Sideswipe: July 21: Winter 12. Jafas 0.

"The aftermath of Saturday morning's weather," writes Andrew Carline. "My son was due to play football at Keith Hay Park at midday and we were greeted by this sight - I counted 12 in all!"?

Can I talk to your mum?

"The cold-call seller imagining a scary scenario finding children home alone seems to be unaware that our whole society functions on varying degrees of trust in strangers," writes a reader. "And although the potential to break laws is all around us all the time, mostly we're pretty good. Are they able to tell us of any documented instance where a phone call answered by a child at home alone has resulted in harm to that child from a stranger? Any objective analysis of available data shows that deliberate harm to children is almost always perpetrated by people known to them. What I find 'scary' is the idea that anyone can consider cold-calling residential phones to try and sell stuff a morally sound way to live."

Me, myself, I

On kids home alone, Paul Mortensen writes: "In 1909 my father, who was 9 years old at the time, went with my grandfather on horseback from Waitara to Pio Pio, in the King Country, to view a block of land he had won in a land ballot. It took about three days on tracks through the bush to get there. After viewing the land they returned home. About six months later my grandfather said to my father, 'You know the way. You can take the cows up to the block of land.' There were 25 Jersey heifers and it took five days. He did it by himself and he was 10 years old."

What a hoot

"If you like owls there is a coffee bar in Blockhouse Bay just for you," writes Andrea Deeth. "It is the smallest one in the area, but the two young Chinese people serving renovated the Icoco Cafe, and the young lady liked owls, so she painted lots on one big wall in bright colours. It became a talking point and people started bringing in ceramic and toy owls to add to the authenticity. Every new owl brings so much laughter in the coffee bar. There is now a display behind the counter of owls that have been gifted by the community. We are lucky to have these people in Blockhouse Bay. They have added light-hearted fun to our community, plus good coffee."

Kids can - and do

"I was a working solo mother," writes a reader. "Sometimes I had to leave home at 5am. I left my 5-year-old daughter asleep and would ring her up at various intervals. I drew pictures of what she had to do and rang her to send her to school. She is now 41 years old and a sensible, level-headed woman."

Local: Those who endured the holiday video from the Prime Minister's son Max and his girlfriend yesterday (Summer Paradise), may enjoy this take on it all by Derek Hall.

"Emerging multi-media star Maximilian Key has just released his long-awaited debut feature, premiering on 'Stuff'. Filmed over several hectic months in intensively romantic locations including Hawaii, New Zealand, and a friend's big boat, "Max Key & Amelia Finlayson in Summer Paradise" draws inspiration from classics such as Herzog's Fitzcarraldo, which also features a boat, and "The African Queen" in which Humphrey Bogart's character longs for intimate contact with a hot and confused woman who longs for antibiotics.
Key describes the production as "demanding" but was full of praise for co-star Amelia Finlayson, who he affectionately nicknamed 'Bunny' ... "We had long discussions about whether this role was suitable for her," confesses Key, "but when dad he said he thought she'd be a 'ripper', that was all the motivation we needed, really, because my father is the prime minister and he often has to deal with more bigger problems."

When asked about the logistics of having to film in such challenging conditions Key said..."Sometimes we had to start filming really soon after breakfast...one can't really afford to lose some of the precious opportunities we had while snorkelling in Hawaii."
Although reluctant to compare himself with some of cinema's giants, Key humbly acknowledged a likeness to Peter Jackson and "that other guy who works with him." Key said they showed him the importance of balancing risks but not being daunted. "For some scenes we had three selfie sticks operating at the same time..."
Few filmmakers would have the confidence or courage to both direct and act in their first feature, but Maximillian Key is not one to shy from such a test. "I didn't see how else we could do it. Amelia, my girlfriend, didn't feel comfortable doing any of the kissing scenes with anyone else..."
Intense media speculation about Key's next project has not fazed him. "I can't really say much at this stage," he revealed, "but obviously Amelia and I are in discussions about possible sequels and talking with dad about whether or not we can get the boat. But there's a lot of work to do and Bun... Amelia also needs to get advice from her hair stylist."
Key's debut feature has quickly made its mark in cinema circles and rumours of a collaboration in the works with trainee comedian Guy Williams who was overheard saying "I really hope I can be in it." A typically effusive Key would only comment "I guess it depends on Bun... my co-star Amelia. And dad." Stuff awaits."

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