Sideswipe

We all know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but sometimes it's fun to imitate things just because you can. Especially if you are a whiz with Photoshop. This gem courtesy of fightingtalk.blogspot.com

Phillip O'Shea, the retired director of the Honours Secretariat of the Cabinet Office, can take a bow for his Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for "services to the institution and development of the New Zealand honours system". An honour for doing the honours? Whatever next, asks a concerned reader. An Oscar for best Academy Awards ceremony?

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Last week SideSwipe featured the classified ad detailing the services of David Young, barista. The aforementioned writes: "While I appreciate the free, albeit unwanted publicity, I can assure readers that my ability to provide a long black is limited to wearing a barrister's gown and not to any culinary prowess. Likewise, while I understand the modern Italian words of latte and cappuccino, I am more at home in my professional capacity with the somewhat older Latin terms of actus reus and mens rea. However, in accordance with the long-standing obligation of a barrister to accept any case, I can assure your readers that I will mount a formidable defence of any cafe charged with providing sub-standard refreshment that instructs me. Although I might well need to call expert evidence from someone in Classified since they are clearly more familiar with the barista."

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Stephen O'Hara writes: "After driving through Queen St today I assume that we are supporting the Lions Rugby team. Street banners and shop window displays, etc. are all advertising the Lions. All we hear on the TV is about the Barmy Army. We seem so keen on welcoming these visitors, it seems we have forgotten about supporting our own team. Why isn't every car flying the New Zealand or All Black flag? We were happy to do it for Team New Zealand, why not for our historic national game?