Fish Tank

I have a few minutes so I thought I would update everyone. My fish tank with my Channel Catfish was looking pretty sorry. On my weekly trip into town I found that the guppy/mollies were on sale. I know they won't all live, but I got enough to make the tank look well populated. I also picked up a few plants because I like to make my tanks look as natural as possible. I'll give it a month and report back on the fish tank.

Other then the fish, things have been happily quiet on the Manor front. I've been redesigning the website. If you haven't visited it lately please do. Mavis Manor

It's starting to snow again. Time for some snowplowing.

Cheers

Sir Justyn Baron of Mavis

Eve - The Husband Store

The Husband Store

A store that sells new husbands has just opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates: You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the product increases as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

On the first floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs.

The second floor sign reads: Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.

The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.

"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and the sign re ads: Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.

"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads: Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes on to the sixth floor and the sign reads: Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please.

Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner also opened a New Wives store just across the street.
The first floor has wives that love sex.
The second floor has wives that love sex and have money.

The third through sixth floors have never been visited.

-Baron

Dreams - Seeing old Friends

Dream:

I was visiting an old friend at their house. I don't know what the occasion was, but I was in town, which was a rare event. Most of the dream was just idle chit chat, she invited a few people we use to know back in the day, and I was playing with her kids. One was 7 or 8 and the youngest was 18 months or 2. It was nice catching up with everyone. We all chit chatted and told them about my hospitality business and the inns I owned. We chatted about my circus of a social life. For a gift they gave me a universal remote and a remote headset. Telling me they hoped it helped with my business. It was a nice sunny day and we all went outside and there was a swing in a Weeping willow tree. The best part of the dream was the way it felt, it was a very comfortable warm dream. Thinking about it now it makes me feel warm and nice inside. I'd love to have dreams like that more often.

-JJ Ryvers

Day at the Manor ( of a Inn Keeper)

Weather has been a little warmer then expected. which drives business down a little bit. No worries though,, that just means I get to work on different kinds of projects. See as an Innkeeper it's hard to plan your week in advance. You need to have flexible plans. Some days I get to work on improving the website. Other days I need to design my landscaping for the spring. If guests are coming, I call those days "Hurricane of Cleanliness," meaning I go around and make sure all the room are clean and in tiptop shape. You'd think that if you cleaned a room 4 days ago, and no one has been in it, it stays clean. Nope! Dust creeps in and then you're dusting again. Plus, there are the general traffic areas. These need to be extra clean. Why? Because these are the areas most used by guests. BRB, phone is ringing.... See, just what I was talking about - I wasn't expecting any guests and now I am!

I hope everything is well with everyone. Till next time!

Cheers

Sir Justyn Baron of Mavis

Something’s just Feels Wrong...

I have a terrible feeling about something, I really don't have any idea what it is, but it started around 17:00 EST on Sun 27 of Jan. I just wanted to document it… I hope it is nothing but the feeling in my gut is that it is something, it's like that feeling you get after a terrible nightmare… I just don't know… Hopefully it's nothing… Maybe just some thing like weather change…

Cheers

Dr FF

'8 - Week Two

'8 Week Two

Weather:
Early Week 50s-60s Midweek 50s Late Week 30s Rainy

Business:
Calls about doing wedding here this summer. Gabi is writing up a new contract and we are working out all the details to how it will all work out. Did a lot of cleaning. Trying to figure out a way to have another shower in the house. There has got to be a way. I guess I just need to think more. Updated the webpage. I plan on some big changes soon. The page still feels a little low-tech for me.

Dreams:
I had a dream about writing a Novel, so guess what I decided that I should. I've been having long vivid dream. Not, that I'm complaining, I just hope they go away, or come earlier in the night when spring gets here.

Health:
I've been feeling fine. My energy levels are lower then I like, but that is typical of this crazy warm weather spells in the middle of winter. I hate it when it's warm and it should be cold out. My body likes it one way, and bam nature fucks that up.

World:
I read this really sad, but inspiring blog the other day. I think I will add it to my blog; it's from an Army Major who was killed in Iraq. I would have loved to read his blog live, he seemed like just one of those cool people in the world.

Personal life:
Same old Same old!!!

Travel:
NONE

Till next week guys!!!

- Baron J. J. Marchese

Books of the Trade

Hey Friends,
Many of you out there may want to know what it takes to be your own Innkeeper. In this week's blog I will tell you all about the books I started with.

