I have just returned from what must be the first healthcare conference of the year (well obviously it is for me). It was fun, informative, friendly and a bit tiring. It was also close to home and free. What more can you need or ask for? Despite it being close by I decided to stay over. This may have been an error on my part. Not because of the room or food or anything (my room was great and indeed better than the one I shared at the same place with my hubby last year). But actually because I have less self control than I should and committed the two cardinal sins of drinking too much and staying up late. I am puzzled to understand exactly what is wrong with me. After all I had the will power to refrain from bread rolls and pudding at lunch, I drank fruit tea in the afternoon and was on course for good health and at least not adding to my Christmas weight gain by the time of tonights slimming club weigh it. Unfortunately the conference day of good and useful information didn’t finish till 6pm, by which time I was weary and weak willed. A man stood outside of the main room with a tray of champagne, I took one and followed colleagues into another room where a further man approached me with appetizing and tasty looking food on a plate. It was at this point I should have put down my glass, declined his offer and ran to my as yet undiscovered room. Sadly I did not and it was all down hill from there.

What followed was another glass, several more canapes, some interesting conversation and finally check in. By then I had just half an hour to shower, change, check in with the folks at home and get back for dinner. At various points during the evening opportunities arose to return to my lovely room, get into my 4 poster bed (I kid you not) and snuggle down with my book. Sadly I didn’t pick up on my own cues and it was 3.15am when I finally took the initiative. By then it was too late and I was too tired and had inbibed too much wine to read anything. Thankfully I was slightly saved by the good sense of water consumed instead of alcohol between the hours of 2 and 3am.

So there you have my sorrow ful tale. The end result was that I stayed in bed late rather than take breakfast. My head was wooly during a very interesting talk on management and leadership and though I managed sensible conversation at partner meetings I was definitely not at my best.

My reflections lead me to these conclusions:

1. I am weak willed
2. I have no common sense (you must never mix red and white wine)
3. I appear not to know when I am tired
4. I like to talk too much
5. I had a good time but am not in a fit state to do the work I should this afternoon which will mean working on a presentation for next week one evening or at the weekend
6. I am more stupid than a woman of my age should be