Great Stories

This issue many of the stories inspired us here at RD, while others amused or even provoked us

“Like My Father Always Said…” (page 46) reads like a trip down memory lane for me. If we misplaced something, asked Dad if he knew where it might be, and there it was just sitting in plain sight, his response would come fast: “What do you call that, a bowl of goldfish?” Like an ancient reflex I’ve whipped that one out more than once on my own son in his six short years (so far). He obediently gives me the look I always gave Dad: confusion; tolerance; maybe an extended eye-roll. Dad would be thrilled and proud.

GREG BARTON, humour editor As a card-carrying member of the Grammar Police – an unofficial yet necessary body in this age of linguistic laxness - I am always interested in discussions about language (“US and the Rest of Us”, page 60). I’m on board with how and why the US language evolved differently and can put up with dropping the U’s and using Z’s instead of S’s, but I still think there is no excuse for verbal inaccuracy. Saying “I could care less” when you mean that you could not care any less is just wrong. But top of my list of incorrect Americanisms is saying “should of” rather than the correct “should have”. ARTEMIS GOUROS,

deputy editor, Handyman magazine

Our readers are awesome people and this month’s contributor to My Story (page 14), Murray Pitsikas, is no exception. With his buoyant and upbeat attitude to life, Pitsikas has pursued his love of travel to exotic locations, and in doing so has encountered many amazing and, sometimes, troubled folk. His simple words of encouragement – and unusual gift – helped one desperate young man in India change his life. It’s proof that one person can make a difference. I’m sure you’ll agree he is a mighty generous soul.

LOUISE WATERSON, managing editor I love the idea of, as Henry puts it, “Robots for Humanity”. Aside from “The Story of Henry and Jane” (subscriber bonus) being a remarkably inspirational story of how this couple is adapting to life with quadriplegia, it reminds us that disabilities don’t diminish us as human beings.

VICTORIA POLZOT, editorial coordinator Do you have a favourite story in this issue? Write to us: details on page 6. A scientist friend first forwarded me a link to Dr Jürgen Otto’s amazing peacock spider photos and videos (“Peacock Spider Man”, page 72). One look at the beautifully coloured, comically dancing little fellows and I was smitten! Despite searching on bushwalks, I’m yet to find one in the wild. Thank goodness for the eagle-eyed Dr Otto.

DONYALE HARRISON, chief subeditor When it comes to handy tips like how to save money by fiddling around with the grommets on the back of your fridge or ways to get cat fur off your sofa (and I don’t even have a cat), I’m your girl. So I read “14 Simple Ways to a Healthier Life” (subscriber bonus) with interest. Most useful is how to get in and out of a chair and hopefully build yourself a body like Elle Macpherson at the same time.

MELANIE EGAN, deputy chief subeditor

I’ve had a lot of people ask me about putting my art up on YouTube, and it’s something I’ve always meant to look into. After reading Everyone’s a Star (page 40), I’m half inspired by these teen vloggers – especially the socially conscious ones – and half overwhelmed by how much is already out there.

LUKE TEMBY,

designer