Looking Forward to the 4th

The 4th of July comes on Friday this week. That's going to make for a short week. The Fourth is big in Marblehead and the Fireworks over the Harbor are always an event.
~
I think that because Marblehead has a long history, and men from Marblehead were noted for their contribution to the Revolution, especially for their role in getting Washington's army across the Delaware, the 4th of July is an important time in the Town's collective subconscious.
~
Should be a long weekend with some great cookouts and get togethers.

Secret to Success

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

~ Calvin Coolidge

"Man is made or unmade by himself. By the right choice he ascends. As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and the lord of his own thoughts, he holds the key to every situation."

"Right thinking begins with the words we say to ourselves."

~ James Allen

There you have it. Visualize the results that you want and think positive thoughts about your goals and yourself. And persist. You will create your own success.... per your own definition.
~
I will admit.... it's very hard to think positively. We are constantly bombarded with real or perceived slights, threats, and ill feelings. My technique for controlling negative thoughts is to realize that you are having them, accept them and forgive yourself for having them... then move on and try to think positively again. Not easy, but worth it.
~
The persistence part speaks for itself. When you have realized what you want, relentlessly pursue it. The hard part here is to realize what you want. Because what you want in not necessarily what you need.
~
So think good thoughts about what you want, for yourself and other people.... then persist in your goals.

Saturday Blahs

I thought that getting up at 5:30AM and rowing through the Harbor looking for fish would be a good thing.
~
By 6:15 I was on the water, but there was a strong fog and a steady wind causing a two foot chop at the harbor mouth. Plus no fish.
~
Pretty good exercise though. By ten o'clock, I was done messing around, and by eleven, I was good for nothing on the couch without an ambitious bone in my body. Kate and Mike showed up, but they headed for the basement couches right away.
~
I really let this Saturday go by with little to show for it.

Carlin

George Carlin died this week.
~
History will show that he was one of the purest thinkers of his generation.

Lean In

Lots of Leaning going on here.

Fine Revision

"It's time to start living the life you've imagined."
- Henry James

I pulled out of the tender rowing plan because of thunder, but tomorrow it will be break of Dawn... just me, the Tender and Stripers owning the Harbor.

POTW 25

I was wondering when Tuna Lips was going to make an appearance again and he came in a little close to over the top as usual. He seems to like it when I get a little agitated.
~
It's after 4 o'clock on Fri. and I'm going to wind it down at Nanepashemet Telecom after a very promising week. Things are looking up. We're closing out the first six months of the year in excellent shape, but it's not time to let up.

ANNOUNCING
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 15th week of 2008

Abby Bruett
Joanne Nestor (Automatic Lagavulin Rule)
Courtney Lynch
Dwight Jennings
Mike Rockett
Carol Andrade

Hope that your half year went well too. Now I think that I'll take the Tender out for a spin in Marblehead Harbor since the tide is right.

Nantucket Nitwit

Peeps....
~
I don't take vacations often, so you would think that they would be restful, stress free affairs. But that wasn't the case last year when I encountered Captain Dipshit administering XC ski permits in North Conway, and it wasn't the case in Nantucket either.
~
It started out as a nice day with Joanne and I doing some tourist trap shopping. I bought some great XXL T-shirts that said "NANTUCKET" on them. What a lucky find!!
~
By noon, all of the browsing had worn us down a bit, and we went into the Schooner on Easy St. for a light lunch.
~
We sat on a bench at the wall, and two tables down was a precocious 4 year old, with his loud and overly enunciating mother. Our tyke was wielding a pirate pistol and sword and in no time had disassembled the curtain behind us.
~
Naturally, Joanne and I were dispassionate and cool in our response to this annoyance.
~
Then the little guy lost his sword under the bench, which required waitstaff help to retrieve.
~
We were slightly peeved, but his obnoxious Mom didn't seem to mind.
~
Then, "Little Asshole", as I now started to mentally refer to him, walks down the bench to me pointing his toy pistol.
~
With restraint and reserve, I notioned that this was not cool to "LA". No response from Stupid Shit Mom, who was too busy doing anything but pay attention to Little Asshole...
~
Now this little Annoying Little Future Loser of America walks on the bench right up to me and points the pistol an inch from my head. It seemed to have one of those suction cup darts on it or something.
~
Naturally I kept my composure..... but I was hoping for a miracle that his father would appear, so I could pummel Dad's face to bloody mush until the police and ambulance arrived and carted him to the hospital and me away to a Nantucket lock up.
~
No luck with this fantasy coming true though.
~
So, turning to Little Asshole, I calming addressed Stupid Shit Mom saying, "Excuse me... Is this your SON???", figuring that she would take some responsive action.
~
LA retreated to the comforting arms of Stupid Shit, who said nothing... neither to Joanne and I nor to Little Asshole. Idiots beget idiots.
~
We continued eating our Buffalo Wings and Nachos as the Obnoxious Duo wisely decided to exit the Schooner.
~
Peeps...
I know that a lot of you are new parents or will be shortly.

A few words of caution/advise.

• Nobody wants to hear you talking loudly to Little Precious so that you can demonstrate what a superior caregiver you are.
• Keep the inappropriate stupid toys out of public places, and teach your cute little tyke to stay in his own seat.
• Your kids are bound to act out of line from time to time, but that doesn't mean that you have to add to the problem by ignoring their behavior, or even acting like a role model for Idiots yourself.
  
• Bring your husband next time so that I won't look like a bully reprimanding you for the utter lack of control that you have, and I can take out my frustration on somebody my own size.

Joanne and I brought up our three kids, and I can safely say that they never acted like the Little Asshole.

Tuna Lips said...

I find whippin' out my weiner an effecacious rejoinder in such situations. It frightens off most people around. Its a gila monster, my most excellent friend. You take that dog out the pound and folks are rightly lockin' thems gates shut. That's how I roll.

Nantucket

Heading down to Nantucket today for a bid walk on a Coast Guard site. I've never been there, so I'm taking Joanne and we're going to stay for a day or so.
~
I'll undoubtably post to the Blog while I'm there, so ease up on the anxiety and panic.
~
Don't I deserve a little R&R once in a whle????

