Had a decent end to sobriety today. Pool at the Common Room, watched Leicester's tight defeat at Forest, and then sat in the Old Monk watching snooker on the big screen in Tudor Square. Addam's of course, refused to take any money, so the Tenner I owe him is being put to SASS in his name - cheers Adds!
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Friday, 22 April 2011
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Wedding...
Seem to have missed out on this blog for a bit. Well, managed Loren & Ben's wedding fairly well, but was helpful that I was running around like a blue-arsed fly most of the time! Certainly focuses the mind on not boozing!
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Weddings!
Don't forget why I'm doing this - for SASS, so please do give generously!
Well, wedding, singular, for now.
Saturday was Helen and Adam's wedding (photos here by the way), the next major test of my sobriety. Have to say, it was really very odd. basically, I just felt like a lemon who couldn't dance, which probably means I can't dance, but I'm normally too pissed to care! The main difference I noticed was that I do still get annoyed by drunk people bumping into me, but now my brain can work quickly enough to stop me before I turn around and lamp someone!
Again, the major debate here is what to have instead of alcohol, although in many ways, this issue actually arises less frequently than in a pub, so perhaps a wedding is easier? OK, sitting at the table having a meal with bottles of wine everywhere (and everyone drinking them) whilst sipping mineral water was really quite odd, but once the meal is over, there's no need for a drink. In a bar, one enters the premises, orders a drink, and sits down. The session is then punctuated at regular intervals by "anyway, it's your round", "want another one pal?" or similar phrases every time someone's drink reduces to one-third its starting volume. Weddings have no issue, you dance, and then get something when you're thirsty. It's far more like a nightclub.
Following Saturday's pleasantries, we headed back home via Crookes, and watch the Calcutta Cup match with Austin, and some large frozen pizzas. Again, an occasion of possible drinking, but with Jen driving, beer wasn't even mentioned. All good!
Off tonight to see Drenge at the Washington. Should be a good night - I'm almost getting used to this sober thing!
Please though, give generously.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Not a Mess & Beer Festivals
Cool, so a quick curry and a half pint of Pepsi, and no mess in sight! So, a very pleasant curry in the Wetherspoons, then a quick dart back to Kristina's to pick up my camera which she'd taken home by mistake last Saturday, then home in time to watch Skins.
Curry and a pint for £5.29 is bloody good, but when you remove your pint of beer and add in a half of Pepsi, it suddenly seems like less of a deal! Weirder still, I think it's probably the first time in about thirteen years (half my life) that I have entered a licensed premises and not bought an alcoholic drink. I have to say, I didn't feel that I needed a drink, but it was quite tempting to take a gulp of Kristina's beer so I didn't spill it as I carried it from the bar.
Then of course, the first thing I see as I enter the bar, is that poster (right) for a massive real ale and cider festival. Typical, I stop boozing, and all the good booze rocks up to the local bars! Still, I guess that there'll be a lot of tests during my sobriety . This beer festival, Helen's wedding this weekend and Loren's on 26th, Nat's birthday coming up next weekend and Sheffield Tiger's first meet this Thursday. I just have to remember why I'm doing this - to raise money for SASS, and to prove the Reluctant Vegetarian wrong ;), and of course, for myself. They'll be plenty of time for the rest of my life to get Pass the Pepsi!
Thursday, 10 March 2011
sobriety sucks
Brevity is, I feel, the daughter of tram-blogging, so brief I shall be...
So,doing well. Lent only started yesterday, and I've already been invited out for a curry and a pint. What's worse, Kristina's invited me out, and our post-work Wetherspoon Curry Thursdays often got fairly messy (not as messy as our Friday or Saturdays,but hey). It'll be weird being out with her sober. Maybe I'll realise she's actually a horrible person? I'd be surprised, though!
I've been thinking... How about if every time I go out, I add an extra £5 to the pot myself? I'd be easily saving myself more than that anyway, so I may as well chuck it in? We'll see how often I go out his Lent - I've already got three weekends and this and next Thursday planned, could get expensive.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Another email, and £100 pledged!
Thanks to everyone for the help and support so-far, and especially from Josie and Michael at SASS. I shall hopefully be meeting them this week or next to sort out leaflets/flyers etc.
I have received pledges now totalling £90, and there's already £10 in my Justgiving account who Mr James Goodhew. Thanks pal - won't let you down! :)
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Lovely Helpful Advice
A handy link, courtesy of Roy.
Should be helpful...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/19/health-and-wellbeing-alcohol
Friday, 21 January 2011
Charitable Response
Had a lovely couple of emails today from SASS. They've said that not only would they be happy to accept my donations, they would also be able to post my just giving page (and this blog) on their front page, they can sort me out with a visit to see some of the work that they do, and they may even be able to help me publicise my efforts with the Sheffield Telegraph!
Emails transcribed below:
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I was so pleased to receive these emails so soon after asking for their help I cannot tell you. I think it'd be a lovely thing to throw myself into something like this, see and report on the great work being done by a fantastic local charity, highlight the issues of alcohol and substance misuse on the user and their family, and raise them a little cash in doing so.
Roll on Ash Wednesday!
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Charity
OK, I've decided to do this for charity now. I was shocked by some of the statistics quoted alongside the government's plans to introduce (mildly ineffective) minimum alcohol pricing.
The Reluctant Vegetarian has found me a list of charities with at least some presence in Sheffield. Any thoughts on whom I should provide money to most welcome!
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