Sideswipe: Fourteen across

A sneaky way to hide that crossword in a church service. (Source: Failblog.org)

Music app slows speeding drivers

A European road safety organisation made up of parents whose children have been killed in accidents has produced the Slow Down iPhone app, designed to raise awareness of carelessness while driving.

The music-based warning app uses GPS to work out the speed of the car and if the driver exceeds the speed limit, the Slow Down app slows the music playing. The music resumes normal speed as the driver slows to the speed limit.

Boredom conference a real yawn

The Boring 2010 conference was held in London last month with those attending experiencing:

* A recitation of the names of the 415 colours in a paint catalogue.

* Presentations on "The intangible beauty of carpark roofs" and "My relationship with bus routes".

* A series of pie charts of changes from year to year in colours selected and material preferred in Ward's collection of neckties.

* A report detailing every sneeze a man made in three years.

"We're all overstimulated. It's important to stop all that for a while and see what several hours of being bored really feels like," said one who attended. (Source: News of the Weird)

Double parking works in Bangkok

Mark Cox writes: "Regarding your story on the parking at Kelly Tarlton's. In many Asian cities - in particular in Bangkok - it is common practice for drivers to double park cars, lock them and leave the hand brake off when "official" carpark spots are full.

People will push the car away if they want to get out. Of course you need to leave your wheels straight and ensure the park is flat. In some places there will be unofficial carpark attendants who, for a small fee, will push the car for you. Often these attendants will also guide you into a small parking spot. For many reasons I don't think this practice will catch on in New Zealand."

Book missing, memory card found

Sideswipe's holiday lost-and-found service:

* Karl found a memory card from a digital camera while holidaying at Cape Reinga this week. "I believe it belongs to Victor Naveira and I would love to return the few thousand pictures to him." Contact Sideswipe for its return.

* "My 8-year-old grandson Adam left a book Nicholas on Holiday on a trolley at the domestic terminal at the airport on Monday, December 27.

He is really upset as I gave it to him for Christmas.

If anyone has found it my phone number is (09) 358 3382."