Now What???

If our primary purpose is to perpetuate the species, then I think my time is up.
~
Joanne and I have raised three great kids... they make good choices and we have one incredible grandchild to undoubtably be followed by numerous others.
~
A nice friend of mine just sent me pictures of her best friend's four beautiful girls, who have entered the workforce, are getting married, and are contributing to society. While I'm really happy and impressed by these beautiful people, it definitely causes a bit of insecurity.
~
We've done our job. My generation has passed the torch. Now what the heck are we supposed to do???? My fervent hope is that some of the grandkids will want to learn how to build cedar strip boats.
~
That will give me a good enough purpose I guess.

Saturday Challenge

High Tide in Marblehead Harbor is not until 2:00PM this afternoon.
~
I definitely want to get the Tender out for some serious rowing and fishing by that time, but before then, there are some errands that can't go amiss.
~
Pick up the lawn mower at Salem Rent All and cut the grass at Beverly Ave. and Sundance, make a bank deposit, pay some Nanepashemet bills, and pick up the stock for Joanne's corner cabinet at Moynihan Lumber in Beverly.
~
It's 8:45 AM. We'll see if I can get these done before High Tide.

POSTSCRIPT
Everything got done with the exception of some Nanepashemet vendor payments which I will get to tomorrow morning.
~
Got the usual oohs and ahhs about the Tender during my row in the Harbor. That's getting tiresome. Paul Lynch yelled across the water that he wanted me to build him one, but he'd have to handle a hell of a lot of zoning cases to pay for it.
~
I have to admit that I do enjoy the banter that the Tender elicits from people. Somebody even took a picture of me today, and I'm not sure of the proper technique for sucking in my gut while rowing, without potentially hurting myself.
~
The truth is that the Tender cuts a nice figure in the harbor and I don't want to respond falsely modest when I am genuinely proud of the way that the Tender looks. When they ask if I built it, I just say yes, but if they ask if it was a kit, that tends to piss me off a little.

Pregnancy Pact

So the City of Gloucester has really hit the big time with this cult of pregnant girls. It's too bad because Gloucester deserves better. It's a hard working, blue collar town with a character that befits it's windswept, wave pounded location on Cape Ann.
~
Somehow, there was a cultural breakdown that allowed having babies to be a teen fad. Bringing up kids was the toughest thing that I have had to encounter in my 50 odd years of existence. For somebody to reduce it to a high school "go with the crowd" thing is a serious breach of judgement, and these kids will be paying for this lapse for a long time.
~
Ultimately, it is their own fault, but I wonder what type of influences they had to enable this type of behavior. I'm not blaming the parents or the schools, but it's obvious that someone was asleep on their watch.

Automatic

Joanne bought me a bottle of Lagavulin to celebrate our recent business success.
~
That makes her an automatic.

Spinners

I never was too good at the blame game. Had a nasty tendency to take responsibility for my own actions.
~
But there are some real pros out there who are masters at the art of blame, and have furthered their careers by skillful manipulation.
~
Knowing that they could never survive outside of their protective corporate walls, they frenetically point their fingers and spin the facts.... all to protect their disgusting jobs in a phoney hierarchy.
~
It's a purgatory that I have very successfully left behind.
~
So keep spinning and pointing. I'm happy to watch you fade from sight in my rear view mirror. You know who you are.

Week 24 Peep of the Week

This was an important week.
~
Nanepashemet Telecom kicked it into high gear and showed some real potential to reaching the levels that were predicted in our original business plans. As promised though, success hasn't spoiled me. I wouldn't change this loud, obnoxious personality for all the tea in China.
~
Speaking of obnoxious, it's time to pick the Peeps of the Week. There's lots of inspiring/annoying stuff going around, and precious little bottles of Lagavulin coming my way.
~
BTW... I said "precious"... and it felt FABULOUS.

ANNOUNCING
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 24th week of 2008

Peter Crawford
Paul Lynch
Abby Bruett
Sam Khairi
Peter Caruso
Rajon Rondo

Anyone for tea????

Celtics Reinstatement

Looking for the Celtics to clinch the championship tonight. I'm not sure that I can stay up for the whole game, because I'm still wiped out from our tuna sojourn, and I have to get up early for a commute to Maynard tomorrow morning.
~
When I was younger, this would be no sweat, but it truly gets harder to answer the call now that I'm a middle aged guy.
~
Seeing the Celts in contention brings back a lot of memories. I saw Russell play with Sam Jones, and Satch Sanders in the Garden in my early teens. Back then, we were like floor rats, running all over the Boston Garden and in the corridors during half time. I remember standing on the floor during warm-ups and marveling at the size of Bill Russell.
~
When I was at UMass in the early Seventes, Havlicek and Cowens had their run. Havlicek was such a winner... it's weird seeing him all grey with a few extra pounds now. The Knicks were great rivals then with Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Earl Monroe. In my dorm, there were a lot of kids from New York and the New York and Black kids all rooted for the Knicks against the Celtics. There definitely was a Black/White thing going on in those days. It was uncomfortable, but we sucked it up, especially since the Celts won most of the time.
~
There was a down era for a while with some guys from UCLA and Cedric Maxwell, before Red Auerbach assembled Bird, McHale and Parish in the Eighties. The bad guys then were the Pistons and the Lakers. Philadelphia and Dr. J were huge too. I loved Julius Erving and had seen him in person many times at UMass before he turned pro.
~
It's been a long drought since then, but now Paul Pierce has been joined by Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen with a talented supporting cast, and they lead by 23 points over the Lakers at the end of the first half of the sixth and deciding game of the playoffs.
~
The Celts are back where they belong. There's justice and hope for the world.

Toy Chest Critique

Yesterday we delivered the Toy Chest for grandson, Will's, first birthday.
~
Most everyone was complimentary, but Katelyn's dog, Jack Dog, gave it a critical eye.
~
What the hell do you know about woodworking Jackie??? You're just a dog.

