Running Bear's December 2023 Coffee Shop

[bnsf971]

Okay, I guess my ISP and browser are at it again. I've been forced to change my password on every website I've visited today, with the exception of this one.

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Good morning!

Arcola IN, former PRR

 

[troyphoto]

Well howdy there internet peeps and those awake at 4 am EDT

It's Tinnitus Troy again...

Woke with a headache for the 3:30 bathroom trek, and headed downstairs for some water and an ibuprofen. Realized that the ringing in my ears was louder than normal.

So, instead of trying to get another hour of sleep, I headed down to the basement with the recliner. Turned the Youtubz to this:

and put the big can headphones on. Sometimes it take half an hour or so, but it generally knocks the ringing down a couple of decibels....

 

[bnsf971]

Good morning. It's 57 and raining. In fact, it's been raining steadily since about 10:00 last night.

 

[kbkchooch]

Good morning gang!

50° and the rain is slowly moving out. It's been wet and yucky for the last 24 hours, I need some sunshine!!

Flo, for now, how about some liquid sunshine, my coffee cup is crying for more!

Willie, I have to pick up one of those house kits. The one you posted is almost a dead ringer for my Grandparents house! Their basement is where I was 1st exposed to trains. (Lionel O tinplate)

BBL, they are expecting me to work today!

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Cloudy and 36° here in North Central Texas. It's not supposed to warm up much today, maybe 46° with those clouds and a persistent north wind. Better weather this weekend.

We had a nice get-together yesterday with my wife's family, our final holiday event this season. It was at her niece's home out in a small ranchette community about 40 miles from us. Their 5 acre place supports the family of five, two horses, two pigs, six chickens, five dogs and three kittens (recently dropped off in front of their place). All of my surviving in-laws and assorted nieces and kids were there.

Today should be the weekly grocery trek, although we haven't decided to go today or wait until tomorrow. There's not a lot already on the list, but that could change once we get to looking around.
Outside, it may have dried up enough from last Saturday's rain to allow me to at least cut up some more of my tree pile. Granddog will like that as it is in a part of the yard that we rarely go to together. Maybe the activity will flush out a rabbit or field rat for her to chase. The field rat population seems to be greater this season. It's partly because I didn't have to mow much in the fall and their nests full of offspring didn't get shredded. That and the pile of trees offers protection from the hawks and bobcats.

No train shed time yesterday; that should change today, finally.
How about a few random shots of track , some with trains in various places.

Terry -

I bought a Betamax player, a laser disc player, and an HD DVD player.

I still use this device. Hasn't failed in 43 years.

Tom O - Around here, highway driving habits can change according to the time of day. During rush hours, it is fairly consistent and folks "drive together". It's the off peak hours that suck. People in the left lane going 55 in the 75 zones; them and others suddenly cutting across four lanes 200' before their exit without really looking; lane changes and merges without signaling; and I could go on for hours. Then there's the stupid stuff like getting on the freeway and immediately getting off at the next exit when there are no red lights or stop signs on the frontage road. They don't bother me as much as I am "pedal to the metal" in the left lane at 10-15 miles over the limit...but I do get over to let faster drivers go past me. You've driven in Texas so you know what I mean.
Troy - This works for me. From the American Tinnitus Association:

Hearing aids can augment the volume of external noise to the point that it covers (masks) the sound of tinnitus. This makes it more difficult to consciously perceive tinnitus and helps the brain focus on outside, ambient noises.

Well, everyone here have a terrific Thursday. Be safe and stay warm.

 

[Espeefan]

Blast from the past:

Anybody remember these Tyco commercials? The Steel Hauler is the only one I remember.

I remember the Tyco commercials, especially the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. My first HO set was a Revell though. Those were the days.

 

[kbkchooch]

My first HO set was a Revell though. Those were the days.

I started with Lionel HO, I can relate.

 

[BigGRacing]

I still use this device. Hasn't failed in 43 years.

Willie, you hit the nail on the head as usual!

 

[Espeefan]

When I retired from professional photography, I sold off my equipment and purchased a retirement camera. All of that L glass gone. Switched to the Fuji line for their old style dials. Retro on a mirrorless digital SLR(ish) camera!

