Early Risers.

[AndyID]

15 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

The laws of physics don't change like the tax code and there are no exemptions for gravity.

 

Well, nobody really knows how gravitational force is transmitted, so there could be exemptions, but that's beside the point 😀

 

My point was that despite a really good education system in the US many in the population prefer to ignore simple facts and believe politicians instead.

[AndyID]

24 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

I think I can say, without much fear of contradiction, that the US Government has “weaponised” the IRS - because, as Al Capone found out to his cost - if they can’t “get” you any other way, they’ll get you on taxes…

 

Incoming contradiction! 😀

 

If we felt things were bad enough we could return to the UK and renounce our US citizenship to avoid having to file. If things were that bad it does not seem like such a big deal in the grand scheme of things (although we have considered doing precisely that.)

 

But I have to ask, did the US State Department drop you on your head at some point? I know the US isn't exactly the most friendly organization to deal with but I get the impression you do tend to "get the boot in" when any opportunity arises. Or is it just me?

 

Cheers!

AndyID

[TheQ]

24 minutes ago, AndyID said:

Well, nobody really knows how gravitational force is transmitted, so there could be exemptions, but that's beside the point 😀

 

My point was that despite a really good education system in the US many in the population prefer to ignore simple facts and believe politicians instead.

From what I've read on education threads on other forums many would disagree, teachers on low pay having to pay for books and consumables is one thing.. Texas dominating the school book system and providing a very skewed version of History is another.

[AndyID]

2 minutes ago, TheQ said:

From what I've read on education threads on other forums many would disagree, teachers on low pay having to pay for books and consumables is one thing.. Texas dominating the school book system and providing a very skewed version of History is another.

 

Yes, that is quite true. US education has become increasingly politicized in the last 30 or 40 years. It never was entirely "neutral" but neither was the stuff I was taught in Scotland in the 50s and 60s. The alarming thing here is that quite recent history is being "revised" in some states. I will resist that as best as I can but I'm probably too old now to make a lot of difference.

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

My tax letter came in yesterday. They do owe me £3.25. .. that will be a cup of coffee then.

 

Slept well.. but today will involve sorting out my Warley weathering boxes. Pah!

 

We got away early from the NEC .. all went well .. then the M1 came to a halt. A car was on fire.. cue the blues and twos.. 2 fire engines, 2 police cars.. stopped for about 15 minutes then off we went again..

 

After that the journey went well.

 

Apparently there are "things to do" today si I need to engage my brain and get on with it.

 

Looks like a return trip for another cortisone injection will be needed..pah!

 

Stay safe!

Baz

[roundhouse]

5 minutes ago, Barry O said:

Ey up!

 

My tax letter came in yesterday. They do owe me £3.25. .. that will be a cup of coffee then.

 

Slept well.. but today will involve sorting out my Warley weathering boxes. Pah!

 

We got away early from the NEC .. all went well .. then the M1 came to a halt. A car was on fire.. cue the blues and twos.. 2 fire engines, 2 police cars.. stopped for about 15 minutes then off we went again..

 

After that the journey went well.

 

Apparently there are "things to do" today si I need to engage my brain and get on with it.

 

Looks like a return trip for another cortisone injection will be needed..pah!

 

Stay safe!

Baz

We didnt get away till 6pm as had to help dismantle and load Bodmin Generally. However no hold ups on the M42, 40 and not even in the usual places on the M25.

Home before 9pm and all the DCC demo stuff now back  in its usual home.

Superb show and hopefully back next year.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Getting lighter and from what I can see the sky looks OKish.  A mainly dry day with patchy cloud, sunny spells, light winds and the chance of the occasional shower is forecast.  Currently 6°C and may reach 11°C.

Rugby watched yesterday afternoon and enjoyed, quite a close match and I suspect it was squeaky bum time for the Tigers supporters here.

Before that I made it back safely to Base Camp from the summit of Mount Loft and various boxes of Christmas stuff have bee retrieved.  Sorting out has begun and it seems that we won't have to buy much (oh yeh?) but another visit to the Garden Centre has been deemed essential.  Before that however we are making a rare visit to Tesco as it appears that they stock something that nobody else does.  

Soon be time for breakfast as I can hear movement upstairs.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited November 28, 2022 by grandadbob

[TheQ]

Mooring AWL,,

4 hours 2 hours , 1.5 hours 0.5 hours sleep a very good total for me, especially when it seemed every joint was aching, I'm left with the left knee and left elbow complaining and generally feeling too hot and a bit odd.

