If the Republicans Win....

Will Republicans take control of the US Senate tonight?

I certainly hope so.... not because I necessarily favor the Republicans.... but because I hate the fact that the Senate Rules allow one man.... the despicable Senator Harry Reid of Utah as the Senate Majority Leader.... the right to control and stifle the efforts of the entire body.

I believe that Harry is a corrupt pol, who lies with impunity... like the time that he said that Mitt Romney didn't pay his taxes.... just pulled a lie right out of his Ass with no basis in realty.

There is no room for people like this to wield power in our nation's capital.

If the Republicans have the majority in both Houses of Congress, then expect a range of initiatives to be passed and sent to the President to sign into law.   Course Obama is an ideologue.... an academician, and not a politician like Lyndon Johnson.   He will use the executive power to veto a good deal of the bills that come his way.  

Yet that is a vast improvement over the system that we have today... where ideas among our elected leaders never even reach his desk because of disingenuous gatekeepers like Reid.    At least now, we can have a substantive debate... and break the gridlock of ideas and innovative solutions to the problems of a nation.

If Obama vetoes legislation that comes his way, now we can ask why.....if the Republicans win tonight.

Your Right and Obligation to Vote.

Peeps....

Make sure that you get out and vote tomorrow.

You pretty much know who the Mountain of a Man supports.... but the important thing is to put your own thought in, and vote your conscience.

Our right to vote is a precious gift.   Don't insult the people who have made enormous sacrifices to give us this gift.   Throughout history, and even in the present day, the majority of people on Earth do not have ability to elect their leaders in a fair and unoppressive manner.

You do.

Don't let other people make decisions for you.    Stand on your own two feet.   Think.   And Vote.

Listing Your Home with Nanepashemet

There was a time when.... if you asked your MOAM to list your property for sale through Nanepashemet Real Estate Services... I would refuse.

That's because the only way to get your house properly exposed would have been to advertise heavily in expensive newspaper print media, and a small company like mine, which did not list many properties, could not afford the massive advertising fees.  So I used to advise you to list with the big companies

But this has completely changed.   Now, when I accept your listing, and present your property photos and marketing write up in the Massachusetts Multiple Listing Service, your property also gets extensive on-line exposure on national real estate sales sites like Trulia and Zillow.

And now, practically everyone who looks for a house to buy starts with a web-based, online real estate site.

Selling Mike's condo for a big score, and doing the same for Katelyn recently in South Boston has convinced me that accepting listings is now entirely feasible and now reside fully within our substantial skill sets.  And it doesn't really matter where your property is.... as Mike Murphy can attest.... we can handle your needs in Southborough  as easily as we do it in Southie ... or the North Shore.

Course, I've always been strong being a Buyer's Broker,  negotiating the best deal possible for my clients, but now I have a new found confidence that Listing your Property with Nanepashemet Real Estate is the way to go for both Peeps and civilians, and we can provide all of the exposure that you need on-line.

So this now begs the question....

Why should I list my house for sale with Nanepashemet Real Estate Services?

Notwithstanding the obvious... that you would have the MOAM as your personal agent... there are other, less noticeable reasons.

The First is Attention to Detail and Attention to You, the Nanepashemet Customer.   Your home is typically one of your most important assets,  and you can spend a lot of money in real estate commissions and leave quite a bit on the table if you sell with bad advice.

• When you List with Nanepashemet, your property is our only concern.  My committment to you is that..... if you hire me as your Listing Agent, I will not accept any other client  until your property has been brought under agreement with a price acceptable to you.  You have the full attention of Nanepashemet.

The Second is the cost of  Brokerage Services.   Many people think that Real Estate Broker's fees are set and standard, but that is not so, and a violation of commerce laws.

• When you list with Nanepashemet, we will thoroughly discuss fees and give you the best deal possible.  For  instance, if your intention is to List and Sell your home, and then buy a new home in the area within a reasonable time, Nanepashemet will substantially discount our listing fees based upon our subsequent role as your Buyer's Representative.  In a $500,000 sale, taking 1% off of a real estate commission represents a savings to you of  Five Thousand Dollars!  
  

The Third is taking advantage of professional experience and expertise.  The proper presentation of your home for sale is a multidisciplinary exercise that involves both business and construction skill sets.

