art – EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS

The Cut Season 2 Episode 48

December has landed. Guess we’re getting into it. Here at Cut Central, we are gently breaking out the seasonal traditions. Daily readings from Nigel Slater’s The Christmas Chronicles (there’s no entry for December 4th—instead we are treated to his epic and essential treatise on the mince pie). Studious avoidance of Wham’s Last Christmas (no-one wants a #whamageddon). Even more determined swerving of the dull conversations as to whether certain action films are Christmas movies. And of course the supreme effort involved in holding off on the urge to dive into a hibernation-hole and not emerge until 2022. Christmas is a lot of work, yo! We try not to be grumpy but ultimately, we stand with Joni Mitchell when she sang:

It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Classier than ‘Bah, humbug’, doncha think?

Anyhoo. This week, enjoy our figgy eggnog along with bits on the first turducken, David Bowie’s Christmas scarf and the best comic of 2021.

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

The Cut Season 2 Episode 47

Nearly there, writers. Nearly there. At the time of Ep 47s drop there are three days of Nanowrimo left. The majority are either finished, on the final push or have collapsed by the wayside. Then there are writers like us, who have chosen to do what they can, write every day but not stress the wordcount too much. Honestly, it’s helped our mental state no end this year. We will have accomplished what we set out to do, at any rate. Whether you’re struggling or cruising, just know that we are with you as November recedes into the rear view mirror. Whatever you’ve managed to do, you’ve done good.

Let’s give thanks for a distracting dip into this week’s flummery, featuring the Pirate Queen of Brittany, a deep dive into a very colourful movie and a masterclass in jazz piano.

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

(featured image —NYC, Benn Mitchell via Flashbak.com)

The Cut Season 2 Episode 46

We are sliding into the strangest bit of the year. Post-Halloween (we believe all of November should be designated as Spooky Season), pre-Christmas. The time of Black Friday. It is, apparently, our duty as good citizens of the global capitalistery to buy and consume right damn NOW. Spend spend spend, even if you don’t have the wherewithal.

Or take the cost-effective option and snuggle up with us instead. We ask for nothing but your fleeting attention and a crumb of love.

This week: musical anniversaries, killing a lobster and scary comics for girls.

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

The Cut Season 2 Episode 44

We’re deep into Nanowrimo now. The wordcount is never quite what it could be, the characters are flat and unengaging, the plot is full of holes and the prose is ugly as a frog in a tiara. But then you hit that glorious point and magic happens. A nice phrase pops up, your hero or heroine does something unexpected and all of a sudden the words are flowing and you’re having fun. At least, that’s what we hope is happening to everyone on the path with us. Keep going, people. The only way out is through.

If you need a break, we are here with our usual Saturday Shenaniganalia. This week: how to communicate with aliens, sex with cars and poisoned humbugs.

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

The Cut Season 2 Episode 45

Nanowrimo progress is slow this year. The plan was always to do a half-gas version, focussing on the completion of one of the many unfinished drafts in our word vault. We’ve been running closer to quarter-gas this week though, the slow pace not helped by the many events we booked over the last eighteen months which have all rescheduled to November. The Aussie Pink Floyd show at the start of the month (excellent, by the way—a big show impeccably performed). OMD this Wednesday. An honest-to-god Star Trek convention tomorrow! Plus our Reading Writers commitments. You’d better believe we’re including The Cut as part of our Nano-output.

So, let’s business this. Lunar elevators, the Gorbals vampire hunt and a very long read on the writer of the first science-fiction story.

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

(Also, of course, so long, Dean. Go to sleep, everything is alright.)

The Cut Season 2 Episode 43

It’s All Hallow’s Eve Eve! The second spookiest day of the year. We hope and trust you’re all feeling the chill in your bones as the spirits whirl around us. A few seasonal links for you in amongst our usual level of nonsense. We’re trying not to theme it too heavily.

However, we do have bits on pumpkin carving, haunted houses and ghostwriting so, you know, your mileage may vary.

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

The Cut Season 2 Episode 42

There are times when we look at the gathered input for an episode of The Cut with a mixture of confusion and bewilderment. What does it say about us that these are the links we choose to share with you, Readership? What does it say about our browsing habits? More worryingly, why is there stuff in here we don’t even remember seeing? Is the whole thing assembled in a kind of fugue state, a half-dreaming mode? Is there an argument for The Cut being, to some extent, a self-generating object? Is there really anyone in the office at all?

For example—this week, we look at Yugoslav pop, chicken nuggets and ask the question ‘is the Earth a giant crystal?’ What the heck is all that about?

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

The Cut Season 2 Episode 41

We are slowly coming out of our bubble. The first in-person meet with members of our affiliate organisation Reading Writers took place this week, a hybrid affair with Zoom folk and room folk—a technical challenge which we just about fumbled through. It was nice to be out and seeing people, but the thought of Covid cases still going up gives us pause. Is this the right thing to do? Is it still too soon to be making this step? We may yet find the bubble closing back around us.

Oh, look, let’s not get too gloomy, though. It’s the weekend. Read all about tacos and medieval tennis and yes go on then Jake Gyllenhaal.

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

The Cut Season 2 Episode 40

We are autumnising. Cut Central is slowly transforming, becoming more of a snug nest in which we can hunker down and shelter against the change in the weather. The soft furnishings are coming to the fore. There are many cushions. Comfort is the key, a protective layer between us and the sharp edges of the world. We might even build a fort.

This week—1001 albums, the Tiktokification of mental health and the most inappropriate place to put a soup advert.

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

The Cut Season 2 Episode 39

And we’re back. The first break in transmission for 16 months. Life finally, delightfully, got in the way of our business. Hope you didn’t all find the abrupt swerve towards slightly soulful introspection too much of a neck-breaker. Anyway, we’re back to it, even if we are still finding sand in our socks and shells in our pockets.

This week: haptic cartooning, some Monster Fun and yes, ok, something about James Bond.

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