Personal and Confidential

All day long...
~
My phone was ringing, my email was smoking.... with all of you Peeps hounding me for news of my appointment with Dr. Casale.
~
Peeps.... Don't you think I'm entitled to a little privacy???? It's really kind of confidential between me and my physician.
~
I can tell you that I got a clean bill of health, that I've lost weight, and that my blood pressure is perfect.... But beyond that, it's none of your freaking business.

Credited to Wanda

Joke of the Day
A three-legged dog swaggers into a saloon in the Old West.
He bellies up to the bar, downs a shot of red eye, turns to face
the crowd of rowdies, stares them down and announces:
"I'm looking for the man who shot my paw."

Bonus Burn

My workout today was one of the worst so far, and also one of the best.
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Although my Cybex Bike mph ave. was almost under 20 and I barely made it to 10.2 miles in 30 minutes, I was psyched, because I almost didn't workout at all... my motivation was at a low. Even with Collins talking smack, I just didn't want to go.
~
Which is why I'm totally stoked about getting the burn. Since I didn't want to workout, but did anyway, it's all gravy. And that talk is making me hungry.

ArchRival Smack

More marathon training smack from my ArchRival, Joe Collins.

That's right Joe.... keep golfing.... that will definitely get you ready.

Jay:

Like Brown and Wocjik, I too traveled to FL and trained last week... It takes a great deal of effort to hit 3-4 buckets of golf balls, play 18 holes; smoke cigars and drink beer - this is a very difficult regimen ! However - I also began the limbering program - stretching for Golf; stretching for biking; and stretching for running.

To cut to the chase... 3 rounds and about 10 buckets of balls (and btw, I was striping them down the middle !)

2/25 1.5 mile run and elliptical total 700 calories; 100 situps;

2/27 10.1 mile bike 75 situps; weights

3/4 12.5 mile bike 75 situps; weights

Wt is now down to 205 (from 220 start ! !) I hope that when I return to FL this week - that I'm not hounded on the beach with requests to be a personal trainer !

Tell Mike I want him to make the commitment and set this as a goal ! It will be one more chance to show the 'ol man that Mike can "take him down" !

- Svelte Archie

I can't wait to scorch this cocky bastard in October.

Sinner

Kathy Peabody committed the cardinal sin.
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She asked me to mention her son, Andrew in the Blog.
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Andrew is a talented goalie for the St. Paul's School hockey team that just lost the New England Prep School Championship to Avon Old Farm's. He's a good kid and we've known him since he was a baby.
~
Happy Kathy???? Now you're gonna pay.

A Champion's Creed

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win but you think you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with the fellow's will,
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You've got to think to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
- Author Unknown

Wanda tells me that this is from Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich". You'd think that I'd remember that since I read that book about 20 years ago.

Wanda said...

Hi, John!

Ummm...that poem is in "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill.
(^__^)

Mistaken Identity

No...
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This isn't me.
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1. This photo is obviously shot in San Francisco Bay, and I haven't lived there for over ten years.

2. The planking of this tender is lapstrake, and mine is cedar stripped. Plus I don't have a burgee flying off of the transom.

3. This guy is skinnier that I am and he has a beard. It's obviously not me... but I sure wish I was out there rowing.

So how could you make such a stupid mistake?????

Thinking of Pre and Jaz

It's so sad that Steve Prefontaine was cut down in his prime.
~
He was inspirational in the way that he gave his all.
~
Who knows what he would have accomplished if he didn't die so tragically in that car crash? He'd probably be a Nike executive, but I'm sure that he would have pushed the running envelope.
~
After all these years, and even though he's dead, he still provides motivation.
~
When I was at UMASS, there was a kid a year ahead of me on the track team that reminded me of Pre.... Tom Jasmine. He was a little reckless and seemed to push the limit.
~
I remember running with him on snowpacked snowmobile tracks in the wooded Berkshire Hills. Jaz was a lot better than I was, and he was way ahead of me on the trail, but waited for me to catch up with him at key turns, so that I didn't get stuck out there lost and alone.
~
He used to call me "kid" which seemed funny since he was only a year older than I was.
~
Jasmine and his girlfriend died in a car crash too. A tractor trailer slammed into them out in the Berkshires at the end of his Sophomore year.
~
I think about Pre and Jaz every once in awhile.

Spring

From an astronomical standpoint, the seasons have changed from Winter to Spring.. It's still freezing, but there was a flock of Robins in the Japanese Flowering Crab and the snow covered lawns on the street yesterday.
~
They always look out of place in the cold and snow.... but they must know what they're doing.
~
After all... it's Spring, and Robins are the experts.

Foggy Mountain Breakdown

This is just in case you haven't heard enough "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" by Earl Scruggs lately.



Johnny B. Goode

Careful Preparation

Brown and Wojcik are in Las Vegas. Do you think they are preparing for the Epic October Event???
~
Me Neither.
~
As you can see, I have carefully and thoroughly planned my approach to success in this matter of pride, honor and manhood. Brown and Wojcik will taste ignominious failure in October, due to their frivolity in March.
~
I have reduced the training phase to a spreadsheet complete with links to Hal Higdon's marathon coaching web sites for an 18 week intermediate Marathon training program. If any of you pretenders want a copy of the spreadsheet, I will email it to you free of charge.
~
That's how confident and magnanimous I am.

On a Streak

I hope that most of you don't come to this Blog just to check my workout stats. But just in case you do, you will note that I have worked out every day for the last seven days - an adult personal record.
~
The establishment of consistency is an accomplishment in and of itself. And Maintaining that consistency is a strong motivational influence.
~
My knee ( the one that I screwed up by taking the advice of the insidious Wojcik ) feels great. And I feel pretty good, although I'm definitely not ready to leave the bike and go to the treadmill. There's plenty of time, and I am keeping the faith.

Farewell, Lagavulin

I just finished another bottle of Lagavulin.
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It's like saying goodbye to an old friend.
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I can't keep torturing myself like this.

Wisdom...... and POTW 9

Peeps....
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Those of you who know me well, know that while I'm not always right, I'm seldom wrong.
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So let me give you these words of wisdom.
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If some pompous Asshole decides to tell you in a highhanded, condescending, sanctimonious way that his point of view is the moral and ethical alternative.... prepare to be lied to and/or cheated by said Dipshit.
~
Heed my wisdom... I'm damn right about this.
~
Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 9 of 2008

• Doug Maxfield
• Lauren Rathbone
• Sam Simons
• Bill Hillegas
• Mike Nestor
• Steve Farrar

BTW, the above wisdom applies to none of these individuals.

