Final Episode of John Adams

Wojcik was right again. The final Adams episode was a decided tearjerker.
~
The loss of his daughter and wife was tough to take, but the ascent of his son, John Quincy, to the Presidency and his extended correspondence with Jefferson culminating in their mutual deaths on the 50th anniversary of their signing of the Declaration of Independence, is the type of reality that defies a fictional account.
~
John Adams had a remarkable life, and Americans have benefited because of it ever since.

Bleak Outlook

So I got out to run today, and really feel terrible. Knee hurt and and my back felt like it was ready to go out. Plus I found out that Bob Towne, my buff college roommate just ran a 100KM race. That 60+ Miles! That's a photo of Bob during one of the exciting parts of the race.
~
I could hardly drag my ass around for two. Right now, I can't imagine covering the Marine Corps course six months from now. But I'm going to resign my fate to a higher power and stay the course.

Adams Conclusion

I haven't seen the last episode of John Adams yet, but Bob Wojcik said that it brought him to tears. I would think that it would have to have been pretty twisted. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

Archrival Visit

Archrival Joe Collins and the lovely Michelle visited us in the mountains yesterday.
~
I told Joe that I had finally been able to get a training run in, and he countered by showing me his Oakley Club Champion plaque.
~
Nice Plaque.

Running Start

It's almost exactly six months to the Marine Corps Marathon, and I finally took my first steps on the road, 2 weeks behind schedule because of the broken treadmill, then the virus attack.
~
I nursed myself through two miles at a snail's pace to see how the knee felt. It felt tenuous at best. The good news is that I am right on plan with weight loss, having lost about ten lbs. last week.
~
The first day back running is never representative of how your body will respond. We'll see how I feel at the end of this week.

Saco Water Level

So I was up in North Conway today, and decided to check out the water level at the Saco River and see if any trout were around.
~
The water was higher and rushed faster that any non flooding time that I can remember. The large, rushing volume was cloudy with sand and leaf debris. I learned a long time ago to refrain from trout fishing if you couldn't see them.
~
I went to some of the area galleries and was again impressed by some of the furniture on sale. I'm convinced that I could do that stuff if I didn't have to work for a living. I was inspired to get going on Will's toy chest and did a work breakdown structure that indicated that I have 40 hours in work in store before the chest will be ready. Since Will's birthday is in June, I'm already cutting it close.
~
Tomorrow, Archrival Joe Collins and his main squeeze, the lovely Michelle are coming up to visit us.
~
Don't worry.... I'm hip to his psychological tactics. He can't get into my head. NO WAY!

Running a Test

This virus that hit me last Sunday is still screwing with me. I've lost a week of training, but I also lost well over 5 lbs. So maybe there is a bright spot.
~
I can't wait for the treadmill to be repaired, so I'll be running on grass a couple of miles to test my knee this weekend.

Week 16 POTW

So the Pope's response to the victims of sexual abuse is to pray.
~
Cool.
~
Hopefully that works for everytime you have to take action.
~
Take out the garbage??? Pray.
File your taxes???? Pray
Shopping for groceries??? Pray.
~
Get the picture? If you have a problem, just sit on your ass and pray. If your garbage overflows, the IRS chases you or you start to get really hungry.... then maybe prayer alone isn't the answer.

Your priests are molesting kids and ruining their lives??? Time to lay down a few prayers.

ANNOUNCING.....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 16 of 2008

Sarah Piscatelli
Stan Brown
Mike Nestor
Nathaniel Clarke
David Ortiz
Benedict


Nobody asked me, but getting rid of celebacy would be a good start. Bring some normalcy into the priesthood and cut down on the freaks.



Piscatelli said...

The conclusion, equating the Pope's situation to one where he has to "take action", is wrong. In fact unmeasred action in such a circumstance, where your credibility is in doubt, is ill advised. Slow, deliberate repeated action is adviseable in a situtation where the harm is great an immeasurable, and the "wound" if you will, is more susceptible to further injury than to healing. This applied to the sentient world.

At a higher level of abstration, this betrayal will take generations to be stilled, long after you and I have gone to earth.

I feel Benedict's plea for prayer is an acknowledgement of his humanity, that this is a problem which he can not fix himself, nor can anyone on earth, through courts or crusades, fix. Only something larger than humanity, and the timid sense of justice and brotherhood we occassionally display, can right this terrible wrong, to hear our prayer for justice, to know what is just. Not to decide, but to know.

And so we pray for that. Humiliating, but humble.

Now go take the garbage out.
~


Well said Piscatelli.... I'll pray for you. There are some empirical things that the Pope can do to stop perverts from preying on innocents. He could also stop using the Vatican as sanctuary for criminals. Why don't you bring that up at your next Altarboy convention????

Wack Job

So Hillary Clinton admitted in her debate with Obama, that her comment about landing in Bosnia under sniper fire was untrue.
~
Untrue???? It was much more than that! It was one whopper of a humongous lie. If anybody told me that, and I found out that it was a fabrication, I wouldn't trust that person to open a bag of potato chips, must less be elected leader of the free world.
~
That person would be written off as a wack job - plain and simple.
~
If Clinton embellishes like this, she really must be unstable.

Picking on the Pope

Pope Benedict expressed sorrow that the priests diddled with little American kids.
~
I bet he is sorry.
~
Maybe if he sent the criminal, Cardinal Bernard Law, back to Boston to stand trial for his negligence in allowing perverts with collars to prey on innocent children, the Pope would have some credibility.
~
Sure he's sorry - because they got caught. Because the children victimized by the authority figure that they should trust the most - their parish priest - grew up and found a voice.
~
It's one thing to be sorry, another to do something about it. The arrogance of the Catholic Church is probably more incompetence than anything. I'm not talking about reparations to the victims, although this is only ethical to do. I'm talking about publicly announcing the steps that the Church has taken to keep the non-celebrate, hypocritical monsters at bay.
~
Don't take it personal Pope, but your empire is an anachronism, and resembles nothing that can possibly be thought of as Christlike.

