On page 3 my offering of Canadian brew was poo-pooed.
On page 4, allow me to offer up something else Canadian, and just a bit more high-browed and pompous...
Unibroue Don De Dieu
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
This bottle is absolutely delicious. Please help yourself and enjoy.
Good evening...
I had a wierd interaction with a customer today at work that really ticked me off. I might be back to share it later.
Right now I am enjoying a Premium Canadian Beer!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
"On page 3 my offering of Canadian brew was poo-pooed."
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
JaBearJaBear wrote the following post 3 minutes ago: "On page 3 my offering of Canadian brew was poo-pooed."
Too funny, all the morale was destoyed... by poo-poo.
SeeYou190On page 3 my offering of Canadian brew was poo-pooed.
Hi Kevin,
Guilty! I hope you realized that I was doing it in jest. Molson Canadian is one of the best selling brews in Canada. It's just not my favourite.
SeeYou190Right now I am enjoying a Premium Canadian Beer!
I have never had a Don De Dieu but the reviews I read were pretty positive. I'll have to see if it is sold in Ontario. My son would love it. Edit: No such luck! I'll have to make a trip to Quebec.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterGuilty! I hope you realized that I was doing it in jest.
Completely, I had a few good laughs at your commentary.
hon30critterNo such luck! I'll have to make a trip to Quebec.
Beer is weird how it is distributed. I can get Don De Dieu in Florida with ease. I cannot find David's Lancaster Bomber brew anywhere, but one of my friends in California can get it.
One of my favorite beers is Spaten, brewed in Germany. I have not seen a bottle of that in ages.
Kevin,
On-line site BeerMenu indicates that the closest Spaten to Florida is an Optimator (a doppelbock), available at Brew n' Vape in Anniston, AL. That's the closest I could find. Road trip?
I feel for you bier-nerds. I hate the stuff. But I have my own trials: I'd like to find some Delaware Punch! Best I could do last time was some syrup found on-line - 15 years ago! Maybe I should look again . . .
John
Yum beer! I had one yesterday at my buddy's bachelor party. He's getting married in two weeks so he got a bunch of us together at a place near the river for horseshoes, drinks, and we grilled up some good food.
On the MR front, I got a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 installed two days ago into a Westside Mizuno J3a Super Hudson and I'm liking it a lot! The model gave me a fit for awhile and though I thought I'd done it correctly, something kept making it short time and again, and I could not figure out what. Well, I realized that when the loco to tender deck plate touches the tender, it creates a short. So, I'll run it with the deckplate down and I've put masking tape painted black on the underside of it and that will I hope keep it from shorting. While doing installation and testing I blew the first Soundtraxx Tsunami2 TSU-2200 decoder I got and sent it to Soundtraxx for repair about a week ago. As, I didn't know when I'd get it back, I elected to buy another at a local hobby shop when they had that exact model in stock and even a good price too. I just added a better coal load (the original one looked not great and the coal chunks were way out of scale), did touch up painting, and added cab windows on each side.
Alvie
Track fiddlerHappy Birthday Brother Elias!
Thanks TF!
Elias
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning, everyone. Bacon, eggs, and black coffee, Chloe.
Another busy day. Getting ready for another road trip. Having grandchildren means putting lots of mileage on the car.
Lion, happy belated birthday wishes. I must have missed it somehow. Hope everything is going well.
I read one time about the strange setup of alcohol sales in my state. I never quite understood distributorships until several years ago.
The problem came up when some microbreweries in my state wanted to bottle and sell their own beer. They were allowed to sell the beer only if it was consumed on their property.
If someone wanted to buy some bottled beer to take home, it wasn't allowed. The brewery would have to sell the beer to the distributorship, which would then sell the beer back to the brewery, and then the beer could be sold. The only way a local store could sell a locally-brewed beer was for the distributorship to buy the beer and sell it to the store.
If I remember, this system was originally set up to make sure all alcohol went through distributorships which took care of the government taxes, fees, and regulations.
I think the rules were changed in my state to allow the brewery to sell it's own bottled beer, but local stores still need to go through the distributor.
I don't know how the system operates in other states.
Kevin, you got my interest in your story of your interaction with a customer. Not sure if you can tell us, but it sounds interesting.
Bear, the Black Adder clip is funny. Our local station carried the reruns of that program years ago, but I haven't seen it in quite a while. The one I miss most is Red Green. We used to get it here, but not anymore. I loved that show.
Hope everyone has a great day today.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
In Delaware we can buy local beer either at the brewery/brewpub or at a liquor store. Bars and restaurants have local beer, too, both in bottles/cans and on tap. Supermarkets and convenience stores can't sell alcohol.
