Sideswipe: February 2: Rubbish attitude

Stop adding to the problem New Zealanders. Photo / Supplied

Rubbish attitude

A reader found this at the end of Orakei wharf on a beautiful Anniversary Day. "Obviously this is someone else's problem? It would only take the next rainstorm to wash most of this into the ocean. Come on, Aucklanders. If everyone picked up a few pieces of plastic off the beach when they go for a swim and took responsibility for their own rubbish we might be rightfully proud and stop adding to the massive plastic in oceans problem."

Breaking up is not hard to do

There is no easy way to end a relationship, but a woman found a way to do it with dignity and a sting. The unnamed woman, who posted her story on Reddit, described how she chose to end the relationship by ghosting her boyfriend of five years. The woman decided to surprise her boyfriend with breakfast and a video game he wanted and went over to his house.

Instead, she found him "naked, asleep, and with his ex curled up in his arms. He didn't hear me come in, so I closed his bedroom door, and left his breakfast and game on the kitchen counter along with my key to his house. I went to my car, deactivated my Facebook, and blocked him on all other forms of social media.

"I then called my phone provider to change my number ... I texted family members and close friends that we were no longer together and to block him on social media, as well ... I was in a position to end the lease at my apartment early, and I started a new job in a different city later that week. I completely removed myself from him and didn't offer a shred of explanation or opportunity for dialogue. I think completely shutting myself off from him will hurt worse than anything when he thinks on how good he had it ..."

Suddenly an oven stoved in the front ... Photo / Supplied

Good spotting, it's an aerial mapper

Aviation enthusiast Nick writes: The aircraft "colouring in" Auckland is almost certainly conducting aerial mapping. The plane is owned by Aerial Surveys Ltd. A continuous parallel backwards-forwards path is consistent with mapping. ZK-LAL has been at it for a few months and seems to have already done most of the region. It's usually airborne for about three hours, longer than would be possible with such an aircraft if fitted for spraying."

Sandbaggers baffle

"Who were these guys filling sandbags on Kohi Beach Wednesday?" wonders a local. "No council insignia apparent and Auckland City were not particularly interested when I rang to inquire. One of your readers might be able to enlighten me."