Bruett Comes Through

Kudos to Dave for fast work in getting an insurance binder for the new school building and keeping the closing on schedule. We will clink some mugs of Nance Nog Christmas Eve for this nimble deed.

Stressful

Can't you feel the tension in the air? Nanepashement Peeps of the Week 6 will be chosen about this time tomorrow night. The pressure is starting to build.
~
BTW, if you ask to be a POTW, you have just forfeited your chances forever....or at least until I forget that you asked. So keep your mouth shut and don't blow it.

POTW Tomorrow

Get your Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week Nominations in early... I already have two slots locked. One is Linda O'Shea hands down.

Busy EOY

I can't believe how the end of the year is heating up, both for Darwin and Sundance. Lots of business opportunities starting to materialize. It would be nice to take a little kick back time, but no rest for the weary.
~
I will definitely take a vacation - probably a week in North Conway during January or February - when the smoke clears.

Moonshadow Details Today

• Meet with Mike and his framer.
• Check on the perimeter survey.
• Call the fence contractor.
• Receive moving bids.
• Finalize Schedule and Budget.

Paramus tomorrow, then Friday Closing.

Two Week Renovation

A tough two weeks over the holiday to complete the Sundance Renovations. If we didn't have Mike Rockett handling this, I would be doubtful, but he is the most capable construction manager that I have come across. No worries.

The Darwin Evolution

The theory of evolution got a big boost today as Darwin made major strides with Sprint and Cingular.
~
o7 - Bring It On!
~
Back to Paramus, NJ on Thursday. Planting corporate seeds in Atlanta.

Clear to Close

Operation Moonshadow is ready to go full speed. We should close, pull permits and begin construction by this weekend.

Courtney's Cookies

Another reason why Ryan married right.
~
Courtney's cookies.
~
They brought a bunch over on Sunday, and I really didn't get into them until tonight. I could easily eat them all, before hitting the sack tonight. It is only through my superior will power and self control that I am able to limit myself to five.... or six.

Nice Round Trip for Lunch in Mahwah

There are approximately 195.19 statute miles between Mahwah, NJ and Marblehead, Massachusetts.
~
DiMatteo, Ohanian and I are driving down in the morning, having a meeting, giving out Golf Shirts, buying lunch and driving back.
~
It's actually faster to drive. By the time you get to the airport, park, go through security, board the plane, rent a car, drive from Newark to Mahwah... you are better off just driving from Marblehead.
~
I know what you are thinking. How can I spend 6 plus hours in the car with DiMatteo without my head exploding? I haven't figured that part out yet.

Blue Egg Baking

Wait until your try this stuff!

Fortier is going to make a million Bucks!!!

http://www.blueeggbaking.com

View from Monday Morning

Number crunch, NJ trip, Moonshadow closing, Amazon gifts, Boston Xmas Party.
It will all get done. We'll see another Saturday.

Nanepashemet's Deed to Marblehead

On September 16, 1684 his (Nanepashemet's) heirs gave Marblehead a deed to their town, it was signed by

Joane Ahawayet, Squaw, relict, Widdow of George Saggamore, alais Wenepauweekinwwekin or George No Nose;

Joane Quanapohkownat, the widow of John Quanapohkownat of Natick:

James Quanapohkownat, alais James Rumneymarsh,

Isreal Quanapohkownat, Sarah Quanapohkownat all of Natick;

Susannah Wenepawweekin, Sarah Wanapawequen daughters of Sagamore George;

Joseph Quanophkonatt, alais Joe English, son of old John ( Essex Reg. Deeds, 11,132 )

( 1.) ( 2.) (3.) ( 4.) ( 5.) ( 6.) ( 7.) ( 8.) ( 9.)

