Oktoberfest Book Club meeting!

After Record high turn out, then record low turn out, then a month off, we are back! Thursday October 30th at 8:00- Poor Herbies

5 Drinking Stories That Put Yours To Shame

I'm sure we all started spewing our drinking stories after reading 'I hope they serve beer in hell'. Check out some of history's best drinking stories of all times by following this link! Here is a list of their titles.
1. Admiral Edward Russell’s 17th-Century Throwdown
2. The London Brew-nami of 1814
3. New York State of Mind: The Dutch Ingratiate Themselves to the Natives
4. The D.U.I. That Roused a Nation: Paul Revere’s Medford Pre-Party
5. Indian Elephants Raid the Liquor Cabinet

Beer in Hell

If you aren't going to read the book, you can catch many of the 'stories' on his website http://www.tuckermax.com . There was talk of a movie and it actually started filming last year, but then he seemed to fall off the face of the earth. He also has a new book called a-holes finish first?! And his original book from 2003 "Belligerence and Debauchery"

InMotion Video, what a rip off!

I fly often for work and like to use InMotion Video. It's a convenient DVD/DVD player rental store in the airport. You rent the movie in one airport, watch it on the plane (or in the hotel) and return it at the other airport or drop it in the mail. What could be simpler? Well I rented Vantage Point only to find out (after I'm on the plane) that the DVD is damaged. I placed it (and my noise cancellation earphones) in the pocket of the seat in front of me and promptly forgot about them. When I landed (and remembered) I went to Continental but they said they weren't found on the plane and no one turned them in to lost and found. A few follow up calls produced the same answer. Now InMotion is going to charge me the $5 rental fee + $15 for the movie + $3.45 restocking fee. (and I'm without my nifty earphones) What a rip off! Yes, I lost the movie but is that my fault? Why should I pay? What happened to customer service? Doesn't the $5 rental fee assume some movies will be lost? Besides, it was probably watched by 6,000 people already. And it was damaged! Geesh! How do these people stay in business? I'm going to write them a strongly worded email! Is there no justice left in the world?

August GBC

July GBC was well attended: Scott C, Chris H, Paul D, Chip W, David S, Scott M, Sandeep K, Ray R. The July book "Stormy Weather" by Car Hiaassen was a huge success (thanks for the recommendation Paul!). We set a new GBC record: 50% of attendees read the book! Keep this up and we might go legitimate.

I'm having trouble remembering the details, but I believe Paul "I'm not a Kook" Daily told a story involving a gay squirrel and hot flight attendants. I remember feeling sorry for the squirrel. Anyway, Paul asked not to be named as the person who recommended this month's book: I hope they serve beer in hell by Tucker Max. Apparently this Tucker fellow is one colorful fellow who decided to document his abuse of women and alcohol. Please respect Paul's request of not being associated with this book. (I've got your back dude!)

See you all Thursday, August 21st (YES! this one will actually be the on the 3rd Thursday of the month! geesh). 8:00 at Poor Herbie's

Tequila Medical Disclaimer

GBC Member Corresponds with Author of February Book. . . Declared "Not a Kook"

While I don't feel it is conclusive evidence, Paul seems to think this email exchange with an author of a book we read clears him of being labeled a 'kook'. Judge for yourself:

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Weiss [mailto:garyweiss.email@gmail.com]
Sent: Thu 7/17/2008 2:40 PM
To: Daly, Paul
Subject: Re: So what is an individual investor to do?

Oh, my pleasure. I mostly hear from kooks, so it is nice to hear from
someone such as yourself.

On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 2:40 PM, Daly, Paul wrote:
> No, thank you. Appreciate the insights.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Weiss [mailto:garyweiss.email@gmail.com]
> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:37 PM
> To: Daly, Paul
> Subject: Re: So what is an individual investor to do?
>
> Hi Paul,
>
> Glad you liked the book. Well, you know I do tend to favor index funds
> and index products such as ETFs. I think costs are the main systemic
> issue that you would have to deal with in those products.
>
> So you want products with low costs, such as the Vanguard funds for
> instance, as some index products have surprisingly high fees. ETFs
> (such as Spiders and Diamonds) tend to have low costs as well.
>
> Personally I think the best thing to do is to put new money in index
> products. I'm certainly not suggesting that people dump their existing
> stocks, particularly in this awful market! Besides, it is almost
> impossible to resist the allure of buying individual stocks. I own a
> few myself.
>
> Thanks for writing,
> Gary
>
> On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 2:26 PM, Daly, Paul <xxxxx> wrote:
>> Gary, I'm most of the way through W.S. v. America. As an
>> attorney who practices in Mercer County, I got my money's worth just reading
>> about the Judges in the intro and the epilogue. Something to chat about and
>> schmooze about.
>>
>> But I flipped to through the remaining few chapters last night
>> and don't see that you really answer the question above.
>>
>> Are index funds the only place for an individual investor?
>> Aren't they subject to many of the same systemic problems you outline
>> in the book?
>>
>> I've been happy with my buy-and-hold, value based, broad
>> portfolio for the past 10 years, but honestly, you've made me question that.
>> (Of course, it is easy to question your strategy in a bear market, I suppose.)
>>
>> Appreciate any reply you care to give.
>>
>> Paul Daly
>

Atheist soldier sues Army for 'unconstitutional' discrimination

Source: (http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/08/atheist.soldier/index.html)
I get really scared when I read articles that talk about Christian dominance and influence in our military. Are we fighting a war based on laws and protecting our country? Or for some god? And if it's for a god, how does that make us any different from religious military extremest?

