[Nicola_Red]

So I've been off work and in my absence our Christmas night out has been organised, and it's bowling. I clearly can't bowl as my knee doesn't bend enough, and anyone who's been here longer than 5mins would know this. I do realise I'm only one person in the group and I should get over it, but as I'm our second longest serving member of staff, I feel slighty narked that nobody bothered to consider me before making the decision. So I'll be missing the night out, which kinda sucks. (I do know you can just go and sit there and watch other people bowl, but that really doesn't sound like any fun.)

[The Deadly]

A work night out should really be inclusive of everyone who is employed there.

[yummytummy]

Fed up have tickets for tonight but got full on flu. On the other night was supposed to go hurt my ankle and couldn't go. Is there some kind of thing that doesn't want me to see chris live. Feel like I'm not a fan if dont go

[The Deadly]

It's only flu it's not like you are dying or anything. Just dose yourself up on medicine and stand in the corner.

[Yudster]

If its proper flu you can't do that. Proper flu will put you in bed and keep you there for at least a few days. If you can get up and about by dosing yourself up with stuff, you do not have flu, you have a bad cold.

[MK Chris]

I've never had it.

[Yudster]

I have, once. It was not at all fun.

[dimtimjim]

I've never had it.

Eh? Who's the daddy then?!!!

Can't you just use one those ramps to throw the ball down?

+1. This was my first thought. Use one of those, bowl pointlessly and jus' enjoy the drinks tab...

Our Christmas do is Sprout soup starter (ew!) and Steak for main. Most festive.

[bmstinton93]

I'm hoping to manage 2 Christmas parties this year. One for my work here and one for my work back home, although as of yet I know nothing about the one back home...

[neilt0]

If you have man-flu you can go. If it's real flu, not a chance. I had pig-flu (back when it was fashionable) and it was horrific.

People die of real flu!

[Nicola_Red]

Can't you just use one those ramps to throw the ball down?

I could but then I'd just feel like Disabled Person and I hate that stigma. I know that's probably stupid but...I really don't like a fuss made.

[Boboff]

Bowl with straight legs then, it is entirely possible to do, and you can be quite good if you develop some technique.

No fuss needed, and if your worried go before and practice a style which works and doesn't hurt, oh and wear a low cut top and tight Jeans no one will be looking at your balls, so to speak......

[Nicola_Red]

Isn't that bad for your back though? Bearing in mind the fact that I limp slightly throws my back out anyway.

[Boboff]

I have to be honest Nic, you're not coming across too well with this argument.

You won't use equipment designed to help, you won't change style for fear of damage to your back, you won't just go and watch, you think having a disability is a "stigma"......

Did you watch the ParaOlympics? Ellie Symonds et al were AMAZING, no stigma, just AMAZING. It really does all come down to attitude.

So in a nice way, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and get on with it and enjoy it, don't over think things, it will be fine.

Go on, have fun!

[R94N]

Can't you just use one those ramps to throw the ball down?

I could but then I'd just feel like Disabled Person and I hate that stigma. I know that's probably stupid but...I really don't like a fuss made.

When I used to go bowling, we'd see people using the ramps and think they were crap at bowling not disabled!

Usually when I go the ones that use the ramp are little kids.

[Nicola_Red]

I have to be honest Nic, you're not coming across too well with this argument.

You won't use equipment designed to help, you won't change style for fear of damage to your back, you won't just go and watch, you think having a disability is a "stigma"......

Did you watch the ParaOlympics? Ellie Symonds et al were AMAZING, no stigma, just AMAZING. It really does all come down to attitude.

So in a nice way, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and get on with it and enjoy it, don't over think things, it will be fine.

Go on, have fun!

Not only did I watch the Paralympics, my cousin is a Paralympian. He is a double amputee and on the GB sitting volleyball team. Justin Phillips, if anyone is interested.

Is fear of damaging my back further not a valid concern? My spine was starting to curve almost 20 years ago. I was told I'd end up in a wheelchair by the time I was 50 if I didn't undergo the third round of surgery.

