"I WAS THERE"

Yes, I was there. Sometimes in life you need a reference point to start as you ponder the many possible directions and locations your life may take you in the future.

On Nantucket island during my recent visit on August 27,2009 I came across this "building compass" if you will that tells you how far away certain locations are from this particular spot. It is hard to know where you are going if you don't know where you are.

Although this information was helpful, I still had to ask directions to "The Brotherhood of Thieves" restaurant from a local church lady as my parents and I wandered through the cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks of downtown Nantucket. For some reason directions to this famous restaurant were not painted on this building or if they were someone either painted over the directions or stole them.

Oh well, at least I knew how far away we were that day from Mackinac Island (1050 miles) as I was wondering about that that Summer day.

THE FLYING LIZARDS WANT MONEY

YouTube - The Flying Lizards - Money (Live) The world renowned "The Flying Lizards" band sing the song "Money" here on this YouTube live video. There
was another group some of you may have heard of called "The Beatles" who I believe also recorded a version of this song. Click the link to hear this very serious and expressive version. They want lots and lots of money, that's what they want.

"What Say You?

YouTube - Dead Can Dance - The Host Of Seraphim What say you? I dare you to watch this song and video "The Host of Seraphim" by Dead Can Dance (Click on the YouTube link) and after watching this video not having a thought about the human condition. Everything has a purpose. Everything has a reason. Everything has a meaning. What do you value in life? Do you get upset if you don't have the latest in fashionable clothing? Are you jealous of people who have a nicer car, house, or more money than you?

What is your purpose? What do you value? Why are we here in this world?

What say you? What do you think? What do you believe? What does it all mean?

"SHE MADE THE TRIP TO VENUS"

YouTube - Hum * Stars On August 2, 2009 I went up to Manchester, New Hampshire with my brother Scott and his wife Leslie to see the Las Angeles group "Tool" perform at the Verizon Center. We stopped in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to walk around and have some lunch down by the Piscataqua river. One of the songs we heard on the car radio was this song "Stars" by the band "Hum" (click the YouTube link to hear this song.) In this song there is a memorable line "She thinks she missed the train to Mars, she's out back counting stars."

Well, she missed the Mars train. I read today that the wife of the new Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, "Miyuki" claimed that she was abducted by aliens twenty years ago while asleep as her soul travelled to Venus aboard a triangle shaped ship. "Miyuki" said that the planet Venus is quite green and very beautiful. I wonder what kind of plants can withstand the temperatures on Venus which are reportedly around 800 degrees. Maybe Venus has green molten rocks.

At least "Miyuki" didn't miss her spaceship like the girl in the "Stars" song who missed her train to Mars. It pays to be on time if you're going to travel to other planets.

PEREGRINE WHITE

I had a cousin "Marianna" who passed away a couple of summers ago in the Philadelphia area. She was an accomplished artist particularly with water color paintings. In her obituary it mentioned that she was a descendant of Peregrine White.

Peregrine White was the first baby born to the Pilgrims in Provincetown harbor on November 20,1620. "Peregrine" means "one who journeys to foreign lands" or "pilgrim". Marianna's father John and my Dad were brothers so if this obituary reference to Peregrine White is true then I too am related to the first English baby born in the New World.

From time to time some of my relatives gather together and climb "White Mountain" in Vermont to the site of some of my ancestors. I do remember that in my past genealogical lineage that someone told me that there was a "Grandpa White" and also a "Grandpa Brown".

"Peregrine" is also a type of falcon bird. I do reside on Cape Cod and have done so since 1976. I wonder if "Peregrine White" is in fact one of my "falcon relatives."

"ARGYLL" MEGA YACHT IN NANTUCKET HARBOR

While visiting Nantucket Island on August 27,2009 I noticed this mega yacht "Argyll" moored in the harbor. I did some research and found out that this a privately owned vessel that is available for charter. This 153 foot luxury yacht can be chartered for around $137,000 a week and sports a crew of nine people with five staterooms,a formal dining room, state of the art entertainment center, and many other custom wheel chair accessible features.

Not a bad little boat which provides more living space than many American homes.

YouTube - entering nantucket harbor

YouTube - entering nantucket harbor On August 27,2009 I took a boat trip to Nantucket Island. (Click on the You Tube link to see the Hy-Line vessel "Great Point" enter Nantucket Harbor around 11:00 am. that day.) Watch as we round the Brant Point Lighthouse and see all the boats from around the world as well as listen to someone describe their impressions in a foreign language. Hear the boat "toot its horn".