Dale Johnson's Nostalgic Fashion Retreat

Dale and Gail Johnson sent me this Blog entry. It was painfully hard to get the pictures right and after a while, I just gave up. But it is pretty funny and worth the effort.

This is entirely Dale's narrative.
~

Last weekend I put an exhaust fan in the ceiling for my wife's grandfather. While my wife's brother and I were fitting the fan in between the joists, we found something under the insulation. What we found was this:



A JC Penney catalog from 1977. It's not often blog fodder just falls in my lap, but holy hell this was two solid inches of it, right there for the taking. I thumbed through it quickly and found my next dining room set, which is apparently made by adding upholstery to old barrels:

Also, I am totally getting this for my bathroom:



There's plenty more home furnishings where those came from, however I'm not going to bore you with that. Instead, I'm going to bore you with something else. The clothes.

The clothes are fantastic.

Here's how to get your ass kicked in elementary school:



Just look at that belt. It's like a boob-job for your pants. He probably needed help just to lift it into place. The belt loops have to be three inches long. And way to pull them up to your armpits, grandpa.

Here's how to get your ass kicked in high school:



This kid looks like he's pretending to be David Soul, who is pretending to be a cop who is pretending to be a pimp that everyone knows is really an undercover cop. Who is pretending to be 15.

Here's how to get your ass kicked on the golf course:



This "all purpose jumpsuit" is, according to the description, equally appropriate for playing golf or simply relaxing around the house. Personally, I can't see wearing this unless you happen to be relaxing around your cell in D-block. Even then, the only reason you should put this thing on is because the warden made you, and as a one-piece, it's slightly more effective as a deterrent against ass-rapery.

Here's how to get your ass kicked pretty much anywhere:



If you look at that picture quickly, it looks like Mr. Bob "No-pants" Saget has his hand in the other guy's pocket. In this case, he doesn't, although you can tell just by looking at them that it's happened - or if it hasn't happened it will. Oh yes. It will. As soon as he puts down his matching coffee cup.

Here's how to get your ass kicked at the beach:



He looks like he's reaching for a gun, but you know it's probably just a bottle of suntan lotion in a holster.

How to get your ass kicked in a meeting:

If you wear this suit and don't sell used cars for a living, I believe you can be fined and face serious repercussions, up to and including termination. Or imprisonment, in which case you'd be forced to wear that orange jumpsuit.

Tommy the Astronomer

Tommy O says that he saw a fireball like object in the sky over Beverly Ave. a couple of nights ago.

Look at the email he sent me.

Hi Jay,

This is making me a little crazy; I have been online looking to see if there were any other chuckleheads who saw this thing.

As I investigate I find that this may have been a “fireball”. Take a look at the photo below as this is exactly what I saw and the rest of the world did not.

Regards, TommyO

There are obvious problems with this email. First of all Tom, you were a little crazy long before seeing this so called "fireball" . Second, they are not "chuckleheads"... the proper nomenclature is "Peeps".

Now this is going to cause a whole new rash of hysterical emails. Thanks alot Tommy.

Another Convert

Yesterday, at various and repeated times, McMahon, Vona, Rafe, Frankie James and a girl whose name I forgot came by to drink their beers and Twisted Tea and sit with Joanne and I. They wanted to see the progress on the Dory, which was embarrassing, because of the sad progress attained on that all important project.
~
I introduced Frankie to the virtues of Lagavulin though, so it wasn't all bad.

Dream On

I got up at 5:30AM this morning to get a glass of juice to drink. A night of snoring can really cause a killer case of dry mouth. My cat Roenick was dancing around at the door to be let out. I knew that with the subfreezing morning chill, that he'd regret that decision if I decided to go back to bed... which I did.
~
Normally I would search for the channel changer and find some cool program on the History Channel to try to wake up to, but the channel changer was missing so I decided to drift back off to sleep and pay attention to my dreams.
~
Man... Dreams can be so crazy. The way things seem so logical as you are dreaming them, then you wake up and say "How does a volleyball transform into a Cat????" and "Why was I gagged and wearing earmuffs at a company picnic?" and even much weirder stuff that is hard to articulate.
~
It is amazing that when you are dreaming, these images and transformations seem perfectly tuned to reality. Then when you wake up and think about it, you say to yourself, "WTF!!!"
~
Naturally, a bunch of you wise ass Peeps are going to make stupid remarks of what these images reveal about me. Bring it on!!! If you were so damn well adjusted, you wouldn't be logging on to this rediculous Blog.

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

Its the freaking holiday season. You have to admit, this year flew by. With less than two months to go, it's been one of the best and worst years of my life.

Further Fart Fun

Thanks to Jen Geraci "The Little Trooper" for "passing" along this cute little children's story. It was Jen's 20th anniversary at General Dynamics today, and her first time on the Nanepashemet Blog.

I don't know which is more significant.