Izzy's Passing

Isabelle our cat died today. She was over 100 in cat years and very sick.
~
It's true that she was a bitch to Roenick and always kept him in his place. But he didn't seem to mind, and gave her first dibs even though he could obviously overpower her.
~
She had a couple of litters and seemed to be a good mother.
~
Like many cats, she was affectionate or standoffish on her own terms. We once found her in a neighborhood over a mile away from our house. One of our friends recognized her and called Joanne to pick her up.
~
The one time that I took her and Roenick in my truck to North Conway, she got into the truck , stepped on the automatic window roll down button, and before I was ten yards down the road, she jumped out onto the street. I had to lock down the window controls when I finally got her back into the truck. She sat on my lap for about an hour during the trip, then with no warning or provocation whatsoever, reached back with her front paw and smacked me in the face.
~
Good times and fun memories.
~
She was a good cat. We loved her and will miss her.

Texas Cult

BTW - Those prairie dog cult wives in Texas seem really screwed up. I don't know if it was right to take their kids, but they have to do something about their freaking hairdos.
~
And while we're on the subject, what is the problem with polygamy anyway? Why is it illegal?
~
Don't get me wrong.... I'd never do it. I have a bitch of a time trying to satisfy one wife as it is. But if some crazy bastard wants to take on multiple women, like those prairie dogs, then that's his business.... warped as it is. Who is the government to say that they can't.

Evil and Sinister

Recently, a number of you have asked me, "J. Why do you get so riled up about Joe Collins? He seems like a nice fellow."
~
Well he's not. And he's trapping you in his evil plan.
~
Would a nice fellow send me his superior workout plans and boast about filing his taxes when he knows that I have been fighting a potentially life threatening virus, and probably filed an extension on my taxes.????? Plus he knows that my treadmill is broken and that Nordic Track is dicking around with me about the cause and repair.
~
Don't get tangled in his sinister web.

Archrival Joe Collins wrote.....

date workout

4/4 16 mi (bike)
4/8 10 mi (bike)

4/12 2.3 miles treadmill run

4/13 3.5 miles treadmill ! ! plus the usual, stretching, weights, situps etc ! It was a little busy in work this week, so I didn't do as many workouts as I hoped - but taxes are done and filed !

BTW - taxes due on Tues not Wed !

~

Nice fellow indeed! It will be so satisfying to leave this cocky bastard in my Marine Corps Marathon dust this October.

Tender Maintenance

When I took the tarp off of the Tender, it didn't come close to resembling this photo that was taken last June before the launch.
~
One season of use and one winter really put some wear on - especially in the interior.
~
Estimated work to get it back in shape....
Vacuum and clean - 1 hr.
Powerwash - 1 hr.
Sand Interior - 3 hrs.
Sand Exterior - 1 hr.
Tape and epoxy seats - 2 hrs.
Misc. Epoxy repairs - 1 hr.
Spray Varnish 1st coat - 2 hrs.
Spray Varnish 2nd coat - 1 hr.
Reattach Naval Brass to Keel - 1 hr.
Misc. - 1 hr.
~
That's 14 hours. Makes me start to wish I made this thing in fiberglass.
Doesn't matter because it's one of the best looking craft in Marblehead Harbor.

Apathy

I'm tired of the Democratic Presidential race.
~
Don't care if the Pope is coming here.
~
Americans in Iraq for way too long doesn't rile me.
~
Big Papi in a slump is no big deal.
~
And I'm not even concerned about who wins "Dancing With the Stars".
~
That's how apathetic I am. It's freaking sad.

Bouncing Back

Despite my weakened, flu-ridden condition, I managed to get up and into action today... made it to the bank and the post office and sat in on a conference call.
~
I know what you're thinking. "A lesser man would surely have wiltered."
~
I appreciate the sentiment, but I didn't become a mountain of a man overnight. There was a time when I would have pussied under just like the rest of you. This strength comes from years of self discipline, singleness of purpose, and the utter lack of acknowledgement of pain.
~
I have to stop now. My fingers are getting tired from typing.

Tuna Lips said...

Now, I take yer point there, Big Train. Bully on yeh.

Fer your considerin': The way ole TL rolls, I'd never have spake a word of feelin' under the weather in the first place.

I am a cyclone, comin' to a trailer park near you.

Under the Weather

I haven't been sick for well over 10 years, but yesterday, something hit me like a freight train.
~
First chills and fever, then a pounding headache and backache that lasted all night.
~
Naturally, I put up with the distress with the strength and stoicism that has always characterized my behavior in the face of pain.
~
I hope to sleep tonight then back into the maelstrom, but I still feel rather crappy.

Full Agenda

Yesterday, Kevin Rockett finished tiling my basement, and we put it back together again so that it can function. This is the third major renovation to the basement, and hopefully the last. Between kids and cats, it tended to deteriorate quickly.
~
Ryan and Courtney just finished renovating their basement. Let's see how long it takes before grandson Will makes his mark.
~
I still have a great deal of finish carpentry and painting to do downstairs, but at least it can now be used, primarily for my home office and the treadmill. Can't wait for the part to come in for that machine so I can test if my left knee can stand the running strain.
~
Also pulled out the Tender and removed the winter tarp. A dirty mess on the inside that has to be powerwashed, sanded and revarnished.
~
There's no shortage of things to do, not to mention getting the taxes done by Wed.
~
BTW, contrary to popular belief, Dale Johnson is not Tuna Lips, and his son Jeremy is not retaining me as a wedding planner.

