This is it kids - Alcohol Eve. Happy Drinking and a Merry Hangover!
I have survived - no WE have survived - 6 weeks without the demon drink. Here is a summary of the completely scientific results of this social study...
Weight
I have lost no weight, except for about an ounce of knee skin when I came off my bike the other day (yes, I have been excercising like a bitch too). So all you people out there on weight watchers who get told a pint is about a million points and wine is the devil's own choice - DON'T BELIEVE IT! Liver Watchers maybe, Weight Watchers no.
Activities
I have been unusually active - getting on all sorts of courts to play with bats and balls, bowling (ten pin) and even a spot of rugby (though I nearly put my back out doing that). I have also been to watch rugby sober (unheard off) and been to the horses with nowt but a coke. Verdict - Rugby is for drinking beer at, not playing.
Feel good factor
Do I feel good? Yes, but generally I do anyway, as I am a bit of a cheeseball. My wallet feels better. My liver hopefully is loving it, and looks brand new, with tags on. The only major feelgood factor thing is the positive feeling that I have done this. Six weeks ago I did not feel confident about it at all. I know that I can easily have a few nights a week where I can live without a glass of wine, or a cold can of beer. A cold can of beer with little droplets of cold water dripping down the side, just out of the fridge...
Social side of it
As four of my close friends/significant others joined me in this, we did lots more things that we would not have done (see activities!) and we survived many a pub visit without beer. The hardest night out for me was CN's birthday - a pub crawl down Brauny Gate on my first alc free Friday night, with alc fuelled buddies. Verdict - If you are going to do this, do it together!!
The awards:
Best Non alcoholic beer: A toss up between Cobra Zero and Bavaria 0.0%.
Worst non-acl beer: Becks - it's shit.
Best Non alcholic drink: Fever Tree Ginger Ale
Best pub for non drinkers: Always the Pump and Tap, second place Dry Dock, cos there's lots of distractions (mad video games where you shoot african wildlife not one for the veggies, sport on TV, pool, quiz machines etc)
Best night out without alcohol: Bowling - all the way. The horses was okay without a drink too.
That's all folks. This blog is closed. Bring on June 1st, bring on our camping trip so we can test the new tent, bring on Glastonbury, bring on a summer full of happy days.
Ps sorry for the general problems I have in spelling the word alcohol throughout.
Pps Kasabian was good. Were we the only ones not drinking? Yes we were.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Saturday, 30 May 2009
The big day approaches
Going to see Kasabian tonight (and The Hours and Jersey Budd, in support) alchohol free of course. Not that I am too bothered, as in only two days time I'll be drinking again. JB at work has just checked the weather report - 22 degrees, sunshine, so R and I have made an executive decision - Pump and Tap straight after work, then Red Cow in LFE for dins.
YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!
YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Putting the neeeiigh in Neighbours
Went to the horses with R, came out a mere 4 quid down, after operating a strict £6 per race betting maximum. R at least won a couple of times, which is good, as I was slightly worried she would never come to the races agian if she didn't. The last race was a bit of a fiasco for the poor bookies due to 5 non-runners, which meant queueing to get your winnings at the end was a long process - we discovered this after queueing for ten minutes to pick up R's £1.62 prize.
We tried a number of betting 'systems'.
1. Just pick a name you like.
2. Study the form in the racecard.
3. Go out to the paddock and see if your horse looks like it has 'good legs' (the words of a horsey type next to us).
4. Go out to the paddock and see if your horse looks at you. If it looks into your eyes then go for it, if it winks at you, or even waves its hoof in your direction, buy the damn thing and take it on a world tour.
Obviously the being £4 down at the end of the day speaks for itself - these betting 'systems' have varying, and not guaranteed success.
We ended the day back at our eating smoked salmon(smoked it myslef in a biscuit tin - see http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fish-recipes/smoked-salmon-with-chilli-salsa!) and watching a DVD of 'classic' Neighbours episodes. R was in hysterics, mainly at the hilarious death scenes (Todd! Jim!) the ridiculous silent wedding (Scott and Charlene - though classic track by Angry Anderson, 'Suddenly', saves the scene) and just the sheer enjoyment of reliving 1988-1991.
The worst scene was Libby and Drew's wedding when Drew sings some sort of Hihland Laddie Tartan Jockstrap number to Libby (who bawls). The bad Sottish accents are up their with Anthony LaPaglia (Frasier) and Don Cheadle's (Ocean's 11) English accents as the Worst Attempts at a Foreign Accent by a Professional Actor of all Time.
In the words of that long haired boke of the Friday Night Project *- 'Good Times'.
*R now wants him to do a 'Bring Back...Neighbours' episode now (if you haven't seen it, he does a program where he attempts to reunite the cast of a film or TV show by just generally stalking them.)
We tried a number of betting 'systems'.
1. Just pick a name you like.
2. Study the form in the racecard.
3. Go out to the paddock and see if your horse looks like it has 'good legs' (the words of a horsey type next to us).
4. Go out to the paddock and see if your horse looks at you. If it looks into your eyes then go for it, if it winks at you, or even waves its hoof in your direction, buy the damn thing and take it on a world tour.
Obviously the being £4 down at the end of the day speaks for itself - these betting 'systems' have varying, and not guaranteed success.
We ended the day back at our eating smoked salmon(smoked it myslef in a biscuit tin - see http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fish-recipes/smoked-salmon-with-chilli-salsa!) and watching a DVD of 'classic' Neighbours episodes. R was in hysterics, mainly at the hilarious death scenes (Todd! Jim!) the ridiculous silent wedding (Scott and Charlene - though classic track by Angry Anderson, 'Suddenly', saves the scene) and just the sheer enjoyment of reliving 1988-1991.
The worst scene was Libby and Drew's wedding when Drew sings some sort of Hihland Laddie Tartan Jockstrap number to Libby (who bawls). The bad Sottish accents are up their with Anthony LaPaglia (Frasier) and Don Cheadle's (Ocean's 11) English accents as the Worst Attempts at a Foreign Accent by a Professional Actor of all Time.
In the words of that long haired boke of the Friday Night Project *- 'Good Times'.
*R now wants him to do a 'Bring Back...Neighbours' episode now (if you haven't seen it, he does a program where he attempts to reunite the cast of a film or TV show by just generally stalking them.)
Heneken Cup Final
23rd May - Watched Heineken Cup Final in Pump and Tap (actually outside the P&T, as they've got a screen out there which is wicked, as the sun was shining too). Tigers lost, but played well, no doubt they'll say it was a game too far in their season - which is a fair point.
This week's Customer Service Award goes to Gaz and Alex (bar staff at the pump) who actually bothered to re-stock the fridge with Alcohol Free Holsten Pils knowing that we were there...Might have to buy one of those Save the Pump and Tap (it might get knocked down soon) T-Shirts to reciprocate.
This week's Customer Service Award goes to Gaz and Alex (bar staff at the pump) who actually bothered to re-stock the fridge with Alcohol Free Holsten Pils knowing that we were there...Might have to buy one of those Save the Pump and Tap (it might get knocked down soon) T-Shirts to reciprocate.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Why you never see Elle Macpherson in Dolcis
At college tonight (yes, I am a Born Again Student, and I get discount at New Look and Indian taakeways) the teacher handed out our next assignment. I usually get excited at the thought of a new assignment, but something the teacher (tutor? lecturer?) said was reverberating around my head.
"Hand it in at the start of the next lesson....on June 1st".
June the 1st, June the 1st..........Oh My Dear God (OMDG in textspeak) June the sodding 1st!!!!!!! That is the day I can drink again, the day I hope I will be savouring a pint of Carlsberg in an Oz Clarke kind of way.
I have two weeks to come up with a cast iron excuse (we can only miss one lesson or we fail the course, and I think I am at Glasto for one of them).
Here's a few for starters...
1. Fleetwood Mac are playing at the Charlotte, which is re-opening and I am the official photographer (as I am 'studying' photography, they'll like this).
2. Leicester City ladies have reached the Womens Champions League final, and I play for them at right back (clearly, no-one knows anything about women's football as it is rubbish, so this is almost feasible, as the men's final is that week too).
3. I am Elle Macpherson's foot double, in her latest modelling shoot (it's a little known fact that Elle MacPherson has size 11 feet, and explains why photographs of her usually are cut off at the ankles).
Wait a minute, these are not excuses, it's just a list of my ideal ways to spend a day - bugger!
Back to the drawing board.
"Hand it in at the start of the next lesson....on June 1st".
June the 1st, June the 1st..........Oh My Dear God (OMDG in textspeak) June the sodding 1st!!!!!!! That is the day I can drink again, the day I hope I will be savouring a pint of Carlsberg in an Oz Clarke kind of way.
I have two weeks to come up with a cast iron excuse (we can only miss one lesson or we fail the course, and I think I am at Glasto for one of them).
Here's a few for starters...
1. Fleetwood Mac are playing at the Charlotte, which is re-opening and I am the official photographer (as I am 'studying' photography, they'll like this).
2. Leicester City ladies have reached the Womens Champions League final, and I play for them at right back (clearly, no-one knows anything about women's football as it is rubbish, so this is almost feasible, as the men's final is that week too).
3. I am Elle Macpherson's foot double, in her latest modelling shoot (it's a little known fact that Elle MacPherson has size 11 feet, and explains why photographs of her usually are cut off at the ankles).
