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Wednesday 20 June 2007

What is so wrong with sleeping at work?


the camera never lies

I have a hangover. I had a hangover yesterday. To be exact, I am now "enjoying" day two of the same hangover. I don't suffer well. In fact I am a big Jessie when it comes to hangovers.

We all went out on Monday night for our staff party. And it was a rip roaring success. We enjoyed a two hour cruise on the river Lagan taking in the sights, sounds and smells associated with river living. We pointed out all the wonderful things that were to be seen, the Titanic quarter, the sexy new buildings, the lovely trees, and the cute little ducks. Well that was the first 5 minutes....

...then all hell was let loose and we all got pished. Very very pished. People out rowing were given extra impetus to clock better times as they tried to get away from us. Have you ever seen drunk ladies in a limo? That's what we were like. No class what so ever. I started on cider, moved to champagne, (well you would, wouldn't you?), then onto red wine, then Gin and Bitter Lemon, then double Gin and Bitter Lemon. This may be where I went wrong.

After we disembarked we headed to a couple of bars to continue the revelry. From what I am led to believe we all had a lovely night chatting about the issues of the day and no one made an idiot of themselves at all. Although my decision to provide the group with disposable cameras may disprove this.

My normal hangover routine is to stay in bed until it has gone. Little Miss Manuel normally brings me my hangover survival kit of Lucozade, ice lollies, and sausage rolls. But not yesterday. I burnt my bridges with her after a heated and unwarranted argument over the phone. All my fault and I'm sorry honey. Awh love you! I also never go out drinking if I am working the next day, never! I cant do it. But of course we had 60 medical reps booked for dinner last night so I had no choice but to work. I threw up after I arrived. I threw up after another litre bottle of water. I tried to throw up after that too but nothing would come out.

I tried to go for a little sleep as well. The medical reps weren't booked until 8pm and there were 2 others on with me so who was going to miss me?! I tried a quiet corner of the restaurant but was woken by the voices of American tourists. I tried another corner of the restaurant but people kept talking to me. I then went to our private room and managed to get 20 minutes shut eye before being woken by the voices of the chefs arguing about who has the biggest fingers or some other such shite. What is happening to the world when a grown man cant get an hours sleep at work?! I despair. And why is it called "power napping" if you are a chief executive but when I try to get some sleep it's called "stop being a lazy fat bastard and go and do some work?"

Now 60 medical reps are hard enough work but when they have arranged to have a traditional Irish session playing for them in the restaurant that really is unfair. My head was pounding and stomach was churning. Grim I tell you, very very grim. "Hello my name is Manuel and I will be sweating on you today."

Some people shouldn't drink. I am one of those people. That's only my second hangover this year and may well be the last one too. Along with the headache, churning stomach, sweats, shakes, and lack of balance I always end up with a terrible feeling of self-loathing. Now that cant be good can it?

14 People trying to get Manuel's attention:

Megan McGurk said...

Poor Manuel!
My stomach's churning just reading all of the stuff you mixed. Yikes.
Lots of vitamin C helps you recover as well.
Working while hungover is a special brand of torture.

Manuel said...

Torture for sure.I thought I was going to have a breakdown at one point. Tears were welling in my eyes...

Melissa said...

Oh, my sympathies! I cannot stand hangovers, and though thankfully they're few and far between, I think the self-loathing you mention is almost worse than the roiling stomach. I want to kick myself for thinking that "one last drink" wasn't going to cause trouble.

I hope you're feeling better by now.

ellie said...

I hope Little Miss Manuel has forgiven you! Twice this year is not bad since we are half way through the year!
The worst I had 3 days non-stop vomitting and a rash over my entire body caused by too much blood in my alcoholstream. Good job I don't chuck a husband out every week!
Get better soon, I feel your pain.

whyioughtta said...

Was that photo intended to help readers appreciate how nauseous you are? Cuz if so it's working for me.

Please tell me it's not a photo from your night of pishery. That would mean you know that guy. Or ARE that guy.

Foods made with tomato sauce will help your hangover go away. Really.

livesbythewoods said...

True wisdom is knowing when to say "No more booze for me thanks, I've had plenty already."

Sadly, that wisdom usually only manifests itself the next day, when you look back on the night before and realise the exact point when you OUGHT to have stopped drinking.

Hindsight. Bloody great.

Manuel said...

Melissa: it is the self loathing and the constant worry bout what I may or may not have done that kills me the most....

ellie: LMM is a very forgiving sort. I have a night of nice things planned for her on Thursday...

wio: Hell no, that's just there for comedy effect...

livesbythewoods: I should never start....

tallulahbloom said...

Working with a hangover is the absolute worst!! But having to work with the public is something else!!! Enjoy your night tonight.

Momentary Madness said...

They want me to go to Rehab but I said no no no...
Keep on rockin' man, but watch the auld heart.
Y;-) Paddy

big gay al said...

No better cure for a hangover than a good ham shank!

Manuel said...

Tallulahbloom: But I still feel unwell!!!

paddy: my heart was going like a humming bird yesterday!

big gay al: been there done that.....

Flirty Something said...

hangover and trad music, I reckon that's what hell is like

Unknown said...

Manuel buy Lifesavers or Buzz. (Gordon's Chemists, Curleys Off Licence) Just two brand names of hangover pills on the market. They work. If not, get a tube of Hairy Lemon ( found in the vitamin section all of good Boots stores)and dissolve one in glass of water and dwink it after you've finished dwinking. Also take a multi vitamin tablet at the same time. And also lots of water BEFORE and after the party.

Unknown said...

Sorry...not Lifesavers..........but LIFlINE.

Lifeline or Buzz.