Toast And Peanuts

Monday 30th April 2018

Final GloPoWriMo prompt involved using an unusual fact from history, art or just something weird as the starting point for a poem. Must’ve read well over a hundred strange facts and some short stories, plus poems by today’s resource author Jorge Luis Borges, but didn’t get into the piece till after lunch. The challenge was well worth doing this year and I managed to stay on prompt all month. Was offered a thirty-minute poetry slot at the first Derwent Valley Literature and book festival happening in June. I’ll be pulling together more courses and knocking on doors shortly. There might be some writing marathons as well. Pretty much knackered right now after GloPoWriMo, but hey-ho, got some stuff out of it. 11.07pm.

Tuesday 1st May 2018

Relaxed start to the day. Washed, shaved, did copy-ups then out to Waddington Street Centre. Discussed possible room hire for future sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Did a dialogue workshop. More job search stuff. Only carrots and potatoes with my chicken dinner so had some toast and peanuts. Richard Judd shared info about my writing course seven times. Thanks for that. Enjoyed listening to Alison Moyet live album whilst working. Watched Harold Shipman documentary on television and thought, Surely that’s narrated by Gina McKee. And hey, it was! Had to message Jenni with that one. Really tired but will be up till almost midnight. 11.13pm.

Wednesday 2nd May 2018

Computer had a bit of a crash today. Went out to Consett for food and nick nacks. Bought a new charger cable for android tablet. Read some Tony Williams short stories from ‘All The Bananas I’ve Never Eaten.’ Writing session went well: journal warm-up, similes, blank verse, Terza Rima and Pantoum. Read Bukowski on the bus home then engaged with social media. Ate peanuts and chocolate. Canny day but financially concerned. 11.07pm.

Thursday 3rd May 2018

Much of this morning spent on admin for proposed writing workshops. Of course I’ll need to do a lot of publicity to fill places. Computer okay today. I’ve been reading Charles Bukowski’s ‘Factotum’ this last couple of weeks, just now and again on the bus. The prose is spare, simple, crude but engaging. It’s nearly thirty years since I first picked up his stuff, the stories easier than the poems to begin with. Tonight I made up a spare copy of WORKS by Henry Rollins. The one he signed in February was a photocopy and a little worn out. I like to carry a repro of the pamphlet in my bag. Poetry Jam was amazing. Massive thanks to mint guests Jane Burn, Tony Gadd and Lorraine Weightman, and all the new open floor voices adding to the night. Chock-a-block talent. Great audience. Fullest it’s been in a long while. Thanks to Fergus for the ride home. 11.29pm.

Friday 4th May 2018

Long day of admin, computer being a pain again. Mid afternoon before I got started on Poetry Jam pictures. Pleased to have most of the guests lined up for the next couple of months. Did some publicity for Derwent Valley Literature Festival appearance. Listened to deluxe version of Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos. Read an American perzine called CLUMSY. Messaged Jenni. Ate lots of chocolate and cheese biscuits and had a big chicken dinner tonight. Watched a TV documentary about Strangeways prison in Manchester – Pierrepoint executions, the liquid cosh, riots, Shipman… Oh, and Northumberland College was in touch regarding possibility of running my writing course in September. 10.30pm.

Saturday 5th May 2018

Haven’t been out for a couple of days. More admin. Preliminary prep for Tuesday session. Read some of Hank Rollins’ A GRIM DETAIL, finished ‘Factotum’, looked at syllable stress in poetry. Typed up notes, watched Mock the Week and a bit of snooker. Didn’t go to Jenni’s tonight. I have nothing new in the employment stakes. Lazy evening. 10.49 pm.

Sunday 6th May 2018

Woke early from a dream of incarceration. Me and a childhood friend with our BMX bikes in some remand centre, me sleeping on a table. Strange. Read some ‘Wild Mind’ by Natalie Goldberg. Trimmed twenty-five copies of Limerance by Sheila Wakefield to be picked up when our paths next cross. Read more of A GRIM DETAIL. Online chat with Jenni. Posted some clips of BMX flatland freestyle after seeing the awesome little girl on her fixed wheel bike on Little Big Shots. Peston on Sunday. Big sleep. 11.25pm.