Doctor's Appointment

So I called the Doctor's office to get my Lisinoprin High Blood Pressure medication renewed, and they said that I had to get a checkup again with Dr. Casale.
~
That's so premature.
~
I wanted to lose at least 25 lbs before I am to be subject to his sneering attitude as he ridicules my weighted state of being. Plus I hate those rubber gloves.
~
The problem is of my own making. Louis Casale was my MD when I was 18 years old and weighed 160 lbs. I should have switched physicians in the meantime so he wouldn't have such a clear point of reference.
~
Just because he hasn't changed in 30 odd years, he expects me to weigh as much as I did as when I was a carefree, young stud.
~
Although I was never really that. Carefree I mean.
~
This will be a good benchmark though as I make my assault on marathoning history.

Hunch Plays Out.

The great stuff that I thought would happen on Monday happened today instead.
~
Totally out of the Blue.
~
I was completed blindsided.
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It couldn't be better.
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Too Bad I can't tell you what it is. I'm sworn to confidentially.
~
But it's real good.

Workouts are Working Out

Ever since the insidious Bob Wojcik ridiculed my workouts, I've picked up the pace, and I'm feeling pretty good about it. Plus, ArchRival Joe Collins informs me that he has been keeping up with my workout progress by reading this pathetic Blog.
~
So, I have to log 10 miles on the bike and note it on the Blog to keep Collins honest. I have no place to go but up, (or in this case, down... based upon my current overweightedness.)
~
The good part is that no matter how your day goes, if you get a workout in, you've done something good and positive. And exercise definitely reduces stress.
~
My problem is that after I work out, I feel like I've deserved a beer, or anything else that I can scarf down from the refridgerator. So weight loss doesn't seem to be keeping in step. But my pants do feel a bit roomier. My scale is off, so checking weight has not been a consistent metric in this regime.

Dovetail chests

I'm thinking of making a toy chest for Grandson Will, for his one year old birthday in June.

These are not totally inspiring, but they give me ideas.

My version will have no sharp edges, and will borrow some design elements from the Herreshoff Columbia Yacht Tender.

Follow Up

Made contact with a carrier that I've been trying to reach for quite a while now, and we received some RFQ's to build sites in Maine and Martha's Vineyard.... but these hardly qualify as being suitable to meet the enthusiastic optimism that I told you about this morning.
~
Maybe something happened that I haven't noticed yet.

Tuna Lips said...

I have been hobbled lately, got me a hitch in my gitalong ever since the Over 50 Hootenany we put on Thursday last. Cut myself several rugs. But since then I have been pained severe like in my feet. So this mornin' I forsook the traditional medicine types and had the a corn removed from my left foot by a toothless Vietnamese gal. This was one wrinkled gook; no facial was gonna smooth out them weathered looks. She sure could wield a skin peeler. It was like the screws had been loosened in my puppy, she havin' worked her Oriental magic. So that might be the vibration in the universe you senses.

Crazy slope gave me a crack in the crotch when I tried to show some appreciation for her medification. That may also account for it. The balancing of the cosmic winds. Which I also got from eating that pickled cabbage she offered.

Prepare for Greatness

Did you ever wake up in the morning, feeling optimistic and ready, but not sure for what?
~
I feel like this will be a great day, but I have nothing scheduled that would indicate this.
~
My plan today is pretty mundane - prepare the books for taxes, survey some cell sites that we have orders for modifications, issue some overdue purchase orders, get ready for a customer meeting tomorrow, cut some vendor checks.
~
By the end of the day, I'll let the Peeps know if this was a day to remember.

Basement Marathon Start

Joanne has the itches to get the basement in order.
~
The spirit really doesn't move me today, but I agree that it has to get done.
~
I have to set the Nordic Track Treadmill back up down there, for when I migrate from the Cybex Bike and actually start running. But that won't happen for at least another month, when I will have shed another 10 lbs. or so. The treadmill has a lot of bounce and gives my weighted body a better introduction to the pounding of running before I head out onto the streets for serious mileage.
~
The key to getting to the Marine Corps Marathon next fall is to remain injury free. That means that I have to get into shape in order to get into shape. Patiently stay on the stationary bike until my weight drops, then migrate onto the low impact treadmill. By May or June, I'll be ready for the jolt of paved roads, and that gives me plenty of time to put the Marathon training mileage in by the end of October.
~
I seriously don't plan to beat Towne, but I will annihilate any of you other pretenders who decide to take the challenge. Especially my ArchRival, Joe Collins.
~
Mike Nestor is considering making the commitment, and I haven't made the pitch to Katelyn, Ryan and Courtney yet. I fully expect the Crawford Brothers to engage now that they have recovered from their humiliating defeat by the Kenyan at Boston last year.
~
I'm thinking that I'll have to order about 50 - 100 Nanepashemet Peeps Marathon Shirts to meet the demand for participants and their significant others.
~
I'm not winning the carbs battle though. How the hell do you expect me to give up pasta and bread??? That's worse torture than water boarding.
~
The key to getting the basement in order will be to take it in small steps, so that it doesn't appear to be overwhelming and doesn't cut into my other obligations. Katelyn said that she would help me, but the last time I checked the weather report, Hell wasn't freezing over.

Calling Out Towne

Remember my college roommate, Bob Towne?
~
He ran in a marathon in Austin, Texas this February, and finished at 3:08:28, 2nd in his age division.
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Would I like a piece of him at the Marine Corps Marathon next October!!!!
~
Bob, You're going to have to bear down and sharpen up. Looking for you to confirm your appearance at the epic field of honor this fall.

Repeat Blog Visits

This chart says that 70% of the hits on the Nanepashemet Blog are return hits, and that 30% are first timers.
~
Not sure what to make of this. Is this pathetic Blog that addictive????
~
I know that I visit it often, but I also recognize that I have serious issues. Which is the first step to recovery.

Linguini with Clam Sauce

There are a ton of steamers left over from last night, so I asked Tommy O if he and Linda wanted to come over for some linguini with clam sauce. Actually, I make mine with thin Barilla spaghetti, which I like better than linguini. Funny how the shape of the pasta makes a difference.
~
A little butter (ie - a whole stick), the clams, some Frank's Red Hot Sauce, parsley, chives, dryed garlic, red hot pepper, black pepper, a little salt, the pasta.... then some romano cheese sprinkled on the top... it is the Food of the Gods.
~
The trick is to mix all of the ingredients except for the Romano and let them sit in the kettle and meld the flavors into the pasta.
~
Tommy deserves it after snowblowing my drive way this morning. He says he'll check with Linda.

A Wise Choice

Benny Martin and Stevie Lewis, along with Craig Murray and others, were stalking me last night. Trying to lure me down to the 3 Cod, with the possibility of picking up their massive bar bill. Ben was psyched because he just landed an assistant football coaching job at Merrimac College. Watch for the Merrimac program to leap forward in improvement.
~
Luckily for my wallet and my sobriety, Joanne and I were serving steamed clams that Jim Bob and Kathy Peabody brought over to the house last night. Then we watched "Gone Baby Gone" with Casey Affleck's brother Ben portraying the grittier side of Boston. In the Bonus Features, they emphasized that they grew up in Boston, but they actually grew up in Cambridge which is the other side of the moon from the Dorchester culture that was featured in the movie.
~
A great flick though. It's still painful to see actors try to capture Boston accents. You can pick out the foreigners a mile away.
~
The lack of throbbing pain in my head this morning is testament to my better judgment last night.

