Sunday, November 29, 2009

Big Fat Problem

So I come in from our Fresh Ayer trip, and there is a program on about fat women who have lost weight.
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Naturally, they are blubbering and sobbing.
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I don't understand why fat women cry about losing weight.   I could see maybe crying if you didn't have enough food.... but crying because you have shed some lbs. is a bit mystfying.
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This has to be the first generation in human hstory where the food crisis is not scarcity and starvation, but overeating and obesity.  I suppose that is a form of progress.

Tuna Lips said...
I likes me the big rigs.
Maria Rowen said...
We can't help it. We cry about everything...it's our Corpus Callosum...and we all have one no matter how big the rig…
 

Saturday, November 28, 2009

No Choice


It's 7:00 PM, and Tyler Gill, one of Ryan's best friends, just called and asked me to go down to Maddies.
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For those of you who have never been to Marblehead, Maddies Sail Loft has been the premier drinking hole in this Town for time immemorial. despite a change of ownership.  Everybody around here has a Maddies story.
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Should I???
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On the one hand, I'm pretty settled in for the night... just downed my second Seagrams and Cranberry cocktail in keeping with my long standing seasonal drinking traditions.
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On the other hand, Joanne has just assumed control of the widescreen and is watching chick flicks galore... the current one being BrideWars featuring Kate Hudson and Ann Hathaway.
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So it's Drinks with Ryan's friends v. Sacrificing my Manhood watching this gushy movie.  Maddies gets the nod.
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There is really no other choice for a Mountain of a Man like me.  
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Plus, I doubt if she'll notice that I'm gone.

Shocking Sight

It happened once before, and I let it go.
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I think I was in denial.
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But this morning, as I sat peacefully on my couch, gazing out the front window.... it happened again.
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The O'Shea's front door opened wide and Tommy O emerged.... clad only in a bath towel around his waist, as he bent over to retrieve his morning paper.   That's right.... I saw skin... lots of it.... and some in places that I never want to see again.
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You would think that a Mountain of a Man like me would be impervious to such a disruptive sight.
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But no.  Even I have limits to what I can physically tolerate.
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I pray that Tommy O gets a bathrobe.  Lord... heed my prayer.

Tuna Lips said...
Try seeing yer 5th grade teacher releivin' herself outside the double wide. Nothin' new here, move along folks, until ye spy downwards and see Mister Collinsworth, the principle of the high school, singing "Am I Pretty" whist the shower hits his corn fed gut. Lesson learned.  
Maria Rowen said...
It seems to me...if Tommy O. was Sarah Palin...you would be praying to the Lord for a mighty west wind to blow. So while you are praying...you should thank the Lord you do not still have crush on your 5th grade teacher. Ah...men...  
 

Friday, November 27, 2009

Day Off

No news today.
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A partying couple crashed the White House Indian State Dinner causing a breach of security.  And that's it.
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It's a good day to take off.  Maybe I'll take care of some internal paperwork at Nanepashemet Telecom, but that's it.  Tommorrow we'll be heading for some Fresh Ayer.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

RIP Hilary Rockett

J. Hilary Rockett passed away today.  Hilary was an icon in Marblehead, and changed the landscape of the town with his real estate development.  He was a hard nosed, stubborn Irish businessman who got things done through brute determination.  I had the opportunity to work with him and his son Michael on a gymnasium project for Tufts University, his alma mater.
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Hilary said he could get the gym built tor $870,000 - a ridiculously low figure for the time in the early 90's.  He set Mike and I to build the project, and would never take no for an answer.   And when some detractors at the College tried to put up some roadblocks, Hilary mowed them down in a meeting with brute force of personality in a manner that I hadn't witnessed before or since.  Needless to say, the Gym came in on budget.
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As an entrepreneur who maintained a small family business, he posted solid accomplishments in Salem, Lynn, Marblehead and Naples, Fl.  He was tough and unyielding, and didn't care what anybody thought, but underneath this facade, he was a good man.  When his oldest son, Hilary, Jr. came down with brain cancer, Hilary told me that he wished it was him, and I truly believed him.
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It will be weird for me to get over the fact that he no longer is with us in Marblehead.

