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What do you do outside this hobby?

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  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Ontario
  • 737 posts
Posted by da_kraut on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:33 PM

Hello everybody,

I work as a master electrician during the day in the position of foreman working on many different projects.  When the day is done my interests gravitate towards the outdoors and railroads.  My horse is a wonderful Appaloosa which is very dear to me and we have a wonderful time together.  Also I enjoy hiking, roller blading, camping, reading and taking care of my rental properties.

Frank

"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."

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    February 2005
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Posted by conrail92 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:00 PM
Once again the diversity is growing, And you do all have amazing diversity.
"If you can dream it you can do it" Enzo Ferrari :)
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Prattville AL
  • 705 posts
Posted by UP2CSX on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 6:16 PM
 zeis96 wrote:

I'll be 30 in December but I've only been a police officer for 3 years now. I always planned on starting small and getting my feet wet and then going to a bigger dept. Plus, one of my best friends got hired by SPD last year and he loves it. I couldn't imagine working in the major cities!

So, if you have three years on the job, you've still got about another four years to go before the cynicism sets in. Smile [:)] Just kidding but you know what I mean. I spent six years with LASO and that was enough for me as a full-timer. This was in the late 60's/early 70's, an especially bad time to be a cop. It was much better when we moved to a smaller county in northern California and I was a reserve. Hardly anyone shooting at me and only 16 hours a month. Big Smile [:D] I discovered I really liked search and rescue and was actually good at it so that's what I spent most my time doing with the department. That was way more hours than the 2 required shifts a month but I did feel like I really did help some people, which feels better (most of the time) than locking people up. We need some good officers to replace all the old farts lke me that are retiring so I hope you get on with SPD.

I'm just blown away by the diversity of talent I've seen here. Even as a model railroader myself, I had a much different idea of what the average model railroader was like. I hope the Model Railroad magazine staff is reading this thread. I think it would make a great basis for an article.

Regards, Jim
  • Member since
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  • From: "Steel, Steam and Thunder"Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Posted by TheK4Kid on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 5:47 PM

 I am a truck driver ,have been for 32 years, presently off work due to a broken left foot, which is healing up.

I love to fly and am a private pilot, own and fly a 1946 Ercoupe. I love to help restore vintage airplanes and fly them. Presently helping to restore a very famous airplane, called "Little Mulligan". Owned and flown by Harold Nueman of Kansas.
"Little Mulligan" is the grandaddy of the famous Mister Mulligan racer that won both the Bendix cros-country from LA to Clevalnd Ohio and Thompson Trophy race in Cleveland Ohio , and later led to the famous line of Howard aircraft built in Chicago Illinois.

 I also have flown a few other vintage airplanes, and had FUN DOING IT!!
I have flown a 1929 Ford Tri-motor from the right seat, and also flown from the left seat, a 1945 Boeing  built B-17 bomber!

BIG AIRPLANE, but it was fun to log about 1/3 of an hour in the left seat, during a 1  and 1/2 hour flight in it. 

Also have flown a 1948 Stinson 108  Station wagon, Cessna 150, Cessna 172, and a Grumman Tiger.

My neighbor lady has flown almost anything and everything with wings on it. She is a former World War Two WASP pilot, and still flies weekly at age 85!

She was featured in Tom Brokaws book, "The Greatest Generation" under her maiden name of Margaret Ray.

85 years old, about 50,000 hours of flight time!
And she has ridden MANY trains!

TheK4Kid 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: SE Nebraska
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Posted by camarokid on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:48 PM

  I make Vise Grips and have for 42 years.  I also play golf and fish. I see that someone else's wife also enjoys M&M stuff.  If my wife sold half of hers she would still have a room full.

Ain't it great!!!

Archie

Ain't it great!!!
  • Member since
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  • From: IL
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Posted by zeis96 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:34 PM
 UP2CSX wrote:

LOL. You must still be a young guy. I liked chasing the bad guys when I was in my 20's but that got old after a while, especially in LA, where they would shoot at you. Shock [:O] How long have you been on the job? I guess you must be working two smaller departments while waiting to get on with the Big City. Smile [:)] Good luck, I hope you're at the top of the eligibility list.

 

I'll be 30 in December but I've only been a police officer for 3 years now. I always planned on starting small and getting my feet wet and then going to a bigger dept. Plus, one of my best friends got hired by SPD last year and he loves it. I couldn't imagine working in the major cities!

hi

  • Member since
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  • From: Gopher Ridge, Florida
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Posted by Printer on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:26 PM
I AM a Printer. With over 30 years in the trade, In business for myself for 27 years.
Together with the same Girl for 28 years, (Married for 26 years) with 3 children (23, 21, 19) and 2 Grandchildren (4 years & 9 mos).

My doctor has ordered me to stop working because of the solvents, sprays and paper dust. I recently was diagnosed with Emphysema (COPD) with 40% lung function remaining and 10 days after that news, suffered a Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction).

Even IF I stop printing, I'm Still a Printer. It's not what I do, it's what I Am. So at this moment I'm in limbo as to just what I do outside of the Hobby. I'm just trying to recover at this time.

It's unfortunate that my children didn't want anything to do with the shop until just now. The girls married and became stay at home Moms while my son wanted the ease of a weekly paycheck and a job that he could just leave at work when he clocked out.

Before my medical problems, I enjoyed Motorcycling (1972 H-D), Shooting (Skeet/Trap), Fishing (not catching), Evenings outdoors with the wife watching the sky, but most of all I LOVED Printing.

Now everything is in such a state of flux that I am not sure just what tomorrow will bring.
Head Robber Baron of the Cache & Carrie Railroad *everything I own fell off a train*
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Posted by mersenne6 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 4:17 PM

 

   Applied mathematician working in biomedical engineering. Other interests reading, hiking, and photography.

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  • From: Weymouth, Ma.
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Posted by bogp40 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 3:14 PM

 yougottawanta wrote:
Hi Bob ! My son is now in Boston Mass. and he is in College currently studing to be in the ministry. In words of wisdom you could pass along ? Which Faith do you serve in ? 

Go to church every Sunday and leave the girls alone...... Ya Right. I don't think you should worry about him, you did your job raising him and now it's his turn to make his life.

What college is he going to?   BTW, I am Methodist.

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: ohio
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Posted by jbloch on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:59 PM

I'm an internal medicine physician in a medical group that specializes in pre and postoperative (surgical) patients--the hours being long enough that spending the time I'd like in this hobby has been a challenge.  Wife of 17 years and 15 year-old daughter, and rotten 7 year-old Cocker Spaniel take up a lot of time too (sorry no pics yet).  Enjoy movies, and believe it or not, am an avid fan of our sorry hockey team here, the Columbus Blue Jackets, so I'm jealous of you Islanders fans, etc.  Just wait 'til we make the playoffs--our fans will go crazy (in whatever decade that happensBig Smile [:D])

Jim 

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    July 2004
  • From: Carmichael, CA
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Posted by twhite on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:49 PM

Well, right now I'm a music teacher that keeps thinking about retirement, but it ain't gonna happen.  I work with the choirs at a boy's Catholic High School (after retiring as a choir director 4 years ago at a GIRL'S Catholic High School!).  I'm also a Music Minister at my local Parish, so even my weekends are filled up.  Which, unfortunately, doesn't give me the time for the MR that I'd like to have (it was too darned hot this summer to go out into the garage much).   My other hobby is collecting Classic Films of the 'thirties, 'forties and 'fifties (especially westerns and historical epics).  Oh yes, I'm also an Ancient History buff--especially when it comes to Romans vs. Barbarians (I'm always rooting for the Barbarians).  Tongue [:P]

Tom

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  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:07 PM

I really enjoy when I can mix my different interests, such as hiking and railroading. This is the wife and myself hiking the old Colorado Midland ROW through Ute Pass.

 

Smitty
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Posted by jcopilot on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 2:05 PM

And Howdy back at ya, Sage.

Will you be shooting the Indiana state championship in September?  I wuz gonna, but my wife had other ideas -- Orlando! Can you imagine?  A couple friends of mine will be shooting there - Maddog Maxwell and Aunt Rhody.

You got a Cody-matic?  Cool, huh?  Cody shoots around here and he's just a real nice fella as well as a top-notch gunsmith - and pretty darned fast as well, always finishes 'in the money'.

Keep your powder dry and always listen for the 'clang'

Oracle Jones

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.
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  • From: Sweden
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Posted by Lillen on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:55 PM

Crandell, the ETX is a joy to use. Since it's so easy and portable. It's just limited in what you can watch as you know by the diameter. About mosquitoes, there are of course mosquitoes but it varies greatly from area to area up here. Some places you can't be out in without some form of protection whilst others have no real problems. Where I live it's not a big problem, there is a small form of bloodsucker that is called Knott that you can't see and won't notice until the next morning when the itching starts. But since I live on a mountain with no still standing water nearby there are very few of them for being this part of the country so it would be wrong of me to complain. The biggest problems are the summer light and the snow in combination with large moon that gives me trouble during the winther. It really gets surprisingly light with that combo. But, once again I can't complain, I can see the milky way with my bare eyes and the nights are clear and dry during the winther.

