One of the back singers is Richie Havens.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
New Beginnings
I find myself in a unique position. I am 55, reasonable intelligent and been told not to bad on the eyes...actually it was I was not to shabby..and that is from someone who's opinion I respect. Well read, okay conversationalist, can carry the ball in most areas. I like good food, good beer, good company, most kinds of music. Not much of a tv watcher but there can be exceptions to that. I consider myself a good friend..loyal to the end and then some. Accepting of peoples flaws as well as their strengths. Sometimes stubborn but usually not unreasonable. Don't like to fight, either verbally or physically, but back me into a corner and I am going to defend myself. Somewhat shy, but not enough to stay home all the time. I leave the limelight to those that need it. I fit in most anywhere, tend to be a casual guy..if you find a denim jacket that has a frayed collar and sleeves, a ballcap with a worn brim, I will prob be inside them, but when I have to I clean up well. I just went out, well 5 weeks ago and bought 20 pair of jeans, 4 bags of underwear, several bags of socks so I will have them..my way of saying I hate to shop. I have in the past made rash decisions and most turned out okay. Usually I think things through before I make a decision. Level headed, slow to anger, team player.
Until recently pretty grounded, the one that people called when they needed advise, a place to stay, a loan, help moving.
I now find myself alone in the world and its kind of weird. With the exception of a grown son that lives halfway around the world and some 2nd or 3rd cousins I have no relatives. Due to a responsibility I had until recently I let most of my friends slip away. Some passed awsy, some moves away and some just evolved into people I no longer know.
The question/quandry/decision now is what do I do? I have no ties other than a mortage and my house is in a good market area so selling would not be a problem. Maine is where I am from, where I always come back to so in every sense it is home. I have a good job with all the perks but a chef can always find a job.
Up till now this blog has been kind of a casual whatever kinda place..now its getting personal. I have moments of sadness and loneliness. For the most part I am kind of level..not a lot of highs or lows just kind of a glide ot coast..riding with the current so to speak. Moments or clarity and then it gets cloudy. All of the things I took for granted about family and friends are gone. You know Uncle Billy is going to drink to much on Thanksgiving and embarass his wife. Ma is going to make her pecan pie with the burnt crust on Christmas. Well thats no longer a given.
People around me, the few that know whats going on are being incredibly kind and thoughful..have Christmas dinner with us, come over after work on Thanksgiving and have pie and coffee. Know one has said "man that sucks, you gonna be okay"? and that might just be whats missing.
I am a fighter and will work my way through this. I am kinda leaning on one person and thats a great help, I just hope he doesn't snap under the weight, I'm a big guy. Tried praying and that just pissed me off. Tried yelling at the walls and they ignored me. Going to see a grief councelor next week, that should be enlightening.
I prob should have titled this entry "Lost, season one" but thats been done.
Stay tuned for the rest of the saga.
Its been about 3 hours since I first posted this. I have gotten more and more pissed of about the whole situation. One thing I can guarntee, I sure as hell am not going to curl up in a ball, give up and wait to die. FUCK THAT.
Until recently pretty grounded, the one that people called when they needed advise, a place to stay, a loan, help moving.
I now find myself alone in the world and its kind of weird. With the exception of a grown son that lives halfway around the world and some 2nd or 3rd cousins I have no relatives. Due to a responsibility I had until recently I let most of my friends slip away. Some passed awsy, some moves away and some just evolved into people I no longer know.
The question/quandry/decision now is what do I do? I have no ties other than a mortage and my house is in a good market area so selling would not be a problem. Maine is where I am from, where I always come back to so in every sense it is home. I have a good job with all the perks but a chef can always find a job.
Up till now this blog has been kind of a casual whatever kinda place..now its getting personal. I have moments of sadness and loneliness. For the most part I am kind of level..not a lot of highs or lows just kind of a glide ot coast..riding with the current so to speak. Moments or clarity and then it gets cloudy. All of the things I took for granted about family and friends are gone. You know Uncle Billy is going to drink to much on Thanksgiving and embarass his wife. Ma is going to make her pecan pie with the burnt crust on Christmas. Well thats no longer a given.
People around me, the few that know whats going on are being incredibly kind and thoughful..have Christmas dinner with us, come over after work on Thanksgiving and have pie and coffee. Know one has said "man that sucks, you gonna be okay"? and that might just be whats missing.
I am a fighter and will work my way through this. I am kinda leaning on one person and thats a great help, I just hope he doesn't snap under the weight, I'm a big guy. Tried praying and that just pissed me off. Tried yelling at the walls and they ignored me. Going to see a grief councelor next week, that should be enlightening.
I prob should have titled this entry "Lost, season one" but thats been done.
Stay tuned for the rest of the saga.
Its been about 3 hours since I first posted this. I have gotten more and more pissed of about the whole situation. One thing I can guarntee, I sure as hell am not going to curl up in a ball, give up and wait to die. FUCK THAT.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Santa Fe through my eyes.
