Tommy O, Linda, Kelsey, Kate
Katelyn Nestor, Jack Dog
Ryan, Courtney, Will
Mike, Katelyn
Joe LeBlanc, Susan
Jim Peabody, Kathy, Andrew
Ben Martin
Pretty Good Easter Roster dropped by for the holiday celebration.
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Sunday, March 23, 2008
Gerry
It's too bad that most know of Elbridge Gerry of Marblehead as the inventor of Gerrymandering.
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He was a patriotic signer of the Declaration of Independence and refused to sign the Constitution because it did not contain a Bill of rights.
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He was also the fifth Vice President of the United States, serving under James Madison.
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Plus the Gerry 5 Club in Marblehead, of which I am a dues paying member and is by far the best local watering hole, is named after him.
Easter Thoughts
Happy Easter.
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This is the holiday that defined Christianity. Regardless, of the sermons, and the miracles.... rising from the dead was the pièce de résistance.
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Over the past 2000 years or so, the Catholic Church has manipulated and brutalized the teachings of Christ and his followers. The Church used to burn at the stake anyone who disagreed with its self serving interpretation that one could only attain salvation through the Church.
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Growing up Irish-Catholic, I was ingrained with this doctrine, and it wasn't until college when its illogical nature and my widening thought patterns collided. Since then, my theology has embraced a host of concepts to the point that I'm probably defined as Neo-Pagan by now.
~
I believe in a higher power and an infinite soul, and the harmony of nature. Christ and probably others were more closely aligned with the higher power, and sought to guide others. I have no doubt in his resurrection from the dead. Although we all have a spark of divine higher power, Jesus was more attuned, and I regularly pray to him for his help and intercession.
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This makes more sense to me, than the heaven and hell, social control constructs that the Catholic Church espouses. Every time they hit a logical dead end, you are instructed to believe it as a mystery of faith.
~
So I have evolved to a belief that says that a divine higher power of which we are all a part has set in motion the harmony of the universe, and we should aspire to act in tune with this harmony for the welfare of our eternal soul.
~
But when I was on a commercial airflight a couple of years ago, that was experiencing violent turbulence, and seemed to be falling out of the sky, my Catholicism returned big time - I remembered the "Act of Contrition" word for word, just as the Nuns drilled it into me, and repeated it about a hundred times.
~
So Happy Easter. I hope you got a basket with a hollow chocolate bunny this morning.
~
This is the holiday that defined Christianity. Regardless, of the sermons, and the miracles.... rising from the dead was the pièce de résistance.
~
Over the past 2000 years or so, the Catholic Church has manipulated and brutalized the teachings of Christ and his followers. The Church used to burn at the stake anyone who disagreed with its self serving interpretation that one could only attain salvation through the Church.
~
Growing up Irish-Catholic, I was ingrained with this doctrine, and it wasn't until college when its illogical nature and my widening thought patterns collided. Since then, my theology has embraced a host of concepts to the point that I'm probably defined as Neo-Pagan by now.
~
I believe in a higher power and an infinite soul, and the harmony of nature. Christ and probably others were more closely aligned with the higher power, and sought to guide others. I have no doubt in his resurrection from the dead. Although we all have a spark of divine higher power, Jesus was more attuned, and I regularly pray to him for his help and intercession.
~
This makes more sense to me, than the heaven and hell, social control constructs that the Catholic Church espouses. Every time they hit a logical dead end, you are instructed to believe it as a mystery of faith.
~
So I have evolved to a belief that says that a divine higher power of which we are all a part has set in motion the harmony of the universe, and we should aspire to act in tune with this harmony for the welfare of our eternal soul.
~
But when I was on a commercial airflight a couple of years ago, that was experiencing violent turbulence, and seemed to be falling out of the sky, my Catholicism returned big time - I remembered the "Act of Contrition" word for word, just as the Nuns drilled it into me, and repeated it about a hundred times.
~
So Happy Easter. I hope you got a basket with a hollow chocolate bunny this morning.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
OK
The March to the Marine Corps Marathon is gathering steam. Mike Nestor has almost deliberated enough to make a decision and Tom McMahon says that Will Crawford is thinking about it.
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This is not the groundswell of participation that I anticipated. Maybe when the warm weather hits, we'll see appropriate enthusiasm of this notable endeavor.
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This is not the groundswell of participation that I anticipated. Maybe when the warm weather hits, we'll see appropriate enthusiasm of this notable endeavor.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Feeling
It's been quite a while since I was really psyched on a Friday night because of the upcoming weekend. Usually there is a bit of anxiety because of the work obligations that are left outstanding.
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Contrary to popular belief, I don't finish my work everyday. It's not that I screw off, which is hardly ever, but the amount of work seems to exceed the hours in the day.... every day.
