santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
i am enjoying seeing a part of the world that I will never have a chance to visit.
Running Bear's December 2022 Coffee Shop
- Thread starter Chrιstιaη
- Start date
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I’ve always liked the Hungarian Hot Paprika and used to have some. I‘love have to order more now that you mention it.
I wasn’t thinking of stopping, despite the apology. Just doing the Japanese thing or maybe pretending to be Canadian. Apologizing before you do it let’s people forgive you
So its almost 10pm and 41F on Odaiba in Tokyo Bay.
After the McDonald’s, as I said we went looking for the Gachapon store we always stop at, getting side tracked on the way by the game (claw machine) arcade. My kids didn’t believe I remembered where it was at and my son was saying it was on the side of the street we were on and I said no, we needed to cross the street and it was a block or 3 down the street on the other side (actually right around the corner in a side street) with a “maid cafe” across the side street from it (or at least a bunch of signs for one). My son had used the Maps app and typed it in in Japanese and ended up finding some other store dealing in Gachapon. But the one we were headed to is the “Mecca” of gachapon stores with over 500 machines including ones containing ”toys” not found in most other places as well as some older ones. Lots of variety.
What is a Gachapon (also spelled Gashapon)? It is a capsule toy. You know those annoying machines in the grocery store with crappy toys in plastic capsule you have to put a buck in? That sort of thing, but they are 10000% better here and are a kind of national obsession. The actual machines are real good quality high volume machines (I’ve seen a couple Japanese style machines at some arcades in the US but not really a US thing). The toys inside are usually to notch can span anything from cars, motorcycles, trains, boots, furniture, fire escapes, attaché cases, to anime and manga characters, to Star Wars or other western Hollywood figures, to nature items and animals (sometime natural, and sometimes in funny anthropomorphic poses, to totally wacky made up things (like green animals with guns or bombs on their back reminiscent of the old green army men with a twist). Also historical figures and stuff. Basically anything and everything you can think of plus about 10000 you can’t.
Most of them are between 200-500 yen (currently about 137 yen to the dollar at the international rate which is around 132-133 if you use your CC to buy stuff [not gachapon though — cash only] or use your ATM debit card to get cash — probably 5 yen per dollar less than that or more less for cash exchange. They have a new premier line from one company with bigger and better quality things for 600-1500 yen but that is a bit steep for me. Would have to be a really cool one to pay that price. I got 8 today, mostly 400-500 but a couple 300 yen ones. This was the fewest number I’ve bought ever at this store though I will probably get a few at other places. Sometimes a local tourist place (museum or location) will have custom items for that location, and sometimes I’ll get something. And I might find a few at other places that are interesting.
Anyway, here are they ones I got. I’ve gotten a bunch of frog type things in the past so I got a few more. The green ninja cat came with a mask you can attach to its face.
And this is a view of the shop, showing the capsule machines. They had a ”no photography” policy in the store, so I just took these pics from the street.
Keep up the dialog.
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- Status
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Good morning from a cold start to a Wisconsin day 0f degrees feeling like 0 per the weather app. Last minute late Saturday evening decision saw us for the second time in 9 days back in Racine, Wi. Terry wanted to see her friend we saw just 9 days ago, so we left early Sunday morning.
She got out, I said hi and then I drove off. Headed to Kenosha about 20 minutes away per Mapz to a train swap meet. Started at 9 and ended at 11 and is also scheduled for Jan., Feb., and March. Thought I would check it out to see if I could sell stuff there in the coming months. Big resounding No to that. I am 70, I believe I was the youngest there, especially of the sellers. Some N, some large scale, some Lionel, lots of HO blue box, AHM, Concor all stuff I had gotten rid of or never wanted new. Really, no issue with that. The Swap Meet was not well attended but those that were there were living in the past. Vendors talking to customers about the demise of model railroading, the expense, nobody can build anything… I looked at every vendor table. I was back at Terry’s friend’s house in under 90 minutes from the driver switching time.
Terry went to help her friend put up the tree. They got it upstairs from the basement. I was able to safely put it together since I was there. I fluffed out the branches and they did the rest. Lights, 300 sentimental ornaments and real tinsel.
