Sideswipe: October 15: Peeping Tom welcome

A reader writes: "With all the recent news about spying in toilets, it's good to know there's one part of the country where being a Peeping Tom is positively encouraged - but only if you're a customer! (Spotted at L'Hotel in Akaroa.)"

Pedestrian-unfriendly paving

An expensive town centre makeover has been blamed for falls that injured more than 20 people after new paving stones "hid" a kerb in the Welsh town of Pontypridd. The new pattern of pavers on part of the main shopping area has created an "optical illusion", disguising the drop to road level, locals say. It has caused people to trip over, especially the elderly, according to a shop manager who has helped many of them. People rushing to a nearby bus stop do not see where the kerb is. The Welsh Ambulance Service said it had been called out for falls 20 times since the streetscape was completed. (Source: Walesonline.co.uk)

Beating 'Windows' nuisance calls

"For months we have been getting phone calls from 'Windows technical department' with offers to help us with the problems in our computer. Recently this changed to our 'computer licence had expired'. I tried everything from offering to send them a cheque (just give me your address) to putting the phone down and leaving it to telling them they were just thieves trying to steal from me, all to no avail. Recently the calls started to arrive at 5.30 every night. So I answered the phone with 'Windows security department, how can I help you?' ... they hung up and I haven't heard from them since."

Why pokies are good for us ...

On Breakfast yesterday morning Peter Williams read out a classic comment from a viewer about the Greens' cardboard pokies protest in Aotea Square, claiming it was a waste of everyone's time and that pokies are a personal choice. He said pokies fund good things, like providing his golf club with new mowers ...

Good Old Days not always so good

1) "Right after we were married in 1959 we went to the ASB in Queen St and opened a joint cheque account," writes Pamela. "The following morning the manager rang my husband at work and asked him if he realised that his wife could sign cheques on her own! He was assured that I was trustworthy."

2) "I too couldn't borrow money - even get a Farmers Card in the 80s," writes Joanne. "I had a great job but no 'known male' to go as guarantor because I had divorced my husband and my father had died."

3) "In the 1970s my mum was getting her car fixed and needed to move it to another location. The mechanic refused to let her drive him because he never allowed a woman in the driving seat when he was a passenger. He insisted on driving. It was HER car. SHE was the customer. Jaw-dropping."

Picture this #1: The start of every 6-year-old boy's favourite story...

Video: Horse tries to nibble cameraman...

Picture this #2: Vintage Halloween costumes are so much creepier than the tat we have these days, or is it just the black and white-ness...

Art: Things in order...

Video: Worst car park exit you will ever see...

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