Sideswipe: Bogus bargain

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Julie Taylor spotted this "bargain" at Countdown in Hamilton. The "special" costs more than the normal price.

Random act of holiday kindness

Jean Gray writes: "On my holiday in Whitianga on December 30, I noticed the supermarket checkout queue was lengthy. The shopping basket was getting too heavy so I put it on the floor. A young man and his three friends (mid -20s) in front offered to add my shopping to theirs, and then to my astonishment said he would pay for it. He didn't want to hear my objections and so I told him this was the nicest Christmas present someone ever gave me. I just want to thank this young man, who restored my belief that young people can be courteous and show respect to the elderly (I am in my 80s) and who showed there are some really good people in this world."

Random act of Christmas stupidity

Maggie writes: "We had a fabulous summer road trip around the South Island in a 66 Mustang, a left-hand drive. Late in Nelson, after a few drinks in town, we were pulled over by a policeman. He asked me ( in the front passenger seat) if I had been drinking and conducted a breath test. I guess the howls of laughter as he took my licence back to his police car, and the lack of a steering wheel in front of me did not alert him to his error. He asked if the owner was with us and shone his torch on the registration slip - in front of the real driver with his hands on the steering wheel. We managed to keep our composure and thanked the officer when he announced we were free to go."

Nom, nom, nom

The American Dialect Society has chosen "app", the short term for a computer or smart-phone application, as its 2010 Word of the Year. "Nom" - a text-friendly syllable that connotes "yummy food" - was the runner-up. It derives from the sound Cookie Monster on Sesame Street makes as he devours cookies: "Nom, nom, nom, nom". (Source - AP)

Lost & found

Sideswipe's holiday lost-and-found column ... the surprise hit feature of summer ...

1) A Toyota key with remote lost at Browns Bay beach on January 3. If found, contact pieter@insync.za.

2) Two picnic knives found at Okahu Bay on January 5. They look like they came from a good dinner set/knife block set. Contact Sideswipe.

3) Gold watch found at Cornwallis Beach on January 3. Contact 027-331-9343.

4) Dropped on January 5 at the side of the Northern Motorway just after the Upper Harbour/Constellation Drive southbound ramp; two red pillows, child's sleeping bag, and white duffel bag containing child's swimming gear. Contact 021-909-140.