Detox Diary - update 2 - Friday 18th January 2008

Hello all

So here we are again, still firmly perched on the wagon which is the good news.

The bad news is that I arrived back from New York last Sunday, only to be struck down on Monday morning, by an acute attack of Meniere’s Disease. It’s a particularly unpleasant condition which is triggered by an ear imbalance that amongst other things, disorients the brain. So trust me to get an acute attack on my first outing. One of the symptoms is extreme dizziness, and you lose all coordination, so an amusing aspect of this unhappy episode was that even though it was only 7.15 am, I did a very good, .....no indeed, a spectacular impression of a very drunken person,…… as I bounced off the walls and wobbled all over the place, when I tried to walk.

Of course, everyone immediately assumed the worst, and since then I have been subjected to an enormous amount of stick from some very unsympathetic people, the common theme being that I was probably suffering from an acute lack of alcohol rather than being acutely unwell, which I was! My particular favourite was the suggestion from Darren Bishop at VCMpartners, that I had probably over indulged in too much naked Twister over the Christmas period, so thank you for that Darren - very amusing – not!.

Actually it’s a pretty nasty condition and it was all a bit scary. But I am sure that those of you who do care, will be pleased to hear that I am slowly on the mend and should be back in full circulation next week.

Who say's there's no such thing as an alcohol free lunch or dinner?
I have to say that I was completely overwhelmed by the response to last week’s detox diary. I was particularly touched by all the offers of alcohol free lunches and dinners that came flooding in, after being so cruelly dumped by the likes of Karim, Howard, Ken and Nick Daniel. These offers did go some way in helping to soothe my battered confidence, and I am looking forward to catching up with you all very soon.

Onto the raspberries, the first of which sadly, goes to........me, for calling Jon Angeloni in our London office - Jon Archangeli. Sorry Jon, I know I really should know your name by now having worked with you for over 18 months, but look on the bright side, there are worst things that could happen to a person than being confused with the very foxy Jennifer Archangeli, who runs the Metia office in Singapore. And raspberries are winging their way to Michael Aldridge from Expand in New York and Daniel Simpson from Citadel, both of whom declared their intention to stay off the sauce for a month, and have both failed miserably. You’re either on the wagon or not, falling off for a lost weekend, and then climbing back on again just doesn't count. Its 30 days straight chaps.

The biggest raspberry of all though however, has to go to George Collier, who despite his great intentions, threw in towel after a couple of days. He said that when he succumbed, he then looked up and sadly, ……the wagon had gone……… and that was that!. However I am very happy to report that the stalwart Phin Smith is staying with me on the straight and narrow. Good job Phin.

This weeks cherries go to a sterling group of January abstainers.

To super trooper Ben Jarrold for keeping off the evil weed and who, within a two week period, has cut out a massive 250 cigarettes and has saved enough money to treat himself to a superdooper pair of new trainers. Now that is impressive. And to Jon Angeloni, in order to stave off the white wine cravings, is chomping through his bodyweight in Quality Street chocolates,… but is still hanging on in there….albeit by the skin of his teeth.

A round of applause goes to Thea George from the A-Team and her husband for continuing to fly the flag and to Mary Peters, who is really going for gold because she has given up both cigarettes and drinking, now that is really tough. To Tony Armour from BearingPoint, Hugh Stewart from Goldensource, who has done this before and to Hugh Richards, who has £100.00 bet on his efforts, all deserve a mention. And to Paul Gow from CJC, who is also on the detox bandwagon and by all accounts is winning the battle to regain his six pack physique. Paul also celebrated his birthday yesterday, Happy Birthday Paul. And one last cherry has to go to Mike Seppi in New York for bucking the trend and continues to drink during January. Mike, we’re proud of you.

So apart from being struck down by a mystery illness, one of my esterwhile non drinking partners falling off his wagon, and West Ham losing, 1 -0 to Manchester City, against the line of play, I might add, in this weeks FA cup qaulifying game, not much going on really.

In terms of the charities, this year, its just the Jordan Jay trust. http://www.jordanjaytrust.com/. Please take a moment to read the site, and you will understand why it is so important to support this amazing family. I have met Jordan and Jasmine’s mother and I was so impressed by her courage and commitment, so do what you can, but only if you can.

That’s it from me for this week. Thank you again for all your messages of support, even the vaguely insulting ones. They really do help to spur me on and I love hearing from you all. Have a great week whatever you do.