1st time I drove since the Monday before Thanksgiving when I fell on the ice and blew out the knee. I did try a ATV for under 10 minutes but this was real driving of a car. From home to Racine and then back home though Terry did drive. I used the paddle shifters in Terry’s SUV to save stress on the knee for the short trip to the swap meet and back.
Terry now is with her horses. The packaging service folks for the move are supposed to be here at 7. I have a bet with Terry. I say within 30 minutes of 7AM they will show up. She said after 8. This this is a family site so the bet will not be described. Hey we maybe in our seventies now but the fun is still there, just not as often!
There are supposed to be 4 people and a team lead and the sales person said they should be done by 1. I have the cash for tips and 5 gift cards to Culvers for them. So, I am ready for them. I will be out in the garage finishing up details on the paper mill build. The owner was coming last night as he drove through the area but called Saturday and asked to switch to today. Yep, and it allowed me the chance to head out Sunday with Terry when her and Pat decided Terry would come out to help her.
Tuesday at 7AM, I have an appointment with the Orthopedic doctor. I am thinking of hiring bodyguards for protection in the Clinic’s reception hall. Terry says I will be fine with her! Enjoy your day
the culprit, as seen previously
She got out, I said hi and then I drove off. Headed to Kenosha about 20 minutes away per Mapz to a train swap meet. Started at 9 and ended at 11 and is also scheduled for Jan., Feb., and March. Thought I would check it out to see if I could sell stuff there in the coming months. Big resounding No to that. I am 70, I believe I was the youngest there, especially of the sellers. Some N, some large scale, some Lionel, lots of HO blue box, AHM, Concor all stuff I had gotten rid of or never wanted new. Really, no issue with that. The Swap Meet was not well attended but those that were there were living in the past. Vendors talking to customers about the demise of model railroading, the expense, nobody can build anything… I looked at every vendor table. I was back at Terry’s friend’s house in under 90 minutes from the driver switching time.
Terry went to help her friend put up the tree. They got it upstairs from the basement. I was able to safely put it together since I was there. I fluffed out the branches and they did the rest. Lights, 300 sentimental ornaments and real tinsel.
1st time I drove since the Monday before Thanksgiving when I fell on the ice and blew out the knee. I did try a ATV for under 10 minutes but this was real driving of a car. From home to Racine and then back home though Terry did drive. I used the paddle shifters in Terry’s SUV to save stress on the knee for the short trip to the swap meet and back.
Terry now is with her horses. The packaging service folks for the move are supposed to be here at 7. I have a bet with Terry. I say within 30 minutes of 7AM they will show up. She said after 8. This this is a family site so the bet will not be described. Hey we maybe in our seventies now but the fun is still there, just not as often!
There are supposed to be 4 people and a team lead and the sales person said they should be done by 1. I have the cash for tips and 5 gift cards to Culvers for them. So, I am ready for them. I will be out in the garage finishing up details on the paper mill build. The owner was coming last night as he drove through the area but called Saturday and asked to switch to today. Yep, and it allowed me the chance to head out Sunday with Terry when her and Pat decided Terry would come out to help her.
Tuesday at 7AM, I have an appointment with the Orthopedic doctor. I am thinking of hiring bodyguards for protection in the Clinic’s reception hall. Terry says I will be fine with her! Enjoy your day
the culprit, as seen previously
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chadbag
Well-Known Member
I’ve always liked the Hungarian Hot Paprika and used to have some. I‘love have to order more now that you mention it.
BigGRacing
Aka. Gary Russell
Good morning all, nothing new to report; but I wanted to say hello to everyone. I didn't do any building but just ran my trains yesterday, the best part was that my son came down and enjoyed setting up the new shay and log cars. Still debating over an elevated figure 8 waterwings layout or keeping everything flat. I just dont know.....
or this one; I am hesitant to have y section with DCC if I install it, do not want any shorts.....
Would love to hear everyone's thoughts.
or this one; I am hesitant to have y section with DCC if I install it, do not want any shorts.....
Would love to hear everyone's thoughts.
Patrick
What, me worry?
