Heartbeat

About a year ago, some misguided POS stole my Garmin Forerunner 305.  At the time, I had bigger fish to fry, and I wasn't exactly in an exercise mode, so I didn't move to replace it immediately and just got around to it this week.

~

I forgot what a dynamite piece of equipment that it is.  Plus I never got the original heart monitor to work, but it works perfectly with this replacement.

~

I now know that even during the stress of composing this Blog post, my Mountain of a Man heart pumps happily along at 75 to 81 beats per minute.

~

It also seems to pick up the satellite signals faster.  It will be interesting to see how it performs in the 3 mile run/jog (slog) that I'm planning on doing later on this morning.
~
Metrics and measuring for goals is an important part of my B-ALERT regime.  This baby should help me keep on track.

Technically Cheating

Day 5 on the Dukan was a little hazardous.
~
After the euphoria of watching the Royal Nuptials in the norming, and then kicking ass with a vengence at Nanepashemet Telecom to mid afternoon, I brought Joanne down to the Boston Yacht Club for a glass of wine.  After three of those, and some nice conversation, we headed home and had another diet dinner... but the wine was technically cheating.
~
Whatever....
~
I'll make it up with some running this weekend.  I also owe you an update on my B-ALERT program before the weekend is through.

God Save the Queen

OK...
~
So I'm taking in the Royal Nuptials this morning before starting my hectic day at Nanepashemet Telecom.
~
Does that make me less of a man????
~
Probably.  But it's important for me to see what all of these women on Facebook will be fawning over all day.
~
Even though we have evolved a democracy here in the Western Hemisphere, there still seems to be a need for us to have a King and Queen, ordained by God to lead us.   We in America have never broken the ties with Britain in this regard.
~
There is a niche in our collective psyche that a King or Queen needs to fill.  It covers a host of things to fantasize about.

Tornado Outbreak

This latest outbreak of tornadoes in the American South is unsettling.

~

Much loss of life, which doesn't ordinarily occur in this country.

~

Is this more than usual? or is the news coverage via the Internet Age giving us national news that would have only been local before?

~

Or are the freaking Mayans right? 

~

If they are... then we only have about 600 days left.
~
So we should really cherish each day.   Because you never know when a tornado might hit.

Tuna Lips said...

they aint makin' 'em like that mayor of muchin city anymore. Back in the day,we'd a got at least a couple o' show tunes and some midget dancing troupe out of this sort of cyclone related caterwalling.

Dukan Digestion

Day Three of Dukan was a challenge because I was in my truck from 6:30AM to 6:30PM on a roadtrip to numerous sites in New Haven County.   Stopped at a Stop and Shop in Waterbury, CT and ate a package of processed turkey slices... and consumed a 2 liter bottle of Coke Zero throughout the day.
~
Roadtrips always screw up my natural rythyms so to speak, and I had to stop at a rest area to take care of business, which I hate.   But I think that I would have had lower tract issues regardless today.
~
So far, there has been absolutely no cheating on this diet, and I think that I have a good chance to go the distance.  Tomorrow morning, I have a light workload, so will get another run in, then check my weight.

Shut Out Shocker

It's official.

~
Joanne and I have NOT been invited to the nuptials of William and Kate.

~

I have no idea what we did to offend the Royals.  Never trashed them, and I've kept all of their confidences.
~
But this shun will not be ignored.  I will have my say.

~

Regardless.....Being shut out is a shocker.

Dukan Day Two

Day 2 of the Dukan Diet.
~
So far, so good.  I was sore from running on the roads from Sunday and got a sluggish workout in on the Cybex.  Had the oat bran for breakfast with non fat milk and had a can of tuna with cottage cheese for lunch, with a few slices of ham and fat free American cheese in between.  For dinner, Joanne roasted a chicken which I had with cottage cheese, some scallions and Coke Zero.
~
Instead of a wine or scotch in the evening, it was a glass of non-fat milk.
~
Got up this morning at 6:00 AM feeling fine and ready to face the day.  No big road trips today, but tomorrow I head to New Haven and cravings on the road have always been a challenge.
~
Everything I eat is recorded on Loseit.com and I have been keeping track of workouts on LogYourRun.com.     I'll weigh myself today after my workout.  Dukan says I should be 2 lbs. lighter.

