Thursday, May 31, 2007

Eating Their Own


I just finished reading another book by Nathaniel Philbrick, "In the Heart of the Sea" - the tragedy of the Whaleship Essex. I enjoyed this as much as "Mayflower".
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Philbrick is a talented writer, and his historical narrative is an entertaining read. The Essex shipped out of Nantucket and was rammed and sunk by an eighty foot sperm whale, 3000 miles from the South American coast in the South Pacific.
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The survivors resorted to cannibalism, as they traversed the Pacific in open 25' whaleboats for the next ninety days. Herman Melville loosely used the incident for his depiction of "Moby Dick", although the focus of this story is what happened after the ship sank. The Essex was scuttled in ten minutes.
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Although I've seen companies resort to eating their own in the past few years, the tribulations on that Whaleship were the real thing.

Manhandling by McMahon


Apparently, Tom McMahon, POTY, is making a career out of tackling the hapless nitwits who jump onto Fenway Park during a game.
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Tom, the guy is just trying to have a little fun. It's not like he's Al Queda or even Taliban.
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Why can't you just live and let live???
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Smart Lady

I begin to think, that a calm is not desirable in any situation in life....Man was made for action and for bustle too, I believe.
Abigail Adams, letter to her sister, Mary Smith Cranch, 1784
US wife of John Adams 1764 (1744 - 1818)
Abigail would have had an awesome blog.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Waiting for WhaleEye

So I go over to Ryan Marine to check on the WhaleEye. Sure enough, the propeller shaft is bent with the propeller badly dinged. The parts have been ordered. What was worse was that Chris and Peter Crawford were over there getting their boat launched before mine.
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I had just left Ryan's Tuna Armory, where he has amassed enough fishing supplies to declare war on any hapless fish that dares to be in the same vicinity of the WhaleEye. He has some great lures, squid sets and a killer harpoon system. If I were a tuna, I'd be waving the white flag and seeking terms of armistice.
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It will be an interesting fishing season. We sure as hell don't have any excuses. All we need is the damn boat.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Tender Homestretch

So Close.

I'm not going to start varnishing until the masts are done though.

Then we'll see if this floats

Monday, May 28, 2007

Lobster Rolls

Joanne went to Marblehead Lobster yesterday and bought seven live 1 1/2 pounders for the dinner we had with all of the kids.
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I didn't have one, because I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance, but the next day, I took a leftover one from the refridgerator, shucked it, and made two of the best lobster rolls ever consumed on a Memorial Day.
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After removing all of the meat from the shells, I cut the lobster into bite size pieces and mixed it with Real Hellman's Mayonaise. adding a little salt and pepper.
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The Lobster was over-stuffed into two Nissen Hot Dog rolls, then wolfed down by me. I broke out some Jameson's Irish Whiskey on the rocks for the occasion. A most memorable meal.
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It's three hours later and I'm still satisfied.

Violation of Quiet Enjoyment


"Jump Down, Turn Around, Pick a Bale of Cotton.
Jump Down, Turn Around Pick a Bale of Hay.
Jump Down Turn Around, Pick a Bale of Cotton.
Jump Down, Turn Around Pick a Bale of Hay.
Oh Lord, Pick a Bale of Cotton.
Oh Lord, Pick a Bale of Hay.

Oh Lord, Pick a Bale of Cotton.
Oh Lord, Pick a Bale of Hay."
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Tommy O' Shea, Linda, Joanne and I apparently pissed off some neighbors by our late night adaptation of this song as performed by Steve Martin and Cast in one of my favorite films, "The Jerk".
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I thought we were pretty good.