Friday Forecast

The Patriots have a Bye this weekend, and it seems like another rainstorm is in the forecast. It's probably the perfect weekend to tie up some Nanepashemet Telecom loose ends.
~
I don't usually like to work on business during the weekend.... it's healthy to turn away for a two day period. But we have to get all of the small details under wraps as we attack a major procurement that will have a profound effect on our company.
~
I know. Once again, the Marblehead Gunning Dory project is fading from view. I obviously haven't forgotten about it, but if I land this business, everything should be moving forward, and I will be able to devote some attention to your precious Dory.

POTW - Week 45

I did something today that I'm not proud of. I'd tell you what it was, but it is kind of too embarrassing. It wasn't illegal or immoral or anything, but for a short while I really felt like a jerk.
~
Then I went to Dr. Danny Levy's office and had the baby tooth that had been my left front canine for the last half century yanked. I felt sentimental about it and took it home in an envelope. Not that I believe in the tooth fairy or anything. I asked Joanne if she wanted it mounted in a necklace or something, however, she had no real show of enthusiasm.
~
Now I have a full size bridge and my mouth feels completely unnatural. Wonder if this will screw up my public speaking ability? At least Scotch tastes the same.
~
For the most part, the dentist trip proved to be cathartic after my embarrassing jerk episode.
~
..... So now I'm back to normal.
~
Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 45 of 2007

• Pete Endras
• Emily Ingardia
• Rebecca May
• Tanya Towne
  
• Joe Collins
• Tom Faiola

Tomorrow, I'll try to be a better man.... with a brand new smile ;-)

Fart Retort

Most of you took offense to my fart post. The consensus was that it stunk.
~
It was one of Tuna Lips best comments, though and bears sharing here.

Tuna Lips said...

Many a night, Shoo Fly and me was hoboin', we'd settled into a tin of baked beans, dash on some catsup, and throw in a piece of salt pork, before an open fire under a starry sky, and we'd fart the William Tell Overture. Tanglewood has nothin to compare.

Its a burden being an artist.

Bird Mystery

It's a cool morning with lots of action at the feeder.... Cardinals, Blue Jays, Chickadees and Sparrows. Earlier this week, there was a small, blue and white, nuthatch type of bird that I haven't been able to locate in my edition of Sibley's Guide to Birds.
~
Don't you hate that???
~
No worries. I'll solve this mystery soon enough

Sundance Parents

Joanne and I went to a nice reception for Sundance parents put on by Julie Savage and Muffy Paquette tonight at Julie's beautiful home on Flint Street in Marblehead. What a good group of people! They seem to be very enamored with the new school and said that the kids seem more comfortable in it than the previous location. Muffy and Joanne both made nice speeches.
~
It was good input to the business decision that we made last year to move.

Fart Facts

Remember Bob Wojcik? That sinister soliciter of subterfuge? That harrowing harbinger of happenstance? Yeah him. He's the one that put my marathon training on ice with his calf stretching advice.

Well he's trying to get back into my good graces by giving me this really interesting documentation from the Mayo Clinic on farts and farting.

Just when you think he can't do anything worse, he sends me this stuff.... and totally redeems himself.

What is intestinal gas?

More than 99 percent of intestinal gas is a mixture of the same odorless gases that are present throughout the environment. These include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and sometimes methane. But the exact composition of this mixture varies from person to person, depending on body chemistry and diet.

The nitrogen, oxygen and most of the carbon dioxide in intestinal gas come from the air you swallow when you eat, drink, chew gum or smoke. Chemical reactions in your stomach also produce some of the carbon dioxide content of gas.

Bacteria normally present in the large intestine produce the hydrogen and methane in gas. These bacteria feed on undigested food and release gases during a process called fermentation.

Which foods cause intestinal gas?

Carbonated beverages may cause gas. So can carbohydrates because they often contain indigestible sugars, starches and fiber. For example:

• Lactose. Milk and milk products such as cheese and ice cream, as well as some processed breads, cereals and salad dressings, contain the sugar lactose. While most people can digest lactose with no difficulty, some have trouble because they don't produce any or enough of the enzyme lactase, which splits lactose into digestible parts. Without lactase, milk and other lactose-rich foods ferment in the intestine, releasing excessive gas. People of African, Asian and American Indian descent are most likely to be deficient in lactase.
• Fructose. Onions, artichokes, pears, wheat, and some soft drinks and processed foods contain this sugar, which may be difficult to digest.
• Sorbitol. Apples, pears, peaches, prunes, and some sugar-free foods, candies and chewing gum contain the sugar alcohol sorbitol, another compound that's hard to digest.
• Raffinose. This sugar is found in beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus and whole grains.

Rice is the only starch absorbed almost completely by the small intestine. Because rice starch never reaches the large intestine, gas-producing bacteria don't break this starch down. But other starches, including potatoes, corn, noodles and wheat, are gas producers. Dietary fiber, found in beans and wheat bran, also tends to produce gas. When research subjects ate a diet in which half of their calories came from pork and beans, they experienced a tenfold increase in their normal gas production.

