Sideswipe

The entry intercom at Bethesda Home and Hospital in Manukau City always leaves Dominic confused. "How can I speak close if I have just stepped back?"

* * *

Responding to Malcolm of Ruawai, who wondered why anyone would live in Auckland, Colin writes: "I have to smile at the conservativeness of people who think they've made it because they pay a few less bucks in rates. My house gains in value dozens of times faster than my rates bill. I too have all the things that Malcolm of Ruawai has. No rush hour (I work from home), I know my neighbours, I am less than 12 minutes from the CBD, my doctor and the hospital ... But I am also 12-30 minutes away from 30 restaurants, three movie complexes, theatre shows, jazz evenings and pizza shops ... I am also close to my old and real friends. I am very pleased I stayed in Auckland. Why on earth would I want to shift to the wilderness when I have all the fascination of the city here ... Oh! and did I mention, I don't have to worry about keeping 17 acres of land under control."

* * *

The Commerce Commission was cheeky to ask for money for their social club from the Unison Trust, and even though they were declined this year a reader points out that in the year ending 2005 they were given $2330. "All these type of organisations need far more scrutiny over distribution of grants," he says. "Some of them have no web sites and for all we know they could be all made up!"

* * *

Excess: "Nola McRae makes me sad," writes Jacqui Dunn. "Why, having got rid of the ants from her kitchen, did she feel she had to kill them? Ants are a reality of life. We need them. They aerate the soil and clean up dead things. And yes, they can be a bit of a nuisance if they get into your house, but whose fault might that be? That might be Nola McRae's fault leaving a dirty mess on her bench, that the ants thought they might clean up. Whatever it is they have come after, I take outside and let them eat their fill. And to keep them out of my kitchen, I put a spoonful of sugar outside for them. It's much cleaner, and much much kinder. But don't humans just love killing things - ants, spiders, mice, other humans ... the list is endless."

* * *

A cynic could suggest the positioning of Prime's Weeds billboard right across from Kowhai Intermediate last week was deliberate. In the US the launch included the distribution of Weeds-branded brownies and scent strips emitting a certain herbal aroma in the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone. All this of course has caught the attention of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, whose opposition has created column inches all over the country just in time for the launch of the show.

* * *

Send in the clowns: Extreme balloon sculptor Charles Dolbel will be making a lifesize tram (3 metres high by 2.4 metres wide) entirely from the skinny animal balloons on Saturday, September 16, on the first floor of Auckland central library. "This will be the largest sculpture made from these balloons ever created in NZ," enthuses Charles who is also looking for balloon twisting enthusiasts and professionals to help on the day. Call Charles on 09 638 9222 or 021 440 452 if you can help.