I wrote a fairly decent set of morning pages today. I could use them in a book, but whether I do or not is yet to be determined. The furthest that I've been is to Not-Paul's shop around the corner from Jen’s for milk, but it’s sour. So Jenni is on pop. We watched the end of the first series of Slow Horses, which was quite engaging. Jen gave me the choice of the second series or a different Mick Herron creation, Cemetery Road. I opted for the latter, and that was eight hours of a story about a search for a missing girl and a military cover-up involving chemical weapons testing on their own troops. Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson were good, but the risks taken seemed too high just to satisfy curiosity about a passing stranger. I've tried to cut down on the big food. I did some over-50s exercises, but no arm physio. OK. 11.05pm.
Tuesday 2nd June 2026
I was up around seven this morning. Worked out the exercises for Waddington Street Centre writing session in morning pages. Showered, shaved, had a chat with Jenni, then off to Gateshead for copier paper and food supplies. Got an X21 bus to Durham. I read a bit of Slough House by Mick Herron. There are lots of characters and long chapters about the movers and shakers of the secret services – too many characters for me to follow. I can read the same page three times and still not be able to say what is happening. The workshop went well. Six exercises: Begin Where You Are, Body Part Dialogue, Five Ways of Seeing, Five Ways of Telling, Wish Lists, History of Coats. Quite tired this evening. I was genuinely moved by some of Jimmy Carr's responses to audience members online tonight and blown away by a Joy Division live bootleg from Paris 1979. Big thanks to Andy Willoughby for booking me to do thirty minutes at Colpitts Poetry later this month. OK. 11.16pm.
Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Busy-busy-busy. Making hay while the sun shines. Or rather, replenishing some of my pamphlet stock before the temperature drops. I wanted to make a start on my gig set for Colpitts. I reread some of my 2023 pamphlet Points of Engagement – a lot of which is bicycle-related – and discovered that today was World Bicycle Day. Ironic, I didn’t get out on either of mine. I've changed the poster for tomorrow's Poetry Jam to reflect the altered line-up. I've made up some copies of P.O.E. I did my over-50’s exercises and sent an invoice for recent workshops. I listened to Venom's Black Metal album; then Anthem and Changeling, both by Toyah. OK. 11.34pm.
Thursday 4th June 2026
Much of this morning was spent sequencing a set of poems for my next half-hour gig. After I timed the set, I decided it had too many safe, thoroughly performed-to-death pieces and needed some more recent material. I'll have another go tomorrow. I got to Waddy about quarter to four. Took about an hour to set up the room for Poetry Jam. We had an ace turnout. All the guests were great. Mark Speeding did some of The Pathos and One Dollar Zombies material, plus poems including Plastic Vortex Magic Box and The Soldier in the Wall. Diane Cockburn read fantastic seasonal poems, richly detailed snapshots of the natural world and its inhabitants. Ian Williams had poems about anxiety, dentistry, family, special ‘knees’ and loads more, keeping us thoroughly entertained for half an hour. There were lots of great turns on the open floor as well. Hard-hitting, humorous, cathartic. I read "Now Then, Philip" and “Damp Trousers”. Thanks to Mark Speeding for the lift home. OK. 11.50pm.
Friday 5th June 2026
After the buzz of last night's Poetry Jam, I didn't go to bed till late, but I still woke up early this morning. I made a blank 140-page sewn notebook as a test for how well a published journal book might look if I decided to release one later this year. I didn't get out on the Sonder bike until after 3pm this afternoon. I just did a basic ninety-minute ride on trails near the River Derwent. I aim to find some good lines elsewhere this summer, but still close to home. I want to check out Muggleswick woods. Tonight I got my set for Colpitts in shape, moved a few things around a couple of times. It's a half-hour set, and I'm pleased with it. I need to get more copies of Failed Rock Star printed. I'm reading seven pieces from it. OK. 11.12pm.
Saturday 6th June 2026
Slow start. Intended to get out for groceries, but too late by the time I sorted myself out. Needed to get into Newcastle and off to Blyth for the Toyah show. Got lost looking for the venue which is actually just a one-minute walk from the library opposite the bus station. Toyota was fantastic. Better than last time. I got back to Gateshead Tesco by eleven then off to Jen's place. OK. 11.42pm.
