SideSwipe

Opinion

A reader took advantage of NZ Post's cheap and early deadlines for her Christmas mail. "Cut-off date was October 31 and posted from Ponsonby. Imagine my surprise to discover that at least two of my cards were received in England and Scotland on November 6. Enough to scare the daylights out of a recipient still coming to terms with where 2004 has gone."


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Saudi locust-hunters who believe the insects are a cure for diabetes have been warned that they could be crunching on a poisonous snack. The official Saudi Press Agency quoted Ghazi Hawari, head of the desert kingdom's anti-locust centre, as saying any swarm which crossed the borders would be sprayed with insecticide. The agency said Hawari "warned against catching locusts and eating them in the belief that they are a cure for diabetes, and stressed the danger of eating them after spraying operations". (Source: Reuters)


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Newsflash from idolblog.com: "After months of speculation, rumours and denials, Woman's Day has confirmed what we've long suspected. Ben and Sela are together. If they walk down the aisle in the near future, Ben and Sela would be the first Idol wedding in the world." Cha-ching.

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More crazy breast-feeding stories ... Bob Taylor of Tauranga writes: "While we were enjoying a mid-trip coffee break in Gisborne, an extremely large family of three sat next to us. The female of the group carried a child and proceeded to feed, releasing one pendulous breast for the uninterested infant. She then borrowed our sugar bowl and dipped the lactating appendage in it. Once junior had fastened onto this more attractive tit-bit the sugar was returned to our table."

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A reader from Whangarei writes: "Free to good home due to court-ordered confiscation, one large black cat named Seuss weighing about 8kg. Eats 25 per cent of body weight per day. Is on a daily course of medication requiring rectal application. Has no meow due to alleged larynx damage from mishandling by present owner. Will courier to new home". Email Sideswipe if you would like to give this cat a home.