It is 1630hrs on the West Coast, 8c under the Sun. We had 8cm of snow overnight, our power went out from 0030hrs till about 0430hrs. Didn't care as the furnace is in pieces anyway. Our gas fireplaces keep the joint toasty warm.
We get the new furnace and hot water tank tomorrow just in time for the weekend, -8c and probably some more snow.
Ed, the corrosion in the secondary heat exchanger was a combination of water and an issue with the polypropylene coating. Our heat exchanger looked worse than the yucky pics you see online of the problem. We feel fortunate indeed. We are getting a York furnace this time, I have not read anything bad about them so we will keep our fingers crossed. The furnace guy said the matter-antimatter inducer on the old one will fail in 18 months if it is like everyone else's. At that point, the decision for a new furnace was a no brainer.
The kid is really happy, he Facebooked me minutes ago that he got 100% on yet another History exam. He said it was really hard as he had to write essay questions on four rather obscure countries and name cities and geography of them as well. He has his Mothers photographic memory that's for sure. I guess if you are in global affairs, you had better know the Globe. He signed a lease on a house for next year, a 20 minute walk from the University. Him and five others.
Time to watch some Olympics. I was always a pretty good athlete but watching these kids sure can burst your bubble. I still want to try the skeleton. YEEEE HAAAAA!!!!!!!
All the best to all. Korean fair is on me tonight, When in Rome.
First time in snow.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Afternoon all!
Hobby Front: The yard project is creeping along as to getting the needed pieces. However, as to when it will actually get built, is up in the air. Due to all the snow, Dad asked me not to get the framework lumber until it warms up. (16' boards would jam up the works with a tractor in the bay. A foot and half or so of snow doesn't help with that either. It's not like the lumber yard in question is going anywhere.)
However, it does give me an opportunity to get other projects done.
Have a good evening all.
HEy all. YEah, ive got some more mon valley photos. I'll post them later
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Steven OtteGood morning, Diners! For those who have been on a clear-liquids-and-Jello diet recently, here's today's breakfast special. Dig in.
.
SteveO, where was that picture taken, what restaurant? I might be making a road trip!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Steven OtteFor those who have been on a clear-liquids-and-Jello diet recently, here's today's breakfast special. Dig in.
I was just passing by the Diner and smelled the sausage cooking! Pork tenderloins on the skewer, I assume? Delicious! Flo, may I have a little shredded colby/Monteray Jack cheese sprinkled on top?
Thank You, Steven!
Happy Valentine's Day, Folks.
It will soon be pleasant weather in the Monongahela Valley and a visit to Frick Park will be the order of the day!
PC_Monongahela_10 by Edmund, on Flickr
Henry Clay Frick has a rather colorful history in the Pittsburgh area. He helped to finance the PRR and Reading Railroads. He was a major player in the Carnegie Steel Corporation and his actions during the great Homestead Strike garnered him a bit of negative publicity. He was also a charter member and financier of the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club which some of you may recognize as having a few problems with their spillway on Lake Connemaugh back in 1889.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Clay_Frick
I hope you good folks are doing well... I hear news of some problems in Parkland, Florida? No real details as yet
Cheers, Ed
Hey where's the juke box?
Oh, there it is!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Steven Otte NWP SWP Zero turn mower? Truck!? Why, these kids today don't know how good they got it! I did all my mowing with a self-propelled mower. That is, I propelled it myself. And I got to the job sites on my 10-speed bike. My father made me a 3-foot-square cart I towed behind the bike, carrying the mower, weed whacker, two gas cans, hand edger, broom, rake, and garbage bags. All muscle power! Which explains why I was 175 pounds back then. Good thing there are no hills in that part of Florida.
NWP SWP
Zero turn mower? Truck!? Why, these kids today don't know how good they got it!
I did all my mowing with a self-propelled mower. That is, I propelled it myself. And I got to the job sites on my 10-speed bike. My father made me a 3-foot-square cart I towed behind the bike, carrying the mower, weed whacker, two gas cans, hand edger, broom, rake, and garbage bags. All muscle power! Which explains why I was 175 pounds back then. Good thing there are no hills in that part of Florida.
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Good afternoon diners!
It is officially Spring/Summer here in the Bayou State, 83° and high humidity...
I am definitely glad that the cooler weather is departing...
Howdy ...
Steve O .... I never sausage a big breakfast before....
Ray .... Glad you like the redneck terminology.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning diners.
Flo - Seeing as SteveO is supplying the breakfast, I will have that, and a OJ please. (Yes, I know it's now Brunch, but, who says I can't have eggs for lunch anyways?) Thanks.
And, thanks SteveO for the breakfast! (Or, in my case, brunch.)
Dave (hon30critter) - Yep, I've had that happen before. I normally don't take jerk customers personally, but, when they start lying to, or about me, they made it personal, so now I start to play along... Respectfully of course, but most times they dislike it when I start playing.
Helps when you have a manager that backs you up and won't take the stunts being pulled by jerks.
My manager will call the stunts exactly as they are, most times before I do.
Ray - No offense meant, but, I can think of better ways to get donuts....
Weather - Warm today, so hopefully all the ice melts.
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Steven Otte Good morning, Diners! For those who have been on a clear-liquids-and-Jello diet recently, here's today's breakfast special. Dig in.
Good morning, Diners! For those who have been on a clear-liquids-and-Jello diet recently, here's today's breakfast special. Dig in.
This is the kind of breakfast that helps me maintain my figure.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
Mornin' folks!
Garry, love the medical dictionary! That will get copied and past on....
angelob6660 Morning diners, To bad I can't eat that breakfast Steven. It's Ash Wednesday I (we) can't eat meat.
Morning diners,
To bad I can't eat that breakfast Steven. It's Ash Wednesday I (we) can't eat meat.
Ah, well being presbyterian, I sure can! Thanks Steven O!!! That will probably help get my cholesterol levels back up for me as well... Pass the ketchup, please.......
Currently 37°F on it's way up to 49°F this afternoon here in the Finger Lakes region of NYS today. Tomorrow should be in the 50's.
I got a call from the surgery center this morning to see how I was doing. I told her "fine, no problems". Then said that the best part of the day yesterday was the doughnuts I had my son go out and buy for lunch! She roared and said she was sure that was a whole lot better than the "procedure"!
I've got a bunch of financial items to take care of today for the MLK comittee, so I best get my shower and tackle the day headon!
"Even the intellectual crowd will have none of me. Physically, I look like one of them. Graying at the temples, I walk with a slight limp and wear thick glasses." - Groucho Marx
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Good morning everybody ... Coffee and a donut, please.
Here is some Redneck Medical Terminolgy
I jut turned 50, so I know what is coming when I go for my physical this year.
I am not looking forward to this.
Ray:
Glad the 'procedure' went well, although I'm not sure that the words 'well' and 'colonoscapy' belong in the same sentence. I'm sure it wasn't fun! Hopefully the results will be negative for you know what.
I'm due for one fairly soon. For the last one I had the doctor couldn't do a proper job of examining me because the clearance procedure hadn't worked as well as it should have. I have only had one polyp so far and it was benign. My mother had colon cancer when she was in her 60s. She lived to 92!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi, Folks
Just got done with my chore for the evening. The dishwasher kept filling with "Backwash" from the drain line where it attaches to the disposer. It is a Kenmore and probably going on 20 years old.
Turned out to be a pretty straightforward repair. The check valve is near the front and easy to access. After the drain hose is removed from the pump, a simple yank on a little retainer removes the flapper which had some gunk on it preventing it from sealing. I cleaned it out and put it all back together but I left the access trim off until I get a whole new check valve for a whopping $13. from Amazon.
howmus Was asked my birthday at least 13 times before and afterwards.
Anymore when I talk to the medical provider people I say my first name, then eight-six-fiftysix, then my last name. They look at me quizzically at first, then the little light goes on.
There's a 1991 movie that William Hurt is in called "The Doctor" where the tables are turned and he has to be on the other end of the stethoscope. Funny thing is, all the things he goes through, filling out forms, show your ID, sorry the doctor is running a little late this morning, fill these forms out again, etc. have not changed one bit since then.
I had my third colonoscopy last month and the doctor said when I was done, "I'll see you in ten years". Best news I've had in a while
Glad to hear you are getting a new furnace, Brent. Was the old one affected by the water back-up in any way?
Here's one from the archives. Not the Monongahela Valley but former PRR trackage just the same. 1998 at Davis Tower in Newark, Delaware.
Railroad_0016 by Edmund, on Flickr
I hope this finds you all well—
Regards, Ed
Evening diners,
Went to the club this afternoon, cleaned some car wheels, cars are about 75% done, have to go over all track once more to ensure cleanliness, also I suggested we lay about 2ft of shop towels dampened with alcohol and the drag cuts of cars over it twice to ensure all the crud is off the wheels...
Nothing much else going on...
NWP SWP That was supposed to be humorous...
That was supposed to be humorous...
I knew that, I was making a point to those that didn't and were about to get their Ninja stars out.
I have had quite a few visits to the Hospital in the last three years for procedures. Including a couple of surgeries. No paperwork, no signing, Just swiped my Drivers license/Care Card and was told to follow a certain colour line to the right part of the Hospital and was repaired. The only time we took out money was to pay for the parking when my wife picked me up. $4.00 for parking is outrageous!
They wanted to keep me overnight after my shoulder surgery but I protested and said my wife is a Vet and she can keep an eye on me, so they relented and let me go home. The only problem with having a Vet take care of you is the way they take your temperature.
I also had another surgery and had twenty sutures on my back. I went back and the Doctor took out twelve of them and just said get your wife to take out the rest of them on the weekend. Works for me.
The owner of the furnace company came and took the furnace all apart and we inspected a badly corroded heat exchanger. He said, "you are lucky you have CO detectors". The furnace is only 8 years and 4 months old. He refuses to sell that brand anymore after three generations of doing so and will only do warranty work for them. We are getting a new furnace and a HWT while we are at it as ours is fifteen years old and we can't believe it hasn't failed yet.
Dinner is ready.
All the best to all.
Ray glad you got it taken care of. I am fuming. I had an upper and lower endoscopy, with biopsies at both ends. The anesthetist charged 20% more than the surgeon. Medicare paid 60% for the GI guy and 10% for anesthesia. I understand there is a disparity between the charge and what you get paid, but to charge more than the surgeon, for a not very difficult anesthetic, is unconscionable.
Facebook, which has been accused of manipulating what you see, showed me a post to the WM historical society (which I follow) that one of there employees has been arrested for stealing artifacts.
They also showed a Baltimore National Railwayd Historical society post (don't follow) of a railfan trip on the Maryland Midland RR. Didn't know they had railfan trips or Whitworth engines. For you guys with Facebook access https://tinyurl.com/y9yk5s7h
Edit: Olympics enough with the Curling and the Biathalon. Ice dancing, there is nothing I could say that could possibly be construed to be politically correct.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
"I exercise strong self control. I never drink anything stronger than gin before breakfast." - W. C. Fields
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people." - W.C. Fields
And most important: "I have been in the entertainment business some forty-three years, and I have never said anything detrimental or anything that might be construed as belittling any race or religion. I would be a sucker to do so because you can't insult the customers" - also W.C. Fields
Well I made it out of the surgical place alive and mostly well today. I am a little punchy at the moment due to getting a sum total of 3 hours sleep last night, as I tossed and turned for half of the time, and, of course, woke up at 3:05AM and watched the clock untill it almost went off at 3:25 so I could get up and consume the second container of drain opener for the sewer cleanout needed for the "Procedure!" My son arrived at the proper time to chauffer me over to the place. Then I spent the next 20 minutes proving that I am actual whom I say I am. (Evidentally there are lots of people who get up and go over there and impersonate other people so they can have a colonoscopy just for fun......) Was asked my birthday at least 13 times before and afterwards. I always say, "I don't know" that happened when I was very little..... I complained about writer's cramp to several nurses and office staff because of the few hundred times I had to sign pieces of paper before I could get out of there. Have no idea what most of them were except they all said "read carefully" on them...... I was rather pleased that my blood pressure and heart rate were in a low range..... So they gave me oxygen during the "exploration". The nurse said it was probably due to the effect of the "stuff" I had to drink being a strong dehydrating agent....
They have changed the way the room is arranged since the last time I had it done. I was able to watch an interesting video of the inside of my intestines and already new what the doc was going to tell me in recovery...
Actually he said I was better this time than the last time when I had 7 polyps (IIRC). This time he only removed 3, and he won't know exactly what kind they are until the lab gets their share of the take.... He did say worst case scenario I get to come back and see him again in 3 more years....... The nurse who discharged me said NO! when I suggested I was going to come home and play with Ex-acto knives all afternoon.... She had just told me to just rest because of the sedative I got!
Then my son chauffered me back home after which he went over and filled his car with gas (it was on empty) using my TOPS Card to get a 70¢ per gallon discount, and came back with the usual half a dozen doughnuts for us to consume. I won't need to fill the VOLT with fossilized dinosaur dung until sometime in early April so I figured he should get some use out of the discount before it expires. We polished off the doughnuts and two pots of coffee chatting about the old days (only back to when he was around 50+ years ago), and discussing the availability of good looking older ladies I might want to chase. All told not a bad day. Even had fun tooting to get all the accumulated air out of my system during lunch....
"I'd rather have two girls at 21 each than one girl at 42." - W. C. Fields
Good afternoon Diners,
Brunhilda, I'll have an extra large coffee with lots of cream, please.
Well, the Winter Olympics are going on full tilt boogie for this week and the next. I must confess I'm an Olympics junkie. MOH and I sit and watch every night up to the ending of the day's coverage. We don't have cable. Of the two, I prefer to watch the winter games, which is ironic because I hate winter with a passion. Guess maybe it's because I can sit inside warm and toasty while the events are going on.
Rick: I've had similar experiences in retail. It's just amazing how much and how often customers just plain lie to get what they want. We all know they're lying and still mgmt still gives in because they want them to come back and buy more. That's the disappointing side of customer service. Don't let them get you down. I know, easier said than done.
Steven: That's the entrepreneurial spirit. If I may make a suggestion, why not run it like a real business. Assume that the equipment and resources are a capital expense. Deduct a predetermined figure from your monthly income and apply it to overhead. Determine your hourly labor cost, fuel cost, wear and tear maintenance cost, etc. You might have some fun, and you'll learn a lot about what it takes to have and run a business.
Ed: Love the cranes and dozer at the work site. After all, model railroading is fun!
Ray: For your reading pleasure.
"Reminds me of when we were on safari in the wilds of Afganistan. Someone lost our corkscrew, and we were forced to live on food and water for several days." - WC Fields
Nothing on the MRR front to report.
Hello to everyone, and I hope averyone is OK, safe, and warm.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
NWP SWPHello I am Fidel Castro!" *ground crew blankly stares* then one says "so?"
Taking the high road and being kind and respectful will drop walls faster than if you treat someone with disdain or hate. Just look at how a well trained Police officer treats a down and out street person, someone who is intoxicated or a hardened criminal. It is with respect and caring. Doing so goes a long way to making things better for all involved. Me thinks you take TV and Movies to be real life.
I've done my share of push mowing, and far as the truck goes, well it's kinda hard to ride a bicycle 20 miles from the country to the nearest neighborhood on rural highways without shoulders, but yeah I got it easy...
NWP SWP My dad has agreed to let me use the family truck and the zero turn mower were going be buying in the spring for my business till I can afford my own equipment...
My dad has agreed to let me use the family truck and the zero turn mower were going be buying in the spring for my business till I can afford my own equipment...
I can that conversation would go, *bearded Cuban in military dictator uniform deplanes* *walks over to ground crew* "Hello I am Fidel Castro!" *ground crew blankly stares* then one says "so?"
Good morning, it is a pleasant day with a snow warning for later. Must be because of all that razzing I was giving you guys the other day.
The furnace guy is showing up this afternoon to take a look at the heat exchanger, it should be covered by Carrier as they extended the warranty on our model to 20 years because of the heat exchanger issue. The original warranty is 10 years and ours is only nine years old so we should be good regardless.
We have three hardwired smoke alarms, one smoke alarm with our ADT security system, 7 battery powered smoke alarms and two carbon monoxide detectors. We will buy a third CO detector. We will keep the other two as they are quite new. The newest one always goes in our bedroom. Cheap insurance is right.
The Passport office called and need to see us again as they made a mistake with my daughters Passport Application. The kid that served me was a newbie and told me so when I was there. No worries we will just drop by this afternoon. We were wondering why we had not received them as normally it only takes ten days.
Went for a killer long walk yesterday. I have popped up a few pounds over this winter and boy they are now dropping off big time. All I do is start exercising more on the bike or go for walks and only have wine on the weekends instead of a glass every night and boy I get skinny fast. Just dropping a glass of wine Monday through Friday is a thousand calories a week. The only other thing I change is I will sometimes drop two pieces of toast a week. That is only 220 calories, add that to the wine calories and that is 1220 calories a week. More than enough to drop a few pounds without even noticing I am eating less. I will lose an easy five pounds a month just doing that. Six weeks should have me back to where I want to be.
When I was working in Government Logistics most of my time was spent at the airport. We would often get world leaders stopping in for unofficial pit stops ( maybe just to refuel or to have a short meeting with someone on their plane) sometimes they would want to have something sent somewhere and we would usually get it done for them. Had a couple of times where I just turned around and walked off their airplane when they thought they were above following the rules. That is really the only time I had to deal with jerks in my line of work, most of the time I got endless thankyou's followed up with a letter to the boss in Ottawa.
I have lost count of the number of Prime Ministers, Presidents and Dictators I have seen from just a few feet away. I have also been up close to everyone in the Royal family a few times. Fidel Castro use to stop in to gas up. He is quite a Character in real life. He would get off his plane to stretch his legs and was not shy when it came to introducing himself to the people servicing his airplane.
Lunchtime on the West Coast so all the best to all.
Back in elementary school there was a poem that went:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Horses and cows, I come before you, to stand behind you, to tell about something that I know completely nothing about, this Wednesday which is Good Friday we will be having a mother's day meeting for fathers and sons only, admission is free pay at the door, pickup a chair sit on the floor, we will be discussing the four corners of the round table..."
Here's pun of my own invention:
"The Michelin man comes home after a long week, his wife says you look 'tired'!"
Very Punny!