Altered sign on the road just north of Turangi.
* * *
Why are teenagers so lousy at chores? A University of Minnesota researcher says they have "cognitive limitations". [Teenagers'] brains can't multitask as well as their parents ... The part of the brain responsible for multitasking continues to develop until late adolescence, with cells making connections even after some children are old enough to drive, according to a new study in Child Development. The frontal cortex figures out (or doesn't) what to do when a person is asked to juggle multiple pieces of information. Imagine, then, how "make your bed and bring the laundry down" might befuddle a 13-year-old. (Source: Neatorama.com)
* * *
An aircraft fitted with military-style thermal imagers is being used to identify British families wasting energy. The data is utilised to create colour-coded maps which will enable council officers to visit residents losing the most heat from their homes and offer them energy-
saving advice. The Broadland District Council in Norfolk hired out the specially equipped spy plane at a cost of 30,000. (SourceMetro.co.uk)
* * *
There's a recession; let's help each other out #2: A TV documentary maker recently flew Air New Zealand from Sydney to Auckland, and checked his box of recorded discs through with his luggage. The box (pictured) never made it to the luggage carousel at Auckland Airport. CCTV footage confirms it left Sydney, so has gone missing at Auckland Airport. The contents are priceless to the documentary as it contains an emotional reunion between a woman who saved a boy from drowning 10 years ago. If anyone has "mistakenly" taken this home from Auckland Airport - return to Eyeworks, 5 Graham Street, Auckland City or call Joanne on 09 379 7867 for a no-questions-asked $3000 cash reward.
* * *
Trish Heikoop of Pakuranga agrees that Telecom's phone books are a waste of money and trees and suggests a tag on the letterbox if a new set is required. "No tag, no new books. Pretty simple really." But another reader writes: "I know of many people who don't have a computer and the directories are the only means of locating a number. Also, if I want to find a number, I certainly don't want to have to turn on the computer especially to do so!"
* * *
The owner of the BMW 318i that was hit behind Motat thanks the witness to the incident for trying to find her, but when she returned to her car there was a note on the windscreen. Now it's up to the insurance company.
* * *
Tomorrow Newstalk ZB's Danny Watson will be cutting off his 13-year-old ponytail (pictured in yesterday's Sideswipe) for the Leukemia & Blood Foundation's Shave '09 campaign. Go Danny!
* * *
See today's Herald cartoon
* * *
Today's Video Webpick: The Trouble with Twitter. Click here. And what are you watching on TV? Prime has the quality shows; with the line up from everyone else seeming a bit old hat. Tell me what you reckon here.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.