Book 1: So You Want to Be an Inn Keeper


I like this book for a lot of reasons. First, it is the most complete book about Innkeeping I have ever read, and I still use this book today. There are parts to this book you will continue to look back on.

Book 2: Upstart Guide Owning & Managing a Bed & Breakfast


Another really good book to get ideas from. Worth checking out.

Book 3: Opening and Operating a Bed & Breakfast in the 21st Century



This is the first book I've seen in the B&B guides to talk about the importance of Online Marketing, web design and placement!!

---- About the Manor ----

I hope that helps some of you out. Now, to some of the stuff that most of you want to know...

The weather at the Manor has been pretty warm this week. It got up into the 50s. Not good for skiing, though the slopes are open. Well, at least 90% of them are. I'm looking forward to a busy ski season. See you next time.

Cheers

Sir Justyn Baron of Mavis

Satori - The words of Major Andrew Olmsted

The words of Major Andrew Olmsted


The words of Major Andrew Olmsted
KIA 01.03.'8

Final Post

"I am leaving this message for you because it appears I must leave sooner than I intended. I would have preferred to say this in person, but since I cannot, let me say it here."
G'Kar, Babylon 5

"Only the dead have seen the end of war."
Plato*

This is an entry I would have preferred not to have published, but there are limits to what we can control in life, and apparently I have passed one of those limits. And so, like G'Kar, I must say here what I would much prefer to say in person. I want to thank hilzoy for putting it up for me. It's not easy asking anyone to do something for you in the event of your death, and it is a testament to her quality that she didn't hesitate to accept the charge. As with many bloggers, I have a disgustingly large ego, and so I just couldn't bear the thought of not being able to have the last word if the need arose. Perhaps I take that further than most, I don't know. I hope so. It's frightening to think there are many people as neurotic as I am in the world. In any case, since I won't get another chance to say what I think, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Such as it is.

"When some people die, it's time to be sad. But when other people die, like really evil people, or the Irish, it's time to celebrate."
Jimmy Bender, "Greg the Bunny"

"And maybe now it's your turn
To die kicking some ass."
Freedom Isn't Free, Team America

What I don't want this to be is a chance for me, or anyone else, to be maudlin. I'm dead. That sucks, at least for me and my family and friends. But all the tears in the world aren't going to bring me back, so I would prefer that people remember the good things about me rather than mourning my loss. (If it turns out a specific number of tears will, in fact, bring me back to life, then by all means, break out the onions.) I had a pretty good life, as I noted above. Sure, all things being equal I would have preferred to have more time, but I have no business complaining with all the good fortune I've enjoyed in my life. So if you're up for that, put on a little 80s music (preferably vintage 1980-1984), grab a Coke and have a drink with me. If you have it, throw 'Freedom Isn't Free' from the Team America soundtrack in; if you can't laugh at that song, I think you need to lighten up a little. I'm dead, but if you're reading this, you're not, so take a moment to enjoy that happy fact.

"Our thoughts form the universe. They always matter."
Citizen G'Kar, Babylon 5

Believe it or not, one of the things I will miss most is not being able to blog any longer. The ability to put my thoughts on (virtual) paper and put them where people can read and respond to them has been marvelous, even if most people who have read my writings haven't agreed with them. If there is any hope for the long term success of democracy, it will be if people agree to listen to and try to understand their political opponents rather than simply seeking to crush them. While the blogosphere has its share of partisans, there are some awfully smart people making excellent arguments out there as well, and I know I have learned quite a bit since I began blogging. I flatter myself I may have made a good argument or two as well; if I didn't, please don't tell me. It has been a great five-plus years. I got to meet a lot of people who are way smarter than me, including such luminaries as Virginia Postrel and her husband Stephen (speaking strictly from a 'improving the species' perspective, it's tragic those two don't have kids, because they're both scary smart.), the estimable hilzoy and Sebastian of Obsidian Wings, Jeff Goldstein and Stephen Green, the men who consistently frustrated me with their mix of wit and wisdom I could never match, and I've no doubt left out a number of people to whom I apologize. Bottom line: if I got the chance to meet you through blogging, I enjoyed it. I'm only sorry I couldn't meet more of you. In particular I'd like to thank Jim Henley, who while we've never met has been a true comrade, whose words have taught me and whose support has been of great personal value to me. I would very much have enjoyed meeting Jim.