Skunked at Stellwagen

Zippo, Zilch, Zero, Nada, Nothing.
~
That's how many tuna we caught after getting up at 3:15AM and banging through 3 ft seas at 15kts to get to the Northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank by 6:00 AM.
~
And it wasn't a glorious sunrise either, with overcast skies and a cool breeze with 60 degree temps.
~
The ride out was an uncomfortable, wave crashing affair, but when we got to the corner, we saw whales immediately, and thought that the tuna would be close behind..... but they didn't respond to our elaborate squid sets.
~
After 3 1/2 hours crisscrossing the corner, we stopped and jigged, hooking three sand sharks and one striped bass. If we were inshore, the bass would have been a keeper, but we obeyed the federal regs that prohibit taking bass on the Stellwagen National Sanctuary.
~
Tyler Gill's father, Greg, hooked the fish and was happy with his catch, but it wasn't a tuna.

Up for the Bite

We're preparing to get to Stellwagen tomorrow by 6:00 AM when the tuna bite is on. That means that we'll be on the WhaleEye around 4:00 AM.
~
I'm concerned that it is dead low tide at that time and I'll have six people on board... all anxious to hit the gas and deadhead to the Northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank.
~
Plus six is going to get crowded if we hook into a decent size fish.
~
Both Mark Vona and Doug Maxfield have been into tuna this year, and the inconvenience could really be worth it if we lay into some Bluefin.

Peeps of the Week - 23

So Joanne and I went to dinner tonight at the Boston Yacht Club with Katelyn, Mike and his girlfriend, Kelley Clark, and Mike and I order the Dark and Stormies.
~
I fully expected a weak imitation of the masterful national drink of Bermuda..... certainly nothing approaching the versions that I regularly concoct over at Beverly Avenue.
~
But I was pleasantly surprised! Those BYC bluebloods have pretty much got it right. A tall glass, not too much ice, with the Gosling's Black Seal Rum resonating within the Ginger Beer!
~
Not as good as mine, mind you.... but a damn good rendition.
~
That reminds me.... I'm a day late on the POTW selections.

ANNOUNCING.....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 23rd week of 2008

Kobe Bryant
Kelley Clark
Bobby Brown (standing in for Big Brown, because an animal can't be a POTW)
Dustin Pedroia
Brian Butler
Tyler Gill

BTW, the WhaleEye is on the mooring now and many many fish are taking their last, watery gill breaths.

Called It

With the Celts down by 24 at the half of the fourth game of the Championship Finals with the Los Angeles Laker, I coolly predicted that Boston would pull if off. And naturally, they did, winning 97-91 and capping the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history.
~
I continue to amaze myself. A Proficient Prophet of Prognostication!
~
It shouldn't have come as a surprise.... Today was a day when everything turned to gold, including watching the Celtics game.
~
The only problem is that tomorrow I have to get in gear early for a morning meeting with NSTAR in Sherborn, so my ass will be dragging come 3:00 in the afternoon.

McMahon said....

J.

What is going on with this blog? I think you are averaging like 1 blog every two days. Are you slowly weeding yourself out of the blogging world?

It's summer J there should be tons of blogging to do.
_______________________________________

Because Tommy McMahon is a former Peep of the Year, I'll have to cut him some slack here.
~
But Tom, all you have to do is look at the archives to see that this Blog is as active and vibrant as it always has been.... to the overall detriment of all of us.
~
Don't be such a freaking, short sighted, moron for a change!

Yacht Town

It was a busy evening with the Sundance Pre-School Picnic at Devereux Beach from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM then a meeting with the Marblehead Selectmen to discuss the neighborhood impacts at Ryan Marine.
~
Mark Ryan and Atty Paul Lynch did a great job placating the concerns of the Selectmen, but a couple of the neighbors had obviously decided that they didn't want the business in their neighborhood, and were unhappy with any measures .
~
Ryan Marine is the best boatyard in Marblehead, and if you don't like living around boatyards, then you picked the wrong town to live in.
~
Politics brings out the worst in some people.

Tuna Lips said...

I sensitizes a conflagration in you, Boomerdog. You live in Yacht Town, which is a high falootin' boat, with lots of loafer wearin' "pinkie in the air drinkin' from a clean glass" types, but you does some equatin' to the ole boat yard, striking imagerie of steel riveted bath tubs, stinkin' of petrol, crawfish and the crabs from Trudie McCann panties. Don't quite match up, yer white short wearing yacht set and the scurvy curs that slinks around the boat yard. I measure this as a conflagration insides, street savvy operator, laysing in wait to rob some rube down by the boatyard, and sophistication mastery feller from a town with yachts in it.

Completion Declaration

I had to trek into Cambridge early this morning for a real estate update put on by Colliers Meredith and Grew - which is one fine, high powered firm - but I digress.
~
Before I left, I put on the sixth and final coat of varnish on Will's Toy Chest. The flaws still jump out at me, but I'm sure that Da Vinci had the same feeling when he finally laid down his brush painting the Mona Lisa. When you are striving for perfection, and realize that it is ultimately unattainable, you eventually have to make a declaration that the work is complete and walk away.
~
It's not easy being a Master.
~
Having to put up with all of the "oohs" and "ahhs" and all.

Project Completion

By now, you surely know that Big Brown failed miserably. His jockey said that he just couldn't find the right gear. That happens.
~
BTW, I made the mistake of Googling "Big Brown" and came up with a number of Brazilian porn sites specializing in fat asses. So Big Brown wasn't a total bust... so to speak.
~
Man... it was freaking hot today. All I wanted to accomplish was a fifth coat of varnish on Will's Toy Chest, but the warm temps were starting to cause the lid to warp and it had to be stabilized. So I concentrated on installing permanent cleats, and putting on the piano hinge and safety closing hardware. The piano hinge had to be inset, and I spent a lot of time to get this detail done right with the router and some cleanup with the chisel.
~
The safety hinge installation was easy and they work to perfection.... gliding the lid to a soft close. I think I lost a gallon of sweat installing them though.
~
I'll probably spray one more coat of varnish, but all in all, the chest could be declared to be finished any time now. So piss on you bastards who thought I'd never get it done in time. Plus the Tender is shipshape and ready for some serious rowing between now and November.