Yahweh Piscatelli said...

The first trial balloons of an escuse appear on the horizon, and just as I go out and get fitted for a new pair of running shoes. Are there anymore real cowboys left? Jeez.

Mo swang and missed a 2-2 screwball that backed into the hole in his swing.

The other one was not so lucky.

First herring have been spotted down the cape. Schoolies not far behind.

Nestor, I am laying down a gauntlet of my own. Run the 4th of July race in Hingham, a 5 miler. Good tune up for your 26.2 mile event.

Striped Bass Weathervane

Is this the best looking freaking weathervane that you ever saw???
~
I think so too.
~
Cape Cod Weathervane Company sells these Striped Bass copper vanes, and one is definitely going to end up on the top of my garage one of these days.
~
I'm putting this on the wish list with the 8hp Honda Four Stroke.

POTW - Week 15

OK, just shut up.
~
I warned you that the selections might not be on time didn't I???
~
So you never screw up ???? Ever???
~
My point exactly, so get off my case.

ANNOUNCING.....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 15 of 2008

• Dale Johnson
  
• Kevin Rockett
• Dave Bruett
• Brendt D'Orio
• Lindsey Kepnes
• Emily Engardia

I'm tired, so leave me alone

Cruising

Tomorrow I have to get the POTW stuff done early, because I'm going on the New England Wireless Association Boston Harbor Cruise in the evening when I'd normally be tending to this tedious task.
~
So if you have any of your pathetic recommendations or nominations, you'll have to submit them soon.
~
Because there's a lot of heavy drinking that goes on in these functions... open bar and all. And you don't want me making the selections if I'm under the influence.
~
Actually, I don't plan to really party. This is the opportunity to pick brains, and lie about how good your business is with your competitors. A combination of deception and bullshit, mixed in with a dose of intimidation.
~
I can't wait.

Think, then Speak

Lately I have borne witness to some business situations where otherwise intelligent people say some really stupid stuff.
~
As in.... not a thought of the implications, the context, or the audience before something highly inappropriate is blurted out.
~
The key phrase here is "not a thought".
~
Is it so hard to freaking think of what you are saying before the you blurt out the first freaking thing that comes into your FREAKING MIND??????
~
YOU FREAKING STUPID, MORONIC, FREAKING IDIOT!!!!!
~
Ok.... I'll calm myself down. I do have self control that is almost superhuman. Especially dealing with people in delicate business situations that call for discipline and forethought.
~
So why don't you try some discipline and forethought.... YOU FREAKING STUPID, MORONIC, FREAKING IDIOT!!!!!
~
Use some braincells and think before you let your lips flay with your stupid, one dimensional, uncalled for ramblings.
~
Next time, try thinking before you open your big mouth. Freaking Moron.

Dory Resurgence

Pulled out the Dory Plans
~
Time to get serious.
~
I've got the base and the frames done. This weekend, I'll attach the middle frames to the base, then turn it over on the base mould and adjust the bottom camber.
~
After that, it will be game on.... add the stems, and start planking. We'll have pictures.
~
Mark Ryan of Ryan Marine is going to charge me a little under $2k for the 8hp Honda Four Stroke. That's a fair price, and I'll buy it if I can only collect a little more receivables from Nanepashemet Telecom. I'd like to have it on hand during the construction process so that I can customize the motor well around it.

Head Game

Talk about kicking someone when they're down!
~
I drop my guard, and innocently point out to you that my treadmill problem is altering my training routine, and I get this taunting email from my Archrival, Joe Collins, inviting me to work out with him at the Oakley Country Club, and watch the Sox on opening day.
~
I hope he doesn't think I was born yesterday.
~
There's no way I'd let him screw with my head at his hotsy totsy country club. I'm not in country club workout shape yet.. and he knows it. Plus he knows that the Boston Yacht Club doesn't have a gym, and he's trying to rub it in.
~
I'm wicked on to him.

Critical Delay

This was supposed to be the day that I began training on the Nordic Track Treadmill.
~
But no. The incline engine and console worked, but the tread didn't move. A call to their customer care center put me through a diagnostic over the phone, and they say that I needed a new controller processor circuit board.
~
It will be six to ten business days before the part is delivered.
~
Don't they understand that I'm on a very strict schedule???? That this delay could inexorably alter the delicate pattern that has been established to bring me to peak performance on October 26, 2008 at the Marine Corps Marathon????
~
I'm still going to refrain from running on the pavement before I get some low inpact treadmill training in. So I hope the freaking part comes in on time.
~
Meanwhile, the CYBEX reclining bike will have to do.
~
Maybe this diversion is ordained from GOD. Maybe the Almighty has decided to intercede in this training effort for the betterment of my glory in October.
~
I doubt it... but maybe.

Piscabo said...

Sounds like you need to think over your training approach. I do my best thinking over a bowl of mac and cheese. Also, a pint of Smithwick's and a chicken pot pie with a real crust can be solution inspiring. Finally, tucking into a meatball (not hamburger) and green pepper thin crust pizza with a sixer of Coors light and a remote to welcome the boys of summer back to Fenway, well, it doesn't get much more American than that. You are a patriot. I am getting misty, forgive me.

Family Resemblance

John Quincy Adams looks more like his mother, Abigail, than his father, John.


Piscabo said...

How awkward was it to watch John Sr. get his swerve on with Abigail in last week's installment. Jeepers.

~
Jeez Piscatelli.... Well what did you want????
~
Full frontal nudity and gasps of ecstasy?
~
I thought that John Adams did all of us ugly guys rather proud.

