Not drinking does make you question your sober behaviour...

This week was full of tests for my alcohol-free test and I'm pleased to say I passed with flying colours.

There were three Christmas functions this week that I would normally partake in a glass of wine at: one, I didn't get to because of a flurry of last-minute work requirements, so I guess it doesn't really count. The second was a staff Christmas lunch with our board, and the third was the staff Christmas party itself.

I did't really feel weird not drinking like I thought I would. I think it's because I was the, or one of the, main organiser for both and was so busy running about taking pictures, making sure everyone had crackers (and subsequent festive paper hats) then finally sitting down to eat myself that the drinking got overlooked.

This was a good thing for the lunch event as it was the break of an all day meeting and I did have to go back into said meeting and take minutes which would've been a LOT harder if I had a couple glasses of bubbly under my belt. I know from experience as I have been known to go back to my desk after work drinks and try to answer those last few pesky emails before going home. All I can say is that god for spell-check!

It was bit harder at the Christmas party itself, mostly because I chose the wine for the tables and it was good wine, but once you're surrounded by 9 other colleagues chatting incessantly about all manner of things you're lucky to get your lunch eaten in a decent amount of time, let alone drink a glass of wine/beer/bubbly.

I still mixed and mingled with everyone and carried on afterwards at the Irish Pub up the road, but did it without the acquisition of beer-specks. Mind you, it wasn't until I was leaving that people realised I hadn't been drinking which either means they were drunker that I gave them credit for, or my behaviour really doesn't change much when I have been drinking: I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not.

Still, I had a merrily good time celebrating the year that was with my colleagues, had a laugh, shared stories and thoroughly enjoyed myself without killing off a few brain cells.

A good result all 'round I think, though my Grandmother has indicated Baptist church services are the worst in her memory (she's 80) so I may need one by time I venture back from my experience of that tomorrow!