach tickets online with the Divine comedy song in my head the whole time. I finally got writing marathon pictures up on Facebook. I got a collection of flash fiction from Michael Loveday through the post today. I'm unable to read much tonight because of a recurring headache. Three times this week. A visit to the optician is long overdue. 920pm.
Friday 25th April 2025
Jenni and I went to see Nev Clay and the singer from Fables at Alphabetti Theatre. They both played really well. Amplified acoustic, but nothing excessive. It was good to see Steve May at this gig. 11.O6 pm.
Saturday 26th April 2025
Hot cross bun with banana for breakfast. Read a bunch of flash fictions. Went into town this afternoon for food. Lots of reductions on chicken. Watched a frame of snooker. Recorded vocal entries, watched Britain's Got Talent and Top of the Pops. OK. 11.01 pm.
Sunday 27th April 2025
I read more flash fiction and info on Bukowski’s ‘Hot Water Music’ story collection. Watched snooker. Trump and Murphy again. 100th century this season for Trump. Salads and scotch eggs. Jenni is amused by Camberwick Green. OK. 10.20pm.
Monday 28th April 2025
Went to see Kay Wilson talk about her novel The Stand Up Mam at The Word in South Shields this afternoon. Trawled charity shops then got fish/pea fritter and chips from Colemans. Jenni got the devastating news via phone that poet Sky Hawkins has died. An announcement was made on social media later this evening. At present we are at a loss for words. 11.20pm.
Tuesday 29th April 2025
Morning pages, email checks, backpack, setup at Waddy. session was mainly poetry, including pieces from last week plus similes, extended metaphors, national poetry competition-winning entry. Poems for a homelessness anthology. Flood piece by Lydia Davis, then line break exercises. 9.27pm.
Wednesday 30th April 2025
Eye-test this morning was an hour-long appointment. I spent £230 and should have two new pairs of glasses in less than a fortnight. This afternoon, I uploaded Poetry Jam pictures. Haven’t managed much else. I had a big chicken salad for tea. I want a week away from responsibilities. I'm tired and feeling run down this evening. What the fuck. Hopefully a bit better soon 9.35pm.
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