Morning all,
I spent 3 hours yesterday working on the little switcher. Got the wheels finished up, gears lubed and then I got fooled. Seems I needed to relocate the coupler boxes up so the coupler heights kind of match so I could actually use the engine. While the base is now heavily modified, I was able to not have to modify the shell. At this point it catches 3/4 of the coupler on the test block I have. I ended up with 2 of the Kadee coupler height machines (the ones that sit on the track). I figure it is good enough especially since I don't expect it to really get much use. I don't understand why the coupler boxes are so much lower set for the old hook\horn than the knuckle couplers. I also figured out how to reattach the little spring on the coupler as well. I have yet to make the mods to the shell that need to be made. Otherwise I didn't accomplish anything of any real consideration. The little engine is a runner though.
Supposed to get a mix on precip this morning, but temps are already above freezing, so anything we get won't last, but really expecting some nasty stuff on Thursday. Not so much by volume, but high winds and blowing of whatever we get. We'll see.
Have a meeting in Wichita this afternoon I really don't want to attend. Some more security BS, which I know the bad guys are out there, I just see a ton more work to do. We are actually ahead of most of the rest of the local area government bodies. But as always, more to do...
BBL
I spent 3 hours yesterday working on the little switcher. Got the wheels finished up, gears lubed and then I got fooled. Seems I needed to relocate the coupler boxes up so the coupler heights kind of match so I could actually use the engine. While the base is now heavily modified, I was able to not have to modify the shell. At this point it catches 3/4 of the coupler on the test block I have. I ended up with 2 of the Kadee coupler height machines (the ones that sit on the track). I figure it is good enough especially since I don't expect it to really get much use. I don't understand why the coupler boxes are so much lower set for the old hook\horn than the knuckle couplers. I also figured out how to reattach the little spring on the coupler as well. I have yet to make the mods to the shell that need to be made. Otherwise I didn't accomplish anything of any real consideration. The little engine is a runner though.
Supposed to get a mix on precip this morning, but temps are already above freezing, so anything we get won't last, but really expecting some nasty stuff on Thursday. Not so much by volume, but high winds and blowing of whatever we get. We'll see.
Have a meeting in Wichita this afternoon I really don't want to attend. Some more security BS, which I know the bad guys are out there, I just see a ton more work to do. We are actually ahead of most of the rest of the local area government bodies. But as always, more to do...
BBL
chadbag
Well-Known Member
I wasn’t thinking of stopping, despite the apology. Just doing the Japanese thing or maybe pretending to be Canadian. Apologizing before you do it let’s people forgive you
So its almost 10pm and 41F on Odaiba in Tokyo Bay.
After the McDonald’s, as I said we went looking for the Gachapon store we always stop at, getting side tracked on the way by the game (claw machine) arcade. My kids didn’t believe I remembered where it was at and my son was saying it was on the side of the street we were on and I said no, we needed to cross the street and it was a block or 3 down the street on the other side (actually right around the corner in a side street) with a “maid cafe” across the side street from it (or at least a bunch of signs for one). My son had used the Maps app and typed it in in Japanese and ended up finding some other store dealing in Gachapon. But the one we were headed to is the “Mecca” of gachapon stores with over 500 machines including ones containing ”toys” not found in most other places as well as some older ones. Lots of variety.
What is a Gachapon (also spelled Gashapon)? It is a capsule toy. You know those annoying machines in the grocery store with crappy toys in plastic capsule you have to put a buck in? That sort of thing, but they are 10000% better here and are a kind of national obsession. The actual machines are real good quality high volume machines (I’ve seen a couple Japanese style machines at some arcades in the US but not really a US thing). The toys inside are usually to notch can span anything from cars, motorcycles, trains, boots, furniture, fire escapes, attaché cases, to anime and manga characters, to Star Wars or other western Hollywood figures, to nature items and animals (sometime natural, and sometimes in funny anthropomorphic poses, to totally wacky made up things (like green animals with guns or bombs on their back reminiscent of the old green army men with a twist). Also historical figures and stuff. Basically anything and everything you can think of plus about 10000 you can’t.
Most of them are between 200-500 yen (currently about 137 yen to the dollar at the international rate which is around 132-133 if you use your CC to buy stuff [not gachapon though — cash only] or use your ATM debit card to get cash — probably 5 yen per dollar less than that or more less for cash exchange. They have a new premier line from one company with bigger and better quality things for 600-1500 yen but that is a bit steep for me. Would have to be a really cool one to pay that price. I got 8 today, mostly 400-500 but a couple 300 yen ones. This was the fewest number I’ve bought ever at this store though I will probably get a few at other places. Sometimes a local tourist place (museum or location) will have custom items for that location, and sometimes I’ll get something. And I might find a few at other places that are interesting.
