From Dublin to Scotland

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

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

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

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

STIFFED by Susan Faludi

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

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

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