tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post3067479575504628528..comments2023-10-19T05:40:59.162-04:00Comments on Sippican Cottage: Sippican's Greatest Hits: Hostile WorkplaceSippicanCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14940797380578921776noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-41875147608377488392020-09-28T00:26:35.922-04:002020-09-28T00:26:35.922-04:00I'd wondered about the seven no-trump, but cor...I'd wondered about the seven no-trump, but correctly assumed its meaning. <br /><br />A terrific piece of writing. Estoy_Listohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535132933228608287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-21344515147010127072020-09-15T09:51:39.633-04:002020-09-15T09:51:39.633-04:00Like ea , i saw mention & praises of you at Ac...Like ea , i saw mention & praises of you at Ace .Will be back too , I have never read such an account of beauty in contrast to the steel & steal . gobsmacked in words . perfect madhattonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-3385294217539838112020-09-07T11:10:20.347-04:002020-09-07T11:10:20.347-04:00Hello everyone- It's nice to hear from you all...Hello everyone- It's nice to hear from you all. Thanks for your kind words. <br /><br />Dangelo- Seven no trumps is a reference to bidding in card games like Whist or Bridge. It means you think you can win every trick, without requiring "trump" cards to do it. In poker, it would be the equivalent of holding a royal straight flush. SippicanCottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14940797380578921776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-49292595259342689662020-09-06T22:32:22.666-04:002020-09-06T22:32:22.666-04:00What is the meaning of seven no Trumps?What is the meaning of seven no Trumps?Dangelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10563166389309101374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-26019441306121117212020-09-06T13:51:36.837-04:002020-09-06T13:51:36.837-04:00Sipp,
You're back!!!
Missed you man...
-Bro...Sipp,<br /><br />You're back!!!<br /><br />Missed you man...<br /><br />-BrowndogAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-64216359075698968792020-09-06T13:11:44.060-04:002020-09-06T13:11:44.060-04:00He's in the business of noticing things.
And ...He's in the business of noticing things.<br /><br />And business is good.blakehttps://moviegique.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-60019318751746222672020-09-06T12:58:24.299-04:002020-09-06T12:58:24.299-04:00I just discovered you thanks to Ace. I also hopped...I just discovered you thanks to Ace. I also hopped over to Amazon and ordered your book. You are a magnificent writer and keen observer. My hat is off. If you might be interested in small jobs copy editing/proofing fiction please email me. My website is bestsellermetrics.com<br />Elaine AshEAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11427618205516183976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-78564587053418327342020-06-28T10:46:42.102-04:002020-06-28T10:46:42.102-04:00You have always been quite a clever chap, I hope y...You have always been quite a clever chap, I hope you are finding suitable work for your talents.Thudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320037763190473684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-54418430829381845492020-06-19T16:44:05.810-04:002020-06-19T16:44:05.810-04:00Sippican lives! I had no idea. Sippican lives! I had no idea. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-28775523869372564292020-06-18T21:21:10.010-04:002020-06-18T21:21:10.010-04:00Well, dang. Here in the Twin Cites there were quit...Well, dang. Here in the Twin Cites there were quite a few stores that had the two-inch thick Plexiglas cage around the cashier, after a run of C-store murders in the early 90s. Most of those are gone now, and some that remained burned in the riots. Of course, now stores have Plexiglas again, but it's thin, and designed to stop breath, not bullets.<br /><br />But the whole concept--you get this far, no further, and ask for what you want--well, that's going to come back. Before the riots, "youth" knew they could walk into a CVS or Walgreens, fill their pockets with stuff, and saunter out, because police would not respond to shoplifting calls. When the virus arrived, the city made it explicit: No enforcement of retail theft or fare jumping on buses or trains.<br /><br />CVS upper management is particularly vile. They do not mind at all forcing their employees to accept such brazen theft, because if a staffer looks at such thieves in a mean way, that staffer is fired. Of course, the manager is still responsible for shrink! I had a conversation with a regional security guy, and he talked to me like he really wanted to reduce theft. Of course, any practical means were out of the question. <br /><br />I suggested a mirror ceiling unit near the registers, so that when the store was short staffed (most of the time, as CVS operates with 1/3 less employee hours compared to Walgreens), the cashier working out in the store hanging sale tags or the like could look up and see someone standing at the counter. This guy, plus the store manager, replied that no cashier should ever be out of sight of the counter. I started to respond as if it were a joke because both of them damn well knew that cashiers were sent away from the counter for other work, leaving the counter unmanned, every fricking day. <br /><br />I think I must have stared at them for ten seconds, waiting for one to crack up laughing. When I realized they were serious--seriously lying to me--I finally just gave up and didn't make any more suggestions. See, those pharmacies make a tone of money, so the store will accept a fair amount of loss on the front of the store.