Massachusetts had laws requiring beer all go through distributers. My guess is that was purely graft and corruption, because that's just the way things are done there. There were exceptions for small craft breweries.
There was also a law prohibiting out-of-state wineries from shipping directly to Massachusetts customers. As wine became more popular, this became irksome to many. Remember Drew Bledsoe? He was the quarterback of the Patriots before Brady. When he retired from football, he bought a California winery, but discovered he couldn't ship to Massachusetts. So, he went to Boston, where he was still a popular and well-known guy, and personally schmoozed the Legislature. His efforts got the law changed.
Delaware remains one of the last home-shipping holdouts. Again, it's the greedy distributerships. The solution here is to have the wine shipped to Ocean City in Maryland to UPS and drive 40 minutes to get it
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
York1Lion, happy belated birthday wishes. I must have missed it somehow. Hope everything is going well.
Me too.
Happy birthday Brother Lion!
York1Kevin, you got my interest in your story of your interaction with a customer. Not sure if you can tell us, but it sounds interesting.
It was about 30 minutes before closing.
A customer had a cart full of gardening supplies, left the cart my the patio furniture display and walked to me at the service desk. He just looked at me and said "Are you working?" and I replied "Yes, what can I do for you?"
He then asked again "Are you working?", and again I said "Yes, what can I do for you?"
Then he asked "I need to know if you are working?", so again I replied "Yes, what can I do for you?"
Then he said "I need to know if anyone here is willing to do their job!", do I said "Yes, what can I do for you?"
The fifth time he asked he peppered in a bunch of curse words, and I replied the same way. He was noticeably getting angry and exlaimed that Home Depot needs to hire people that are willing to work, and nobody want to do their job any more.
After all this escalation, all he wanted was to be checked out, and he was angry that we close the garden department registers before the main store was closed.
At the service desk, I can check people out, but we do dozens of other things too. He never pushed his cart over. He left it 25 feet away. That does not make it obvious you want to be checked out.
He left angry after he was checked out, and I will leave out all the political comments he made.
I don't know how many times I asked "What can I do for you?" before he finally told me.
SeeYou190He left angry after he was checked out, and I will leave out all the political comments he made.
You are obviously more patient than I. I would have directed him to the construction material aisle where he could find some sand to pound.
In Michigan, you can get local beer basically anwhere. From the microbrewer, local restaurants, grocery store, liquor store, etc.
MisterBeasleyMy guess is that was purely graft and corruption
SeeYou190I had a wierd interaction with a customer today at work that really ticked me off. I might be back to share it later.
Mike
you have to go to England to have civil tea.
The Queen will be pleased to serve you for, for I have always found her gracious.
Good evening
One of those goofy days when there was supposed to be things going on but it was hurry-up-and-wait all day. None of them really panned out so just kinda fiddled around all day waiting for one of them to happen
Nothing really did happen till about 3:00 and even that wasn't that exciting.
Can't stand customers like that Kevin. It was one of the perks of finding my own jobs through the years and got wiser at pinpointing people like that out. Wouldn't work for them when I smelled a rat but some of them were quite good at hiding who they really were and eventually one of those wack jobs would slip through the cracks.
But here's the thing, at least you can watch them walk out the door within minutes after your abuse and frustration is short lived. When my luck went south landing a job with one of those psychos eventually showing their true colors, I was trapped with the freak until their job was done. It was Horrible!
On a positive note, everyone in my complex is very nice for the most part. I know of the few that aren't and it's easy to stay away from them let alone work for them.
By the way, feel free to tell one of those spooky customer stories anytime as I get a kick out of them. I'll have to dig one up to tell some time as I have many.
I admire you for being able to keep your cool in front of people like that as believe me, I know how hard that is to do.
TF
Water Level Route Kevin, you will probably be the only one to notice those spots. Tends to be that way with one's own work. I had a spot in a room in my old house that bugged me. I even pointed it out to my father in law who still couldn't see it.
Track fiddlerThose butts are the toughest part about mudding. We are all the most critical about our own work. Half the time ya paint the walls with Flat and you won't even notice. I'm sure you did a great job.
I couldn't leave it alone. These two blemishes would have bothered me too much.
I set out to fix them.
-Photographs by Kevin Parson
I should be able to apply a coat-over of texture in an hour or so.
This is the new work light that revealed these mistakes before it was too late.
This new work light is amazing.
The World Is A Beautiful Place
See you all tomorrow.
This looks like a fun place to visit:
Three-Way Meet at Fairgrounds by Jerry Jordak, on Flickr
https://pa-trolley.org/
(sorry, not related to Newfoundland) I used to really enjoy riding the Cleveland (Shaker Rapid) PCC cars.