Wait a minute, these are not excuses, it's just a list of my ideal ways to spend a day - bugger!
Back to the drawing board.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Holdin on to me knickers at Twickers
Another day, another national rugby stadium without even a thimble full of beer. Another tense affair (a 10-9 win for Leicester) with emotions reeling between wanting to be sick with nerves and elation. Are these feelings better or worse without alchohol? Better, says M, because you can remember them. Maybe she is right.
As I sank a Cobra Zero (best alc free beer yet) on the bus I could only agree, and yesterday I probably saved myself a bleedin fortune by only drinking one coke the whole time we were there.
Feels normal not to drink now, but still - roll on June the 1st.
As I sank a Cobra Zero (best alc free beer yet) on the bus I could only agree, and yesterday I probably saved myself a bleedin fortune by only drinking one coke the whole time we were there.
Feels normal not to drink now, but still - roll on June the 1st.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Theatre intervals
The nice thing about going to the theatre without drinking is that at the interval you don't have to fight old ladies to get to the bar first, and you are not praying for the end of the show so you can run to the loo, because the pint you downed in ten minutes flat is suddenly seeming like a bad idea.
I have been to the theatre twice in my six week 'stretch' (which by the way fact fans is now past the halfway point - woo hoo). Once to see Light in the Piazza at the Curve (brilliant) and tonight to see Chicago at DMH (love it). I spent pretty much zilch at either show, which is nice, though these monetary savings will only serve to fund the fact that we seem to be following Leicester Tigers to the four corners of the earth at the mo (well Cardiff and Twickenham, on Sat).
June the 1st still seems a long way away, but it seems pretty normal not to drink now!!!
Scroll to the bottom for another poll....
I have been to the theatre twice in my six week 'stretch' (which by the way fact fans is now past the halfway point - woo hoo). Once to see Light in the Piazza at the Curve (brilliant) and tonight to see Chicago at DMH (love it). I spent pretty much zilch at either show, which is nice, though these monetary savings will only serve to fund the fact that we seem to be following Leicester Tigers to the four corners of the earth at the mo (well Cardiff and Twickenham, on Sat).
June the 1st still seems a long way away, but it seems pretty normal not to drink now!!!
Scroll to the bottom for another poll....
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Does my bum look big in this?
You may be wondering why I have not mentioned my weight in a while. You may not. Either way, the reason is because I have not lost any. And the rogue 4 pounds that I seemed to gain then lose is back, the bitch.
Yesterday I cycled 8 miles then played tennis. Today I cycled 6 miles. What is going on? I can only assume that my flab is toning up and turning to muscle (though hopefully not in a Madonna kind of way).
Bugger.
Yesterday I cycled 8 miles then played tennis. Today I cycled 6 miles. What is going on? I can only assume that my flab is toning up and turning to muscle (though hopefully not in a Madonna kind of way).
Bugger.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Rumour has it
Went to watch 'Rumours of Fleetwood Mac' last night, a tribute band of (well I'll let you work that out).
They are actually rather good, and are really good musicians, before those reading get all snobby about tribute bands. What made the night all the more interesting (apart from the Coca Cola I was drinking) was the audience themselves.
At the front dancing all night was a threesome a girl with her boyfriend and her mate. The boyfriend had plenty of rhythm but his Posh Spice pout combined with a sort of gay moonwalk, crossed with my trademark early noughties running man dance was fairly annoying, and he wouldn't leave his (far too attractive for him) bird alone. Mine and R's fave dance move of the eve was when he pretended to lassoo his bird and pull her towards him. Hilarious to watch, wish I could have You-tubed it. The mate, needless to say, looked fairly nauseated all night.
The other 'character' of the eve was a middle aged bloke with shorts, a denim jacket and a straw hat, who was rockin out to some Peter Green era 'Mac' and making devil horn hand signs at the band. Straw hat man then chose to light a fag near the stage!!!!! He was pounced upon very quickly by his missus, who held up a 'STOP! Don't come any nearer!' hand at one of the stewards, then removed the fag from his mouth. We got the impression that this was not the first time she'd had to reprimand him...After his missus dat down the bloke turned round to the audience and shouted (well loud) "COME OON YOU MISERABLE F*%KERS!!!". The bird spent the rest of the night sat on his knee so he couldn't get up.
That, my friends, is what the demon drink will do to you.
They are actually rather good, and are really good musicians, before those reading get all snobby about tribute bands. What made the night all the more interesting (apart from the Coca Cola I was drinking) was the audience themselves.
At the front dancing all night was a threesome a girl with her boyfriend and her mate. The boyfriend had plenty of rhythm but his Posh Spice pout combined with a sort of gay moonwalk, crossed with my trademark early noughties running man dance was fairly annoying, and he wouldn't leave his (far too attractive for him) bird alone. Mine and R's fave dance move of the eve was when he pretended to lassoo his bird and pull her towards him. Hilarious to watch, wish I could have You-tubed it. The mate, needless to say, looked fairly nauseated all night.
