Early Risers.

[JohnDMJ]

Yep, it's hump day, and, Oh Boy, do I have the hump!!!

 

Moaned at by boss for not answering the phone coz I was trying to sort an order out amongst other duties; couldn't decide to whom I should award the title of 'Numpty of the Day' (several nominees!), short staffed in the office so haven't had time to deal with an absent colleague's emails and tolerating the idiosyncrasies and pitfalls of our computer system (which is currently being updated!).

 

Hey Ho! Stiff high ABV drink then bed and do it all again tomorrow.

[BoD]

.....................and pitfalls of our computer system (which is currently being updated!).

 

 

Not by Crapita, I hope.

Edited January 31, 2018 by BoD

[BoD]

6666

 

Scary

[JohnDMJ]

Not by Crapita, I hope.

Not sure!

[pH]

6666

 

Scary

The n-number of the b-beast!

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Was club night tonight and some members were trying to revive the Thomas the Tank layout that we used to have at our show until a couple of years ago. It consists of two ovals of track each with its own controller. The track, which was second hand Peco Streamline required replacing at the same time it was decided to ease the radius of the inner oval. The idea was to replace the track with Setrack which would be more durable but then a problem arose. An oval of first radius Setrack was assembled and placed on the layout to test the fit only for it to be more or less the same size as the outer oval. The layout board isn't wide enough to take a larger oval so its back to the drawing board.

[Ozexpatriate]

The track, which was second hand Peco Streamline required replacing at the same time it was decided to ease the radius of the inner oval.

...

An oval of first radius Setrack was assembled and placed on the layout to test the fit only for it to be more or less the same size as the outer oval.

Someone bent Streamline into a radius less than 371mm? Possibly as small as 304mm, say 1' give or take??

 

Talk about tram tracks.

[BSW01]

Evening everyone

 

Well the weather here has been awful today, we’ve had rain, hail, sunshine, some strong winds and it’s been bl00dy cold. In fact the last 3 Tuesday evenings/Wednesday morning’s have all been windy and I’ve been woken by the sound of bins blowing over. However, luckily for me I timed my walks to and from the baths this morning very well and didn’t get wet once. Well, apart from when I was actually IN the pool! I managed 60 lengths again today, alternating between breast stroke and front crawl for the vast majority of them. I managed to do 4 consecutive lengths doing only front crawl, which I’m very pleased about. I also managed a 3 full lengths (individually not consecutive) under water on 1 breath. I also managed 1 1/2 lengths on one breath, but that was pushing it a bit. Finally, like last week, I timed my penultimate length, which I did flat out swimming front crawl and managed it in 20 seconds.

 

This afternoon was spent watching some of Michael Portillo’s Great American Railroad Journeys. We don’t normally watch TV during the day but as we had Ava, Evie and Max round for tea we thought we’d have a rest. It was quite nice seeing some of the places we’ve been too.

 

Goodnight all.

[southern42]

6666

 

Scary

 

Not really... https://www.flickr.com/photos/64518788@N05/11663524555/in/set-72157631555792401

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[PhilJ W]

Thoughts are with Debs, goodnight all.

[Ozexpatriate]

As I turned the page on my calendar looking forward to Februarius I note that Ash Wednesday coincidentally falls on that most odious of the Hallmark Holidays where something less than half the adult population is coerced to commemorate an obscure Roman martyr (whose hagiography is particularly questionable) with chocolates, impossible dinner reservations, absurdly overpriced flowers or other acts of devotion, and their better halves are encouraged to suitably reward such attention - with the customary, attendant strife one must expect when failing to meet the expectations of either or both parties.

 

That particular intersection of the sacred and profane must present a conundrum for some. (Personally I find that not being pair bonded is a particular relief at this time of year and blithely ignore the flood of commercials by jewelers, chocolatiers, florists and stationers.)

 

Perhaps the ides of Februarius, (and their eponymous purging festival of Februa) are not so anachronistic after all.

 

This month also sees the President's Day Federal holiday which we celebrate with mattress sales. (And no, I'm not kidding, this is literally true. I don't know why either. Perhaps people need new mattresses after St. Valentine's Day?)

 

Abraham Lincoln's birthday is February 12 and George Washington's birthday is either February 11, 1731 (Julian) or February 22, 1732 (Gregorian) depending on your calendrical preference. President's day splits the difference and this year is the 19^th. All of which is quite moot, since my employer does not observe the holiday and it is a working Monday just like any other.

 

Ah well. I did see the full moon last night. That was nice. May we all see another.

[Barry O]

Been for a trip on the trams (all are now free in the cod Rick) and a visit to a model shop underneath Rock's old place of employ. ( don't EVR complain of prices in the UK ....a Hornby Q6 was over £220).

 

Nice here, about 22C with lots of sun.

 

Not sure that we will make it to Ballarat tomorrow...an excuse to come back again methinks.

 

Sleep well Ers.

 

Baz

[Robert]

Morning All,

 

It is a reasonably mild morning - but somewhat blustery, which I guess is to be expected given the time of year.

 

I have a day of test preparation to look forward to, so I guess I had better get on!

 

Have a good day everyone...

