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THE FLAT WHEEL CAFE Locked

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:26 AM

morning

a balmy 8 degrees this morning.got rid of last nights dusting.the sunrise was nice this morning.have to sleep fast.matt got to the bus but they are dismissing early because of the basketball tournament.cw will take some warm oatmeal please.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:10 AM
Oh, the joys of being a road warrior these days...we were an hour late leaving Chicago Midway on Southwest yesterday and 45 minutes late into St. Louis due to having to get in line at Midway to be de-iced TWICE.  On the flip side we were thirty minutes late out of St. Louis last night due to ATC problems (no, not automatic train control, but rather Air Traffic Control) and 30 minutes late into Chicago so I was able to see all of our infamous rush hour driving home...had some chicken and broccoli with rice and fell asleep on the couch watching TV. The good news is the customer presentations and meetings went very well.  Home in my office today and back on the road to Wisconsin tomorrow.  OH joy!
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:07 AM
Jim - taking lessons from our favorite traveling chicken?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:19 AM

.....Jim, years ago when we traveled into Chicago land, there were times we put down into Midway....A landing location I really didn't  care for.  Just no room for errors.  Favored going into {Butler Aviation} at O'Hare.  In my way of thinking {yes there were more planes}, but much more landing space and room for errors.

Anyone else have those feelings about Midway....?

Quentin

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Posted by diningcar on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:47 AM

If you have constipation problems Midway might be a solutionSign - Oops [#oops]. There have been accidents, one in the last few years where a plane went through the fence and onto a city street.

Jack

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Posted by blhanel on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:52 AM
I thought that was at O'Hare???
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Posted by diningcar on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:54 AM

Good morning to all from AZ. It will be 65 in the mountains today and in the 70's where they are playing baseball.

I shall have the pineapple juice, scrambled with patties and a bear claw with BLACK coffee. Would eat more but must save room for Paula's lunch with more temptations.

Jack 

 

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Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:01 AM
 Modelcar wrote:

.....Jim, years ago when we traveled into Chicago land, there were times we put down into Midway....A landing location I really didn't  care for.  Just no room for errors.  Favored going into {Butler Aviation} at O'Hare.  In my way of thinking {yes there were more planes}, but much more landing space and room for errors.

Anyone else have those feelings about Midway....?

Yes indeed, Midway's runways are much, much shorter than at O'Hare and landings can be "white knuckle" at times.  Last week I was coming into Midway on an AirTran flight from Minneapolis and were about thirty seconds from landing and the pilot "goosed" the engines and went around (took about ten minutes to get into and out of the pattern) and he explained we did not leave enough safety room.  The short runways really make things tough during poor weather like last year (?) when a Southwest plane ran off of the end of one runway and through the fence and onto 55th. Street and landed on top of a minivan, killing a little boy in the process.  Changes have been made since then but it still can be interesting.  After considering all of this, I still prefer Midway over O'Hare.

Here's a little bit of airport trivia for you plane fans out there.  What was O'Hare originally called in the pre-WWII days?  Hint, the original name accounts for the code letters "ORD" on the O'Hare baggage claim tags.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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Posted by cherokee woman on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:16 AM

Eolafan Jim, I'll take a guess (I had a little bit of help) and say Orchard Field.

For lunch and supper today, think we'll have:  beef stew w/cornbread, leftover veg. beef soup from yesterday, and also the leftover broccoli/cheese soup.  And if anyone wants it with their veg. beef soup, I'll fix you a grilled cheese sandwich or two.

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:29 AM
 cherokee woman wrote:

Eolafan Jim, I'll take a guess (I had a little bit of help) and say Orchard Field.

 

CW, you are totally correct!  It was indeed Orchard Field before being renamed O'Hare in honor if Butch O'Hare, a navy pilot from Chicago killed at the battle of Midway in 1942. I'm impressed with your knowledge of Windy City history.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:39 AM

.....Seems I always felt comfortable in and out of O'Hare....and yes, I really did wonder what the "ORD" really stood for.  I'm speaking of many years ago flying in and out of the Chicago area.  Thought the O'hare Terminal was easy to get thru and around in too.  I realize there has been lots of changes since I used to be in and out of there quite often.

