I was asked today if I’d been sad not to get to go to any Christmas parties this year and I must say the answer is a resounding “no” other than that I wish I’d been at the office party to see off my friends and colleagues who are leaving in a couple of weeks time and of course I wish I’d not let down my friends by missing dinner parties – they are much more my kind of thing.

I counted up the tally of non-attendances for me over the last three weeks and it’s two “big” parties, three “dinner parties” and a gig – all of which I had to send apologies for.

Many years ago, I was at what was possibly my first ever Christmas party, which was a very out-of-control affair – a couple got caught “in flagrante” in the stationery cupboard – both of whom were married to other people. The “big boss” was there and got himself several ears full of abuse over some decision or other that he’d made that was hugely unpopular, who knows what now – it was thirty years ago after all.

The following morning, the entire department was issued with letters saying they’d been fired for gross misconduct.

Over the next couple of weeks, there were negotiations that would have rivalled anything seen at the TUC or on many political stages to get the team reinstated. He was completely intransigent and it took a huge effort to shift him from his point of view.

My first Christmas do at my current company deteriorated into a full-on food fight after a few minutes. It was not nice. I swore off going for a few years and to be honest I’ve only been to three since then over a 15 year period.

So, am I sorry to miss the office party – not really.

BTW – this shot is fairly dodgy for all sorts of reason but it does demonstrate nicely the issue of different temperature lighting. The shot was lit with a flash at the start, then tungsten as the ball was swinging. So, the effect is cold and warm all at the same time.

This year, I'm lucky to be at home - last year, I was in central London, standing outide Selfridges.