Light rain after two beautiful days, and the grass is now going berserk. Didn't follow wife's instructions after the last lawn mowing a couple of weeks back. Rain and mowing schedule didn't work out since then. Then last weekend's rains. Her instructions? Pick up the doggy doo doo. Now I've got presents from the dogs hidden in the grass in the back. The lawn mower wheels get pretty gross, not to mention my shoes. Man, can they produce the waste products, and quickly.
Chief......re putting lime in your pond. I know lime raises the ph of the water, but what else does it do? Reduce certain species of undesireable plant life? Help the fish? With lawns, one 40 pound bag dropped on 1000 square feet will raise the ph level about 1 point. I can't imagine how much lime would be required to raise the ph in a pond, especially if it has some depth to it.
Laz.....glad to hear you are getting those nasties removed. A lot of us guys know better, but we seldom use sun block when we are going out in the sun: mowing, running, fishing, BBQs, sporting events, etc. Melanomas from sun exposure can develop, and a predisposition to get them can be hereditary.
Kurt....not sure what you mean about Mitch's bonding for the schools. While there may be a cap on the maximum amount available to spend, there are no restrictions on reductions or under budget spending. The penalties he's talking about would be money back, reductions in budgeted spending.
Mitch.....smart move having both a construction management firm and the BOE project manager. Stay on them like flies on grits, with dated correspondence and issue detail. Your deadline doesn't move. Those open houses and the first day of school: "Mitch GOT IT DONE down to the details." Taxpayers can be an unforgiving and cynical lot, and some will zero in on the 2% not done, not the mountain that was moved.
Brent.....school. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS.
Doug.....watch out for scorpions hitching a ride in your suitcase.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
RockIsland52 wrote: Kurt....not sure what you mean about Mitch's bonding for the schools. While there may be a cap on the maximum amount available to spend, there are no restrictions on reductions or under budget spending. The penalties he's talking about would be money back, reductions in budgeted spending.
Typically the agreement between the Owner and Contractor would be a bonus to the contractor for finishing early and penalties for finishing late...A give and take agreement. New schools typically sell bonds to fund the new construction, and don't have additional moneys set aside for bonus payments. I was wondering how the financials are set-up for their new construction with this type of agreement.
Laz: Glad your Bride has your back! Praying things test negative.
Kurt
RockIsland52 wrote: Brent.....school. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS.
Thanks GIZ for the well wishes. I go back for an in and out procedure, about 40 minutes day after schools out.
KURT, LOL I'll tell the wife she's got my back.
laz57
Morning from rainy Southern Ohio
Nice rain showers are predicted for all day. I don't mind too much as I put out the garden yesterday and the rain will set the plants well. Besides, I've got to prep for class this weekend and if it is nice out I'm tempted to do stuff rather than class prep. This weekend I am up to deliver the homily (sermon) for class. With this Sunday being Pentecost, the topic will be the Holy Spirit. I have the homily written now it is fine tuning and practicing the delivery. This will be graded and is a big part of this quarters class.
Gas around here is $3.79, diesel is $4.39. The truck is sitting a lot and only used if needed right now. I've noticed not too many campers going on the roads right now. The concept of camping to save money on vacations is fading. As I figure it, if I tow 273 miles I have paid for a hotel stay for a night.
Mitch- Very savy. At work one of the projects was walked down and signed off completed by someone who did not have the required skills and knowledge, or fortitude, and we subsequently had to pay BIG bucks to complete work that should have been done under contract.
Laz - I pray for complete removal of the melanoma and no recurrence.
Jack- Up till last year I had a Golden Retriever kept in the yard. Poop patrol was a necessity. I found you can reduce the amount of Poo by feeding a high quality food. The less filler going in the less coming out I guess.
Well need to go, may God bless
Jim
kpolak wrote: RockIsland52 wrote: Kurt....not sure what you mean about Mitch's bonding for the schools. While there may be a cap on the maximum amount available to spend, there are no restrictions on reductions or under budget spending. The penalties he's talking about would be money back, reductions in budgeted spending. Typically the agreement between the Owner and Contractor would be a bonus to the contractor for finishing early and penalties for finishing late...A give and take agreement. New schools typically sell bonds to fund the new construction, and don't have additional moneys set aside for bonus payments. I was wondering how the financials are set-up for their new construction with this type of agreement.Kurt
I wonder too, and as you say, whether school districts are able legally to include a bonus provision for early completion in the RFPs and hence the bonding.
I'm not familiar with school construction and/or rennovation projects other than this: while the powers that be and taxpayers debate what and how much will be approved and when, the construction costs escalate unabated and quickly during the debate process. Kind of "He who hesitates is lost" syndrome, delaying the inevitable.
In my city, the construction costs estimate on the high school expansion/rennovation increased 28% while no concensus could be reached on the scope of the project. It seems decisions couldn't or wouldn't be made until the State inserted an accredidation suspension date into the mix because of the facility's poor condition. Only then, with a gun to their head, did the decision makers get off the dime and come together. We wound up getting the same thing for about $14 million more, thank you very much.
