KEY POINTS:
BNZ has this ridiculous system where, in order to use its internet banking, you have to enter co-ordinates from a card as well as memorising a nine-digit number and supplying a password. Our correspondent was entertained to see that her new "netguard" card looked more like a DARE wordfind.
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A reader writes: "At the end of last year, a drunken individual broke into my car, which was parked on the side of the road, by smashing a window, and removed my stereo before falling asleep. When woken by police after I had called them, he assaulted the police officer and, once arrested, smeared blood and urine throughout the police cell. I have just been told he will not be charged because he wants to join the Army and he can't if he is convicted. Surely this is the reason that we don't take people like this into the Army?"
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Jake says he can top Doug's 14-month email reply delay. "While managing the opening of a new five-star lodge in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern Myanmar, I was charged with the care of two former timber elephants. Via a satellite connection and Google I learned of a UNDP programme in Thailand that had published a booklet on the care of timber elephants. I emailed them and asked for a copy. Twenty months later, and by now back in Auckland, I got a reply asking where I would like my copy sent."
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A Romanian judge has ruled a 70-year-old man must use a ladder to get into his first-floor flat - because his neighbour owns the ground floor entrance. Eugen Dumitrescu had always used the ground floor entrance, owned by members of his family, until they fell out. He now must climb 5m to get into his lounge window. "I am talking to my lawyers because I cannot go on living like this. Passersby see me on the ladder and think I'm either a window cleaner and ask me if I can come and clean their windows or that I am a burglar and call the police." (Source: Ananova.com)
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Vic of Greenlane was having problems with the ignition key on his Toyota Corolla and rang the Toyota agent to ask if he could buy a new key. "They said yes but it would cost me $200," says Vic. "I told the young lady that it was just the ordinary small brass key, not the computer one. She said the price was still $200. I told her that it was a rip-off and she agreed. I went to the local Greenlane locksmith and they cut a new one for me for $10."
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Today's Webpicks: The priceless ramblings of a seven year old, post-sedation from the dentist. Gohere.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
