Saturday, January 29, 2011

POTW Week 4

Had another bout of frustration with the Bank of America today holding my deposits.   But this time, the blame is mine for not getting off my ass and switching banks the last time this happened.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for 4th Week of 2011

Peter Crawford
Scott McBurney
Steve Lewis
Emily Engardia
Lisa Panakio Rowe
Alex Watts

It I had enough money, it wouldn't bother me that that the bastards steal the float.

Jill Phillips said...

please let me know you complaint...I will be sure it will be heard.





Done Digging

There's something about the inherent futility of shoveling snow.   Working so hard to move a material that will eventually turn to water and flow gently away by itself.
~
There is an ironic, life's lesson somewhere here, but I don't  feel like digging it out.
~
I'm done digging today.... whether it be snow or for Life's Hidden Meanings.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Justifiable Lapse

This has been a decent lapse between Blog posts.  It's because on Tuesday, the new cabinets were delivered to Sundance, in between snowstorms.  The extra activity of snow removal is an unplanned contingency that has strained the daily progress.Plus I've had a nagging cold that has sapped my energy big time which has really been a hurdle.   In the middle of it all, Nanepashemet Telecom has been busy, and I had to spend the day today at the Dennis job on Cape Cod.
~
Course, it's none of your frigging business why I haven't posted recently, but I guess my exhausted physical condition has caused me to let my guard down. and be nice to you.
~
Anyway... the move date stays firm for a week from tomorrow, and I'm optimistic that all of the big stuff will be in place.  Joanne has done a great job painting, and we are getting some help from a bunch of close friends with a range of the remaining details. 
~
Ultimately, it will all get done, and life will slow down a little.  When that happens, experience shows that some other crazy bullshit that I don't even know exists now, will liven things up.

~

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Extreme Violence and Strong Sexual Content

Spartacus is back on Starz and is as bawdy and gory as ever.
~
If you like extreme violence and strong sexual content, then this series is for you.
~
But historical research has shown that the Roman culture, which accepted human slavery, and watched human butchery in the Gladitorial arena with the same zeal that we watch a football game, makes the depictions accurate in detail.
~
Granted, the Spartacus series presents the worse aspects of the culture, and if some future audience viewed a depiction of our culture with its most lowly face, then we too would seem to be barbaric, with our drugs, alcohol, random acts of violence, technological warefare,  and the disolution of the family with a 50% divorce rate.
~
But the Roman practice of Gladiator combat makes for an interesting series.

TommyO said...

Loved the first episode of this season.
Can't wait til Friday Night....
Gratitude!



Monday, January 24, 2011

Simple Drop Off

It was a cold day today with temperatures starting off below zero and staying in the single digits.   A good day to stay indoors and get some paperwork done.   But I had a couple of 80 lb. bags of concrete in the back of my F-150 from the Cape Cod job, that I knew I had to get into the warehouse or they would be ruined by moisture
~
As it was, we didn't show much intelligence in loadng the bags in the first place and they were carelessly thrown next to some shovels and hoes which pierced the bags on the ride home.   So I had a bit of a mess with loose concrete mix combining with handtools, straps and snow.  Had to climb into the back of the truck and shovel out the loose mix
~
Just opening the door to the warehouse required a decent amount of shoveling too.
~
So a simple drop off ended up to be a decent physical ordeal.   I had the workcoat that Katelyn bought me for Christmas and figured that the low temps would bother me, but I actually broke a sweat.  That coat is really warm.
~
This wintry weather is starting to complicate things.   Another foot of snow due by mid-week.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Nice Initial Take