Tuna Lips said...

I sees the heat has rolled up to yer neck of the nape. Plenty hot here in God's countree.

I was in Atlanta, or as they call it, Hotlanta, this past weekend. One thing the mercury risin' brings on is some perspratin'. Now that ain't all bad. I seen more boobies, glistening like snow in the lane. All shapes and sizes, flavors, all suitable for lickin' like a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or whatever choice you might find in yer side of the town.

Big Brown

Can Big Brown do it???
~
No.... I'm not talking about that mountain of a man, Bobby Brown.... of course he can do it.
~
I'm talking about that magnificent racehorse, Big Brown, who is striving for the first Triple Crown in thirty years. I'll be pulling for him.

Cocktail Party

We went to the cocktail reception for new members of the Boston Yacht Club tonight.
~
Joanne and I had two cocktails each.
~
They were delicious. I had the Dewars on the rocks and Joanne had Chardonnay.

POTW Week 22

So every day this week, I've gotten up at 4:30AM to get some extra work in. It has definitely worked, and I got a lot of paperwork processed and nagging details taken care of.
~
But it's Thursday night, and feels every bit like Friday. My conscience won't let me take a day off during this busy period.... And my boat, the WhaleEye isn't even on the mooring yet. It won't make sense to play hooky unless the weather is perfect. In that case, fish would die.

ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 22nd week of 2008

Vince Antonacci
Tommy O'Shea
Lindsey Kepnes
Bill Shanahan
George Boylen
Courtney Nestor

At least I won't be tired from going to the Celts-Lakers playoff game at the Garden tonight. I have my GD standards.

Winds of Change

You must realize by now, that I have no love for Hillary Clinton.
~
It's nothing personal.... but I just don't care for someone who lies about being shot at, and will say virtually anything in any situation to benefit her own twisted ambition.
~
Like I said.... nothing personal.
~
Now that Barach Obama has clinched the Democratic Party nomination, it will be interesting to see how he deals with the Clinton's and their obnoxious sense of entitlement. Sen. Kennedy and Caroline dropped the Clinton's and Obama should take their lead. If he nominated Caroline for VP, I'd even consider voting for him. It would be a huge surge for Neil Diamond's career as well.
~
"Sweet Caroline... Whoa, Whoa. Whoa.
Good Times Never Seemed So Good.
SO GOOD .. SO GOOD.. SO GOOD!!!"
~
At any rate, a black man, an African-American has been chosen by the Democrats to run for President. That makes me proud of this country.... that in the blink of an historical eyelash, this country, which fought over the rights of states to allow slavery only five generations ago, has overcome this insidious prejudice.
~
So I'm proud of the Democrats, and happy for Obama... but I'm pretty sure that McCain has my vote.

Tuna Lips said...

"Where all the white women at?" Just follow the Barack.

Like bee to the honey. Its a matter of nature. Lock up yer women folk and keep yer powder dry. Corperal Tuna Lips showin' up fer duty.

Contrasting Lifestyles

Can you believe that they have located a Brazilian Tribe that has had no contact with the modern world? They are still in stone age mode. Wonder if they would be for Obama or Clinton?
~
In our wired Internet world, where technology is rapidly changing how we think and act without us even realizing it, we have people living like cave men. The contrast is staggering.
~
Looks like a fun group though. Maybe I'll invite them to be Facebook friends.

Tuna Lips said...

That little critter likes them boobies, he sure do! I wanna party with thems folk!

Early to Rise

Made a quick run to Providence this mornng. For some reason, we are picking up a decent amount of work in Rhode Island, and we have to register the company there if Nanepashemet is able to pull building permits.
~
I got up at 4:30 AM to get some work in before making the commute and left by 7:00, but I was still ten minutes late for my 9:00 AM appointment because of the traffic cutting through Boston. Finished the business and was home by noon.
~
By 3:00 PM, I took a break from processing invoices and figured to spray a coat of Epifanes varnish on Will's Toy Chest and the Yacht Tender. I'm a big advocate of spray painting, because it is so much faster than brushing, and I hate to paint. So I invested in a Fuju HVLP spray machine a number of years ago, and I'm generally pleased with it, but I've never used it enough to gain proficiency in how it works best.
~
The problem with any tools, and software for that matter, is that if you don't use them consistently, then you forget the nuances of how to get the best and most efficient performance from them. It's important to use your tools often....
~
The toy chest now has a coat of sealer poxy on the outside and two coats of Epifanes varnish. Will's birthday is a week from Saturday and I'm looking to spray four more coats between now and then. Installing the piano hinge and safety closers will be last step.
~
At any rate, just getting up early seems to give you a hedge on the rest of the day. I'll try it again tomorrow.

Championship Series

Celts are going to the Finals. Boston sports fans have had the thrill of seeing their teams in the last World Series, Superbowl and now the NBA Finals. That's pretty good.
~
We watched the Celts beat the Pistons at the Gerry5 last, and Tommy O took the plunge - tendering his membership papers and demonstrating his prowness at billiards. Should be a nice series against the Lakers.
~
Boston Celtics v the LA Lakers in the Finals... seems like deja vu.

Rain Delay

Tomorrow it's supposed to rain which sucks because I wanted to varnish the Tender and Will's Toy Box. I technically could spray the Toybox and I might, but it is far easier to do it in the driveway rather than the garage.
~
The toy box lid has to be stiffened with some cleats so that it doesn't bend. Maybe I'll concentrate on that in the morning, because by noon we have to go to the Saugus High School Graduation, where my nephew, Kyle, will be giving a speech as the senior class president.
~
We're pretty proud of Kyle. He'll be attending college in Virginia, majoring in theater.

