Good Morning Diners. Chloe, coffee and an english muffin please.
Had to take my oldest to a couple of doctor appointments out of town yesterday. The whole family went and we played tourist in between the appointments. Made for a nice day in spite of the doctors.
Bear, sorry to hear about the club. That is unfortunate. Seems to be a going thing in that people just won't volunteer to help out much anymore. Our small town here had two big events semi-officially end this year as they couldn't get volunteers to help with them. It would seem those that stand to benefit the most from them (and the benefit from one for sure was not inconsequential) would pitch in to help make sure they happen, but no.
Hoping Brent is doing okay. Miss his posts. Anyone hear from JR? I know after his move he had some things to accomplish before being able to start on a new layout, but sure would like to have him check in. I know there are others that are AWOL, but my coffee hasn't kicked in yet. If you know you haven't posted in a while, chime in to let us know you are okay if nothing else.
Mike
Sad news, indeed Bear. Looking back on all the clubs I've participated in there isn't a single one extant. I don't know if it is a sign of the times (some of those clubs disintegrated many years ago) or if it is simply lack of effort on the participants.
Shop scenes:
North_Western-Backshop_edited-1 by Edmund, on Flickr
CUT_P1a-construction-Erie by Edmund, on Flickr
T1_ES by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hi Everyone,
Brunhilda, coffee with cream, please.
I took German in school and probably know just enough to get myself into trouble, which I've done. I still try to practice German, much to the annoyance of the family, but it's just me. There's no one to really practice and converse with at least with people I know. Then, when I do hear a native speaker, I have a very hard time following them because I'm used to hearing myself or another American.
Mr. B: funny that you should mention that your French deals with food. Well, if you're going to speak French, food is a good way to go. My last day job in LA was for a bicycle importer who imported Italian racing bikes. So, I can say "steel bottom bracket" in Italian and not much else. That was after I got out of the music industry.
My wife and I would drive over to the Encino Velodrome and watch the track races often. Good fun. Encino was unique because it was a 250 meter track, which made it more intimate and the banks were steeper. Made for some exciting races.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
MisterBeasleyOur most surprising discover was a waiter in the shade of the Rialto in Venice. He effortlessly spoke with one table in French, another in German, us in English and then the next table in Japanese.
We had the same experience in Venice. The waiters were able to communicate with a variety of customers from different countries.
In Israel and Jordan, virtually everyone we met spoke English, with most of the signs including English.
York1 John
After visiting Austria, Switzerland and Germany, I realized that my German was heavily tilted towards transportation like trains, trolleys and even riverboats, while my restaurant German was kind of lacking. Oddly, my entirely self-learned French pretty much concentrates on food.
Even later, on a trip to Florence, Italy, I discovered that everyone spoke pretty good English, except the government employed museum guides, who claimed to only speak Italian. Our most surprising discover was a waiter in the shade of the Rialto in Venice. He effortlessly spoke with one table in French, another in German, us in English and then the next table in Japanese.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasleyI had 4 years of German in high school, and I found I could still speak it when I got there years later. I was surprised at how quickly it came back.
Ich hatte ein Jahr Deutsch an der Eastman School of Music. Mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut.I did sing a lot of "Lied". My favorite was the song cycle "Dichterliebe" Op. 48 by Robert Schumann.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good evening Diners. A large rum please Zoe. No ice, just as neat as it is.
Had a bit of a scare when Dawn woke up and not 100%. Two nurses arrived. Fortunately all is now well.
I know I have a few books still to read, but I came across these two for 30p (less than 50 cents) for both. I had to buy them.
IMG_2775 by David Harrison, on Flickr
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Over and short used to be a huge thing. In my early banking days, my VP boss kept the entire department (11 people) two hours late because one of our tellers was short 50 cents. The rest of us were supposed to be helping her find the shortage. We didn't find it. But several folks got overtime. The good old days....
At least a train in German is masculine. A young girl is neuter. A pen is feminine.
