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Welcome to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner for December, 2020 in England!

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  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, December 13, 2020 5:08 PM

NorthBrit
Here is a film on steam locomotive maintenance,

David,

Thank you for all the wonderful films that you have shared with us! You are being an excellent host.Yes

I really enjoyed the video about the 'Wash and Brush Up'. I had never seen the whole process before.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 13, 2020 6:11 PM

Another reason I am not having any sadness about saying goodbye to 2020.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2013
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Posted by PM Railfan on Sunday, December 13, 2020 7:06 PM

Hello Railfans! Top of the day to ya!

Nothing much going on here. Pretty easy Sunday rolling along. Beautiful foggy, grey day here. Not bad temperature wise either. Still awaiting the arrival of my wheel sets/queen posts, etc, so i can get some modelling done.

In the mean time, for grits and giggles, i took one of those flatcars i made and put working couplers on it. Ran it on the test track with the other 'new' cars. Everything worked great!

Considering I had to use plastic wheel sets from the parts box on a couple of the new cars. Next step would be to get the detail parts done. I was trying to convince myself to buy a spray rig next month. Gonna have to do some test spraying to see whos paint will stick to this 'new type' of plastic. Without eating it either!

Prolly have to pick a few minds in here about todays paints. Been a while for me in that department. Lastly, white lettering. While that step is still a few months away im not looking forward to it. Everything else can roll out like an assembly line... but mass producing customizable white lettering - thats the holy grail!  

I spose in the meantime i could get around to working on the 1x8 shelfer i have. I have the control stand almost ready to wire up. Time working on the models plus a bad case of procrastination seem to keep this project on the far back burner.

Thats pretty much it i reckon. Oh, i did have a ham sammich today if that counts towards the pork debate yall having. Im pretty sure my 'processed' version is alot closer "cut to the butt" than yalls shoulder parts are. LaughLaughLaugh. Nothing a dab of mustard wont fix.

Lastly, SeeYou190: i saw in another post (of yours) about "USRA Berkshires". My "PM" lettered versions say this too. Its just a misprint. It could say "AMC Berkshire", and that would be correct. But who does that?

Edit: btw... TF... the elf pic..... LaughLaughLaughLaughLaugh

 

Long Live the Queen!

Douglas

PM Railfan

 

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, December 13, 2020 7:15 PM

PM Railfan
SeeYou190: i saw in another post (of yours) about "USRA Berkshires". My "PM" lettered versions say this too. Its just a misprint.

I am so glad it was a misprint by Life-Like. I thought I was losing my mind.

About white lettering... this is one of those things I have found to be best handled by a custom decal manufacturer.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, December 13, 2020 10:19 PM

Hello folks!

I just discovered that apparently I suffered from a serious senior's moment a few weeks ago. I had chosen to use Rapido's Rail Crew uncouplers at key locations on the layout, so I ordered some. I also decided to use their switch stands for each of the 24 turnouts on the layout. Unfortunately, my wee brain confused the number of uncouplers needed with the number of switch stands needed. I am now the proud owner of 24 Rapido uncouplers. I needed eight!! Even after the yard is added (which will be years down the road) I will only need a total of 12 including those for the layout proper.Bang HeadBang HeadGrumpyDunce

All I can do is laugh! At least once the train show in Barrie comes back I will have something to put on the table.Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaugh

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, December 13, 2020 11:10 PM

I'm a slow reader and have to catch up with my reading tomorrow morning.

I was rather involved with a bridge on my layout catching things in between.

It's shortly after 11 and I'm going to hit the rack.

 

Nighty Night Kids.  It was a pleasure talking with you today

 

P.S.   I believe in Schwarzenhammer to be added to our group and hope he doesn't get carried away and does us right!

 

Mellow like Tom Petty was and everything is okay

 

 

 

WinkTF

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, December 14, 2020 12:24 AM

howmus
“Pork Butts” Good Grief, Kevin, you guys need to get a handle on English!!

From a Google search..

