Microsoft Project

Just sent the revised Sundance Project Schedule to Mike, Eric and Sparky. I formatted it in Microsoft Project, and had to reacquaint myself with the ideosyncracies of that program.
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Project is a bear to work with. It is so packed with features, that it is far too complex and requires detailed knowledge and regular use. If you worked with it everyday, that would be one thing, but to come back sporadically every couple of months and try to fire it up is really painful.
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Years ago, I developed a Gantt chart program that worked in an Excel template as an alternative to Project. At that time, Project was even worse to work with. I'll admit that it has become easier, but it is still a program that is too complicated for casual use.

International Man of Mystery

Eric Rumpf makes his debut in Operation Moonshadow. Looking forward to working with Eric again.
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Sparky also got the fence contractor up at the site today. The deadline setback will take the craziness out of the project and will end up producing a better project in the long run.

Some Assembly Required

By far the worse three words in the English language. The boat trailer for the tender came today... in FIVE FREAKING BOXES!
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It will take me two full days to put this thing together, days that I absolutely don't have with the Darwin and Sundance obligations. There is no way that the Herreshoff Columbia Yacht Tender will be launched in 2006.

New England Ecology

I'm reading a book by William Cronon, "Changes in the Land" that details the effect that Indians and English colonists had on the New England landscape.
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Dramatic changes in a short period of time involving the wildlife and vegetation of this region.
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It would seem that the land has always been in a state of flux. Incredibly, there is probably more woodland and wildlife in New England now than at the beginning of the eighteenth century, since we do not look to the land as our primary sustenance and are not grossly effecting land use changes. Deer, moose and turkeys were all harvested and not in any abundance 100 years ago.
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I've noticed increases and fluctuations in wildlife in my own time here.

Sundance Hurdles

When we got the plot plan on Fri. after the closing, there were surprises that may cause some delay, before the uncertainty is cleared up. We rescheduled the project completion date to Jan. 31 to take some of the pressure away from clearing these hurdles, and get things done right.
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A rough start, but with the involvement of Rockett and Lynch, we will smooth it out.

Chicago Bound

Have to head to Chicago to see if some other pieces of the Darwin puzzle can come together. After tomorrow, I will be staying close to home for the rest of the week while the Sundance renovation is in full swing.
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Spent an hour with Sparky on the Microsoft Project Gantt Chart. With the holidays smack in the middle of the project schedule, there are extra challenges. If the office phase is not completed, that is not a problem, but the interior classrooms and playground fencing must be in place.
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The Sundance parents are betting that the work will not be ready for Jan. 2. I told Amy that I would cover the bets.

Nice Close Out

Last Home game. Temperature was in the balmy 50's.
Patriots give Houston a problem, 40-7

Gillette Again

Back to the Gillette Stadium Darwin Box for the Pats - Texans game. At this point, I would rather rest at home, with all the stuff to do for the Sundance build and the result of the holiday parties on my aging frame.
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But there are a couple of customers coming to the box that I have to put the vibe on. Viva la Evolution!
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I have to get a Sundance renovation project schedule for Sparky together before I leave this morning.

Yacht Tender and Peapod

Pretty Girls

From 2006-12-16-14...

Roper's

Heading out to the Roper's Festive Christmas Party tonight. Chris and his daughter, Emily here. Sue and Jon didn't make it to this photo op.
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Emily and Bert just got engaged and are getting married in Sept. Jon is going to school in DC.
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Always a looked forward to event.

Joanne and Laurel

Happy Home

Had a nice visit with Katelyn and Jay at their apartment in South Boston. Met Declan, Joe, Brayden and Jack Dog. Watched Finding Nemo on the 42" Plasma Flat Screen. took lots of pictures. Katelyn and Jay have a happy home.

No Hitches

Closing came off without a hitch. Sundance Pre-School will be in a great location with direct access to Stramski Park and the Salem Harbor.
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Thanks to Mark Ferrante, Peter Caruso, Gail Smith, Sparky Spillane, Mike Rockett, Steve Lewis, Dave Bruett, Harry Christensen, Charles Ball, Dana Lothrop, and Paul Lynch. You all had key roles in making this happen.
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Thanks to the Sundance parents and staff.
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This is going to be a great facility for children on the North Shore. We'll be sharing the construction details in the next two weeks.

Bust a Move

We'll be busting our moves to the musical stylings of the Johnny Ray Band at the Nine Zero Hotel in Boston tonight by invitation of Darwin Partners to the Holiday Gala.
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Not sure of the difference between a Gala and a Party. I'll assume that they are exactly the same and behave as such.

Paramus Results

Thanks for all the emails asking how I did in Paramus. Pretty good. It's now not a question of "if", it's a question of "when" and "how much". Darwin is positioned well to enter into the core network services.

Next Phase

Closing for Moonshadow at 9:00 this morning. We are now moving past the acquisition stage into construction. This is always the easiest phase of the development process, but the holidays and time schedule will pose challenges.
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We have to take down all of the non bearing walls and reconstruct four classrooms, all without major disruption to the existing finishes. On the outside, we have to fence in the play area, and build an office addition in the back. We don't have the budget for a gut remodel, and it is crucial that the building be ready by Jan.2 to handle students returning from the holiday break.
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Once again, we have the right guy for the job, and that is the critical detail.

Christmas Shopping

Done, Wrapped, Mailed... All through the internet, primarily Amazon.com. Life is definitely getting more convenient. No driving to the Mall, searching through the stores, standing in line with the general public, wrapping presents, going to the Post Office, etc., etc.
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I'm so thankful that Al Gore invented the Internet!! Maybe I'll even vote for Hilary.

For Senor Balzac

From Wikipedia....

The assault was later revealed to be a hoax. The chief of police of Odessa Texas released a statement which read in part: "After viewing the video, the officer who was employed at the club in an off duty capacity, was contacted by investigators. The officer reported he had met with Mr. Shore prior to his set, and was asked to participate in the skit. The officer stated that the skit went as designed and that Shore was not injured in the designed skit."

Missing Tuna

It's 50 degrees in December. No reason why we couldn't be tuna fishing.
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The big showoff in these photos is Frank Gaul, Chris Crawford's buddy.
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Chris says he's a good guy, but I've never met him, and he's really pissing me off.
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So you caught a tuna this summer and I didn't. Who cares, Frank!