<br /><br />But when teens know they can steal with impunity, right in front of staff, well, things will change soon. Gordon Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16772014586181361069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-49866849237564306042020-06-18T20:19:41.831-04:002020-06-18T20:19:41.831-04:00In the 50's and 60's I would often go to B...In the 50's and 60's I would often go to Boston and Roxbury. Somewhat dangerous even back then but more likely that your car would get broken into or you might see a argument devolve to a fight. It was the bussing decision in the 60's that lit the fuse and destroyed a lot of Boston. Once the judge did that and destroyed the community of a 100,000 or so people and lowered the value of their homes to next to worthless Boston got a lot worse. Liberal judges are responsible for a lot of the problem. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-44356872030648133462020-06-17T18:36:19.211-04:002020-06-17T18:36:19.211-04:00Damn! I'm late to the Revival again!Damn! I'm late to the Revival again!vanderleunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10296245324443413545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-88552389277792725842020-06-16T13:02:50.882-04:002020-06-16T13:02:50.882-04:00Andy recommended his readers get to know you. I...Andy recommended his readers get to know you. I'm glad he did. Maricahttp://bigfoodetc.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-2429288382165679172020-06-16T10:45:05.899-04:002020-06-16T10:45:05.899-04:00I was deleting every email I could get my hands on...I was deleting every email I could get my hands on, when I realized that I had winnowed the stack so far down that you were suddenly at the top of my queue. April of 2010. We were discussing the utility of a Sippican Six-finger Stepper in a house with small children. At least I believe that's what you called it. Perhaps even "super."<br /> <br />I still have both steppers, and both children. The former get near daily use and have aged beautifully. The latter I would sometimes like to see far less of, though they're aging quite well, also.<br /><br />It's good to see you.Andy Havenshttps://newwesthavens.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-73859095727597107582020-06-15T11:18:52.469-04:002020-06-15T11:18:52.469-04:00Glad you're alive and kicking. Please keep pos...Glad you're alive and kicking. Please keep posting. Maybe even some new stuff? :) jjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00303847499913657564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-68420601043752920402020-06-08T10:49:32.916-04:002020-06-08T10:49:32.916-04:00I saw a woman like that once on a rental-car bus a...I saw a woman like that once on a rental-car bus at the airport. Couldn't stop looking at her. I wondered what that must be like for her. Seemed like she was used to it.<br /><br />The Boise story reminds me of a time I was in a suburb of Rochester, NY. I was staying at a nice little hotel fairly near the canal, where I learned there was a tow path where you could walk. Before setting out for the walk around 6PM, I asked the gal at the front desk if it was safe to walk there by myself. She gave me kind of a funny look, then said, well, yes, the path is paved, and it's very even... there are no hills.... She had no idea what I was alluding to, and I loved that!<br /><br />Nice to see you posting again, Sippican!Sarah Rolphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01669736522880904119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-85876455186127060972020-06-06T17:25:25.423-04:002020-06-06T17:25:25.423-04:00The only hostile workplaces I worked in were missi...The only hostile workplaces I worked in were missile launch control centers, but we launch crew members got along pretty well down there.Sam L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00996809377798862214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-88503539250391811212020-06-03T10:51:32.814-04:002020-06-03T10:51:32.814-04:00I remember this one well. I'd bet a lot of bus...I remember this one well. I'd bet a lot of businesses around the country are wishing they had this kind of construction right now; I get the impression in some places, they should have it but don't because the denizens of the neighborhood would be insulted. Instead they allow their shops to be pillaged on a regular basis, and if any employee shows any gumption, they are soon no longer employed. <br /><br />Your voice is missed out here; always glad to see it.