Sideswipe: June 30: No drug pharmacy

Not a good sign to put up in a pharmacy.

Gun laws aid Mississippi menace

Frustrated police in Gulfport, Mississippi, were unable to arrest a man menacing shoppers with a loaded shotgun in a local Walmart because of the state's permissive "open carry" gun laws. Terrified employees huddled in a safe room while the man loaded the 12-gauge, but police said there was nothing they could do. "Our state law allows for this," said police chief Leonard Papania. After widespread publicity, police were able to arrest the man on disturbance of the peace charges. (Source: The Week)

Can't afford Auckland? Think small

"There are still affordable bargains to be had in places like Ranui," declares a reader, sarcastically. "This renovated 100m2 family home on a 153m2 section has an asking price of $379."

Nice square footage on that balcony

Farming reality

Says Jen: "Can you tell my daughter Ellie grew up on a farm? This was a story she recently handed in to her teacher: 'In summer the lamb likes to play, in autumn the lamb likes to play in the leaves, in winter the lamb likes to skate, in spring the lamb likes to jump in the flowers. It grew. In winter the lamb died. They were happy because they made him into a jersey.'"

Cold hard facts of biking

One reader was gobsmacked at the empty bike park in Birkenhead at 8am on a Wednesday morning. "Who's bright idea was the bike station?" he asks. "Surely you take your bike on the ferry so you can ride to your final destination on the other side?" But Demaris suggests there was a reason for the emptiness: "Last week was so freezing cold that the cycling numbers dropped dramatically because most of us were not brave enough to face the chill in Lycra."

"I can only read this as sarcastic," writes a reader.

Picture this: This is your life, summed up in a graphic...

Video: This incredible footage of a drunk woman who is passed out behind the wheel on a busy motorway.

Good read #1: "A few weeks ago I read about a fashion advert that has been banned by the ASA," writes Hadley Freeman in the Guardian. "But what confuses me is why the advert existed in the first place. It seems to show a very ill girl lying on the floor - why would that sell clothes?"

Good read #2: Is Facebook doing research with its "Celebrate Pride" rainbow profile picture feature?

Video: New Zealander Jordan Watson shares his expertise on holding a baby...

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