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And it always piles up to the end of the week. Mentally, I always resolve to take care of some of it over the weekend, and in reality, this often happens. But this weekend, I just don't have the angst... even though there are some swinging loose ends.
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I don't even feel guilty.
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It probably has something to do with the good weather report.... sunny in the balmy 40's.
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So I'll get out in the driveway, and maybe even rev up the Dory project a little bit. Joanne wants to take Mike and Kate to the BYC on Saturday, and then Ryan and Courtney will be bringing Will over on Easter Sunday.
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By Monday, the anxiety can resume.
~
Contrary to popular belief, I don't finish my work everyday. It's not that I screw off, which is hardly ever, but the amount of work seems to exceed the hours in the day.... every day.
~
And it always piles up to the end of the week. Mentally, I always resolve to take care of some of it over the weekend, and in reality, this often happens. But this weekend, I just don't have the angst... even though there are some swinging loose ends.
~
I don't even feel guilty.
~
It probably has something to do with the good weather report.... sunny in the balmy 40's.
~
So I'll get out in the driveway, and maybe even rev up the Dory project a little bit. Joanne wants to take Mike and Kate to the BYC on Saturday, and then Ryan and Courtney will be bringing Will over on Easter Sunday.
~
By Monday, the anxiety can resume.
Don't Start
I was going to tell you something about my business, Nanepashemet Telecom, but then I decided not to.
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Please don't start with the emails and the phone calls asking me what it was. That is so totally annoying.
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Please don't start with the emails and the phone calls asking me what it was. That is so totally annoying.
POTW - Week 12 - 2008
I had to go the Gerry last evening to have a beer with my friend Tyler Gill and Micah from EnerNOC.
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Then I had a conference call at 7:30PM which lasted for an hour or so.
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Peep of the Week selections had to wait until this morning, so if you're a little irritated, get over it. It could be worse.
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Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 12 of 2008.
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Then I had a conference call at 7:30PM which lasted for an hour or so.
~
Peep of the Week selections had to wait until this morning, so if you're a little irritated, get over it. It could be worse.
~
Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 12 of 2008.
- Jim Peabody
- Sam Simons
- Brian Butler
- Sarah Crawford
- Carly Press
- Ryan Nestor
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Belief O Matic
| 1. | Neo-Pagan (100%) |
| 2. | New Age (85%) |
| 3. | Hinduism (83%) |
| 4. | Liberal Quakers (80%) |
| 5. | Bahá'í Faith (76%) |
| 6. | Jainism (76%) |
| 7. | Sikhism (76%) |
| 8. | Unitarian Universalism (75%) |
| 9. | Mahayana Buddhism (71%) |
| 10. | Scientology (70%) |
| 11. | New Thought (65%) |
| 12. | Islam (63%) |
| 13. | Orthodox Judaism (63%) |
| 14. | Reform Judaism (63%) |
| 15. | Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (53%) |
| 16. | Taoism (50%) |
| 17. | Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (32%) |
| 18. | Jehovah's Witness (26%) |
| 19. | Orthodox Quaker (26%) |
| 20. | Theravada Buddhism (26%) |
| 21. | Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (20%) |
| 22. | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (13%) |
| 23. | Eastern Orthodox (13%) |
| 24. | Roman Catholic (13%) |
| 25. | Secular Humanism (13%) |
| 26. | Seventh Day Adventist (13%) |
| 27. | Nontheist (6%) |
This is how I scored taking the Belief O Matic test.
Not sure if I agree, but you should test out yourself at
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html
Thanks to Wanda for this link.
Outrageous and Disgusting
Peeps!~
What does it take to get you aroused... I mean outraged!!!!
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Naked Bunnies doing a pole dance while Peeps sit in apparent rapt attention is an insult to self respecting Peeps everywhere.
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This has Sarah Loomis Crawford's fingerprints all over it.
-
a gal with a perty mouth and a superfluous nipple does er fer me, everytime, arousin'-wise!
The Color of Obama
Barach Obama handled the attack on him based upon Rev. Wright's rediculous conspiratorial and racist comments very well.
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I wouldn't want to be judged by the way that some Catholic priests have acted.
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Obama is a complex individual - brought up in Hawaii by white grandparents, attending school at Harvard and Columbia, seeking roots and community in the Black church in Chicago.
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It's time to discuss race in America. We've all seen racism and the effects of a society whose economic and social basis had slavery at its core when it was born only 300 odd years ago.
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Huge strides have been made, but the scar tissue and the recurring nightmares are clearly evident. Maybe we are mature enough to confront these.
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We have intellectually defeated racism in America.... the leader in Democratic Presidential delegates is an African American, the Governor's of MA and NY are African American, the sport of priviledged countryclubs is dominated by an African American.
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But the "forgive and forget" process is still to be played out for a few generations.
