KEY POINTS:
No spellcheck at The Warehouse.
* * *
Strange and amusing real names from the book Remarkable Names of Real People by John Train: Noway Near White, shoe salesman, Ohio; Odious Champagne, paper mill employee, Maine; Offty Goofty Bowman, Shakespearean actor, Wisconsin; Dr Safety First, Oklahoma; Serious Misconduct, England; Solomon Gemorah, New York; Tarantula Turner, Louisiana; Taura Loura Goldfarb, New York City; T. Fud Pucker Tucker, Utah; Urban Shocker, baseball pitcher, New York City; Urinal McZeal, Florida; Kitty Peed, Florida; Professor Verbal Snook, Oklahoma; Vile Albert, Vermont; Void Null, schoolteacher, California.
* * *
New Zealand Post's "Win $10K" campaign to get people to use the correct postcode is ridiculous, says a reader. "We all know our own codes, what we want is a list of the other postcodes around the country. How about a list to every household? It wouldn't cost any more than the fancy brochure (and prize money incentive) we all got."
* * *
A reader shares another "security" experience: "At Sydney Airport while my 11-year-old son was waiting for me outside the toilets he was given a bag to take on our flight. He said a man gave it to him because he didn't want to waste it by throwing it away. The man said he was a salesman from Pakistan and was carrying clothing samples. I told security, they x-rayed it, removed the shampoo and returned the bag, with clothing in it, to my son. They were barely interested."
* * *
A reader writes: "Waitakere City Council has given Act three days' notice to remove an election sign on a prohibited site. This follows an earlier request to move the sign that was not actioned. The prohibited site is a dangerous junction at the corner of Piha Rd and Scenic Drive. Ironically, the sign claims Act has 'zero tolerance' for crime."
* * *
Liberal animal rights laws took effect in Switzerland last month and now dog owners must take classes in pet care and anglers must take a class in the humane treatment of fish. Animals listed as "social" (including goldfish, hamsters, sheep, goats, yaks) must be kept with or near another of their species. Goldfish must have some "privacy", for example, completely transparent tanks are out, and can only be killed humanely and never flushed alive down the toilet. (Source: News of the Weird)
* * *
Today's Webpick: Take a famous eighties hit and rerecord the lyrics to reflect what was going on in the music video and you've got the next big web trend - Literal music videos. It worked a treat with A-has famous pop song Take On Me and this Tears for Fears ditty is just as good. Watch it here.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.