The Marks of: 1.David Nonnuphanohow, 2.Sam Wuttaannoh, 3.John Tontohqunne, 4.Cicely Petaghuncksq, 5.Thomas Vsqueakussennum, 6.Isreal Quanophkownatt, 7.Jane Quanophkownat, 8.Yawata, 9.Wattawtinnusk*. James Rumneymarsh signed the deed in English. From the Salem Deed 1686
* Wife of Peter Ephraim - all signers give their home as Natick

Woodworking Secrets

The secret to woodworking is that wood has only a little to do with it. A good woodworker is really an accomplished metal worker.
~
As I get more experienced, especially in building boats and projects with curved surfaces, I've had to understand how to use chisels, planes and scrapers. ~
The essence of these tools is a sharp blade edge.
~
I've found that Japanese waterstones progressively up to 6000 grit can put a razor sharp, polished edge on a chisel or plane iron. But it is tedious business to do it by hand. Last year, I bought the Makita Sharpener that uses a powered rotating waterstone. It works quickly and with great results.
~
For my scrapers, I use the Veritas burnisher to get the right hook and sharpness to the blade.
~
Understanding your saws and other power tool and tuning them correctly is the other secret, involving a good mechanical feel for the machinery and what it is designed to do. This woodworking technique involves wrenches and screwdrivers and has nothing to do with wood.
~
Basically, to become a good woodworker, you have to be very good with metal. Seems wierd.

Heartburn and Hangovers

I reccommend Gaviscon Extra Strength Antacid.
~
BTW, Hangovers suck.
~
I used to be good to go by 12 noon the next day, no matter how bad the morning was. You would think that over your lifetime, the recovery period would improve, but no, I still feel like crap at 4:45 PM.
~
It gets worse as you get older.
~
Mike just ordered two pizzas from Vesuvius. Tom McMahon is over and we're having a pizza party. This wil be the Gaviscon test.

Senor Balzac....

... is either Mike Nestor or Tyler Gill. Until I figure it out, I think I'll blame them both.

Not Looking Good

12 minutes to go in the 4th period. Patriots down 13-0 to Miami.
2 possessions needed and some big plays.
~
Now 10 minutes. Pats have the ball but not showing any luck. Just fumbled. I hate to do it, but I'm going to concede this to the Dolphins.
~
This is all Jay Turner's fault. If he hadn't flown down to Miami to watch this game, everything would have been fine.
~
My brother in Ft. Laud. should be happy. Thanks Jay.

Stapleless Planking System

In my next boat, I'm going to utilize the stapleless method of clamping the strips together using a plywood clamping system as illustrated here.
~
Not because of aesthetics. I doubt that any untrained eye can spot a staple hole in the hull.
~
I'm using it because it should align the planking strips together better, thus saving time against the horrendous amount of sanding that these projects entail.

Thinking Ahead

Shimano Thunnus 16000 Reel/Fisherman's Outfitter 7' Custom 20-50# Rod Combo.

We have two of these babies, just waiting for fishing season to begin. Maybe Vona won't be the only one catching tuna next summer.

Rockett's Party

Nice time.
~
Mike and Trish have great style and have created a beautiful home - multiple textures, beautiful moulding and paneling, stepped down levels, really tasteful enlarged phots of their family, and an interesting floor plan.
~
Great food and cocktails - I definitely had too much of both by the way I feel this morning.

Lifetime Cable Channel

Channel for women. Chick Flick heaven.
~
Kill me now.
~
Every freaking movie is the same.
~
The woman is neglected by her husband, meets a sexy guy and has an affair, sexy guy turns out to be a psycho and terrorizes the women's family, the women ends up killing the sexy guy.
~
If you've ever seen one that's different let me know, but I won't be waiting.

Melting Lead

So many of you have asked the same question recently.... How are you going to melt the lead for the centerboard and rudder weights?
~
It's a harmless question, although somewhat tedious when you ask it over and over again. So please take note here and stop emailing me.
~
A circle was cut in the stock, and a slot routed in the center of the circle to secure the poured lead in the plywood.
~
Then very small lead shot pellets were melted in a cast iron pot using the turkey propane fryer. The pellets melted within 10 minutes or so to a shiny melted liquid with some solid impurities. The impurities were scooped from the pot using a wooden scrap.
~
A piece of sheet metal was clamped to the bottom of the stock, and the molten lead poured into the void until it exceeded the top. The lead cooled within twenty minutes, and when cool to the touch was planed and sanded until smooth with the plywood surface.
~
Then the lead insert was coated with fiberglass cloth and epoxy.
~
Now that you know, go melt lead for your own rudder!!

