POTW Week 51

The Fact that it is Thursday today almost seems supernatural. Lately the weeks have had only three days. Monday, Thursday and Sunday of course when the Patriots play. I wonder if global warming has anything to do with it?
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"Time flies when you're having fun." The adage holds no weight here. It's no fun watching deadlines loom so much sooner. The problem with deadlines is that people get so wrapped around the axle trying to meet them that they basically don't give a crap what happens by the time that the deadline is passed.
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If you make it, you hate the naysayers and ballbusters who tormented you along the way, and they don't give you any credit when you finally succeed because of the overall acrimonious nature of the process.
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Are you depressed enough now???? It gets worse..... because now it's time to choose the Peeps of the Week.
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ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 51st week of 2007.

• Gail Johnson
• Josh Dolben
• Dave Bruett
• The entire Membership Committee of the Boston Yacht Club
• Bill Hillegas
• John McCain

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Now let's get back to the hand wringing.
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Sorrowful Phrase

You want to know what I'm really sorry about???
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I'm sorry that I ever heard the phrase "Mea Culpa".
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Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maximus Culpa.
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Kiss my royal Irish Ass.

The origin of the expression is from a traditional prayer in the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church known as Confiteor (Latin for "I confess"), in which the individual recognizes his or her flaws before God. The "mea culpa," as the Confiteor has come to be known popularly, is not simply a confession of sins, but rather an admission of one's flawed nature and the willingness to make amends for it.

The text in Latin is:

Confiteor Deo omnipotenti,
beatæ Mariæ semper Virgini,
beato Michæli Archangelo,
beato Ioanni Baptistæ,
sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo,
omnibus Sanctis, et vobis, fratres (et tibi pater),
quia peccavi
nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere:
mea culpa,
mea culpa,
mea maxima culpa.
Ideo precor beatam Mariam
semper Virginem,
beatum Michælem Archangelum,
beatum Ioannem Baptistam,
sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum,
omnes Sanctos, et vos, fratres (et te, pater),
orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
Amen.

This translates into English as:

I confess to Almighty God,
to blessed Mary ever Virgin,
to blessed Michael the Archangel,
to blessed John the Baptist,
to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul,
to all the Saints and to you, brothers (and to you Father),
that I have sinned exceedingly,
in thought, word and deed:
through my fault,
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary,
ever Virgin,
blessed Michael the Archangel,
blessed John the Baptist,
the holy Apostles Peter and Paul,
all the Saints, and you, brothers (and you Father),
to pray to the Lord our God for me.
Amen.

Holiday Strain

Every year in the wireless telecom industry, the same thing happens.... a headlong rush to get things done by the end of the year. As I contemplate the last ten years doing this, the holidays are always extra stress. If it's not a major procurement, it is a production deadline that must be met.
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This year is no different. Fending customer expectations and trying to get subs to take on challenging amounts of work.
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The Stress and Strain Game. Pressure that a lesser man would surely find daunting. And yet I carry on. If I only was eligible for POTW, this type of inspiration would be a no-brainer.

Tuna Lips said...

Speaking of strain, I need to introduce some fiber to my diet. I popped a blood vessel "heavin' a havana" last night, plugged up the Route 135 rest stop outhouse but good.

Seems the local area boys choir gave a concert last night, al fresco, takin' to the woods about the rest area, singin' what musta been Christmas carols, what with all the howlin' and gleefulness. Gave me a special feelin'. And the local police provided the twinkle lights, with their strobes of blue and red flashin' and they search lights flashin' across the tree line. Real community spirit.

Tuna Lips Reaction

Tuna Lips has a masterpiece a couple of posts down. Don't miss it.
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I laughed, I cried, I almost attempted suicide.
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That boy can write.

Patriots Again

Patriots just beat the Jet's to move to fourteen and oh.
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I knew that they would have a winning season, but I didn't predict this.

Ho Ho Ho

I was just watching Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops on TV, and I have to admit, it pretty much kicked in the Christmas spirit for me.
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Looks like it's time to fire up Amazon.com and start spending on gifts.

Birdseed Godsend

I know that I haven't mentioned much about the birds at the feeder lately. That's because I've been plum out of birdseed.
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But it's all changed now. After a trip to Costco, I've got about 30 lbs. of the wondrous stuff that birds and squirrels crave.
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We'll be taking proper care of the little feathered critters for the foreseeable future.

Chistmas Gift Wish

So many of you have been sending me emails asking me what I want for Christmas. If you would only channel your energy to sending me a dollar a day cash for a year, I would be set for life, and able to build beautiful cedar-strip dories for the those who yearn to row.... but can't because of the critical lack of such small craft.
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But no.... you'd rather send me these annoying emails all of the time. So you all can bear your share of the blame.... that those who need dories, don't have them.
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Makes you feel kind of small, doesn't it????

Tuna Lips said...