Week 21 POTW

Peeps...
~
I don't blame you if you are a little pissed.
~
Entirely skipping the crucial Thurs post to name the Peeps of the Week is inexcusable...
~
And yet.... I do have an excuse!
~
I had dinner last night with a company CEO who wants to buy Nanepashemet Telecom. Unless he can make me an offer that turns me into a gentleman boatbuilder with no financial cares, there will be no deal.
~
It could happen.... Pigs could fly.... and Monkeys could jump out of my ass.
~
ANNOUNCING
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 21 of 2008

• Bill Hillegas
• Pat Piscatelli
• Michael Bloomberg
• Rosella Mercuri
• Meaghan Bruett
• Sandy Greenlaw

So far, no monkeys.

Strange Coincidence

It happened again. Two entirely diverse projects, that we have been chasing for well over a year, coming together on the same day! Very weird and seemingly beyond coincidence. A couple of other jobs are also on the brink of coming in. This will be a busy summer.
~
This has happened before to me before, so I shouldn't be so amazed, but it's still so freaking weird!
~
Plus when got home from my field work today Grandson Will was over for a visit which was a fun end for a strange day.

Weekend Revelation

It was a nice weekend. Both Will's toy chest and the Tender are ready for spray varnish and these projects look set to be completed on schedule by next weekend. Then I can set my sights on building a corner cabinet for the TV that Joanne has been asking about, and resuming work on the Dory.
~
Somebody driving by this weekend saw the Dory frames and asked me how many boats I am going to build. My glib response was that it depended upon how long I lived. But that is pretty much the truth. If I could cut the nut by building boats, I definitely would. But until then, Nanepashemet Telecom will have to carry the burden of paying for everything.

Hot Dog Rolls

Just had two natural casing hotdogs with JJ Nissen Frankfurter rolls, mustard, and relish for lunch. The rolls are wicked important as Joanne found out when she bought the wrong ones yesterday.
~
After 30 odd years, she still has trouble getting it right. But she's trying... and I'm very forgiving.

Will Sleep Over

It's a Will extavaganza this morning with his Nana Joanne and his Auntie Kate.
~
Even Jack Dog and Roenick are psyched.

Karmic Toy Chest

Those of you who view me as a narcissistic, self-absorbed, ego-maniac are not too far off the mark.
~
But you can't say that I'm not honest.
~
Now, back to talking about me...
~
I just finished the first sealer coat of epoxy on the exterior of Will's Toy Chest. I'm reasonably satisfied with the craftsmanship, but the design is what I am totally pleased with.
~
Three of the oak sides were part of the kitchen that I built 18 years ago when we first moved to Beverly Ave, and the inside bottom is cedar that I salvaged from my mother's hope chest. Too bad you can't smell it because it is still aromatic after over sixty years.
~
There is a lot of good karma in this chest, and so to be more still when Grandson Will starts using it.

Lamp Post Envy

Matt and Allison Peabody bought a nice granite lamp post for their Dad, Jim Bob Peabody. Tommy O and I helped Jim and Matt to raise it and it really looks great in front of their house.
~
Now, guess what?
~
Joanne wants a new lamp post.
~
I should have seen it coming.... but I have to admit, it is a good idea. She picked out this Azek PVC model which I like too. I may decide to buy the stock and build it, using the extra stock to build a cuppola from the Azek as well.
~
I'll build another cupola for Jim-Bob so that he doesn't think that we're trying to steal his thunder.

Success

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

---
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Memorial Day Weekend

I'm a litttle ashamed and embarrassed at myself.
~
All I could think of looking forward to this weekend is three days off.
~
But the ability to enjoy those three days in peace and freedom, without having a German, Japanese or Russian telling me exactly what I could do with them is the true focus for this weekend.
~
What a different, and dark world it would be today without the extraordinary actions and sacrifices made by the past generations of Americans in the Armed Services. The fact that I am writing this Blog in English and not German, and can say whatever I want without governmental repression.... this alone is testament to their services to us and America.
~
I think of my father, who was blown off a ship in World War II, and spent a year in the Veteran's Hospital, my grandfather who was gassed in a trench in World War I, and my father -in-law, who was wounded by a Chinese artillery shell and held as a prisoner of war in Korea.
~
It was the actions and sacrifices of these and millions of other men and women, who have given me the audacity to expect three carefree days of peace and relaxation this Memorial Holiday weekend.
~
Have a great, fun, peaceful weekend.... but take the time to remember exactly why you are able to do so.... and give some thoughts and prayers to those who sacrificed for you.

Tuna Lips said...

and don,t for a minute think that Hassan the camel trader would like nuttin' better than to have your lilly white tookus muling around his figs and carpets whilst he watches good ole made in the USA porn. Cant have one without the other.

Help a vet, and pray for thems that fell so we might have our days in the sun.

Adjustments

I made a major change in Will's Toychest design today. The base that seemed so right in my head made the chest look too bulky and tall when I actually built it. So I eliminated it and simplified the design. It looks much better, and now I'm progressing to final sanding.
~
The discarded chest base was used to create a display shelf for the antique bottles that we excavated ten years ago from the original Sundance Pre-School site, which was an apothecary, then a clam shack before becoming the florist shop that we demolished to build the school.
~
It would be possible to get all of the toychest sanding done tomorrow, apply a sealer coat of clear epoxy and be ready for spray varnish when the Tender is ready next week or so. But I have to carve Will's initials on the inside lid and that will take some time.
~
I don't want to cut any corners on this project, and have taken every step I know to strive for perfection. This one is turning out well, but they'll be other chances to build chests for grandkids yet to be born.

Three Day Weekend

I'm only a few conference calls and some accounting work away from a long three day weekend. The weather report is aces. Looks like summer temps are kicking in.
~
The WhaleEye hasn't been launched so that we'll be giving quite a few fish a stay of execution until a future weekend. Then all bets are off, because fish will die this season.
~
I'm just going to lay low and stay around the hood. Both Mike and Kate talked about dropping by, and we have Little Will on Sunday and Monday. Looks like there is a great chance to get all of the sanding done on the Tender and Will's Toychest so that I can begin the spray varnishing next week.
~
BTW, yesterday, I completed my second running workout on the tread mill with NO KNEE PAIN!
~
If I can get some quality workouts in over the weekend, then maybe I can salvage the attempt at the Marine Marathon this October.

