Holiday work party coming up

[bif]

Next week is our holiday party. I do movie reviews for our local paper. I went last year and I did okay. Newspaper folks have a well-earned reputation for being heavy drinkers, and this group is no exception. Plus there's an open bar! But I'm prepared and should be just fine. My wife's joining me, so I have one more excuse for behaving!

[Walleye]

1. Good luck I used to work for a newspaper, I never did well at office partIes

[Goddessartist]

2. You'll do great!

And you'll go home with no regrets!

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. Seconded!

I think have finally reached a point where I just don't think about it, even when others are standing with a drink right in front of me and I can smell it. Usually, this would trigger something, but these days I just don't notice it that much. Keep that mindset. It is nothing. You are not interested. You can and will have a blast without that stuff.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

4. I always made sure I was parked where I could escape.

Made a few parties in my early years as a matter of courtesy to friends just to make a showing. But as the night wears on, people start getting loud and obnoxious, which is disgusting to a sober person. So, at that point I leave and maybe tell a little white lie that I had another obligation.

[bif]

5. My plan is to show up on the early side

Grab some grub and chat with the Art Director I work with and his wife. Mingle for a bit and then cut out. Shouldn't be a problem.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

6. Best of luck, Bif. Your plan looks good.

I always carried an AA token in my pocket as a reality reminder and when people started getting loud and obnoxious, that's when I bowed out.

Funny though, that I never noticed the "loud and obnoxious" at parties or bars before I got sober.......

[zanana1]

7. I always get soda water with bitters.

I used to drink Coke, but I guzzled it down too fast and people would think I'd fallen off the wagon. Anything with bitters in it will keep you from drinking too fast.