Saturday Prospects

It's 25 degress outside. I just lit a fire in the fireplace, burning scraps from the kitchen remodel and the Tender work.
~
Looks like Joanne may be settling in for a long day of Chick Flicks. I'm now officially motivated to get out to the garage and work on the Tender.
~
This might be the perfect day to melt the lead pellets for insertion into the centerboard for weight.
~
I'll be placing the lead shot pellets into a small cast iron pot, then using the turkey fryer to melt the pellets into molten lead for pouring into a 3" diameter hole drilled through the bottom of the centerboard. After it cools and solidifies completely, the lead has to be smoothed with a scraper, the voids filled with epoxy, then the whole centerboard has to be fiberglassed and epoxied.
~
Should be an interesting process, plus it will serve the noble purpose of sidestepping the Chick Flicks.
~
If I can avoid lead poisoning, we should make it to the Rockett's Xmas Party tonight.

Bali Hai

Lunch at Bali Hai in Lynnfield, MA is quickly becoming "de rigeur" for aspiring peeps.
~
Get there early to grab a parking spot.
~
I highly recommend the "No. 32" combo special.
The chicken fingers are my favorite, with the boneless spareribs a close second.
~
Also, the pork fried rice with no onions is a fine epicurious choice.

Blogaphobia

Fear of Blogs, Blogging and Bloggers. The first known victim is Tom DiMatteo of Concord, MA.
~
As far as we know, the only reliable treatment is constant mentioning of the Nanepashemet Blog and potential blog topics.
~
All of you Catholics out there, say a Rosary for Tom.

Instant Winter

It's cold here in Chicago, 4 degrees, lots of snow on the ground.

~

Doesn't matter though. Us Darwin guys are sizzling hot.

Chicago Stop

I'm sitting here at the Courtyard Marriott in Schaumburg, Ill., keeping the faith with the Peeps.
~
Don't you wish you were me?
~
It just doesn't get any better than this.
~
BTW, as I left the office today, I noticed a worried look on Brooke Lutrelle's face. As you must know by now, Brooke is one of our Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week. Normally, I could care less if one of the Peeps seems a little stressed out, but Brooke is a Peep that I actually like, so I am a bit concerned.
~
Just so you know Brooke, you were chosen because you met one of the following criteria this week.

You did something Annoying, Stupid or Inspiring, you are not dead, you are not an animal or you gave me the gift of Lagavulin.

I'll give you a hint, it was not annoying or stupid. You can figure out the rest.

Dave and I also met a nice lady at the Manchester, NH Airport who told us stories of her trips to the beach. A prime candidate for POTW next week.

Another Thursday - POTW Time

The Hysteria surrounding the selection of Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week has got to stop.
~
It is not the end of life as we know it if you are not chosen.
~
Chances are, you'll never be a POTW and you are ruining your pitiful life by your constant whining and complaining. Face it, you just might not be good enough. Accept your station in life as a lesser being, and you'll be better off in the long run.
~
Now for this week's selections.....

NANEPASHEMET PEEPS OF THE WEEK 5

• Sparky Spillane
• Kerry Woods
• Brooke Lutrelle
• Geoghan Coogan
• Lou Tarmey
• The Chinese Waitress at Bali Hai

That's it.
~
The rest of you can lick your wounds and ponder the consequences of yet another week of unfulfillment.

Moonshadow on Schedule

Mike Rockett and Sparky Spillane are on board to start Dec. 13. No doubt in the world that the Stramski project will be a show piece as well as built on time.

A Happy Birthday

The Darwin group gave me a nice cake for my birthday. A thoughtful gesture. Joanne made me prime rib and lobster for dinner and gave me a paper shredder from Staples. Not sure what she had in mind on the shredder gift. My in-laws gave me a nice Home Depot gift card. All three kids called me as well as my mother, brother and niece. It was the nicest birthday ever.
~
I'm 54 today. I used to think that the fifties were old. Not now.
~
If I died tomorrow, there would be no regrets. I never feel that there were things that I didn't try. I was not afraid to try stuff, not afraid of failure or mistakes. Making decisions was never a problem for me. This morning on TV, Maria Shriver, a Kennedy and wife of Arnold Schwartzernegger, said that all successful people have been told no, and have had failures in their life.
~
The weird thing is that you can fail over and over, but you are ultimately judged by your success. Babe Ruth led the major leagues in strikeouts as well as home runs. Nobody calls him the Strikeout King.
~
My family and friends constitute my definition of success. Money and possessions are hollow in comparison to the quality of your family and friends.
~
As I look back, there are things that I could have done differently. And my actions by no means produced the intended results in a number of key incidents. There were advances as well as fallout, for me, and other people. But I can sincerely say that anything I did, I did in good faith, with no ill will or underhanded intent. Thus, no regrets, and a thankfulness for the insight that each action taught me.
~
But I think that I have a lot more things to do. Telecom and Darwin, Sundance, the Tender and Boats, the Blog, my kids and future grandkids, Joanne, fishing, real estate deals - there are a ton of things left to do - things to experience - things to prove - things to enjoy.
~
Trying stuff in good faith is the key. Success or failure just makes it interesting.
I'm not done trying yet.

