Folks,
the April 2014 Diner is now closed. It has moved to a new location, to be found at ""Elliot´s Trackside Diner - May 2014 Edition"!
Guten Morgen! Eine Tasse Kaffee, bitte, und Eier ohne Spam.
It's been 50 years since my high school German, so please excuse the spelling.
Our witches pull out their brooms on All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween. It's October 31st, the day before All Saints' Day. Children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door for candy and treats. Adults have costume parties, too, and some wear costumes to work that day. Like most things American, the costumes and decorations are big business, but it's a lot of fun.
Having put Penny on the plane to Ireland on Monday, I now get to make a pre-dawn excursion to the airport to send my daughter Annie and her friend to the Caribbean for a week, and then I get to pick them up way too late next week. The good news is that I'll have time for modeling, being the only one in the country.
Galaxy, I have lost about 25 pounds over the past 2 years, and I'm hoping to lose another 25. Mostly, it's just changing my diet, finding enjoyable substitutes rather than depriving myself entirely. I'll still have the occasional steak and cheese sub, but I'll have it on a wrap instead of a big, high-carb roll, and I have salads instead of the pasta entree. Bleu cheese dressing? Sure. If I am forced to have oil and vinegar, which I don't like, I'd be eating a burger instead of a salad. And yes, I do feel better carrying less weight around.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Morning!
Yes, I am still around! Did not get mauled by Petra for not getting her a new broom to take her to her annual witches´ meeting. She decided against going there this time - the weather in that aera is just too bad. We can´t comülain here, but if I were to use today´s sky as the prototype for my backdrop, I just would have to paint it gray.
I´ll be doing some touch ups on the coast line today and may be finish the foundation of the light house. I need Petra´s help for that, she has to roll the modelling clay to a flat 5mm.
Johnboy - prayers for you and your nextdoor neighbor!
Ken - I feel for you! Wages in Germany used to be among the highest in the world, but that is history by now. About 10% of our workforce can´t make a living on what they earn nowadays and need help from the government. Wages are down to a 1970´s level - at 2014 prices! Thanks to the Euro! OK, I won´t continue on that issue, it´ll be too political!
Galaxy - don´t worry, your weight will come back soon. Most of your weight loss comes from the loss of body liquids and fat tissue inside your organs, but not bodily fat. That you have to "burn" by exercising!
CU later, folks and have a great one!
Get the wound vac dressing changed this morning. Spent most of the rest of the day looking up tech info online about some old memory expansion cards. I already have a manual for one. The others? Zip. Zero. Nada. Bop-kiss. I found enough online to figure them out and get them working right. On one I had to remove then re-seat the chips. That's one bad thing about sockets. They corrode. One of them is what I call a throwaway board. All the chips are soldered on. If something on the board goes toes up just throw the board away and get another one.Time to call it a night or rather a morning here. I have a doc appointment in the afternoon. See y'all later.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Evening Dinners
Flo, Beer Pleases.
Yes Karl, a Lego house for real people to live in! I sure do have some messed up dreams!
Vincent, if that is my old SD 40-2 I will tell you now. It is cursed and Mr Murphry (God I miss spell check) lives in it! I think he pulls the wires out!
Well I am beat but today was a good day. Had a Lady named Pam come into the store today looking for a King Sizes matters. After talking with her for 10 minutes I figured I had a 10% chances she would buy anything. After 40 minutes I was wishing she would just go away! After 70 minutes I saw a gleamer of hope! Well she bought after 105 minutes and spent $1600.00. Just shows I am to stupid to give up and I made $115.00 for my effort. With another sale I made last Sunday and finally being out of the hole from a satfaction exchange 3 weeks ago (had to pay the commision back) I shoud have $151.00 coming on the next check.
While I really like this job, I am going to have to start looking again. Base is only $9.00 a hour which is better than NTB. But with only 3 hours OT a week that is only $400.00 a week base. I have had many OK weeks, and few great weeks! But when you have 3 bad weeks is a row, that will wake you up. Pretty said when a man my age working full time still gets food stamps.
