“You really know how to pull memories from the past,” says Andrew Mowat of Beecroft. “And it’s the reference to Vanessa the Undresser (C8) that reminded me of entering a sideshow tent with mates to see Bubbles in action when we were 16. Much to our surprise, Bubbles was none other than our former English teacher (boys notice these things). She’d left the school six months earlier, apparently suffering a breakdown. When we spoke to her after the performance, she said she grew tired of teaching and got better money dancing in a foggy shower for paying patrons. Needs must, I guess. Make the oglers pay. Ahh, memories.”
“See Bubbles Take a Bath was also a feature at sideshow alley at the Wagga Wagga Regional Show in 1959,” recalls Tony Slattery of Heathcote. “My cousins and I, attracted by the implied naked portrayal on the banners outside, paid our hard-earned to find Bubbles was in a two-piece swimsuit in a clear cylinder of frothy water. Definitely a disappointing misdescription.”
Martin Field of Noosa Heads (Qld) writes: “The other evening our nine-year-old grandson asked why people often said ‘passed’ when they meant someone had died. ‘Maybe they think died is too blunt,’ we said. After a bit of thought he replied, ‘I think “gone on eternity leave” would be better.’ So do we.”
“As it appears, I’m the sole Port Macquarie member of Mary Poirrier’s (C8) very exclusive, left-indicating club,” claims Dave Williams. “At $196 per transgression, if the plod enforced this traffic regulation they could clear the state debt almost overnight.”
“Swearing or swerving?” asks Joy Everett of Valla Beach. “If you swerve out of your lane without using your indicator, some German cars automatically swerve you back. It would be a nice idea, unless you have swerved to give room to a cyclist, only to surprise both you and the cyclist as the car tries to run them off the road.”
Not all folks are transfixed on German precision. David Atherfold of Avalon Beach says, “My better half, who has zero interest in cars, refers to a particular German make as an Aldi.”
Peter Duckmanton of Pennant Hills points out that “if George Manojlovic (C8) looked at a map, he would see that no crossing of the Tasman is required for the famous duke to enjoy his meal, as Wellington is only a few hours drive from Mangerton!”
Column8@smh.com.au
No attachments, please.
Include name, suburb and daytime phone.
Read the full article here
