Hard to be Humble

There have been quite a few hits to this blog lately.

I know because Statcounter.com allows me to see what posts people are hitting and what ISP they arrive from.

Often, I follow their trail and see what they are so interested in.... stuff that I may have posted in 2007, 2011 or so.

Then I become enthralled with the quality, insight and articulateness presented herein as well.

Sometimes if you are a Mountain of a Man, it is hard to be humble.

The Blessed Life

It's four PM, and this Father's Day is in the books.

I have to say, one of the most satisfying that this Mountain of a Man has experienced in the last thirty eight years or so.

With two sons, a daughter, and three grandsons in play, I feel that I have met the eligibility criteria quite handily.  And it is a big plus that we have them all married off (or almost) to some great additions to the family.

Katelyn and Brady gave me a great mounted photograph of Grandson Connor Boyle, and Mike and Pam came through with a bottle of  Lagavulin 16 year Single Malt Scotch, which you may be reminded is the King of Scotch in this humble MOAM's opinion.

Then Ryan and Kim along with Grandsons Will and Ethan presented me with another bottle of the King,

It was a double whammy of Single Malt Speyside goodness, and the kind sentiments will be remembered well after the last drops have been drained and savored and I see the likeness of Connor smiling down from the fireplace mantel.  Feeling truly Blessed.

I hope all of my paternal brethren had as fine a day  as well,

A Good Plan

Peeps....
My iPhone won't take a charge this morning.... looks like the end of the line for the old model Apple.

So nobody can reach me today, until I take the time to get this fixed.... and spare time is not readily available.

Before I head to the phone store, I will install all of the cleats in the shed, do a big dump run, and plan some storage strategy.

Then Shower for Grandson Will's birthday celebration  at the Marblehead Street Hockey court on Green Street.  Afterwards, the day should settle down on the BYC porch where I will consume two Jordan's Hot Dogs, and a number of Dark and Stormies, accompanied by my kids, their significant others, and my three grandkids.

A good MOAM plan.

Have a nice Day.

Knee Jerk Response

Naturally the President turned a tragic senseless mass killing in South Carolina into a platform for his gun control agenda.   Plus he pulled some claim out of his ass that this type of senseless act with firearms is an American Phenomenon.

You knew that was coming,  It is Obama's nature.  The Conservative blogs debunked the American Phenomenon claim easy enough with instances of such heinous acts happening all over the world.

And the 2nd Amendment knee jerkers came out with their normal response for the right to bear arms.

I believe in the right to bear arms and I possess permits to carry throughout Northern New England. The process to gain this permit and the rules that apply to it in Massachusetts are thorough and restrictive.

In my case, the Marblehead police uncovered stuff in my public record that I was amazed had been recorded, and I was questioned extensively about the items that were exposed from decades ago.  It took at least two months to get the permit, and then when I went and purchased a firearm, the licensed dealer also performed a background check before making the sale.

I think that  these rules are fair, and still allow me to exercise my 2nd Amendment Constitutional rights to bear arms for the protection of my home and family.   The Massachusetts process could easily be replicated on the Federal level.

Is this process in place in South Carolina, where that little racist Bastard decided to kill innocent worshipers in Church just because of the color of their skin?    I don't know.

The evidence suggests that his father gave the senseless serial killer a gun.  

If I were King, justice would be swift.   String up the Shooter, String up the Father, and initiate laws with strong background checks and waiting periods for prospective gun owners.

The FACTS (NOT Liberal Feelings of What Should Be) show that criminal acts are highest in areas where gun ownership is banned.... like Obama's Sweet Home Chicago.

Allow responsible citizens to exercise their 2ND Amendment right to bear arms, and severely punish those who endeavor to thwart the vetting process.

Plus, attend to the victims of mental illness, who overwhelmingly perpetrate these crimes.

The little Russian Scumbags who killed and maimed hundreds at the Boston Marathon Bombing didn't use firearms... they used pressure cookers.    The Perps will find a way.

Our leaders should look at this issue based upon facts, and not knee jerk, removal of our Constitutional Rights.

French Cleat system

  This ingenious french hook system is going to get a workout this weekend.  Bought strapping and hooks from Home Depot yesterday, and the shed will shortly be completely organized with various customized tool holders and shelving which will be locked onto angled wood strips which I am cutting from inexpensive strapping

The aim is to get everything possible off of the floor and the counter tops and onto the wall.

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Water Biking

This bad boy cycle unit may well be incorporated into the Marblehead Gunning Dory under development in the Nanepashemet Peabody Shop.  http://www.sea-cycle.com/accessories

The Trans-Species Life

Peeps...
I don't exactly know how to disclose this.... it's a bit perplexing and rather embarrassing...

