Happy Monday.
Speaking of Spielberg, how about a nice railroad film to go with your coffee?
Excellent look at railroading here. I wish Boomer well
[somehow, deleted posts perhaps? I find reply the top of the page.]
Everyone's meal ticket is on me!
Regards, Ed
up831 Hi Everybody, Ed: I feel your pain. Being hard of hearing, modern restaurant design just throws me for a loop. Not only can I not hear the server, but also the people I’m dining with for the most part. It can be very frustrating. You‘re also right about the hard surfaces. You get six hard surfaces like that and the sound just bounces all around creating a din. The design theory is that the noise suggests activity and excitement. I disagree with that suggestion To a large degree. While a little noise doesnt hurt too much, a lot of that din could be subdued with sound absorbing materials in strategic placements. But, no one is going to listen.
Hi Everybody,
Ed: I feel your pain. Being hard of hearing, modern restaurant design just throws me for a loop. Not only can I not hear the server, but also the people I’m dining with for the most part. It can be very frustrating.
You‘re also right about the hard surfaces. You get six hard surfaces like that and the sound just bounces all around creating a din. The design theory is that the noise suggests activity and excitement. I disagree with that suggestion To a large degree. While a little noise doesnt hurt too much, a lot of that din could be subdued with sound absorbing materials in strategic placements. But, no one is going to listen.
My hearing ade came with an app. I can take out my android and adjust the hearing aid for where I am at. I can sut background noise, increase clarity, and can adjust lows, mid range and highs.
I can plug it in to my cell phone and listen to potcasts of Harry Potter, then I do not have to listen to the conversation at all.
I even use it for my lexcio divina... King James never sounded better than narrated by some one who knows ho to do that stuff correctly.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
doctorwayneJeffrey was criticised by many people on this Forum, denigating his modelling abilities and his too-frequent photo contributions.
.
That is a shame. I have received a few messages in my inbox of a similar tone. Fanciful modeling and frequent photo posting does seem to irritate a handful of people.
I certainly have better things to worry about than that.
moelarrycurly4Amblin was Speilberg's first film, hence Amblin Entertianment.
Amblin was a short film.
Duel was a made for TV movie.
Sugarland Express was his first studio release in theaters.
Jaws was his first film with A-list actors and a real budget.
Any of these could be called his first film, depending on how you look at it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
NWP SWPManual 2012 GT, she has a few surprises such as shorty headers, cat delete, true dual exhaust, cold air intake, tube, and probably an aftermarket clutch, I'm looking at probably 450+ hp and is the exhaust LOUD!
You will now be a target for every ego-challenged idiot with a car and something to prove. Just remember it takes a big man to know when to say no, which is pretty much all of the time. I am pretty sure none of us wants to see you as the youngest member on the RIP track. Oh yeah, and don't become the ego-challenged idiot yourself.
A little side story. As you may recall, I decided to learn to ride a motorcycle last year. After the completing the BRC course (I know, an oxymoron), I was ready to get my own bike. I opted to avoid getting a monster bike for my first ride and settled on a 650--more than enough power for a first bike. After a year, I decided it was time to upgrade and I jumped all the way up to a 107ci (1753cc) bike. When I took the test ride at the dealer, the jump in power was downright intimidating. After the ride, as I reflected on the experience, I realized there are two sources of intimidation--fear and respect. I realized that I absolutely had to respect the power. Heck, I now have an engine the size of the engine in my car between my legs. Can I now blow away just about any car? You bet your boots I can. Will I? Not on my life. Literally.
Richard
Good Evening!
A slow day here, which is quite OK. Petra has developed a bad toothache over the weekend and had to see the dentist this morning. It looks as if a root canal job is ahead of her! I don´t like her to suffer, it makes me feel bad!
Steven, congrats on your car. When I was your age, my car had about a tenth of the power yours has, but I was perfectly happy with it. It was my ride, it was paid for with cash and it gave me all the freedom I needed - for little cash! I spent the little money I had on more interesting things - like girls and model trains (in that order)! But each according to his needs and wishes.
I have never understood why there is such a big desire for performance cars when you hardly have the chance to deploy the power, given the speed restrictions on US roads, but then I don´t need to understand that. However, I had thought that people of the younger generations would prefer "greener" mobility, or at least a transport with a lesser environmental impact. I have probably misjudged the situation.
Anyhow, Steven, enjoy your car and always drive safely! Don´t forget to set enough money aside for clutch repairs!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Afternoon, everyone.
Congratulations, Steven. You and the car look great.
I learned to drive with a clutch. When I first drove my parents' car, an automatic with power brakes, without thinking while driving, I lifted my left leg to hit the clutch. No clutch. Just brake pedal. I stopped with screeching tires and everyone on the sidewalks looking at me.
I came to this forum just recently. Why did posters treat Jeffrey badly?
Ulrich, there are plenty of roads outside of the major cities where one can really let the car loose. Several weeks ago the state police stopped a car that was going 149 mph (230 Kph) on a local highway. I'm glad I wasn't on the road in front of him right then.
Have a good day, everyone.
York1 John
Is it really 4 years since we lost Jeffrey? I always liked his posts, didn't always agree but his enthusiasm was always appreciated. Lots of good memories there.
Steven, more rubber isn't necessariy the answer. If the car has Goodyear F-1's on it, nothing is going to be better with the possible exception of track day tires which of course are lethal on wet roads. Lots of wider lower stuff is just junk. Best to learn to drive what you have and maybe start with the sage advice of "The Art of Racing in the Rain" - "drive like there is an egg on the accelerator". Remember no amount of tire will fix the tendency to break traction or lift the inside rear tire under heavy corner forces. As far as traction is concerned, I can't tromp on the throttle in my Focus at all in first and in second and third it's all to easy to turn the traction control warning on. Fourth, fifth and sixth are a fiddle in the rain and snow is a cause to drive like Granny. Have fun but stay safe and learn the limits in a safe environment. If you have a road race course near you see if they have track days. Most clubs have graduated run groups and people to advise you. J.R.
One of my Territory Sales Managers was rear ended on Interstate-4 near Lakeland, about 4 months ago by an 18 year old in a Mustang GT.
He was driving a crew cab F150 at about 70 MPH and was hit so hard it knocked his driver's seat into the rear seat area of the truck.
He could not reach the brake, but fortunately the truck sided into a construction barrier and stopped.
The kid driving the GT was going in excess of 150 MPH, and is now crippled and brain damaged. His passenger died at the scene. Both were freshman students at the University of Central Florida. Two lives full of potential completely destroyed.
Fortunately, my co-worker is fully recovered. He is retiring (early) at the end of the month on the insurance settlement.
Kevin,
That was the point of my sermon. I have survived in no small part through dumb luck and would have others avoid some of the lessons. No one else was hurt through my lessons which is another blessing. In six years of ownership now, I still have no idea what the top speed of my Focus ST is and really don't care. I have been in excess of 150 but on a race track not on the street and that is where one should explore such things if one is inquisitive enough to want to know. I have crashed (as opposed to having an "accident") on the street and on the track and trackside is much safer in many ways. Best not to, but if it's going to happen better in a more controlled environment. Just sayin'. J.R.
I have driven quite fast in previous years, up to 175mph on the Autobahn, but only when it was completely safe to do that. All I can say that this speed is way beyond the capabilities of a normal driver and I would never do it again!
I can honestly say that I have never exceeded 80 mph on a public highway.
I love my money way too much to pay fines, or insurance!
My Mustang looks better sitting still with the top down anyway.
Good morning from the Pacific Rim where it is 5c and wet.
Enjoy the car Steven and if you want to enjoy it more get some advance driving courses under your belt, there are even advanced performance driving courses that will teach you what not to do and why. I have many driving courses under my belt and have sat on too many accident review panels. People do not know what they don't know. I have two million accident-free miles in my 36 years with the feds and I put it down to the constant education they were providing me. I was charged with moving some very sensitive cargo over the years and they wanted someone that knew what they were doing at the helm.
Ken keep up the good work on the walking, it is a good start. I know your diabetes gives you grief and that it is a constant battle to keep going but we are all cheering for you. The human foot has 26 bones in it and along with knees, hips, and back they are designed to carry a certain load. We have a friend that is an Orthopedic Surgeon and he will say to patients that are overweight that you are asking your joints to carry 80 pounds more weight than they were designed to carry of course they will wear out way too early. A lot of people no longer need orthopedic shoes once their weight is at normal parameters.
I came across a horrific accident last week. A crossroad situation on a highway, one car was cut in half and one half was a good 150 metres down the road from the other half. I am guessing the one vehicle thought they had time to cross and would have if the other vehicle was doing the speed limit. It is really hard to judge the speed of other vehicles, especially in poor weather. I have not heard how many died. About ten years ago a kid killed two adults and five children in a minivan at the same spot, the kid was doing over a hundred MPH.
Back just out of high school, my friend showed up with an Austin Healey, it had a 6 banger in it and I could not start off without burning rubber for too long, it was embarrassing. One like this.
Well, I have all the Christmas presents wrapped which is early this year, I love spoiling my kids. The wife learned early that there was no point in telling me otherwise. My son got a perfect GPA for the fall term and my daughter was told by her Prof(s) that she didn't have to write her Chem or Bio final exams as she could not get a higher average. I am sure glad they got the wifes' brainpower.
My son said he has 3 sleeps and 3 hours until he gets on the plane from Ottawa and my Daughter has 3 sleeps till she gets on the ferry from Victoria, can't wait. Son has to get up at 0330hrs for his flight.
I have got a lot done on the layout this fall and am feeling really good about that. I wired up all twelve roundhouse tracks and the RH lighting, checked them all with the meter and when I flipped the switch, no smoke.
The truck needed front brakes and rotors and for the first time, I was not up to doing them so I opened the wallet and hit the moths with Raid and paid to have it done. I also needed a new hub on the front as the one on there has seized up. Winter is here and I want to be ready with the 4 wheel drive if we get a big dump of snow. Living rural we don't usually see a plow for a while.
The Daughter came home for six days on a break last week, I was put to work at the Christmas tree farm.
Time to hit the road for some last-minute shopping.
All the best to all.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I can't honestly say that but I will say the 150+ was in a proper race car on a proper race track, not on the street. J.R.
GMTRacing I will say the 150+ was in a proper race car on a proper race track
The fastest I have ever gone was over 150 MPH at the Richard Petty Experience at the Atlanta Motor Speedway about ten years ago.
That was "The Day I Drove Like The King", and money well spent.
When I was drag racing at the Desoto Memorial Speedway (home of the Snowbird Nationals, now the Bradenton Motorsports Park), the fastest my Monte Carlo ever got in the 1320 was 115 MPH.
Finishing the last of the sausage I brought home from Georgia, I have prepared a big pot of Sausage Stew. Dig in, it is quite tasty, but a little spicy.
I just love this bluesey Christmas Song.
I know this other one will not be for everyone.
The song 12 Days Of Christmas has never appealed to me, however, Relient K really makes it enjoyable.
"What's a partidge, what's a pear tree, I don't know so please don''t ask me, but those all sound like terrible gifts to get."
In Ontario, 50 kmh over the speed limit will get you a 'Stunt Driving' charge, a $10,000 fine and a 90 day license suspension, to say nothing of what your insurance will cost you in the future!
Steven, I think the suggestion to take a 'pro' driving course is excellent. Just make sure that your insurance will cover you.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
BillwizI don't post much in the diner (or the forums at all) but today would have been dad's 91st birthday. Dad was the one who got me into trains (and his still run in the basement). Spent Saturday with our church's Polar Express event with 14 running trains to show off to the community. Doing our part to promote the hobby.
I'll repeat my earlier comment from several weeks ago that your project is a great event for your church and for getting kids interested in model railroading. Your father would be proud.