• When you List with Nanepashemet, not only will we give you advice to maximize the value of your house in the market, but we can direct or manage improvements or repairs that will substantially upgrade the value of your property.   We have licensed construction managers on staff and partner with the finest craftsmen in the region.  Many times, the cost of improvements will add substantial value at the time time of sale, or make your property easier to finance for prospective buyers.  We roll the cost seamlessly into the final sale closing.

So now that Nanepashemet Real Estate Services has decided to list properties, you should take advantage of the benefits that will come your way if you list with us.

Peeps... it's a rising market.  there is a lot of money to be made .... and more if you make the right decisions.

Lesser of Evils

I've been sitting in my living room, this first Sunday morning after Daylight Savings time, watching the early Sunday local programming on local issues. Massachusetts is embroiled in a tight Governor's race between Marsha Coakley and Charlie Baker, and New Hampshire sees a good contest for Senator between Jeanne Shaheen and Scott Brown.

I'm also interested in the 6th Massachusetts District fight for Congress between Seth Moulton and Richard Tisei.

My criteria for supporting politicians has less to do with party affiliation and more to do with the following.

Who seems honest?   I hate it when candidate treat the electorate like a herd of sheep who will bleat acceptance with any baseless diatribe that is handed them.

Who seems smart and based in reality?   Some candidates are mindless Moonbats that present themselves based upon urban myth and their massive egos.

Who projects themselves as a leader?  Not interested in someone who is in lockstep with Obama or Boehner.  And I don't care what your opinion of your opponent is.... or how you distort his or her record.   I'm only interested in seeing what you think the problems are, and how you would wield the policy to solve them.

Based on these standards, every candidate probably falls short.   But I believe that we all are human with shortcomings and our duty as members of a republic is to support and elect the lesser of evils.

MOAM Broker Madness

Peeps....

In case your didn't know it, your Mountain of a Man is possibly one of the greatest Realtors who ever lived.

Even though I don't sell residential real estate for a living, I get immense satisfaction by doing it for friends and family.... and the latest success story is the great deal that we just closed for Katelyn and Brady's South Boston Condo.

Like Muhammad Ali said, "If you can do it... it ain't bragging."

We'll bring this transaction in for a landing after only 10 days on the sizzling hot South Boston residential market.

Wicked Saturday Workload

So much to do this weekend.   Even a Mountain of a Man like myself can sometimes feel a bit daunted by the tasks at hand.   But there is nothing to it, but to do it.... one thing at a time.

• Make the dough for the pizza's that we will grill during the Patriots Broncos game.
• Rake and mulch leaves before the Nor'easter hits later this morning.
• Process and execute the offer that we received on Kate's Condo last night.
• Work on drainage in the backyard.
• Make a dent in the pile of Nanepashemet Telecom outstanding action items.

I know that it seems insurmountable....and that the majority of you pathetic Peeps would head out to Dunkin Donuts and console yourself with a chocolate cruller or two, rather than deal with this wicked workload.  

But after all.... I am a MOAM, with more than enough stamina to plow through this Saturday.

Nanepashemet Peep of the Week - Week 44 - 2014

It's time to rededicate to the time honored tradition accorded to the Mountain of a Man to select the Nanepashemet Peep of the Week.

Those of you hapless Peeps who have followed this pathetic Blog over the years know the drill....

POTW's must have done something exceedingly annoying and/or inspiring.
POTW's cannot be an animal... if that was the case, Henry the Cat would win/lose all of the time.
POTW's cannot be dead.... barely metabolizing is fine, but no pulse doesn't cut it.

And.... you can never ask why a POTW was chosen.... ever.

These rules have stood the test of time... and have the same gravity and effect that Global Warming has for Democrats.... they are "Settled Science."

So now that you have had this quick refresher... it's time to get down to this serious/absurd adjudicatory business.

Announcing.....

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 44th Week of 2014

• Anne Freeman Hill
• Maggi Sides
• Katelyn Boyle
• Shalane Flanagan
• Tom McMahon
• Seth Moulton

I had forgotten how absorbing and intense this selection process can get.

Funny Patriots Halloween

Spaghetti with Syrup

My Grandson, Ethan, told his pre-school teacher that his favorite food is "Spaghetti with Syrup"  .... just like Will Farrell in Elf.

When his teacher asked why,   Ethan responded, "Because it's Hilarious."

