President's Message
Comrades,
The first thing you should know is that the proceedings of Thursday's meeting are confidential. The conspiracy theorists among you should turn yourselves in. We will be monitoring you all for suspicious behavior and unpatriotic speech; we know where you live.
Thanks to Jim who spearheaded the operation as well as Trevor who provided a swanky venue worthy of Bond himself. Our discussion of The Train to Potevka touched on issues of morality as we grappled with the question of whether spy work is inherently out of harmony with moral principles since it involves so much deception. We concluded that spy work, albeit deceptive, is so for a higher purpose and is therefore ethically sound. We heard the strange tale of the high-security cemetery near Pt. Sal and wondered what the government could be hiding. We indulged in a little eschatalogical chit-chat expoudng wars and rumors of wars. Finally, we pounded some root beer floats, played a little ping-pong and gazed at the moonlit belly of the ocean. Not bad for a bunch of dudes on a Thurday night.
Of course we also saw stock in Leo's Audio Books fall dramatically as Rob unveiled his choice for next month, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, during the meeting-- (which is completely within Dude Squad rules and regulations). We will meet at Rob Chatterton's place next month. I should mention for the record all who attended: Don Zimmerman, John Larsen, Richard Norman, Jim Sparks, Leo Bunting, Scott Silva, Trevor Beck, Steve Hamilton, David Radmacher, Ivan Rootsky, and David Greenal. Also, Don Zimmerman requested a directory of everyones' name, cell phone and email, occupation, social security number, and bank account numbers. I think it is great idea. Send me your info and I'll put together an official Dude Squad directory.
Comrades, this message will self-destruct in five seconds.
Comrade Ivan Rootsky
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
Welcome to the Jungle
President's Message
How is it that a group of dudes wearing the latest in festive sweater fashions can gather around a ping pong table in a garage and solve the world's problems in two hours while the "best minds" wearing expensive suits can't even balance a budget? Hats off to John Larsen and Dave Greenall and the assorted potluckers who contributed to the gathering on Dec. 8. The slow start made me think that dudes were boycotting the festive sweater look as though I had breached some unspoken rule of manliness with the request. But when the Dentists Three (I'm including Tyler in there) arrived with glittery trim, velcro buttons and silver reindeer, I breathed a sigh of relief. And when Brent arrived exuding the spirit of Kwanzaa, I knew we were headed somewhere special.
We dove right into our discussion of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Interestingly, the book was given a thumbs down by most on account of its unrelenting bleakness and yet it spurred one of the most engaging discussisons we've had (in my opion, of course). We talked about freedom, dignity, morality, propaganda, and rats. We rode the requisite capitalism vs. socialism see-saw and discussed the benefits and responsibilities of living in a free and democratic system. We mentioned our need for heroes in literature and the frustrations that come when a protagonist's freedom is sacrificed for polical purposes. In all, I'd say we have it figured out; I'll be sending the minutes of our meeting to President Obama along with a sweater with velcro buttons.
A very Merry Christmas goes out to all who attended (as well as all those dudes reading this whose wives had chores for them that night): Jim, Robert, Richard, Billy, John, Trevor, Brent, Rob, Tyler, and Dave . Next month we will discuss A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell, a true account of an American spy in Soviet Russia. Details of time and place will be released soon. Thank you for your efforts, gentlemen, may you more fully enjoy your holiday meals in light of all you now know.
Sincerely,
El Presidente
Sunday, November 7, 2010
David's Inferno
President's Message
Greetings, dudes! Another Dude Squad meeting has come and gone and as usual, it was a runaway success. Choosing a bold new venue, Dave Greenall decked out the ol' garage with ping pong equipment, a Foosball table and some diabolically tasty finger foods. The fourteen dudes lining the perimeter couldn't have been more at home. Businesswise, we discussed the upcoming pig roast and were honored by the appearance of Dinky the Pig who will be the roastee. I've decided to make him an honorary member of the Dude Squad until we eat him. Also, for our December meeting, we will all be sporting our finest festive holiday sweaters. This is not negotiable. Remember, the louder and more obnoxious the better.
Discussion of Dave's selection, The Screwtape Letters was insightful and thought provoking. We touched on unselfishness, love, prayer, faith, accepting God's will, hidden blessings of faith, the faith of children and why it's a bad idea to marry a crazy woman. We mentioned Lewis's conversion to Christianity and his extraordinary appeal to Latter-day Saints. I believe all who were present and paying attention were edified.
We had a couple of rookies in our midst. Rob Chatterton, who used to jam with my garage band occasionally back in high school in Boise, Idaho, is moving to the area and has shown interest in the Dude Squad. Similarly, David Radmacher, a long lost friend of Tyler Wilson's, attended and contributed some great insights. It is indeed a small world.