 

A good reason for not completely trusting everything you read on Google!! Smile, Wink & Grin
 

Pig by Bear, on Flickr

 

Seriously Ray, I hope you and the family are doing fine.
 
Sorry York1 John, I don’t know why I pegged you for Arizona. Bang Head Hmmm, Nebraska certainly has an even larger temperature range! Don’t think I could handle the cold, though am I correct that it would be a dry cold?

 

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”- Anthony J. D'Angelo

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them. Kia Kaha.

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, December 14, 2020 12:39 AM

Agreeable Bear!

I always do enjoy your good humor in your Beartoons. 

But I do know where that little oval piece of meat is by the blade.

It sure does taste good and I wish it was bigger!

 

 

DinnerTF

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, December 14, 2020 1:16 AM

Track fiddler
I kind of feel bad now Bear

No need to feel bad Mr. TF, the Bear is just being ornery!!Smile, Wink & Grin
 
The following quote from Oscar Wilde, and later paraphrased by George Bernard Shaw, and Winston Churchill, is, I believe, apt for this occasion. (and others as well).
 
“We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language”.
 
And something for your bed time….
 
 
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, December 14, 2020 1:27 AM

Thanks Bear

I would like to thank you all the way but you could have done a little better on the music knowing what music I like.

Instead of that horrifying nightmare of a band you gave me before my bedtimeIndifferentTongue TiedSadLaugh

 

Now I could possibly have nightmares because of youIndifferentLaughLaugh

 

Don't you have anything better than that like your best that you would probably like?

 

You don't do you? 

Why post something for the Fiddler when you can go skiing in 65 degreesStick out tongue

 

 

WinkTF

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Monday, December 14, 2020 1:56 AM

Well, I think I have Covid-19. I feel fine, that is except when I want to talk. I can barely get words out without having to cough, and when I am trying to talk my chest feels like I'm carrying enough ballast (marine type) for the Titanic. I have never experienced anything like this before. One minute I am feeling and breathing fine, but as soon as I try to talk my chest can't get the air out without heavy coughing.

My town is setting up a walk in test facility starting on Tuesday morning. I loath the thought of having to stand in line to wait for a test because of my back problems, but it is far more important to get this straightened out. I will have to pop a couple of pain killers before I go so I can tolerate standing in line. Dianne has offered to come along and bring a folding chair, but I'm going to refuse her offer. If I have the virus then she probably has it too, but if she doesn't there is absolutely no reason to expose her to further risk.

I'll keep you informed. Please don't get too concerned. Like I said, I'm feeling fine (except for the breathing). Let's wait for the test results before we start writing my obituary!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, December 14, 2020 2:11 AM

Get the heck out of here Dave.  It's just the change of seasons again.

You're too good of a man to have covid.

If you lose your sense of smell and taste, then start to worry about things.

Right now have a big Prime Rib, rib roast on meDinner

We will invite the Lion over and he will take his Raw!  But you and I will take ours medium raw with pink in the middle with the au jus and horseradish to dip in.

I ain't going to lose you around here Dave.  You're too well liked!!!

Take a cat nap day on the couch and feel better like I did.  I expect you back here in a day!

 

Ain't no Messing around here because you are Dave and can't have the covid.  Not on my watch

 

 

 

Track Fiddler

 

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Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, December 14, 2020 2:42 AM
Heck Dave!! I hope you and Dianne weather this storm!!

Track fiddler
I would like to thank you all the way but you could have done a little better on the music knowing what music I like. Instead of that horrifying nightmare of a band you gave me before my bedtime

Awww Gee Mr.TF, and here I was trying to expand your musical appreciation with an early offering by my favourite NZ band.
How about this, then…
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Track fiddler on Monday, December 14, 2020 2:58 AM

Much better Bear, Thank you.  I could use a little Christmas cheer!

And now I want everybody here that knows Dave to pray for Dave.

I love Dave and we will all pray for Him so he gets better.

 

Ain't No covid, just false alarm.  Dave will be just fine with all of us backing him upYes

 

 

 

John

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, December 14, 2020 4:13 AM

Good morning all.  Toast and tea  is ready.   Butter and marmalade is on the table.

