Sideswipe: So it is ...

Stating the obvious in the men's facilities of the Koru Lounge at Wellington Airport last Wednesday. Photo / Supplied

Having a bad spell

Liz from Dublin writes, "Last week, one of the Irish ministers' offices was vandalised after the announcement of the bailout. As I watched the news that night I burst out laughing when I saw the vandals had spray-painted the word 'TRATIOR'. Unfortunately there are no photos online!"

Tickets for better, but worse

Murray received a call from Ticketek regarding an upgrade for better tickets with a better view for the U2 concert on Friday. When he went to pick up the new tickets, he realised he was offered two seats in a worse area with an even worse view.

After calling Ticketek, he was told his original seats were no longer available and he would have to have the new ones.

An email sent to Ticketek resulted in the following reply: "I have spoken to the event manager and have been informed that there would be no sightlines from the seats that you purchased, so we are unable to reinstate your seating. Ticketek acts as a ticketing agent on behalf of the promoter of the event and subsequently facilitates ticket sales upon their instructions ... I regret that we are unable to assist you further, as the promoter has acted within their rights and abided by the terms and conditions of sale. Regards."

Wonder if the promoter really was that concerned with the seats originally issued?

Power of the bovine tongue

Dale writes, "In relation to the bizarre vehicle insurance claims, No 1 with the herd of cattle destroying the paint job on a car - that is no myth. A few years ago when I lived in Queensland we had a party at a mate's property and parked our cars in the paddock near his house. Out of nowhere a herd of cows came and started licking vehicles, including mine. There were a few broken aerials and, since cows' tongues are like sandpaper, you can imagine what it did to the cars. It looked like it had been sandblasted."

Wild ride

Sarah noticed another error on Google Maps. "Try getting directions for travelling by car from China to Japan. Scroll down to instruction number 42 - 'Jet ski across the Pacific Ocean'. I'll be sure to take that route when I head overseas."