Anyway, here are they ones I got. I’ve gotten a bunch of frog type things in the past so I got a few more. The green ninja cat came with a mask you can attach to its face.
And this is a view of the shop, showing the capsule machines. They had a ”no photography” policy in the store, so I just took these pics from the street.
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Patrick - Have you considered using Kadee Underset Couplers??? #27 or #147 whisker ones might work.
D&J RailRoad
Professor of HO
I thought the diner was for just casual comments kind of stuff.
That's why I start threads elsewhere when I have something of detail to post about or numerous pictures to fully illustrate what I'm doin.
On the other hand, if we want to load the diner up with documentaries and albums full of pictures, I can do that too. Ya'all prolly won't like it though.
That's why I start threads elsewhere when I have something of detail to post about or numerous pictures to fully illustrate what I'm doin.
On the other hand, if we want to load the diner up with documentaries and albums full of pictures, I can do that too. Ya'all prolly won't like it though.
chadbag
Well-Known Member
After the gachapon shop we walked back towards the station but my daughter wanted to buy a stuffed animal at Yodobashi Camera, and I needed to get a few small items to get the total over ¥5000 or ¥5500 minimum to do the “tax free” service, which saves you the 10% sales tax. They check your passports, input your immigration entry stamp number into a computer which matches it to the government database. But then they ring stuff up without the tax and give you a special receipt you have to give to the customs service at the airport on t he way to the plane. This time they did not have the 5% off for tourists using Visa plus tax free like they did last time (though another store I wants to go to to get train stuff in Osaka seems to still do both!!) but the 10% tax off is a good deal.
I added 4 boxes of N-scale containers (Japanese standards though 2 are actual 20’ ISO for going international from Japan) to get a bit over the limit (to make sure even after tax free we are over the limit as I am not sure how they measure it and because it was an excuse to get a few containers — Japanese containers are very addictive — I may or may not already have a few of some of these but you can never have to many — or too many of the KoKi flat cars for them). At the last minute my son wanted to buy a small stuffed animal (don’t ask) so he actually got us close to the limit without my stuff but they had already pulled my stuff and had it at the register, so I couldn’t cancel it could I?
As I mentioned earlier, this store had a ton of stuff for modelers. Tools and supplies. This is just a small selection from the outer wall of the section. They had a lot of shorter aisles with stuff.
I added 4 boxes of N-scale containers (Japanese standards though 2 are actual 20’ ISO for going international from Japan) to get a bit over the limit (to make sure even after tax free we are over the limit as I am not sure how they measure it and because it was an excuse to get a few containers — Japanese containers are very addictive — I may or may not already have a few of some of these but you can never have to many — or too many of the KoKi flat cars for them). At the last minute my son wanted to buy a small stuffed animal (don’t ask) so he actually got us close to the limit without my stuff but they had already pulled my stuff and had it at the register, so I couldn’t cancel it could I?
As I mentioned earlier, this store had a ton of stuff for modelers. Tools and supplies. This is just a small selection from the outer wall of the section. They had a lot of shorter aisles with stuff.
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chadbag
Well-Known Member
The wife didn’t go with us to Akihabara. She had a friend who lives about an hour from here out in Chiba and we had not seen them for a bunch of years so she had arranged to be met at the hotel by her friend for lunch. They ended up talking for several hours and missed the lunch hour and had to wait until the restaurants started opening for supper…
After our purchases she wanted to know when we were coming back, as her friend had left about 30 min before and she was tired of waiting for us in the hotel lobby. (We had left our luggage there earlier as we were before check-in time) and we told her we were on our way. We took the Yamanote line (The line that runs on the Tokyo loop all the way around Tokyo area) back to Shimbashi and then this cool private railway that has the concession for Odaiba. The train is completely remote or autonomously controlled and is more subway sized than commuter heavy rail sized like the other trains — ie narrower.