Blogging put me in touch with an inordinate number of smart people, an exhilarating if humbling experience. When I was young, I was smart, but the older I got, the more I realized just how dumb I was in comparison to truly smart people. But, to my credit, I think, I was at least smart enough to pay attention to the people with real brains and even occasionally learn something from them. It has been joy and a pleasure having the opportunity to do this.

"It's not fair."
"No. It's not. Death never is."
Captain John Sheridan and Dr. Stephen Franklin, Babylon 5

"They didn't even dig him a decent grave."
"Well, it's not how you're buried. It's how you're remembered."
Cimarron and Wil Andersen, The Cowboys

I suppose I should speak to the circumstances of my death. It would be nice to believe that I died leading men in battle, preferably saving their lives at the cost of my own. More likely I was caught by a marksman or an IED. But if there is an afterlife, I'm telling anyone who asks that I went down surrounded by hundreds of insurgents defending a village composed solely of innocent women and children. It'll be our little secret, ok?

I do ask (not that I'm in a position to enforce this) that no one try to use my death to further their political purposes. I went to Iraq and did what I did for my reasons, not yours. My life isn't a chit to be used to bludgeon people to silence on either side. If you think the U.S. should stay in Iraq, don't drag me into it by claiming that somehow my death demands us staying in Iraq. If you think the U.S. ought to get out tomorrow, don't cite my name as an example of someone's life who was wasted by our mission in Iraq. I have my own opinions about what we should do about Iraq, but since I'm not around to expound on them I'd prefer others not try and use me as some kind of moral capital to support a position I probably didn't support. Further, this is tough enough on my family without their having to see my picture being used in some rally or my name being cited for some political purpose. You can fight political battles without hurting my family, and I'd prefer that you did so.

On a similar note, while you're free to think whatever you like about my life and death, if you think I wasted my life, I'll tell you you're wrong. We're all going to die of something. I died doing a job I loved. When your time comes, I hope you are as fortunate as I was.

"What an idiot! What a loser!"
Chaz Reingold, Wedding Crashers

"Oh and I don't want to die for you, but if dying's asked of me;
I'll bear that cross with honor, 'cause freedom don't come free."
American Soldier, Toby Keith

Those who know me through my writings on the Internet over the past five-plus years probably have wondered at times about my chosen profession. While I am not a Libertarian, I certainly hold strongly individualistic beliefs. Yet I have spent my life in a profession that is not generally known for rugged individualism. Worse, I volunteered to return to active duty knowing that the choice would almost certainly lead me to Iraq. The simple explanation might be that I was simply stupid, and certainly I make no bones about having done some dumb things in my life, but I don't think this can be chalked up to stupidity. Maybe I was inconsistent in my beliefs; there are few people who adhere religiously to the doctrines of their chosen philosophy, whatever that may be. But I don't think that was the case in this instance either.

As passionate as I am about personal freedom, I don't buy the claims of anarchists that humanity would be just fine without any government at all. There are too many people in the world who believe that they know best how people should live their lives, and many of them are more than willing to use force to impose those beliefs on others. A world without government simply wouldn't last very long; as soon as it was established, strongmen would immediately spring up to establish their fiefdoms. So there is a need for government to protect the people's rights. And one of the fundamental tools to do that is an army that can prevent outside agencies from imposing their rules on a society. A lot of people will protest that argument by noting that the people we are fighting in Iraq are unlikely to threaten the rights of the average American. That's certainly true; while our enemies would certainly like to wreak great levels of havoc on our society, the fact is they're not likely to succeed. But that doesn't mean there isn't still a need for an army (setting aside debates regarding whether ours is the right size at the moment). Americans are fortunate that we don't have to worry too much about people coming to try and overthrow us, but part of the reason we don't have to worry about that is because we have an army that is stopping anyone who would try.

Soldiers cannot have the option of opting out of missions because they don't agree with them: that violates the social contract. The duly-elected American government decided to go to war in Iraq. (Even if you maintain President Bush was not properly elected, Congress voted for war as well.) As a soldier, I have a duty to obey the orders of the President of the United States as long as they are Constitutional. I can no more opt out of missions I disagree with than I can ignore laws I think are improper. I do not consider it a violation of my individual rights to have gone to Iraq on orders because I raised my right hand and volunteered to join the army. Whether or not this mission was a good one, my participation in it was an affirmation of something I consider quite necessary to society. So if nothing else, I gave my life for a pretty important principle; I can (if you'll pardon the pun) live with that.