Chief wrote a good piece on one of the pitfalls of the process.....in his neck of the woods he was fighting on getting the land acquisition done for a fair price (lower) while others with less foresight were only looking at the construction cost side of the equation. They needed one Chief and more Indians on that one.
laz 57 wrote: I go back for an in and out procedure, about 40 minutes day after schools out.
This is too easy....Where's Fife? The one hand on the shoulder procedure????
Laz, good thing you listened to wife. Mine has saved me a few times. Best wishes for your recovery...lot easier recovering from that than if they didn't get it so early.
Well, was going to be an easy day today, now it looks like I will be doing an emergency case. Oh well, if it is a true emergency, I don't mind. We should have a good day anyway. Hope everyone has a great day.
God Bless,
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Jason
B&O = Best & Only
Evenin' boys. Showers and 70 here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Have to go to my middle girl's dance recital tonight (been practicing my polite golf clap all day).
Laz - what's odd?
Brutus - not even, as in I'm still not going to elaborate on the Home Depot yadda-yadda.
kpolak - I don't joke about these things until they are way way behind in the rear-view mirror...No wait, I mean...you know what I mean...? I'm sorry, what were we talking about? Oh yes, glad they found that mole in time, laz.
88 - Can't you just order the engine that you want?
Wow, for got to post this morning. Busy shooting squirrels and fixing breakfast. Then hit the road running errands. Gas went from 3.59 to 3.66 in one hour. Been at Town Hall for photo for paper. Then had to listen to Parks and Rec Advisory Board Chair [she does not realize they are ADVISORY only] female dog about us chewing the Parks and Rec Director for not doing his job and the newpaper printed it. Now I am calling her when things get behind and he is not performing. YOU handle the problem. Good politician delegates to person who wants to gripe. Rained a nice slow soaking rain. Now sun is out and they are calling for big stuff this PM. Maybe trains in a few minutes. Later
PS: Jack, lime in pond does the same. I probably need a ton but not spending the $$$$. Do some at a time. Also harder to put lime in pond than yard or garden [can't walk on water and JD will not run on top so I can spread it]. Will keep down the green slimey stuff that can form. See I put in pond fertilizer [put bag in edge of water and slit open. Wave action and wind will distribute. Too much fertilizer and you get algie bloom [I had big one last year]. If it dies too fast, eats up O2 and fish die. You have to be careful.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
fifedog wrote: 88 - Can't you just order the engine that you want?
Fife - LOL!
Speaking about the price of gas.......The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) which serves Boston and the metro area announced that 2008 weekday ridership is up 6.2% vs. prior year for all forms of ridership which includes busses, ferries, subway, and commuter rail. As a segment, however, commuter rail ridership remains flat. In other words, those travelling the greatest distances won't forsake their cars. Go figure. You'd think that those burning up the most gas would have been the first to make the switch.
Brent,
I've been using my NPCL Docksider for my Christmas freight cars. I've also been looking for that NPCL Berk but that must have been an extremely limited run or extremely popular, they are just not to be found anywhere.
The same as the Mickey & Minnie handcar, on E-Bay they go for above MSRP.
Back to the kitchen, workin' on tomorrow's lunch.
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Good Evening everyone! Got my emergency case out of the way. Enjoyed a quick dinner and then watched "Super Trains" on the DVR. Has a lot of discussion of high speed train crashes. Amazing how they figure out how things happen. I have an uncle who is an accident investigator....would be a interesting line of work.
I am feeling run down, but hope to get some energy back with a few days of good sleep. MIL and her husband are visiting this weekend for our daughter's ballet recital. Should be fun...if she actually dances. She has done so in the last two dress rehersals.
Doug, I will keep an eye out for that Berk for you. I have seen them from time to time. I had thought about buying one to repaint to Southern, but I'll give you first dibs if I find it.
Take care,
dougdagrump wrote:Buckeye, Some sad news today. Ohio Valley Trains, formerly Davis Trains, is closing it's doors. Whenever I got back that way to visit family Davis was always on my must visit list.
Doug....The whole operation had deteroiated over the last couple of years. The next time you are in Cincinnati, there is a good train store in Mason and another one across the river in KY. I have been dealing with TK near Wheeling, WV instead of Davis for the last year.
Mitch....My last training course in construction claims more or less told us to not to expect payment of liquidated damages. However every state is different with their courts and judges. I just completed a plan review and one thing that is always in the back of my mind is to avoid claims. BTW, how much difference (percent) was there in the intial bids on the project?
Laz.....Do what the doctor says.
jmkk wrote: When we got there we said we could help keep an eye on some of the other kids. They assigned us two others besides our own. One of the other mothers and fathers we were standing with each got 2 besides there own. Boy i'll tell you what keeping an eye on 10 kids under the age of 5 wore me out. It was a good time though, Iam just beat.
The Chief, Chuck and a few others know why I'm LOL.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Evening!
Sad day in Hockeytown...
Bride bought tickets for us to go to tonight's game 1...Both kids decided to let their noses start running...3-yo wakes up crying, and continues for 20 min after her nap...bees were attacking her...couldn't find a sitter. She gave the tickets away, and I'm watching the game at home and typing.
