A real Eagle! This is an amazing "live cam" link to an Eagles nest where there are three eggs that will be hatched within the next three days. This is from NE Iowa near Decorah, it's just a beautiful part of our state that I never tire of visiting. If you have kids or grand kids this would a wonderful resource for them.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles#utm_campaigne=synclickback&source=http://raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/decorah_eagle_xcel.html&medium=3064708
or raptorresource.org
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
sir james I Good morning 21 and sunny Happy Birthday guys, geez I missed 1 afternoon. I bought a plasma tv last night, was lured by the price. Samsung 51" $789.00 Big mistake, don't like it at all. No plans for today I'll just go with the flow...S.J.
Good morning
21 and sunny
Happy Birthday guys, geez I missed 1 afternoon.
I bought a plasma tv last night, was lured by the price. Samsung 51" $789.00 Big mistake, don't like it at all. No plans for today I'll just go with the flow...S.J.
SJ......I don't think you made a mistake. Maybe you just need to recheck a couple of hookup things, your service, or make some minor picture adjustments to get the wow factor.
The experts and the professional reviews of TV sets generally say plasmas look better in a darker room. They have by far superior contrast (ratios). But when sunlight/daylight or artificial light intercede, the plasmas come up a bit short on the brightness. Something to do with the backlighting technologies. The LCDs and LEDs have the edge in a brighter room, though they are about $100 pricier on the same size set, apples to apples on the features.
I read up on plasmas versus LCDs and LEDs, then looked at everything in the box store (Best Buy). I bought a Samsung 46" LCD 3 months ago. My issues started as soon as I got home. I was dissatisfied with the picture quality as you are......they looked so good in the store!!!!
First, I had to get the HDMI cables (not supplied) and the digital HD cable box to begin (Comcast). My old digital HD cable box would not accept the recognized superior HDMI cables. Plug configuration on the HDMI cables were different. So for starters, make sure you have the right box, cables, and digital HD service going for you.
Second, take out the Samsung owners' manual, turn to the PICTURE MENU section in the contents, should be second or third page in. With the remote, try selecting each of the picture mode options. The default setting is "standard." Others on my LCD set include "natural, movie, and dynamic." Bet your Samsung plasma is similar or the same.
Specifically on the Samsung remote, select "TOOLS" and then look on the TV screen for "PICTURE MODE." Toggle down (down arrow on remote) and select that. Then toggle right and select "DYNAMIC." See what you get.
And then try the other 3 picture mode settings for comparison. See if one of these settings gives you the picture shot in the arm to your liking. I have mine set on DYNAMIC because I prefer the brighter picture and the additional depth and detail I can see on that setting. Especially with sports.
Third, if that isn't good enough, the owners' manual will tell you how to set each of the picture settings separately and manually.......brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc. None of the picture modes mentioned above jack/boost any of the individual settings to the max, so there is still more room for more adjustment to your personal liking.
Fourth, the Samsung and the Sony LCDs were the ones that had a picture screen that was more of a matte finish than a shiny one, which I needed because my TV was going to be used in a bright room. I wanted to reduce the glare factor as much as possible. You give up a tad of sharpness with the matte screen......but my picture glare from light in the room was terrible with a shiny screen.
Other considerations. Comcast has a separate channel section for HD content (800 series), exact same program at the exact same time. My wife won't learn. She is constantly watching, for example, channels like NBC, CBS, and ABC around channels 04-07 when the HD versions are channels 804 to 807. Quite a difference in the picture quality!
Not all HD channel broadcasts are broadcast in the highest HD definition (resolution) at 1080P (1920 X 1280). Some are 720P and can be as low as 420P. Many of the older movies were not shot in the highest definition either. The upper left of my Samsung screen briefly tells me the definition I am receiving when I first select an HD program. For example, the NFL Pro Bowl was broadcast in 720, not 1080!!!!!! Someone told me it was because the camera's they used in Hawaii for the game (at that University) were the University's cameras, and their cameras were not up to snuff.
Jack.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
"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
Jack.... That's a great idea, except the discount isn't what it used to be. At one time, I could get a Chevy cheaper than dealers. Now, it is the same as anyone else. So, I bought a new riding mower.
Chuck
Good Morning from the Jersey Shore, 31 and overcast.
Just got back from Church. Today it is go to the town recycling center and get mulch and spread it. Hopefully what I want to do today 1 truck load will be enough. Missed the Tardis last night, fell asleep early. I could not believe how many leaves the front flower beds collected over the winter. Time to mulch them. When I am done with the mulching it is train time. Greenberg Show at NJ Expo Center at Raritan Center in Edison, NJ next weekend.
