The Name of the Game? Bocce!

I have a new passion, at least on Friday afternoons. For the past year, Scott (my boss) has been saying that our staff needs a Friday ritual- something to celebrate the end of the workweek. I thought leaving work on Friday was a big enough celebration. But, who am I to argue against more celebration? Cigar smoking was mentioned, but not everyone was keen on that idea. I was willing to bring in a blender for some margaritas, but once again… Then it happened. On my way out one Friday afternoon, I stopped by the youth room to ask Steve a question and I spotted the Bocce balls. We decided to play a quick game before I left. We gathered a couple of other staff members and got our game on. Now, every Friday is Bocce day. The winner gains weekly control of the trophy (a Lithuanian flag on a wooden pole- personalized for our “staff competition” – a $1.00 treasure from Goodwill). We have our share of trash talking, taunting, etc., all in the name of competition. We justify setting aside 20 minutes of our afternoon to play Bocce by using words like “teambuilding” and such. Aside from the “anonymous” threatening voice mails I have received, I’d say it’s a success in bringing us together as a staff. If people ask, we say it’s our collective smoke break (without the smoking of course). Unless you count the fact that I win most of the time. I guess there is some smoking involved!!