Sideswipe: Jan 19: Batman has let himself go

Sideswipe - ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz·NZ Herald·

18 Jan, 2016 11:00 AM3 mins to read

A day at the fair in Timaru. (via Beck Eleven)?

Opinion by Ana SamwaysLearn more

Tornadoes work in mysterious ways

Reporting on the violent tornadoes that hit North Texas on the night after Christmas, NPR interviewed one woman who said she was luckier than her neighbours because of her faith in God. She was entertaining relatives when she heard the winds approaching and took everyone outside to confront the storm: "We ... started commanding the winds because God had given us authority over ... airways. We spoke to the storm and said, 'Go to unpopulated places'. It did exactly what we said to do because God gave us the authority to do that."

Packed Pool?

"My family and I were refused entry to Parnell Baths on Saturday evening at 6.45pm ( it closes at 8pm) because it was at "maximum capacity'," writes James. This is the pool at that time. Kinda ridiculous."

A few more insurmountable dating ordeals

1. I went on a blind date with a man I had spoken with on the phone a few times. We seemed to have a bit in common and got on well. He said he was in his late twenties but when he arrived to pick me up, he looked uncannily like Homer Simpson for someone so young. He took me to Karekare beach for a stroll and asked me about my plans. This led to questions about my family's assets, investments and finances. On the way home we stopped at his place for some reason. He lived, illegally, in the back half of an industrial factory unit and there he further questioned me about my finances. My answers obviously led him to surmise that I was worthy of a second date. Needless to say it didn't happen.

2. I was dating this guy for a few months who worked in real estate. One day, he told me he was really busy with work, and all of his bills were going to be late because he was out of cheques and all he had was cash. Of course, I offered to take the cash and mail in his bills using cheques from my account - a simple favour for my over-worked, sort-of boyfriend. Then, it happened again the next month. Again, I thought nothing of it. One night, we were watching a movie at his house, and I went into the kitchen to make some popcorn. When I opened the microwave, I found stacks of hundred-dollar bills. I soon realised that the real estate job was a cover, and he was a drug dealer who had been laundering money through me to pay his bills.