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-30446179936732338042014-02-11T16:35:16.479-05:002014-02-11T16:35:16.479-05:00When was all this? I'm wracking my brain tryi...When was all this? I'm wracking my brain trying to think of a part of Boston that's that bad these days.<br /><br />Sixty Grit - I assume you mean Boston Medical Center (Mass General is over near Beacon Hill). The BMC area isn't fantastic on the "wrong" side of Mass Ave these days, but the South End direction is almost totally gentrified now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-9948516091031583062014-02-08T09:20:53.999-05:002014-02-08T09:20:53.999-05:00I have read, and reread this several times. The s...I have read, and reread this several times. The staccato description and the unexpected ending are flawlessly done.<br /><br />I have sat in a small restaurant in which the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in real life also sat. I felt sorry for her, because everyone, men and women, put down their forks and stared at her. The whole time she was there.Katherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14856230887523751934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-39419937036967228162014-02-06T09:51:08.148-05:002014-02-06T09:51:08.148-05:00I'd lived my entire life on the Atlantic coast...I'd lived my entire life on the Atlantic coast, moving from from Washington D.C to Florida and back as a kid, as the family ran from bill collectors. What I knew, and what I expected, was based my experiences in Eastern cities. <br /><br />I was had an Epiphany on my first trip to Boise Idaho one summer.<br /><br />I saw two Caucasian women, attractive, casually dressed and deeply engrossed in talking while each ate ice cream cones. What made the event amazing was it taking place on a park bench in an urban public park a little after midnight. They were completely oblivious to their surroundings and clearly felt safe and comfortable.<br /><br />I realized how much freedom we have lost, and how complacent we are about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-85689939542708065532014-02-05T21:36:02.235-05:002014-02-05T21:36:02.235-05:00Wonderful, classic Sippican. A treat on a bleak wi...Wonderful, classic Sippican. A treat on a bleak winter's day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-42252137231867228012014-02-05T19:14:50.502-05:002014-02-05T19:14:50.502-05:00I lived near Mass General on Mass Avenue in Roxbur...I lived near Mass General on Mass Avenue in Roxbury and worked in Southie 45 years ago.<br /><br />Neither place exuded friendliness, exactly.The Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05354536924604187137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-83862592762457721082014-02-04T10:42:24.834-05:002014-02-04T10:42:24.834-05:00Yes, parts of Boston are that dangerous. After all...Yes, parts of Boston are that dangerous. After all it's another long-time Democratically controlled urban "paradise". I'm very familiar with that station, never stopped there but I've seen it. It's not that far from the spot where an Irish exchange student was hit in the head by a rock thrown by a teenager, he threw it because she was white and looked like the people from South Boston (Southie, think Whitey Bulger) who he hated, and who hated him right back. BTW, the Irish lass died. <br /><br />As an Telephone worker, in the seventies, I had to work in that part of town. During the day, we all refused to go there at night. Many parts of Roxbury, which is what that section of the City of Boston is named, are quite nice with parks and beautifully designed townhouses built by Jewish and Irish families a century ago. The Irish and the rest moved to the North and South Shores, the suburbs. The neighborhoods and the brownstone and granite houses are not so well maintained now.<br /><br />One day I was in Roxbury servicing a phone system at a small business. Going in I had dumped the tools out of the truck except my tool belt and some service parts and replacement sets. After going inside and finding the problem, I went back to the truck for a part. As I was bend over going through the parts bin I heard someone behind me. I turned around and found that I was surrounded by neighborhood kids. Most of them were five or six years old. They were all looking at me with enormous brown eyes. The oldest, ten maybe, said to me that their mother had instructed them to come back from the park at a certain time, but not to cross Seaver Street without an adult accompanying them. Without further ado or conversation, one of the children took my left hand (well two of my fingers) and another one took my right hand. Well, what could I do? We crossed the street. All the children stopped and carefully looked left then right and then we crossed. On the other side they let go of my hand, they all (in unison) said "Thank You" and walked away. <br /><br />Why do children have to grow up? In eight or ten years would any of them be throwing rocks at a white face topped with red hair. Like mine.John The Riverhttp://onthenorthriver.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14474631.post-35224623469991643132014-02-03T19:11:11.914-05:002014-02-03T19:11:11.914-05:00the inner city of Boston is really that dangerous?...the inner city of Boston is really that dangerous??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com