Joanne and Laurel

Happy Home

Had a nice visit with Katelyn and Jay at their apartment in South Boston. Met Declan, Joe, Brayden and Jack Dog. Watched Finding Nemo on the 42" Plasma Flat Screen. took lots of pictures. Katelyn and Jay have a happy home.

No Hitches

Closing came off without a hitch. Sundance Pre-School will be in a great location with direct access to Stramski Park and the Salem Harbor.
~
Thanks to Mark Ferrante, Peter Caruso, Gail Smith, Sparky Spillane, Mike Rockett, Steve Lewis, Dave Bruett, Harry Christensen, Charles Ball, Dana Lothrop, and Paul Lynch. You all had key roles in making this happen.
~
Thanks to the Sundance parents and staff.
~
This is going to be a great facility for children on the North Shore. We'll be sharing the construction details in the next two weeks.

Bust a Move

We'll be busting our moves to the musical stylings of the Johnny Ray Band at the Nine Zero Hotel in Boston tonight by invitation of Darwin Partners to the Holiday Gala.
~
Not sure of the difference between a Gala and a Party. I'll assume that they are exactly the same and behave as such.

Paramus Results

Thanks for all the emails asking how I did in Paramus. Pretty good. It's now not a question of "if", it's a question of "when" and "how much". Darwin is positioned well to enter into the core network services.

Next Phase

Closing for Moonshadow at 9:00 this morning. We are now moving past the acquisition stage into construction. This is always the easiest phase of the development process, but the holidays and time schedule will pose challenges.
~
We have to take down all of the non bearing walls and reconstruct four classrooms, all without major disruption to the existing finishes. On the outside, we have to fence in the play area, and build an office addition in the back. We don't have the budget for a gut remodel, and it is crucial that the building be ready by Jan.2 to handle students returning from the holiday break.
~
Once again, we have the right guy for the job, and that is the critical detail.

Christmas Shopping

Done, Wrapped, Mailed... All through the internet, primarily Amazon.com. Life is definitely getting more convenient. No driving to the Mall, searching through the stores, standing in line with the general public, wrapping presents, going to the Post Office, etc., etc.
~
I'm so thankful that Al Gore invented the Internet!! Maybe I'll even vote for Hilary.

For Senor Balzac

From Wikipedia....

The assault was later revealed to be a hoax. The chief of police of Odessa Texas released a statement which read in part: "After viewing the video, the officer who was employed at the club in an off duty capacity, was contacted by investigators. The officer reported he had met with Mr. Shore prior to his set, and was asked to participate in the skit. The officer stated that the skit went as designed and that Shore was not injured in the designed skit."

Missing Tuna

It's 50 degrees in December. No reason why we couldn't be tuna fishing.
~
The big showoff in these photos is Frank Gaul, Chris Crawford's buddy.
~
Chris says he's a good guy, but I've never met him, and he's really pissing me off.
~
So you caught a tuna this summer and I didn't. Who cares, Frank!

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week - 6

It's Thursday again. Amazing how fast POTW day creeps up on you.

The honor today goes to the below individuals. None gave me Lagavulin, so it is up to them to determine if they were named for Annoyance, Stupidity or Inspiration.

• Linda O'Shea
• Dave Bruett
• Barach Obama
• Sarah Pooper
• Frank Gaul
• Daisuke Matsuzaka

Thanks for the hundreds of nominations. I actually did read one or two of your pathetic emails before sending them all to the trash bin.

Last week, a number of you contacted me regarding the reasons why some of the Peeps were chosen. Please don't do that again. It is none of your business.

Office Holiday Party

In keeping with Darwin's policy of being a class operation, the office Holiday Party is at the Nine Zero Hotel in downtown Boston. Plus they are not charging the employees. Once again, Generalisimo Dynamo takes a back seat. Thank God for the little things.

Bruett Comes Through

Kudos to Dave for fast work in getting an insurance binder for the new school building and keeping the closing on schedule. We will clink some mugs of Nance Nog Christmas Eve for this nimble deed.

