Party, party
Just came back from the Action 100 launch party. Well, launch lunch. In Bath.
This was originally due in March, and I had accepted my invite, but today was possibly the worst day of the year it could be for me.
Firstly, it was a day which we technically had free. Second, third and fourthly this week saw my husband's, my eldest son's and my bithdays (in that order), culminating in a huge children's party yesterday, which saw the children hijacking a the DJs equipment until around 10.30 pm. Followed by clearing up. After lots of work shopping, cooking, preparing party favours, and all the other things that children's parties require.
So after celebrating husband's birthday (bank holiday), son's sixth birthday (actual day wqas Thursday) and gearing up for yesterday's beano, today should, technically, have been a day of rest.
Professionally, it was due to be a great chance to catch up with the stories of the people who make up the fabric of this incredible ride: the riders; the helpers; the head of fundraising for the charity. Personally, it was fantastic opportunity to meet some of the other riders, be inspired to get more sponsorship (if you're feeling generous/flush/charitable, you can sponsor me through the link at the bottom right of this page), and catch up with people who I have long considered friends.
Unprofessionally, I was pooped. I hadn't slept properly for two nights and managed to get hammered last night. I was at a loss to explain it. All I could think was that because I was preparing so much food, I hadn't eaten properly. Now I know that sounds a bit like the lame old 'I must have had food poisoning' when head has been over loo after heavy night out (those were halcyon days, before infants made the trade off a price too heavy to pay - ever tried responding to a persistent three year old when head won't lift from pillow?)
My husband actually noted the reason. I had drunk four glasses of wine over a period of eight hours, so no reason there to expect to feel anything other than a little warmed and full of goodwill. Except that the bar was serving .25 litre glasses of wine. Which means that I drank a litre. On an empty stomach. Without having slept much.
Which is a very long winded way of saying that I was really not at my best today - slightly jaded. I knew I wouldn't make the 11am bike ride from Bristol to the venue, but I had expected to get there a bit early. (Thank God for Nicci, who was there, bright eyed and bushy tailed, looking calm and collected and socialisng well, creating a great impression for the company.)
We had an amazing time. At the venue, The Boat House in Bath, the kiddies could play outside. And Richard Westropp, the last chairperson had brought his (affable) dog which they loved petting. We won't have one (when the boys - all three of them - can tidy up after themselves, I'll consider it. A hound in the mix just spells even smellier choas than the current melee of smelly socks and trainers)
Jen had done a great jon of organising, and had arranged for Paddington Bear, the charity's mascot, to meet the birthday boy (the littler of the two, son not husband) and deliver a cake. You should have seen his little face light up. He just couldn't believe it - Paddington! There! For him! (I'll upload a picture from the office PC tomorrow - am writing this on ancient home PC for kiddy use)
The company (Zed PR) had a big thank you for the work we've done for the charity - we've had some lovely articles written about the ride. An official declaration of my intention to ride was made (no pressure, then!) and lots of people were refered to this blog, on the basis that its going to be amusing. (Great - I'm tired and hungover and have to write a blog AND be funny. No chance. If you've read this far and can still follow the thread, you're doing well - and I'm doing better than expected.)
There were all of the amazing stories that I had hoped to find - and more. The amputee whose experiences with the ride have taken him on to challenges around the World. A man who was involved with some of the earliest rides. Someone from Bath who had some ideas regarding local media. An anaesthetist with a logical link to the charity (Action Medical Research). An inspirational talk from the Fundraiding Director.
I just hope that none of them noted that my brain hurt, my eyes felt like pee holes in the snow, and that my mouth tasted like the bottom of a parrot's cage.
This was originally due in March, and I had accepted my invite, but today was possibly the worst day of the year it could be for me.
Firstly, it was a day which we technically had free. Second, third and fourthly this week saw my husband's, my eldest son's and my bithdays (in that order), culminating in a huge children's party yesterday, which saw the children hijacking a the DJs equipment until around 10.30 pm. Followed by clearing up. After lots of work shopping, cooking, preparing party favours, and all the other things that children's parties require.
So after celebrating husband's birthday (bank holiday), son's sixth birthday (actual day wqas Thursday) and gearing up for yesterday's beano, today should, technically, have been a day of rest.
Professionally, it was due to be a great chance to catch up with the stories of the people who make up the fabric of this incredible ride: the riders; the helpers; the head of fundraising for the charity. Personally, it was fantastic opportunity to meet some of the other riders, be inspired to get more sponsorship (if you're feeling generous/flush/charitable, you can sponsor me through the link at the bottom right of this page), and catch up with people who I have long considered friends.
Unprofessionally, I was pooped. I hadn't slept properly for two nights and managed to get hammered last night. I was at a loss to explain it. All I could think was that because I was preparing so much food, I hadn't eaten properly. Now I know that sounds a bit like the lame old 'I must have had food poisoning' when head has been over loo after heavy night out (those were halcyon days, before infants made the trade off a price too heavy to pay - ever tried responding to a persistent three year old when head won't lift from pillow?)
My husband actually noted the reason. I had drunk four glasses of wine over a period of eight hours, so no reason there to expect to feel anything other than a little warmed and full of goodwill. Except that the bar was serving .25 litre glasses of wine. Which means that I drank a litre. On an empty stomach. Without having slept much.
Which is a very long winded way of saying that I was really not at my best today - slightly jaded. I knew I wouldn't make the 11am bike ride from Bristol to the venue, but I had expected to get there a bit early. (Thank God for Nicci, who was there, bright eyed and bushy tailed, looking calm and collected and socialisng well, creating a great impression for the company.)
We had an amazing time. At the venue, The Boat House in Bath, the kiddies could play outside. And Richard Westropp, the last chairperson had brought his (affable) dog which they loved petting. We won't have one (when the boys - all three of them - can tidy up after themselves, I'll consider it. A hound in the mix just spells even smellier choas than the current melee of smelly socks and trainers)
Jen had done a great jon of organising, and had arranged for Paddington Bear, the charity's mascot, to meet the birthday boy (the littler of the two, son not husband) and deliver a cake. You should have seen his little face light up. He just couldn't believe it - Paddington! There! For him! (I'll upload a picture from the office PC tomorrow - am writing this on ancient home PC for kiddy use)
The company (Zed PR) had a big thank you for the work we've done for the charity - we've had some lovely articles written about the ride. An official declaration of my intention to ride was made (no pressure, then!) and lots of people were refered to this blog, on the basis that its going to be amusing. (Great - I'm tired and hungover and have to write a blog AND be funny. No chance. If you've read this far and can still follow the thread, you're doing well - and I'm doing better than expected.)
There were all of the amazing stories that I had hoped to find - and more. The amputee whose experiences with the ride have taken him on to challenges around the World. A man who was involved with some of the earliest rides. Someone from Bath who had some ideas regarding local media. An anaesthetist with a logical link to the charity (Action Medical Research). An inspirational talk from the Fundraiding Director.
I just hope that none of them noted that my brain hurt, my eyes felt like pee holes in the snow, and that my mouth tasted like the bottom of a parrot's cage.
posted by Waving hello! @ 7:54 pm
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