 

Ben the I'm not sure about this Collie did eventually decide to go on patrol, but only in the house lights and not for long..

Very cloudy outside and a low cloud base, seemed like driving to work in a tunnel, but there was no fog itself.

 

Things haven't changed in Scotland, one batch of recent history books said that tanks were used against strikers at the end of ww1, which they weren't, some arrived and were put in sheds and that's where they stayed, except for post WW1 Remembrance and victory parades.

 

The on site internet / Intranet has got very slow and there is a long wait when accessing a new page or accessing a file. it's been slowly getting worse over some weeks.. 

 

Zeroing the first of this weeks major systems went remarkably quickly.. so I'm expecting something else to go wrong..

 

-99.99946mV oops typed that in here, instead of the result sheet.. Positive was 99.99948 mV so this calibrator is fairly well balanced. now on to 2V range..

 

Time to.. see how much  can do before my replacement comes in.

 

[polybear]

11 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Yes. Certainly the Mk1 USN 14" (ex-battlecruiser Mk4 'rifle') railgun.

 

 

The Wiki Page included this:

The last shot was fired by Battery 4 at 10:57:30 a.m. on 11 November 1918, timed to land just before the scheduled Armistice at 11 a.m

How f.stupid - hopefully no-one were on the receiving end.

 

10 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

Never mind that - what about the recoil????? 

 

The Boss had a piccy on his lounge wall of the USS Iowa? (or similar big b*gger) firing all guns simultaneously, with the barrels at 90 degrees to the axis of the ship; I recall him saying the ship moves sideways in the water when they do that - no idea where he got that from, but it sounds feasible.

 

In other news.....

Whoever is presenting Radio 2 at the moment has admitted to scoffing 19 Spam Fritters in one go whilst at school (none of the other kids were keen on them, apparently).  Respect.

Edited November 28, 2022 by polybear

[iL Dottore]

1 hour ago, AndyID said:

… I know the US isn't exactly the most friendly organization to deal with but I get the impression you do tend to "get the boot in" when any opportunity arises. Or is it just me?

Well, yes and no.

 

I lived (and studied) in the US for 10 years (in one of the “Southern” states) and I’ve seen the US at its best and worst. Working in an inner city ER will give you a very jaundiced and cynical view of humanity.

 

I think there’s an awful lot of great things about the US: outside of the big cities people are friendly and welcoming (a “cut glass” English accent doesn’t hurt, either); they can be very civic minded and generous (perhaps - in certain areas - more so than the British), a lot of the food is amazing. The universities and research centres are (were?) superb (not surprising, given the amount of money the NIH [and other government bodies] funnel their way) and - outside of the politicians - one of the least corrupt governments/civil services in the world. When such things come up, I give praise when due (and fulsome praise at that).

 

But I’ve also seen “the dark underbelly of the beast” and some things have worsened since I left the US (the “either you’re with us or you’re against us” mentality being one such example - an attitude that seems to have spread like Japanese knotweed). The US has many flaws (as we all have - as every country has), but what I dislike is it wraps self interest up in (often) sanctimonious clap trap (“beacon of democracy” “leader of the free world” etc). Henry Kissinger was caught saying - in an unguarded moment - that “America doesn’t have friends, it has interests”. A statement America’s friends would do well to remember.

 

As to my sometimes caustic observations about the US - I’m just passing on the commentary from my American friends and colleagues - some of whom are even more jaundiced and cynical than I (nothing like being in medicine or the emergency services to make the scales fall from your eyes).

 

iD

p.s. An American plus: with the exception of the New York/New Jersey accents, I find that most American women’s accents sound really sexy (and young: you’re in a TC and it sounds like you’re talking to a young woman just out of High School and when the video link kicks in you’re face to face with an industry veteran 🤣

[jjb1970]

23 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

The Wiki Page included this:

The last shot was fired by Battery 4 at 10:57:30 a.m. on 11 November 1918, timed to land just before the scheduled Armistice at 11 a.m

How f.stupid - hopefully no-one were on the receiving end.

 

Everything about WW1 was tragic, it was an unnecessary war fought to a bitter end because politicians lacked the moral courage to negotiate a diplomatic ending after their catastrophic failure to avoid war in 1914. And, unfortunately, a big part of the reason is that politicians became prisoners of their own demands and rhetoric and created an expectation among their own people for total victory. After all, if people are expected to suffer great sacrifice in pursuit of a total war effort against an enemy they've been told is horrible (WW1 was an example of mass propaganda, the rape of Belgium, baby killing huns etc, with similar stories on the other side) then only total victory will suffice. What made the conduct of politicians even more reprehensible is that after the war the likes of David Lloyd George did an excellent job transferring the opprobrium onto military commanders. The Generals of WW1 have a lot to answer for, but for example, Haig could have been removed at any time and he was pursuing the policy of the British government to defeat Germany on the Western Front. 

[Compound2632]

37 minutes ago, polybear said:

I recall him saying the ship moves sideways in the water when they do that - no idea where he got that from, but it sounds feasible.

 

I should think he got it from Newton's third law of motion.

 

Now if the forward and aft guns were fired at right angles to the axis of the ship but to opposite sides, the ship would very slowly rotate. There are no doubt cheaper and quicker ways of turning a battleship round! (If the ship was underway, this rotation could of course be compensated for by putting the rudder over.)

[AndyID]

25 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Well, yes and no.

 

I lived (and studied) in the US for 10 years (in one of the “Southern” states) and I’ve seen the US at its best and worst. Working in an inner city ER will give you a very jaundiced and cynical view of humanity.

 

I think there’s an awful lot of great things about the US: outside of the big cities people are friendly and welcoming (a “cut glass” English accent doesn’t hurt, either); they can be very civic minded and generous (perhaps - in certain areas - more so than the British), a lot of the food is amazing. The universities and research centres are (were?) superb (not surprising, given the amount of money the NIH [and other government bodies] funnel their way) and - outside of the politicians - one of the least corrupt governments/civil services in the world. When such things come up, I give praise when due (and fulsome praise at that).

 

But I’ve also seen “the dark underbelly of the beast” and some things have worsened since I left the US (the “either you’re with us or you’re against us” mentality being one such example - an attitude that seems to have spread like Japanese knotweed). The US has many flaws (as we all have - as every country has), but what I dislike is it wraps self interest up in (often) sanctimonious clap trap (“beacon of democracy” “leader of the free world” etc). Henry Kissinger was caught saying - in an unguarded moment - that “America doesn’t have friends, it has interests”. A statement America’s friends would do well to remember.

 

As to my sometimes caustic observations about the US - I’m just passing on the commentary from my American friends and colleagues - some of whom are even more jaundiced and cynical than I (nothing like being in medicine or the emergency services to make the scales fall from your eyes).

 

iD

p.s. An American plus: with the exception of the New York/New Jersey accents, I find that most American women’s accents sound really sexy (and young: you’re in a TC and it sounds like you’re talking to a young woman just out of High School and when the video link kicks in you’re face to face with an industry veteran 🤣

 

The US will, unavoidably, always have a big red target on its face for countless reasons. But what's the alternative?

 

It was not up to me but thanks to the US, for whatever reasons, I was not brought-up in a dictatorship and we should never forget that. I took my mum and dad to FDR's place in New York and frankly they were quite overwhelmed, as was I. Never will forget it,

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not much fuss from Arthur Itis this morning and he was gone as soon as I started moving about. A little bit of shopping to do then I've got the rest of the day to myself.

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Whoever is presenting Radio 2 at the moment has admitted to scoffing 19 Spam Fritters in one go whilst at school (none of the other kids were keen on them, apparently).  Respect.

That brings back memories, apparently you can buy them frozen ready to defrost and cook.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

A bright and sunny start to the day here in the northwest corner of England. Today is a day for topping up the larder, so I’ll shortly be heading off to complete the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix. But before that I have to pick up some completed prescriptions, I'll then cross the road and pick up a rail ticket for next month’s Manchester Model Railway Show.

 

There are no firm plans for the afternoon, so I might continue reading the book I started on Saturday ‘A Woman Of No Importance’. it’s the story of an American woman who worked for the SOE in France during WWII, a fascinating book which is shortly to be made into a film. 

[Tony_S]

39 minutes ago, AndyID said:

I took my mum and dad to FDR's place in New York and frankly they were quite overwhelmed, as was I. Never will forget it

We have only had two day trips round New York We really enjoyed them. Even the immigration process was interesting!

A few years previously we had driven into upstate New York from Vermont. It was quite deserted.

Tony

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a showery rock with - hurrah - no wind.  8c.