Pumped Up

Yesterday was a high adrenalin power day for me in business. Gained traction on all fronts and identified some very exciting prospects. If everything that was presented to me yesterday hits paydirt, a lot of people will be taken care of.
~
It's important not to get carried away by the adrenalin at times like this. But I vastly prefer it to getting my ass kicked. Best to find a middle ground.

Get Out of Towne

I got a lot of emails from you disgusting Peeps about my roommate Bob Towne.
~
No.... He is not the UniBomber. That guy was picked up years ago.
~
No.... He was not flexing. Even in college, he was pretty ripped.
~
If you want to get really off the wall, I'll post a photo of our buddy, Joe Collins.
So get off my ass. What the hell does your roommate look like?????

Downward Slide

This is my roommate from UMass, Bob Towne who now runs a BLM district in Washington State.
~
Bob.... what have you done to yourself????
~
How could you let yourself go like that? You should never have let yourself get so out of shape.
~
I'm pretty sure that I can still kick your ass.
~
I've included a picture of myself when I competed for UMASS thirty odd years ago. No need for an updated picture, because I really haven' t changed much.
~
I'll admit that my hair has gotten a bit grayer... but that's it.

Picking Priorities

Emily Ingardia again proves why she is an all time awesome Peep by finding this wicked cool T-shirt on line.
~
I know that I should be marketing a full line of Nanepashemet POTW stuff, but there is only so much time in the day.
~
Then I'd have to get in the mail order business... so when would the Dory get built????
~
Sometimes you just have to compromise.

Impressive Win

Pats won by 4... 24-20. And they had to come from behind to do it. We'll take the win though.
~
New England had the most penalty yards in franchise history, yet still won the game against the undefeated Colts in their own stadium.
~
This is one special football team... undefeated at 9 and 0.

New England vs. Indianapolis

Tommy O'Shea says that the Pats are going to blow out the Colts tonight. "Totally waste them!", he says. T goes on to predict a 49-21 victory. I tend to agree.
~
Nanepashemet prediction is New England by 15.

McD vs.BK

So you're out on the road, been driving for three hours, skipped breakfast and have a crisp twenty dollar bill in your wallet. Its noon time and you are freaking starving when a roadsign says there is a McDonald's and Burger King at the exit 1/4 mile away.
~
I hate to pose this dilemma, but where do you go??? Which junk food emporium do you turn to??
~
First of all, I always go to the drive throughs. The chances of acute exposure to general public cooties is too strong if you actually enter the restaurant. So I always stay in my truck and eat in the parking lot. Therefore, the decor of either establishment doesn't enter into my choice criteria.
~
And at either establishment, I'll be ordering a double.... Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese at McDonald's or a Double Whopper with Cheese at BK. Also, because I'm basically weak, I always get the fries and eat them first. I buy a milk because I'm health conscious.
~
So most of the time, I'll choose McDonald's. It's not because I like the Quarter Pounder better, it's really because the Double Whopper is messier to eat, and I'm a wicked sloppy eater. There's nothing worse than ketchup stains on your jacket.

Celtic Pride

Just when you thought it was too good to be true for sports in Boston, it gets better. The Celtics are back with Kevin Garnett bringing back memories of Robert Parrish and Bill Russell (yes, I remember Bill Russell and even saw him play).
~
When I was a kid, I would take the T to the Boston Garden and watch the Celts manhandle all comers. We would inevitably have obstructed seats in the old Garden. Sometimes you actually couldn't see the opposite goal. To try to get better seats, we would run all around the Garden, and we always went to the locker rooms at half time to see the players walk by. I knew every inch of that dirty old smoke filled Garden. It was great and the Celtics never dissapointed.
~
Then in college, we had the fantastic Cowens-Havlicek teams that no one really talks about since the Bird era seemed to eclipse those teams. Joanne and I never missed watching a playoff game on TV, no matter how nice the weather was outside.
~
After Bird, McHale and Parrish retired, and the Celts started to stink, we lost interest. But now there appears to be a new big three with Garnett, Allen and Pierce.
~
I'll still be concentrating on the Pats this season, but the new Celtics are worth keeping an eye on.

Oh Baby

Joanne is in her glory this weekend, since we're taking care of grandson,Will. He's dressed up in Harley Davidson baby gear that the DiMatteo's bought for him. Katelyn is on the way home from South Boston to participate in the intensive goo goo gah gah bash.
~
The double bonus for grandparents is that it brings back a ton of memories that you thought that you forgot about. Babies are neat.

Iona Search

Fr. Thomas Faiola, PhD, senior clinical lecturer, Pastoral Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy
~
"Life is a Weird Boogie" - JC

POTW - Week 44

Went to the Bruins game tonight at the Garden in Boston.

But before that, we had a great Italian dinner at Masiminos in the North End. The veal and eggplant parmagian was incredible, but gassy. I really didn't mind grossing out my peeps, but I felt sorry for the innocent bystanders.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 44 of 2007

• Rich Ellis
• Mike Delia
• Kevin Grimes
• Tito Francona
• Scott Boras
• Will Nestor

We'll see how I make it through the night.

