Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween


Halloween is an interesting holiday. Of pagan origins, it has flourished without any official religious or governmental backing.
~
In Salem, MA, the town next door, it draws a lot of gothic crazies. I don't get the attraction, but it certainly appeals to some people who also like black makeup, boots, tattoos and body piercings. I don't mind boots, but can't really get geared up for the other items.
~
As a tolerant, open-minded individual, I'm cool with all of this weird behavior, although I can certainly understand the emotions the evoke persecution of these perverts. I'm just happy that none of my three kids ever embraced this gothic bullshit....to the best of my knowledge.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A Star in the Making


Jonathan Papelbon is set to become a larger than life celebrity in Boston. If he goes on tour with the Drop Kick Murphy's, they will clean up.

Cost Savings

Today, I had to get some Zoning Drawings printed for delivery to a law office in Gloucester, and I thought that I could save a little money by printing them on the Rockett's Design Jet.
~
Rick Rockett was nice to let me use the printer, but after two hours, mucking around with a printer driver problem, I went to the Staples in Swampscott. They sent me to the store in Beverly, which was staffed by an absolute buffoon. A very valuable Staples employee. She told me that each sheet would take 15 minutes to print, and had a lot of attitude to go with it. So much for Staples. I couldn't stomach dealing with her, so I jumped onto 128 and went down to Charette in Woburn... which I should have done at the beginning of the day.
~
Charette charged 50 bucks for 4 drawing sets on 24"x36" architectural sheets. I was in Gloucester 40 minutes later.
~
That's going to be standard procedure in the future. Bring it to the pros, pay the fee, get on with the day. Trying to save money can get very expensive.

Do as I Say... Not as I Do.

"Try not to try too hard... It's just a lovely ride."
- James Taylor

The irritating thing about this Blog is that when I check on things that I wrote in the past, I find that I am almost never following my own advice to you Peeps. The pace and importance that I have been applying to Nanepashemet Telecom is in sharp contrast to the JT lyric.

Full Schedule

I know that the Blog lately has been preoccupied with Boston sports.... but what do you expect???? The Sox won the World Series, and the Patriots are treating the NFL like a bunch of scrimmage teams. Would you rather that I reverted to New Testament quotations? Actually, that isn't a bad idea.
~
Today I have a tightly controlled schedule at Nanepashemet Telecom, with little room for variation or spontaneity. I guess that's something that you strive for in a small business. But now you substitute working for the Man, for working for the Clock. Thinking about it though,...the Clock is the better deal.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Burned Out


Today was a day that should have been a holiday.
~
It was impossible to go to sleep before 2:00 AM last night because of the freaking Red Sox World Series sweep. Waking up, there was still some adrenaline left over, so I didn't really get hit with fatigue until about 3:00 PM today. By that time I was driving from a Cell site on the South Shore, and the tired feeling hit me like a ton of bricks.
~
I'm almost too tired to Blog.

Tremendous Sweep

They won the World Series. Holy Shit.
~
Hard to Believe. The Red Sox have done it again. Phenomenal.
~
I didn't expect a sweep. So glad to be wrong. Sweet. The Curse is so dead. 2004 was no fluke.
~
My father would have been so happy. Hopefully he knows.

Congratulations to a fine team.