Dave.  Glad you like the films.   Most of the railways are less than an hours drive away from our home.   

As for having Covid.   Fear not.    Here in the UK  there is a real fear factor.   It is the time for colds and influenza yet nobody has them.   Doctors are treating everybody with cold and influenza as if it is Covid.  Around the country there are 'Nightingale Hospitals'  to treat Covid.   They have been built since May 2020.   There are no patients in them?    No wonder we have 'Conspiracy Theories'  every day.

 

Enough of that.    Christmas is near.

 

 

A short film of trains around the North East of England

 

 

Keeping the track in good shape.

 

 

Thoughts and Peace to All who Require.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    October 2020
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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, December 14, 2020 4:49 AM

Coffee   Make yourself a nice mug of coffee.   Sette down in your favorite chair and take a little trip on     the Wilmslow and Lindow Light Railway. A 16mm, live steam, garden railway.

 

 

 

Enjoy.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    August 2007
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Posted by CNCharlie on Monday, December 14, 2020 6:29 AM

Good Morning,

It is a frosty one in Winterpeg today. A balmy -14F right now with a windchill of -31F. I plugged in the block heater in the car for the first time this year. 

I'm up early today but I did sleep well. I've been sleeping in the spare room downstairs lately and find the mattress in that bedroom to be really great. We put new furniture in that room when we re-did it about 15 years ago. The mattress wasn't expensive and came from a small local manufacturer, so no middle man so to speak. Anyway certainly a quality product. 

Today Robbie gets his surgery staples removed and all has gone well so far. Nice to have that behind us. 

My wife has been doing the Christmas shopping on line to the extent we are doing that this year. We just won't go into stores not that there are any open here other than essentials. The local big box stores such as Walmart have closed all sections of their stores except for groceries by order of the provincial government. Hopefully the infection rate can start to come down. 

Dave, sure hope you don't have Covid. Were you out any place where you could have contracted it?  We do all our shopping on line including grocery. Superstore and Walmart both have curbside pickup for online orders. 

Brit Dave, great videos you are posting. Thanks.  

Another hour and a half before it gets light out here at about 8 o'clock. I better brew another coffee.

CN Charlie

 

Well 

 

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Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, December 14, 2020 7:55 AM

Charlie.   Glad you like the videos.

An afternoon treat.   A visit to Beamish Museum,  County Durham.

My son works there driving the trams.

 

 

 

My son on a tram.

 

 

Enjoy

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, December 14, 2020 7:55 AM

The display shelf project in the spare bedroom requires me to drill 33 holes into the edge of shelving boards. This calls for a drill press, and I do not have one. I don't want one for anything but this project... so off to Harbor Freight.

The drill press is OK, and should last 33 holes, except for one thing... the three bolts that hold the post to the base.

The bolts have a 14mm hex head on them, and the head is too big. The corners interfere with the casting on the bottome of the post.

Also, these are a class 4.8 bolt. I never saw a class 4.8 bolt before. What are they made of, lead/tin alloy?

I found three suitable class 10.9 bolts in my hardware bin with 13mm heads.

With the smaller heads, and my thin-wall set of Snap-On 1/4" drive metric sockets, I was able to assemble the drill post to the base plate.

That socket and ratchet cost more than the drill press did!

The finished drill press is OK. It is very cheap... but I only need to drill 33 holes with it. 

Here is hoping...

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Monday, December 14, 2020 8:03 AM

Good morning, everyone.  We're not nearly as cold as Charlie, but 8°F is still cold to me.

I will spend the day working on the wall TV in the layout room.  I will take off more sheetrock and get more wood into the wall, and then move the TV mount down a little.   My kids gave me this TV for a birthday a couple of years ago, and at 55 inches, it is too big for my room.  This room is small, so watching TV is like sitting in the front row at the movie theater.  But getting it onto the wall will help give me some more work space.

I don't watch the TV as much as just have it on for company while I work and play with trains.