York1I'll repeat my earlier comment from several weeks ago that your project is a great event for your church and for getting kids interested in model railroading. Your father would be proud.
Thank you - it was a blast. And we had one of the forum members join us!
Hey Kevin, have you ever heard of the band Los Durangos or this guy?
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/greg-potter-obituary-musician-writer-and-a-big-guy-in-both-attitude-and-talent
I taught him to play the guitar up to the point he formed his first band and he became well known in the Canadian music industry as a critic and author. He would invite me to his concerts and gave me the VIP treatment always.
Bear that "upside-down" map of the world reminded me of my kid sending me a lecture on how people think. They were studying why people think as they do and how as kids some parents teach their kids what to think and other parents teach their kids how to think. The speaker then said print off a photo of the Earth taken from space and place it on your refrigerator in what is considered an upside-down position. We did that in our house and predicted with great accuracy who would ask why we had the photo of the Earth upside down and some people just turned it around without saying anything. It was most enlightening to be so accurate in our predictions.
I am more of a traditionalist as far as Christmas music goes. I am always asked to play Oh Holy Night and Silent Night by people. I give John a pretty good run for his money but will never get to his level.
I am often asked why I sing the music when I am such a heathen? I always answer I don't believe in Santa Clause either but I like the songs about him.
Howdy .
Evidently, the conversation shifter gears from slow drivers to fast drivers.
Brent .... I like the photo of the CP train in BC. Beautiful scenery.
Everybody .... Have a nice night.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Just been talking to my kid in Ottawa, he had a long late-night exam and was sitting at a table at a deserted University having something to eat. I sent him this photo
And he said that's nice, but I like this one better and sent this.
https://www.tradingview.com/chart/?symbol=TSX%3ACP
He bought his first CP stock in 2012 when he was in grade nine, I had to open an account for him and hold it until he turned eighteen. We went over his portfolio while he ate. He turned his phone around and showed me that there wasn't a person to be seen where he was. He has a food account at the University and eats most meals there even though he lives off campus. It is 0030hrs in Ottawa and he is still workin on stuff, Makes a Dad proud. It is -10c and snowing there, I told him to take a cab or uber home and put it on the card, he doesn't need a forty minute bus ride this time of night.
Hi Ed,
Great returns on the CP stock! I hope it keeps going up both for you and your son.
I put everything into GICs about a year ago. I'm not making anything, nor am I losing anything. We lost 10 years worth of gains in the 2008 crash and I am just not willing to go through that again. What ticked me off as much as losing the money back then was that I had asked our broker to put everything into GICs. That was in February. He talked me out of it. A month later we were down 30% or more.
We have more than enough money to live very comfortably for the rest of our lives. Why mess with that? The only risk I'm willing to take these days is on a couple of lottery tickets.
I won´t be losing any money on risky investments, because I have no money to invest. We have to literally put our money where our mouth is and the little we have been able to put under the pillow comes from not spending anything on clothing or any amenities. It starts to show, though.
Tinplate ToddlerI won´t be losing any money on risky investments, because I have no money to invest.
Hi Ulrich,
I think we are saying the same thing. I have no money that I can afford to lose.
When I was a teenager my mom bought me a book on investing in the stock market. IIRC one of the first points that the book made was to the effect that 'if you can't afford to lose it, then don't invest it in stocks'. Its only taken me 50 years to heed that advice!
I suspect that there are many people out there who think that I am a fool for not trying to make money on the stock market. In fact, I have a couple of good friends and a brother-in-law who make their livings by playing the stock market on a daily basis. I haven't got the patience for that, and I don't need the stress. We are spending less money than we are bringing in and I am quite content to keep doing things that way. If all goes as planned all of our investments will end up in our son's bank account anyhow.
I never bought any "papers", as I believe in more tangible investments. There was a time, when dabbling in the stock market was not a bad thing. People were keen to collect dividents and didn´t look at the ups and downs of the stock value, as there wasn´t any. That has changed completely over the years. The ability to pay dividents has become less important, with stock value gains being the determining factor nowadays. Which finally has led to a tremendous bubble which is about to burst any time.
