The fallout of now-former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the Coldplay kiss cam has resulted in a swathe of memes and replications as well as a rather lyrical take: “Byron by name, Byron by nature?” proffers Phil Haberland of Claremont (WA). “I’m sure the romantic poet is raising a glass of Chianti somewhere in the universe, in honour of CEO Andy Byron. The sound of the famous club-foot beating its exit along a wooden corridor, from yet another cuckolded British Lord or Italian Count’s mansion, echoes down the ages.”
Janice Creenaune of Austinmer likes My First Affair, the Lego re-enactment, and notes that “one comment rang out true. ‘Their spouses were shocked when they finally put it together’.”
“Last Thursday night at racetracks in NSW and Victoria, four Race 8s saw winning No. 8s,” reports Gregory Abbott of Macleay Island (Qld). “Odd eight balls or had C8 gone to the dogs? Yes, I know – I ate it all up.”
Mike Parton of Tamworth explains that the “antimacassar [C8], used to avoid staining of seating by ‘hair oil of choice’, is quite specifically anti-Macassar oil. Hence, the name. I grew up with and am still making use of antimacassars.” David Rose of Nollamara (WA) says, “My 20-year-old step-daughter received a pack of them in an office ‘secret Santa’. Not impressed at all.”
Failure to indicate (C8) “has nothing to do with the brand or country of origin of vehicle but everything to do with the nuts holding the steering wheel”, declares Don Nealon of Taree, but if it bothers drivers that much, he points to his “much beloved father-in-law, who changed cars often, his last being a fully imported Ford Escort. Alas, the indicators were arse-about. Nothing loth, he removed the steering wheel and reversed the positions of the indicator and light-switch stalks. Back went the wheel and Bob’s your uncle. It worked. He was chuffed. However, the battery kept going flat every few weeks. Wonder why?”
“I’ve owned several Volvos,” says Duncan McRobert of Hawks Nest. “As a safety feature, the earlier ones had ‘day running lights’. This, of course, added fuel to perceived prejudice against Volvo drivers and resulted in the constant flashing of lights by other drivers. I often wondered if this was just a reminder that I left the lights on, or that I was merely another Volvo-driving wanker. Incidentally, I never wore a hat.”
Column8@smh.com.au
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