Teetotal for two months

Thursday 31st December

2010-01-04T16:35:00.000Z

Last night of the year and last blog post...

a sneaky pint of Guinness to get the ball rolling on our way to get a kebab in Chorlton.

then back home to the warmth (and house party), several hours and two thirds of a bottle of rum later it was time for bed.

night night.

Wednesday 30th December

2010-01-04T16:33:00.000Z

Met up with Caroline and her friends she met in Japan.

2 pints of Guinness in Argyles.

then a quick pint in Dulcimer - would have been more but the bar staff cut the night short abruptly!! arses.

Tuesday 22nd December to Tuesday 29th December

2010-01-04T16:32:00.000Z

Nothing to report. Night out in Manc on the 22nd with no alcohol as was driving. quick stop off in Lichfield on the way to Devon on the 23rd...

only alcohol was a small mulled wine with a mince pie or two on Christmas Day on Sidmouth beach...

Monday 21st December

2010-01-04T16:29:00.000Z

Big work party. free bar for five hours in the Hilton. no idea how many Guinness' but would assume a lot as i actually had a hangover on Tuesday.

Saturday 19th December

2010-01-04T16:28:00.000Z

The Didsbury Dozen...

hmmmmm. a very hazy one this. started about half one i think in The Didsbury (Guinness), then to The Crown (some weird xmas ale), Royal Oak (Guinness), Fletcher Moss (guinness, finger tashes and sharpie earing and anchor), Pitcher&Piano (2 guinness and a fish finer sandwich), The Nelson (guinness), Dog&Partridge (Guinness, also got an xmas tree drawn on my belly in sharpies), O'neills (guinness), Hogshead (guinness and maybe a rum and coke, def had some rum and coke at some point), The Sanctuary (guinness, now its getting crazy, some poor random girl gets an xmas tree drawn on her), Slug&Lettuce (2 guinness), back to the Pitcher&Piano with some complete strangers (2 more guinness)...

only managed ten pubs, did walk in to The Station, but couldn't see the gang...

only 11 in the crawl now though as Ye Olde Cock has turned into a restaurant.

as it was only about midnight, headed into town, got there, thought better of it, and headed home...

Friday 18th December

2010-01-04T16:19:00.000Z

Quite a while ago now...difficult to remember that far back...

Remember going to Kro Piccadilly to meet Astra Zeneca bods and some other folk. a few pints of guinness in there.

then straight to Mojo. Complimentary rum and ginger cocktail...nice. plenty of heineken and rum and jagers...

early night (well about 2pm)...

Thursday 17th December

2009-12-18T15:34:00.000Z

Office Christmas party = normal service resumed.

3 pints of guinness in The Deansgate, 5 bottles of Asahi with dinner in The Grill on the Alley, one pint of guinness, 3 pints of peroni and one pint of Northern Sparkle in The Town Hall Tavern, a bottle of peroni (and a chicken tandoori pizza) in Croma and to finish the night a Guinness in Corbieres.

Wednesday 16th December

2009-12-18T15:27:00.000Z

Something is going wrong here on my run in to Christmas...A trip to the Old Grapes and no beer. Just had a pint of water with my mutant chicken (aka (an abnormally large) half chicken and mash with peas and gravy).

Tuesday 15th December

2009-12-18T15:25:00.000Z

excellent food and company in Yaki Soba in Chorlton. Chose green tea over japanese lager...

Monday 14th December

2009-12-15T15:09:00.000Z

Quick pint of Guinness after work with James and Lee - very interesting conversation. love it when a plan comes together.

Next stop - a pot of tea in All-Bar-One. Cheers Sarah for that, and you and Russ for the company. Romantic Russ on top form - if you did that for me mate .... ;o)

Sunday 13th December

2009-12-15T15:06:00.003Z

Felt good again. no beer today though. day of rest and what not.

Saturday 12th December

2009-12-15T15:06:00.000Z

For 14 (or more) pints on friday i felt pretty good.