I made sure to keep a tripod, and some "hot lights" Though I'm looking at swapping them out for LED panels with barn doors. I'd rather have that "f/8 and be there!" (sorry, some Weegee lingo for those familiar.) Or f/32. Small scale means you'll have shallower Depth of Field, especially at fast aperture settings.

Now, if I ever get around to putting track on the benchwork... I might have some interesting photos to take...

I still have my old film cameras and the accessories. Several lenses, a couple of flash units. A Canon AE1 which was my first SLR, and a Canon A1 which was more capable. I couldn't bear to part with them. There were just too many memories of photography done all over the world and lots of model photography as well. They now reside in my closet in a large Pelican case. I've moved on to a Canon Digital Rebel, which I now seldom use as I no longer write for the hobby press, and the smart phone cameras have gotten so good that they fulfill most needs for everyday photography. They have their limits, enough that I still break out the DLSR now and then. Most photos I post here are smart phone photos. I still have my hot lights and my tripods too.

 

[NorthBrit]

Good afternoon all. It is 1.15pm, dark and icy cold rain swirling in the breeze before touching the ground.

There is a little joy in the street. An unpopular neighbour is selling their house. They moved into the area and nothing seems to suit them. The trees in the village should be cut down. The leaves from the trees are blowing onto their property? The road vehicles carrying timber (lumber) should be diverted away from the village.. Just some of the things they dislike.

We hope they sell their house quickly.

Lunch to make. Back later.

 

[ctclibby]

Good Morning All!

29F @ 82% and partly. Could get to 42F by noon.

Drivers: Boy just had to comment on this one. For those of you that have never done OTR, wait until you get 8' higher than the road surface. You can see ALL the futzy drivers all around for a good 3/4 mile or more. This is the 1st thing that amazed me when I started. Our youngest was one of those drivers; could care less who/what was around her, jack-rabbit starts with ( almost ) screeching brakes to stop. Did not know what those strips in the center of the road were for. Phone up all of the time while driving both talk/text AND taking tourist pictures of surrounding whatever. Not a care in the world.

When I did my 3pass in '18 Maria talked her into going on the road for a week with her; rider only. She ended up riding for about a month and simply loved it. According to Maria, first few days out on the highways she would get eyebrow raise and sometimes gasps of astonishment. Comments started flowing after that. Guess what? After getting off the truck, she became a 'great' driver, no speeding, no fast starts/stops and stayed in her lane. Phone/Camera stayed down. Had respect for the other vehicles on the road; especially trucks even using her turn signals.

What a difference. I think mostly it scared the sh.t outa her as she witnessed accidents ahead and saw what the id10t drivers were doing/did to cause them. Maria was never involved as she could see ahead and either move over or slow way down pissing the 4 wheelers behind her off who would dart out to pass and sometime become part of the train wreck ahead; specially when slick/wet/frozen.

The above was part of the reason we quit - the 70 footers were now doing the same. Favorites were always the guy in the left lane realizing the they were gonna miss their exit and shoot across 2/3/4 lanes of traffic to make it. Next were the ones that thought they had a mini-V speedster and try passing another truck - 5 miles later ... well you get the drift. Both were usually speed limited most of the time at 65 and both usually heavy. It just became no fun anymore. Funny thing was when we were doing home-time, we both would miss the road and want to go back when our 5 to 7 days was up. Not the case anymore, although we do miss some of the people we worked with and picked/delivered; let alone seeing all the sights on 34's. We have been everywhere man!

Later

 

[troyphoto]

I still have my old film cameras and the accessories. Several lenses, a couple of flash units. A Canon AE1 which was my first SLR, and a Canon A1 which was more capable. I couldn't bear to part with them. There were just too many memories of photography done all over the world and lots of model photography as well. They now reside in my closet in a large Pelican case. I've moved on to a Canon Digital Rebel, which I now seldom use as I no longer write for the hobby press, and the smart phone cameras have gotten so good that they fulfill most needs for everyday photography. They have their limits, enough that I still break out the DLSR now and then. Most photos I post here are smart phone photos. I still have my hot lights and my tripods too.