Toy Chest Progress

Even with only a little good weather this weekend, I made great progress in the garage, and cut everything for the carcass of the toy chest that I'm building for Will's first birthday.
~
I was able to recycle some cedar from my parents hope chest that I had been saving for some time. It still had a pungent aroma when sawed, and will be the floor of the chest. The walls will be a combination of oak and mahogany in a pattern that worked well on the seats of the Tender. These hardwoods contrast very well together.
~
The base will be a dovetailed oak carcass with mahogany moulding accents.
~
I want to use a laminated strip pattern for the top that will incorporate a fair curve and give a nautical effect. It's looking great in my mind... curious to see how it will manifest in wood.

Spring is Sprung

Finally.
~
A warm day, sunshine, clear sky.
~
I made my spring pilgrimage into the garage and organized a little bit. Cut up some scrap wood and made a trip to the dump.

Victorious Week

You remember how I was telling to to celebrate your victories? Well, this week was one big freaking victory.
~
Nanepashemet Telecom made great strides with existing and prospective customers, and other stuff that I've been working on for a long time now took a giant leap forward.
~
I know all about waiting for the check to clear... but you have to have these forward strides to even get the check. If it all comes to fruition, that would be great, but even if some of it drops out, it's still damn good.
~
If I lost about 24 lbs last week, it would have been perfect.

Tuna Lips said...

Puts me to mind of them old time songs you'd here them coloreds singin' whislt they went to cleanin' the pile of dung usin's had 'em livin' in, down by the Wooly Swamp.

Victeree is mines,
Victeree is mines,
Victeree t'day is mines!
I told Satan, get thee behind
Victeree today is mines!

POTW Photo

Normally, I'd never publish a picture of a Peep of the Week.
~
The embarrassment/jubiliation is just too intense.
~
But this photo of Ethan Rathbone is obviously the exception.
~
All of his fingers look fine and there are no noticeable head bruises from his ordeal with the toy box cover.
~
He actually looks pretty happy.

Ho Hum

Joe Collins (my archrival) delivers his boastful marathon training program stats....

date workout situps

3/28 14.6 M bike 80

3/29 13.3 " 80

3/30 18 holes ; )

3/31 2.3 run (treadmill) 100

4/2 elliptical 30 min 700 cal 100

4/3 2.3 run treadmill 100

Weight stablized around 205 or so - but fat disappearing... 6 pack abs' starting to take shape !

How's Mike's training coming?

Nice 17mile 50 min workout ! I want to know if there's a resistance setting on that Cybex! If there is, I certainly hope you have it on a higher setting than "wussy"
Semper Fi - Archie

Does this make your blood boil????

Mine too!

This dude is going down.

POTW - Week 14

In case you didn't know it, Thursday is Nanepashemet Peep of the Week day. That's so much better than plain old Thursday, isn't it???
~
More than most weeks, today we got a number of nominations and lobbying for selection.
~
Annoying.
~
Those of you who know me well, realize that I could never be swayed or influenced.... unless of course you gave me cash or Lagavulin. I'm only human, after all.
~
To be truthful, I haven't seen any Lagavulin come my way in some time now. Very dissapointing. It's getting so this Blog isn't even worth it, even though the David Letterman show is probing to get an appearance by Tuna Lips. There's nothing in that for me, and TL will never blow his cover.

ANNOUNCING.....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 14 of 2008

• Brian Butler
• Katelyn Nestor
• Rebecca May
• Ethan Rathbone
• Patrick Piscatelli
• Sam Simons

Letterman could never pay enough to get an appearance. And we would never even consider Leno.... unless he asked.

Getting Ready

Starting to get in the spirit.
~
Why???
~
Because it's Thursday.... Peep of the Week Day!!!!
~
Stupid Morons.....

Wireless Project Rule

We were waiting today to see if an announcement would be forthcoming from the CTIA regarding Sprint's WiMAX network. They were building full bore in Boston, but now have cut back. This is typical in wireless. Launch the project. Blast away at full speed. Then slam on the brakes.
~
It's the rule rather than the exception.

Tuna Lips said...

Been there, dun that, Hoss. Date rape they calls it. As if.

In Constant Sorrow

Happy Birthday Old Lady

It was Joanne's birthday today. I won't tell you how old she is, but she's definitely getting there.
~
All three of our kids called her which made her very happy. At our age, that is really the only present that you need.... but I ordered her a handbag on Amazon and took her to Cafe Italia anyway.

V for Victory

Sometimes you just have to let your guard down.
~
Sometimes it's okay just to feel good about things.
~
Victories are not all encompassing events. Most of the time, they are just momentary events, and they should be captured and celebrated, or you won't even realize that they occurred.
~
Ultimately, we are all headed for ignominious defeat... i.e., the perpetual dirt nap.
~
So.... if you don't mark the victories before your ultimate defeat, you are really cheating yourself.

Serious Training

I'm starting to feel a big bout of seriousness kicking in.
~
With one week of cycling left, we're preparing the area in the basement for the treadmill to be set up. Plus I ate right today.... no MacDonald's or Pasta. It will be 5 weeks on the treadmill before I even take one stride on the payment sometime in May.
~
Today I went 17.3 miles on the Cybex in 50 Minutes.
~
I've detected a bit of doubt on the part of the Peeps who ask me how the marathon training is going. I little bit of old fashioned, eye rolling, sarcasm. That's because they see my voluminous bulk and don't realize that I am gradually progressing on a carefully prepared program that will peak on October 26, 2008.
~
This is not for the faint of heart seeking instant gratification. And it's no beauty contest.... that's for sure.
~
Hope Bobby Brown and the Insidious Wojcik have a great time in Vegas. I seem to remember some fast times and heavy drinking at those Wireless Conventions. Too bad they are in training for the Marine Corps Marathon and will miss out on all the late night entertainment, boozing and fancy dinners. Too bad...

