Passport photos (C8 recently) continue to amuse. Colin Hauville of Gympie (Qld) would like to say,“Recently,when applying for my passport renewal,the assistant needed convincing that I was not using the same photos as the old passport. I had to point out the different shirt. But admittedly the same bald head and goatee. Made me feel 10 years younger. I’m 78 and awaiting the arrival of my new passport.”
Ian McNeilly of Darlinghurst adds “My problem is my short stature. A friend insists that I am the only person whose feet can be seen in their passport photo. A cruel,but accurate,observation.”
Tangentially,Pete Gladwin of Kingscliff says,“On blackboard outside our local travel agent was written ‘If you look like your passport photo your to sick to travel’.” Which is worse,do you think,Col8ers,the statement or the grammar?
On a different subject,John Conway of Bellingen (which is a long way from central Sydney,but who’s counting?),reports,“Buses travelling along Parramatta Road to the city stop at the Central Station Railway Square stand on George St. Central Station can be seen in the distance across 12 lanes of traffic. But how to get there? Use the pedestrian tunnel. Where is the tunnel? Surprise! Everyone,except yourself,knows that there are stairs to the tunnel,clearly identified by the large sign:‘Sydney TAFE Arcade. 827 George Street. Downstairs’.”C8 is glad that was cleared up.
Speaking of great signs and wonders,the indefatigable George Zivkovic of Northmead recommends watching the weekly Dash Cam Owners Australia Submissions on YouTube as a refresher course for all drivers. “The accidents caught on camera suggest that many drivers treat signage,lane markings and road rules in general as just annoying suggestions.”
On reading rites,Mark Morgan of Palmwoods (Qld) continues with “I read Column 8 normally from top to bottom but have long since had a habit of counting the number of items before I start. There have always been six to nine items since I started counting,and I hope for a tenner.” There have been 10-item Columns 8,but they are few and far between,like a four-leaf clover.
Back to elements for a moment,John Greenway of Wentworth Falls notes,“I’m sure this letter is one of hundreds pointing out the omission of germanium,named for Germany,and americium,named for the Americas.” Well done,John,but yours has been the only letter,sometimes it’s good to be unique.
Column8@smh.com.au
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