Good enough to start again at about 20 past 6 in the Hogshead in Didsbury...several pints of guinness and a Newcastle Brown Ale ;o) with Mr Loukaides and his mates on a LARGE one.

A walk through The Met (not even worth trying to go to the bar), quiet pint in The Railway then some Sailor Jerry in M20...not had one before. all good.

Friday 11th December

2009-12-15T15:03:00.000Z

first full weekend back on it...

started off in Grill on the Alley with a chicken burger and two bottles of asahi, then onwards for a pint each in Sam's, Thomas' and Corbieres. (Guinness, all three)

Quick turnaround at home then back into town. 3 guinness in The Old Grapes, one in The Old Nags Head, one in Beluga, one in The Temple, one in Odder, the "some more" in Space...happy days.

Managed to see Dave and Dave on their xmas drinks outing, Mr Dawson with his work colleagues and Emma Louise, Judith and Aldo with their work mates.

Wednesday 9th December

2009-12-10T13:37:00.001Z

A quiet night. just two pints of lager in the markets and a bowl of hot pot.

Tuesday 8th December

2009-12-10T13:34:00.005Z

First stop The Deansgate with Phil Wong of Business Link Northwest. one guinness.

Next stop - RMS Christmas drinks courtesy of Peter Davies and Ruth Shearn. In the big rabbit hutch that it the North Pole Bar in Spinningfields. 3 pints of Guinness.

Then the Albert Square markets to meet the boys from BDO. two pints of continental lager. might be krombacher, probably isn't,

Final stop, one pint of Guinness in The Friendship Inn in Fallowfield whilst coming third in the pub quiz. team name "quiz in your eye". got to like that,

Monday 7th December

2009-12-10T13:30:00.000Z

Time to start pestering people for their promised donations...

and also, decided to carry on the blog until new year to see what madness entails in the xmas run in.

Monday - pleasant trip to The Deaf Institute for a fish finger sandwich and 4 pints of guinness. happy times

Sunday 6th December

2009-12-06T15:39:00.000Z

a hangover. too right. feels good!

nothing an all day breakfast couldn't solve.

Saturday 5th December

2009-12-06T15:37:00.001Z

the madness is finally over!!

2.31pm - pint of guinness. oh yes! 2.41pm - pint gone. time for town.

2.31pm: Russell and I in Lloyds pub in Chorlton:

then the evening consisted of pints in lime bar, the nags head, and the ape&apple, three in the xmas markets...then apparently we went to mojo. don't remember any of the four hours in there!!

Friday 4th December

2009-12-06T15:25:00.000Z

last night of this mad escapade...

first port of call was walkabout to meet pablo (bar staff from kardamena) see the world cup draw. then corbieres.

then we met some more of the bar workers in Norwegian Blue. i left them to their drunken night and found mark and kathy in Bacchanalia and sarah in chaophraya.

Thursday 3rd December

2009-12-04T13:15:00.000Z

Possible the last ever First Thursday networking event - my favourite monthly free bar - CAN NOT believe my teetotalism meant i missed fully enjoying this occasion/session.

Big cheers to Johnathan Massey and Jonty Hall for all their organising over the last three years. (formerly both of Aberdeen Asset Managers, now of Zeus PE and Maven CP respectively).

Lets hope a new lead sponsor can be found...

Wednesday 2nd December

2009-12-03T16:47:00.000Z

lunch in pizza express courtesy of Richard Faulkner of Barclays and Sonio from Mahindra Maini - cheers guys. Peroni easily avoided - had only just had breakfast - beer and milk do not mix.

waitress forgot the tea bag for my "largest, strongest mug of tea you do"...oooops.

Tuesday 1st December

2009-12-02T17:22:00.000Z

The run in to Christmas...1st day of advent...

Congratulations to Mark for his good news. shame i couldn't join you for a glass of cava ;o) - i had a pint of water with an effervescent tablet in it and a mug of tea...was good though!

another day moving severly lacked the numbing effect of 6 or 7 beers!!