Memorial Day Reading

I remember that Memorial Day mean't going to Union Street in Lynn to watch the parade. The highlight was always when the Scottish Bagpipers marched by.
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Haven't done that for awhile.
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I'm reading a book called "Mayflower" by Nathaniel Philbrick. The Pilgrims were a pretty brutal lot. There is something about that primeval time that is very attractive. It's interesting how the mix of philosophy, economics and techology converged in a mix of races and cultures. It almost seems like people are exactly the same as now, but the environment and technology dictated the cadence of life.
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Once again, it is the Native American Indian culture that holds the greatest fascination for me. Although, Philbrick doesn't mention the great sachem, Nanepashemet. He is more concerned with Massasoit and his son, Metacomet, or "King Philip" as he is widely known.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Herreshoff Columbia Launch Punchlist.

Today, he interior was sanded and a final epoxy coating was applied. Even though the boat looks finished and ready to launch, there is still a ton of work to do....
1 Day
  • Oar Blocks attached and fitted
  • Centerboard attached to case
  • Rudder hardware attached to the transom
  • Rudder attached to the Tiller
1 Day
  • Mast constructed and shaped
  • Mast fitted into first seat
4 Days
  • 1st coat of marine varnish sprayed
  • Seating attached to hull
  • 2nd coat of marine varnish sprayed
  • 3rd coat of marine varnish sprayed
  • Hull turned over and sanded with 220 grit
  • Exterior coat of Marine varnish sprayed
  • Final coat of marine varnish sprayed interior and exterior
2 Days
  • Sail Stitched together
  • Rigging applied to mast and sail
That's eight work days before the Herreshoff Columbia Yacht Tender touches the salt in Marblehead Harbor. It won't be easy to squeeze these work days in before the 4th of July, but that is the goal.

Sanding Resolve

OK, I'm ready.
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It's 9:30 AM. I'll fire up the sander and do nothing but sand the interior of the tender until 2:00 PM. Then I'll shower and have a Sam Adams Summer Ale.

WhaleEye Delay

The WhaleEye is delayed. Mark Ryan says we have a bent propeller shaft. I saw where one of the propeller blades was dinged last year. Apparently we hit something and the shaft has to be replaced.
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That kills the weekend for Mikey. We'll be ready when he comes home for the 4th of July, though.
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Actually, I don't mind that much, because I'd like to spend some time organizing the interior and fixing the hatch hinges. Still waiting for the Leaning Post that is on backorder from Boater's World. This will replace the helm chairs which have never been that comfortable and are actually not functional when the boat is underway.
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So more work on the Tender is in store until the family gets together at 4:00 this afternoon.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Tender Details

I'm really stalling on the dog work sanding. I know that going in, so don't start in on me.
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Made the cap on the centerboard with the pulley installed, drilled the hole for the drain through the keel and brass trim and epoxied the rudder. It doesn't sound like much, but it took a lot of standing around and aimless staring.
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I also installed the trailer plate on the trailer.

Saturday Morning Stress

I'm trying to have coffee this morning in the same room with Katelyn and Joanne. Sorry if I have to breathe. They get pissed off at anything I say. And I haven't farted or anything.
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BTW, it's a sure sign that Kate spent the night with us here in Marblehead when I get up and find a Magic Hat 9 opened with two sips taken out of it. A fine beer wasted.
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Thank God it wasn't a glass of Lagavulin.

Friday, May 25, 2007

A Peter Crawford Tale

This unlikely story has been circulated by Peter Crawford. Since he is a former POTW, I feel compelled to pass this on....
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On a warm May day, paparazzi roaming the boatyards in Historic Marblehead
came upon a scene never witnessed by neither man nor beast. Chuck Bridges,
retired airline pilot, was actually seen in dirty old clothes, with latex
goves, mussed up hair, and blotches of blue bottom paint all over him. The
photographer was drawn to the scene, when he blood curdlling moans coming
from under the boat, as Chuck was attempting to roll on bottom paint with a
disintegreated foam roller. Others in the boatyard were aghast, saying that
Chuck always showed up to "watch" others work on their boats, neatly attired
in khaki pantrs and an oxford cloth blue and white stripe Brooks Bros
shirts. It is well known that Chuck has always been allergic to anything
with the word "work" attached to it. And spends most of his days loitering
outside the local Starbucks, where he tells stories about his childhood in
rural Kentucky, where he was raised by sheep. Could this be a new Chuck, or
maybe just a Confused Chuck. Only time will tell.

