Tongue and Pen

What I'm Reading

2009-10-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

An interesting read about an English guy who tries to toughen himself up while living in Japan. Very enjoyable.
I don't know why the Brits have to spell everything differently. The English often tell me, "But we invented the language!" My standard reply is, "Yes, but we made it better!"
This is never received well.

Mission To Latvia, Summer 2009

2009-10-03T03:53:00.000-07:00

The St. John's Youth Group journeyed to Latvia to build, serve, support missionaries and experience the beauty of Eastern Europe. What a great trip! I'd love to show you more of what we did, but Health and Safety Guidelines do not allow me to show you pics of our youth. Sorry!

Israel, Summer 2009

2009-10-03T03:29:00.000-07:00

From the Mount of Olives overlooking the Kidron Valley. The Old City is in the distance.

The Garden Tomb. Though it cannot be confirmed if this was the tomb of Jesus, it is a great visual aide.

Western Wall.

From the top of The Old City Wall.

Adirondacks, May 2009

2009-10-03T03:09:00.001-07:00

The Result...
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of this idea.
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Joe "The Navigator" Paparone
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The canoes at rest.

How I love these mountains.

Paris

2009-01-31T05:44:00.000-08:00

I actually wasn't that impressed with the Mona Lisa. I did like this painting, however. It's Lotto's "La Femme Adultere." The Mona Lisa is like a Gap hoodie: nobody knows why they like it so much, they're just told they're supposed to.

It goes without saying...

As does this one...

I really enjoyed the bread, cheese and wine. The cheese shops smelled like feet but tasted like heaven.

It has come to my attention that this blog looks a little disorganized. Not sure what the deal is. It looks fine on my computer when I post it, so sorry.

October 2008 - Whitby

2008-10-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

Descriptions at bottom...

1. Whitby is an old seaport on the North Yorkshire coast. It is the home Captain James Cook (not Kirk) and is the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. We visited Whitby as part of a church retreat.
2. A great view of the harbor at low tide inside the seawall.
3. Hey! We're tourists!
4. Contemplating my eventual decision to revive the pirate lifestyle in Whitby.
5. A view of the ancient abbey and the monument to Captain Cook. The abbey is considered one of the most historically significant sites in all of England.

Recent Travels

2008-10-10T09:24:00.001-07:00

The first picture is a handsome gentleman standing in front of Conwy Castle in Northern Wales. The second and third photos are from our trip to Edinburgh, where I was fortunate to find the burial location of John Knox. Knox, the Father of the Sottish Reformation, wanted to be buried in close proximity to St. Giles Cathedral. Who knew it would become a parking lot. All that is left of his grave is a plain brass plate.

A Few More SW Scotland Pics, August 2008

2008-08-30T03:42:00.000-07:00

Stone fire place in an old cabin...Mountain walks...Fighting the British Cavalry. That's my idea of a wilderness trip.
SW Scotland is a great deal more beautiful in the Summer than in the early Spring, though the midges were a massive pain. During the course of our young men's "Wild At Heart" Wilderness Week, we spoke of the journey into manhood. We agreed that many of the men we know are actually boys in big bodies, and that life must be something more than what we are making of it. We also agreed that there are just some things you can't learn about yourself sitting in a classroom or a pew.
Thank God there are still open spaces in this world.

Scotland and Latvia

2008-08-30T03:04:00.001-07:00

We've been traveling a bit lately. Most recently, we went to Latvia to see some missionary friends of ours and to scout out a Summer 2009 youth missions trip I am planning. The highlight of the trip was probably The Occupation Museum, where I learned of the Soviet and Nazi tactics used to dominate the Baltic States. I found it interesting that much of the rhetoric used by The Soviets during their occupation of Latvia in the late 1930's is very similar to the rhetoric currently being used by the Russians in Georgia. The Latvians are keenly aware of the similarities.
The first picture is of the Riga skyline. It is an amazingly modern city. I think Americans would enjoy the Riga nightlife, but unfortunately, Latvian currency, called the Lat, is among the strongest in the world (roughly $2.50 to every Lat). So good luck, all you international travelers.
The second photo is me mastering the ropes course at the missionary base, located about 2 hours away from Riga. My outstanding athleticism is unmatched in Eastern Europe. USA! USA! I hope to take the kids from my youth group to this base next Summer for a service project. This missionary base runs outreach projects for kids with disabilities, drug addicts and at-risk people groups, so it might be nice if someone helped them out with the tedious tasks like gardening and painting.
The third picture is a glorious example of Soviet architecture. The square object you see is actually a water tower in a small town in Western Latvia. Examples of this square blockish style can be seen everywhere the Soviets set up shop. I don't know what they were thinking.
The fourth picture was taken prior to our trip to Latvia. In Early August, I traveled to SW Scotland with 6 young men from my church. The stone building is called a "bothy," which I guess is Scottish for "place to get out of the constant rain." The bothy sat in a large valley surrounded by steep Scottish hills, which can be seen in the second photo. More pictures of Scotland to come.