Week 20 - POTW

A huge day for Nanepashemet Telecom.... picked up a nice contract from one customer and a long awaited purchase order from another. The big one is right around the corner. I can sense it.

Announcing...
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 20th week of 2008

• Jon Lester
• Rich Berliner
• Will Murray
• Kelley Clark
• Bianca de la Gaza
• Ray Allen

Can't wait to check my email tomorrow.

Return to Normalcy

So Kristi Yamaguchi emerged victorious in Dancing With The Stars. I called that one episodes ago. I'm glad it's over though. Time to resume my manly role as a manly man, untainted by attention to a ballroom dancing diversion.

Tuna Lips said...

You call a jap winning anything on Americanish tv normalcy? What next, you gonna open up a 'gay care center' so all the chilluns can get learnt up on not being normal?

Cause for Concern

Peeps...
There are a couple of points of concern that I have to bring to your attention today.
~
First... I did not throw a No-Hitter yesterday for the Red Sox against the Kansas City Royals. It was Jon Lester, not John Nestor. The fact is that I've never even pitched for the Red Sox. So stop all of the congratulatory emails and voicemails. You know how annoyed this makes me.
~
And Second.... I've just recently found out that Dale Johnson, aka "Buck", was noted as the best marksman in his Army battalion. Buck with a rifle. That is definitely cause for concern.

Coming Together

Day Two of a diverse and busy week at Nanepashemet Telecom. Several completely different projects are coming together at the same time - pretty weird.
~
Of course it all won't pan out as I imagine it. If it did, I'd be looking for loft space with a loading dock near a water put in for my ultimate Nanepashemet Boatbuilding business pretty soon.
~
That will happen sooner or later... but sooner is definitely preferable.
~
BTW, Will's Tool Chest is already finished... mentally in my head. I'm happy with the design. Now all I have to do is complete it with some solid craftsmanship. Since I'm not working with a printed plan, the mental part is the hard part.

Finals

Between the Celtics going to the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Finals of Dancing with the Stars, I'm afraid that I might go on overload this week. Too much excitement and pressure!

Convergence

The lid for Will's Toy Chest came out very well and the design of mahogany and oak accents was successful. I borrowed this design element from the breasthook of the Herreshoff Tender and the hardwood seat that I had to re-fabricate after Jim Peabody inadvertently karate chopped the original cedar one.
~
The mahogany has some stress cracks, but these will be sealed by the absorption of the first coat of epoxy.
~
I also sanded out the dovetails but was less than 100% satisfied because the fit was not as precise as I would have liked for a project of this importance. The gaps were filled with a glue and sanding dust putty that will cause the flaws to disappear, but I know that they are there and a juried woodworker will see them.
~
The vast majority of you Peeps won't have a clue, so I guess I shouldn't get pissed off with myself about it.
~
The project will be completed well before Will's birthday in mid-June, but I'm rushing it because I want to spray it with multiple coats of marine varnish while the Tender interior is also being varnished, and I'd like to launch the Tender as soon as possible.
~
Both projects will be completed with the varnishing at the same time.

Clean Up Your Act

My Mother use to say that "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." Not sure where she got that from.
~
But if cleanliness is next to Godliness, then my garage must be right next to Hell.
~
That is one filthy place.
~
I glued and clamped the dovetails on Will's Toy Chest today, but the bulk of the day was spent trying to clean and get order in the garage. It looks pretty good to me now, but to the untrained eye, it still must resemble a chaotic pigsty.
~
The day ended right though when Tommy and Linda O'Shea came over with some natural casing hot dogs that we grilled with chicken wings and kielbasa... chased down with some Dark and Stormies.

POTW Week 20

We finally broke down and had our cat Roenick groomed. He was really gross with clumps of fur that contained who knows what. So he spent the afternoon at the Kitty Spa. You can tell that he feels pretty hot right now.

ANNOUNCING...
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 20th Week of 2008

• Sarah Crawford
• Ted Bruschi
• Steve Spillane
• Stacey Butler
• Charles Sheen
• Nick Herz

I could use a decent grooming myself one of these days.

Tuna Lips said...

Comes to groomin', whatsoever you does, dont lets em shave your man parts. Why once, I was passing time with some some seemingly decent gents, and we took to tales of grooming and what passed for fashion at the time. This after several white wine spritzers. Next thing I knowed I was garbed in latex and gettin' my nuts shaved by a tattooed feller with a pierced foreskin named Reggie. Castro district has got nuttin'; to do with Fidel. Jeepers.

Cancellation and Obsession

Both of my morning meetings were cancelled today, and I was already out past route 128 when I got the first cancellation. So I used the time to go to Rockler Woodworking in Danvers and picked up the safety closers and piano hinge for Will's Toy chest. I also got a great deal on some Freud router bits, that I really didn't need.
~
It's true that I am dangerous in a tool store or on Amazon at night. I have no idea why I have bought some of the tools that I have. I suppose that irrational tool buying is a better vice than most obsessions but it's still bad.

Asian Catastrophes

What's with the massive loss of life from earthquakes and hurricanes in Asia? 100,000 dead from a typhoon in Burma... 20,000 dead from an earthquake in China.
~
Doomsday prophets might give this as evidence that we come closer to the "End of Days".
~
I think that's hogwash.
~
As the earth has become a global village via the Internet and other communication media, obscure provinces in China become next door neighbors. In 1916, a meteorite hit Siberia with the force of 1000 nuclear explosions. Nobody knew about it for 10 years. That could never happen today.
~
At any rate, thousands of people dying in natural catastrophes seems to be more of a 3rd world phenomenon. Katrina in New Orleans left 1800 dead.... a relatively low number compared to the carnage in Asia.
~
The only thing I can think of for the exponential Asian loss of life is a difference in building codes between the two cultures.

