Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Chasing Cain

If you want to get on the TV news, have a deer run through your home of business and get it on film.  The second most popular technique seems to be saying that Herman Cain made a pass at you.
~
Both methods are highly successful and good for a news story every week or so.
~
Both are also only possible due to the high levels of communication in this internet, information age.
~
Deer have been crashing into buildings for years, but surveillance cameras are relatively new.  And politicians have been trying to get laid for quite a while as well, but it has never been so widely reported.  
~
I don't care too much about the deer, but the politicians part has me perplexed.  If we rejected our leaders due to their sexual proclivities, we never would have had guys like John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Bill Clinton wielding positions of power.
~
Now if Herman Cain smashed through a store window chasing a deer..... that would be real news.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Out of the Haze

It was time to break out of the Thanksgiving Holiday Haze today, and I think I pulled it off.  The key was to touch all of the outstanding projects and get responses and inquiries out on everything.  Then the emails and phone calls kick in in response to your action and it is off to the races.
~
By 1:30 PM or so, it was like you never took a four day eating and drinking overindulgence binge with virturally no redeeming activity in between.
~
I even ate right today... keeping clear of carbs and getting 20 min. on the Cybex.
~
Made a Doctor's appointment for Jan 30, 2012 which is two days prior the end of the FreshAyer ordeal, and it seems like the two months between here and then might be nice period of time to get my weight and blood pressure down through a little self denial and discipline.
~
This time, the only thing that I can guarantee is that I'll try.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Dump Etiquette

In a concerted effort to fend off the Thanksgiving Haze, I loaded up the the F150 for a much needed trip to the dump.,
~
The Marblehead Transfer Station, aka the Dump, is  a tight turnaround with a scale and a hydraulic packing unit that has a one car wide entrance.  In a perfect world, you would pull into the turnaround, neatly back up to the packing unit pit, efficiently dump your trash, and quickly drive away.
~
But at the Marblehead Dump... it's not a freaking perfect world.
~
It could be though, if people would only practice some simple dump etiquette. 
  • Like when you back up to the hydraulic pit, get out of your vehicle promptly and get to the business of dumping your crap.  
  • And you may want to move a little faster than a snail with the flu while you discard your trash from your vehicle. 
  • And you should refrain from striking up a neighborly conversation in between throwing your trash while other people, aka me, are waiting patiently to use the pit.
  • And when you're done dumping your shit, you really shouldn't stay at the pit to sweep your BMW station wagon clean and dust free while parked at the pit.
  • And when you're done taking up my time, while you primp and preen your dumping experience.... it would be nice if you moved your ass just a tad quicker to get back into your soccer mom bus and pull the hell out of the pit area.
Listen Asshole....
Your didn't lease some time at the freaking dump pit.  It's not like your timeshare in Cabo.   Get the Phuck In and get the Phuck Out and stop wasting my Phucking TIME!
~
I love to go to the Dump.  You meet the nicest people.... and they meet you.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Dysfunctional Family

I heard a comment made the other day about dysfunctional families.  Something about how she didn't know any family that wasn't dysfunctional in some way.
~
Peeps... I don't want to go all spiritual and metaphysical on you.... but I am 99.99% positive that we are not placed in this peculiar DNA arrangement on an isolated spinning planet to be "functional".  This existance is a challenge issued by the omnipotent Universal Force (aka God) to experience particular circumstances in the Earth medium. 
~
We don't experience the challenges by being "functional".
~
The "dysfunctional" part is the one thing that makes sense of it all.
~
So embrace your own version of "dysfunctional".   Everybody has it and yours is here for your own unique God given reasons for you to work on.   And above all, never be embarassed about your Dysfunctional Family.  Anybody who looks down on you are just trying to deny how phucked up that they, themselves, really are.
~
And BTW... if this doesn't fit into the constraints of traditional Christian, Jewish, Muslm, etc. faith... take a look at it.  Change the names to fit the boxes that you believe in, and you might end up agreeing with me.


Tuna Lips said...

That there is some deep shit yer shov'lin.

POTW Week 47

A slow day... the day after Thanksgiving.  Because we are so blessed, we had way too much to eat causing a sluggish, passifying, general feeling of inertia.  But we're  not going so slow that we can't live up to our responsibilities.
~
In many ways, this week is the most important of the year for practicing Nanepashemet Peeps.....  what with the inspirational yet annoying night before Bash with it's overindulgence, baudiness and lack of good taste all rolled into one raucous night of celebration.
~
I do enjoy it so.
~
ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 47th week of 2011

Kerry D'Orio
Brendt D'Orio (Automatic Lagavulin Rule)
Maria Rowen (Automatic Lagavulin Rule)
Mark Vona (Automatic Lagavulin Rule)
Will Crawford
Brady Boyle

So another Bash goes into the record books.  It was the first at the Sundance House and won't be the last.  Next year, we welcome back the prodical son to this most solemn and esteemed occasion.