I see the Penguins are still in it.
88 and Doug, I would prefer a simple CHRISTMAS EXPRESS or something like that. Holiday is a cop-out. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think so from posts I've read before.
Fife -
Doug M - hope you are having a seriously cool trip, my friend. I would try to hit a hobby store, maybe you can pick up some stuff that they don't carry at your usual stores?
Don, apparently you left a souvenir behind last night? I'll warm up the TARDIS in a little while and we can go back and get it, plus eat the rest of that chicken?! We'll pick up Doug and Sir James later and then go to Kurt's for cookies and triffles? I want to check out that control panel, it looks great to me!
Laz, like I said before, prayers are for you my friend -- so glad your wife made you go! Hey, maybe you can get a good skin doctor like Chief has?
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
kpolak wrote:Morning!Mitch: I'm glad the PM and Architect are doing the punchlist. I didn't think schools were able to do bonus/liquidated damage contracts, since it could mean additional $$$ not included in bonds. How were you able to swing this type of contract/funding?
Morning!
Mitch: I'm glad the PM and Architect are doing the punchlist. I didn't think schools were able to do bonus/liquidated damage contracts, since it could mean additional $$$ not included in bonds. How were you able to swing this type of contract/funding?
Kurt - Truthfully I am not sure how liquidated damages work under Maryland School Construction Law.
laz 57 wrote:MITCH, be right down soon as school here lets out. Should I bring tools?
MITCH, be right down soon as school here lets out. Should I bring tools?
LAZ - I've got tools ...I'm just afraid of putting an eye out.... like Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB Gun.
RockIsland52 wrote:Mitch.....smart move having both a construction management firm and the BOE project manager. Stay on them like flies on grits, with dated correspondence and issue detail. Your deadline doesn't move. Those open houses and the first day of school: "Mitch GOT IT DONE down to the details." Taxpayers can be an unforgiving and cynical lot, and some will zero in on the 2% not done, not the mountain that was moved.
Jack - Having a PM Firm, Supervising Architect, and Construction Manager is Standard Operating Procedure in our district now. In the long run, the PM saves $$$ because they are there everyday to catch the contractors who try to cut corners. Our district has built almost a new school a year for the last 10 years plus some major renovations for older buildings and additional rooms to accommodate Full Day Kindergarten. We had really been taken to the cleaners on a few jobs before we started hiring the PM's. Our construction staff is too small to act as PM on the many different jobs, some are supervising four or five projects.
Buckeye - I don't think we will collect the damages either but hauling them to court (or the threat of it) seems to get their attention. I am not sure how much of a difference (percent) was in the intial bids. I know there are about 35 or so different subs that are doing the work. I wish two or three of them could be eliminated from future bidding due to their lack of responsiveness. Some of those guys are just plain cantankerous and had no intention of providing what it was they bid on. The specs are so detailed and they try to slip by all the time, especially trying to substitute particle board where our spec says all furniture must be constructed with veneered plywood.
Mitch
Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839
Okay all If your going to pray for me to get this house nows the time as the loan goes in front of the underwriters tomorrow (Friday) for there reveiw and acceptance . If not I get to go back down tuesday to look for a mobile home and a lot. If yes I go down tuesday to close so either way tuesday I'm heading to SC
Laz watch it that could of been ungly glad it was found early.
by paperwork I got yesterday found out that because I'm heart patient even thou I'm back to full use I'm still concidered handicapped now I don't need or want (or think I'm egible) for a special parking place but kinda interesting knowing that lol.
My father lost his left arm in an accident in 1959 and he refused to get handicapped plates even thou he could.
not to much going on here tonight had to fax some more papers for the house but I've gotten all that taken care of.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
EVENING ALL,
Kurt sorry for your misfortune, my wife is watching the game also.still 4 to 1 Detroit.
Guys the fridge is bare, you will have to settle for banilla or peach and cookies. Forget about the pj top, one of the dogs left a deposit last night and I needed to clean it with something so.
Skies cleared this afternoon but it stayed chilly. 60s hi & lo predicted for the next week. Take care all and pleasent dreams......S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Well, left the dance recital feeling awful "spiritual"... Proud of my girl;looked very mature up on stage. Last day of a long stretch of daywork tomorrow---yippee.
rt - Hope you get your house. Hope you get your job. And hope you get a winning scratch-off too (you're certainly due).
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Fife, You mean to say that you didn't do anything to embarass your daughter, that's what a dad is supposed to do.
RT, You could always do a short term rental, it is a pain in the butt but it is an option. That would give you more time to find a place you really want.
Doug, I really like those roadrunners, kinda awkward looking but they can move PDQ.
Good news on the job, RT! Prayers for your house, too.
Sounds like a cool trip, Doug - never did see a roadrunner when we were in Arizona on a trip, back in about 1980 I think? I'm sure the family will be glad to have you back home though.
Okay guys, getting late so I'll head out in a few minutes. Doug, turn on the beacon so I can find you. TTFN
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