Ian Abel

Morning -2 and had 2 1/2 pitiful inches of snow but caused the folks here to forget how to drive in this weather, we HAVE had about 4 days of fairly decent weather remember ALERT - to quote Douglas Adams "Don't PANIC"!!!!! We had our contractor over last night, and he's expecting to be able to start on the kitchen NEXT WEEK, maybe as early as MONDAY!!!!! There goes any sensible modelling this weekend (probably - I may have to get up at 4AM...) - be prepping the kitchen and moving all manner of stuff, AND visiting IKEA again On a really bright note - finished my Scalescenes Water Tower last night - less weathering and adding lighting, here we go; Actually looks somewhat better without the flash from the cell phone camera. It's a much nicer brick colour in person.

Morning - -2 and already had a light dusting of snow. We're in line for another 3-6 inches of the stuff today/tonight/tomorrow morning... they can't quite make up their minds when (or IF) it'll actually hit us. Originally they'd said it'd hit 10C by Thursday, that's now been revised down to 4 "if we're lucky". Have our contractor over this evening, that's when I'll find out when to shift into PANIC mode - every chance he may be able to start on our kitchen by Monday or Tuesday Brief amount of time to do some more on the Water Tower last night, getting close to having a picture or two - maybe by the morning... Now back to our regularly scheduled programming (java this time)

Morning all... with the weather-watchers reporting/complaining that (even after the winter we just had!!!) this is one of the least snowy March on record, we're now at -3 with a rain/sleet mix that's supposed to turn to snow later. Not likely much in total, but "enough" to make the roads a mess/hazardous briefly. Pete - Lake Placid is a very nice area for sure and I'm glad they aren't complaining like all the ski/winter activity resorts are doing here - another "news report" yesterday acknowledged that even though we have a billion inches of snow, get this, it has been TOO COLD for the resorts which has kept people away and they haven't made as much as they wanted to - you can never please some people, sheesh!! Last year all they did was piss-and-moan that there was no snow <ggrrr>> Love the car Gordon, pity it's not in my budget Mrs would probably wobble on about a convertable being the wrong thing for our climate too <sigh> No "bad dentist" reports here. I used to hate them, no real reason other than NHS experiences in the 50's-60s, then arriving here was pointed in the direction of Mrs friend, who was excellent (finally retired a couple of years back) - the practise he founded is still a great place to go. I feel for anyone who had bad experiences, I still shiver when I have to go, but have a decent track-record thankfully. Sunday saw some good modelling time - slow progress though as I'm building both an Engine Shed and Water Tower by Scalescenes. Lots of cutting of card etc., but I find it actually quite relaxing and theraputic. I like the detail even though they are card models, and generally do some minor customizations for size etc, so was fun. Also managed some DIY stuff too - second floor bathroom needed the baseboard trim work completing - three different types of moulding to cut - polished that off for the most part... Welcome to Monday I guess got to get working again for five days...

Morning - somehow back to -9 today (possible high -5!), but sunny and continuing to erode all the snow, I can actually see some of the grass we used to have! Mrs is working today so I've the day to model and a few minor chores - will report on the progress later... Have a great Sunday all

Late afternoon already here and -2 but feels nicer somehow... As expected/predicted - though NOT to IKEA for kitchen related purchses - headed out early for a "quick" look at paint at the big box "Home Depot" orange plague that infests all of the US - good stores but huge and overpowering often. The paint is for the study, simple enough, right? Well, we've got about a million paint samples to select from/compare From there was downhill as we then ended up stopping at myriad places for all many of comestibles and consumables from something for dinner tonight (roast chicken), to replenishing the gin supply and a quick diversion to get a gift for a young friends' birthday... I did manage a minor modelling "stop", into another major chain here "Office Max", to get the windows printed for my Scalescenes Engine Shed and Water Tower. Then, as I've been tasked with making dinner Sunday, created my locally famous (about 100 feet radius of the house) spaghetti sauce, that finished off the early afternoon too. Going to do a little modelling now, working on the Engine Shed next, just need to make sure I'm careful with the x-acto knife - usually narrowly avoid severing a limb or too! Blimey, everyone in the UK is probably thinking about heading to bed already - that's what I get for letting the days overtake me at the weekend