But I'm convinced that my Cat, Henry, is not feeling fulfilled within his feline pelt.
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He tries to bark, gnaws on bones, and always waits at the back door with a leash in his month looking for a walk in the park with me.
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Peeps....
Henry wants to be a Dog, and claims that he never felt Feline even as a young kitten.  I can see it in his eyes that he is yearning to assume his true identity.

What the Hell am I supposed to do????  Let him wallow though life totally juxtapositioned as a Dog in a Cat's body????

No Freaking way....

I've already started a number of Google searches looking for a Veterinarian who will start the arduous trans-species process of converting Henry to a Scottish Terrier.

There are rumors that they do this type of procedure in Denmark, and I will book a flight to Copenhagen in a nano-second if we can find a enlightened Vet who can help Henry realize his dream of liberation as a Canine.

Only then can he be truly free.

Thinking of renaming him Haigis.

Posting Dropoff

Sorry for the unprecedented drop off in posts.

Lots of stuff has been going on.... some good,,,,, some really sucky.

The death of John Aucone, and debilitating sickness among family and friends has covered the sucky parts.  By contrast, everything else is good.

This has been a period where I am reminded of mortality.  Despite our best efforts, decay and death are the inevitable destiny that we face.  Granted, your beliefs give you solace that there is a hereafter and a time of renewal and rebirth.   Religions have persecuted and massacred each other in order to prove that their particular version of cosmology is the truth.... which pretty much gives you a clue to avoid organized religion as a life path if you can manage it.

I believe in energy, and that our life spirit and consciousness is energy.   Physics teaches us that energy can never be created nor destroyed.  Is there a God undercurrent who is a source of harmony, goodness, and reason for this journey?   I do believe so, but that part is a bit harder to define.

So there you have it.  All of our worries and foibles during this life of trials and the siege of decay will eventually dwindle as we morph into the next phase of existence in another dimension.

But the physical and emotional pain of transition calls for a response.   Prayer.  Asking God for an easier, less derisive passage.

I have some prayers I have to say... for some people who deserve an easier voyage.

How to play Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf (Guitar Lesson SB-305)

Tom Brady - Nanepashemet Official NFL Quarterback

Shaking down the Deadbeats

Sometimes even a Mountain of a Man has to pass the collection basket.

Connor Boyle can Brighten Your Day

This Says a Lot

The Articulated Liberal Position

James Carville is an honest, intelligent Democrat.  Finally..... someone has articulated my frustration with Democrats..... and it purportedly was a Democratic political operative who did it.

There is some doubt that Carville actually said this.....  and a denial would make a lot of sense if you were a consultant with a  career supporting the Democratic Party.

If Carville didn't say it... someone did.... and it finally makes sense defining why people like Hillary Clinton attract their political support for me.

“Ideologies aren’t all that important. What’s important is psychology.  The Democratic constituency is just like a herd of cows. All you have to do is lay out enough silage and they come running. That’s why I became an operative working with Democrats.

With Democrats all you have to do is make a lot of noise, lay out the hay, and be ready to use the ole cattle prod in case a few want to bolt the herd.

Eighty percent of the people who call themselves Democrats don’t have a clue as to political reality. What amazes me is that you could take a group of people who are hard workers and convince them that they should support social programs that were the exact opposite of their own personal convictions. Put a little fear here and there and you can get people to vote any way you want.

The voter is basically dumb and lazy. The reason I became a Democratic operative instead of a Republican was because there were more Democrats that didn’t have a clue than there were Republicans.

Truth is relative. Truth is what you can make the voter believe is the truth. If you’re smart enough, truth is what you make the voter think it is. That’s why I’m a Democrat. I can make the Democratic voters think whatever I want them to.”

Lining up for Lagavulin

More to come on this topic

Perception of Leaders

I'm trying to back off from my fixation with Hillary Clinton.  It's just that it bothers me when people lie... and others ignore the lie.  Like when Elizabeth Warren said that she was a Cherokee Indian at Harvard, and wished to have lunch with others who shared her background...then went on to be elected US Senator from Massachusetts anyhow over a stand up guy like Scott Brown.
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People who support sleazy liars are the real A-Holes.... probably worse than the lying liars themselves.  Clinton wants to represent everyday Americans while she and her pervert Hubby have been world class influence peddlers.... amassing a $300M fortune and accepting foreign donations to her "Foundation" while she was the leading official in the US for foreign affairs as Secretary of State.
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The "Foundation" claimed no foreign donations for the past four years.... but now it appears that they made a "mistake" and are filing revised returns with the IRS.  H. claims to have been under sniper fire in Serbia.... but when facts proved otherwise.... now claims that she "misspoke".
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If you do this shit, you are sleazy and if you believe these excuses and disclaimers, you are stupid.
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Do Democrats really want to nominate such a sleaze candidate?  I just don't get it.
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Logic would dictate that the massive amount of shit that has been thrown against the Clinton wall will begin to stick.   But the massive amount seems to be the problem in and of itself.   As her examples of sleaze and bad behavior accumulate in layer after layer... and her sheep herd continues to ignore the stench, it seems that more revelations just don't matter.... just more distractions as Hillary has stated.
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I guess all politics really boils down to a sense of class and pecking order.   If you feel powerless and disenfranchised, and want to thrash back.... maybe you tend to believe mindless epithets thrown out by self-serving pols like Hillary Clinton who profit so immensely by staying in power.  They will say and do anything to keep their position and masterfully manipulate the vote of people that don't care about facts and the truth.
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Democrats need to find someone else to challenge Hillary.   Surely someone can articulate the Liberal position without all of the baggage that Clinton possesses.   If Clinton rolls to the nomination despite all of the evidence of wrongdoing, then I have to change my perception of what this country seeks for in its leaders.

