Another of my hatreds of working life is the impeding problems caused

[Pat Vegas]

by organising christmas holidays.

No matter how it pans out I never get what I want. A compromise seems to be having the opposite of what I want.

[Berni]

The near-certainty of pi**ing absolutely everyone off by trying to keep everyone happy means I may just hide in a cave somewhere until it's over.

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

Too busy they say. Bah Humbug

[Pat Vegas]

I got my family moaning if I decide to f**k off to Italy. If I stay here then she has to deal with my family. Plus I don't want to do that either as it's the same miserable ****. my nutty aunt comes to london and bangs on about who's the best James Bond.

The solution was to piss off abroad for 2 weeks. But now I can't take the new years period off (which I can't stand either)

[Classic Jorge]

which was ace, boxing day is generally ****e

[Hillary]

We spend it at home with a trip to the local pub for Xmas lunch and a bottle of Bollinger.

[Berni]

made it fairly clear that, while she's obviously cool with me seeing my daughter on the day, there's no way she's having me spend Christmas day with my ex.

Meanwhile, my parents, sisters and their families will doubtless be gathering somewhere and expecting me and my daughter to be there - but that may not be possible, thereby causing even greater offence.

And, just to really pour sand in the Vaseline, the new girlfriend's son's birthday is Christmas day, so he'll want to see both parents - which is bound to be pretty spec-fu**ing-tacularly awkward if I'm about as well.

Hence the whole 'hiding in a cave' thing. :-(

[Pat Vegas]

[Hillary]

Not as fun as I thought it would be.

[Classic Jorge]

[Berni]

[Classic Jorge]

Sod the rest of the family, mind.

[Peter]

[Berni]

It's trying to keep everyone happy that drives you mad.

[Classic Jorge]

the other kid's birthday is obviously the curve ball

[ITSUPFORGRABSNOW]

Been lumbered with all the crumblies last few years. Probably be the same this year too.