 

The USA has always torn me when I visited, generally the docks of course are perhaps one of the worst places to start but I still met some remarkable people, and saw some fantastic places.  One interesting experience was visiting Fort McHenry in Baltimore, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_McHenry

 

At the end of the presentation some music started, and every one bar three Brits stood and snapped to attention.  Well, as we had to explain in the following melee, the US national anthem is not taught in UK schools.  War was narrowly avoided, and we then had an afternoon of really interesting chats with several folk who initially had us down as 'Commies' or worse, we parted good friends and both with an improved appreciation of each others culture.

 

[jjb1970]

Small things can be important, and often it is small things that really needle people. At UN agencies North Korea is either the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or the DPRK, there's no such thing as 'North Korea' as a country. However, European delegations at IMO insist on using 'North Korea', followed by a protest and an instruction from the Secretariat to observe correct protocol. Some delegations are genuinely ignorant (which raises questions of itself), but others happily admit they're doing it to wind the Koreans up (interestingly, the Republic of Korea delegates generally avoid wilfully offending their counterparts from the other side of the demilitarized zone). That's fine, I'm not the biggest admirer of the DPRK, the problem is some of those who like winding others up are the first to take offence and get stroppy at any perceived insult to their own countries. I've always been of the view that people can either throw stones and accept that they'll be thrown back, or they can avoid getting into any of that in which case they have fair cause to whinge if they're at the receiving end. 

[simontaylor484]

Morning all 

 

More skipping I'm afraid 

Glad those attending Warley had a good time.

 

Feeling a little better this morning though had little sleep again.

[Gwiwer]

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

New York

As I have avoided visiting for the greater part of 66 years there is every chance that I can avoid it for however many years I have left 🤣

 

Dr. SWMBO has been. She arranged a side-trip as part of a business visit elsewhere in the Yoo-Ess. Stayed with a colleague in Westchester in what she described as the biggest house she has ever seen. She had an entire wing of the place to herself for the duration. But felt very much less than safe in the city itself and was under-whelmed by some of the famous sights. 
 

 

[DaveF]

This morning is cold and alternately sunny and foggy - not like yesterday's local forecast for today.  I am now waiting for the solicitor to ring me.

 

Yesterday once again started with the usual phone calls and e mails with friends followed by church.  For some reason I felt very sad when I got home, possibly because it was the First Sunday in Advent which reminded me that I shall be by myself at Christmas.  It doesn't really bother me but now and then I am reminded that things are different now.

 

After a nice lunch I had a quick walk, it might have been better for my digestion had I sat down for a short while first!

 

As I knew I'd be busy this morning I did a bit of housework then some friends came round for a cup of tea and a chat.  They both attend the same church as me so we talked about the various jobs I've been asked to think about.  They feel like me that the best answer may be no - they are only a little younger than me so they understand the possible problems.

 

After they went I had my "proper" tea and watched The Titfield Thunderbolt which I'd recorded.  It seemed to me that the copy broadcast was in very good condition, it looked sharper and brighter than when I've seen it before.  I wonder if it is a restored copy?

 

Then it was a bit of reading, The Larkins and Onedin Line followed by an early night.

 

David

[Tony_S]

12 minutes ago, DaveF said:

and watched The Titfield Thunderbolt which I'd recorded.  It seemed to me that the copy broadcast was in very good condition, it looked sharper and brighter than when I've seen it before.  I wonder if it is a restored copy?

 

We watched it via iPlayer and I thought it looked good too. For some reason (defective memory probably) thought I had seen it in black and white previously. I wondered if it had been “colorised” but the beginning credits mentioned the Technicolor consultant. 
Tony

[jjb1970]

I love New York, a great city. Though I prefer Washington DC which I think is a splendid place, some magnificent public buildings, world class museums and some lovely walks. I used to prefer San Francisco but now I would rather go to DC.

[Tony_S]

34 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

have avoided visiting for the greater part of 66 years there is every chance that I can avoid it for however many years I have left 🤣

 

I would definitely go back and perhaps try to stay a bit longer. I don’t feel that about all the cities we have visited. No desire to go back to St Petersburg or any other Russian city. I felt there was a very thin veneer of culture covering something unpleasant. Quite relieved to head for Stockholm on their occasion. 

[Tony_S]

12 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

s. I used to prefer San Francisco

We have had an invitation to visit San Francisco for over forty years. Aditi’s uncle keeps asking when we are going to visit. Every time we think we have settled on a date he informs us he won’t be there! Anyway by now he lives in Saratoga but family members who stay get the guided tour of all the San Francisco area sightseeing places. He did the same to Matthew too who had very nearly booked a flight. This is why Matthew and I had a holiday in a Houston. He decided on Texas as California wasn’t available!