How Are Ya?

This week, your MOAM has another birthday coming up. Another Time Marker,

I'm not  going to tell you how old I am.... Let's just say that it is getting less and less of a shock to me that I have hit the sixties.

When I was a kid, and my Grandfather, Delbert Crosby, was sixty three, I thought that he was wicked old.   Now... not so much.

In some ways, I don't feel too old.  Still have my sense of humor and business competitiveness.  I like to think that my mind is pretty contemporary.  I'd like to retire, but I like working at my business, Nanepashemet Project Management as well, so that's a wash.

But I can't throw, run, or shoot a basketball.  Would not lace up a pair of skates if you paid me, and am not an enthusiast about skiing unless it's with the Grandkids. Golf and Tennis????  Nope and I don't think so.   Biking is ok because it is easy on the joints and still gives you a little speed rush.  And I like to lift weights if my back is up to it.

I feel that my one time strength is still there...old man strength they call it.  If I got the first punch in or so, you still might be in trouble if we got in a scuffle.   But I'd have a heart attack if things carried on a little too long.

Sex wise,... I'm not going there because my kids might read this,

I first started throwing my back out in my thirties and still lose it from time to time,  But now I see a chiropractor regularly and wear orthodics in my shoes, so this is semi under control

High Blood Pressure and Gout get managed with daily meds.... no biggie.

And I'm pretty used to the compressor and mask that I have to use every night to curb my case of severe sleep apnea.

All three kids are grown, married, relatively healthy and seem to be productively occupied in careers and perpetuating the race.  Happy about that too.  My mother is still alive in her late eighties and lives in Florida with my my brother, Jim.  Joanne is happy working with kids in Salem and seems to be healthy as well.  Her parents are old as dirt and still living in Lynn too.  So the genes are in place to get really elderly and be a burden to our kids in the next thirty years or so.

All in all, getting older doesn't feel that bad.

I can't take 100 mi. bike rides, like my friend, Christos Laganos who was in my first grade class with with me at the Highland Elementary Public School in Lynn, but I'm happy to see the progress that he has made in proving that such a vigorous life is possible at my age, For various reasons, I haven't pursued this intensive an activity.

I like to play my guitar and banjo at night after Joanne goes to bed, and feel that I am improving' although I would never ask her opinion and doubt that she would cut me any slack.  My interest in boatbuilding and woodworking is always under the surface.  Lately, an interest in solar energy and aquaponics has kept my attention as well.

Love my cat, Henry, my grandsons Will, Ethan and Connor, and the highlight of every day is checking with Joanne to see if she has heard from the kids.   No matter how old they are, you think and worry as a parent every day.  I'm grateful that Ryan, Katelyn and Michael have all found spouses that I love like my own kids.

I've gotten much more attentive politically and can't stand circumstances where people in this society do not take responsibility for themselves and look to the government and community as some sort of safety net that they are entitled to.  I realize that some people need to be taken care of, but I also realize that Liberals like Hilary Clinton perpetuate this on order to gain power and control.  Politicians who manipulate and lie to the people are anathema to me.

My faith in God is formed though a combination of Roman Catholic culture and Eastern Mysticism and I believe in a Higher Power that guides our life and all of the mysteries of being alive.  I pray often,

More and more, as I get older, I could care less what other people think of me, as long as I feel that I am being honest with myself and fair with others.

All in all, the most important thing is to have few regrets when you die, which means that you tried to do the right thing and ventured forth in life.  From that standpoint, I am at peace with myself.

But there are still business deals to do, boats to build, and family occasions to savor, so I'm in no hurry to call it a day.

I appreciate the sentiment if I am wished a "Happy Birthday" this week.... and if you ask "How are Ya?"  ..... Now you know,

San Bernardino Scores

Tragedy in San Bernardino,

Many of you have clamored me to spill out the thoughts of the MOAM on the unspeakable events in San Bernardino.

You've probably heard this stuff before, but it bears repeating.

