Blues are Back

So I never told you that somebody stole my Epiphone LP Standard Les Paul Collection Electric Guitar, Ebony.  What an Asshole!

~

But I bought a new one.... same model.

~

I know I'm an Irish American White Man, but the Blues can't be denied.  

Guinness for Sheen





Charlie Sheen has been noted as having the "Fastest Time to Reach 1 Million Followers" for a Guinness World Record.  
~
He also holds the record as the  "Highest Paid TV Actor Per Episode -- Current" at $1.25 million.

~

This guy is money.  I predict some serious chewing on crow from CBS Executives before this outburst is over.

Trade Show

There is a lot of pressure on me from industry colleagues to attend the CTIA Wireless Trade Show at the end of this month in Orlando.  
~
When I was with General Dynamics, I would attend regularly and usually got a lot out of it... networking and stuff.   But that was when they picked up the tab.... and there was a bunch of staff to cover for me to be out of pocket for a couple of days.    
~
With Nanepashemet Telecom, none of the above applies.  Plus our focus is almost solely in the Northeast, and the show is national in scope.   So the cost -benefit ratio is a lot higher for Nanepashemet. 
~
It was actually the CTIA that dragged me back into Wireless after I left GD.  When I didn't show up that year, got a lot of contact from people wondering where I was.... and I realized that these relationships could not just be dropped.  I'm glad now that I jumped back in.
~
Maybe I'll show up in Orlando.

TommyO said...


Got to love the Trade Show scene.


I am going to attend the Boston International Seafood Show on 22 MAR. Love this show, lots of samples, cocktails and pretty girls serving up the goods. Oh yeah, not a bad way to meet new prospects and say howdy to our current clients.


TommyO

IPad Lust

New IPad upgrade is out.  Faster, higher resolution, better battery life,  two cameras for video phone, and a rumored chip that will work on GSM, CDMA and UMTS mobile phone networks.
~
I want it.   
~    
Don't need it, but I want it anyway.

Nothing to Say

If you have to think about what you want to Blog, then maybe you shouldn't.
~
Because a Blog should be a flowing,, free wheeling, spontaneous expression.... can't be forced or contrived.  When you can't think of anything to say, then don't say anything.
~
So....
~
I still can't think of anything.  Except the topic of not being able to think of stuff to say.  Maybe I'm topic free because I'm not pissed about anyone.   Even those phony  ABC Good Morning America Spindoctors didn't bother me today.
~
I got a lot of shitty little things done at work and felt pretty satisfied about the day's effort.  And not one Asshole made a run at me for their own Asshole reasons.
~
Have to quit before I say something stupid.  Suffice it to say, that I'm not going to say anything.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen, the highest paid actor on TV, is really under the spotlight these days.   As someone who enjoys his show, "2 and 1/2 Men", I've been holding back judgement, because it seems on the surface that his behavior is simple life imitating art. 

~

He plays a bad boy on TV and lives a fairly naughty lifestyle in his personal life as well.

~

Up to now, there is no indication that he was anything less than a professional in his business life, and his position at the top of the charts would seem to support this.  His success has seemed to develop an arrogance and a lead with his chin attitude that may be justified, but is doing him wrong.

~
The price of being the largest tree in the forest is that you tend to attract the axmen.  Especially if you boast that you can't be cut down.

Vegging

The day started out snowy and messy this morning, so I resolved to veg out until the weather cleared up, and then I could work on the laundry vent.   Lucky for me that the weather never cleared up, so this was a full bore, no holds barred, lazy bastard, couch potato day.
~
Maybe I got off the couch... to pee or microwave something... but for the most part I was an immovable lump of protoplasm, drifing in and out of slumber while watching aimless cable TV movies.   I did try to get into an auction for an IPad on http://www.quibids.com/, but outside of that, it was the first day in year's when absolutely nothing got done.
~
Felt pretty good about it.

Change in Plans

As is often the case, I didn't get a single thing done that I planned yesterday.... yet I was really happy with what I accomplished.
~
Instead of fitting out the laundry, I ended up finishing all of the base trim on the kitchen center island, and converted the unused kitchen cabinet stock into a nice seven foot long shelf in the living area.   This prompted Joanne and I to hang some of the framed artwork and photos that have been stacked against the walls.
~
Then Jim and Kathy Peabody as well as Reigning 2011 POTY Tommy O and Linda came over for some gourmet macaroni and cheese that Joanne whipped up.   Jim brought a bottle of Glenlivit Single Malt, which is not quite the King of Scotch, Lagavulin, but still was a world class gesture from a guy who never has gotten the taste for the fine Scottish libation.
~
Tommy and Linda brought a nice salad, and along with some pork and other great stuff, we had a fine meal and watched the series finale of Spartacus.   Tommy has a talent for picking out exposed Roman breasts in the Arena Crowd in the panned camera shots, so we let him have his way with the remote for pauses and fast forwards.  Too bad we're stuck waiting until 2012 for the next edition of the epic series, but we'll be there when Spartacus resumes.
~
BTW, the shelf is supposed to be temporary, because it is on the wall that I originally planned to blow out with a slider for the planned deck, but it came out so good that I'm starting to think that the deck might be more appropriate coming off of the existing kitchen entrance.   It would certainly be less expensive and substantially less disruptive, because going through the wall always takes a lot more time than planned.

