“My heartiest sympathy to, and agreement, with Roderick van Gelder (C8),” declares Kate Coates of Wangi Wangi. “There is not one device in my world, large or small, that I have truly conquered: car accessory shenanigans, microwave, dishwasher, CD player, watch, phone or, heaven help me, the allegedly smart TV. I do have a useful solution, however. Buy the exact same model that the (adult) kids have. Then, if you have a phone question, an overzealous oven or just can’t get the stupid computer to do what you want, call the kids!”
“I don’t know about smart fridges,” admits Graeme Finn of Campsie, “but I have a very old wall oven that has EMAIL branded on it. I can’t determine which replacement element to buy because there is no model number. I emailed the company but they couldn’t help, either.”
Taking advantage of a hopefully long-lapsed limitation period, Ian Morris of Strathfield writes: “This talk of letterboxes (C8) takes me back 60 or so years when, around cracker night, we would use tuppenny bungers to blow up our neighbours’ letterboxes. I’m sure this was a widespread practice throughout Sydney in that era.”
John Loveridge of Tewantin (Qld) claims his innocence: “On cracker nights long ago a number of letterboxes in my street felt the effects of a double bunger being inserted in the slot and lit. It wasn’t me as I could only afford penny bungers or double happys.”
Conversely, Peter Miniutti of Ashbury has decided to fall on his sword: “Growing up in East Ryde, there were no fancy or unusual letterboxes. Still, none of them were safe on cracker night. Belated apologies to those who had theirs demolished via a tuppenny bunger or two.”
Rob Baxter of Naremburn plans to give Willoughby City Council a bagging: “My dog would be mortified if she had to walk down the street carrying a bag of my poo. Yet I have to do that each morning with hers. Why can’t there be more public waste-bins on suburban streets?”
“May I suggest a solution for the flood-bound Rosemary Seam and her enforced online Herald crossword problem?” offers Mike Parton of Tamworth. “This is what I do: print the crossword and place it on the table next to my morning coffee. Leave the balance of the paper until later. Priorities matter.”
Column8@smh.com.au
No attachments, please.
Include name, suburb and daytime phone.