Sunday 29th November

2009-12-02T17:19:00.000Z

More moving. oh the fun!

really feeling the lack of beer now. lost about two inches round my waist though.

Saturday 28th November

2009-12-02T17:18:00.000Z

Mostly moving house. If ever there was a time for beer...and lots of it!! (moving house never runs quite to plan does it??)

A friend's birthday outing in town. Met in Matt and Phred's. Then had a cheeky one in Walrus befroe heading back for a brew in Rusholme and a relatively early night...

Friday 27th November

2009-12-02T17:16:00.000Z

The Old Grapes for lunch with the Bateman! can't beat chicken and chips, you most certainly can beat a pint of water when in a pub!!

After work was Bem Brasil (re-found Mike Valentyne mixologist extraordinaire) for COPS (Chill Out Property Session). Thanks to Thomason's, AEW and Dooley for that.

Next stop RBG, then the xmas markets, then Lime Bar, then Living Room and finally Panacea. Proper townie night. Couldn't understand a word the drunk people were saying by half 12 so did one! Guide for the evening was Lee from Brewins - good lad - much fun.

Wedsnesday 25th November

2009-12-02T17:09:00.000Z

Mark comes out from under his stone...so we go out for a group meal.

Thai Spice on Beech Rd - very good pad thai. Tad expensive but good. Green tea consumed. no tiger/singha/etc for me :o(

Tuesday 24th November

2009-12-02T17:07:00.000Z

another uneventful day (i think)
Trip to tesco then abduls and photographing the b'stad pot hole in the hope of getting some compensation off the coucil...

Monday 23rd November

2009-12-02T17:05:00.000Z

9 days later...can't remember it - must have been uneventful.
Got a feeling i changed the wheel on my car - hit a rather large pot hole and destroyed one alloy and two tyres in the early hours of sunday.

Sunday 22nd November

2009-11-23T13:36:00.000Z

Nice quiet day with nothing planned. happy days. until i got a text. "the girl down the road" from school days got in touch to say she was in Manchester for the day and would i help her kill some time...could hardly say no could i?

Another trip to the Xmas Markets - ok then! Bailey's hot chocolate avoided (unfortunately - cos it smelt so good!). Devoured a pot of tea in The Bridge though!

Saturday 21st November

2009-11-23T13:31:00.000Z

Another early start - so unfair. Can't wait to have beer so it makes me sleep in...

Soft boiled eggs and soldiers for breakfast - rock on.

Then an Abdul's donner kebab for dinner. mmmmmmm. It was so good i had another one at half two in the morning!

Another trip to the Xmas Marekts - can't keep away from the place! Went with Matt to meet Viv, Jen, Clyde and Vaila. The left for Velvet for a pre Warehouse Project drink. We went to Space (2 brews) then Revolution on Oxford road to meet Craig, Steve and Justine.

Next up was The Millstone in the Northern Quarter to meet Karen, Nick and Si.

Thought we'd treat ourselves to a stop off in Noho but it was too busy, so went back to Centro for one (galss of water).

Final venue of the night was the very impressive Lammars. Job done.

Friday 20th November

2009-11-23T13:20:00.001Z

Bed at 3am and work at 9am - not a good start to the day...

Got home after work with plenty of time for a power nap - no such luck. Back in town for 8pm...straight to La Vina to meet Russell and Nicola for a catch up and a glass of water.

Then to the markets again to meet Fionnuala and Al, watched them eat bratwurst then took them to Corbieres - a hidden gem of a bar.

Athenaeum was next to meet Viv, Clyde and Jen. They'd switched their brew making facilities off early, so it was a red bull for me...

The main event of the evening was the legendary Dave Haslam's Sweet Sensation night in The Circle Club. What can i say Dave, another awesome set. Loved it. Just wish i'd been around for the Hacienda days!!

Thursday 19th November

2009-11-23T13:01:00.005Z

First things first. a BIG congratulations to the new Dr Dodd. Well done with the phd Alyson!!