Gannicus

It's Saturday morning, the Grandkids won't be around this weekend, and we won't be taking in any FreshAyer.   It's a great chance to get some work done at the Sundance home, and I have plans to install a dryer vent, and hang some shelves in the laundry.   That will get the laundry fully functional.

~

But with no pressing obligations, this leather JJ chair is feeling really comfortable... and I have to see the last episode of Spartacus via On Demand before I get into action.   Last night,  I fell asleep and only caught the last 1/2 of the epic conclusion.

~

All I can say is "GANNICUS!!!!!"

~

Maybe the laundry will see some action by noon.

Let Freedom Ring

The disintegration of the Middle Eastern dictatorships and fiefdoms is so surprizing and seemed to come from nowhere.  Just a little while ago, we were worrying about Radical Islam taking over Egypt, but it's hard to imagine the freedom loving rebels settling for another face of repression.
~
Now I'm less fearful of a hostile backlash towards the West and more curious as to how the people of this region, who have never had a Democratic culture or background, will manage their new found freedom.
~
Wish them the best.

Wood Joinery

One of the best systems for joining wood is the Kreg Jig.

~

Since becoming a woodworker, I have gravitated from dowels to biscuits, and now to the Kreg jig as the preferred method to join two pieces of wood together.

~

The jig allows you to countersink a diagonal hole that is precisely measured to use appropriate sized square headed screws based upon the thickness of the boards in question.
~
So what's your problem????  I just didn't feel like blogging about Somali Pirates or Islamic revolts today.
~
Sometimes, good old wood joinery fills the bill.

Union Movement

When I was a kid growing up in Lynn, Massachusetts, unions held a lot of importance for me.  My father was a firefighter and was active in the union, and my uncle worked in the General Electric.  I remember well the strikes that occurred there and the pall of concern that permeated those times.
~
Coming from a Democratic working class family,  the need for strong unions seemed obvious.  Better hours, bettter working conditions, and better pay.
~
There was a time in this country when businesses exploited the workers.  The unions forced minimum wage, minimum workweeks, child labor laws and other reforms that were badly needed and gradually became not only contract provisions, but the law of the land, embodied by the Department of Labor. 
~
But once the major issues of fairness for working people were addressed by law, the unions still hung on.  I remember strikes at the General Electric for minor issues that seemed to hurt the union members more than helped them.
~
Then, back in the early 80's I got a job as the Executive Director of the Lynn Housing Authority.   Of the forty employees, I was the only non-union member by virtue of my position as the executive manager.  Still, my upbringing and background caused me to be sympathetic to the union position.
~
The time came  through Propostion 2 1/2 in the mid 80'swhen the people of Massachusetts voted for extensive fiscal cutbacks in government budgets, and I was forced to initiate substantial layoffs.... about 25% of the workforce or 10 jobs.   It was a time of anquish for me but I worked out a plan whereby, if all of the union members agreed to a modest salary cutback, I could save seven jobs and only have to lay off 3 people.
~
I was sure that the "brother" union members would rally behind this plan.
~
I was wrong.
~
They turned on each other with a heartless callousness that astonished and dissapointed me.  What mattered most, was the seniority in the union and to hell with those at the bottom of the barrell.
~
I was forced to lay off the ten least senion union members - when seven jobs could have been saved.
~
That was an eyeopener.  Also the lack of thought by the members was atrocious.  The rank and file let the union leadership make their decisions and never seemed to think on their own.  It was like lemmings heading for the ocean.
~
Now public teacher  unions in Wisconsin are showing the ugly face of a movement that is past its time.   Striving for benefits that far and away eclipse what the private sector provides.   Course the membership votes... and votes in a block.   BO has already jumped to a political conclusion in support of the protesters.  What a shock!

Outmoded Repression

This impulse to rebel and seek freedom from Middle Eastern dictatorships is starting to get inspiring.   I didn't see it coming, and figured that the medieval cultural tendencies were immovable.
~
But people crave freedom, and it's hard to subjucate and oppress people who have the ability to communicate and share their feelings and desires.    That's exactly what Facebook does today.   What used to be the clandestine cells and secret organizational meetings that fed revolutionary fervor is now accessible to the masses over the internet.
~
Repressive regimes need to control the flow of information and fabricate propaganda into the big lie.  Open communication thwarts this.
~
So Saudi Kings, and Libyan Dictators will be going through a tough patch for a while.  Time to fire up the personal aircraft and find a safe, reclusive retirement.
~
This upheaval is reminiscent of the fall and Communism and the crumbling of the Berlin Wall.  Something else that I didn't see coming.
~
The world will be a nicer place without these outmoded, repressive regimes.

