Sideswipe: January 2: Bleak photo opportunity

Small-town New Zealand. A bleak tourist photo opportunity. The Albion Hotel, now burnt down and demolished. From Jarrod Baker.

Activist refuses to be loose with the truth

Indian anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal swept to power as Chief Minister of Delhi last month on a promise of greater transparency and he began office on Monday true to his word - admitting that Delhi belly had spoiled his first day. Kejriwal said he had fallen ill and tweeted: "Running 102 fever since yesterday. Severe loose motions. Sad that I won't be able to attend office today." His comments received plenty of offers of sympathy - but also some suggestions for a little tact. "When the chief minister gives you a minute-by-minute update on his bowel movements ... hail democracy," said Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Congress Party spokeswoman." (Source: South China Morning Post)

Drivers get stuck in the aisle going nowhere

A reader writes: "It's 11.30am in the Countdown Taupo carpark on New Year's Eve. I've been here half an hour and this car has been parked at the 'give way' sign this whole time. Have informed staff but still nobody is claiming their vehicle. Other cars keep patiently waiting behind it for the phantom driver to make a move but Old Yellow just sits and faithfully waits for its owner to return. Hilarious! Actually, I wonder if the other drivers' reactions are being filmed for a reality show or something."

Meanwhile, across town ...

Lorraine was visiting her son who told her the little yellow car parked outside almost in the middle of the road belonged to his neighbour. "I walked up to the car and there was no one in it!! Apparently it is always parked like that ..."

Jumping to conclusions on pigeon's demise

"Is Averil Clarke, amateur forensic pathologist and criminal profiler, the new Sherlock Holmes of High Street? From the damaged remains of a pigeon she was able to deduce the method of death (kicking), the gender of the perpetrator (male) and the motive behind the attack (to show off to his friends). I would have thought that being hit by a car, or maybe attacked by a cat would have been more likely."

Thundering thin crusts - Batman's lost his disguise

Courtney from Hell Pizza in Whangarei writes: "During his dinner break some little superhero has misplaced his disguise at our shop in Whangarei. Can you please send the bat signal out so he can retrieve his masked Batman hoodie and keep the citizens of New Zealand safe once again. Size 5. Tag says Ben. Dad's name is Simon."

Picture this #1: Image sharing site Imgur has compiled a list of its 13 most influential photos...

Picture this #2: Spider bomb...

Video: This cat looks like he needs to be saved, but don't be fooled, he can take care of himself...

Video: How about a slow dance...

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