Stressful

Can't you feel the tension in the air? Nanepashement Peeps of the Week 6 will be chosen about this time tomorrow night. The pressure is starting to build.
~
BTW, if you ask to be a POTW, you have just forfeited your chances forever....or at least until I forget that you asked. So keep your mouth shut and don't blow it.

POTW Tomorrow

Get your Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week Nominations in early... I already have two slots locked. One is Linda O'Shea hands down.

Busy EOY

I can't believe how the end of the year is heating up, both for Darwin and Sundance. Lots of business opportunities starting to materialize. It would be nice to take a little kick back time, but no rest for the weary.
~
I will definitely take a vacation - probably a week in North Conway during January or February - when the smoke clears.

Moonshadow Details Today

• Meet with Mike and his framer.
• Check on the perimeter survey.
• Call the fence contractor.
• Receive moving bids.
• Finalize Schedule and Budget.

Paramus tomorrow, then Friday Closing.

Two Week Renovation

A tough two weeks over the holiday to complete the Sundance Renovations. If we didn't have Mike Rockett handling this, I would be doubtful, but he is the most capable construction manager that I have come across. No worries.

The Darwin Evolution

The theory of evolution got a big boost today as Darwin made major strides with Sprint and Cingular.
~
o7 - Bring It On!
~
Back to Paramus, NJ on Thursday. Planting corporate seeds in Atlanta.

Clear to Close

Operation Moonshadow is ready to go full speed. We should close, pull permits and begin construction by this weekend.

Courtney's Cookies

Another reason why Ryan married right.
~
Courtney's cookies.
~
They brought a bunch over on Sunday, and I really didn't get into them until tonight. I could easily eat them all, before hitting the sack tonight. It is only through my superior will power and self control that I am able to limit myself to five.... or six.

Nice Round Trip for Lunch in Mahwah

There are approximately 195.19 statute miles between Mahwah, NJ and Marblehead, Massachusetts.
~
DiMatteo, Ohanian and I are driving down in the morning, having a meeting, giving out Golf Shirts, buying lunch and driving back.
~
It's actually faster to drive. By the time you get to the airport, park, go through security, board the plane, rent a car, drive from Newark to Mahwah... you are better off just driving from Marblehead.
~
I know what you are thinking. How can I spend 6 plus hours in the car with DiMatteo without my head exploding? I haven't figured that part out yet.

Blue Egg Baking

Wait until your try this stuff!

Fortier is going to make a million Bucks!!!

http://www.blueeggbaking.com

View from Monday Morning

Number crunch, NJ trip, Moonshadow closing, Amazon gifts, Boston Xmas Party.
It will all get done. We'll see another Saturday.

Nanepashemet's Deed to Marblehead

On September 16, 1684 his (Nanepashemet's) heirs gave Marblehead a deed to their town, it was signed by

Joane Ahawayet, Squaw, relict, Widdow of George Saggamore, alais Wenepauweekinwwekin or George No Nose;

Joane Quanapohkownat, the widow of John Quanapohkownat of Natick:

James Quanapohkownat, alais James Rumneymarsh,

Isreal Quanapohkownat, Sarah Quanapohkownat all of Natick;

Susannah Wenepawweekin, Sarah Wanapawequen daughters of Sagamore George;

Joseph Quanophkonatt, alais Joe English, son of old John ( Essex Reg. Deeds, 11,132 )

( 1.) ( 2.) (3.) ( 4.) ( 5.) ( 6.) ( 7.) ( 8.) ( 9.)