Memorial Day Weekend

With the three major balls firmly in in air, I covered a sales meeting at the Hotel, then started the Memorial Day weekend. Mark Ryan called to say that launching the WhaleEye is doubtful, but I still have hope. I bought the first motor from him when he got the Honda dealership and had to remind him that I'm his best customer.
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It doesn't matter.
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Boat mechanics in Marblehead have you at their mercy. It will happen when it happens, and there's nothing you can do about it. Every year it's the same. They say anything to you, but you get it when you get it. Someday, I want a job like that.
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So I took it out on the Tender. I fiberglassed the lead on the rudder, and mortised the brass hardware into the oarloacks. Also epoxy glued the centerboard case into the keel. The Tender is now water tight.
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Kate is in Marblehead, and we're waiting for Mike to come in from DC. It's going to be a great weekend.

Peep of the Week - 21 of 2007

The POTW selections were thrown off by Joanne's Sundance Staff shower for Staci. I didn't think that I would have any role, but I had to man the grill and then I had to handle all of the "oohs and ahhs" surrounding the display of the yacht tender.

To make the Peep Choices in the midst of all that would have been way too stressful. So, once again, I have been tardy with the crucial announcement. Shit Happens... Deal with IT!

Announcing
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week - 21

Mark Ryan
Andrew Card
Nancy Pelosi
Samantha Larson
Mike Nestor
Rick Rockett

Thanks for not freaking out.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

More Staci

What's it going to take to get Staci Mallette married off to Brian Butler????
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As yet another bridal shower.... obviously.
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Joanne hosted a great get together for the Sundance Pre-School staff with her culinary skills, but I inadvertently carried the day when I rolled the Yacht Tender out of the garage by popular demand.
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Who would have thought that the Tender was going to be a chick magnet!!!
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If I had known this, I would have finished the damn thing a lot sooner.

Fine Public Administration


Apparently, this guy, Dan Grabauskas, is responsible for the improvements that I observed at the RMV yesterday.
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Nice job Dan.
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He's now running the MBTA. Maybe I'll try the bus.

http://www.massinc.org/index.php?id=500&pub_id=1770&bypass=1

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Massachusetts RMV

Man...
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If you want a slice of American demographics, go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. That is the land of the General Public. Multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-multi. It's a good chance to see how the other half lives. Or make that the other 80%. Not many of us middle aged white guys left.
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I remember when the Registry was the place that you went to when you wanted to be treated badly by political hacks with no work ethic and a bitchy attitude.
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That wasn't the case today.
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The people were given a number when you came in, which printed a pretty accurate projection of the time that you had to wait. Also... no lines anymore. You sit down on a fairly comfortable bench and wait until your number is called and listed on a screen. Plus, the lady who handled my Trailer registration was downright hospitable. Even nice.
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An entirely enhanced registry of motor vehicles experience.
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I walked out with a register boat trailer and trailer plates. Society is making strides.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

High and Low Technology

As the Vice President of IT at Sundance Pre-School, I had my hands full tonight as I had to do a system recovery procedure on Joanne's computer. It was taking forever so I left around 9:15 PM. Since I have a meeting in Boston at 8:00 AM tomorrow, I won't be able to follow up in the morning. Hope nothing is broken. I like my VP of Facilities Management role there better.
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The Boat Trailer assembly took longer than expected today, and I had to make a run to Marblehead Ace Hardware for some missing nuts and bolts. I still can't get over the shock of having to manufacture a trailer.... and that Boater's World had the stones to ship me boxes of steel, nuts and bolts, and called it a trailer. Won't be making that mistake again.
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It actually doesn't look too bad, and will be functional for using the Tender in Marblehead Harbor and NH lakes.
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Now I have to get it registered to tow on the road by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.