Celebratory drinks in Space with Alyson and the gang. Think i managed 3 pints of water and a mug of tea...and a very tasty steak baguette.

Then it was a quick drive across town to Mint Lounge for Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura night. one word. AWESOME!! Live musicians from Havana. A stonking DJ set from Gilles. Fit latino ladies. and plenty of banter. Loved it. The night was sponsored by Havana Club rum...i missed out on a lot of free alcohol :o(

well worth checking out the bands/artists and info on the website - http://www.havana-cultura.com/

Some of the Havanans shown below...
(and boy could the lead singer woman salsa dance!!)

Wednesday 18th November

2009-11-23T12:53:00.000Z

3pm meeting with a corporate lawyer which would have normally involved the first visit to the Manchester Christmas Markets of the year for overpriced, warm beer was adapted to be an Earl Grey and tiffin in Costas in Waterstones...much warmer in there.

Next stop - bottle of still mineral water in Bar 38 - courtesy of Sonio Singh of Mahindra Maini LLP solicitors.

Final stop - food at one of the opening nights of Zaika Indian Restaurant. One of the investors was not happy I wasn't drinking...oh well. The lager taps broke anyway...so it didnt really make much difference.

Tuesday 17th November

2009-11-18T11:39:00.002Z

Went to the Friendship Inn in Fallowfield for the quiz. we didn't do great, but a pot of tea was just 90p.

Sunday 15th November

2009-11-18T11:38:00.000Z

Nothing. Actually nothing.

Except i had to have home made bangers and mash without port in the gravy. hard times.

Saturday 14th November

2009-11-18T11:37:00.000Z

Quick stop for 3 chicken mayo burgers...then straight back to Manchester to view some houses. Saw, hopefully, the craziest hippy/hoarder house in Chorlton. Had to be seen to be believed. Couldn't even get in three of the rooms...

Next came a very rare event...a Saturday night in...the first one of 2009 i think!! (disclaimer - i wasn't at my own house, but we didn't go to any drinking establishments)

Probably could a have done with some beer to numb my mind whilst x-factor was on!!

Friday 13th November

2009-11-18T11:34:00.000Z

Lunch visit to The Old Grapes - just water again to go with my lamb shank, mash, peas and gravy...

Fri night - trip to Leeds - went out in Headingley. It was really quiet in Arc and Trio. Did meet some random (apparent) ex Rhinos player from New Zealand. Tomo or something - but can't find him on the web.

Quote of the night. In relation to my 'golden yellow' hoodie - "you look like a piece of mazipan. it makes me want to finger you"...

Thursday 12th November

2009-11-13T11:17:00.000Z

Trip to Oklahoma (in the Northern Quarter) for lunch. don't think they even sold beer. but they did sell a pretty tasty chocolate cake!!

Manchester Christmas lights turn on in Albert Sq. never been before - pleasantly surprised. Excellent fireworks. boom.

Then a quick stop at Corbieres - half a pint of tap water. job done. still can't believe you've never been there before Viv!

Wednesday 11th November

2009-11-12T10:16:00.001Z

Why is it never easy when it comes to cars??!

my wrench has been rounded. My housemates wrench was too big. And then the wheel nuts were too stiff/ceased to get off with a socket set...

Andy to the rescue again...two new wheels fitted. plus an Andy eye socket shaped dent to my drivers side wing...don't ask...

Beers on me Mr Dawson, sometime after 2.31pm on 5th December...

Tuesday 10th November

2009-11-12T10:13:00.000Z

another one of those evenings where a cold beer would have gone down a treat!

First stop Padfield to collect my car after its MOT - £75 for a new battery - really??! Still £175 all in for another years motoring, can't complain.

Next stop - pick Andy up as designated navigator for a trip to Blackburn, to meet my new friend Jack, who sold me four wheels on ebay for less than the price of one new tyre. happy days.

