POTW Week 20

We finally broke down and had our cat Roenick groomed. He was really gross with clumps of fur that contained who knows what. So he spent the afternoon at the Kitty Spa. You can tell that he feels pretty hot right now.

ANNOUNCING...
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 20th Week of 2008

• Sarah Crawford
• Ted Bruschi
• Steve Spillane
• Stacey Butler
• Charles Sheen
• Nick Herz

I could use a decent grooming myself one of these days.

Tuna Lips said...

Comes to groomin', whatsoever you does, dont lets em shave your man parts. Why once, I was passing time with some some seemingly decent gents, and we took to tales of grooming and what passed for fashion at the time. This after several white wine spritzers. Next thing I knowed I was garbed in latex and gettin' my nuts shaved by a tattooed feller with a pierced foreskin named Reggie. Castro district has got nuttin'; to do with Fidel. Jeepers.

Cancellation and Obsession

Both of my morning meetings were cancelled today, and I was already out past route 128 when I got the first cancellation. So I used the time to go to Rockler Woodworking in Danvers and picked up the safety closers and piano hinge for Will's Toy chest. I also got a great deal on some Freud router bits, that I really didn't need.
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It's true that I am dangerous in a tool store or on Amazon at night. I have no idea why I have bought some of the tools that I have. I suppose that irrational tool buying is a better vice than most obsessions but it's still bad.

Asian Catastrophes

What's with the massive loss of life from earthquakes and hurricanes in Asia? 100,000 dead from a typhoon in Burma... 20,000 dead from an earthquake in China.
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Doomsday prophets might give this as evidence that we come closer to the "End of Days".
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I think that's hogwash.
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As the earth has become a global village via the Internet and other communication media, obscure provinces in China become next door neighbors. In 1916, a meteorite hit Siberia with the force of 1000 nuclear explosions. Nobody knew about it for 10 years. That could never happen today.
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At any rate, thousands of people dying in natural catastrophes seems to be more of a 3rd world phenomenon. Katrina in New Orleans left 1800 dead.... a relatively low number compared to the carnage in Asia.
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The only thing I can think of for the exponential Asian loss of life is a difference in building codes between the two cultures.

Project Progress

In between some great Nanepashemet Telecom calls today, I sanded the panels to Will's chest and cut the dovetail tails on the front and back panels. Tomorrow I will rout the pins and assemble the carcass.
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I showed the panels to Joanne with the combination of oak and mahogany. She was impressed. That's good because she normally has no trouble telling me if something that I've done sucks.
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I also received the Epiphanes Varnish from Jamestown Distributors. That gives me no excuse in finishing the Tender refit.

Project Status

I'd appreciate it if you'd slack off a little on all of the annoying emails asking me how the projects are coming. I'm happy to keep you informed, but the constant inquiries are starting to get on my nerves. Yesterday, I even snapped at Katelyn!
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Yes, Will Nestor's Toychest is coming along fine. All of the side panels have been have been cut, biscuit joined and glued. The next step is to rough sand the panels, then cut the dovetails. The rough assembly of the carcase should be done by the weekend. Then I have to figure out what the lid and base assembly will look like. I've got a month to get this project done... so no problem.
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The Herreshoff Columbia Yacht Tender seasonal fit out is also progressing nicely. Yesterday, I epoxied all of the seat seams and touched up any areas where the epoxy failed. I also epoxied some reinforcing fiberglass to some stress points in the bottom of the hull. Three quarts of Epiphanes Clear Gloss Marine Varnish is on order from Jamestown Distributors, and I will spray this on the interior when I have scraped and sanded the epoxy touchups. Then I'll turn over the hull, attach the brass bar to the keel, and spray a few coats of varnish on the outside hull. Can't see the launch happening before June, but it has to look good so I can impress all of my new friends at the Boston Yacht Club.
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The Chamberlain Marblehead Gunning Dory is another story. I keep promising to join the frames to the bottom, and I have them all laid out, but I haven't progressed due to the urgency of the top two projects. When I get some receivables from Nanepashemet Telecom, I'll buy that 8 HP Honda 4 Stroke Outboard from Ryan Marine, and the project will gather some steam, because the engine will require some design modications in the Dory plan. I want the motor to tilt up into the hull and will need to check the mounting and make provisions for the gas tank. I realistically can't see any movement on this until mid-June, after Will's chest is complete.
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So now you should be happy enough. You're completely updated on the status of the projects, so ease up on the emails.

