Sideswipe: Dec 31: Homer decor

Homer Simpson "haka" cushions seen at Warehouse Albany by Sean.

Scales of justice

"Two friends fished the Awahou - a coldwater stream running into Lake Rotorua," writes Sideswipe fishing correspondent Alf Hoyle. "They called it quits at 11pm with two fish each. As they headed back to the car park - a lovely moonlit night - one had a problem with a bit of pumice in his waders. Placing his fish on the ground he sat down and removed his waders just as a large ginger cat emerged from the hedge and proceeded to gnaw the head of one of his fish. Most anglers, when leaving the water, reel the fly into the tip of the rod until back at the car. Without much thought my friend slapped the moggie with his rod. Most fishing sorts have read Zane Grey's book, The Scream of the Reel - well that had nothing on a ginger tom cat, just before midnight streaking up the road with a Red Setter no 6 fly stuck in its arse."

What nobody tells you

What is it that nobody tells you about adult life? (A wonderfully insightful list by Tina Tom on quora.com):

• Confidence is key. You have to put yourself out there if you want to be noticed.

• Often public relations matter more than hard work and intelligence.

• The feral behaviour of animals implies that often the weakest are attacked. The same is true among humans too.

• Nothing is easy. Everything takes so much effort and will.

• The bullying/meanness you may have encountered as a child and teen will not disappear once you become an adult because there are adult bullies just like there are child bullies. Some people never become mature.

• You have to learn to fight your own battles.

• The world is shallow. People will judge based on outward appearances and external factors.

• Don't expect fairness. Expect envy if you are on the way to doing well.

• One day success will speak louder than anything else.

• Despite all the chaos and suffering, there is a lot of beauty in the world, but you have to look.

The rider in this sign on Waiheke Island has had a helmet added after a Sideswipe reader pointed out the rider's helmet- lessness a few weeks ago.

"We were desperate to try this stuff in Christchurch and just could not get it down here," writes Annie. "Now it seems there is something of a glut ... "