Craig Ferguson

If you haven't woken up late at night and watched the "Craig Ferguson Show", you're really missing something.
~
This guy is hilarious. His thick Scottish accent allows him to say all sorts of outlandish stuff with impunity. He is a quick wit like Robin Williams and I guarantee you will get a laugh out of him.
~
It will disrupt your good night's sleep, but it's worth it.

Pandering Priorities

I thought that the Navy missile destroying the satellite in space was big news. A huge technological and engineering success. With its load of toxic chemicals, the satellite represented a serious threat.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- "Pentagon officials said they think a Navy missile scored a direct hit on the fuel tank of an errant spy satellite late Wednesday, eliminating a toxic threat to people on Earth."

It was a big story.
~
Larger that Roger Clemens and his wife on steroids.
~
Larger that Senator McCain having the hots for a lobbyist.
~
Larger than Barach Obama plagiarizing Gov. Duval
~
Larger than Manny Ramirez in Spring training.
~
But the news channels had it as a virtual asterist.... there's no doubt that many of you ill-informed Peeps didn't hear about it at all. But you heard about the other stuff I mentioned, didn't you?
~
I suppose that I should moralize here that this society doesn't have it's priorities straight, that it panders to emotional gossip, that it enjoys our weaknesses and frailties more than our accomplishments.
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But I won't.... People don't want to see that shit on the Blog.

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week - 8

Great News Sports fans.
~
Bob Brown, that Meandering Mass of Molten Manhood, has stepped forth and entered the Arena of Glory. He has declared his willingness to put it all on the line at the Marine Corps Marathon. Damn impressive.
~
That brings the list to five who will make the trek to our nation's capital in the fall.

• ME
• Archrival Joe Collins
• Insidious Advisor Bob Wojcik
• Peep of the Year 2006 Tommy McMahon
• Meandering Mass of Molten Manhood, Bob Brown
  

This is gaining momentum.... getting larger than life. I'm really intrigued to see who will be the next to take the pledge. If this gets out of hand, I'll need to stage a fundraiser just to buy the Peep shirts.
~
But I have even more important news to address.
~
ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 8 of 2oo8.

• Joanne Nestor - Automatic Lagavulin Rule
• Mike McLellan
• Bob Brown
• Bob Wojcik
• Tom McMahon
• Dave Bruett

I can't believe that it took eight weeks for the Lagavulin Rule to kick in. The year is starting out lean.

Hump Day Visualization

Wednesday is Hump Day.
~
By the end of the day, I'll have my customer billing up to date, my business accounting into the accountant, and a tower construction bid completed.
~
Plus I'll have logged some miles on the Cybex Bike to keep pace with my Archrival, Joe Collins.

Murph said...

Jay,
When you are POTY does every major newspaper want a piece of you? How does one obtain anonymity? I might have to speak with either Tuna Lips or McMahon for some advice.....
http://www.wickedlocal.com/marblehead/news/lifestyle/celebrations/x1971619227

Tuna Lips said...

Heh heh, every ding dong day is hump day for ole TL! Positive visualization is a practice I employ on regular like. It does not pay to reflect on your current situation when you are surrounded my a gang of illegal aliens with bicycle chains and razors (it was her that gave me them crabs, and all 300 pounds of her will not get me to admit otherwise!). But as I was expounding, you have to visualize the things that you want, like world peace or an unatended Hostess delivery truck, in order to actuate that premonition. Only then can the things that others claim I am taking without right truly become mine by virtue of my self actualized majesty.

It was like those teenagers I was holding in my cabin out by the creek.

Cable

The channels that I like most on Cable are...

History Channel
International History Channel
Military Channel
National Geographic Channel
Discovery Channel
HBO

.... though not necessarily in that order.

I've been waiting for Comcast Cable to come by for a week now to set me up with HD. What a pain in the ass they are for service. But their product is addictive.

Pisc said...

Dude, give Comcast a call and take this opportunity to drive your rates down. I got my bill last Saturday and noticed that all the "deals" that I had signed up for had now expired and they were ringing the cash register on me. With much aplomb and ice water running throuh my veins, I parried with the two pack a day voice on the other end of the phone, and took $42 off my cable bill. This weekend, I am call the digital phone people to see what I can do there. The Insidious Doctor taught me this technique, no less.

Just ask nicely.

Piscabo

Gaining Momentum

Tom McMahon, POTY 2006, has risen to the challenge.
~
I knew he would.
~

McMahon said...

I might just have to step in on this J. and beat each on of you by at least an HOUR. I'm aiming for Lance Armstrong in this year's Boston and have kept good pace on it so far. My time is looking to improve from last year's 3:08:12 (with a blown out knee in the last 3 or 4 miles) to an estimated 2:45:00. I'm up to 17 miles already in my training and I'm thinking of breaking the 20 mile marker this Sunday.

You challenged the Peeps and now I'm here to represent. 2 marathons in one year, no biggie.

See you in D.C.

Now that is another reason why Tom is Peep of the Year material.

This brings the list to....

• ME
• Archrival Joe Collins
• Insidious Advisor Bob Wojcik
• Peep of the Year 2006 Tommy McMahon

Annoying, yet inspirational. This is getting better and better. With any luck, Tom will tackle the first drunken idiot he sees with a Red Sox shirt on.

Another Future Marathon Victim

Wojcik is in!!!
~
After baiting Collins to accept the challenge, I now have Bob Wojcik agreeing to meet me on the field of honor in Washington DC this October.
~
Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
~
The only problem is.... now I really have to get in shape for the Marine Corps Marathon. That means dropping at least 50 lbs., keeping injury free, yet maintaining the business pace at Nanepashemet Telecom.... and keeping Joanne happy on top of all of it.
~
A Herculean Task.
~
But there is no turning back now. No going back to a sedentary lifestyle complete with double cheese pepperoni pizza, nightly Sam Adams, fried dough, potato chips, and pasta binges.
~
Maybe I should think this through.
~
I can live without these things, but it would be great if I could take some more Peeps down with me... like that wussy old roommate, Bob Towne, who let his body go all to hell. Bob, get your ass to Washington DC in the fall.
~
In the meantime, if any of you Peeps are up for the challenge, I'd be happy to put you on the list of those destined for humiliating defeat on October 26, 2008.
~
So far, the list is....

• ME
• Archrival Joe Collins
• Insidious Advisor Bob Wojcik

If you want to be on the list, you're going to have to take a bit of verbal and written abuse between now and next autumn. But I'd be happy to supply the "Nanepashemet POTW T-Shirts" so that you can be picked out amongst the legitimate contenders.

