Snapped in Avondale by Danielle Carter.
A Tinder cold shoulder
A reader writes: "After a few weeks of friendly and mildly suggestive texting on Tinder we arranged to meet in person for a drink at a restaurant near where I live. I arrived, ordered a beer and busied myself with my smartphone. Keeping a keen eye on the door. 6.11pm: Are you lost? No reply. 6.30pm: Or not coming? No reply. 6.45pm: This is awkward. No reply. So I ordered the lamb cannelloni (delish) and a glass of red and sat in that restaurant with the lovely view. I admitted to the waiter that I had been stood up. Pity face. "He was older so maybe he had a stroke," I chirped. At home at 9.35pm: I sent a message: "I hope you're only an a**hole and that something terrible hasn't happened to you. Let me know?" No reply. Unmatch."
True sounds of suburbia
"Birdsong huh? Yeah right," says Eddy of the tui in a nearby tree in Devonport. "Your incessant early morning, late night five-beep repertoire is so #&%%!!## annoying. You are obviously paranoid and ugly and can't find a mate. Go back to the bush where you belong so that I can again appreciate the true sounds of suburbia ... helicopters, mowers, weed-whackers, power tools ... ahhh."
Not so clean getaway
A purpose-built dishwashing trailer unit was stolen from EcoMatters Environment Trust in New Lynn over the New Year period. Now is the trailer's busy period - it is used at events, providing a space for volunteers to wash dishes, thus reducing plastic and disposable waste. EcoMatters' Damon Birchfield wants to get a new trailer built as soon as possible but needs to raise money for equipment purchases not covered by insurance. A Givealittle page has been set up for people keen to help out. In the meantime, if the thief or thieves want to clean their conscience, they are invited to return the trailer to any visible and public place for EcoMatters to pick up - no questions asked.