Early Risers.

[AndyB]

In other news, I got a dentist's appointment booked for 10 March. I admit I had put that off for a very long time (and I mean, very long) owing to, shall we say, adverse experiences in past years. Basically, no matter how well or badly I cleaned my teeth, there always was something to be fixed, and inevitably, comments like "you should have been more thorough" followed to add insult to injury. 

 

Also, the first dentist I had as a child was the kind of rough and ready guy who could sing and hum along unaffectedly, which I personally found grossly inappropriate while I wilted away in the chair… At least the dentist (whom Elise also frequents) is specialised in working with "anxiety patients", so I hope I will at least feel less uncomfortable.

 

Might be worth trying acupuncture and essential oils.

 

ok, when you lot have stopped laughing I'll explain.

 

They have to push needles into my chin to get me to relax (see my avatar) enough to open my gob. They also put strips of lavender-infused paper under my schnozz.

Both work fine, not perfectly, but good enough. I've stopped gagging each time I have to "open wide" enough for him to examine the teeth at the back of my mouth.

Not sure why I react like this. Also happened last time I tried a STAS (air bottle, underwater escape, rotary wing).

[Coombe Barton]

Jock

 

Feel for you.

[New Haven Neil]

Returned.

 

Several dead spots on the railroad repaired, for some reason a lot of soldered joints have suddenly decided to break - it's been in there 10 years, why now?  Also a point operating mechanism repaired, (I use a mechanical system - cycle spokes!) realised that the last thing I did to the layout about two years ago was to add two new sidings to a new white dust works (cement plant!) which I haven't fitted with operating mechanisms - damn.  That was when the mojo completely ran out I suppose, but I had been struggling for a while before that. It's so much easier to do as you lay the track.... pants.  There's always tomorrow.  If my opinion doesn't have plans for me, that is!  I had to come in as the heater ran out of paraffin, new contained found and heater refilled, but coffee and the woodburner was calling!

 

I just don't know what happened to my modelling mojo, but it left stage right and failed to return.  It's slowly coming back, although I am resisting the urge to rip it all up and start on my SR 3rd rail ideas, but I think I have so much work put into the NH layout I should really finish(ish) it off enough to have some friends around to operate.

 

[PhilJ W]

Apart from a very short metal flue from the burner, my flue is entirely ceramic pot lined, so salt corrosion shouldn't be an issue.

Are they salt glazed? IIRC salt glazing of pottery is done by throwing a handful of (damp?) salt into the kiln.

[grandadbob]

Now feeling a bit pi##ed off with myself.

For the last 16 years or so I've had really good friend and workmate and even after I retired and he was made redundant we kept in touch and met regularly for the odd beer or several some fairly serious drinking sessions. For the past couple of years he has suffered really bad health and I've not seen him for over a year. Just before Christmas I and another friend were talking about popping round to see him but hadn't got around to it. Just had a phone call to tell me died a couple of days ago.

No - actually not a bit pi##ed off. Bloody angry that I didn't make the effort months ago.

 

RIP Ron.

[Smiffy2]

Sorry to hear that, Bob. A timely reminder.

[grandadbob]

Just before I heard about Ron I posted this in the "Things that make you :-) thread. I think he would have laughed at my timing.

 

 

 Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life. As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
 
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late.

I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.

And as I played "Amazing Grace", the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen anything like that before, and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Apparently, I'm still lost....it's a man thing.

[JohnDMJ]

Evening all!

 

Also the Amtrak a Veterans livery Kato loco
A trip to the West Sussex coast to see other halfs ar nets tomorrow but must stay clear of Gaugemaster as spent way too much on locos recently.

Curious by your description; what's the part number, please?

 

Might be worth trying acupuncture and essential oils.

 

ok, when you lot have stopped laughing I'll explain.

 

They have to push needles into my chin to get me to relax (see my avatar) enough to open my gob. They also put strips of lavender-infused paper under my schnozz.

Both work fine, not perfectly, but good enough. I've stopped gagging each time I have to "open wide" enough for him to examine the teeth at the back of my mouth.