"It's all so brief, isn't it? A typical human lifespan is almost a hundred years. But it's barely a second compared to what's out there. It wouldn't be so bad if life didn't take so long to figure out. Seems you just start to get it right, and then...it's over."
Dr. Stephen Franklin, Babylon 5

I wish I could say I'd at least started to get it right. Although, in my defense, I think I batted a solid .250 or so. Not a superstar, but at least able to play in the big leagues. I'm afraid I can't really offer any deep secrets or wisdom. I lived my life better than some, worse than others, and I like to think that the world was a little better off for my having been here. Not very much, but then, few of us are destined to make more than a tiny dent in history's Green Monster. I would be lying if I didn't admit I would have liked to have done more, but it's a bit too late for that now, eh? The bottom line, for me, is that I think I can look back at my life and at least see a few areas where I may have made a tiny difference, and massive ego aside, that's probably not too bad.

"The flame also reminds us that life is precious. As each flame is unique; when it goes out, it's gone forever. There will never be another quite like it."
Ambassador Delenn, Babylon 5

I write this in part, admittedly, because I would like to think that there's at least a little something out there to remember me by. Granted, this site will eventually vanish, being ephemeral in a very real sense of the word, but at least for a time it can serve as a tiny record of my contributions to the world. But on a larger scale, for those who knew me well enough to be saddened by my death, especially for those who haven't known anyone else lost to this war, perhaps my death can serve as a small reminder of the costs of war. Regardless of the merits of this war, or of any war, I think that many of us in America have forgotten that war means death and suffering in wholesale lots. A decision that for most of us in America was academic, whether or not to go to war in Iraq, had very real consequences for hundreds of thousands of people. Yet I was as guilty as anyone of minimizing those very real consequences in lieu of a cold discussion of theoretical merits of war and peace. Now I'm facing some very real consequences of that decision; who says life doesn't have a sense of humor?

But for those who knew me and feel this pain, I think it's a good thing to realize that this pain has been felt by thousands and thousands (probably millions, actually) of other people all over the world. That is part of the cost of war, any war, no matter how justified. If everyone who feels this pain keeps that in mind the next time we have to decide whether or not war is a good idea, perhaps it will help us to make a more informed decision. Because it is pretty clear that the average American would not have supported the Iraq War had they known the costs going in. I am far too cynical to believe that any future debate over war will be any less vitriolic or emotional, but perhaps a few more people will realize just what those costs can be the next time.

This may be a contradiction of my above call to keep politics out of my death, but I hope not. Sometimes going to war is the right idea. I think we've drawn that line too far in the direction of war rather than peace, but I'm a soldier and I know that sometimes you have to fight if you're to hold onto what you hold dear. But in making that decision, I believe we understate the costs of war; when we make the decision to fight, we make the decision to kill, and that means lives and families destroyed. Mine now falls into that category; the next time the question of war or peace comes up, if you knew me at least you can understand a bit more just what it is you're deciding to do, and whether or not those costs are worth it.

"This is true love. You think this happens every day?"
Westley, The Princess Bride

"Good night, my love, the brightest star in my sky."
John Sheridan, Babylon 5

This is the hardest part. While I certainly have no desire to die, at this point I no longer have any worries. That is not true of the woman who made my life something to enjoy rather than something merely to survive. She put up with all of my faults, and they are myriad, she endured separations again and again...I cannot imagine being more fortunate in love than I have been with Amanda. Now she has to go on without me, and while a cynic might observe she's better off, I know that this is a terrible burden I have placed on her, and I would give almost anything if she would not have to bear it. It seems that is not an option. I cannot imagine anything more painful than that, and if there is an afterlife, this is a pain I'll bear forever.

I wasn't the greatest husband. I could have done so much more, a realization that, as it so often does, comes too late to matter. But I cherished every day I was married to Amanda. When everything else in my life seemed dark, she was always there to light the darkness. It is difficult to imagine my life being worth living without her having been in it. I hope and pray that she goes on without me and enjoys her life as much as she deserves. I can think of no one more deserving of happiness than her.

"I will see you again, in the place where no shadows fall."
Ambassador Delenn, Babylon 5

I don't know if there is an afterlife; I tend to doubt it, to be perfectly honest. But if there is any way possible, Amanda, then I will live up to Delenn's words, somehow, some way. I love you.