Gentlemen, I'd like to thank all who attended Dave's meeting. Keep up the good work: Scott, Dave G, Sam, Rob, Trevor, Leo, Jim, Billy, Bret, Richard, Brent, John L, Tyler, and David R. Next month we will be reading John Larsen's selection The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Meeting place and time will be announced soon.
P.S. I'm looking forward to the sweaters next month, especially Bret's.
Sincerely,
El Presidente
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Of War and Peace
President's Message
Dudes,
I thought I would try out a new look for the blog. I think this one looks slightly less tough but a bit more inviting. The next step is to post some photos of us stuffing our faces with pork and I think our fame will grow prodigiously. Then I'll be one step closer to doing Dude Squad full-time. I want to recognize Billy Fairbanks for a hosting a great Dude Squad event complete with flavored sausages, lemonade, chips and other tasty stuff.
Under a peaceful, star-spangled sky we discussed The Killer Angels with Mars, the god of war, looking down approvingly. We discussed the technological aspects of war that change the way it is fought. Leo produced a Civil War era bullet that looked like it could do some damage. We discussed the personalities of the generals. Admiration for those who fought and died was expressed. In all, we concluded that had the Union troops and their sovereigns been less committed to their cause, our American heritage and experience would be radically different from what we now enjoy.
And so with this we move on to an imaginative work by none other than the brilliant Clive Staples Lewis: The Screwtape Letters. I've read that C.S. Lewis, who was a professor of literature at Oxford, was heavily influenced by Milton's Satan in Paradise Lost. So for extra credit I'm going to assign Paradise Lost as well as an interpretive essay comparing the two works. "Oh, if only there were time" I seem to hear you saying. Indeed, if only there were time. The next meeting is now scheduled for Dave Greenall's house, Thursday November 4 at 7:30.
And of course, I would be derelict in my duties were I not to mention all in attendance at Billy's: Scott, Billy, Leo, John L., Richard, Dave, Tyler, Troy, Bret, Sam, George, John, Steve, and John R.
It has been a pleasure,
El Presidente
Dudes,
I thought I would try out a new look for the blog. I think this one looks slightly less tough but a bit more inviting. The next step is to post some photos of us stuffing our faces with pork and I think our fame will grow prodigiously. Then I'll be one step closer to doing Dude Squad full-time. I want to recognize Billy Fairbanks for a hosting a great Dude Squad event complete with flavored sausages, lemonade, chips and other tasty stuff.
Under a peaceful, star-spangled sky we discussed The Killer Angels with Mars, the god of war, looking down approvingly. We discussed the technological aspects of war that change the way it is fought. Leo produced a Civil War era bullet that looked like it could do some damage. We discussed the personalities of the generals. Admiration for those who fought and died was expressed. In all, we concluded that had the Union troops and their sovereigns been less committed to their cause, our American heritage and experience would be radically different from what we now enjoy.
And so with this we move on to an imaginative work by none other than the brilliant Clive Staples Lewis: The Screwtape Letters. I've read that C.S. Lewis, who was a professor of literature at Oxford, was heavily influenced by Milton's Satan in Paradise Lost. So for extra credit I'm going to assign Paradise Lost as well as an interpretive essay comparing the two works. "Oh, if only there were time" I seem to hear you saying. Indeed, if only there were time. The next meeting is now scheduled for Dave Greenall's house, Thursday November 4 at 7:30.
And of course, I would be derelict in my duties were I not to mention all in attendance at Billy's: Scott, Billy, Leo, John L., Richard, Dave, Tyler, Troy, Bret, Sam, George, John, Steve, and John R.
It has been a pleasure,
El Presidente
Saturday, August 28, 2010
King Richard the Lionheart
President' Message
I would like to recognize Richard Norman for providing the Dude Squad with a very memorable and fulfilling feast, literally and figuratively. Indeed, we ate like kings. Our best turnout to date, Richard's meeting proved that if you offer a huge amount of perfectly grilled meat and throw in some tasty beans, you can inveigle a large group of dudes to sit around and discuss a book. I might have to try this approach at school.
In the way of business, we had no accusations or shoot-outs to announce, but we did learn of a friend of Leo's who has been diligently perusing the blog and reading our selections. I'm embarrassed to say that I lost his name, but I'm sure we'll have this cleared up soon. We were joined by Kerry Steed, Tyler's father-in-law as well as two rookies, John and Don. Also, I'd like to give a shout-out to our phantom member, Jeff Stasell, who has not yet made it to a meeting but has expressed regret on a number of occasions for being too busy to attend.