Active Roster

Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB

19 Josh Beckett R/R 6-5 220 05/15/80

17 Manny Delcarmen R/R 6-2 190 02/16/82

83 Eric Gagne R/R 6-0 240 01/07/76

31 Jon Lester L/L 6-2 190 01/07/84

48 Javier Lopez L/L 6-4 220 07/11/77

18 Daisuke Matsuzaka R/R 6-0 185 09/13/80

37 Hideki Okajima L/L 6-1 195 12/25/75

58 Jonathan Papelbon R/R 6-4 230 11/23/80

38 Curt Schilling R/R 6-5 235 11/14/66

39 Kyle Snyder S/R 6-8 215 09/09/77

50 Mike Timlin R/R 6-4 210 03/10/66

Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB

28 Doug Mirabelli R/R 6-1 220 10/18/70

33 Jason Varitek S/R 6-2 230 04/11/72

Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB

13 Alex Cora L/R 6-0 200 10/18/75

12 Eric Hinske L/R 6-2 235 08/05/77

25 Mike Lowell R/R 6-3 210 02/24/74

23 Julio Lugo R/R 6-1 175 11/16/75

15 Dustin Pedroia R/R 5-9 180 08/17/83

20 Kevin Youkilis R/R 6-1 220 03/15/79

Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB

10 Coco Crisp S/R 6-0 180 11/01/79

7 J.D. Drew L/R 6-1 200 11/20/75

46 Jacoby Ellsbury L/L 6-1 185 09/11/83

32 Bobby Kielty S/R 6-1 225 08/05/76

24 Manny Ramirez R/R 6-0 200 05/30/72

Designated Hitters B/T Ht Wt DOB

34 David Ortiz L/L 6-4 230 11/18/75

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Could be a Dream

Bottom of the 7th. I'm starting to dare that the Sox will hold onto a 3 to nothing lead and sweep the Series. Hope I didn't jinx it.... the Rockies just hit a home run. Now it's 3-1.
~
The Patriots continued their unprecedented dominance today, beating a Redskins team that was 4 and 2 coming into the game by 45 points.
~
We will look back at this time with fond memories.

Pats Schedule


Sun 9/9/2007 1:00 PM @ Jets



38-14 W
Sun 9/16/2007 8:15 PM vs Chargers
NBC / WHDH Channel 7

38-14 W
Sun 9/23/2007 1:00 PM vs Bills
CBS / WBZ Channel 4

38-7 W
Mon 10/1/2007 8:30 PM @ Bengals
ESPN / WCVB Channel 5

34-13 W
Sun 10/7/2007 1:00 PM vs Browns
CBS / WBZ Channel 4

34-17 W
Sun 10/14/2007 4:15 PM @ Cowboys
CBS / WBZ Channel 4

48-27 W
Sun 10/21/2007 1:00 PM @ Dolphins
CBS / WBZ Channel 4

49-28 W
Sun 10/28/2007 4:15 PM vs Redskins
FOX / WFXT Channel 25



Sun 11/4/2007 4:15 PM @ Colts
CBS / WBZ Channel 4



Sun 11/11/2007
vs Bye





Sun 11/18/2007 1:00 PM @ Bills
CBS / WBZ Channel 4



Sun 11/25/2007 8:15 PM vs Eagles
NBC / WHDH Channel 7



Mon 12/3/2007 8:30 PM @ Ravens
ESPN / WCVB Channel 5



Sun 12/9/2007 1:00 PM vs Steelers
CBS / WBZ Channel 4



Sun 12/16/2007 1:00 PM vs Jets
CBS / WBZ Channel 4



Sun 12/23/2007 1:00 PM vs Dolphins
CBS / WBZ Channel 4



Sat 12/29/2007 8:15 PM @ Giants
NFL Network



Sunday Excitement

Sox won in Denver... now they are 3 and 0 and could clinch the Series tonight. It's nice to see them so dominant. Plus the Patriots play the Redskins this afternoon at 4:15. Dave Bruett said something about a gathering at the Gerry for the first half. Could be a fine idea.
~
Too much excitement for one day..... I'll have to pace myself.
~
My Manny shirt was a bust last night. The transfer Iron-on paper really didn't work well. It was a great idea though. I should get credit for that alone. Another fun Crawford Halloween party. I felt bad for Will Crawford with his MaryLou Retton gym tights on. That had to hurt, even for Will.
~
Got to see the two baby Wills - Crawford and Nestor... plus the always lovely Maddie Gill. Great additions to the holiday parties this year.
~
High tide is at 1:00 this afternoon. I can feel a good Harbor Row coming on, before the main events begin.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Ambitious Plans

Stuff to do on Saturday.
  • Assemble my Manny disguise for the Crawford's "M" Halloween party.
  • Attach the Dory frames to the Dory bottom and Strongback.
  • Get a Rowing workout in around Marblehead Harbor in the Tender. (High Tide tomorrow is around noon time.)
  • Rake the leaves at the house and Sundance School.
  • Have beers at the Gerry.
I'm thinking that I'll pull off two, maybe three of these. Chances are, there will still be leaves at the house and the school.

Tempus Fugit

Did it seem to you like this week flew by? It's seems like yesterday when we were watching the Pats on the Peabody's deck. No running, no boating, no fishing, no dory work. Just the Project Management business and the World Series made the Time pass quickly.

Staying Put


Sox are 2-0 in the Series. You have to admit, they look really good. I'm sticking with my original Sox in six prediction though.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Peep of the Week - 43

Thursday came super quick this week. What with the World Series and all of the action at the bird feeder, it was damn busy.... not to mention that Nanepashemet Telecom is getting hot as a pistol. The Dory is suffering and my Running training is definitely on the back burner.
~
But enough about me. What about you and your life?? Ok..... I'll admit I could care less.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 43rd week of 2007

Nathaniel Clarke
Tommy O'Shea
Jonathan Papelbon
Jay Ohanian
Carol Andrade
Bob Towne

It's not that I'm indifferent to your plight, it's just that my life is just so much more interesting to me.