2nd Amendment Rules

I pulled this off of Facebook last night.  Most of these rules were covered in the mandatory course for a Massachusetts Concealed Carry permit that I attended some time ago with a friend of mine.

If you own a gun, you will appreciate these rules...  If not, you should get one, learn how to use it and learn the rules:

RULES:

A : Guns have only two enemies: rust and politicians.

B : Its always better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

C : Cops carry guns to protect themselves, not you.

D : Never let someone or something that threatens you get inside
arms length

E : Never say "I've got a gun." If you need to use
deadly force, the first sound they should hear is the safety clicking off.

F : The average response time of a 911 call is 23 minutes; the
response time of a .357 is 1400 feet per second.

G : The most important rule in a gunfight is:
Always Win - there is no such thing as a fair fight.
Always Win - cheat if necessary.

H : Make your attacker advance through a wall of bullets ....
You may get killed with your own gun, but he'll have to beat you to death with it because it will be empty .

I : If you're in a gun fight:
(a) If you're not shooting, you should be loading.
(b) If you're not loading, you should be moving.
(c) If you're not moving, you're dead.

J : In a life and death situation, do something ....it may be 
wrong, but do something!

K : If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. Nonsense!
If you have a gun, what do you have to be paranoid about?

L : You can say 'stop' or any other word, but a large bore muzzle 
pointed at someone's head is pretty much a universal language; 
and, you won't have to press 1 for Spanish/Mexican or 2 for Chinese or 3 for Arabic.

M : Never leave an enemy behind. If you have to shoot, shoot to 
kill. In court, yours will be the only testimony.

N : You cannot save the planet, but you may be able to save
yourself and your family.

If you believe in the 2nd Amendment, forward to others you know
who also believe.

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when
everybody stands around reloading". . . . .

Thomas Jefferson

Nanepashemet Nod is Now Negated

Charlie Baker, Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts, started to cry in the debate tonight as he related the story of a New Bedford fisherman who is seeing his fishing business flounder under federal regulations.

It was a genuine touching moment, but I wonder if this will be seen as a form of weakness in a leader.  Even your Mountain of a Man has shed a tear from time to time, and I am cognizant of the fact that there is no way to control this emotional reaction, but I fear that the political spin will be vicious with this one.

Generally, I felt that Baker looked tired and stressed during this debate, and he never regained a sense of composure after his weeping.   He still has the Nanepashemet Nod.... although I can't say the same for Seth Moulton, who is hosting Joe Biden in Lynn tomorrow and has emerged as a totally partisan Democrat.

I was looking for Seth to be a leader, but it seems that he is a follower of Liberal demagoguery.   Takes broad swipes at his opponent solely because his opponent is a Republican.... not because of a disagreement on the issues.   Stands next to phonies like Liz Warren, the despicable liar who claims to be a minority as an American Indian.  Sorry Seth.... I am so disappointed that you have become a Partisan Politician.  I had hoped that you would stand on your own two feet instead of filing in lockstep with the Herd.

Enjoy your time with Nancy Pelosi.  Nanepashemet Nod is Now Negated.

Open House Pandemonium

It was pandemonium at Kate and Brady's Open House yesterday.

Not looking forward to the crowds this afternoon for Day 2, but I advertised it and can't call it off now.   I'm surprised that so many people want to buy this condo in Southie, but the market is super hot.

If you want to see the Mountain of a Man in full bore sales mode, drop down to 72 I Street between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Open House

Peeps.....

Please come to this Open House.

Katelyn and Brady's South Boston Condo

Open House - Saturday 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Don't be whining to me later that you lost the chance to have the MOAM sell you this super cool condo apartment in happening Southie.

Old Town Marblehead during WWII

Change in Venue

Took a little time from Thursday to Monday to work from North Conway, NH.   Even a Mountain of a Man needs a change of  venue once in a while, and  though I was on line and got a lot of work done, we had the chance to meet with friends and enjoy the autumn mountains.

A nice lunch with Christos and Yolanda Laganos at the Mount Washington Hotel on Saturday was followed by a visit to Brendt d' Orio and his trophy wife, former POTY, Kerry d' Orio with their cute kids at their new mountain house retreat.