Quentin

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Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:41 AM
 Modelcar wrote:

.....Seems I always felt comfortable in and out of O'Hare....and yes, I really did wonder what the "ORD" really stood for.  I'm speaking of many years ago flying in and out of the Chicago area.  Thought the O'hare Terminal was easy to get thru and around in too.  I realize there has been lots of changes since I used to be in and out of there quite often.

MC, yes there have been mucho changes at ORD in the past decade or two with more to come.  Parking is a pain in the butt as well as very expensive and ovreall it takes me less than half the time to negotiate the terminal at MDW than at ORD.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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Posted by spokyone on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:47 AM
 eolafan wrote:

pain in the butt

Last time I was there with my sister, she had to have a smoke between flights. Does the phrase, "I'd walk a mile for a Camel" ring a bell?
Anyway, she is a great person.
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Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:58 PM

....I imagine parking would really be a pain now since it has been enlarged, etc....I never had to contend with parking.  I'd go from Muncie via commuter into O'Hare and then west to Az. to our project we had gone at that time.

 

Quentin

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Posted by eolafan on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:06 PM

MC, you bet it is a real pain to park at ORD.  If you want easy parking you can pay up to $75 per day for the really close in spots and if you want economical you park about 1.5 miles away from the terminal and take a "convenient" people mover (really a rubber wheeled train with about three or four cars) to the terminals.  I use the economy lot quite a bit ($12/day) and take the people mover to the terminal, but usually walk about 1/4 mile from my car to the people mover terminal in the parking lot and recently I came back into town and found my car had about a foot of snow on it that I needed to clear before heading home.  MDW, on the other hand has an economy lot (also $12 per day) with a five story covered parking garage which will keep snow and rain off of your car and they have shuttle buses that cycle through the lot about ever five to ten minutes max. so it is very convenient and the trip to the terminal is about five minutes at MDW while the ORD people mover takes about fifteen minutes if you are in the farthest out terminal (#1-United Airlines). Just more reasons why I use MDW whenever I can.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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Posted by cherokee woman on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:23 PM
Jim, I had a little bit of help:  I asked Mutt.  Since he's a former Army Nat. Guard crew chief, I knew he'd know.  As a matter of fact, he said he had that question a day or so ago, on a trivia question somewhere.  The only Chicago history trivia I know anything about is Mrs. O'Leary's cow and the fire!
Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Modelcar on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:24 PM

....Boy, that really sounds like a pain.  When I was doing it, life was just a tick simpler.  In fact, back then our commuter was Lake Central, and  several times I rode on DC-3's.  Then later, the French {Nord}, plane {a high winger, with two turbo prop engines}, and that thing I didn't care for....It would run most of the rather long runway here at Muncie, before lifting off.  The DC-3's would be blowing out sparks and so on at night from the engines, but I knew the history of them and that didn't bother me.

Quentin

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:45 PM

Last time I was at O hare we had to go up and around the terminal to get to our plane for a 45 min flight to dayton.Matt and I saw some nice mixed trains and the y101 work this afternoon.We also had to call in a bad crossing here in town.mother nature plays havoc with those every winter here.Cw thanks for supper.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by cherokee woman on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 5:13 PM

Got more stew, cornbread and soup on the warmer bar.  And I'm getting ready to start grilling some grilled cheese sandwiches, if anyone wants some.

Not sure if I'll make it back in here tonight, but you all have a good evening, and take care.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:53 PM
Gotta be at work at 4 AM.  G'Night!

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by cherokee woman on Thursday, February 28, 2008 5:16 AM

Good Thursday morning,everyone.  Gee, looks like another slooooooow night in here last night.  Sad [:(]  Remember, folks, we're open 24/7/365 around here.

Coffee has finished brewing, and fresh juices are made, and in the cooler.  Also got hot water for tea, and there's milk warming for hot chocolate.

