Sideswipe

A science fiction geek with cash would love this Supreme Edition Darth Vader Costume, which includes a jumpsuit with quilted pants and sleeves, heavy-duty injection-moulded armour pieces (cast from original Lucas Studios moulds), full latex mask and gauntlets. There's also a wire that runs the length of the sleeve into the glove. When the button is depressed, Vader's heavy breathing is activated. (Source: www.mrvintage.co.nz)

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Mmm, pre-cooked seal. Narelle Henman writes "Ever seen a seal basking in a hot spring on an active volcano? No, neither had we until last week. Our tour group was making its way through the inner crater of White Island, New Zealand's most active volcano, when we noticed something wet and grey moving in a hot spring. As we came closer we realised it wasn't a pickled tourist, but a New Zealand fur seal pup - usually seen swimming in much colder waters. Very much alive and seeming to be in fine health, but perhaps a little disoriented, the seal was encouraged by the guides back down the hot stream to the colder sea water. However, when the pup reached the beach and the icy cold water, it promptly turned and made its way back to the hot spring!"

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Advert spotted in the window of the Resort Store in Dressmart, Onehunga: "Shirtwaister dresses with fool skirts".

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Alan Murgatroyd says there is nothing new under the sun. "Way back in the 70s, following the first spate of aircraft hijackings, the British satirical magazine Punch published a cartoon showing a line of stark naked passengers boarding an aircraft. One passenger was saying to his friend, "A bit embarrassing isn't it, but highly effective."

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Bankrupt US carrier Northwest Airlines published a helpful pamphlet for employees with the title Preparing for a Financial Setback and included a section labelled 101 Ways to Save Money. Some of the ways suggested were shopping in thrift stores, taking a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods and not being "shy about pulling something you like out of the trash." (Source: Boingboing.net)

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God's Will: Clara Jean Brown, 65, praying for her absent family during a thunderstorm, had just said "Amen" when a lightning bolt hit across the street, ran through a water pipe and exploded into her kitchen, knocking her down. And in London a 34-year-old woman, fasting to re-create Christ's 40-day, 40-night starvation in the wilderness, passed away of probable dehydration after 23 days. And Father Claudio Rossi, 61, a Jesuit priest praying for his mother's health, plunged to his death when the poorly supported floor of the chapel gave way. (Source: News of the Weird)