POTW Week 7

This was a tough week... transitioning back into Nanepashemet Telecom after the move was essentially completed.  Cash flow is less than expected, mainly due to the weather screwing up the completion of some construction projects.   It's always a pain to look for cash.  Especially when you know that you will be flush again in a few short months.
~
Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 7th week of 2011

Ben Martin
Scuba Steve Lewis
Lisa Panakio Rowe
Kelly Light
Hosni Mubarek
Dave Bruett

In about a month, things will be back to normal.
~
BTW... to the Peep in Key Largo who has been checking out this Blog.... you lucky Bastard,  I'd love to be kicking back where you are these days.

Rape and Peaceful Protest

While our network news spindoctors were cheerily reporting the party in that Egyptian Square concerning the peaceful overthrow of Hosni Mubarek, Lara Logan, a CBS news correspondent was being publically raped by a frenzied mob right in the middle of it all.

~

What kind of a culture does this???? Gang raping a person for a half hour while screaming, "Jew, Jew!"

~

But the networks were enthralled by the peacefulness of the activity in the square.  Reporting how people picked up the trash and fixed the bricks and stuff.

~

I don't understand why the liberal press treads so lightly on the Muslim culture......   the way that women are oppressed and the West is vilified.  I've often felt that liberals have a deep seeded hatred for themselves and their own base emotions... which is why they lash out at others and project their own maliced feelings upon others.

~

Could it be that the Liberal press embraces a culture that is so blatantly opposed to our way of life  simply because it is akin to the hatred of us?
~
It's not right to generalize, and downright dangerous and wrong to characterize a whole group or religion.  But when stuff like this rape occurs, against the liberal spin, we should stand up, take notice, and express our outrage.
~s.
Didn't see any of that from Katie Couric or George Stephanopoulos.

Marblehead Gunning Dory Revival

It's been over four years since I've started building the Marblehead Gunning Dory.  And now, with no onsite workshop and no real practical room to set up in our Nanepashemet Telecom shop in Peabody, it seems like the project is pushed out for the foreseeable future.
~
The shop in the backyard will have to be built first.  But the new shop will undoubtably be influenced by the space needs required to build the 18' dory.   The base, frames, and laminated bow have been  completed for some time now.
~
With no other conflicting prorities, the Gunning Dory will be resumed in the autumn of this year, in a new backyard boatshop disguised as a detached garage.  The design and appeal of the craft is timeless, but it is starting to feel like the project is endless.

Carpe Diem

Tomorrow morning, I'll be up at dawn and barrell assing down to Rhode Island with stops in Johnston and East Greenwich.  Have to jump through some hoops to process a permit and then meet the power company to ponder an easement problem.
~
If all goes well, I'll roll back into Marblehead before mid afternoon, with another 200 miles racked up on the F-150.
~
Not every day is as exciting as this one at Nanepashemet Telecom.
~
Living the Dream.

Tuna Lips said...
you gits tired of that telephone business, c'mon down el Paso way, get your fixed up runnin' special packages over the border. Pays good, and all the jails bait you can handle, no word of a lie, I tells ya. Coooo cooo ca choo!

Walk like an Egyptian

Not to sound too unsophisticated about world affairs, but I just haven't been worked up about this Hosni Mubarek, Egypt thing.
~
I mean.... what does a few million Muslims crowding around the Nile River, who are pissed off about their government, have to do with me?  So what if they screw around with the Suez Canal for awhile.  How much can that cost?  The mega oil freighters can't fit through anyway.
~
And our President, Barack Obama says its a new day for Egypt.  But as far as I can see, there is just the military in charge and parliament suspended.  Not such an exciting new day if you ask me.
~
But the network newcasters keep saying that it is mega important.
~
I don't get it.