The first of these are of my buddy Mick and then one of the both of us,neither one were taken in Santa Fe but they had to be included. He was part of this saga so its only fair he's given kudos for being there. The rest are random shots taken thursday morning, Sept 10. I was wandering around from my hotel up to the Plaza while they were setting up for the 400th anniversary festival.. It was about 8 till 10 in the morning and the sun was at an angle so giving some interesting light. I hope you enjoy them.
Dale
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Taking a journey OR a blank slate for an old mind.
Things have a way of not turning out as expected, but I am sure most of you know that. Let me explain.
This is going to sound like an old country song but here goes. I recently took a trip. First vacation in about 8 years other than day trips once in a while. From Maine I headed to the southwest, New Mexico to be exact. A couple of you will think you know the reason why, your partially right but hey, get your minds out of the gutter for a minute and feel the sun on your face. It was kind of a last minute thing. It had been on my mind for a long time but could not do it because of a family situation. Physically the trip went well, better than that actually. Easy flights out with half full planes so I had the entire row to myself on both legs, Continental still gives you breakfast, good weather.
Now what happened is this primarily became a trip of the mind. I have had a lot of stuff happen in the last few years and more in the 6 months and I had not realized how much it had affected me. Through this trip I came in contact with someone almost new to me..myself. I smiled for no reason other than that I felt good. I walked all over town and that is something I have not taken time to do in many years. I bought myself stuff..pottery, a print, a new hat, a hammered tin mirror among other things with no thought other than it was for me..I wanted it, I bought it. I got things for other people but I was always first. I had this weird feeling the first couple days and it hit me like that "good ole boy" whack on the back of the head. This is how I used to feel, that's what was so weird. My only thoughts were what am I going to do today? It helps that I was in an incredible place, amazing vistas for the eye, good weather for the skin and lungs, friendly people everywhere.
I also "met" a friend I have had for 10 years or so but that's another post. He was a big part of it.
I ate like a pig and lost 10 pounds, now that's a diet I can handle.
I am going to try to ad a post here once a week. It is going to become my personal odyssey. If I bore you sorry, start your own blog. This is rants raves, rambles and recipes is it not? I am also going to try to expand on the recipe part..if you want to know how to make something ask..if you want it privately send me your email address.
I am now in a position to be able to help others. My family obligations are nil. I can take a class, take a trip, go to the movies, spend my day off reading a book. I have to figure how to meet people..this is a town of 18,000 people and its not that big, but that will happen in time. I am going to go back to the gym, lose 20 or 30 pounds, shave my head more. Spend more time walking, more time listening, more time trying to rediscover who I am. Its basically a blank slate for an old mind. I no longer have to live in Maine but prob will. Its hard at times but its home.
I get a feeling this is going to be fun, kinda scary at times but fun.
Sept 12th, 11:44 EST, Augusta Maine
Wish me luck.
DALE
Friday, July 24, 2009
Green Grocer
AUGUSTA -- The world's most environmentally-advanced supermarket opens Saturday at the former site of Cony High School.
The new Hannaford Supermarket, according to Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer, and founding chairman of the United States Green Building Council, is the first supermarket in the world to achieve his organization's highest-rated, Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
"Our review team said it was one of the cleanest, most amazing projects they'd seen in a very long time," Fedrizzi said Thursday while announcing the building had achieved platinum status, at a ceremony in the entryway of the new store. "This store will use less energy, less water, create less waste. It will do tremendous things. But what it does most is educate."
Fedrizzi said the 50,000-square-foot building will use about 50 percent less energy than a conventional building of the same size.
"Why wouldn't we build the most environmentally-advanced supermarket in the world, and why wouldn't we want to build it in the state capital of our home state?" Ronald Hodge, CEO and president of Hannaford, said.
Baldacci praised the leadership of Hannaford for building the store, which he said he hoped would be a model for other businesses.
Its "green" features include:
* A "GreenChill" refrigeration system which uses 50 percent less refrigerant gas than a traditional system;
* Doors on nearly all freezer and refrigerated cases, saving energy and creating warmer in-store temperatures for shoppers and workers;
* Water from two 750-foot-deep geothermal wells, used to help regulate the building's temperature;
* What Hannaford says is the largest solar panel array in the state;
* Numerous skylights and windows designed to bring in natural light, and lights which dim or turn off when not needed;
* Lights on motion sensors on some products, which turn off when no one is there;
* An educational area in the entryway of the store, with environmental information;
* Low-flow, dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals and low-flow faucets in restrooms, and ice-free cases in the seafood department, together expected to reduce water usage by 38 percent;
* Some parking spots, close to the store, reserved for employee car and van pools, and shoppers driving low-emission hybrid vehicles.
One of the more unusual design features are green and red plants, sedums, on 7,000 square feet of the roof.
Gunnar Hubbard, principal of Fore Solutions, a Portland-based green building consultant who worked on the project, said the plants do not require watering, and the layered system of soil and plants reduces water runoff and helps insulate the store.
Augusta Hannaford Store Manager Ruben Lemelin said the new store will employee 159 people, about twice as many as at the Willow Street Hannaford. All employees, or associates, from Willow Street will move to the new store, Lemelin said.