So 3 hours driving without alcoholic reward...man down! slept well though.

Monday 9th November

2009-11-12T10:09:00.000Z

Katsouris for lunch - no "avoiding" to be done there. another roast gammon off the bone, pineapple, onion, german mustard, iceberg and mayo half ciabata...think it is officially my favourite sandwich. close second is Greggs' chicken pesto baguette - the one with sun dried tomatos.

still think they should have kept Greggs and Braggs at Bakers Oven shops.

Evening - cooked for the first time for a long time, albeit a simple pork loin, veg and oyster sauce stir fry. tasted good, even without my usual secret ingredient - rice wine.

Sunday 8th November

2009-11-12T09:58:00.000Z

Another lie in. bliss.

a quick trip into town. then back home to chill. watch Planet Terror - a little bit weird...

Saturday 7th November

2009-11-12T09:52:00.000Z

Finally got some time to myself and chill. stayed in bed til nearly 2pm...
(been waking up at 5ish every day since the clocks changed. 2 weeks and counting!)

quick stop at the Sweet Tooth Cup Cakery with Freddie and Susie.

next stop town for "breakfast" (at 4pm) in Katsouris (yum) with Andy and Gez in the middle fo their xmas shopping.

then to withington for a brew and catch up with Shayrelle, Ruth and Jessica.

then to pizza express in West Didsbury for tea with Caroline, Amy, Fionnoula, Louise, Laura, Michael, and Emma. Why is it there's nothing you really want to eat in Pizza Express. Settled for Lasagna - it wasn't up to much it has to be said.

next stop the Northern Quarter and a red bull in The Bay Horse. Followed by two pints of water...don't want to get dehydrated. Met Dave A, Dave M, Carlos, Matt and Alyson.

Then to Lammars with Dave A and Carlos to meet Craig and his brother. Bumped into Amanda and Julie - mid way through what turned out to be a fairly big session, no?!

Nearly ended up with a mouthful of Guiness when some fool bumped into me when i was sat down!!

Luckily Lammars shuts at about quarter past two - so plenty of time to get back to chorlton for a Dixy Chicken burger...with hash brown...oooo yeah!

Friday 6th November

2009-11-12T09:40:00.001Z

No Becks this time at Aon's networking lunch...and i'm not really a fan of wine, so alcohol wasn't too hard to avoid thankfully.

food was excellent. why can't my company use First Taste for catering??

The Evening - probably the hardest one yet...mid way through the ordeal.
Had my first dream about beer on thursday night - made me feel all warm and cosy inside!!
Felt agitated and really tired...a few beers would have sorted this out nicely - as it was i had to put up with wasted folk in mojo for 3 and a half hours!!
Some good support from barman Simon Yardley helped me through.
Night took a turn for the worst when some guy fell/slipped down the stairs - would assume he was unconscious - ambulance was there for ages!! hope he's alright.

Thursday 5th November

2009-11-12T09:36:00.000Z

No fireworks or bonfires for me. First time ever i think!!

It was Maven Capital's First Thursday event in Grinch - my favourite free bar...hardly remember being there in October - pints 10 to 15 (that i remember) were consumed as part of my 30th birthday weekend build up.

Anyhow - in grinch the cups for the tea were small and pointless, so cranberry and OJ all the way...

It was mentioned how weird it was to see me sober at 8.30pm at a First Thursday Event - another first for me...

Wednesday 4th November

2009-11-12T09:24:00.000Z

could have well done with a beer, or four...

Car wouldn't start, nor would it jump start. Bump started ok though after much huffing and puffing...

stressful drive to Padfield hoping it didn't conk out. Back to Chorlton for a SHYTE chinese.

a few beers would have chilled me out nicely...one month and one day to go!!

Tuesday 3rd November

2009-11-12T09:22:00.000Z

Trip to cinema - not even i think about having a beer at the cinema...

Saw Michael Jackson's This Is It. Just bits and bobs from the rehearsals - but OMG i reckon it would have been a good show. Had tickets for the 4th show - gutted!!