The other 'character' of the eve was a middle aged bloke with shorts, a denim jacket and a straw hat, who was rockin out to some Peter Green era 'Mac' and making devil horn hand signs at the band. Straw hat man then chose to light a fag near the stage!!!!! He was pounced upon very quickly by his missus, who held up a 'STOP! Don't come any nearer!' hand at one of the stewards, then removed the fag from his mouth. We got the impression that this was not the first time she'd had to reprimand him...After his missus dat down the bloke turned round to the audience and shouted (well loud) "COME OON YOU MISERABLE F*%KERS!!!". The bird spent the rest of the night sat on his knee so he couldn't get up.
That, my friends, is what the demon drink will do to you.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Clarification
Just to clarify, I wrote something about being 'sober enough to see and hear the Cardiff fans clearly' which in hindsights suggests that I (at the rugby) am normally too bladdered to be able to perform two of the human body's basic functions (seeing and hearing). This is actually quite false, it's just that normally I am a couple of pints to the better, and paying more attention to what's happening on the field than to the abusive Welsh tw*ts next to me.
Also, don't think yesterday's blog told the full story - when R and I got to Cardiff, we went to a pub (the Owain Gyndyr) and asked for a non-alchoholic beer. Cue sarcy (sarcastic, not saucy) comments from a fellow barman, and our barman scouring every single fridge before declaring, "No sorry".
We left sharpish and went to another unpronouncable Welsh pub next door. There waiting for us was Alc free Becks. The barman had to decant it into plaggy pint glasses as we were standing outside the pub. We got him to chuck another bottle each in the glass, so to the outside world we just looked like two ordinary rugby fans enjoying a pint. But looks can be deceiving, halfway down the glass and we couldn't stand the taste of it any more.
The moral - alc free shandy tastes okay - on its own drink only in small doses.
Also, don't think yesterday's blog told the full story - when R and I got to Cardiff, we went to a pub (the Owain Gyndyr) and asked for a non-alchoholic beer. Cue sarcy (sarcastic, not saucy) comments from a fellow barman, and our barman scouring every single fridge before declaring, "No sorry".
We left sharpish and went to another unpronouncable Welsh pub next door. There waiting for us was Alc free Becks. The barman had to decant it into plaggy pint glasses as we were standing outside the pub. We got him to chuck another bottle each in the glass, so to the outside world we just looked like two ordinary rugby fans enjoying a pint. But looks can be deceiving, halfway down the glass and we couldn't stand the taste of it any more.
The moral - alc free shandy tastes okay - on its own drink only in small doses.
Tiiiiiiii-geeeeerrs!
Almost cannot believe how the game went yesterday - Tigers 14 points ahead until 6 minutes before end of game where Cardiff scored two similar tries in two minutes. A draw at full time, and no scores in extra time meant PENALTIES. In rugby. First for the Heineken Cup apparently, first time in 25 years in the sport.
Johne Murphy missed on on the first five, but then James missed for Cardiff and it went to sudden death - then thank god, and thank my lucky socks, which I will not be washing before next weeks Premiership Semi Final - Martin Williams missed, and Jordan Crane formerly of the West Brom football academy slotted his penalty home.
Meanwhile, back in the stands, Rachel and I endured all of this nursing only a cup of tea to calm our frayed nerves. There was so much bouncing around that most of mine ended up on the bloke in front but he didn't seem to mind.
Good day for Leicester, more sporting success for our city and the best team won on the day - bad day for Cardiff whose football team also lost, and failed to make the Championship play offs.
Yes, there was something special about singing 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and being sober enough to see and hear the Cardiff fans reaction. Satisfying to say the least.
Johne Murphy missed on on the first five, but then James missed for Cardiff and it went to sudden death - then thank god, and thank my lucky socks, which I will not be washing before next weeks Premiership Semi Final - Martin Williams missed, and Jordan Crane formerly of the West Brom football academy slotted his penalty home.
Meanwhile, back in the stands, Rachel and I endured all of this nursing only a cup of tea to calm our frayed nerves. There was so much bouncing around that most of mine ended up on the bloke in front but he didn't seem to mind.
Good day for Leicester, more sporting success for our city and the best team won on the day - bad day for Cardiff whose football team also lost, and failed to make the Championship play offs.
Yes, there was something special about singing 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and being sober enough to see and hear the Cardiff fans reaction. Satisfying to say the least.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Millennium Eve
No it's not New Year's Eve 1999, it's the night before me and R (sorry TJ, R and I) go to watch Leicester Tigers play Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium. Though I do not condone racism in any form, I must admit that the Welsh (especially where rugby is concerned) absofrigginlutely do my swede in. Listening to their cocky anti-English opinions through a sober afternoon will not be music to my ears. The sober part is going to be a bit strange surrounded by drunken taffs.
