Hey Pat,
If you're still watching this thread, this story may interest you. It sure looks like your theme in another form.
I love your song!
       Sandy


Possibly the funniest story in a long while. This is a bricklayer's
>accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the Australian
>equivalent of the Workers' Compensation board. This is a true story.
>
>
> Had this guy died, he'd have received a Darwin Award for sure....
>
> Dear Sir,
>
> "I am writing in response to your request for additional information
>in Block 3 of the accident report form. I put "poor planning" as the
>cause of my accident. You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the
>following details will be 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 found that I had some bricks left over which, when weighed later were
>found to be slightly in excess of 500 lbs. Rather than carry the bricks
>down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley,
>which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.
> 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 135 lbs.
>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 rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity
>of the third floor, I met the barrel which was now proceeding downward
>at an equal, impressive speed. This explained the fractured skull, minor
>abrasions and the broken collar bone, 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 beginning to experience pain.
>At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the
>ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Now devoid of the weight
>of the bricks, that barrel weighed approximately 50 lbs. I
> refer you again to my weight.
>
> As you can 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, broken tooth and several
>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 am sorry to report, however, as I lay there on the pile of bricks,
>in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind
>and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel begin
>its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.
>
> I hope this answers your inquiry."
>
>
>
>