After seeing the Lego costume in Sideswipe before Halloween, Duncan Ashwell and Sally Reay sent in a photo of their costumes. "We are Kiwis living in Vancouver, teaching the North Americans how to do it right. Entirely made out of cardboard, duct tape and many, many layers of paint! Much more fun to be creative and original than stick with traditional themes."
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A $15,000 mattress has been developed in Japan. The Restino "sleep environmental system" includes a 12.7-cm colour LCD television, interactive mood lighting and a set of built-in speakers. Even the room's air conditioning, linked to the control panel, will activate if in-bed sensors detect a certain level of heat and motion. "Once you're in bed, soft lights and gentle music lulls you to sleep, at which time the sensors detect reduced movement and phase out the sound and light. Then, 10 minutes before a set time in the morning, the lighting gradually intensifies while typical morning sounds like chirping birds and running water allow you to awake refreshed and invigorated." (Source: Inventor Spot)
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Jonny writes: "I don't know about other people but my first car was a Daihatsu Charade. I was in Milford on Saturday and noticed a really nice-looking Maserati. It wasn't until I got to the rear and noticed the L-plate on the back window. I mean, c'mon, who drives a Maserati on a learner's licence?! I hope it was there for a joke, but who knows? That North Shore is like a different planet to me."
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Ross Mayall writes: "The answer to the school fees problem would be for all parents to refuse to pay the fees. Schools would then have to make do, on much less funding, and the standard of education would be reduced. Who cares? It's only the kids who will suffer. And so the problem continues. People with consciences pay up and those with no conscience don't. Subsidising bludgers is a price we must pay; that is, if we care about kids' education."
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Good deed: "We were at Cornwall Park on Sunday," writes Peter, "and found a silver and diamond ring in the carpark of the playground. If someone has lost theirs, please contact Sideswipe."
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See today's Herald cartoon
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Today's Webpick: Throat-cam shows the workings of these singers’ larynges mid tune. Go here and make a comment.
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