209 to go

Two Hundred Nine days to go.

It's been three days since I threw down the gauntlet and told you Peeps that I was sick of being called "Big Guy".... which is always a euphemism for "Fat Shit".

Since that time, I have hit the Cybex Stationary Cycle for two 45 min. sessions and started a routine of push ups and wheel ab stretches..... as in .... it is nearly impossible for me to do a couple at this time.... but that will change.  The next Cybex workout will be in an hour or so.

More importantly, I have resolved to get an aerobic workout in six times a weeks, and a weight workout in two times a week.... and stop eating crap.

This prescription comes from a book that I read this morning,  "Younger Next Year" by Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry S. Lodge, published by Workman Publishing in 2007.  Christos Laganos told me that this was one of the books that changed his life and I can easily recognize how Chris has benefited by comparing points made in the book with the way he and his wife, Yolanda, live their life.

The book gives a scientific basis for why exercise is crucial in modern lifestyles and mandates in non-negotiable terms that daily vigorous aerobic exercise is essential to a a healthy life.... and that you have to treat working out in the same manner as if it were your job.

In analyzing how to meet this resolution, it became clear that it will not happen by simply saying to myself to get up and exercise every morning.   I had to go back to a time when vigorous exercise was a way of life.... when I was in school and on the track team.  Back then, every workout started between two-thirty and three o'clock in the afternoon.   So I marked off two hours everyday on my Google calendar between two-thirty and four-thirty.

Since my job gives me a lot of flexibility, I have carefully calculated how this routine can be accomplished while still meeting all of the obligations of Nanepashemet Telecom.  Basically, most business happens in the morning, processing mid-morning to early afternoon.  Not much happens after lunch, but a lot of people like to tie things up late in the afternoon before the business day is over.  

So the 2:30 time slot is probably the best chance for exercise success.

My hope and belief is that I can keep up this routine for the next 209 days.... and that about sixty seven lbs. of me will have disappeared by that time

Peep of the Year - 2015

The Day has Come.
The Hour is Now.

I know that some of you live in anxiety for weeks before this date.... fretting, conspiring, praying, and hoping against all hope that you are either named the Nanepashemet Peep of the Year... or that you are spared the Honor/Disgrace.

Those who have been among the chosen are enshrined into a coveted/distained Brotherhood/Sisterhood that only they can truly experience.

Tom McMahon ~ 2007

Lauren Rathbone ~ 2008

Michael "Murph" Murphy ~ 2009

Jeremy Johnson ~ 2010

Tommy O'Shea ~ 2011

Kerry D'Orio ~ 2012

Brady Boyle ~ 2013

Kim Hause (now Kim Nestor) -  2014

Many of these people were profoundly changed during their POTY reign.  Others think that they emerged unscathed yet are obviously affected at a deeply psychological level.... It just hasn't manifested as of yet.

Rest assured that the selection process was meticulously adhered to this year.... many were deemed truly worthy due to either inspirational or annoying happenstance... and the choice is never an easy one.

A complex and scientific algorithm has been developed to guide the selection this year.... vs. the old days when the MOAM used to flip the dice and broadcast the momentous decision.   Many many factors have been considered.... none of which can ever be disclosed.

But since even I am getting tired of slinging this Blog Bull...... it is now time to disclose the fortunate/disparate selection.

ANNOUNCING the Nanepashemet Peep of the Year for 2015....

PAM GEORGIAN
https://www.facebook.com/pam.georgian

Don't be getting all slobbery about this Pam.... and for the love of God.... don't starting wailing "WHY ME,   WHY ME   WHY ME", as has so often happened in the past by the flabbergasted recipients of this incipient selection.

Your life has now profoundly changed, and it is time for you to start enjoying/enduring your reign until this time next year....when you will look back with appropriate amazement at the emotive and substantial power of the POTY.

Day One - Big Guy Journey

Yesterday, in a pique of frustration, I dropped my guard and let you Peeps in on my resolution to weigh less than 200lbs come August first of 2015.  Then to make things worse, I dedicated myself to keep you informed of the MOAM's progress.

Probably not the best move on my part.... but a commitment is something that is kept seriously in this pathetic version of reality where the MOAM dwells.... most of the time.

So this morning, waking up in North Conway, Joanne surprised me with a breakfast of pancakes and bacon after which I got caught up in putting out fires at Nanepashemet Telecom, grabbing a bowl of clam chowder as the fire raged in cyberspace until 2:00 in the afternoon.

Then we motored back to Marblehead to check in on Kate's move.

