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10 Years After
Apr. 18th, 2009 05:18 pmI gave up drinking 10 years ago today. Well, perhaps not exactly 10 years ago. It was the weekend after Easter, in 1999. I spent the Saturday night at Catford dogs, loinsg a hundred quid or thereabouts, but overjoyed that I had got through the evening on orange juice.
I honestly have not had a single drop of alcohol since, with a couple of exceptions. I ate a liquer a couple of times, and I have been known to take some Benilyn when I have a sore throat. But, no booze.
No celebration today, although I idly thought about going to an AA meeting to tell people there that it's possible to do it without AA.
One day I might make a VERY long post about the past 10 years -- the gains and the losses, the highs and the lows. Giving up drinking isn't a cure for your problems; it's just a realization that drinking isn't the cure for your problems.
++++++++
The death of Clement Freud reminded me of an interesting betting tale. As you may be aware, Freud (C) was a bit of a gambler. Not as many people are aware that his brother Lucian also likes a punt. One of my odd claims to fame might be that I have taken cash bets from both Clement and Lucian.
Lucian used to enjoy betting in the Mecca in Duke Street, a short way north of the American Embassy. About 25 years ago he had a bit of a lumpy day and dropped a few grand. Brian Brown was managing the shop that day and Bob Monte was the area manager. Now, Bob was a lovely bloke, not the total cunt-type of area manager like some others at Mecca at the time. However, he wasn't what you might describe as up there in modern culture or arts programmes. Arena would not have been top of his watch-list.
So, when you had a good day as a betting shop manager you often had to call the area manager to come to accompany you to the night safe. Brian had a good few grand, and Bob came down to pick up some of the cash in late afternoon.
"Who's the punter?" Bob asked.
"That geyser, there. It's Lucian Freud", said Brian, pointing to the not very classily dressed Lucian.
"What's he do?" asked Bob.
"He's a painter". said Brian.
Pause from Bob, before he said:
"Blimey, I knew there was money in this decorating lark, but I didn't know you could make that much".
___________
I honestly have not had a single drop of alcohol since, with a couple of exceptions. I ate a liquer a couple of times, and I have been known to take some Benilyn when I have a sore throat. But, no booze.
No celebration today, although I idly thought about going to an AA meeting to tell people there that it's possible to do it without AA.
One day I might make a VERY long post about the past 10 years -- the gains and the losses, the highs and the lows. Giving up drinking isn't a cure for your problems; it's just a realization that drinking isn't the cure for your problems.
++++++++
The death of Clement Freud reminded me of an interesting betting tale. As you may be aware, Freud (C) was a bit of a gambler. Not as many people are aware that his brother Lucian also likes a punt. One of my odd claims to fame might be that I have taken cash bets from both Clement and Lucian.
Lucian used to enjoy betting in the Mecca in Duke Street, a short way north of the American Embassy. About 25 years ago he had a bit of a lumpy day and dropped a few grand. Brian Brown was managing the shop that day and Bob Monte was the area manager. Now, Bob was a lovely bloke, not the total cunt-type of area manager like some others at Mecca at the time. However, he wasn't what you might describe as up there in modern culture or arts programmes. Arena would not have been top of his watch-list.
So, when you had a good day as a betting shop manager you often had to call the area manager to come to accompany you to the night safe. Brian had a good few grand, and Bob came down to pick up some of the cash in late afternoon.
"Who's the punter?" Bob asked.
"That geyser, there. It's Lucian Freud", said Brian, pointing to the not very classily dressed Lucian.
"What's he do?" asked Bob.
"He's a painter". said Brian.
Pause from Bob, before he said:
"Blimey, I knew there was money in this decorating lark, but I didn't know you could make that much".
___________