Dale and Gale Johnson picked us up last night for a an evening of revelry and food at Harry's 240 restaurant on Rantoul Street in Beverly, Massachusetts http://www.harrys240.com/ .
~
Peeps who know me best, know that I don't recommend a place to eat right off the bat..... even if former POTY, Jeremy Johnson's, parents put an enthusiastic hype on it.
~
Dale and Gale are regular patrons though, and Dale even has the nickname, Sea Otter, from the waitstaff, which I never did get an adequate explanation about.  
~
We ate at the bar, and I wish that I drank martinis, because they really looked good, but the Sam Adams on draught worked out well enough.    Great mussels and nachos for aps, then I had the swordfish.  Prices were reasonable, so we'll be going back.  So far, so good.
~
But I don't want a lame nickname.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

POTW Week 3

Joanne reminded me this morning that it was time to pick the Nanepashemet Peep of the Week.
~
I know.... I don't need any prodding.   What she doesn't realize is that the POTW selection is not a conscious action... It happens organically from a source deeply ingrained in the Akaskic Records.   I don't select the Peeps.... I am just a Channel writing down the Devine Decision.
~
Or something like that....
~
Announcing...
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 3rd week of 2011

Mike Rockett
Gino Cappelletti
Tom Brady
Linda O'Shea
Katelyn Nestor
Tommy McMahon

I really don't have any say at all.

Another Door

Crunchtime at Sundance is this weekend because the new granite countertops come next week.  It would be nice to have the painting and spackling done prior to that but not crucial.  The more we can get done before moving day, the better it will be because I have a feeling that Nanepashemet Telecom will be absorbing a ton of time in Feb.
~
Even though we lost that large proposal, we got the promise of significant orders to be received by the start of February.   What did I tell you????  If we had won that big job, which we pitched at a reduced margin, our best resources wouldn't be around to work on these quality, fair margin orders.  The big job would have strained our regular business.
~
When God closes one door, he opens another.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Apres-Snowblow

So I'm  sitting here in my apres-snowblow attire, after once again shoveling out Beverly Ave and Sundance for the third time in less than a month.
~
Either I'm really starting to get old, or this snow is more than I remember, but I'm feeling pretty sore and tired from the snow removal.
~
If I didn't buy the Ariens Snowblower two weeks ago, I'd probably still be at Sundance now, or be sitting in a coma with no energy to even Blog.  Thank g\God for the Ariens.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Ask Not

50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy uttered the following sentence in his inaugural address.
~
"Ask not... what your country can do for you.    Ask what you can do for your country."
~
I know I'm getting old, because I can remember when this happened.
~
But, think about that statement coming from a Democratic President who inspired us all.  It is not at all a liberal statement.   It is a statement that says.... Stand on your own two feet.   Contribute to society.   Don't look to society to cure your worries.   Look to do whatever is required to help your society.
~
 This government is not here to make things better for some.  It is here to allow all to contribute to everyone else.... and to give us the freedom to thrive on our own.  I believe that is what Kennedy said on that cold Jaunuary day fifty years ago.
~
It was a challenge to everybody... not just the "Haves" or the highest wage earners.   It wasn't a plea for others to fund the welfare system, so that everybody could have government provided benefits.
~
Who has inherited these words?   Ironically,  not the present crop of liberals.  I think that John Kennedy would be vilified by the left if he were to utter this phrase today.   This is a conservative statement that tells us to stand on our own and seek to help others.

Laser Focus

After taking care of a couple of details at Sundance this morning, I'll be deadheading to Dennis on the Cape to dig a few more post holes.  With the storm brewing for Friday slated to hit the Cape, we have to get this done to keep the site project on completion schedule.
~
This weekend is also crunch time for the Sundance drywall completion because the kitchen cabinets and appliances get delivered next week, and after that, we should only have some spackling and painting to get done.
~
The Patriots loss was my gain because the Crawford Brothers had plans to fly to Dallas on moving day, Saturday, Feb 5, the day before the SuperBowl.  Although I didn't appreciate being second priority to a trip to the Superbowl, I can overcome the slight, and welcome their enthusiastic re-involvement in the move.
~
Superpeeps Brian Butler and the lovely Stacy have to go to Vermont that day with some lame exuse of being Godparents at a Christening or something.
~
Being a Mountain of a Man means that you can't get thrown off track by things like Baptisms or Superbowls.....    and your priorities remain laser focused.   Maybe that's why I'm not anybody's Godfather.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Out of Synch