Sunday 7th June 2026
Jenni and I went to South Shields to see Tom Kelly and Alistair Robinson read at The Word. Both are Red Squirrel Press poets. They read two fifteen-minute sets each to an audience of about thirty people. This evening, Jenni and I watched clips from the League of Gentlemen, then Tip Toe (stream ongoing). OK. 10.40pm.
Monday 8th June 2026
Slow, slow day. Been trying to work since arriving home at half twelve this afternoon. I could do a workshop tomorrow off the cuff, but I want to include some good flash and memoir stuff, so I waded through pages of textbooks to little avail. Finally found what I needed by nine this evening and made some photocopies. Lots of comments about Tip Toe on Facebook today. Jenni and I watched three episodes last night. Brutal stuff. Hopefully, it won't give mob mentality more bad ideas. I read a couple of Paul Morley pieces about Joy Division this evening, then listed about forty-five recently acquired books that I haven't read yet. I could add about forty more unread that I've had for years. I need to put in a lot more effort over the coming weeks and months. OK. 10.30pm.
Tuesday 9th June 2026
Over nine hours of sleep and still felt tired at half eight this morning. Knew I had to pull around quickly because I needed to be at Waddy early enough to get more copies of Failed Rock Star printed. The workshop went well this afternoon. More theory than writing in the first hour: flash nonfiction then flash fiction. The group kindly gave me a thank-you card for still running workshops after leaving the college. The only reason I stopped off in town this afternoon was for a grocery trip, after which, when the bus reached my stop, I realised I'd left my bags behind in the bus shelter. I stayed onboard, went back to Consett. Luckily, the bags were still there, intact. Tonight I had a chicken dinner and watched YouTube music videos. I'm off to bed early. I might read; I might not. OK. 10.07pm.
Wednesday 10th June 2026
Long day. Awake before half four this morning. Out on the Sonder bike for ninety minutes and back by ten o'clock. The Lydia Lunch book arrived. I don't know when I'll get around to reading it, but I'm looking forward to doing so. I printed out my setlist for Durham Colpitts gig. I'll assemble it into an A4 large print stage booklet to go on the lectern. This afternoon and evening, I edited bits of the Waddy Writers anthology. We only need to move a few things around and add a few tiny poems, and it will be okay. My right knee is in a bit of an uproar. I don't know why because I didn't do anything too excessive on the bike today; most of it was just trundling on flat terrain in fifth gear. Roger Taylor of Queen has a new album out and will tour in September. I don't think I'll be going though. I'm done here. 11.02pm.
Thursday 11th June 2026
Early start. Morning pages clarified what needs to be done. Condensed into a twelve-task list. This morning I read a chapter of ‘Lydia lunch: The War Is Never Over’ by Nick Soulsby, photocopied a load of handouts for tomorrow's Washington writing session and made up an A4 stage book of my set for Colpitts poetry night. I've not been outside and I've tried to avoid too much social media coz the feed is pretty fucking depressing and fascist at present. This evening I read the opening pages of Joy Division Piece By Piece, the collected essays by Paul Morley, and checked out some footage of the band on YouTube. I've shaved, had baked potato with curried beans and tuna. And some shortbread, tomato soup, cheese and pickle buns, peanuts, and that's about it really. Up early tomorrow for the workshop. Oh, and I responded to Christine Fowler's poetry pamphlet request. OK. 10.32pm.
Friday 12th June 2026
Awoke a bit early. But got up because I thought I had to make a new morning pages blank notebook. Turns out I don’t need it until Monday. On the bus to Chester-le-Street, I looked over some intros and links for the Colpitts gig, which is just less than two weeks away. I did a rehearsal in the Granary gallery at Arts Centre Washington. The set came in at 27 minutes, and I'm fine with that. Seven people attended today's workshop. I repeated the previous Waddy session content: Begin Where You Are, Body Part Dialogue, Five Ways of Seeing, Five Ways of Telling, Wish Lists, History of Shoes. It went well. Many thanks to Alwyn Bathan for the lift to Gateshead. Then off to Jen's place unannounced coz Facebook was down for a while. I went out for supplies. I've eaten quite a lot. Two pasta meals, fruit, chocolate, and some egg sandwiches. We watched Dolly Parton and David Hockney documentaries on TV tonight. Also Tales of the Unexpected and Hitchcock. OK. 11.57pm.