Staying on Plan

One more week of training on the Cybex bike and then I move to the treadmill phase of low impact running. I'm continuing to stay on the plan despite taunting by Bobby Brown and the Insidious Wojcik who say that running a marathon has nothing to do with a Bike.
~
Big talk from the young up-and-comers.
~
I know what I'm doing, and a little smack or trash talk from the likes of those future has-beens doesn't bother me at all. Their March brashness will deteriorate to anquished cries of defeat in October. A little patience is all that is required.

Toy Chest Advice Corner

Lauren Rathbone said....

See if you can make a toychest, that does not let the top come slamming down when it is open. Ethan has a antique toy chest and when he opens it the top rarely stays up, and he has been hit so many times. Now he does not go near the thing. It is very nice, real wood, but a accident waiting to happen. Any advice??
~
I do have advice for Lauren.
~
First. Thank the Lord that Ethan is obviously bright and doesn't continue to get slammed by the toy chest lid over and over again.
~
Second. There are mechanical hinges at Rockler Hardware in Danvers that prevent lids from coming forcefully down. I haven't decided if I'm going to use one of these for Will's chest. There ought to be a way to construct some type of wooden stop like they use in cheap auto hoods.
~
Third. As soon as possible, teach Ethan how to play video games so he's glued to the TV set and avoids the dangerous toy chest altogether.

Tuna Lips said...

Small taters there, missy, but your concern is a mammy's one and I tip my doff to yous. Catchin' his Willy Wonka in his zipper, when that goes down, yer boy is gonna knows pain. Aint nothin' in the hardware store fer that one.

Motor Well

This is an example of the Marblehead Gunning Dory with an outboard engine in the motor well.
~
I was talking to Mark Ryan of Ryan Marine the other day, and asked him to quote a price on an 8HP Honda Four Stroke.
~
It seems like you could get them around the web for less than $2K. Let's see what Mark comes back with.
~
I would still equip the Dory with Piandetosi Sliding Seat Rowing Rigs.... the motor would be used to get out to the fishing grounds quickly and trolling. No waterskiing or wake boarding.
~
You have to admit... it's going to be the coolest thing in Marblehead Harbor.

Macaroni Regret

Just made the obligatory weekend kettle of macaroni and cheese.
~
Sorry.
~
I'm just so freaking weak.

Weekend Wonder

It's a crystal clear Saturday, but only in the thirties. You want to be out in the yard and the garage, but it's just not comfortable enough. This would have been a good weekend to head up north and catch the last of the XC ski season, but no.... Joanne has a chance to babysit grandson, Will, and that takes freaking precedence over everything.
~
She's even started to nag me about the toy chest that I said I would build for Will's birthday in June.
~
Maybe I'll brave the cold in the garage and pick out the stock for the chest. I have some 3/4" oak and mahoghany, and the contrasting colors of those two woods can accent the piece nicely.
~
And I have some serious weekend work to do for Nanepashemet Telecom invoicing.
~
When we get the first warm weekend, I have to get the power washer out and hit the deck and the Tender. The Tender needs a resanding and another coat of varnish, then I'll launch it for a spring row and test the battery operated fish finder.
~
Plus I have to get some serious miles in on the Cybex Bike for my preliminary Marine Corps Marathon training. The insidious Wojcik and my Archrival Collins have sent emails this week gloating in their training progress. Granted.... they're ahead of me.... but I have time and deep inner strength on my side.
~
I'm starting to overload.

Johnsons

We had a nice visit tonight with Dale/Buck and his wife Gail. It was an inpromptu dinner party that Joanne expertly put together at the last minute.
~
Naturally, there was a pulchritude of ribald speech and off color remarks.
~
What else would you expect?

POTW - Week 13 - 2008

Thursdays roll by fast, don't they?
~
Before you know it, you're confronted with the insidious, yet awesome and always ridiculous process of selecting the Peeps of the Week.
~
Contrary to popular belief, the process does not drain me of all my energy.... I'd be up for anything if only I had the opportunity.
~
It does seem to decay my mental abilities though.... this post is testament to that.

Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 13 of 2008

• Stacy Butler
• Bob Cronin
• John Williamson
• Mike Sullivan
• Jill Phillips
• Bobby Brown

BTW, is it me or has Tuna Lips seemed a bit over the top lately? If I'm decadent, I can't imagine the machinations of that putrid pocket of perverted pulsation.

Tuna Lips said...

Slow up son. I calls it likes I sees it. Plain talk for simple folk like yerself, 'ceptin you want to take on airs around ole TL, now doesnt ya? Better than the workaday feller, with your fancy sippin' whiskey and name droppin', philosifizing and never takin' a stand for nothin', oh Dummy Lama of the Church of the Universe.

Its natcherall fer youse to get all ascared of some of the thoughts I am bring to the public; what is uncalled fer is yer defamating my appelation, accusin' me of purient cogitations that are only so when poisoned by yer less than accepting world view. Closed minded, thass what you is. Yet you are the grand wizard of the universal church of whatever gets you through the night. Please indeedy.

Hear me, and heed my words. There is a man comin' round for takin' names, and he will decide who to free and who to blame. You best get right with that, Free Bird. One quick way is to send a tithe of your earnings to: The One True TL, P.O. Box 141, Murfreesburo, TN.

Cash is preferred.

Concierge

When God closes one door, he opens another.
~
I'm pretty sure that quote never came from the Bible, and I have nobody to attribute it to, but it seems to have a decent amount of veracity.
~
Seems like a revolving door these days though. Lots of closing and opening.