Yesterday we found out that Nanepashemet Telecom lost the big proposal that we submitted last week.
~
Even though, my philosophy tells me that this is a message that a better path is in store for us... I am pissed.  
~
Emotions don't always synchronize well with philosophies.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Astrological Forecast

Happiness is not necessarily discovering new things.  It is enjoying the things that you already have.
~
That is a paraphrase of my horoscope this morning.   While astrology seems illogical and silly in concept, the forecast that I read once in a while from Jonathan Cainer, http://www.cainer.com/, often contains a bit of thought worthy general advice.  
~
You're an idiot if you mould your behavior around what your horoscope tells you, but you're smart to take good advice wherever you find it.
~
Sometimes, to enjoy the things that you already have, you have to get analytical.  You have to look at things from different angles, and try to see how everything fits in the big picture.  You have to examine how different factors interact with the things that you have. 
~
Many times, a depressing situation can be defused and turned around merely by reflecting on new directions and possibilities that the situation points to.  Making lemonade from lemons so to speak.  I don't mean to sound too "New Age" but if you believe that everything happens for the ultimate good, then it makes sense to appreciate your surroundings and find enjoyment in the ride that you are currently experiencing.
~
I take some of this inspiration from Ryan, who has truly made the most of a situation that most of us would have defined as abysmal.  As juxtaposed that it would seem, I'm really proud of him.
~
Many times in my life, I've seen circumstances that appear to be insurmountable.... a financial problem with no solution, a social situation in a complete dead end.  But then people who say they can't get a job develop a full new career.... financial opportunities fall from completely unforeseen sources.  I could tell you specific instances, but you are better off filling in the blanks with your own experiences, because you know that it is true for you as well as for me.
~
So find your happiness today, by enjoying the things that you already have.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Change of Scenery


It's mid January, the dead of winter.
~
  Time to think of a warm summer day in Rockport. 
~
It will be here eventually.

Agony of Defeet

The Patriots lost to the Jets yesterday, ending the road to the SuperBowl for New England.
~
It's a sunny morning in Boston, but I'll bet there is denial and depression within the bright rays of the cascading sunshine.   It's just a game, but if you were going to be elated at the victory, it's only right to be deflated at the defeat.
~
Jets Coach Rex Ryan, complete with his publicly exposed foot fetish, will be enshrined as a heinous villain in this area for years to come.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Countdown to Super Sunday.

The road to the Super Bowl for the Patriots will be through the Jets this Saturday, the Steelers next week and then the SuperBowl on February 6.  By that time, the kitchen will be in at Sundance and we will have moved in.
~
So SuperSunday will be even more significant.
~
But there is a lot of work to do before then.  This morning we will take the Grandkids to see Ryan at FreshAyer, then I will be mudding drywall throughout the afternoon.  Joanne has done a good job painting the newly installed raised panels and this has significantly taken the pressure off for meeting the complettion date.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Moulding Miscue


So I foolishly didn't buy enough of the 3 1/2" primed crown moulding from Peabody Building Supply at 65 cents per foot.  Now they are all out, with no clue when another supply will be available.
~
They had unprimed, finger jointed crown at 40 cents per foot, and I'm hoping that it can be installed and integrated with the original stock that I bought.  So I picked up forty feet and will hang the moulding this morning.
~
After I inflate the grandkids snow tubes, I'll be up at the Sundance building checking this out.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Solidly Booked.

