Robot make me a drink please

I just stumbled upon this product on one of my favourite websites: uncrate.com. Anyways, funny consequence since just last evening we were enjoying Pompous' latest 4-way liquor decanter. We joked about how it would be awesome if it were electronic - well...without further ado I give you the Somabar: Robotic Bartender! Fill it up and then have it make you a drink all from the touch of your smartphone.

A good Ferguson read

Just read an excellent article about the media reporting in the Ferguson case. I truly believe the media is the root of many of the evils in this world. Something has to change as it is infecting the minds of its citizens and brainwashing us. As the author states, he knows this article will not change how a reporter reports. As long as there is financial incentive to report drama rather than facts, it will not change. I think it is our job as citizens to not support this kind of reporting. To turn off the t.v. To investigate both sides. Explore the reliability of the reporting and not assume the media has it right. Not assume the reporting is based on facts. But instead, I think a safer assumption is that the media is reporting on what would make the biggest reaction, make the biggest buzz at the water cooler, and throwing facts away for subjectivity that supports "their" story. What do you guys think?


http://thefederalist.com/2014/11/26/dear-media-how-not-to-screw-up-the-next-ferguson/

That for Which You Thirst

That not so subtle nudge from Master Lieb leaves me in total agreement and compounds the regret already weighing on the id to my super ego.  The MOP are not ones for excuses, nor am I one to further compromise an already inglorious standing amongst my brethren by grovelling for acceptance.  Nor do I feel it appropriate, after the subtle build up and implied promise of an unrivalled book reveal followed by the subsequent inactivity and eventual deflation of all expectations, that I delay the announcement for any such elaborate unveiling and further stress the good graces which have already tested beyond my intent.  

Therefore I present to you that prize which has been promised without the expected and likely yearned for journey.  Our next parchment will be revealed by these clues three:

• A different book, but one with with the same name minus the definite article in front, was turned into a movie in 2012
• The setting is Alaska, and perhaps the words “danger danger UXB” may be uttered by the protagonist.
• An 8th grade earth science teacher and a librarian might call this book “The Cirrus Almanac”

Once you, no doubt quickly with your superior intellect, arrive at the Amazon.com page of that for which you have so long yearned, send a message via baloon or your US carrier network of choice to confirm your suspicions.

As for the meeting, might I suggest Black Friday as a potential date.  Although I understand that gives us less time to read the book than it took to reveal it, it is hard to forego the opportunity to meet in person with our Western brethren while we all share in some other unrelated activities with coxcombs, among others.  Regardless of the suitability of such a date, I urge you to acquire the parchment post haste so we as an organization can begin to make up the ground that this humble man has let slide for far too long.  

Yours in enlightenment,

Margraff Readie McPageturner

All Souls Day

Dearest brothers of the written word,

On this special day of remembrance for those that have gone before us, let us remember in a very special way Danny "Meatball" Lyons.  It is difficult to put onto parchment, even for wordsmiths of the greatest caliber, all that Danny has meant to us and how sorely he is missed.  His beautiful soul, his unique insight and perspective, his experiences and intellect, his courage and humor, all have left a permanent mark on our group for the better.  What beautiful memories we have...and what beautiful tradition remains in his honor!  This club is but one way to continue Dan's legacy.  To bring brotherhood, love, scholalry endeavors, open-mindedness, and charisma to each other and to the world through this unmatched unity of men...this is but one way to continue his memory and all that we stand for.  So, on this special day to pray for the resurrection of souls, let us pray in unity for our brother Danny.  The MOP will never be the same, but it is better having had Danny as a integral part of it.

On this day of resurrection, let us also revive the soul of this club.  Let it shine as bright as Dan's spirit, as bright as it once did!  I know Readie has a clever reveal up his sleeve, and I for one, could not be more excited!  Readie, may I propose that when your book has been revealed, that you also schedule a date for our council meeting?  I think this will prevent us from becoming stagnant...the MOP's greatest threat.  To quote Leonardo Da Vinci,

“Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigors of the mind.”

 This group needs activity to flourish and thrive.  I fear the waters of our council have gone stagnant.  Lets not allow the on-coming cold to freeze them.  Von Pluma, is it my understanding that you are the next to choose a parchment?  Maybe by the next council, you can at least have a parchment selection and have the reveal planned?  Brothers, do you think this is a good idea?  To have the dates set and the club continuously in motion?

Looking forward to ever increasing vigor of the mind and honoring Danny's spirit,
Master Lieb Schmear

The Next Book

Good afternoon, gents. Even though boxes still sit unpacked in my house, and work still sits in my office yet to be done, I know the first order of summer business upon my return to Athens is to select the next parchment. Now this "reveal" may lack the creativity of past MOPers, but we all discussed that that was not as important as getting to the meat of the matter, aka, the book itself.

I believe this will be a good summer read. It meets some criteria for this coming meeting: 1) it's definitely a 'guy's book', 2) it takes place in the summer, 3) it's under 300 pages so none of us will have to finish it at the beach, and 4) incidentally, the movie was one of Big Dan's favorites. A few yeas ago, I finally watched the movie with Dan (and probably some others from this group) and saw why it was a classic. I always wanted to read the book but was not sure if it was a case where the screenplay actually outshone the written word. Now, thanks in large part to Jeff Bezos, I know that is not the case. Without further adieu, this simple melody should give you all the clues you need to figuring out the book. If not, the title has also been coded into this paragraph using italics.

As far as details for the meeting, they will follow, but for now, we can all at least start on the book itself. So excited to be leading another council.

Von Pluma

Putting the feelers out

Gentlemen,

It has been far too long since we last congregated as a council. I take full responsibility for this lengthy hiatus, and offer myself up for 20 lashings at the next meeting. I'm going to throw out some potential dates for the next meeting. Please take a look, check your calendars, and then leave a comment detailing your preferences:

Fri 21st March
Sat 22nd March

Fri 4th April
Sat 5th April

Yours always,
LLdP

Winter's Tale - Revisited

Guys, Recall the book was huge; no surprise the long awaited movie is long, 118 mins! The reviews have been horrible. Nonetheless, it would be fun to watch the movie together followed by a social at either ABC or What If. Maybe we could catch a weekend matinee? The movie offers a nice opportunity for us to pass our judgement on the movie's performance to recreate what we felt was an impossible venture. I need an MOP quick fix!

Devil's Due aka Rosemary's Baby

This movie is obviously a reboot of the classic Rosemary's Baby from 1968. Perhaps we have some movie watching ahead gentlemen, between The Great Gatsby and this flick!?