France Bans E-Mail !!!

July 18, 2003 23:54 by ptumelty

PARIS - Goodbye "e-mail", the French government says, and hello "courriel" — the term that linguistically sensitive France is now using to refer to electronic mail in official documents.

The Culture Ministry has announced a ban on the use of "e-mail" in all government ministries, documents, publications or Web sites, the latest step to stem an incursion of English words into the French lexicon.

The ministry's General Commission on Terminology and Neology insists Internet surfers in France are broadly using the term "courrier electronique" (electronic mail) instead of e-mail — a claim some industry experts dispute. "Courriel" is a fusion of the two words.

"Evocative, with a very French sound, the word 'courriel' is broadly used in the press and competes advantageously with the borrowed 'mail' in English," the commission has ruled.

The move to ban "e-mail" was announced last week after the decision was published in the official government register on June 20. Courriel is a term that has often been used in French-speaking Quebec, the commission said.

The 7-year-old commission has links to the Academie Francaise, the prestigious institution that has been one of the top opponents of allowing English terms to seep into French.

Some Internet industry experts say the decision is artificial and doesn't reflect reality.

"The word 'courriel' is not at all actively used," Marie-Christine Levet, president of French Internet service provider Club Internet, said Friday. "E-mail has sunk in to our values."

She said Club Internet wasn't changing the words it uses.

"Protecting the language is normal, but e-mail's so assimilated now that no one thinks of it as American," she said. "Courriel would just be a new word to launch."


Strange

July 14, 2003 00:06 by ptumelty
This is pretty neat. Apparently the owners of this house had been seeing images and hearing voices for quite a while. They did some research and found that a lady once lived in the house who lost her husband during the civil war. Legend says that she used to sit at the table and look across the fields in anticipation of her loved one returning home. He never came. So, they say she still waits. They caught this photo of what they claim to be her.

This one was wild and a little spooky once you find the ghost in the picture. It took me a few seconds to find it, but when you do, it just stands out. Like one of those optical illusions. To save you some time, concentrate around the table. Best not to focus too much on one spot. Look around the table and toward the window.

Keep looking, you'll eventually see it. Click on the link below for the picture. Best to enlarge. For an added touch turn up the volume, it's faint, but the low murmur you hear was what got the photographer's attention first.

It might take a few seconds to load...

http://www.smittystavern.com/strange.html


Iraqi Information Ministers match report from Real Madrid vs Man Utd

April 12, 2003 22:26 by Admin

His view of the game on tuesday night was as follows:

"It is utterly not true, that Real Madrid won last night. It was all trickery. In fact we crushed Real Madrid, Ronaldo was committing suicide in the box. We fed poison to Figo and beat him to death with our shoes. The reports that they scored three goals are scandalous lies, we hammered their goal keeper, then when we stopped crushing them, they would quickly put the ball in the net and take a photo of this. Scandalous lies. Some of you may have seen the film Escape To Victory, if you are familiar with the plot of this, you will know that the Spanish infidels are nothing but dogs and liars not to be trusted. Victory was ours."


Aston Villa Appoint Iraqi Information Minister

April 12, 2003 22:21 by Admin

While the war in Iraq has been very bad news for Saddam Hussein and the loyal members of his regime, one of them has landed a plum job at premiership outfit Aston Villa due to his high profile appearances on television. Mohammed Saeed Al- Sahhaf, the Minister of information is due to take up his role as soon as the current conflict ends, speaking to our reporter earlier today the minister said, "The call from Villa came out of the blue, Mr Ellis contacted me personally and said I was just the man to tell it like it is at Aston Villa", he continued " He told me how impressed he'd been with my performances on television and how he could hardly believe anyone else existed who held the truth in the same high regard as himself. I must admit to being in awe of Mr Ellis having watched his wonderful expression of the truth so many times on Television in the past and have modelled my recent performances on those of Mr Ellis.

He further added "Mr Ellis also expressed his sadness at the demise of my colleague Ali Hassan Al-Majid, with who he very much would have liked to discuss protest management techniques. " he then added " as soon as we have won this war I will be able to take up my position, but for now I'd like to express my delight at Aston Villa's 4-0 defeat of Arsenal at the weekend, the way we crushed them was magnificent and I would like to take the opportunity to assure Villa supporters that we will take next seasons European champions league campaign seriously, just as much as our defense of the league championship and both cups.