Discussion of Shackleton's journey ranged from individual impressions of the hardships endured by him and the crew to questioning the utility of such adventures and finding applications for the spirit of adventure in our own lives. Tyler gave some rousing speeches about how the Dude Squad needs to get off its collective butt and run a marathon. So in a few short meetings we've gone from ping-pong to talking about marathons. I say we all challenge Bret to a good-ol'-fashioned stick pull and call it good.
Richard, for your valor, courage, and skill with a grill, I hereby dub you King Richard the Lionheart, and recognize your Knights of the Dude Squad: Sam Gilstrap, Scott Silva, John Larson, Billy Fairbanks, Kerry Steed, Don Zimmerman, Bret Prawitt, Troy Thorup, Leo Bunting, Trevor Beck, Tyler Wilson, Brent Christensen, Dave Greenall, and John Root.
Sincerely yours,
King John I
I would like to recognize Richard Norman for providing the Dude Squad with a very memorable and fulfilling feast, literally and figuratively. Indeed, we ate like kings. Our best turnout to date, Richard's meeting proved that if you offer a huge amount of perfectly grilled meat and throw in some tasty beans, you can inveigle a large group of dudes to sit around and discuss a book. I might have to try this approach at school.
In the way of business, we had no accusations or shoot-outs to announce, but we did learn of a friend of Leo's who has been diligently perusing the blog and reading our selections. I'm embarrassed to say that I lost his name, but I'm sure we'll have this cleared up soon. We were joined by Kerry Steed, Tyler's father-in-law as well as two rookies, John and Don. Also, I'd like to give a shout-out to our phantom member, Jeff Stasell, who has not yet made it to a meeting but has expressed regret on a number of occasions for being too busy to attend.
Discussion of Shackleton's journey ranged from individual impressions of the hardships endured by him and the crew to questioning the utility of such adventures and finding applications for the spirit of adventure in our own lives. Tyler gave some rousing speeches about how the Dude Squad needs to get off its collective butt and run a marathon. So in a few short meetings we've gone from ping-pong to talking about marathons. I say we all challenge Bret to a good-ol'-fashioned stick pull and call it good.
Richard, for your valor, courage, and skill with a grill, I hereby dub you King Richard the Lionheart, and recognize your Knights of the Dude Squad: Sam Gilstrap, Scott Silva, John Larson, Billy Fairbanks, Kerry Steed, Don Zimmerman, Bret Prawitt, Troy Thorup, Leo Bunting, Trevor Beck, Tyler Wilson, Brent Christensen, Dave Greenall, and John Root.
Sincerely yours,
King John I
Monday, July 5, 2010
Dude Squad: A Cultural Revolution
President's Message
"The world does not get better or worse. It just gets older." -Harold Bloom
A changing world brings many challenges along with many opportunities. On one hand, we endure a sluggish economy, but on the other, we witness improving conditions for men's book clubs across the nation, and quite possibly the globe. Discussion of The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria, I thought, was stimulating on a number of levels. First, we heard accounts of experiences in China by members of the Dude Squad; then, we applied ideas from the book to our own lives asking how this knowledge will effect our voting behavior, our day-to-day living and our sense of security. Finally, we concluded that China's rise to power is inevitable and we did what any self-respecting group of Americans would do under the circumstances: consume some good, old-fashioned American pie with ice cream and call it a night. I want to thank Brent Christensen for flawlessly executing a top-notch Dude Squad gathering as well as all of those dudes who contributed to the discussion: Jim, Brian, Billy, Troy, Scott, David and Brent. Next month's meeting is tentatively set for Aug. 11th at 7:30 at Richard Norman's house. We will be discussing Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.
Chairman Rootski
"The world does not get better or worse. It just gets older." -Harold Bloom
A changing world brings many challenges along with many opportunities. On one hand, we endure a sluggish economy, but on the other, we witness improving conditions for men's book clubs across the nation, and quite possibly the globe. Discussion of The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria, I thought, was stimulating on a number of levels. First, we heard accounts of experiences in China by members of the Dude Squad; then, we applied ideas from the book to our own lives asking how this knowledge will effect our voting behavior, our day-to-day living and our sense of security. Finally, we concluded that China's rise to power is inevitable and we did what any self-respecting group of Americans would do under the circumstances: consume some good, old-fashioned American pie with ice cream and call it a night. I want to thank Brent Christensen for flawlessly executing a top-notch Dude Squad gathering as well as all of those dudes who contributed to the discussion: Jim, Brian, Billy, Troy, Scott, David and Brent. Next month's meeting is tentatively set for Aug. 11th at 7:30 at Richard Norman's house. We will be discussing Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.