Project Progress

In between some great Nanepashemet Telecom calls today, I sanded the panels to Will's chest and cut the dovetail tails on the front and back panels. Tomorrow I will rout the pins and assemble the carcass.
~
I showed the panels to Joanne with the combination of oak and mahogany. She was impressed. That's good because she normally has no trouble telling me if something that I've done sucks.
~
I also received the Epiphanes Varnish from Jamestown Distributors. That gives me no excuse in finishing the Tender refit.

Project Status

I'd appreciate it if you'd slack off a little on all of the annoying emails asking me how the projects are coming. I'm happy to keep you informed, but the constant inquiries are starting to get on my nerves. Yesterday, I even snapped at Katelyn!
~
Yes, Will Nestor's Toychest is coming along fine. All of the side panels have been have been cut, biscuit joined and glued. The next step is to rough sand the panels, then cut the dovetails. The rough assembly of the carcase should be done by the weekend. Then I have to figure out what the lid and base assembly will look like. I've got a month to get this project done... so no problem.
~
The Herreshoff Columbia Yacht Tender seasonal fit out is also progressing nicely. Yesterday, I epoxied all of the seat seams and touched up any areas where the epoxy failed. I also epoxied some reinforcing fiberglass to some stress points in the bottom of the hull. Three quarts of Epiphanes Clear Gloss Marine Varnish is on order from Jamestown Distributors, and I will spray this on the interior when I have scraped and sanded the epoxy touchups. Then I'll turn over the hull, attach the brass bar to the keel, and spray a few coats of varnish on the outside hull. Can't see the launch happening before June, but it has to look good so I can impress all of my new friends at the Boston Yacht Club.
~
The Chamberlain Marblehead Gunning Dory is another story. I keep promising to join the frames to the bottom, and I have them all laid out, but I haven't progressed due to the urgency of the top two projects. When I get some receivables from Nanepashemet Telecom, I'll buy that 8 HP Honda 4 Stroke Outboard from Ryan Marine, and the project will gather some steam, because the engine will require some design modications in the Dory plan. I want the motor to tilt up into the hull and will need to check the mounting and make provisions for the gas tank. I realistically can't see any movement on this until mid-June, after Will's chest is complete.
~
So now you should be happy enough. You're completely updated on the status of the projects, so ease up on the emails.

Dr. Jim

Jim Bob Peabody came by yesterday and told me that my knee problem is probably a torn ligament. He must be right. After all, he is a trained respiratory therapist.
~
I was really hoping that it would work itself out. In fact, it starts to feel fine when I regularly bike on the Cybex. But running brings that pain back.
~
Surgery can't be an option if I'm to make it to the Marine Corps Marathon this October. I've got to figure this out.

Piscabo said...

Don't look at it as a problem. It can and is empowering if you let it. For instance, that pint of Cherry Garcia and that Kettle of Mac n' Cheese, those go unattended if you are out there training. The boat? Same thing. While your knee injury may shut one door, it opens so many others. Seize this opportunity. You can do it.

Mother's Day Wish

Happy Mother's Day to all of my Peeps who are mother's. I know that a whole bunch of you are pregnant as well. All of Ryan's friends seem to be entering parenthood as well as a number of Katelyn's.
~
I suppose you want me to say something profound here concerning the "Circle of Life" or something like that.
~
That's just too much pressure.
~
This is a Blog.... it's not inspirational philosophy on demand!!!
~
Granted, I know that every once in a while, I make a point to ponder. But this isn't one of those times. Plus I'm watching an episode of "Yankee Workshop", and it's hard to have deep thoughts while watching Norm Abram sand a piece of teak wood.
~
So a wish of "Happy Mother's Day" will have to suffice for now. Joanne is in a great mood. All of her kids are home, and we'll have a clambake at the end of the day. Ryan has the Lobsters, and I have to come up with some Clams. For Joanne, every day is a Happy Mother's Day when her kids are around... and grandkids are the frosting on the cake.
~
BTW, if you regularly come to the Nanepashemet Blog for your helping of inspirational guidance, then you must be mentally starving by now.

Tuna Lips said...

I echo those sayings, and give a mega dittos to the praise for mommas around the globe. Though she is singin' with the angels, my mammy is near to me in my time of need, and utters her loving words which were really only meant to learn me things. I recall them frosty nights, her setting down after a long day of driving the plow, and then dance lessons with the local preacher, and after she served us little ones a fricasee o' possum and crow, her sittin' by the firelight, mud smear on her chin, hair all mussed up, blushin' as pappy serendaded her with "I'll Pass You my Moonshine if You Shows Me Yer Jugs". Many rivers have been crossed since those halcionic days, but this remains true: momma kept our feets shod and our tummies full, our neighbors at bay and the coppers on her side the law. Blessins to you momma. Little TL is now growed big, with white in his hair and unnatural emulsion from my unmentionables. But I will abide, for I knows you loves me and will make it all okay.

Bonus Saturday

Today looks like a bonus. It was supposed to rain, but instead, it will be cloudy and forty degrees.
~
I'll take it.
~
My plan is to glue up some panels for Will's toychest, then powerwash the Tender, then get a workout in on the Cybex..... all before noon. Then I'll see how the rest of the day plays out. Maybe I'll epoxy the frames on the Dory bottom.

Odd Ducks

So you're a fairly healthy Mallard Duck, and can take your pick of the great places to swim in the beautiful Town of Marblehead, MA.
~
Not sure why you'd decide to hang out in O' Shea's pool.

Call It Quits

Looks like Barach Obama has won the slugging match with Hillary Clinton. Time to get the Clinton's back to Chappaqua. Lord knows they're not welcome in Little Rock.
~
Now we can stop worrying about the Clinton's soiling the White House, and can turn our attention to McCain v. Obama. Not a pretty sight either. But somehow, this choice seems less toxic.
~
It would be nice to see Bill and Hillary crawl under a rock and confront their golden years in self-adulating, ego-driven hell. I doubt that we have seen the last of them though.... no rock is big enough.

Cherry Garcia Fix

I don't know if I ever told you this, but Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia is the best pint of ice cream that has ever been invented.
~
I just finished mine and will be counting the hours until I crack open the next one.