Saturday 13th June 2026
Big lazy day at Jen’s place, mainly scrolling Facebook. We went to town for supplies. Jenni went out to a talent show and I stayed in and read The Killing Joke by Alan Moore. When Jenni came back with a platter of party food, we pigged out and watched original hits on BBC2. Great songs and video clips. OK. 11.07pm.
Sunday 14th June 2026
Only six hours sleep. Struggled with morning pages. Me and Jenni watched lots of music videos this afternoon. Then went to Tyneside Cinema for Desert Island Flicks, hosted by Dave Johns. The guest was Christopher Eccleston, who talked about his favourite eight films and showed clips. The place was quite packed. The show was two hours. After a pub pitstop at the Centurian, I got back to Moorside around ten. Checked out social media. 10.50pm.
Monday 15th June 2026
If the under-sixteens social media ban was genuinely to protect kids I wouldn't have a problem with it, but it will be used to force adults to prove they're over sixteen just to use the fucking internet. Digital ID, anybody? I cut the grass today. I did some copy-ups. I prepped for tomorrow's workshop at Waddy and I've done a little bit of work on Christine Fowler's pamphlet. I need a good night's sleep. I didn't get to read any Lydia Lunch today. Another month until her Newcastle gig. 11.47pm.
Tuesday 16th June 2026
A good day at Waddy. The writing session was productive. We've nearly finished the little anthology. Only a few things to move. And a cover and a title. I had a good chat with Ali Lee at lunchtime. I'm pleased she's going to see one of her favourite bands THE CURE next week. I got a load of shopping in after work and thankfully didn't forget to bring it home when I boarded the bus. Had a big chicken dinner tonight. I've been lying down since and reading up on how the under-sixteens internet ban will affect adult usage. I've written a few messages to my friend Stephen Clark, as it's forty years this week since we first met on a youth training scheme in Harelaw, County Durham. And it's thirty-four years to the day, since we saw Rollins Band and Beastie Boys at Newcastle Riverside club. I'm wrecked and will be in bed soon. 10.21pm.
Wednesday 17th June 2026
Slow start. Intended to get out for groceries, but too late by the time I sorted myself out. Needed to get into Newcastle and off to Blyth for the Toyah show. Got lost looking for the venue which is actually just a one-minute walk from the library opposite the bus station. Toyota was fantastic. Better than last time. I got back to Gateshead Tesco by eleven then off to Jen's place. OK. 11.42pm.
Sunday 7th June 2026
Jenni and I went to South Shields to see Tom Kelly and Alistair Robinson read at The Word. Both are Red Squirrel Press poets. They read two fifteen-minute sets each to an audience of about thirty people. This evening, Jenni and I watched clips from the League of Gentlemen, then Tip Toe (stream ongoing). OK. 10.40pm.
Monday 8th June 2026
Slow, slow day. Been trying to work since arriving home at half twelve this afternoon. I could do a workshop tomorrow off the cuff, but I want to include some good flash and memoir stuff, so I waded through pages of textbooks to little avail. Finally found what I needed by nine this evening and made some photocopies. Lots of comments about Tip Toe on Facebook today. Jenni and I watched three episodes last night. Brutal stuff. Hopefully, it won't give mob mentality more bad ideas. I read a couple of Paul Morley pieces about Joy Division this evening, then listed about forty-five recently acquired books that I haven't read yet. I could add about forty more unread that I've had for years. I need to put in a lot more effort over the coming weeks and months. OK. 10.30pm.
Tuesday 9th June 2026
Over nine hours of sleep and still felt tired at half eight this morning. Knew I had to pull around quickly because I needed to be at Waddy early enough to get more copies of Failed Rock Star printed. The workshop went well this afternoon. More theory than writing in the first hour: flash nonfiction then flash fiction. The group kindly gave me a thank-you card for still running workshops after leaving the college. The only reason I stopped off in town this afternoon was for a grocery trip, after which, when the bus reached my stop, I realised I'd left my bags behind in the bus shelter. I stayed onboard, went back to Consett. Luckily, the bags were still there, intact. Tonight I had a chicken dinner and watched YouTube music videos. I'm off to bed early. I might read; I might not. OK. 10.07pm.