Series Opener

Did I mention that the Red Sox won the first World Series game 13-1 last night over a flat Colorado Rockies team??? The Rockies can't be that bad. Tonight's game should be more interesting.

Nuthatch Update

Peeps.....
~
I know that you're as excited as I am, but please stop emailing me about the White Breasted Nuthatch!!!!
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Yes... it was back this morning, but I don't have the time to report every sighting.
~
Why don't you get your own damn bird feeder????

Prim and Proper

But everyone thinks you are rude and mean. Kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think?

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Game On

First game of the World Series is on for 8:30 tonight. It will be good to get acquainted with the Colorado Rockies, and even better if the Sox beat them in the process.
~
The official Nanepashemet projection is Boston in Six. You heard it here.

Fierce Feeder Action

A great morning for the feeder. Despite the usual gorging by the squirrels and a flock of about a dozen Common Sparrows, the following species made an appearance.

Male Cardinal
Downy Woodpeckers - Both male and female
Eastern Kingbird
Chickadees
Tufted Titmice
Bluejays
White Breasted Nuthatch

This is my first confirmed siting of a White Breasted Nuthatch, although it is reasonable to assume there will be more of them around. They nest in woodpecker holes and dead wood, and are frequently found in the company of Titmice and Chickadees.
~
At first I thought that the Nuthatch was a female Downy Woodpecker, but the blue feathers gave it away. A reasonable mistake that even accomplished Birders like you Peeps would make.
~
An exciting morning.

Stupid Good Morning

Fires in California.
Drought in Atlanta.
~
Other good reasons to come from Boston.
~
I'll admit that I've been getting a lot of my information on these unfortunate situations from Good Morning America. Such Sclock journalism. You would think that the entire state was ablaze and that every person in Cal. was in Qualcomm Stadium. They interview individuals who lost their homes until they make them cry. They ask the obvious questions.... "Is there anything that you forgot to bring with you?".... all to elicit an emotional reaction.
~
I'm sure they dream of the day when they can "report" on the Apocalypse. But they are too egotistical to note that they also would be doomed.
~
In the meantime, we have little info on the true scope of the issue. From what I can make out, these fires and winds are blowing ambers and sparks that are randomly causing house fires. 1500 homes are lost. No other technical coverage regarding spread or duration of the fires, or overall impact. Of course, it's my own fault for trying to get the facts from Good Morning America. I suppose that I could get off my ass and actually research and read something.
~
Red Sox start the World Series tonight against the Colorado Rockies, and I don't feel guilty. I actually feel guilty about not feeling guilty.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A Legend is Born

International Affairs

I grew up during the Cold War. We fought Communism in Korea, the Cuban Missle Crisis, Vietnam, Granada, Panama, etc. It was all so simple... the Communists, like the Nazis before them, wanted to conquer the world, and we were bent on stopping them.
~
Military strategy seemed to be very simple. How many warheads did the Soviets have??? We'll make more. How many nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, tanks, etc.?? We'll get more.
~
Then the Reagan administration committed to Star Wars, and the Russians threw in the towel.. They couldn't compete with our technology or economic ability to outproduce them.
~
The current situation is way too complex. Al Queda doesn't want to conquer us. They want to annihilate us. They are not a government and they hide behind the Islamic religion, which has been perverted and sacrificed to their twisted aims.
~
I'll admit that I don't get it. It seems to be a throughback to a medieval way of thinking emanating from a deep pyscholgical sense of self worth and self esteem. But that is just my amateur conjecture. I haven't figured it out yet.
~
My Middle Eastern friends always point to Israel and the support of the West for that Jewish state as the cause of all of the issues. But then why did Sadam invade Kuwait, and make vicious war on the Kurds and Iranians?
~
See what I mean??? It's wicked confusing and illogical. I yearn for the good ole Cold War Days.

Being Manny

I'll be going to Sarah Crawford's "M" Halloween Party this weekend as "M"anny #24 Ramirez. I don't care who else goes as Manny. There are enough dreadlocks to go around.

Feeder Action

At the feeder this morning has been a Tufted Titmouse, Chickadee and a Downy Woodpecker. I'm not boasting, just stating the facts.


Also numerous Sparrows, Blue Jays, and Mourning Doves.
~
Mammals have included some squirrels, my two Cats, Izzy and Roenick, and the stupid German Shepard from across the street who decided to chase Roenick up on the deck.
~
The positive spin to that episode is that my knee didn't hurt me in my high speed chase after the dog off of the deck and around to the front of the house.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Video Request

The response to my Marblehead Rock video was amazing. Now a vast number of you want me to film all of the backsides of the islands in Salem Sound. Unlike most of your pathetic requests and suggestions, this one is actually quite good, and I may even comply.