Marathon Smack

Remember I was telling you about Joe Collins, my Archrival from UMASS???
~
Look at the smack he's putting down for his preparation for our race of destiny at the Marine Corps Marathon in Virginia next fall.....

Weekly recap

date workout

2/11 18.2 miles biking, 160 jump ropes curls while biking

2/13 12.3 miles biking, 135 jump ropes, 60 situps curls while biking

2/15 1.5 mile run 60 situps

2/17 10 mile bike 212 jump ropes 60 situps ! curls while biking

Do you think this scares me Joe? You're going to have to jump a lot more rope before you jangle the nerves of this Mountain of a Man.
~
When my mojo kicks in, you'll be eating my dust and staring at my backside.

Overall Improvement

I decided to improve on my WO/M ratio today and was rewarded with Zero Wipeouts per Mile over 4 grueling miles of groomed cross country ski trails at Whitaker Woods in North Conway. Also, I checked in with a town employee to see if Captain Dipshit was correct in charging me a $15.00 trail fee yesterday.
~
He was.
~
Bummer....
~
But I did my civic duty by telling the park employee that the web site was wrong and didn't state the fee to North Conway taxpayers. He acted like he appreciated the information.
~
We'll see if he corrects the freaking website.
~
In the meantime, I made Curt Schilling's bloody sock look paltry compared to the bleeding blisters that I developed on my left heal and big toe.
~
A lesser man would have cashed it in after the first mile, but I was determined to get my four in while the conditions were so good. Actually it didn't hurt too bad, and I was amazed at the amount of blood when I took my ski boot off. I successfully grossed Joanne out.
~
She pleasantly surprised me by buying me a bottle of Lagavulin, which, as you know, is an automatic POTW selection.... the first automatic of the year. I love her so much.

Lauren Rathbone said...

Can you believe all the snow in North Conway, we have been going up every weekend, and no one believes me when I tell them the snow banks at our house are 12 feet plus. Saw your adorable grandson on Thursday, dropped of some more of Ethans clothes for him to wear this spring.

Dreams

Last night was brutal.
~
I dreamed about people and things that spanned the length of my experience for over 40 years. It wasn't scary, and the people were ageless, both dead and alive, and were inserted and juxtaposed into situations which were incongruous with the manner that I knew them.
~
People interspersed with others who had no relation to each other, like a City Planner from Lynn dealing with an Admin from General Dynamics. Totally different ages and contexts.
~
In the middle of it all, I had a nasty case of the runs and was thrashing around making Joanne's night a little too exciting in a not so nice way.
~
I'm not versed in Freud's interepretation of dreams theories, and I'm not sure if these are internal brain storms or external spiritual events. Probably a combination.
~
At any rate, I'd appreciate a less active night tonight.

Tuna Lips said...

Sounds like one of them dreams from Joseph of biblical times, you know, seven years of feast, seven years of famine.

I spose you best stock up on the pepto. Just one fellers thinking. Maybe start advising that picaninny governor you gots up there, them folks is all for such voo doo. Make some cash, grab a pension out of it.

Proaction thinking, best done on the latrine.

Self Control

So I'm feeling a little guilty because I XC skied on the groomed trails behind our condominium without picking up a pass.
~
After checking the web on how to obtain a pass, I find out that North Conway residents and taxpayers are supposed to have a free pass.
~
You would think that I was applying for a visa to Afganistan by the loser counter geek at Ragged Mountain Sports where you are supposed to pick up the passes. After showing him a Town of Conway correspondence that was addressed to Joanne, he asked if that was my name.
~
Naturally, I kept my cool.
~
I said "No, that's my spouse. See the address? It's the same address as mine on the license that I'm showing you."
~
Captain Dipshit took a least two minutes studying the license and the letter, then he said that I needed a current bill from the Town.
~
Again, I maintained my kind and courteous disposition.
~
I asked him to look us up on the web. We are taxpayers in Conway and have been for 15 years.
~
Seeing that I wasn't going to leave, our Moron of the Hour pulled out a printout of taxpayers, and lo and behold, there was Joanne's name. So he says, "It says Joanne and not John."
~
Now, I disclosed a tiny bit that I was starting to get annoyed by this useless sack of monkey shit, and I asked him if I should just get a pass for Joanne.
~
Lieutenant Dork then opined that it seemed like he could give me a pass, but that the internet was wrong and that it would cost $15.00.
~
Now I was downright pissed, and required all of the self control that I could muster, because this Asshole deserves to have his head ripped off so that I can wipe his ass with his own face.
~
But again, I exhibited appropriate restraint.
~
Mega Dink took my picture with a polaroid camera and laminated a freaking season's pass, handing it to me and wishing me a nice day.
~
So Captain Dipshit, enjoy your bureaucratic powerhouse position as Bitch of the XC Trail passes.
~
I pray to GOD to find you alone out on the groomed course.

X-C Test

We made the escape to North Conway this weekend. The snow is deeper than I ever remember it, so I strapped on the XC skis and hauled my bulk over the frozen trails. After four miles of vigorous slipping and sliding, I had only fallen four times, giving me a wipe out per mile ratio of 1.0 WO/M.
~
That is a metric that I am trying to improve upon.
~
I was surprised how tired I was, and drenched with sweat in the single digit temps, after a relatively short distance. I guess that's bad.
~
The good part is that my left knee (the one that Wojcik screwed up by giving me faulty advice) held up really well, paving the way for a serious attempt at the Marine Marathon, where my arch rival, Joe Collins will again know how it feels to be defeated atheletically by non other than myself.

POTW Week 7

Every once and awhile, one of you pathetic Peeps sends me an email, asking why I get so aggravated and irritable.
~
If you read the earlier shit from Piscatelli and McMahon, you'd see how hard it is to be me.
~
With friends like that... who needs Al Queda???
~
ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 7 of 2008

• Courtney Nestor
• Pat Piscatelli
• Tommy McMahon
• Jim Peabody
• Katelyn Nestor
• Kim Dunn

BTW... I got a nice email from a Peep out of Newport News, VA today who wanted tips on building a Marblehead Chamberlain Gunning Dory. I almost forgot that I was a boatbuilder. Thanks for the reality check. Time to get back into the garage.

Tuna Lips said...

I applaud yer return to your garage roots. That garage is a place where a man can do some thinking, and the epoxy and lacquer essences can put your mind on a God plane of knowing things.

Winter time too. I tells you what, grasshopper, you get that cat in there to russle up some varmints. Aimin' to hone your arts of war? Then have a snort or three of clear likker and sit in that fume hood. You watch that cat hunt them field mice, and you shall see the face of God. Pilgrim, I kid you not. But dont put on Burt Bacharach's Greatest Hits and start rummaging through the missus clothing storage. The EMTs told me I nearly asphyxiated myself in those panty hose and pumps. Not good.