Wednesday 10th June 2026
Long day. Awake before half four this morning. Out on the Sonder bike for ninety minutes and back by ten o'clock. The Lydia Lunch book arrived. I don't know when I'll get around to reading it, but I'm looking forward to doing so. I printed out my setlist for Durham Colpitts gig. I'll assemble it into an A4 large print stage booklet to go on the lectern. This afternoon and evening, I edited bits of the Waddy Writers anthology. We only need to move a few things around and add a few tiny poems, and it will be okay. My right knee is in a bit of an uproar. I don't know why because I didn't do anything too excessive on the bike today; most of it was just trundling on flat terrain in fifth gear. Roger Taylor of Queen has a new album out and will tour in September. I don't think I'll be going though. I'm done here. 11.02pm.
Thursday 11th June 2026
Early start. Morning pages clarified what needs to be done. Condensed into a twelve-task list. This morning I read a chapter of ‘Lydia lunch: The War Is Never Over’ by Nick Soulsby, photocopied a load of handouts for tomorrow's Washington writing session and made up an A4 stage book of my set for Colpitts poetry night. I've not been outside and I've tried to avoid too much social media coz the feed is pretty fucking depressing and fascist at present. This evening I read the opening pages of Joy Division Piece By Piece, the collected essays by Paul Morley, and checked out some footage of the band on YouTube. I've shaved, had baked potato with curried beans and tuna. And some shortbread, tomato soup, cheese and pickle buns, peanuts, and that's about it really. Up early tomorrow for the workshop. Oh, and I responded to Christine Fowler's poetry pamphlet request. OK. 10.32pm.
Friday 12th June 2026
Awoke a bit early. But got up because I thought I had to make a new morning pages blank notebook. Turns out I don’t need it until Monday. On the bus to Chester-le-Street, I looked over some intros and links for the Colpitts gig, which is just less than two weeks away. I did a rehearsal in the Granary gallery at Arts Centre Washington. The set came in at 27 minutes, and I'm fine with that. Seven people attended today's workshop. I repeated the previous Waddy session content: Begin Where You Are, Body Part Dialogue, Five Ways of Seeing, Five Ways of Telling, Wish Lists, History of Shoes. It went well. Many thanks to Alwyn Bathan for the lift to Gateshead. Then off to Jen's place unannounced coz Facebook was down for a while. I went out for supplies. I've eaten quite a lot. Two pasta meals, fruit, chocolate, and some egg sandwiches. We watched Dolly Parton and David Hockney documentaries on TV tonight. Also Tales of the Unexpected and Hitchcock. OK. 11.57pm.
Saturday 13th June 2026
Big lazy day at Jen’s place, mainly scrolling Facebook. We went to town for supplies. Jenni went out to a talent show and I stayed in and read The Killing Joke by Alan Moore. When Jenni came back with a platter of party food, we pigged out and watched original hits on BBC2. Great songs and video clips. OK. 11.07pm.
Sunday 14th June 2026
Only six hours sleep. Struggled with morning pages. Me and Jenni watched lots of music videos this afternoon. Then went to Tyneside Cinema for Desert Island Flicks, hosted by Dave Johns. The guest was Christopher Eccleston, who talked about his favourite eight films and showed clips. The place was quite packed. The show was two hours. After a pub pitstop at the Centurian, I got back to Moorside around ten. Checked out social media. 10.50pm.
Monday 15th June 2026
If the under-sixteens social media ban was genuinely to protect kids I wouldn't have a problem with it, but it will be used to force adults to prove they're over sixteen just to use the fucking internet. Digital ID, anybody? I cut the grass today. I did some copy-ups. I prepped for tomorrow's workshop at Waddy and I've done a little bit of work on Christine Fowler's pamphlet. I need a good night's sleep. I didn't get to read any Lydia Lunch today. Another month until her Newcastle gig. 11.47pm.
Tuesday 16th June 2026
A good day at Waddy. The writing session was productive. We've nearly finished the little anthology. Only a few things to move. And a cover and a title. I had a good chat with Ali Lee at lunchtime. I'm pleased she's going to see one of her favourite bands THE CURE next week. I got a load of shopping in after work and thankfully didn't forget to bring it home when I boarded the bus. Had a big chicken dinner tonight. I've been lying down since and reading up on how the under-sixteens internet ban will affect adult usage. I've written a few messages to my friend Stephen Clark, as it's forty years this week since we first met on a youth training scheme in Harelaw, County Durham. And it's thirty-four years to the day, since we saw Rollins Band and Beastie Boys at Newcastle Riverside club. I'm wrecked and will be in bed soon. 10.21pm.