On the warmer bar this morning:  oatmeal, toast, turkey bacon, sausage, fresh bagels and bear claws (maybe Larry will get a break to come have breakfast with us), and homemade buttermilk biscuits w/sausage gravy.  

If anyone needs anything, I'll be over in the corner, in one of the rocking chairs, waiting for daylight and trains roaring by.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by nanaimo73 on Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:46 AM

Oatmeal, coffee and juice is a great way to start the day.

One possible stupid question-
Is the Diner (and the forum) open tomorrow, Feb 29th? This will be my first Leap Day on the internet.

Dale
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Posted by diningcar on Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:18 AM

CW, thanks for the nice spread this AM. I shall be quiet as I get my biscuits & gravy, so if you are dozing in your chair I will not waken you.

Working taxes on the computer so my sense of humor may be a little skewed if indeed it is even apparent.

Train fans from Idaho called yesterday and we talked two hours. Two hours does not allow enough time to tell all of the true stories so no lies were exchanged. I have none of course but my friend do.

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Posted by cherokee woman on Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:44 AM
 nanaimo73 wrote:

 

One possible stupid question-
Is the Diner (and the forum) open tomorrow, Feb 29th? This will be my first Leap Day on the internet.

 

Dale, unless something happens to the cook (yours truly) tonight, yes, the Diner (oops, old habits die hard:)  the Cafe will be open tomorrow.  And yes, the forum should be open for business, I would think.

Now, onto today's menu:  Thursday Mexican Fiesta Day.  All our regular Mexican items have been set out on the warmer bar.  So help yourselves to the tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, Spanish rice, tamales, etc.

Jack, don't think I fell asleep in the rocker; I was just watching and waiting for the trains to go by.  (Mookie:  need someone in the other rocker, so we can talk, and others know I'm awake!!)

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by spokyone on Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:58 AM
 cherokee woman wrote:

Now, onto today's menu:  Thursday Mexican Fiesta Day.  All our regular Mexican items have been set out on the warmer bar.  So help yourselves to the tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, Spanish rice, tamales, etc.

Not Mexican but we haven't had the Navajo taco for a while.
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Posted by diningcar on Thursday, February 28, 2008 12:55 PM

CW - Enchiladas are a favorite of mine. In AZ, CO and NM we smother them in red or green and as an option, two sunny side up eggs on top. I always have ice tea or diet soda with mine.

1st Diamondbacks spring training game in Tucson today with beautiful sunshine and temp of about 80 degrees.

Jack

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Posted by Modelcar on Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:17 PM

....We too have the beautiful sunshine today....Temp..? We'll have to wait a bit longer for that.  Was 13 early this morning but quite a bit above that now....Haven't looked for some time, but it really is a nice winter day.  Got my truck washed, so it was that nice.

Quentin

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Posted by eolafan on Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:21 PM
Can't even tell you what the weather is today as I have been under the weather for two days now with extreme pain caused by what I (and the doctor) believe is a kidney stone...the pain is nothing short of unbelievable!  I am going in for a CT scan to see if they can locate the stone and somehow get rid of it.  Wish me luck.
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:27 PM

 eolafan wrote:
Can't even tell you what the weather is today as I have been under the weather for two days now with extreme pain caused by what I (and the doctor) believe is a kidney stone...the pain is nothing short of unbelievable!  I am going in for a CT scan to see if they can locate the stone and somehow get rid of it.  Wish me luck.

Never had one; don't want one; but trust me - I feel for you.  Get better!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by eolafan on Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:36 PM
 Mookie wrote:

 eolafan wrote:
Can't even tell you what the weather is today as I have been under the weather for two days now with extreme pain caused by what I (and the doctor) believe is a kidney stone...the pain is nothing short of unbelievable!  I am going in for a CT scan to see if they can locate the stone and somehow get rid of it.  Wish me luck.

Never had one; don't want one; but trust me - I feel for you.  Get better!

Thanks Mookie, I had my CT scan and by the time I arrived home the doctor's office was calling to say no signs of a stone...must have passed it (they say something as small as a grain of sand can cause excruciating pain) along the way.  Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that that's it for this saga.

Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)

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