Dave, does your town have a drive-thru test site?  My wife went last week and it was nice -- no waiting in line and no getting out of the car.  She felt terrible, but the test was negative.  Praying you get the same good report.  

I really look forward to reading this thread everyday.  I enjoy everyone's comments and videos (except for weird music videos from Bear!).

Have a good day, everyone.

York1 John       

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    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, December 14, 2020 9:30 AM

Good morning .

Dave .... I hope the Covid test is negative for you. .... I have had two Conid tests, and they were negative. I took them because I have been sick a lot in recent weeks with upper resiratory infection. 

Speaking of Covid, one of our granddaughters just tested positive for Covid. She has no symptoms yet. She was tested because the health department was doing contact tracing of another high school girl who has Covid. That girl and our granddaughter are friends who spend time together. 

So, everybody: ......  stay healthy. Most of the time, my wife and I are staying home like hermits. 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, December 14, 2020 9:35 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q
Most of the time, my wife and I are staying home like hermits. 

We are as well!

The hermit lifestyle has actually become quite comfortable for me.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • 2,123 posts
Posted by CNCharlie on Monday, December 14, 2020 9:46 AM

John, 8F is cold especially considering Witchita is 932 miles south of us. Not sure how far you are from that city but hey, what is a few hundred miles. 

 If I want to put a nail into a wall, I can't. Our studs are all Douglas Fir that after 60 years gets so hard a nail just bends so you have to use screws after drilling. Before I hit the stud I have to get through about an inch of Stonelathe and plaster. Makes for a quiet house though. 

I've been up since 4 so more coffee is not just needed it is required. 

CN Charlie

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Posted by BATMAN on Monday, December 14, 2020 10:36 AM

Good morning from an overcast West Coast. 

After Bear said how much rain they get every year I had to look up the stat for the weather stations around us. We get 46" of rain per year and we have cloudless skies 42% of the time and it is sunny 63% of the time. 

Dave, hope all goes well with your test, people forget they can still get all the other bugs going around. With all the isolating People are not getting as sick this year from the usual culprits.

This is where I took my daughter for her pre-surgery covid test, it was a drive-through, six bays and we were the only ones there the whole time.

 Fraser Health to open COVID-19 test centre at South Surrey Park & Ride –  Surrey Now-Leader

Put our stove on FB marketplace for free last night. In the add, I said, "everything works, even the clock" yet, people kept writing to ask if it worked. The two stooges came to pick it up, what a clown show.

Good to see the Vaccine being unloaded in Vancouver, that is something I would have been handling if I was still working. It doesn't become really effective until after the second dose so I hope people don't get reckless and overconfident after they get the first shot.

My daughter showed me a good article on people that are in the anti-vaccine crowd, it turns out a large percentage are just scared of the injection and use the antivaccine excuse to hide that fact. I guess it also boils down to whether you are a proactive or reactive type as to how you deal with things.Hmm

I have to call ADT as we are getting a malfunction alarm. Only the second time we have had trouble in 25 years so can't complain. Every door and window has a sensor on it along with motion sensors but we only really have the system to monitor fire and gas leaks when we are out as the dogs are here and we want to make sure they are going to get rescued if we were out. I have not ever heard of a break-in around these parts. When I signed the contract I got free equipment and installation and lifetime parts and service/no charge. It took a little negotiating but they have had our business for 25 years so it paid off for them.

I have had my two gallons of coffee, time to hop on the bike.

All the best to all.

Image may contain: outdoor

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by howmus on Monday, December 14, 2020 11:44 AM

Heartland Division CB&Q
Speaking of Covid, one of our granddaughters just tested positive for Covid. She has no symptoms yet. She was tested because the health department was doing contact tracing of another high school girl who has Covid. That girl and our granddaughter are friends who spend time together.

Yep!!!!  Exacftly what happened in my family.  My granddaughter went over to her best friends house on the Staurday after Thanksgiving.  Her friend contracted it from her parents who were asymptomatic.  The girls were not that lucky.  My granddaughter should be over it but still has a terrible cough.  I am now out of quarantine and have lots of stuff needing to get done ASAP.  Went grocery shopping this morning first thing, now have a few items to take over to a recycler in Geneva, and some other stuff I am trying to catch up with.