Another World Series.


Sox won the pennant with a sensational catch in center field by Coco Crisp. A comeback from a 3 to 1 deficit.
~
It has to be heartbreaking for Cleveland, and for the guys who sold the insurance policy to Jordan's Furniture giving free furniture if the Sox win the World Series. Brilliant marketing.
~
Loyal Peeps will note that I called it two games ago with a lock on gut feeling. No need for excess praise, but I did call it right. Time to celebrate for Red Sox Nation. Bring on the Rockies.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Over?

Up by 7 runs in the 8th inning. Justin Pedroia has broken it open with two hits in the last two innings. It ain't over till it's over. But it sure feels like it's over for the Indians.
~
Youkilis just hit one into the Coke bottles. Now the are up by 9. 11-2. 3 outs away from the American League Pennant and a trip to the World Series.

On a Roll

Patriots emasculated Miami, as they have done for the previous six opponents. This type of play is unprecedented in my memory - for a professional team to completely dominate all in its path.
~
I'm just glad it's the Patriots and not the Jets.
~
Now for the Red Sox - Cleveland rubber match. If the Sox go to the World Series, what's next for Nanepashemet Telecom???? I'm thinking there is a positive connection.

Marblehead Rock



Back side of Marblehead Rock. On a beautiful October day. Maybe it's good that my left leg won't let me run. I never would have gotten out to row.

Boston Bounty

I hope that you dudn't hit this Blog to see if the Red Sox won.
~
What do you think I am???? The freaking Associated Press?
~
If you don't know who won by the time you get here, then your priorities are way off.
~
BTW, Red Sox beat the Indians 12-2 and the American League Pennant is up for grabs tonight. But before that happens, we will be watching the Patriots tool on the hapless Miami Dolphins. With the Pats undefeated and some touting them as having the best offense ever, every game is an extra treat.
~
Plus, we are looking at summer like temperatures today. A nice Sunday to look forward to if you're from Boston.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

F-150 and Lobster Transaction

Broke out of the malaise and got some Dory work done today. Tyler Gill and Chris Crawford actually got me into gear, because they wanted to borrow the truck and the inside was such a mess that I had to get off my sedentary behind to clean out the cab.
~
After that, I sanded all of the frames with the belt sander and the rotary Grizzly monster that I bought during a late night frenzy of irrational internet purchasing a number of years ago.
~
Gilly and Chris returned the truck with a cooler of 10 lobsters. Excellent trade.
~
We will boil them over at the Peabody's deck with the O'Shea's and be ready to slumber by the third inning of the Sox-Indians playoff game.
~
Tomorrow, I will measure and attach the frames to the Dory bottom and the Strongback.
~
Add another three hours to the Dory for a cumulative project amount of 23 hours to date.

Playoff Prediction

Game 6 will be at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, with Curt Schilling scheduled to start for Boston and Fausto Carmona for the Cleveland Indians.
~
My prediction is a Red Sox win tonight, another one tomorrow and on to the World Series on Wed. Just a feeling that I have.
~
If I'm wrong, you can rank, condemn and vilify me. What's the difference??? You'd just find another excuse to do it otherwise.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Cap It Off

A good week. Breakthrough actually.
~
We penetrated a bit more into our most important carrier customer, made some inroads with a new carrier, tied into a nice tower company to contruct their towers, and picked up upon the scuttlebutt that our reputation is being "super responsive".
~
I like that reputation. There's a lot of companies that can get it done, but being responsive is the key to delivering service beyond expectations.
~
And Nanepashemet Telecom is "super responsive".
~
I've had great success in this business working for the Man. But now we're the Man. And we're not doing anything different. This is going to be good.
~
OK, I know you're saying that the Dory hasn't moved in weeks, the basement job is fallow and my marathon training is almost out the window.
~
Thanks for wreaking it for me.