Indians

American Indians hold a special fascination for me. Hence, the name of this blog, "Nanepashemet", the Sachem of the Naumkeag who was killed by Tarratines in 1619. Once again, like boatbuilding, I have no explanation as to why I would be interested in this.
~
What causes people to be interested in particular subjects? Could it be karmic experiences from past reincarnations? Why should I be interested in Indians and boats rather than airplanes and mountain climbing? Why does this type of question even intrigue me? Why do I Blog? Why is my head starting to explode?
~
Time to call it a day.

Skipped SF

Back from Jacksonville, Florida. The Hampton Inn seemed eerily like the one in Nashville, TN.
~
In all seriousness, the homogenieity of this country, caused by corporate development of the outlying surburban landscape has produced a devastating, monotonous sameness. For all the travel I do, I rarely feel like I see anything new and unique.
~
OK, so I just got in and am grumpy and tired. But I have a reason to be.
~
Five hours of Dave and Busters in a sterile surburban location. We paid for the customer get together and hung out with them playing arcade games. As you can see, I'll go to any depths to get this Darwin juggernaut in a stable orbit.
~
I skipped the LA trip in favor of Kerry and Emily, but still will go with Dave to Chicago by the end of the week. All of which means that the peeps will not be neglected as much as I had originally feared.

Stops this Week

Jacksonville, Florida
San Francisco
Chicago
~
Then back to the best place on Earth by next Friday- my couch in Marblehead.
~
I will probably neglect the blog until then. If you need a fix, you may have to check back in the Archives. Pretend it is mid-Sept.

Seating Decisions

For the Tender Seats, I'm thinking of fitting the cedar planking as a monolithic piece like these examples, rather that the original floorboard like Olkume plywood slats.

~

Nothing to it but to do it.

Christmas Tree

Quite an odd tradition. Putting a pine tree in your living room for a month or so every winter.
~
Pats are having a game of it with the lowly Lions. They always seem to play down to the level of the competition. It's the middle of the third qtr. ,13-13, and Brady just tossed a pick. I could be watching the squirrel at my birdfeeder soon if this keeps up.
~
Now its 21-21 with 7:50 left.
~
Cory Dillon just scored his third rushing touchdown with 2:30 left , 28-21.
~
Vrabel intercepted with less than 2 minutes, Patriots take a knee and survive with the win.

Squirrel Documentary

This is a film that I will be submitting to the Discovery Channel. It is a fascinating look at the feeding habits of a squirrel who eats the sunflower seeds at my birdfeeder, originally intended for Cardinals, Bluejays and Chickadees.
~
As far as I know, this is the only documentation ever of a squirrel actually feeding from a birdfeeder.
~
Enjoy the wonders of nature.

A ShootOut Victory

As you can see, I clearly kicked Kim Reny's ass in the Thanksgiving Eve Digital Shootout.

Nice try Kim.

Tools

I don't want you to think that I am weird or kinky or anything, but I like to look at my tools.
~
There is a feeling of potential kinetic energy in the sight of them.
~
So, Bring it ON! I know that I have just lobbed you a high, soft one.

Surprise Brian Butler

Happy Birthday Brian.
~
Katelyn and Jay got you a copy of Brokeback Mountain and other stuff wrapped in pink. WHAT UP WITH THAT????
~
Not that there is anything wrong with it, despite the obvious and unfeeling reaction from Lauren and Jill.
~

The Lucky Bastard

Jason Shauer is the lucky bastard that I told you about earlier. This is a better picture of Bridgit.

Lucky Bastard!

Jill and Kate are Coming Over

Maybe I'll take their picture. They seem to like that.