See you all later.
Ken
I hate Rust
Good evening Gang,
Thought i would say Hi before hitting the sack.
Worked a little on the LM&E today, had to adjust some trackwork that has been fine for years as I think the basement floor has shifted some. Think I got it now other than a couple of picky cars, several tank cars and a caboose. Will see what I can do about them.. The tank cars are very old, maybe they should just be set as a static display at an oil facility.
Still seeing the speech Therapist for swallowing help, but not much change as yet. Found out yesterday that the Chemo really did a trick on my hearing and that I need hearing aids which will be new to me. Also new Rx for my glasses that I will order tomorrow, and then in a while got to look at doing something with the teeth that they removed. So hopefully in a couple of months I will feel like the Bionic Man.
Time for another tube feeding before bed so I will get at that now.
I would ask that you put my next door neighbor in your prayers tonight, at supper time he was taken to the hospital with a killer head ache, they quickly gave him a cat scan and went right to surgery for a brain anyourism. It was bleeding quite severily but they told his wife it all looks good for now but wont know for sure for 48 hours. He is a really Great Guy and ten years younger than me.
Prayers and blessings to all in need. Prayers for all those suffering the brunt of the Tornados and those who are travelling.
Johnboy out.......................for now.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Evenin' folks!
Janie a cup of decaf would be great right now...
My 70 year old sister keeps telling folks she has the body of a 20 year old... I usually chime in and tell her to give it back. She's getting it all wrinkled... Me I'm 67 and look and feel every year of it.
Got my "speech" for the convention pretty much done. Hope it goes well. Hope a bunch of them North of the Border folks manage to come down here to the USofA for our convention.
We had the "Fireside Chat" with the council Executive tonight at District Committee. About 4 of our members (and to a lesser degree myself) lit into him about failed communications in the council. Our Advancement Chair for the District threatened to quit on the spot. I almost felt sorry for the guy (Coiuncil Executive), but he is wrong about the way the council does certain things. One of the irratants brought up is unanswered emails sent to the office. I mentioned one from an organization I belong to (the Museum) that was sent to the office (to him actually) that never recieved an answer and suggested that those type of snubs tarnish the image of the Boy Scout Council among other organizations that would like to help out and we can't afford to be doing that. I said it nicely... Some others didn't! He left very quickly after he got grilled by those guys!
That "chat" took about a half hour longer than our whole meeting usually takes so we skipped over all but the nessesary immediate concerns. I moved we adjourn! It was qiuckly seconded by two other people and we all got up and headed out the door....
Hope you all have agood night out there, stay warm, and know my prayers go out for all in need!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Mint tea, please.
Sure am glad I'm only 51, because 53 sounds really challenging.
Had the little video camera with me in town today, but no train went by while I was there. Perhaps I'll catch one next time. I see mostly CSX around here.
Cheers! Rob
kbkchoochI feel your pain on the age thing, cept I'm 53 with the brain of an 18 year old............which causes me pain on occasion!Wink
Wonder what happened to Ulrich. Hopefully Petra hasn't zapped him into a toad for not getting her a new broom.
crhostler61 Afternoon everyone (morning for me) Grudgingly ramping up to go and do my final 10 hrs in purgatory...for this week. Trying figure out what I might be doing penance for to be in such a miserable job with a miserable employer. Hmm...maybe 35 years of indecision. Trying to decide on getting a BLI Reading 4-8-4. I've wanted a Reading T-1 since high school. That would mean having to do some OT. EH!!! I would be overpaying for the thing anyway since I don't run DCC or sound. See, see...indecsion!
Afternoon everyone (morning for me)
Grudgingly ramping up to go and do my final 10 hrs in purgatory...for this week. Trying figure out what I might be doing penance for to be in such a miserable job with a miserable employer. Hmm...maybe 35 years of indecision.