Access to Condoms

The debate is on today regarding whether or not students in Boston Public High Schools should have access to condoms.
~
Am I missing something here?
~
Can't anybody at any age stroll into the local drug store and pony up some cash for a Trojan Enz or two?   I believe they can.
~
So the debate isn't about "access to condoms" from the schools.  It's about whether the schools should distribute free condoms.   Clearly kids already have access to condoms.  It's really a budget issue.  Schools that can't afford athetic and sports, now seem to be able to dish out rubbers.  Go figure.
~
I personally don't see any morality issue here.  Just because a horney kid has a rubber, doesn't mean he is going to get laid.    It's the same problem that comes with Viagra.  You might have the ability, but the opportunity is a whole other matter.
~
 

Possessions and Memories

So we have substantially completed the move of our accumulated possessions from Beverly Ave. to the Sundance building.   There still are some stuff in the garage, and our deck furnishings remain covered with snow.
~
I filled the F150 to capacity with trash this morning, and Mike and Scuba Steve helped me to move the dining room table back, because our tenants wanted to use it, and from here on in, Joanne and I will be sorting out stuff and putting things away at our new Sundance home.
~
Peeps....
The amount of stuff that we have is mindboggling, and I'll be tossing stuff away agressively for the next couple of weeks.  
~
My problem with accumulating things is that when I look at a book, a file, or a piece of clothing... it stimulates a memory associated with the item.   And then, I'm afraid to part with it because I think that I won't be able to retrieve the memory without the stuff.   This has become an issue because I can't continue to haul around all of this baggage.
~
Plus I have trouble parting with electronic equipment that I paid so much for, and now is obsolete.   So I have a few useless, CPU's and laptops hanging around that I have to trash.
~
The bottom line is this.... I'm not placing a file in the file cabinets unless it has a present relevancy... otherwise it will be trashed.   I'm not putting any clothes in my closet or dresser that I haven't worn in the last year... otherwise, it will go to the Salvation Army bin in the Town Dump.   I'm not putting any book into a bookcase unless it has current relevance.... otherwise, it is going to the book bin that Joanne will soon have removed from the  Sundance building.
~
There is simply no sense in carrying around these possessions that have no place in the present or the future.  Just don't have the space.
~
So I'm heaving them and taking the chance that memories that they hold will still crop up from time to time.
~

Power Day

Yesterday was one of those power days that don't come too often.... because if they did, then I'd be rubbing elbows with guys like Donald Trump, Bill Gates, or even Bill Hillegas.
~
Closed the rental deal on Beverly Ave., received orders from a highly sought after carrier with the promise of more to follow, was invited to bid on a major regional build by another of the big four carriers, and picked up a couple of paypoint milestones for our core customer.  Plus other stuff confidential to Nanepashemet Telecom.
~
And in between, Joanne and I substantially completed the move of our stuff from Beverly Ave. to the Sundance building.
~
All of this didn't come without cost, as I was pretty wasted by the end of the day.   But you know the routine... Mountain of a Man... yada, yada, yada.
~
I'm not expecting today to match yesterday's accomplishments, but you never know.

Man UP

Peeps...
Sorry for the lapse.
~
But as you can imagine, I've been working my all too bounteous ass off trying to complete the move plus maintain the high standards of Nanepashemet Telecom.
~
The only thing that saves me is that I'm a Mountain of a Man.
~
Thank God for that.
~
Things will get back to normal after the weekend, so stop sending me your neurotic, panic-sticken emails about the lack of freaking Blog content.  
~
Man UP for Cripes Sakes!

A Moving Experience

There is nothing fun about moving.  It always takes a lot more time and effort than you had imagined.  And it is physically and emotionally draining.
~
But we got by on Saturday with a little help from our friends.   Make that a lot of help.  Eight solid hours worth.
~
I appreciate anyone who lifted one thing for us that day, because that was one thing that my worn pudging form did not have to move.  As it is, I am quite stiff and uncomfortable two days later, but I least my back didn't give out.
~
I know that a whole lot of you were planning to come and some couldn't for a host of reasons, but the people who heard the call on Saturday were...

Alex Watts
Brian Stanton
Harvey Rowe
Mike Lec Elsier
Katelyn Nestor
Sue Sue Raiche
Gail Johnson
Dave Bruett
Maria Rowen
Tom Raiche
Dale Johnson
Tommy O' Shea
Mike Nestor
Linda O'Shea
Tyler Gill
Will Crawford
~
There were acts of heroism and bravery, plenty of thrills and almost no spills.  By 5:30PM we were licking our wounds at the Gerry 5, and I was basically too tired to lift a couple bottles of Sam.
~
Thanks for your help and we also appreciate the well wishes from those of you who could not attend the epic event.  Jeremy Johnson and his sister Amanda went the extra mile by sending a bottle of Lagavulin, the King of Scotch.   It was a nice gesture and worth their "Automatic" selections as Peeps of the Week.
~
By the way, the rest of you listed also have also achieved the coveted designation as POTW's for last week.  An unprecedented number but highly appropriate.

~
Joanne and I were very moved.

bearable

Thanks to the help of some great peeps, the move was bearable.
More to follow.

Feeling Bullish

Peeps...
~
Real Estate is where it's at.
~
If you live in New England, you have to realize that that this part of the country is mint and the prices are bound to go up.
~
Give me a call and we'll make some money together.  781-727-6516.

Monkey Wrenches

Moving day looms near and the weather has continued to toss monkey wrenches into the critical path of this project.  The remodeling work is not complete and we will be forced to put furniture into the unfinished rooms.  And the kitchen appliances have not been reinstalled.
~
So there will be a lot of workarounds left for the next couple of weeks.
~
But being a Mountain of a Man means that you take these inconveniences in stride, and realize that they are small in comparison to say... being a rice farmer in Cambodia or a Peruvian copper miner, or something like that.
~
You get the picture.   I wouldn't be caught dead whining abount how much work this has turned out to be, right in the middle of record setting winter storms.   Being a MOAM says, "You throw all of the snow and slush my way, and I'm still going to pull the move off in style.
~
Well, maybe not exactly in style...  But the offers from Peeps to help on Saturday morning keep pouring in, and I'm sure that my bar bill at the Gerry 5 Saturday afternoon will reflect the considerable help that we receive.

Pablum and Heating Oil

Once again, Joe Kennedy is asssailing the networks with television commercials starring him and picking out disadvantaged individuals and thanking the "people of Venezuela" for giving our poor Massachusetts families a handout of home heating oil.

~

Quell the nausea.

~

I'm not sure why this act turns my stomach so much.  Maybe it's because he's so obviously trying to talk down to us and forcefeed some bleeding heart bullshit down our throats.
~
It doesn't bother me that he pulls over $400k as a salary from his non-profit Citizen's Energy Corp.
~
Nothing's for nothing.
~
Which brings me to the question of who is really profiting?   And please don't repeat that "people of Venezuela" line.   They don't know us, and could give a shit less.   Why do the "people of Venezuela" single out us poor Northeastern Americans for their largess???  I mean, send money to Peru or Somalia or something.  Us New Englanders sitting in the richest nation in the history of the world have hardly put out the donation cup to Caracas.
~
I have no way of proving this, and probably shouldn't say it,,, but this is my blog, so what the hell!   I figure that Joe Kennedy has found a profit making revenue stream through his "non-profit", and needs to feed a mega political ego as a by-product.   There is a certain bleeding heart liberal constituency that feeds on the pablum that he serves and the circle is complete.
~
Plus some poor sick New Englanders featured by Joe on TV gets to be mortified before Joe saves them.
~
Call 1-800 JoeforOil,.... or set your browser to www. givemeafreakingbreak.com

MO SNO

If I was a kid, I'd love this winter.   All this snow... all of these snow days.
~
But it is starting to cut into Nanepashemet Telecom profits by making sites inaccessible and prolonging schedules.   And the time I've had to take moving it from Beverly Ave., Sundance and the Peabody Shop has definitely affected the Sundance renovation project.
~
We are still moving on Saturday, but there will be a ton of loose ends to take care of.
~
And naturally we are staring at a forecast today and tomorrow for another foot and a half of snow.  Which means that instead of taking care of Sundance details, I will be expending a great deal of my limited middle age energy shoveling and snowblowing.
~
In a couple of months, all of the snow will be gone.... we will have fixed everything at Sundance.... and this period of stress and strain will be another footnote.

Jim L. said...
"Limited middle age energy"? And, this, from the mouth of a mountain of a man. Somehow, the world just seems different today.

_______________________

Just to clarify, Jim... being a Mountain of a Man sometimes means that you recognize long naps and no heavy lifting with appropriate acceptance and dignity.

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.

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.

~

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Resolved for 2011

I'm not a big party goer on New Year's Eve.   For me, this time has always been the time for quiet reflections.   What went right last year? and what went wrong?   There have been years when I've actually gone through my calendars and travel records and stuff to try to reconstruct the year.   Tonight, I'm not that ambitious.
~
So I guess that I'll jump right to the resolutions.
~
This year, I want to try to implement what I already know.
~
1.  Avoid being judgemental.   In most cases, there is little difference between right and wrong, good and bad.... it's just your point of view.   Go with the flow and stop judging and  labeling the circumstances of your life.

2. Avoid carbohydrates.  Lay off of the bread, pizza, potatoes and pasta.   Although it is the ultimate comfort food for me, I can feel the difference in my overall wellbeing when I avoid these foods.

3.  Get into a workout habit.  Fitness is not luxury, it is a necessity to maintain regular health.  Once again, at my age, you can feel the difference when you have been getting a burn in regularly.

4  Keep your fishing line in the water.   This has to do with business marketing everyday.   Even though we are great at operations at Nanepashemet Telecom, if we don't have the work in front of us, it doesn't matter.  So fish every day, both in areas where you have been sucessful and where you have come up short before..

5.  Don't worry about business or making money.   At this point in my career, I know that I have worth and can make the money that I need, doing the things that I know how to do.   As long as the previous resolution 4 is implemented, trust that success will follow.

6.  Actively plan time off.  There is always work to do, and it won't end unless you end it. Get on the Boat and get up to North Conway at least once a month.   Fit in a vacation.  If the President can find the time, so can I.

7.  Keep Blogging.   I couldn't be responsible for letting you Peeps try to think for yourselves.  So don't worry.... the Nanepashemet Blog will slug it through for yet another year.

So that's this set of resolutions.  Absolutely no chance that they will be implemented fully, but I'll try to stick to them as much as possible.

2011 Nanepashemet Peep of the Year

It’s December 31… the last day of 2010.
~
Man, that decade flew by didn’t it?
~
I should have some sort of reflection of the last 10 years. And maybe that will be the subject of a future post…. But not this one. This one is saved for that all important annual selection of the Nanepashemet Peep of the Year for 2011.
~
Let’s be honest with each other. Despite all of the hype and high emotion that goes into this process, it’s just not that much of a big deal. Some poor bastard among you gets stuck with the title for a year… for whatever annoying/inspiring reason that can never be disclosed.
~
His or her life goes off on a 365 day supernatural jaunt of boring/outrageous experiences… the year speeds by and then another hapless Peep gets tabbed for the same gig next December 31.
~
So what’s the big deal???? Granted, outgoing POTY Jeremy Johnson was made a partner in a big Midwestern Law firm during his reign. And other POTY's had seen momentous personal chahges during their special years, but nothing is guaranteed.
~
I personally think that the power part of the POTY designation is a little overstated, but the prestige aspect is an empirical fact.... which brings me to this year's selection.
~
The Nanepashemet Peep of the Year for 2011 already has all of the prestige that he can handle. Especially since he has been marked up as a character in the upcoming screenplay about the Nanepashemet Blog.
~
By now, I'm sure you have guessed who it is, so I might as well tell you.

ANNOUNCING.....
Nanepashemet Peep of the Year for the Year 2011.

Tommy O'Shea

Yes... the famous Tommy O must now endure the exaltation and distain that will now engulf his life as he strives to get through the next 12 months.
~
Please join me as we extend our sincere congratulations/condolences.

Strap on your seatbelt TommyO, and enjoy the ride.
_________________________
TommyO said...
What a Day, What a Year.


First, Jay gets me into the Gerry 5 now this.
What an honor, Tommy M, Lauren, Murph and JJ. Their names are truly Ionic.
To be mentioned in the same breath as these POTY's is truly humbling.
The power of the blog is absolutely amazing, people come up to me in parking lots, supermarkets, hockey arena's and other sporting venues and shout out "TommyO"
As a Sales Guy out there on the road, I can only imagine the onslaught of business I will get with this gem on my resume.
I am sure there were many deserving candidates out there for this POTY and to them I say "nothing" because gloating and trash talking is not my nature. I only hope that some day you feel the awesomeness that I feel this first day of 2011. There are many people who are part of my life (you know who you are) that helped me along the way and I am grateful to you all.
I will do my best to represent the "title" of Nanepashemet Peep of the Year 2011. I look forward to your questions and comments. Anything having to do with "feet" is personal so don't even bother asking.
Thanks Jay
All my best to all of you for 2011 - TommyO

Must Be Nice to Be Barack

The Obama family is on vacation again.
~
Just to be upfront with you, I'm sick and tired of all the time that they have off.... Not to mention the 46 rounds of golf that Barack has played this year.
~
Question.....Before he was elected President, how much vaca did he get? I bet not close to this amount.
~
Do I sound jealous? Well It should because I am. Seems like we are working our asses off to stay in the same place, and this guy with the big government job has some unbelieveable time off perks.

POTY Frenzy

The anticipation of the Peep of the Year Selection is in high gear lately with all sorts of nominations and suggestions being proferred in a somewhat irritating fasion.
~
Peeps.... It's important to remember that a Peep of the Year cannot be dead, or be an animal. So that eliminates fully 50% of your pathetic suggestions.
~
And it goes without saying, that the POTY must have done something particularly annoying or inspiring in the past year.
~
Think of the past title holders....

Tommy McMahon 2007
Lauren Rathbone 2008
Michael Murph Murphy 2009
Jeremy Johnson 2010
~
It's obvious what categories they fell into.
~
So if you have a need to make a nomination, please keep it within the boundaries of the simple freaking rules. And rest assured that your suggestion has almost no chance of being chosen.

TC

trouble with cyberspace

Another Dud with a Sprinkle of Hack

The Blizzard was a dud.
~
Sure... there was a decent amount of snow, but it was just another snowstorm.    Not the State of Emergency that Gov. Patrick predicted.   We even got computerized phone calls from a local Town of Marblehead hack saying to keep your cars off the street and that trash collection will be delayed.
~
Really needed those life saving instructions.
~
Once again, the government has us in diapers and eating pablum.  I resent it when they think that we don't know how to pick our nose.   I know... and I'm very experienced at it.

