A reader writes: "Is this a vacant property with an idiotic deliverer, or is it an environmental/ideological stand-off? What constitutes a circular? Do circular deliverers know they are delivering circulars or do they only know it as junk?"
Council beats about the bush
"This simple job of trimming the tree outside our house has been in play since February," writes a reader. "I was told it would DEFINITELY be done in May. This was following weeks of escalating it to other departments, making formal complaints. I even got to speak to the contractor at one point (two weeks ago today) who said the staff member who would complete the job had gone AWOL, but would DEFINITELY be there that day or the next to complete the job. Hope he's okay because we haven't seen him yet. Should we check on him? Since then, I've been told the job has been closed by the contractor, or the council ... No one appears to know. All of this to trim a tree? Hours of phone calls, job logging, back and forth, not this process, this one. Good grief. Could you please get this job completed this week otherwise my only course of action will be to buy an axe and I'll drop the tree myself. I'm not very co-ordinated, so would hate to hurt myself in the process of working on behalf of the council."
More TV word play
If your favourite TV show had a "Dad" bent ... (Round 3)
1. I Dream of Richie
2. Shortman Bleat
3. Antique Bro Show
4. House of Creditcards
5. The Big Wang Theory
6. The Unearthed DIY Wire
7. The Unbreakable Kitset Shed
8. Married with Subscriptions
9. Homebrewland
10. Mad About The Government
11. Designated Sober Driver
Nice try, cigarette officers
The owner of Sparkles Cleaning Service in London, Ontario, was alone in his SUV recently and decided to light up a cigarette. But Harry Kraemer, 76, who had a 60-year habit, was spotted by "Smoke-Free Ontario" officers and cited for three violations. Since his vehicle was registered to his business, and the windows were up, the cab constituted a "closed workspace". It took a long legal fight, but in May, the court dismissed the tickets. (News of the Weird)
Video pick
Robot sumo wrestling...
Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz