Early Risers.

[AndyID]

19 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

The wind has now picked up outside. It is cold and we should see freezing temperatures overnight but snow is not forecast locally. We are on the northern fringes of the "bomb cyclone" winter storm dumping snow, rain and wind on Southern Oregon and Northern California today.

 

The interstate (I5) is closed heading south into California in the Siskiyou Pass. The mountain passes are a mess.

 

 

Looks like it's going to be interesting. I got an email from the electric co-op warning of potential power outages. The good news is I just had the back-up generator for the community water-well overhauled and it's good to go so we should at least have a water supply. The bad news is our own generator hasn't turned over in years. I might take a look at it tomorrow if it's not too breezy.

[AndyID]

30 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Is yours a local cable provider or a large national company? I don't experience issues using WiFi and HD television at the same time.

 

I did have signal integrity issues with the slave video decoder in my bedroom - now fixed. My interpretation was that my newly built wiring was so clean that termination reflections were not attenuated, creating noise on the line. 

 

It's Spectrum.

 

The problem might be caused by cross-talk in the rather long coax between the house and the repeater. If that's the problem the easy solution is to put a splitter up the pole behind the house and run another cable to separate the data from the digital video.

 

Or, it could just be their modem. I suspect they'll try changing that first.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Grey start to the day but it's not raining - yet.

Once again no Sheds have been harmed or even visited - this is getting to be a bit of a bad habit.

Joe had a couple of free periods so came to lunch and declared the soup of the day (Pea and Mint) a hit.  He came back after school with Gemma  who although a vegetarian did not mind missing out on the soup as she doesn't like peas. They'll be here on Saturday for the annual Christmas Tree decorating ceremony so I'll make her a chunky vegetable soup as that's one of her favourites.

Today I will be assisting with domestic stuff and moving things around for the weekend as we have visitors for a small celebration on Sunday.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

 

[BlackRat]

Life last month or so.......

 

Heavy rain.

 

Man flu.

 

More rain.

 

Man flu........ and repeat.

[Mike Bellamy]

On 26/11/2019 at 06:47, Barry O said:

 

Things to do today...

 

Get my hair cut

 

 

1 hour ago, chrisf said:

 

Today I should have the haircut which I fully intended to have on Monday but forgot.  

 

 

 

You are both too late for that - obviously you didn't read the comments I saw on another forum before you went to Warley . . . . . . .

 

This from New Zealand (about Warley)

 

Dress Code, ah, glad you brought that up. Perhaps I should start a separate thread, but since it has been raised for this Exhibition, I shall continue here. My comments, however relate to exhibitions, in general.

Apart from the bleeding obvious, that folks go to see well presented displays, many go for an overall experience, and that includes catering, trade stands, and, importantly, professionalism of the exhibitors. I think some can already see where I'm coming to..... the presentation of the presenters, themselves. I think some of the attitudes, and mannerisms of operators has been well discussed previously, but an aspect I find disturbing, is that of personal grooming, and dress standards. Unkempt hair (if you are still endowed with it) does not engender the image of a good presenter, and facial hair similarly uncared for, is equally as poor. And, brush your teeth, the weathering is supposed to be on the track, not in your mouth. Talking of mouths, make sure you know where the volume and mute buttons are. Next, apparel. That tee shirt you picked up on your 15 guinea special has passed its use-by date.... the soot and butty stains ain't coming out any time soon, ditch it. Get together with your fellow layout operators, and get something matching, even if it is unmonogrammed, newish, and clean. Of course, all this posh gear is going for naught if those silly pin on name tags are crooked (think about it). Personally, I favour the 'modern' lanyard style... at least everyone then hangs the same, and they are quicker to ditch when you sneak into pub for a quick pint, and don't want to draw attention to yourself.

 

Followed by a response from Australia

 

I have to agree at least in part with xxxxx, personal appearances count at an exhibition.  The status of the hobby, particularly I suspect in the UK, has probably gone up a few notches in recent weeks thanks to the publicity about the layout built by one Rod Stewart.  All it will take in many peoples eyes to undo all that priceless promotion of model railways is for Joe Public and his family to decide to visit a local model railway exhibition, and see some of those working on the stands dressed in stained, ill-fitting T shirts, with hair that looks like the last time it was washed was when the person was caught in the rain etc. I don't advocate everyone has to be in matching embossed shirts, great if you're part of a group that exhibits regularly, and you'd get value from them, but if you only exhibit once a year or similar, hardly justifiable.  Sadly I have seen the odd person exhibiting in Australia whose personal appearance made me cringe, clean, neat, and tidy is not that hard to achieve, and can make a big difference to how others perceive us.

 

 

.

 

 

[Ozexpatriate]

12 minutes ago, Mike Bellamy said:

... comments I saw on another forum before you went to Warley ...

Life's too short for this sort of fixation.