Integration of Microsoft Access and Project.

I'm pretty happy with what Nanepashemet Telecom has accomplished with Microsoft Access. It has proven to be highly effective in communicating site by site progress using both data and graphics.
~
There still is a need, for the uninitiated, to believe that Microsoft Project is most effective for managing projects of this kind. It is very unwieldly and hard to enter data on a massive site by site basis. Yet, a MS Project Gantt chart always gives the customer a warm and fuzzy feeling that you are on top of the details of their project.
~
My goal is to create a linking Excel speadsheet that ties project data both to the presentation assets of Access and the detailing assets of Project.
~
Incredibly, I haven't found a computer textbook that addresses this subject, yet I can see a clear need, and the process doesn't seem to be too difficult. I would need one or two days to devote exclusively to the problem, which is the constraining factor for me.

Piscatelli said....

Get Elsier to call McLellan. If it can be done, he can tell you how.

How about these dill hole congressmen beating up on Clemens? I don't like Rog, but c'mon, is this necesssary? This would happen to no one else. Here, its not about the sin, its about the sinner, which is ass backwards. Its a press event. Nothing else. Glad Congress has the whole subprime thing figured out and our global presence is firm enough that we can take time to address the important societal concerns of a private industry involving a wicked tiny part of the population. These guys would be ISO reps. Take it from me, I was one. Jeez.

Pisc

McMahon said....

J.

I would like to know what the man of all men gets his ladyfriend, Joanne, for Valentine's day.

So literally a half hour ago I came accross your daughter at the Boston Sports Club. I asked her about her Valentine's day plans, to which she replied she had none. So I thought I might ask her to be my Valentine. She quickly and harshly refused my request. So she would rather have no Valentine than be my Valentine. She couldn't even show some pitty and say yes even if she didn't mean it. You would think a former Peep of the Year would have all sorts of Valentine's offers and Peep groupies. Go figure.

-McMahon

Choice of Candidates

I'm thinking that the candidates for President will be John McCain and Barach Obama. In fact, I'm hopeing that this is the case.
~
I can't really stomach another Clinton Presidency, with all of the rationalizations and double talk. They are just so disingenuous. Plus, it always bothered me that Clinton's intern was the same age as my daughter at the time. "I did not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky."
~
Sure Bill... I'm sure that Joanne would believe me when I told her that a blow job wasn't sex.
~
Which brings me to the Obama candidacy. Hillary's theme has been that he isn't qualified. Who the hell is??? And what the hell did she ever do, besides cut a deal with that horny husband of hers???? The President has to be a leader, not a bureaucrat or a rationalizing double talker. The President should inspire. I believe that Obama can do this.
~
This isn't to say that I'm on the Obama bandwagon. I'd like him to beat out Hillary to take her out of the game. Then I'll make my choice between McCain and Obama.

Tuna Lips said...

I smells me a race traitor.

Look, Grandpa has a Kwanza present for little Will. Its a doo rag and Glock 9. Now let's hold hands and sing 'Swing Low' aoround the tribal spears.

How friggin' quaint.

Jesus, give thems eyes to see.

Battles Lines Drawn

Joe Collins has taken the bait.
~
He's agreed to meet me on the field of honor... the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, VA on October 26, 2008.
~
I hope, that with the prayers and well wishes of all of you Peeps, that I will be injury free to train for this epic encounter. But, if you can't pray and well wish, at least don't taunt and ridicule.
~
With any luck, we can lure others, such as Bob Wojcik, or even Bob Towne, to test their skills in this battle of the Titans. As it is, with just Collins and myself, it should be quite a media event. If any more of you Peeps are up for the challenge, you have plenty of time to prepare for your pathetic attempt, but you better start now.
~
I know what your are thinking.... "Now he'll never finish the Chamberlain Marblehead Gunning Dory!" .... Please.... Just stop the panic and whining.
~
No need for shallow thinkers to have a field day. I have it all under control. Your precious Dory will be built according to schedule..... by a boatbuilder preparing for marathoning glory.

Apocalypto

I had big plans to accomplish a lot of little picky things this afternoon, but then I started watching Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto". Pretty brutal look at the pre-Columbian Mayan culture. The way they were depicted, they deserved everything the Spanish could do to them.
~
Whether or not Gibson is accurate, he is a hell of a director. Too bad he had that Anti-Semitic brain fart. That is a shadow on huge talent.
~
~
Tuna Lips said...

Makes him all the more favored by this native son. Be he a papist, though. And calling the dame playin' police woman 'sugar tits', well that is down right folksy.

Cut the Carbs

The no-carbs diet method really works. And you feel better when you are on it. A number of years ago, I lost over 20 lbs. when I went on it, with no exercise at the time.
~
But then, pizza, beer, and pasta entered my life again.
~
I was happy, but the bulk returned.
~
Now I'm going to combine no carbs with a dedicated routine of riding the Cybex. By the end of February, my goal is to feel a little more room in my pants, and no pain in my left knee. (The knee that I screwed up by listening to the advise of the insidious Wojcik !!!)
~
As soon as I can run without pain, I'll rededicate to another marathon attempt, maybe the Marine Corps Marathon next October in Wash. DC. With any luck, Wojcik or Collins might be tempted to run as well, giving me a chance to feed them my dust.
~
The challenge will be to prevent business swings from taking priority over time to execise. And cash flow problems always seem to propel me to the comfort of a large kettle of macaroni and cheese. If business stays good, I should be fine.

~
~
Tuna Lips said...

I take great pride in keeping myself fit. As a ladies man, I must be in prime form at all times, able to react with cat-like agility when the damsels need some "TL-C", heh heh heh. It can be a burden at times, there being only one TL to goes around, but I am one fer believin the Almighty nodes that TL is but a man, and showing mercy on me. That's whycome I find some ladies cringe at the sight of me, it being Jesus carrying me on the beach, wherein there is only one set of footprints, so I might take a rest from being the TL that the world knowds. And yes, chicks also dig me because I am deep.

Renewed Resolve

Wojcik is right!!!
~
I looked at my workout record, and it is rediculous. It doesn't show that I'm getting in shape... it's barely evidence that I'm alive!!!!
~
If I told you that I had an excuse, would that matter??? Course not! You fair-weather, one-way, single-minded pathetic and impertinent Peeps.
~
At any rate, now that Nanepashemet Telecom has finally gotten legs, I'm going to spend a little time trying to eat right and exercise daily. It's time to turn this heaving mass of protoplasm into its proper state of Greek-god-like, sculpted flesh and muscle.
~
Plus, Joe Collins dropped 25 lbs and actually looks pretty good.

Club Smackdown

It was the Boston Yacht Club v. Oakley Country Club smackdown last night as Joanne and I brought Joe Collins and his longtime squeeze, Michelle, to the BYC for dinner.
~
Joe is on the Board of Directors at Oakley, and I'm not even a Junior Assistant Commodore at BYC, but we still held our own.
~
Next time, we'll pit the Oakley v. the Gerry 5 Volunteer Firemen's Association.