Happy Halloween

Halloween is an interesting holiday. Of pagan origins, it has flourished without any official religious or governmental backing.
~
In Salem, MA, the town next door, it draws a lot of gothic crazies. I don't get the attraction, but it certainly appeals to some people who also like black makeup, boots, tattoos and body piercings. I don't mind boots, but can't really get geared up for the other items.
~
As a tolerant, open-minded individual, I'm cool with all of this weird behavior, although I can certainly understand the emotions the evoke persecution of these perverts. I'm just happy that none of my three kids ever embraced this gothic bullshit....to the best of my knowledge.

A Star in the Making

Jonathan Papelbon is set to become a larger than life celebrity in Boston. If he goes on tour with the Drop Kick Murphy's, they will clean up.

Cost Savings

Today, I had to get some Zoning Drawings printed for delivery to a law office in Gloucester, and I thought that I could save a little money by printing them on the Rockett's Design Jet.
~
Rick Rockett was nice to let me use the printer, but after two hours, mucking around with a printer driver problem, I went to the Staples in Swampscott. They sent me to the store in Beverly, which was staffed by an absolute buffoon. A very valuable Staples employee. She told me that each sheet would take 15 minutes to print, and had a lot of attitude to go with it. So much for Staples. I couldn't stomach dealing with her, so I jumped onto 128 and went down to Charette in Woburn... which I should have done at the beginning of the day.
~
Charette charged 50 bucks for 4 drawing sets on 24"x36" architectural sheets. I was in Gloucester 40 minutes later.
~
That's going to be standard procedure in the future. Bring it to the pros, pay the fee, get on with the day. Trying to save money can get very expensive.

Do as I Say... Not as I Do.

"Try not to try too hard... It's just a lovely ride."
- James Taylor

The irritating thing about this Blog is that when I check on things that I wrote in the past, I find that I am almost never following my own advice to you Peeps. The pace and importance that I have been applying to Nanepashemet Telecom is in sharp contrast to the JT lyric.

Full Schedule

I know that the Blog lately has been preoccupied with Boston sports.... but what do you expect???? The Sox won the World Series, and the Patriots are treating the NFL like a bunch of scrimmage teams. Would you rather that I reverted to New Testament quotations? Actually, that isn't a bad idea.
~
Today I have a tightly controlled schedule at Nanepashemet Telecom, with little room for variation or spontaneity. I guess that's something that you strive for in a small business. But now you substitute working for the Man, for working for the Clock. Thinking about it though,...the Clock is the better deal.

Burned Out

Today was a day that should have been a holiday.
~
It was impossible to go to sleep before 2:00 AM last night because of the freaking Red Sox World Series sweep. Waking up, there was still some adrenaline left over, so I didn't really get hit with fatigue until about 3:00 PM today. By that time I was driving from a Cell site on the South Shore, and the tired feeling hit me like a ton of bricks.
~
I'm almost too tired to Blog.

Tremendous Sweep

They won the World Series. Holy Shit.
~
Hard to Believe. The Red Sox have done it again. Phenomenal.
~
I didn't expect a sweep. So glad to be wrong. Sweet. The Curse is so dead. 2004 was no fluke.
~
My father would have been so happy. Hopefully he knows.

Congratulations to a fine team.

	Active Roster
	Pitchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	19 Josh Beckett	R/R	6-5	220	05/15/80
	17 Manny Delcarmen	R/R	6-2	190	02/16/82
	83 Eric Gagne	R/R	6-0	240	01/07/76
	31 Jon Lester	L/L	6-2	190	01/07/84
	48 Javier Lopez	L/L	6-4	220	07/11/77
	18 Daisuke Matsuzaka	R/R	6-0	185	09/13/80
	37 Hideki Okajima	L/L	6-1	195	12/25/75
	58 Jonathan Papelbon	R/R	6-4	230	11/23/80
	38 Curt Schilling	R/R	6-5	235	11/14/66
	39 Kyle Snyder	S/R	6-8	215	09/09/77
	50 Mike Timlin	R/R	6-4	210	03/10/66
	Catchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	28 Doug Mirabelli	R/R	6-1	220	10/18/70
	33 Jason Varitek	S/R	6-2	230	04/11/72
	Infielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	13 Alex Cora	L/R	6-0	200	10/18/75
	12 Eric Hinske	L/R	6-2	235	08/05/77
	25 Mike Lowell	R/R	6-3	210	02/24/74
	23 Julio Lugo	R/R	6-1	175	11/16/75
	15 Dustin Pedroia	R/R	5-9	180	08/17/83
	20 Kevin Youkilis	R/R	6-1	220	03/15/79
	Outfielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	10 Coco Crisp	S/R	6-0	180	11/01/79
	7 J.D. Drew	L/R	6-1	200	11/20/75
	46 Jacoby Ellsbury	L/L	6-1	185	09/11/83
	32 Bobby Kielty	S/R	6-1	225	08/05/76
	24 Manny Ramirez	R/R	6-0	200	05/30/72
	Designated Hitters	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	34 David Ortiz	L/L	6-4	230	11/18/75

Could be a Dream

Bottom of the 7th. I'm starting to dare that the Sox will hold onto a 3 to nothing lead and sweep the Series. Hope I didn't jinx it.... the Rockies just hit a home run. Now it's 3-1.
~
The Patriots continued their unprecedented dominance today, beating a Redskins team that was 4 and 2 coming into the game by 45 points.
~
We will look back at this time with fond memories.