Lemelin said he could not reveal the cost of the new store. He did say it cost between 20 and 25 percent more to build than a conventional store if its size.
City records filed as Hannaford sought a permit for the project in 2006 indicated it would be an approximately $10 million building.
The new Hannaford Supermarket, according to Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer, and founding chairman of the United States Green Building Council, is the first supermarket in the world to achieve his organization's highest-rated, Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
"Our review team said it was one of the cleanest, most amazing projects they'd seen in a very long time," Fedrizzi said Thursday while announcing the building had achieved platinum status, at a ceremony in the entryway of the new store. "This store will use less energy, less water, create less waste. It will do tremendous things. But what it does most is educate."
Fedrizzi said the 50,000-square-foot building will use about 50 percent less energy than a conventional building of the same size.
"Why wouldn't we build the most environmentally-advanced supermarket in the world, and why wouldn't we want to build it in the state capital of our home state?" Ronald Hodge, CEO and president of Hannaford, said.
Baldacci praised the leadership of Hannaford for building the store, which he said he hoped would be a model for other businesses.
Its "green" features include:
* A "GreenChill" refrigeration system which uses 50 percent less refrigerant gas than a traditional system;
* Doors on nearly all freezer and refrigerated cases, saving energy and creating warmer in-store temperatures for shoppers and workers;
* Water from two 750-foot-deep geothermal wells, used to help regulate the building's temperature;
* What Hannaford says is the largest solar panel array in the state;
* Numerous skylights and windows designed to bring in natural light, and lights which dim or turn off when not needed;
* Lights on motion sensors on some products, which turn off when no one is there;
* An educational area in the entryway of the store, with environmental information;
* Low-flow, dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals and low-flow faucets in restrooms, and ice-free cases in the seafood department, together expected to reduce water usage by 38 percent;
* Some parking spots, close to the store, reserved for employee car and van pools, and shoppers driving low-emission hybrid vehicles.
One of the more unusual design features are green and red plants, sedums, on 7,000 square feet of the roof.
Gunnar Hubbard, principal of Fore Solutions, a Portland-based green building consultant who worked on the project, said the plants do not require watering, and the layered system of soil and plants reduces water runoff and helps insulate the store.
Augusta Hannaford Store Manager Ruben Lemelin said the new store will employee 159 people, about twice as many as at the Willow Street Hannaford. All employees, or associates, from Willow Street will move to the new store, Lemelin said.
Lemelin said he could not reveal the cost of the new store. He did say it cost between 20 and 25 percent more to build than a conventional store if its size.
City records filed as Hannaford sought a permit for the project in 2006 indicated it would be an approximately $10 million building.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Weird Dale Trivia
I own, and these are close aproximations....4000 albums, 2500 books, 800 cd's and a 13 inch television...but it is color!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Odd News
Having been born and brought up till my mid teens in Maine I am used to a certain way of life and a certain way of doing things. As a collective group...think Borg, this seems to be a pattern here, we are resourceful, fiercely independent, fairly nosy but tend to mind our own business. We take pride in helping others, an example I think I have used before is we have huge number or senior citizens here yet very few are in rest homes...family takes care of family.
I am amazed at the fact that 5 of the 6 New England states have approved and voted on and signed into effect a gay marriage bill. Although I see no reason for it I guess its kinda cool being ahead of the curve. Its my opinion that a strong well written will is enough to keep most families at bay in the event of a death. I have mine set up so that in the event of my death all are provided for, but Tony gets the bulk of my estate and my half of the house. Now the clincher, and my lawyer suggested this, is that if anyone in my will decides to challenges it, he or she will be dropped from receiving anything should they lose the challenge. He has used it several hundred times in his career as an lawyer and to his knowledge it has never been challenged in court. I guess greed is a great motivator.
I stll just don't see the need for this. If you want to get married I am glad I live in a state where you can, but it just seemes kinda stupid to me. If you have something to say please do it here, there is no sense in sending an email to my email account because, more than likely if its got a good point or its truly obnoxious I'm just going to print it here.
Oh well, this tired old gay republication is going to drag his ass to bed.
DGC
I am amazed at the fact that 5 of the 6 New England states have approved and voted on and signed into effect a gay marriage bill. Although I see no reason for it I guess its kinda cool being ahead of the curve. Its my opinion that a strong well written will is enough to keep most families at bay in the event of a death. I have mine set up so that in the event of my death all are provided for, but Tony gets the bulk of my estate and my half of the house. Now the clincher, and my lawyer suggested this, is that if anyone in my will decides to challenges it, he or she will be dropped from receiving anything should they lose the challenge. He has used it several hundred times in his career as an lawyer and to his knowledge it has never been challenged in court. I guess greed is a great motivator.
I stll just don't see the need for this. If you want to get married I am glad I live in a state where you can, but it just seemes kinda stupid to me. If you have something to say please do it here, there is no sense in sending an email to my email account because, more than likely if its got a good point or its truly obnoxious I'm just going to print it here.
Oh well, this tired old gay republication is going to drag his ass to bed.
DGC
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