~

~

J. Collins said...
My favorite part of the night was when Joanne said "You're still good looking, you're still hot !"Michelle said "Jay better not be Commodore or he will have to buy an Escalade" (like the present Commodore!)Nice to see you've joined the Yachting class ! I'm going to have to tell Towne that you dazzled us with your new Club !

POTW - Week 6

Remember the "Paradoxical Commandments that I published a short while ago?

My favorites were...

People really need help, but may attack you if you do help them. Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

So true.

ANNOUNCING....

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 6th week of 2008

• Joanne Nestor
• Joe Collins
• Bill Campbell
• Pam Ward
• Eli Manning
• Lauren Rathbone

Tomorrow, maybe I'll kick some ass for shits and giggles.

Marketing Strategy

We have a meeting with one of our largest customers today, and will be bringing a liberal amount of Nanepashemet coffee mugs to give out.
~
The marketing strategy is that a mug that costs about $2.50 will stimulate recognition of our company, which will result in millions of dollars in sales. It's like buying lunch for someone, but the lunch has your logo on it and never leaves the customer's desk. And, it doesn't spoil.
~
Plus people like getting free stuff, as long as it's good quality. They love T-shirts, golf shirts and mugs. The beauty of the mugs is that one size fits all. Some people won't wear a baseball cap, but sooner or later everyone drinks from a mug.
~
So we have these mugs with our killer logo on them.
~
Can't wait for the strategy to kick in.

Carrot Cake

Wouldn't you think that the Peeps would let me grieve in peace over the Patriots loss??? But no, I've been tortured by a bevy of emails from unfeeling, heartless Peeps who can't help but ask, "How did the carrot cake come out?"
~
How do you think it came out???
~
With a pound of carrots and real cream cheese frosting, it was freaking unreal.
~
I never made a cake from scratch before, but it was really easy with the food processor and the fourth slice was as good as the first. This could be a permanent part of the Nanepashemet Diet. Right up there with the accompanying Dark and Stormies.

Sports Movie

Patriots lost. Nobody's perfect.
~
Angels were on the shoulders of the Giants in the last two minutes of the game, and they deserved the victory by the way they played. Manning's pass to Tyree was out of sports fiction. It would not have withstood credibility as a sports movie.
~
But it happened for real.

Sensational Superbowl Sunday

It's Superbowl Sunday!
~
Patriots try for a perfect season. In reality, it's not perfect. If it was, every play would lead to a touchdown and the opponents would never have scored. So this "perfection" description is a misnomer.
~
However, to compensate for this inaccuracy, Joanne and I are planning the perfect Superbowl get together for the Peeps in the Hood, Tommy O and Linda O'Shea, and Jim Bob and Kathy Peabody. Nobody else is formally invited, including Kathy's cousin with the tight pants, and Jim Bob's idiot Little League friends.
~
If you want to drop by, we won't ask you to leave though.... especially if you bring your pal, Sam Adams.
~
Should be a gastronomic extravaganza!!!!
~
Tommy is bringing his chili, which he always emphasizes has "no beans". I don't know why he is so proud of that fact. I like beans. A lot.
~
Kathy is making Fajitas. She must have been getting friendly with the Mexican who lives across the street from her and Jim Bob. I thought she was still feuding because of slapshots that her son, Andrew always shoots against the Mexican's retaining wall. You wouldn't think that the Mexican would care. After all, Andrew is a goalie and doesn't seem to have a lot of steam on the puck.
~
At any rate, Kathy, who was brought up as an East Boston Italian, is bringing Mexican over. Go figure.
~
I have a good supply of Barrett's Ginger Beer and enough Black Seal Rum to keep the Dark and Stormies flowing until half time.
~
I'm also heading to the deck and the turkey fryer to get a batch of Buffalo wings going. I'll take advantage of the hot oil to deep fry some bread dough afterwards, for the White Trash Balls that have become a cult favorite.
~
I was thinking of trying to bake a carrot cake for dessert. Course, if the Patriots lose, that could get messy.
~
I truly hope that the Patriots beat the Giants though. It would be nice to tell the grandkids what it was like to watch the Patriots cap a "perfect" season.

Cutesy Time

It's a sunny Saturday morning, heading for the mid forty degree range. Joanne is in her glory because little Will Nestor, the cutest grandkid in the world, spent the night, and she is playing on the floor with him.
~
He certainly is cute. We'll have to get him rough, tough and hard to bluff in the coming months and years. There's time.
~
Plus, he'll undoubtably want to build boats in the garage with his Grampy.
~
But enough of this cutesy bullshit. Sometimes I forget that this Blog is all serious business.

Tuna Lips said...

Yer darn tootin' this here is a serious forum. Iffin' I dine to opinionate here, its reachin' corners of the world wide web you did not know where there. I speak truth to power, if there wa one greater than minefew as there are comparin to mine.

I will be votin' for Willard Mitt Romney, in case anyone is interested. I likes them polygamizers.

Work WrapUp

I'm semi-all caught up at Nanepashemet Telecom. No big pushes or priorities this weekend. Plus I bought 72 killer mugs from www.discountmugs.com with our logo printed on them to give out to customers. Next week should be fun.

Pump the Purell

So many of you have asked me recently, "J.... How do you keep yourself so vigorous and healthy?" It's a worthy question...deserving of a thoughtful answer.
~
It's true that I avoid the common cold much more than the rest of you mucus-laden, rhinovirus-carrying wheeze bags.
~
My secret is to keep a good Purell anti-bacterial instant hand sanitizer close by at all times.... in my house, office and truck.
~
Any time I handle coins or change... pump the Purell.
~
Any time I pump gas... pump the Purell.
~
Anytime I scratch myself in private territory... pump the Purell.
~
Any time I shake hands... pump the Purell as soon as you can.
~
Also, I also never miss a chance to take a mouthful of Listerine and swish it around.
~
So that's how I stay sniffle free. I may seem like a dirty old man, but in reality, I'm as germ free as possible without being weird about it.

