Dave, just in case you missed it I did apologize for the offending comment and edited it out, Mr. Otte edited all comments pertaining to it, just so you know I did apologize for the offense.
Looks like I've got top of page, drinks on me guys!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
NWP SWPDave, just in case you missed it I did apologize for the offending comment and edited it out, Mr. Otte edited all comments pertaining to it, just so you know I did apologize for the offense.
Hi Steven:
You don't need my approval for anything that you post (but you do need Steven Otte's obviously). Don't worry about my opinion or whether or not I will think your posts are OK. If you choose to follow my guidance that is your choice but ultimately you are your own man.
Just so you know, Steven has had to rap my knuckles a few times too.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
BigDaddyThe phone has been ringing every 1/2 hour. Almost all calls from small towns in Maryland.
Robocalls and caller ID Spoofing has become rampant in the past few months. We get "local" calls all the time that the caller ID shows a phone number from our exchange but is obviously from far away.
We don't pick up the phone at all anymore. Leave a message and we will call back. Even if the number is familiar, we still screen the calls.
Two weeks ago we got a message on our machine from a woman in South Carolina. "Please stop calling me and hanging up" was her plea. We never called her. Obviously, spoofers are using our number to make robocalls to others.
https://www.bbb.org/en/us/article/news-releases/16670-a-new-kind-of-phone-scam-neighbor-spoofing
So, basically, the entire caller ID system is trashed if anyone can hack the number and fake it. Consumer protection in the U.S. has nearly eroded completely. Listing on the "Do-Not-Call" registry seems to have increased the calls!
Glad I still have Model Railroading!
NYC E7 Manual_2 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, everyone! Ed
gmpullmanSo, basically, the entire caller ID system is trashed if anyone can hack the number and fake it. Consumer protection in the U.S. has nearly eroded completely. Listing on the "Do-Not-Call" registry seems to have increased the calls!
What we need is the ability to forward every robocall to each of our local, provincial (or state) and national political representatives!
gmpullmanListing on the "Do-Not-Call" registry seems to have increased the calls!
I noticed this also. I suspect that someone is selling this list.
gmpullmanWe don't pick up the phone at all anymore.
We normally don't, either. But we have caller ID, so when I see an area code such as 80 I will answer. I will say "you have reached Buttkiss Security, how may I help you?". I enjoy the confused stammering that usually follows. And if they continue, then I ask them for their 11 digit security code. That makes them go away. Might as well have some fun with them.
By the way, if you get your phone service from Verizon and have FIOS, there is a way to get a menu on your TV screen where you can enter and block phone numbers that are used continuously to annoy you.
Good morning all.
Flo - How about a couple of those nice looking glazed donuts on the counter, along with a glass of milk. Thanks.
Ed (GMPullman) - I am constantly getting the spoofed calls from robo's as well, they have even taken to spoofing local wireless numbers! It is very annoying. Unless your number is now in my phone under your name, I am also not answering anything. And, if you call me twice without leaving a message, I am automatically blocking your number...
Maxman - I once had fun with the "Microsoft" spammers. (Where they claim your computer is sending out a virus, blah blah blah, etc...) They had called my cell, and I was expecting a call, but not from them. When they said who the "were" and why they were "calling", I got slightly irked, and then played along to get even. I first tried the "but I'm on a apple phone" but it didn't work, and when they persisted, I then asked, how to fix the issue. I let them do their spiel, but stopped them just before they said which website I needed to go to. I then asked, how they knew it was my computer with the issue. "It's registered by your IP Address" was the answer they gave.
I was "satisfied" with that answer and let them continue. (Of course, I'm not doing anything they asked, and my computer was not even on, but they had zero clue of that!) When they asked if I was able to navigate to "their website", I said "maybe, but first, if it's registered by my IP Address, that means you must have it. What is it?"
He stammered a bit, then got defensive about not having to answer my questions. I simply repeated my question, and then added, "If you were really calling from Microsoft, you would have access to that information. Otherwise, you just proved you are a scammer."
He answered with "I'm not a scammer. And it's not like you would even know your IP Address anyway!"
(I actually do, as I had to troubleshoot an issue with it before.)
So I replied, "Actually, yes, I do know it. So, the real question is, do you?"
He simply hung up on me.... And I then blocked that number in my phone, although, if it wasn't spoofed, I really don't think he would be calling me back anyway....
SteveO - Thanks for bring the donuts this morning. And thanks for helping keep everything civil in the forums. It is appreciated, but not mentioned enough. So, Thanks!
Ken - Yep, it's amazing how quickly we accumulate rolling stock without even realizing it. And yet, we can always use more!
Weather - Sunny and nice today, but the guessers call for rain tomorrow, and very hot and humid conditions to follow.