Our POTUS immediately jumps to his theme of gun control.  Leftys like Obama and Hillary always want to take our rights and guns away.  Fascists always disarm the populace  BO gives a pass to Muslim Jihad..... let's not draw conclusions here.  Just because these suspects are Muslims and armed to the teeth, the Prez preaches to his herd that this is an unfortunate coincidence.

But, It is definitely a problem that these "workplace violence" Islamic perps had so much ordinance. Although it's also too bad that their victims had no arms.

When Syed Farook and his wife open fired on unarmed meeting attendees, the score was ....
SCUMBAG Terrorists               14
Good guys w/o guns                    0

When Fucking Farook met up with armed police the score was....
SCUMBAG Terrorists                   0
Good guys with guns                     2

Game, Set, Match, good guys with guns.

At this time, in our civilized society, it is highly recommended that a good portion of us should lawfully carry concealed weapons.

And until we get some leadership that are on the Good Guys side and stop calling this attack by SCUMBAG Terrorists as "Workplace Violence", we are driving blind.

BTW, the San Bernardino Police Department seems to be a badass organization and they did a hell of a job pinning down  Phucking Farook and his stupid wife.

Lunch Charge

Daughter Katelyn Boyle and her sister-in-law Diana Gonzalez hit my number at the BYC this afternoon.

I don't mind the charge, but I hate it when they make the ocean tilt.

Blessings of the Season

The Bash at Ryan and Kim's house was a worthy edition to the revered 25 year old event.  Ryan's smoked ribs gave homage to the culinary excellence that has been a hallmark of the Bash year after year.  The spread included Tommy O's Bobby Bryne Clam Chowder and  Daughter-in-Law Pam Nestor's Pam Pies.   Mike Nestor  cracked open a new bottle of Lagavulin 16 year, and the King of Scotch held its own amid the bounty of the event.

Finer fare is not to be found.

I did get a little pushback from SuperPeep Brian Butler, who was obviously disappointed that the cuisine did not include my celebrated "White Trash Balls".   Note taken, and we will make sure that we supplement next year's occasion with the low nutritive, but soul satisfying morsels.

The attendance of 10 month old Grandson, Connor Boyle, who firmly held center stage for most of the evening, reminded Joanne and I that we have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day.

This morning, plans of the MOAM includes making bread dough for the feast served at Ryan and Kim's, then getting a 10 mile Marblehead Bike Loop in before cleaning up for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Despite the rawness, and unfairness of life from time to time, it's a good practice to reflect on your blessings.  Last night filled with family, friends and food, was a great example.

 Happy Thanksgiving to you Peeps.

Passing of the BASH Torch.

This year's Night Before Thanksgiving Day Bash is at eldest son, Ryan's, house this year.

32 Beverly Ave., Marblehead... where the Bash began ... is where the tradition will resume.

Joanne is happy about this, and I am ambivalent.

Some things I like about the change, and some things I don't.

But regardless. the BASH Torch has been passed.

Ryan and Kim are adding their own flair to the event with some kegs and smoked chicken.... a classy upgrade in my opinion.

So if by pure force of habit, you Peeps come to the Sundance House this evening, the doors will be locked and you will just have to head down the street to 32 Beverly Ave,
You'll have to deal with a little change too.

How hard can that be?

Hakuna Matata

Lately I've been particularly aggravated by the Liberal Narrative as we are mocked and derided if we feel that it is prudent not to open our doors to Syrian Refugees during this time of great terrorist disturbances by Radical Muslim factions.

So I guess you are a racist or Islamaphobe if you tend to believe that charity begins at home and we should concentrate on our own problems.

And when I thoughtfully suggest that my Liberal friends either take a Syrian Refugee family into their homes or STFU because their position otherwise is phucking hypocritical, I get accused of being rude and subsequently am blocked from their Progressive Occupy Democrat Facebook pages.

You just can't be nice and win.

So this holiday season, my goal is to tone down the rhetoric.  Normally, I'm fine with wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" due to my Roman Catholic cultural background.   But I know that this offends some of my sensitive Lefty friends.   And I try to stay away from the sterile "Happy Holidays" because that tends to piss off Conservatives who can't deal with political correctness.