I will be able to offer some assistance with the acquirement of the quality players we will need to supplement our strong squad of world class internationals, as current world champions having won the last 3 world cups it is widely recognised the best players in the world come from my country, My contacts in Iraq will be enable me to bring in many of the current Iraq national squad and Mr Ellis assures me he will be able to get them into Britain as asylum seekers and this will have the added benefit of subsidising their top class wages with the state benefits they will be able to claim."

When asked to comment Mr Ellis said "this is a fantastic day for Aston Villa, no longer will we have to put up with the nonsense and half truths from the man on the terraces as we have had to in the past. The truth about Aston Villa can finally be told with the sincerity and integrity the fans deserve


Keegan vs Robson - The Great Showdown

January 22, 2003 00:00 by Admin

"The under-17s are doing very well. You get bunches of players like you do bananas, though that is a bad comparison" - KEVIN KEEGAN on the Manchester City official website.

"I played cricket for my local village. It was 40 overs per side and the team which had the most runs won. It was that sort of football" - SIR BOBBY ROBSON.

"Not many teams will come to Arsenal and get anything, home or away" - KEV.

"Football never surprises you and it never sometimes demoralises you" - SIR BOBBY.

"Shaun Wright-Phillips has got a big heart. It's as big as him, which isn't very big, but it's bigger" - KEV.

"There will be a game where somebody scores more than Brazil and that might be the game they lose" - BOBBY.

"We haven't got the distraction of the Champions League or the European Cup like some teams have" - KEV.

"If we start counting our chickens before they hatch they won't lay any eggs in the basket" - BOBBY ROBSON.

"I think the league table is a pretty good barometer of how you are doing"-KEV.

"Both teams - and Brazil even - got better on their way to the World Cup final" - SIR BOBBY.

"Nicolas Anelka left Arsenal for £23 million and they built a training ground on him" - KEV.

"Jermaine Jenas is a fit lad. He gets from box to box in all of 90 minutes" - BOBBY ROBSON.

"If you put a template for the ideal striker into a computer, like they do with cars, and it then sends out the perfect aerodynamic hatchback, it would come out with Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka" - KEV.

"We don't want our players to be monks, we want them to be football players because a monk doesn't play football at this level." - SIR BOBBY ROBSON.

"As far as I'm concerned, Danny Tiatto doesn't exist" - KEV.

"Sarajevo isn't Hawaii" - SIR BOBBY ROBSON.


News Flash - Armed Forces to Strike

January 22, 2003 00:00 by ptumelty
In the face of industrial action by members of the armed forces, the government has announced that the Fire Service will, as an interim measure, carry out military operations in Iraq.

The army, who have demanded a 40% pay increase on the basis that their job has become more technical since 1945, will begin strike action next Thursday unless a compromise pay deal can be agreed.

Crack Fire Service personnel, highly trained in playing darts, brewing tea, and sliding down poles, are understood to be on standby to take up front line operations using their "red goddess" vehicles instead of tanks. They will race towards Iraqi lines and attempt to annoy the enemy into surrendering by making a lot of noise and spraying them with water.

Prime Minister Blair has already stated that the Fire Service strike last year proved that a vastly undermanned service with limited training and unsuitable equipment can perform the duties of a well-trained, well-equipped, and well-manned professional force equally as efficiently and without loss of life.

When it was pointed out that the bright red fire engines might make an easy target, Mr Blair said,"Never mind, we've got too many firemen as it is......er, is that camera running?"

Asked for his comment, Britain's partner in the coalition in the war against Iraq, US President George W Bush, said "Ooh, can I have a go on the Siren?"

Word's of wisdom from the BBC Comedy 'The Office'.

January 22, 2003 00:00 by ptumelty
It's the team that matters. Where would The Beatles be without Ringo. If John got Yoko to play drums the history of music would be completely different.