Trying to decide on getting a BLI Reading 4-8-4. I've wanted a Reading T-1 since high school. That would mean having to do some OT. EH!!! I would be overpaying for the thing anyway since I don't run DCC or sound. See, see...indecsion!
Sounds like the paralysis of analysis
I feel your pain on the age thing, cept I'm 53 with the brain of an 18 year old............which causes me pain on occasion!
Karl
NCE über alles!
Suspenders huh!
Since I suffer from dunlap's disease (your belly dun lapped over your belt) I may be needing suspenders for more than carrying my 45. That's for walking my pint size pooch around felony flats...er, I mean my neighborhood. That 3 1/2 pound slab on my hip can make my pants hit the ground in record time.
The body is falling apart. I hate aging. Can't escape it though. I tell people I'm 52 going on 80...with the mind of a 25 year old. I just try to offset all of it with a sense of humor.
Okay. Got to get going. I'll get in the Oldsmobile 'Zepher' and go put more money in someone else's pocket. If the 18 billion dollar CEO doesn't already have enough.
Have a good one
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
zstripe Good Afternoon All. G. Now if I can keep the weight off will be another story..and I will have to get new pants! Get suspenders. Stripe
Good Afternoon All.
G.
Now if I can keep the weight off will be another story..and I will have to get new pants!
Get suspenders.
Stripe
I have a pair! My dress pants never want to stay up by belt alone! Under my suit jacket is a pair holding the rest of me up!
{Actually, neither do my casual pants, I have to hike them up sometimes}
I just feel like an "old man" when I wear the suspenders! at least older than I am!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Packer Karl, you're not getting flood and tornado warnings, are you?
Karl, you're not getting flood and tornado warnings, are you?
Flash flood warnings yes, twisters no (thank God)
well, I went to the Doctor. I was wrong, I said I lost 12 lbs. I actually lost 16 lbs in the last week at least. I can fairly do without it, but all agree that is not the favored method by which to lose weight! I knew I lost as my pants are too big, by about 3"! Even my "home" pants..really those men's knockabout pajama bottoms with the stretchy elastic wasit are too big! Because every pair of pants is too long for me {i am short and fat} the length and the fact that they are no too big they keep falling down getting underfoot! He did continue my Ambien so at least I will have something to help me sleep still, he agreed on the meds i think i am reacting to, and said to stay off them for now while sick, but to try reintroducing them and see what happens when I feel better. Still wobbly in the knees.
MOh came home between clients that was good. we spent over an hour on the phone wiht Time Warner Cable trying to get a matching package to the one we have had for the last two years on contract...the closest she could come was an increase of about $22. I guess that will do, we have to go through the same thing next year! Of course, by then we may be stcuk with Comcast, and I have heard enough of you guys here complaining about them, THey don't sound much better. We had to talk to 3 people to get to a person at TWC that claimed to be able to help us and waited aobut 40 minutes on hold to get it done! We have multiples of channels mostly we don't watch, adn the internet adn the cable phone which we rarely use and only use to make the few long distance calls we make..like 1 or 2 a week, if I call my friend who is 40 minutes away. It goes out if the power goes out, our landline still has a hardwired phone to it so we always have phone, even when cell phones die or cable phones don't work during power outages. It costs us some money {its cheap really} but we like the stability of it.
i haven't done much else today, I did all the running around this AM.
I am however, exhausted and for all the TV channels we have, there IS NOTHING ON!
I think I go lie down.
EDIT: glad i am not down south with flash flooding! Prayers for those who are! The nearby counties have flood watches out now, so only a matter of time before we get them too if it keeps raining. We are "downestream" of two rivers and countless tributaries and where the two rivers meet, is another matter.
Afternoon guys
Still stormming outside... I did work on some trains though.