 

The mountains of course cut out the sky at certain degrees but there is plenty of sky to go around.

 

Magnus 

Unless otherwise mentioned it's HO and about the 50's. Magnus
  • Member since
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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:31 PM

Magnus, I have to count my pennies, so I deal with one pursuit at a time.  I am sure your ETX is a joy to use.  Do you have mosquitos up there...you must.  They spoiled my time on the prairies to the point where I could only really enjoy being out after sunset between early October and late April, coincidentally the coldest months of the year.  My telescope's right ascension drive would freeze up if it got colder than -25deg C.  I wasn't doing so well after a couple of hours standing rigidly at the eyepiece, either. Sad [:(]  Then, when I had to give up, or when the scope frosted up, the fun part was packing it all up in the cases, every little piece, and horsing it back into the car.  Then the drive home.  Aaahhh...the good old days. Big Smile [:D]

I am out of touch a bit and have not seen the scopes you mention.  I hope you get to use a light bucket soon, though.

Cheers.

-Crandell

  • Member since
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  • From: Sweden
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Posted by Lillen on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 1:14 PM
 selector wrote:
Aahh...another brother in Astronomy.  Another man who understands that in some instances size really does matter.  I have a Celestron Ultima Schmidt-Cassegrain, but purchased before they got the GPS mounts with GoTo capability...darn.  The aperture is 280mm, and I seem to have gotten a decently figured mirror.  Too bad it weighs darn near as much as I do! Sad [:(]

-Crandell

 

Yes, Astronomy is a real mans hobby, not as cheap as this train business. And yes size matters. I'm thinking of getting a really large Dobson telescope. I have been thinking a small telescope house in the yard so that it can be permanently mounted. Because as you say, they are heavy as a man. I got my Meade telescope just before the GPS too. I do have GoTo function on it but I would really love the GPS since it makes it so much easier when going to another location.

 

When I moved here I did partially because there is no lights disturbing the winter skies and no street lights for 5 miles. The bad thing about living in Sweden is that during the summer, when it's hot enough to be out all night without any problems the sun never really leaves us, at least not in the northern portion of the country. But now the dark is coming and it gets time to break out the telescope, it is a ETX90. So it's not nearly big enough but I feel that the portability is important. Also it was the largest high quality telescope available I could find back then(1999). Now with the Internet so much larger I would get a new one straight from the U.S instead.

 

Have you seen any of the new Lightbridge telescopes, they seems like a good way to get BIG at a decent cost and weight.

 

My daughter who is six have been begging me to take her outside and look at the moon, soon we will be able to.

 

Magnus

 

PS Do you or anyone else know of any good discount astronomy store?

Unless otherwise mentioned it's HO and about the 50's. Magnus
  • Member since
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  • From: Prattville AL
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Posted by UP2CSX on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:58 PM

Sue,

Guns, weight lifting, and telemark skiing? Remind me not to get on your bad side. Smile [:)] Somehow, the thought of you out shooting and then starting work on your quilt just brings a smile to my face.

Regards, Jim
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Prattville AL
  • 705 posts
Posted by UP2CSX on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:54 PM
 ShadowNix wrote:

You guys amaze me... so diverse...great to see!  As for me, besides my hobbies listed earlier, I also spend a bit (too much sometimes) of time in the hospital (currently there typing this on call)... I am a pediatric intensive care doctor. ....  Oh, I almost forgot, being from Green Bay, one of the biggest hobbies is....   GO PACKERS!!!!

My niece is a pediatric cardiac surgeon. I don't know how she (or you) does it. Dealing with really sick kids was just too tough for me when I was a respiratory therapist.

And, since I'm originally from Cleveland.....GO BROWNS! Smile [:)] 

Regards, Jim
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Prattville AL
  • 705 posts
Posted by UP2CSX on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:49 PM

 zeis96 wrote:
My turn! I'm a police officer in two small towns. I'm on the list for Springfield (IL) PD though! I love my job because I love arresting people!

