A Really Bad Day!

[jimras]

AND YOU THINK YOU HAD A BAD DAY!

author unknown

I am writing in response to your request for

additional information.

In block number three of the accident reporting

form, I put "poor planning" as the cause of my

accident. You said in your letter that I should

explain more and I trust that the following

details are sufficient:

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the

accident, I was working alone on the roof of a

new six-story building. When I completed my work,

I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of

bricks left over. Rather than carry the bricks

down by hand I decided to lower them in

a barrel by using a pulley, which fortunately was

attached to the side of the building at the sixth

floor.

Securing the rope at the ground level, I went up

to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the

bricks into it. Then I went back to the ground

and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure

a slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. You

will note in block number 11

of the accident reporting form that I weigh 135

pounds. 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 at a rather rapid rate up

the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the

barrel coming down. This explains the fractured

scull and broken collarbone. 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 my pain.

At approximately the same time, however, the

barrel of bricks hit the ground - and the bottom

fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight

of the bricks, the barrel now weighed

approximately 50 pounds. I refer you again to my

weight in block number 11. As you might imagine,

I began a rapid descent down the side of the

building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the

barrel coming up. This accounts for the two

fractured ankles and lacerations of my legs and

lower body. The encounter with the barrel,

slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I

fell onto the pile of bricks and fortunately,

only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to

report, however, that as I lay there on the

bricks in pain, unable to move, and watching the

barrel six stories above - I again lost my

presence of mind.

I let go of the rope!

[bar5]

That is definately a BAD day

[robroy]