Heloooo everyone
Another week passes and not a drop has passed my lips, so all is well in my world. And I am happy to report that I am feeling much better now and nearly back to my normal self. However, I must just clear up one misunderstanding, I had Menieres disease, not to be confused with Moule Marineres disease – an easy mistake to make, and one made by many, not least Kevin Galliers from Sungard amongst others.
This week has been pretty quiet for me, as I continue to be shunned by many of my fair-weather friends. I did, however, enjoy a very pleasant lunch with Neill Vanlint and Hugh Stewart from Goldensource except that while Hugh and I stuck to black coffee and English breakfast tea respectively, Neill imbibed in more than one glass of gorgeous looking Sauvignon Blanc, which we both thought was pretty selfish of him considering……
Sadly, my colleague Jon Angeloni, joins the ever growing band of losers in the non drinking stakes. But he is in illustrious company, including the likes of George Collier, Michael Aldridge, and Daniel Simpson. Jon fell off the wagon on Friday – his excuse is that he had a bad day at work – how crap is that. Apparently he climbed right back on the next day, but unhappily for him, the only way to qualify for the non drinkers award, is to do another 30 days straight – so the $64K question is, are you up to the challenge Jon? I also heard that George Collier got completely trashed on Wednesday night and was so hungover on Thursday, he declared that he was never drinking again… I must be really mean, because I am secretly pleased when I think about him suffering from a horrendous hangover.
On a happier note....trusty Ben Jarrold is still shunning the evil weed, which is a great effort. Phin Smith at Citadel, continues to fly the flag and would not be tempted by the demon drink even when he was taken out for a welcome drink by his new employers. That shows real strength of character, keep up it up Phin…..not long to go now. I am also pleased to welcome Chanda, another fellow Metian, to the 2008 non drinkers club. Chanda has quietly been doing her own detox but was outted by Zoe Graystone on Wednesday, so I had to give her a special mention.
Paul Gow from CJC, is truly a man on a mission, not only is he off the booze, but he is about to cut out eating altogether and is stepping up his gym visits. A complete turnaround from the pre-Christmas lush I used to know and one who made a significant contribution to my own over-consumption during this period - just kidding, Paul. I am seriously impressed with your keep fit regime.
Finexpo 2008
In the Fintech world a major event is on the horizon, in the shape of the annual Finexpo exhibition and conference which is being held at the Brewery on Wednesday 30th January. And as usual, my email inbox and voicemail is overflowing with requests, indeed pleas, from people asking me to get them into the event for free. Look guys you all know the rules, so what part of no don’t you all understand. Even I get vetted, so what chance have you lot got
But I will be there and I will also be taking advantage of the after Finexpo drinks in the pub across the road from the show. This year the drinks are being sponsored by Ian Chester and Les Gosling from that well known recruitment firm COG. I am completely gutted because it’s the first time I have ever been invited to a COG party and I can’t take advantage of the free drinks on offer - a total bummer.
Answers on a postcard please
Almost there, if anyone knows the origins of the saying…… I’m on or off the wagon, please post your answer on the blog. I will donate some extra £ssss to the charity for the right answers and any other amusing ones – but try and keep them clean.
Paul Foley is not eligible to enter because he knows the answer already…… or does he…….?
A whitewash at White Hart Lane
Despite the fact I am a dyed in the wool West Ham fan, I cannot let Arsenal's 5 - 1 drubbing by Spurs pass without comment. Their excuse for the abysmal performance was that they did not field their top team, whatever....Arsenal were completely outclassed by Tottenham who were inspired, and deserved the victory.
A little help from your friends
..... and just in case any of you Gooners out there need counselling to overcome this unexpected defeat, just call the free helpline on 0800 515151, where trained advisors are on hand to taunt you throughout this difficult period!
Finally, don’t forget www.jordenjaytrust.co.uk – and as always do what you can, but only if you can. Have a great week, and take heart... you only have one more of these to go, bet you're counting the days!.
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1 comment:
Here is the origin of the phrase in brief:
Many people think that the phrase originates from public hangings in the UK way back when you had public hangings.
Condemned prisoners would be given a drink prior to hanging (from which came "One for the road" ) and once they had had that drink, they would be put "on the wagon" to be hanged BUT THIS IS INCORRECT.
The correct originn stems from the late 1800s, when many Americans campaigned for a government ban on liquor (crazy, I know). Those who chose to live the sober life were said to be "on the wagon.” In this case, the "wagon" was actually a water cart.
During the late 19th century, water carts drawn by horses wet down dusty roads in the summer. At the height of the Prohibition crusade in the 1890s men who vowed to stop drinking would say that they were thirsty indeed but would rather climb aboard the water cart to get a drink than break their pledges.
From this sentiment came the expression 'I'm on the water cart,' I'm trying to stop drinking, which is first recorded in, of all places, Alice Caldwell Rice's 'Mrs. Wiggs of the Caggage Patch' (1901), where the consumptive Mr. Dick says it to old Mrs. Wiggs.
The more alliterative 'wagon' soon replaced cart in the expression and it was eventually shortened to 'on the wagon.' 'Fall off the (water) wagon' made its entry into the language almost immediately after its abstinent sister.
Prohibition, eventually became law in the United States, but it didn't really work out the way advocates had hoped. After all, you can't force a person onto the wagon -- you gotta let 'em climb aboard themselves.
Hope that clears it up for you
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