Peeps of the Week - Week 45 - 2014

Peeps....

Those of you lost souls who are Nanepashemet Blog Purists know that Thursday Evening has traditionally been set aside as the time when the the coveted yet repulsive Peep of the Week selections are made.

So... it's freaking Thursday Evening.... I guess I have to put out a little and get this tacky task underway.

One thing that I forgot to mention in last week's POTW Refresher course.....

There is only one way that an aspiring yet hapless Peep can be automatically  selected as a POTW.  That is the time honored tradition of bestowing a bottle of Lagavulin 16 year old Single Malt Scotch (aka the KING OF SCOTCH) on this most deserving Mountain of a Man.

Since this process/scam has been instituted years ago, many satisfying 750 ML bottles of the revered nectar have been presented for which your MOAM responds with a POTW selection.  Some weeks, we have had multi Automatics... usually around the time of the night before Thanksgiving Bash.  but lately, the practice has seen a disappointing fall off.   Hopefully this will be remedied shortly.

ANNOUNCING....

NANEPASHEMET PEEPS OF THE WEEK FOR THE 45TH WEEK OF 2014.

Gilbert Shaw
Wayne Webster
Yolanda Laganos
Jim Lundgren
Mitch McConnell
Seth Moulton

No Automatics this week.... will keep the porch light on during the coming holiday season though.

Election Enlightenment

Peeps....

You know I always exhort you to stay independent.... to stand on your own two feet... to make your own decisions....

So why are you so pathetically sending me email after email..... voicemail after voicemail..... frantically asking me what the election results last night mean?????

As you know, the Mountain of Man has a big heart and a wellspring of patience for those of you who annoyingly can't figure things out for yourself, and insist on getting a spin from the Nanepashemet source of truth and knowledge.

So I reluctantly must tell you what happened in the United States of America last night.

1.  Harry Reid.... the lying, despicable Majority Leader of the US Senate was fired..... and the 360 pieces of legislation that the House of Representatives have sent to the Senate can now be considered by the full Congress.

2.  President Obama was repudiated.... he offered "Hope", was really a "Dope", and the people said "Nope".  His stupid policies of ObamaCare and Immigration will be subject to reasonable revision and overhaul.

3.  My home state of Massachusetts elected a professional manager, Charlie Baker, and his opponent, the politically mean spirited, Martha Coakley, didn't even thank her supporters as she refused to concede defeat in a close, yet definitive result.

4.  My second state, where I pay a fair amount of property tax, New Hampshire, turned away the chance to elect a straight and independent thinker in Scott Brown, and instead turned to the Liberal rubber stamp, Jeanne Shaheen as a US Senator.    They have changed the motto from "Live Free or Die" to "Live Stupid then Cry".

5.  The Sixth Massachusetts Congressional District elected Democrat Seth Moulton, and Iraqi Veteran over Ricard Tisei, a bit over the top Republican.   The important point here is that they both played a part in turning way the old Guard, lock step Dem, John Tierney, who was a Pelosi puppet.  Verdict is out now on whether Seth can be a leader and break from the Democrat Herd.

So your MOAM can sum things up this way.

United States - HAPPY

Massachusetts - HAPPY

Sixth Congressional District - CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC

New Hampshire - FREAKING DUMBFOUNDED

Now, Peeps..... go forth and spread Nanepashemet Truth and Insight .... you are among the enlightened.

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.