RE:Coffee Pot #5 May 2012 6 years [April 1 is Anniv.] and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and sweet ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat. GRITS for the Yankees.

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Starting on my prep day for the colonosopy tomorrow.  Nothing but clear liquids today.  First thing out of the gate this morning nothing for first two hours then I had a small glass of apple juice which irriatated my ulcer.  I have some jello and broth for later.  Hope I can handle that.  Just hope the radiator flush I have to drink this afternoon doesn't bother my stomach.  I still think they are checking the wrong end of my G.I. System.  My problem seems to be an upper G.I. one, not lower but I'm not the doctor.

Re unions, I have been on both sides as well.  I had no choice when working for the railroads.  Over all, my life is much better now than it would have been in a non union job.  Don't know how present day unions are but there are bound to be some abuses like anything else.  All I know is that the railroads would have eaten us alive without a union.  They are doing a pretty good job of it now even with a union.  i.e. no cabooses, one or two man crews as opposed to four, remote controlled helper engines and remote controlled engines on yard jobs controlled by some dude wearing some kind of controlling device who does everything.  Runs the engine, couples the cars, makes the air (couples all the air hoses) makes air test.  Only thing is since no one is on the engine, he can't tell if he is about to run over something or somebody.  The latest thing I heard was that they just tore down the old tower in one of L.A.'s main yards where the yardmaster would controll the operations and could see the whole yard from the tower.  Now they control it from another yard a few miles away with T.V. cameras mounted on high poles I guess.  Last I heard they moved the yardmaster back to the yard and put him in a trailer.  That's progress! 

Ray

 

[KRM]

Done with gravel for today we are up to over 73 tons laid. Lunch time.

Sorry to you guys I have got upset on the union, non-union issue. Like everything there is good and bad in all things. There are things about unions I don’t like as well. "Pat"  I think my main point was well put by Roy.

JimProbe, I am sorry you have had a bad experience with a union but I am sure that many have had good stories as well. It is a good thing you got your cert. Things can only get better. You never know where life will lead you. Sometimes you just got to go with the flow.

Enough on this subject. I think I will move on. 

DougM I think you will be fine with the middle son. I love the train pictures and the happiness in Ben. 

 RT Calm down buddy.

 Got the spark plugs replaced and the oil changed in the Dakota yesterday so I am off to get it a good wash job. I was surprised at how nice the old plugs looked with 101,000 K on them.

[wrmcclellan]

Lunch break - nice day here. Breezy and headed to 92.

KRM

Fine with me. You pay for the gas and lodging and you have a deal..

Hmmmmm....that might work....

Weather for next 5 days is low 90's and very windy (20+). Rain has stopped so May has been drier than normal. All but 2 of the lakes are full so should make it through summer with the water restrictions. But my house might not make it.

Last HS event other than graduation ceremony is tonight

Unions - I have also been on both sides - I think a union is only as good (or bad) as its leadership. Hey - that is true for everything! Note that a lot of white collar benefits at most large corporations with unions (and large non-union corps that compete against large corps with unions due to competition for employees) are due to the union annual negotiations. Over the years - Christmas and New Years when I started working was 1/2 day each for Christmas and New Year's Eves and 1 day each for Christmas and New Years's Day. Now the entire week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day is a holiday due to the union negotiation carrying over to salaried employees. Same for improvements in health and retirement benefits.

Have a great day all!

[Hudson#685]

Lunch time:

Very busy morning. Those "Union Guys" wanted their trucks so they can get to work. I have nothing but praise for the guys that I supervise. They are Union, work hard, take pride in what they do and are very productive.

V8 Vega: Definition of Rare Car: Nobody wanted it then and nobody wants it now.

AF53, Ray, notice 71-76 Mercury Capri is there. I wonder who had one of them? 

Brutus, WOW, I work with one of them also. When he screws up he tries to shift the blame. The manager has his number.

Dennis, Congrats on your son's accomplishments.