I cleaned up my F45, there was a lot of crud that worked it's way into the running gear. Now it runs like it should, starting up at low voltage. Not taking a lot of thottle and being slow at the top end. I also put in a capacitor for the speaker, although I don't see how it helps I'll try anything cause this loco shouldn't be cutting out like this.
On the SD40-2, the repair to the coupler mount came loose. I glued it back in with some acetone, then waited while I worked on the lights. One of the wires to the beacon bulb had broke at the bulb (I hate when that happens) so I had to replace it. In an Athearn engine that I've converted to LEDS, that is a big pain because of where the beacon is. I had to pull out LED amd the aluminum tube that directs the LED's light foward. Unfortunately the LED got stuck (must have made my friction fits interference fits) and the wires broke. I grabbed one of the pre-wired ones and am used it. Then out come the lucite rods for the foward headlight. Of course murphy was watching over my sholder, and one broke. So I yanked one out of an engine that is still being worked on (I can make many more later though). Then comes removing the bulb. I pulled on the base with some tweezers, but no luck. I had to take the factory-glued beacon off, of course if comes apart (base and lens). Then I was able to pull the bulb out. I grabbed another one (I save the bulbs when I convert my Athearn RTR locos to LEDs, they are useful for beacons). Then come reassembly. I touched up the silver on the beacon base and drilled the lens so the bulb sits up higher (thus, brighter) before gluing it and the lens back together. Then the bulb went in, then the lucite rod, then the aluminum rod. But when I put the aluminum rod in, it must have cut one of the wires to the bulb. So repeat dissasembly, and reassemble. But then when the lucite rod went in, the bulb wire broke again. So I disassembled it, again. But then I took my drill bit I use to clean up the holes for the lucite rod and opened up the area a bit where the beacon bulb and the lucite rod goes in. I had to remove as much glue as possible from the beacon, as using glue on it more than once makes it less transparent each time it's glued. Got that cleaned up, put it all back together minues the aluminum rod. I tried cutting a notch for the bulb's wires in it, but it wouldn't stay put (the tube's thickness makes it a really snug fit between the top lucite rod and the shell). I decided to cut a new piece using my dremel. It worked, but it skipped around a lot. But I made a chance discovery, turns out when it skipped, it thinned part of the cut tube. Thinking fast i set the dremel down (battery ones have a flat base) and used the cutting disc as a kind of sander and sanded the tube on one side so it was thinner between the cab roof and bulb. Worked like a charm. But when I made the hole bigger, I made the hole in the roof too big, big enough some light from the LED leaked out. I pulled the beacon off and pulled the bulb part way out. I grabbed some putty and applied a bit to the hole's edges, let that dry, then used a paint marker to paint it black. Reassmled the whole thing and the lights work finally. Although the beacon is now dimmer than it was . Maybe later I'll order some DW beacons that are pre-cored. It seems some of the time when I drill them out they kinda dull.
Still kinda annoyed I didn't get to work. As much as I hate my job, I missed 8 hours. Which means no overtime this week. My doctor's appointment (check-ups) got rescheduled cause of the weather.
Jeff, you picked a good picture to go with your folks going on a road trip.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Sir MadogEdit: Tonight is St. Walpurgis Night, the night of the witches´meeting on the Brocken Mountain. The witches ride through the air on their brooms - and I forgozt to get Petra a new broom for the occasion! How do I get out of this?
Its raining, its pouring, my job is sooooo boring! (who buys cars in a monsoon?) I've been trying to get caught up with the forums, maybe by the end of the day?
Galaxy, record you dreams, Hollywood might buy the story line.
Ken, A lego house?
Ulrich. I don't know how to get out of your situation. Flowers & Hagen Das??
Me, I keep having a recurrent dream about a large warehouse and a "dream layout". I usually get 1/4 to 1/2 way though the run before the alarm clock goes off.
L8ter!
Coffee TO GO, please.
Have a terrific day all.
Me again!