I can't imagine saying, "Ooh Rach, Tigers have just scored a try, let's ava cuppa tea." How very English.
I can't imagine saying, "Ooh Rach, Tigers have just scored a try, let's ava cuppa tea." How very English.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Anything else just isn't tennis
Cycling to work on a sunny day - free. Tennis in Western Park - free. Dandelion and Burdock at number 27 - free. Badminton at Braunstone Leisure Centre - £2.85. Lucozade out of vending machine - £1.10.
Siting on a rocking chair in my bathroom typing blog whilst waiting to lower aching body into bath - priceless.
Siting on a rocking chair in my bathroom typing blog whilst waiting to lower aching body into bath - priceless.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
More tea vicar?
R and I went out for a meal after work to celebrate the fact that she is now the only person on her street with a British driving licence (i.e. everyone else is Polish).
We went to Zizzi's and washed down our Rissotos with Appletise(r), Apple Juice, a new cocktail called Tap Water and four pots of tea thorugout the night.
We were slightly paranoid that the young waitress would think we were a bit wierd/religious/boring for not drinking, so R explained, "We've given up alcohol for six weeks'.
"Well I've given up alcohol myself," the waitress replied and had an odd smug look on her face that we both read as "I'm pregnant".
She then explained that she'd simply not had a drink because she'd been working alot, and also her friends hadn't been up for a night out in all that time.
I felt vaguely sad for this urchin like waitress, until we witnessed her eating a spaghetti bolognese. It was not unlike the scene in Big when Tom Hanks and his bezza mate pretend to squirt silly string out of their noses in a hotel room.
There's always a reason that no-one invites you out for two months, love.
We went to Zizzi's and washed down our Rissotos with Appletise(r), Apple Juice, a new cocktail called Tap Water and four pots of tea thorugout the night.
We were slightly paranoid that the young waitress would think we were a bit wierd/religious/boring for not drinking, so R explained, "We've given up alcohol for six weeks'.
"Well I've given up alcohol myself," the waitress replied and had an odd smug look on her face that we both read as "I'm pregnant".
She then explained that she'd simply not had a drink because she'd been working alot, and also her friends hadn't been up for a night out in all that time.
I felt vaguely sad for this urchin like waitress, until we witnessed her eating a spaghetti bolognese. It was not unlike the scene in Big when Tom Hanks and his bezza mate pretend to squirt silly string out of their noses in a hotel room.
There's always a reason that no-one invites you out for two months, love.
Monday, 27 April 2009
Drink Driving
Saw S on the bus this morning. "I have a suspicion that R has got her driving test today," I told her as we attempt to ascend the staircase whilst the bus hurtled towards town. This left us with a quandry - if R was indeed taking her test and passed, would we allow her to drink just for one day?
The answer was yes of course we would, and yes she passed too! We told her about her fall off the wagon free card, but R said no, she would feel like a cheat!
The will power is strong, in this one.
The answer was yes of course we would, and yes she passed too! We told her about her fall off the wagon free card, but R said no, she would feel like a cheat!
The will power is strong, in this one.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Non-alcoholic shandy
Today has not been too bad in the needing a drink stakes, but thanks to an RH brainwave, we did discover non-alcoholic shandies (eg shandy made by mixing lemonade with alc free Becks) at about half eight! Hurrah, they weren't they bad at all, and washed down R and M's homemade pork and shrimp dumplings (I was at work at DMH, not just being lazy).
Oh god, R has just started the whole, "Would you get your baps out for a million?" conversation, which is rough going at the best of times, let alone sober.
Work tomorrow, bye.
Oh god, R has just started the whole, "Would you get your baps out for a million?" conversation, which is rough going at the best of times, let alone sober.
Work tomorrow, bye.
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Two big tests
Forget A-levels, your SATs and your GCSEs, I have had two particluarly hard tests in the last couple of days.
Test 1. Out drinking with mates down Braunstone Gate.
Test 2. A pub, then rugby match, then pub, then Chinese restaurant combo.
Well I passed both tests, drinking a delightful mix of coke, ginger beer, coke, water, more coke and even a cheeky root beer on the way.
Having experienced drinking this shite for a week, the only non-alcoholic beverage I can even remotely recommend is an Australian selection called Bundaberg, and the only place you can get it (apart from over priced Farm Shops is www.ocado.com). I am not being sponsored by Waitrose or Bundaberg, I am just absolutely at a loss as to what teetotallers might drink for pleasure, apart from tea (tee?).
PS for the historical record both Leicester City and Leicester Tigers have finished top of their respective leagues. Next time I am really bored I will look up when this last happened.