Everyone, Enjoy the Day,
John
Hi GUYZ,
25 here and sunny NO SNOW. Weather Nerds got it wrong again. Today gonna take walk with dog at the Ned Smith Lands. That's the rails to trails area about 2 miles from where I live and the same area that I run in the Spring and fall. Summer too many deer flies, OUCH they bite real good.
Trains later today?
Stya frosty,
laz57
RockIsland - I couldn't take my yard anymore, what with 14 species of everything growing. Finally contracted a pro-lawn service. My instructions were implicit: I want green grass; even if it means seeing bunnies with 5 legs hopping ' round here!
Mid 20s here this AM, going to the mid 30s. I keep thinking something is wrong with the furnace because it is running so much. Apparently the thermostat activates the furnace based on temperature, not the date or my state of mind or wishes.
PhillyR...........this isn't 2007, and times have changed with the mortgage companies. They are not in the business to lose money. With the economic downturn, unemployment, underemployment, and the high inventory of empty deteriorating homes, they have also been met with government restrictions and mandates on foreclosure. To survive they have been forced to provide flexibility to mortgage holders. Taking in homes with negative equity, a property which will probably remain empty and on the market with no money coming in for months, with no one to keep the place up, facing additional $ outlays to satisfy the code updates.......they will lose more $ than if they leave you there and with $ coming in. THEY DON'T WANT YOUR HOME. They need you and your money, albeit a tad late. As Fife and others have said, hang in there. You will turn the corner on this. My recommendation is your's. Communication with the mortgage company is key. Get an attorney with real estate foreclosure experience to give you some sound advice moving forward. You have my prayers you weather this physically and emotionally time.
AFRay.......I can't seem to find the JERK rankings anywhere on the internet. Shouldn't we be in the top 5? We certainly try hard enough. Glad to hear Sable is coming along. And continued prayers for the test results. The stats are very heavily on Sable's side.
Roy.......you, Dennis, and the CA boys are depressing us Nawtheners with this lawn mowing stuff. It is still cold here and the grass still quite lifeless. I think I will have a beer and worry about it next month, all the while you guys are slaving away. The glass is half full here, at least from a yardwork standpoint.
Spanky and Kooljock. Speaking of KJ, where have you been? Shovelling snow in VT. I imagine.
Chuck......if I were you I would be tooling around in a Z06 Corvette after using my GM discount. You would look pretty sharp behind the wheel of one.
LAZ,,,,,,,sounds like Minnie is living better than you. She's a lucky pup.
Later, gang. Need to rustle up some grub for the Queen of the castle.
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is 30 degrees and sunny. Going up to 42 today with sunshine. Snow missed us.
Today is an easy day. A few chores to do and then I will relax in the train room. Nascar race to watch on TV. Trains to run. Need to hook up lights in a few buildings.
Kooljock & Spanky....
Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Sunday.
Mornin' boys. Waiting on the flakes from Snohio in the Mid-Atlantic region. Getting Brutus' weather would be downright depressing.
laz - I think that's our first 4-alarm birthday greeting on the Coffee Pot.
Happy birthday Kooljack and Spanky. Hope you had more fun than me. I forgot to go to TCA meet today. Rats I guess alzhemiers is setting in. Anyway I saved gas and money.
later,
Ray
SPMan
Happy birthday guys!
Didn't do much today - played some games, did shopping at Walmart during our mini-blizzard today, and ordered some new shirts online from Kingsize. We were supposed to have 2 inches overnight, but it was clear here until about 10, then thunder and the snow began to fall. We had about 4 inches by 3PM and I am not sure what our final number will be. It's heavy, wet snow and I"m sure it will be gone in a day or two, so I didn't bother shoveling. Tardis is ready and I see a few beacons are lit here and there, so I'll come get you first Mike and we can go have some fun!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Good night. Raining and cold. Got OGR and Shooting Times day before yesterday. CTT and Gardens and Guns today. Sleep tight and stay warm.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]bday]
KOOLJACK and DJSPANKY!!! Hope dats enough candles and cake WEW!!!