W*^k - I have decided to stay where I am, only because I am unsure of why the other place is so desperate for help. And, they did just move me to a new department recently, so that came with a pay raise...
House - Remodel project is progressing at a pretty quick clip, which is nice.
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.
maxman gmpullman Listing on the "Do-Not-Call" registry seems to have increased the calls! I noticed this also. I suspect that someone is selling this list.
gmpullman Listing on the "Do-Not-Call" registry seems to have increased the calls!
There are limits to the registry. If you have had a prior business relationship, that is excluded. I believe that charities are also excluded. If the number doesn't meet those criteria, once a number is listed, I think they have 3 months to remove the number from their database or they could be fined.
Hobby Front: If nothing else goes wrong (rain on Friday and nausea - Mom's yesterday), I may finally get at least part of the layout moved today. I am planning to move the parts coming to the apartment first. We shall see what I actually get done. I really hope that Murphy decides to take the day off. I have seen entirely too much of him lately.
Most robo calls are coming form overseas anyway so fat chance to fine them.
We just don't answer ANY calls and if they are legit they leave a message.
same with cell I just blip it to voice mail.
ricktrains4824I am constantly getting the spoofed calls from robo's as well, they have even taken to spoofing local wireless numbers! It is very annoying. Unless your number is now in my phone under your name, I am also not answering anything.
Mike
The castle is amazing! So complex
Thanks Dave - it's not finished and has been a ton of fun to do. Working out how to put the tracks through the walls (and where!) was a challenge. It's I'm sure not what King Edward 1 of England had in mind when he had the prototype built in 1296 or so. Also cutting out those Gothic windows wasn't something the model's designer thought would be done - but it makes a much more efective finish. Here's how the thing looks from the other end
and how the trin fits in the station inside the walls
I've yet to do the exterior parking lot and gift shop - maybe a hotel...Right now I'm doing awning extensions for my 3 POLA -N #300 passenger stations. Had to scratch build the supports and the roofs. I had some laser cut shingles put by from the last layout. I had planned to do this project for that layout but it didn't happen. Just shingling the final set of roofs now.
That whole station thing I'll maybe post later as I've a bunch of before and afters.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Afternoon All!
Hobby Front: Unfortunately Murphy struck again! The vehicle that was going to be used to transport the pieces decided not to want to cooperate! I'm starting to think that some entity out there doesn't want me to get the railroad moved.
Good evening!
Just stopping by before I hit the hay! It´s been an uneventful day, for which I am thankful in these times. Southeasterly winds blew the clouds away and we have now warm weather again. Temperatures are predicted to surpass the 30°C mark within the next days, which is way beyond my comfort zone!
John - what a nice model of Caernafon Castle! The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Rlwy. is currently erecting a new station building close to the castle. Unfortunately, they decided on a ratjher modernistic building, which, in my humble eyes, looks out of place in this historical setting.
Well, de gustibus non est disputandum...
Have a good night!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Evening diners
Been back to a heavy work week. Busier than normal because of the week I had to take off when my ribs were cracked got me behind.
Just wanted to stop in and say hi to everyone
Maryland Steamed Crabs for dinner!
First crabs I've had this year. They were pretty full. I remember my mother once refused to buy crabs because at $8/dozen, they were too expensive. Now they are $70 a dozen They are covered in Old Bay seasoning, which is salt, pepper and mustard, and the restaurants always add more salt.
Did my very first test casting of sculptamold. I added some gray paint, but not enough and probably too much water because it took a good 50 minutes to get hard. I've added more gray paint when it dried and I am going to try some other colors and a black wash.
The MRVP folks used it on Canadian Canyons, and pulled the mold off far earlier than I would have for hydrocal. I did the same and it worked, mostly. It stuck to the foam and the detail is good on the left side of the cast and a little soft on the other half.
It is not as hard or as heavy as hydrocal, but less messy to mix. If it actually dried in the advertised time of 30 minutes, that would be a good thing. Measuring it would have required one of SWMBO measuring cups and that would not have gone unnoticed. The tools and bowl cleaned up quicker than plaster.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Evenin' folks!
Janie, just need a refill for my decafe, please. Thank you Ma'am!
Got up a bit late this morning, and been dragging all day long. There was a Committee Meeting for the Handicapped Scout pack and troop here at my house last night. They have been having some really bad problems working as a group (Big Boss Syndrome) and so the commissioners invited the District Commissioner and two Executives from the Council to be hear to explain some things and help the units get straightened out. Was a usefull meeting as the "Big Boss" quit her position because she didn't get her way and get to "fire" the Scoutmaster...... Bottom line is that the other commissioner for the units will be stepping down as commissioner and join the committee with the idea of becoming the Chairman. Great solution as he is an excellent leader and knows how to get people to work together. I am also stepping down as their commissioner the end of August and might join the committee. Only problem with that is I am looking to lessen my obligations to accomplish some other hopeful changes in my life.........
The bulk of the committee stuck around to do some "planning" for two hours after the "Big Boss" stormed out . She left at the same time the Council and District guys left, but it was after 11pm when the last person left. By the time I fed the kitties, cleaned the litter box, and got myself in bed it was close to midnight. I did sleep like a rock all night!
Spent most of the day putting things away, cleaning up, weeding garden, and mailing out some notices for the NMRA.
Got an email today from an old fellow teacher who wants to bring over another person to see my layout. They want to come over the same day I am hosting the "Fine and Practical Arts" dept (old retired teachers from the Middle School that were in the same dept. with me) picnic. Should be doable, but I want to check things out with the elderly lady who does much of the planning for it we affectionately call "Ma" Deal (name is Mable actually).
Tomorrow is my Doctors apt. (just a regular check up) and I am interested in what he will think about my program. Hoping the blood work comes back all good!
Fact for the day - "114°F is the point where Extra Strength Deoderant stops working."
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening Diners,/ Morning
Our phone line down today and tomorrow, a down power line.
Der- Nice to see you again. That castle looked really good. Parts of it reminds me of Ulfstead Castle from the new Thomas and friends show.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
angelob6660That castle looked really good. Parts of it reminds me of Ulfstead Castle from the new Thomas and friends show.
That looks good, but Ihad to reduce the size so it didn't skew the whole page!
Roofing the last station awning continues. Slower than i had hoped because life tends to get in the way (First strawberries from our garden, both "cultivated" and wild. The former are escapees from some we planted in a tub. They all died; but not before sending out shoots which really took off in all dirrections, and now run along the base of our shed. It's those which have now given us some fruit, which the parent plants failed to do. The wild ones are on a similar south facing wall base, the main south wall of the house. That's a dessert for tonight. I think I should put more decent soil for the cultivated ones. At the moment they are in what is basically a gravel left over from when the shed was built by the previous owner.
I'm also playing with MS Publisher to develop a paint scheme for the pasenger cars. My Freestyle CB&CNS has passenger service which the prototype never ran - so I'm golden as to design, I can do whatever! Lunch date must go. CULTR.
Hey all.
no luck with my dads certificates... the state program for those crashed while right in the middle of it....yay.....
Job- started new job this week. ITs different from my last job. It's more rewarding, if that makes sense.
Modeling-besides some work last week on a caboose.., I havent felt up to doing anything at all since the 13th.
(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).
Evening diners,
I've had the past two days off, I start back again tomorrow.
Yesterday had to take Kavik the husky to the groomers to be "furminated" or have his undercoat removed, and I went to the railroad club.
Today I had music and that's about it, I reapplied DE to my garden over the weekend because I found two caterpillars on the tomato plants, I killed them and today I noticed there were two more, with the DE applied thoroughly to the plants!
Today the little blue switcher was working around Slaughter, I posted this picture from the other day on instagram, the filter makes it look like the scene is much older than it is!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bki-fAtgP8c/?utm_source=ig_web_share
Well I'll be hanging around, later!
Evenin' from the rainy Finger Lakes Area of New York State.
There may be some thunderboomers this evening and overnight around here. Currently getting a fairly heavy constant rain out there. In the high 60's outside although it will stay about the same overnight.
Jimmy, you have to get your Dad's Death Certificate online??? I have my wife's and my parents stuck away in a drawer in the spare bedroom, I think now. Hopefully they will never be needed again during my lifetime at least. When I go it will be somebody elses problem. Good luck with the new job continuing to be "more Rewarding"
I got in my 3.5 mile walk this morning, then had lunch and headed over to the Medical Group for my 6 month check up with my primary doc. Heh, heh, heh....... He said I look different and then said, oh, the beard... I told him he had seen me since I shaved off the beard. He stared a bit more and said, "You've lost weight!" He then looked up the stats on the computer and said "24lbs. of weight since last November. Then checked out my bloodwork!
He told me he wishes he could have the conversation he had with me today more often with his patients. Lets see... A1C - 5.3 (non-diabetic range and towards the low side of the normal range), Total Cholesterol: 122, HDL Cholestrol: 42, Cholestrol/HDL Ratio 2.90 (1/2 average risk would be around 3.43 for a male, Average risk (heart) is 4.97. He was estatic! I then told him I am walking 3.5 miles on 3 days a week over at the Fieldhouse, restricting my calories, and have all but eliminated animal fat from my diet. His response was, "Keep at it!" He is keeping my meds the same but will re-evaluate next time I see him in the fall. He said none of the meds I am on will bring the numbers down lower than what is safe, and wants to see what happens with my weight and muscle tone then, and bloodwork.
Sure hope I don't get run over by a bus or something tomorrow.....!!!
"Young. Old. Just words. Inside we feel like our shoe size." - George Burns
Spending some time reminising back on my trip to see UP 844 last year when it ran from Idaho to Utah. Need to get back out and see another steam engine again soon!
Good evening Diners,
Brunhilda, I'll have an Earl Grey tea with cream and honey, please.
Ray: keep up your health regimen. You'll be much healthier fo it.
Well, I'm waxing a little nostalgic lately. The summer of '68 was 50 years ago. It was good for me personally, but rather traumatic for the nation. I was working construction by day to earn money for school, and by night my buddies and I were in my basement playing Cream, Hendrix, and the blues at volume eleven until we had to quiet down so as not to attract the local constabulary after 10:00 pm. Must've driven my parents nuts, but they never complained. '67 -'68-'69, one of the better periods of my life, which is odd because Nam was raging and all of the other stuff going on. I did afford myself one luxury that summer. I ordered an Athearn GP "9" in Great Northern scheme From a hobby shop in Gettysburg, PA. I still have the locomotive. When it arrived, i paid $12.50 COD. Where I lived they didn't have much of a selection in the local shops so I ordered it. First time I ever did that. If I look at it today, the paint job was terrible by today's standards, but it is still a favorite of mine.
i suppose everyone has that one piece of equipment that's special.
Hello to everyone, and I hope everyone is OK and safe.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Evening diners how is everyone doing.
I wasn't too tired after work for a change so I decided to do a little microsurgery experiment. I worked on one of my pillars for my bridge and installed the bridge shoes on top.
It looks pretty much what I want but it's also kind of a disaster I need to keep my Paws away from my work. I messed up all the lattice on my upright support
It's way too tedious I'll try again tomorrow night as I'll only have the patience to do one per night
BigDaddyFirst crabs I've had this year. They were pretty full.
.
Henry, You look like you are having a great time. I wish I could join you.
Looks great!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 . I can see the finish line! . -Kevin .
I can see the finish line!
Nice tile job Kevin.... Subway nice -n- straight.
I love laying tile, always have. I just hate the dang grout! .... Yuk
Ray:
Congratulations on the weight loss and great numbers!
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a and Rick and Steven what they want.
Yesterday. Not one customer all day, glad I had a Clive Cussler book to read. Worst part is Spakie the American Eskimo is sick. Gave the wife my Citi Bank Card for what we thought was a $25.00 urine test. Wrong it was a $99.37 pee test. Now he is worth every penny but I have been watching my credit score like a Hawk and did not have the funds to repay that night. (if I use a card and pay it back the day I use it plus a $1.00 extra)
Today, good and bad. Staurday I total screwed up a deal! Thought we had a new close out mattress they liked, but I was wrong! Today they got a refund because I screwed up and I don't blame them. But next guy that came in in bought a $2050.00 King Set! That sure helped my mood and my self respect.
Jimmy I hope you will do well and like your new job and it is not a dead end job.
Ray Good numbers, I hope my A1c comes in around 5.5 this time maybe a 5.0? It has taken me right around a year to lose 30 pounds so I am evenesis. (boy I hope that spelled right) With my feet problem walking is a No No.
Speaking Of Foot Problems. Well it has been about a month now that I went to the local Cilvan Hosptial for a Active Foot Ulcer. This Friday I will be finally seen my the right clinic in the VA Hosptial! Thank goodness I went to a cilvan hospital first, they gave me intervenes and oral antibotic! If my toe look like it does now, I would have never went to the ER a month ago!
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
What's this? Not a single post since last night? What's going on here? Is it the big striped tent over the Diner? That's not a bug fumigation tent, honest, that's a circus tent! Yeah, we thought we'd bring in some clowns and balloons and...
hey, where ya going?
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Steven OtteWhat's going on here?
Arizona + June = Too HOT!
Yes, I know, its a dry heat, you'll get used to it. Harumpf!
Steven OtteYeah, we thought we'd bring in some clowns and balloons and...
You can keep the clowns and baloons, thank you, Steven. I'll head on over to watch the circus train if you don't mind...
Cheers, everybody!
Ed
I was at the gym this afternoon, when I learned I was 7 miles away from the most recent mass shooting. This backwater newspaper was not on the cutting edge of journalism nor a major purveyor of fake news. Recycled news out of Baltimore and the most recent crisis of Hysterical (usually spelled historical) Annapolis's objection to a plastic trellis or worse yet, a plastic flower.
When there are no facts, there is no shortage of reporting and mindless speculation. I know an editor and I hope he isn't one of the victims.