Pats Schedule

	Sun 9/9/2007	1:00 PM	@	Jets					38-14	W
	Sun 9/16/2007	8:15 PM	vs	Chargers		NBC / WHDH Channel 7			38-14	W
	Sun 9/23/2007	1:00 PM	vs	Bills		CBS / WBZ Channel 4			38-7	W
	Mon 10/1/2007	8:30 PM	@	Bengals		ESPN / WCVB Channel 5			34-13	W
	Sun 10/7/2007	1:00 PM	vs	Browns		CBS / WBZ Channel 4			34-17	W
	Sun 10/14/2007	4:15 PM	@	Cowboys		CBS / WBZ Channel 4			48-27	W
	Sun 10/21/2007	1:00 PM	@	Dolphins		CBS / WBZ Channel 4			49-28	W
	Sun 10/28/2007	4:15 PM	vs	Redskins		FOX / WFXT Channel 25
	Sun 11/4/2007	4:15 PM	@	Colts		CBS / WBZ Channel 4
	Sun 11/11/2007		vs	Bye
	Sun 11/18/2007	1:00 PM	@	Bills		CBS / WBZ Channel 4
	Sun 11/25/2007	8:15 PM	vs	Eagles		NBC / WHDH Channel 7
	Mon 12/3/2007	8:30 PM	@	Ravens		ESPN / WCVB Channel 5
	Sun 12/9/2007	1:00 PM	vs	Steelers		CBS / WBZ Channel 4
	Sun 12/16/2007	1:00 PM	vs	Jets		CBS / WBZ Channel 4
	Sun 12/23/2007	1:00 PM	vs	Dolphins		CBS / WBZ Channel 4
	Sat 12/29/2007	8:15 PM	@	Giants		NFL Network

Sunday Excitement

Sox won in Denver... now they are 3 and 0 and could clinch the Series tonight. It's nice to see them so dominant. Plus the Patriots play the Redskins this afternoon at 4:15. Dave Bruett said something about a gathering at the Gerry for the first half. Could be a fine idea.
~
Too much excitement for one day..... I'll have to pace myself.
~
My Manny shirt was a bust last night. The transfer Iron-on paper really didn't work well. It was a great idea though. I should get credit for that alone. Another fun Crawford Halloween party. I felt bad for Will Crawford with his MaryLou Retton gym tights on. That had to hurt, even for Will.
~
Got to see the two baby Wills - Crawford and Nestor... plus the always lovely Maddie Gill. Great additions to the holiday parties this year.
~
High tide is at 1:00 this afternoon. I can feel a good Harbor Row coming on, before the main events begin.

Ambitious Plans

Stuff to do on Saturday.

• Assemble my Manny disguise for the Crawford's "M" Halloween party.
• Attach the Dory frames to the Dory bottom and Strongback.
• Get a Rowing workout in around Marblehead Harbor in the Tender. (High Tide tomorrow is around noon time.)
• Rake the leaves at the house and Sundance School.
• Have beers at the Gerry.

I'm thinking that I'll pull off two, maybe three of these. Chances are, there will still be leaves at the house and the school.

Tempus Fugit

Did it seem to you like this week flew by? It's seems like yesterday when we were watching the Pats on the Peabody's deck. No running, no boating, no fishing, no dory work. Just the Project Management business and the World Series made the Time pass quickly.

Staying Put

Sox are 2-0 in the Series. You have to admit, they look really good. I'm sticking with my original Sox in six prediction though.

Peep of the Week - 43

Thursday came super quick this week. What with the World Series and all of the action at the bird feeder, it was damn busy.... not to mention that Nanepashemet Telecom is getting hot as a pistol. The Dory is suffering and my Running training is definitely on the back burner.
~
But enough about me. What about you and your life?? Ok..... I'll admit I could care less.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 43rd week of 2007

Nathaniel Clarke
Tommy O'Shea
Jonathan Papelbon
Jay Ohanian
Carol Andrade
Bob Towne

It's not that I'm indifferent to your plight, it's just that my life is just so much more interesting to me.

Series Opener

Did I mention that the Red Sox won the first World Series game 13-1 last night over a flat Colorado Rockies team??? The Rockies can't be that bad. Tonight's game should be more interesting.