Here is some pics of it when we went out around lunch time to drop the bags off. The first pic is it leaving after we got off. I missed getting a pic when we got on. The second shows the view from the front of the train. There are passenger seats there facing forward. There seems to be a backup control station in front of one of those forward facing seats. On the way back tonight we sat in one of those seats but at the rear so we watched where we were at instead of where we were going. Also noteworthy is that it seems to run on tires and not rails (you can see it out the front window). It starts and does like 5 stops and then goes out to Odaiba (artificial) island over the Rainbow Bridge. (Called that before the Rainbow got co-opted for other things). To get up to the bridge it does a 540 degree turn up a helix and then goes over the bridge. On the island it doesn’t use a helix but just goes forward and then a slight curve to the right to lose height slowly over a longer distance.
The family was hungry and the Hilton restaurants seem to be wicked expensive. There is a shopping mall with lots of restaurants about a few hundred meters away so we went there. The Food Court was closing early for some reason but we found a “Gonpachi” restaurant which is a sort of shish kebab place. We ended up spending $100 but it was good. Each person had several skewers plus everyone but the daughter had either soba (buckwheet noodles, either cold or hot) or Oyako-Don (basically chicken and egg on rice with broth) as well and we had Edamame and Shrimp tempura for appetizers. It was pretty good and no where near as expensive as the grilled meat place the other night but probably double what the food court would have cost.
And here is the view from the hotel at night (including Rainbow Bridge)
After our purchases she wanted to know when we were coming back, as her friend had left about 30 min before and she was tired of waiting for us in the hotel lobby. (We had left our luggage there earlier as we were before check-in time) and we told her we were on our way. We took the Yamanote line (The line that runs on the Tokyo loop all the way around Tokyo area) back to Shimbashi and then this cool private railway that has the concession for Odaiba. The train is completely remote or autonomously controlled and is more subway sized than commuter heavy rail sized like the other trains — ie narrower.
Here is some pics of it when we went out around lunch time to drop the bags off. The first pic is it leaving after we got off. I missed getting a pic when we got on. The second shows the view from the front of the train. There are passenger seats there facing forward. There seems to be a backup control station in front of one of those forward facing seats. On the way back tonight we sat in one of those seats but at the rear so we watched where we were at instead of where we were going. Also noteworthy is that it seems to run on tires and not rails (you can see it out the front window). It starts and does like 5 stops and then goes out to Odaiba (artificial) island over the Rainbow Bridge. (Called that before the Rainbow got co-opted for other things). To get up to the bridge it does a 540 degree turn up a helix and then goes over the bridge. On the island it doesn’t use a helix but just goes forward and then a slight curve to the right to lose height slowly over a longer distance.
The family was hungry and the Hilton restaurants seem to be wicked expensive. There is a shopping mall with lots of restaurants about a few hundred meters away so we went there. The Food Court was closing early for some reason but we found a “Gonpachi” restaurant which is a sort of shish kebab place. We ended up spending $100 but it was good. Each person had several skewers plus everyone but the daughter had either soba (buckwheet noodles, either cold or hot) or Oyako-Don (basically chicken and egg on rice with broth) as well and we had Edamame and Shrimp tempura for appetizers. It was pretty good and no where near as expensive as the grilled meat place the other night but probably double what the food court would have cost.
And here is the view from the hotel at night (including Rainbow Bridge)
PNKFLOYD
Mikey
I am enjoying the food experience you are describing. It is kinda different from the cornbread and collard greens we eat in the south!
Keep up the dialog.
logandsawman
Northern Pacific history enthusiast
Good morning all, started out at -10F already up to -2. Roads good today, I actually started the suburban early this morning, the inside of the windows had frost. Library card worked pretty good to scrape,
Ken - you made me laugh with that post 829, thanks!
rgeiter - those kits are a bugger to assemble
Curt - I was able to use the foam base to keep the windmill together while gluing the top of each of three legs, took lots of flattening but I think the kit will look very nice when done
here is a pic of my feed mill, brings to mind the large boulder sitting between the tracks. Didn't know it was there
back later, Dave LASM
Ken - you made me laugh with that post 829, thanks!
rgeiter - those kits are a bugger to assemble
Curt - I was able to use the foam base to keep the windmill together while gluing the top of each of three legs, took lots of flattening but I think the kit will look very nice when done
here is a pic of my feed mill, brings to mind the large boulder sitting between the tracks. Didn't know it was there
back later, Dave LASM
Me too !
JeffH
Well-Known Member
Samsung... Hmmmm...