Dr. Jim

Jim Bob Peabody came by yesterday and told me that my knee problem is probably a torn ligament. He must be right. After all, he is a trained respiratory therapist.
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I was really hoping that it would work itself out. In fact, it starts to feel fine when I regularly bike on the Cybex. But running brings that pain back.
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Surgery can't be an option if I'm to make it to the Marine Corps Marathon this October. I've got to figure this out.

Piscabo said...

Don't look at it as a problem. It can and is empowering if you let it. For instance, that pint of Cherry Garcia and that Kettle of Mac n' Cheese, those go unattended if you are out there training. The boat? Same thing. While your knee injury may shut one door, it opens so many others. Seize this opportunity. You can do it.

Mother's Day Wish

Happy Mother's Day to all of my Peeps who are mother's. I know that a whole bunch of you are pregnant as well. All of Ryan's friends seem to be entering parenthood as well as a number of Katelyn's.
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I suppose you want me to say something profound here concerning the "Circle of Life" or something like that.
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That's just too much pressure.
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This is a Blog.... it's not inspirational philosophy on demand!!!
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Granted, I know that every once in a while, I make a point to ponder. But this isn't one of those times. Plus I'm watching an episode of "Yankee Workshop", and it's hard to have deep thoughts while watching Norm Abram sand a piece of teak wood.
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So a wish of "Happy Mother's Day" will have to suffice for now. Joanne is in a great mood. All of her kids are home, and we'll have a clambake at the end of the day. Ryan has the Lobsters, and I have to come up with some Clams. For Joanne, every day is a Happy Mother's Day when her kids are around... and grandkids are the frosting on the cake.
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BTW, if you regularly come to the Nanepashemet Blog for your helping of inspirational guidance, then you must be mentally starving by now.

Tuna Lips said...

I echo those sayings, and give a mega dittos to the praise for mommas around the globe. Though she is singin' with the angels, my mammy is near to me in my time of need, and utters her loving words which were really only meant to learn me things. I recall them frosty nights, her setting down after a long day of driving the plow, and then dance lessons with the local preacher, and after she served us little ones a fricasee o' possum and crow, her sittin' by the firelight, mud smear on her chin, hair all mussed up, blushin' as pappy serendaded her with "I'll Pass You my Moonshine if You Shows Me Yer Jugs". Many rivers have been crossed since those halcionic days, but this remains true: momma kept our feets shod and our tummies full, our neighbors at bay and the coppers on her side the law. Blessins to you momma. Little TL is now growed big, with white in his hair and unnatural emulsion from my unmentionables. But I will abide, for I knows you loves me and will make it all okay.

Bonus Saturday

Today looks like a bonus. It was supposed to rain, but instead, it will be cloudy and forty degrees.
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I'll take it.
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My plan is to glue up some panels for Will's toychest, then powerwash the Tender, then get a workout in on the Cybex..... all before noon. Then I'll see how the rest of the day plays out. Maybe I'll epoxy the frames on the Dory bottom.

Odd Ducks

So you're a fairly healthy Mallard Duck, and can take your pick of the great places to swim in the beautiful Town of Marblehead, MA.
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Not sure why you'd decide to hang out in O' Shea's pool.

Call It Quits

Looks like Barach Obama has won the slugging match with Hillary Clinton. Time to get the Clinton's back to Chappaqua. Lord knows they're not welcome in Little Rock.
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Now we can stop worrying about the Clinton's soiling the White House, and can turn our attention to McCain v. Obama. Not a pretty sight either. But somehow, this choice seems less toxic.
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It would be nice to see Bill and Hillary crawl under a rock and confront their golden years in self-adulating, ego-driven hell. I doubt that we have seen the last of them though.... no rock is big enough.

Cherry Garcia Fix

I don't know if I ever told you this, but Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia is the best pint of ice cream that has ever been invented.
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I just finished mine and will be counting the hours until I crack open the next one.

