Profound Thanks

Last night, I went to the Bruins Game with my son Mike, and we remarked how quick the time seems to have passed.   That always seems to be the case when an ordeal is over.  This one isn't quite over, although the FreshAyer phase has ended.  There were times though, when this day seemed that it would never arrive.
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Appreciate all  the calls, emails and well wishes to us for this milestone day.  Someday, I'll write something profound that expresses how we feel about you who stood by us during this trying experience.  But right now, all I can muster is "Thank You".

The Smell of Victory

If the air has a funny smell this morning... that is the smell of victory.
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Yes.  A month after our zoning application was tabled down in New Haven County, we emerged victorious with a unanimous vote and much thanks for the balloon test and photo simulations that we produced in the meantime.
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Three hours down, three hours back.  On the couch in Marblehead by 11:30PM.
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Sweet.
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Living the Dream.

Pisc saidJan 31, 2012 12:06 PM

Is that the one in which they hang a balloon from a crane to give a line of site reference to that space the tower will occupy? Raw land new build? Before you break ground, the meter is running full speed. Nice.

The clock shows a scant 4 hours until your son's return home. My considerable array of fifty cent words fail to describe my admiration for your family. Fare forward, voyagers.

FreshAyer Adieu

We brought the grandkids out for their last visit with Ryan at FreshAyer this morning.
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I won't miss it.
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It has been a depressing task, but Ryan never let us down.   He never showed any self pity, never complained, always kept a sense of humor and a sense of discovery.  He always looked forward, grasped at every learning experience, and pressed for every advantage that his environment offered.
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At the beginning of this ordeal, he told us not to worry, because he could handle it.
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He could.... and helped us all to cope and handle it ourselves.
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For our enemies, who wished this experience to be hurtful out of your despicable ill will.... you will be dissapointed.  In so many ways, the punishment that you so self righteously sought has been an incredible chance to regroup, re-align, and re-boot for Ryan, his Family, and his many supporters.   The toxic phonies have been exposed and are getting smaller and smaller in the rear view mirror.
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If Living Well is the best revenge, then Ryan has already had incredible vengeance, and the best is yet to come.

ReEntry

It's nice to be home.  Going away always makes me appreciate home.  Even though the Nanepashemet Telecom workload hit me like a sledgehammer well before we got back to Massachusetts, I wasn't taken back because of reentry.   Keeping tabs on email is the way to go.

Eighth Grade Sniff Test

So Peeps... I've disclosed to you that this is my vacation week.... and I've been trying to keep low key and unengaged.
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But then Nancy Pelosi hits the airwaves, claiming that Newt Gingrich will never be President ... because of what "I know".
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Granted, she has said some stupid and inappropriate stuff in the past, but this doesn't even pass the eighth grade silliness test.  When asked  by CNN's John King if Gingrich could be President, Noble Nancy replied, "Let me just say this. That will never happen.    There's something I know. The Republicans, if they choose to nominate him, that's the prerogative. I don't even think that's going to happen."
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Of course, she doesn't disclose what she "knows".
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How did an airhead like Pelosi ever become the Speaker of the House?  What idiots voted for her?  Thank God I didn't have to see her head bobbing behind the President during his State of the Union Speech this year.

Down East

It's nice to get away.
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Generally, I hate vacations, because you have to work so hard before you leave, then you get hit with a ton of crap when you get back.
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But this time, I've stayed close to email every day and handled some routine stuff while being appraised of the important issues... without full scale emotional engagement.
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And I would have been a lot more rested if it wasn't for these damn intestinal issues that made their entrance... or more appropriately... their exit, for the past two days.
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I'm pretty much back to normal , but Joanne doesn't seem to be faring so well.
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Down East Maine, Baby.  Can't get enough of it.

Play with Pain

Back in the Saddle and heading for Bar Harbor.
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Being a Mountain of a Man means that you have to play through the Pain.
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and BTW, the Web Cameras in Marblehead are working like a charm.  So far, a squirrel and a couple of sparrows have been caught near the doors.  I'll deal with them when I get home.