Super Bowl Chicken

So MegaPeep, Brian Butler, wants to know how I make my chicken wings as the Super Bowl looms near. Normally, I'd just blow him off, but he's married to the Fabulous Stacey, so I can't turn a deaf ear.
~
Good Chicken wings begin with good chicken. I don't care if it's from that hick at Springer Mountain Farms or the Perdue heir, the wings should look plumb and pink to yellow. They should look like they were flapping on their own a short time ago.
~
I get mine from Costco, but that's because I like the way they sell in bulk, but portion well in plastic for freezing. I personally can't stand that Springer Mountain Farms idiot.
~
Sharpen your cleaver and chop the wings, discarding the tips. I don't see why they even sell the tips... who the hell ever eats them, and what is there to eat????
~
Fill a large kettle half full of oil - peanut oil is best - and heat to about 400 degrees. Don't worry about the cost of the oil. Life is too short. I use a thermometer to test the oil. You want the wings to be in the oil for 12 minutes at 350 degrees, and they will immediately drop the temp down from 400 when they enter.
~
Dip the wings in an egg and milk mixture then place in a bowl filled with flour, garlic powder, Italian bread crumbs, parsley, and anything else that you think might make your toes curl. Sometimes I throw in some crushed red pepper. Use your imagination.
~
Coat the wings with your flour concoction.
~
Now with your wings coated and your oil hot, gingerly place some wings on a large serving spoon and place in the hot oil. It will make a big, loud and crackly disruption, but don't pussy out. You've gone too far to turn back now.
~
Add enough chicken to fill the oil, but don't overfill, because the chicken must have enough room to float around freely in the hot oil. Set your timer for 12 minutes. Stir the chicken every once in a while.... just because it's fun to screw around with the hot oil.
~
After 12 minutes, take the chicken out with the serving spoon and place in a large mixing bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken.
~
With the chicken in the mixing bowl, take a large bottle of Frank's Red Hot Sauce and dredge liberally.
~
Place the chicken in a serving dish with a bowl of blue cheese dressing and another bowl for bones.
~
Have plenty of paper towels. Tell anyone who asks for the recipe to send $19.95 to Nanepashemet Recipes, 32 Beverly Ave., Marblehead, MA 01945.

Tuna Lips said...

Sounds cluckaliscious, Colonel Sanders. I am gonna whip up some of my "Angry Catfish Balls" and "Arby's Beef Curtains", mix up a jug o' Kool Aid, and roll out the welcome wagon! Its party time at Casa Tuna!

POTW - Week 5

Even a mountain of a man like myself can get tired.... a little fatigued.... a little short of gas from time to time. Especially when there are so many responsibilities and obligations. Like tending to you pathetic Peeps, or bringing Nanepashemet Telecom to the promised land, or worrying about the next move by the insidious Wojcik.
~
There is just so much pressure that you can stand, before your cellular structure gets bogged down in lactic acid, and you look to the couch for solace and sustenance.
~
But I know that it's Thursday, and I don't want you Peeps to wail in insecure lamentations about the Peep of the Week Selections. At times like this, you just have to ask yourself, "What would Tuna Lips do???"
~
ANNOUNCING.....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 5 of 2008

Inspector Joe Mountain of the Gloucester Fire Department
Brian Butler
Tom McMahon
Sue Dunleavy
Lauren Crawford
Maddie Gill

A couple of Dark and Stormies helps to shake out the cobwebs.

Site Office

I'm sitting here in one of my site offices away from Nanepashemet corporate headquarters, Panera Bread. This one happens to be in Beverly, MA, but it doesn't matter. Whenever I find one, I'm in touch with the Peeps because this company has ingeniously offered free connectivity to the Web with no strings attached.

~

When you order a coffee, they give you a mug, and you can fill it all day. It's like being in my office, but with a lot of people that I don't necessarily know all milling around.

~

With the price of gas, these cafes allow me to get into the field, and establish complete contact with all of my business processes. It they had a little room with a printer, it would be perfect. As it is, all I have to do is save to CD or Flash stick, and head for a copy shop like Staples or something.

Patriot Lessons

Tom Brady is the real deal.
~
In the midst of the Superbowl hoopla in Arizona, he has been pummeled with all kinds of stupid questions by idiots with press credentials.
~
Yesterday, someone asked him what he thought the "meaning of life was".
~
In a perfect display of grace and poise, he answered "I throw footballs.... we're not out here curing cancer or anything." Then he went on to say that the stature that football gives him and his teammates might enable them to do something worthwhile for humanity off of the field.
~
I think that his football work is much more worthy than he evaluates. By demonstrating a very visible professional demeanor, he gives valuable life lessons that his fans can emulate in almost any endeavor.
~
Preparation
Focus
Staying in the Moment
Losing the Ego
Humility
Crediting the Team Role
~
These are lessons that Brady and his team impart directly in the way that they play football. It's not curing cancer, but it's damn worthwhile.

~

Plus Brady Dates Hot Chicks.

Tuna Lips said...

Therein lies his weakness, the dating part. Love 'Em and Leave 'Em is what ole TL does. Shoot, if he is anything like me, that boy would be gettin' more ass than a toilet seat. Not just one piece of pouty model pooh nanny. Don't get caught up in some sort of "who I'm supposed to be" dialectics, son. Just throw footballs and humps the honeys, Tommy Boy, its best to do yer thinkin with a cooz thats got a daddy complex ridin' like Mustang Sally. Shucks, line 'em right up, I got a lot of love to give!

McMahon said...

Hey J.

Don't forget that tomorrow is Peep of the week day. Can't have any more slackin out of you.

State of the Union

Watching President Bush address the Congress is a scary thing. Grown men and women, sitting in their party chairs in a ritualized display of approval and distain. At the same time, either clapping wildly or sitting glumfaced, based upon the political leanings of the President's remarks.
~
We get older, but we really never abandon the behavior that we had in the schoolyard during recess. We just disguise it with different rituals.
~
When I was younger, I used to think that there was a type of order and that the best example of this was in our governmental system. Now, as I have grown older, increasingly it seems that our civilized society is a big free-for-all, with the rules made up as we go along.

Christening

After the Nursing Home visit, Joanne and I decided to christen our new club card at the BYC. Didn't want to waste the nose hair trim.
~
Joanne knows a lot of people in Marblehead because of her years at Sundance, and she immediately ran into friends. I may have a harder time fitting in.

Patrick said...

Everyone, be sure to vote on Tuesday, February 5th here in MA. And if you haven't selected a candidate, I would urge you to consider John McCain as the candidate who can best lead our country in the coming years. A man with the bearing of a stateman, respected around the globe, across classes, and among his peers. A collaborator, he will bring the leadership (not the PMBOK type, mind you)necessary to move the country forward, and empower each person in their own right to move forward. Not an abstraction. the real deal.

Underpowered Nose Hair Trimmer

So I'm taking a shower to get ready to visit Joanne's mother (i.e. my mother-in-law) at the nursing home. Everything went fine in the shower.... no mishaps or unusual circumstances.... but when I was toweling off, I noticed that my nose and ear hair was getting a little too bushy and required my monthly maintenance trim.
~
Naturally, my Panasonic Nose Hair trimmer that runs on double A batteries could hardly power up. Just when you really need to trim, you get let down again.
~
My Bad. I really have to invest in the heavy duty industrial model.

Tuna Lips said...

My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Thistletwat, coulda used one of them new fangled nose-hair trimmers.