J. Hilary Rockett Sr.

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ROCKETT,J.Hilary,Sr., Esquire Age 74, of Marblehead, MA, passed away on November 26, 2009 following a brief battle with melanoma. He was at home surrounded by family. A third generation Marblehead resident, Rockett was born on January 16, 1935, the son of late Richard H. and Irene Rockett. He graduated from Marblehead High School, Tufts University and New England School of Law. Rockett's professional career began working for Sylvania Lighting, and then he began a sales career at Blue Cross/Blue Shield. After serving in the United States Army from 1957-1959, Rockett embarked on a career in politics in 1960 and was elected to the Marblehead Board of Selectmen at the age of 25 (youngest member at the time ever elected). He was elected to the State Representatives of Massachusetts in 1963. Rockett served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1963-1972, while simultaneously on the Marblehead Board of Selectmen for four of those years. As a member of the House Ways and Means and Conference Committees, Rockett was successful in introducing and passing significant legislation, including the Massachusetts Disability Act. Dedicated to his constituents, Rockett was successful in procuring funding for Salem State College's Arena, Student Union and nursing program. In 1984, Salem State College dedicated its Sports Complex to Rockett's father, Richard H. Rockett, who was a professor at Salem State College. In Marblehead, some of the projects he secured 100% financing for included Dredging and Waterfront improvements for the Village Street, State Street and Commercial Street Piers. He also received Grants for Farrell Court and Roads school projects. As a legislator, he was instrumental and very active for the causes in his district. As his term on the Marblehead Board of Selectmen was coming to a close, he entered law school mid-career and graduated from Portia Law School (now known as New England School of Law) in 1967. In May of 2004, Rockett's accomplishments in the Massachusetts Legislature earned him the Massachusetts Legislative Associations Distinguished Service Award. In 1983, he was bestowed with an award from the Swampscott Board of Selectmen, "Honorary Citizen of Swampscott," for his work in transitioning the community from the Metropolitan District Commission. Rockett established his family business, Rockett Management & Realty Company, and also Rockett Law Firm in 1968. Over the span of 27 years, he accomplished an admirable legal career, managed legislative duties and built successful real estate developments on the north shore. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who enjoyed family gatherings at his Marblehead home, spending time at the ocean, walking and golfing. He was an active member of Tedesco Country Club, Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead and Bay Colony Golf Course in Naples, FL. He sat on the Tufts Board of Overseers, as well as the European Board of Overseers. He coached the infamous Yankees for many years in Marblehead Little League. He also coached Marblehead Midget Football, Marblehead Youth Hockey and was a member of the Marblehead Boosters. J. Hilary leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, M. Denise (Hanlon) Rockett. He also leaves his four children, J. Hilary Rockett, Jr., and his wife, Paige, T. Michael Rockett and his wife, Patricia, Richard P. Rockett and his wife, Tonya, and Pamela Castner and her husband, Christopher, all of Marblehead. He is also survived by ten loving grandchildren, Mary, Tucker J. and Samuel H. Rockett, Margaret M. and Thomas M. Rockett, Jackson P. and Lilly E. Rockett and Haley P, Marley Y and Lea Castner, all of Marblehead. He leaves siblings, Edward Rockett, William Rockett, Mary Jane Alexander and Irene Wightman. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard H. Rockett, Jr., and his granddaughter, Allie Castner. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday December 2, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 80 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead, MA. His Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 80 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead, MA. For On-Line Guest Book or additional information, please contact Murphy Funeral Home 85 Federal Street, Salem, MA (781) 631-8885 or visit (www.MurphyFuneralHome.com). In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the J. Hilary Rockett Sr., Esquire Scholarship fund at National Grand Bank, 190 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA.

POTW Week 48

Another Thanksgiving Eve Bash is in the record books.
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In an unanticipated and unprecedented turn of events, three of you thoughtful, intelligent, and perceptive Peeps became an Automatic Peep of the Week by giving me an 850 ml bottle of the King of Scotch, Lagavulin Single Malt.
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I am completely overwhelmed and utterly overjoyed.
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As if that was not enough  concentrated happiness, Sarah Piscatelli presented me with an autographed copy of  James Michael Curley, A Short Biography signed by the author  William M. Bulger.  Bill Bulger, President of the Massachusetts Senate from South Boston, was someone that I always admired when I was cutting my teeth in Lynn politics some decades ago.  He stared down the liberal phonies at the Boston Globe and succeeded in a fruitful career despite their back biting and self righteous lamentations.
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ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 48th Week of 2009.