Test 1. Out drinking with mates down Braunstone Gate.
Test 2. A pub, then rugby match, then pub, then Chinese restaurant combo.
Well I passed both tests, drinking a delightful mix of coke, ginger beer, coke, water, more coke and even a cheeky root beer on the way.
Having experienced drinking this shite for a week, the only non-alcoholic beverage I can even remotely recommend is an Australian selection called Bundaberg, and the only place you can get it (apart from over priced Farm Shops is www.ocado.com). I am not being sponsored by Waitrose or Bundaberg, I am just absolutely at a loss as to what teetotallers might drink for pleasure, apart from tea (tee?).
PS for the historical record both Leicester City and Leicester Tigers have finished top of their respective leagues. Next time I am really bored I will look up when this last happened.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
A country pub without beer is like a City match without a Matty Fryatt Goal. Discuss.
Did two things today that I have never done without a couple of jars (no, not that you pervs):
1) A pub quiz. We came 4th. Am I cleverer when I drink? Can I speak properer English* when I have been drinking?
2) Had a drink in a Country Pub. Bleeding Appletise** again.
As this is the closest I have come to an experiment since science at Anstey Martin with Mr Pinks, I feel the need to make a scientific observation - since Monday I have been waking up at half six/ quarter to seven without the alarm going off. What's that about? I also have a cold sore. Great - I am gonna get a T-Shirt printed, "I gave up booze and all I got was this lousy herpes."
Right, pausin from typin to weigh self, drumroll please................................
Another pound gained!!!!!!! What? I blame it on the particularly large earrings I am wearing today. Wait a minute I am just wearing studs. To quote Bulldog from Frasier, "This stinks!! This is total BS!!"
*Speaking of English, Happy St George's Day.
** It was called Appletise last time I was a non-drinker (i.e. at the age of 13). They've added the 'r' to confuse me.
PS - Visit this link. Why has a journalist called Elizabeth Goodman written an article for Rolling Stone called 'Songs about beer'?-I am jealous of this bitch on so many levels! http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/09/27/playlist-of-the-day-songs-about-beer/
1) A pub quiz. We came 4th. Am I cleverer when I drink? Can I speak properer English* when I have been drinking?
2) Had a drink in a Country Pub. Bleeding Appletise** again.
As this is the closest I have come to an experiment since science at Anstey Martin with Mr Pinks, I feel the need to make a scientific observation - since Monday I have been waking up at half six/ quarter to seven without the alarm going off. What's that about? I also have a cold sore. Great - I am gonna get a T-Shirt printed, "I gave up booze and all I got was this lousy herpes."
Right, pausin from typin to weigh self, drumroll please................................
Another pound gained!!!!!!! What? I blame it on the particularly large earrings I am wearing today. Wait a minute I am just wearing studs. To quote Bulldog from Frasier, "This stinks!! This is total BS!!"
*Speaking of English, Happy St George's Day.
** It was called Appletise last time I was a non-drinker (i.e. at the age of 13). They've added the 'r' to confuse me.
PS - Visit this link. Why has a journalist called Elizabeth Goodman written an article for Rolling Stone called 'Songs about beer'?-I am jealous of this bitch on so many levels! http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2006/09/27/playlist-of-the-day-songs-about-beer/
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
3 pounds a lady
So ,you give up alchohol, you cycle into work three days in a row, you play tennis and even walk a dog despite not liking dogs very much. What happens? You put on three pounds.
And you can't even drown your sorrows in a pint.
And you can't even drown your sorrows in a pint.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Toosdeh
Weighed self this morning. I weigh more than Kylie Minogue, and less than a Polar Bear - lets leave it there.
First night 'out' - dinner round S's - curry and stuff. I ran the bar, keeping on top of the Apple Crush and lemonade orders like a natural. I have drunk so many fizzy drinks that I feel like the reverse of the boy in the bubble.
Still, the good news is:
a) We can still have mad conversations when sober as a judge - ranging from a hedgehog with a fat lip (this stems from R's pineapple allergy) to what would be the best way to send an SOS message when trapped in a basement (morse code or simply to hum Abba's SOS down the phone).
b) We are embracing our sporty sides - playing tennis (tonight), badminton (next wed) and rugby (a week on tues).
c) That's it for good news.
Dot dot dot - dash dash - bleedin dot dot dot.
First night 'out' - dinner round S's - curry and stuff. I ran the bar, keeping on top of the Apple Crush and lemonade orders like a natural. I have drunk so many fizzy drinks that I feel like the reverse of the boy in the bubble.
Still, the good news is:
a) We can still have mad conversations when sober as a judge - ranging from a hedgehog with a fat lip (this stems from R's pineapple allergy) to what would be the best way to send an SOS message when trapped in a basement (morse code or simply to hum Abba's SOS down the phone).
b) We are embracing our sporty sides - playing tennis (tonight), badminton (next wed) and rugby (a week on tues).
c) That's it for good news.
