Reporter’s diary

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Do or diary AS the teetering piles of unsold 1989 calendars and appointment diaries slowly diminish in most Christchurch bookshops, it seems a pertinent time to ask: “Where do diaries go when they die?” Most stationers claim that once the dated material is put on half-price or reduced tables from March onwards, it is sold quickly. In fact “some people wait to buy calendars until they are reduced,” lamented one saleswoman. One major bookstore, which says it is finding the business stock hard to shift this year, sends surplus non-recycl-able stationery to several kindergartens in Christchurch.

Puppy bedding

REMEMBER that presidential scene-stealer, Millie the dog? As George Bush took power, eyes of the nation were riveted more on his whelping pet

than the President. Mr Bush is graciously keeping the American public up-to-date with the development of the six puppies. They sleep on old copies of the “Washington Times” and “New York Times” — the first time, says Mr Bush, that those papers have been used to prevent leaks. Young entrepreneur ENF ANTS terribles seems to be the theme for this week. Bungee-jump-ing at six, yesterday; entrepreneur of the arts at five today. Juliet proudly flourished several pages of her scribbles (sorry, art) at her family then vanished into the wide world of Riccarton outside with a friend and a bag packed with the doodles. They returned much later, minus doodles but with a fistful of 20 cent pieces. She told her horrified family that she had “sold all my paintings for

20 cents each.” Any firm looking for a saleswoman with initiative should keep their eye on this miniature merchant. Parking angle THE tenacity with which the “Financial Times” clings to the principles of chauvinism is to be marvelled. A recent snippet among its more aloof monetary concerns was this definition: “A pessimist is a woman who is afraid she won’t be able to park her car into a very small parking space; an optimist is a man who thinks she won’t try.” Lucky dip

DRIVING along Riccarton Road one Saturday evening recently a couple noticed a car parked outside a Chinese takeaway. On the bonnet was a large empty casserole dish. As they passed, a young man came out of the shop and tipped the contents of a foil-lined container into

the dish. Was this the practical man’s answer to an easy pot-luck dinner? Wanted: odour JAPANESE scientists have discovered yet another use for that versatile fruit, the lemon. Research has shown that stale smells cause laziness and inefficiency. A worker could even make a fatal mistake if a smell literally got up liis nose. When scientists released a variety of smells into a computer room they found that the lemon’s sharp tart smell keeps staff alert and less likely to make mistakes. Operators made a fifth fewer errors when they smelled lavender, a third less with jasmine and less than half as many with lemon. Hey ho, hey ho BUMPER sticker seen on a van parked in High Street yesterday: “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to work.” —Jenny Setchell