Tuna Lips said...

and dont ferget that dumping permit you needs from the town offices. I reckon youse might considering making a go of it in the night soil bizness.

Dukan Deliverance

This is the first day of the Dukan Dient Attack Phase for Joanne and I.
~
That means we will be consuming all protein in the form of meat, eggs, and fish, and tying to strictly prohibit any fats or cahbohydrates.  The only exception is a tablespoon and a half of oat bran which we will eat as hot cereal or as a galette in the morning.  You have to work in a quart and a half of water, and diet soda can substitute.  And you should get a 20 minute walk in. 
~
Also.... no alcohol.  Last night, I had a Jameson or two after some white wine at dinner.  Then put the bottles way back in the kitchen cabinet.
~
Coffee and fat free skim milk is ok, as is Splenda, so our morning starts off like any other.  Yesterday, I ran down to Grace Oliver Beach and back for a two mile loop and my legs are sore after taking such a hiatus from running, so I'll so some cross training on the Cybex stationary bike.
~
My goal is to stay on this regime for the next ten days and lose 20 lbs as a jump start to getting down to my going forward weight.  I'll be weighing myself daily and telling you the result.  Not disclosing how much I weigh now, but suffice to say that I'm starting out at 14 lbs less than my all time high and will be looking to end up weighing more than 50 lbs less than here.
~
I can sense you snickering, and will not deny that I too have my doubts.... but I'm out there now, and this is the start.

Good Horoscope

"Nothing, ultimately, makes any sense. You can be as purposeful as you like, as efficient as possible. It doesn't matter how much you achieve. One day, the game will be over. Then, only one question will be asked. It won't be, 'How much did you earn?' Or, 'Did you pay your rent?' Nor will it be, 'Did you obey all the rules?' Or, 'Did you understand what was going on?' It will be, 'Did you appreciate the magic and then do what you could to help others appreciate it too?' "

-   Jonathan Cainer, British Astrologist

Moving to Stud

Check this out Peeps.
~
It's called an Oat Bran Galette, and I'll be eating these bad boys for breakfast everyday after Easter.
~
Basically, it is 1 1/2 tablespoons of oat bran, 1 1/2 tablespoons of non fat yogurt, and an egg.... fried up like a pancake.
~

Took delivery of six boxes of Oat Bran from Amazon today.
~
You thought I was kidding about the Dukan Diet, didn't you.   But I'm one serious Buckaroo.
~
This Oat Bran is going to be central in the irreversible campaign to move from Fat Shit to Stud Muffin.
~
You'll see.


Tuna Lips said...


I reckon you forgot ta menshun them sixty rolls of terlet paper you conjured up from the river god "Amazon" (I respects that hoo doo, sure does) down way south of ole Mexico. Like peas and carrots, best to have one with the other, arse parchment along with them bran flakes. Arse ammo is what we calls it. Happy spacklin! Stay out the splash area, gentlefolk.

Tax the Fat Cats

President Obama is taking dead aim at the "Fatcats" who make over $250K to increase their tax rate.
~
I'm not saying that I make over $250, but I'm not saying that I don't.
~
But suppose I did.....
~
In order to get that $250K every year, I have to work 50 to 60 hours a week.... and think about work in the meantimes... and that's no bullshit.

In order to get that $250K every year, I have to maintain a business that directly provides jobs and income for four other people...... not to mention the money that I shell out to subcontractors, suppliers and other vendors.

If I don't get off my ass everyday, no money... not a cent.   And I have no paid vacations, or job benefits.   I pay full price for everything.   And you don't want to know how big my tax bite is, because I have to perform financial miracles to get up the scratch for that bill every year.

