Sideswipe: Feb 18: Honest suits

5:29 AM Monday Feb 18, 2013

Bet they're classy suits. Spotted in Avondale. Photo / Supplied

Slow-burning drama on Norwegian TV

Norwegian public television (NRK) plans to broadcast a burning fireplace for 12 straight hours from Friday evening, with firewood specialists providing colour commentary, expert advice and a bit of cultural tutoring. "It will be very slow but noble television," said producer Rune Moeklebust, who got the idea for the show from the wild success of a firewood book by Lars Mytting. NRK is not new to quirky programming. In 2011, it broadcast 134 hours non-stop of a cruise ship going up the Norwegian coast to the Arctic - more than 60 per cent of the population, glued to the screen at one point. And an earlier broadcast of an eight-hour train journey from Oslo to Bergen was so popular, NRK had to repeat it. "People in Norway have a spiritual relationship with fire," Moeklebust said. "Fire is the reason we're here. If there was no firewood, we couldn't live in Norway, we'd freeze." (Via Reuters)

Not so happy end to Valentine's Day

A reader writes: "At 17.15 on February 14 (Valentine's Day) a large bus crashed into a newish car (MPV) in Alpers Ave, Auckland. The bus driver did not stop to help and drove off." If you are the victim or know the victim's details, contact Ana at Sideswipe for more info.

Amusing Auction: These Christchurch boys loved their mammoth old-school 43" Toshiba television...(Make sure you look through the photos)

Quick clip: Goats sound like us...

Picture this: Street artist fights for control over a wall.

Video: If you have a spare 15 minutes please watch this wonderful New Zealand film, Six Dollar Fifty Man.

Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz

By Ana Samways

JVE (West Auckland) | 08:22AM Monday, 18 Feb 2013

I want to live in Norway!...

Len Hill () | 08:42AM Monday, 18 Feb 2013

Norwegian TV sure sounds a lot more interesting than NZ TV at present! The drek we're served up daily is like watching paint drying. Any chance we could get Norwegian programmers to work here?

YouKNOWItsTheTruth (New Zealand) | 09:25AM Monday, 18 Feb 2013

I've stayed at a hotel that broadcast a fireplace 24/7! You also have the option of waves crashing on a beach. Can it get any better? Why, yes it can. Guests also had the option of choosing what colour their bathroom lighting is. Red is good for pretending you're on a submarine, whilst blue or green is best for a nice relaxing poo.

Sadly, I believe So Hotel in Christchurch was destroyed in the earthquake. It was next door to the Grand Chancellor. In fact it was the only thing preventing the Grand Chancellor from falling over completely!