Checking the Polls

So many of you Peeps have emailed me, called me, or stopped me on the street to ask me what went wrong.... Why did the Democrats carry the day so completely in Massachusetts????
~
What the hell do you think I am?.... some sort of poltitcal pundit prophet???  I don't have any freaking  definititive answers.   I do have a theory though.
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In Massachusetts, the Democrats had a huge wake up call with the victory of Scott Brown over Martha Coakley for "Ted Kennedy's" Senate Seat.   The lesson learned was... nothing is given, and you have to work for things.
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The Dems in this state may seem stupid and naive at times... but they are not lazy.  And when it comes to elections, they know that, regardless of the issues, a political organization that is organized at the precinct level can guarantee election if the effort is sustained.
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This involves the initiation and organization of precinct captains, poll checkers, telephone callers and drivers to the polls to a minute detail.
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In the City of Lynn for example, there are seven wards and twenty eight precincts.  With a separate precinct captain in each, and a small cadre of poll checkers and telephoners, it used to be a simple process to determine who had voted on Election day, and who had not.   By the end of the day, with a little motivation like picking up people and driving them to the polls, we were able to guanrantee that all of the people who were in favor of our candidate had voted.
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Every time we worked this system, our candidate won.... without fail.   And I'm talking about some guys that were elected, who the pundits had ruled out without a doubt.  It was a mechanical process... make sure that your supporters made it to the polls, and ignore anyone who was neutral or against your candidate.
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By virtue of the fact that the majority of the voters in a community don't vote in elections, this process was highly successful.
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Last Tuesday, as I went to my polling place in the Marblehead Senior Center, I noticed poll checkers sitting behind the ballot workers for the first time since I moved to Marblehead over 25 years ago.  When I asked the checker who he was working for, he said, "the Democratic Party".
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In Massachusetts, Democrats carried every Congressional seat as well as the Governor.  The Democratic sweep here completely bucked the trend as nationally, Republicans picked up over 70 seats to capture the majority of the House of Representatives.
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Did Scott Brown wake up the Democrats in Massachusetts?  Maybe he did.

Tool Shop Owner said...

Time to get to the bottom line. We need to stand for something.

Offers Open for Heaven in Marblehead

Peeps....
Maybe I'm naive, but my expectation was that minutes after announcing that 32 Beverly Ave. was for sale, that you would be flooding me with offers.
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Even if the Nanepashemet Blog had not started here, and even if boats that are works of art had not been crafted in the hallowed garage... 32 Beverly Ave. would still be a great place to live.
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Tommy O lives across the street.  That fact alone should spur you to make this life changing investment.  Plus, I've thrown in the American Express Gift Card.   Maybe I'll include a kayak or two.
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C'mon.... I'm getting sick of waiting.  Time to move on to West Shore Drive.

POTW Week 45

I know that I've let a couple of weeks lapse in this weekly duty.   Not sure why.  October was the slowest month in the 5 year history of this pathetic blog.
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I'll try to be a better person.
~
Announcing...
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 45th week of 2010

Brian Donovan
Pat Piscatelli
Stacey Butler
Charlie Baker
Emily Engardia
Tommy O'Shea

There.... now we are back to abnormal.

Raised Panels

I've been busy this week making raised panel wainscotting out of medium density fiberboard plywood (MDF) for the family room at the former Sundance Pre-School on West Shore Drive.  Still don't know if this is a good idea.
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On the one hand....
MDF is a stable material, with no voids like other plywood, and it routs and cuts very cleanly and crisply.  It doesn't chip like #2 pine,  requires virtually no sanding and you have the option of unlimited panel size.
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On the other hand....
It is heavy as hell.  Even a Mountain of a Man like myself has a hard time lugging the 97 lb. 4'x8' sheets around the work area.   And the sawdust that it exudes is fine and irritating.  A dusk mask and vacuum is crucial, but the sawdust still gets out of control.
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I haven't gotten to the point where I can evaluate the ability of the stuff to accept coats of primer and paint.  That will come soon though because I have all of the stock cut to rails, stiles and panels and hope to have all of the wainscotting assembled by the end of the weekend.
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I'm convinced that the raised paneling is a good idea though.  It lends a lot of character to a room and is worth the effort.   I had initially wanted to go with bead board throughout, but my daughter Kate thought that it looked cheesy compared to the raised panels.  I agree, but the raised panels are super labor intensive.
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Even with the router tables, and raised panel bit set that I invested in years ago, it is a time sucking activity.
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Ultimately, since raised panel wainscotting is so expensive, or such a pain in the ass to do from scratch as I am doing. it generally adds value to the property.
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That is my ulterior motive, but if I'm going to live there, I might as well be surroundied by the fine woodworking detail that I have become accustomed to.

Election Results

Interesting Election.
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From what I saw, Barney Frank is a pompous idiot, but kept his job and Nancy Pelosi, that out of touch Facist, lost her job.  So that was a wash.
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I was happy for reasons that I won't be sharing with you that Deval Patrick and John Tierney kept their seats in Massachusetts.

Tuna Lips said...



Ise thinks Nan is one good pleasuring from behind by ole TL from seein' the light. Not so many is such a way. My work is never done.

Sexual Preference

So today when I grabbed a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich and glass of juice during a break in the action at Nanepashemet Telecom, I sat down and caught a little of the Oprah Show.   Ricky Martin was proclaiming to the world that he was a Homosexual.
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What a shocker!
~
Lucky me that I picked that particular moment in time to randomly sit in front of the TV.  Otherwise I might have missed this momentous occasion.
~
I probably don't have to remind you that this is one freaking phucked up world that we live in.  I mean.... who gives a greasy fart which side of the green that you putt from.    But just when we thought it couldn't get any weirder, I have this revelation to give to all of you.
~
I am a Heterosexual.  A practicing Heterosexual.  In fact.... I try to practice as much as possible.
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All of these years, I've kept it pent up inside of me, busting to come out.... so to speak.
I've kept it from my family.... didn't think that they would accept my affinity for women.
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I feel so free now.

TommyO said...

Holy Cow,
Pardon the pun,,,,
But Juice with Peanut Butter and Jelly. Come on Man... Milk is the only way to wash that baby down.... TommyO

American Express Gift Card

The experience of helping Michael "Murph" Murphy and his wife Beth find their home in Southborough was really satisfying.  Regardless of some glitches in the process and a couple of hurdles to overcome, the result and good feelings in the end have made me decide to increase my activity as a Buyer's Broker, representing Peeps find homes and investment properties.
~
Even though there is no direct cost for this service, I've decided to sweeten the pot by giving a $2,000 American Express Gift Card to any Peep who purchases a property through my help.  This will set them straight buying furnishings or appliances, and add to my overall good feelings.
~
And feeling good is what's important... Right???  Plus, if anyone of you decides to buy 32 Beverly Ave.  in Marblehead, the Gift Card will follow as well.

32 Beverly Ave.

For Sale

32 Beverly Ave. is for Sale - Buy the birthplace of this Blog and Seal your Spot in History.

Official Has-Been Hockey Team of Nanepashemet

Most of you probably know this already, but the Official Has-Been Hockey Team of Nanepashemet - MooseKnuckles, has a spin off team known as the Knucks.  Mike Nestor, Dave Bruett and Scott Marcus spearheaded the split.
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Normally, this could create quite a dilemma.  These are mighty Peeps who have left the officially endorsed team.
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But being a Mountain of a Man for so long has given me King Solomon like, razor sharp judgement skills.  I mean, if I had a bad fried clam from Hooked... would I take back the endorsement???
~
If my "ORDA FO NESTA" from Feng Yang came back with a little too much MSG.... would I immediately be searching for some different Chinese????
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Course we'll be rooting for the Knucks, but the MooseKnuckles still have the official endorsement.  How could it be any other way?

Mike Nestor said...

From Brian Donovan, Captain of the Mooseknuckles(Not your ordinary Nuck)

-As a long time listener, no time caller, I have become avid consumer of all things Nanepashemet. It is with great pride and humility that I accept the honor of “Official Has-Been Hockey Team of Nanepashemet”. Although I loathe diluting the distinction, it is worth mentioning that a small sliver of my satisfaction is due to the bitter pill that Mike “ORDA FOR NESTA” is digesting having lost the endorsement face-off. I do share some gratitude to Dave, Scott and ORDA for making the changes that needed to be made. I am a fan and wish nothing but success to the Baby Nucks; unless of course they are playing the real Nucks.

Far be it from me to correct a purveyor of such fine cuisine, but as a gentle reminder, there is no K in Nucks.

___________________________________________________________________

Kut the Krap on the K Korrection.

RIP - Attorney John N. Nestor

This guy saved my life. ~ When I was under economic attack in the early nineties, John beat back all of my attackers.  Without his help, my career, and my life would never have recovered. ~ He had a life filled with remarkable experiences, from his childhood in the thirties as a scruffy Irish neighborhood kid in West Lynn, to the unwritten fact that during World War II, he flew 125 missions over Germany in a B-29 Flying Fortress and survived.....when the average pilot died within 25 missions. ~ When I asked him why he volunteered for all of those extra missions when he only was required to fly 25, he said that he never thought that he could die. ~ I once bought him a framed print from Kennedy Studios showing a couple of B-29's under attack by German Messerschmidt fighter planes.  When I presented it to him, John stared at it for awhile silently.   I was afraid that I made a mistake by stirring up some bad memories, and finally broke the silence by asking him if anything was wrong. "There certainly is something wrong," John said in a measured reply......  And I started to think that he would say that the gun turrents were in the wrong place or that the planes were painted inaccurately in some way.  After another brief silence, he said, "The problem with this picture is that those fucking Messerschmidt's would have never gotten in that close to us." ~ But he never hung that print in his office for whatever reason.  He also never forgave the Germans or the Japanese. ~ As a District Attorney, John tried many murder cases and once said that he didn't believe in the insanity defense, because if you saw the atrocities at crime sites that he had seen, then you would agree that everyone who murdered somebody else was at least temporarily insane. ~ Unlike many lawyers, John never made a big score.  He certainly didn't score when he helped me climb out of bankruptcy while I was dead on my ass financially.  But, he always helped people regardless of their ability to pay. ~ He had almost a childlike interest in things, and you could always see how some stuff shocked the hell out of him. ~ Yet he was tough as nails and had a compelling presence as a litigator in court.   I saw him wade through deposition after deposition with major Boston law firms, patiently waiting for court trial where he shredded those high priced bastards with his adherence to honesty and the truth and his ability to convey that to the judge and jury.  He didn't need a small army of paralegals carrying boxes of exhibits.  Everything was all laid out in his head and exited in Court with a powerful voice. ~ I have to admit that when my own court appearance with him was beginning, I thought I was doomed since he didn't seem close to being as prepared as the three Boston lawyers with their boxes of exhibits sitting across the aisle.  Then, when they gave their opening arguments, replete with twisted facts that seemed backed up by piles of documentation, I conceded that my life was over. ~ John handed me a yellow legal pad, and said, "Take Notes."   My first note was "WTF!" ~ But when it was his turn to respond, he kicked the shit out of their arguments, off the top of his head.  He annihilated their witnesses, and made their case look like what it was..... contrived, greedy and manipulated.  I can still hear the words of Judge Carol Kenner when she announced her dicision... "I find the defendant not guilt of any wrongdoing WHATSOEVER."  John and I put the yellow pad in my briefcase and were out of the courtroom in seconds. ~ When I asked John how he did it, he said that he didn't spend a lot of time on all of that out of court stuff.  He said that he always let the opposition make the opening argument, and observed what they were saying and how the judge and jury were responding.  Then he would craft his response. ~ On two social occasions I have spoken to sitting judges who knew John, and their admiration for him was genuine and complete. ~ Over the years, since we shared the same name, a lot of people would ask me if I was John Nestor the lawyer, and I would tell them that he was a distant cousin.  The truth is that I'm not even close to being worthy of being confused of being him. ~ I just found out this morning that he died and feel really bad that I hadn't seen him for the last few years. ~ If there is a heaven, then John is sitting there now, surrounded by a huge crowd of people that he helped while he roamed this earth. ~ Thank you, John.  Obituaries Nestor John N. Nestor, 89 Retired attorney LYNN - Attorney John N. Nestor, 89, of Lynn died Thursday in a local nursing home after a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband to Loretta (Lundgren) Nestor with whom he shared 39 years of marriage. John was born in Johnstown, Pa., son of the late Thomas and Mary (Murray) Nestor. He was a resident of Lynn for most of his life. He was a graduate of St. Mary's Boy's High School Class of 1938 and then went on to receive his undergraduate degree at Tufts University and then went on to Boston College where he received his Law degree. John was a member of the Army Air Corps. He flew planes during WWII, was stationed in England and held the rank of First Lieutenant. Attorney John Nestor was a well-known lawyer in Lynn for 50 years. He had an incredible reputation and was known for his honesty and integrity as a lawyer and prosecutor. He was a straight shooter who always treated everybody with dignity and respect. He also worked at the Essex County District Attorney's Office. Attorney Nestor retired in 2000. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Lynn Bar Association. He was also an active communicant at St. Mary's Parish where he was an usher and served on several Church committees. In addition to his wife he is survived by two sons, David N. Hunter of Syracuse, N.Y. and Dr. Michael J. Hunter and his wife Lina of No. Andover; one daughter, Mary Beth Ouanes of West Peabody and two brothers, Hugh Nestor and his wife Sheila of Lynn and James Nestor and his wife Judy of Amesbury. Also survived by his loving grandchildren Adam and Michael Ouanes, Ilana and Sebastian Hunter and many nieces and nephews. He was the father in law of the late Abel Ouanes and brother of the late Patrick and Thomas Nestor. Service information: Attorney Nestor's funeral will be held from the CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, Tuesday at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Monday from 3-7 p.m. Gifts in his memory may be made to St. Mary's Church Restoration Fund, 8 So. Common St., Lynn, MA 01902. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. For online register book please visit www.cuffemcginn.com

Making the Move

We've pretty much decided to move to the Sundance School Building at West Shore Drive.
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With the new homes being built next door, and the Town investing in a new wharf and playgound complex in the adjacent park, the value of the site is increasing.
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There is more space there and greater opportunities for the Grandkids.  And renovating that building will be a fun project.
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The downside is that I won't be able to keep tabs on Tommy O simply by sitting on my living room couch and watching his front and side door.     But we can keep in close touch with the old neighborhood, and we'll still be sneaking over to Tommy's pool when it gets too hot.
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In the meantime, both Beverly Ave and Sundance will remain on the market until one is sold, but the odds are that Beverly Ave. will go first given the level of interest that has been occuring.

Frankly Speaking

Not that you asked for my opinion, but Barney Frank and John Kerry have got to go.
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They are the epitomy of out-of- touch, self absorbed, power corrupted, egotistical politicians.
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There is an arrogance of power that exudes from these guys.
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Add Ed Markey to that list.

Halloween Hype

Halloween is so big now.  Especially up here right next to Salem, Massachusetts.
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Since there are only two ways out of Marblehead.... through Salem or through Lynn.... I've been seeing a lot of Lynn lately.   Salem is completely gridlocked with people from all over the country gripped in Halloween hype.
~
This Saturday, Joanne and I are supposed to go to Sarah and Chris Crawford's house for a Halloween party.   You're supposed to dress up as something that begins with an "S".  It's a fun concept and bound to bring out some great creativity... but to me, it basically adds up to a lot of  "S"tress.
~
I don't like to wear costumes because I usually feel goofy enough in regular clothes, without dressing weird on purpose.   But since Sarah and Chris are such Super Peeps, we'll piece together something S like and get into the spirit. 
~
I'd love to find a nice Scotch Bottle costume before Saturday.

Blown Chance

When President Obama was elected, it wasn't by an outstanding plurality.  It's not like a groundswell of support embraced a radical turn to a new agenda of government spending.
~
The Stimulus Program with it's seemingly aimless spending, along with a railroaded nationalization of health care.... and the outright obnoxious audacity of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, combined with an underlying anti-American self critical sentiment in international affairs has characterized his administration.
~
I thought it then, and continue to think now that the election of a Black President was a bellweather change for this country.  It was a great thing that showed our maturity and growth as a society.
~
But now the Democrats, and the Big Government agenda is on the run.  Maybe they tried to do too much, too fast.  But the Republicans are in line to recapture the House and the Senate.
~
I'll be watching the clock to hear the first pundit say that this is a racist reaction.  The Democrats will never admit that they have blown their chance.... all by themselves.

Jim L. said...


The big problem is the Dems never had much of a chance. This recession was deep. And, let's not forget that the big spending started before the Big "O" walked through the front door at 1600. The bail outs started with Bush because he knew what kind of a mess he had on his hands.


That's why I don't think the GOP was all that upset that they lost to Obama. Then they pick up the strategy of sitting on their hands for 2 years and let the Dems grab the blame for an economic downturn that started under W's watch.


Oh, and, it may not get said but anyone would be a fool not to think that a little bit of racism isn't to blame for some of the hatred towards this administration.

__________________________________________________________
So there we have it..... 
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It's George Bush's fault and we are still racists after all.
~
Don't mean to sound trite, but I think that Jim L has capsulized the Democrats response perfectly. 
Looks like the debate will be vigorous.
Staytuned for Election Day.

Early AM Email

Last night, when I woke up at 3:00AM, I noticed that I had left the lights on in my office, so went down to turn them off, and checked email.
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Big Mistake.
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3:00am is a time for sleeping and dreaming... not being aggravated by freaking customers who keep coming up with internal processes in a thinly veiled effort to stretch out payments to you in order to help their cash flow.  This national company has owed Nanepashemet Telecom for services rendered last spring.  It's common knowledge that they are slow payers, but at this point, I don't even care about the money.   I'm just on a mission to see that this low class, unethical company doesn't stiff me.
~
So I sat there, processing their latest bullshit request for documentation.   You want more information??? You got it.  Anything you want.  You pathetic lowlifes.   I'm not going away until you have no more bogus excuses and send us the money that you've owed us for six months.
~
And when I finally get the paltry amount that you owe us, please take us off of your vendor list, because I won't be working for you again in this lifetime.

Pisc said...

Well done.
Put the tension in their organization, as they have put it in yours.
That is PMP stuff. Cost, Schedule and Quality. They are focusing on cost. Make the schedule and quality legs of the triple constraint work for you.

Long Haul

Finally pulled the traps yesterday despite temps in the thirties and a stiff breeze.  Even though I brought in five lobsters in the haul, it is a messy, arduous and sometimes stressful process.   But by the time next spring rolls around, I'm sure that I will have forgotten the bother, plus there will be renewed promises from well wishing Peeps to help throughout the season.
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And I'll set the traps again.
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I lost four from my original ten this year, which seems like a significant percentage of loss.  If I did this for a business, it would be unacceptable.
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A nice byproduct of lobstering is the nice workout that get pulling the traps by hand.  I had purchased a pulley system a couple of years ago, but have never got around to using it.... mainly because Dougie Maxfield questioned my manhood regarding the process.
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Doug, are you against wheels or something?  What do you think... should we still be living in caves??? Jeez.
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The pram was mutilated in the recent wind and rain storms down on the Village Wharf rings, and Mike and I pulled that out as well.  We will need a complete refurbishment and design changes for the next season.

dougmaxfield said...

I'm all for the davit system that you had proposed...I just couldn't bear the though of you putting it on that beautiful boat that you built. Kind of like putting a trailer home on beach front property.

Not Going

This weekend, they are celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Lynn English High School Class of 1970 at the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus.  Mai Tai's and Crab Rangoon' all around.
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I'm not going.
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It's not that I don't want to see the people who attend, or that I don't want them to see me.   Granted, I weighed about 100 lbs less, when I last graced the halls of LEHS, but I'm still damn good looking.... So that's not it.
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And I've recently made some connections with old friends from that era on Facebook.
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But, I have some other stuff to do, and have a host of emotions and issues that I'm currently tending to.  I really can't afford to relive a time when I just wasn't as cool as I am now.
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So I'm not going.

Jim L. said...
You missed a good time, Jay. We all sort of marveled at how cool we've all become. 

Denise Kearns said...

Yeah we have become lots cooler ... and you would've ranked up there in coolness.

National Public Radio Lefties

National Public Radio is at it again.  Showing that their lefty leanings harbor actions of racism, sexism and heavy handedness, while they regale the  rest of the world for these shortcomings.

Witness the firing of NPR contributor Juan Williams for comments about Muslims.   He said what we all feel.... that when he sees Muslims getting onto an airline flight with him, then he gets nervous.   That doesn't mean that all Muslims are suicidal maniacs.... but the FACTS are that some have been in the recent past.  So it is natural to be wary.
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The Liberals at NPR exhibit a self loathing liberal principle.... if you sense racism or sexism in yourself, then accuse everyone else of the shortcoming.  The fact is that there are far more claims of sex discrimination at NPR than at any other network.
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Go Figure.
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I hope we can get the government subsidy away from these phony leftist ideologues.
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But I have to admit.... there are times when I listen to NPR dribble.... just to hear their elitist remarks and pseudo intellectual speaking tones.  It can be entertaining if you keep it in perspective.

Under Renovation

This is the first time in the five year history of the Nanepashemet Blog that I have fallen off from my daily upkeep.   It's not that I have run out of stuff to tell you.   In fact, it's harder to decide what not to tell you than what to tell you.  The factor is time.
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Nanepashemet Telecom is cruising along and demanding administrative attention, the Grandkids and FreshAyer need time allotted, and the renovations of the Sundance Pre-School building into what is probably shaping us as our next move have taken the majority of my time to the demise of the much required daily Blog postings.
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So far, the bulk of you have not been complaining or whining much, which leaves me to believe that you are probably also pretty busy with your normally pathetic daily lives.
~
If the Sundance renovation schedule stays in place, I should be maintaining a brisk pace until the end of November.   By that time, the kitchen will be done along with the bedrooms, family room and laundry.
~
I still would like to stay at Beverly Ave., but if that sells first, then we will make the move to Sundance.


Maria Rowen said...
With all those balls in the air…thank God you are a Mountain of a Man who can manage the building of the business and the bedrooms! More than likely, peeps of all persuasions and this p. a. p. will be happy to party at either p(a)lace…

Last Haul

Mike and I are pulling the traps this morning, and hauling out all of the gear.
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Like most summers, we started out with high hopes and energy, and then life kicked in and threw us off from diligently tending the traps.
~
So there are quite a few lobsters that have escaped the kettle at Beverly Ave. this summer.  I'm starting to think that the fish and lobsters in Salem Sound with not see my full wrath until I can rid myself of this pesky working for a living habit.

Postscript.

When we got down to the harbor at 9:00 AM, there were whitecaps with a stiff breeze, so we bagged it for another day.   Which was good because I got Mike to help me pick up a stack of 16' crown moulding at the Peabody Building Supply for the Sundance Pre-School building renovation.   At 65 cents per linear foot for for 3 3/8" pre-primed crown, it is the best deal around by far.
~
Crown moulding can be tricky, but if I can install it tightly, it will add a ton of character to the house.

Dream Job

Today I was out early to drive the 250+/- miles from Marblehead to Bangor, Maine for a Nanepashemet Telecom job.  I've never been to Bangor before, and didn't get to see much of the community.
~
But it kind of reminded me of Cranston, RI.   And like Cranston, we'll probably be building this site around Christmastime.
~
The high point of the day was the 250 mile drive back home.
~
Living the Dream.

Correct Chilean Pronunciation.

Does it piss you off when those phoney newscasters try to put a foreign sounding spin on international names???
~
They're clueless on pronoucing "China" or "Japan" with a foreign sounding spin, but give them a name like "Bosnia" or any Hispanic name,  and it's off to the land of obnoxious, presumptuous intellectualism.
~
I don't care how the Chileans say the name of their country.  We pronounce it as "CHILLY"...
~
So if you hear one of those dipshits pronoucing it as "CHEE-LAY",  just try not to get too riled up.   We have to make room for pretentious assholes in our tolerant society.
~
And just rounding them up and dumping them into Cambridge coffeehouses is no solution.

Happy Columbus Day

So it's Columbus Day.
~
Maybe the Vikings got here first. But the Spaniards were the first to make it stick. 
~
Sure the Indians were already here... but they hadn't invented the wheel, didn't have written records for the most part and were vastly inferior technologically, and biologically in terms of reacting to killer microbes.
~
Those of you who know me best, know that I have a mysterious sensitivity to American Indians... hence the name of this Blog.   But I also pride myself on adherence to the truth, regardless of political correctness.
~
For whatever reason, White Europeans have dominated every race that they have encountered.  I'm not saying that this is good or bad.... but I am stating this fact. 
~
After Columbus, Europeans and their microbes virtually eliminated the Native American culture.  In case you are not aware, the Indians were incredibly savage.   Scalping was commonplace and the torture and burning of captives was an accepted practice.  So any initiative to place them on the moral highground is a bit distasteful to me.
~
And the brutality of the White Europeans has been well documented.
~
Happy Columbus Day.

Jim L. said...

It wasn't the microbes as much as those little lead projectiles.

Shaping Up

Things are shaping up for a big week.
~
A lot of stuff will happen this week.
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Good Stuff.
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Wish I could share with you, but it's none of your business, so don't make a big deal out of it.

Karmic Politics

The Governor's race in Massachusetts is shaping up nicely with the liberal incumbent Democrat, Deval Patrick, opposed by the conservative Republican challenger, Charlie Baker, who has a strong business background in the medical insurance agency.
~
The now sitting State Treasurer, Tim Cahill, defected from the Democrats and is taking a spoiler role as an Independent.
~
It is the Cahill run that holds the irony.   He's not offering anything significant that would set him out from the normal singular ambitions of a political candidate.  Seems like he went Independent because he couldn't get the Democratic nomination.
~
Now he's suing members of his paid campaign staff who defected from him to support Baker, ostensibly because they felt that he couldn't win.   Looks pretty awkward and unGovernor-like for Tim.
~
Cahill now seems to be guilty of a number of things....   Lack of loyalty, questionable leadership, and poor management skill in the choice of his staff  lead the list.
~
He defects from the Democrats.... and his people defect from him.    Another case for the Law of Karma.  Seems like you just can't escape.

4th Qtr Outlook

So for all of you Peeps who have been emailing me and leaving VM's asking about how business is at Nanepashemet Telecom these days, I appreciate your concern.  But even though there is a lot of uncertainty in this poor economy, Nanepashemet Telecom is doing the Ultra Freaking Balls.  Cruising along while firing on all cylinders.  Kicking Ass and Taking Names.
~
Let's just say that we are looking at a shitload of work down the Cape, our Washington  DC business is in the flow, we are staring down a nice job in Indiana, and will be traveling up to Maine next week to spread our unique brand of quality and service.
~
Traditionally, the fourth quarter is crazy time in Wireless as these huge corporations strive to meet their year end numbers.
~
Bring it On.

Benjamin said...



REAL MEN ARE MADE IN THE 4TH QUARTER!
TAKE NO PRISONERS!

More Tax Ranting

It's sad in this country that everybody's largest creditor is the Federal Government.
~
When you are a small business owner, and have to come up with mental magic to generate outrageous tax payments.... it gets quite easy to develop a conservative political outlook.
~
In fact, I really don't know anyone who has to write large tax checks to the government while still maintaining a liberal outlook.  Think about the small business owners that you know.... what is their political leaning?
~
It seems that the majority of liberals are those who have withholding in their paychecks, and the conservatives are the ones who have to write out their own tax checks.   
~
People on payroll have lost the concept regarding earnings.  They think that their take home pay is what they earn, and ignore the huge bite that the government takes from them... right off the top.  They can't conceive that they actually earn their gross pay and don't look at the government's take as their own.
~
They ignore the outrageous government waste and largess that occurs when bureaucrats spend our money with no sense of responsibility or economy.
~
At any rate, I have a tax payment due, and I'm pretty aggravated about it.

POTW Week 37

I know that this is a late entry, but I had yet another automatic Peep of the Week selection, so I can't let this pass by, no matter how tardy.
~
After their real estate passing, where I was the Buyer's Broker, Michael "Murph" Murphy and Beth Capobianco Murphy showed their appreciation with a gift of the King of Scotch.
~
Not only is this a class move, it also assures a life of happiness and prosperity for the Murphy family at their new Southboro home.
~
ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 37th Week of 2010.


Michael "Murph" Murphy (Automatic)
Beth Capobianco Murphy (Automatic)
Michael Nestor
Susan Frary
Jennefer Grey
Eric Johnson

If I thought that I would get a bottle of Lagavulin every time I was a Buyer's Broker, then I probably would redirect my entire career.  But not everyone is as thoughtful and sensitive as Murph.

Ups and Downs

Peeps....
~
It's been an eventful couple of days.
~
Filled with ups and downs.
~
Started with the startling loss of our zoning petition in western Mass on Wednesday night.  A new first for me as the adversaries in the audience decided to get personal,  and claimed that I was only involved with the petition in order to make money....  No shit Sherlock... It's my freaking job.
~
I can't remember when the last time was that I've  lost a petition, but this loss really pisses me off.  I've recommended to the client that they appeal in Superior Court, and I sure hope that they do, because I want to see the look in the faces of those condo commandos when we put that beautiful monopole up in full view of their back decks.
~
Everything changed the next morning when we had the closing for former Peep of the Year, Michael Murphy and his beautiful wife Beth.  They bought their dream home in Southboro, with a pool that will undoubtably receive some laps at my expense next summer.  Mike and Beth were thrilled and I was so happy to be their Buyer's Broker.
~
Then things changed again as I ended the day in Nashua, NH at a wireless outing where I ran into a Douche Bag client who owes me money.   Said Douche Bag was a little taken back when I asked him where my money was when he was filling his plate at the buffet table...  He mentioned something like... "This is entirely inappropriate."   Well here is what's inappropriate, Douche Bag.... Harrassing people and treating them like assholes for their product, then not paying them after the invoice is 90 days over due.
~
Douche Bag.
~
The things changed again at the Happy Clam in Rockland, Me., where we met the Johnson's and the Frary's for clams and Wiener Schneitzel.
~
So.... we left things on the up trend.

IPod Replacement

Somebody stole my IPod a while ago.
~
I didn't make a big thing out of it, because if some loser has to steal an IPod, then he needs it a lot more than I do.
~
Plus, I was resolved to get an IPad anyway.
~
But then I broke down on one of my late night Amazon.com spending sprees and bought a new IPod Touch, Generation 4.
~
Huge upgrade over the Gen 2 IPod that was stolen, in terms of a camera and wifi Skype abilities.  And I got all of my Banjo music back from Itunes.
~
So the IPad will have to wait.

Aggie Test

Now that the Patriots game is over for the week, the attention of most deserving Nanepashemet Peeps will be riveted to Thursday night when the official Division 1 NCAA Nanepashemet Football Team, Assistant Coach Ben Martin's Texas A&M Aggies will be playing against Oklahoma.
~
The Aggies are 3 and OH, but I can't say that I've been impressed by the competition (since I basiscally never heard of the schools before).
~
But the Oklahoma Sooners should be a better test of whether our boy, Superpeep Martin, has a true winner on his hands.

Mike N said...

Oklahoma State is who they're playing. The Oklahoma State University Cowboys. Pay attention.

___________________________________________

Thanks Mike, but Oklahoma is Oklahoma.  Can't see much difference from here.

Change of Season

To celebrate the Patriots victory over Buffalo this afternoon, I made myself the first Nanepashemet Classic Fall Cocktail of the season... Seagrams 7 Canadian Whiskey and Apple Cider.   The cider has a bit more carbs in it than I would wish, but a Nanepashemet Official Cocktail has to eclipse dietary considerations.
~
BTW.... It doesn't matter whether you use Seven or VO, or even Canadian Club.  So you might as well go with the more economical blend.... it's all good.
~
So even though it was a pretty warm weekend, autumn has officially begun for Nanepashemet Nation.

POTW Week 36

So it's well known by most of you that I view myself as a Mountain of a Man.   And I could give numerous examples that would back up this perception.  But this is boring to me, and I really don't care whether you agree or not.
~
But what is not so well known is that before I became a Mountain of a Man, Bobby Brown had already attained that coveted position.  Again, no explanation of why will be offered.  
~
Suffice it to say, that Bobby reaffirmed his status with the gift of a bottle of the King of Scotch, Lagavulin Single Malt yesterday, which made a fruitless fishing expedition ultimately worthwhile.
~
Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 36th Week of 2010

Bobby Brown (Automatic Lagavulin)
Bob Wojcik
Jessica Rincon
Alex Watts
Lisa Panakio Rowe
Gail Johnson

Lagavulin makes everything seem better.

Crimson Quid Pro Quo

So Harvard University has this quid pro quo going on that is basically this...
~
If the US Military stops it's "don't ask, don't tell" policy about homosexuals serving in the military... then Harvard will allow an ROTC presense on campus after a forty year hiatus.
~
Oh Man..... they really have us over a barrell.   How can we exist without a Harvard ROTC program???
~
But..... do we really need Harvard future venture capitalists taking a detour into military service after a stint with the Reserve Officer Training Corps???   Maybe not.     Come to think of it......
~
Hey Harvard.... Stick it up your Crimson Ass.... so to speak.  (With no disrespect to my Gay brothers and sisters).
~
We don't need a bunch of your namby pamby liberal ivy leagers coming out as second lieutenants anyway.
~
So keep your bullshit ban on ROTC.  And we won't ask, and won't tell.

Murph's Peep of the Month Initiative

Michael Murphy, Former Nanepashemet Peep of the Year writes....
~
I am about to do something that goes against everything this blog stands for. It's illegal, unethical, unconstitutional, it might even anger some people. It goes over the head of the CEO of Nanepashemet but I have no choice. As a former POTY I will take my chances. I am officially creating a category and a nomination for a peep. This is beyond POTW and POTY. This is a lifelong commitment. This is a nomination for a National Peep of the Month. The same Month, Every Year, it doesn't matter. The Peep of the Month takes precedence over any other POTW that has been nominated that month and remember, there are only 12 months so only 12 lucky peeps will enter this Shrine…..EVER. Once you are nominated, unlike POTW or POTY where your time soon will expire, The monthly Peep Reigns for life. Every time you think of that month you will know who the peep is and realize just how big this is. Your name will be associated for life with the month. The nomination is rare, it's special, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and quite frankly it’s a Goddamn honor. so without Further ado, I Murph, former POTY, Hereby declare The man himself, Mr. John J Nestor as September's Peep of the Month. Every September whether this Blog exists or not Jay will be a reigning Peep. He cannot be dethroned, overshadowed, questioned, challenged, or confronted. From this point forward The month of September belongs to Jay people. This nomination is final, non-negotiable, and binding. Jay Congratulations, you are now the official Peep of the Month for September for life. Enjoy this title you certainly have earned it. I herby leave you in charge of appointing 11 more peeps for this honor. It will take time but I know you will choose wisely.
NOG NOG NOG NOG NOG NOG NOG NOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STRAWBERRY HILL BABY!

Michael T. Murphy
AVP - Corporate Accounting
Financial Analysis & Reporting
State Street Corporation
Copley Place
100 Huntington Avenue, CHP2/T2
Boston, MA 02116

Phone: 617.664.8320
Fax: 617.664.4666
mtmurphy@statestreet.com

____________________________________________________________

What the hell do they have in the water cooler at State Street?????

Liars

The bad thing about liars is that they lie so much that they forget their lies.   Then they deny that they said the lie in the first place.    This inconsistency doesn't really bother them.
~
Because they're liars.
~
In the end they hurt themselves.... and complain to everybody who will listen about how hard, unfair and bad their lives are.  
~
Another Lie.
~
Here's a little word of advice from the Bard... you pathetic losers.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78–82

Fishing Plans

Its' the last real week of the summer.  Eighty Degree temps are predicted for Friday, so I think that I will be taking the WhaleEye out for a last ditch chance to find some Striper or Bluefish Blitzes.
~
They'll be some fine Peeps on board and plenty of libation, so it really won't matter if we catch fish.  But catching fish would go so well with friends and drinks.

Mike N said...

Find some cod.

The Cod is a species of fish that has been a proven commodity in trade markets internationally. Its great population off the shores of Massachusetts in the 17th and 18th centuries enabled the idea of economic stabilization and independence for the early settlers.

Now, hippies try to protect them....Vona's try to catch them...I like to stick them in my pants

Super Salmon

There is a big furor on the news tonight about genetically engineered salmon.  Seems like science has introduced some Pacific Salmon genes as well as those from other fish into Atlantic Salmon that causes it to grow three times as fast and bigger than its wild counterpart.
~
Protesters are calling it "Franken Fish" and urging the FDA  to ban it.
~
I hope they don't stop at a KFC on the way home from the protest.   Because the chicken that they eat have been genetically engineered for centuries.   Have you seen a white feathered chicken pecking around in the field and woods lately?
~
If you don't want to eat some beefed up Salmon, then freaking don't eat it.   But don't tell me what to eat.  In fact, I'm kind of in the mood for a Kentucky Fried Chicken Double Down right about now.

dougmaxfield said...
Just remember, modified chickens can't escape and wipe out the wild population of, oh, say partridge. Generally when we (the smart ones?) introduce a non-native life form, some unforeseen disaster follows. I'd hate to see some freak salmon that shouldn't exist eat all of the lobsters in Marblehead harbor. And yes, this particular scenario is far-fetched; but not that far-fetched.

Aggies Scare

Florida International University gave the Nanepashemet Official Division I NCAA Football Team, the Texas A&M Agggies whose assistant Offensive Line Coach is our own SuperPeep, Benny Martin, quite a scare, as the Aggies had to come from behind in the 4th quarter to salvage a win, 27 to 20.
~
A win is a win.  The Martin Dynasty contines.

Off the Wagon

Tommy O and Linda dropped by for an innocent cocktail last evening, and after my third Mount Gay and Coke Zero, I lost all of my self control and ordered Chinese from Feng Wah.
~
Completely off of the no carb wagon - especially with the garlic noodles and the pork fried rice.
~
Normally there would be extensive remorse and self loathing over this act of dietary weakness, but I had a very physically active morning yesterday... shoveling and spreading two yard of loam into the backyard and Beverly Ave. and doing four property showings.
~
Our Beverly Ave. property showed very well, and we have a hot prospect for the Sundance School site, so optimism prevails.   Since we got Beverly Ave so spiffy clean and organized, I think that it might be our preference to stay here, but I'm sure that when Khalsa Design architects have finished the plans for Sundance, that will be an exciting option too.
~
Crunch time will be when the offers start to appear, which might not be too long.
~
But it's back on the no carb regimen today.  I'll get my exercise in by pulling the lobster traps before the Patriots Game.

POTW Week 35

I was just talking to Kevin Rockett up at the Gerry about how unbelieveable it is that people stiff you in business.  They ask you to do the work and then they just don't pay you.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps pf the Week for the 35th Week of 2010,

Kevin Rockett
Dave Bruett
Leonardo DiCaprio
Jane Curtain
Maria Rowen
Mike Murphy

We don't have that problem at Nanepashemet Telecom.  Because we are such pricks to you if you don't pay us.

Smooth Sailing

Our Nanepashemet Telecom work in Washington and Baltimore is going well.  So is the project in Richmond, VA.  The New England work continues to cook away.  The Oregon work is on hold, but I'm pretty optimistic that it can kick in.
~
So what is the problem???
~
Nothing.
~
I was just saying.

Deck Chair Arrangement

So the Spindoctor ABC Newscasters are saying that the Tea Party victories in Tuesday's primary elections represent a split and challenge to the Republican Party.
~
It can't be that they just don't get it.
~
They are trying to build a breakwater in front of a tsunami.
~
Pelosi and Obama and their advocacy for the incursion of Big Government into our private lives.... these are the targets of this movement.  The Republican primaries were just the first indication of this wave.
~
Any efforts by the thought police to deflect this tsumani are counter productive....  Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  
~
Let's see how they spin things in November.

