Column 8
For Richard Stewart’s device-free dinner (C8), Joy Cooksey of Harrington offers this template for an invite: “This is an evening for everyone to switch off and unwind, away from all the demands of the family, phones and iPads, which can be left safely tucked away at home.” Jonty Grinter of Katoomba suggests Richard takes out his own device as he sits at the table and says, "I'll just turn this off so we can chat." If dining out, Anne Cloak of Bargo says: “The first to use their phone pays for dinner. Exceptions could be cases involving small children and elderly parents.”
Currently away from Pearl Beach, Richard has other culinary issues to deal with. "Dining in a Fiji restaurant the menu included many local dishes. One, which I chose to avoid was 'Deep Fride Fish Jaw'. Wondering if this dish will make it as a Sydney future food fad."
Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook points out he wasn’t the only C8 representative to appear in last Saturday’s Traveller. Both he and Nola Tucker of Kiama noted the appearance of "the talented Joan Brown", immediately before Allan’s item. Says Nola: “C8 rules!”
On a recent phishing trip, Rose Fox of Byron Bay received this item in her in-box: "This is a reminder that your bill for $2279.00 is due. If you have already paid it, many thanks. Spade Consultants Pty Ltd.” The return email address was a bit of a giveaway: xxxxx@bonuspredator.com
In an effort to get with the strength, Garth Clarke of North Sydney notes: "An article in today's Herald on children's bank accounts made no mention of the old Commonwealth Bank practice of replacing CBA money boxes once the contents had been deposited into a savings account. Has the practice died out or have we moved so much closer to a cashless society that there is no longer much loose change about and money boxes have become redundant?"
Talk of number plates for ministers (C8) reminded Sophie Cox of Annandale of the GOD 999 number plate she recently saw: "Is that God turning sin upside down? Also, the office of my church is at 666 Darling Street."
Richard Keyes of Enfield writes: "Does anyone know whether Donald Trump prefers cucumber slices or glasses to protect his eyes during his tanning (oranging) sessions? And does he have a bevy of spectators standing behind him when he does?” This contribution wins Bronze.