Blizzard Anticipation

We are sitting back here waiting for a blizzard.
~
Since I'm an old Bastard, I have many memories of substantial blizzards over the past 50 years, including the Blizzard of 78.  The Perfect Storm in October 1991 wasn't a Blizzard because of the lack of snow, but the flooding and property destruction that it brought makes that really memorable.
~
The coming Blizzard means a lot of extra work for us at Nanepashemet Telecom.   Just to enter a cell compound will require substantial shoveling, and there is extra peril for our climbers going up the towers.   And there is no way that we are compensated for winter conditions in this highly competitive business environment.
~
I'm betting that this storm will produce some memories too.  The predicted accumulation keeps going up and they are now saying 20 inches of snow here in Marblehead.  Plus it's not supposed to start until this afternoon, but there is a steady snowfall going on already at 7:30 in the morning.
~
So it's time to get my ass in gear, head up to the Sundance Building to prepare the hardwood for finish, and pull out the shovels.  Then it's the Patriots v the Bills at 1:00PM.

Bookmarks

Christmas is such a bookmark in time for people in this culture.
~
You can't remember what happened year after year on April 22, (unless that's your birthday or anniversary or something) but December 25 evokes all sorts of memories and emotions.   I feel bad for Ryan and his companions at FreshAyer during this time when separation must make the emotions intensify.
~
On Christmas, your parents are young again, all of your pets are still alive, and you relive times when all of the bullshit that you have been sledgehammered with never hit.
~
Not that I would change a thing.   All of the past Christmases add up to this morning.... here and now.
~
Merry Christmas.

Peace on Earth

It's Christmas Eve. A time to reflect on "Peace on Earth" and "Goodwill towards Men".
~
Course... we don't have "Peace on Earth".  And the "Goodwill towards Men" sometimes seems lacking as well.   But Christmas reminds us, that these goals are laudable and should be striven for.
~
The life of Christ, for whom this holiday is originally dedicated, doesn't give rise to visions of peace and goodwill..... although his words did.
~
So maybe we should hope to attain these states... but not necessarily expect them.
~
The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.  -  Theodore Rubin
~
I think that Ted is on to something here.  Peace on Earth is not a situation without problems.   It is the ability to face and deal with the problems of life that inevitably arise.  And even rising above that.... aren't problems just a bend in the road from your own perception of "what should be" and God's plan for "what is"?
~
So many times in my life, I've been dissapointed by setbacks and outcomes initially, yet time shows that these bends in the road were the best outcome for all involved.
~
Attaining "Peace on Earth" must mean that we let go of our singular and egoistic notions of how things should be and allow God and his Universe to show us the way.
~
I'm still working on the "Goodwill toward Men" part.  There are some Assholes out there that I just can't offer the goodwill to.  You know who you are.
~
So Merry Chistmas everyone.... or just about everyone.

No Deterrence

Peeps....
This morning, I cannot be deterred....
~
Not by Phoney Lefty Moonbats.... not by Prospering Passing POTY's.... not by Nanepashemet Telecom ToDo's......nor by the majority of you Pervasive Pestering Peeps.
~
This morning, I must finish laying down the Brazilian Cherry hardwood kitchen floor at the Sundance house.  And I cannot be deterred.  The floor has to be completely nailed down so that I may rent a random orbital floor sander the Sunday after Christmas for sanding and polyurethaning the floors for the rest of the Holiday week.
~
Some highly deserving Peeps wish to share some Holiday cheer in downtown Boston this afternoon, and I won't be lifitng a glass unless I've laid that floor.

Nina Stupidberg

The other day, that pseudo-intellectual moron, Nina Totenberg of National Public Radio excused herself for using the expression "Christmas Party". 
~
The fact that Christmas is an official national holiday, signifying peace on earth, goodwill toward men, and characterized heavily by a non-secular Santa Claus.... seems to have been misplaced by the self-absorbed, lefty "journalist".
~
I'm actually past being aggravated by phonies like Nina... they are so out of touch, that they have become amusing.
~
Scatch that.... they still piss me off.  Egotistical Stupid Morons.

A Futuristic View

The internet and it's information revolution have given us powerful tools that will profoundly change the way that we act in the next generation.
~
For the most part, the demand for office space and retail space should curtail dramatically.  With Skype and other tools, there simply is no reason for people to have to congregate in the same physical space to conduct business.  And on-line purchasing negates the need for retail stores to a large extent.
~
Online banking and direct deposits have dramatically reduced the time needed to go to a branch bank office.
~
The fact the people continue to go to offices to work, and stores to shop is a habitual mode of thinking that will become increasingly obsolete as the next generation emerges with no such behavioral habit.
~
The shift that this will cause in employment and land use practices will be profound.  All new homes will be equipped with home work station offices, and low paying retail employment will shift to logistical, delivery services.  Retail shopping will evolve to "Demo" rooms where people go to actually see the stuff that they will then order on-line, and shopping centers will be characterized more by restaurant choices and entertainment venues.
~
Course... all this depends on the Mayans being wrong about  the end of days in 2012!   And if the Internet power sources are interrupted by any means, the new order will come crumbling down.