What does a squirrel do in the summer? It buries nuts. Why? Cos then in winter time he's got something to eat and he won't die. So, collecting nuts in the summer is worthwhile work. Every task you do at work think, would a squirrel do that? Think squirrels. Think nuts.

A successful team is paramount, our office team mirrors the success of Arsenal football team, but with less foreigners.

When confronted by a difficult problem, you can solve it more easily by reducing it to the question, "How would the Lone Ranger handle this?"

Show me a good loser and I'll show you a LOSER!

If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation.

You don't have to be mad to work here, in fact we ask you to complete a medical questionnaire to ensure that you are not.

If you treat the people around you with love and respect, they will never guess that you're trying to get them sacked.

If at first you don't succeed, remove all evidence you ever tried.

You have to be 100% behind someone, before you can stab them in the back.

If work was so good, the rich would have kept more of it for themselves.

Those of you who think you know everything are annoying to those of us who do.

If your boss is getting you down, look at him through the prongs of a fork and imagine him in jail.

There's no 'I' in 'team'. But then there's no 'I' in 'useless smug colleague', either. And there's four in 'platitude-quoting idiot'. Go figure.

There may be no 'I' in team, but there's a 'ME' if you look hard enough.

Process and Procedure are the last hiding place of people without the wit and wisdom to do their job properly.

Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue Know your limitations and be content with them.

Too much ambition results in promotion to a job you can't do.

Make good use of your cylindrical filing unit, the one you mainly keep under your desk.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Never do today that which will become someone elses responsibility tomorrow. live your life by them, that's what I say.

Quitters never win, winners never quit. But those who never win and never quit are idiots.

If you're gonna be late, then be late and not just 2 minutes - make it an hour and enjoy your breakfast.

Remember the 3 golden rules:

  • 1. It was like that when I got here.
  • 2. I didn't do it.
  • 3. (To your Boss) I like your style.

The office is like an army, and I'm the field general. You're my footsoldiers and customer quality is the WAR !!!> > > >

Set out to leave the first vapour trail in the blue-sky scenario.

Statistics are like a lamp-post to a drunken man - more for leaning on than illumination. A problem shared is a problem halved, so is your problem really yours or just half of someone elses?

Is your work done? Are all pigs fed, watered and ready to fly?....

You don't have to be mad to work here, but you do have to be on time, well presented, a team player, customer service focused and sober!!

I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it was just some b*stard with a torch, bringing me more work.

Avoid employing unlucky people - throw half of the pile of CVs in the bin without reading them.

Put the key of despair into the lock of apathy. Turn the knob of mediocrity slowly and open the gates of despondency - Welcome to a day in the average office.

Jokes

January 20, 2003 00:00 by ptumelty

Jokes

Here is a collection of the funniest jokes I have found on the internet. Feel free to send me any you have that are worthy of joining them

Armageddon
Shaggy Goes Shopping
Shaggy Books a Hotel Room
Windows 2000 - Geordie Edition
Pong
Argentinian Defensive Wall


How You Decide Who To Marry

January 20, 2003 00:00 by ptumelty

How do you decide who to marry?

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.

--Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.

--Kirsten, age 10

What is the right age to get married?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.

--Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.

--Freddie, age 6

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.

--Derrick, age 8

What do you think your Mom and Dad have in common?

Both don't want any more kids.

--Lori, age 8

What do most people do on a date?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.

--Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.

--Martin, age 10

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?

I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.

--Craig, age 9

Whe is it okay to kiss someone?

When they're rich.

--Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.

--Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.

--Howard, age 8

Is it better to be single or married?

I don't know which is better, but I'll tell you one thing. I'm never going to have sex with my wife. I don't want to be all grossed out.

--Theodore, age 8

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.

--Anita, age 9

How would the world be different if people didn't get married?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?

--Kelvin, age 8

 

"And the #1 Favorite is........"

 

How would you make a marriage work?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.

--Ricky, age 10


Bricklayer's Accident Report

January 20, 2003 00:00 by ptumelty
This is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the newsletter 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-storey building. When I completed my work, I found 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, 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 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 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 equally impressive speed. This explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the 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 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 50lbs. I refer you again to my weight. 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 , 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 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.