Sarah Piscatelli
Patrick Piscatelli (A)
Kerry D'Orio
Bobby "Mountain of a Man" Brown (A)
Maria "Tuna Lips Antagonist" Rowen (A)
Sue Roper

(A) denotes Automatic Lagavulin Donor

Sometimes it's just great to be me.... and this is one of those times.
Happy Thanksgiving

Pisc said...
Phoebe has declared "Will I friend." Good eats, good chatter. Great evening.
Maria Rowen said...
For the record...next year the "TLA" will arrive early and stay late...Thanks for giving a great party...!
 

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

False Priorities

The Day before Thanksgiving is always the busiest day of the year for me.   There are so many last minute preps needed for the Bash, yet my clients usually demand a full working day.  A bit of insecurity that their projects won't receive the attention that they deserve over the long weekend.
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As hard as I know that business is,with the need for total dedication to achieve success, it always pisses me off when people think that you have to work on the weekends or on holidays.   We're not curing cancer... we are padding the bottom line of our client. 
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I was never impressed by workaholics who think that they are getting ahead by working on weekends and holidays.
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If you decide  to work on a Holiday when your job doesn't require it, then you need to get a life.   Your family should be a bit more important than your job or career.
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So for my misguided client who asked what we will be accomplishing over the Thanksgiving Weekend.... the answer is a BIG FAT ZERO.   And do yourself a favor... get a life.
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See you next Monday.

Bash Momentum

Superpeep Brian Butler has put his order in for Chicken Wings and Fried Dough at the Thanksgiving Eve Bash.
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I was not planning to rev up the WhiteTrash Balls, but for Brian, I'll be happy to whip up a batch.
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The momentum for the annual event is building as usual.   Mountain of a Man Bobby Brown will be here, which should cause a bit of a frenzy, and even Piscatelli has threatened to show.  Stevie Lewis is bringing his award winning Pulled Pork.
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Naturally, no invitations have been issued.  But if you don't come, you are lame and subject to ridicule.
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All the usual suspects have indicated that they will attend, which will make for the usual out of control, loud and obnoxious good time.
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I can't wait.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Adirondack at Home


Katelyn took this photo of her Adirondack Chair in it's intended home on her deck in South Boston.
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This is probably the last post that I will dedicate to the Adirondack Chair.  I know that Lisa Rowe will be dissapointed.

Maria Rowen said...
I bet Lisa would love to get all cozy with her Harvey at home in that Adirondak...
Kerry D'Orio said...
Please make me one. I need a high class looking chair to park my booty while watching the neighborhood antics.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Cripple Creek

Getting Funny

I heard today that the AP hired 11 reporters to "fact check" Sarah Palin's 400 page book.   They came up with 6 questionable facts, for the most part, matters of interpretation, and no bombshell disclosures at all.
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What the hell is the Liberal press so afraid of???.   If she is so dumb, incompetent, and bad,.... won't she just disintegrate by herself???? Why do they need 11 people researching how to discredit her, and how could they come up so short?
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Why are they so afraid of Sarah?
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How could a little woman from Alaska, who just won't  fall in step with the media Thought Police be so threatening?  It's getting less and less aggravating to me, and more downright humorous.
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In the meantime, we have Obama trying an international terrorist as an American Citizen in New York, which will give him legal access to any of our classified records to use in his defense.   To top if off, BO bows to Emperor Hirohito.
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You just can't make this stuff up.   As the fluff drops off from BO, he will make Jimmy Carter look like the next candidate for Mount Rushmore.  Leadership by teleprompter.  I think Obama is right, though, he was the candidate for change, and we are in for some real change.



Maria Rowen said...
Sarah Palin continues to prove the harder they hit the harder she can hit back. The same media trying to discredit her is making her bigger than life. This whole fact checking 'thing' has inspired me to write a book and I already have the title... "BO STINKS AND THAT'S A FACT..."
Pisc said...
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they attack you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi.
 



Keep It Legal

My Real Estate Broker's license expires in Dec. and Massachusetts law calls for 12 hours of Coninuing Education in order to renew.  
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I've let it go this long, but now today is the day, and I am going to sit in class from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM to check off this requirement.
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I've always preferred self teaching to classroom work.  Anything that I do really well, I've taught myself.   Music, Computing, Woodworking, Boatbuilding.  (ok, I'm not that good at Music, but I plan to be.)
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But the Massachusetts Government knows best what is right for me and I will comply with the law by planting my ass in a classroom for a day. 
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Sometimes, being a Mountain of a Man means that you have to suck it up and keep it legal.