Saturday Satisfaction

Yesterday was a fun day.
~
A little bit of Nanepashemet Telecom in the morning, then I shut it down to do a dump run. Two weeks of missing the curbside trash collection can be a messy thing - a bit of an overflow. So I brought four barrell loads to the Marblehead Town Transfer Station, which is a fancy name for the Marblehead Dump.
~
I love it at the Dump.
~
Everyone you see is always pretty friendly.... it seems that you capture the essense of their goodness.... at the Dump. In over 20 years, I've only had one bad experience there, which I won't tell you about. Painful memory.
~
When I got home, Ryan and Will Crawford came over with a load of scrap wood from Ryan's basement renovation project. I was getting ready to knock apart some hardwood delivery pallets from our Telecom warehouse anyway, and cut it to size to burn in the fireplace this weekend. So I cut up the load of scrap wood and worked up a little sweat in the garage.
~
Then I went to see my friend who doesn't want his name mentioned in the Blog. I can understand his concern. Anyone I name here usually attains instant celebrity, and many of you can't handle that type of pressure. My "Friend Who Doesn't Want His Name Mentioned in the Blog" is one such individual.
~
So I had a couple of beers with "FWDWHNM in the B," then suggested that I pick up Joanne and make some pizza's for dinner.
~
"FWDWHNM in the B" is allergic to cats, so he only comes to my house at special occasions, like when he has to borrow some tools. So when we want to invite him and his fascinating wife to my house for dinner, we usually pick up the meal and bring it to their house.
~
Joanne bought some artichokes, roasted peppers and pancetta at the Community Store. Pancetta is Italian bacon and Joanne fried it until it was crumbly and crumbly and crispy. It was killer topping of the pizza.
~
I'm not saying that my pizza is better than Vesuvius', but it's still damn good, and last night was some of the best that I've made in some time.

POTW - Week 4

I can't believe all the angst and vituperation caused simply by missing the POTW deadline.
~
Peeps.... for two solid years, you've had your pathetic addiction tended to by the narcotic, narcissistic, and somewhat nasty, Nanepashement Peep of the Week selections. Do you think I'd let you down now? .... when you are hopelessly and hypnotically hooked on this hapless process?
~
You have to admit, alitteration is definitely in my skill satchel tonight. W. Shakespeare would have had to take note.

ANNOUNCING
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 4th week of 2008

• Mike Rockett
• Dick Man
• Tito Francona
• Jim Plunkett
• Katelyn Nestor
• Tina Rhoades

I know it's a day late.... and I promised never to do it again.
Now you all know what Joanne goes through.

R & R

Starting feel like the walls are closing in. Time to bust out with some R&R. This week's successes in business are heartening, but I'm definitely feeling physically tired.
~
The need to convert the business from Excel spreadsheets to Access databases has proven to be a sound move, and we haven't missed a step, but it's tapped a lot of energy.
~
Once again, I fail to see how a lesser mortal could have coped.

Iceman said...

Makes me think of some of the BS business speak we used to hear from the Yeti. Applying gigantic termslike "holistic", "massage", "drill down" to essentially linear problems, and insisting on whole scale changes in thinking and work. No human insight whatsover, a chalk board leader. Most sentient beings understand that people hate change, and if it is to be done it must be incremental, essentially to get people to feel they own it. Not by friggin' fiat. Running a business like a newly ascended junta in a banana republic, great idea. that works, a lot. In Dreams.

So well done on the system upgrade, having the right tools that get the job done (instead of becoming to job) is huge. Working on an access db myself. Talk to me Goose. Roy Orbison was the man.

Anonymous said...

I guess we don't do peep of the week on time anymore?

I officially dropped out of my marathon training as well J. I peaked at 25 I guess. My knees can no longer handle the pain. Clearly you are the mountain of a man you claim to be because I don't think I could even consider it 20 years from now.

-mcmahon

Anonymous said...

This is great news! Maybe now you can squeeze a in workout?

Btw... can you send me your workout plan? I've read about a lot of different ways to get in shape but haven't come across the one you are on. Where did you find it? Muscle and fatness? What the hell is this???

-work out 3 days, take 1 day off;
-work out 1 day, take 1 day off;
-work our 1 day, take 20 days off;
-work out 1 day, take another 20 days off.

Way to test and push yourself. It goes without saying that your college roomie would not be proud of these efforts.

With these results, I can only hope that your commitment to your Customers exceeds the commitment to show to yourself.

Memo to John: Stop the excuses; find the time and get in shape. A healthy body is a happy, productive body.

Wojo

Tuna Lips said...

I find a nice relaxin' break from the type of stress you can only blog about is to glaze yourself a nice ham, break open a bottle of some fortified wine, grab the remote and wave your troubles away. And, of course, if you gots troubles in the form of a repo man or irate business partner, leave the hounds unfed and ready to release, maybe keep yer squirrel gun at the ready, like the minute men of olden times. I find random acts of sodomy is also a good stress breaker. Creativity is a must in my worlds. Its an empty canvas, paint yer pallet !

Facebook

A good start to a conversation has always been.... "Do you know What's-His-Face?" If a common friend or acquaintance is found then a kinship and frame of reference is established between the conversants, and it's easier to speak to the other person.
~
Facebook does this on a global cyberspace scale. It's a comforting way to feel that you belong to a group and makes it easy to stay in touch.
~
As you may know, I am not a superficial conversationalist. I'm probably too deep and complex for Facebook. But I recommend it for Peeps seeking solace.

Tuna Lips said...

By virtue of an FCC rulings, two court orders, and a ruling by the elders of the Church of Latter Day Saints (applicable only in Utah and the state of Chihuahua, in northern Mexico, birthplace of George Romney, Mitts daddy) I can not have a Facebook page. And those Mormons, Why that shouldn't even count. There is nothing, I mean nothing, wrong with donkey on consenting adult relations, and the documenting thereof. Thems the true sodomites. They can kiss my taint.

Astounding

Patriots won the 18th game in a row. They've gone all the way to the Super Bowl. But I figure you already know this.
~
Now let's see if they play the Packers or the Giants.

Tuna Lips said...

What's astounding is the size of the ass on my son's lady friend. Jesus. Boy is licensed to drive the big rigs, I reckon. She was calling out Matt Lyght as a "big ole pussy". Light is one thing she aint. She drank the house dry and did some property damage before taking her show on the road, dragging my eldest, Ephus Jerome, along with her. Shame.

Mikey's Home

Mike came home from DC today. Always an event.
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Katelyn came in from South Boston and Ryan, Courtney and Will came over. Joanne is psyched because Will is spending the night, and she can be the Ultimate Nana.
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The Dark and Stormies have been flowing.
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Right now, Ben Martin, Steve Lewis and his girlfriend Jill, and Mike are strategizing in the kitchen over the course that the evening should take. Will they go to the Gerry, Flynnies or Three Cod???
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I'm thinking all three.
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We'll see how this works out at 6:30 AM tomorrow morning when I have to take Mike back to Logan for the flight back home.