 

Next these people will want models hired to staff the trade stalls. (I don't know how much this is done in these enlightened times, it is considered bad form in tech circles I am familiar with, but I do remember the Consumer Electronics Show of old.  I imagine it is still de rigeur at auto shows.)

 

Matchy outfits can backfire. One year my company had a booth dress code comprised of black slacks and a brown logo shirt. I remember a competitor making a reference to the Sturmabteilung.

[Compound2632]

11 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

 

Next these people will want models hired to staff the trade stalls.

 

That could work - with DCC sound, the models could be left to speak for themselves. A new role for TTE?

[AndyID]

6 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I remember a competitor making a reference to the Sturmabteilung.

 

They look good with the red hats. Sadly, quite popular around here. But this is one of the fastest growing states and the demographics are changing rapidly. Could be interesting.

[Kingzance]

Morning,

 

It’s wet, my heel is painful, my nasal passages seem to be leaking and my shoulders are aching. I don’t want to go on a three mile walk across fields today but SWMBO has the hump because I said that. Heel pain is ongoing, shoulders from operating the pull starter on the still ineffectual repairs on the big throbber and nasal drips not responding to  Oil of Olbas treatments. I did go to cribbage but I limped back early as there were enough players for my departure to cause no problems.
 

in the debate about show exhibitors, my last visit to such an event also highlighted that there is a sector of the viewing public who belong in the Great Unwashed social club, it isn’t all about those manning the stands!

 

I have to say that I can take some pride in the efforts of my eldest grandson and my daughter. He was tasked with producing a model of the Earth in geography. His mother baked the inner layers of this whilst he produced the surface:

 

[Dave Hunt]

Eyelids unglued, muggocoffee consumed, ablutions abluted and vacated bed taken over by Horace the cat. Next is to venture into the damp, grey outside world to the market for supplies then who knows? The possibilities are endless but will likely involve niff naff and trivia as well as catering activities and just possibly a visit to the shed for some three throw turnout wrestling. SWMBO seems a little more sanguine about the prospect of the surgeon's knife in the new year than she was when first confronted with the idea yesterday so I'm trying to downplay the topic. 

 

I'm surprised that the antipodean commentators quoted by Mike haven't specified height and weight for exhibitors or acceptable colour combinations.

 

Have a good day all and take Baz's advice on the carpe-ing. Thoughts for the ailing.

 

Dave

[Ozexpatriate]

4 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

I have to say that I can take some pride in the efforts of my eldest grandson and my daughter.

Surely they should have made a pancake! Don't they know this round earth thing is a scam.

 

More seriously, that's very nice. Was he able to share it at school - or is that forbidden (food allergies etc)?

[Ozexpatriate]

15 minutes ago, AndyID said:

Sadly, quite popular around here.

Quite famously so after the OJ trial. Ruby Ridge isn't too far away either. 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It’s raining, again but thankfully not heavy. We’re just about to set off for The Christie to get the results from last weeks blood test. 

 

Back later. 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Surprisingly perhaps it is bright and sunny here at the moment, hope it lasts.

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Life's too short for this sort of fixation.

 

Next these people will want models hired to staff the trade stalls. (I don't know how much this is done in these enlightened times, it is considered bad form in tech circles I am familiar with, but I do remember the Consumer Electronics Show of old.  I imagine it is still de rigeur at auto shows.)

 

 

I remember the car shows from the 70's when the models were scantily dressed, thats if they were dressed at all. Though at a model railway exhibition today that would probably cause quite a few heart attacks.

[81C]

Morning All 

Sun & partial blue sky for now 

I'm off out later for a bit of retail therapy I didn't get the chance yesterday as there was a cow on the line.

I went and checked on the dog first thing yesterday afternoon all he done was jump up then he herded me to the treats cupboard I let him out for his pee 

he came back in and snuggled up to me after I topped up his water it the last thing I do before leaving I sat for a while with his head on my lap

to say sorry now can I have my treat the cheeky buqqer he had them and I made an exit he was already on his bed asleep before I went through 

to door. 

Must get on enjoy your day B.R. Owbeeten 

[iL Dottore]

Morning Awl,

Been absent for a bit due to seasonal lurgi - leaving me rather drained and "meh". Still, on the mend now.

Whilst feeling sorry for myself I managed to complete the yearly "round robin" Christmas letter for Mrs iD. I have no recollection of how this "tradition" started at Schloss iD, but now - every November - Mrs iD demands the creation of the Christmas letter...

Anyway, this year I amused myself with some photo captioning and came up with the following (BTW the slang from Schotty is, as far as I can make it, accurate South London Gangsta patois)

The picture is of the Wolfpack+  (Schotty and Lucy + Frida) who seem to get on well. Although when Frida expressed interest in Schotty's ball, Schotty was VERY quick to teach Frida the important lesson that "you do NOT mess wid da man's ball".  This photo, of the Wolfpack+ looking rather grim, was taken in front of some "yoof" graffitti (and, alas, there IS graffitti in Switzerland.Personally,  I blame the Swiss architect's/town planner's love of concrete)

Frida is the dog on the far left, a Romanian rescue dog who belongs to an acquaintance of ours. She is quite a sweetie and - for some reason fathomable only to the female canine brain - has quite taken to me.