Looking forward to seeing the Grandkids this weekend.  I know their Dad misses them more than we do so we'll all get a little FreshAyer.
~
Between that, the Patriots - Jets, the Sundance Renovation and the fabrication of a ramp to easily get the new Ariens snowblower into the F-150... this weekend is freaking booked.
~
That's right Ethan... so don't pull any funny stuff.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Not on Our Watch

This rush to point fingers at Conservatives because a sociopath decides to go beserk in Tucson is starting to get under my skin.  At least Nancy Pelosi hasn't blamed the Bush administration yet.... but maybe I'm speaking too soon.
~
To those editorial writers who say that we should "calm down the rhetoric" and only point to the Right while whackjobs like Keith Oberman and Nancy Pelosi spout off with impunity.... come on.
~
The old adage that Liberals act on emotion and Conservatives act on thought really comes to the surface here.  We should all be shocked and saddened by random senseless shootings in Tucson.  But to blame anyone other than a crazy sociopath is the height of irresponsible classlessness. 
~
Claiming that Sarah Palin is responsible for using "Crosshairs" in her campaign literature is pathetic pandering.  Politics is a contact sport, with all sorts of aggressive metaphors.  To say that these are the cause of a shooting is silly and worse.
~
A study of our political history will show that aggressive rhetoric has always characterized our democracy.  When the Lefty Editorials and media call for the tone down of Conservative rhetoric, they are really advocating for a facist, one thought government.  Nice try... Not on OUR WATCH.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Mayan Trash Talk

Nostradamus says that he could see out to the year 3797 AD.  That puts a lot of pressure on the Mayans, who are counting us out by the end of  2012.
~
I'm not buying the Mayan prophecy for the end of days, and after December of 2012, I was thinking of heading down to the Yucatan Peninsula for a little trash talk. 
~
Stuff like..."Hey Mayans... nice end of the world... Way to Predict... Nostradamus kicks your ass."  But then I'd cool it down by setting them up at the bar with a few Dos Equis and some Nachos.   Hopefully the Mayans down there have a sense of humor. 
~
I'm sure they're not happy about their dire prediction anyway.  A few good Mexican Cervages should soothe over any ruffled feathers.
The thing about lies is that they have to be rehearsed.  It's much easier being forthright and genuine, and takes much less effort. 

Snow Emergency

Peeps....
Those of you who know me best, know that I'm a tolerant person.... willing to live and let live..... with an appreciation of diversity and my fellow man.
~
Why is it then, that I feel such seething hatred for these irritating assholes on Channel 5 Eyewitness News this morning who are trying to make a major issue over a few freaking snowflakes???
~
When did a snowstorm emolt into highly charged news in New England?
~
We've had the Governor on the line, and some asshole from the Town of Marblehead called me at 9:00PM last night with a computerized message about the "Emergency Blizzard".
~
The "Emergency" is not the freaking snow... it's having to put up with these egotistical assholes who have nothing better to talk about.
~
I suppose this post sounds a little grouchy, and maybe it is, but I'm not in the mood for silly bullshit this morning.  We'll be firing up the new snowblower soon enough.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Snow Low Blow

Big snowstorm coming.
~
Bring it on.
~
Bought the Ariens 920014 Compact ST24LE (24") 205cc Two-Stage Snow Blower today.
~
Just look at this baby....

•  205cc OHV 900 Series Briggs & Stratton® engine
•  120 volt electric start with recoil back-up
•  2.9 quart fuel capacity
•  6 forward speeds / 2 reverse speeds
~
I had held off from the purchase of a snowblower throughout my adult life, but the configuration of the new Sundance House on the corner of West Shore Drive and Stramski Way, with two driveways and all of the paved parking area is a hell of a lot of shoveling.
~
Plus, I could always depend on TommyO to come across the street with his snowblower at Beverly Ave.  The least that Tommy could do is move across the street from us up at West Shore Drive.
~
But with all of the driveways and no TommyO, I broke down and grabbed the last snowblower left at the Danvers Home Depot.
~
It's no replacement for TommyO, but it will have to do.

TommyO said...

Not Bad,
Jay cranked this boy up this morning and took care of the 'hood here on Beverly Ave.
The legend grows.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Peep of the Week - Week 1 of 2011

2011 started off pretty good for us in business and the Sundance move is coming along nicely as well.  I don't hold out any hope that major irritation won't occur in 2011, but I'm thankful for the first week.

