We may be found guilty of abject stupidity here, but it would not be the first time. We, too, were perplexed by the suggestion of Kerry Thomas of Goulburn, following up on our recent item about GPS navigation systems: "I've also recently used a GPS and it made me wonder, how does the signal know which car to bounce back into, presumably after getting directions from the nearest satellite? Every second car seems to have one."

Using the periodic table of the elements system for calculating anniversaries (Column 8, since Mendeleev was in knee pants) gets sillier by the day, which can only be a good thing. "If the 33rd anniversary is very bleak," writes Richard Murname, of Hornsby, "wouldn't the 17th be very bleached?"

We do not often pass on thank-you notes, because (a) we get so many and (b) where would we stop if we did? But given that the rail workers of this state cop so much flak for stuff-ups that were created at head office, we hand over to Judy Watson, of Narrabri, who writes: "A huge vote of thanks to Adrian and all staff at Central Luggage Office, Countrylink, CityRail and all the cleaners. As a pensioner I thought my wallet was lost forever, but your staff found it - after almost five hours of searching for the train first before you found the wallet, not even where I thought I had lost it. Bouquets and blessings to you all."

"I read with great enjoyment Richard Friend's contribution to Column 8 on the GST Act section on reporting periods," writes a fellow who forgot to leave his name. "It was almost as good as watching the Marx Brothers' A Day At The Races (the Party of the First Part, etc), only it appeared in printed form. Marx Brothers fans will understand my delight." As Marx Brothers fans, we also appreciate your delight, but worry that in this case we're talking about the taxation laws of the Commonwealth of Australia. Where's Groucho when you need him?

"I recently found myself in a discussion about getting something published in Column 8 - as one is wont," confesses Ron Petch, of East Gosford. "I said that I had had a mention in New Scientist's Last Word column. Does this rank higher than Column 8, and is there an international scale of awards - perhaps the classical 'Letter to The Times' ranking?" Naturally we work on the basis that being published in Column 8 is the correspondent's equivalent of winning a Nobel Prize. Nonetheless, we do have a grudging respect for New Scientist. The Times? Rubbish. It hasn't thundered since Lord Salisbury was PM.

"I thought the gorilla movie topic was all played out," writes Terry Collister, "but I have something on a related topic. I featured as an extra in a New Zealand movie in 1988 called Send A Gorilla. It didn't have a real gorilla in it, but it was a comedy about a female singing telegram service on Valentine's Day. One of them delivered the telegrams whilst dressed in a gorilla suit. Does that count?" Only if it was you in the suit, Terry.

Column8@smh.com.au(no attachments please).Phone 9282 2207 fax 9282 2772. (include name, suburb, daytime phone)