The February 22 Edition
My husband and I spent a significant amount of money turning the space in our roof cavity into an attic room. When people ask why we did it, we tell them it was to get more cupboards – our house was largely devoid of them. Friends often give me a strange look in response. A lot of money and effort for a few cupboards, they’ve been known to quip. Well, yes. But as Stephanie Wood writes in today’s magazine, decades of rampant consumerism, death, divorce and other societal changes mean we’ve all got too much stuff these days. That’s led to a boom in the storage-unit business. Open those roller doors and you’ll get a snapshot of the emotional tracks of our lives. In my ideal world, the contents of the small storage unit we pay for near our home would be transplanted into our shiny new cupboards – or thrown out. Things like spare bathroom tiles, ancient photo albums, boxes of DVDs and CDs, hiking gear, old suitcases. But guess what? The new cupboards have been filled with other stuff, and the storage unit remains largely untouched. As Stephanie Wood might say: suckers. – Editor, Katrina Strickland
Divorce, inheritance, indecision: The human stories behind the $2b storage-unit boom
In our modern, hyper-consumerist world, we all have too much stuff. And where we store it holds a multitude of revelations.
- by Stephanie Wood
‘Queen of woke’, ‘fun police’: How Clover Moore has outlasted nastiness – and six PMs
There have been many responses to the Sydney Lord Mayor over her two decades at the helm. She’s also been called the most successful female politician in Australian history.
- by Jane Cadzow
The MCG-sized garden set to make Melbourne’s arts precinct feel like a nature reserve
On a city rooftop, horticulturalists are putting plants through their paces to see which will make the cut.
- by Megan Backhouse
Two of Us
Two of Us
Emma became a vet like her dad – then rethought how to treat dying pets
Veterinarian Emma Whiston took childhood inspiration to rethink pet euthanasia.
- by Dani Valent
Dicey Topics
For subscribers
‘Clues that life was worth living’: Singer Cat Power on overcoming decades of sadness
The US singer-songwriter on surviving crushing lows, her most deeply held value – and her soundtrack for partying (and heartbreak).
- by Benjamin Law
Modern Guru
Modern Guru
How can I avoid watching same-sex love scenes on TV?
Guess what, writes our Modern Guru. You can’t.
- by Danny Katz
From slip dresses to sleepwear: Survival tips for the underwear-as-outerwear revival
Celebrities are taking private attire back into the public realm – but this style striptease involves a protective layer of practicality.
- by Damien Woolnough
Scribblings
Patti had wanted to pursue art all those years ago, but her mother had dismissed her efforts as “scribblings” and insisted she take a more academic path. Dutifully, Patti had done as told. She thought about this often when, every weekday morning, as the kettle warmed to its task, she spent a few minutes drawing a small picture to insert into her daughter’s school lunchbox. On those occasions when she lost herself in her work, she felt echoes of regret. But then she’d picture Emily’s little face on opening her lunch and, just like that, the past went back in its box. – Words by Paul Connolly. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis.
As more shops close in remote areas, Philippa brings women a crucial form of support
Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.
- by Deborah Cooke, Nicole Abadee, Frances Mocnik, Barry Divola and Damien Woolnough
Crab and fresh corn cakes with chilli mayonnaise
These crumbed patties are so simple to throw together, you’ll wonder why they aren’t more popular in Australia.
- by Danielle Alvarez
Review
Olympus Dining
Move over Totti’s, Olympus makes a bid for Sydney’s long-lunch crown
There isn’t a more in-demand restaurant in Sydney right now, but does the food (and service) live up to the hype?
- by Callan Boys
Review
Melbourne
This swanky rooftop Italian restaurant has a lot going for it, but leaves our critic baffled
Dani Valent reviews the views and set menus at Melbourne’s Amatrice.
- by Dani Valent
Why are some wines more expensive than others? An expert breaks it down
Here’s how premium wine with a blue-chip reputation justifies its price tag.
- by Huon Hooke
Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/the-february-22-edition-20250117-p5l567.html