Prayers for your granddaughter and everyone out there in harm's way!  I can't wait until I qualify for the jabs that are starting...  Will be a few more months i guess, but at least on the way!

Stay safe and stay well out there!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by Water Level Route on Monday, December 14, 2020 11:57 AM

SeeYou190
so off to Harbor Freight. The drill press is OK

SeeYou190
That socket and ratchet cost more than the drill press did!
Kevin, I hope that drill press lasts the 33 holes for you!  I have a feeling we are similar in terms of a desire for quality tools.  I want a quality tool, without getting silly on the price.  My father-in-laws approach is "Look! Shiny!".  He bought a sliding miter saw from harbor freight a couple years ago.  A part on the blade guard broke a dozen boards into his project.  He fixed it, but no longer wanted it so offered it to me as he knows my miter saw does not slide.  I suggested my sister-in-law could really use it (she's never touched a tool in her life).  It's at her house.  He replaced it with....a different model from harbor freight! (Insert face-palm emoji) I can't tell you how many used tools he has given me as he knows they are junk, can't bring himself to throw them away, but knows I will.  It's strange as the man worked with tools his whole life and in conversation appears to know the value of a quality tool.  But then he sees that shiny new piece of junk...Laugh

Mike

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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, December 14, 2020 12:01 PM

Good morning, and good health to those who don't have it right now.

Kevin, I had to fix a door handle on the fridge last week.  They have poorly designed plastic brackets, but to replace a bracket, they want you to buy the whole handle, a separate part, for $85.  I went to hardware store and bought washers and bolts, and fixed two of them for $7.

I am not an anti-vaxxer, but I am a bit cautious of this one.  Like the Boeing 737MAX, the manufacturer did the testing, and the govermment let it through for expediency.  Vaccines usually have years of testing before they're released.  There are new technologies involved here, and I would rather wait a year before getting stuck.

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

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Posted by BATMAN on Monday, December 14, 2020 12:12 PM

GRRRRR!!!!!!

I have to buy a large bottle of Rum for a friend, I lost a bet.

When hockey was on (pre covid) I usually do situps and pushups in the commercials. So one of my friends was over watching and his son also got down on the floor and was doing pushups in the breaks along with me. He then challenged his Dad to do it, Dad could do eight pushups.Sigh So I told Dad to do six pushups 4x the first week, seven pushups 4x the second week, eight pushups 4x the third week and if he could do fifty by Christmas I would buy him a 1.5ltr of the Captain. GRRRRRRR!!!!!! he just sent a video of himself knocking off fifty without even breaking a sweat. It is a good bet to lose.GrumpyLaughPirate The Captain will be on its way and I will help him drink it after all what's an extra five minutes on the bike.

Ray, glad to see you are getting out of jail and your GD is on the mend. Keep up the good fight all.

A fire-eating monster awakens from its slumber to pull a Christmas train.

 Image may contain: sky and outdoor

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, December 14, 2020 12:42 PM

BATMAN
if he could do fifty by Christmas I would buy him a 1.5ltr of the Captain.

BATMAN
he just sent a video of himself knocking off fifty without even breaking a sweat. It is a good bet to lose.

Brent, that was not a bet, it was an incentive.

If you offer me a Royal Hudson, I will send you a video of me doing 50 push-ups.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, December 14, 2020 12:58 PM

I guess incentive is a better word for it, the way he is going with all his spare time not having to commute to work he may be challenging me next. He is 8 years younger, NO FAIR!!!!!Laugh

How is this for incentive Kevin? All the guys in the diner will each send you $10.00 (USD of course) if you post a video showing fifty pushups and fifty situps (without stopping) No tricks! You have to be honest and not be able to do them already. 

Maybe you will get enough fellow forum members coming on board to buy yourself that Hudson or something else really nice.

     x diner patrons 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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