So.... bring it on BO.  I'm probably one of those Fat Cats that you're aiming for.   But if you push me too far, maybe I'll just quit... get on the dole... those people who look for me for their jobs will be on their own, my subs can look for other business, and you can kiss the money that I currently generate for taxes good bye.

That's if I did make over $250k per year.  And I'm not saying that I do.

Tuna Lips said...

Now yer talkin' son. Why, generations of my folk has done well scamming under the table while making the once a month trek, pecker in hand to the local people who are paid to pay thems that works money to thems of us who gots better things to chase after. Perty simple, if you ax me.

dedicating to Dukan

After Easter Sunday, Joanne and I are jumping on the Dukan Diet.
I'm going to try to stay on this high protein, no carb phase for 10 days.
Here's what you can eat.....

•  Beef Steak
• Filet of beef
• Sirloin Steak
• Roast Beef
• Rump Steak
• Veal Chop
• Cooked ham slices (no fat, no rind)
• Cooked chicken and turkey slices (no fat, no rind)
• Fat reduced bacon
• Cod
• Halibut
• Haddock
• Mackerel
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Sea Bass
• Smoked Salmon
• Swordfish
• Tuna
• Clams
• Calamari/Squid
• Lobster
• Mussels
• Oysters
• Shrimp
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Hen's eggs
• Skim milk
• Virtually fat-free cottage cheese
• Fat-free greek yogurt
• Fat Free natural yoghurt (plain or no-sugar sweetener only)
• Scallops

Plus no alcohol or salt and you have to drink 1 1/2 qts. of water each day
You're also supposed to walk 20 Min. a day, but I'll stick to my 30 min sessions on the Cybex

I swear to all that is pure and holy, that I'm going to stick to this plan.

Marathon Day

It's another Boston Marathon Day.
~
I remember when local guys like Amby Burfoot or Bill Rodgers used to win it.

~

Now for the past few dozen years, East Africans from Kenya and Ethiopa have dominated the event.  Last year, the guy ran it in 2 hours, 5 minutes.   That's running 26 miles at 4:46 per mile.

~

When the average person sprints acoss the street, he or she is not running faster than a 4:46 pace.  The average person who has trained and in shape to run the marathon couldn't keep this pace up for a quarter of a mile.   Think of it.   That is a 72 second quarter.   Maybe if you were working out every day at FreshAyer it could be done, but otherwise.... no freaking way.

~

The people who can run that fast for so long are really other worldly.   You can't even fantasize being able to win the Boston Marathon.

Good luck to Peeps Tommy McMahon and Jill Phillips.  If you see a Kenyan, get out of the way.

UPDATE!
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won in a world record time of 2:03:02... an unbelieveable world record.  With temps in the 50's and a tailwind he clicked off 26 successive miles at a 4:41 per mile clip.  To understand this accomplishment, it takes a good high school athlete to break 5:00 minutes in just one mile and you are exceptional if you can break 10 minutes for two miles.   This guy just ran 13+ of them in a row.

No Beer

Seriously....
What's with all of your super annoying questions asking about how the Chicken Pie was last night?
~
If you had dropped by with the beer, you would have known.

Crystalizing

Will Barach Obama be a one termer?
~
As Donald Trump gets more involved, I'm starting to think that he could be a major challenger.
~
Certainly when you add up the life's experiences between the two, Trump wins hands down.  He is an accomplished producer who has overcome downtimes with incredible perseverence and ingenuity.  He is forthright and outspoken, and it will be interesting to see how he articulates policy positions.
~
Plus, there are no wacky associates in his past like Bill Ayers and the Rev. Wright.   Still can't figure how Obama gave people like that so much room in his life.
~
Who cares about the hair.

Maria Rowen said...

The Don...Bye-Bye BO...Buy-Buy Mitt's hair..winning!...

