Tom McMahon

The Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, Formerly The Rochester State Hospital: Home of Many Famous Incarcerated Celebrities. And I Used To Live Across The Street From It.

The Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, Formerly The Rochester State Hospital: Home of Many Famous Incarcerated Celebrities. And I Used To Live Across The Street From It.

It's been the home away from home for televangelist Jim Bakker, perennial presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche, Sotheby's chairman A. Alfred Taubman, and may soon be the home of Bernie Madoff. Up the road 100 miles or so from where ex-Enron CEO Jeff Skilling spends his time these days. 

When we lived there in the late seventies it was still the Rochester State Hospital. And yes, we literally lived across the street, in the Edelweiss Apartments. Those old state hospitals have a lot of mysterious history.

A Message to the Pattonville High School Class of 1965 from Your Principal, Mr. James C. McMahon

A Message to the Pattonville High School Class of 1965 from Your Principal, Mr. James C. McMahon

That's my Dad, of course. Scanned from the 1965 Echo, the Pattonville High School yearbook. I think we lost something important when society abandoned the idea that you had a duty to live your life such that your hometown and your high school would be proud of you.

Special Announcement: I Am Now A Contributor to the Encyclopedia Britanica Blog

No, really. Honest.

The Wheelchair Ramp I Built 18 Years Ago

The Wheelchair Ramp I Built 18 Years Ago

I took these photos just before we got rid of the VW Vanagon that we had for 17 years. The first two photos are taken from outside the garage. The door in the back of the photo leads to our kitchen. I overbuilt this ramp because I'm not a good enough carpenter to figure out where to cut corners, and because with the "docking" maneuver needed to get our son Ryan out of the van and into the ramp, I knew we woud be banging into this ramp on a regular basis.

My Life Lesson Takeaway: If you have something really important and you don't have the skill to build it like a professional, you can compensate by throwing more and better material at the problem. It's not the cheapest way, but it will get the job done.

We Regret To Inform You That Your Son James C. McMahon Was Seriously Wounded In Action In The Palau Islands. Repeat: George T. McMahon Was Seriously Wounded In Action In The Palau Islands. No, Wait, It Was Jim. Stay Right There, We'll Get Back To You.

We Regret To Inform You That Your Son James C. McMahon Was Seriously Wounded In Action In The Palau Islands. Repeat: George T. McMahon Was Seriously Wounded In Action In The Palau Islands. No, Wait, It Was Jim. Stay Right There, We'll Get Back To You.

It was my Dad Jim who got wounded, not my Uncle George. Long Story Short: They're both alive today, and doing just fine. Their Mother, who had a weak heart, was not so lucky. She died in 1948, and my Dad thinks it was the strain of having 4 sons in the war. And these telegrams.

Widgets Widgets Widgets For Your Blog Blog Blog

From Widgetbox. Like the ones you now see in my sidebar.

How To Add 4-Block World To Your Blog

Just go http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/4bw2day and follow the instructions.

I've Been Working These Past Three Weekends

• In the old economy, that would have been considered to be complaining.
• In this new economy, it borders on bragging.

Duke Flemming, Belvidere High School Class of 1972

Duke Flemming, Belvidere High School Class of 1972

Taken with my trusty Pocket Instamatic 110, I'm sure. What crappy cameras they were, eh? But no matter - this is always how I'll remember him. RIP, Duke.

Obamicon.Me: All The Cool Kids Are Doing It

Obamicon.Me: All The Cool Kids Are Doing It

Like me and Sykes, for instance. I had such an interesting experience with the whole Coexist thing last time I thought "Oh What The Hell".