The Wocjik Supremacy

The thing that Bob Wocjik has going for him is that he is a PMP. It's kind of like being a "Made Man". You can screw with anybody, and nobody can screw with you. He must think he's Tony Soprano or something.
~
Well Bob, I was a PMP way before you, so that tactic just doesn't wash here. We're on to you and your insidious tactics to mess with my training progress.
~
This weekend, I'll rev up a workout by rowing the Herreshoff Columbia Yacht Tender a couple of miles around Marblehead Harbor.
~
By the way Bob, it's a Tender.... not a dinghy. A real PMP would be getting it right after awhile.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Manny Being Manny

If the Red Sox lose tonight, then Manny Ramirez is a bona fide idiot.
~
"Don't worry, be happy", just doesn't cut it sometimes. You just have to hustle a little down the first base line. This walking by Manny after he hits the ball ,is really starting to get on my nerves.
~
This is for the World Series. Get freaking serious.
~
At least Josh Becket is looking like the stopper. If the Sox can get back to Boston, it's a whole new ballgame. Cleveland is the real deal.

POTW 42nd Week of 2007

I made a huge mistake yesterday.
~
Telling a few Peeps who I thought I could trust, that the reason I fell off of my workout plan was because of Bob Wojcik. I should have never followed his suggestion to stretch out my calves at the edge of a curbstone. It's been a ordeal even to walk since.
~
But that's no reason for all the resentment, vituperation and vitriol that so many of you have been trying to lay on Wojcik. It's my bad... my fault.... my stupidity.... for taking his advise. He doesn't deserve your derision and blame. You don't even know him (he lives in Albany, NY, about six feet tall, blond hair, vacant stare).
~
Even though he really screwed up my marathon chances. I will overcome this.

Announcing.....

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 42nd week of 2007
  • Bob Wojcik
  • Brendt DiOrio
  • Tyler Gill
  • Mirela Marku
  • Deborah Norville
  • Coco Crisp
I'm begging you to leave Wojcik alone. Even though it wasn't his fault, he really didn't mean it. Being a peep of the week is punishment enough.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Hitting Stride

A Salem Waterfront Hotel meeting, then coordination with our largest carrier customer, then a reconnaissance trip to a Methuen lattice tower made for an interesting day today. And that was just me. The other guys were on another construction job.

Kicking Ass and Taking Names.

Damn... we're getting good.

Mucho Molar


Dr. Danny Levy capped a broken molar for me yesterday, so now I have molar caps on both sides of my lower jaw. There will be trouble free chewing on both sides of my mouth for the foreseeable future.
~
The novacaine is all worn off. They didn't even have to use the straps.
~
I just thought that you should know.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

New Visitor


Lots of Titmice, Chickadees, and common Sparrows at the feeder this morning. Also one solitary Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) made a first time appearance.
~
I'm afraid to stop looking at the feeder because I might miss something.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Jitters

Sox are down 4-0 against Cleveland in the fifth and Dice K is not exactly overpowering. This is going to be a dogfight to get to the World Series.
~
They just pulled Dice-K. If the Sox can't find a starter other than Becket, they will lose this series to the very talented Cleveland team.

Stoicism

Sunday, I could hardly walk with the calf pain shooting up to the area behind my knee. I'm pretty sure that nobody in the family noticed, because I always take pain like a man. No complaining.... no whining.....no whimpering. Naturally, I laid off the workout.
~
Today I had to go to Worcester with Mike Rockett. We met with the State rep, Bob Spilane, and the City Manager, Mike O'Brien - two very sharp guys who were great ambassadors for investing in Worcester. The only trouble I had was trying to keep up with them on a quick walking tour around some downtown buildings.
~
If I can't walk a block around Worcester, how the hell am I going to run 26 miles from Hopkinton to Boston????
~
It's starting to seem like I'll need a visit to Lourdes to get this bum leg in shape, so I can work out again. Tomorrow, we'll see if the Cybex loosens up things a bit.
~
Meanwhile the Dory work lies fallow, and the basement tile project mocks me everytime I go down there. The only thing that is moving forward is Nanepashemet Telecom. For that , I'm very grateful

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Patriots Stay Pat

In a football match of the undefeated, the Patriots blew past the Dallas Cowboys like they were just another opponent. They are now 6-0. This is one hell of a season.
~
McMahon, and his girlfriend, Alissa, dropped by after the game to drink some twisted teas. And you wonder why he is defending Peep of the Year??? It should be obvious.

Minor Setbacks

Cleveland waited until the 10th inning after 1:00 am in the morning to tee off on Boston with 7 runs. Now the series is tied 1-1. Cleveland is good.
~
But what is really disappointing is that my left leg is painful to walk on - forget running. The calf pain now extends to the back of the knee and runs up my inner thigh. I'm thinking that it relates to the sciatica that I suffered maybe ten years ago. Doubt that I will get in a running workout today, so I'll probably row the harbor and cycle the Cybex.
~
A little pain in the lower extremity didn't stop me from enjoying a visit from Will Nestor, my handsome 5 month old grandson though. He and I continue to communicate on a psychic level, and he mentioned that the Dory seems to be falling off schedule. Maybe he's worried that it won't be ready for me to teach him to row and fish. Already, he's looking for instant gratification. He also telepathically told me stuff that he didn't want me to repeat.
~
The Kid has a lot to learn.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Fenway Layout


Baseball is a weird game, playing on fields that aren't rigidly regulated, with high walls and varied distances to them. Fenway Park is the embodiment of this.