’8 - Week One

'8 Week One

Ok, so I make the New Years resolution to journal more often. So my goal is once a week at the least so that is where I'll starts.

Weather:
Early Week 10-20s Snowy Midweek 50s Cloudy End of Week 50s Cloudy

Business:
None, but a few phone calls. I found a cool new picture of my house. I've also been thinking about where I'm going next. Maybe Alabama or Mississippi, or even South Carolina. But, that is still a few years down the way. A lot can change.

Dreams:
Boy have I had some strange dreams. A lot dealing with going to someplace that in a swamp or bayou. It's very odd really. Mostly summer dreams. Not sure what they mean. But, I will try to address these dreams in another post.

Health:
I was sick the 1st of Jan, but I'm perfectly fine now. I'm going to guess that most of the sickness dealt with drinking to much Navy Rum! Lol. I guess it will do that to you. My energy levels are 3 or 4 but normally low for this time of year, when I cant really go play outside. Gabi has been sick for 3 days, but nothing to terrible.

World:
I haven't really noticed anything that is grabbing my attention in the world at current. Ron Paul is still who I want to vote for. The earthquake list is pretty low. So, I guess a big one will hit in the next month. And we just start Solar Cycle 24. Weather has been crazy out west lots of snow.

Personal life:
I can't complain. Things have been going pretty good. I got to see some of my friends. I haven't made any new friends for this year yet, but come on it's only 7 days in. LOL. I think I'm going to be building a new site by April, but I have to see how much energy I'm going to have by then. Building a new site takes up so much time, and I'm so so happy with the one I have right now. I'd like more nature pictures, and less fluff, but sometime we just have to settle with what we have until we have more time to work on greater things. Most everyone likes my current site so, I guess I shouldn't worry to much. My mom thinks it needs improving, but that's moms for you. General Mood for the week. Emo.

Travel:
NONE

Till next week guys!!!

- Baron J. J. Marchese

Kismet - 4 the ’8

4 the '8s


1.> Be more Prepared!
2.> Enjoy more simply things
3.> See my friends at least once a month
4.> Began my plans on my newest B&B idea
5.> Journal at least once a week!
6.> Get out of debt


a. How to be more prepared. My goals are as followed. I will address the parts of my life that need more attention. I will find the holes in them, and fill then with a plan and scheme to make any problems easier to cope with.


b. How to enjoy more simply thing. First and foremost I need to take myself away from the high tech and pointless things that surround me. Here are the rulez. If something isn't making my MIND, BODY, SOUL, WORK LIFE, SOCIAL LIFE, or SAFETY any better then it need to go. I'm sick and tired of shit owning me! I want to be free and open to experience life in it's grandest.

c. How to visit with friends more often? I will make plans to visit them, or have them visit me. When this isn't possible I will communicate with them at least 4 times a month to catch up, on how their life is going, and stay involved.

d. Planning for B&B ii. If it took me 4 years to plan Mavis Manor, I will need to began at least a journal about my next future adventure in 2010 or 2011.

e. How to journal. With the web being so easy to journal on I will be added a enter at least once a week with just a general recap of life, and how things are progressing. Weather, or other relative events may play a role too. I may leave the myspace format to a format I control. If that happened I will let all you nosy ppl know.

f. This is one of the hardest. I will do my best to get out of debt. My goal is to be 99% out. Own almost ZERO!!! This will take a lot of hardwork, and intent shopping! I will achieve it thought!!!


Predictions for 2008
Three new friends;See two new places;framing business;reconnect with long lost friends;discover something new about myself;terrible hurricane on east coast;

till next time!

Baron

Mavis Manor 2008 Blog of the New Years

Hello Friends,
   Let me quickly introduce myself to anyone who doesnt know who I am. My name is Justyn, I'm the Innkeeper at Mavis Manor. Mavis Manor is going to be my parents' retirement business, but until my father retires, I'm running the show. I built this business from scratch. I moved here in August of 2005. This 1890s Queen Anne Victorian Manor needed a lot of TLC. After about a year of hard work, lots of help from my family, a few tears, and enough of my blood, Mavis Manor was ready to open.

   Every day I learn something new. The last 2 and 1/2 years have been a ride. I'm glad you found me. I hope you stay and enjoy the ride with me!

Cheers

-Sir Justyn Baron of Mavis