Solitary

Peeps....
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After our workout, Joanne and I had a great breakfast in downtown Rockland, Maine.
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Two fried eggs over easy, sausage patties, biscuits, corned beef flannel hash, tomato juice and coffee.    I put a little ketchup on the hash and opted against the hot sauce on the eggs, although I really considered it.
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After we left, we did the tourist thing and browsed the stores up and down Main Street..... a really pretty place.  But I started to feel distressed, and after an hour bolted for the truck and deadheaded back to the hotel.
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The fever was building, I was starting to feel nauseous but I was really glad that I passed on the Hot Sauce.  Let's just say that would have caused a decent amount of pain... the kind that Johnny Cash sang about in his all time hit..."Ring of Fire".
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To those of you who think I had Joanne to help me out.... No Freaking Way, Kemosabe Breath.   She bolted for some really important shopping at a TJ Max or Walmart or somewhere.   Real high priority stuff.  Didn't see her for the balance of the day.
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So I here I am,  stuck up here in Mid-Coast Maine, fairly incapacitated , with only this pathetic Blog and you Peeps to keep me company.
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Scratch that.... I'm all alone.... all freaking alone.
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This isn't over.

Get Ready

As you may have guessed, I'm taking this week off from work for a little R&R.  That's why I've been able to get to the Health/Pain Club so often.   Nanepashemet Telecom is in the capable hands of my partners and staff, and in point of fact, will probably fare a lot better than with me tooling around with it for 18 hours a day.
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Sometime next week, we'll be shutting down the FreshAyer episode and moving to new challenges.  The way things are lining up in business, it looks like the timing will be just right... like it was pre-ordained or something.  Its's a good time to take a break and rest up with the business tsunami that is about to hit.
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For those of you who believe in the Law of Karma as I do, it's also time to open the doors and let the fresh air rush in... or batten down the hatches... as the case may be.
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You know who you are... and what you have to do.
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But I wouldn't get too worked up about it.   There's not a freaking thing that you can change.  You've set the course, now get ready for the ride.

Kick Save and a Beauty!

The Boston Bruins, defending Stanley Cup Champions, were invited to the White House yesterday by President B. Obama.  These types of public relations opportunities have been commonplace for years.    Tim Thomas, the outstanding Bruins Goalie, didn't make the appearance and issued this statement ...
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"I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. 


This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government. 


Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL. 


This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT"
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Kick Save and a Beauty!

Jim L. said....Jan 24, 2012 05:59 PM

That little poster should read, "Dope". This player took a special moment for the Stanley Cup Champions and made it about him and his personal views. It is a great thing in this country to be able to exercise your rights as a citizen. It is also a great thing to know when to do it.
As we know, the cup doesn't come too easy. So, when you get it you want to savor the perks that come with it. This dick figured team should be spelled with an I. And, he took some of that special moment away from his team mates.
I'll root for this guy when he's in the crease. When he steps off the ice, he's not worth my time.

Back on Track

I guess I should thank you for all of the emails and text messages asking how my workout went.   It shouldn't be so annoying because I obviously brought this on myself.... what with letting you know about my health club anxiety and all.
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The workout went fine.  In my momentary lapse of confidence, I forgot a fundamental tenet on what a Mountain of a Man is really about.
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Not only do we write world class blogs, but we're also Rough, Tough, Hard to Bluff, and Damn Good Looking.
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So it's nice to be back on track.

Facing Your Demons

Peeps...
Sometimes being a Mountain of a Man means that you wake up in the morning and face your fears head on.
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So today, before I do anything else, I'm heading back to that Health/Pain Club to stand up to my demons big time.
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Yes... I'll make eye contact with every toned hard body who walks by.
Yes... I'll snort, fart, and wheeze for 40 minutes or so on the elliptical torture track.
Yes... I'll step head long into the group exercise room and stare at the mirrors showing every angle of my girth.
And Yes... I'll avoid any mention of the locker room and showers.
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It will be nerve wracking, but I'm resolved to persevere.
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