Thursday, November 24, 2011

Inspirational Automatic Action

I know that many of you are wondering about the Bash aftermath since there were no incidents that would induce a police report.
~
Suffice it to say that the Bash was a total, absolute, unequivocal success. 
~
How else would you describe it when three classy Peeps came forward with the ultimate token of appreciation... the gift of Lagavulin 16 year old Single Malt Scotch?
~
Since Tommy O had made the gesture a few days earlier, four bottles graced out countertop by the end of the evening.   Maria Rowen had made the initial gift, but since it was gift wrapped and presented in a nonpretentious fashion by leaving it on the counter, I didn't realize her gift until after she had left.   Thank you so much Maria.  You are certainly worthy of your Automatic Peep of the Week status.
~
Brendt D'Orio was next to show up graced with the King.  We also gave him his first glass and he had a nice response.   Then Mark Vona, coach/teacher/exceptional fisherman, walked in with an additional bottle of the King.  Pure class  shown by Brendt and Mark, and I will gratefully bestow your Automatic designation in the next few days. 
~
So we have completely restored our Lagavulin stock though the truly inspirational actions of Maria, Tommy, Mark and Brendt.
~
I am almost moved to tears.

Maria Rowen said...
Ah...Achieving the Automatic...Can a Peep ever portend to pretend that POTW is not the highest of all honors?...No...We all covet the consideration. So today let's give thanks to the King of Scotch, the MoaM and the Queen of last night's Culinary Cabaret...Joanne...November 23, 2011.



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Final Bash Prep

Tommy O dropped by last night with the tent and two gallons of his brother's award winning Bobby Byrnes Clam Chowder.  We set up the 10' x 10' tent on the deck over the turkey fryer last night and it survived an inch of rain and some major wind gusts.
~
So this morning, I'm going to make the dough for the White Trash Balls, get to the Marblehead Post office to mail some certified public hearing notification letters, then over to the oral surgeon to extract that infected wisdom tooth.  On the way home from the Dentist, I'll pick up the ice and some firewood.
~
Then it will be limited activity until 5:30 PM when we fire up the turkey frier, cut the chicken wings, crack a beer and wait for you Peeps to show.
~
Soon the 2011 Night Before Thanksgiving Bash will be a hazy memory.

Jim L. said...

I'll check out the the Channel 7 news at 11. They usually have the spectacular stuff.

Homer Winslow - Dorys - circa 1880


  • Waterfront Offerings
  • Land Offerings
  • Tuesday, November 22, 2011

    Pulling Teeth

    A few weeks ago, I broke a crown in my lower left molar.   Not a big deal and I finally got to the dentist this morning.  One look in my mouth, and he uttered a large "WHOA!"
    ~
    Peeps... although you may know me as a Mountain of a Man, even guys like me can get a little unnerved when your dentist gasps at the first glance at your choppers.
    ~
    His prognosis????  Make an appointment with an oral surgeon and get your infected wisdom tooth extracted right away.... today if possible.  A call to the surgeon revealed that today wouldn't work, it would have to be tomorrow.
    ~
    Don't these guys know that the Bash is tomorrow???? Maybe the the most hallowed calendar event of the year for Nanepashemet Peeps of all persuasions?  There are things in life that are a bit more important than a freaking impacted wisdom tooth.   Who will fry the wings?  Who will make dough for the White Trash Balls?  I have to believe that yanking a tooth in the morning shouldn't impede these more important responsibilities.
    ~
    Once again.... I have to thank the Good Lord for blessing me with my superior Mountain of a Man abilities.  Go ahead and yank the tooth... and you might as well throw in a colonoscopy while you're at it.    It will take more than that to derail the 2011 Night Before Thanksgiving Bash.

    WTB Protection

    Can't say that this is a short work week because I got about a week's worth of work done yesterday in a highly productive 14 hours for Nanepashemet Telecom.
    ~
    Let's just say that if I blew off today and tomorrow before the Thanksgiving Holiday, I wouldn't be giving it a moment's notice.
    ~
    But we'll cover some details anyway during this pre-Bash period.   There is plenty of processing left due to all that productivity.
    ~
    After that, all attention must be to Bash prep.  The rain forecast is no problem, because Tommy O is coming by with at 10' x 10' tent which will fit nicely on the deck.  This is crucial because you can't let the White Trash Balls get wet and soggy.

