Guns and weather

I know it will be extra manly to kill clay pigeons in sleet, but do we have a backup plan?

My Suggested Book List

I guess I need to post my book list. I am not totally sure how this works. But I'll give it a whirl.

My picks are:

1. Big Rock Candy Mountain-Wallace Stegnar
2. Poisonwood Bible-Barbara Kingsolver
3. Undaunted Courage-Steven Ambrose
4. The American Revolution-Gordon Wood
5. Positive Discipline-Jane Nelsen

So hard to choose I know.

Jon

A new meaning for Mean and Green

I found this article the other day. I thought it had an interesting idea buried in it.

"Virtuous acts can license subsequent asocial and unethical behaviours,"

I thought the idea went along nicely with The Ministry of Fear.

Brandon's manly invitation to this month's meeting

"I'm dying to blow apart a few more clay pigeons. How about we meet at the gun range at 7, knock back some cold ones, then head up the canyon a little further to have the best dessert in the county at Sundance? It'll cost around $6 a person, but you won't be disappointed." - Brandon

Question For All The Manly Men

Having missed this week's gathering, I'm not certain I have the right to ask this, but would anyone have any objections to moving the date of our April meeting? Much like another member, I scheduled a family camping trip not realizing it was on the same date as our April meeting, so I humbly ask if we could move it to another week. I will be gone from April 22-25. I'm good with any other time. If it's a problem, I totally understand. What does everyone think?

3 out of 5 mormons vote to legalize marijuana!

For those that weren't at Jordan's place last night, you missed a rousing discussion in which we successfully defined the line between what kinds of morality should and shouldn't be legislated. We also pounded the IBC and Hank Weinhardt's along with some banana splits.

Thanks to Jordan for hosting, and welcome to our two new members, Doug and Jon.

Next month, it's conspiracy time again with Graham Greene's "Ministry of Fear." April 22nd, 7pm at my place.

... and I feel fine... (R.E.M.)

Armageddon truly has never been funnier. Thanks Scott for hosting!

Milkshakes were savored, peanut butter candy was shared, IBC was sipped.

With double-chocolate brownies and twinkies, we definitely ate like there was no tomorrow.



After Joe said it felt like riding with the Hells Angel's... I wondered how he would know until I found this shot of him on a Google image search.

Pie

Wish I'd remembered my camera sooner, I could've taken pictures of the sushi too.

The schedule for the next few months is as follows. We're planning on the 4th thursday of each month.

Feb 25th: "Good Omens" by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Scott hosting
March 25th: "Nudge" I don't remember who's hosting. Jordan?
April 22nd: "Ministry of Fear" Brandon hosting.
May 27th: "Play Chess" Joe Hosting.
June 24th: "Family Man" Aaron hosting.

Them!

Thanks Brandon for picking up the great sushi!







Things we learned:
1. Some of us work/have worked with extremists
2. Some of us laugh at extremists
3. Some of us sympathize too much with extremists
4. Some of us are extremists

References from the night:
What President Hinckley said in October 2001 "Those of us who are American citizens stand solidly with the president of our nation." (Thanks Joe)
A warning from Gidgiddoni

David Icke and Jon Ronson on YouTube

Scott's Nominations

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
One of my favourite books of all time. Kind of what you might call an urban fantasy. "THERE was a white horse, on a quiet winter morning when snow covered the streets gently and was not deep, and the sky was swept with vibrant stars, except in the east, where dawn was beginning in a light blue flood."

My Antonia by Willa Cather
One of the great books by one of the great writers of American fiction, in my opinion. Embodies much of what help build this country. Check out the Amazon listing http://www.amazon.com/My-Antonia-Willa-Cather/dp/1438242905/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261255765&sr=1-1

Pebble In the Sky by Isaac Asimov
The is SF giant Asimov's first novel. I've never read it, but have always been curious about it. How can you go wrong with Asimov?

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Armageddon has never been so funny. This book actually made me laugh out loud; not something that happens often.

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
One of the few Dickens novels I have never read. With the degree in English, I couldn't pass up listing a classic.

Jude The Obscure by Thomas Hardy
OK, make that two classics. Hardy's masterpiece, in my opinion. Also his last book, thanks to the small-minded critics of his day who condemned the novel out-of-hand due to it being a bit too realistic for Victorian society. It is a masterful novel, though not a light, happy read by any stretch.

Aaron's Choices

My nominations for this round are a bit more lighthearted and focusing on fatherhood. If there are any objections, I will not take offense at all, and can certainly suggest a new list. Here they are with a link for your enjoyment:

How to Feel Manly in a Minivan, by Craig Boreth


Fatherhood, by Bill Cosby

My Kid's an Honor Student, your Kid's a Loser: A Pushy Parents Guide to Raising a Perfect Child, by Ralph Schoenstein

Zen and the Art of Fatherhood, by Steven Lewis

Family Man, by Calvin Trillin

December's Meeting (The Left Hand of Darkness)

Pioneer Book's cafe was closed, but the Sensuous Sandwich didn't let us down. Next time I think Brandon's going for the 24-inch sub in under 30 minutes T-shirt.

The discussion was good, even if a little rushed. Next month we'll be reading Jordan's pick and let him choose where to meet.