Professional Sports Reporting

My heart goes out for Inez Sainz, the Mexican Sports reporter who was harassed by the New York Jets by catcalls and footballs thrown her way during practice.
~
The marrried, mother of three was just trying to do her job.
~
Imagine the depravity of someone who would catcall her!!!  Sexcrazed, perverted Jets players.
~
It's just another reason why I'm a Patriots fan.
~
There's just no justice for a smoking hot Reporter who has to hang around in professional football player's locker rooms in skin tight every day attire.
~
When can we finally learn to treat people with the respect that they deserve?


Tuna Lips said...
I would eat me a mile of droppings to kiss her behind, I would I tells ya.

Bonus Kayak

You too can own this Mecca of Nanepashemet Devotees.
~
If you meet our reasonable asking price, I may even throw in a kayak or two.

Eat to Live

A side benefit of my low carb diet has been increased energy.  You don't get that heavy fatigue in the late afternoon, and you can get a lot more done.
~
As much as I like pizza, bread, pasta and potatoes.... it's easy to give them up in exchange for losing weight and feeling more energetic throughout the day.
~
So when I get to my ideal weight around the end of this year, it will be interesting to see if I can integrate the foods that I love, while maintaining the energy level.   I'm starting to see the logic in "Eating to Live" rather than "Living to Eat".

Aggies Roll

Texas A&M romped over Louisiana Tech yesterday by a lopsided score of 48 to 16.
~
Our boy Benny is undefeated.

Real Estate for Sale

I got a lot done today.   I was disappointed with the Nanepashemet Real Estate For Sale signs that I had ordered, and had to trim them with some wood that I had in the garage.  With a mahoghany cap, they came out looking a little cool if I say so myself, and they are now sitting outside the Sundance School and Beverly Ave.
~
Our strategy is to sell the first property that goes and either move to West Shore Drive or stay put at Beverly Ave.   Each alternative has its good points and both would be acceptable for different reasons, which I won't get into here... plus it's none of your damn business anyway.
~
I mean... it doesn't matter where I live as far as this Blog is concerned.... the timeliness, intelligence, decadence, poignancy, and overall coolness will be there wherever I sit down to write it.   So I don't need all sorts of drama coming from you just because we might be moving.
~
Deal with it.

Kelsey O said... 

If I wasn't at school I would be recreating the scene from Step Brothers where they take extreme measures for their house not to be sold, Katy would be wrapped up in a shower curtain on the front lawn. 

Burning Books

This Koran burning Pastor Jones in Florida is a whack job.
~
He shouldn't be burning Scripture of any religion, but since he is a whack job.... what the hell can you do?...... and why should anyone be taking him seriously???
~
If he wants to burn Korans, Bibles, or Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat books.... we really shouldn't give a shit.
He's a whack job.
~
Burning a Bible can't hurt a Christian.
And burning a Koran can't hurt a Muslim.
Faith is not a piece of paper.

Jim L. said... 

Also, flag burning doesn't hurt Americans. We've seen a lot of it and it doesn't lessen our resolve. 

Weight Loss Trend

In response to the incessant inquiries regarding my weight loss program.... I'm now on day 35 of my specialized low carb, but have a beer once in awhile regimen, and have been losing weight averaging a little less than 1/2 a pound a day.
~
I cheated outright only once when I had some spaghetti and meatballs with the GrandKids.
~
It's important to weigh yourself and record the data every day, and I've constructed a chart in Excel which shows the fluctuations.   Rather than a steady weight loss, it seems like there is a five pound range that decreases as a whole about a 1/2 pound per day.   So I vary up and down over this loss trendline either 2.5 lbs above or 2.5 lbs. below.
~
It's no use being depressed when you are at the top of the range or elated when at the bottom.  The daily weight is not the indication.... the average trendline is.
~
Exercise is crucial in addition to the carb intake.   I've had some very active weekends working on property maintenance projects that have taken the place of sessions on the Cybex, but have lacked the consistency of exercise that could make a much greater pace.
~
But the key is patience.   It took a while for me to become "Big Guy" (aka "Fat Shit").  Can't expect to get back into shape right away.   What has taken a gradual thirty years to attain can't be turned around in a month.
~
But my current trend indicates that it can be turned around in about five months.  And I'm only a little over the first month in.

Two Wrongs

Two wrongs don't make a right.
~
You don't build a mosque at ground zero to ingratiate radical Islamists and you don't burn Korans to insult them.
~
Once again, in the name of religion, people will be hurt and killed by these wrongs.  Radical Imams' and Crazy Christian Ministers' - hard to tell the difference.  Hate is the common factor

Lucky Dog.

President Obama says he gets treated like a dog.
~
What the hell does that mean?
~
He gets to live for free in a a big Southern Mansion, takes vacations anytime he wants, plays a lot of golf, sneaks in a smoke once in awhile.
~
Where does the dog part come in?  C'mon Prez.  Ease off of the whining.   Stay with the Hope and Change theme and cut the dog talk.
~
Lucky dog!

Shrine for Sale

It was a nice cool weekend and I took advantage of it by getting our Beverly Ave. house ready to be put on the market.   That mean't taking care of a few long term projects like trimming out the front door, shingling and painting the side of the garage, and repairing the cupola.  Joanne put a great dent in the work that we have to finish in the basement
~
I installed a really cool tuna copper weathervane on the garage that I bought last year in Bar Harbor.  I was waiting to install it when Ryan came home as some sort of a symbolic welcoming, but I thought that it could be a good selling point.... so up it went.
~
The Marblehead residential market is brisk, despite the national real estate doldrums, so I'm hopeful that this property sells reasonably fast.
~
There are some additional details to take care of, but I'll probably list the property next week.
~
I know that Beverly Ave. is a sacred Nanepashemet shrine, and I'm not a price gouger, so if you Peeps are of a mind to make me an offer, rest assured that I will give you a good deal.

Honest and Hardworking.

So I let this Stupid POS Real Estate Broker get under my skin the other day and I looked him up on his web page.
~
Naturally the page starts up with some Bullshit music which is always super irritating.   Anybody who puts music on their home page is a Loser from the get go.
~
Then I get to the part where he describes himself as "Honest and Hardworking".
~
There you go......
~
Anybody who has to describe himself as "honest" never misses the chance to screw anybody.... including his sisters and first cousins.   And if he has to say he is "hard working" then you know that he is a lazy shit who always takes the easy way out.
~
What an Asshole.

POTW Week 33

Last night Mike commited a Cardinal Sin.
Not against the Catholic Catechism or other such nonsense.... this was much worse.
This was a sin against the Nanepashemet Way of Life.
~
He came home from a rigorous evening at the Three Cod and Maddies in Marblehead.... woke me up from a sound sleep on the couch, then insisted that we have a beer.
~
A good enough reason to wake, but then I heard the ice cubes jinggling and Mike came in with two Lagavulins on the rocks.
~
Now that's a reason to be proud of your son.
~
Soon he got a call from Coach Martin of the Texas A&M Aggies who was giving him a blow by blow of the Aggies impressive win over Stephen Austin (who the hell is that anyway?)
~
Imaginine my horror when I watched Mike get so drowsy talking to Ben that he almost fell asleep, then nodded off immediately after the call..... with a full glass of Lagavulin gone to waste.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 33th week of 2010.

Kelsey O'Shea
Steve Lewis
Mike Murphy
Ben Martin
Mike Nestor
Emily Engardia

My apologies to the King of Scotch.

Martin Momentum

So it was a split decision as the Nanepashemet Official NCAA Football teams took the field yesterday.
~
Merrimack went down to Slippery Rock 45 to 26,  while the Texas Aggies trounced Stephen Austin 48 to 7.
~
Could this have anything to do with the transfer of SuperPeep Ben Martin from his line coaching job at Merrimack to Texas A&M? 
~
I'd hate to think that Ben alone could be responsible for the demise of one team, and the success of another.
~
But the facts are the facts.
~
Statistics Don't Lie.

Hillegas 1922 Ten Dollar Bill

Weather Ear

Storms are great for TV News organizations and Politicians.
~
As Hurricane Earl gets ready to give us a little kiss on the cheek, our Massachusetts Governor Patrick is in the path of the cameras.   Maybe I'm jaded, but I can't think of one thing that I need the government to tell me in order to weather the storm.
~
The Government won't pull the WhaleEye out of the water, it won't secure my lobster traps, it won't buy me groceries or candles, and it won't lessen any wind or rain coming my way.
~
So I really don't care what the Governor has to say about this much hyped Hurricane.
~
If he wants to talk about lowering taxes, or stimulating the economy.... I'm all ears.