I had 4 years of German in high school, and I found I could still speak it when I got there years later. I was surprised at how quickly it came back. Now? Not so sure. Half a lifetime ago I saw Das Boot in a theater, in German with subtitles. I got most of the dialog without reading, but only needed subtitles for a bit.
But, I'm probably still better at Fortran than most people.
Good morning, diners. Coffee, please.
As far as language goes, I speak fluent Kiwi English, a smattering of Māori, and almost forgotten schoolboy French, which confused me with its masculine and feminine vocabulary.
While my parents could speak German, and I took three years of German in high school, I can't understand any of it. I have enough trouble with English.
I may be able to get some layout time today.
Have a great day, everyone.
I looked it up and found out that it is indeed "die Autobahn" not "der". Each noun in German has an assigned gender, masculine, feminine, and neuter. Some nouns are obvious and some,...are not! This one wasn't as obvious. You'd think a highway, no speed limit and fast cars would be very manly, but nooooo! Oh well, I guess we'll just carry on.
John: Thanks for the anniversary wishes. Thoughtful of you.
I don't know that there was a lack of interest in shops, turntables, etc, but this is the slow time of year and with the exceptions of Ed and Bear it would seem that material is not as readily available as hoped. So Dave, you do quite well hosting the diner. Don't let it bother you.
Good morning, everyone. Bacon and eggs!
ROBERT PETRICKTheir chicken biscuits cost $3.64 I gave the eighteen-dollars-an-hour guy behind the counter four dollars, one dime, and four pennies. He looked at the money in his hand, then looked at me, then at his hand again. He looked at the coins for a long time (probably about 10 seconds, which is not really a long time, but in this instance it seemed like an eternity). He then gave me back the coins and punched "four dollars" into the computer cash register. He opened the drawer and pulled out $0.36 and handed me my change,
SeeYou190If a customer owes 4.88, and they give me 5.08 so they will get a quarter back, I don't even care or argue. Just give them the quarter and be .05 short in the drawer. Move on to the next customer and keep the line moving.
Your stories remind me of my school. The lunch program was completely separate from school finances. The head cook was in charge of accounting, but my signature was required on the bottom of the reports. The lunch program was audited by the state every three years, and everything had to match to the penny. Thousands of lunches, buying all the food, wages, gov't contributions, etc. -- it all had to match to the penny. When computer spreadsheets were invented, the accounting became much easier.
Track fiddlerMy phone was dropped in a puddle comming home in a storm a few nights ago and the screen glitches have been getting progressively worse since then. I've got no choice but to go get a new phone. Really hate it when that happens.
My wife has one of those expensive phones. I'm too accident prone to own one of those. My phone is a $30 Walmart phone. It does what I need, and I don't worry too much about my clumsiness.
SeeYou190My daughter starts her new job in Washington tomorrow. She went in for an interview on Friday, they called her on Saturday and told her to start on Monday.
Your daughter must have great people-skills to get a job that fast. Hope she likes the work!
up831My wife and I had our anniversary a week ago, but didn't plan anything. Well, this weekend we just went up to Wisconsin, stayed over Sat nite and spent the day in a quaint little town. We can tell were getting old. Sat for coffee on the street, ........
Happy anniversary! I know what you mean about changing habits because of age!
Water Level RouteI don't necessarily think the themes of shops or roundhouses or what have you are any less popular. Diner business has been down lately for the summer as usual which probably explains most all of it right there.
Dave, I agree with this. You've done a great job of keeping the diner on the rails. I don't mind whatever we do -- it's just nice to hear from everyone. It seems a lot of people read the diner, but don't post. I hope some of them get the posting habit.
This morning we're taking an elderly person to a clinic in the city. We have a great hospital and clinic in our little town, but when more advanced medical services are needed, we have about fifty miles to travel.