I am with you, Christmas is a special time. Recently, or should I say annually, I get into it with the condo association (moved to a nice 50+ community a couple years back, where having a "Yankee Wife Swap" this Thursday at the socializin center)about my light display. Its the genuine article, I picked up the components on a business trip to Tijuana back in the 80s. That fact that the icicles resemble man gear irritates some of the non-joiners around the place. And those glass etchings, with the animals in the stable mounting one another on the cold December night so long ago, well, they tells it like it wuz. All these, and Elvis' "Blue Christmas" put me right in a festive spirit. None's is fer keepin' the holidays like ole TL. Sure, I wake in a puddle of my own sick now and again, but nothin' a good hosing down and some fire damaged candy canes caint fix. Time to go trim my nose hair. Merry Christmas, or should I say Feliz Navidad, what with the way things are and fear being such a silent motivator. Wow, that was deep fer even me. I could run for president, maybe cry on TV.

Stupid Choice

Those of you Peeps who have had the good fortune to actually work with me know that when the going gets tough, sooner or later I'll end up quoting Henry Ford.
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"Whether you think you Can, or think you Can't... you're Right!"
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Some people get inspired and motivated when I say this.... others are doubtful and intimidated... and the majority just get pissed off at me.
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I don't care, because I really believe it. Plus I'm not afraid to fail. Babe Ruth was the Home Run King of Baseball for years, but did you know that he also has the record for strikeouts? You are known by your successes, not your failures.... and you can't succeed unless you try.
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But I feel the need to modify Ford's credo. After all, he wasn't right about everything, being a racist and whatnot.
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So for now on, I'm going to nudge others to success by the following.....
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"If you think you CAN, at least you've given yourself a fighting chance. If you think you CAN'T, you are absolutely right."
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This way, those of you who are so paranoid of failure have an out.

No matter which choice you make, the one thing that you can absolutely count on is that things change and anything can happen. So with that basic fact, to say you can't is pretty stupid.

Lug Sails

Nice looking lug sail rig for a Chamberlain Gunning Dory. I like this better than the mutton chop sail espoused by John Gardner.
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But the sailing rig will definitely be a retro fit after we get this thing set up for rowing with two Piantedosi Rowing Rigs and a motor well for a Honda four stroke 8 hp outboard.

http://www.nanepashemetboats.blogspot.com/

We've been taking quite a few orders for these lately.

Friday Reflections

Friday Night.
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Another whole week under our belt.
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What did you do this week???? Besides eat, breathe, sleep and shit???
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Did you do one freaking thing to better the cause of humanity?
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Or was it all about you? You and your pathetic, self-centered, whiny-ass needs.
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Just kidding.
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My week was pretty good. Definitely kicked it up a notch, and moved our big order forward. It's such a pain in the ass to have to push on work through the holidays, when everybody else is heading for shut down. Maybe if my trust funds kicked in, I wouldn't have to work so hard. Then again, I'm pretty sure that I don't have any trust funds.
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So have a nice weekend. And think about somebody else besides yourself for a change.

Higher Purpose

Nobody has asked about the progress on the Chamberlain Marblehead Gunning Dory for quite some time now. Doesn't anybody care? After all, this Blog is technically supposed to be about boatbuilding.... yet scarcely a question about it.
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You're starting to creep me out.
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So anyway, the status of the Dory is that I haven't worked on it for over two months. I have plenty of excuses, but the bottom line is no Dory work. And I don't see any respite from the demands of Nanepashemet Telecom.
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The good news is that if the Telecom business continues at its current trend, I can retire early and become the boatbuilder that you and our modern society deserves. How's that for a higher purpose?

Tuna Lips said...

I am amullin' over your 50% rule thing. My o my. Poor sufferin' soul.

As a most popular fella, I caint imagine the demons that torment you, what with not having everyone like you. In my case, my overarching magnaminousness is unequaled. It can be a burden, though. Everyone flocking to me, like the chilluns' to our Lord, looking for guidance.

"A friend who can not be bought or is not buying is no friend."

That's the kind of knowledge I drop. See, I am wise, like Solomon I is.

Peep of the Week - 50

Lately I've been putting up with a lot of cross talk regarding my Peep of the Week selections.
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Peeps... Don't be asking me why you were chosen.
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Figure it out for yourselves.
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You had to do something stupid, annoying or inspirational.... or have given me the gift of Lagavulin over the previous week. Since most of you are too cheap to go the Lagavulin route, it should be obvious why you were chosen.

ANNOUNCING....
NANEPASHEMET Peeps of the Week for the 50th week of 2007

• Parker Sides
• Sandy Greenlaw
• Rob Wise
• Will Nestor
• Nancy Bruett
• Joe Collins

So just shut up about it.

Welcome Back Imus

Imus is back.
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You can't hold a good man down.
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He's added a black guy and a woman to his entourage. That should help him to stay politically correct, which in a sense is too bad, because his courage in speaking his mind is his greatest asset.
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But I'm happy to have him back. There was no one to fill the void.... to bring otherwise guarded politicians, businessmen, and
celebrities down to the lowest common denominator.
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He now joins Martha Stewart in my eyes as a person strong enough to overcome a setback and return to public consciousness.
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Now let's see if guys like Kerry have the balls to side up with him again.

