As you advance in years it’s good to have that one friend who will always remember and remind you when it’s your birthday, which is especially useful if you might otherwise have had a senior moment and forgotten it entirely. In Granny’s case, this friend is Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook, who “could not let the occasion pass without acknowledging that 74 years ago today Granny made her debut in the far right (the 8th) column of issue number 34,026 of The Sydney Morning Herald. Happy anniversary!” Many thanks Allan. Any chance of a diamond next year?
There’s no need to admit to being lost, or “struggling with navigation issues” (C8) according to some of the wise women among the 8th Columnists. Being occasionally “geographically embarrassed” is all that Joan Carter of East Hills and Jane Louis of Thornleigh will ever own up to.
“As someone with a degree in chemistry, let me assure Michael Box that it is possible to dilute water (C8),” writes David Oakenfull of Asquith. “My preference is to dilute it with alcohol – they’re miscible in all proportions!”
Paul Koff of Glenhaven has been watching, by his own admission, too many news reports lately, and has noticed a rather strange pronunciation of vowel sounds among our Melbourne brethren, and wonders if anyone else has noticed it. “Words such as health, element and even Melbourne itself, are now being rendered as halth, alement and Malbourne. I hope this does not ruin anyone’s TV viewing, but once noticed one can’t stop hearing it.”
Having read about the Auslan version of ‘bowlo’ (C8), Megan Heaney of Kincumber is now curious as to what the Auslan interpretation was of the “You’re a f—ing legend, McGowan” that was yelled from a passing car at a roadside press conference in WA, as apparently everyone there, including the West Australian Premier himself, was most amused by it.