Nuthatch Update

Peeps.....
~
I know that you're as excited as I am, but please stop emailing me about the White Breasted Nuthatch!!!!
~
Yes... it was back this morning, but I don't have the time to report every sighting.
~
Why don't you get your own damn bird feeder????

Prim and Proper

But everyone thinks you are rude and mean. Kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think?

Game On

First game of the World Series is on for 8:30 tonight. It will be good to get acquainted with the Colorado Rockies, and even better if the Sox beat them in the process.
~
The official Nanepashemet projection is Boston in Six. You heard it here.

Fierce Feeder Action

A great morning for the feeder. Despite the usual gorging by the squirrels and a flock of about a dozen Common Sparrows, the following species made an appearance.

Male Cardinal
Downy Woodpeckers - Both male and female
Eastern Kingbird
Chickadees
Tufted Titmice
Bluejays
White Breasted Nuthatch

This is my first confirmed siting of a White Breasted Nuthatch, although it is reasonable to assume there will be more of them around. They nest in woodpecker holes and dead wood, and are frequently found in the company of Titmice and Chickadees.
~
At first I thought that the Nuthatch was a female Downy Woodpecker, but the blue feathers gave it away. A reasonable mistake that even accomplished Birders like you Peeps would make.
~
An exciting morning.

Stupid Good Morning

Fires in California.
Drought in Atlanta.
~
Other good reasons to come from Boston.
~
I'll admit that I've been getting a lot of my information on these unfortunate situations from Good Morning America. Such Sclock journalism. You would think that the entire state was ablaze and that every person in Cal. was in Qualcomm Stadium. They interview individuals who lost their homes until they make them cry. They ask the obvious questions.... "Is there anything that you forgot to bring with you?".... all to elicit an emotional reaction.
~
I'm sure they dream of the day when they can "report" on the Apocalypse. But they are too egotistical to note that they also would be doomed.
~
In the meantime, we have little info on the true scope of the issue. From what I can make out, these fires and winds are blowing ambers and sparks that are randomly causing house fires. 1500 homes are lost. No other technical coverage regarding spread or duration of the fires, or overall impact. Of course, it's my own fault for trying to get the facts from Good Morning America. I suppose that I could get off my ass and actually research and read something.
~
Red Sox start the World Series tonight against the Colorado Rockies, and I don't feel guilty. I actually feel guilty about not feeling guilty.

A Legend is Born

International Affairs

I grew up during the Cold War. We fought Communism in Korea, the Cuban Missle Crisis, Vietnam, Granada, Panama, etc. It was all so simple... the Communists, like the Nazis before them, wanted to conquer the world, and we were bent on stopping them.
~
Military strategy seemed to be very simple. How many warheads did the Soviets have??? We'll make more. How many nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, tanks, etc.?? We'll get more.
~
Then the Reagan administration committed to Star Wars, and the Russians threw in the towel.. They couldn't compete with our technology or economic ability to outproduce them.
~
The current situation is way too complex. Al Queda doesn't want to conquer us. They want to annihilate us. They are not a government and they hide behind the Islamic religion, which has been perverted and sacrificed to their twisted aims.
~
I'll admit that I don't get it. It seems to be a throughback to a medieval way of thinking emanating from a deep pyscholgical sense of self worth and self esteem. But that is just my amateur conjecture. I haven't figured it out yet.
~
My Middle Eastern friends always point to Israel and the support of the West for that Jewish state as the cause of all of the issues. But then why did Sadam invade Kuwait, and make vicious war on the Kurds and Iranians?
~
See what I mean??? It's wicked confusing and illogical. I yearn for the good ole Cold War Days.

Being Manny

I'll be going to Sarah Crawford's "M" Halloween Party this weekend as "M"anny #24 Ramirez. I don't care who else goes as Manny. There are enough dreadlocks to go around.

Feeder Action

At the feeder this morning has been a Tufted Titmouse, Chickadee and a Downy Woodpecker. I'm not boasting, just stating the facts.


Also numerous Sparrows, Blue Jays, and Mourning Doves.
~
Mammals have included some squirrels, my two Cats, Izzy and Roenick, and the stupid German Shepard from across the street who decided to chase Roenick up on the deck.
~
The positive spin to that episode is that my knee didn't hurt me in my high speed chase after the dog off of the deck and around to the front of the house.

Video Request

The response to my Marblehead Rock video was amazing. Now a vast number of you want me to film all of the backsides of the islands in Salem Sound. Unlike most of your pathetic requests and suggestions, this one is actually quite good, and I may even comply.

Another World Series.

Sox won the pennant with a sensational catch in center field by Coco Crisp. A comeback from a 3 to 1 deficit.
~
It has to be heartbreaking for Cleveland, and for the guys who sold the insurance policy to Jordan's Furniture giving free furniture if the Sox win the World Series. Brilliant marketing.
~
Loyal Peeps will note that I called it two games ago with a lock on gut feeling. No need for excess praise, but I did call it right. Time to celebrate for Red Sox Nation. Bring on the Rockies.