POTW Week 19

Sometimes the stars seem to line up in your favor. This is definitely one of those times.
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Unfortunately for you, my policy is never to give the specifics of business situations in this Blog, even though it would be infinitely more interesting. But suffice it to say, that a number of independent business opportunities are eerily coming together at the same time.... which could make this a great year.... pour moi.
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This isn't the first time that this has happened to me. Good things seem to come in bunches. Which reminds me that it is Thursday, and time to to select the Peeps of the Week.

ANNOUNCING....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 19 of 2008

• Jan Ford
• Joanne Nestor
• Jerry York
• Denise Kearns
• Roger Clemens
• Maddie Gill

BTW, these "bunches of good things" never play out as expected, and I'm due to become an insecure bag of nerves again any time now.

Herreshoff Tender Maintenance

I took out the floor boards in the Tender today and cleaned out the dirt and leaves that settled under. What a mess!
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Tomorrow morning, I hope to power wash the interior in the morning then sand and reinforce the epoxy in the afternoon. That should get me in a position to spray a coat of marine varnish on Friday if the weather holds up.
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With a little luck, the Tender will be ready for the season by the weekend.
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I'm going to get some heavy duty rowing in this year... as much as possible.

Going Green

Jim Peabody has been helping Tommy O' Shea getting his front lawn in shape. It's looking good.
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I've never really taken good care of my lawn. Basically went through the motions over the years. It always looks good enough from across the street, and if you have the need to inspect it up close, then you're a whack job and I don't care what you think anyway.
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But now Jim Bob and Tommy Tank Top have thrown down some smack. There's no way that I can stand pat and watch their lawns turn a luxuriant green, while mine stays sketchy with large brown spots.
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So we'll be cultivating, fertilizing, seeding and watering until my lawn dominates these horticultural wannabees.

Anticipation

Sometimes you wake up and dread the coming day. Other times, you can't wait to get out of bed and embrace it. Today it's the latter for me.
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Sprint should be coming up with big investment news, which should be good for Nanepashemet Telecom. Our other customers are preparing orders and getting ready to move. Other massive stuff is happening. It could be a crazy, busy summer.
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But it won't be all business.... I'm not going to leave the fish alone this season. There are Striped Bass and Football Tuna swimming out there right now that have no idea that they will end up on my grill in the coming months.

Annual Confession

Once again, I come to my annual confession that I am a fan of "Dancing With the Stars".
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Not sure why I feel so guilty about this... so ashamed.... so very vulnerable.
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Does enjoying a Tango, Cha Cha Cha, or Samba make me less than a Man????
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Do I compromise my masculinity by savoring the Waltz, Quickstep or Paso Doble???
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Those of you who know me best, know that I am a MAN, a Man's Man, a Manly Man... the type of man that women immediately undress with their eyes... a real man who doesn't drink martinis or light beer... not a limp wrist in either arm.
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So what if a little Ballroom attacks this premise. I can live with it.

Tuna Lips said...

Well bully fer you, showing your inner child to those of us who hide our eyes and cower. Look on the bright side, with that Obammy feller lined up to run this here country, the Marine Marathon will soon have a new category. Like the over 40 category, a gay category ta boot, and youse and yer fairy dance buddies can compete against one another for 'fastest queer' and 'snappiest running trunks'.

Dory Progress

Lined up the dory frames on the bottom yesterday. The impasse is broken! Progress has begun.

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

Tuna Lips said...

Life is queer? Speak fer yerself, there, Liberace.

Tuna Lips, Out!

Gathering Momentum

It's supposed to rain on Sunday, but I have to get moving on the garage projects. Will's Toy Chest, the Herreshoff Tender Re-fit and the Marblehead Gunning Dory aren't getting done by themselves, and I can't wait for the weather to be perfect.
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Tomorrow morning, I'll glue up a panel for the Chest, epoxy the middle frames to the Dory bottom, and drill holes in the keel brass for the Tender - all before noon. That should establish some momentum.

Derby Winner

So Big Brown won the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
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We'll never hear the end of this from "you know who".