Broken Bear

Well, gotta keep the the punters happy! Our spare room is in great demand!

[quote:618b67be9b="Taffy"]Our spare room is in great demand![/quote:618b67be9b]
Just make sure there's no steps nearby :icon_rolleyes: or stray cats that need shooing away.[img:618b67be9b]http://www.world-of-smilies.com/html/images/smilies/tiere/fuzz.gif[/img:618b67be9b]

Awww motherbear you poor thing, must be absolutely GUTTTED. You can take sympathy from the fact I'm suffering too. You'll still make it to NZ quicker than metho so that's a good thing. I hope everything recovers quickly and be assuered that my thoughts and prayers are with you. :icon_frown:

Thanks for the thoughts, Stevey. Hope things are OK with you, as you?ve been AWOL for a while. Nice to see you back. I?ve been worried about you in case you?d taken up aquaplaning again or something worse. You can see the trouble I get into and that?s only outside my back door.

Both Stevey and I have had our run of bad luck lately, but things could have been worse.

This is a copy of a bricklayer's report, which was printed in the Newsletter of the New Zealand equivalent of the Workers Compensation Board.
It is allegedly a true story (but whether you believe it or not is up to you....).

[color=blue:0a14458904]Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to your request for ?additional information? as per block 3 of the accident report form. I put ?Poor Planning? as the cause of my accident and you have asked for a fuller account. I trust the following will explain.

I am a bricklayer by trade and on the day of the accident I was working alone on the roof of a new six-storey building.

When I had completed my work I found that I had some bricks left over, which, when weighed later, were found to be slightly in excess of 500lbs. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand a few at a time, I decided to lower them in the barrel by using a pulley, which was attached to the side of the building. Securing the rope at ground level I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went down and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks. You will note in block 11 of the accident report form that I weigh 135lbs.

Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded up the side of the building at a rapid rate. In the vicinity of the third floor I met the barrel, which was now proceeding downwards at an equally impressive speed.

This explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and broken collarbone as listed in section 3 of the accident report form. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.

Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of the excruciating pain I was now beginning to experience. At approximately the same time, however, the barrel hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel weighed approx. 50lbs. I refer you once again to my weight. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the 3rd floor I once again met the barrel, this time coming up, hence the two fractured ankles, broken tooth and severe lacerations of my legs and lower body. Here, my luck began to change slightly. The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately only three vertebrae were cracked.

I?m sorry to report however, as I lay on the pile of bricks, in pain and unable to move, I lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope. As I lay there I could watch the empty barrel begin its downward journey onto me. This explains the two broken legs.
I trust this answers your query.[/color:0a14458904]

[img:0a14458904]http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-077.gif[/img:0a14458904]

Jeez, that's wincing stuff. Hilarious and I fully believe it, people are that stupid. I could imagine me doing something like that definitely hehe.

I've read that one before...I think it's just a joke. But still, stuff like does happen.

In an attempt at cheering myself up, now that our NZ holiday has been postponed, I?m looking at finding reasons to be happy that we?re now going (I hope!) in Jan. instead of Dec. At first I thought the weather would be much better then, but have since found out that it is set to be quite good for the next 3 months anyway, so I haven?t gained anything there it seems. Not looking forward to the crowds of tourists and holidaying school children in Jan. either. I just wondered whether NZ has January sales like in the UK after Christmas is over. I badly need some lightweight summer dresses, as the ones here, in the name of Islamic modesty, are made of very heavy or unsuitable fabrics and often have several layers. What are my chances of picking up a few nice bargains[img:1f35f1c92a]http://www.my-smileys.de/smileys2/15_8_8.gif[/img:1f35f1c92a]? I hope it?s not all t-shirts and shorts, as I have them already. Has anyone got any other pick-me-up ideas that will convince me it?s going to be good going in Jan. as opposed to Dec.? As the time for our original departure date grows near, I can feel myself getting a bit down-in-the-mouth[img:1f35f1c92a]http://www.my-smileys.de/smileys2/cry_1.gif[/img:1f35f1c92a]. Probably because there?s not enough that I can do with myself on one wobbly leg.

It will be easier to shop as although there will be tourists there won't be the christmas rush to contend with. Some attractions may be seasonal so are more likely to be open than perhaps when everyones closed down for crimbo.

All the staff at airports/hotels/taxis/shops/attractions/restaurants will be refreshed for the new year after a christmas break so will be more helpful and courteous.

Taffy will have made a new years resolution to be nicer to his mum so will be extra servant-hearted for you. :icon_biggrin:

[quote:0fff640015="SteveyC"] All the staff at airports/hotels/taxis/shops/attractions/restaurants will be refreshed for the new year after a christmas break so will be more helpful and courteous.
[color=red:0fff640015]More likely, they'll be hung over[img:0fff640015]http://www.addis-welt.de/smilie/smilie/trinken/image020.gif[/img:0fff640015].[/color:0fff640015]

Taffy will have made a new years resolution to be nicer to his mum so will be extra servant-hearted for you. :icon_biggrin:
[img:0fff640015]http://www.addis-welt.de/smilie/smilie/lachen/lol01.gif[/img:0fff640015] [color=red:0fff640015]Dream on![/color:0fff640015][/quote:0fff640015]