At work we have a new forum on the intranet as part of our Setting New Standards campaign. So far three threads have provoked the most discussion.

The Free Beer Fridays thread is a proposal to improve morale by having work provide free beer and soft drinks for drinks on Friday afternoons. Apparently beer on Fridays was tradition for a while before I joined, but then it went away when they introduced the controversial dry site policy. We've been trying to get regular pub visits on Friday afternoons, but too many people don't attend due to cost and inconvenience.

The Timesheets thread is trying to get a more sensible timesheet system with more useful information and less duplication. 40% of our timesheets each week are based on guesswork because we complete the week's work. And the timesheets are based around a 38 hour working week, which doesn't always reflect reality.

My favourite thread is the Forced holidays thread. Each year we're forced to use our precious annual leave to take time off over Christmas, even if we don't want to. This year it's 4 days for us, but it's worse for Sydney employees where they lose 9 days! That's a fair percentage of our 20 days per year. Everyone who has commented on the thread is quite passionate, and agrees that something needs to be done.

Dancesport

Last Sunday I was dragged along to the state Dancesport championships. It was as exciting as it sounds. On the way there my fiancée was pondering the disappointing attendances they get every year. Maybe it's something to do with the $32 admission. The dancing was ok to begin with, but by half time I was getting bored.

Tuesday beers at the Belgian

On Tuesday I met up with a couple of the guys off Flyertalk and went for a few beers at the Belgian. We introduced one of them to Hoegaarden for the first time, and he was quite impressed. But bugger me it's expensive, $6.60 for a small one. I think this is only the second time I've met anyone off the internet in real life.

One of my mates has an interesting theory about Hoegaarden.

Apparently the *real* Hoegaarden tastes a lot stronger than the stuff we have. My flatmates tell me nothing tastes closer to spew. The next time you have a pint, taste it carefully. They've freshened it up for our tastebuds, but everytime I have a pint now I can taste what they say!

Abdul

A colleague at work has started getting random SMS messages from a guy named Abdul. They're pretty funny.

• Any thing happening up your way grunter Fuck all down here mate .Abdul
• Any tips for the melbourne cup old mate iv.e got one the kids will be at school and i will be fucking the guts out of my miss.us have a good one Abdul
• What's happening up your way mate Abdul
• Gold coast Uhlans home. Safe tripping brothers .Abdul
• How's the night old mate hopefuly as shit faced as im planning Uhlans Uber Alles
• How's your day been grunter two bottles of turkey Fuck knows what else i've had four of our son's destroying everything and one sexy fucking women that's dripping wet this is the life old mate see ya soon Abdul
• How's you and di been grunter im at home playing daddy its great to have them home catch ya on the run Abdul
• I've started the national old mate just so i am flying in the universe Abdul Do Unto Others Before they Unto you Black Uhlans Australia M.c

Moving house

One week to go before I move to the new house. Lots of packing to do, lots of cleaning. Not quite sure of my moving strategy yet - I think I want to hire a truck to make it a bit easier.