Sideswipe: Dec 24: Surprising Driver

"Walking out to my car with our Friday night treat of fish & chips, look who I found parked next to me," writes Richard.

Drink and bribe gambit works a charm

One cheeky Liverpool driver's plea for clemency to the parking wardens included a note and a bag of chippies. "Dear Mr/s Traffic Warden," the note reads. "I will be at my car by 10.30am ... Promise! Please do not book me. I had a Christmas pint with the lads and didn't want to drink and drive, here is a packet of chrisps (sic) on me! Happy Christmas!!" Realising that a passerby with the munchies might think of pinching the crisps, the message ended: "If you are not the traffic warden, please do not rob the crisps ... don't be that guy ... no one likes that guy!" According to reports on social media, a blind eye was turned and the responsible driver made it back to his car just in the nick of time. (Source: Liverpool Confidential)

Kardashian cult turns graphic

Kim Kardashian is releasing her own line of emoji. Photo / Supplied

Self-obsessed selfie queen Kim Kardashian is releasing her own line of emoji. They are called Kimoji and include whimsical illustrations of her bum, a doughnut, censored boobs, her crying, a word cloud with Kim calling someone "basic", Kim taking a selfie, and a hairdryer.

Two bikes found in New Lynn recently - both almost new. "I am sure someone would like them back for Christmas," says Warren Strand at the New Lynn Police station.

The cone ranger rides again

Leonie Ireland of Huntly writes: "I would like to say thanks to the kind, off-duty policeman who pulled over to assist my husband when he lost concentration and ran off the road (and over several roadside cones) at Rangiriri on Saturday. Our car had become 'impaled' on several of the cones and could not be driven. Dozens of motorists passed by without offering assistance, when after about 20 minutes one passerby finally did a u-turn and came back to help. He stayed until he was sure that my husband was in a fit state to drive before continuing his own journey."

Two bikes found in New Lynn recently - both almost new. "I am sure someone would like them back for Christmas," says Warren Strand at the New Lynn Police station.

Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz