Elliott's Trackside Diner XIII

[blownout cylinder]

Ray-When my parents passed away we three my two sisters and I had to break up the houshold. There were things in there--

First my mothers stuff which included doll house collections, both her own designs and some local craftsmen. And a doll collection that included rare French babe juneau and such dolls and then folk dolls from all over. Now, she did do her own designs for dollhouse furniture---some really good stuff--a huge 1:12 scale 4 poster with canopy out of black walnut---then she also would go flat sideways and do up some lamps that were of the CHEESIEST style

My fathers things included a series of N scale lokes which i still have plus all kinds of buildings, both scratchbuilt and kitbuilt over a 20 year period. He did have a large layout. My BIL and I took that apart and split everything. Lots of rolling stock and what all else went there. He also had a toy tractor collection and all manner of things from that area. Then there were his photos---in 25 albums---yeeesh.

And they had things that left you going ---eh?

And then dust bunnies in the display cases housing waterford crystals----

Most of the stuff went to auction--to pay off bills---but we still kept a fair bit of it

Chloe,I'll have a cup of chamomile tea and a couple of ginger snaps please------I'se be headin' for

Night all----

[Robby P.]

Jim.............Yeah, I'm back in the house.  BUT, I think shes coming back in July .  We honestly do get along thou.  BTW!!!!  Gotta get some shot sup, so we can see how your "weathering" is coming along.

Now its time for 

[twhite]

Evening all from SunnyGettingHotCal:  92 today, and that means we're getting into temperatures that I'd rather not see for a couple of months.  However, it's supposed to be a temporary heat wave (yah, sure!) and we're supposed to be back in the low 80's by Friday. 

Been having a little stomach trouble for the past several weeks, and my Dr. just got back from vacation, so I paid him a visit today.  He ran some tests (and gave me some self-tests to do and get to the lab tomorrow, which entail some not very pleasant procedures), and thinks I might have a recurrance of a case of Giardia that I had about two years back.   Now that's a water-borne bacteria that gets into your system, usually from bad or untreated water, and how the heck I got the FIRST case of it is still beyond us.  Anyway, if I've got it, it means about a months worth of antibiotics and six million gallons of bottled water and a diet that is so boring that you just want to stay out of the kitchen altogether. 

Of course the last time I had the treatment, I lost thirty pounds, so there IS an upside to it, especially if you're old and overweight and tend to look a little like the classical composer Johannes Brahms (which I do, and consider it a compliment).  

Had a little problem with the new Atlas track cleaner--polished and vacuumed the track, and then suddenly it just quit.  After one day.  Just BANG!   No power to the motor.  All I could think of was, "Oh great, I just spent over one hundred dollars and burned the G-D motor out!  Well, I didn't.  It seems that the connectons from the trucks to the motor lead flats on the body are connected with four little-bitty, VERY soft springs.  Two of them have just collapsed.  So I'm taking it back to Railroad Hobbies tomorrow--not for a replacement, but to see if I can find more stable springs for the darned thing.  After checking it out, I couldn't believe how FRAGILE the connections are, and how downright stupid.  I've taken a good hard look at the trucks, and if I can't find any springs, I think I can adapt some Tomar pickup shoes between the trucks and the pickups on the floor (they're like the lighting pickups on the bottoms of Walthers passenger cars--two strips of metal). 

BUT--that little problem does NOT change my opinion of the car--for 'dry' cleaning the tracks and sucking up debris--in my case pollen--it's a little jewel.  It just needs to be improved as far as truck-motor connections.   Otherwise, I really recommend it. 

Garry:  I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I was impressed by your steel mill on this week's WPF.  That's some TERRIFIC work, my friend.   BTW:  I found a new Athearn RTR Burlington wood-sided reefer at the LHS the other day--I have NO idea how accurate it is, but it was so handsomely done I bought it.  And yes, believe it or not, BREX showed up in California a lot during the Golden Days, LOL! 

Well, that's it from this end of the country.  Glad I found the new diner.  Whew, the treks seem closer and closer together, lately, don't they? 

Best to all, prayers to those in need.   "Uff-Dah" and Spooky (she who must be obeyed) send their regards.  "Uff-Dah" wants to know if anyone out there has a good recipe for Lutefisk.  Do me a favor, if you do, though--DON'T TELL HIM! 

Tom

[Cederstrand]

Chamomile tea, please. 

***Tom, for $100, sounds like a very poor design. Hope you're able to rebuild/improve it to be functional.

With the heavy rains here today, farrier rescheduled. Ran out of hay in the barn so I picked enough off the cow hay to last the night. Haven't been back to work on that fence removal lately because I'm just not feeling well enough. Long day ahead tomorrow.

Healing thoughts to those in need. (giving a few of them to myself this time)

Good night all.

Rob   

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

twhite

Garry:  I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I was impressed by your steel mill on this week's WPF.  That's some TERRIFIC work, my friend.   BTW:  I found a new Athearn RTR Burlington wood-sided reefer at the LHS the other day--I have NO idea how accurate it is, but it was so handsomely done I bought it.  And yes, believe it or not, BREX showed up in California a lot during the Golden Days, LOL! 

Thanks, Tom. You may have noticed the steel mill uses Baldwin switchers, and two of them are former SP units. Work in the steel mill is a bit dirty as you may have noticed. Yes, I just happen to have a few BREX reefers. I hope you recover quickly from the illness. Hopefully you did not regain the 30 lbs, and you need not have this "diet" long. Also, keep us posted on the new ATlas track cleaner.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning---

Showers and dull, dull, dull otherwise. A possible series of t'understorms as well --- Yay---

Going to basically do the client visits and schtuff like that there---

Tom- Giardia and me don't get along. I had that once and it done a number on the weight AND my blood sugar! And the 12 billion gallons of water I can do without as well. -- Hopefully it will go away quickly--take care. As for the loke---a quick redesign of the power take up would be a goood idea---but you'd think that you spent $100 for summat you'd not have that to do---

Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a toast/jam please---I'll be at the corner booth by the switch window---

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Good morning.

It's 68 and  foggy. The high is expected to be in the high 80's and rain is expected.

No news on my father's condition yesterday. Maybe today. The only work I got done on the layout yesterday was to change out a structure light. There's still lots more cleanup work to be done but it just doesn't seem important right now.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      5/27/2009

Wind Chill:  68°F
Humidity:  100%
Dew Point:  68°F

So Far Today
High:  70°F
Low:  66°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  3mph NNE

Today  High: 88    A 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning... Then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight  Low: 68    Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

[LSWrr]

Good morning,
Not much going on other than the pics I posted yesterday.  Tonight the local train group is meeting again and I’m toying with the idea of joining.  My GF might go with me tonight and maybe I can talk her into joining with me, we shall see. Lee

 

[pcarrell]

TMarsh

Do I look like PC? You're right been a while and almost forgot what he looks like.

How could you forget a good lookin' mug like this?

 

Hey Jeff, hows your dad?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

pcarrell

Hey Jeff, hows your dad?

Still the same I guess. I didn't hear any news about him yesterday.

[ewl01]

pcarrell

How could you forget a good lookin' mug like this?

 

AAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Just kidding)  Actually, kinda looks a little like the harmonica guy from .... was it Blues Traveler? (minus a few pounds of course)

Looks like I missed the fact I had TOP yesterday, sorry.  Chloe, make sure I get the tab today.. And... I'll have the breakfast special, eggs over easy, sausage, rye toast and a decaf please.  Thanks.

Rainy and chilly here at the coast here.  The cardiac patient from Monday did not make it.  With all the publicity about CPR and stuff the adds forget to mention that generally only 2% of the patients survive.  Those that do are usually younger people that had a witnessed event, this one was 72 and apparently been down for several minutes before her husband found her.

We will be cleaning our house soon.  Not much in the way of collectibles, etc.  Just stuff..  Called the insurance co's. last night about dad's policies from work.  They both state they never recieved the claim forms form his company.  Another holdup, oh well.

Was thinking of weathering the carfloat with rust and brown chalks instead of paint.  I think it would give a better blend against the black base color.  Might be todays project with the weather being what it is.

Eric

 

[TMarsh]

Mornin' Stack of pancakes and sausage Real maple syrup, Um, let's see I think I had New York last time so let's make it Vermont Maple. Yup and coffee in a T&P mug Thank you. Weather today supposed to mirror yesterday, sounds like our weather yesterday mirrored Jim's. We got a total of about 4/10 of an inch . We don't need it.

Ray- Hoe- lee Cow! Are you sure our Mothers were not sisters? I know we've discussed our Mothers as both being hair benders and there passion for ...."preserving" things for future generations to behold, But the Macaroni Michelob bottles? Too close to home.

I found the set of Christmas candle holders, each holder made from two Michelob bottles stacked and glued mouth to mouth. A small saucer of some kind, maybe ashtray was glued to the bottom of the each bottle. String was glued to the sides in a design and it was all covered in aluminum foil. Christmas decorations. Brought drug out every year with the 3 foot tall pine cone tree spray painted gold,along with matching Angel made of starched pillow case and Styrofoam balls, and placed in some place of honor in the middle of the living room. How do I know this was made that way......my mom was one of those who MADE the stuff. "Hand crafted, it's probably worth something!" Oh I still remember the stench of that pine cone solution or whatever she did to those things in the wash tub. Not as bad as those Permanent wave solutions odors wafting through the house. I love that woman. Even though we still are not done after a 30yd, then a 20yd, and finally a 15yd dumpster. I think another 15yd should finish after she has her final garage sale, to prove to me, I think, that this stuff is not junk and people would be glad to have it. Goodwill gets the call to bring truck, then the dumpster should hold it. I hope. People just don't want to buy a five gallon bucket of those little stubby golf pencils. They give them away. But then "you just never know"

Barry- My mom didn't collect anything except, well, everything. I don't thing she ever threw an outfit away. I swear I saw an outfit Carol Brady wore on The Brady Bunch. Oh and there was a lot older stuff. A lot. "the styles coming back". And shoes......oh my the shoes. "oh most don't fit but you never know. I hope to get back into them someday." I do love the woman.

Tom (with the bridges)- I would have thought Atlas would have been built a little better than that. You'd think with all the locos they've made that they would have used similar for the track cleaner. Glad you're still pleased with it. I don't have enough track or any hard to get too's to justify one.

AAAAAHHH!!!!! I remember!!!!

Eric- Oh don't worry, Vinnie wills ee that you get the check whether you know it or not!

Well I've gotta help the lady at the restaurant unload the truck and then wait tables this eve so I best get cleaning on the layout like Jeff so I can runs some trains, work do what ever. Looks messier now that there is light in there.

Speaking of Jeff your Father is still in my prayers. As well as you Tom.

Have a Great Day!

EDIT: Did you notice the thing to post replies says "quick" ?  

 

[secondhandmodeler]

 Good morning folks. 

Snappy looking diner you have here!  I'll have four whole fried chickens and a coke.  Oh, and a piece of dry white toast for my friend!

 Other than a severe tooth ache, I had an enjoyable weekend. I went in for a root canal yesterday only to be told that I have to see a specialist. Great, my insurance only covers half of one of these procedures a year. Not a half root canal, real root canal, and a crown. I think I'm in for about $1500 when it's all said and done! Good thing I didn't buy a car yet.

I planted my trestle this weekend. I'm still waiting for the clay to dry, but I'm almost there. I also ripped up the already laid approach track in order to ease the radius leading onto the bridge.

I have to get the track work finished because my NEW BACHMANN BERKSHIRE ARRIVED! Boy is she a beauty! It was almost sad running it back and forth instead of roundy round like she's destined to do! On a serious note though, it certainly didn't like backing through some of the turnouts. I think the track has shifted since I first laid it. It isn't secured properly yet. I'll definitely have to go over my track work again after I redo this one section.

I have a half day at work before going to the 'specialist'. That will be three and a half days off in four. I'm almost starting to feel guilty......almost.

Have a great day everyone.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Just got news about my father. He may be coming home today or tomorrow. They finally figured out what he has. A nasty condition called diverticulitis. I've had it myself, hence why I know it's nasty.

[galaxy]

Morning guys!

I will have coffee and an egg sandwich.

Posed to rain again today, though now just cloudy and cool....

A prayer candle will be lit at 10:00 Am for those who need thoughts and prayers!

Hope you father fairs well this day, Jeffrey. {I am looking for a good box to send that in Jeffrey....}

I started on a new cholesterol-lowing statin med called Zocor about two weeks ago. The strange thing is that I have been being cold lately...hands and feet like an ice cube, even with the temps at 76-80* where as usually I sweat to death at temps over 70-71*. I wonder if the med is causing me to feel chilled?? Anybody else taking it and feel the same? My father will sit in the house at 80* with a sweater on due to his BP med feeling cold....I wonder if I am being affected similarly??

Well, well, I see we have quite a few savers of "things and stuff". Some of my "stuff" I affectionately call "SHTUFF" because it is stuff that really could/should be thrown out. BUT, in order to purge, I must be "in the mood" to throw shtuff out. No macaroni covered beer bottles here, though, I don't think.....but I'm sure I made something like that when I was a kid that my mother, rest her soul, saved for me in the attic "in case I wanted it later..."The "joy" of having a trailer is that one can only have so much stuff or shtuff...

I knew an old lady {rest her soul} with a house that was an obsessive/compulsive keeper of things...She used to go to yard/garage sales to get more stuff.....I helped her clean some out and have a yard sale....she had BRs that had boxes stacked floor to ceiling with only a pathway into every room....basement was full the same, with only a path to the furnace/water heater and the washer/ dryer...and even the dining room and LR were quite full as well...I was surprised the house didn't give under the weight of all that shtuff... She would agree to throw out about 1%, put 4% in her yard sale, and keep the other 95% "cause I might need that sometime..."

 

TMarsh

Soooo.... I did throw the box the Pearl car came in away....

That, Todd, is the first step....now carefully back away from the garbage can!!!...

TMarsh

...Wait, maybe it can be used for something too. Better get it out of the trash....

OOPS! TODD! You're slipping already!!!! {shame shame, tsk, tsk.} 

Then again, I didn't do so hot myself...the big box of small boxes for rolling stock/locos is still on the enclosed porch........

WEll enough of shtuff for now I'm about to break out in hives thinking about it....

HAve a great day everyone!

 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning...

Oatmeal and OJ, please.

I see the current topic for some of the diners is about some parents who were big savers of stuff. The children of the Great Depression are typically like that. If you removed a nail from a board with your claw hammer, you would straighten it out and place it in the coffee can with other used nails. Of course, there were the balls of used string.

I recall when my Dad died, and it was decided that Mom would move from Illinois to Alabama to be with my sister there. My parents' house in Illinois was very full of stuff. I remember getting a huge dumpster and having it placed in the driveway. As I headed off back towards Michigan where I was then living, Mom said she would begin filling the dumpster. When I returned to Illinois two weeks later to help Mom clean out, I looked into the huge dumster. It was empty except for one, and only one, brown paper grocery bag she had filled with stuff to throw out. The hopuse was still crammed with stuff.

Several years later, I was visiting Mom in Alabama. I noticed she had accumulated a number of plastic bread wrappers which she had filled with lint from the clothes dryer. I asked her why she had done that. She responded: "It is perfectly good lint."

Of course, there are some people today who go to the opposite extreme, and that may be even worse.

Jeff, I'm gald your Dad will be coming home soon.

Corey, take care of that toothache. 

[JimRCGMO]

Good Morning, Zoe. I'll have a cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee, please. Thank you.

Got my first photos of "Remedial Weathering 01" uploaded this morning, so (donning his disguise and crouching behind a table in case of a pie catapult...) here they are:

The two (MRC?) boxcars before any weathering attempt:

and after said attempt:

Oh, the back boxcar in both photos has not been weathered, for comparison.

And here are my illustrious weathering tools (at this point):

An older flat brush, single edge razor blade (for scraping the chalks, natch), and the "24 Brilliant Colors" (as the package declares).

I'd used the light brown (on the left in the photo of the 'tools') and the dark grey (about a third of the way in from the left side), and might use the reddish-brown later, too. Think I need to find some photos of Southwestern RR's like ATSF or D&RGW cars.

