Today has to be one of the best days to write my blog….the morning after the night before of the RMP Christmas Social.

Priceless.

There are so many stories I’m not even sure where to start, but to avoid total embarrassment for more than one or two of the team, I am simply going to share the results of today’s post Christmas social Awards and a few choice photos….and then let your active imaginations work out the rest.

Bambi on Ice Award – Ed Flower

Funniest moment Award – The Speeches; Pretty much everyone got involved

This week I learnt….

……….that I’m mellowing with age

“Back in my day…” and “When I was young…” used to be the phraseology reserved for generations before me, but more and more often I find the tendency to cite such things creeping into my conversations.

I have distinct memories of being confident, care-free, out to all hours and showing no sign of the party-hard lifestyle whatsoever. Admittedly they are quite vague memories, but they are memories all the same. Having not drunk for almost 6 weeks following a kidney infection (until last night when I had a sneaky couple of drinks – see below), I’ve begun to notice how reserved my social life has become.

Gone are the days of missing dinner to fit into an outfit, eating a cheesy chip with garlic sauce at the end of the night and then missing the keyhole over and over again once you (finally) make it home at 5am (last night it was 3am).

Ageing happens to all of us but from experience, the fact that you are ageing slaps you in the face when;

• Your friends and ex’s start to get engaged/married/have babies

• You realise you have known your uni friends for over 6 years (and quite clearly should no longer be living/eating/partying like a student)

• You no longer care about people knowing that you genuinely would prefer to have a quiet New Years Eve

• You have a quiet New Years Eve

• You get Christmas cards addressed to you and your significant other and no longer get ones just for yourself

• You start calling anyone younger than you ‘youngsters’

• Youngsters ask you for advice…what did you do in their situation at their age?

• You get excited by the likes of Ovaltine** and wearing your slippers

• You are referred to as ‘the mother of the group’ at work.

……….just how repetitive Christmas songs are

Yesterday marked the official launch of our office Christmas playlist – we have been putting off the screech of Noddy Holder, the dulcet tones of The Pogues and the fact that Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ never seems to have its last Christmas, as long as possible but needless to say, the time came. What surprised me was that no matter the artist, year, interpretation and sound quality, I seemed to inadvertently know all of the words to every Christmas song ever made. How?

I find myself bewildered.

Thank goodness for modern classics such as When the Thames Froze by Smith and Burrows, “A Christmas treat from Editors chief and ex-Razorlight drummer.” (Q Magazine) Their latest album, Funny Looking Angels, is one of my recent favourites and features heavily on my Top Rated playlist. Check out Funny Looking Angels. And now go and buy the album.

……….to reminisce and revive

Perusing the shelves in Sainsbury’s is a past time I inherently try to avoid at all costs, but lo and behold on occasion it has to be done. This week I found myself aimlessly wandering the aisles not really knowing what I wanted to buy, or indeed eat for the rest of the week, and as such I ended up giving more than necessary consideration to items that wouldn’t normally make it any where near my kitchen cupboards!

That said, I did come across a few golden oldies that sparked fond childhood memories and that have since graced not only my kitchen cupboards but also my desk at work and many a conversation with friends and colleagues. To name and recommend but one of these….

“Nutritiously delicious Ovaltine” (from the packaging) is a malty drink that my granddad used to give me when I was a kid. I’ve never heard of anyone else that has it but with the wet, grey and wintry view out of my office window, it is a very welcome addition to my morning. Comforting whether you are suffering with a Christmas party hangover or not – you should definitely try it.

Amber’s advice of the week….

Grow old gracefully.

Work hard, play hard – and do it all in good company.

Go beyond what you already know.

Remember life’s little luxuries.