The official ezine of the DALnet IRC Network December, 2002 Issue.

Letter from the Editor IRC & DALnet - New Oper - Tyler Christmas Competition - Win a $50 Amazon Voucher Techie's Corner - Grab a Gadget Christmas Around The World - Germany & Japan - Australia - Indonesia - England - America So This Is Christmas - American Humbug - The Secret Santa Moving Pen - The Teardrop Constellation - Christmas is Here - Friendship - Death - A Thousand Miles Away Your Comments - Icey - Max - Mentality - Micha` - Ryan - Quick Comments Past Issues - Past Issues

Australia by Curve I was asking around the Aussie fraternity on DALnet for someone to write a piece about Christmas in Australia, when I was sent information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics by a colleague. So, thanks to Ngaire for the special insight into how her countrymen spend the festive season! 31 Australians have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in. 19 Australians have died in the last 3 years by eating Christmas decorations they believed were chocolate. Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling incidents. 101 Australians since 1997 have had to have broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of the soles of their feet. 18 Australians had serious burns in 1998 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth. A massive 543 Australians were admitted to casualty in the last two years after opening bottles of beer with their teeth or eye socket. 5 Australians were injured last year in accidents involving out of control scalextric cars. 3 Australians die each year testing if a 9V battery works on their tongue. 142 Australians were injured in 1998 by not removing all the pins from new shirts. 58 Australians are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers. 8 Australians cracked their skull in 1997 after falling asleep (passing out) while throwing up into the toilet. ©Emma/Curve curve@dal.net 2002