Sideswipe: Raindrops keep falling on my head

Auckland city pedestrians are being sprayed with water by an overly creative MetService billboard and Jon from Aucklandtrains.co.nz says it's absurd. "Water is pouring down Auckland's busy Victoria St, showering people going past," he writes, incredulous. "No doubt they thought it was so smart it would pick up some international awards ... But the water pours down from the billboard literally showering people as if a hose has been turned on them. Business people in business attire are getting angry and it forces everyone to avoid the water by cramming on to the little dry space left at the edge of the kerb. What message is this government department sending us at a time when experts tell us the next war will be over water and places like Northland are in drought?"

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While aid agencies battle to get food and medicine to the people of Haiti, a US religious group is sending them what they really need - Bibles. But not just any old Bibles. These books of gospel are solar-powered audible Bibles that can broadcast the holy scriptures in Haitian Creole to 300 people at a time. Called the "Proclaimer", the audio Bible delivers digital quality and is designed for poor and illiterate people, the Faith Comes By Hearing group said. It is "self-powered and can play the Bible in the jungle, desert or ... even on the moon!" (Source: News.com.au)

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Sounding like an episode of Absolutely Fabulous, Vivienne Westwood has used a homeless theme at Milan Fashion Week, sending models out on to a catwalk covered in cardboard boxes, with shopping trolleys and and bed rolls. Westwood said in a press release that she "found inspiration in the roving vagrant whose daily get-up is battle gear for the harsh weather conditions ... Quilted bombers and snug hoodies also work well in keeping the vagrant warm". The Times Online quoted her as saying: "The nearest I have come to [being homeless] is going home and finding I don't have my door key. I mean, what a disaster that is, dying to get in your house and you can't. And what if it wasn't there any more?" (Source: Contexts.org)

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Fiona wonders when it is no longer appropriate to advertise an award you've won ... "While driving past the Epsom Fish & Chips shop I noticed their sign proudly tells people they won the award for 'best fish & chips in Auckland 1993-96'."

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Yannina has an idea for the noisy neighbours: "Get a spotlight, such as are used when shooting possums at night. When the thumping cars are driving to or away from the house, spotlight them. You will get a good look at them and the car to report it for boy-racing and they will find it very unpleasant."

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See today's Herald cartoon