Insatiable

I know.
~
I missed a whole day without a post on the blog. Actually, that's not true because I posted my workout result (14 mi. on the Cybex bike).
~
Do you want me to post something when I have nothing to say???? Like this freaking post for instance????
~
You Peeps are insatiable.

Tuna Lips said...

Son, seems to me you post plenty od drivel, having nothin' to say, but barkin' like a bluetick at the moon anyways. Its white noise, I often use it to put myself to sleep at night, or to ease my IBS. Ise come to relies on it, like a fat bastard rely on twinkies, to get me through the day.

On another front, I still contend that Marilyn Chambers was robbed of a richly deserved statue award for her role in "Insatiable". Being the film officiador that I is.

Blarney from Collins

So now we get a marathon training report from my Archrival Joe Collins.

I'll be doing my talking from the streets of DC

Collins Said....

It is with pride, sweat, and inspiration that I file this workout progress NMM (Napashement Marine Marathon) report ! BTW - the inspiration came from seeing the 17 and 21 mile workouts on the Blog !!

Today's achiemement, besides watching a great opening day - as my first "marathon" ! Biked 26 miles 285 yds ! !

Please - do not hurt yourself trying to keep up with my regimen !

Since last report:

• date workout situps
• 3/17 11.2 mi bike 100 s wts jr
• 3/18 10 bike wts
• 3/20 elliptical 80
• 3/21 3 mi walk/run 75
• 3/22 golf - walked 18 holes ! ! ;)
• 3/23 14.1 bike jr
• 3/24 13.5 bike 80 jr
• 3/25 MARATHON 80 jr

Semper Fi

Paaleeezz.....

More from Brown

Bob Brown is suddenly getting introspective as middle age creeps up on him. Witness these vignettes that he recently circulated.
~

When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by
the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example
of empire building by George Bush.

He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many
of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom
beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in
return is enough to bury those that did not return.

It became very quiet in the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then there was a conference in France where a number of international
engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a
break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have
you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft
carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended
to do, bomb them?'

A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three
hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are
nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore
facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000
people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of
fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen
helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from
their flight deck.. We have eleven such ships; how many does France
have?'

Once again, dead silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included
Admirals from the U.S. English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies.

At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of
Officers included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was
chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French
admiral suddenly complained, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages,
Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it we always have
to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?'

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the
Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have
to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop

Tuna Lips said...

Sounds like this Brown feller has hitched his wagon to the straight talk express.

Coulda waited a little stretch he starts wavin' his flag, I tells ya. Middle aged and still acting like a tenderfoot. Jesephiah Blazes, will theys ever learn. Likely couldn't even get hisself laid in a monkey whorehouse with a buncha bananas.

Wait fer the free lunch.

Thems is some fantastic tales about French generals. Oooooh, I am impressed.

Now hows about a tale about drunken French whores walking the streets of gay Paree? Jephimany Grottlesex, is anyone awake at the switch?1

Peep Magnet

Bob Brown, that Mountain of a Man, has a tender side to him.

Day Off

I didn't work out today.... on purpose. That's such a radical departure from the old me... when it was the exception to work out.
~
But I cycled 37 miles on the Cybex this weekend and decided to take a day to recover. Two more weeks on the Cybex, then I tune up the Nordic Trak Treadmill for five weeks of low impact running.
~
It's my fantasy to break 3 hrs. 45 min. and qualify in the Marine Corps Marathon for next year's Boston Marathon. All without breaking a sweat on the asphault yet.
~
Yup, that's my fantasy all right.

Ups and Downs

I haven't mentioned it but Isabelle our cat is not doing so well. She has become very weak and shaky and can't go up the stairs.... only down.
~
And for some reason, she insists on going down into the basement, then cries until someone (i.e. Me) goes down and carries her up the stairs.
~
It's sad when your pets get old, their life expectancy is so much shorter than ours, and they become so much of your life.
~
So today, the first half warm sunny day in a while, Joanne let Izzy out on the deck for awhile, and naturally she wandered off. I failed to mention that she is deaf as well, and can't hear anybody calling her.
~
When we couldn't find her for a couple of hours, I had all sorts of fantasies, like she got scooped up by the Red Tailed Hawk that was on Tommy O Shea's front lawn and other panicky stuff like that. It was pretty depressing.
~
Then she showed up at the basement door. I was relieved and happy.
~
It got me thinking. Do we need to be depressed and unhappy in order to feel joy and happiness? Now I'm depressed again.

Easter Visits

Tommy O, Linda, Kelsey, Kate
Katelyn Nestor, Jack Dog
Ryan, Courtney, Will
Mike, Katelyn
Joe LeBlanc, Susan
Jim Peabody, Kathy, Andrew
Ben Martin

Pretty Good Easter Roster dropped by for the holiday celebration.

Gerry

It's too bad that most know of Elbridge Gerry of Marblehead as the inventor of Gerrymandering.
~
He was a patriotic signer of the Declaration of Independence and refused to sign the Constitution because it did not contain a Bill of rights.
~
He was also the fifth Vice President of the United States, serving under James Madison.
~
Plus the Gerry 5 Club in Marblehead, of which I am a dues paying member and is by far the best local watering hole, is named after him.