Monday 2nd November

2009-11-12T09:19:00.002Z

Dinner round at a friend's house. Deliberately drove to remove the "wine with dinner" temptation...took a bottle of wine with though as thanks...

excellent food and company. cheers freddie and susie.

Saturday 31st October

2009-11-05T10:39:00.001Z

House hunting in the day time - could have well done with a beer break!!

Kebab for mid pm snack then off to town to The English Lounge to meet up (two pints of water), then to the MEN Arena for the Green Day gig - awesome. Probably the best gig i've ever been to.

Straight to a halloween party after that. Everyone was wrecked by the time i got there...difficult times...
Made it through though. And my smoke machine went down pretty well!!

Friday 30th October

2009-11-05T10:35:00.000Z

not much to report unusually for a friday...

Lunch with Philip Wong of Hursts in The Old Grapes. he had Becks Vier, I ad water (and a lamb shank with mash, peas and gravy).

The evening consisted of a quick stop at a mate's house in Chorlton
on a pot of tea in The Bridge in town. Rest of evening was spent in excellent company - you know who you are.

Thursday 29th October

2009-10-30T10:17:00.001Z

Where's the month gone?

Pint of tap water consumed in The Old Grapes at lunch time, along with a rather filling club sandwich. Cheers to Adrian Kirk from WH Ireland for that.

After work was the BVCA Young People in Private Equity networking event at the Lowry Hotel. Lack of substantial canapes but free drinks - one OJ, one pint of OJ and cranberry, and two waters. Was good fun, caught up with a fair few folk...Ian from Endless, Russell from Pearson Hinchliff (on fine form), Nicola, Tom and James from Pannone, Clint from Eversheds, Leo, Ruth and Dave from Brabners, Karen from Beachcroft, and Pete from RMS. I took along James from BTG Tax as well.

Quick stop at OPUS on the way home - expecting to have a laugh at the Grimm Up North horror film festival after show party...it was empty. But then it was ridiculously early.

Tuesday 27th October

2009-10-29T10:09:00.002Z

Our annual work quiz, in Atlas Bar. Good fun but the food wasn't all that.

Consumed two pints of cranberry and OJ, two pots of tea and a glass of water.

We came second, and yes, the prize was alcohol - a very nice bottle of Grands vins de Chablis. Website says £20 - happy days. Just got to wait about 40 days to drink it...

"Quick stop" in Cloud23 - HALF AN HOUR FROM WALKING IN TO RECEIVING DRINKS - REALLY....WHY DID WE BOTHER!!!!

Quote of the night has to go to Pippa from IT...
Me - "we came second by only one point"
Pippa - "that's mad that, these only won by one point."
no sh!t....

Monday 26th October

2009-10-29T09:57:00.001Z

No beer to avoid today. Could have done with avoiding the stench from the waste disposal lorry in chorlton on my way to the bus stop...it was parked up behind the butchers...let's just say it stank. A LOT!!!

Sunday 25th October

2009-10-29T09:54:00.000Z

The lads brought round my 30th birthday present - a photobox hard back book with photos from the last 11 years involving our many trips and general antics. excellent present - cheers again guys.

Brief trip to Marble Beer House on Machester Rd in Chorlton. "just water for me".

Then a brief stop in Fuzion in Fallowfield, opted for green tea rather than a sneaky Asahi...

Then we met family Bailey in Abduls - donner kebab to keep the calorie in take up...

Saturday 24th October

2009-10-26T15:33:00.000Z

Awake much to early for my liking.

Lunch in Battery Park in Chorlton. Vegetarian but still alright.

Evening was a trip to the Northern Quarter for Craig's birthday (happy birthday mate). Met in Bay horse. Then ended up in TV21. Not as good as it used to be i'm sorry to say. Back to Mojo next time...

Friday 23rd October

2009-10-26T15:28:00.000Z

No pub at lunch time - so didn't even have to avoid the compulsory friday lunchtime pint.