As I said last night, I think the washes may be a bit easier to put on, as it seemed like I needed some prep on the car sides to help the chalks stick a little better (not thickly, just better). Robby or some of you other Diners with weathering practice, do you use a dull coat of spray first for better 'tooth' on the surface, or what?

Another variable weather (outside kind, not like doing the model freight cars) today. Supposed to get into the mid-80's (F) this afternoon, and likely pop-up storms this afternoon or into the evening. Lovely humidity! (NOT) At least by the weekend, they're saying the humidity will drop some. I'm all for that!

I don't think my mother collected much 'stuff', but one thing she did save that I was glad of (and my Dad saved it after she died, so I eventually got it when he died), was all my grade cards (well, she might've missed one or two) from high school and junior high (maybe even some from grade school). One of those sentimental (non-gold-sprayed) things, I guess. I think I recall seeing one (or more) of those macaroni-covered/gold-sprayed Michelob bottle things way back then. That, or we all got a dose of that coolaid...

Todd, I think you, Jerry and Inch (and points east) got the northern tier of our rain front yesterday (and you may get it again today...). Glad to share - now, if we could re-route some of this out west to BridgeTom - they could use it better out there. Around here, more than enough rain = more than enough skeeters in a few weeks!

Oh, BridgeTom, about that Lutefish? I could talk with some of our German folks around here and maybe get Uff-Dah that recipe (or for a small donation, I could lose the recipe...heh, heh...)

Eric, not to worry - as Todd said, Vinnie will remember to be sure you get the bill for your TOP. (Vinnie NEVER forgets when somebody owes him or the twins...)

Corey, sorry to hear about your dental stuff. I should be setting up a dentist appointment for myself this summer to take care of a couple of (lower) wisdom teeth. Enjoy that Berkie!

I'll sit here and watch the morning switcher doing its thing. Prayers continuing for Jeff's father and all the rest in need of healing or comfort (and for those Diners who've been missing a while to return safely)

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[BamaCSX83]

Jim, the cars look good!  Oh yeah, why'd y'all not tell me the diner moved again?  I went looking for it, couldn't find it, couldn't find a crumb trail, pie pieces, or nothing.  Thankfully the switcher crew knew where it was a delivered me here.  I'll have a RBF and a bowl of grits, with cheese please. 

 On the MRR side of life, nothing is happening, although I do have a preliminary track plan set up for me, I just have to do a little more research on industries along the way aside from the ones I know.  I've also got the list of parts from various suppliers to re-build my old BB Athearn GP40-2, all I need now are the funds. 

Other happenings are that the wife has a bun in the oven, and we find out on June 11 what flavor it is.  (praying for a boy this time around)...  Welp, I see that nothing's really changed, except the location of the diner, so I'll hang out here by the window and watch the trains stroll through. 

[howmus]

Mornin' everyone!

A cool, damp, dreary day here in the Finger Lakes this morning.   Currently 60°F with a high of 68°F this afternoon.  Supposed to get a half inch of heavy dew with some noise later on today.

galaxy

I wonder if the med is causing me to feel chilled??

I would get in touch either with your doctor or your pharmacist about the symptoms.  I know that can be a side effect of the simvastatin that I take for high cholesterol.  Best to make sure it is OK.....

Tom W. sounds icky!  I know that Giardia is one of the reasons we are very careful to boil or otherwise treat water when camping in the wilderness in Scouts.  Doesn't sound like anything I would want.  You are in my prayers!

Philip I've seen that photo before... Lets see, where was it?  Hmmm.  I know, the Post Office!  I saw it right there on the bulletin board under a sign that said....  Uh oh..... Nope, Don't think I know you do I?

Jeffrey hope your Father makes a speedy recovery from the diverticulitis.

Todd I remember well the stench of permanent solution in my mother's shop.  Probably was a contributing factor in her getting Primary Biliary Scherosis of the Liver.  I think the collection of all kids of STUFF was mostly a product of growing up in the great depression.  Seems that many (even most) of the people from that time kept eveything.

Corey I sure hope I do better at the dentist today than you did yesterday!  I don't have any dental insurance.