Victory in the Middle East

It's nice that we have declared victory in Iraq.  I predict now a huge influx of Iraqqi immigrants to the US.
~
Mo Mosques.
~
BTW, let's get the hell out of Afghanistan and leave that sketchy piece of dirt to the goats and poppy fields.
~
 Terrorists no longer come from there....they come from Radical Islamists right here in America like that whackjob Army officer in Texas.   I'd rather they go back to living with the goats.

Settling for Less

Business is Hard.
~
The American capitalistic system that demands competition tends to put the squeeze on you.  You want to tell the Prospect, who is tightening the grip on you,  to take a hike, but you know that the competition will probably cave to their unrealistic demands.
~
It's a wonder that we make any money at all.   But we do.
~
The competitive pressure causes innovation to create a margin where you didn't think one existed.   And this advances techology which helps us in the long run.
~
So Today wasn't a million dollar day.  But hopefully it might be a thousand dollar day.  And we'll have to settle for that.

POTW Week 32

Perfect weather for a Sunday

Announcing....



Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 32nd Week of 2010

Nancy Kelleigh
Louise Turner
Gail Johnson
Paul Lynch
Bob Pisano
Paul Spreadbury

We'll be taking Will and Ethan for a boat ride.

A Nice Start

The sun is out.  It's Saturday morning. Gas in the Truck.  Had a nice BM (which has become a rarity in my newly adopted low carb lifestyle).
~
The Greatest Grandkids in the World are coming over for the weekend and we'll be taking them for some FreshAyer.  Mike and Kate are coming to Marblehead to hang with them too.
~
Did a "Marblehead Pub Crawl" with Dale and Gail Johnson last night that took us from the Dolphin Yacht Club to the Boston YC to the Gerry Club.   So I guess it wasn't a "Pub" Crawl as much as a "Club" Crawl.  Hence the term "Marblehead Pub Crawl".
~
All of the cocktails and revelry screwed my diet.  Mostly the Cocktails.  So I'm a bit more heavy headed this morning than desired, but the kids will snap me out of it.
~
Life is good.

Sundance Last Chapter

We put the Sundance School building up for sale today.   The end of an era.   The school  was great for Joanne, and I know that it was great for a lot of other people.
~
But the numbers were down and some other factors entered in, so it was time to pack it in.
~
I'm going to position the sale to take advantage of the elevator and the handicapped accessibility of the building.   The home will be a great place for a special needs family. 
~
So that will be the last good deed done by Sundance.

Slimeball Sililoquy

So the other day, a Slimeball said he didn't respect me.
~
When will the Slimeballs get the message????
~
I don't want a Slimeball, POS, Asshole to respect me.  Because if he/she did.... then I'd be a slime ball too.
~
So in case you are reading this... You Slimeball.... Kiss My Ass.   Try telling somebody else how ethical and honest you are.   You are a Slimy Slimeball and I could give a shit what you think of me.
~
Strike that.  I want you to hate me.  Because that makes me the opposite of you.
~
You Slimeball.

dougmaxfield said...
How much do I love this logic? "Hate me, because that makes me the opposite of you". Gold, Jerry, Gold.

IPad Order

Have I told you that I have been lusting for an Apple IPad?
~
I want one in the worst friggin way.
~
I want one wicked bad.
~
I Need one.
~
But I've been holding back.... waiting for a good time to order one.
~
Maybe next week.

Harvey Rowe said...


I just gave in.....Received my IPAD TODAY...Didn't need it...but ...

_____________________________________________________________
Harvey having an IPad makes me want one even more.
Life is so unfair.

Bad Mood Ads

I continue to be annoyed everytime I see a Bernie and Phyl's Furniture commercial.  The five people in that family are just so irritating to watch.  Painfully unattractive people with absolutely no speaking talent.  Plus it seems so egotistical to do your own ads.
~
I'm sure that they are nice people in real life, and Phyl has MS and stuff, but their ads put me in a bad mood every time.
~
Yet any furniture that Joanne and I have bought for the past ten years or so have been from Bernie and Phyl's.  Their price and quality are good.  So I guess I've been contributing to the source of my own aggravation.
~
That happens a lot to me.

Peep Selection Process

Peeps -
Of late, I've been running into some of you who innocently are unaware of the Peep of the Week selection process.   I know that this is insulting and degrading to most of you who place your entire pitiful existance on what goes on in this pathetic Blog.... but it is just simply a fact.
~
So, as part of my unending patience as a Mountain of a Man, I once again ... for the umpteenth freaking time... explain the coveted and sanctified selection criteria.
~
To be a Nanepashemet Peep of the Week, you have to fit the following criteria.

• Have done something inspirational and/or annoying.
• Can't be Dead.
• Can't be an Animal (must be Human).

However, you are automatically a Peep of the Week if you bought me a bottle of Lagavulin (the King of Scotch) that week. (Last week, I got two bottles.) Over the past five years, I've had quite a few "Automatics".
~
If you buy me a case of Lagavulin, you automatically become the Peep of the Year, deposing whoever is the reigning Peep of the Year (POTY). (This has never happened though).
~
Also... a very important point is that you can never ask to be a POTW, and you can never ask why you were named a POTW.

 ~

So it's a fairly straightforward process.   Aren't you sorry you asked?

Jill Phillips said...


So I have a question for you!!!! I just found out that the building I work in has multiple wireless towers on the roof. Is that safe? Don't they give off dangerous levels of radiation? Your expertise and intelligence is appreciated. Thanks Clark!

________________________________________________________
A great question Jill.   All of the existing science says that there is no danger unless you are standing directly in front of a transmitting antenna (which I frequently do... and I'm totally ok).

You have faxes, tv programs, radio, cosmic waves, etc constantly passing though your body, yet people see a cell phone antenna and freak out.   I don't get it.   If cell phones and antennas were bad for you, then you and your friends would undoubtably be dead by now in my opinion based upon your level of calls and texting.

Jim L. said...
I wonder if she has noticed any increase in gang activity on the roof?

Forgeting Your Faith

I don't give a hot damn if our POTUS, Barack Obama is a Muslim.  It just would be nice if he acted wisely and in good faith.    That means, if he believes in the sermons of Reverend Wright, or faces Mecca in daily prayer, he admits it to the people that he serves.  That's the only reason that his true faith is an issue.


~
Let's face it.....Nobody makes a verbal mistake about what faith he is in a filmed interview... or anywhere else.  
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But our biased ABC News Anchor, George Stephanopoulos was quick to help BO correct his faux pas.

Cocky and Obnoxious

Our Washington DC project is turning out very well.  Naturally, Nanepashemet Telecom is turning out deliverables ahead of schedule and the client is impressed.... so much so that we are about to expand now into Atlanta and the Carolinas.
~
And I'm seriously looking into opening our long awaited West Coast office in the Pacific Northwest.
~
Don't worry Peeps.  If Nanepashemet morphs into a large scale corporation spewing out obscene amounts of cash, I'll still be the same Mountain of a Man that you follow so pathetically on a daily basis.  Only slightly more cocky and obnoxious.

Mini Kate

This is my daughter Katelyn trying to fool me.....
~
I know it's a big chair Kate.
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It's not a mini you

No Carb Loophole

My no carb diet has been going fairly well... but I've been in denial.   I've stayed away from Carbs in food, but have run fast and loose with carbs in liquids.
~
So Sam Adams, Dark and Stormies, Tangeray and Tonic have all been very much in the daily diet.  
~
This is not good... but it is much easier to avoid food in a social situation for me than to avoid a friendly beer.   And when some special Peeps ask for Dark and Stormies, I haven't had the discipline to push away a glass of the coveted Nanepashemet Summer Cocktail.
~
It seems like I'm falling off of the pace because of these loopholes in the no carb effort.  Even cranberry juice has more carbohydrates that I'm supposed to consume.
~
So I'll stock up on soda water, Fresca, and Diet Coke and see if I can rev this program into high gear for awhile.   Although, I won't swear off a sip of Lagavulin from time to time.

Jim L. said...


This doesn't seem to bode well for another evening of Sam's and good conversation.