Friday evening. Went to go and check out a mate's band in MohoLive - a lot better than monday's performance. Headlining was Neville Staple from ska legends The Specials. Great fun to watch.

Wednesday 21st October

2009-10-22T15:45:00.000+01:00

No alcohol to avoid today. Not even a trip to the pub for the champions league games...fell asleep for most of the chelsea game!

thought for the day...no-one warned me against using mouth wash did they?? luckily i haven't used it - so the challenge is still on ;o)

Tuesday 20th October

2009-10-21T10:29:00.000+01:00

Another curry without the obligatory pint of Cobra. Excellent food (without the grease) in the Blue Nile in Hazel Grove - I had a sizzling mixed grill with a lamb and paneer karahi over the top of it.

Next stop - The Bulls Head for a soda water with lime and a roasting on the quiz machine. Mainly Dan's fault.

Monday 19th October

2009-10-20T09:56:00.001+01:00

Happy Birthday Mr Clarke!

1. My barber said my next hair cut is on the house as long as i put that money into the justgiving site for him - happy days.

2. Brief trip to Space to see The Kings headline the Friends of Mine gig for InTheCity. Barman found me the biggest mug he could for my brew. (picture to follow when i work out how)

Sunday 18th October

2009-10-19T16:36:00.001+01:00

Saw a fair few bands in Green Room as part of the InTheCity event - showcasing unsigned bands. Loads of venues / big hype / happy times for manchester and new music.

Particular favourites were This Morning Call and Thingumabob and the Thingumajigs. Beer would have just sent me to sleep - full fat coke was order of the day anyway.

Happy to see Pan Asia still do their buffet - £8.95 well spent, which includes access to unlimited duck pancakes and sushi (new addition i think). A nice pot of green tea soon removed any thoughts of Tsing Tao/Chang/Singha/etc...

Saturday 17th October

2009-10-19T16:11:00.000+01:00

Avoided a mid-pm beer in Trof in the Northern Quarter - did consume a very nice bacon, brie and cranberry toasty and sticky toffee pudding though - got to keep those calories coming in...

Found it hard not to try the good looking and sounding cocktails in Corridor later on!!

Last stop on Saturday night was Tiger Lounge on Cooper Street - not been there for a LONG time on a saturday (flagship) night. VERY sweaty - but great fun.

Friday 16th October

2009-10-17T13:47:00.000+01:00

set up the justgiving site properly - get on there! ;o)

www.justgiving.com/binaryostrich

Completed my hardest challenge yet - being teetotal in Mojo - the venue of so many nights of carnage. The last visit saw my birthday celebrations and me dancing on the bar!

Mojo met expectations. plenty of stories - dancing on the chairs - loads of sweat - and strangely (this time) a shed load of tap water and no memory loss!

ended up giving some random guy a lift home who'd crashed his car...

Thursday 15th October

2009-10-16T16:42:00.001+01:00

First really difficult challenge...and on only day 11 of 61.
A curry without pints of cobra being involved!!
Excellent food in Asian Fusion in Chorlton.
Even avoided the complimentary irish cream liquor.

(also avoided free beer in The Bridge at lunch time - Third Thursday sponsored by Mace&Jones, PKF and someone else...)

Wednesday 14th October

2009-10-16T16:37:00.001+01:00

Lack of calories/energy taken its toll. VERY TIRED. Still managed a pint and a half of water in Lime Bar whilst catching up with two of the bar workers from our recent holiday in Kardamena.

No need for beer during the England football match - i slept through most of it...

Tuesday 13th October

2009-10-16T16:35:00.000+01:00

Brabners In The City networking lunch...there was wine and beer on offer, but i didnt see anyone take any on board. the egg sandwiches were good though!

No time to avoid beer in the evening - went to see a pilot show being filmed at Granada studios. "Head or Tails" presented by Justin Lee Collins...i wouldn't get yourselves too excited about it...