Built in obsolescence? Our 6-year old Samsung TV (2016 model UN65KS8000) will no longer connect to the internet. It will connect to the wireless router, but cannot get to the internet. It has something to do with the Auto IP config, but no matter what I try, it will not work. I've been online with their support team 3 times. This last time, they said a technician would have to come out and look at it. Warranty is gone. I thought about giving the Geek Squad a call, but I was given a directive from SWMBO to go get a new TV. So Friday I bought a new TV from Costco.
I know 2 other people in the same boat... same series TV... Same exact situation... Everything else on the TV works just fine, and every other wifi device is connecting to our network just fine...
Ended up with a new TV. Mixed emotions for sure...
Thoughts:
Excited to have a new TV, but would rather have kept my money.
I had spent probably 12-15 hours trying to get the old TV to work again. I hung the new TV by myself, and had it working within 2 hours. Every app I re-installed was just a QR code to scan, and done.. re-installed and working great!
I find it interesting that I'm more upset about taking 2 hours to setup the new TV, than I am about the 12-15 hours I wasted trying to get the old one to work.
Our minds work in strange ways.
Change is inevitable except from vending machines.
Built in obsolescence? Our 6-year old Samsung TV (2016 model UN65KS8000) will no longer connect to the internet. It will connect to the wireless router, but cannot get to the internet. It has something to do with the Auto IP config, but no matter what I try, it will not work. I've been online with their support team 3 times. This last time, they said a technician would have to come out and look at it. Warranty is gone. I thought about giving the Geek Squad a call, but I was given a directive from SWMBO to go get a new TV. So Friday I bought a new TV from Costco.
I know 2 other people in the same boat... same series TV... Same exact situation... Everything else on the TV works just fine, and every other wifi device is connecting to our network just fine...
Ended up with a new TV. Mixed emotions for sure...
Thoughts:
Excited to have a new TV, but would rather have kept my money.
I had spent probably 12-15 hours trying to get the old TV to work again. I hung the new TV by myself, and had it working within 2 hours. Every app I re-installed was just a QR code to scan, and done.. re-installed and working great!
I find it interesting that I'm more upset about taking 2 hours to setup the new TV, than I am about the 12-15 hours I wasted trying to get the old one to work.
Our minds work in strange ways.
Change is inevitable except from vending machines.
Patrick
What, me worry?
Greetings again,
Willie: It's a case of I have to use what I have available for now. I used, I believe, a #147 on that 0-6-0 Mantua Switcher I have, but I only bought a pair. I know I should have bought more.
JeffH: While I don't have an internet capable TV, I had to replace my Roku HDMI devices as they are no longer supported by many of the channels I watch (Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc.). Son has an all in one and has similar issues with his on occasion. Takes a complete reset to correct it. SWMBO is right though, you probably saved money by getting a new set. I hung 2 of the 3 TV's we have in our house myself. It's not as hard to do as one would think. I even moved an electrical and antenna box in the living room so the cords are behind the TV and not exposed.
On the smaller house front. It logically doesn't make sense financially for us to downsize at this time. While it would be nice to do, and the current house has more than enough equity to cover the smaller house, by the time we had a storm shelter and a 2 car garage added and having to do some of the work on our current house, the money just doesn't add up. The housing market is cooling down, which also means it will take longer to sell the current house. We decided that since we've been in this house almost 9 years, we do need to update the paint in a lot of it. So I currently have 2 bedrooms spackled and waiting until after the holidays to clear out and re-paint. We're not sure if we want to paint the same color and make the 3 bedrooms the same by default, or change the color of the whole interior. Advantage to one color is that I won't have several half empty paint cans to store.
Willie: It's a case of I have to use what I have available for now. I used, I believe, a #147 on that 0-6-0 Mantua Switcher I have, but I only bought a pair. I know I should have bought more.
JeffH: While I don't have an internet capable TV, I had to replace my Roku HDMI devices as they are no longer supported by many of the channels I watch (Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc.). Son has an all in one and has similar issues with his on occasion. Takes a complete reset to correct it. SWMBO is right though, you probably saved money by getting a new set. I hung 2 of the 3 TV's we have in our house myself. It's not as hard to do as one would think. I even moved an electrical and antenna box in the living room so the cords are behind the TV and not exposed.