Dot dot dot - dash dash - bleedin dot dot dot.
Monday, 20 April 2009
The first day
I decided not to 'blog' up until I gave up booze (partly because logging how much I drink is borderline disturbing) but just write about it during the barren 6 week stretch itself. In the meantime I have somehow been joined in my quest by 3 friends and a significant other. We are all giving £15 each to the British Liver Trust, with a £45 buy out fee if you cop out, or even have a drink during that time.
T gave up on Saturday and lasted half an hour at a party sans alchohol, leaving early, R was supposed to give up the same night, but a family Christening drove her to postpone the 6 weeks until today. We had even been out to that pub Taps where you pour your own beer to commerate R's last night as a lush.
It was agreed that food with alchohol in is allowed, though (as blank pointed out) chicken in red wine will take on a whole new form round at ours now, a few chicken nuggets floating round in a bowl full of Shiraz.
Finally, S is putting it off till after the Bank Holiday, which means we will be back drinking a whole two weeks before her. Me and M gave up last night, following an away rugby game, where we consumed several pints of lager and Guinness.
Following my first alchohol free day, I can confirm:
1) Appletiser in wine glasses tastes the same as Appletiser in any glass
2) Appletiser falsely advertises on the bottle by claiming to induce 'pure pleasure'. It clearly does not.
3) Bundaberg, an Australian Ginger Beer which comes in 'stubbies', is rather nice, but frankly, the £1.50 per bottle price tag means it is twice as expensive as a can of Carlsberg so I will not be drinking it in any quantity.
Over the next six weeks I will try and write every day, cheering myself up by recording how much I weigh which with any luck will dwindle. I will even have to go to the Millennium Stadium and watch Cardiff V Leicester Tigers stone cold bleeding sober. It can be done.
T gave up on Saturday and lasted half an hour at a party sans alchohol, leaving early, R was supposed to give up the same night, but a family Christening drove her to postpone the 6 weeks until today. We had even been out to that pub Taps where you pour your own beer to commerate R's last night as a lush.
It was agreed that food with alchohol in is allowed, though (as blank pointed out) chicken in red wine will take on a whole new form round at ours now, a few chicken nuggets floating round in a bowl full of Shiraz.
Finally, S is putting it off till after the Bank Holiday, which means we will be back drinking a whole two weeks before her. Me and M gave up last night, following an away rugby game, where we consumed several pints of lager and Guinness.
Following my first alchohol free day, I can confirm:
1) Appletiser in wine glasses tastes the same as Appletiser in any glass
2) Appletiser falsely advertises on the bottle by claiming to induce 'pure pleasure'. It clearly does not.
3) Bundaberg, an Australian Ginger Beer which comes in 'stubbies', is rather nice, but frankly, the £1.50 per bottle price tag means it is twice as expensive as a can of Carlsberg so I will not be drinking it in any quantity.
Over the next six weeks I will try and write every day, cheering myself up by recording how much I weigh which with any luck will dwindle. I will even have to go to the Millennium Stadium and watch Cardiff V Leicester Tigers stone cold bleeding sober. It can be done.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Thursday March 5th
Looking on the British Liver trust (http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/) website, I find:
Can my liver recover?
What happens depends on how badly your liver is damaged and on your general health...you can help your liver to recover by stopping or cutting down on your drinking.
There's also a case study:
Marianne’s storyMarianne leads a stressful life. At the age of 45 she is juggling two kids and a busy job. She is used to unwinding most nights of the week with a bottle of white wine that she shares with her husband (22.5 units a week). During a check up, her doctor noticed signs that her liver was notnormal and an ultrasound test showed a fatty liver. After three months without alcohol Marianne has lost weight and feels a lot healthier. Her liver has recovered and she is now able to have a drink, but never has more than 14 units in one week.
So...surely my 6 weeks off will do my liver some good?
PS - drinking a bottle of Sainsbury's own Bieres du flandres (those small bottles of beer that are about £3 for ten bottles). No wonder my liver's probably buggered at that price...Bottle of Blossom Hill chilling in the Fridge.
Looking on the British Liver trust (http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/) website, I find:
Can my liver recover?
What happens depends on how badly your liver is damaged and on your general health...you can help your liver to recover by stopping or cutting down on your drinking.
There's also a case study:
Marianne’s storyMarianne leads a stressful life. At the age of 45 she is juggling two kids and a busy job. She is used to unwinding most nights of the week with a bottle of white wine that she shares with her husband (22.5 units a week). During a check up, her doctor noticed signs that her liver was notnormal and an ultrasound test showed a fatty liver. After three months without alcohol Marianne has lost weight and feels a lot healthier. Her liver has recovered and she is now able to have a drink, but never has more than 14 units in one week.
