Tuesday October 9 - O.J.O.D

My name's Will and I'm a social alcoholic. It's been nine months, eight days and 20 hours since my last drink.

If I have to taste one more frigging orange juice I'm going to start wearing a white suit and calling myself the man from Del Monte. (You hear an awful lot about how the developed world exploits third world farmers, these days, but they always seemed positively cock-a-hoop to get the nod from that famous panama hat, didn't they? You do the math.)

Back in Brum last weekend, my sister Charlotte said she couldn't believe how often I went to the pub and/or generally socialised. At the time, I wrote it off as the embittered ramblings of a former party animal turned country bumpkinified mother-of-two. However, it seems she may have a point. I've spent five of the last seven nights in a boozy setting. They were as follows:

Tuesday. Met Gregg and Graham at Lief, the newly re-named Alma de Santiago (yes, that'll stop us remembering that two doormen were gunned down there six weeks ago), then on to the Penny Lane Wine Bar. I had three pints of orange juice and soda, and a lively debate about X-Factor.

Thursday. Met Graham at Penny Lane Wine Bar. Two pints of soda and OJ, and a lively debate about the health and safety implications of hatstands.

Friday. Out in Manchester for the leaving do of my old PA colleague Charlie Hamilton. I drank four pints of soda and OJ, which could have been a slightly embarrassing drink to order in fashionable Manchester on a Friday night. Thankfully, the flu-ridden Charlie was drinking hot toddies all night, which shone the spotlight of humiliation rather neatly back onto him. I mean, a hot toddy? That's one step away from asking the barman for a cuddle.

Sunday. Had a few people over for a long, long Sunday lunch. Drank three pints of soda and OJ.

Monday. Had Helen and Adam over for dinner. Drank fizzy grape juice. Well, you don't want to get stuck drinking the same thing all the time, do you?

To be fair, my mood has lifted considerably since my last blog entry, when I was considering calling it a day. Despite the massive orange juice overdose (henceforth known as OJOD), I realy enjoyed my nights out/in and didn't hanker for booze at all. So, do I think I'll stick it out until December 31?

The man from Del Monte, he say yes!