writing – Page 18 – EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS

The Cut Season 3 Episode 35

Leave the park. OK, stay in the park but don’t leave your lodge. Prepare to be judged if you hold hands in public. See that queue? The really big one? Join it. And for goodness’ sake, whatever you do, do not hold up a blank piece of paper in view of the police. It’s a breach of the peace, apparently.

One thing’s for sure. When we Britons drop our usual reserve and lose our marbles, we really go for it. We could all do with a good long sit down and a think about what we’re doing. Not in the queue, of course. The queue must always be moving.

This week, in the place which feels increasingly like a rare refuge for the sane on this loony-balls planet: Ducks! Swordfighting! Uncle Roger! Anal beads!

See? Sanity.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 34

Well. That was a week.

In this episode, which chooses to stay waaay clear of anything resembling an editorial opinion, witness the birth of one of Britain’s greatest comics, the power of curiosity and The Chicago Hot Dog Negroni.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 33

It’s like a switch has been flicked. We get past the August Bank Holiday and suddenly autumn is at our shoulder. The mornings are mistier, the evenings cooler. Welcome to the last quarter of the year. A season of mellow fruitfulness or the precursor to a winter of discontent? Right now, we’re just enjoying the change and starting our engines for Spooky Season. Let’s face the darkness together, shall we?

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 32

There was rain, which was good. The tomatoes and chilis in The Cut’s vegetable patch were grateful. A drink of water that hadn’t been used for the washing-up was very pleasant. Similarly, most of the staff have been happy for a couple of nights sleep undisturbed by the sweats and gnats. They’re small things but frankly, we take our positives where we can get them.

Onto business! This week—a night at The Lighterman, considerations on lunch and travel and the return of Garth Merenghi!

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 31

Phew, what a scorchio and other such meaningless phrases tossed out in cheerful denial of a looming global heatocalypse! Here at The Cut we are sensible, believing strongly in the importance of staying inside, the only light available coming from the screens of our devices. How else could we provide the endless stream of content for you, beloved Readership, to while away your weekend?

This week—a mechanical owl! Science cakes! How to build a crow army! And several more items!

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 30

We’re pulling up the drawbridge and dropping the portcullis. The world can crash and bang about on the other side of the walls for a while. It’s safe here and if you’re quick, we’ll hold the gate for you. Welcome, brave traveller. Cuppa tea, or something a little stronger?

This week, a feast in the air and from the sea, a hit of romance and a rough guide to The Sandman. Take a pew, pilgrim. We’ve got this.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 29

Hang on, wasn’t it the weekend like, three days ago? Is time speeding up? Is an etheric energy, formed from our collective desire to have done with the week, somehow having a dilatory effect on time itself? Or are we just really busy?

Regardless of how we got to this point, here we are. Thanks for joining us. We celebrate the life of a British comics great, talk burgers with Bob and enjoy not one but two burrito-themed links. Sink your teeth into this!

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 28

This week felt as if a warning shot we’d been waiting a very long time for finally went off. We’re going through a set of crazy science fictional scenarios—pandemics, heavy weather events—which seem more mundane than the Big Bangs we were led to expect, and all the more scary for it. More sleepless nights ahead, we reckon.

But amongst the strangeness, beneath the pitiless skies, The Cut remains, as nonsensical and arbitrary in our selections of weekend reading as ever. We’re off to the coast for the weekend, to dip our toes in the sea and eat some fish while we can still go outdoors.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 27

We can’t festival like we used to. Nearly a week after the end of Readipop (hope you all enjoyed our overview of the event, by the way) we are still achy of limb and heavy of head. And we didn’t even go that hard! Age can be cruel to the party animal, doubly so when we’re still hauling ourselves out of lockdown torpor. Still, fun was had, beer was drunk, boogies were boogied. Already looking forward to next year.

However, we have other business to attend to, feeding the maw of the hungry link-eating machine that is The Cut. This week: beats, seances and 21 flavours of Mountain Dew.

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

Readi To Go: Notes On Readipop 2022

After two years away for some reason, Readipop returned to Christchurch Meadows for three days of art, love and music. It was delightful and strange to be back. Can we remember how to festival?