So...surely my 6 weeks off will do my liver some good?
PS - drinking a bottle of Sainsbury's own Bieres du flandres (those small bottles of beer that are about £3 for ten bottles). No wonder my liver's probably buggered at that price...Bottle of Blossom Hill chilling in the Fridge.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
The theory
I met up with an old friend the other week who was in the final stages of 6 weeks without Alcohol. So she says, six weeks without booze sorts your liver out quite nicely, and I'm bloody sure mine could do with a spring clean.
So one of my first steps is to investigate this matter and find out the facts about the six week thing, second step is to log how much I am drinking in the meantime (because I am not giving up before the end of thr football/ rugby season) and thirdly just to do it and give up the juice.
So here's a bit of a drink diary since Saturday to get me started (the research will have to wait a while):
Sat 28th Feb - Worked in the morning at BLANK BLANK Hall (I am changing some of the names to the cunning code 'blank' and initials instead of names 'cos you never know). Then headed home to watch the Scotland V Italy rugby match. Enjoyed a cheeky shandy with M while at it.
Twenty to five, headed down to the Pump and Tap (Can I imagine the Pump without alcohol?) to watch Ireland V England with several friends. Estimate (because I can't remember alright?) four pints of Carlsberg, but pretty much had nothing for lunch. Left pub at 9:30 to buy 2X 1,000 odd Calorie Kebabs from Mario's, which neither myself or girlfriend finish eating. Night ends with argument about money and half eaten kebabs stinking entire hous out.
Sunday March 1st - Woke up 3am, mouth as dry as a camel's chuff. Drank bottle of Orange Fanta and nuff water. Got back to sleep at 5:30am after 2 aspirins kick in. Not hungover by any means but felt a bit shakey judy all day.
Cycled to BLANK BLANK'S for lunch. Offered beer but declined and stuck to Coke. First alcy free day for at least a fortnight.
Monday 2nd March - Went to DMH to watch Flashdance, with roughly the same crowd as Saturday Pump and Tap, plus few extras. Couple of pints only, but then BLANK bought over a bottle of red wine for us, plus a couple of glasses of white which were two 'oaky' for BLANK. I inevitably helped to polish this off.
Tuesday 3rd March - Supposed to be watching Shakespeare at Curve but rainy and cold and me and M are lazy gits so we stayed in, drank a couple of bottles of beer and half a bottle of wine each and watched a DVD (the Coen Brothers' Burn after Reading).
Wed 4th March - Didn't get home from work till 8:30, and after that a botle of Grolsch and a bottle of Coors Lite are a must.
So one of my first steps is to investigate this matter and find out the facts about the six week thing, second step is to log how much I am drinking in the meantime (because I am not giving up before the end of thr football/ rugby season) and thirdly just to do it and give up the juice.
So here's a bit of a drink diary since Saturday to get me started (the research will have to wait a while):
Sat 28th Feb - Worked in the morning at BLANK BLANK Hall (I am changing some of the names to the cunning code 'blank' and initials instead of names 'cos you never know). Then headed home to watch the Scotland V Italy rugby match. Enjoyed a cheeky shandy with M while at it.
Twenty to five, headed down to the Pump and Tap (Can I imagine the Pump without alcohol?) to watch Ireland V England with several friends. Estimate (because I can't remember alright?) four pints of Carlsberg, but pretty much had nothing for lunch. Left pub at 9:30 to buy 2X 1,000 odd Calorie Kebabs from Mario's, which neither myself or girlfriend finish eating. Night ends with argument about money and half eaten kebabs stinking entire hous out.
Sunday March 1st - Woke up 3am, mouth as dry as a camel's chuff. Drank bottle of Orange Fanta and nuff water. Got back to sleep at 5:30am after 2 aspirins kick in. Not hungover by any means but felt a bit shakey judy all day.
Cycled to BLANK BLANK'S for lunch. Offered beer but declined and stuck to Coke. First alcy free day for at least a fortnight.
Monday 2nd March - Went to DMH to watch Flashdance, with roughly the same crowd as Saturday Pump and Tap, plus few extras. Couple of pints only, but then BLANK bought over a bottle of red wine for us, plus a couple of glasses of white which were two 'oaky' for BLANK. I inevitably helped to polish this off.
Tuesday 3rd March - Supposed to be watching Shakespeare at Curve but rainy and cold and me and M are lazy gits so we stayed in, drank a couple of bottles of beer and half a bottle of wine each and watched a DVD (the Coen Brothers' Burn after Reading).
Wed 4th March - Didn't get home from work till 8:30, and after that a botle of Grolsch and a bottle of Coors Lite are a must.
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