Running Bear's March 2026 Coffee Shop
- Thread starter bnsf971
- Start date
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chadbag
Well-Known Member
I've been trying to use the (basic level) paid ChatGPT (not the free one) and the basic level paid Google AI Pro (Gemini) to create an App icon. ChatGPT is a mess. I ask it to move stuff or scale stuff and it doesn't do it but changes other random things. Over and over. Geminis output was much better but I still struggle to get it to scale stuff and make internal strokes thinner. It keeps returning the same basic image as the output.
I finally got an icon I can deal with by taking the Gemini (Google) output and editing it by hand in Pixelmator Pro to make each locomotive 80% the size and re-spacing them. It will work for now. I also have a Black outline on white version and am working on versions that use other locomotives.
I finally got an icon I can deal with by taking the Gemini (Google) output and editing it by hand in Pixelmator Pro to make each locomotive 80% the size and re-spacing them. It will work for now. I also have a Black outline on white version and am working on versions that use other locomotives.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Retired NS Signal Construction Gang Signalman
Good morning Coffee Shop, it's Sunday! The temperature is 30°F (-1°C) and mostly cloudy here. 
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Rabbit Rabbit!
Well howdy there internet AI Bots and those who use them
It's Troy again, still afloat in the Atlantic somewhere
Heading toward the private island today. No, not THAT island.
While I enjoy cruising, this one has been about one day too long. I'm ready to head home, not spend another day on a beach I don't want to visit.
NCL has really dropped their entertainment since we began cruising in 2005. The quality of performers is fine, but they have dropped their song and dance troop. There's a vocal trio, and a Sax Musician headliner. The BIG show is Syd Norman's Brew Pub, which seats about 50... So they put the BIG show in the theatre last evening.
Theatre seats 784, and the early show about about 90+ filled. Single seats only, or those in the far left and far right. So only about 1/3rd of the boat got to see the pub band (very good musicians) do a live version of the Fleetwood Mac album. Between songs, they told what the band was going through in their personal lives, two couples breaking up, and Mick Fleetwood watching his dream band break up. The happiest breakup album ever. Each singer/song writer poured their emotions out on the score, and sang the lyrics AT their former partner.
There was only one problem with the show... They needed a good sound guy that understood the difference between Pub Pounding high octave sound, and Theatre sound.
That was a reading from the first minute of the show. My hearing aids have full dome cones on them, so I lose a db or two. Not real hearing protection for a 50 minute show. According the the NIOSH standards, that level of 100 db+ sustained puts them in the half-hour of exposure danger zone. We got an hour.
BUT wait, there's more.
The vocals were drowned out by the instruments, and the vocal channels had a warble. Both the wife and I noticed it.
I had my hearing aids turned almost off. One pip up from the bottom to get some of the mids and highs that I normally miss. Without that, the singers would have sounded like the Adults from a Charlie Brown cartoon.
If they'd asked me, I would have dropped the vocals by about 5 db, the instruments by 8 db to give the vocals a chance to be heard, and the drums by 10db. The drummer was good. No complaints, but even my wife had a tough time hearing the vocals with her soft ear plugs in. The drums stomped all over them.
If the soundies weren't anticipating hearing protection at that volume, they need to go back to sound school.
I actually went back to the cabin and listened to the album via my phone, just to hear what the show could have been. I want to give it a good listen at home with proper speakers and a comfortable sound level to hear what the artists intended.
Sorry NCL, and Syd Normans, this is a fail on getting a good show.
Well howdy there internet AI Bots and those who use them
It's Troy again, still afloat in the Atlantic somewhere
Heading toward the private island today. No, not THAT island.
While I enjoy cruising, this one has been about one day too long. I'm ready to head home, not spend another day on a beach I don't want to visit.
NCL has really dropped their entertainment since we began cruising in 2005. The quality of performers is fine, but they have dropped their song and dance troop. There's a vocal trio, and a Sax Musician headliner. The BIG show is Syd Norman's Brew Pub, which seats about 50... So they put the BIG show in the theatre last evening.
Theatre seats 784, and the early show about about 90+ filled. Single seats only, or those in the far left and far right. So only about 1/3rd of the boat got to see the pub band (very good musicians) do a live version of the Fleetwood Mac album. Between songs, they told what the band was going through in their personal lives, two couples breaking up, and Mick Fleetwood watching his dream band break up. The happiest breakup album ever. Each singer/song writer poured their emotions out on the score, and sang the lyrics AT their former partner.
There was only one problem with the show... They needed a good sound guy that understood the difference between Pub Pounding high octave sound, and Theatre sound.
That was a reading from the first minute of the show. My hearing aids have full dome cones on them, so I lose a db or two. Not real hearing protection for a 50 minute show. According the the NIOSH standards, that level of 100 db+ sustained puts them in the half-hour of exposure danger zone. We got an hour.