Superb, it's POETS day, this week, for no particular reason, I'm very glad it's here... +3, overcast but supposed to become party sunny, we'll apparently not get above zero all weekend, garnering a quick cold snap (that's what they call it!!) from Canada for two days just in time for the weekend. Time you read this of course, most of you UK-residing lucky sods will be WELL on your way to easing up for the impending two days of relaxation/flurry of odd-jobs/panic-of-todo-items, depending on your luck and situation Choir sang at a funeral last night, quite touching, guy was only 49 and in great health until some aggressive big-C got him, always amazes me how easily we can slip away <sigh> - he'd only joined our choir last autumn, just a couple of weeks before he discovered the illness... So here we go again - looking forward to a full weekend of modelling, BUT, 'twas revealed last night that or contractor "can probably start in a couple of weeks..." on the kitchen remodel, so I'm probably going to be pressed into an IKEA trip to finalize their stuff and see what the availibility of it all is - not sure I expect to get out of there in under a couple of hours - if I'm lucky!! OK, back to work - the client with all the already large backlog of SQL development has two new "urgent" requests they need addressing that take priority it seems.

Excellent - then I'm just 45 - the Mrs WILL be pleased! Sleep well ERs - still +7 here at 10:30PM

Curious as always when they issue that visibility, how do they KNOW as they obviously can't even see their radar/PC screens due to the STATED visibility, that they weren't suddenly struck blind?? Confess I was curious yesterday when I read the post, then thought, "...who am I to question fellow travellers...", even though you were seemingly installing telegraph poles rather than fence posts at that diameter! Glad you/we have it sorted now So it's 9 o'clock on a Thursday, the regular crowd shuffles in...and it's -3 and sunny heading for 8 by midday, and I think I'm already for a gin... (with desperate apologies to BIlly Joel!) With everyone starting to wax lyrical about flowers etc., I thought I'd share our "mid-west" interpretation of spring arriving after the long hard winter... Picture if you will, a calm pleasant late evening (last night), an older couple (me and the Mrs) look out the front window, and there, in the dark of night we see it emerging - the first landscape light of spring has risen from the snow, and having received ample sunlight all yesterday - solar powered, as are all the daffodils YOU lot are seeing - it's shining away in all its majesty. Spring has arrived We eagerly await all it's friends that will finally emerge from their winter hibernation and once again illuminate the path from the front door to the street With that, back to working on SQL scripts and sundry other tehcnological clap-trap for a couple of clients...

Well, in fairness, Hornby also maintain they know what they're doing... get's hat and coat and looks for door Thanks to all for the details regarding a potential BR green variety - being a newbie/not done appropriate research, I wasn't sure, and now it's cleared up. BR maroon will be fine

Similar idea here - I recently obtained a Wrenn version as it was a great price (love folks on eBay in the US selling UK models with almost no-one interested/bidding!), but as nice as it is I will probably sell it on (anyone interested - BR blue mint but no box!) when this one arrives - wish they had a BR/SR green version though, have to be content with the BR maroon I guess. Not sure I'd DARE to try and repaint it.

Very cool - already pre-ordered the BR Maroon moments ago as as a result of this post, Andy, thanks for the heads up... I even emailed them a question and they replied via email in about 2 minutes! Never had that excellent a response so quickly, even from my family !!!!!

Good humpday - possibly, we live in hope (well, actually I live in the US - har har) About -8 here this morning, bright sun and headed for positive numbers again - blimey it's a mess out there, but at least we are free from snow storms in the forseeable future (5 days weatherman speak). Chicago, 6+ hours drive SE of me is in for a 6-8 inches of snow apparently, rather them than me now, definately about at the end of my rope winter-wise! Wednseday being "drive into the office day" I dutifully did so - going to be pretty quiet here by all accounts, so I may get a reasonable amount of work accomplished. Sorry to hear about the man flu ERs are starting to contract - I disenfected my laptop in case More track-laying last night two of the engine shed roads down, all 4 approach roads to the turntable complete, connected and surprise, surprise WORKING - YAY!! QUestion for ER - I saw Tony post a couple of layout pics (which I liked seeing), is it OK to do that in here, wasn't sure of the protocol and wouldn't mind posting occasionally as well as in my layout thread, but would hate to incur the wrath of ER members being a relative newbie?? OK, where's all that SQL crap code I'm supposed to get working for the client...I know it's here somewhere...

