Editorial - Issue Two: Take it Off! [Grapeshot Magazine]

Take it off. Take it all off. Actually no, do what you like. Who am I to tell you how to enjoy your freshly printed copy of Grapeshot Magazine? It really doesn’t bother me, as long as you do, in fact, enjoy it. Perhaps this should be the case with all things. ‘Sir, please put your clothes back on – you’re offending the little old lady over there,’ says the police officer. ‘Well officer, I’d really prefer not to because I’m enjoying the fresh air,’ replies the offending individual. Ok, perhaps not.

In actual fact, we’re coming to that dreaded time of year when we aren’t taking it off but putting it on. The bronzed skin and thongs will slowly leave us, and the scarves, tea and muffin tops will start to settle in. So, before we all delve into the doom and gloom of the cooler months, let us use this issue of Grapeshot to delight in stripping down and taking it off.

As a child you learn the vital lesson of Band-Aids – take it off as quick as a flash in order to reduce potential whimpering time. How about the removal of a Band-Aid as an analogy for life itself? If it hurts, close your eyes and get rid of it as quickly as possible.

If you were Taylor Lautner, how would you feel about taking it off? I’m pretty sure I’d absolutely love it. You will be amazed to discover in the following pages the story of a boy with Taylor Lautner-esque abs who dreads taking his shirt off for fear of gawking. If only we all had that problem, hey?

And what better issue to get something off your chest? Figuratively, of course. Picture this. You’re at a festival. It’s smack bang in the middle of the day and well above 30 degrees. You’re trying desperately to look like you’re having a good time. But then, you feel it. The sweaty, hairy chest of the chubby guy beside you. Your whole left side is wet. You think you’re going to be sick. And so, we have our rant.

But that’s only the very start of what this issue has to offer. I urge you to keep turning those pages because there is bound to be something that will tease, tantalise or tempt you to take it off and let it rip. And when that happens, make sure you let us know by writing to grapeshotmq@gmail.com.