ANNOUNCING....
Peeps of the Week for the first week of 2011

Brian Stanton
Brendt D'Orio
Brian Butler
Dave Bruett
Chris Crawford
Jim Lundgren

A good start of the year.

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Despicable

Our prayers go out to the victims of the Congressman Gabrielle Gifford shooting.
~
These senseless things are a random consequence of life in our society.   With substance abuse and mental instability, we unfortunately always have to be on guard.
~
Naturally, George Stephanopoulos of the ABC Spindoctors is placing the blame on politics, without a shred of evidence of what the actual motivation of the crime was.  My prediction is that the shameless leftys will have the Tea Party tried and convicted for this shooting before sundown.
~
Despicable behavior, after a despicable crime.

Managing the Move

The offers from you Peeps to help us move are pouring it.   Joanne and I are very touched.  Even Harvey Rowe offered to carry a box of books or two.
~
We'll probably set the date for Saturday, Feb. 5 at 10:00AM.
~
Although we are not limiting the amount of you who wish to participate, I am getting a bit nervous about my follow up bar bill at the Gerry.
~
After all, this was an attempt to save money on a moving bill, but now it looks like the Gerry afterward will cost me more.

Friday, January 07, 2011

Celebration Sip

On the way back from Dennis, I checked on a job proposal that was submitted prior to the Holidays with a Wireless Carrier that we have been trying to break into for a year or so.
~
Bingo.  Price is good, job is accepted, more bid requests to be sent out next week.
~
This is the end of the first week of 2011.  If we can reel in this customer for a couple of jobs a month, it will be a whole new outloook for Nanepashemet Telecom.
~
Good a reason as any to pour a celebratory Lagavulin this Friday Evening.

Thursday, January 06, 2011

A Moving Idea

With the addition of the 18 ft utility trailer to the physical assets of Nanepashemet Telecom, it now seems entirely feasible to make the move ourself from 32 Beverly Ave to the Sundance Building on West Shore Drive during the beginning of February.
~
I'm starting to think that if we got enough Peeps together, the job could get done in three or four hours.  After which the bar would be set up at the Gerry Club.
~
Let me know if you would be interested in participating in this noble cause.

TommyO said...
Count me in Brother...

Lisa P said...
Do you have to be a guy?? Because if not, I am in.
Harvey said he will help too if he finishes his workouts in time.....

Cape Cod Concrete

Heading down to Dennis, Mass. on Cape Cod early tomorrow morning to help on a labor shortage setting some fence posts for a cell site project that we have down there.
~
I know what you are thinking.... "Why is a Mountain of a Man like J humping his middle-aged ass pouring concrete posts in the middle of winter instead of doing important executive business management stuff."???
~
By sheer coincidence, I was thinking the same thing.
~
But it's not a topic to be dwelled upon.   It's not like I'm schlepping 80 lb. bags of concrete everyday.   Once in a while can't hurt as long as I keep my eyes on the big picture the rest of the time.   And as long as I don't throw out my back.

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Utility Trailer

I lost the MegaMillions lottery.  Was only off by every number.  Which is surprizing because I was feeling lucky.   Must have been some kind of cosmic mistake.  I'll try again when the prize gets up there.
~
But, this morning, I found a great deal on a 2010 Dual Axle, 18' Carry On brand, 5200 lb payload, utility trailer from Airport Trailers in Leominster, MA.
~
After checking out Craigslist and Ebay, it seemed like we would have to pay $3,000 or more for a used double axle, but I found a great Internet clearance deal for $1995 if I paid in cash.   So I'm picking up the trailer tomorrow.
~
A heavy duty utility trailer gives us a lot of flexibility to get things done at a bargain price.  Plus, I'll have it to move stuff into the new house.