On the smaller house front. It logically doesn't make sense financially for us to downsize at this time. While it would be nice to do, and the current house has more than enough equity to cover the smaller house, by the time we had a storm shelter and a 2 car garage added and having to do some of the work on our current house, the money just doesn't add up. The housing market is cooling down, which also means it will take longer to sell the current house. We decided that since we've been in this house almost 9 years, we do need to update the paint in a lot of it. So I currently have 2 bedrooms spackled and waiting until after the holidays to clear out and re-paint. We're not sure if we want to paint the same color and make the 3 bedrooms the same by default, or change the color of the whole interior. Advantage to one color is that I won't have several half empty paint cans to store.
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Good Morning All. Cloudy and 47° this morning. Flat line as far as temperature is concerned until around noon Thursday. Clouds will remain and temperature will not vary more than a few degrees up or down until then. Then vicious winds from the north along with a drastic drop in air pressure and we'll drop into the single digits overnight, at least that's the forecast right now. Could possibly rise above freezing Saturday, but more likely it will be Sunday. Then back to our usual weather. At least no precipitation here.
Uneventful trip to Rowlett TX, just east of Dallas, to my sister's home for my family's Christmas get-together. Food and drink was plentiful and no one got falling down drunk. Of particular note is that gasoline prices were $2.29/gal at a lot of places along the way. After the affair, we went to the cemetery where my parents and late brother reside, as it is just a quarter mile away.
Today I will review the estate to be sure that I am fully prepared for the single digit temperatures that are expected for some time Friday morning. I know that the pool is ready, all of the house underpinning is in place and all but one hose is disconnected and drained. Sure enough though, my bet is that the body shop folks will call and tell us that the car is ready Friday morning and come and get it. That will mean gassing up the rental in the frigid weather. Wednesday I will pull a few shovels full of embers/ashes out of the heater so that I am prepared for a full-on fire the whole time.
Thanks for the comments and reactions regarding the progress that I made on the current large project. I'm not bored yet!
I did not go out to the train shed yesterday, even after I got home. I am looking forward to getting some time out there today. Before I came in Saturday night, I did spray paint two of the repaired fermentation tanks, so I will be able to check them out.
I'll skip the archive pictures for now as my wife is getting antsy about something that she obviously wants me to do.
Karl - Good luck going forward on the family issue. It does seem that you have it as under control as you and your sons are able. Obviously there is a reason that she is an ex.
Nice ambulance. I like Oxford vehicles a lot.
rgeiter - I know how you feel, I drove 47 miles each way for 43 years!
I love those P2K covered hoppers, although they are a real bitch to assemble. I have 14 of them, one still in the box that I have to renumber.
Joe - We actually have more Christmas decorations up this year than any of the past few, All of those knee surgeries for my wife kinda kept her on the sidelines. I'll put the last one up today, a ceramic tree with built-in trains that circle around it. She hates it, but it was given to me by one of her tax return clients who is also our "shade tree mechanic". It's good to see the house in a festive state again.
moermusic - Positive thoughts and prayers for your sister from me.
Nothing special about today. Everyone have a great day and Happy Holidays.
Uneventful trip to Rowlett TX, just east of Dallas, to my sister's home for my family's Christmas get-together. Food and drink was plentiful and no one got falling down drunk. Of particular note is that gasoline prices were $2.29/gal at a lot of places along the way. After the affair, we went to the cemetery where my parents and late brother reside, as it is just a quarter mile away.
Today I will review the estate to be sure that I am fully prepared for the single digit temperatures that are expected for some time Friday morning. I know that the pool is ready, all of the house underpinning is in place and all but one hose is disconnected and drained. Sure enough though, my bet is that the body shop folks will call and tell us that the car is ready Friday morning and come and get it. That will mean gassing up the rental in the frigid weather. Wednesday I will pull a few shovels full of embers/ashes out of the heater so that I am prepared for a full-on fire the whole time.
Thanks for the comments and reactions regarding the progress that I made on the current large project. I'm not bored yet!
I did not go out to the train shed yesterday, even after I got home. I am looking forward to getting some time out there today. Before I came in Saturday night, I did spray paint two of the repaired fermentation tanks, so I will be able to check them out.
I'll skip the archive pictures for now as my wife is getting antsy about something that she obviously wants me to do.