Just marking time until the game starts at 8:00 PM tonight.

Successful Lives


These guys are the embodiment of success. Both Veterans of the 101st Airborne, Easy Company. I don't care how much money you make, the house you have, or the size of your boat.... you'll have to go quite a bit further to be more successful than them.

Edward Heffron, left, and William Guarnere pose with their book in Broomall , Pa., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. World War II veterans Guarnere and Heffron have written 'Brothers in Battle: Best of Friends,' published by the Berkley Publishing Group. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Harsh Dicotomy

I'm both optimistic and demoralized over my marathon training program. I've never had the discipline to always get a workout in before, but this has been accomplished. That is optimistic.
~
Feeling like crap and being in pain in every workout is demoralizing.
~
How's that for the Yin and the Yang?
~
Over at the Marblehead Middle School Soccer fields this morning, I couldn't even finish three miles on level grass because I was afraid to push the pain in my left leg. It's not as much the pain that bothers me as the prospects of an injury that would force me out of the training regimen.
~
191 days to the Boston Marathon. This is a lot harder than it was thirty years ago.

Too Much for Tuna Lips

Red Sox pummeled the Cleveland Indians last night, 10 - 3 at Fenway. A nice start to the American League Championship Series for Boston
~
BTW, how does Cleveland get away with a crazy looking Indian as its logo? Where are all the politically correct, social controllers on this????
~
To me, it is too offensive to offer any offense at all.
~
To be honest, the logo looks a little like Manny Ramirez with really big teeth... except for the feather. Manny has maintained silence on this... so far.
~
That reminds me...
~
Watching Ramirez and Ortiz last night as masters of the art of hitting a baseball was awe inspiring. They continually showed extreme skill, professionalism and coolness as they controlled the strike zone during 10 at bats, where they got on base on each and every trip to the plate.
~
What a pitching nightmare they present!!! Even Tuna Lips might be intimidated.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Gore's Global Warming

I Don't get all the hubbub over Al Gore. If his own state of Tennesee had voted for him, he would have been President of the United States. What did they know that all the other Dems didn't?
~
So he loses the election, then wins an Emmy, an Oscar, and the Nobel Peace Prize. I saw parts of his environmental film and it seemed like a real political diatribe. More rhetoric than science.
~
This whole idea that we have control of the Earth's climate is highly pretentious. The climate is always changing.
~
Does Gore think that mankind caused the last ice age ... only a short 10,000 years ago???? I personally prefer global warming over another glacier run.
~
Now they have drumming for him to enter the Presidential campaign again.
~
I don't get it.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

POTW Week 41

If I had known all of the anxiety that I would create by telling you Peeps about my quest, I would have kept it to myself. All day long.... hysterical emails, neurotic voicemails... all because I can't tell you what I doing.
~
So Guess What????
~
You don't deserve to know. Freaking psychos.

Announcing.....

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 41st week of 2007.
  • Larry David
  • Trish Theriault
  • Louis Levy
  • John Hynes
  • Mike Lowell
  • Rachel Ray
I still can't tell you about the quest.

Here We Go Again

Off on another crazy, kooky, quest that I can't tell you about now. I've been down this road before, and really can't understand why I would return, but here I am. Maybe it will turn out differently this time.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Homecoming

Mike came home from DC last night. He's giving a presentation in Boston for Bearingpoint. It's really neat to hear him talk business with Katelyn at dinner. Makes you think that you did your job as a parent when you see your kids prosper.
~
Although, they are still your kids even if they act really clueless and stupid.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Seasoned Advise

This morning was the first normal run that I have had in the past two weeks. I think it is because I heeded the advice of that seasoned jock, Pat Piscatelli, and stretched out well before my easy two mile haul.
~
I figure that anybody who could strike out Mo Vaughn in prep school must know something.
~
Pat k'd Mo while twirling for Taft School of Waterbury, CT. I heard that they still talk about it down there.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Back to the Boat

I know that I have been dwelling on my running regimen lately, much to the demise of all of you who yearn for any kernel of information about the Dory construction.
~
Admittedly, the Dory has been neglected for the past week, but I have plans to rev it up this week. If enough customers decide that Nanepashemet Telecom is worthy of payment, I'll hire Kevin Rockett to come in and help with the basement tile job, allowing me to make some progress on the Dory that everybody seems to be so concerned about.
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The frames are all done and waiting to be attached to the dory bottom and the strongback. I have to sand them before making the connection though.
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So Back Off. I didn't forget you or your freaking Dory project.