The Marks of: 1.David Nonnuphanohow, 2.Sam Wuttaannoh, 3.John Tontohqunne, 4.Cicely Petaghuncksq, 5.Thomas Vsqueakussennum, 6.Isreal Quanophkownatt, 7.Jane Quanophkownat, 8.Yawata, 9.Wattawtinnusk*. James Rumneymarsh signed the deed in English. From the Salem Deed 1686
* Wife of Peter Ephraim - all signers give their home as Natick

Woodworking Secrets

The secret to woodworking is that wood has only a little to do with it. A good woodworker is really an accomplished metal worker.
~
As I get more experienced, especially in building boats and projects with curved surfaces, I've had to understand how to use chisels, planes and scrapers. ~
The essence of these tools is a sharp blade edge.
~
I've found that Japanese waterstones progressively up to 6000 grit can put a razor sharp, polished edge on a chisel or plane iron. But it is tedious business to do it by hand. Last year, I bought the Makita Sharpener that uses a powered rotating waterstone. It works quickly and with great results.
~
For my scrapers, I use the Veritas burnisher to get the right hook and sharpness to the blade.
~
Understanding your saws and other power tool and tuning them correctly is the other secret, involving a good mechanical feel for the machinery and what it is designed to do. This woodworking technique involves wrenches and screwdrivers and has nothing to do with wood.
~
Basically, to become a good woodworker, you have to be very good with metal. Seems wierd.

Heartburn and Hangovers

I reccommend Gaviscon Extra Strength Antacid.
~
BTW, Hangovers suck.
~
I used to be good to go by 12 noon the next day, no matter how bad the morning was. You would think that over your lifetime, the recovery period would improve, but no, I still feel like crap at 4:45 PM.
~
It gets worse as you get older.
~
Mike just ordered two pizzas from Vesuvius. Tom McMahon is over and we're having a pizza party. This wil be the Gaviscon test.

Senor Balzac....

... is either Mike Nestor or Tyler Gill. Until I figure it out, I think I'll blame them both.

Not Looking Good

12 minutes to go in the 4th period. Patriots down 13-0 to Miami.
2 possessions needed and some big plays.
~
Now 10 minutes. Pats have the ball but not showing any luck. Just fumbled. I hate to do it, but I'm going to concede this to the Dolphins.
~
This is all Jay Turner's fault. If he hadn't flown down to Miami to watch this game, everything would have been fine.
~
My brother in Ft. Laud. should be happy. Thanks Jay.

Stapleless Planking System

In my next boat, I'm going to utilize the stapleless method of clamping the strips together using a plywood clamping system as illustrated here.
~
Not because of aesthetics. I doubt that any untrained eye can spot a staple hole in the hull.
~
I'm using it because it should align the planking strips together better, thus saving time against the horrendous amount of sanding that these projects entail.

Thinking Ahead

Shimano Thunnus 16000 Reel/Fisherman's Outfitter 7' Custom 20-50# Rod Combo.

We have two of these babies, just waiting for fishing season to begin. Maybe Vona won't be the only one catching tuna next summer.

Rockett's Party

Nice time.
~
Mike and Trish have great style and have created a beautiful home - multiple textures, beautiful moulding and paneling, stepped down levels, really tasteful enlarged phots of their family, and an interesting floor plan.
~
Great food and cocktails - I definitely had too much of both by the way I feel this morning.

Lifetime Cable Channel

Channel for women. Chick Flick heaven.
~
Kill me now.
~
Every freaking movie is the same.
~
The woman is neglected by her husband, meets a sexy guy and has an affair, sexy guy turns out to be a psycho and terrorizes the women's family, the women ends up killing the sexy guy.
~
If you've ever seen one that's different let me know, but I won't be waiting.

Melting Lead

So many of you have asked the same question recently.... How are you going to melt the lead for the centerboard and rudder weights?
~
It's a harmless question, although somewhat tedious when you ask it over and over again. So please take note here and stop emailing me.
~
A circle was cut in the stock, and a slot routed in the center of the circle to secure the poured lead in the plywood.
~
Then very small lead shot pellets were melted in a cast iron pot using the turkey propane fryer. The pellets melted within 10 minutes or so to a shiny melted liquid with some solid impurities. The impurities were scooped from the pot using a wooden scrap.
~
A piece of sheet metal was clamped to the bottom of the stock, and the molten lead poured into the void until it exceeded the top. The lead cooled within twenty minutes, and when cool to the touch was planed and sanded until smooth with the plywood surface.
~
Then the lead insert was coated with fiberglass cloth and epoxy.
~
Now that you know, go melt lead for your own rudder!!