Cost of Cedar

Just bought the 1x12 red cedar to use for the tender seating. $6.67 a linear foot from Moynihan Lumber in Beverly. It seems like everytime I go to the lumber yard, I get an acute case of sticker shock. I could get 5/4 1x6 cedar and resaw it and glue it, but the lack of labor makes the 1x12 worthwhile. Regardless, this stuff is clear and beautiful stock and will make the seating and interior of the tender sing.

Guns of Navarone

Watching the Guns of Navarone, starring Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn. The last time I saw this film was in 1961 at the Open Air Drive In Theater on the Lynnway in Lynn with my Father, Mother and Brother Jamie.

The film is really well done, and I remember how my father seemed to enjoy it. Very tough war time decisions involving extreme sacrifices and brutal consequences.

Weekend Planning

Lots of stuff to get done this weekend.
~
For Operation Moonshadow, I have to get some mortgage statements to Mark Ferrante, and meet Mike Rockett and Steve Spillane to plan the renovations.
~
For the Tender, the interior has to be sanded and another coat of epoxy added. Two of the floor stakes have to be planed down and the flooring planks have to be sanded and epoxied. The seating planks have to be laid out. Maybe I'll also epoxy fillet the centerboard case in place, which technically would make the boat waterproof and launchable.
~
I also have to start thinking about the basement flooring and cabinet work.
~
Now I'm definitely on overload.

Christmas Shopping

Most year's, I've gone with Joanne to the outlet stores in North Conway to do our Christmas Shopping. This year, she went alone because I have to meet Mike Rockett on the school rehab this Saturday.
~
I find Christmas shopping to be fairly stressful.... and tiring. It's not that I don't like to do it, but there are things that I'd rather do.
~
I doesn't matter, because I've already bought everything for her that she wanted. Every time she said that she might like something, I fired up the Web and bought it online. Right then and there from my couch. The UPS guy showed up with the stuff two or three days later, and I haven't had to move my ass.
~
You've got to love the internet. What a freaking convenience!

Fancy Free

Friday Night. I'm home alone. Joanne is up at the condo in North Conway, NH doing Christmas shopping. You can't hear it or smell it, but I just farted.

~

Just a nice, loud, smelly, masculine fart, with no spousal fallout. It's not a Ryan level fart. His are world class. But it was competitive.

~

Then I noticed something.... No dirty looks. Even Isabelle and Ronick, my cats, didn't glance at me.

~

I have farted with no recourse. A freeby.

~

Cool!

Unseasonal

Sitting outside on the deck at Darwin in complete 60 degree comfort. Somewhat disconcerting for December 1.

Great Grandfather

What's your Great Grandfather's first name? That's your father's or mother's grandfather. I don't know either!
~
That is a whole life that went by, directly related to your existance, and you don't know jack about him - even his first name.
~
How important can our life's issues be if in less than 100 years, nobody will know if you even lived?
~
Makes you wonder about sweating the small stuff, or taking life too seriously.
~
"Try not to try too hard... It's just a lovely ride."
- James Taylor
~
Just 400 years ago, thousands of Native American Indians lined the shores of New England. In less that 100 years, 95% of them were dead with no progeny - victims of European microbes. We have virtually no record of this rich culture - even the widespread decimation is theory and conjecture. That happened in a blink of our human existance - a relative nanosecond in man's time on earth. Right in the land that we dwell. All of their issues and experiences - like they never happened.

See 1491 by Charles C. Mann

A Rat's Ass

Don't give one.

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week - 4

Can you feel the excitement? Some peeps lives will change tonight as they achieve the coveted, cherished, and richly rewarding status of being named a Nanepashemet Peep of the Week.
~
Those of you who have experienced this status know of which I speak.
~
Thanks for your nominations. Literally hundreds of emails received that even took a while for a mass delete. Naturally, I didn't read any of them.
~
Now, without further ado (what the hell is "ado" anyway?) I now announce this week's NANEPASHEMET PEEPS OF THE WEEK.

• Emily Buttorff
• The Nurse Who Gave Me My Flu Shot
• Yang Sihamoni
• James Taylor
• Brayden Turner
• Kim Reny

For the vast amount of losers, the holiday season should be enough to shake off the dissapointment of not being named. For the rest of you chronically depressed losers, what can I say? There is still a chance in a million that you will be named next week. Don't give up hope.