Laz, Short timer, Almost. 191 for me.

Have a Great Day

John

[rtraincollector]

Okay end of rant.

how you all doing today. Doing fine here. plan on finally getting some stuff moved around here in the den. Playing with ideas for a temp layout seeing I have switches now lol using two tables one is a drop leaf the other wasa home made kitchen table which is like 54" x 48" .

Talk to you all later

[LawsonFarmsRR]

My biggest objection to unions is they all belong to, and believe in, the wrong political party. That my get me deleted.

Great weather day. Plan to bush hog and move the cows to a new field. Then pick the garden and grill on the deck. Life is good!

Pat

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 73° and partly cloudy. The high will be 92° and it'll be partly cloudy.

Got an email from a trouble maker. He claims that the first F3B in my F unit trio was stolen from him. It took him many hours to put together from all new parts. That's real funny considering I built it right here on the edge of my layout from a pile of parts from my junk box and a motor that I pulled out of another loco I picked up in a trade. Some of the parts are over thirty years old. He says he knows every piece in it yet he likely couldn't even tell me what type of motor it has or what company made the trucks. This guy is so full of crap. I treated his email accordingly by feeding it to the monster at the bottom of the SPAM file.

No plans for today. I may run some trains later. Running the two big Atlas units (Trainmaster and U30EM645) is at the top of the motive power roster.

[Stourbridge Lion]

Happy Hump Day CTTFans!

It's 60F and Sunny heading for the seasonal mid 70's today.  As excepted, we broke the record high yesterday as we got into the low 90's which is about 20 degrees above normal for this time of year.

[rtraincollector]

Kev I'm not a union person either by choice. They claim they got us a big 2% more raise well I sat down and figured that there 2% at my pay rate was less than my union dues wold be. in-fact my union dues here would = about 3.5% of my pay. I needed there help one time and the little they did I could of and would of done the same so they were not really any help to me. They didn't get anything reduced So there so called help defend you that I have seen was useless. I've seen others get dismissed with there help but reinstated once they got a lawyer involved.

I honestly agree that in today's work place for the most part unions are worthless. back 20 years ago maybe but not today in-fact in my opinion unions are part of why this country is in the shape it is in as it has rose the cost of living so high because of these so called great pay increases back in the 60' & 70's and pension packages that these a lot of these companies went over seas to get away from them so it cost us jobs. It almost put GM,Dodge, and Ford out of business because of the pensions made back in the 70 now needing to be paid.

I have seen both sides of the union also as I was with a company that after I left informed it employees and the union 2 choices union goes or we close our doors and guess what employees saw the business side and said good bye to the union. They offered a reduced package the employees where happy with some of the bennies that went was double time after 7 pm on saturday and triple time on sunday it was reduced to regular time unless it was over 40 then you got time and a half. And for this type of business it makes sence as it would cripple and grocery store . Yes it was a grocery store.

[sir james I]

It's a sunny 60 now going into the 70s. A perfect day weather wise. I'm not getting into this union thing, had enough problems the last time I voiced MY OPINION here. Jim no family man could live on $8.70 an hour but as you know good paying jobs are hard to find. Many workers have to take management guff just to keep their jobs. No employee likes that kind of treatment. I'm going to enjoy this beautiful day...S.J.

[cnw1995]

Aloha . Beauty of a day in Chicago. Last day of HS for my middle boy. I am stil holding my breath until the actual graduation on Sat. As you all know, it's been a tough road.  Congrats on your son's achievement, Dennis!  Roy, it's interesting to see how the computer has 'taken over' everything here too. I have to remind myself to get up and move around. Not healthy to sit and stare at screens all the time. 

Looking at engine house kits... 

[Anonymous]

KRM

green97probe:

Kev,

         I am happier making $8.70/hr than I was being a salary employee getting jerked around by the union workers for $18/hr.  Glad to be out of there.  I'll never work a union job, and I'll never, ever support unions.  I've experienced them firsthand.  I am all for glass production moving to China.