Saturday Prospects

It's 25 degress outside. I just lit a fire in the fireplace, burning scraps from the kitchen remodel and the Tender work.
~
Looks like Joanne may be settling in for a long day of Chick Flicks. I'm now officially motivated to get out to the garage and work on the Tender.
~
This might be the perfect day to melt the lead pellets for insertion into the centerboard for weight.
~
I'll be placing the lead shot pellets into a small cast iron pot, then using the turkey fryer to melt the pellets into molten lead for pouring into a 3" diameter hole drilled through the bottom of the centerboard. After it cools and solidifies completely, the lead has to be smoothed with a scraper, the voids filled with epoxy, then the whole centerboard has to be fiberglassed and epoxied.
~
Should be an interesting process, plus it will serve the noble purpose of sidestepping the Chick Flicks.
~
If I can avoid lead poisoning, we should make it to the Rockett's Xmas Party tonight.

Bali Hai

Lunch at Bali Hai in Lynnfield, MA is quickly becoming "de rigeur" for aspiring peeps.
~
Get there early to grab a parking spot.
~
I highly recommend the "No. 32" combo special.
The chicken fingers are my favorite, with the boneless spareribs a close second.
~
Also, the pork fried rice with no onions is a fine epicurious choice.

Blogaphobia

Fear of Blogs, Blogging and Bloggers. The first known victim is Tom DiMatteo of Concord, MA.
~
As far as we know, the only reliable treatment is constant mentioning of the Nanepashemet Blog and potential blog topics.
~
All of you Catholics out there, say a Rosary for Tom.

Instant Winter

It's cold here in Chicago, 4 degrees, lots of snow on the ground.

~

Doesn't matter though. Us Darwin guys are sizzling hot.

Chicago Stop

I'm sitting here at the Courtyard Marriott in Schaumburg, Ill., keeping the faith with the Peeps.
~
Don't you wish you were me?
~
It just doesn't get any better than this.
~
BTW, as I left the office today, I noticed a worried look on Brooke Lutrelle's face. As you must know by now, Brooke is one of our Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week. Normally, I could care less if one of the Peeps seems a little stressed out, but Brooke is a Peep that I actually like, so I am a bit concerned.
~
Just so you know Brooke, you were chosen because you met one of the following criteria this week.

You did something Annoying, Stupid or Inspiring, you are not dead, you are not an animal or you gave me the gift of Lagavulin.

I'll give you a hint, it was not annoying or stupid. You can figure out the rest.

Dave and I also met a nice lady at the Manchester, NH Airport who told us stories of her trips to the beach. A prime candidate for POTW next week.

Another Thursday - POTW Time

The Hysteria surrounding the selection of Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week has got to stop.
~
It is not the end of life as we know it if you are not chosen.
~
Chances are, you'll never be a POTW and you are ruining your pitiful life by your constant whining and complaining. Face it, you just might not be good enough. Accept your station in life as a lesser being, and you'll be better off in the long run.
~
Now for this week's selections.....

NANEPASHEMET PEEPS OF THE WEEK 5

• Sparky Spillane
• Kerry Woods
• Brooke Lutrelle
• Geoghan Coogan
• Lou Tarmey
• The Chinese Waitress at Bali Hai

That's it.
~
The rest of you can lick your wounds and ponder the consequences of yet another week of unfulfillment.

Moonshadow on Schedule

Mike Rockett and Sparky Spillane are on board to start Dec. 13. No doubt in the world that the Stramski project will be a show piece as well as built on time.