    Saturday, November 19, 2011

    POTW Week 46

    As is often the case, I spoke too soon with my Lagavulin post yesterday as Tommy O showed why he is a worthly POTY and dropped by with a bottle of Lagavulin freshly picked from a New Hampshire liquor store.
    ~
    Was Tommy feeling a little guilty after putting my health in jeopardy by taking me to the Patriots game in Foxboro????
    ~
    Don't know and frankly don't care.
    ~
    As far as I'm concerned, he has totally redeemed himself and then some!!!!

    ANNOUNCING...
    Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 46th Week of 2011.

    Jim Lundgren
    Tommy O' Shea (Automatic Lagavulin Gift Rule)
    Chris Roper
    Ben Martin
    Brian Donovan
    Bill Hillegas

    So now we have a bottle and a half of Lagavulin in stock as this year's night before Thanksgiving Bash draws near.

    Friday, November 18, 2011

    Leg Up on Lagavulin

    I walked up to Beacon Hill Liquors tonight, which is only 300 yards or so from my house, and bought a bottle of Lagavulin 16 Year Single Malt Scotch for myself.   My last bottle is stored on the WhaleEye and I didn't get to it in time before the boat was shrinkwrapped for the winter.   Probably reason enough to slit the shrinkwrap and retrieve it, but I resisted that urge.
    ~
    Joanne was surprized that I bought my own bottle since the night before Thanksgiving Bash is next week, and that's always been occasion for some of you exceptionally classy Peeps to be nominated as an Automatic Peep of the Week for bringing me a bottle of the King of Scotch.
    ~
    But I didn't want to take that for granted.
    ~
    Anyway....Peter Brown, owner of Beacon Hill Liquors, knows that I'll end up buying a decent supply of the Lagavulin that he stocks, and graciously cut the price by $5 bucks.
    ~
    So I poneyed up $65 bucks for my own bottle.
    ~
    Those of you who have been to Bashes of the past know that the Lagavulin starts to flow like wine as the event gathers steam and momentum.   This bottle can't last long... especially if I crack it tonight.



  • Waterfront Offerings
  • Land Offerings
  • Occupy Wherever

    I've been watching the news reports on the Occupy Boston campers who have set up their puptents somewhere in downtown Boston.
    ~
    Either the TV news reporters are seeking out the dumbest idiots that they can find to interview at the camp.... or these people are real losers.  All of the interviews have been with real goofy bastards and I havn't heard a shred of sense from any of them.
    ~
    Usually, the news reporters get a decent soundbite on these types of things.  No luck here.
    ~
    Yet people like Obama, Nancy Pelosi and that Harvard Professor running against Senator Brown have expressed their support for the movement.   What movement?   Who the hell are they supporting?   People who pitch puptents and yelp about getting a job?
    ~
    I, myself, wouldn't have the means to camp out in downtown Boston for a couple of months.  Who would pay for my food, mortgages and all of the other stuff?  Man, I'd love to sit around and whine and scream with these fine looking folks, but I'm too busy thinking of ways to make money and keep afloat.

    Thursday, November 17, 2011

    Banging Bush

    I like a little political debate from time to time....as long as it is honest and not burdened by mindless ideology.
    ~
    And I like it when people discuss issues on their own merits.  Why is a leader correct?  Not... well, at least he's way better than someone else.
    ~
    So it really bugs me that Liberals and Democrats often leave the debate and start on a vitriolic diatribe against Bush and Cheney.  I get turned off by that fall back approach... and I think that this argument is inherently weak.
    ~
    George W. Bush, like Harry Truman who was vilified in office, will go down in history as an exceptional President who defused the international terrorist threat, and protected the West from mindless attacks.
    ~
    How many lives did he save by pining the Radical Muslim movement in spider holes in Iraq and Afghanistan?
    ~
    Countless. 
    ~
    And I don't have to support Bush by downgrading Clinton or Obama, but it's sad when the Clintonites and Obamanistas can only get their point across by banging Bush.

    dougmaxfield said...

    delightful.

    Jim L. said...

    Sorry, I can't see history being kind to this dweeb. He lied to get us into Iraq to find phantom WMD's. He diverted forces from the real objective - Bin Laden. And, he did a whole lot towrds putting the economy in the mess it is in. But, your right, we should forgive and forget.

    MJNEST said...
    Who wouldnt want to bang that handsome devil...








    Wednesday, November 16, 2011

    Job Commute

    It's back to New Haven this morning... building a site then attending a zoning meeting in the evening.   It will take a lot of Red Bull to get me home late tonight.