 

 

WOW Jim,

I guess if your ok making $8.70 an hour it is fine with me. How could someone raise a family in any kind of decent live style on that today?

May as well live in a third world country , or just wait and we will be. JMHO

Nice.  I was put out of a job because union employees had power over the salaried bosses.  I felt that my life was in danger, and I got let go for going to HR with my concerns.

I can't live on the 8.70, but I don't have much choice.  Where's my bailout?

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a sunny 64 degrees. Going up to 84 today with sunshine.

Today is an easy day. I have the usual chores to do and a few phone calls to make. Then, I will take it easy. Maybe do some reading. I want to spend some time outside. A nap later.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[ChiefEagles]

Off to the Box I go.  Partly cloudy with T'storms in the afternoon.

Unions and non-union.  Been on both sides.  Do some good.  Overbearing, bad.

Have a good one.

[KRM]

green97probe

Kev,

         I am happier making $8.70/hr than I was being a salary employee getting jerked around by the union workers for $18/hr.  Glad to be out of there.  I'll never work a union job, and I'll never, ever support unions.  I've experienced them firsthand.  I am all for glass production moving to China.

 

WOW Jim,

I guess if your ok making $8.70 an hour it is fine with me. How could someone raise a family in any kind of decent live style on that today?

May as well live in a third world country , or just wait and we will be. JMHO

I have been on both sides as well and have seen how management pushes the little guy down while they pay themselves 100 times the salary of the guys making the product. I also was a owner of a large truck salvage yard where we paid our workers well. I did this because of my union time. The last 5 years I worked for Cat I was middle management so I think I have seen all sides too and am now living on a union negotiated pension that pays me far better than $8.70  I have been locked out, laid off and on strike and I would never cross a picket line but I know many that have. Glad we live in a free country where we can pick our pleasure.

 

Well back to hauling gravel,

Good luck BOC today.

Have a good day all

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Getting sun and currently sitting at 50F...going to a high of 77F later on. 

Had an interesting day yesterday..seems that our neighbour to the north of us had an intruder in their house..and neighbour to the south of us..caught the b^&tg as he was coming out with a bunch of guitars...now dude is spending some time behind bars....

Today, I'll be doing some stuff around the house and getting another vampire visit done..loads of fun...

As for union vs nonunion..meh. Been on both sides of the fence, can see reasons for the unions to exist but can see unions being something of a pain as well....

 

[dwiemer]

Good morning, quick stop as I am bringing the kids to school for the last day.  One of the other guys knows the first heart, so he will be doing that case and I will follow up....makes for a longer day, but it is all good.  The program "American Idol" is something I have never seen, but one of the finalists is from our home town.  Last night, before bed, we all got on the computer and voted.  The guy is from a good family and we went to YouTube to listen to some of his performance, did well.

"Takes after his pretty and smart MOM. ",  

Chief, you are correct!  Glad he does too.  Probe, I have worked in both Union and non-Union jobs.  In some cases, the union does work.  For the fire department, it was a good fit to keep the city from doing some dangerous things regarding man power, etc.  I have also had cases where the union was out for itself and the power brokers, not the workers.  My grandfather was close to retirement for the New York Herald where he was a type setter.  The union bosses took all the money and left town, leaving him with nothing.  I also believe that the unions become too embroiled in politics and that is wrong.  Well, best get going.

God Bless,

Dennis

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  66 here to get to 76.  Did a nice 2.5 miler after school with MINNIE then took her for her favorite pass time chasing rabbits.  Only got on two but was foiled.

BRUTUS, about your nemmis.  Try this, get 4 cinder blocks jack up car and place cinder blocks under frame, let jack down so tires are about a half inch off ground.  When he goes to leave  he won't.  He'll just sit there spinning tires.  a barrel o laughs fo sure!!!

