The Irish pub in Kampala is run by a team of very pleasant and competent coal-black Celts with thick Ugandan accents! It is also, unfortunately, within easy staggering distance of where I stay when I'm in town. This can be seriously damaging to my health…
Last week I gave up alcohol and became a teetotaller, following a very lively evening of revelry held at this fine establishment, where rather more was imbibed than is perhaps prudent! But in my defence, I have to say that it wasn't entirely my fault. (After all, in these days of litigation and passing the buck, it never is my fault – someone else is ALWAYS to blame!). You see, it was a pub quiz night (I know, it's sad to admit it, but I rather enjoy them!), and my team kept winning the rounds, for which the prize was a free drink. I did (quite reasonably) point out to them that as our team only had 3 members on it, (as compared to the other teams with 6 or more members) it was only reasonable for each of us to get 2 free drinks, rather than just the one, for each quiz round we won. Given such a reasonable point, the management had to agree! So, it wasn't my fault that my team kept winning because everyone else in pub was so stupid, ignorant or drunk (or all three)! What was I supposed to do about that? Lie? Act stupid? I have a responsibility to spread knowledge and wisdom around the globe, and this was a good opportunity to do so, in a multi-cultural environment! The episode finally came to its pitiful conclusion at about 3 o’clock the following morning, so understandably, I wasn't feeling 100% the next day. My new-found commitment to being teetotal lasted an entire week!