Christos was in the first grade with the MOAM, and is one of my favorite Facebook friends, and Brendt was Ryan's first friend when he moved to Marblehead in the 2nd grade.  Two great visits in the same afternoon.

Brendt complained that I haven't been picking Peeps of the Week for awhile, and I guess I'll rev up that feature again.... as despicable/enjoyable as it is.

Henry the Cat threw up in the Ford F-150 both to North Conway and back to Marblehead, so the cab is a little rank.  More than usual even.  He doesn't travel well.

Freud D1040X Diablo 10-Inch

I picked up this cool Freud D1040X Diablo 10-Inch 40-Tooth ATB General Purpose Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating from Home Depot today.

I had hit a metal drill bit holder by accident with my Hitachi 10" Miter Saw, and it immediately dulled the blade.  Transferred the existing 10" blade from my DeWalt portable table saw to the Hitachi to finish the job at hand,  but then was left with the need to replenish the DeWalt.

The blade has a lot of engineering features to produce a thin kerf cut for both crosscut and ripcut applications.  Only cost $29.97 at both Home Depot and Amazon.

Freud is an Italian company that makes top notch saw blades and router bits, and it will be interesting to see how this blade performs as I put the finishing touches on the Secret Project.

And no... I've decided to keep the Secret Project ... secret.

You nosey Peeps already know way to much about the Mountain of a Man's personal life.

Support for a Veteran

I never served in the military.

Came close when I was a Corporal in the Horse Calvary at Army ROTC at UMASS Amherst.

We were taught how to march, and spent a lot of classtime regarding military history, strategy and tactics.  The Army Captains also were talking up Vietnam.... what a beautiful country it was.... and how after the war it would be converted to a huge tropical resort.    It was propaganda pure and simple.

But by the beginning of my Junior year in 1973, the Vietnam War had ended, and I had a draft number that insured that I would not be drafted, so I turned in my uniform.

It just didn't seem necessary to continue, but there is a part of me that has always regretted the decision.

My Grandfather,Jeremiah Nestor, served in WWI in the trenches in France where he  was gassed by the Germans, and never really recovered.

My Father, John Nestor, served in the US Coast Guard during WWII, escorting shipping convoys across the North Atlantic.   He spent a year in the Hospital with Battle Fatique after being blown off of a ship and spending an inordinate time in the ocean.  He could never discuss the experience... would just choke up and I never prodded.

My Cousin, Atty. John N. Nestor served as B-17 Flying Fortress pilot and flew 125 missions over Europe in WWII  - five times the required amount.  It was a miracle that he beat the statistics and didn't die.

My Father in Law, Joe LeBlanc, was blown off of his jeep by a Chinese tank in  the Korean War and spent time as a Prisoner of War.

But, my Father was staunchly against the Vietnam War, and was afraid that I would have to serve.   He once said that he would shoot me in the foot if I was drafted, and I believed that he was not kidding about that.   At his insistence, I joined Army ROTC at UMASS because he felt that as a 2nd Lieutenant, I would have a better chance of survival.

There are a lot of stats regarding the mortality rate of 2nd Lieutenants in Vietnam... suffice it to say that I think that my Father's hypothesis was "dead" wrong.

Regardless... if I had remained in ROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at graduation, it would have been a couple of years of peacetime service.

Yet, I so admire those that have served.  Maybe it is in my blood from family veterans who served with distinction and made significant sacrifices  by their military experience.

 It is a central reason for my support of Seth Moulton in his bid to be elected Congressman of the Sixth Massachusetts District.   Even though I cringe at the Hard Line Democrats that are buzzing around him like flies on shit, I respect his four tours of duty in Iraq, and will support him based on that alone.

Tuna LipsSaid

I am with you there, boom master. I didn't cotton to them pickle-sniffing sorts.

U-S-A! U-S-A!

Talking Politics

Peeps....

I've been noticing lately that some of my Friends really are uncomfortable talking about politics.

I've never felt that way.   Maybe being a political science major in college, and always being interested in history and geography have given me a sense of security with the subject.

In my own situation, I was brought up in an Irish Catholic working class democratic household.   Everytime I would ask my father who he voted for, he would answer, "The Best Man."   My mother always reminded me that Democrats were for the working man, and Republicans were for the rich.

