Posted by SCORP #8 on Sat, Feb 27, 2010 @ 09:08 AM
Maybe it's because the SCORPs are just coming off a discussion of some of the kinky-ass shit that goes on in Sweden as depicted in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO but the Winter Olympic Games are-despite Bob Costas and his hair-getting high marks as SCORP-worthy entertainment. Nearly every event in the Olympics seems like it originated because two or three drunk Scandinavians with some serious sadomasochist tendencies decided to have a pissing contest in the snow or on a sheet of ice. Seriously-what do they drink in the great white north of Europe? The sports now seem-as trash was talked over generations, rules were refined, and American's got involved-that each challenge in Vancouver has become either dangerous, ridiculous or better done stoned (see Snowboarding). A simple toboggan ride now exceeds 90mph, keeping score in curling (basically shuffleboard on ice) is more complicated than Avril Lavigne's (Canadian) boyfriend, and the crashes in downhill and during speed skating were painfully spectacular. All and all, exactly the type of outcome all SCORPION challenges hope to achieve.
And of course, the Winter Olympics is also the home of the biathlon-the ultimate SCORP Olympic event. Skiing AND shooting a rifle? (Granted, if they added a drinking component every 50m and released a mountain lion to stalk competitors it would make things much better). Not only is the idea of the biathlon balls-to-the-wall, but it also lends itself to awesome low-budget power-chord accompanied videos on You Tube by Eastern Europeans and Americans alike. Enjoy a few samples Here and Here.
Oh, and one more thing: USA! USA! USA! USA!
Posted by El Spaniard on Sun, Feb 21, 2010 @ 07:33 PM
We've been (slowly) putting up some reviews of past books and meetings to share what it's like to be in the SCORPS with you civilians out there. The most recent two are for The Power and the Glory and Licensed to Kill. Check them out:
The Power and the Glory by The Judge
Licensed to Kill by the Spaniard
Posted by MC Trouble on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 @ 10:32 AM
What Makes a Great Book Club Meeting?
The SCORPS have been at it for two years now; we've had strong meetings and we've had a couple weak showings. This past week we had a subpar gathering - by SCORP standards - which got me thinking about what drives a good book club meeting.
Obviously the actual book selection is an important factor in a solid discussion. However, arguably the best SCORP-up to date followed our least sophisticated literary selection, MEG. And, to that point, the subject of this past week's lackluster meeting was The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, a whirlwind thriller with 590 action-packed pages to dissect.
The common theme that exists for our best sessions is that they were planned around some sort of event. And our poorest meetings (i.e., playing video lawn darts at arguably the lamest bar in town) have been thrown together last minute.
Our best assemblies, in my opinion, are as follows:
1. Location: Medieval Manor Book: MEG
This place advertised and delivered a cheesy theatrical performance, awful food (with no utensils), and endless pitchers of ale. The crowd is encouraged to get rowdy but no party reached the level of inappropriateness attained by the SCORPS. Inevitably an intra-table food fight broke out with vicious attacks occurring every time the lights were dimmed. The icing on the cake was a post-show, alleyway rumble that left the SCORP stamp on this venue.
2. Location: Manchester Firing Line Range Book: The Power and The Glory
Guns. Adrenaline. Guns. The interesting part about having a book club meeting at a firing range is that everyone is required to wear a headset, disallowing any verbal communication. Although we eventually discussed the book over a beer after the range, the conversation inevitably came back to the exhilaration of firing a semi-automatic firearm.
3. Location: Wonderland Greyhound Park Book: McMafia
The thrill of gambling on dogs combined with the hygiene of the track's patrons made for an entertaining evening. Although I don't believe any of us netted money, this was time well spent.
Whenever possible, SCORP-meets should involve some sort of event like a beer tasting, a casino, a rodeo, or strippers. This assures the energy level is high, the discussion is heated, and most importantly, the competition is fierce.