Powerful POTY Partner Promotion

As most of you know, this Blog monitors the goings on at the Minneapolis, Minnesota law firm of Grey, Plant, Mooty very closely.
~
That's because our 2010 Peep of the Year, Jeremy Johnson, has been an associate grunt there for the past few years.   Generally, my opinion of lawyers is pretty low, unless they are protecting me or mine, and I was concerned that our POTY might have surrounded himself with the wrong kind of crowd.
~
But GPM did the right thing recently and made the POTY a Partner.
~
Peeps.... I hate to have to state the obvious.... but once again we see an example of the overwhelming and undeniable power of the Nanepashemet Blog.    Here Jeremy was laboring year after year as a low rung legal grunt at a huge Minnesota law factory.   Then, with his designation of Peep of the Year, he rises to the top of the ladder in this momentous last twelve months.
~
Freaking Powerful POTY Promotion.
~
Congratulations Jeremy.  You have served your POTY year admirably and reaped the appropriate rewards.
~
Soon, another will receive the coveted mantle, and witness the supernatural powers that the POTY title conveys.

Jeremy said.....

Jay, thank you for the props and the free marketing.  The power of the POTY designation is undeniable.  Exhibit A:  Recent photo of me dazzling a jury.  Next year's POTY better prepare for a whole lotta snappin' necks and cashin' checks.

___________________________
Excellent likeness Jeremy.
Grey, Plant, Mooty and Johnson..... has a nice ring to it.

Rented

We rented Beverly Ave. today.   There were a lot of good times in this house, and not all of them by our family.  It is definitely a place of growth and joy.
~
I hope that the new family that is renting has the same experiences.
~
Looking ahead, the Sundance West Shore Drive house has the potential to be awesome for our family, our friends and our grandkids.  Lots of boats to be built, Thanksgiving Eve bashes, and lobster dinners.   A new venue, but maybe a little bigger and more comfortable for you Peeps.
~
Granted....TommyO, Rinda, Kelsey and Kate won't be living across the street.... we'll just have to intercept them on the way to the Community Store.

No Crying Shame

There has been a decent amount of discourse lately about the fact that the new Speaker of the House, John Beohner. is a weeper.  He breaks down and cries easily.
~
You would think that a Mountain of a Man like myself would condemn this type of response as that of a wussified girlyman.
~
And you would be wrong... as usual.
~
A real man isn't afraid to cry, to let his emotions show.   People who don't cry generally don't give a shit.  They are not committed enough to give their all to a job, a relationship, or a situation.   I'm not saying that you have to be a blubbering crybaby..... but a genuine tear is no sign of weakness.

Cool in the Cold

It's cold.
~
Normally, winter weather doesn't bother me this time of year, but it seems to have gotten really cold, really fast.... and I haven't taken the time to mentally adjust.  I find myself running out the door in a sweatshirt, then feeling the frigid bite.
~
The key to beating the cold is to recognize it, and dress accordingly.  Katelyn said she bought me a work coat from Duluth Trading Co. for Christmas this year.
~
So I'll be warm, but still look cool.

No Complaint

I've been trying to get back to the Brazilian Cherry hardwood floor job at the Sundance building.   Every day missed is a big slip in schedule.
~
But Nanepashemet Telecom has been keeping me pre-occupied.  Rightfully so.
~
The wireless telecom business always gets crazy as the year draws to a close.  Lots of companies have bonus plans based upon completion of site construction milestones, and people get nutty to make the numbers.  I shouldn't complain, because the compulsion to reach milestones usually means that our end of year is filled with billable events.
~
But it is a little annoying to see everyone else rev down as you are forced to gas things up.   This year, the move to West Shore Drive cranks things up even more.
~
Once again.... I'm not complaining..... just observing.
~
A Mountain of a Man rarely complains.

Christmas Card Originals

Seems like Ryan has made a hit with his Christmas Cards.  Two Blogs, NorthShoreWaterMan and Harvey's Thoughts have been touting them and numerous Peeps have remarked about how nice they were.
~
From an artistic or literary standpoint, they aren't particularly noteworthy.... but they are proof positive that it's the thought that counts.
~
You can sit around and be pissed off about your situation, or you can spread a little cheer.   I've seen both choices in action, and I'm really proud of Ryan's choice.
~
Next year, there will be no more FreshAyer, and probably no original cards either.   But this year, they have served a good purpose.