POTUS Process

The Nanepashemet Blog endorsement for President of the United States will be out shortly.
~
As you know, the endorsement virtually assures victory for the endorsed, so this can't be taken lightly.
~
Please feel free to send me your recommendations, although I probably will neither read, nor consider them.
~
And that definitely includes you, Tuna Lips.

Maria Rowen said...

Bring on the Dawn of the Don…tenacious, veracious and perspicacious…Trump, trumps them all… (TL should cogitate on that)...tla

Chicken Pie

On my way home from doing some permitting this afternoon, I stopped by Ken's Kickin Chickin tucked behind the Hess Station on  Franklin Street. in Salem, MA.  Five pounds of chicken pie and $20 bucks later, I was barrellassing home, hopeing that Joanne hadn't started dinner yet.
~
Unfortunately she had another masterful meal in the oven, so the chicken pie will wait in the refridgerator until tomorrow, Friday Night.
~
If you want to drop by for some pie, bring beer.

Papist PR

CatholicsComeHome.org is a public relations campaign by the Catholic Church to attract non-practicing Catholics back to the Church.
~
Can't blame the effort.
~
But as one of those who this message is ostensibly directed to, I think that it substantially misses the mark.  People like myself stopped practicing because of the corruption, bureaucracy, and coldness of the Church.  However, the campaign basically says that we have "strayed" and should now return because of the ultimate goodness of the institution.
~
Historically speaking, this is holy bullshit.
~
The Catholic Church has been a method of social control and the accumulation of wealth, and is notoriously unresponsive to it's "flock".   Women have a second position, and celebracy is a crock, conjured up so that Church property would not be subject to claims by offspring of Church clericals.  
~
And the infallibility of the Pope is an insult to the intelligence of anyone who can observe rational fact.  The outright corruption and political deceit by many who have sat on the throne of St. Peter is a historical record. 
~
Showtime on cable is featuring a series entitled, "The Borgias" which details the exploits of a pontiff in 1500.  Probably bad timing for CatholicsComeHome.org.

The Church should seriously consider changing some of its basic premises if it wants to attract a strayed flock......   rather than reaffirm its claim to the moral high ground.

Tuna Lips said...

a pox on them pope lovin' queerbaits. I likes them high school girls plenty fine though, they plaid skirts inchin' up to naughty levels, that's right, tell Uncle TL about yer troubles and them strange feelins' yiz get. . .

B-ALERT Progress.

You would think that a Mountain of a Man like myself has his act completely together.
~
And you would be right......
~
They don't call me "Rough, Tough, Hard to Bluff and Damn Good Looking" for nothing!!!!
~
But that doesn't mean that there isn't any room for improvement.  Even I concede that things could be better in some areas.  So I have to admit that the B-ALERT system that I told you about a few posts ago has been working pretty well, and you will get at full report at the end of the month.

POTW WEEK 14

I've been reminded recently that the Dory project is behind, which I know full well.  But I have to get the workshed built at the Sundance House first, and probably the deck as well.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 14th Week of 2011.

Sarah Maxfield
Brendt D'Orio
Albert Puljos
Jill Lewis
Brady Boyle
Gail Johnson

Maybe I'll pull a Building Permit this week and get this on the front burner.

Exploding Head

So the Federal Government will still be cutting checks today.   The House of Representatives compromised on a bill to keep funds flowing today.
~
At the bottom of this is a screaming hypocrisy that everyone seems to ignore.
~
The Federal budget is based upon money that we do not have.
~
If American families don't balance our finances and pay our taxes, we are subject to bankruptcy, foreclosure and incarceration.
~
But the Federal Govermnent just keeps printing money and IOU's.   With impunity and no repercussion.  If you did as our government does, you would quickly go down like a lead balloon, with the prosecution being the Federal Internal Revenue Sevice.
~
Does this hypocritical system seem fair or even ethical to you? 
~
Are we just Lemmings???... following our lack of political leadership over a cliff into the sea?
~
I have to stop asking these questions or my head will explode.  And I can't afford that to happen because the kids are coming over this morning.
~
But, you have to wonder when this bubble is going to break.

dougmaxfield said...


