It was the first day of Christmas and all police celebrations in the town were put on hold when they had to investigate a shooting in a park. Officers combed the ground in search of evidence relating to the gun but could find nothing until one keen young detective suddenly started looking in the only deciduous tree in the park – a huge oak that, because it was winter, had lost all its leaves. Sure enough, within a couple of minutes he had found the spent bullet casing from the shooting – crucial evidence that would enable forensics to identify the make of gun. "How did you know where to look?" asked his senior officer. "It was obvious when you think about it," replied the young detective. "What do you associate with the first day of Christmas? A cartridge in a bare tree." Real-life Speeding Excuses My shoes have just been resoled and I'm not used to the extra weight on the pedal. I needed to get to the gas station before the fuel ran out. I was in a complete daze because I've got a new air freshener in my car. I'm a member of the Royal Family. I was hurrying to the gas station before they ran out of free glasses. Thank heavens, officer. I thought the blue flashing light chasing me was a UFO. I was trying to get away from the car following me. These "go faster" stripes really do work, then. I was trying to make up the hour we lost when the clocks went forward.