Easter Thoughts

Happy Easter.
~
This is the holiday that defined Christianity. Regardless, of the sermons, and the miracles.... rising from the dead was the pièce de résistance.
~
Over the past 2000 years or so, the Catholic Church has manipulated and brutalized the teachings of Christ and his followers. The Church used to burn at the stake anyone who disagreed with its self serving interpretation that one could only attain salvation through the Church.
~
Growing up Irish-Catholic, I was ingrained with this doctrine, and it wasn't until college when its illogical nature and my widening thought patterns collided. Since then, my theology has embraced a host of concepts to the point that I'm probably defined as Neo-Pagan by now.
~
I believe in a higher power and an infinite soul, and the harmony of nature. Christ and probably others were more closely aligned with the higher power, and sought to guide others. I have no doubt in his resurrection from the dead. Although we all have a spark of divine higher power, Jesus was more attuned, and I regularly pray to him for his help and intercession.
~
This makes more sense to me, than the heaven and hell, social control constructs that the Catholic Church espouses. Every time they hit a logical dead end, you are instructed to believe it as a mystery of faith.
~
So I have evolved to a belief that says that a divine higher power of which we are all a part has set in motion the harmony of the universe, and we should aspire to act in tune with this harmony for the welfare of our eternal soul.
~
But when I was on a commercial airflight a couple of years ago, that was experiencing violent turbulence, and seemed to be falling out of the sky, my Catholicism returned big time - I remembered the "Act of Contrition" word for word, just as the Nuns drilled it into me, and repeated it about a hundred times.
~
So Happy Easter. I hope you got a basket with a hollow chocolate bunny this morning.

OK

The March to the Marine Corps Marathon is gathering steam. Mike Nestor has almost deliberated enough to make a decision and Tom McMahon says that Will Crawford is thinking about it.
~
This is not the groundswell of participation that I anticipated. Maybe when the warm weather hits, we'll see appropriate enthusiasm of this notable endeavor.

Good Feeling

It's been quite a while since I was really psyched on a Friday night because of the upcoming weekend. Usually there is a bit of anxiety because of the work obligations that are left outstanding.
~
Contrary to popular belief, I don't finish my work everyday. It's not that I screw off, which is hardly ever, but the amount of work seems to exceed the hours in the day.... every day.
~
And it always piles up to the end of the week. Mentally, I always resolve to take care of some of it over the weekend, and in reality, this often happens. But this weekend, I just don't have the angst... even though there are some swinging loose ends.
~
I don't even feel guilty.
~
It probably has something to do with the good weather report.... sunny in the balmy 40's.
~
So I'll get out in the driveway, and maybe even rev up the Dory project a little bit. Joanne wants to take Mike and Kate to the BYC on Saturday, and then Ryan and Courtney will be bringing Will over on Easter Sunday.
~
By Monday, the anxiety can resume.

Don't Start

I was going to tell you something about my business, Nanepashemet Telecom, but then I decided not to.
~
Please don't start with the emails and the phone calls asking me what it was. That is so totally annoying.

POTW - Week 12 - 2008

I had to go the Gerry last evening to have a beer with my friend Tyler Gill and Micah from EnerNOC.
~
Then I had a conference call at 7:30PM which lasted for an hour or so.
~
Peep of the Week selections had to wait until this morning, so if you're a little irritated, get over it. It could be worse.
~
Announcing....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for Week 12 of 2008.

• Jim Peabody
• Sam Simons
• Brian Butler
  
• Sarah Crawford
• Carly Press
• Ryan Nestor

It should be a great Easter Weekend though. Mike and Katelyn are coming home, Ryan and Courtney will be over with the ultimate grandson, Will, and there is no rain in the weather forecast.

Belief O Matic

1.	Neo-Pagan (100%)
2.	New Age (85%)
3.	Hinduism (83%)
4.	Liberal Quakers (80%)
5.	Bahá'í Faith (76%)
6.	Jainism (76%)
7.	Sikhism (76%)
8.	Unitarian Universalism (75%)
9.	Mahayana Buddhism (71%)
10.	Scientology (70%)
11.	New Thought (65%)
12.	Islam (63%)
13.	Orthodox Judaism (63%)
14.	Reform Judaism (63%)
15.	Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (53%)
16.	Taoism (50%)
17.	Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (32%)
18.	Jehovah's Witness (26%)
19.	Orthodox Quaker (26%)
20.	Theravada Buddhism (26%)
21.	Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (20%)
22.	Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (13%)
23.	Eastern Orthodox (13%)
24.	Roman Catholic (13%)
25.	Secular Humanism (13%)
26.	Seventh Day Adventist (13%)
27.	Nontheist (6%)

This is how I scored taking the Belief O Matic test.
Not sure if I agree, but you should test out yourself at

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

Thanks to Wanda for this link.

Tuna Lips said...

I've been a part of several cults in my time, both as a leader and a follower. You can make some good scratch at the top; bein' a member is a lot more fun though.

I've also done the AM radio preachin' gig, lost souls callin' long distance salvation. I had this secretary back then, jesus murphy, she could empty the tank and then push the car a few blocks ta boot. Sigh, good days . . .

Outrageous and Disgusting

Peeps!
~
What does it take to get you aroused... I mean outraged!!!!
~
Naked Bunnies doing a pole dance while Peeps sit in apparent rapt attention is an insult to self respecting Peeps everywhere.
~
This has Sarah Loomis Crawford's fingerprints all over it.

Tuna Lips said...

a gal with a perty mouth and a superfluous nipple does er fer me, everytime, arousin'-wise!

The Color of Obama

Barach Obama handled the attack on him based upon Rev. Wright's rediculous conspiratorial and racist comments very well.
~
I wouldn't want to be judged by the way that some Catholic priests have acted.
~
Obama is a complex individual - brought up in Hawaii by white grandparents, attending school at Harvard and Columbia, seeking roots and community in the Black church in Chicago.
~
It's time to discuss race in America. We've all seen racism and the effects of a society whose economic and social basis had slavery at its core when it was born only 300 odd years ago.
~
Huge strides have been made, but the scar tissue and the recurring nightmares are clearly evident. Maybe we are mature enough to confront these.
~
We have intellectually defeated racism in America.... the leader in Democratic Presidential delegates is an African American, the Governor's of MA and NY are African American, the sport of priviledged countryclubs is dominated by an African American.
~
But the "forgive and forget" process is still to be played out for a few generations.