I keep mine out on the display above the TV. Got an old devel tank and reels, as well as my grandfather's Polaroid (with new skin on it). Some of the gear is garage sale finds. Most of it is out of commission for mechanical reasons.

As for Tinnitus:
WILLIE: My hearing aids went in as soon as the cans came off the ears. They do help. But some days the one-note samba needs to be beat down hard.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Okay, I guess my ISP and browser are at it again. I've been forced to change my password on every website I've visited today, with the exception of this one.

Interesting? Very interesting!

It's Tinnitus Troy again...

Ett too, Brutus?

Morning - It's a beautiful day at the 'RED PONY'!
Looking for a 70 degree high with scattered clouds.

 

[ctclibby]

I still have my old film cameras and the accessories. Several lenses, a couple of flash units. A Canon AE1 which was my first SLR, and a Canon A1 which was more capable. I couldn't bear to part with them. There were just too many memories of photography done all over the world and lots of model photography as well. They now reside in my closet in a large Pelican case. I've moved on to a Canon Digital Rebel, which I now seldom use as I no longer write for the hobby press, and the smart phone cameras have gotten so good that they fulfill most needs for everyday photography. They have their limits, enough that I still break out the DLSR now and then. Most photos I post here are smart phone photos. I still have my hot lights and my tripods too.

Alan: Those were the days! Pentax was my go to as a friend loaned his to me when he found out I was still using an Instamatic. K1000 was used for many years; no auto anything. Found a SF1n next; auto-focus, auto-wind of which I would carry both around my neck; one with 50mm, the other with 200mm zoom. Had various lenses for both. Camera bag was probably somewhere around 40/50Lbs. You can burn film fast shooting with those. I have actually been thinking of getting a K1000 again - what if a UFO comes by and all the power is vacuumed up by it? The K needed 0 power to point and shoot, ya just needed to figure close to the aperture needed and go up down one or two while winding and shooting. Anyway, the SF1n auto-focus was slow when taking pix of big things slow moving, so then I went with a K100d; auto-focus and auto-wind. Finally K70d which does better choosing aperture and shutter time. Still have both of those and use them when needed. I figure that the money I saved developing film for a year paid for them. I am not a professional, just a hobby guy.

I played with the I-Phone the daughter has and those camera's were pretty good, but at times they were a touch slow to do what I wanted. The Android camera is a POS with real slow focus. I use that anywho just because I forgot to take a camera bag with me. Case in point. Seems that big things coming at you are somewhat ok, push the shutter button and the subject can move 20 to 30 feet closer before the 'click'. Going away is a whole new ball game. Push the shutter button and movement can be 40 to 70 feet away before the 'click' which the result ends up too small for my liking.

Later

 

[TLOC]

Good Morning All. Cloudy and 36° here in North Central Texas. It's not supposed to warm up much today, maybe 46° with those clouds and a persistent north wind. Better weather this weekend.

We had a nice get-together yesterday with my wife's family, our final holiday event this season. It was at her niece's home out in a small ranchette community about 40 miles from us. Their 5 acre place supports the family of five, two horses, two pigs, six chickens, five dogs and three kittens (recently dropped off in front of their place). All of my surviving in-laws and assorted nieces and kids were there.

Today should be the weekly grocery trek, although we haven't decided to go today or wait until tomorrow. There's not a lot already on the list, but that could change once we get to looking around.
Outside, it may have dried up enough from last Saturday's rain to allow me to at least cut up some more of my tree pile. Granddog will like that as it is in a part of the yard that we rarely go to together. Maybe the activity will flush out a rabbit or field rat for her to chase. The field rat population seems to be greater this season. It's partly because I didn't have to mow much in the fall and their nests full of offspring didn't get shredded. That and the pile of trees offers protection from the hawks and bobcats.