More from Scotland

2008-04-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures from the journey.

My favorite feature of The Galloway Forest Park is the streams. I have never seen more beautiful flowing water.

The second picture is pretty typical of what we saw: pre-Spring open spaces surrounded by mountains. I include this picture mostly because it seems to be what Americans think of when they think Scotland. That and men in kilts. Hey-o! Didn't see one kilt while I was there, by the way.

The third and fourth pictures are from our climb of The Merrick. The cairn we are standing on is actually on the smaller summit just to the south of The Merrick. We basically just stood there for the dramatic effect. The final picture is on the summit of The Merrick looking westward. In the distance is Ireland. From where we stood, many islands were visible. It was interesting to think about the Irish monks that reached these tiny places by boat, setting up monasteries and sharing the Gospel with natives.

And yes, that is snow you see. It was cold on the mountain, and we did not stay long. Looking north from the summit, we could see a big storm cloud quickly approaching. We basically raced the cloud off the summit to avoid being trapped in a potential whiteout.

That should be enough drama for one post. Take care, everyone.

The T and P

Southwest Scotland

2008-04-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

It's tough to pick a few pictures to sum up an awesome trip, and I don't think I did a very good job. Maybe I'l post some more in the near future, or maybe I'll just force all of you to fly over if you want to see the rest. A big thanks goes out to Tom for taking us north, and to Joe and Nate for flying over from Saratoga Springs.

We wilderness camped at Loch Trool in the Galloway Forest Park near Newton Stewart, Scotland. We chased lots of sheep (which we thought were Mt. Goats at the time), summited The Merrick (from which we could see Ireland in the distance), visited the sight of Robert The Bruce's first victory over the English (which he accomplished through rolling boulders down a hill onto the cavalry), ate Haggis (meat, grain and herbs stuffed into sheep's stomach) and sampled black pudding (congealed pigs blood stuffed into a sausage casing). It was a cold week to camp, but well worth it.

And by the way, we eventually saw some real Mt. Goats as we drove out of the park.

- The T and P

From Dublin to Scotland

2008-04-12T01:57:00.000-07:00

Last week was Dublin. This week is Scotland.

While in Dublin, we saw the birth place of "The Dark Stuff," The Chester Beatty Library (a must see for any fans of ancient manuscripts) and Trinity College's Book Of Kells Display. We also had the opportunity to visit a prehistoric burial/astronomical site called "New Grange," which dates back 5,200 years. At the summer and winter solstice, the sun shines down the corridor to illuminate the New Grange burial chamber. It is unknown how the site was built with such exactness.

This evening, I will sleep under the stars (or rain clouds) in SW Scotland. More pictures to come when I return.

April's Adventure: Loch Trool, Scotland

2008-03-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

No, it's not The Adirondacks, but it's outside and it's quiet. Next month the editorial staff of the T and P will spend a much needed week in Southern Scotland. In the 1300's, Robert the Bruce won a small battle against the English there. I hope to use the area to launch my revolution against the English as well. It will involve the introduction of salt and flavored food into their diets. They'll never know what hit them.

- The T and P

Despair.com -Demotivational Posters

2008-02-11T07:59:00.001-08:00

The mother of the editor-in-chief has made it known that the reflective, depressing nature of the blog has become too much to handle. Alright. Fine. Put this in your pipe and smoke it.

The Finer Things

2008-01-29T08:46:00.001-08:00

A quiet room. A good book. A pipe. A friend to share it with.