Rats, I waited a moment to long to take off the tin foil - while pulling it off, it tore apart and I had to use tweezer to get all those tiny bits of it out of the cracks and crevices . Intersting to see, how much heat the plaster develops when covered up. I gave the whole another coat of "black water" and it is really starting to look nice. The difficult part was the joint between the two segment (at the leg of the "T"). There, I will have to use a small chisel to even the joint. I am glad I colored the plaster, any chip-off won´t show.
Ray - in my neck of the woods, we actually say "Moin, moin" - all day long. It sounds close to "Morning", but has its origin in the lower German / Dutch word "mooie" meaning "nice". It also means "hello" and "good bye".
Galaxy- usually, there are a lot less people shopping after 9am, so the reduce the number of staff in these hours. Only one cashpoint is open - out of 8!
No more w*rk on the layout or the rest of the day - I must have a woodpecker in my head, hammering about!
Edit: Tonight is St. Walpurgis Night, the night of the witches´meeting on the Brocken Mountain. The witches ride through the air on their brooms - and I forgot to get Petra a new broom for the occasion! How do I get out of this?
Mornin' everyone! Oh, Guten Morgen Ulrich!
Here in the Finger Lakes and most of Central NY at least just saying mornin' so and so is a cheery greeting said with a smile. If it is just "mornin'" with a growl or humph after it and a frown... Stay away!
Zoe, I'll have a short stack of buckwheat pancakes with real NYS Maple Syrup a couple sausage links and lots of Seneca Lake Blend Dark Raost organic coffee to start the day please!
Another dark day here in the Finger Lakes today. Currently 48°F on it's way up to 52°F later. Whoopie! Maybe May will get warm enough to go outside without a coat?
Today I have to get things done, like cleaning the house, before I head to Canada on Friday. Have to get a haircut, and get in touch with the lady at School who does the retirees insurance to make sure I will have coverage of some sort when I am in Canada. Have a Boy Scout District Committee meeting tonight. Normally I would skip this one, but the Council Executive will be there to chat and gather information on how we feel about the job our district executive is doing. Volunarily mandatory attendence tonight! The home furnishing auction is also tonight across the street so I hope I can out of my driveway....
Best to all!
went and got gas, went to Wally World, went to the grocery store, stopped at Firestone so they could finish what they should have yesterday, and came home.
Still wobbly, weak in the knees and none of the food looked appetizing. Still don' 'feel right" I bought just afew things, cost me $130! I did get some ohter juices to drink, plain water isn't doing it for me. I did eat a regular schedule yesterday not because i was hungry but because it was time too eat. first time for consistant solid food in a week. i still don't feel all that well, I have the Doctor at noon.
It is 100% chance of rain today, and a high of only 50.
ULRICH: I go EARLy to the grocery so I DON'T have to stand in line for cashing out! Plus part of my mental illenss is not dealing with crowds/people very well, so I go before they start!
A major section of Downtown, where MOH has to go today is SHut down. a local high-end funiture store is on fire downtown. Its a big deal as they can't go in the building as not safe, so fighting it from outside and it is a deep store, I don't know how sucessful they will be,
Speaking of firefighters the ones in the county seat threatened to walk of f the job {volunteers} if the village board did not approve a new proceedure manual for the dept. After a local firefighter died in a fire, the state came down hard and issued 6 citations, so they had to change the manual of proceedures. THe village board was slow to read and approve the new manual. So, they firefighters agreed to give the board 2 more months to decide before walking off the job. You'd htink wiht teh safety of people-people in general and firefighters- at hand- the board could move faster!
well better get a move on I want another shower before the Doctor. I was sweating bullets while doing the shoping!
Good Morning
Flo, Diet Dew and English Muffin to go.
As far as just typing Morning, was not trying to be guff it is just the way I speak. Plus one less word to type. I was smiling when I typed it if that counts at all!
