Miles O'Brien at Work

May all our jobs be as rewarding!

Welcome to my Nanobrewery!

For Everett.

In light of this month's book, check out the documentary "Man on Wire" streaming on Netflix.  It's got some good background info. Happy New Year!

Future BBC Game Night Menu Source

The Settlers Of Catan Cookbook, of course. 

Seriously, this story is fun. There's something wrong with you if you don't like it, although probably also some different thing wrong with you if you do.

It's not all Catan, though. Some may want to look into the Doctor Who cookbook, but I'm more likely to turn to the guide to steampunk cocktails.

Ima Hobbit.

I assume that characterization is based entirely on my taste in housing stock and, possibly, my desire to own a brewery. Otherwise, I totally self-identify with dwarves. You?

It's not about the nail.

I just learned about this. Watch it, if you haven't yet.

A Modest Proposal

Gentlemen,

Given the success of "Boy Book Club: The Original Series," I am looking for ways to branch out in new, exciting directions.  Like eating all the poor Irish children!  That would solve all our problems!  Oh, wait, wrong proposal.  How about this instead....

BBC this Week!

Gentlemen,

BBC will meet this week at the abode of Dave Cripe (1640 Madison St.) at 7:30 this Wednesday, when we will be discussing things to do in Denver when you are dead.  We will also discuss the possibility of a group viewing of a certain upcoming movie.  If you don't know what I am talking about a) you are dead to me and b) here is an exciting still from the movie after the jump, if you need a hint.

Google (Middle) Earth

I'm not sure Christopher Tolkien was on board with this.

Obligatory follow-up

Here's the Slate article on Nazi anatomists that I mentioned.

Here's the piece with someone's ideas on American Gods casting.

Here's the first post in a kind of fun "American Gods reread" project by a couple of Tor editors.

And was this the first BBC ever with no Wire reference?

Advance shots from new Batman

Much to discuss this week.

BBC This Month

Gentlemen,

BBC this month will be at Mike Boydston's house (640 Cook) this Wednesday at 7:30.  Mike has thrown down the mead gauntlet, as it were.  He will also be explaining, to the amusement of us all, why he thought this book was a good reading choice for a 14 year old boy, and why the boy's parents did not.

See you there,

Andrew

In other NG news

Sandman rises again: cool.

See you all in a couple of days.

(Shorter) Man of Steel

This is a funny take on a bad movie.

Movie Night

I haven't seen Gravity yet, which I would like to rectify, but first a quick observation after the jump.

Long Book

I am thoroughly enjoying American Gods, but I see no way I'll be able to finish it before our next meeting. And unlike with some other books, that will actually disappoint me this time. Is anyone else in this situation?

Which personality are you?

Andrew was telling me the other day that he doesn't think we do enough as a society with the Meyers-Briggs.  Well Andrew, here you go!  And BBC appropriate.

Star Wars Blooper Reel

This seems up everyone's alley.

This is kind of a meta-post for me

I'm all caught up!

65% Chekov

Given my balding head, charming accent and steadfast, closeted 2nd in command, I had always pegged myself as something of a lawyerly Captain Picard. Turns out, I'm just a Chekov. Or, mostly a Chekov. At least I'm not a red shirt.

BBC Baby Announcement

I am pleased to announce the delivery of Abigail Elizabeth Boies, at exactly midnight on the 15th (there was some discussion of whether that was the 14th or the 15th).  We had a long day of waiting around, but once things started, they moved fast. Cathy and Abby are both doing well, and they came home yesterday.  At this point, we are very, very sleepy.  More pictures after the jump.

Three things

Got to mention these before I forget:

1. Club last week was great. (Thanks again, Michael.) In particular I want to remember two things that made me laugh so hard I almost fell off the couch. Credit to Tim in both cases:

• "That gives a whole new meaning to Seven of Nine."
• The zebra story

2. Here is the list of 100 Reasons Why Captain Kirk is Better Than Captain Picard that I mentioned. I confess that it's not as funny as I remembered. But after all, this is from the early days of Internet humor, so we should be forgiving. And there are a few gems in there. 

3. Here is A Study in Emerald, the fantastic (both senses) Neil Gaiman story that combines Sherlock Holmes and H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos. Short but brilliant. I somehow forgot to mention it last week, but have in the past. Read it. Note the cool newspaper-ish presentation; read the ads too.

Okay, one more

We need to study this beer chart too. (Would make sense to do so at the same time as the spaceship chart.)

Seasonal note

It's decorative gourd season, motherfuckers. 

Sorry. This is what happens when I'm on furlough.

James Bonding

For 007 fans who listen to podcasts, I highly recommend James Bonding. Funny, obsessively detailed, film-by-film review of the franchise.