Favorite Day

It's Thursday - our favorite day.
~
Why?... Because Thursday is the day that we choose the Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week. I'm open to your comments for nominations up to 7:00PM EST when the life changing selections are made. Make sure that you observe the rules in your recommendations. (Annoying, Stupid, or Inspiring - not an Animal - not Dead - or automaticially in because of the gift of Lagavulin to me.)
~
Good luck to all of the aspiring Peeps. And remember... most of you will still be losers after 7:00PM tonight.

James Taylor Gets it Right

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time
Any fool can do it
There aint nothing to it
Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill
But since were on our way down
We might as well enjoy the ride
~
The secret of love is in opening up your heart
Its okay to feel afraid
But dont let that stand in your way
cause anyone knows that love is the only road
And since were only here for a while
Might as well show some style
Give us a smile
~
Isnt it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
Its just a lovely ride
~
Now the thing about time is that time isn't really real
Its just your point of view
How does it feel for you
Einstein said he could never understand it all
Planets spinning through space
The smile upon your face
Welcome to the human race
Some kind of lovely ride
~
Ill be sliding down
Ill be gliding down
Try not to try too hard
Its just a lovely ride
~
Isnt it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
Its just a lovely ride
~
Now the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time

Marblehead Stripers

When this video was uploaded to YouTube.com, it immediately got a lot of hits, which I couldn't understand at first.
~
Then it became obvious..... We are not talking Marblehead Strip Teasers, we are talking Marblehead Striped Bass.
~
Perverts!!



As much as I am looking forward to winter, snow and embarassing myself on New Hampshire slopes, it was a fun summer fishing.

Full Swing

Looks like Operation Moonshadow swingss into full gear on Dec.13. Once we close, we'll have to implement full court press, Mike Rockett style, kick ass construction of the conversion to a first class pre-school facility.

Fat Attack

Feeling fat. Really Fat. I mean PHAT!
~
I've got to find a way to get on the Cybex everday. Morning is probably the best option. By the time I get home from work, I'm usually pretty bushed and Joanne cooks too good to push it off and exercise beforehand.
~
In the meantime, I feel tight pants, lard ass, big gut, FAT!!!

Flu Shot

Got innoculated today. Darwin gave us free shots. A nice gesture.

Hollywood

I've just figured out how to incorporate videos onto the blog.
~
Hollywood here we Come!

Bank of America

So I deposit the money for Operation Moonshadow in Bank of America on 11/17 and they hold it until 11/30, "because of the size of the check". What a scam!
~
IT"S MY MONEY.... NOT THEIRS!!!!.
~
I'll be pulling all of it out and finding a new bank as soon as this transaction is complete.

Pope's Trip

The Pope is visiting Turkey under great duress, to show respect for Islam. The Western-Communist confrontation has been replaced by Christianity v Islam. Just when you thought that the world could be a safe place, this ages old dysfunction surfaces.
~
I had hoped that the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the initial Gulf War had signaled an age when that world could be policed without huge threats and insecurities. Now, it is not major superpowers that threaten, it is small dissident have-not groups.
~
In retrospect, mankind has never had total security. There was always the chance that your village could be raided and pillaged by marauding outside forces. It is pretty much the same deal today on a global scale.

That's Lucky

Lucky Guy

Clear the Decks

Passed up the trip to Seattle to concentrate on pricing in the office. It's time to revisit the classics and get grandular on the details. Have to point the Darwinians to the Promised Land.

Days Off

The problem with days off is that you get so slammed when you go back to work. It scares me how much I disassociate myself from my job when I have a vacation or a couple of days off like this Thanksgiving break. The returning workload then seems overwhelming. For this reason, I rarely take a vacation. The pain of returning is not worth it. Even simple tasks that I normally would glide over seem like a challenge when returning from a work hiatus.
~
Screw it. Bring It ON.

Pats - Bears

Pats showed their worthyness yesterday as they beat the Chicago Bears 17-14. Brady's record is now 76-24 as a Patriot quarterback. Phenomonal.
~
Mike and Ryan seemed to have a good time in the Darwin box. No incidences.