Not sure why I react like this. Also happened last time I tried a STAS (air bottle, underwater escape, rotary wing).

I also suffer the gagging reflex and can identify three common possible causes: breathing through the mouth rather than the nose (usually blocked up by the time I get into the 'chair'!), being at an awkward angle and a hiatus hernia! Last time I went, the dentist couldn't even get the small x-ray film holder in without severe gagging so gave up!

 

Your solution sounds interesting!

 

Work today will have some interesting percussions! Over the last three days, four of us have checked a delivery. Three of them don't normally work in the relevant department. I drew the short straw of finishing off the checking and putting the information into our stock control system (this is my main daily task!) Several items were not marked by my colleagues as having been checked and as they weren't all in today (5 day rotas and 7 day rotas interfere), I couldn't check as the stock if not even yet fully on the shelf! I booked in everything that had been marked as checked. Just waiting for the brown stuff to meet an air-mover!

 

Best wishes, commiserations, etc. to all as required.

 

Good night all!

[Barry O]

my word, England need to get some bowling coaches asap.

 

Totally worn out today - so off to bed early as I need to do some accounts tomorrow!

 

Sleep well, have a nice day Rick!

 

baz

[Happy Hippo]

  One such was the hoover, which has decided to stop picking up almost completely, so a check of the trouble shooting part of the "manual" brief instructions guide, diagnosed a possible blocked filter.

We had such an incident at the model railway club.  the super suction vacuum cleaner was failing to pick up anything, so I stripped it down.

 

i found that one of the *retins that frequent the place, had used it to hoover up damp plaster after a scenic construction task.

 

The filter was solid!  Fortunately it was a metal one, so was recoverable!

 

But only after some choice words delicately describing where the best part of their conception ended up dribbling  and a lot of cleaning with various mechanical tools.

[JohnDMJ]

The filter was solid!  Fortunately it was a metal one, so was recoverable!

 

Is it not still metal?

[Judge Dread]

We had such an incident at the model railway club.  the super suction vacuum cleaner was failing to pick up anything, so I stripped it down.

 

i found that one of the *retins that frequent the place, had used it to hoover up damp plaster after a scenic construction task.

 

The filter was solid!  Fortunately it was a metal one, so was recoverable!

 

But only after some choice words delicately describing where the best part of their conception ended up dribbling  and a lot of cleaning with various mechanical tools.

Mmm, where have I met this situation before."I seem to have broken something, I'll just put it back where I found it and say nothing. Someone will have to repair it sooner or later and when they cannot do so immediately, then I shall join the hue and cry of displeasure at the holdup".

[AndyID]

We had such an incident at the model railway club.  the super suction vacuum cleaner was failing to pick up anything, so I stripped it down.

 

i found that one of the *retins that frequent the place, had used it to hoover up damp plaster after a scenic construction task.

 

The filter was solid!  Fortunately it was a metal one, so was recoverable!

 

But only after some choice words delicately describing where the best part of their conception ended up dribbling  and a lot of cleaning with various mechanical tools.

 

The filter on our dirt devil hoover plugs up something shocking, then it sucketh not. The manufacturers suggest you buy a new filter for $6. I prefer to blow the crud off with compressed air.

 

I do the same thing with the air filters on the cars but I do toss them if they have picked up any oil.

[Sidecar Racer]

 

The filter was solid!  Fortunately it was a metal one, so was recoverable!

 

 

 

 It is now recovered in blue draylon .

[BoD]

Might be worth trying acupuncture and essential oils.

I put myself into a self induced trance.

 

It's a way to transcend dental medication.

[skipepsi]

I put myself into a self induced trance.

 

It's a way to transcend dental medication.

Think I felt a gravitational wave or groan.

[BSW01]

Evening all. Missed the alarm this morning for the first time in I don't know how long. But despite leaving late, and having to de-ice the car, I managed to arrive at the office around the same time as usual. Very strange as I didn't go above my usual speed, but the roads seemed strangely empty! Got a few IT issues sorted, some printing done (for my expenses) and some emails sent, so not a complete waste of time.