Good Morning Diners. Flo, coffee to go please.
hon30critterI was just trying to keep things interesting but, as this month has shown, some of the alternate themes have not been as popular as I had hoped.
Just got back from a weekend of camping in a spot with basically no cell service. It was great, but now I've got a lot of catching up to do in the diner.
Cheers!
hon30critterI am completely in favour of taking the Diner back to focusing on trains. We have gotten a bit off track (pardon the pun) over the past few months. I will take the blame for that. I was just trying to keep things interesting but, as this month has shown, some of the alternate themes have not been as popular as I had hoped.
up831we still have a week to go in July, but what if for August we do trains in our travels. Just a thought.
Hi Jim,
I am completely in favour of taking the Diner back to focusing on trains. We have gotten a bit off track (pardon the pun) over the past few months. I will take the blame for that. I was just trying to keep things interesting but, as this month has shown, some of the alternate themes have not been as popular as I had hoped.
So everyone, how do you feel about having trains that we have encountered in our travels as the theme for August? I'm in.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Brunhilda, a glass of Pinot Noir, please.
My wife and I had our anniversary a week ago, but didn't plan anything. Well, this weekend we just went up to Wisconsin, stayed over Sat nite and spent the day in a quaint little town. We can tell were getting old. Sat for coffee on the street, walked over to the boardwalk to sit by the lake, walked to the lake on the other side of the street to sit by that lake, then walked to sit for lunch on the rooftop, walked next door for ice cream and took back to the boardwalk to sit by the lake some more. Years ago we wouldn't be sitting so much. Had fun.
Bear: 'Tis true. ''twas I who linked Nena. I remember Kraftwerk. All synthesizers and no guitars as I remember. "Wir fahren fahren Fahren auf der Autobahn." I think it's "der." Could be "die," but don't think so.
Kevin: glad your youngest got settled and has a gig already. That's great.
John and Dave: your European travel pics are nice. Sounds like a great time. Speaking of, we still have a week to go in July, but what if for August we do trains in our travels. Just a thought.
My daughter starts her new job in Washington tomorrow.
She went in for an interview on Friday, they called her on Saturday and told her to start on Monday.
She will be office manager of a vetinary clinic. Sounds like she can pay her bills. Then she wants to try to land some modelling work in Seattle, and maybe even a TV commercial again.
One of her friends from Colorado is flying to Washington to see her next week, and she made contact with her cousin in Seattle.
It looks like all is falling into place nicely for her.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Evening
gmpullman "I told the boss that cast iron sign was too heavy for the roof." NYC Wyton Tower by SE Delmar tower, on Flickr Maybe the boss should have listened? Cheers, Ed
"I told the boss that cast iron sign was too heavy for the roof."
NYC Wyton Tower by SE Delmar tower, on Flickr
Maybe the boss should have listened?
Cheers, Ed
He should have listened to you my Freind. Needed no more convincing over here...
And now this tune is more than fitting, cuz some how its gathered, you may have liked this one too.
TF
maxman Then again, 5 cents was worth a lot more in the early 60's.
Then again, 5 cents was worth a lot more in the early 60's.