Chairman Rootski
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Take it to the House
President's Message
"As long as a man thinks, he is free." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I shared this story at one of the first Dude Squad meetings and since we have added many new dudes to the ranks I thought it wouldn't hurt to briefly revisit it. When American POWs in Vietnam were scheduled for release, their captors put them in low-security holding facilities and allowed them to mingle with one another. Not knowing how long they had to wait, the POWs quickly organized themselves into an informal school in which anyone with knowledge of any topic could teach a class or lead a discussion. I've always carried that story with me. It is in the spirit of those men that I salute the Dude Squad this Memorial Day weekend.
I want to thank Trevor Beck for such a memorable Dude Squad event. We have certainly come a long way from our humble origins in my cramped little apartment to enjoying ping-pong, billiards, and a view of the mighty Pacific. I felt a little as if I were about to sprout donkey ears like the boys on Pleasure Island in Pinnochio. I think the only way to one-up the Club House is to rent Air Force One for the next meeting. I'll see what I can do.
Our ranks are swelling, which is always welcome, and we had a collegial discussion of A Sense of Where You Are. It was mentioned that 'a sense of where you are' could be a sports metaphor for finding direction in life since reaching a destination requires a knowledge of one's location with regard to important goals. One stat was offered, I forget by whom, that it takes 10,000 hours of dedicated practice to really master any skill. I'm going to remember this the next time a guy with a cast on his foot beats me at ping-pong.
Our last meeting kicked off our first ever Obscure Sports Ping-Pong Tournament. In line with the book's theme of competitive sports, we wrapped up discussion early in order to re-live the glory days of college ping-pong. Rising swiftly through the ranks was Sam Gilstrap who met up with Richard Norman in the final round. After a tenaciously fought battle by both athletes, the victory finally went to the guy without a cast on either leg: Sam. Congratulations, you must be proud!
Next month's meeting will be announced shortly. We will be reading Brent's selection The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria. Before I close, I'd like to mention those in attendance at the Club House: Brent Christensen, Tyler Wilson, Scott Silva, Cass Glasser, Troy Thorup, Leo Bunting, Jason, Sam Gilstrap, Mike Mallory, Jim Sparks, Trevor Beck, Richard Norman, John Root.
Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure.
El Presidente
"As long as a man thinks, he is free." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I shared this story at one of the first Dude Squad meetings and since we have added many new dudes to the ranks I thought it wouldn't hurt to briefly revisit it. When American POWs in Vietnam were scheduled for release, their captors put them in low-security holding facilities and allowed them to mingle with one another. Not knowing how long they had to wait, the POWs quickly organized themselves into an informal school in which anyone with knowledge of any topic could teach a class or lead a discussion. I've always carried that story with me. It is in the spirit of those men that I salute the Dude Squad this Memorial Day weekend.
I want to thank Trevor Beck for such a memorable Dude Squad event. We have certainly come a long way from our humble origins in my cramped little apartment to enjoying ping-pong, billiards, and a view of the mighty Pacific. I felt a little as if I were about to sprout donkey ears like the boys on Pleasure Island in Pinnochio. I think the only way to one-up the Club House is to rent Air Force One for the next meeting. I'll see what I can do.
Our ranks are swelling, which is always welcome, and we had a collegial discussion of A Sense of Where You Are. It was mentioned that 'a sense of where you are' could be a sports metaphor for finding direction in life since reaching a destination requires a knowledge of one's location with regard to important goals. One stat was offered, I forget by whom, that it takes 10,000 hours of dedicated practice to really master any skill. I'm going to remember this the next time a guy with a cast on his foot beats me at ping-pong.
Our last meeting kicked off our first ever Obscure Sports Ping-Pong Tournament. In line with the book's theme of competitive sports, we wrapped up discussion early in order to re-live the glory days of college ping-pong. Rising swiftly through the ranks was Sam Gilstrap who met up with Richard Norman in the final round. After a tenaciously fought battle by both athletes, the victory finally went to the guy without a cast on either leg: Sam. Congratulations, you must be proud!
Next month's meeting will be announced shortly. We will be reading Brent's selection The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria. Before I close, I'd like to mention those in attendance at the Club House: Brent Christensen, Tyler Wilson, Scott Silva, Cass Glasser, Troy Thorup, Leo Bunting, Jason, Sam Gilstrap, Mike Mallory, Jim Sparks, Trevor Beck, Richard Norman, John Root.
Gentlemen, it has been a pleasure.
El Presidente
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