Sideswipe: January 12: Faces in Things NZ

Faces in Things NZ. "The Cornish Pumphouse in Waihi was looking particularly alarmed at something," writes Al Williams.

Assault with potato

A teenager from Clydebank, Scotland, has been charged in connection with three assaults after a spate of drive-by potato attacks. Potatoes were allegedly thrown from a car at pedestrians. A woman said she thought she had been shot after a raw baking potato was thrown at her from a passing car at 1.10am. The 32-year-old, who did not want to be named, was smacked in the head by a potato, followed by a tub of coleslaw, causing her to keel over in the middle of the street. (Source: clydebankpost.co.uk)

Shovel in the food

"I am at my wits' end with my 11-year-old and his atrocious table manners," writes Gemma. "Elbows are like chin crutches, open-mouthed mastication, and utensils are used like shovels. I finally got to the end of my tether and bought him a set of gardening tools to eat with. I thought I was so clever, but we are now at night six, with no end in sight."

Nappies solution to toilet shortage

When Pope Francis visits the Philippines next week, about 2000 traffic enforcers who will be on duty will be required to wear adult nappies because there won't be enough portable toilets for the millions of people expected at the open-air Mass at the seaside Rizal Park. The chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Francis Tolentino, said the prospect of wearing nappies while on duty was "well received" by his men. "If you attend an event that will last for 24 hours, you cannot go around looking for a [portable toilet]," Tolentino said. Priests, nuns, seminarians and the elderly also should consider wearing nappies, he added. (Via the Guardian)

So where's the Second World?

"Can anyone tell me where the expressions First World and Third World came from?" asks Lorna. "I understand basically what they mean, but we never hear about the Second World. Where is it?"

Out of stock?

"Are Whitcoulls out of stock? Or maybe something a little more sinister?" wonders Paul Tobin.