Humans...toys of the gods!

 "Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller was indeed an epic tale.  It took us out of our comfort zone as we explored topics we have yet to encounter, namely homosexuality.  While some among us wished for more graphic depictions of Patroclus and Achilles love affair, I think we all agreed Madeline Miller, despite her inferior gender, can spin a tale with the best of them!

We had epic expectations for this council as we planned our trip to St. Marys, PA to suckle the eternal tap at Straub Brewery, head to Gabler's Knob camp, partake in a drive to rustle up some deer, consume Greek stew, and sit by the fire for lively discussion.  We planned to wake Sunday and head to Denny's Beer Barrel pub to participate in the gut buster burger challenge before heading home.  We even had a celebrity MOP member in Uncle Kenny Gabler!  Unfortunately, we did not offer adequate sacrifices to the gods and our plans went awry as Brother L.T. E.R. Airy's back went out, Brother Rode contracted Covid, my family acquired some sort of plague, and I injured my hip.  Wisely, we decided to anger the gods no further and not sail to St. Marys.  Brother Pompous and Uncle Kenny were able to make it to camp, do some hunting, and have a mini council meeting while the rest of us stayed behind and enjoyed a small gathering at my house.  

We enjoyed a well prepared feast by my barefooted wife complete with roasted feta, olives, sundried tomatoes, and olive oil over crusted bread as an appetizer and a traditional Greek lamb stew (Youvetsi) for dinner.  We recited the Creed, rubbed Buddha's belly, and sat around a fire as McPageturner, Rode, and Papel competed to see who could arouse their Trojan (condom) quickest.  We considered new membership for a worthy coxcomb, elevating his status to MOP if he completes to be determined initiation procedures.  We discussed the book in depth.  All of this while enjoying plenty of bourbon!  

At the end of the night, the sacred container was passed to Brother Rode in preparations for his book choice and council proceedings.  We departed with excitement at deliberating initiation trials for new membership and possible side councils prior to Brother Rode's in order to develop official membership proceedings.  Now we wait in eager anticipation for brother Rode's instructions as we all contemplate initiation trials…

Greek Gods and Gabler's Knob

 

Men of unparalleled intellect and codpiece,

On October 22^nd we embark on a journey that will live on in MOP lore for centuries to come as we gather at Gabler's Knob in St. Mary's.  How suitable to have such an epic adventure whilst reading about the adventures of one of the most legendary heroes in all of Greek mythology!  "The Song of Achilles" is a modern take on the ancient poem by Homer and one that comes highly praised by Quintin Gabler himself, a fine scholar in his own right!  The book's "Achilles heel" if you will, is that it is written by a female, Madeline Miller.  I beg your pardon and, though inferior in every respect, admittedly, they do have some excellent qualities and it is my hope that "Mad Mill" can deliver the goods and open our minds in some respects.  No doubt, this book will lend itself to important discussions about life, death, war, adventure, sexuality, love, and the human spirit.

In unprecedented fashion, we plan to include a celebrity guest in the reading and discussion of this parchment, a man who certainly would be part of our brotherhood, if not for his proximity.  I know we all share in my delight at including Uncle Kenny Gabler in this episode of our storied history! Pompous, if you would please extend an invitation to UK, it would be out honor to have him in attendance.

Go forth, ye seekers of the written word…!

Manuscripts (er, parchments) don't burn

 For our next selection we’re going back to Russia. Written in the 30s but not published till the 60s, this time we’re going to Soviet era Russia. Moscow’s literary elite are being targeted by the devil and his henchmen…a parallel one could draw to the current crop of Russian elite whose success has come through corruption at the expense of so many.

Our author, Mikhail Bulgakov, incredibly managed to write a novel full of humor in 1930s Soviet Russia. Although he did not live to see recognition for his greatest work, its significance is still apparent today. As the novelist Viktor Pelevin once said, it’s almost impossible to explain to anyone who has not lived through Soviet life exactly what this novel meant to people.

We’ve got the devil, Pontius Pilate, giant talking cats, insane asylums, witches, and naked dancing. A book described as “the most breathtakingly original piece of work” and also one that “few books can match for weirdness.” It is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century and as a masterpiece of magical realism, but it’s very common even for people who are very well read not to have heard of it. To that point, I had never heard of it either until I went down a rabbit hole and repeatedly found this book mentioned as the benchmark to which so many book reviewers compared all the others.

My dear brothers, I invite you in to the inner circle. Let us join the elite of the well read and absorb “The Master and Margarita” to our collective consciousness.

Russian Stories never Have Happy Endings

Prevet moi druzeya e comrades. We just finished a fine mystery about The Troubles in Northern Ireland in the 1980's. This next book jets us back about 30 years to a deveveloping period of time in Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union. A time when President Gorbachev initiated reform policies called glasnost and an economic restructuring plan called perestroika in 1991. A time that saw the Soviet Union breakup into independant countries. A time that saw The Berlin Wall tumble down uniting the city after decades divided since WW2 under Stalin. To a time when Vladimer Putin became Premier of Russiain 2000 and a slow reversal of glasnost and perestroika began. Since 2000 Putin has been increasing his political power by elimiating alternatives in elections and expanding his sole authority over far reaching financial and military endevours in Russia. It appears he is implementing his strategic plan to build back the Soviet Union to the glory days of the Cold War. He has already annexed Belarus and Crimea. Now he is wagging war in Ukraine. But first, to comprehend the inside working of any corrupt organization, you have to follow the money trail. Our book will do just that! Our guy is an American Wall Street financier with a nose for discovering developing investment opportunities. He turns his sights to the newly expanding markets in Russia in the early 1990's. What makes this book so special to me is, it's a true story! This book is a crime thriller. The author experienced the financial corruption and murdous tyranny after Putin became President and expanded his supreme control over media, politics, and banking. He is fortunate to be alive to tell his story. This book is particulary timely as Putin is waging war with Ukraine. It may sensitize us to the financial corruption under Putin in order to accomplish his strategic plan to reassemble the Soviet Union. I hope you all enjoy reading "Krasnoye Ovedomleniye". Pompous de la Pundit

Na Trioblóidí

Gentlemen,

The time has come for Lord Lloyd de Papel to gift you all with the next parchment selection. Much like an Irish Goodbye - there will be no fanfare or unnecessary pomp and circumstance with the reveal of my chosen book. My goal is to avoid delay, and keep this train of codpieces firmly on the tracks. So to speak. 

The setting for our next book takes us far from Missoula, Montana. 4,272.08 miles away to be exact. To the city where I myself was born. We will travel back in time to the spring of 1981, and be unceremoniously drop-kicked into the fare city of Belfast, N.Ireland. Those familiar with N.Irish history will know that this time period was known as “The Troubles”. As you might expect, this was a time when a flu-pandemic would have been the least of your worries. Bombings, riots, sectarian violence, and revenge killings were the daily order of business. 

We will take a glimpse into this world through the eyes of Detective Sergeant Sean Duffy, a Catholic policemen, in the predominately Protestant Royal Ulster Constabulary, as he hopes to solve a crime riddled with intrigue and danger. 

The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty is a brilliant depiction of Belfast at the height of the Troubles—and of a cop treading a thin, thin line.

I will be following up with potential dates for the next council meeting shortly. Ideally I’d like it to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day - as I plan on serving some traditional  homemade Norn Irish cuisine and libations as we meet to discuss Mr. McKinty’s efforts.

Go forth…