CHIEF, yes I am a SHORT.

It's great to be 8, more dAYZ!

Stay frosty,

laz57

[Brutus]

I think my truck is about due for a brake job - have to think about it.  Back to work today and started off with a lot of drama - just unbelievable.  This guy - every time I take a day off, including when I went to York - keeps trying to screw me up.  I just don't understand why, but he gets me so mad.  He really torqued me up this morning - told me I didn't have all these reports in a binder and I was supposed to have been doing that etc.  I had all the reports together in a drawer - except for some of his, which he can't find by the way.  I think this was about him covering up for his own lack of those report pages!  I told our boss - this isn't right.  I've only gotten mad at work like 5 times in 22 plus years and 3 of them have been in the past 4 months and this guy is the one doing it.  The real clincher is that there was a pile of paperwork in a tray next to his desk and I found it all in a drawer in my desk this morning and he didn't go through it first, there was non-training stuff in there that needed to be worked.  It's my desk - he has to keep his hands out of it - he could have gotten me into trouble.  I told her this is becoming a hostile work environment and I don't have to and won't take it any more.  He needs to respect boundaries and leave me alone - period.  DRAMA!!!

Well, the TARDIS is ready and I could use a few ice cold ones, so let's get moving!

[Anonymous]

Kev,

         I am happier making $8.70/hr than I was being a salary employee getting jerked around by the union workers for $18/hr.  Glad to be out of there.  I'll never work a union job, and I'll never, ever support unions.  I've experienced them firsthand.  I am all for glass production moving to China.

[anjdevil2]

Dennis -

RT - Nice "miss" 

Kev - as far as the Union thing goes......I'm an advocate of right to work.  I don't appreciate the union for a myriad of reasons, which I will not expound on here.  It is my belief, that in this day and litigious society, that unions have become antiquated and those that are supposed to represent, line their pockets with the forced "donations" from the rank and file and do little.  Save for the teachers union, as the tenured  take upwards of 2 years to remove.  Unions have memberships that have dropped tremendously these last few decades.  Again, this is MY opinion.  I do my work to the best of my ability and that's that.  My last 4 reviews prove my value and worth to my employer.  I am happy to be there and they are happy to employ me.  'Nuff said.

I did get some good news on the job front......and more news coming soon.

Off to bed I am, have to work on a friends car tomorrow.....*****joy******

[Anonymous]

Rich,

            Rock Auto is my first choice anymore.  They have parts that are tough to find, and their prices are great.  Don't get me started on Advance.  I saved a lot on these brakes from RA instead of Advance.  Can't beat their speed either.

 

[ChiefEagles]

Evening.  Back from a great Town Board meeting.  Worked in Box all day.  Walls done and molding up around ceiling.  All calking done.  Touchup molding around ceiling and flooring goes down.  Sure looks different from when I started.  Will take pictures and post.

dwiemer

Yesterday, we were asked to come to our son's school in the early afternoon for an awards ceremony.  I just made it in time.  He got eight awards, highest academic scores in math, science, reading, language, also awards in art and music.  Lastly, he got the Superintendent's Scholar award for not having a single score below 96.  We celebrated at a frozen yogurt place.  He must get it from my wife!

Dennis

Takes after his pretty and smart MOM.

Banks, this gang has prayed several people into jobs, gotten them well and helped them through troubled times.  Glad he is working for the great NS.  Not the shortline CSX [poor Fifepup].

LAZ, just before you got out of service in the 60's, you would walk around some poor guy who had just gotten in and say, "Short".  Meaning "shorttimer". 

Popcorn and then to bed.

Sleep tight 

PS: Wiley [pup] slept in our bed all night.  No accidents.  Stayed quite.  Did wake up on time and he was curled up next to me.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. I got several positive comments on my video, one on my forum and the rest on Photobucket. Didn't get a chance today to run the Trainmaster and the U30EM645. Maybe tomorrow. See y'all tomorrow.