Good morning from a now WET, getting WETTER, Minneapolis. I can confirm we've officially entered our next "season" here, notably POTHOLE SEASON. Even in average years, potholes are a real issue here after so much frozen ground beneath roads and the use of plows and chemicals to remove all the ice and snow - result POTHOLES! They're starting to sprout everywhere now after the severe winter, with the attendant reports of wrecked suspension and steering, and the crews gearing up to work overtime fixing them all fast as they can! It's +3, overcast, gloomy and light rain here right now and last night around 10PM was still +4 - go figure, quite a change from the past few months, but typical for here. Going to be messy for weeks I'm sure. Glad I don't have significant BiL/SiL issues - mine (her sister and BiL) on the Mrs side are a bit of a pain/control freak level, but we just let them get on with managing MiL affairs and they aren't malevolent, just way too pushy with Mil, who herself gets annoyed with them (and complains to US about it but never them), BUT, not my problem and easy to avoid. For DD, my best wishes that it doesn't give you too much anguish that it affects your health, take care of yourself first if possible. Pushing ahead with more track-laying last night as Mrs was at one of her book clubs (wine tasting clubs??). Got two more approach roads to the turntable/engine shed down, and felt it was a worthy accomplishment

If anyone has a CLUE as to what you'll actually end up with on this one I'd be surprised; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-DUBLO-SR-SCHOOLS-CLASS-OO-GUAGE-ENGINE-NO-48073-TENDER-ALL-BOXED-/121290860906?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item1c3d7fa96a#ht_663wt_1231 You appear to be getting TWO locos - neither is a Schools, even though the WILLS BOX is for one! "Both Black", um, OK?? <baffled>

Ahhh (or is that arrrghhhh) Monday morning. We're now heading in the right direction according to the weather-W*a*n*k*e*r*s. +2 right now, bright sun and calm, was about that all yesterday and moving between 0 and 6 this week. Plenty of slush and mess all over the roads, using windscreen washer by the tanker full, BUT I can actually SEE the real path, not an ice simulation, from the front door to the street! Yesterday was destined to be modelling paradise - Mrs was going to be spending the day with great-niece, and I, after choir, intended a quick stop at the model shop for rail-joiners, suitcase connectors and miscellaneous other items, was planning on track-laying for simply HOURS and HOURS... You guessed it - didn't happen <sigh>. Great-niece had to cancel, Mrs came to late service and we then headed for Brunch with some friends. Was an EXCELLENT time (even though it killed my modelling), and THEN, Mrs decided we needed to go to an appliance warehouse "blowout" sale to look for suspects for the kitchen remodel. Net result, after leaving for church at 7:15AM to sing, returned home after all the activities at 4:45! Just in time for dinner with our son. I DID spend a short amount of time Saturday and Sunday evening track-laying and am pleased to announce that at least I now have a COMPLETE single-track circuit of the roundy-round portion completed AND WORKING!!! Starting to run-in all the locos - that's progress at least :)

Martin, Whilst I agree with all your suggestions, and think they are quite interesting, creative and well worth pursuing, I'd suggest item #4 is somewhat a non-starter "ONLY" because I am over-here in the US, and in Minneapolis we have a light-rail network as well as mainline trains. Frankly, folks ignore even the LOUDEST alarm bells much of the time and even with the light rail which one could suggest is somewhat less dangerous than mainline, we've had dozens of instances of folks going around the barriers and being hit (some sadly killed) even with all the associated pandemonium of half-barrires, lights and bells. Some folks simply "know better" and without a full barrier will constantly attempt to beat/outrun the trains no matter what is suggesting the do otherwise! <sigh>.

Well, early start here, but no time to post - had to run a couple of errands with my son as he had dropped his car off for service - aren't dads great (and mums too, but she elected to sleep in!!). Alarmingly, it seems and feels quite nice here as it's ONLY -4 but bright sun and no wind. It's rather stupid to think that I can go out in this weather only with a heavy sweater on and it feels quite comfortable, given the diabolic cold we've experienced this year. No snow in the forcast for us FINALLY, Pete, hope yours doesn't really amount to much in the end. Of course it's STILL taking an age to start any serious thawing here even with the sun beating down on everything. The houses in view out our windows still have at least 12" of snow on the roofs, and the lawn - if it still exists - is still covered with over two feet of snow. It IS slowly disappearing though... My birthday present arrived yesterday and the decoder today, so I'm off to do some modelling and run my new Bachmann 3MT tank, my station pilot around what track is up. Think I'll take the laptop to the basement and monitor (read - fart around and post instead of serious modelling) RM etc., for a while

Late morning - +1 and haze, whooppee. going to be +5 to +7 next couple of days. Expecting some serious tawing here, AND we'll be using thousands of gallons of washer fluid to allow us to see whilst driving - always a bonus! Learning about our company revised benefits plan(s) as a result of Affordable care etc., changes here. Wonderfully, older folks get to may much higher premiums than they did before, aren't I lucky! Nice to see the weekend approaching - enjoy it everyone.

