Sideswipe: July 16: Against the grain

Too much wood goes against the grain.

Camper van ruffles feathers

Charlie shares her unforgettable road trip from Melbourne to Brisbane this year, in a Wicked Camper. She writes: "The plan was for my female friend and I to pick up the rental camper from the headquarters, then speed to the airport to collect the remaining third of our posse (a guy) and begin our cross-country adventure. At the rental headquarters, the doors of the chosen van were open and obscuring the true glory of the artwork, and as we were rushing to get to the airport, it wasn't until later when we pulled up at a gas station that we realised what van the charming young man had chosen for us. (In large letters the word "massive" and below that, a picture of a rooster). At first we saw the funny side, given that it was girls whom the van was selected for, however the humour quickly evaporated and turned into embarrassment as we spent most of the trip avoiding playgrounds and death-stares of horrified parents and shocked little old ladies."

Stupid arguments

1. "I had an ex-girlfriend argue with me over 'which would weigh more, a pound of bricks or a pound of feathers'. We went back and forth while I tried to explain it to her. It did not help when her mother chimed in with: 'What about a pound of wet feathers?' The apple does not fall far from the tree."

2. "Friend tried to put aluminium foil in the microwave. I tried to explain that it does not end well. But they were adamant, 'it just makes a little light show in the microwave'."

3. "When I was a customer service adviser for a credit card company a lady called in confused about a piece of mail we had sent her. 'I don't understand why you sent me a bill,' she said. 'I paid for the TV at the store with my card'. 'Yes, ma'am,' I told her. 'Now this is the bill for using your credit card.' 'But, I used my credit card. Why would I have to pay again?' This went on for about an hour. This woman believed a credit card was an all-access pass to buy anything you wanted, for free." (Via Reddit.com)

Pistols at dawn at this property for sale.

Bad news, taken well: Joseph Pleban has a rare bone and joint disease and the only way to stop the spread of the disease would be to amputate his lower leg. Looking on the upside of his pending leg loss, Pleban decided to have fun and took his left leg on a "farewell tour" documented on a Facebook page called The Last Adventures of Joe's Left Foot...

Video: Not an oil spill but a shedload of anchovies...
(read more here)

Check this: Nice One Dad is a website full of corny, but quality Dad jokes...

Art: This series of photographs, Still Diet, turns the constantly publicised "fad diets" of the rich and famous into beautiful still lifes.

Video: Dancing Tractors...

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