Over?

Up by 7 runs in the 8th inning. Justin Pedroia has broken it open with two hits in the last two innings. It ain't over till it's over. But it sure feels like it's over for the Indians.
~
Youkilis just hit one into the Coke bottles. Now the are up by 9. 11-2. 3 outs away from the American League Pennant and a trip to the World Series.

On a Roll

Patriots emasculated Miami, as they have done for the previous six opponents. This type of play is unprecedented in my memory - for a professional team to completely dominate all in its path.
~
I'm just glad it's the Patriots and not the Jets.
~
Now for the Red Sox - Cleveland rubber match. If the Sox go to the World Series, what's next for Nanepashemet Telecom???? I'm thinking there is a positive connection.

Marblehead Rock

Back side of Marblehead Rock. On a beautiful October day. Maybe it's good that my left leg won't let me run. I never would have gotten out to row.

Boston Bounty

I hope that you dudn't hit this Blog to see if the Red Sox won.
~
What do you think I am???? The freaking Associated Press?
~
If you don't know who won by the time you get here, then your priorities are way off.
~
BTW, Red Sox beat the Indians 12-2 and the American League Pennant is up for grabs tonight. But before that happens, we will be watching the Patriots tool on the hapless Miami Dolphins. With the Pats undefeated and some touting them as having the best offense ever, every game is an extra treat.
~
Plus, we are looking at summer like temperatures today. A nice Sunday to look forward to if you're from Boston.

F-150 and Lobster Transaction

Broke out of the malaise and got some Dory work done today. Tyler Gill and Chris Crawford actually got me into gear, because they wanted to borrow the truck and the inside was such a mess that I had to get off my sedentary behind to clean out the cab.
~
After that, I sanded all of the frames with the belt sander and the rotary Grizzly monster that I bought during a late night frenzy of irrational internet purchasing a number of years ago.
~
Gilly and Chris returned the truck with a cooler of 10 lobsters. Excellent trade.
~
We will boil them over at the Peabody's deck with the O'Shea's and be ready to slumber by the third inning of the Sox-Indians playoff game.
~
Tomorrow, I will measure and attach the frames to the Dory bottom and the Strongback.
~
Add another three hours to the Dory for a cumulative project amount of 23 hours to date.

Playoff Prediction

Game 6 will be at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, with Curt Schilling scheduled to start for Boston and Fausto Carmona for the Cleveland Indians.
~
My prediction is a Red Sox win tonight, another one tomorrow and on to the World Series on Wed. Just a feeling that I have.
~
If I'm wrong, you can rank, condemn and vilify me. What's the difference??? You'd just find another excuse to do it otherwise.

Cap It Off

A good week. Breakthrough actually.
~
We penetrated a bit more into our most important carrier customer, made some inroads with a new carrier, tied into a nice tower company to contruct their towers, and picked up upon the scuttlebutt that our reputation is being "super responsive".
~
I like that reputation. There's a lot of companies that can get it done, but being responsive is the key to delivering service beyond expectations.
~
And Nanepashemet Telecom is "super responsive".
~
I've had great success in this business working for the Man. But now we're the Man. And we're not doing anything different. This is going to be good.
~
OK, I know you're saying that the Dory hasn't moved in weeks, the basement job is fallow and my marathon training is almost out the window.
~
Thanks for wreaking it for me.

The Wocjik Supremacy

The thing that Bob Wocjik has going for him is that he is a PMP. It's kind of like being a "Made Man". You can screw with anybody, and nobody can screw with you. He must think he's Tony Soprano or something.
~
Well Bob, I was a PMP way before you, so that tactic just doesn't wash here. We're on to you and your insidious tactics to mess with my training progress.
~
This weekend, I'll rev up a workout by rowing the Herreshoff Columbia Yacht Tender a couple of miles around Marblehead Harbor.
~
By the way Bob, it's a Tender.... not a dinghy. A real PMP would be getting it right after awhile.

Manny Being Manny

If the Red Sox lose tonight, then Manny Ramirez is a bona fide idiot.
~
"Don't worry, be happy", just doesn't cut it sometimes. You just have to hustle a little down the first base line. This walking by Manny after he hits the ball ,is really starting to get on my nerves.
~
This is for the World Series. Get freaking serious.
~
At least Josh Becket is looking like the stopper. If the Sox can get back to Boston, it's a whole new ballgame. Cleveland is the real deal.

POTW 42nd Week of 2007

I made a huge mistake yesterday.
~
Telling a few Peeps who I thought I could trust, that the reason I fell off of my workout plan was because of Bob Wojcik. I should have never followed his suggestion to stretch out my calves at the edge of a curbstone. It's been a ordeal even to walk since.
~
But that's no reason for all the resentment, vituperation and vitriol that so many of you have been trying to lay on Wojcik. It's my bad... my fault.... my stupidity.... for taking his advise. He doesn't deserve your derision and blame. You don't even know him (he lives in Albany, NY, about six feet tall, blond hair, vacant stare).
~
Even though he really screwed up my marathon chances. I will overcome this.

