London Tide, Straight Pride, and more.
What's been tickling my fancy? What's been grinding my gears? I trawl through the highs and lows of culture so you don't have to.
The Saturday Compendium is where I’ll round up a few of the things that have interested me in one way or another this week. Some cool, some not so cool, some that have made me think, some that have inspired me to action, some that have shaken me out of a rut. Some old, some new, all borrowed, some possibly blue. But whatever else, they’re all things I think you might find interesting too
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What I’ve been watching: London Tide
I went to see this a few weeks ago. This can’t really constitute a recommendation any more, as I see it’s now finished. But I really enjoyed it, so if it’s ever on again, or streamed or anything, then do try to catch it. PJ Harvey did the music, and we all know I’m a fan, but that wasn’t the only thing I enjoyed. The staging was brilliant, so simple. The script and story were great and the acting largely faultless. All good, just as you (ought to) expect from a National Theatre production (I saw some utter shit there a few seasons ago, no idea what was going on).
I’d say it was too long, though. The first half could’ve lost 20mins to half an hour, and the whole production would’ve been lifted. Less really is, sometimes, more.
What I’ve been listening to: John Grant - The Art of the Lie
I’ve been a big admirer of Grant for a while now, and his new album is pretty brilliant. Going to see him live later this year, too. Always a treat.
Things I’ve been thinking about: Seven reasons why you should stop giving a f*ck
Particularly number 4. “Everything you've learned in life came from making mistakes. Everything you’ve become good at, you were once bad at. So, why would you be worried about making more mistakes?”
Kinda true, no. What d’you think?
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A quote that’s made me think
To paraphrase — There are people that come into your life and act like boosters to your rocket. They’re supposed to fall away when you reach a certain altitude. They help you get to new heights, but aren’t necessarily equipped to be up there with you.
A cynical marketing scheme that’s actually really pissed me off and speaks of a deeper problem in society…
Bonus! A little something extra for my reader-supporters.
A bar in Idaho named June ‘Heterosexual Awesomeness Month,’ which involved giving free beer to straight men. To me this is along the same lines as the ‘why isn’t there a straight pride march?’ brigade, who bear a close alignment with the ‘surely all lives matter?’ people.
Yes, all lives matter. Yes, straight people can be proud of who they are. But responding to 'Black Lives Matter’ or ‘Pride Month’ like this is kinda like complaining that the people at number 14 have a fire engine parked outside their house, and you want a fire engine outside your house, too. Well, unlike number 14, your house isn’t on fire, so maybe just be grateful you don’t need one?
LGBT+ people have Pride celebrations because we’ve grown up in a world telling us we should be ashamed of who we are. When straight people are told they should be ashamed of being straight, or are criminalised for being straight, in some cases put to death, then yeah, knock yourself out and organise all the hetero-celebration parties you want. Until then, maybe just be glad you don’t need one, because you manage to move through life without your sexuality being any kind of impediment.
How about you? What are you enjoying at the moment?
Free beer for straight men...! They're going to run out of beer very quickly as there are literally millions of the f*ckers out there...