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all

 

I must congratulate Ozexpatriate on his erudition as regards February.  Plans to mark Shrove Tuesday are already in preparation though I am well aware that the batter does not need to be mixed quite so far in advance.  The co-incidence of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day prompts another decision, viz that I shall continue to give up Valentine cards.  Traffic in these things to and from my abode has long dwindled to the point of non-existence.

 

It is a pity that I do not have another relative in the media after all but it was kind of Neil to think of me.  I used to have a cousin in TV who was among other things the videotape editor for Keith Floyd's programmes and it is a great sorrow that neither cousin Mike nor Floyd are still with us.  Circa 1969-70 I fancied working in radio but the auditions for BFBS and BBC Radio Bristol were not successful so I got a proper job instead.  Whenever I am within earshot of Radio Bristol I still tune in to see how they are coping without me.  Had events taken a different turn I could have found myself working alongside Michael Buerk and Kate Adie, or Kathryn Adie as she was known in those days.  A lad can dream ...

 

Hooray, I can still see the full moon in all its glory through the gap in the curtains.  It did not make its presence felt last night as I hurried home from Bletchley and the HMRS meeting.  For the first time in several weeks the car is obstructing Mrs Electric-Chair's gate and I must move it ere long.  I must also put out the grey wheelie bin for collection because it never occurred to me to do so last night.  After porridge there will be m*d*ll*ng.  There must be, for a deadline looms.

 

Oh, and the ironing got done yesterday, before PMQs, in which it struck me forcibly that Emily Thornberry would be a good soundalike for Dawn French.  Now there's a wacky idea.  Which MPs would you cast in a remake of the Vicar of Dibley?

 

On that happy note, warm thoughts to all in distress, recovery and absentia.  There do seem to be rather a lot of us lately.

 

Chris 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Dry and 3^oC here. Should stay dry with some good sunny spells according to the forecasters.

Up early as I didn't sleep particularly well last night.

Have been informed that my final Birdcage coach has now been dispatched but probably won't get here until tomorrow.

Valentine's day ceased to be an event in this household many many moons ago. It does not appear to have caused any problems. Shrove Tuesday on the other hand has been and always will be recognised.     As far as I'm concerned pancakes are permitted at any time of the year and should be made compulsory.

Talking of moons I can still see it and apart from it possibly appearing a bit brighter than usual last night I'm not really sure that my life will be any different because of that, even if last night was that once in a blue moon event.

Have a good one,

Bob. (who may or then again may not visit the hospital today)

Edited February 1, 2018 by grandadbob

[TheQ]

Moring Awl, Inner Temple Here,

 

A good nights sleep of 6 hours, then about half about on the sofa.

Yesterday the Seaweed botherers were getting excited and giving out a yellow warning for Ice. This morning, nothing no ice dry roads and no frost on the car. Although when going home via a big Orange shed it did start snowing lightly while loading up.

 

The big boss from America should have flown in yesterday, to meet our new Local boss who starts tomorrow, lets hope the new boss doesn't get brainwashed into the Company line too soon... I suspect the Big boss from America is going to try to pour oil on some very troubled waters around here before the new boss starts. The problem being, he's the one that has caused a lot of the waves...

 

For the first time this year, I saw just a hint of Dawn arriving as I got out of the car. nice to see somemore daylight.

 

Time to.. go and see if I can finish this weeks major equipment...

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a bright but freezing village.  Thanks to Chrisf's  mention of bins I've just nipped out to get the green bin out before the collection lorry arrives. The drive was fine but the pavement and the puddles in the pub car park next door are ice covered.

 

Beth is still asleep.   She's doing well and is actually behaving herself.   This morning we're off to see the nurse for the wound to be checked.

 

Apart from that there's not a lot to report but hopefully I will actually get some switches relocated on my control panel.   

 

Hope to hear better news re Debs.

 

regards to all.

 

Jamie

[Simon G]

Morning all, and thanks to Rick for explaining “ball a rat”!

 

Dry but pretty breezy again here so far today. Roofer duly turned up yesterday and will put quote in the post. Meanwhile, the first roofer to inspect the job phoned asking what quotes he had to beat to get the job. I politely explained that it would not be fair on the others to reveal their prices to him. He then called back a few minutes later wanting to know who the competition was, in order no doubt that he could tailor his quote accordingly. He started as my front runner for the job, but has now slipped to third (out of three!).

 

Managed a reasonable walk in the wind yesterday and just happened to be at St Bees station when the daily class 68 Test train stopped, waiting for a clear road north. These trains started as 2 standard coaches, plus a DVT, topped and tailed by 68s. The DVT has disappeared from this train. Apparently, they should this week have started to replace the 37s on the actual passenger services, but there has been a cock-up with some paperwork, so the 37s continue for now. I just had to take a picture of the train, as they won’t be like this for long. The loco on the rear was 68029.

 

Edited February 1, 2018 by Simon G

[iL Dottore]

Good Morning One and All,

 

The news about Debs, such little as it is, is indeed concerning. Let us hope that all will go well and she will continue to recover (which, as can be the case, may be "two steps forward, one step back" at times).