When I was in the sixth grade, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, which had a devastating effect on my family.   He was our first Irish Catholic President.   But the words that resonate with me to this day... "Ask NOT what your Country can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your country.".... told the Liberals of the day to stand for themselves and contribute.... not look for Government to take care of you.

The Vietnam War raged through my high school years, and ended during my sophomore year in college.... it made no sense to me.... trying to interfere with the affairs of that country under the pretense of stopping communism.   And the Civil Right movement was in full swing,  with the inherent injustice of institutionalized racism being challenged and dismantled.   President Nixon lied about burglarizing Democratic campaign records, and I was happy to see him resign his office.

I was a stanch Liberal in those days.  Liberals were for change, and I believed that change was right.   In fact, I could not understand how anyone could be a conservative.  We grew our hair long, our music was radicalized and we railed against "the Establishment".

I think we were right... and things started to change.

The environment was cleaned up with sweeping legislation and rules on the way business was conducted.

Affirmative Action changed the damages caused by years of racism and created opportunities for the advancement of minorities in education, business, and over quality of life.  It grabbed racism by the nose and forged situations that our culture would have taken decades to overcome.

Ronald Reagan stared down Communism and this oppressive Leftist system of large autocratic government  collapsed under its own ineptitude.

In my personal business, I found the freedom to sink or swim based upon my own competence and business acumen.  I demonstrated to myself that I could survive by my own wits and never looked to others to provide a safety net.

But slowly, Democrats started to piss me off....   Jimmy Carter was incompetent,  Bill Clinton diddled with an intern, while his wife Hilary claimed he was the victim of "a vast right wing conspiracy".  For the first time since Nixon, I started to feel that I was being lied to by the President.  There was a disingenuous slime factor about the Clinton's that I feel to this day.   I was happy when George W. Bush invaded Iraq to rid the world of an Hitler figure in Saddam Hussein... and proud that America led the world in this effort.

I had a profound dislike for Al Gore, Jr. His global warming, Nobel Prize winning hypothesis on Global Warming and his claim to have invented the Internet started to sway me to the opinion that Liberals had gone looney.   And John Kerry... please.... coming from Massachusetts, I had watched his manipulative and conniving career first hand.

But when Barack Obama was first elected, there was a part of me that was elated.  We had elected an African American to the highest office in the land.  I'm not going to rant here against Obama.  The kindest thing that I can say is that the country is guilty of wishful thinking and rushed to elect a completely unprepared and unqualified candidate.   We listened to our hearts and not our heads.

Which brings me to my present situation.

Winston Churchill said, "If you are twenty and not a Liberal, you have no heart... and If you are forty and are not a Conservative, your have no head."

While I still protect my unenrolled "Independent" political party designation, I now find myself frustrated that Democrats have abandoned the exaltation by John Kennedy, and call for an entitlement state with no budgetary controls.   Does that make me a Republican or a Conservative?

I wish it didn't, but that's where I see myself landing these days.

Ryan and Kim Got Married

It was another  wedding spectacular last night as Ryan Nestor tied the knot with Kim Hause at a Crocker Park harborside ceremony conducted by Reverend for a Day, Tyler Gill.  Chad Raleigh played the acoustical background guitar.

After the outdoor ceremony held in perfect weather, the party walked next door to the Boston Yacht Club, and the venue didn't disappoint with great food and a killer band.  Chad sat in for lead guitar a couple times and ripped the place apart with his tremendous musical ability.  I doubt that the staid old BYC has witnessed that type of rock talent much in its stately history.

To this MOAM, the highlights were too numerous to mention, but I would have to say that it was one of the most enjoyable weddings that I have attended.  Ryan performed his Johnny B. Goode routine as well as ever, and the Dark and Stormies flowed like wine.

Johnny B. Goode Performance

It was nice to reconnect with many of  Ryan and Kim's friends who I have known since they were little kids.

The day was the culmination of a weird and totally unpredictable path that calls to the fact that everything happens for a reason, and everything ultimately happens for the best.  It's not up to us to evaluate or question God's plan too closely.... better just to trust and try to enjoy the ride.

Ryan and Kim

Ryan and Kim are getting married tomorrow, and their rehearsal party was at Maddies Sail Loft in Marblehead tonight.
~
Tomorrow the nuptials occur at Crocker Park, with a reception at the Boston Yacht Club.
~
I love them both, wish them the best, and hope to observe their happiness long into the future.