POTW Week 19

Sometimes the stars seem to line up in your favor. This is definitely one of those times.
~
Unfortunately for you, my policy is never to give the specifics of business situations in this Blog, even though it would be infinitely more interesting. But suffice it to say, that a number of independent business opportunities are eerily coming together at the same time.... which could make this a great year.... pour moi.
~
This isn't the first time that this has happened to me. Good things seem to come in bunches. Which reminds me that it is Thursday, and time to to select the Peeps of the Week.

ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 19 of 2008

• Jan Ford
• Joanne Nestor
• Jerry York
• Denise Kearns
• Roger Clemens
• Maddie Gill

BTW, these "bunches of good things" never play out as expected, and I'm due to become an insecure bag of nerves again any time now.

Herreshoff Tender Maintenance

I took out the floor boards in the Tender today and cleaned out the dirt and leaves that settled under. What a mess!
~
Tomorrow morning, I hope to power wash the interior in the morning then sand and reinforce the epoxy in the afternoon. That should get me in a position to spray a coat of marine varnish on Friday if the weather holds up.
~
With a little luck, the Tender will be ready for the season by the weekend.
~
I'm going to get some heavy duty rowing in this year... as much as possible.

Going Green

Jim Peabody has been helping Tommy O' Shea getting his front lawn in shape. It's looking good.
~
I've never really taken good care of my lawn. Basically went through the motions over the years. It always looks good enough from across the street, and if you have the need to inspect it up close, then you're a whack job and I don't care what you think anyway.
~
But now Jim Bob and Tommy Tank Top have thrown down some smack. There's no way that I can stand pat and watch their lawns turn a luxuriant green, while mine stays sketchy with large brown spots.
~
So we'll be cultivating, fertilizing, seeding and watering until my lawn dominates these horticultural wannabees.

Anticipation

Sometimes you wake up and dread the coming day. Other times, you can't wait to get out of bed and embrace it. Today it's the latter for me.
~
Sprint should be coming up with big investment news, which should be good for Nanepashemet Telecom. Our other customers are preparing orders and getting ready to move. Other massive stuff is happening. It could be a crazy, busy summer.
~
But it won't be all business.... I'm not going to leave the fish alone this season. There are Striped Bass and Football Tuna swimming out there right now that have no idea that they will end up on my grill in the coming months.

Annual Confession

Once again, I come to my annual confession that I am a fan of "Dancing With the Stars".
~
Not sure why I feel so guilty about this... so ashamed.... so very vulnerable.
~
Does enjoying a Tango, Cha Cha Cha, or Samba make me less than a Man????
~
Do I compromise my masculinity by savoring the Waltz, Quickstep or Paso Doble???
~
Those of you who know me best, know that I am a MAN, a Man's Man, a Manly Man... the type of man that women immediately undress with their eyes... a real man who doesn't drink martinis or light beer... not a limp wrist in either arm.
~
So what if a little Ballroom attacks this premise. I can live with it.

Tuna Lips said...

Well bully fer you, showing your inner child to those of us who hide our eyes and cower. Look on the bright side, with that Obammy feller lined up to run this here country, the Marine Marathon will soon have a new category. Like the over 40 category, a gay category ta boot, and youse and yer fairy dance buddies can compete against one another for 'fastest queer' and 'snappiest running trunks'.

Dory Progress

Lined up the dory frames on the bottom yesterday. The impasse is broken! Progress has begun.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

Tuna Lips said...

Life is queer? Speak fer yerself, there, Liberace.

Tuna Lips, Out!

Gathering Momentum

It's supposed to rain on Sunday, but I have to get moving on the garage projects. Will's Toy Chest, the Herreshoff Tender Re-fit and the Marblehead Gunning Dory aren't getting done by themselves, and I can't wait for the weather to be perfect.
~
Tomorrow morning, I'll glue up a panel for the Chest, epoxy the middle frames to the Dory bottom, and drill holes in the keel brass for the Tender - all before noon. That should establish some momentum.

Derby Winner

So Big Brown won the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
~
We'll never hear the end of this from "you know who".

Antidote

The perfect antidote to having to watch the Lifetime Channel is a kettle of macaroni and cheese. I've decided that life is worth living again after only my first plateful.

Kill Me Now Please

It's another cold and rainy Saturday.
~
That means that Joanne has fired up a heaping serving of the "Lifetime Channel".... you know, television for women.
~
Gag me with a freaking spoon.
~
I won't make it to 3:00 PM. This is my last day on Earth.

POTW Week 18

Here are the POTW selections this week... late as usual.
~
I'm feeling kind of bad for my cat Roenick. It really seems like he is mourning the loss of his domineering sister Isabelle. He just mopes around the house and issues these depressing moans from time to time.
~
I miss Izzy too, but you don't see me in a deep funk. Snap out of it Roenick!

ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 18th week of 2008.

• Andrew Peabody
• Barry Lutchen
• Nick Herz
• the entire Customer Care Department of Nordic Track
• Manny Ramirez
• Jill Phillips

I wonder if Roenick is just now realizing that Izzy passed? He never seemed to be overly intelligent.

Loathsome and Demonic

How's this for trash talk from my loathsome, demonic, archrival Joe Collins?

Collins Said....

Good news... While the rest of us are running the Marine Corp Marathon, maybe you can run the Marine 10K that day ! A little concerned about the litany of ... "may achin knee, my broken treadmill, customer support, my weight, my moods" Am I running with Lutch?!!?

Workouts since last report:

4/14 14.2 bike

4/15 4 mile walk Dallas

4/16 12 miles bike Dallas

4/17 12.3 bike Dallas

4/19 3.4 treadmill run

4/21 2 miles (outdoors)

4/22 2 mi

4/24-27 4 rounds golf

4/29 11.3 bike

4/30 2 mile run Weight down to 205... building strenghth, character and determination ! !

Registration is now open:

.

http://www.marinemarathon.com/page11.aspx

I will beat him, irregardless of the sacrifice and pain that it takes.