 

Earlier I wrote:.....

..the drill table was not level. So taking a huge Allen Wrench (not supplied) I tried to loosen the tightening screw. Despite me putting my entire weight onto the Allen Wrench NOTHING budged! Finally, after after using my entire body mass leaning on the drill table I manged to get the damn thing level. Given that I don't plan on doing any odd angle drilling, the locked in drill table is not a problem. But I would would dearly love to learn how I can loosen up the screw.....

 

iD

I had hoped that someone on ERs would have trawled the depths of their immense knowledge about machinery/engineering/tools (take your pick) and advised me on how to loosen a bolt that seems to have been welded-on (although that isn't specifically the problem). Have I baffled the ER Boffins?

 

I am watching the unfolding crapita/carriwrong/outsourcing debacle with some amazement. Now, one poster opined that that's what you get when you operate for profit, which indeed may have had an effect; BUT I have worked in the public sector (NHS and pre-privatisation BT) and the incompetence there is equally prominent. I think that the real problem is that Britain will put up with levels of mediocrity and incompetence that would have the citizens of other countries rioting in the streets (OK, I may exaggerate a bit...). Even those Southern countries, whose reputation for probity and work ethic may not be the highest, when they finally get around to do it (whatever "it" may be), do it well and to a good standard.

 

Now - to go out on a limb here - I think a lot of the problem has been due an educational system that over the years has more and more shied away from having "winners" and "losers" - so no one quite grasps that "doing something badly" is not really on. That, plus the irresponsible rise of the "ambulance chasing lawyer". The latter, I strongly contend, has two outcomes: firstly: it's never "someone's fault", it is always the fault of some other individual; and secondly, to avoid "being at fault" nothing is done or done optimally.

 

In contemplating the outsourcing debacle, there are a number of British phrases that spring, unsummoned, into my mind - such as "educated beyond their station in life" "too clever by half" and "don't make a fuss" all of which reflect - I would argue - attitudes that are contributory to the current UK malaise. Certainly, many of my British friends are sometimes rather aghast when I complain about things they would have put up with (such as when I complained to the waiter that the vegetables that came with my pie were stone cold. Dear Ms N was horrified that I made such a scene!) and I am ALWAYS very polite and courteous when voicing my complaints (let's face it, I could go "full Italian/Mediterranean" over such things...).

 

Although the Swiss do grumble about how standards are falling and how various public bodies (SBB, PT etc) are managed, by any yardstick Switzerland is doing well. Part of this is due - I would say - to the fact that if the Swiss get seriously cheesed off about something, they can collect the appropriate number of signatures and force a referendum on "X" (whatever "X" may be) - which keeps the politicos on their toes and relatively honest.....

 

iD

Edited February 1, 2018 by iL Dottore

[The Lurker]

Well I have tried to rate ID's post twice (with "agree") but with no success.

 

The British car industry used to be notorious for the "that'll do" attitude with the result that the cars fell to bits far more readily than imported rivals. I think that has been sorted to a large extent. However getting away with relative lack of competence or professionalism is probably far easier in a much larger organization - eg NHS, government run bodies, large outsourcing companies, the BBC. Andyram's reports of school life are echoed by Mrs Lurker's experiences as a TA; she seethes at the lack of professionalism, the backbiting, lack of team work and low ability - the TA who did'nt know how to add simple fractions she was trying to assist the year 5 children with (and I do mean the likes of 1/2+1/3). It all seems a far cry from her experiences in the past (although her experiences at the Legal Aid Board as was make for amusing listening on occasion...)

[Horsetan]

....Although the Swiss do grumble about how standards are falling and how various public bodies (SBB, PT etc) are managed, by any yardstick Switzerland is doing well. Part of this is due - I would say - to the fact that if the Swiss get seriously cheesed off about something, they can collect the appropriate number of signatures and force a referendum on "X" (whatever "X" may be) - which keeps the politicos on their toes and relatively honest.....

 

iD

A friend of mine who lives and works in Zürich (having married for the second time) said that he realised how refreshing Switzerland was compared to Britain when the driver of his SBB service apologised for arriving 30 seconds late....

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The bin lorry dawn chorus has been and gone including the fortnightly bottle and glass wagon that didn't sound as busy as usual. A re-check of the rail trip brochure revealed another trip starting locally and with more time at the ultimate destination so I'll be putting it to the lads at the club, and its on a Saturday as well. Debs seems to be on a bit of a roller coaster but fingers, toes and anything else I can think of is crossed on her behalf. Bye for now, be back later.

[Gwiwer]

Morning all. Pinch-punch. White Rabbits.

 

An icy chill to the breeze made for an un-warm shift at the House of Fun - my first one working unsupervised. Some very positive feedback has been received from my assessor after yesterday’s session which has been noted on file.

 

SWMBO remains unwell and in bed but I am off to the sunny Costa Geriatrica to attend to mother. I’ll be back for dinner. Please don’t smoke me a kipper as I consider them disgusterous stinkfish. Haddock ‘n’ chips, on the other hand, would be a perfect accompaniment to the glass of Muscadet I have planned for later.

 

Stay safe. Stay warm. I’ll be back.