Good evening all,
It was cold and windy in SE Indiana with a bit of Snohio in the air, but all is well in Hoosierland as BUTLER is going to the Final Four.....again. It was a mostly good day. I will start off with the one sour note as the May CTT arrived with some pages printed twice and some missing entirely. I am sure customer service will take care of it Monday. They are good people there. I went to a train show in Indy where I scored a restored 515 terra cotta tank car, and a CW-80 and uncoupling track at very good prices. I hustled home to ref two close soccer games in U-12 and U-14. A nice long nap followed by the Butler win and seeing Vitor start 13th tomorrow after improving all weekend (ahead of the Princess). Wife and I went over to dad's to go thru some stuff. Found a 1908 railroad map of Indiana with the interurbans marked as well. Mostly a good day. Condolences to Buckeye on your loss. Too much sadness around here already. I had bran muffins on the dining car for breakfast. TBIL and we will be picking up the Butler mascot for our trip tonight. I hope everyone (especially AJ's team) has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
DJ Spanky and Kooljock1, HAPPY BIRTHDAY John
DJSpanky Hey Kooljock1:
Hey Kooljock1:
and DJ SPANKY
KoolJock and DJspanky
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
AF53 (Ray)......Yes, I remember the TV show " The Life of Riley". I figure, after 40 years in a Chevy plant, I guess I can enjoy a few little things in life. It's fun.
Good day,
From sunny and dry hot south Florida. Supposed to go up to near 90 again today!
Thanks for your prayers guys. Got some news from the bully outfit called LBPS, claims it was a mistake from the foreclosure department. I still think that I should contact an attorney.
Fifedog, I like that cartoon with the cat about hang-in there. I had a humorous email about buy a dog, that ended with a cat sitting in a recliner with a beer in one paw and a remote in his other paw, something about; but if you want somebody who will stay out all night and don't come when you call then buy a cat.
I will possibly be getting the E unit soon, have to send money to the person.
Have a good day and try to stay cool or dry.
Lee F.
Afternoon all!
Sunny, warm and windy today. Mid 80's in store, maybe higher.
Lee F. - hang in there. It will get better.
Jack - you really love your SIL eh?
Buckeye - sorry for your loss. It gets tough sometimes.
Headed to barber shop so I can continue financing those in the area that have hair on their heads.
Mowing the lawn later. A little NASCAR . Chores in the house ...
Have a great day all!
Regards, Roy
AF53 Sunny and a cool 40 going to only 42 at exit 77 at the GSP today. Not much to do today but babysit Sable as she recovers and watch March Madness later on. Chief - Last night's Kentucky - Ohio State game might not have had the most dramatic ending this year but it was close to it! It was the best played game by both teams and close throughout. I think it was the best of this years tournament. Go Kansas! Buckeye - Sorry for your lose, I believe it's a compliment in being asked to serve as a pallbearer. It shows what kind of a person you are, and what kind of friend you were. Fifedog - -1. Chuck - Have you ever seen the show "The Life of Riley"? I envy you as you seem to be living it! SJ - Seems you're feeling better each day. I hope 100% comes soon. John (the toll cheater) - I 'm glad it has arrived and I will see you tonight! Don't play with it!! Laz - As my Sable mends I have been thinking Skinny Minie, how's she doing? Enjoying the day! Ray
Sunny and a cool 40 going to only 42 at exit 77 at the GSP today.
Not much to do today but babysit Sable as she recovers and watch March Madness later on.
Chief - Last night's Kentucky - Ohio State game might not have had the most dramatic ending this year but it was close to it! It was the best played game by both teams and close throughout. I think it was the best of this years tournament. Go Kansas!
Buckeye - Sorry for your lose, I believe it's a compliment in being asked to serve as a pallbearer. It shows what kind of a person you are, and what kind of friend you were.
Fifedog - -1.
Chuck - Have you ever seen the show "The Life of Riley"? I envy you as you seem to be living it!
SJ - Seems you're feeling better each day. I hope 100% comes soon.
John (the toll cheater) - I 'm glad it has arrived and I will see you tonight! Don't play with it!!
Laz - As my Sable mends I have been thinking Skinny Minie, how's she doing?
Enjoying the day!
Hi RAY,
My SKINNY MINIE is doing great. She is playing with all the dogs in the neighborhood and especially likes the bigger dogs. She is only about 30 lbs., and goes after a German Shepard, Boxer, Golden ret., and a Waterdoodle. She plays hard with these dogs and just loves it. Tires her right out. She is going to get her first lesson on the Petsafe e fence tomorrow. Got to set the perimeters up for her and start the 14 day training sessions. It a session of about 10-15 minutes that progresses to her being independant in the boundaries that we set. So I too am looking forward to her being off the leash. All our neighbors have the same system so I hope I can use that to even have more freedom when she is at play in their yards? Thanks for asking.
Hope your SABLE is doing fine.
Stay frosty,
Jack - You think that you're a jerk but get in line as my wife tells me that every day (As I try and have fun also)!
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
Good morning all, rain has passed but left us with cool air today around 60. Warming up next week in the 70's.
Buckeye, sorry for your loss. The older we get the more of that we are bound to see unfortunately. I guess I should be glad that they are not carrying me yet. I have been to too many funerals lately.