A Happy Birthday

The Darwin group gave me a nice cake for my birthday. A thoughtful gesture. Joanne made me prime rib and lobster for dinner and gave me a paper shredder from Staples. Not sure what she had in mind on the shredder gift. My in-laws gave me a nice Home Depot gift card. All three kids called me as well as my mother, brother and niece. It was the nicest birthday ever.
~
I'm 54 today. I used to think that the fifties were old. Not now.
~
If I died tomorrow, there would be no regrets. I never feel that there were things that I didn't try. I was not afraid to try stuff, not afraid of failure or mistakes. Making decisions was never a problem for me. This morning on TV, Maria Shriver, a Kennedy and wife of Arnold Schwartzernegger, said that all successful people have been told no, and have had failures in their life.
~
The weird thing is that you can fail over and over, but you are ultimately judged by your success. Babe Ruth led the major leagues in strikeouts as well as home runs. Nobody calls him the Strikeout King.
~
My family and friends constitute my definition of success. Money and possessions are hollow in comparison to the quality of your family and friends.
~
As I look back, there are things that I could have done differently. And my actions by no means produced the intended results in a number of key incidents. There were advances as well as fallout, for me, and other people. But I can sincerely say that anything I did, I did in good faith, with no ill will or underhanded intent. Thus, no regrets, and a thankfulness for the insight that each action taught me.
~
But I think that I have a lot more things to do. Telecom and Darwin, Sundance, the Tender and Boats, the Blog, my kids and future grandkids, Joanne, fishing, real estate deals - there are a ton of things left to do - things to experience - things to prove - things to enjoy.
~
Trying stuff in good faith is the key. Success or failure just makes it interesting.
I'm not done trying yet.

Indians

American Indians hold a special fascination for me. Hence, the name of this blog, "Nanepashemet", the Sachem of the Naumkeag who was killed by Tarratines in 1619. Once again, like boatbuilding, I have no explanation as to why I would be interested in this.
~
What causes people to be interested in particular subjects? Could it be karmic experiences from past reincarnations? Why should I be interested in Indians and boats rather than airplanes and mountain climbing? Why does this type of question even intrigue me? Why do I Blog? Why is my head starting to explode?
~
Time to call it a day.

Skipped SF

Back from Jacksonville, Florida. The Hampton Inn seemed eerily like the one in Nashville, TN.
~
In all seriousness, the homogenieity of this country, caused by corporate development of the outlying surburban landscape has produced a devastating, monotonous sameness. For all the travel I do, I rarely feel like I see anything new and unique.
~
OK, so I just got in and am grumpy and tired. But I have a reason to be.
~
Five hours of Dave and Busters in a sterile surburban location. We paid for the customer get together and hung out with them playing arcade games. As you can see, I'll go to any depths to get this Darwin juggernaut in a stable orbit.
~
I skipped the LA trip in favor of Kerry and Emily, but still will go with Dave to Chicago by the end of the week. All of which means that the peeps will not be neglected as much as I had originally feared.

Stops this Week

Jacksonville, Florida
San Francisco
Chicago
~
Then back to the best place on Earth by next Friday- my couch in Marblehead.
~
I will probably neglect the blog until then. If you need a fix, you may have to check back in the Archives. Pretend it is mid-Sept.

Seating Decisions

For the Tender Seats, I'm thinking of fitting the cedar planking as a monolithic piece like these examples, rather that the original floorboard like Olkume plywood slats.

~

Nothing to it but to do it.

Christmas Tree

Quite an odd tradition. Putting a pine tree in your living room for a month or so every winter.
~
Pats are having a game of it with the lowly Lions. They always seem to play down to the level of the competition. It's the middle of the third qtr. ,13-13, and Brady just tossed a pick. I could be watching the squirrel at my birdfeeder soon if this keeps up.
~
Now its 21-21 with 7:50 left.
~
Cory Dillon just scored his third rushing touchdown with 2:30 left , 28-21.
~
Vrabel intercepted with less than 2 minutes, Patriots take a knee and survive with the win.

