Author: Rob

It’s been a horrible week. We’re not going to try and sugarcoat it. The day job has been punishing, the news from home and abroad almost unbearable. We’re making the attempt not to let it all roll over us, crushing our bones into the tarmac and greasing its dreadful wheels with our tears. A reset isn’t possible under these circumstances—we need to learn a lesson and find a way forward which doesn’t simply shrug off events.

And also focus on some good things, like the construction and polish of this newsletter. Writing and reading is a balm. We intend to slather it on thickly this weekend. We hope you can join us.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

Looks like we’re into the rainy season. Which brings a sense of relief to the extensive parkland in which Cut Central lives, and a sense of panic as the greenery wakes up and evolves into almost instant jungle. We’ve got some gardening to do is what we’re saying. With machetes. It’s possible the flamethrower will have to come out.

While we gird our loins for the task ahead, there’s a newsletter here for you. No, no, you relax and indulge in some light reading while we plunge into the undergrowth, edged weapons held high. Send out a search party if you don’t hear from us next week.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

It’s Eurovision Day! Here at The Cut we have a complicated relationship with the greatest international song competition in the world—there were times in the early 2000s when we nearly gave up on it all together, sick of the politics and the lackluster United Kindgom entries. We’re here and we’re paying for most of this, seemed to be the attitude. What more do you want?

Nowadays we’re more relaxed, simply enjoying the eccentricity and joy of the show. This year the UK has an adorable rock teddy-bear bringing the goods with a huge amount of goodwill behind him. Even though it’s blatantly obvious which country will win this year, we know it’s going to be a fun night. Editor Rob will, as usual, be hanging out and live-tweeting the experience—feel free to join @conojito as he rants and raves on that Twitter.

Meanwhile, we have a newsletter to bring you! Comics-heavy this week, but we know you all love that really.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The French phrase ‘M’aidez!’ from which we get Mayday as a shorthand cry for help, apparently originated as ‘merde merde’. Translating as ‘we’re in deep shit.’ Dunno why we thought that was pertinent but there it is, make of it what you will. We hope you had a pleasing Bank Holiday week, Star Wars Day and whatever other excuses for celebration came to you.

This week, spend some time with us in the woods, The Batcave and in a queue.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

Another three-day weekend? Already? Don’t you lot have work to do? Where will we end up if we’re all lolly-gagging about enjoying ourselves and indulging in a little self-care and being actual human beings instead of adding to the coffers of the state and big business like we’re supposed to? We hope you’re happy, that’s all we’ll say.

No, seriously. We hope you’re all happy.

Enjoy the long break with us as we offer up a couple of American bar tours, a really good playlist and a primer on how to create an evil empire.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

Featured image of Reader’s World, Holland MI via Midwest Modern (@JoshLipnik) on Twitter.

Two four-day weeks in a row and we blink and it’s the weekend again. The season of bank holidays is upon us, and we get to breathe a bit before summer rolls in on us. There are five tomato plants in the office, all reaching and stretching towards the sunlight, unfurling pale yellow flowers in delight as the days lengthen. There’s a lot of crap out there. We believe in focussing on the small things which bring a little joy to life. It would be hugely presumptuous of us to assume our weekly emissions could be factored into your list of small joyful things, but hey, we’re here regardless.

This week—time loops, frog porridge and the scariest episode of Space: 1999. If you’re gonna go niche, go hardcore niche.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

Happy Eggmas! Googoogachoob as the Beatles traditionally wassail at this most merry time of sacrifice and rebirth. We hope you are enjoying the equinox vibes and trust Bunny Jesus laid lots of delicious chocolate nuggets under your trees. As the blossom sprouts and our tomato plants stretch towards the sky, we hope we can give your long weekend some linktastic moments.

This week: Nicolas Cage, some great food writing and all the science fiction you can handle!

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

As Covid rates spike, the inevitable hit to the workplace is cracking knuckles across the UK. Sadly, The Cut is not immune to the events of the outside world, and The Situation has finally made itself apparent in the office. Most of the Cut Crew are off, isolating and dealing with the brain-fog and exhaustion which seem to be the signature moves of this iteration of the virus. However, we carry on. Our plans for the weekend may be in tatters, but our obligation to The Readership is the fuel which will keep us going.

Despite everything, now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

(Featured pic created by IA image-generator WomboDream, using the keyword Covid).

This time last week we had a staff day out to the seaside and ate a chippy lunch on the pier at Bognor Regis in our shirtsleeves. Now we’re wrapped up in thermal underwear, watching the snow fall.

The weather may not be predictable, but at least you can count on your pals at The Cut for something juicy to snuggle up to in front of a blazing fire (as no-one can afford to run the central heating any more).

This week–putting bad mojo on Hitler, the unexpected beauty of slime moulds and what to do if you’re trapped in a cabin with Lord Byron.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The plan to lose readers last week worked well. A little too well. Boy howdy. If we could reverse-engineer the slide in views and fire up a mirror version we’d be in clover for sure. Hey ho, be careful what you wish for. Hope we didn’t honk you all off too much, Readership.

This week: more of the usual. Comics heavy. We may be about to shed another tranche of casual readers. ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.