Well its like that with my social life.
Last Thursday I had to attend three social events, all in central London admittedly, but all at the same time.
They were Winterflood Securities Christmas Party, yes that's right Brian Winterflood hates to conflict with others, Focus Communications annual St George's Day Bash, I left Bash to go to that one, and Robert's engagement party.
Robert being of a certain age and the best man alive, his party was a must.
The week before the same thing happened. This time the the choices were, the final wind up of the 60th anniversary of the Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People, a terrific charity which does fine work for disabled people; the end of season dinner of the Golf Match Club, a black tie do where punchy golfers meet and arrange matches amongst themselves, which are played later for money.
And the Ladbroke Friends of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund reception at the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace to see the Faberge collection. This one was organinsed by my wife.
Any guesses as to which I attended? Well you are right, except that after the Faberge I was able to sneak away to the golf dinner.
The Faberge was fab by the way. Everybody knows about the eggs, well in this collection of over 500 pieces there are only four.
What there is is an amazing array of animals and birds of all types. Mostly carved from semi precious stones, with strange sounding names. Agate, Bowenite, Chalcedony, Jasper, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Nephrite, Purporine, Rhodonite.
The natural colours of these stones combined with the artistry of the carving are used to create the most incredibly life like minatures.
The stories which surround the collection include the importation of the Faberge sculptors to Sandringham, the Royal Family's country home in Norfolk, to model favourite sows and sheep. These were recreated in minature.
The sales office for Faberge in London was specifically opened to allow friends of King Edward VII to buy him presents. But do not be alarmed, these items were inexpensive. Somewhere between £50 and £500 in today's money. They were regarded as objects of amusement not as works of art.
The exhibition continues at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham palace until 7 January 1996.
If you'd like to write a column here, look at this.