After having two days off in a row, it seems odd to go back to work? I normally have Tuesday and Friday's off so I work normally only work 3 days, off 1, work 2 days and off again. Kind of got use to it. Looks like I may have to 6 days in a row this time around.
Got To Run, Ken
Sir MadogWhen I was back, my BP went down. I barely managed to crawl to the sofa, before I must have passed out for a while. Nothing serious - it´s the weather plus I was too low on sugar. I am fine now.
*
Good morning. It's 55° with 68% humidity. The high will be 75° with some clouds. Northwest winds 10-15 mph.Expecting the Home Health nurse to be coming today to change out the wound vac dressing.No plans set in stone. I may do a load of laundry today.My father and stepmother will be starting out on a slow cross country road trip to Pennsylvania today. They expect it to take a week to get there. They'll be stopping to visit many points of interest along the way.
Good Afternoon Folks!
It was a busy morning. Took the car to the garage to have the tires changed - I am now poorer by $ 95 for changing, balancing, washing and storing. When that was done, I went to the home improvemnet store to by some a few 6mm dia. rods, more plaster and a brush. I must be eating brushes - not so long ago I had plenty, but somehow they just disappear. When I left , Petra handed me a shopping list, so that had to be done as well. I am not particularly fond of shopping. Queing up just to pay seems so ridiculous!
When I was back, my BP went down. I barely managed to crawl to the sofa, before I must have passed out for a while. Woke up with a doc grinning into my face. Nothing serious - it´s the weather plus I was too low on sugar. I am fine now, just got a tremendous headache.
I did manage to do some plaster w*rk on the layout - takes me about 30 minutes for a foot or so. I´ll be finishing the left part of the layout by tomorrow.
Janie, a mug of strong coffee, with a few drops of milk and a handful of those chocolate chip cookies, please. I´ll stay here at the RC to see who´ll be dropping by!
galaxyNote I usually say "morning coffee in the diner..." as my first sentence, it makes sense as the first coffee of the day, but can also imply I am "not quite awake" {perhaps due to lack of coffee?} as I start my morning greeting by saying only "monring" instead of "good morning"!.
Good morning gang
I got woke up by the thunderstorm at like 430... This storm has been going on for over 24 hours, and with the constant rains it's been flooding. I couldn't get to work cause the roads were closed...
Dunno what I'm gonna do today. I'll probably clean up the genesis F45 and SD40-2 I brought home last night. I'll also see about soldering a capacitor to the soundtraxx decoder in the F45 (a pre-Tsunami one)
Sir Madog cudaken Ulrich, why did sound gruff to you? Ken - this may be a cultural issue. You just wrote "Morning" - in my language we always say "Guten Morgen", leaving out the "Guten" is an indication one may not be feeling up to par. Btw, that foam block is the culprit. It made the knife slip and slice through my finger tip.
cudaken Ulrich, why did sound gruff to you?
Ken - this may be a cultural issue. You just wrote "Morning" - in my language we always say "Guten Morgen", leaving out the "Guten" is an indication one may not be feeling up to par. Btw, that foam block is the culprit. It made the knife slip and slice through my finger tip.
A simple "morning" or more likely "mornin' ", means one is just not to talkative, doesn't necessarilly mean "gruff", though it CAN be a gruff statement when one is not feeling up to the morning congeniality, and doesn't complete the phrase.
MOH and I are NOT talkers first thing in the morning!
Note I usually say "morning coffee in the diner..." as my first sentence, it makes sense as the first coffee of the day, but can also imply I am "not quite awake" {perhaps due to lack of coffee?} as I start my morning greeting by saying only "monring" instead of "good morning"!.
I follow up with a "good XX morning" to ease into the bright, brilliant morning greeting you all know and love!
morning coffee in the diner...
MOH has been down for 13 straight hours..starting to worry me!
Quotable Quote:
I don't need time. What I need is a deadline. -Duke Ellington, jazz pianist, composer, and conductor (1899-1974)