Won't be long now for all you lucky York attendees. Wish I could be there too. I don't need to go back there to buy trains anymore as I can get what I need anywhere. However, I sure miss the social part of the meet and a chance to see all you guys that go.
So my son-in-law and I were standing on the deck just after sunset last night while I had the dog out for a routine pit stop. It was 30 degrees and a bit windy, and we were cold. He is a sports maniac, so much so that he can name obscure players, stats, etc. The extremes of sports to the mainstream. Soccer to MLB (sorry about that MikeC). It is like he is a walking anthology..... but NOT about NASCAR. He asked me why it seems all of the car races are in the South right now. I pointed to the remaining snowbank four feet below us that was on the ground. At first it didn't register with him, so I said "They don't like to race with studded snow tires. Rips up the track."
I can be such a jerk, but it felt really good.
Not as cold as in SJ's neck of the woods here, but overnight it was 25. Relatively clear and cold through the weekend with temps in the high 30s. Saw RT's plantings and felt behind the curve. Our tulips and some other early annuals have broken the surface, but nothing like you guys in the South have.
Later last evening I was out of gas and fell asleep on the sofa, must be the emotional letdown from events from the past few days. My survival instincts took over at about 11, and I managed to raid the freezer and score a pint of Cherry Garcia. Like a bear goind into hibernation, unsure of when the next vital sustinence might come along, I ate it all. Wife won't notice the missing B&J container until later today.
Tried to get a leaking tire checked out and fixed on my wife's car. The place was mobbed (again) and I didn't want to hang around for hours until it was my turn. Tech made sure the psi was OK and then sprayed some soapy water on the valve stem. Bingo, air bubbles. He was going to quickly swap out the needle, bit it was frozen, wouldn't budge unless he used more force and possible break something. And I didn't want to get stuck there, so it looks like I'll just have to keep checking it until Monday AM.....plan to get back there before the opening bell and beat the crowds. At least there are no nails or some such in the tire.
I was glad I could partially catch up on POT happenings yesterday, especially on posts where some of us need a shot ot two of encouragement. Don't like to leave anyone out......such is the atmosphere in this forum. The POT may have its detractors and shortcomings, but acceptance and support is the order of the day here. I hope it never changes.
Prayers for those who need them.....including the dogs even though they can't type!!!!
Jack
Cold start here today at 30 and only going up to 40 tomorrow is a maybe some snow we'll have to wait and see?
Ran trains for two hours last nite NO PILE UPs all ran good.
BUCKEYE so sorry for your loss. I'll say a prayer.
Mornin' boys. A pleasant 36 here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Taking my Grandmother, Mother, and Wifey to dinner, as it's Granny's birthday. Nice waterfront restaurant.
Buckeye - .
Phillyreading - ...
Good morning Y'all! Was hoping to burn a large pile of brush the landscapers piled up...but they have a burn ban for the day (we have to check with the ranger station each day). Have some planting to get done, but I am on call. If they leave me alone, I will get some trees in the ground and some miracle grow. Work has been quite busy lately with some very complicated surgeries on rather sick patients.
Jack, thanks for your "cliff notes", perhaps we should coin a new phrase...."Jack Notes" that allow those of us unable to spend the time to read all the going ons that we have missed from being kept away with life. For the issue of losing friends, yes, those of us blessed with many good friendships must realize our blessings and understand when we loose someone close to us, that we were given them for awhile. As I grow old(er), more and more family and friends are leaving this world. I pray for their final destination.
Rich, do they still have weekend racing at Englishtown? My dad used to race there and I have friends who used to.
Buckeye, sorry for your loss. As I mentioned to Jack above, you were blessed with the friendship all these years. Makes it tough when they are lost, but it is better to have had their friendship and weep at their passing. May God's peace come to you and his family in this time of grief.
Chief, I have never owned a M14, but did get to use one for a number of years. I could regularly hit the 9" steel plate at 300 yds using open sights and freehand. I know it would take some time of training again to get to that point. I have some folks who are urging me to start competing again...but I am currently too busy.
Well, gotta run and get to the day's chores. Hope that each of you have a blessed day.Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Good Morning from the Jersey Shore, Exit 80 GSP (I beat the toll at Exit 77 Ray), 28 and sunny,
Buckeye, Sorry for your loss. I will remember him in my prayers.
Rich, I am glad that things are working out. My son graduates the fire academy in June. Our new Urban Interface Pumper is arriving soon. Good luck with the Roadrat, I mean Roadrunner. (teasing) Like you, I am not into trailer queens also.
SJ, Chilli Dogs / White Castle, same results later.
Brutus, I will try again tonight.
Chief, Good luck with the fishing derby.
Ray, Your package arrived. I am glad that Sable is doing well.
Yard work today and then the trains
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