Some leftover chicken for dinner and the freaking day was over without any exercise of any sort other than keeping the Mach V on the road to Massachusetts.

My friend Christos Laganos has recommended two books for me to read as I begin this challenge, which I ordered from Amazon right away.

Chris is my age.... we were in the First Grade at the Highland School in Lynn together about a half century ago.....  and he "through hiked" the Appalachian Trail two summers ago.  If he says these books should be read, then I am freaking going to read them because he obviously knows his shit.

Granted, I made absolutely no weight loss progress today.... but tomorrow will be another story.

Also tomorrow is the selection day for the Nanepashemet Peep of the Year, so it will be no ordinary day.

MOAM Meditative Moments

Peeps…
Those of you who are particularly close to the Mountain of a Man know that the New Year is a time for solemn reflection and MOAM meditative moments.

And rightly so…. Now is the time of year for both a review of past resolutions and and reconstitution of new ones.
  
It’s always a downer to look at past resolutions….. things can get too critical to the point where self reflection draws a conclusion that your Mountain of a Man is a Pussy, Loser, Girly-Man.  Course we know that can’t be the case, but year after year, I resolve to lose weight and get in shape…. and year after year I end up during the Holiday Season struggling to find clothes that I can button without great exertion and discomfort.

WTF….

But this year is going to be different.  Mike gets married in August up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire this year, and the wedding photo will show a newly invented, lean and fit MOAM. 

How will this happen???? 

I really have no freaking idea… except for the fact that this year, I resolve to try, observe and record every aspect of my weight situation until that fateful morning, 214 days from today, when I will suit up in a rented tuxedo tipping the scales at below 200 lbs.

Those of you who can guess my current weight will retort with a comment much like, “No EFFING WAY!!!”  And I don’t blame you.

But I lay my claim here,… in front of all of you Pernicious, Pulsating, yet Wholesome and Benevolent Peeps….that I will achieve this resolution by August 1, 2015 or be a willing victim to your scorn and vilification.

OK… I realize that you already send a great deal of scorn and vilification my way as it is…. but this is different
.
This time, I will join you in in you vile thought and emotion… and that I cannot condone.

So I’ve made this resolution in front of you and the world…. And to juice things up a bit, I will be happy to report the progress in the March to August.  Not that I would counsel you to follow this pathetic and slightly narcissistic process on my part.   This is your burden, as a Nanepashemet Peep..... to mindlessly marvel at the MOAM moments that move towards you as we enter yet another mundane yet miraculous year in the Nanepashemet journey entitled 2015….

Resolution Formulation

Went to participate in some of the after Christmas sales today.

For some reason, I have no problem buying 2xl sweaters and shirts, but it really galls be to buy anything larger than a 38 waist pant.

So I can see a resolution starting to formulate which will deal with the long standing topic of weight loss.

That and upping the quality of my banjo playing ability.

Peep of the Week for the 50th week of 2014

For the second time in the last few weeks, an enlightened soul has bestowed upon me the gift of 16 year old Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.  You will recall that my Son-in-Law, Brady Boyle, committed the class act at the Thanksgiving Bash.

It may seem to the rest of you that this country is going to hell in a hand basket.... what with cops being murdered and racial turmoil erupting in the face of our first Black Presidency.... with North Koreans censoring American corporations and Muslim Marathon Bombers defended by nutcase protesters....

Need I go on?

No, I need not.

But how can you not be upbeat when at the Nanepashemet Telecom Holiday Luncheon, our data input specialist, Catherine Elsier whips out a bottle of the King of Scotch and presents it to your MOAM?  Seems like she thinks that my letter to my alma mater, recommending that Catherine be accepted into the Masters of Public Health program at Boston University, held sway in securing her a spot in that elite program.

In reality, BU probably is as knowledgeable about my attendance as Columbia is of our POTUS.... my records are not sealed but must have crumbled with age by this time.  Catherine undoubtedly got the nod because she is a promising young talent that Boston University realizes will add to its prestige and endow alumni contributions for the long term.

Anyway....

Catherine is an Automatic Peep of the Week in accordance with the time honored ritual that governs such selections.

ANNOUNCING....

NANEPASHEMET PEEPS OF THE WEEK FOR THE 50TH WEEK OF 2014.

Catherine Elsier - Automatic

Gilbert Shaw
Jeb Bush
Kim Nestor
Vince Wilfork

Megyn Kelly

Nice to see a young lady like Catherine making such a big time gesture.
It gives me hope for the future.

Plus, Ryan polished off the bottle that Brady gave me.   I'm hiding this one from him behind the Vodka and Gin Bottles when he and Kim come by Christmas Eve.