Wednesday 17th June 2026
Awake at five this morning. I tried to get back to sleep but couldn't, so I read thirty pages of The Sign of Saturn – poems by Sharon Olds. I bought this nearly thirty-five years ago. Lots of it today read as if new to me, but I remembered some of the content: the boy in the garden, the sister in the night, language of the brag. I stayed offline as much as possible. Didn't scroll social media. I have prepped next week's Belmont Carers' writing workshop. Numbers are still a little low, so fingers crossed it goes ahead. I printed out a few copies of my July 2023 pamphlet Soon Will Come Thunder. I put my set together for the Cooking Pot gig, which takes place at Baba Yaga's House in Whitley Bay on Monday 6th July. I've rehearsed a bit more for Colpitts and listened to a podcast of Henry Rollins talking about producing The Cramps ‘Gravest Gravy’ archive album. I read a couple of chapters of Lydia Lunch: The War is Never Over. A lot of it for a second time, as I had no recollection of reading it just a couple of days ago. OK. 10.15pm.
Thursday 18th June 2026
Last night it was Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division. This evening, I've been rocking Nirvana – Live and Loud. I prefer to watch live videos of bands rather than just listen to the songs. I've put in a full day at the computer; it's been on for about twelve hours. The Poetry Jam stuff is up for July. I've saved all my book files to a USB stick; I will make more backups of it. I printed out a couple of Letting the Minimalism Slip pamphlets for the Colpitts gig and will make up Failed Rock Star as well. I had a canny chat with brother Mark on the phone for half an hour this evening. I fancy something nice for supper. The Man Who Sold the World is on now. I think I heard Nirvana's version before Bowie's. I didn't get outside today. Hopefully on the bike tomorrow. OK. 11.00pm.
Friday 19th June 2026
Spent a lot of today book-building. Got out on the Rockhopper bike for a little while. I picked up A Dance of Ghosts by Kevin Brooks from Consett library. I read the first couple of chapters on the bus to Newcastle this evening. Written from the point of view of a depressed private investigator who gets into bother with a benefit fraudster. Oh, and I got some pamphlets folded and assembled. Jenni went to York for a reunion with her Gerbil Squad school friends. I think I got up a bit too early this morning. Really knackered. Jenni is now watching episodes of Inside No 9. I've had four chicken dinners this week. 10.50pm.
Saturday 20th June 2026
Awake too early this morning, so quite tired for a fair bit of the day. Quite hot in the attic. Jenni and I went out for supplies, then watched four episodes of Midsomer Murders. I think I fell asleep for a while. I've eaten lots of chicken sandwiches today and had a Biscoff choc ice. Drank lots of squash. Prince's Trust concert from 1986 on TV this evening: Bryan Adams, Tina Turner, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Paul Young, (members of) Status Quo, Suzanne Vega, Level 42, and Paul McCartney. OK. 10.51pm
Sunday 21st June 2026
Jenni was away at a train convention today, so I took the opportunity to give her room a bit of a declutter. This evening, she returned with bits of soot on her face from one of the vintage trains, then went outside to escape the attic heat. We walked to Gateshead. She went to the pub; I crossed the Tyne and caught the X45 bus to Consett. Walked home, ate nuts and sultanas. OK. 11.17pm.
Monday 22nd June 2026
My hypomanic brain does what it wants and sometimes just says Stuff You Stevie, lad – and I zonk out mid-afternoon. So today I had to lie low for ninety minutes after trimming copies of Failed Rock Star and inking covers of Letting The Minimalism Slip. But after a sleepy, after a baked potato with curried beans and tuna, I rattled through the reportage, then booted up the desktop computer and did the latest round of corrections for the little Waddy Writers anthology. At around half ten, it struck me that I hadn't rehearsed again for Colpitts. So I had a good run through the entire set. I've got about six pieces that are memorized and a lot of the rest don't need it anyway. But one or two of the new ones will get there eventually, probably next year. Or the year after. Today was a canny day. Lots more to come. OK. 11.46pm.
Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Today was pretty bloody great! I read a couple of chapters of A Dance Of Ghosts by Kevin Brooks. I think I've retained the storyline. I worked for about two hours before the Waddy workshop, getting our little anthology a couple of steps closer to completion. We have a big colour canvas artwork by one of the writers from which to borrow a detail for a wrap-around cover. All the poems are proofed, save the cover artist's pieces. And we should get all the margins sorted in the next week. We did some basic writing prompts in the session and shared our thoughts on the anthology selection. The temperature in Durham today was ridiculous. The bus back to Consett was a greenhouse. But the town was pleasantly breezy. I needed a lie down tonight due to poor sleep last night. I listened to The Head on the Door album by The Cure. Then sorted my bag for tomorrow's Durham Carers Workshop and had another Colpitts rehearsal. OK. 10.35pm.
