Sideswipe: July 27: Beer choir

A beer choir, by FrenchToast @NachoPotatoe. Photo / Supplied

Chip time

A Wisconsin company wants be the first to implant microchips in employees. Three Square Market, a company that designs software for office vending machines, wants to insert the chip into the hands of its employees next week. "Along with purchasing market kiosk items, employees will be able to use the chip to get in the front door and log on to their computers." They say there will be no GPS tracking. Each chip the size of a grain of rice costs $300 and the company is picking up the tab. (KSTP.com)

Now you've got a keeper

You've heard of red flags, warning signs that maybe you're in the wrong relationship, but what are green flags that say you have a keeper?

1. You give each other space -- being in the same room together while doing your own thing.

2. They take care of you -- no matter if it's a hangover or the flu.

3. You communicate openly -- none of that passive-aggressive nonsense.

4. You don't try to impress one another by trying to be something you're not.

5. They make you laugh.

6. They make an effort with your family/friends.

7. They're kind to strangers -- this shows a person's true character.

8. They give you that look ... the one that has "I love you" and doesn't need any explanation because it says it all.

Shelf stacker had some fun at a local New World. Photo / Supplied

Pay others to do stuff you hate

Money can't buy you happiness, right? Either you get a kick out of buying things or experiences, or, as a new study suggests, spending your money paying other people to do the stuff you hate is also a path to happiness. "Across a range of incomes, careers and countries, time-saving purchases were correlated with less time-related stress and more positive feelings," the study says. Yet those surveyed who could easily afford to outsource tasks they didn't like, often just did the job themselves, grudgingly. When you pay someone to clean your house or mow your lawn, "you know exactly how much money you're losing", says Sanford DeVoe, a professor at the University of California. "The happiness you'll gain is harder to put a value on." Another reason people don't buy themselves more time (and therefore happiness) is that busyness is perceived as a status symbol. (Via the Washington Post)

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