ANARCHY! M.O.A.M., if you lead them, they WILL follow. They can take away our land, money, and freedom, but they will never take our FREEDOM!

You, You and Only You

Once again, I am reminded of the power of this blog.

Threatening, Intimidating, Exasperating, Biting, and naturally all about you.   Yes every innuendo, every vague comment, every off colored statement, every POTW selection is expressly directed to take a shot precisely at you.
~
Once again, I have to remind you.
~
Virtually none of it is about you... and virtually all of it is about me.
~
Which, of course, you will take as a reference that is pertaining to you.
~
If this Blog had a sixteenth of the power that is attributed to it, I would kick your ass with it.   And yes... that one was about you.

Tuna Lips said...

This here is some weird expustatings, even for an open-minded non-hatin' type such as myself

Makers and Takers

So I'm listening to the early morning local news and the attractive yet irritating newsanchor says that the last time that the federal government shut down, it cost us $1.6Billion in salaries by federal employees not working. 
~
Huh?
~
Seems like if we didn't spend the money, we saved it.
~
Sure... I feel bad for those non-essential Federal employees who weren't paid.  Some of them are so incompetent, that if they didn't have those public jobs, they would be on welfare.   And for you politically correct types, I spent nine years on public payrolls and I said "SOME" employees.  
~
So....
A.   I know what I'm talking about,  and....
B.   There are exceptions to the rules.
~
But, having worked in both the public and private sector, there are fundamental differences.
~
In the private sector, you have to produce sales at some level in order to keep your job.
In the public sector, you have to cover your ass to keep your job.
~
Again, there are exceptions to the rules,   And this doesn't apply as much to big corporations, where I also spent an inordinate amount of time, and found that those who cover their ass to be much more attuned to the public sector.
~
The basic problem is that we need government services and government regulations.   And we need people to carry these out.  But the system gets out of control and bloated as those empowered find they can spend money that they have not earned with impunity and little consequences.  That's why public buildings are so overbuilt and grandiose.
~
Enough of this.   You are either a maker or a taker, and you know in your hearts what your are.  There are culprits in both sectors.

On the Road Again

New Haven is a lot farther from Marblehead than it should be.... a long drive.   But the bonus for getting there and parking at the side of the ocean to get my bearings was the sight of a huge swan cruising along the shore at the Nathan Hale Park.   I've seem a few of these in the last two weeks while driving around New England.  Very Cool. 
~
Then I ended up looking at stuff in West Haven, Meriden and Cromwell as well before deadheading home.....back in Marblehead by 5:30 PM.
~
Lots of time on the road for one day. 
~
I used to deal with driving fatigue by drinking a can or so of Red Bull, but have been avoiding that recently because of the bad publicity and health concern that seems to be following these energy drinks.  Now coffee and Coca Cola with bathroom breaks at McDonald's give me the the road warrior edge. 
~
Travel is such a necessary evil.  And it doesn't matter if it is trains, planes or automobiles.    Always tiring and stressful.  I so prefer to stay home.  I've seen swans down at the Rockett Landing in Salem Harbor.  Don't necessarily need to drive to New Haven for that.
~
There was an underpinning of excitement down in Connecticut about the UCONN game for the national NCAA Basketball Championship.  I'm happy for their win.

No Plan to Go Public

Big week for Nanepashemet Telecom.
~
New Haven, CT today, Springfield, MA tomorrow.  Lots of other venues in between and after.
~
Lots of you have asked me when we are going public.   Even if we were, I wouldn't disclose it, but I'm pretty sure we are keeping it all for ourself.