STIFFED by Susan Faludi

2008-01-14T09:05:00.001-08:00

Of the many books The T and P have read on masculinity, this may be the best so far. Faludi has captured the problem with the modern man - he no longer has a purpose. In his efforts to find a place in an integrated society, the modern man, according to Faludi, has actually become like the 1950's housewife. Without the sense that he is contributing to society, he has become obsessed with personal appearance (gym memberships, metro-sexual clothing, $80.00 haircuts), his possessions (cars, boats, televisions), and leisure (recreation, sports, etc). For all his posturing and posing, he has actually become more "feminine" than he could have ever imagined.

This is a big book (about 600 pages). The Tan P editorial staff is approaching page 100 and may have a different opinion in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

_The T and P

Yes, There Are Beautiful People In England

2008-01-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

An anonymous yet striking couple, caught in a candid moment in Castleton, England. Located in the Peak District, Castleton is home to a rare stone called "Blue Jean" and the remains of a castle built by William The Conqueror.

The T and P

Into The Wild

2007-12-01T03:33:00.001-08:00

From the cover - "In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter..."

A must-read for anyone who knows there is something wrong with the world but can't quite put their finger on it. This book has been made into a feature film and is directed by Sean Penn. Currently in theaters. - T and P

On The "Soon To Read" List

2007-11-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

Some have described this as a modern day epistle to the Amerian Church. A review of this book will be provided upon completion. Joe P, senior advisor to the editorial staff, gives it a big "thumbs up."

The T and P

Featured Artist-Torey Adler

2007-11-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Please check out Torey Adler on itunes. A gentleman and an artist, Torey regularly plays some of the top folk venues on the East Coast. Torey is all the evidence we need to believe that Joplin and Cash had a love child.
-The Tand P Editorial Staff

2007-11-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

Today we encourage you to visit a fountain of artistic expression- http://329incidents.blogspot.com/. Fantastic original poetry and fiction.

Nonviolence

2007-11-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

Joe P., close associate to the T and P editorial staff, first read this book as a result of a Rob Bell footnote (of Velvet Elvis and Sex God fame). If Joe P. and Rob Bell like it, then it must be a lost gospel. Great read for anyone who is suspicious of the way the world conducts business. Also take the time to rent the recent documentary "Why We Fight," which delves into the close ties between industry and the military.
-T and P

Great Is Thy Facefulness

2007-11-04T09:06:00.001-08:00

Friends and Family,

We would greatly appreciate your submission of K-Mart style photos to the Tongue and Pen. Upon recepit, your picture will be added to The T and P All-Stars. Strict standards apply. 1. Find an crappy shirt from the 1980s. 2. Find your mom's old glasses. 3. Hit the photo shop.

No inappropriate images will be posted. The Tand P becomes the sole owner of any image received. The T and P reserves the right to use images for future publication in a holiday catalog or yearly calendar.

Charles Williams on "The Inklings"

2007-11-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

"Much was possible to a man in solitude, but some things were possible only to a man in companionship, and of these the most important was balance. No mind was so good that it did not need another mind to counter and equal it, and to save it from conceit and bigotry and folly."

Post Modern Rural American Literature

2007-11-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Tongue and Pen.

We'd like to start my first posting by putting the rumor to rest - yes, we have read the yet untitled novel by Chucky Chowski.

Don't ask how we came to possess it.

The book was very readable. In fact, it may be his best yet. It's not the book that concerns us. It's the motivation from which he writes. If you have had the oppotunity to speak with Chucky at community social gatherings, as we have, you know he has a penchant for fist fighting. This is clearly seen in Chapter 4, titled "Why Yes, Johnny Does Hate Jazz" -

Johnny walked out the back door onto the enclosed patio. He could feel his pulse racing and knew he had to do it. Reaching inside his coat pocket, he pulled out his flask -the one he bought in Mexicali- took a pull, and drove the flask into Morty Bumpkin's temple. As Morty Bumpkin lay on the ground in a heap, kept alive only by the flask plugging the hole in his head, Johnny lit a Nat Sherman and said, "Now this is a party." - Page 56

We hope Chucky Chowski finds his peace. More to come soon.