KEY POINTS:
The Trade Me description of this artwork reads: "A contemporary work depicting the stresses of modern-day living and hence the work is named Tragedy by Neglect. This is the first work for sale by up-and-coming artist Joseph Tsitranoc, which will appreciate in value over time." Rick says it's some DVD packaging some jokester is trying to flog as art.
* * *
Killer book: A reader writes: "To the badly bleached blonde driving the dark blue Levin, reading her novel as it rested on the steering wheel so she was looking down, all the way round the waterfront, swerving left to right, nearly collecting the red Honda at Orakei and the black Merc at Mechanics Bay, I was hard pressed not to perform a tipping manoeuvre simply to get you off the road. Glad you put it down when I tooted ... only then to put it back seconds later. Are you also a drunk driver in the evenings? You are dangerous. Get some help before you kill someone else, or catch the bus."
* * *
Researchers in Japan are using wasabi's overpowering odour in a new type of smoke detector/fire alarm that wakes the deaf through scent instead of sound. Prototypes of a new silent smoke alarm that sprays canned wasabi extract into a room succeeded in waking 13 out of 14 test subjects within two minutes. One deaf subject awoke a mere 10 seconds after the wasabi essence was sprayed. (Source: Inventorspot.com)
* * *
An accountant is suing Marks & Spencer for more than £300,000, claiming he injured himself during a shopping trip by slipping on a grape. Alexander Martin-Sklan, 55, tore the tendon in his right leg in the car park of his local branch in June 2004. He said a piece of fruit found on his shoe after the fall could have been picked up inside the store or car park. Mr Martin-Sklan, who is representing himself, is claiming for lost earnings on top of his general damages, because "loss of confidence" and depression following his injury led to his being unable to recruit clients and contacts for his business. He also said the physical effects stopped him from skiing and playing football or tennis.
* * *
Seems like eating Hell's pizza is not so good for arithmetic skills, says Warwick Sickling. "Tenzing Norgay died in May 1986, so Sir Edmund Hillary outlived him by almost 22 years rather than the 12 that they quote."
* * *
Jessica Tan says having a freshness seal on a bottle is not a stupid idea. "It prevents pollutants getting into the container and contents and thus extending shelf-life. It also prevents tampering and pilfering. We wouldn't want any weird or nasty people putting drugs or whatnot into our beverages, would we?"
Today's Webpick: Fred and Sharon went into business making movies. They do weddings, birthdays and websites despite having no screen presence or audio visual skills whatsoever. The funniest video of the year so far. Watch it here.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