Rigatoni Pasta Pie

I copied this recipe from Facebook where it was shared by Judy Goodman.

Rigatoni Pasta Pie:
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground beef (I used ground sirloin)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 small jar size of your homemade sauce
cooking spray
salt
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
4oz cream cheese
15oz ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 cup onion
spring form pan

DIRECTIONS:
Boil the noodles according to the directions on the box. Stop cooking when they're still very firm and avoid stirring so they do not fall apart. Once done, drain and run cold water over so they are cool enough to handle. You can add a little bit of oil if they start to stick.

Brown the ground beef and drain excess grease. Add chopped onion and garlic. After about 5 minutes add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add spaghetti sauce next.

Use a small mixing bowl to mix the ricotta, Parmesan, basil, oregano and 2 eggs until smooth. Set aside.
Tightly pack pasta into pan, standing each piece on end. Use cooking spray on the bottom of the spring form pan first to avoid sticking. Put a zip lock bag inside a tall glass and fill the bag with the cheese mixture. Close the bag and snip the corner of the bag and pipe a small amount into each noodle. After piping, pour the red sauce over the whole top and push down as much as possible.

Top with 2 cups of mozzarella cheese. (Recipe calls for 2 cups but you could use low fat or skim to cut calories.)

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and then broil until the cheese turns bubbly.

Popovers

50 min
Prep:
10 min
Cook:
40 min
Yield:8 popovers
Level:Easy
Next Recipe
Ingredients
3 tablespoons melted butter, divided
2 eggs
1 cup milk, warmed for 30 seconds in the microwave (should be lukewarm to warm)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Special equipment: muffin tin

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Using a pastry brush, coat 8 muffin cups with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter and put the tin in the oven for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the eggs in a blender until light yellow. Add the warmed milk and blend. Add the flour, salt and remaining melted butter, and blend until smooth. Pour the batter into the warmed muffin tin and return it to the oven to bake until golden, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Recipe courtesy Melissa d'Arabian

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/fool-proof-popovers-recipe.html?oc=linkback

The Public Trough

Peeps...
There are those among you who know that this MOAM is a proud alum of the University of Massachusetts - Amherst where I earned a Baccalaureate Degree in Political Science with Honors no less, and learned a lot about a whole bunch of other stuff during my four formative years there.

So you would think that when I watch the nicely done promotional ads that air on the Boston media detailing the positive environment at UMASS...... that I would have a sense of satisfaction and pride.... and you would be wrong.

UMASS is a great place, a great school, a fantastic asset for the state.   But so is Brandeis, Harvard, NorthEastern, Boston University, Boston College, Holy Cross, Assumption, Merrimack, Hampshire, Amherst, Williams, Smith, Holyoke.... etc.   Where are the ads for these fine institutions????

No Ads.  At least none of the scale and magnitude of the UMASS daily campaign.

And why would that be?

Simply put... it's because you and I pay for the UMASS ads.  They are funded by the bottomless trough of tax funds.  And the other schools don't have these unlimited budgets.   Are these ads necessary?  Apparently not for privately funded schools.

So every time I see a UMASS ad.... I get pissed off... even though I love UMASS.

Compost Bin Plan

I'm thinking of building this compost bin.  The pile of shredded leaves in the backyard are starting to be a blight on the property and this bin may spruce things up a bit, as well us as maybe speed the composting process.

Garage Design

Peeps of the Week and Bash Aftermath

The Bash was a raging success this year as usual.   We had Peeps come from as far as South Africa and copious amounts of food and drink were consumed.  In retrospect, the call to keep firearms out of the affair was a good one in that not one shooting occurred.  In fact, no punches were thrown either as a testiment to the sophistication of this annual event.


My best Son-in-Law, Brady Boyle, was a shining example of Nanepashemet Peepdom as he presented the MOAM with a bottle of the King of Scotch, 16 yr. old Lagavulin Single Malt, thus becoming an Automatic Peep of the Week.   A class move.   In an equally not classy move, Ryan Nestor consumed much of it in the following Thanksgiving Day haze.

ANNOUNCING....

NANEPASHEMET PEEPS OF THE WEEK FOR THE 48TH WEEK OF 2014.

Brady Boyle - Automatic
Ryan Nestor
Steve Lewis
John Garriboto
Sarah Crawford
Nathaniel Clarke

All in all, it was a thankful event, and a beautiful Thanksgiving with all of the Nestor offspring and their significant others expressing their thanks at our turkey dinner the next day,

I hope you Peeps enjoyed your day too.