BUT wait, there's more.
The vocals were drowned out by the instruments, and the vocal channels had a warble. Both the wife and I noticed it.
I had my hearing aids turned almost off. One pip up from the bottom to get some of the mids and highs that I normally miss. Without that, the singers would have sounded like the Adults from a Charlie Brown cartoon.
If they'd asked me, I would have dropped the vocals by about 5 db, the instruments by 8 db to give the vocals a chance to be heard, and the drums by 10db. The drummer was good. No complaints, but even my wife had a tough time hearing the vocals with her soft ear plugs in. The drums stomped all over them.
If the soundies weren't anticipating hearing protection at that volume, they need to go back to sound school.
I actually went back to the cabin and listened to the album via my phone, just to hear what the show could have been. I want to give it a good listen at home with proper speakers and a comfortable sound level to hear what the artists intended.
Sorry NCL, and Syd Normans, this is a fail on getting a good show.
Last edited:
NYC_George
Well-Known Member
Anyone here use, USSA for their car / home insurance. My car insurance is all most as much as my new car payments. USSA is for military veterans and retirees. I thought I might try them and see if I can reduce my insurance payments. I am calling them on Monday to see how much I can save. If anyone here uses them let me know. Swal
Patrick
What, me worry?
Morning all,
37° and rain expected later. High today of 45°.
Headed to the out of town daughter's house where the son in law and I are going to do the brakes on my truck. Hopefully it's only pads and shoes, as the discs are a pain. Last truck got new discs even when I was told the old ones were fine. Rear brakes never got changed as they still had 60% at 125000 miles.
Everyone have a good day.
37° and rain expected later. High today of 45°.
Headed to the out of town daughter's house where the son in law and I are going to do the brakes on my truck. Hopefully it's only pads and shoes, as the discs are a pain. Last truck got new discs even when I was told the old ones were fine. Rear brakes never got changed as they still had 60% at 125000 miles.
Everyone have a good day.
NYC_George
Well-Known Member
Patrick I just had all new pads and discs put on my truck last year and I think for all 4 wheels it cost me $1,000.00. Swal
NYC_George
Well-Known Member
Patrick as far as it being 37 degrees where you are I've had 28 inches of snow in my yard for 2 weeks now and none of it hasn't melted one bit. I can't wait until it's all gone. It's been a tough winter here this year. Swal
RhB Michael
RhB Lokführer
Big change today at 30°F. A slushy mix is possible later this evening and early in the AM tomorrow. No word from Fedex on package movement. I'm waiting until tomorrow before contacting the police. I figured I would give them the weekend at least to get this package moving. So far nothing.
Welcome to March. I have several watches I have to advance that I have forgotten about over the last couple of months. I can't hardly see the date anyway so it's no big deal.
Have a great Sunday! Servus.
Welcome to March. I have several watches I have to advance that I have forgotten about over the last couple of months. I can't hardly see the date anyway so it's no big deal.
Have a great Sunday! Servus.
ctclibby
Well-Known Member
Good Morning All!
28F @ 68% clear. Has made ~50F the last few days.
@NYC_George: USAA is better than sliced bread. Think we pay ~$60/Mo for two vehicles - one full coverage. Give them a go as you will love it. There is always a human you can talk to, well after the menuing to direct you proper. These folks even call you back if you have a question they can not answer immediately. Problems/issues are fixed almost immediately if they happen. We have even gotten money back from them when they did an audit last year; maybe 2 years ago. It is almost like Maria loves calling them when she has questions or concerns. Think we have been with USAA since ~2005. Oh, we also use their bank. Debit cards have no fees used in any ATM's and transferring $$$ is a breeze. They are currently offering a free V/MC balance transfer, then 18% after a year on unpaid balance. Ya, we are good for the most part, usually no balance on V/MC but there are times....
Maria is a happy camper. She must have 100 Daffodils coming up, with a whole bunch of Tulips too. Got something like 4 of each last year even though she planted more than that - guess that they did not want to grow yet last spring. All the trees/bushes have buds and are getting that soft wood back.
Neighbor Brice has been stacking on our 'burn piles' and we now have 3 huge ones in the back acreage. We were pretty cleaned up last year, only a few limbs from the wind storm a couple months ago. Just waiting for April when it is legal to burn in these parts.
L8r
28F @ 68% clear. Has made ~50F the last few days.
@NYC_George: USAA is better than sliced bread. Think we pay ~$60/Mo for two vehicles - one full coverage. Give them a go as you will love it. There is always a human you can talk to, well after the menuing to direct you proper. These folks even call you back if you have a question they can not answer immediately. Problems/issues are fixed almost immediately if they happen. We have even gotten money back from them when they did an audit last year; maybe 2 years ago. It is almost like Maria loves calling them when she has questions or concerns. Think we have been with USAA since ~2005. Oh, we also use their bank. Debit cards have no fees used in any ATM's and transferring $$$ is a breeze. They are currently offering a free V/MC balance transfer, then 18% after a year on unpaid balance. Ya, we are good for the most part, usually no balance on V/MC but there are times....
