Spare Room Be our guest…

Michael Yalland is curious why an overflowing North Shore City Council recycling wheely bin should be languishing in The Strand, Takapuna, full of rubbish for at least 10 days. “The bin is located within 50m of 3 major buildings of the NSCC – namely the main council chamber, the library and the Takapuna area office. Surely someone must have noticed it? As employees and advocates of recycling, maybe they should clean up their own back yard?”

Brian Matthews writes: “During a cold snap last winter, the Manorburn Dam near Alexandra froze over for several days. Some locals took the opportunity to skate and the curling club was able to meet. A group of off-road walkers were returning from one of their weekly hikes and found what appeared to be an abandoned car on the ice. Nearby were two rather shame-faced teenagers who admitted they had intended to take the “paddock basher” for a spin on the ice. A “paddock basher” is a bargain-priced car bought for off-roading on the farm. The two young men’s courage failed a short distance from the bank … They used their cell phone to call for help and shortly afterward a friend arrived to pick them up … It is not uncommon for cars to be abandoned further out on the ice with all identification removed and allowed to sink to the bottom when a thaw sets in.”

Trevor needs a holiday … on the notice board at the dairy in Whangapoua.

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A reader writes: “To the Wilson parking attendant who on September 14 at Auckland Hospital berated me for handing him the wrong parking chit and then abused me for not paying at the automatic machine, much to the embarrassment of his colleagues behind the counter. Excuse my vagueness, but my mother had just died. I think this individual should take a compassion pill and get out of customer service.”

Bombay hills and home of the new national rugby champions, apparently

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Worst Covering Letters Ever Written:

1. “Today is the first day of my life … Last year was a tremendous year for personal growth, insight and maturity. I courted that growth … This year I want to “take the world by storm”. I want to make a film. I want to be the producer or the director, which ever will put me in the middle of all the creativity and decision-making … I am terrified of the all-out approach I sense in my spirit. However, I am not scared enough to let it stop me. I will go and push and strive until I have reached the finish line. I will sacrifice anything but my God (morals) and my family. Pride has no place in my new life. I will be striving for perfection.”

Ok, what is it with Mission Bay cafes and free glasses of tap water? asks Angela Walter of Glendowie. “I was grabbing a takeaway latte from Pandoro at Eastridge in Mission Bay and saw a Maori or Polynesian lady asking for a glass of water. The young chap was about to give it to her when he was told not to by another member of staff. Apparently she comes in ‘all the time’ and is mentally disabled. So? I told them about the roasting Movenpick received in Sideswipe for refusing a pregnant customer tap water. The young lady behind the counter told me the woman was mentally handicapped and not a customer. My reply was ‘So is my son’. I slapped $2 on the counter, asked them to give her a glass of water and stormed off, tears in my eyes. Some of us are born disabled and some of us through accidents become disabled, and one day we will all be older and maybe become a bit dotty. But surely giving the time of day and a glass of water to someone who is a bit different (and not creating a disturbance) isn’t going to kill us.”