Sideswipe: Split

A John Banks billboard reflected in the glazing of the NZI Building. "On reflection, two-faced or multi-faceted?" wonders Richard.

Drinking pal wanted

ZM is looking for an alcoholic. Oblivious to the debate about youth drinking, yoof radio station ZM is promoting The Ultimate California Girls Road Trip, sponsored by Layaway Holidays. It has announced the winner, and now has two finalists who will join her as the, "Party Too Hard/Skanky/Alcoholic friend". Won't their parents be proud?

iPhone gets to heart of things

An iPhone app is replacing the traditional doctor's stethoscope in many UK hospitals. The iStethoscope has been downloaded millions of times by doctors around the world who are using it in place of the traditional piece of equipment. To use the app the iPhone is pressed against the chest where its built-in microphone picks up the heart's beat. (Source: The Guardian.co.uk)

Lost art of drinking responsibly

A man entrusted with helping to sell a US$1.3 million ($1.8 million) painting said it disappeared while he was in a drunken haze, according to a lawsuit filed by a co-owner of the canvas. James Carl Haggerty took the painting, by noted French artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, circa 1857 Portrait of a Girl, to a Manhattan hotel on July 28 for a potential buyer to examine, Kristyn Trudgeon's lawsuit said. Then Haggerty hung out at the hotel bar and was seen on security cameras leaving the building with the painting after midnight, according to the lawsuit. But there was no sign of the portrait on the cameras at his Manhattan apartment building when he got home nearly two hours later, the lawsuit said. (Source: AP)

Deep-fried beer next taste treat

A chef in Texas, Mark Zable, has created what he claims is the world's first recipe for deep-fried beer. The beer is placed in a pocket of salty, pretzel-like dough and then dunked in oil at 190C for about 20 seconds, a short enough time for the confection to remain alcoholic. When diners take a bite the hot beer mixes with the dough in what is claimed to be a delicious taste sensation. (Source: Telegraph.co.uk)

Keeping guests wired

Please tell the manager at the Heritage Hotel in Rotorua that is not true, says a reader. "There is nothing to stop them getting a high-speed broadband connection for less than $100 a month that can easily be shared between all guests."

Today's Webpick: Hilarious and incredible action scene from the 2009 award-winning Bollywood box office hit Magadheera....Go here. Plus, check out our review of the Sly Stallone explosion-fest The Expendables with a line up of action heroes from the 80s....Go here.



Finally the new Sideswipe book, True Life Laughs ($19.99) is had made it to Whitcoulls. Buy it for your old man this Father's Day from all good bookstores or right here, right now at Fishpond.co.nz.



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