Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/122153
Custom magazin of the ye e ar From the editor... We all have moments when we think the world is out to give us a hard time, but sometimes it's worth remembering the great things we have, especially living in Australia. I tried to go on a holiday this month, to Wyoming in the US. I had heard so much about how incredible Jackson Hole was, and weather reports showed 300 inches (what?) of snow. So I packed my bags and headed off on an adventure. Pity the adventure was at airports. Remember that episode of Kath & Kim when Kath and Kel spend their honeymoon at the airport, living it up? That was me … but I was Kath with no Kel. I admit I no longer find travelling in economy on a 15-hour flight a joy ride, and I arrived in San Francisco feeling tired but nevertheless excited about the flights and the snow ahead, only to find I had missed my flight to Chicago, meaning a 12-hour stopover. When you're dead on your feet that's not the best surprise in the world. I boarded a late-night flight instead, and after a two-hour wait on the tarmac because of a dodgy door seal, I arrived in Chicago at 6 o'clock the following morning, knackered. I rested up in Chicago ('Do not disturb' on my hotel door) and that's when a snowstorm was announced – headed right for the windy city, through the Midwest. There were images on TV of desert and cactuses covered in snow. Thousands of flights were cancelled and I stayed put in my hotel, watching the city become blanketed in white. My flight to Denver was cancelled, but the following afternoon they managed to fit me on another one. I arrived in Denver only to find that I had narrowly missed my flight to Jackson Hole – but, weather dependent, they could get me on a flight the following night. It would mean one day skiing followed by a 3am wake-up call. I spent a day and a night in the hotel and then gave up and booked my flights home to Sydney. I spent another five hours in the airport due to delays but finally flew from Denver to LA and managed to get on a flight to Sydney. I was exhausted and hadn't seen my suitcase for two days – it was probably snowboarding in Jackson Hole. Editor Michelle Hespe Email: michelle.hespe@edgecustom.com.au deputy editor Emma Wheaton assistant editor Mitch Brook sub-editor Liani Solari Senior designer Guy Pendlebury production coordinator Sydney Stevenson prepress coordinator Tarn Mount Printer SOS Print & Media Interns Simone Henderson-Smart, Kate Kunkel, Lars Davis Contributors Susan Gough Henly, Patrick Haddock, David Gilchrist, Matt Leacy, Christine Retschlag, Jeremy Chunn, Oryana Angel, Baldeep Gill, Alarna Haigh, Damien Bowen, Sue Webster advertising enquiries Group sales manager: Nick Mason: 02 8962 2670 Email: nick.mason@edgecustom.com.au WA, SA and NT sales agent: Helen Glasson, Hogan Media: 08 9381 3991 Email: helen@hoganmedia.com.au Above: Soaking up the Outback in Silverton, NSW. Twenty hours later, as my plane flew into Australia, still sans luggage, it was a beautiful, sunny, blue-sky day and I couldn't help but smile. Seeing Sydney Harbour coming into view is an incredible sight. I thought of all the people around the world who dream of visiting Australia one day, and I realised I had nothing to be upset about. I was already planning a barbecue in my head, complete with a bottle of Australian riesling, cheese from King Island and a big steak. I was going to fill up on lovely fresh salad from my modest vegie patch and then lie back in the sunshine and enjoy the warm weather of early autumn. I've decided my next holiday is going to be somewhere in Australia. I've been travelling this country for 20 years and there's still so much to see and love, anywhere you go. Enjoy your travels today. Drop us a line sometime – we love hearing from you. Michelle Hespe QLD sales agent: Michael Petersen, JF Media: 07 3844 5888 Email: michael@jfmedia.com.au Advertising coordinator: Kirsti Harju: 02 8962 2600 Email: advertising@edgecustom.com.au Chairman Chris Innis CEO Eddie Thomas operations Director Georgina Armour Director Sarah Willmott Cover image courtesy of Ryan Miller/Red Bull Content Pool OUTthere is published by Edge 51 Whistler Street, Manly NSW 2095 Phone: 02 8962 2600 Fax: 02 8962 2601 www.edgecustom.com.au OUTthere is published by Business Essentials (Australasia) Pty Limited (ABN 22 062 493 869), trading as Edge, under license to MGI Publishing Pty Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the Publisher. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. OUTthere cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. V