No Sweat

My workout was painful today. I had a lot of trouble with my left calf as I went uphill, and my back felt really skittish.... like I could throw it out at any time.
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I have some options.
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Giving up is not one of them.
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Tomorrow, I'll run two miles on the Marblehead Middle School track before the sun comes up. See how the level track surface affects the calf pain. If that doesn't work, it is back to the Cybex stationary bike, but I'll probably go for a minimum of 40 Min. a session for the rest of the week.
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I have ten weeks to train before the serious, 18 week marathon program begins. It's way too early to panic.

Happy Columbus Day

Columbus Day is one of those nuisance holidays. Enough of your customers work, but you can't go to the bank or receive mail.
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It's probably losing its significance too because of the Native American reaction to white Europeans coming to America and wiping out indigenous populations with their microbes and religious inspired brutality.
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Italians like it, but even though my two partners are of Italian descent, they didn't seem to be in a celebratory mode today. Columbus showed up here a little over 500 years ago. A blink of a gnat's eyelash in the timescale of Mother Earth. What a difference a half of a millennium makes!
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I wonder when this technology curve will level out.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Management Effectiveness

You really have to wonder about the effectiveness of Steinbrenner's motivational abilities. You would think that a businessman with his experience would realize that threats almost never produce positive results.

BTW, the Red Sox completed a sweep of the Angels tonight to go to the American League Championship Series, and the Patriots beat the Browns to go 5 and 0. It's nice to be a Boston fan.

Steinbrenner isn't good enough to own the Yankees.

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NEW YORK (AP) -Win or else! That was George Steinbrenner's message to Joe Torre before the New York Yankees played the Cleveland Indians on Sunday night.

With the Yankees trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five, first-round playoff series, Steinbrenner reverted to the blustering boss of old and said Torre likely wouldn't return as manager unless New York reaches the AL championship series for the first time in three years.



"His job is on the line,'' the owner was quoted in Sunday's editions of The Record of New Jersey. "I think we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series.''

Torre was hired before the 1996 season and led the Yankees to four World Series titles in his first five years but none since. New York last reached the World Series in 2003, wasted a 3-0 lead against Boston in the 2004 ALCS, then was eliminated by the Angels and Detroit in the first round the last two years.

"You're not surprised by whatever comes down the pike,'' Torre said. "You don't always get used to it, but you understand if you want to work here - and there's a great deal of upside to working here - that there are certain things you have to deal with. We've had ultimatums during the season, early in the season. This obviously is down to a game we need to win, and you'd like to believe everybody's trying to pull in the same direction.''

Cocktail Shift

Even though it's been unseasonably warm in New England for October, the leaves are turning and it is time to give the Dark and Stormies a rest.
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Those of you who have been most attentive know that autumn at the Nanepashemet Blog means time to roll out the classic fall cocktail...... Apple Cider and Seagrams VO.
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It's just not right to watch the Patriots play football without one. Or three.

Horsing Around




Yesterday, Joanne and I went horseback riding with the Murray's at Black Mountain in Jackson , NH. My horse's name was Chip, and he was a gamer. I wouldn't want a big load like me on my back for an hour as I walked around a mountain, but incredulously, Chip didn't seem to mind. He must have been sensing the cowboy in me.
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Linda Murray was bragging alot about what an accomplished horsewomen she was, and we weren't buying it 100%.
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I was nervous for Joanne, but she did very well. Got on and off the horse well, and stopped shaking by the time we were leaving the mountain.
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Hope Chip is OK.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

A Weighty Subject

So far, I've lost 4 lbs this week. The goal is to lose 2.5 lbs. a week until April 21, 2008, which will get me in the 180 lb range. So if you are twisted enough to wonder what I weigh now, you do the freaking math. I choose to keep focusing Progressively on the future.
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As far as the anonymous commenter who tabbed me as the "Round Mound of Telecom".... if you have the gonads to disclose your true identity, you are a shoo in for POTW this Thurs.

