No end to the tales of element
Continuing the elementary tales of last week, Kerry Kyriacou of Strathfield mentions, “A few years ago, shopping in Broadway, I saw a USYD student wearing a T-shirt saying: Fluoride and Uranium, Carbon and Potassium.”
C8 always allows a little boasting. Eric Scott of Bondi Junction wants us to know, “I can’t let the discussion on elements wind down without mentioning the moon landing. The connection being that in 1969, in the highlands of Scotland, we were able to access the big event on television thanks to the hospitality of a local. In a satisfying link with science it was in the town of Strontian, which Geoff Maynard and others will know gave its name to strontium.”
Back to the not-at-all-declining mental acuity of C8 readers, Rosemary Seam of Kempsey would like to say, “We old folk find it patronising to be subjected to these tests, particularly when it always seems to be the same one. Doesn’t say much for the mental acuity of the administrators.”
Also, reading rites. Tony Dennis of Holland Park West has a bespoke service. “I have no need to scan Column 8 forward or backward to see if I’ve been published. My 95-year-old mum, Norma, gives me a call first thing in the morning to give me the good news.” Hello, Norma, and keep up the good work.
Regarding animal interactions and travelling (C8 of late), Steve Hulbert of West Kempsey offers, “Reindeer interactions can also be exciting. Last week, above the Arctic Circle in Norway, I visited a reindeer farm. I’ve never been in a ‘mosh pit’, but entering a large enclosure with 300 hungry reindeer, while holding a bucket of feed, probably gave me an excellent insight. Hungry reindeer are very determined.” So, children, that’s why we leave carrots for them on Christmas Eve.
Not forgetting recent spider stories, Suzanne Saunders of Wadeville reports, “A couple of months ago, a large huntsman (because they always are large) appeared from the driver’s dash vent while I was doing 80km/h. Fortunately, as soon as it had emerged, it stayed still. I stopped for a catch-and-release, but it escaped under the driver’s seat. I drove for 20 minutes, bought a can of insect spray and emptied it into the car. I came back an hour later and drove off, and five minutes later there he was – on the backrest of the passenger seat with a panoramic view, no doubt wondering what all the useless chemical warfare was about.”
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