Announcing.....

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 42nd week of 2007

• Bob Wojcik
• Brendt DiOrio
• Tyler Gill
• Mirela Marku
• Deborah Norville
• Coco Crisp

I'm begging you to leave Wojcik alone. Even though it wasn't his fault, he really didn't mean it. Being a peep of the week is punishment enough.

Hitting Stride

A Salem Waterfront Hotel meeting, then coordination with our largest carrier customer, then a reconnaissance trip to a Methuen lattice tower made for an interesting day today. And that was just me. The other guys were on another construction job.

Kicking Ass and Taking Names.

Damn... we're getting good.

Mucho Molar

Dr. Danny Levy capped a broken molar for me yesterday, so now I have molar caps on both sides of my lower jaw. There will be trouble free chewing on both sides of my mouth for the foreseeable future.
~
The novacaine is all worn off. They didn't even have to use the straps.
~
I just thought that you should know.

New Visitor

Lots of Titmice, Chickadees, and common Sparrows at the feeder this morning. Also one solitary Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) made a first time appearance.
~
I'm afraid to stop looking at the feeder because I might miss something.

Jitters

Sox are down 4-0 against Cleveland in the fifth and Dice K is not exactly overpowering. This is going to be a dogfight to get to the World Series.
~
They just pulled Dice-K. If the Sox can't find a starter other than Becket, they will lose this series to the very talented Cleveland team.

Stoicism

Sunday, I could hardly walk with the calf pain shooting up to the area behind my knee. I'm pretty sure that nobody in the family noticed, because I always take pain like a man. No complaining.... no whining.....no whimpering. Naturally, I laid off the workout.
~
Today I had to go to Worcester with Mike Rockett. We met with the State rep, Bob Spilane, and the City Manager, Mike O'Brien - two very sharp guys who were great ambassadors for investing in Worcester. The only trouble I had was trying to keep up with them on a quick walking tour around some downtown buildings.
~
If I can't walk a block around Worcester, how the hell am I going to run 26 miles from Hopkinton to Boston????
~
It's starting to seem like I'll need a visit to Lourdes to get this bum leg in shape, so I can work out again. Tomorrow, we'll see if the Cybex loosens up things a bit.
~
Meanwhile the Dory work lies fallow, and the basement tile project mocks me everytime I go down there. The only thing that is moving forward is Nanepashemet Telecom. For that , I'm very grateful

Patriots Stay Pat

In a football match of the undefeated, the Patriots blew past the Dallas Cowboys like they were just another opponent. They are now 6-0. This is one hell of a season.
~
McMahon, and his girlfriend, Alissa, dropped by after the game to drink some twisted teas. And you wonder why he is defending Peep of the Year??? It should be obvious.

Minor Setbacks

Cleveland waited until the 10th inning after 1:00 am in the morning to tee off on Boston with 7 runs. Now the series is tied 1-1. Cleveland is good.
~
But what is really disappointing is that my left leg is painful to walk on - forget running. The calf pain now extends to the back of the knee and runs up my inner thigh. I'm thinking that it relates to the sciatica that I suffered maybe ten years ago. Doubt that I will get in a running workout today, so I'll probably row the harbor and cycle the Cybex.
~
A little pain in the lower extremity didn't stop me from enjoying a visit from Will Nestor, my handsome 5 month old grandson though. He and I continue to communicate on a psychic level, and he mentioned that the Dory seems to be falling off schedule. Maybe he's worried that it won't be ready for me to teach him to row and fish. Already, he's looking for instant gratification. He also telepathically told me stuff that he didn't want me to repeat.
~
The Kid has a lot to learn.

Fenway Layout

Baseball is a weird game, playing on fields that aren't rigidly regulated, with high walls and varied distances to them. Fenway Park is the embodiment of this.

Just marking time until the game starts at 8:00 PM tonight.

Successful Lives

These guys are the embodiment of success. Both Veterans of the 101st Airborne, Easy Company. I don't care how much money you make, the house you have, or the size of your boat.... you'll have to go quite a bit further to be more successful than them.

Edward Heffron, left, and William Guarnere pose with their book in Broomall , Pa., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. World War II veterans Guarnere and Heffron have written 'Brothers in Battle: Best of Friends,' published by the Berkley Publishing Group. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Harsh Dicotomy

I'm both optimistic and demoralized over my marathon training program. I've never had the discipline to always get a workout in before, but this has been accomplished. That is optimistic.
~
Feeling like crap and being in pain in every workout is demoralizing.
~
How's that for the Yin and the Yang?
~
Over at the Marblehead Middle School Soccer fields this morning, I couldn't even finish three miles on level grass because I was afraid to push the pain in my left leg. It's not as much the pain that bothers me as the prospects of an injury that would force me out of the training regimen.
~
191 days to the Boston Marathon. This is a lot harder than it was thirty years ago.