Sideswipe: November 29: Would you like anything with your coffee?

Sideswipe - ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz·NZ Herald·

28 Nov, 2013 04:30 PM3 mins to read

An interesting juxtaposition at this Whangarei cafe.

Jen's grandmother spotted this outside the cafe in Maungatapere, Whangarei. "I assure you the food is good and there aren't any unpleasant smells ruining the experience," she adds.

Beijing authorities sniffing out barbecues

China's capital Beijing regularly reaches hazardous levels of air pollution and now it is confiscating and destroying barbecues in an effort to address the problem. Critics suggest the real threat is vehicle emissions, not outdoor sausage sizzles. Authorities said more than 500 barbecues have been confiscated and destroyed "to cut PM2.5" emissions, the tiny particulate matter that darkens Beijing's skies and prompts residents to breathe through surgical masks. (Source: Washington Post)

Bathroom resembles obstacle course

Richard Field recently visited a holiday camp. "How is this for space saving?" he says. "If one can't get totally clean, then all one has to do is jump into the toilet straight from the shower and flush yourself off or through. Just be careful that you don't fall into the toilet when you are stepping into the shower."

Pet owner's struggle

Ani writes: "Earlier in the year I had to move out of the house I'd lived in for five years in Arch Hill, with my cat who never did any damage and was well behaved. For six solid weeks I looked for a place near town for myself and kitty ... I ended up having to take a flat share in desperation, as a professional 33-year-old. Ugh! I've since moved to Melbourne where I've just found a beautiful two-bed apartment for myself, that's a five-minute walk from town, for only a few more dollars a week than the horrible places I would have ended up in in Auckland. The cat, unfortunately, didn't make it because of old age. However, to cut a long story short, the rental situation in Auckland is utterly dire, especially for pet owners."

Tobacco and cats bad for house and health

"I've been a smoker and a cat lover and a landlord," writes a reader. "I thoroughly enjoyed both smoking and the cats. Both impacted my health. I have been free of both for many years now in my own home and as a landlord I would have neither ... Both filth-up your house and clothes - with cats especially suits or anything dark. Both affect your health, especially respiratory. Both add significantly to the household budget. When you are cat- or smoke-free you really notice it in homes or on people who are not. Fixing up a rental and cleaning after either cats or smokers is the pits ... Ban the tobacco and put the cats in the zoo, I say. Work harder at getting your solace from people relationships."

Video: Hungarian Knight Rider...