KEY POINTS:
The Hawkes Bay branch of the New Zealand Sign and Display Association decides on a bit of sexist advertising to promote itself.
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Anybody who is "anybody" was at the Christchurch airport domestic terminal's Koru Club lounge on Wednesday, reports an observant reader: "Not only were the All Blacks and entourage nibbling on sandwiches, but the South Island-based Black Caps [were] also in attendance. While the casually attired Black Caps either read or checked their emails, the All Blacks huddled together in a quiet corner of the lounge, completely ignoring their fellow New Zealand sport stars. While one young passenger braved the brooding All Blacks and got Luke McAlister's autograph, there was no peace from the press for the sports stars - not only did 10 motoring journalists, going home after a Mitsubishi Lancer launch in the South Island, head to the Koru lounge, but John Campbell and his cameraman stopped in for a sarnie. All the groups boarded the same Auckland flight, with the Black Caps and motoring journos in the first few rows (with Campbell next to Vettori), while the All Blacks were left to sit at the rear of the plane. When the plane landed, not only did the Black Caps receive cheers from the Auckland Domestic Airport staff who had lined the corridors to support the All Blacks, but Campbell also had a hero's welcome."
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Overstretched Scottish police have made a bizarre crime-fighting plea: "Don't phone us during Coronation Street ad breaks." Call centre staff are being bombarded by soap fans during commercial breaks in their favourite TV shows. Telly addicts prefer to wait for the adverts before reporting a crime so they do not miss out on any of the soap action. Now Grampian Police have issued a list of tips to help ease the pressure on call centre staff in Aberdeen, who deal with more than 500,000 non-emergency calls a year. (Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
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Student Lauren Scott thinks Sonia Baldwin, who complained in yesterday's Sideswipe about students not giving up their seats on the train to adults, should take a walk in her shoes. "While we may have younger legs than you, think about exactly what we have to lug around all day? I have six classes a day consisting of PE (one textbook), geography (one textbook), accounting (three textbooks), economics (two textbooks), math with calculus (three textbooks) and biology (two textbooks) plus a working book for every subject. And then whatever sport you do, you need your sports uniform, plus a pair of running shoes, deodorant and a ball. Last time I checked, my backpack weighed in at 9.4kg that I not only have to carry around school every day but have to walk to and from the train station, 1.4km [from] home. Is it any wonder we are not so keen to give our seats to someone who has a desk job?"
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And Deborah Mills agrees students' bags are heavy and understands their reluctance to move: "I would happily stand for a pregnant woman, an elderly person or someone with loads of shopping, but a perfectly able-bodied person carrying a handbag? No. And why should any young person stand for an adult anyway? If you pay the agreed fare, then you are just like any other passenger."
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Today's Video Webpick: A new series of Eating Media Lunch starts Tonight (TV2, 10pm) with promises of more from the amazing world of Good Morning host Brendan Pongia, as seen on this parping hot clip from last season. Watch it here. Scroll down.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
