Sideswipe: April 13: Alien persuasion

A farmer arranged rocks into an 18m by 27m extraterrestrial face in his Rosmoland, California backyard "in hopes of inviting aliens" to pay him a visit.

A farmer arranged rocks into an 18m by 27m extraterrestrial face in his Rosmoland, California backyard "in hopes of inviting aliens" to pay him a visit. He also installed cameras to film them when they do land. "Aliens watch everything we do," Larry Decker, 77, told ABC News. "Wouldn't it be nice to go to the porch swing and have a nice chat?"

Sleeping rough in Hamilton East, as spotted by Dave Yzendoorn.

Shandelle's bicycle benefactor

Nicola writes: "One day early last week, Shandelle and her father visited our New Lynn Hospice shop in hope of finding a bike for the 7-year-old. Just their luck, a pink bicycle in her size had come in that same day. She went for a test ride and it rode perfectly. When it came time to pay, the $25 price tag exceeded dad's budget and Shandelle returned the bike without a word of complaint. A lady waiting in line behind them was amazed by her attitude. She approached our shop manager, Michelle, and offered to buy the bike, on condition that Shandelle and her father wouldn't find out until she'd left the store. Thank you, Hospice New Lynn op shoppers and the extended community, for your generosity and pay-it-forward attitude."

Flight updates, to the minute

A Westmere reader received notification from travel booking site Expedia of a change in his flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco on September 1. The 5pm departure time is unchanged, but he is advised that he will now reach his destination at 6.24pm, and not as previously advised, 6.25pm. He reckons it's marvellous how they can know this stuff so far in advance.

Tractor's act of self-preservation

The theory of resistentialism - that inanimate objects can display spiteful behaviour toward people - is the stuff of fiction, but in 1970 a tractor started itself and backed out of a burning barn in Kentucky. It was later revealed that the heat of the blaze caused a short in the wiring and the starter sprang to life. The tractor was in reverse gear. There's always a logical explanation if you look for it.

Clear instruction on the public toilet of a Countdown supermarket: "Yep, if you want to get out of the toilet, best you unlock the door first unless you have super powers and can walk through walls!" says Claire.