Piscatelli said...

In that veign, Happy St. Joseph's Day to all my paisans on the Hill in East Haven - there will be shell fish and asparagus zuppa come Sunday. Celebrate diversity! Up with everything!

Its important to have a president who knows a lot about race. Forget minding the shop otherwise. I can forgo my job so long as we have a good understanding that human nature leads us to select based on similarities and aligned interests. And we can overcompensate to change that on a case by case basis. And we can pay for study groups and giving a helping hand to those less something than me with part of my salary. So long as everyone feels good about themselves. Isn't life grand?

This world is ruled by violence
your family comes first
and then you are on you own.

But together, we can!

I live in a small village.

Piscawhatsinitforme

A Great Series

I was right. The HBO series "John Adams" is masterful and addictive. Excellently depicted in it's historical detail, it captures the culture and uncertainty of the period.
~
How people had the guts to rebel from the brutal British Empire, which had the most powerful military resources on earth, is still amazing to me. Adams, to this time, has had a tough go with his reputation by historians, and is often characterized as petty and jealous. He was not a striking physical person, and he was impetuous and impatient as a politician.
~
But his correspondence with his wife, Abigail, which has survived virtually intact reveals a deeply sincere patriot, whose persistence and self-sacrifice was crucial to the formulaion of the country.
~
His relationship with Thomas Jefferson was most intriguing. Jefferson was a southern plantation slave owner, and Adams was vehemently anti-slavery. Adams was open and forthright, while Jefferson operated behind the scenes with subtefuge and manipulation. They became openly opposed politically after the Revolution, Adams being the 2nd President and Jefferson the 3rd.
~
In their elderly years, the two vigorously corresponded with each other, sending letters back and forth between Massachusetts and Virginia.
~
On July 4, 1826, they were both on their deathbeds, exactly 50 years after they had both signed the Declaration of Independence. Adams' last words on that day were, "Thomas Jefferson Survives." Ironically, Jefferson had expired earlier that same day.
~
I think that's pretty freaky.

Tuna Lips said...

O I wonders, if we dug deep enough, wuldnt we find out ole Johnny do good was not prancing around with jefferson, having a go at it with the ladies behind the wood pile? Its genetically dischargeable to all politico types. You can looks it up in any medicating journal.

Other Dory Progress

Mac Houtz of Newport News, VA is constructing a Marblehead Chamberlain Gunning Dory and had the courtesy of sending this photo of his progress.
~
Looks like he did a good job constructing the frames and the stem.
~
I told him my excuse for not working on my Dory this winter was the weather and business, which is valid enough, but I still feel a little remorse for not advancing the project even a little.

Irish Whiskey Evaluation

I decided by considerable trial and error over the St. Patrick's Day celebration, that I prefer Jameson's over Bushmill's. Though not by much.
~
Irish whiskey is definitely different than Scotch. It would be interesting someday to research why this is so.
~
Lagavulin is still the King! And it is still good for automatic POTW.

Powerless Predicament

So I get some lip from one of you ungrateful Peeps who says doesn't she want to be a Peep of the Week.
~
Do you think you have a choice????
~
You have absolutely no say in this at all.
~
Either you accept the honor/disgrace with appropriate pride/shame or you don't. It doesn't matter what your pathetic opinion is.... the POTW selections are larger than any of us, and we are powerless to resist.

Go to the Heights

Joanne made a boiled corned beef and cabbage dinner, and we had the Peabody's over for St. Patrick's Day dinner.
~
Andrew, the talented hockey goalie at St. Paul's School, who is also their son is being wooed by Babson and Boston College.
~
I'm trying my best to get them leaning to BC.
~
I mean... would you rather go to Wellesley or the Silvio Conte Arena to see a hockey game???
~
My point exactly. Plus the kid could use a good Jesuit education. BC is the logical choice.

Erin Go Bragh

Happy St. Pat's Day.
~
Celebrate carefully.
~

Sláinte !

High Water Mark

20.53 miles on the Cybex today says that the old body might be getting there. Willing to pay the price, to look at pain and spit right back at it.
~
OK, maybe that's a little bit over the top, but I was pretty happy with my workout. A new high water mark in this march to the October Marine Corps Marathon.

Feeling the Excitement

Are you as psyched as I am about the new HBO Mini Series entitled "John Adams" starring Paul Giamatti as Adams and Laura Linney as his wife Abigail?
~
No????
~
Well Screw You. It's gonna be the Balls.

Tuna Lips said...

Glad to see the vitriolics is strong in you. Them Choctaws seen it in the likes of Me and Shoo Fly as well, steer clear of us knowdin whats was good for em. Paid cash on the barrel for theys hooch. threw in a squaw now and agin.

My kith had much to do with the revolution, scrounging scrap and playing both sides of the blockade, shifty-like. So I am going to be spectatin tonite, cable courtesy of a splice off the line from the ethnics across the way. Shoo Fly, for all the voltage they run through him at the nut house, is fire resistant to electrification of all sorts. Handy.

Dont tread on TL.

Unbelieveable

Another cold and rainy Saturday. Kill me.
~
I went down to River Head Beach landing and the driving wind and rain made it uncomfortable to hang around the harbor.
~
If it wasn't for taxes, I wouldn't have anything fun to do this weekend.