Progressive Propaganda

Morning Ride

Had a nice 15 mile ride with son, Mike, and son-in-law, Brady, this morning in North Conway and Intervale.  They kept up with me pretty well.

Everyday Americans

Not only did I not break out of the rut today.... I didn't even ride the Trek.  The PICS Safety Audit was pushed back later in the day. and with my background and experience in ISO 9000 audits, I spent a good deal of time in preparation.
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So when the audit was successfully completed with all appropriate accolades from the Auditor, I was a bit fatigued and opted to take a nap instead of the 10 mile cycle.
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Even a Mountain of a Man gets burnt out once in a while.
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I'll make up for it this weekend with rides planned with son, Mike.
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But nothing stopped me from getting more irritated with H. Clinton, as it was revealed that her much publicized get together with "Everyday Americans" in Iowa was completely staged and populated by selected political Democratic operatives.
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The much heralded ex-First Lady, former Secretary of State seems to be constantly pummeled in the social media..... and it is hard to imagine that she can arrogantly sling the Bull that has been her hallmark.  Early in her career, she was fired from a legal job because of dishonesty, and the pattern seems to have continued.
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Her use of unsecured personal email in a highly sensitive government position and the wholescale destruction of government records is something that she can't just brush away, but the sheep herd that supports her gives her a pass with no explanation why.  If you've ever worked in corporate America, email security is not to be taken lightly.  And yet this high profile position of Secretary of State doesn't merit oversight and security clearance in Hillary's world.
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What is the allure that Liberals have with her?  What message does she send that resonates with her supporters?   On Facebook, it seems that the only rationale is that they hate Conservatives.... and I never see any substantive reasons saying why Hillary would be suitable to lead this country.
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The litany of scandals and shady deals.... people close to the Clinton's who have met with unfortunate accidents... it's too numerous to mention.   Her face to face meeting with relatives of slain Americans in Benghazi..... where she lied about a video being the cause after failing to take any precautions for protection of our people....
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Sure.  What the hell does an idiot like me know?    I did once have a first hand discussion with a Secret Service agent who served during the Bush's and Clinton administrations.   He said that the Clinton's were rude and dismissive while the Bush families treated him with common courtesy.  I did have that personal conversation with the Agent, who held a highly sensitive post with lots of exposure to the First Families.  Guess that agent wasn't an "Everyday American".
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But now Hillary wishes to be a "Champion for Everyday Americans".    WTF is an "Everyday American" anyway????    Apparently someone who bleats like a sheep and believes any lie that comes their way.
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I hope that not too many people out there are "Everyday Americans".

Loop Rut and Champions

For the last three days, outside of Nanepashemet Telecom, I 've  been obsessed with completing a 10.5 mile loop around Marblehead Neck, Old Town and back to Suite 1-A on the Trek Domane 4.1 Road Bike.  The weird thing is that each time I've tried to get my heart rate up, and push the pace, but every day's ride has been completed in 49:00 minutes.   Actually, between 49:01 and 49:12.... and each ride seemed different from the other.... but was really almost the exact same.  12.8 MPH average.

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Tomorrow, after our PICS Safety Audit, I'm going to bust out of this rut.   On the stationary bike, 19MPH over 45 minutes is pretty standard for me, but out there in the real world, I haven't been able to break 12.8. But I'm losing weight.

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Not going to tell you how much yet, but if this routine becomes habitual, I'm sure I'll be obnoxiously bragging in a month or so.

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I've also been fairly obsessed with the Hillary Clinton for President announcement lately too.   If she has any redeeming value after a public lifetime of arrogance and dishonesty... then I just can't see it.  She has proclaimed herself as a "Champion" of everyday Americans and states that America needs a Champion.  It reminds me of a former boss who informed me that it was his job to be my "Mentor".

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What a Buffoon!   I pick my own Mentors, and I pick my own "Champions".... and H isn't even close.