Well I best finish my coffee and get busy doing some of the days items.  Catch you all later. 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

howmus

Jeffrey hope your Father makes a speedy recovery from the diverticulitis.

I hope so too. Took me two months to get over mine a couple of years ago.

[TMarsh]

Four whole fried chickens.....JAKE! Dry white toast.......ELWOOD!

Yep depression babies. But then why, oh why, when I change old plastic wheels (usually because something isn't right) Do I save them! I can't sem to throw them away! Ooo..I have a train yard now. Well kinda.

Glad to hear some are healing or at least on their way.

By the way, I can see the top of my modeling bench! (old desk). Next.... the floor.

[TMarsh]

Sorry, cars are looking good Jim are you sure this is your first attempt?

Hey Bama glad you found us.

[howmus]

TMarsh

Yep depression babies. But then why, oh why, when I change old plastic wheels (usually because something isn't right) Do I save them! I can't sem to throw them away!

 

Yeh, but that's different!  You know that it is a valid and important part of kitbashing and scratch building.  That's called "Be Prepared".  Sounds like a motto I know well..... 

[der5997]

JR:

A full rebuild will also cure things but the RTR rebuilts are less expensive and less likely to develop issues. Even at a dealership it's tough to find someone with the skill to rebuild stuff and you end up changing assemblies instead..

...have too replace the rear wiper motor and assembly on the 2003 Venture. Dealer cost $369, wrecker cost $125 used, $160 new after-market. Tell me again why GM is likely to file for Chapter 11? (Sorry if that's political - my bad)

Rant over, and a good day everyone. I'll have the remains of the shrimp curry for lunch please, with tea. Mashe dpotato instead of rice, as rice is too high on the glycemic index to do me much good.

Not much on the mrr front lately, too many chores and extras getting in the way.

TTFN.

[JimRCGMO]

Hey, Bama, good to see you in the DIner again (and congrats on the pending birth - hope you get that boy).

TMarsh

Sorry, cars are looking good Jim are you sure this is your first attempt?

 

Todd - you have to bear in mind (as you probably can tell from the first photo) that these boxcars had been sitting a bit, so they got some 'natural' weathering (Is there 1:87th scale dust?) before I started any of my own on them. I would've liked being able to show the door detail a bit better, but maybe when I get some India ink wash on that, it may help. Robby? Suggestions?

Oh, Todd, congratulations on your lowering 'shtuff' level in the train room. There might be hope for both of our 'clutteredness' problems. I don't keep the wheels (well, haven't changed out much of any so far), but I need to toss the hornhook couplers that I have after replacing them with the KD's.

Well, back to my coffee and watching the switcher.

 

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Bama .....Congrats on the "bun in the oven"......

[ewl01]

Good to see folks popping back in now and then.

After reading about saved stuff, yeah I'm guilty too, I have an idea. A wheel manufacturer!!  I can use the bizillion wheel sets I have from when I changed out my Rivorossi Heavyweights eons ago.  Why I saved them???  Son of depression era parents of course!

Jim -  the chalks look good.  Can't wait for the ink wash!

Jeff - good to hear your dad's coming home, at least you know what he's dealing with.

Prayers and wishes for those coming from the Dr. and those going (dentists, etc)

Eric

[pcarrell]

jeffrey-wimberly

Just got news about my father. He may be coming home today or tomorrow. They finally figured out what he has. A nasty condition called diverticulitis. I've had it myself, hence why I know it's nasty.

Sounds like he found the road to recovery, so thats good!

 

TMarsh

AAAAAHHH!!!!! I remember!!!!

Thats me trying to look bad enough for my hat!

howmus

Philip I've seen that photo before... Lets see, where was it?  Hmmm.  I know, the Post Office!  I saw it right there on the bulletin board under a sign that said....  Uh oh..... Nope, Don't think I know you do I?

Admit it.....The only reason you noticed my pic there was because it was next to yours!

[howmus]

pcarrell

Admit it.....The only reason you noticed my pic there was because it was next to yours!

 

Actually I was checking on what some of my former students might be doing with their lives...... 

[pcarrell]

howmus

Actually I was checking on what some of my former students might be doing with their lives...... 

What, to check and see if they'd commited more heinous crimes then you?