50% Rule

So I was at a customer's office the other day, and someone said that they ran into a party that didn't like me.
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When I found out the name of said party, I was relieved and somewhat amused.
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Why????
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Because said dipshit party is an asshole that I frankly can't stand.
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Which brings me to the point of this post. If everyone thinks that you are a great person, then you have a problem. Because there are jerks and idiots in this world, and you don't want these morons to think you are cool.
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I'm pretty happy if 50% of my acquaintances like me, and 50% are offended, or better yet, intimidated. Then I know that the good guys are my friends and the assholes are my enemies.
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There is a certain harmony and balance in this.

Joshing and Bending

So I missed a post yesterday.
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Deal with it!!
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Didn't I tell you that I couldn't go to watch the Pats at the Gerry on Sunday because of the week ahead???
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Did you think that I was just joshing you? Did you think I was bending the truth?
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Peeps... I'm only human. Just not the Mountain of a Man that all of you seem to expect sometimes. I have my weaknesses too.... just like you. Well, maybe not as bad as yours, but still freaking significant.
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I did finish that job on the mountain in Claremont, NH today. It was the first time that I had to use a snowmobile at work. Never thought I'd see that day. Tomorrow I'll be in Providence and other cool Rhode Island locations.

BTW. "Always" and "Never" are adverbs that "always" guarantees arguments, and "never" resolves issues.

Tuna Lips said...

A bit full of yourself, big boss man. Nary a word of guidance for this sheppard-less flock. My mammy said pride goeth before youse fall, most often when she stumbled to her knees, having dosed down all that cough syrup to clear up her cold. She got colds all year round. Poor of health, my ma. But strong of wits, as can be seen in her wise sayings and, frankly, her progedy. That being me, and Shoo Fly, but no so much Shoo Fly.

11:04 AM

Gerry Blow Off

I had planned to go up to the Gerry to watch the Pats, but thought the better of it. With cheap beers and lots of big spenders, the Gerry is impossible to leave without a decent buzz. Especially if the Patriots are playing.
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And with the Nanepashemet Telecom week that I am anticipating, I can't risk waking up tomorrow with a heavy head.
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So I'm sorry if I wrecked the Patriots-Steelers game for some of my favorite Peeps by not showing up. They'll get over it.
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BTW, the Pats returned to their dominate style of play... which I had thought was gone after the last two games.

Piscabo said...

The blogging community laments your attention being diverted from idle chatter of birds and boats, but applauds your recent success and abiding resolve. Had to throw a fifty cent word in if I am going to post.

12:27 PM

Tuna Lips said...

Victory is mine! In case you wuz wonderin'. I remain superior to all y'all.

2:42 PM

Gill Bash

Just came back from a very nice holiday party at Tyler and Liz Gill's house. Notables attending were Maggie Sides, her sister Sandy Greenlaw (not surprizing because she is also Liz's mother) and Greg and Nancy Bruett. Dave came also.
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Little Maddie was in intensely cute form, and it was her Grandmother's birthday. Parker Sides and his new girlfriend were there. I forget her name, but I remember what she looked like. Very Attractive. Way to go Parky.
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Many Harpoons were consumed in moderation.
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Joanne couldn't go because she was babysitting Will, who was uncharacteristically fussy.
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A very festive get together.

Successful Striving

That telecom deal that I was semi-telling you about kicked in last week. It's a bit different than what we were anticipating, but less may be more in the long run.
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It means that the holiday season will be alot more stressful than usual, because I won't have too much idle time.
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It's funny.... the let down that you get when you have achieved something that you have been striving for. When I was a business director at General Dynamics, the sales people always wanted to have a celebration when we won a big job. But the project managers were always soberly assessing the work effort ahead. I always tended to side with the PMs, even though the sales staff were legitimate in feeling good and resolved about the win. Their work was done.
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I'm psyched though. This is the breakthrough that we have been looking for. We have a chance to go head to head with our competitors and show the customers how this business can be done.
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The rubber is hitting the road. Should be a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
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Felice Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo

Skype.com

Peeps...
If you haven't already looked into it, you've got to get Skype. www.skype.com
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It's a VoIP program that lets you place calls from your computer - free from skype to skype accounts and 2 cents per minutes otherwise.
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I needed to do something because my cell phone minutes are getting chewed up early in the month, and the bills are atrocious.
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Now the calls I make when I'm sitting in front of my computer (which in my dynamic, all-business lifestyle is a wicked lot) are not draining on my cell phone account. Plus you can set up an avatar or have video calls as well as instant messaging.
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It should appeal to your inner geek.
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BTW, my Skype account name is "nestor.npmi" for you peeps who are already cool enough to have your own account.