Meghann Thorp‘s latest update of her 40 days and nights without alcohol, the end is in sight.
Day 35 – Not long now
Although there are less thank ten days to go now, the last part of Lent has definitely been the most challenging. The fact of discovering I had to endure another five days was a blow. As well as the realisation that once arriving home there will be endless offers of booze that is not only free but good quality stuff. I’m not talking about the £3.99 bottles of vodka you can acquire from Bargain Booze. It’s the endless supply of Smirnoff which will be hard to refuse. The alcohol cupboard at my dad’s house in the kitchen (just left to the fridge) is packed with bottles that have been donated as gifts over the past couple of years. It’s obvious they don’t drink it, so refusing this luxury will unquestionably be one of the hardest challenges so far.
Day 36 – Home time
After a quick dash into university to hand in an essay, I raced back to Cotton Mills in Radford where my dad was already waiting. The feeling of being driven was so much more appealing than having to make my way to Manchester on the train with three heavy bags. I spotted a tube of wine gums in the dashboard which seemed to take my mind off the long journey ahead.
“Is there any left?” my dad asked. It was probably his side of the family my sweet tooth originated from.
“No sorry,” I replied before eating the last few. Wow who would have thought abandoning alcohol would have made me so greedy.
Knowing that it wasn’t my responsibly to cook and wash up dirty dishes for two weeks was especially pleasing. My best bet was to avoid the kitchen at all costs. If they saw me anywhere near that cupboard I knew the phrase “would you like a drink” would come about.
Day 37 – Mrs Lee
In the small village of Davenham in Cheshire lies the best Chinese take away that ceases to exist. Having worked at Sun Ho for five years I knew exactly which dishes to order this Friday night. Eating chicken chop suey with special fried rice and prawn crackers was the perfect way to spend the evening. The bag of prawn crackers didn’t even last the car journey home. It seems like I’ve missed this place a little too much.
Day 38 - Catch up
I completely forgot that tonight would be spent with all my old friends watching a film and having a Chinese. It seems like yesterdays venture to Mrs Lee’s wasn’t so clever after all. Two takeaways on successive nights gives the impression I’m an overweight takeaway addict. If I’m not careful maybe my gym membership for DW fitness might have to be renewed.
Day 39 – Lazy Sunday
It was a nice surprise to discover Ben had come back from the University of Nottingham for the day. What was even more pleasant was his parents had invited us to go to holiday in Tenerife with them. Imagining us sunbathing in the sun with a cocktail by the pool was not going to help me get through the last days of lent. It was about time my skin received a bit of colour to it though. There had been a few jibes about my pale skin since abandoning the fake tan regime last year.
Day 40 – Tiger Tiger
Although I couldn’t wait to see Vicky and Rachel, two friends from college, I knew this could be a bad idea. First of all, I had never been to the club Tiger Tiger in Manchester so didn’t really know what to expect. And secondly, it was evident that my friends liked to have a good time out on the town. If I was going to be tempted to drink it would be with these two. Yes I did feel left out being the only one sober but who else would have been able to book a taxi at half 2 in the morning for less than £4 each back to Altrincham. It wasn’t usually me who was the responsible one and it felt so good. With a couple of drinks I probably wouldn’t have been able to remember my own name, let alone negotiate prices with a taxi company. While I was left to organise the transport, Vicky looked for her purse which seemed to have disappeared at some point during the night. Its things like this which put into perspective the positives of being off the wagon. Throughout my many nights out I must have lost a good hundred pounds worth of items: money, make up, id, jackets. Fingers crossed in a couple of week’s time I won’t go back to my old ways of being irresponsible or in Vicky’s case unfortunate.
Day 41 – Chester court
Waking up at 7am to head to Chester Magistrates court is not exactly how I’d spend a typical Tuesday morning. Nether less I had coursework to complete which involved waking up extremely early to get a lift into Chester. After a couple of hours taking notes about crimes involving theft and dangerous driving it was time to meet a friend Amelia in town for some retail therapy. I could get used to this t-total lifestyle, using the money saved from not drinking and spending it on the latest high street trends. At least I’d look better.
Forgot to mention – only five days left now. Someone get the pink champagne ready.
To keep up with Meghann follow her on twitter @Teggerson.
Meghann Thorp
