Gentlemen,
Please take a few minutes and review this video. Then do a quick inventory of your holiday gift ideas/ purchases. Ask yourself two questions: Did I buy this because I want it or because my wife wants it? What kind of message does this gift send?
Merry Christmas from the Dude Squad.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I Think Therefore I'm In Dude Squad
President's Message
"The mark of an educated man is the ability to entertain an idea without accepting it." -Aristotle
Dudes,
On Thursday as I sat flanked by two dudes with advanced degrees in fields I know relatively little about, I thought about how nice it would be to have a job. But then in the true spirit of the Dude Squad, I felt grateful for the awesome insights offered by so many well-educated dudes. And greater still, I would add, was my gratitude for the insights into Leo's pedigree. I've spent the bulk of my waking hours since then trying to wrap my mind around it. Truly impressive, Leo, may you have many sons.
And speaking of pedigrees, I'd like to thank Bret for magnifying his role as host with the new "Fuhrer" look. The resemblance was striking. Also thanks go out to Wendy who made her signature cookies and some delightful mushroom puffs. Discussion of Maus was thought provoking and cathartic (at least for me) in that we sincerely confronted a colossal nightmare from the not-so-distant past. Dude Squad can and must go deep and dark if it is ever to appreciate the flip side... and that brings us to Scott's choice for January. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin looks to be full of adventure, struggle, triumph and tea. More information will be forthcoming on discussion time and place.
Finally, I'd like to thank Sam Gilstrap for spear-heading the Dude Squad outing to Invictus, a movie about rugby and forgiveness. A good time was had by all 9 dudes that showed up including 2 junior dudes Ryan Gilstrap and Gage Renfroe. And of course I'd like to recognize for the record the dudes in attendance on December 10th for Maus discussion: Bret Prawitt, Sam Gilstrap, Scott Silva, Trevor Beck, Leo Bunting, Tyler Wilson, John Root, and Troy Thorup.
And so in the spirit of being a dude, I'd like to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite tyrants from history.
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." -Napoleon Bonaparte
"The mark of an educated man is the ability to entertain an idea without accepting it." -Aristotle
Dudes,
On Thursday as I sat flanked by two dudes with advanced degrees in fields I know relatively little about, I thought about how nice it would be to have a job. But then in the true spirit of the Dude Squad, I felt grateful for the awesome insights offered by so many well-educated dudes. And greater still, I would add, was my gratitude for the insights into Leo's pedigree. I've spent the bulk of my waking hours since then trying to wrap my mind around it. Truly impressive, Leo, may you have many sons.
And speaking of pedigrees, I'd like to thank Bret for magnifying his role as host with the new "Fuhrer" look. The resemblance was striking. Also thanks go out to Wendy who made her signature cookies and some delightful mushroom puffs. Discussion of Maus was thought provoking and cathartic (at least for me) in that we sincerely confronted a colossal nightmare from the not-so-distant past. Dude Squad can and must go deep and dark if it is ever to appreciate the flip side... and that brings us to Scott's choice for January. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin looks to be full of adventure, struggle, triumph and tea. More information will be forthcoming on discussion time and place.
Finally, I'd like to thank Sam Gilstrap for spear-heading the Dude Squad outing to Invictus, a movie about rugby and forgiveness. A good time was had by all 9 dudes that showed up including 2 junior dudes Ryan Gilstrap and Gage Renfroe. And of course I'd like to recognize for the record the dudes in attendance on December 10th for Maus discussion: Bret Prawitt, Sam Gilstrap, Scott Silva, Trevor Beck, Leo Bunting, Tyler Wilson, John Root, and Troy Thorup.
And so in the spirit of being a dude, I'd like to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite tyrants from history.
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." -Napoleon Bonaparte
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Survival of the Not-So-Fittest
As men of science who boast large cerebral cortexes and the latest in Blackberry technology, we modern men are wont to indulge in derisive jokes at the expense of our walnut-brained ancestors. But as one anthropologist argues, bench press max really was once the measure of a man. Please enjoy this tribute to a time when spear chucking skills determined a man's true worth.
Check this out.
Check this out.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Maus und Invictus
Gentlemen,
A quick planning item- At Troy's we talked about a possible movie outing (a Dude Squad first) to see Clint Eastwood's new one about an obscure sport in South Africa. We also need to give Maus the time it deserves, so my question is this: if we combine the two events do we run the risk of short-changing Maus discussion? The movie opens Friday the 11th of December. What do you guys think?