Shaker_56_1966 by Edmund, on Flickr
I inquired about a week ago — wondering where Tom Stage has been of late? Anyone hear anything?
I hope everyone is getting along fine...
Cheers, Ed
Good morning Diners. A coffee on the go please, Janie.
Friends visiting throughout the day, so the teapot will be hot.
Stay Safe Everbody.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Good Morning Diners. Chloe, scrambled eggs, ham, and raisin toast please. Oh, and a coffee in a large PRR mug.
Had a weather system come through yesterday that gave me a fierce headache. I thought it might have been a blessing in disguise as my nephew had a choir concert last night (6th or 7th grade) that I really wasn't looking forward to. My headache got me out of going, but turns out it was actually a decent concert. Oh well. Next time.
gmpullmanI inquired about a week ago — wondering where Tom Stage has been of late? Anyone hear anything?
I purchased my first Jordan Highway Miniatures kit last night on Ebay. I've always wanted one, but figures between me seeing them as a kid and finally having layout space again they go out of business and don't sell the molds so someone else can keep them going. Annoying and honestly sounds like the original owner had a rather selfish attitude about it (refused to sell/directed family not to sell). I wonder why.
Have a fine Tuesday gentlemen!
Good morning, everyone. Bacon, eggs, and black coffee, Flo.
It's packing day. We will be gone for several days to visit family. We wanted to make sure we have enough money in the bank to cover the gas station stops.
Kevin, when I put an outlet into a basement wall, the only way to get it in was to cut out some sheetrock and insulation to run wire. After I patched it all and painted it, it looked great ... until a bedside lamp close to the wall was turned on. It was obvious I hadn't done a good enough job. My wife could not see it, and told me no one would notice. Besides, it's a basement bedroom, which gets used only once or twice a year. That didn't matter. I spent two days fixing it just because everytime I went into that room, it was the first thing I saw. I understand what you're going through.
We're having another day of storms predicted. We have really enjoyed our wet spring. The fields are all turning green as the corn comes up. Most out-of-state people drive through without noticing, but these farms really are beautiful as the crops grow.
I hope everyone has a great day, and thoughts for the diners with health issues.
Good morning
Good morning all. I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I am now at home and am planning on rest and recovery for a few days.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Good to hear from you Rick and pleased to hear you're OK. Welcome home and rest well my friend.
dti406Good morning all. I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I am now at home and am planning on rest and recovery for a few days.
Great news, Rick! Hope your recovery goes well. A good news day in the diner.
Hi Everyone,
John: it sounds like the distributors worked out a very sweet deal with the legislators.
Kevin: Yeah, I too had a few customers like that at HD. Of course, one tries to be gracious, civil, and accommodating under such circumstances (you'll get written up if you aren't), but at the same time you want to slap them silly! And, you kind of think, "what did I ever do to you?"
Oh well, there are plenty of nice and friendly customers and clients to offset the malcontents.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Post hog!
One minuscule story. I once had a customer come in 15 minutes before closing and wanted to buy a kitchen. Not look at cabinets, not look at countertops,... a kitchen. I had to politely explain to him that that's not how it works. I'd be happy to set up an appt and start the proces, but with a kitchen, you're spending about the same amount of money as on a car with a lot more variables. He walked out and I never saw him again. Some folks just get it in their minds a certain way and won't be dissuaded.
I sent Tom two messages through the contact page on his website, but I have not heard anything from him.
He has my email, I hope he reaches out if he desires to.
York1 After I patched it all and painted it, it looked great ... until a bedside lamp close to the wall was turned on. It was obvious I hadn't done a good enough job. My wife could not see it, and told me no one would notice.
That is exactly what these two spots are. One is the 10 by 12 patch where the doorbell used to be the other is where a 12 by 12 hole was cut to run the wire to the microwave.
I have probably 20-25 pathes like this in my walls. These were the first two I did not feather out correctly.
dti406I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I am now at home and am planning on rest and recovery for a few days.
This is welcome and good news Rick.
Get well!
Our local McDonalds had a school night for us. We would have the teachers work alongside the regular workers, and we would get a portion of the profit for our sports program. It was good publicity for McDonalds among our parents.
Being the principal, I was put working the drive-thru. We all had headphones, and we all could hear what was being said by the customers in their cars and the workers, so everyone knew what was ordered and what was expected.
I couldn't believe how many people ordered something -- we all heard it -- and when they got to the window, they would get angry at us because they claimed the order wasn't right.
I was ready to throw the food at them and tell them where to go, but the regular McDonalds workers were well-trained. They would apologize over and over, work quickly to get what the person said they ordered, and apologize again.
That night, I developed a new appreciation for McDonalds (and all fast food workers) -- how hard they work and how well-trained they are.