Sideswipe

This telephone ad from the 1970s could have been written by John Tamihere yesterday.

Julie Sowter writes: "While fixing a bike tyre for my nephew, his mother inquired why I was taking the tyre off and getting the inner-tube out. When advised of the intricacies of tyre-fixing, she piped up: "Oh ... I was just going to listen for the leak on the outside and stick a patch on that."

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Reverse psychology? A tourist's T-shirt spotted in Auckland ...

Feed the bears
Don't wear sunscreen
Play chicken with a boat
Leave your lifejacket on the dock.
Thanks you for your support
Wyntoon Paramedics.

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In Cambridge, Britain, a self-proclaimed gothic priest is conducting church services for young Goths. The Reverend Marcus Ramshaw, associate vicar at St Edward King and Martyr Church, said about 20 Goths regularly attended the 45-minute service, which includes a specially written liturgy and music such as Depeche Mode and Sisters of Mercy. Mr Ramshaw said: "I am a Goth myself and realised that quite a lot of people I knew were spiritual rather than religious and were desperately looking for a spiritual home".

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A school in Amsterdam has introduced separate entrances for white and coloured pupils and two separated school names. The Rietlanden/8th Montessori school authorities say it's not about racism because the school welcomes children from all ethnic groups. "For one reason or another our school had acquired a bad reputation," said headmistress Annemieke van der Groen. It was difficult to convince white parents to enrol their children because they were put off by the sight of the black pupils. "Hence, the two entrances and different names for the same school." (Source: www.brusselsjournal.com)

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Cameron Patterson's drive from Pakuranga to the city each day involves the South Eastern Arterial on-ramp and most days he spies a rooster roaming about. But yesterday morning while driving up the on-ramp there was a sign with "R.I.P", a picture of the rooster and "?-2006" at the bottom. "What has happened to Russell the rooster ... is he dead?" asks Cam.