Last Friday, John Swanton of Coogee presented C8 with the conundrum of what to take to a birthday party he’s been invited to for someone who is, unfortunately, dead already. Of course, this idea was just meant for Col8ers far and wide.
Sue Casiglia of North Ryde thinks, “John, I’d personally give them a birthday card with the words ‘Here’s an IOU for something I know you’ll love. Looking forward to seeing the smile on your face when it arrives’.”
The indefatigable Janice Creenaune of Austinmer says, “Earlier this year we attended a ‘ghost party’ for a wonderful young man (only 33) who had died, leaving his beautiful wife and two-year-old daughter. With a magnificent ghost cake and trimmings, the daughter understood her daddy was gone but still with them. It was truly beautiful. Just being there with good cheer, memories and photos would aid the journey for all. Nothing else is needed.”
Slightly different advice comes from Meri Will of Baulkham Hills. “My advice to John Swanton is to take wine, candle and card to the birthday bash and present them to the person who sent the invitation. That person clearly needs a lift.”
Whereas, Don Bain of Port Macquarie considers, “There’s quite some difference between a scented candle and a bottle of vintage wine – perhaps John Thornton should settle for a happy medium?”
Then, no doubt intrigued by all deathly possibilities, John Lees of Castlecrag notes that, “Saturday’s death notices included the names Guiness, Haig and Tooth. A portent for wonderful wakes”.
Speaking of dying, some things just won’t. The Last Telephone Exchange debate continues with another claimant. Penny Lindsay of Huntingdon nominates Wauchope, which, she says, “was the last telephone exchange, and it was the first to have caller ID. We lived at Bagnoo on another exchange and the post master would keep Sydney calls to three minutes if there was an inspector on the line. Otherwise, we talked until he said, ‘Are you extending?’ before he went to bed.”
On the subject, but a slightly different tack, David Sallows from Ormiston (Qld) adds, “I once worked in a small town. The post office had a plug-in exchange of reasonable size, and, naturally, for the night shift workers, it served as a good ‘community engagement place’. So, it was customary for young gentlemen to visit and ‘converse’. Quite often one of the mates would run the board while the rest had good laughs and talks.”
Column8@smh.com.au
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