~
I wouldn't want to be judged by the way that some Catholic priests have acted.
~
Obama is a complex individual - brought up in Hawaii by white grandparents, attending school at Harvard and Columbia, seeking roots and community in the Black church in Chicago.
~
It's time to discuss race in America. We've all seen racism and the effects of a society whose economic and social basis had slavery at its core when it was born only 300 odd years ago.
~
Huge strides have been made, but the scar tissue and the recurring nightmares are clearly evident. Maybe we are mature enough to confront these.
~
We have intellectually defeated racism in America.... the leader in Democratic Presidential delegates is an African American, the Governor's of MA and NY are African American, the sport of priviledged countryclubs is dominated by an African American.
~
But the "forgive and forget" process is still to be played out for a few generations.
-
In that veign, Happy St. Joseph's Day to all my paisans on the Hill in East Haven - there will be shell fish and asparagus zuppa come Sunday. Celebrate diversity! Up with everything!
Its important to have a president who knows a lot about race. Forget minding the shop otherwise. I can forgo my job so long as we have a good understanding that human nature leads us to select based on similarities and aligned interests. And we can overcompensate to change that on a case by case basis. And we can pay for study groups and giving a helping hand to those less something than me with part of my salary. So long as everyone feels good about themselves. Isn't life grand?
This world is ruled by violence
your family comes first
and then you are on you own.
But together, we can!
I live in a small village.
Piscawhatsinitforme
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A Great Series
I was right. The HBO series "John Adams" is masterful and addictive. Excellently depicted in it's historical detail, it captures the culture and uncertainty of the period.
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How people had the guts to rebel from the brutal British Empire, which had the most powerful military resources on earth, is still amazing to me. Adams, to this time, has had a tough go with his reputation by historians, and is often characterized as petty and jealous. He was not a striking physical person, and he was impetuous and impatient as a politician.
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But his correspondence with his wife, Abigail, which has survived virtually intact reveals a deeply sincere patriot, whose persistence and self-sacrifice was crucial to the formulaion of the country.
~
His relationship with Thomas Jefferson was most intriguing. Jefferson was a southern plantation slave owner, and Adams was vehemently anti-slavery. Adams was open and forthright, while Jefferson operated behind the scenes with subtefuge and manipulation. They became openly opposed politically after the Revolution, Adams being the 2nd President and Jefferson the 3rd.
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In their elderly years, the two vigorously corresponded with each other, sending letters back and forth between Massachusetts and Virginia.
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On July 4, 1826, they were both on their deathbeds, exactly 50 years after they had both signed the Declaration of Independence. Adams' last words on that day were, "Thomas Jefferson Survives." Ironically, Jefferson had expired earlier that same day.
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I think that's pretty freaky.
~
How people had the guts to rebel from the brutal British Empire, which had the most powerful military resources on earth, is still amazing to me. Adams, to this time, has had a tough go with his reputation by historians, and is often characterized as petty and jealous. He was not a striking physical person, and he was impetuous and impatient as a politician.
~
But his correspondence with his wife, Abigail, which has survived virtually intact reveals a deeply sincere patriot, whose persistence and self-sacrifice was crucial to the formulaion of the country.
~
His relationship with Thomas Jefferson was most intriguing. Jefferson was a southern plantation slave owner, and Adams was vehemently anti-slavery. Adams was open and forthright, while Jefferson operated behind the scenes with subtefuge and manipulation. They became openly opposed politically after the Revolution, Adams being the 2nd President and Jefferson the 3rd.
~
In their elderly years, the two vigorously corresponded with each other, sending letters back and forth between Massachusetts and Virginia.
~
On July 4, 1826, they were both on their deathbeds, exactly 50 years after they had both signed the Declaration of Independence. Adams' last words on that day were, "Thomas Jefferson Survives." Ironically, Jefferson had expired earlier that same day.
~
I think that's pretty freaky.
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O I wonders, if we dug deep enough, wuldnt we find out ole Johnny do good was not prancing around with jefferson, having a go at it with the ladies behind the wood pile? Its genetically dischargeable to all politico types. You can looks it up in any medicating journal.
Other Dory Progress
Mac Houtz of Newport News, VA is constructing a Marblehead Chamberlain Gunning Dory and had the courtesy of sending this photo of his progress.~
Looks like he did a good job constructing the frames and the stem.
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I told him my excuse for not working on my Dory this winter was the weather and business, which is valid enough, but I still feel a little remorse for not advancing the project even a little.
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I've been a part of several cults in my time, both as a leader and a follower. You can make some good scratch at the top; bein' a member is a lot more fun though.
I've also done the AM radio preachin' gig, lost souls callin' long distance salvation. I had this secretary back then, jesus murphy, she could empty the tank and then push the car a few blocks ta boot. Sigh, good days . . .