Sideswipe

Not neighbourly #1. Kate Simpson writes: "I live in Mt Albert with my partner, very happily. I am a lesbian and have so far not suffered any grief from other people, until now. I woke up this morning to find a huge sign plastered in the neighbours' kitchen, aimed directly at us (see photo above). I thought these people, our neighbours, were nice people. We are always friendly to them ... However, they obviously see us as 'sinners' and they wanted to make that known. I do not display my affection to my partner in public, nor in my home where anyone can see. We are quiet and friendly people. What gives these people the right to do this? Every morning now when we wake up or sit in our lounge to watch TV, we have to look at that sign ... I won't let this get to us, but I thought it important to let others be aware of the depth of brainwashing that is out there from this Destiny cult. Perhaps I should buy a huge rainbow flag?"

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Not neighbourly #2. A resident of the new Schnapper Rock subdivision in Albany will not allow just anyone to park outside his house. A reader writes: "My husband's boss joined us for a few drinks and after a few too many we did the right thing and gave him a bed for the night. He left his late-model Ford XR6, with full warrant and registration, parked legally on the street. The next morning this note was under the windscreen."

Dear Driver

When you intend to park here for hours, or even overnight, I appreciate if you would park outside your friend's house (instead of my house) or on his driveway...

Thank you for your co-operation.

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Fergie Pearce reports: "The TelstraClear news website on Friday carried the following headline: 'Bras will face smoke free charges'. One must assume those who are bra-less will escape these charges."

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An anonymous reader with an interest in Victorian music discovered an early 20th century piece, The Swastika Lucky March and Two Step (for piano, military band or orchestra) whose cover explains that the swastika means "May the four winds from the four corners of the Earth always gently and sweetly upon you blow" ( which is what it had meant for several thousand years before the Nazis appropriated it).