Quite the quandary if your intent is to lessen your "offensive footprint".

I've decided to go with "Hakuna Matata" this season.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuna_matata

I remember when I first heard the phrase on the Lion King, it sounded fun to say even if you didn't know what it mean't.

So that's the deal.   Hakuna Matata.  To you and Yours.
And Happy New Year.

Democrat Card

After watching Congressman Seth Moulton spar with Governor Baker over admitting Syrian Refugees into Massachusetts, I have to question my hopes that Democrat Seth would be different.

Is it possible to be a Democrat and not be a Moonbat?

It must be nice to have a philosophy that denies evil and incompetence in the world.   Let in the Syrian Refugees.  Vet them thoroughly and believe that no Jihadists will slip through to kill thousands of Americans here.

All Righty then... I'm there.  Where do I get my Democrat Card?

The Incredibly Competent Obama

President Obama seems conflicted by the tragedy in Paris.

He has said the right words, but drive and conviction seems to be obviously lacking.

The leadership reactions to this Terrorist Attack have been made by President Hollande and Vladimir Putin.

Barack Hussein Obama was brought up as an Anti-Imperialist Muslim and mentored by Marxists and Alinsky Radicals. His policies to give America it's comeuppance....by exacerbating internal race relations and weakening our international presence has been true to his convictions. From that standpoint... he has been incredibly effective in implementing his ideals.

I have been guilty in the past of thinking that he is incompetent, probably because I so disagree with his policies and approaches... He is not incompetent. He has manipulated this country and the world in a remarkable way and can sit back and enjoy the havoc that he has wrought on a country that he despises..

Such a Waste

President Obama is a Black American.
African American race relations are as bad now as I have experienced in my sixty years.

President Obama is a Muslim.... at the very least, his father is a Muslim, and he has proclaimed his Muslim faith on numerous occasions.
The radical Muslim sect, ISIS. is on a suicide mission to terrorist the West.

Do you get the feeling that Obama is an influence for national and international discord in the world?  He is a catalyst for polarization and hate.

Such a waste... Such a FREAKING WASTE!

I actually believed, seven years ago when he attained the Presidency, that he represented a new era of harmony and tolerance.  That was an egregious error in judgement on my naive part.  His ideological pettiness has spawned a new era of unrest and discord.

As I write this, 158 people have been slaughtered in Paris.  What a horrendous failure of leadership!  We have a President who has weakened the American presence in the world and allows hate and class warfare to fester..... maybe on purpose?   Or maybe because he has just been incompetent.

I believe that the country will flock to Trump.... who represents strength and action in dealing with the political landscape.   But I just can't leave the feeling that Obama wasted a golden opportunity to create a world of orderly change.  Such a waste of so much promise.

Mountain Pond

Merry Christmas Starbucks

 Starbucks has come out with their "Holiday Cups" for this season of coffee drinking during Christmas.  Unlike previous years, the cups have no traditional Christmas decoration and are said to be designed to be more inclusive.

Nobody asked me, but you are kind of a loser if you go to a Starbucks to look at their cups.  The reason that they can get away with all of the "Tall" and "Barista" BS is because some people, including me, will pay their premium for a strong cup of coffee.

I don't go there to have a conversation about race relations with one of their goofy "Baristas".... and I don't go there to look at their paper coffee cups.... I go to get a decent cup of coffee, even if it is overpriced.

Companies like Starbucks, or Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.... that like to accentuate their product with their political leanings get my patronage because I like their coffee and I like their ice cream, and I could care less what type of lefty message these companies seek to convey.   As much as political discourse is pleasurable to me, there are times when you have to be singular in purpose and dial back your attention to what is in the cup, not what is on it.

Nice Bookcase

 I saw this bookcase on Pinterest, using closet door slabs as the sides.  Peabody Building Supply has an awesome inventory of solid pine slabs to choose from and they are very reasonably priced.

Thinking of making two of these.