 

A lovely sunny, but cool morning, had to de-frost the car again this morning, sunglasses donned for the drive to the office. Sunshine really lifts the spirits doesn't it, well it lifts mine anyway! But then, it doesn't take much to lift my spirits! As I passed Winter Hill, it was once again shrouded in clouds, I could see the top of the hill and the base of the mast, I could also see the top of the mast, but the centre was missing, "obscured by clouds", mmm, now where have I heard that phrase before? It was still covered in clouds on the way home, it was raining too! Funny old day!

 

Whilst in the office, I had an email from the journalist who works for our company news paper asking for another interview regarding my charity swims, he's hoping to get a piece ready in time to get in next months issue. That'll mean I'll be getting loads more stick from the guys (& gals) that I work with, as I've already been on the front page of 2 issues already, and a poster as well!

 

I'm of work now until the 22nd, it's Sheila's birthday next week, and I always try to book the week off so that we can have a little time together. I was also able to book some holidays for later in the year when I'll be swimming. Just back from the pool where I competed a mile in under 45 minutes for the first time. Very pleased with that!

 

When the filter on our vacuum cleaner gets really clogged up, a little indicator pops up. I then usually give it a good thrashing over the dustbin, then chuck it in the washing machine, as the filter is washable, very handy! It's usually dry within 24 hours too!

 

Jock. Great news about your chemo, but sorry to hear about you BiL.

 

Killybegs. Some more stunning photos.

 

PhilJ W. Loved the video, I just had to watch it twice, you couldn't make it up could you?

 

Bob. Sorry to hear about your friend, it's never easy is it?

 

Goodnight all

[AndyID]

Evening all. Missed the alarm this morning for the first time in I don't know how long. But despite leaving late, and having to de-ice the car, I managed to arrive at the office around the same time as usual. Very strange as I didn't go above my usual speed, but the roads seemed strangely empty!

 

That happened to me once. When I got to the office it was strangely quiet too. After about an hour I realized it was a public holiday.

[Gwiwer]

Morning all.

 

Boy can this new cat fart ..........

 

I thought yesterday's gas leak beside the railway was bad but the house this morning is a somewhat aromatic place.  Windows and doors now open.  Feline diet will be changed!  Palace until half past 22 tonight.  Be good in my absence.

[laurenceb]

Condolences Bob

Night all

[emt_911]

Just got in from a very enjoyable social evening. I'll catch up on the days posts in the morning when I've had a decent sleep.

 

Night all

[Jock67B]

Morning all,

Not very much sleep last night or today for that matter, so I may fade out part way through posting! I just wanted to say, from both Joanna and I, the amazing number of supportive comments mean so much to both of us - what a kind and thoughtful group of people, and from so many diverse backgrounds!

On the brine steeped driftwood subject, my Father had cousins who fished out of Maybole, nr. Ayr, in the days of 'Drifters' and plentiful Herring - they were great collectors of driftwood to heat their cottages and Dad explained to me once, when I was very young, how they stored it by year, so the weather leached most of the salt out. They had three great separate stocks, with only the three year old one being cut to burn that season!

Chris, I was glad to read how well your trip went, despite the dinner problem! How marvellous to reach 93 and stay compus mentus!

Ian(RH), WOW - that is a serious sting to get the livery of your choice! Had you considered one of our experts like Larry, 'Coachman' for a quotation to repaint one from photographs?

John(KB), what beautiful sunsets - destined for the 'professional' web site I'd guess?

PhilJW, I'm afraid I'm rather lacking in knowledge about sciatica - is there no quick acting pain control for such sudden debilitating pain? I have a supply of liquid morphine which can control the pain in twenty to forty minutes, and at least I can then function to a degree!

Rick, I felt really upset whilst reading your post, telling us how badly you had been treated by a large number of people when it must have been obvious that you weren't personally responsible for the situation. Let's hope your next stint is less fraught! Sounds as if some sharper decision making higher up the management structure could have helped? We'll be thinking of you on tonight's shift.