Have a Heart


As I sit here Blogging to you Peeps, my heart is clicking away at a rate of 61 beats per minute. I know this because I invested in a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS that has a heart rate monitor.
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The GPS antenna is the most powerful that I have ever used, being able to pick up satellite signals readily, even indoors. Now I'm down to 59BPM.
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The heartrate function is provided by a bluetooth wireless connection between a chest strap that is surprizingly compfortable, signaling the rate to the wrist unit.
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Although the device is a little bit bulkier than a large wrist watch, it is light and not noticeable after a while, especially during a run. It should be a motivating factor to get me to workout regularly.
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Now I'm up to 63bpm. Maybe blogging is too stressful.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Initial Reaction

Friday's are a day of rest in my running schedule. Tomorrow, I'll run three miles in the morning along Route 16 in North Conway. Then repeat that on Sunday. My legs actually have recovered from the pounding aches at the beginning of the week when I started this workout initiative.
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I'm discouraged at the initial lack of weight loss, but Wed. night's beer bash with Kevin Rockett and his brother at the Gerry had to have a factor here. The fact that I haven't thrown out my back, or cramped up a calf or hamstring after a week of running has me mildly optimistic. This has usually been the case in previous attempts to begin a running regime.
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Let's see how I feel six miles from now on Sunday evening.
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BTW, http://www.runnersworld.com has a great free on line training log that is really worth looking into if you want to plan and track your workouts.

POTW Week 40

Nanepashemet Telecom has a construction job around Sebago Lake in Maine, so I'm working out of North Conway today. No difference. Mountains here, ocean in Marblehead.... it's all good. It's interesting that you don't need a General Contractor's license in Maine. NH and VT are the same way.
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Massachusetts requires a Construction Supervisor's license and a Home Improvement Contractor's license if you work on private residential construction. I have had both for years and they have come in handy. But now, with all of the construction that we are involved with for Nanepashemet, they are crucial.
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Announcing....

Nanepashenet Peeps of the Week for Week 40 of 2007
  • Greg Bruett
  • Kevin Rockett
  • Tom O'Shea
  • Linda Murray
  • Bob Brown
  • Dr. Phil

Now, it's time to fix the network around Lake Sebago.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Runner's High


Ever since I mentioned that I was training for the marathon, I've been deluged by emails from Peeps worried about my well being.
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Enough!!!
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I know that I am a fat POS..... but I'm not stupid. I actually ran on the cross country and track team at UMass Amherst and was part of the Freshman New England Cross Country Championship team.
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Don't you think I know what I'm doing?
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Actually, I feel like I never ran a step in my life. My breathing is heavy and my legs feel like lead. My vertebrae are ready to slip right off of my spine.
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You can't really say that what I'm doing is running. It is literally hauling my ass down the road. There are little gnomes with hammers beating on my thigh and calve muscles all day. I feel miserable.
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But I'm committed... I've made a resolution.... crossed over the line..... turned over a leaf. In other words... BRING IT ON!!!
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It's 200 days, 70 lbs, and 840 miles to the starting line of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
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See you in April.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Cell Phone Trauma

My MotoQ is lost somewhere in Milton, MA today. Good riddance. It was bulky, hard to dial and the battery life was terrible.
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But it is still very disconcerting to lose a cell phone, particularly when your business is so focused upon it. Plus replacing the contacts list is a real pain.
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The phone was clipped on my waistband, and I must have knocked it off while I was carrying some equipment to a rooftop. Retracing my steps through the building a couple of times was frustrating.

I bought a Samsung will alot less bells and whistles, that will fit easily in my pocket without making calls by mistake when you brush against the keys, which was a big problem with the MotoQ. The store in Beverly had me up and running almost immediately, albeit $200 lighter.
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I'm looking forward to a little simplicity in the constant use of this cell phone.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Electric Motor



An electric motor would be an interesting add on to the dory. This one is from eCycle Marine Systems of Temple, PA.
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I'll probably stick to a gas powered 15hp Honda 4 stroke from Ryan Marine though.

Seven Months to the Finish Line

203 days until the Boston Marathon. I'm not training to win, so the Kenyans have nothing to worry about.
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But today I started the journey by lugging my considerable bulk two miles up and down West Shore Drive. This will be a painful and challenging 203 days. Along the way, I hope that my weight drops well below 203 lbs.
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I'm going to have to find a charity to run for because I won't be able to get a qualifying time before the actual race.
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The last time I ran Boston, I was 18 years old. There have been many comeback attempts, usually marred by injury of some kind.... or reasons of motivation loss - some valid and some just character weaknesses. There is no reason why this time will be different, outside of the fact that I am opening myself up to ridicule by the likes of you Peeps.
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Maybe that will be the difference.
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Anyway, I'm following a program set up by Hal Higdon (www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Oint2-1.htm), and the real marathon buildup doesn't begin until Dec. 17. Everything up to that time is just conditioning to get into condition.