In my better years, I had a sizable portfolio of properties, but that was sold off, when I had to close my business, as the banks did not feel obliged to honor the corporate financing contracts I had with them. Everyone of them had lost a sizable amount (we talk billions here) in the 2008 crash, which they apparently aimed at recovering by reducing their lending to midsize businesses, killing quite a few of them. Needless to say that I think a common thief is a much more honorable person that anyone working in bank management. The sale of my property pretty much covered my debts, so I don´t owe anything to anybody. It´s a good feeling, if it hadn´t come for the price of being poor.
Good Morning All,
A regular and a blueberry jelly donut please Zoe.
Ulrich, poor but honest beats the alternatives. I will stop there before Steven O needs to step in. FWIW we went through the same here after the great real estate crash in 2008. It seemed you could only borrow money for business expansion if you didn't need to. Every penny I made is tied up in the shop and equipment but I am happy. We've raised 4 great kids, made a lot of friends and seen the world and that is what is most important to us. I say us because Eileen has been at my side the whole time and shouldered the burden as much if not more than I expecially these last 25 years as we built GMT from a 2000 sq ft sub let with one employee (me).
I never was a fan of John Denver talented writer and musician that he was. The other two songs above appeal to me a lot more.
Watched the Kennedy Center induction show Sunday and the tribute to Linda Ronstadt was most impressive. Carrie Underwood and Trisha Yearwood both did dynamite jobs on the vocals using range and tone I think you don't see on their regular efforts. It always amazed me how Ronstadt could take a cover of someone elses song and make it truely her own.
Time to pick up tools and do something. This afternoon I see the doc and have the knee looked at. Between the arthuritis, previous torn MCL and malignent tumors I have an idea of what I will hear but something has to change. We shall see.... Ciao, J.R.
doctorwayne I'm sure that everyone here is aware that I don't normally contribute to this particular thread, but a good friend reminded me that yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of Jeffrey's passing. It's good to see this thread continuing as a tribute to him, but I'm sure that many newcomers are not aware of the way Jeffrey was criticised by many people on this Forum, denigating his modelling abilities and his too-frequent photo contributions.I'm not sure when that attitude started, but it was very prevalent here when I joined in 2004, and I came very close to leaving because of it. He never seemed to waver, though, and I think the fact that he received a good reception on the old "Gauge Forum" gave him some hope, as he blossomed into a very competent modeller, which in-turn earned him a better standing here. I'm not posting this to point a finger at anyone, as we've clearly moved on to a better attitude, but I thought the reminder of his passing to be worthwhile. Wayne
I'm sure that everyone here is aware that I don't normally contribute to this particular thread, but a good friend reminded me that yesterday marked the fourth anniversary of Jeffrey's passing.
It's good to see this thread continuing as a tribute to him, but I'm sure that many newcomers are not aware of the way Jeffrey was criticised by many people on this Forum, denigating his modelling abilities and his too-frequent photo contributions.I'm not sure when that attitude started, but it was very prevalent here when I joined in 2004, and I came very close to leaving because of it. He never seemed to waver, though, and I think the fact that he received a good reception on the old "Gauge Forum" gave him some hope, as he blossomed into a very competent modeller, which in-turn earned him a better standing here.
I'm not posting this to point a finger at anyone, as we've clearly moved on to a better attitude, but I thought the reminder of his passing to be worthwhile.
Wayne
Wayne ..... It's good to see you here in the Diner. Feel free to spend more time here. .... Thanks for the reminder about Jeffrey .... He was a good friend to many forum members.
Dave ..... I did not see Ed's post. I have CP stock which I bought with proceeds when Warren Buffet's company (Berkshire Hathaway) bought my BNSF stock. BH bought my BNSF shares for about 4 times what I paid for them. Now, CP is 4 times what I paid for it. ... So my combined return is 16 times (4 X 4) my original investment plus dividends.......... We rode out the 2008 and eventually lost nothing on vaious investments in the stock market. We use the buy and hold strategy. Works well for us.