POTW Week 13

So I finally changed the pattern and got a workout on the Cybex this morning.  It's the best that I've felt with this head cold in three weeks, and I broke a nice sweat during the thirty minute session.
~
I won't be weighing myself during this regime until my pants get easier to button.  Otherwise, it doesn't matter what the scale says.
~
Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 13th Week of 2011

Tom Raiche
Brian Harrington
Denise Kearns
Kate Middleton
John Kerry
Robert Towne

But once I feel comfortable in my trousers, I will be interested in seeing the scale come up short of 200 lbs.  Even though I am rough, tough, hard to bluff and damn good looking right now, a little improvement couldn't hurt.

ReAlignment and ReAjustment

The author's of this book claim that if you read and implement, you will be healthier, your relationships will improve, and you will be financially successful.
~
I bought it anyway.
~
Had the electronic version downloaded from Amazon to Joanne's Kindle and then synched it to my Ipod and read half yesterday.
~
So far, it had been quite an inspirational read.  I especially like the B-ALERT technique.
~
B - Make a Blueprint for each day.  Link to your goals.
A - Take Action.
L - Learn - Read about your industry 30 min./day.
E - Exercise - 30 min. per day. 
R - Relax - When fatique hits in the afternoon, Nap if possible for 25 Min.  Take a full day off per week.
T - Think -  Take the time at the end of the day to replect and evaluate what happened, and how to improve.
~
Naturally this habit has to be set over a well thought out series of balanced goals which cover your personal, career, financial and other areas of your life.  The goals have to be your honest evaluation of what you desire, and what action you will take to achieve your goals.
~
And it all has to be habitual.  There are no magic buttons to push  You have to do this stuff every day until you do it automatically.
~
What I like about this program is that it is doable and attainable.  It means that you have to reallign some of your behavior patterns, but not drastically.   The key is in the title... "Focus."
~
And even if some things don't improve, at least I'll lose some weight by junping on the Cybex every morning.
~
It's the first full week in April.  I'll check back with you on May 2 or so and let you know how this is working out.

Denis Leary Doesn't Suck

In the new house on West Shore Drive, I have my own bathroom.  And Joanne has hers.   She gets pretty pissed off if I use hers, even though hers is bigger and I have to walk past it to get to mine. 
~
But in general, I'm pretty happy to be confined to my very own shitter.   I can't be blamed for misses or drips, because I never freaking use her toilet.
~
And I'm free to have my own reading material in my own bathroom.  Don't have to put up with Lady's Home Journal or Martha Stewart Living because she sees fit to toss my woodworking or sports mags.
~
But the bathroom is small with a small sink and stand up shower sqeezed into it.  Not much room for non-bath related paraphenalia.  I have room for one book at a time to be rested between visits on the window sill.
~
Of late, the book has been "Why We Suck" by Denis Leary.   Dave and Meghan Bruett bought the book for Ryan early in his stay at Fort Devins, and he shipped it our way as his collection has grown in his limited bunk space. 
~
Leary is an edgy comedian who grew up Irish Catholic in a Worcester, MA working class neighborhood.  He likes Hockey, the Red Sox, and has a kinship with firefighters.  All stuff that I can personally relate to.  He has a no nonsense outlook and doesn't suffer fools easily, which I like as well.
~
Plus, you can read a chapter of his book in one sitting.... so to speak.

Getting Older

It was a nice birthday party for Joanne at the BYC with Harvey and Lisa Rowe and Maria Rowen.
~
Always good conversation, insight and laughs with this group.
~
At our age, birthdays seem to come pretty fast.  We've been cruising through the fifties in record speed.  But screw. it... it is what it is.  You can't do anything about getting older.  I used to think that people in their fifties were old, but now I'm way down that road, and I really don't feel that way.
~
Sure.. I can't do some things that I used to do... namely run and play basketball.    But I'm certain that I think and reason better and my short term strength is as good or better than it ever was. 
~
So far, no memory loss or anything like that.  And I'm a much better woodworker and boatbuilder  now.