Attuvian1 Track fiddler Oh Oh! I'm in trouble. My phone was dropped in a puddle comming home in a storm a few nights ago and the screen glitches have been getting progressively worse since then. I've got no choice but to go get a new phone. Really hate it when that happens. The last time the site here didnt recognize me and it took a better part of a week and help from customer service to get back in TF TF, have you considered checking with one of those phone repair places? For 30 minutes, it might save you a ton of bucks plus all the hassle of the purchase and attempts at transferring stuff like contacts and photos from your currently damp one. A professional dry-out just might be the better fix. Why buy a new car when the tranny on your two year old Acura goes out? Jus' thinkin' out loud here. Let's see what folks like Overmod have to say on this. Attuvian John
Track fiddler Oh Oh! I'm in trouble. My phone was dropped in a puddle comming home in a storm a few nights ago and the screen glitches have been getting progressively worse since then. I've got no choice but to go get a new phone. Really hate it when that happens. The last time the site here didnt recognize me and it took a better part of a week and help from customer service to get back in TF
Oh Oh! I'm in trouble. My phone was dropped in a puddle comming home in a storm a few nights ago and the screen glitches have been getting progressively worse since then. I've got no choice but to go get a new phone. Really hate it when that happens. The last time the site here didnt recognize me and it took a better part of a week and help from customer service to get back in
Yes, Thanks for the feed back John, as that was definitely a consideration. Although being without a phone as they told me there was a 2-3 day turn around, which usually means a week, would be a struggle. Although that would be ideal as I'm a creature of habit and don't appreciate learning new format on something new all over again, especially a new phone. It's kind of like giving new technology to a neanderthal dinosaur, (such as me) a hand grenade
Went down to my service provider today because they're running a promotion, and you can get a $1,000 I phone for free if you sign on for 2 years of service. We've already been with them for 10 years anyway, so that sounded good to me.
There was a catch though. There's always a catch With the promotion you have to trade in your old phone and they do not accept water damaged phones.
Judy has a phone insurance policy on both our phones, so they're sending me the new exact same phone and should be here by Wednesday.
With that in mind, in a perfect world, should be able to take my old phone down to the service center and get everything transferred to the new one as you mentioned, and hopefully everything will be the same.
Knock On Wood, as I'm not holding my breath though!
PS Some seem to get a bit scarce around here at times. Where the heck has Lion been lately? And now our good friend Brent has been missing too. Kinda miss our Monk and that Good Ol' Canadian eh!
It's been a while since either one of them have put a smile on our faces.
SeeYou190My drawer does not need to be exact each day.
The managers must have become more reasonable.
When I worked at the grocery store many, many moons ago as a cashier, the boss's wife (who I didn't know) came through my line. When she got home it turned out that her total was off by 5 cents. I was never told if that was under or over. But I still got told.
Good morning
Sometimes it fascinates me how these young cashiers are so used to swiping barcodes, they don't seem to remember how to do simple math in their heads anymore. Like when you give them to much money because you want a five back instead of a bunch of ones. Then they stair at you with a confused look on their face after they already hit the transaction button, and you have no choice except to do their math for them
Have a great day everyone.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
Good morning everyone. Chloe, please bring me a couple of slices of cinnamon toast and a cup of coffee.
Making change... Customers sometimes give me the weirdest change thinking they will get only quarters back. Sometimes the numbers are not even close.
My drawer does not need to be exact each day.
If a customer owes 4.88, and they give me 5.08 so they will get a quarter back, I don't even care or argue. Just give them the quarter and be .05 short in the drawer. Move on to the next customer and keep the line moving.
Maybe they get a funny story about how they confused the dumb long-haired cashier out of a nickel. I Don't care, and I don't have the time to explain how numbers work.
Good morning, everyone. Donuts today.
I ran some trains yesterday for the first time in two months. They all did OK, but it took a few minutes for everything to work.
My next project is to begin work on a trolley. I need to buy some more track, since it will be on a dedicated line separate from the rest of the layout. Since this was not planned, I will need to move some buildings and roads. This may take a while.
I hope everyone is doing well.
York1 Good morning, diners. I've got a great day ahead -- not a single thing scheduled! I'm putting off painting the house until fall.
Good morning, diners. I've got a great day ahead -- not a single thing scheduled!
I'm putting off painting the house until fall.
That's cool. Why subject yourself to painting in the Heat? My Grandfather always said paint drying more slowly in the fall makes for a better longevity.
Thanks for the overseas pictures John, that was thoroughly enjoyed by me. This is about as close to that gotten over here
Took that picture myself and kinda thought it looked like something off of Star Trek
I'm putting off painting my Bridges until Fall as well...Maybe Winter
But this slow modeler has been gathering a heck of a paint collection for the upcoming task