Squirrel Documentary

This is a film that I will be submitting to the Discovery Channel. It is a fascinating look at the feeding habits of a squirrel who eats the sunflower seeds at my birdfeeder, originally intended for Cardinals, Bluejays and Chickadees.
~
As far as I know, this is the only documentation ever of a squirrel actually feeding from a birdfeeder.
~
Enjoy the wonders of nature.

A ShootOut Victory

As you can see, I clearly kicked Kim Reny's ass in the Thanksgiving Eve Digital Shootout.

Nice try Kim.

Tools

I don't want you to think that I am weird or kinky or anything, but I like to look at my tools.
~
There is a feeling of potential kinetic energy in the sight of them.
~
So, Bring it ON! I know that I have just lobbed you a high, soft one.

Surprise Brian Butler

Happy Birthday Brian.
~
Katelyn and Jay got you a copy of Brokeback Mountain and other stuff wrapped in pink. WHAT UP WITH THAT????
~
Not that there is anything wrong with it, despite the obvious and unfeeling reaction from Lauren and Jill.
~

The Lucky Bastard

Jason Shauer is the lucky bastard that I told you about earlier. This is a better picture of Bridgit.

Lucky Bastard!

Jill and Kate are Coming Over

Maybe I'll take their picture. They seem to like that.

Cost of Cedar

Just bought the 1x12 red cedar to use for the tender seating. $6.67 a linear foot from Moynihan Lumber in Beverly. It seems like everytime I go to the lumber yard, I get an acute case of sticker shock. I could get 5/4 1x6 cedar and resaw it and glue it, but the lack of labor makes the 1x12 worthwhile. Regardless, this stuff is clear and beautiful stock and will make the seating and interior of the tender sing.

Guns of Navarone

Watching the Guns of Navarone, starring Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn. The last time I saw this film was in 1961 at the Open Air Drive In Theater on the Lynnway in Lynn with my Father, Mother and Brother Jamie.

The film is really well done, and I remember how my father seemed to enjoy it. Very tough war time decisions involving extreme sacrifices and brutal consequences.

Weekend Planning

Lots of stuff to get done this weekend.
~
For Operation Moonshadow, I have to get some mortgage statements to Mark Ferrante, and meet Mike Rockett and Steve Spillane to plan the renovations.
~
For the Tender, the interior has to be sanded and another coat of epoxy added. Two of the floor stakes have to be planed down and the flooring planks have to be sanded and epoxied. The seating planks have to be laid out. Maybe I'll also epoxy fillet the centerboard case in place, which technically would make the boat waterproof and launchable.
~
I also have to start thinking about the basement flooring and cabinet work.
~
Now I'm definitely on overload.

Christmas Shopping

Most year's, I've gone with Joanne to the outlet stores in North Conway to do our Christmas Shopping. This year, she went alone because I have to meet Mike Rockett on the school rehab this Saturday.
~
I find Christmas shopping to be fairly stressful.... and tiring. It's not that I don't like to do it, but there are things that I'd rather do.
~
I doesn't matter, because I've already bought everything for her that she wanted. Every time she said that she might like something, I fired up the Web and bought it online. Right then and there from my couch. The UPS guy showed up with the stuff two or three days later, and I haven't had to move my ass.
~
You've got to love the internet. What a freaking convenience!

Fancy Free

Friday Night. I'm home alone. Joanne is up at the condo in North Conway, NH doing Christmas shopping. You can't hear it or smell it, but I just farted.

~

Just a nice, loud, smelly, masculine fart, with no spousal fallout. It's not a Ryan level fart. His are world class. But it was competitive.

~

Then I noticed something.... No dirty looks. Even Isabelle and Ronick, my cats, didn't glance at me.

~

I have farted with no recourse. A freeby.

~

Cool!

Unseasonal

Sitting outside on the deck at Darwin in complete 60 degree comfort. Somewhat disconcerting for December 1.