    Tuesday, November 15, 2011

    White Trash Balls - Disclosed

    Persistent Peeps have been posing questions about my Thanksgiving Bash White Trash Balls recipe. 
    ~
    Normally I would shrug these types of requests away as just another of the hundreds of incursions that I receive everyday from Peeps who want some shred of recognition from the Mountain of a Man.
    ~
    But these requests are so diverse and widespread... from people like Superpeep Brian Butler, Ruthie Bollen from the old Neighborhood, and Kelly Light of Upstate New York Site Aquisition fame.... that I can't just brush them off as if they were regular rank and file common irritants.
    ~
    As I find myself weakened and compromised, I hereby disclose the coveted Nanepashemet recipe for.....
    WHITE TRASH BALLS.
    ~
    Please follow this recipe closely... step by step... or don't even try it at all.  WTB's are serious Bash party food.
    ~
    Begin by washing your hands thoroughly.  Really get under the fingernails, and then don't go scratching anything before you start cooking.
    ~
    Using a Cuisinart Food Processor, add three cups of white flour to the mixing bowl.  I prefer bleached white flour like Pillsbury which has been so processed that a nutrient wouldn't  stand a chance to be found.  We're talking WTB's here.... not freaking health food.
    ~
    Next add a teaspoon of salt to the flour, followed by three quarters of a stick of salted butter.  Make sure it is salted because the unsalted butter doesn't taste as good, and it you are going to clog up your arterys with butter, it might as well be the good tasting stuff.
    ~
    Put the lid on the Cuisinart bowl and pulse the dry mixture a few times.  If you leave the lid off, you will have flour all over the freaking kitchen, so that is an important step.   I always feel bad when I forget to do this, and then Joanne has all that clean up to do.
    ~
    Take a coffee mug and fill it with ice cubes, then fill to the brim with cold water.
    ~
    In another coffee cup, place a packet of self rising yeast in and fill half way with luke warm water.  The water should be just warm to the touch.   Then add a tablespoon of white or brown sugar.  Stir with a spoon and set this mixture aside.   The yeast will come to life with the water and start feeding on the sugar.  In about three minutes, a foam will form on the top of this mixture.   I guess you could say the this is the climax of a young yeast life.
    ~
    If you're done with that mental picture, take the coffee cup with the ice cubes and pour the water into the cup with the yeast mixture, using your fingers to strain the ice.  Now aren't you glad you didn't scratch yourself?
    ~
    Start pulsing the dry flour mixture and  slowly pour the combined liquid slowing into the open tube on the Cuisinart cover.  This dribble should take about a minute.   Then contine to pulse the flour and the liquid for a minute or so until it transforms into dough and pulls away from the sides of the Cuisinart bowl.
    ~
    Take this dough ball out, but it into a mixing bowl and cover the bowl with cellphane wrap that you have sprayed with Pam non- stick spray.
    ~
    For the Bash, I repeat this about three times and put all of the dough into the freezer until the morning of the Bash.   Then take the dough out and let it rise.
    ~
    Fill a turkey fryer or lobster kettle with peanut oil about a third of the height of the pot.
    ~
    I use the turkey fryer but you can use your stove to get the oil heated to 375 degrees.   This is important so use a thermometer..  If it is less, the balls will be greasy, and if it is hotter, the balls will be burnt.   There is nothing worse than greasy balls.... or burnt balls.
    ~
    Now is where the importance of clean hands comes in.  Pick small pieces of the dough, work it into small balls and carefully place in the 375 degree oil.  If the balls are too big, they will expand and be undercooked in the middle.   A freaking gross white trash ball.
    ~
    Let the balls brown nicely on one side... about three minutes, then turn them and let them finish browning for another two minutes or so.   I use gloves because the oil tends to splatter, then hurts like hell on your hands and forearms.
    ~
    When they are a nice golden color, remove them and place in a bowl with paper towers, drizzle with powdered sugar or sugar and cinnamon.
    ~
    I've found that the Peeps at the Bash seem to enjoy their White Trash Balls more after six beers or so.
    ~
    My lawyers advised me to deny this recipe to you, but I'm pretty judgement proof after all of the legal fees I've paid them, so I figure.... what the hell.  If you want to sue me... get in line.
    ~
    And don't eat too many White Trash Balls in one sitting.

    Geary C said...

    Sounds like you are very confident in the quality and purpose of our balls.