Stewart, do please update us on the 'swelling' when you can - must have given you a fright!

Bob, you really must not blame yourself entirely for the circumstances of your friend's demise as you were presumably not the only person involved. Your own family life has become more complicated of late, and it is simply impossible to accommodate everyone single handedly. It sounds as if this is in a way a release in any case. That lovely bagpipe tale really got me visibly moved, even being so far from the experience!

Let's hope the weekend produces further improvement for those with ailments, and a much needed rest for our 'workers'! Excuse me if I've been havering a bit, but I feel that I might get some sleep now so until tomorrow,

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night all!

[Jock67B]

Brian(BSW01), have a great break, and a lovely birthday bash with Sheila - will you stay connected or are you going to 'disappear' for a few days?

Kind regards,

Jock.

[Gwiwer]

 

 

Rick, I felt really upset whilst reading your post, telling us how badly you had been treated by a large number of people when it must have been obvious that you weren't personally responsible for the situation. Let's hope your next stint is less fraught! Sounds as if some sharper decision making higher up the management structure could have helped? We'll be thinking of you on tonight's shift.

 

Thank you Jock.

 

Some days are a challenge, some are a breeze.  There's a certain mentality, as most of us here would appreciate, which defines a "railway person" and I believe I fit into that.  Quite simply it's an attitude of "If you don't want to deal with this **** don't sign up for the job".  Those who do mostly deal with it in their stride.

 

The past few days have seen a most unfortunate series of coincidental events cause mayhem on one line.  One derailment disrupted a morning peak and a quick-fix was made.  Another derailment in the same spot required a complete relaying to take place (on a curve, up an embankment beside a river just to make it easy!) and enforced Thursday's shut-down.  Flipped pantographs are very rare on the railway.  They happen a few times a year on the tramways but this is the only one on the railways in the past few years that anyone can recall.  As the train was moving at around 40mph a lot of damage was done and a lot of double-track overhead had to be taken down and rebuilt.  Another day's blockade.  The customers have a point - it's been a very tough week for them.  Just as it has for us but while they make perhaps two trips a day we are here for between 4 and 8 hours answering the same questions thousands of times and dealing with anger and vented frustration continuously.

 

It's not a job anyone can cope with.  My training group of 14 was down to 13 before we were out of the classroom and a year later is down to 5 still in the job.  Four others have moved elsewhere within the organisation into non-customer-facing roles.  Four have left altogether.  The average customer might perceive us as standing doing nothing much.  In fact we have eyes and ears on safety and operation at all times, have a radio, a phone and a tablet to monitor for comms, have to respond to any potentially dangerous situation and are still expected to maintain a professional attitude even when faced with massive disruption and an angry mob.  If you can keep calm under that pressure you've earned your money.

[PhilJ W]

Still troubled by the sciatica but its getting better. I mentioned salt glazing earlier so just out of curiosity I Googled it. As I said its done by throwing salt into the kiln during the firing process. The sodium in the salt combines with the silica in the clay to form sodium silicate which forms the glaze. A wood burner however would not generate enough heat for the process to take place. Thats enough of my useless information for now. I've been listening to the information about the gravity waves that have just been detected, the figures are mind boggling. Two black holes combined creating the gravity waves, one was 30 times the mass of the sun and the other was 36 times the mass of the sun. they were travelling towards each other at one third of the speed of light but at the last moment that speed doubled so their combined speed was one and a third times the speed of light. What is even more remarkable is that this all took place within about one tenth of a second. Well thats enough of my ramblings for now, goodnight all. EDIT Jock, you wrote as I was typing this. Unfortunately there are not many painkillers that I can take that do not affect the blood pressure drug that I have to take. The only effective one that I can take is paracetamol, and you have to be very careful you don't take too much. As for morphine, my dad was offered it as he also had sciatica but he refused as I would also do. As I said it has eased a lot during the day so hopefully it will clear before the weekend is out.

Edited February 13, 2016 by PhilJ W