Karl - Good luck going forward on the family issue. It does seem that you have it as under control as you and your sons are able. Obviously there is a reason that she is an ex.
Nice ambulance. I like Oxford vehicles a lot.
rgeiter - I know how you feel, I drove 47 miles each way for 43 years!
I love those P2K covered hoppers, although they are a real bitch to assemble. I have 14 of them, one still in the box that I have to renumber.
Joe - We actually have more Christmas decorations up this year than any of the past few, All of those knee surgeries for my wife kinda kept her on the sidelines. I'll put the last one up today, a ceramic tree with built-in trains that circle around it. She hates it, but it was given to me by one of her tax return clients who is also our "shade tree mechanic". It's good to see the house in a festive state again.
moermusic - Positive thoughts and prayers for your sister from me.
Nothing special about today. Everyone have a great day and Happy Holidays.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
I would enjoy it! I seldom have time to look at other threads.
Alcomotive
Grandson of an ALCO Builder
Mornin' folks!
I had a busy weekend. Went to my #2 nephew's graduation this past Saturday. He graduated with a B.S. in Digital Media Production. It was bitter sweet not having his mom there (my sister who died this past August 30th). I did my best to give him all the love and support and will continue to do so of course. We went out for a dinner celebration at place called the Butcher Block in Plattsburgh NY. His favorite place.
Yesterday, no football........ tonight I will watch the Packers play. I will go to a local establishment to watch it as I do not have ESPN+plus or whatever the darn app is now. I am not subscribing to that crap. I will go get a bite and watch the game where it isn't all that bad.
Working from home today. I did run trains yesterday for a bit. Then I ordered some building materials for organizing my bench work area. I got 2 metal pegboard systems coming in and 2 LED lights coming as well. I ended up ordering a decibel meter as I realized my Otter Box inhibits proper sound readings using my phone. I wasn't about to take my phone out of the Otter box. It's a pain in a butt. I have always used the heavy duty Otter box as I am very hard on my phone etc. I also got a few gifts for Christmas for my dad too.
The holidays are fast approaching. My family will be missing my baby sister. Her boys especially. #1 and #2 nephews will be with me and my parents as well as their dad Christmas day. Nephew #3, a Marine, is in Japan as he was deployed there working on training maneuvers etc.
Not much out to report. I will post pictures later on with my progress in the train room. I made some strides there that I am excited to share. Just need to a do a few more little things.
I enjoyed catching up on everyone's post! Good stuff!
Ya'll have a good day and week! Just in case I get to busy....I wish everyone a Merry Christmas if you celebrate it or Happy Hanuka or if do not celebrate anything have a good day off nonetheless!
Peace!
I had a busy weekend. Went to my #2 nephew's graduation this past Saturday. He graduated with a B.S. in Digital Media Production. It was bitter sweet not having his mom there (my sister who died this past August 30th). I did my best to give him all the love and support and will continue to do so of course. We went out for a dinner celebration at place called the Butcher Block in Plattsburgh NY. His favorite place.
Yesterday, no football........ tonight I will watch the Packers play. I will go to a local establishment to watch it as I do not have ESPN+plus or whatever the darn app is now. I am not subscribing to that crap. I will go get a bite and watch the game where it isn't all that bad.
Working from home today. I did run trains yesterday for a bit. Then I ordered some building materials for organizing my bench work area. I got 2 metal pegboard systems coming in and 2 LED lights coming as well. I ended up ordering a decibel meter as I realized my Otter Box inhibits proper sound readings using my phone. I wasn't about to take my phone out of the Otter box. It's a pain in a butt. I have always used the heavy duty Otter box as I am very hard on my phone etc. I also got a few gifts for Christmas for my dad too.
The holidays are fast approaching. My family will be missing my baby sister. Her boys especially. #1 and #2 nephews will be with me and my parents as well as their dad Christmas day. Nephew #3, a Marine, is in Japan as he was deployed there working on training maneuvers etc.
Not much out to report. I will post pictures later on with my progress in the train room. I made some strides there that I am excited to share. Just need to a do a few more little things.
I enjoyed catching up on everyone's post! Good stuff!
Ya'll have a good day and week! Just in case I get to busy....I wish everyone a Merry Christmas if you celebrate it or Happy Hanuka or if do not celebrate anything have a good day off nonetheless!
Peace!
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