[KRM]

SJ,

Orange sherbet tonight, 

RT, Sounds like toooooo many of my stories.

Dennis, I could put all of my kids in one pot and not get close to your one. eight awards??? WOW good for you but more for him.

Roy, I am with you , still using a PC, Fine with me. You pay for the gas and lodging and you have a deal..

[jeffrey-wimberly]

RT: Glad to know the 'washer leak' was just a cracked water bottle. My sister got that kind of scare once when they used to store those five gallon water bottles in the wash room. The washer had rubbed against one and rubbed a hole in it. After that  the water bottles were stored in the front closet. After they got an inline water filter there was no further need for the water cooler. It's now in the chiefs office at the fire station.

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Long day. Started at 7 and ended at 7 with a lunch break. This is killin me.... 11+ hours staring at a PC screen or at a conference phone. Simply grueling. Years ago got to split time between lab, machine shop, assembly shop, and desk/PC work. In my field it almost all PC work now and in my area it is all PC.

The next two days will be 8+ hours each day of participating in a meeting remotely via the web - so watching a PC screen and staring at phone. I can get other work (PC of course) done while on the web.

I started using a PC regularly in 81-82 when they first got adopted in a big way in the workplace but as I said above it was not an all-day thing. I am not sure how my kids are going to survive that grind for 10 years beyond what I have to endure. I watch with interest the developments that may replace the mouse or touchpad. Some show some real promise to reduce the stress in one's hands/wrists/neck/eyes.

Grilled out - tilapia fillets - came out excellent! Nice breeze this evening. Relaxed on porch with a G&T while grill warmed up and while cooking. Son and his girlfriend joined us.

Probe - sorry about the vehicle issue and congrats on the cert!

Jeffrey - several nice pics the last couple of days.

Kev - drag your trailer and a Bobcat this way and remove about 25 cu yds of dirt from my side yard?

Have a great evening all!

 

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Still keeping busy with work.  Was an early morning today and will be again in the morning.  I had a 3pm appointment with the owner of the studio where our daughter takes ballet and Tap dancing.  I had done the photos for their recital this year and actually got paid for my efforts.  So I am now a "professional"....go figure.

Yesterday, we were asked to come to our son's school in the early afternoon for an awards ceremony.  I just made it in time.  He got eight awards, highest academic scores in math, science, reading, language, also awards in art and music.  Lastly, he got the Superintendent's Scholar award for not having a single score below 96.  We celebrated at a frozen yogurt place.  He must get it from my wife!

Well, I have  some more edits to do as they need some photos for the DVD.  Hope each of you has a blessed night.
Dennis

[rtraincollector]

Wife goes come here I think the washer is leaking. I go up and theres a puddle in front of washing machine. I wiped up a little this am. So I pull washer out clean behind it under it ect ect ( this is also the cats bathroom (lol) so theres some rocks there fromthem getting out of box as the can't fling them that high as have storage tub for littler box sides = 18" high anyway theres cat hairs mixed in there too get all that cleaned up and fill washer no water leaking I can see run it for a few move it to rinse move it to final spin still noting then she notices one of her emergency bottles of water ( to flush toilet ect if we lose water) is about 1/2 empty yep it has a leak in the bottom of it. then get a relief of grief as realize at least now I don't need to get it fixed.

well been playing with the track some got powet to most the area but still have some small dead spots. This is my learning curve going on now so I can see what all is going on ( using tester to see where is dead and if its outside rails or middle rails or both. ) I've never dealt with anything like this before so its getting to be a good learning so when I get to building my actual layout I can see what I need to do. ( right now using clip on track connectors to make it all happen but I get to see where I will be needing to solder wire connections.

[sir james I]

It's 70 now, the clouds moved out late afternoon so the rest of the day was pleasant. I had My White Castles for lunch and Banilla ice cream with fresh strawberry's for supper. I will wait around for the thingy guys and chat for awhile...S.J.