When I first talked about attending Nuffnang’s Blogopolis I contemplated staying in Sydney an additional day JUST in case I was hungover following the post-conference drinks. In the end sanity and frugality prevailed and I decided to fly home the day after the conference… remembering I was far too sensible and sophisticated to get plastered with a bunch of people I’d just met in person.

Famous. Last. Words. 

Although the conference and workshops were amazing, the informal networking was a highlight of the weekend. I’m thrilled to be part of such a supportive world. You may recall I was a tad nervous that I wasn’t going to know anyone and worried I’d spend my spare time sitting alone in my room; when in fact it was the complete opposite.

I’ll certainly do a post recapping the very-fabulous formal conference, but given my commitment to blog daily as part of my Photo-a-day July challenge it seemed apt that this first post reflect on the non-conference hijinks of the weekend.

Today’s theme is ‘self-portrait’, so it is also fitting that I document the damage sustained during last night’s festivities.

As it happens – and I know you’ll be shocked – I got very somewhat merry at the post-conference drinks. Unsurprisingly… the combination of alcohol, funny wobbly dots on the pavement and ridiculously high platform heels meant that I toppled over as we traipsed back to the hotel after drinking our body weight in booze. And as a result, I have returned home with an unexpected memento of a fabulous night out with even-more-fabulous people.

Frankly I’m lucky I didn’t knock a tooth out or something, as I also have a fat lip. My hands are pretty much unscathed as fortunately (for them) my face broke the fall; although my knees (having only just recovered from a volleyball injury) have again sustained some damage. (In fact the bruising and scarring on my knees is such that I’m starting to get a bit worried about my potential career as a swimsuit model!)

I have a thing at work tomorrow which will require me to be photographed. I’m thinking I’ll ask for a profile shot from the right!

There will also be a range of guests in attendance so I have been contemplating making up some elaborate story to explain my injury which reflects less-poorly on me. The graze near my eye looks like a claw mark so I’m sure I could think of a scenario involving werewolves or rabid cats or something… But knowing me and my love of self-deprecating tales of woe, I’ll spare none of the gory details and happily tell anyone and everyone about my own ridiculous behaviour!

I must confess that I’ve been very fortunate today as I was not hungover. Others weren’t as lucky.  However, the commencement of my ‘dry July’ challenge is quite timely. After last night I’m pretty sure my body could do with a break. I definitely don’t bounce back as easily as I did in my 20s and 30s, which I guess is kinda normal. Isn’t it?

Day 1 | Self portrait | Photo-a-day July