 

I'm trying to get my music mojo back (whilst I am still in dispute with Mrs iD over the illegal annexation and occupation of the model railway workshop due Mrs iD's expansionistic designs to achieve utter hegemony over the disputed "cellar" border area and thus can't model much) and recently treated myself to this little toy: https://robertkeeley.com/product/dark-side/  I plugged in one of my strats, dialled in rotary speaker and hit those famous 4 notes from Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"..... and I got THE tone (mind you, I may have found a box that gives me the David Gilmour tone, but there's nothing out there that'll give me the David Gilmour Fingers)

 

Anyway, must dash as must take the Wolfpack for their latrine break, training and ball games - in that order.

 

Cheers

 

iD

 

[Kingzance]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Surely they should have made a pancake! Don't they know this round earth thing is a scam.

 

More seriously, that's very nice. Was he able to share it at school - or is that forbidden (food allergies etc)?

He took it to school. Whether it included a list of ingredients, I know not. He has a niece who is a teacher at a secondary school and she said "I can tell you as a teacher that cake is the best thing you can bring to school!" Whether that is because the teaching staff confiscate it or because it is shared amongst the class, she didn't say. My daughter is not expecting him to return home with any for the family. 

As for flat earth, don't railways go up hills and down dales, giving a killer blow to the "flat earth fraternity"? I mean, even railway modellers (no matter how unkempt) include inclines, tunnels and hills on their layouts. (Apologies to The Great Awl, I didn't start it!).

[TheQ]

16 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

He took it to school. Whether it included a list of ingredients, I know not. He has a niece who is a teacher at a secondary school and she said "I can tell you as a teacher that cake is the best thing you can bring to school!" Whether that is because the teaching staff confiscate it or because it is shared amongst the class, she didn't say. My daughter is not expecting him to return home with any for the family. 

As for flat earth, don't railways go up hills and down dales, giving a killer blow to the "flat earth fraternity"? I mean, even railway modellers (no matter how unkempt) include inclines, tunnels and hills on their layouts. (Apologies to The Great Awl, I didn't start it!).

they are just ripples on the surface, haven't you seen the bulges on a pancake?

[Kingzance]

6 minutes ago, TheQ said:

they are just ripples on the surface, haven't you seen the bulges on a pancake?

We favour crepes, remarkably level bits of batter. Pancakes with bulges defile the art of pastry / confectionary. Imagine trying to run a railway service through hills of soggy batter!

[TheQ]

11 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

We favour crepes, remarkably level bits of batter. Pancakes with bulges defile the art of pastry / confectionary. Imagine trying to run a railway service through hills of soggy batter!

I think they have, Sonning cutting collapsed in it's early days,  many tunnels did and you have to ask Stephenson about crossing Chat Moss.. 

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

 

I remember the car shows from the 70's when the models were scantily dressed, thats if they were dressed at all. Though at a model railway exhibition today that would probably cause quite a few heart attacks.

Mind you if it was the same models......

[TheQ]

10 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Mind you if it was the same models......

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from LBG where it is now raining again. It obviously rained a lot in Sidcup last night but not while I was at the pub nor the curry house and thus I slept through it all...

 

Not a lot to report from here so best wishes to those who are struggling in one way or another.

[polybear]

17 hours ago, 81C said:

Slapped #rse arrived this morning and screamed I'm talking to you I carried on and ignored her I didn't have my aids in the lug'oles I

got up she was still babbling away I said "I'll just go and pop the aids in so I can hear you" It was like an H bomb going off I came back and she said

did you hear anything I said since I have been here hold on I said I'll just turn these damn things on "what was that".

Just to rub salt in the wound I showed her an error she had made on the form she submitted to the divorce court  and she blamed me.    

 

You have Style, Sir.... 

 

14 hours ago, Tony_S said:

One of Aditi’s former colleagues is on maternity leave so we will be going for lunch and to admire the new baby.

 

With any luck the former colleague's hubby will have a workshop you can admire instead...

 

6 hours ago, chrisf said:

Good morning one and all

 

I need another box of tissues.  The sad tale, and the cries, of Lewis the koala really got to me yesterday and I can’t begin to imagine what his brave rescuer, Toni Doherty, must be feeling.  Over 350 koalas perished in the fire, which also pretty much took out their habitat, and at the end of the day an endangered species is that much more endangered.  Next time there is a bush fire, and it will come, there may well be other acts of heroism, but none quite like this one.  RIP Lewis.

 

 

BBC News are reporting that a Volunteer Firefighter in Oz has been arrested on suspicion of starting fires....

[Coombe Barton]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

Mind you if it was the same models......

... they'd be about 60-70 years old.