KEY POINTS:
We can only hope that the grounds have something going for them.
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A reader writes: "I was at LynnMall on Friday waiting to drive out of the carpark and saw my brother drive past. I waved at him and made a face. He waved back and for quite a while we grinned and made faces at each other. Then I gave him the fingers and drove off. I then realised he was in a lawn mowing truck. I have never known Jim to mow a lawn. I texted him and wouldn't you know it, he was nowhere near New Lynn."
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One internet success story is a website that boasts 10 million page views a month, and half a million US dollars in ad revenue. This site reports on what celebrities' babies are wearing. Many mothers are obsessed with mimicking those clothing choices for their own infants. A Wall Street Journal story said sometimes the site's posting of a photo of a celebrity baby incites a nationwide run on what it's wearing.
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Petting the class guinea-pig or charting the growth of tadpoles in a jar has traditionally been many children's first encounter with the natural world. But the RSPCA in the UK wants to phase out the practice, saying the shrieks and grabbing hands of affectionate but boisterous pupils is cruel. In an email to schools, the animal welfare charity suggests soft toys in the shape of the animals would be a better introduction. (The Telegraph)
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A reader responds to last week's correspondent, who believes there is a correlation between the price of vehicles and lack of road courtesy. "Apart from the envy/jealousy so clearly a subtext to the comment, I can only say that for years I have driven a late-model Jaguar and a modest run-of-the-mill car for different occasions. The nastiness and absence of courtesy so often shown to me in the luxury vehicle contrasts absolutely with the reasonableness generally shown while I am driving the modest car. I drive no differently in either car. Regrettably, we are a small country with more than our share of small-minded people.
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Today's Webpick: A video compilation of all the worst album covers ever created. Watch it here.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.