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Lottery Plans

Megamillions lottery tonight is coming in at $355M with a cash option of $244M.
~
After taxes, you would be left with about $120M.
~
I don't care.  I only bought 2 tickets for a buck each so I won't be out too much if I lose.   The odds of winning are 176 million to one.
~
I know I shouldn't be too optimistic, but I'm feeling pretty lucky about this one.   And Lord knows... I could use the $120 Million.  Not that I would do anything particularly noble or altruistic with it.
~
Basically, I'd take $100 Million and invest it as conservatively as possible in equities designed to yield 2% per year.   This would generate a gross income of $2M per year.... so that I could pocket $1M after taxes year after year.   The remaining $20M would be the crazy money.
~
The first $10M would go to paying off debts and setting up family trusts.  The Last $10M is all mine baby.  After a long vacation and seeing a lot of the world that I've only read about, I'd use whatever is left to design and build my ocean side New England house and office/workshop, and resume being the Blogging Asshole that you've always known.... bitching about things and banging around with Nanepashemet Telecom.
~
Success or failure will not be that important anymore.... not that it ever was.

Monday, January 03, 2011

Crown Moulding Mystery Solved.

Those of you who know me best, know that of all things, I don't shy away from a woodworking challenge.  Raised panels, dovetails, miter cuts, mortise and tenon.... bring it on... I can take it.   But compound miters for crown moulding has been my Achilles Heel... until today.
~
Totay I stared the beast in the face... and the beast blinked first.
~
Granted, I took the time to think through the miter saw jig that I bought from Rockler Woodworking Supply.... and I hadn't had the patience to try the trial and error until today.   The motivation factor as that my cheat sheet method of lamination layers of squared off mouldings made from MDF was going to get too labor instensive and messy for the finished second floor of the Sundance project.  I had to find a way to use the inexpensive, pre-milled crown that I bought from Peabody Building Supply at the beginning of the project.
~
The trick was closely observing the crown moulding work that some journeyman carpenters had done in my kitchen three years ago.   I saw where they compensated for un-sqareness by filling gaps near the ceiling with a fine line of spackle that wasn't even noticeable.
~
When I replicated this techique at the first corner of the Sundance master bedroom, the mystery of a nice crown moulding compound miter joint was solved.... with significant help from the Rockler jig and accurate 45 degree settings on both sides of my Hitachi miter saw.

Setting the Course

Today is the first real work day of the year.  Time to get all cylinders firing.
~
Nanepashemet Telecom has a number of construction sites going in Massachusetts, and the Washington DC project is in motion, but the prospects on our plate indicate that this is going to be the breakout year... although the last three were pretty good breakout years too.  If we maintain our present pace, it will encompass a good deal of growth.
~
At the Sundance building, everything is in place to receive the cabinets and granite by the end of the month.  In the ensuing weeks, we will be concentrating on painting, moulding, and outfitting the closets.  When the cabinets and appliances are delivered, the challenge will be in a flawless installation to complete this project.  Then we move in by Mid-February.
~
So all in all, this January should portend an interesting year.  Plus, the FreshAyer ordeal will hopefully conclude sometime this year.  The condition of our interests at the end of the first quarter in March will set the course for this trip.

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Annual POTY Fallout

It's already started.
~
"Who the hell is TommyO? "  "What did he do to deserve this?"  "He looks like a Bass killing, Bad Ass Shit Kicker."  Just to mention a few of the brickbats that have been thrown this way in the last few hours.
~
To set the record straight, TommyO is a God fearing, conservative, straight shooting, heterosexual, white, middle-aged male who fit the criteria for Nanepashemet Peep of the Year exceptionally well.  So Freaking Lay OFF!
~
Every year it's the same thing.... lots of rock throwing and name calling from Pathetic Loser Peeps who think that they should have been given the ultimate honor.   Well... it wasn't you this year... it was Tommy O.
~
So Deal with it.

TommyO said...


I am not a Bass killer.
I tried desperately to save the poor fish.
Now he is mounted on the wall in my den.
I always practice catch and release, it was just his time to go.
- TommyO