Wednesday 24th June 2026
Another good day. Nice little taster workshop at Belmont Community Centre for Durham Carers Support. I read The Dark House, My Box, Piece of String and Little Miss Sleepyhead. We got through seven exercises: one-minute sentences, adj-noun-verb compositions, acrostics, objects and lies, ten images from twenty-four hours, letters to lost things and 'I Am' poems. This evening I packed book stock for the Colpitts gig and photocopied handouts for Friday's Arts Centre Washington workshop. Also, another rehearsal for tomorrow night. OK. 10.30pm.
Thursday 25th June 2026
Had a cracking day today. Up at half six. Got the pages done. Then the best freezer defrost ever; my new hairdryer blasted through loads of ice, and I cleared the abundance in about eighty minutes. I went out at half eleven to Consett. Had a big homemade steak and cheese sandwich for dinner. Got a 78-bus to South Moor Library. Really enjoyed Bobby Cussons' book talk for her novel SHOTLEY BRIDGE MURDERS. Very informative. Loads of good questions answered. The bus ride from Stanley to Durham on the 16A was canny. Much cooler than the bus I set out on this morning. I had chicken jalfrezi and rice at Waddy this afternoon and did a final rehearsal downstairs in the lounge. Then had a great gig at Colpitts. Andy Willoughby, the host, said set duration was flexible, so I didn’t feel rushed. I adlibbed quite a bit between poems. Tony Gadd was concerned about his voice letting him down, but he was ace. A well-balanced set, a lot of it outward-looking. Enjoyed his I Remember, Pink Slice and Chunky Chips, The musicians, John and Maggie Burge, were good. I particularly enjoyed Maggie’s piano playing. Open mic was pretty much an A-Game special. Big thanks to all involved. And thanks to people for buying books. Last bus home for me tonight. 11.15pm.
Friday 26th June 2026
The kitchen might stink for a few days with the carpet peeled back, while the concrete floor dries by the freezer. Then, when the carpet is dry, it needs baking soda to neutralise the odour. I've done it before, by the freezer and at the other side of the room near the back door. Unfortunately, the carpet needed cutting in two places to allow a section the necessary exposure to warm air. Today, I was pleased to be away. The workshop at Arts Centre Washington went well. Present tense memoir pieces. This evening I had chicken and chips; then wrote a testimonial for The Black Light Engine Room archive, but Facebook swallowed it. I tried to write it again but couldn't remember the words. One Dollar Zombies were brilliant at Heart in Consett tonight. I bought supplies at Tesco afterwards. Back home, I ate the rest of the chicken. It's hot upstairs. Tired. 11.46pm.
Saturday 27th June 2026
Awake about half five. I rewrote the testimonial for The Black Light Engine Room and submitted it. I wrote some feedback for One Dollar Zombies. Then blasted the patch of kitchen carpet near the freezer with a hairdryer; I put bowls of distilled white vinegar down to kill the smell. Then I walked to Consett for the crime fiction talk by author Miles Hudson. He was very informative and animated his novel extracts well. I enjoyed it. Then over to Jen's place. Out for supplies. Then watched game shows followed by forty Glastonbury tracks. OK. 11.00pm.
Sunday 28th June 2026
Thursday 18th June 2026
Last night it was Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division. This evening, I've been rocking Nirvana – Live and Loud. I prefer to watch live videos of bands rather than just listen to the songs. I've put in a full day at the computer; it's been on for about twelve hours. The Poetry Jam stuff is up for July. I've saved all my book files to a USB stick; I will make more backups of it. I printed out a couple of Letting the Minimalism Slip pamphlets for the Colpitts gig and will make up Failed Rock Star as well. I had a canny chat with brother Mark on the phone for half an hour this evening. I fancy something nice for supper. The Man Who Sold the World is on now. I think I heard Nirvana's version before Bowie's. I didn't get outside today. Hopefully on the bike tomorrow. OK. 11.00pm.