You want some Death Star, here's some Death Star....

A little viewing prior to our discussion of the book starship chart.

Enjoy.

Andrew

October BBC Meeting

Gentlemen,

BBC this month will be hosted by the lovely and talented Michael Eber (Thanks to all of you who volunteered.  Your time will come!) The meeting will be at 7:30 on Wednesday, as per usual.  Michael lives at 921 Milwaukee Street.  We will be discussing The Manual of Inception, er, Detection, that is. Please come prepared to discuss that weird dream you had the other day, because people love to hear about that kind of thing. 

Also, please take 20-25 minutes prior to the meeting to properly examine Tim's spaceship chart, and prepare your strong opinions on this important issue. Thanks. 

Andrew

Swoon city

Gentlemen, I dare you not to weep with joy.

We should set aside a day to talk about this:
http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/614/421/2a2.jpg

BBC Suggestion Box

Gentlemen,

Our previous book selection process has been a bit chaotic, and often I can't find your suggestive emails when I want to.  Oh, and I want to...

OK, let me rephrase that.

Anyhoo, here is the new system.  When you think of a great book, or come across an interesting review, or anything along those lines, click on the "BBC Suggestion Box" link to the right and add the book as a comment.  I will use the resulting list next year to make our initial round of voting.  Please refrain from adding everything you find, or our list will get ludicrously long over the course of a year.

Enjoy,

Andrew

One of the figures from A Few Seconds of Panic, Nate Jackson, just published a book about his days in the NFL.  Jackson was one of the more thoughtful, chess-playing dudes who hung out with Fatsis on the Broncos.  Here's a link to his book.

All the Pixar films, ranked

Nothing earthshaking here, but this list seems pretty much dead-on. (Be sure to read the lone, insanely angry comment at the end. Classic.)

Also, I have finally looked into the Battlestar Galactica reboot. As great as I was told. Better, maybe. I hear disappointment looms a few seasons ahead, but for now I'm quasi-obsessed.

I'm king of the world!

Here is the link to the map of the world that I brought up the other night.  There are some other fun maps too. http://twistedsifter.com/2013/08/maps-that-will-help-you-make-sense-of-the-world/ 

A History of Wednesday Night in Six Glasses

For those of you who couldn't make it to our discussion of the "Six Glasses" book, here's a picture of my labor-intensive visual tribute that I had on display on my dining table Wednesday night. As you can see, we had a selection of beers, spirits, wine, and Coca Cola. On the plates are chocolate espresso cookies (coffee) and Earl Grey shortbread (tea). No priests were violated.

Tea for two, or eight....

Well, I'm up to Tea, on schedule to hit the coke tomorrow.  And also, I'm planning to finish reading the book!  (rimshot)

So, BBC at Seth's house, 668 Dexter St, at 7:30 Wednesday, where no doubt we will have a fine selection of beer with stuff floating in it, as well as other historically accurate beverages "To stirre the mind and invigorate the intelllecte!"

Don't miss it!

Andrew

possible Beer Night locations

Thinking back over our several beer nights, I can remember:

- The Irish Hound
- Marg's (though this was margaritas, not beer, I say close enough)
- The Cheeky Monk
- Vine St. Pub

All were good, and we should go again. But I'm also wondering what else we should try. Today drove past the Bar Car on Colorado Blvd. and thought hmm, always wondered what that was like. Anyone been there? Any nominations for other places?

The Most Important What If...

Sure, counterfactual history is cool.  What if Hitler died in a bunker in the Great War, what if the lost order hadn't been found....and so forth.  But who really cares, when we have "What if the Star Wars Prequels had Actually Been Good?"

This one's for you, Seth.  Sorry you couldn't make it.

Meeting this week!

Gentlemen,

Yet another announcement about this week's meeting, and an excuse to add to the blog.  We will be discussing "What if..." at Mike Boydston's house, 640 Cook on Wednesday at 7:30.

The Book List 2013-14

As a reminder, here are the books for the next year:

August
What if?  by Robert Cowley

September
History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage

October
The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry

November
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

December
Stiff by Mary Roach

January 2014
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

February
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

March
Four Fish by Paul Greenberg

April
A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers

May
The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross

June
In the Shape of the Boar by Lawrence Norfolk

July
Reamde by Neal Stephenson

August
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

September
The Half-Made World by Felix Gilman 

Welcome to the Boy Book Club Blog

Books may be all low tech, with paper and everything, but that is no reason that BBC can't be super trendy.  You know, just like the kids, with their technoimplants and loud music and whatnot.  I have noticed a trend, that after each time we get together, we all send links back and forth of funny stuff we have seen, etc.  So, I'm going to try a BBC blog, which you will all be able to post to, to see how that goes.  More discussion at the meeting this week.