KEY POINTS:
One thing doesn't belong here: A range of education toys for Christmas - train sets, doll's houses, radio-controlled helicopters and... er, a poker set? "Maybe for encouraging numeracy?" suggests Steve.
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Rich people, chill out: Versace is to create the world's first refrigerated beach so hotel guests can walk comfortably across the sand on scorching days. The beach will be next to the new Palazzo Versace hotel being built in Dubai where summer temperatures average 40C. A network of pipes beneath the sand containing a coolant will absorb heat from the surface. The swimming pool will be refrigerated and there's an idea to install giant blowers to waft a gentle breeze over the beach. But environmentalists aren't happy. About 60 per cent of Dubai's huge power bill is for air-conditioning; each person living there has a carbon footprint of more than 44 tonnes of CO2 a year. (Source: Times Online)
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In an effort to find a Christmas present for her 70-year-old mother who has everything, Natalie Greenaway used the widely advertised Westfield online gift finder. "After plugging in the correct requirements I was surprised to find that they recommended on page 5 a 'clear and black diamante-studded belly ring'," she writes. "Just wondered how many readers' mothers over 65 had their belly button pierced or am I behind the times here?"
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Andrew Stevenson dared to step out the other night ... "Big Sideswipe to Sale St bar in Auckland. I was barred from entry for wearing my Chucks (apparently they're okay before 7pm, at which point they become offensive). When the bouncer eventually backed down and let me in, I saw women wearing sandals so insubstantial they were nothing more than jandals, men wearing T-shirts, and a guy dressed as a nun, complete with black crocs (the ultimate fashion crime). Jandals, T-shirts and crocs are fine, but the most popular shoe in the world (says Wikipedia) is a big no-no. La Zeppa had no problems with my footwear later that evening."
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In response to Doug's cat, dog and supermarket story yesterday, Patricia Guptill writes: "I know the owner of the two animals. Both are well treated and well loved and although it is unusual for a cat to go on outings, this one is well used to car rides and being on a tether when necessary. Both animals are taken to old folks' homes as therapy animals and are often seen collecting for various charities. As for the half-eaten chocolate biscuit, I would suggest that a child may have dropped it or an ignorant adult may have given it to the dog. The owner would never give his animals chocolate."
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Today's Webpick: In 1984 it was the starving people of famine-ridden Ethiopia who needed Bob Geldof's help; now it'sthe world's financial community needing our help. Watch Bleed The World here.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