I don't necessarily think having a disability is a stigma exactly...I just don't like attention drawn to it. I have some fairly big scars and a limp as it is - having to use special equipment to do everyday stuff makes it even worse. I used a wheelchair for a while and hated the attention it drew. So sue me if I'm not as strong as some people, you know? I don't sit around feeling sorry for myself, I just don't enjoy being excluded from stuff, no disabled people do.

If you honestly think sitting watching other people bowl is fun, good on you. Just cos it's not my idea of fun doesn't mean I am wrong - it just means we're different, which I think is pretty evident anyway!

[chrysostom]

What other common team building event (that would have been easy to organise at relatively short notice in Manchester, and appealed to a significant proportion of employees) could have been suggested (that doesn't revolve around drinking)?

I only ask as I'm usually in charge of organising our team events, and know how difficult it can be to provide interesting suggestions which are also easy to coordinate for a large group. I have been shouted at by 2 pregnant women before for a work related team outing.

One had an issue with me because the restaurant wasn't within walking distance of the office (we provided taxis, but this was still a massive issue and she ended up not coming) and the other one said I was insensitive for booking an area in a bar as she couldn't drink. However the vegetarian at the Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse didn't have an issue, and had a lovely time - even though she only had one option of meal.

[dimtimjim]

Laser Quest. Pool/Snooker. Strip Club?

Or jus' a good old fashioned meal.

[chrysostom]

Laser Quest

Involves running, strobe lighting and hazardous conditions for asthmatics

Pool/Snooker.

Male dominated environment, involves flexibility as well as being a sport which not everyone enjoys/can play.

Strip Club?

Chauvinistic/inappropriate use of company funds.

Or jus' a good old fashioned meal.

Devoid of team building attributes.

All potential pitfalls, not my personal view - but just trying to demonstrate the issues that people who are organising an event for a large group of colleagues whilst spending company money.

Having said that I put together a night at a ping pong bar on Friday for our team and it went swimmingly.

[MK Chris]

You can never please all of the people all of the time, but a night out in a comedy club would tick the boxes for me. Not sure it would do the team building, but it would be a morale booster!

[dimtimjim]

Having said that I put together a night at a ping pong bar on Friday for our team and it went swimmingly.

Ah, gotta love those Thai girls...

but more seriously, I know exactly what you mean Andy. not easy. Toph's comedy night is good idea, but it needs to be bookended with a suitable format for conversation, otherwise the team building element goes outa the window.

[Nicola_Red]

What other common team building event (that would have been easy to organise at relatively short notice in Manchester, and appealed to a significant proportion of employees) could have been suggested (that doesn't revolve around drinking)?

I only ask as I'm usually in charge of organising our team events, and know how difficult it can be to provide interesting suggestions which are also easy to coordinate for a large group. I have been shouted at by 2 pregnant women before for a work related team outing.

One had an issue with me because the restaurant wasn't within walking distance of the office (we provided taxis, but this was still a massive issue and she ended up not coming) and the other one said I was insensitive for booking an area in a bar as she couldn't drink. However the vegetarian at the Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse didn't have an issue, and had a lovely time - even though she only had one option of meal.

Because we (well, they I s'pose!) are largely a young office and pretty unlikely to include any pregnant women, our Christmas outing is usually just a meal and drinks. In the past whoever's organised it has usually given consideration to my veganism and I've always been very grateful for that - the one exception was when it was at Cafe Rouge and there wasn't a single thing I could eat. I do think the 'not in walking distance of the office' thing is a weird complaint if taxis were provided.

[Nicola_Red]

In further annoyances: my weird chest infection/cough/sore throat thing seems to be making a reappearance. This is despite a course of antibiotics from the docs. I've had it for a month now and it's becoming very tedious.

[Yudster]

Adverts are annoying me. The toothpaste ad with the idiot woman saying "my teeth are squeaking clean" - the phrase is SQUEAKY clean, not * squeaking clean! And the Knorr gravy ad with the pretend "chef" saying "remember how good home made gravy used to taste?" YES I * DO, I MAKE IT EVERY * WEEKEND YOU TIT!!!!

I may be overreacting.

[The Deadly]

Maybe you should be out having a romantic dinner with a younger man?
You'd avoid those horrible adverts that way.