Attack of the Killer Plush Toys

The kids make their acting debut in this funny spoof!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmBKxUm7tJM

July GBC

The June GBC was at my house, in attendance was Scott M. Ray, Chris, Paul D., Sandeep, and Paul E.

Next GBC will be at Poor Herbies 8:00 on Thursday July 24th. Paul D. suggested this months book: Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen. Paul describes it as a quick, fun summer read.

Ireland Rocks

Debbie and I were in Ireland last week and had a great time. We were there during the Lisbon Treaty Vote (which the Irish voted against!). Exciting times when 3.9 million Irish go against 390 million Europeans! I know what you are thinking, and the answer is YES Guinness does taste better in Ireland.

Pools open!

There is no way I'm heading to the Madison pool anytime soon for three very good reasons.
1) The water is freezing
2) My skin is so pale I look dead
3) I've gained a good 20 pounds since last year

June Meeting

The June meeting will be held on June 19th 8:00 at my house 178 Greenwood Ave. If it rains we will meet at Poor Herbie's. I will be serving Guinness and Vodka Tonics (not in the same glass). I didn't make last months meeting, but I heard 6 folks showed up and had a good time. This months book was suggested by Paul E. and is called 1776 by Dave McCullough. George W is at war with those crazy folks over seas! Not what you are thinking.. It's George Washington Vs. King George. Hope to see you there!

May Meeting

Great time was had by all last month. In attendance: Scott M, Chris H, Jeff K, Sandeep K, Paul D

Next months meeting is on Thursday, May 15th 8:00 at Poor Herbie's.
Next months book is Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore suggested by Jeff K Read some of the book on Google.

The Forbidden Kingdom opens this weekend! How can you pass up a Jackie Chan and Jet Li movie?

Speed Racer

What can I say? I'm SOOOO excited to see Speed Racer! Check out this great review on Wired.
I think I'm also going to see this one in IMAX. The technology that went into making this film is amazing.

April GBC

April's book: Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson recommended by Dave Spadea.
Great time was had by all last night. In attendance: Scott M, Chris H, Jeff K, Sandeep K, Paul D

Next months meeting is on Thursday, May 15th 8:00 at Poor Herbie's.
Next months book is Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore suggested by Jeff K Read some of the book on Google.

The Forbidden Kingdom opens this weekend! How can you pass up a Jackie Chan and Jet Li movie?
Speed Racer opens in just 21 days. I'm definitely seeing that one in IMAX!

New Beer's Eve

Today is the 75th anniversary of when Prohibition was lifted and beer was once again legal to drink! Check out this article on CNN 1.5 million barrels of beer were sold in the first 24 hours! Now that's alot of beer.

March GBC

I started working for a company based in Ireland on St. Patricks day... do I need a better excuse to drink a few Guiness this Thursday? I think not!

This month's book: Born Standing Up: A comics life by Steve Martin chosen by Ray
Next book to be chosen by Mike Spadea

Feb GBC

This months book: Wall Street Versus America: The Rampant Greed and Dishonesty That Imperil Your Investments (Hardcover) by Gary Weiss chosen by Sandeep.

ELH

The Evil League of Housewives ( ELH ) have requested the GBC move its meeting since it conflicts with the ELHBC (Evil League of Housewives Book Club) meeting. (please note, that I specifically asked IN ADVANCE if the 17th was ok, and was given a permission slip signed in blood AND an ELH get-out-of-jail-free card- both apparently worthless).

In attempt to avoid hours of nagging, I have agreed to send out a request that we move this month's GBC from Thursday the 17th to Friday the 18th. (Trust me, it was better than the alternative: the ELH will drop off homemade snacks, their children, and their husbands at my house where we would conduct important GBC business- I DON'T THINK SO).

P.S. Please destroy this email after reading it. I don't think I need to say what might happen should this information fall into the hands of the ELH. P.P.S the ELH is not officially affiliated with the PTO or the Junior League; however, caution is still advised when dealing with any of their minions. May the beer be with you....

Charlie Wilson's Movie

My wife and I saw the movie this past weekend. It was entertaining, thought I don't care for Julia in the roll of Jo Ann, and while Tom captured Charlie, he didn't look like him. All the key one-liners were in there, but some of the important implications of the decisions that were made were glossed over. I enjoyed it, but it left me feelling a bit sad about the US and how it manipulates the worold (so poorly). Isn't some of this stuff supposed to be secret?

Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One

Wow! just finished book one and can't wait to start book two. Great characters, great setting, and a nice pace. It's also a quick read which I like, since I don't have much time for reading these days. I wish book one went into some more details about different clan histories (maybe I will be rewarded in book 2, or 3, or 4! or 5 which just came out!!!). Here are all 5 books:
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori, Book 2)
Brilliance of the Moon: Tales of the Otori, Book Three (Tales of the Otori, Book 3)
The Harsh Cry of the Heron: The Last Tale of the Otori (Tales of the Otori, Book 4)
and finally the prequi: Heaven's Net Is Wide (The Tales of the Otori Series)

New Year, here I come, ready or not

Wow, I think I've attended or hosted a party every day for the past 6 days! I may be responsible for a beer shortage in the North East. It took everything I could muster to get out of bed this morning. Back to the grind! And the little beasts finally go back to school. (woo hoo!). Now if I could only find a decent smartphone... Happy New Year to all.