Maria is a happy camper. She must have 100 Daffodils coming up, with a whole bunch of Tulips too. Got something like 4 of each last year even though she planted more than that - guess that they did not want to grow yet last spring. All the trees/bushes have buds and are getting that soft wood back.
Neighbor Brice has been stacking on our 'burn piles' and we now have 3 huge ones in the back acreage. We were pretty cleaned up last year, only a few limbs from the wind storm a couple months ago. Just waiting for April when it is legal to burn in these parts.
L8r
I think you mean USAA and I have been a member for almost 45 years. They may not be the least expensive, but their level of service has been superior. The 3x times I have needed to file an auto claim it was question free and processed fast. I have had one home owners claim and it was taken care of fast without any issues.
NYC_George
Well-Known Member
That's great news ctcibby. That's what I have 2 vehicles one full coverage and my house. I'll get started on that tomorrow. Swal
MilwRoader_Steve
Well-Known Member
Blessed Lord's Day to all!
Cool start at 15F, but the good news is that the forecast 1 - 3 inches did not materialize yesterday! Had a nice day celebrating, so did not get much train work done. But Friday I made good progress.
TTYL
Steve J
Cool start at 15F, but the good news is that the forecast 1 - 3 inches did not materialize yesterday! Had a nice day celebrating, so did not get much train work done. But Friday I made good progress.
TTYL
Steve J
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Good Morning All. Mostly cloudy and 59°. No change in our forecast with upper-70's and rain beginning Wednesday. NWS shows rain for a week so far but the forecast doesn't go any further than that.
Wife had left yesterday afternoon for another granddaughter dance recital in the Dallas area, so I am home alone. I think that it was in Allen, a far northern suburb that's actually probably closer to us than my granddaughter's home. She'll return today after church at daughter's church. Later today, I plan to get back to the garden, as there is supposed to be less wind today to blow my soil to the next county.
I did get some time in out in the train shed yesterday. Added a couple more trees to the back side of the classic tractor sales lot, and switched up and removed some of the original tractors.
Area to the right of the office is going to be taken up by a business sign once I get it made. I had another antique tractor that I added.
Over at the workbench, I finished adding all of the small parts to the Fordson tractor that will be included when done.
That clutch pedal was not easy! I lost it on the bench twice! Currently I am painting the wheels prior to attaching them, and the whole tractor needs to be painted.
TomO - Sorry to read that the sister saga is still dragging on. My opinion doesn't count, especially in family-related matters, but I'd have told her to go take a hike back in the inheritance days.
Hughie - I have gotten real good about determining which "peel & stick" pieces really require glue on Bar Mills and other laser-cut wood structures. Mostly window frames.
Swal - My only experience with USAA is when one of their customers rear-ended us in October 2024, while we were on vacation in Gulf Shores. They settled up quickly and fairly with both us and our insurance company who had paid some initial expenses for a rental and Uber. They paid us a bit over $50K total with no issues. Wife did not take their first "pain & suffering" offer, and they sweetened up the deal.
Everyone have a great Sunday.
Wife had left yesterday afternoon for another granddaughter dance recital in the Dallas area, so I am home alone. I think that it was in Allen, a far northern suburb that's actually probably closer to us than my granddaughter's home. She'll return today after church at daughter's church. Later today, I plan to get back to the garden, as there is supposed to be less wind today to blow my soil to the next county.
I did get some time in out in the train shed yesterday. Added a couple more trees to the back side of the classic tractor sales lot, and switched up and removed some of the original tractors.
Area to the right of the office is going to be taken up by a business sign once I get it made. I had another antique tractor that I added.
Over at the workbench, I finished adding all of the small parts to the Fordson tractor that will be included when done.
That clutch pedal was not easy! I lost it on the bench twice! Currently I am painting the wheels prior to attaching them, and the whole tractor needs to be painted.
TomO - Sorry to read that the sister saga is still dragging on. My opinion doesn't count, especially in family-related matters, but I'd have told her to go take a hike back in the inheritance days.
Hughie - I have gotten real good about determining which "peel & stick" pieces really require glue on Bar Mills and other laser-cut wood structures. Mostly window frames.
Swal - My only experience with USAA is when one of their customers rear-ended us in October 2024, while we were on vacation in Gulf Shores. They settled up quickly and fairly with both us and our insurance company who had paid some initial expenses for a rental and Uber. They paid us a bit over $50K total with no issues. Wife did not take their first "pain & suffering" offer, and they sweetened up the deal.
Everyone have a great Sunday.
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