Wait!!! There's GROUND under this stuff? Who knew

Good morning all, -9 and sunny, headed for +1 and we're supposed to be PLUS "something" for the next few days - the thaw will start, and already folks are reporting ice dams on roofs! Major issue here with all that snow and then a thaw with overnight freezing temps. We get flooding from the top down! I'm a one-cup-of-tea-in-the-morning now, and coffee (one) at the weekends. In my yoof (well really in my 30s) I used to drink gallons of bad coffee all day, being in software deveopment and the associated companies and company kept, it used to be you'd have a coffee cup permanently grafted to one hand, always full, continually being drained. After a few "issues" the doctor kindly explained that the gastro-intestinal system of humans isn't designed for the gallons of the crap I was ingesting and to "do myself a favour....". Stopped the eternal coffee, felt MUCH better, and now just one cup of "something" followed by liberal amount of water for the balance of the day - it's OK after you get used to it...honest it is, no HONESTLY!!! Long Ash Wednesday service for the choir last night, very worthwhile as what we sung was all excellent, but little time for anything else. I DID however get enough time to find my short circuit problem - some COMPLETE IDIOT had installed the last point (electrofrog) in a batch without completing the DCC setup by clipping the tiny little wires connectors to the frog - if I ever find him, I'll give him a piece of my mind, that's for sure!!! Ooooo, just found him bet it won' t be the last time I make that mistake <sigh>

Evening here so I thought I'd get a head start on your ER folks as you'll be here long before I am again... I wanted to share a song that two of the local artists performed at our concert Sunday night. A lovely female singer Sophia Shorai and keyboardist Tommy Barbarella perform together and also have a great CD of standard with her vocals and his piano... Anyway they performed this moving number and in response to requests (as they haven't recorded it themselves YET) pointed us to their favourite performer/rendition. I give you Jessie WInchester singing Sham-A-Ling-D-ong-Ding - I hope it will brighten your day and move you - Happy Thursday

Whilst I don't know a lot aout the "true" value of some Wrenn items, I have purchased a few at good prices (read CHEAP), and I'm not sure if this one is "madness" or not. I'll have to leave that up to RM folks to decide. For me it seems a pretty mad price, and there were no takers as is seen... http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-WRENN-W5007A-GEEST-BANANA-VAN-NEW-BOXED-/171249170137?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=isq4ZOkQNXO3rU02B10l178NmfQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_444wt_1186

Have to agree re: the N15 and Q1. Mine, shown below, haven't had "anything" done to them, and I think both are remarkable, excellent smooth, slow, quiet running. The same quality of looks and performance are what'd I'd hope for in all the locos I'd wish to buy.

Looking really good dt - oh, DO get the EMT folks over to help the guy who had a cardiac arrest whilst reading the paper, there's a good chap

Sorry to hear about Aditi and the management/holiday issues - I've run into similar sutuations in the way past, they're never a fun exercise. Thankfully, the company I work for now is a small/private one that values employees and they show it. I'm amazed that higher education doesn't see itself as a more compassionate environment than it seems to portray - my best wishes and thanks to everyone in education, it's the future of the world they are moulding! On car electrics; Never had an Italian job (pun intended), so no personal comment, but a buddy had an older Lambo years ago, and always said the most important thing you needed if you owned one, was a chauffeur in a backup car following you everywhere you went most all his issues were electrics! Here in the US - I'm sure Pete and other have heard the same - ANY british car, most notably older MG/Jag etc. but even newer/new Range Rovers, are panned by the locals as having dreadful electrics, and they all think Lucas is a nightmare. My only personal experiences with an MBG and an E-type, were that I never had/saw electrics issues and in fact the cars were quite enjoyable. I did have a rental Peugeot in Spain once, and whilst I'd always tended to avoid them, it was excellent (luck??). On weather (why do I bother)!!; Things are looking up, driving in today we had clear skies, sun and it's only -10 headed for -6. Tomorrow, WAIT FOR IT, they're threatening +1 or +2 and by early next week as much as +5 and some moderate thawing. On choral activities; Ash Wednesday becons and the choir sing at a service tonight 7PM, rehearse tomorrow at 7PM, and sing at TWO services this Sunday 9AM and 11AM - busy schedule... On modelling: A very big "SOD IT ALL and B*U*G*G*E*R" - had some time last night so started connecting up some droppers to the last very LONG bus I ran, NOW have a short somewhere Live long and prosper - and if you can't do that have a bloody good time whilst you can, none of us get out of this alive <sigh> Teas all round the canteen - (to quote a plod from "The Good Life")...