Friday 19th June 2026
Spent a lot of today book-building. Got out on the Rockhopper bike for a little while. I picked up A Dance of Ghosts by Kevin Brooks from Consett library. I read the first couple of chapters on the bus to Newcastle this evening. Written from the point of view of a depressed private investigator who gets into bother with a benefit fraudster. Oh, and I got some pamphlets folded and assembled. Jenni went to York for a reunion with her Gerbil Squad school friends. I think I got up a bit too early this morning. Really knackered. Jenni is now watching episodes of Inside No 9. I've had four chicken dinners this week. 10.50pm.
Saturday 20th June 2026
Awake too early this morning, so quite tired for a fair bit of the day. Quite hot in the attic. Jenni and I went out for supplies, then watched four episodes of Midsomer Murders. I think I fell asleep for a while. I've eaten lots of chicken sandwiches today and had a Biscoff choc ice. Drank lots of squash. Prince's Trust concert from 1986 on TV this evening: Bryan Adams, Tina Turner, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Paul Young, (members of) Status Quo, Suzanne Vega, Level 42, and Paul McCartney. OK. 10.51pm
Sunday 21st June 2026
Jenni was away at a train convention today, so I took the opportunity to give her room a bit of a declutter. This evening, she returned with bits of soot on her face from one of the vintage trains, then went outside to escape the attic heat. We walked to Gateshead. She went to the pub; I crossed the Tyne and caught the X45 bus to Consett. Walked home, ate nuts and sultanas. OK. 11.17pm.
Monday 22nd June 2026
My hypomanic brain does what it wants and sometimes just says Stuff You Stevie, lad – and I zonk out mid-afternoon. So today I had to lie low for ninety minutes after trimming copies of Failed Rock Star and inking covers of Letting The Minimalism Slip. But after a sleepy, after a baked potato with curried beans and tuna, I rattled through the reportage, then booted up the desktop computer and did the latest round of corrections for the little Waddy Writers anthology. At around half ten, it struck me that I hadn't rehearsed again for Colpitts. So I had a good run through the entire set. I've got about six pieces that are memorized and a lot of the rest don't need it anyway. But one or two of the new ones will get there eventually, probably next year. Or the year after. Today was a canny day. Lots more to come. OK. 11.46pm.
Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Today was pretty bloody great! I read a couple of chapters of A Dance Of Ghosts by Kevin Brooks. I think I've retained the storyline. I worked for about two hours before the Waddy workshop, getting our little anthology a couple of steps closer to completion. We have a big colour canvas artwork by one of the writers from which to borrow a detail for a wrap-around cover. All the poems are proofed, save the cover artist's pieces. And we should get all the margins sorted in the next week. We did some basic writing prompts in the session and shared our thoughts on the anthology selection. The temperature in Durham today was ridiculous. The bus back to Consett was a greenhouse. But the town was pleasantly breezy. I needed a lie down tonight due to poor sleep last night. I listened to The Head on the Door album by The Cure. Then sorted my bag for tomorrow's Durham Carers Workshop and had another Colpitts rehearsal. OK. 10.35pm.
Wednesday 24th June 2026
Another good day. Nice little taster workshop at Belmont Community Centre for Durham Carers Support. I read The Dark House, My Box, Piece of String and Little Miss Sleepyhead. We got through seven exercises: one-minute sentences, adj-noun-verb compositions, acrostics, objects and lies, ten images from twenty-four hours, letters to lost things and 'I Am' poems. This evening I packed book stock for the Colpitts gig and photocopied handouts for Friday's Arts Centre Washington workshop. Also, another rehearsal for tomorrow night. OK. 10.30pm.
Thursday 25th June 2026
Had a cracking day today. Up at half six. Got the pages done. Then the best freezer defrost ever; my new hairdryer blasted through loads of ice, and I cleared the abundance in about eighty minutes. I went out at half eleven to Consett. Had a big homemade steak and cheese sandwich for dinner. Got a 78-bus to South Moor Library. Really enjoyed Bobby Cussons' book talk for her novel SHOTLEY BRIDGE MURDERS. Very informative. Loads of good questions answered. The bus ride from Stanley to Durham on the 16A was canny. Much cooler than the bus I set out on this morning. I had chicken jalfrezi and rice at Waddy this afternoon and did a final rehearsal downstairs in the lounge. Then had a great gig at Colpitts. Andy Willoughby, the host, said set duration was flexible, so I didn’t feel rushed. I adlibbed quite a bit between poems. Tony Gadd was concerned about his voice letting him down, but he was ace. A well-balanced set, a lot of it outward-looking. Enjoyed his I Remember, Pink Slice and Chunky Chips, The musicians, John and Maggie Burge, were good. I particularly enjoyed Maggie’s piano playing. Open mic was pretty much an A-Game special. Big thanks to all involved. And thanks to people for buying books. Last bus home for me tonight. 11.15pm.