LOL. You must still be a young guy. I liked chasing the bad guys when I was in my 20's but that got old after a while, especially in LA, where they would shoot at you. Shock [:O] How long have you been on the job? I guess you must be working two smaller departments while waiting to get on with the Big City. Smile [:)] Good luck, I hope you're at the top of the eligibility list.

Regards, Jim
  • Member since
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  • From: Tacoma, WA
  • 847 posts
Posted by ShadowNix on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:24 PM

Small world Jonathan.  I used to work for an automation company (Robocon GesmbH) in Austria that custom made automation products for Bayer Pharm. in Germany.  I was a staff scientist/integration specialist.   It was a great job... fun playing with robots :)

Brian

"That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"
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Posted by JonathanS on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:09 PM

I am an Automation Engineer for a Pharmaceutical company.  That is I design, and install the instruments and computer systems, and write the programs and operator interfaces that controls the equipment that makes the active ingredients.  With all the down sizing I also am in charge of the operation of one facility (multitasking is what they call it).

My other hobby is making Shaker and Pennsylvania Dutch furniture.

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    August 2005
  • From: Tacoma, WA
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Posted by ShadowNix on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:00 PM

Nice car... I am SO not a gear head (and I mean that in a good way...) ... I can barely change the oil on my car (and usually elect to pay someone else to do it... once a year I make myself do it...and what a mess :) !)  

 Brian

"That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"
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Posted by pcarrell on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:47 AM

A few of my other hobbies......

and a pic of me.........

Philip
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Posted by yougottawanta on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:45 AM
Hi Bob ! My son is now in Boston Mass. and he is in College currently studing to be in the ministry. In words of wisdom you could pass along ? Which Faith do you serve in ? 
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  • From: Northern Va
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Posted by yougottawanta on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:40 AM

Cuda you really know how to hurt a guy ! My first 68 was yelow with a black top. It was destroyed by a drunk driver,he side swipped me in a curve and opened up the drivers side trunk area like a tin can , from the wheel to the bumper. I didnt suffer a scratch. I took the drive train ,motor etc (which I just finished rebuilding ) and installed it in another 68 which was bluish green similiar to the one pictured Thats the one my ex sold.

I had a friend who had a challeger R/T with a hemi and a six pack installed on it. He sold it after he couldnt get the six pac to work correctly. I could have kicked him. Dead [xx(] I would LOVE TO SEE SOME MORE PICS. Especially the Daytona's I think that is one of the most beautiful cars (and fastest ) ever built . 

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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:32 AM

 jeffers_mz wrote:
   To the rocket scientists...either of you ever meet a gorgeous honey blond who designs AAM seeker heads and was married to a well known Indy car driver? 

Sorry, I'm on the radar end of things.  They moved our Missile Systems people out to Tucson a number of years back.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by jeffers_mz on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:09 AM

A lot of interesting people here.

I am surprised by the number of musicians, construction types, and technical types, though, considering both the creative and technical aspects of our hobby, maybe I shouldn't be.

To the rocket scientists...either of you ever meet a gorgeous honey blond who designs AAM seeker heads and was married to a well known Indy car driver?

They still together?

Got her number?

Tell her the lightning guy says "hi".

 

;-)

 

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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:48 AM
 Lillen wrote:

 

 My other passions have included and still do, Astronomy(I have a nice Meade telescope), war gaming, and of course history, which I'm now divulging my self further in as I'm getting my education ready to become a teacher. .. So, I understand what you say Crandell, I'm just like you in that regard.

Magnus

Aahh...another brother in Astronomy.  Another man who understands that in some instances size really does matter.  I have a Celestron Ultima Schmidt-Cassegrain, but purchased before they got the GPS mounts with GoTo capability...darn.  The aperture is 280mm, and I seem to have gotten a decently figured mirror.  Too bad it weighs darn near as much as I do! Sad [:(]

-Crandell

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:41 AM
 ShadowNix wrote:

...and Philadelphia for fellowship... Unfortunately, I did little railfanning/modelling due to lack of time then, but I am making up for that now!  Oh, I almost forgot, being from Green Bay, one of the biggest hobbies is....   GO PACKERS!!!!

No wonder!  Most modelers come here for fellowship.

Oohh....wait....uhh...

Big Smile [:D]

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Posted by loathar on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 9:24 AM

SUE-Guns and quilting! Thanks! I got a chuckle out of that.Laugh [(-D]
I was looking at a gun magazine at work one day. The guy next to me pointed at an SKS rifle and said "Those are nice. I bought my wife one for our anniversary. She loves it!"

I knew I was in the right town then.Wink [;)]

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