A quick planning item- At Troy's we talked about a possible movie outing (a Dude Squad first) to see Clint Eastwood's new one about an obscure sport in South Africa. We also need to give Maus the time it deserves, so my question is this: if we combine the two events do we run the risk of short-changing Maus discussion? The movie opens Friday the 11th of December. What do you guys think?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Inagural Dude Squad Blog
President's Message
"It takes a big man to cry but an even bigger man to laugh at that man."- Jack Handey
Greetings!
As founder of the Dude Squad I'm honored to officially launch the Dude Squad and Obscure Sports Society Blog. My aspirations for this organization are nothing short of grandiose; I foresee Dude Squad chapters dotting the map in the ongoing stuggle to resist the Oprahfication of America. I'd like to thank those of you who voted me in as president; and as president I want you to know that I will veto any further attempts to formalize the Dude Squad. I'd also like to add that any attempt to seize power by either force or conspiracy will be crushed with an iron fist.
Dude Squad Vision
To provide dudes with an opportunity to think, talk about stuff, make fun of stuff, and eat.
History
The first meeting of the Dude Squad and Obscure Sports Society in September 2009 was attended by Troy Thorup, Brett Prawitt, Sam Gilstrap, Scott Silva, Scott Taylor, and John Root. We discussed the essay "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson and concluded that if he were still alive we'd let him join Dude Squad. We ate brownies made by the lovely Sarah Root and vanilla ice cream.
Meeting #2 was hosted by Sam Gilstrap in early October 2009 as it was his turn to chose the book. Brett Prawitt, John Root and Troy Thorup also attended. We discussed The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and concluded that it would be great to somehow trigger a trend that would make us rich. Crepes were ruled out. But we did enjoy some brownies and ice cream.
Troy Thorup hosted the November meeting at his place where we sat around the campfire roasting big chunks of meat. He will be receiving the Dude Squad Medal of Honor for having provided such a manly activity. Additionally, we discussed The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay, a story about a South African boy and his chicken. With determination, hard work and the help of some colorful mentors he becomes a boxing champion and a unifying leader. The boy, that is, not the chicken. Brett Prawitt, Sam Gilstrap, Leo Bunting, Tyler Wilson, Scott Silva, and John Root attended. We also enjoyed homemade ice cream.
The next Dude Squad meeting will be announced soon. Stay tuned...
"It takes a big man to cry but an even bigger man to laugh at that man."- Jack Handey
Greetings!
As founder of the Dude Squad I'm honored to officially launch the Dude Squad and Obscure Sports Society Blog. My aspirations for this organization are nothing short of grandiose; I foresee Dude Squad chapters dotting the map in the ongoing stuggle to resist the Oprahfication of America. I'd like to thank those of you who voted me in as president; and as president I want you to know that I will veto any further attempts to formalize the Dude Squad. I'd also like to add that any attempt to seize power by either force or conspiracy will be crushed with an iron fist.
Dude Squad Vision
To provide dudes with an opportunity to think, talk about stuff, make fun of stuff, and eat.
History
The first meeting of the Dude Squad and Obscure Sports Society in September 2009 was attended by Troy Thorup, Brett Prawitt, Sam Gilstrap, Scott Silva, Scott Taylor, and John Root. We discussed the essay "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson and concluded that if he were still alive we'd let him join Dude Squad. We ate brownies made by the lovely Sarah Root and vanilla ice cream.
Meeting #2 was hosted by Sam Gilstrap in early October 2009 as it was his turn to chose the book. Brett Prawitt, John Root and Troy Thorup also attended. We discussed The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and concluded that it would be great to somehow trigger a trend that would make us rich. Crepes were ruled out. But we did enjoy some brownies and ice cream.
Troy Thorup hosted the November meeting at his place where we sat around the campfire roasting big chunks of meat. He will be receiving the Dude Squad Medal of Honor for having provided such a manly activity. Additionally, we discussed The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay, a story about a South African boy and his chicken. With determination, hard work and the help of some colorful mentors he becomes a boxing champion and a unifying leader. The boy, that is, not the chicken. Brett Prawitt, Sam Gilstrap, Leo Bunting, Tyler Wilson, Scott Silva, and John Root attended. We also enjoyed homemade ice cream.
The next Dude Squad meeting will be announced soon. Stay tuned...
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