Bubble's on a "retreat" this weekend, so Smudge is coming over to help me smash the flat up.

I tell you what, fucking employers in this town sure lay it on for the staff. 2 bonuses a year, allowances out the wazoo, stipend payments for running fucking chess club. 's no wonder no-one leaves (the shortest stay on Bubble's team is 12 years...) The best though is that, if you ask them to, they have to let you work half time. By law. Spot the teachers who reach their last 10 years in the job then go 1/2 time, only to go full time again for a year or 2 at the end to ensure pension paymants (which are based on the last year's salary). Where are the kids in all this? Who fucking cares. And apparently this isn't just restricted to teachers. All employers do this kind of shit.

Now, If I could just find one...

So, Bubble is off on this teacher retreat this weekend. Well, Friday night and Saturday day, actually, but that is considered whole weekend working here. They get put up in a hotel and fed a banquet ... and why? because they're all too busy to get their jobs done during the week. Bloody nice, huh. Gives me and the Smudger a chance to tear it up a bit though. He arrives on Friday night. Hmmmmm .... beer

For you ozzie lot, I saw this story about the value of whale vomit. About 20 USD / gram, apparently. Get beach combing boys.

Bomber out