The search for clever signage (C8) takes us offshore, literally: “While swanning around the Ionian Isles in Greece circa 1976 on our catamaran Pyewacket, we tacked to starboard around an Irish-flagged yacht named Our Big Gamble,” recalls Jeff Wall of Thirroul. “On a long painter astern followed their dinghy, aptly named Just another Punt.”
Back on dry land, Jack Dikian of Mosman writes: “We found ourselves needing a notary while holidaying in Honolulu some years ago. A well-meaning but rather jaded looking cashier at JCPenney warned us away from a divorce law firm just around the corner. It was called Ditcher, Quick & Hyde.”
Shoutout to the brains trust from Roger Harvey of Balgowlah: “Can I just say how fascinating it is to regularly read this column, as it reliably delves into all manner of quirky topics (and day-after responses) - outside the boundaries of Go-to Google. Thank you, all.” Give yourselves a hand.
“My granddaughters, one right-handed, one left (C8), from the ages four and two instinctively knew on which side of each other to sit to avoid artistic catastrophes when colouring in, and food and drink spills at mealtimes,” says Meri Will of Northmead. “Some things just come naturally if you let them.”
Maintaining Ken Finlayson’s illustrated exam observation, Carole Dawes of Randwick recalls “One of my English exams at school stated, ‘illustrate your answer with reference to the text’. Yep, one clever, very literal person actually drew pictures. True story.”
“Marco Giavitto (C8), I know exams can be torture, but really, a solitary chair and desk? Three minders at the outer walls? No wonder you asked if you could smoke, there were probably wires attached to the chair,” suspects George Manojlovic of Mangerton.
“In the early 1970s, I worked at the Forensic Medicine laboratories, Glebe, which shared premises with the Coroner’s Court,” says Joy Everett of Valla Beach. “One Melbourne Cup (C8), the sole TV in the building was placed at the front of one of the courts and proceedings paused. We all filed in and stood at the back of the court to watch the race. Due to the sombre location, the audience remained deadly silent until the very last leg when one person couldn’t help themselves, screamed out for their sweep horse, unleashing a deafening roar. The race ended, silence returned, the TV was removed, we shuffled out, court continued. I can’t remember the winner.”
Column8@smh.com.au
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