_______________________________________________________________________
Exceptions will be made.... Jim.

POTW Week 32

Sometimes I feel bad that so many of you deserving Peeps go out of your way to become Peeps of the Week automatically by buying me a bottle of the King of Scotch... Lagavulin.
~
But not too bad.
~
This week was unique in that two bottles of Lagavulin made their way into my grateful hands by the combined efforts of four people.
~

Announcing....

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 32nd Week of 2010

Rich Ellis (shared Automatic)

Jake Ellis (shared Automatic)

Bob Wojcik (shared Automatic)

Deb (shared Automatic)

Ed Hudson.

~
Granted, we all had a fine lobster dinner, but the Lagavulin has so much meaning. for me.

Golf Update

Peeps.
~
Got in 18 holes yesterday at a tournament with some old GD friends... Bob Wojcik, Rich Ellis and Ed Hudson.   It was  a scramble format and we came in at eleven under.
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The good news is that my golf game has not deterioriated.
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It's still wicked bad, but it hasn't gotten worse.
~
Even though I drained a couple of 20 foot putts, I can't say that my putting has improved either.  I think that was just a little on the lucky side.
~
And I still hate golf, but had fun anyway.

Hell Fire Wish

So Nancy Pelosi is not only for the monument to glorify the destruction of the Twin Towers in 911.... ie the Mosque at Ground Zero.... she also wants "transparency" for anyone who funds the Mosque.
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How can anybody vote for her?????   She is so freaking out of touch.
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I'm sorry Peeps, but there are somethings that I just don't understand and I just can't explain.
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I don't believe in Hell, but I'm starting to wish there was one so that Pelosi and her supporters could wallow in eternal agony.   Maybe she could pass as one of the 70 virgins that the Muslim Martyrs are entitled to.
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Such an Asshole.
~
Ironically, everything to date so far indicates the chances of the Mosque being built in Manhattan are small because of the amateurish process followed by the Cordoba Group, the development arm.   So all this angst and vituperation has only served to turn a light on our nation's leaders, the President and the Speaker of the House.... highlighting their viewpoints and leadership ability.
~
So maybe the Mosque is good afterall.

Taking a Stand

Barack Obama voted "Present" in the Illinois State Senate 130 times. That's 130 times that he refused to take a stand.
~
That's 130 times when he said "I'm not for it.... but I'm not against it."   "I'm not going to tip my hand because........"   Why????
~
There should be a rule against voting "Present".    Our elected leaders should be forced to take a stand.  Vote yes or no.   Not "I Dunno"  or "I can't decide"  or "I'm too freaking chickenshit to tell you how I really feel."
~
I have never had respect for people who vote "present".   BO did it 130 times and now he's President of the United States.

Wild Urban Turkeys

Those who follow this pathetic Blog know that I get a big kick out of the birds that show up on my Bird Feeder.
~
Naturally, a lot of the seeds fall to the ground below, and this morning I saw this turkey with her four chicks foraging there.
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Pretty cool since we live in a completely urban area on a small 5,000 sf lot that is fenced in on three sides.
~
The comeback that turkey's have made is really impressive.  They were so rare in my childhood that I never expected to glimpse one in the wild.... let alone my urban back yard.

Jim L. said... 

And, Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. 

Losing Tolerance

It's back out to Western Massachusetts tonight for another session of permit hearings for the evil communications monopole that threatens to ruin the health and financial livelyhood of the fine neighboring condominium residents.
~
One of the processes in this work is to pull the public file of prior hearings for sites of this type which have already been built.   It's always interesting to see the angst and vituperation in the opponents testimony to the innocuous pole that now stands.... without any of the earth shattering consequences that were predicted to occur in the hearing.
~
Course in the present case, it has never been disclosed by the opposing condominium residents  that half of the complex already stares straight into a lattace tower that is as unsightly as these things get.  I'm just curious to know how this existing tower has affected their lives.
~
We'll probably never know, because they don't mention it.
~
Hopefully, this meeting won't be another late night session, because I hate the commute back to Marblehead for these things.    Plus.... adding insult to injury, this is starting to cut into the profit margin of Nanepashemet Telecom because our contract makes us eat all of these extra hearings.
~
So my tolerance for resident's claims that exaggerate and mislead is starting to waiver a bit.

Ass Kicking

Many of you Peeps are Rough, Tough, Hard to Bluff, and Damn Good Looking.... just like I am.
~
But let me let you in on a secret.    I haven't thrown a punch in over twenty years.
~
And there is a good reason for it.
~
When you get older, you have assets, you have a salary, etc.... when you let it fly.... the assholes sue you.  Doesn't matter if you are right or wrong... when the lawyers and the prosecutors get involved.... you are going to pay.
~
So think about it before you decide to kick some ass..... remember that it's not like the old days in High School when you had nothing to lose.

Get Back to the Dory

This video gets me really antsy about getting the Marblehead Gunning Dory back on the workbench.  But I still have a few pressing priorities.

Nice Start

I've purposefully avoided all of you Peeps who've asked me how much weight I've lost since staying off of the carbs for the last 12 days or so.
~
It goes without saying that it is none of your freaking business.
~
Nonetheless, as a Mountain of a Man, I realize that I must maintain the standards, set the bar, show the way for the rest of you hapless, disoriented, and uncharted Peeps.  It is a burden that I must bear.
~
So the fact is that I have lost 12 pounds in the first 12 days of this no carb, disciplinary period.... for a ratio of 1 lb per day.   I know that this rate will fall off over the remaining 75 days, but I'm pretty psyched at the start.  My goal is to get under 200 lbs  during the disciplinary period... but don't want to get too good looking too fast.

Classless, Hostile, and Insensitive

BO came out today and said that people have a constitutional right to build a mosque on Ground Zero.
~
He is absolutely correct by the laws of this nation, but if allowed to stand alone, it is the statement of a pussy.
~  
Let's face it.  The only reason that a Mosque is being planned for an area where radical Isamists scored a twisted victory is to memorialize the successful act of Radical Islam.
~
In the United States, we have separated church and state.   Where this has not happened in the Muslim world, it should be understood that the actions of the Muslims at Ground Zero were nationalistic as well as religious.
~
Obama's leadership here takes a narrow legalistic posture and negates the real reason that the Mosque is proposed.... to mock us and flip the finger at the American culture.   Mr President... protect the Constitution, but stand up and proclaim your real feelings here.   What do you feel about the gesture here to mock us, and deride us???????
~
Yes, the proponents of this Mosque have the right to build if they comply with zoning laws.   And I for one would allow it to happen..... but not without labeling in as a classless, hostile, and insensitive action.  It takes advantage of the liberties that this nation stands for.

Axiom

Every time anybody takes the opportunity to tell you that they are an ethical person.... they are doing something to screw you. Acting unethically. I have never seen this to fail.

Fun with Johnson's

It was the cocktail party that wouldn't quit last night as the entire Johnson family came over.  That includes reigning Peep of the Year, Jeremy and his beautiful wife, Julie in from Minnesota, the gorgeous Amanda from LA and of course Dale/Buck and Trophy Wife Gail.
~
Grandson Will was rather smitten with Julie and kept up a constant motion.  Mike dropped in which prompted Scuba Steve to come by and even Katelyn made an appearance at the end of the evening.
~
Jeremy had gotten about three hours of FreshAyer with a fake tattoo on his forearm to prove some streetcred with the C.O.'s.   His "THUGLIFE"  tat in Olde English lettering was freaking hilarious, and Ryan was apparently convinced of its authenticity.   He and Ryan had a great visit, and he came back with truckload of stories and anecdotes.
~
Jeremy had also let his beard grow for a week so had some mild, barely discernable fuzz going on with his tattooed audacity.
~
I laughed so hard that I thought my stomach was going to flip.
~
I was thoroughly impressed that Amanda and Jeremy found the King of Scotch, Lagavulin, much to their liking and we finished the last of the bottle that Maria Rowen had bought for me in gaining the coveted Automatic Peep of the Week designation.   We also finished the Laphrogh  and the Jameson's so my liquor cabinet took a good beating.
~
But it was damn worth it.
~
I'm hoping that some of you Peeps will step up for another "Automatic" soon though.

Figity Photos Part Deux