There appears to be a huge shortage of Jaffas writes Michael McFadyen of Kareela. "Requiring some for my wife to use as Rudolph's nose on decorative sweets, I have been to 10 large supermarkets to find none in stock. Staff appeared surprised such an Australian iconic sweet appears no longer stocked. Does anyone know why and where I can purchase some?"
"I watched the concrete pour on the light rail project and can assure Denis Sullivan there were many concrete vibrators used, says Trish Rowntree in the CBD. "There was a ceremonial mini pour for the press prior to the actual process." Phew.
David Reid of Artarmon says, with collapse of the heritage listing on the house featured in the film The Castle, we have a great opportunity to reclaim Sydney's cultural position by offering to move this iconic "home" to a new location. "I'm sure there is a C8er out there who knows how to crowdfund."
Getting nostalgic my wife and I looked through our primary school photos from the 1940s, says Kevin Harris of Beecroft. "Twelve photos, approximately 40 children in each, and not a single pair of glasses or set of teeth braces. Were we all healthier then, perhaps poorer, or did those of our generation stumble through life with crooked teeth and bifocals?"
"I seem to have reached the age when it is necessary to trim my nasal hairs weekly," reports Chris Roberts of Killarney Heights. "Can someone out there tell me what to expect next?"
Please explain yourself ... demands Tony Livingstone-Thomas in distant Taipei. "... as to why we poor electronic readers did not receive the bauble atop our columns. Some of us live overseas and therefore do not have the opportunity to slip down to the newsagents to have a look. (We also pay monthly subscription for the pleasure of reading Column 8.) Merry Christmas."
Also from our George Manojlovic of Mangerton. "Seems everyone is impressed with the new blue Column 8 Christmas gewgaw curio knick-knack doodad whatnot logo. Perhaps it should have a name?"
Hallelujah says Rob Venables of Bermagui. "A rare example of truth in advertising. Reading the label on a recently purchased bottle of Western Australian cabernet sauvignon, I was delighted by the winemaker's admirable lack of hyperbole. The ingredients were described as "fermented grape juice". Cheers. [C8: contributions invited appropriate for Christmas Eve C8 special].
Twitter: @Column8SMH