The secret of comedy

For the last three and half years, my PC at work has been set to play the same sound everytime I receive a new email. I don't have the exact file to hand, but I found a reasonable approximation - it goes something like this. Mine is perhaps a little shorter, and mayhap with a bit more punch at the end, but you get the gist of it.

I forget the reason why I chose it - there may have been a dare involved - but I do recall that initially proved to be a surprisingly effective deterrent when it came to dissuading those around me sending emails to me. For example, one day somebody sitting just opposite me sent me a mail, I received it, triggering the sound effect. He just put his head in his hands, shook silently from side to side (with just a hint of a tremble), then swore never to mail me again. Of course, it's surprising just how quickly you become immune to even something as distracting this. These days I don't actual register the comedy value of it, just the fact that I have mail (and the great thing about it is is that I can tell I have new mail even from the other side of the office!).

Curiously enough, though, in all this time, no-one has ever complained about it, or suggested I change it, which, of course, I would do immediately were anyone to ask.

Anyway, it was brought to mind today when I was having a discussion with some co-workers about various projects that were going on. Someone mentioned that there was a lot to juggle right now, and I immediately responded with a graphic demonstration - I keep a small pile of oranges next to my desk for just such occasions. After a short period of showing off, one of my oranges fell to the ground (I'm out of practice these days) just at the precise moment I received an email. It took me a few moments to work out why everyone around me cracked up at the same time...