    Monday, November 14, 2011

    A Sprayed Finish

    If I told you how much I have paid for paint sprayers over the years... I'm sure you would lose respect for me.... given there is any left.
    ~
    I'm not going to tell you all the money I've dropped on these machines, because Joanne occasionally reads this pathetic Blog and I don't want her to know.   But I'll tell you this much.  It was a freaking whole lot.
    ~
    I've been a fan of spraypainters ever since I was the Executive Director of the Lynn Housing Authority, bought a sprayer, and found out that you could spray out an apartment in two days... compared to the 10+ days that it was then taking.  So I fired one of the painters and named the paint sprayer after him.  And then threatened to fire more and name more sprayers unless production tightened up.... which it did.
    ~
    Course the unions and the politicians jumped all over me for this brash act.... but now I'm veering off topic.
    ~
    The fact is... I hate to freaking paint. But the boats and the furniture that I like to build requires a great finish or its not worth the time building that stuff.  And to get the best finish, you really have to spray multi light coats.  Plus spray painting is way faster.  So I've suffered along with unpredictable HVLP sprayers until now.
    ~
    Went to Harbor Freight, and saw an automotive High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) spray paint gun that worked off of 35 PSI on the compressor.  And it was only $49 Bucks.  So I took a flyer and bought yet another sprayer.
    ~
    But the freaking thing works like a charm.  Just sprayed the second coat of unthinned Minwax Satin Polyurethane on the bookcases that I built to hide the elevator door at the Sundance house, and it was the best spraying experience that I have ever experienced.
    ~
    No drips or leaks from the gun, a fine and predictable spray, and a smooth and even finish.  A nice purchase from Harbor Freight Tools.

    Saturday, November 12, 2011

    Joe Pa and Pedophilia

    I've been trying to sort out this Penn State pedophilia situation for a while.
    ~
    Consider Joe Paterno.  He coaches a major college football team for 46 years until he is 84 years old.   His heir apparent, Jerry Sandusky is deposed in 1999, at the prime of his coaching life, age 55 with allegations of child abuse.   Yet he forms a program for disadvantaged youth, with a ready supply of pedophilia victims and uses the football facilities of the Penn State Campus!
    ~
    Paterno controls every facet of the program and just won't retire.  Could it be that he knew of the timebomb and wanted to control as much as he could for as long as he could?
    ~
    Consider pedophilia.  A grown man despicably sodomizes a young boy, causing a lifetime of psychological harm.... all for the momentary release of the Perv.  Sandusky should be hanged by his nuts.
    ~
    Like 90% of you Peeps, I'm a practicing heterosexual.   But just because I have heterosexual urges, I don't seek out little girls to rape.  That is immoral and criminal.  Why can't  these Pedophiles control their urges as well?
    ~
    String up the asshole.  And string up anyone who gave him the open environment to fuck with innocent kids.

    dougmaxfield said...

    String up anyone who caught him in the act and didn't beat him to death.






    Friday, November 11, 2011

    BYC Bound

    We're getting ready to head over to the Boston Yacht Club for dinner with Dale and Gail Johnson.
    ~
    For you peeps outside of the area, the BYC is on Front Street in Old Town Marblehead on the Harbor.... not in Boston for whatever heritage clad reason.
    ~
    It's about time that we horrified the Yankees... plus my bill from the summer is paid in full so nobody will be dunning me while I'm ordering my VO and Cranberry.
    ~
    Actually, we've never received any snooty attitudes from the people at the BYC.  Always very cordial and friendly.  Course, I'm usually loading up on beer and cocktails when we're down there, so maybe I can't really tell.
    ~
    But I really don't think we aggravate our fellow Clubbers too much.  And the food and the wait staff are top rate.

    Perry Brain Fart

    I feel bad for the  brain fart exhibited by Gov. Rick Perry in the Presidential Debate.
    ~
    Been there, Done that.
    ~
    It has happened to me in public speaking situations where you split into two consciousnesses.  One is trying to speak to topic and no facts are forthcoming... and the other is watching you go though this and realizing that you are totally screwed.
    ~
    One time I was able to recover by just saying that I was nervous and needed time to compose myself.  The audience was surprizingly accommodating, and when I came to my senses, I actually gave a pretty good presentation.
    ~
    For the most part, I have overcome my phobia of public speaking and generally do a good job.... even an inspirational one from time to time.  Once my boss at General Dyanimics said that I gave the best presentation that he ever saw at a national account pitch in Chicago.  Funny because I wasn't that impressed.  Course he turned out to be a real dildo anyway.  We won the job and he ultimately screwed it up.  Corporate Doublespeak Wunderkind.
    ~
    But... to get back on topic... The insidious part of a brainfart is that you never know when it will attack.  
    ~
    I probably won't be throwing the Nanepashemet Presidential endorsement to Perry.   But his brainfart has nothing to do with it.