Flashing the Bird

I'm not entirely sure why, but my friends and family seem to take great pleasure in flipping the bone, flashing the bird, and/or giving me the finger.
~
Don't they know that at any time, I can lose my senses, go beserk and pummel them mercilously?
~
Apparently not.
~
Lucky for them that I am the poster boy for tolerance and self-control... that I'm able to see beyond the gutteral meaning of such base expressions....
~
.... that I'm cool and they suck.
~
I will continue to ignore their juvenile assertions, and seek the truth through the lens of my honest Canon Digital Camera.
~
Don't worry Peeps... it takes alot more than a lousy middle finger to make me forego my obligation to bring you your daily life's inspiration. I won't be deterred!

Katelyn's Christmas Collage

Kate seemed to have a good Christmas. There were no eardrum piercing screams or high pitched vulgarity.
~
Happy Holidays Katelyn!

Tighty Whities v. Boxer Shorts

I remember that my father wore boxers. But my brother and I never had a pair that I recall. We only had tighty whities.
~
My boys wear boxers exclusively, while I have carried on with my tighty whitey briefs. Joanne bought me three pairs of Tommy Hilfigers for Xmas.
~
It will be interesting to see which choice that the grandkids follow.
~
Maybe it's a generational thing.

Merry Christmas

Hope all of the Peeps had a fun holiday. I'd have to say that this year was particularly low key and pleasant. It was the first Christmas in 30 years that Ryan wasn't on point for Christmas morning. He and Courtney came over by 11:00 AM.

Then the usual crew showed. The roast beef was awesome and Joanne's new Rachel Ray Furi knives made short order of the slicing chore. It was Jay Turner's first Christmas in Marblehead. All in all, no incidents, nothing particularly annoying. A nice day except for a wicked head cold that took root in me.

Literary Agent

For my new book, I'll need a new book agent. This time I'm going to be a little picky. Peter Rubie suggested that I talk to John Silbersack at Trident Media, and I'm going to check out a few others.
~
The book will be a daily journal that details in words and pictures the process of building a traditional wooden boat. The story will have technical details which will allow the reader to construct a Maine Peapod Lobster Dory for sail and oar, but will also have insights into all of the issues that confront the Builder who tries to maintain family relationships, friends and outside career obligations.
~
It will be in greater depth than a “how to” book, and will be non-fiction which I prefer due to the strange and bizarre nature of the non-fiction genre.
~
The intended audience will reflect those who seek the need to inspire their daily thinking, as well as those who may technically wish to take on this kind of project. Sound familiar, Peeps?
~
If you wish advance copies or want your name mentioned in the book, please send me cash.

Peep Greeting

Click here for a Special Holiday Message from a special Peep.
Careful with your celebrations.

Christmas Eve

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. I'll have the usual insecurities to get out and buy some additional stocking stuffers, even though nobody in my family needs absolutely anything else.
~
We'll start out with Cocktails and Dinner at Jellison's. Last year we really kicked back and had a great time... we never got to any of our other obligations.
~
We'll leave Jellison's and head to Murray's, then end the evening at Bruett's great new home. The trip home from Bruett's in previous Christmas Eve's were harrowing affairs. Ten mph down West Shore Drive with two hands on the wheel.
~
I'm hoping this year to behave myself, but the Nance Nog cannot be denied. Should be alot of POTW at Bruett's. The infamous Murph will definitely be there. It is always a highlight event.

Jumping the Gun

I know that Christmas isn't here yet, but I've been thinking a lot about New Year's Resolutions. 2007 is just giving me a good vibe.

Old Clothes

I hate to throw stuff out. I'm always thinking that I may need it for something someday. This is a real weakness. It's an assumption that you won't be able to take care of your needs in the future, so you should hoard your resources now.
~
Sometimes, things like old clothes have all sorts of memories attached to them so that I can't throw them away. It's like if I don't see the clothes, then I'll forget the memories behind them. This too seems pretty neurotic.
~
Sooner or later, I muster up the guts to put the clothes into a plastic bag and haul them to the Salvation Army dumpster. Hope today will be one of those days.

Rainy Saturday

A great day to do nothing. Business is shut down for the most part. We'll start up the day after Christmas with a lead paint certification inspection and a meeting with Eric and Steve Livermore on design issues for the Sundance move.
~
So I got a haircut and am planning to actually clean around the house. Joanne is giving me dirty looks while I blog this, because she got up and got into action in the heavy cleaning routine. It's hard to just jump in though.... I have to get my big toe wet first.
~
Can't work on the tender when it is raining, because I have to move stuff into the driveway to make room.

General George S. Patton

This guy had a brutal management style. But millions lived, who would otherwise not have survived the ravages of WWII because of his audacity.
~
Christ says to turn the other cheek if someone offends you. Practical advice to exterminate the pattern of revenge and retribution.
~
So often it is the opposite tack from what our ego demands, or comfort level urges, that is the prudent course of action.
~
"L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace"
~
Patton offended his peers, his superiors, and his men. But his passionate and forthright actions saved the world. Thank God for assholes like General George S. Patton.

Finally Friday

I'll admit that I am tired. Between the effort to get Darwin out front in the market, and the Sundance move, there has been a lot of mental activity. With every step forward, there are always raised expectations and setbacks. These are taxing to the vitality of a body.
~
I am looking forward to kicking back and low keying the Christmas celebrations. Fat chance of that!