Friday 26th June 2026
The kitchen might stink for a few days with the carpet peeled back, while the concrete floor dries by the freezer. Then, when the carpet is dry, it needs baking soda to neutralise the odour. I've done it before, by the freezer and at the other side of the room near the back door. Unfortunately, the carpet needed cutting in two places to allow a section the necessary exposure to warm air. Today, I was pleased to be away. The workshop at Arts Centre Washington went well. Present tense memoir pieces. This evening I had chicken and chips; then wrote a testimonial for The Black Light Engine Room archive, but Facebook swallowed it. I tried to write it again but couldn't remember the words. One Dollar Zombies were brilliant at Heart in Consett tonight. I bought supplies at Tesco afterwards. Back home, I ate the rest of the chicken. It's hot upstairs. Tired. 11.46pm.
Saturday 27th June 2026
Awake about half five. I rewrote the testimonial for The Black Light Engine Room and submitted it. I wrote some feedback for One Dollar Zombies. Then blasted the patch of kitchen carpet near the freezer with a hairdryer; I put bowls of distilled white vinegar down to kill the smell. Then I walked to Consett for the crime fiction talk by author Miles Hudson. He was very informative and animated his novel extracts well. I enjoyed it. Then over to Jen's place. Out for supplies. Then watched game shows followed by forty Glastonbury tracks. OK. 11.00pm.
Sunday 28th June 2026
Morning pages were just preparation for the week. Today has been a big day off after doing stuff for six days in a row. Jenni and I watched a History of the Railways series this afternoon. Madonna interview tonight and more Glastonbury highlights. I have mostly been eating tuna, oranges and bananas. Had a couple of choc ices as well. OK. 10.38pm.
Monday 29th June 2026
Jenni and I forgot our anniversary this morning. She remembered first and messaged me when I got home. Big thanks to all the people who responded to the photo Jenni posted of us online. Big thanks to Jenni for all the love and support and laughs and cuddles and creativity and inspiration over the last sixteen years. And thanks for the ace carpet double-sided tape. The kitchen carpet is now back in place. I’ve sprayed it with a vinegar and water solution. It smells okay some ten hours later, but I’ll still sprinkle baking soda on it tomorrow. I tweaked the Waddy Writers anthology and mocked up the cover. I listened to Nirvana – Live and Loud. Then watched Sex Pistols fronted by Frank Carter on YouTube from this year’s Isle of Wight Festival. OK. 11.35pm.
Tuesday 30th June 2026
Today was quite stressful. I thought we’d be good to go with the Waddy anthology today, but discussions about some of the content and more last-minute changes to the text have set us back a few days. And trimming the white border off the cover knocks all the margins out. All to reposition tomorrow. Fingers crossed everything comes right by the weekend. But this evening I still have Poetry Jam pix to upload and a morning pages book to make. OK. 7.50pm.
Monday 29th June 2026
Jenni and I forgot our anniversary this morning. She remembered first and messaged me when I got home. Big thanks to all the people who responded to the photo Jenni posted of us online. Big thanks to Jenni for all the love and support and laughs and cuddles and creativity and inspiration over the last sixteen years. And thanks for the ace carpet double-sided tape. The kitchen carpet is now back in place. I’ve sprayed it with a vinegar and water solution. It smells okay some ten hours later, but I’ll still sprinkle baking soda on it tomorrow. I tweaked the Waddy Writers anthology and mocked up the cover. I listened to Nirvana – Live and Loud. Then watched Sex Pistols fronted by Frank Carter on YouTube from this year’s Isle of Wight Festival. OK. 11.35pm.
Tuesday 30th June 2026
Today was quite stressful. I thought we’d be good to go with the Waddy anthology today, but discussions about some of the content and more last-minute changes to the text have set us back a few days. And trimming the white border off the cover knocks all the margins out. All to reposition tomorrow. Fingers crossed everything comes right by the weekend. But this evening I still have Poetry Jam pix to upload and a morning pages book to make. OK. 7.50pm.
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