Monday 12th October

2009-10-16T16:29:00.001+01:00

Thought of the day...
Based on my alcohol intake over the three nights of 1st, 2nd and 3rd of October this last weekend contained approximately 15,000 less calories.
Where do i get my extra energy from until the 5th October?! one idea is to buy a chocolate factory and manufacture the original blue smarties...

Quick pit-stop in Space Cafe Bar on the way home for a soda water and burger.

Sunday 11th October

2009-10-16T11:14:00.002+01:00

Trip to Alton Towers...didn't realise they sold beer there. Either way, I was driving, so not an issue.
Excellent day out, great company, and a donner kebab on the way home - what more could you ask for?!

Saturday 10th October

2009-10-13T15:51:00.000+01:00

Another weekend, another night out.
Dinner in Withington at my old house - cheers Ruth and Shayrelle - just water for me with dinner.
Quick stop in Rusholme to collect Mary, Mairead, Marian and Jenny - then straight to the Northern Quarter.
First stop Bar Centro (standard fair, good but not great). Failed stop in Trof (£1 to get in - i don't think so guys). Last stop Apotheca - my new bar of choice in the Northern Quarter i think. Water and sodawater with lime for me. Wouldn't mind trying out their cocktail class (if it is still going...?).

"Apotheca (definition) by Webster 1913 A*poth"e*ca - One who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes.The word "apotheca" was originated in the 14th century from the Greek word "apotheke". "

Friday 9th October

2009-10-13T13:54:00.000+01:00

Night out in Fallowfield for Jimmy's birthday. (Happy Birthday mate!)
First stop Rusholme for tea. Excellent company and avoided the wine.
Second stop The Ram & Shackle - excellent new outside area and cheap drinks (three glasses of water consumed)
Third stop Red Rum (also on Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield). Recently renovated by the same guys at The Ram & Shackle (pint of water - it was hot in there). Good underground venue, vibe and atmosphere.
Third night out in a row. no alcohol consumed.

The Reasoning Behind the Challenge / The Charity Choice

2009-10-13T11:58:00.000+01:00

Since August Bank Holiday my liver has taken a serious hammering...three big nights that weekend (including at least 7 shots of Wray&Nephew on the Sunday night for Matt's birthday)...6 nights of memory loss in Kos ("we love free shots" in Kardamena!)...and then my 30th birthday weekend (1st to 3rd Oct).

I figured it was time to give my liver, wallet, waist and sanity a rest.

It seemed that friends were willing to bet against me completing two months without any alcohol. Seeing as i would be saving a fortune anyway it only seemed fair to donate the proceeds of the bets.

With help I came up with 4 worthy charities. Ideally I wanted small and local, but it seems that to get small chairites you have to look abroad.

Final contenders were: (please check them out)
www.steppingstonesnigeria.org
www.transtanz.moonfruit.com
www.pebblesproject.co.za
www.torturecare.org.uk

I will be donating any proceeds from the challenge to Pebbles Project.

8th October

2009-10-13T11:46:00.000+01:00

Second work night out...EN Deals Dinner in The Palace Hotel.
Invite courtesy of Darren Winterbottom and Tariq Bourouane of LloydsTSB Commercial Finance.

Consumed one lemonade ("What, no vodka or whiskey?" - pleasant on the eye barmaid) and copious amounts of soda water.
It was Darren that helped me conceive the idea of going teetotal a few weeks back. Cheers mate. I think.

7th October

2009-10-13T11:23:00.000+01:00

First free bar to contend with - courtesy of Mace&Jones table football corporate networking event upstairs in Dukes92 in Castlefield.

Consumed one glass of lemonade and one coke - only because they didn't have the facilities to make a brew upstairs...

Big thanks to Pete Davies at RMS PR for being my team member and Sarah Walton at Mace&Jones for the invite and organisation.

5th October

2009-10-13T11:20:00.000+01:00

Dave Carter of www.btg-tax.com challenged my good self to be teetotal for two calender months