"A month ago my 18-year-old daughter was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis," writes Camilla.

Powerless consumer John writes: "Last October-November, Mighty River cold-called my 85-year-old widowed mother and offered to significantly improve on her power bill.

Comedian Kurt Braunohler raised $6000 on Kickstarter to "hire a man in a plane to write stupid things in the sky".

Sideswipe for May 17

A Saudi student living in Michigan was questioned in his home by FBI agents after neighbours saw him carrying a pressure-cooker.

Sideswipe column for May 10.

"I have had the pleasure of being a part of a flat where one flatmate made copies of the house keys to give to her 'friends' she met at the pub every Friday night."

"With my four kids (plus two Christchurch and one Australian cousins) in the house we are running out of holiday activities," declares Melissa.

Sideswipe for April 26

Sideswipe for April 19

Alf Hoyle of Rotorua shares this story: "After 53 years in real estate in Rotorua one incident has stuck in my mind.

Attempting to capitalise on the ignorance of Danish MP Marie Krarup, the Conservative Party has revealed its own in a press statement.