Weekend Wrap Up

The Johnson Party was a blast. Saw Amanda and Jeremy, Ryan's Crew. I hate to name names because then anyone that I left out will send me hate email - always a downer. But there were a lot of my favorite people there.
~
This morning, I got up and took the clamps off of the floor boards on the Tender. I don't like the fit and will have to plane down one of the floor stakes.
~
Leftover Macaroni and Cheese for breakfast. I'm an idiot!
~
at 11:00AM, I will get on the Cybex for 1/2 hour then get ready to go to Gillette for the Pats-Bears game.
~
Ryan and Mike were offered the Darwin Box tickets by Frank Robinson in a transaction that I had nothing to do with. Nonetheless, Katelyn charged favoritism. Just accuse me of anything - I'll admit it and take the blame.... It's freaking easier. The game will be good though - even without Katelyn.

A Special Peep

I'm pretty sure that I have a few Brigit Pictures, but this is the only one I could muster for this emergency blog post. Shauer is a lucky bastard.

 

Saturday Night

Heading to the Johnson's for a Holiday party. I hope Jeremy and Amanda are there. Maybe Buck will show up

Favorite Winter Cocktail

I was surprised at the popularity of my favorite cocktail recipes.
~
The Summer Drink - Dark and Stormies.
~
The Classic Autumn Drink - Seagrams and Cider.
~
Now, hundreds of you have emailed me incessantly to reveal my favorite winter recipe. If I told you to get a life, it would do no good... obviously this advise is hopeless by evidence of your pathetic attention to this blog. Also, I have to be honest with myself. Who am I to tell anybody else to get a life, when all I write about is booze, boats and blogs? Enough of this insightful introspection of you and me.
~
What was I talking about?..... Oh Yeah - the Winter Cocktail. Here it is....
~
Once again, I have to establish the disclaimer that this drink in no way usurps Lagavulin, the King of Scotch as the ultimate preferred alcoholic repast. I don't want you to think that I'm cheating on the King. BTW, I've completely replenished my supply thanks to the kind folks (now POTW) who answered the bell at the Thanksgiving Eve Bash. After consuming one bottle, we have three left, which is my largest standing inventory of Lagavulin ever.
~
Now for the subject at hand....
~
The Winter Cocktail is as much about color and presentation as it is about drinking satisfaction.
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Take a full bodied Scotch glass, and fill half full with ice. Cover the ice with Canadian Club Blended Whisky. Fill with Cranberry Juice (stick with Ocean Spray). Garnish with a lime wedge. The lime is important. Don't make this cocktail without it.
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That's it! The Winter Cocktail - CC and Cranberry! Your urinary tract will thank you. Enjoy in moderation and stop emailing me.

Now is the Time, This is the Place

Truer words were never spoken. What an opportunity! Everything that you've done in your life has lead you to this time and place right here and now. A place of power... a time of action.

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Carpe Diem.

Dory Alternative

I bought the plans to build this Alpha Dory a few years ago. These dories were adaptations of the Swampscott Fishing Dories, and were used for club races around Marblehead at the turn of the last century.

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I also was very interested in building a Chamberlain Marblehead Gunning Dory along the lines preserved by John Gardner in his landmark Dory Book. The Gunning Dory is a double ender that was used for duck hunting among the islands in Salem Sound.

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I've seen great dories reproduced out of the Lowell Boat Shop on the Merrimack River in Amesbury. As much as I'm tempted to build one of these, I still think that I am going to build a Peabod next.

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The Dory will have to wait a year or so. I also have plans to build a canoe, but I may pass on this unless one of the kids wants it as a gift. By the time I do the canoe, I'll probably be too old to be flipping over in the Saco. Although, I'll also have a few years of rowing the Tender under my belt by then, so I could be up for it.

Moving Forward

Good progress on the tender. I assembled one side of the floorboards, epoxied the floor supports and planks beneath the floorboards, and got a finish of epoxy on one side including the mahogany gunwale and breasthook.
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Charlie Jellison dropped by and we discussed the great news.

Trash Talk

I bet I hauled 500lbs of trash to the Marblehead Transfer Station in two loads this morning. I actually feel like I got a workout in. Not quite Richard Simmons style.
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Granted, a lot of it was Bash Trash. But still, it's amazing how one household can generate so much waste.
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Buck Johnson must be into something with his Ontario recycling venture.
(Note to Self. Stay on Buck's good side. He is going to be filthy rich someday and might need to buy a yacht tender.)

Feeder Count

A crystal clear day after the driving Thanksgiving Day rain storm.
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By 9:30 AM
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1 Grey Squirrel
1 Tufted Titmouse
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I'm remembering next June. A wonderful year to look forward to.