Sideswipe: October 22: Superman gets a new motto

Batman's sidekick Robin has come out as bisexual and now DC Comics has announced that Superman would be getting a new logo, "to better reflect the storylines that we are telling across DC and to honour Superman's incredible legacy of over 80 years of building a better world". In other words, he will no longer be fighting for the American way, but for a better tomorrow instead. But don't worry, truth and justice are still his focus.

What's new in British insults?

1. "Yer Da sits at the top of the stairs and pretends he's the Chaser."

2. "I often get 'dry lunch' or 'pothole'."

3. "Heard a kid on the tram call his mate a wet wipe."

4. "Calling someone a 'dishcloth' or 'quilt' are up there too."

5. "Add the word 'absolute' to any of these for a much harsher insult: 'absolute PARCEL mate'."

Bless the rains

Recorded in studio in October in 1981 and released a year later as their fourth album's last track, Africa met immediate critical acclaim for band Toto. Africa had a resurgence in popularity via social media during the mid to late 2010s. "Naive and with some placeholder lyrics - like the line 'as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti', it was nonetheless an earnest attempt to raise attention about the plight and suffering on the continent as told through television documentaries, magazine articles and second-hand missionary accounts. After the session, Toto was split about letting its release compete with that of their own lead single from the album, Rosanna, some band members saying it wasn't in line with their signature sound and considered debuting it as solo work for drummer Jeff Porcaro alone."

Arachnicide in Oz

"My first visit to Australia, 33 years ago, was for a job interview in Sydney," writes Dave Hopkinson. "I was accommodated overnight in a not-so-upmarket motel, and while showering in the morning I noticed that I had a large spider for company. I quickly finished, while keeping one eye on my companion, but mentioned it to one of the staff while having my breakfast. He said, 'Oh, yeah, it'll be a tarantula – they drop out of the trees this time of year. Don't worry, I'll deal with it'. When I went back to my room I checked the shower and saw the remains of the spider scattered in the tray – I guess he just walloped it with his shoe, or something."

Old-school teachers

John Clark on his Suzuki TS 185, back in the day.

John Clark of Glen Eden has a cracking old school experience to share: "Expensive all-boys' private school. Miraculously I had been accredited University Entrance, meaning I didn't have to sit the external exam. But had to stay on 'til end of term to satisfy education requirements. So a group of us lucky 16-year-old boys ended up dismantling old buildings. So here I am, bored out of my tree, blatting down a back alley on my cool Suzuki trail bike and who should step out right in front of me? The headmaster! Just managed to weave around him. You'd think I'd be done for - expulsion and probably the cane to boot. Nope. Instead, he just wagged his finger and said 'Clark, just be careful'. Many years later I worked it all out. Here we were – no safety gear, my dad still paying exorbitant fees – while I worked for free. No wonder the headmaster wasn't bothered."