No train shed time yesterday; that should change today, finally.
How about a few random shots of track , some with trains in various places.View attachment 178684
View attachment 178685
View attachment 178686View attachment 178687
View attachment 178688View attachment 178689

Terry -

I still use this device. Hasn't failed in 43 years.
View attachment 178683

Tom O - Around here, highway driving habits can change according to the time of day. During rush hours, it is fairly consistent and folks "drive together". It's the off peak hours that suck. People in the left lane going 55 in the 75 zones; them and others suddenly cutting across four lanes 200' before their exit without really looking; lane changes and merges without signaling; and I could go on for hours. Then there's the stupid stuff like getting on the freeway and immediately getting off at the next exit when there are no red lights or stop signs on the frontage road. They don't bother me as much as I am "pedal to the metal" in the left lane at 10-15 miles over the limit...but I do get over to let faster drivers go past me. You've driven in Texas so you know what I mean.
Troy - This works for me. From the American Tinnitus Association:


Well, everyone here have a terrific Thursday. Be safe and stay warm.

The son currently driving down i35 and just south of OKC thinks Texas drivers are good except for the Austin and Houston areas. He was just texting and said last night drove through KC at rush hour. He said he saw more left lane driving and then boom trying to get over to the exit at the last minute than ever. Some made but lucky no accidents but lots of horns. Like Terry and me per your previous suggestions he will be in the express lanes while in Fort Worth.

He can text while driving as his truck’s media screen shows my text to him and he voice texts back to me. Doesn’t have to touch his phone at all

 

[Espeefan]

I can be counted on to choose the wrong thing to survive.
I bought a Betamax player, a laser disc player, and an HD DVD player.

I also bought a laser disc player. I still have it. And it works! I also own a functioning VHS player/DVD combination unit. I'm old!

 

[TLOC]

Good morning from a snowy white So. Central Wisconsin. The TV folks per Terry says we have received 1” and it’s wet. My 3 on property weather stations are reporting .46, .39 and 1.12”. My eye looking out the front door tells me we have about 1/2” of slush. It will be a mix the rest of the day per Terry’s TV.

I got out of bed at 8:05 this morning. Slept in the chair maybe from 9 to 11 last night and went to the bed around midnight. Yesterday’s low grade head ache stayed all day and was there at bedtime and still here this morning. It’s an aggravation that when I’m doing something is not noticeable. But typing on the IPadPro is not enough of a distraction, so I can feel it. I feel like I have already lost this morning waking so late.

The grandson and Terry are heading to Barnes and Noble sometime this morning. He has a gift certificate from us and will have his choice of books. He wants to see and touch the books before deciding. He did not want to do this online. The store is about 4 miles from us. They will do lunch out at his favorite, Subway unless Terry can get him to go somewhere else. She is not a sandwich person and their soups are made with a salt lick in them

enjoy the day

 

[Espeefan]

Alan: Those were the days! Pentax was my go to as a friend loaned his to me when he found out I was still using an Instamatic. K1000 was used for many years; no auto anything. Found a SF1n next; auto-focus, auto-wind of which I would carry both around my neck; one with 50mm, the other with 200mm zoom. Had various lenses for both. Camera bag was probably somewhere around 40/50Lbs. You can burn film fast shooting with those. I have actually been thinking of getting a K1000 again - what if a UFO comes by and all the power is vacuumed up by it? The K needed 0 power to point and shoot, ya just needed to figure close to the aperture needed and go up down one or two while winding and shooting. Anyway, the SF1n auto-focus was slow when taking pix of big things slow moving, so then I went with a K100d; auto-focus and auto-wind. Finally K70d which does better choosing aperture and shutter time. Still have both of those and use them when needed. I figure that the money I saved developing film for a year paid for them. I am not a professional, just a hobby guy.

I played with the I-Phone the daughter has and those camera's were pretty good, but at times they were a touch slow to do what I wanted. The Android camera is a POS with real slow focus. I use that anywho just because I forgot to take a camera bag with me. Case in point. Seems that big things coming at you are somewhat ok, push the shutter button and the subject can move 20 to 30 feet closer before the 'click'. Going away is a whole new ball game. Push the shutter button and movement can be 40 to 70 feet away before the 'click' which the result ends up too small for my liking.

Later

I find my Iphone camera suitable for most purposes, but when very sharp close ups or anything requiring small aperture large depth of field shots is necessary I have to break out the real camera. I'm no Android fan at all. Work issued me one for information security reasons and I hate it. To be fair, the nanny software the company installed does keep me from realizing its full potential, but I still find it too fiddly. Smart phones are great for vacationers and casual photography, but they still have their limits, like everything!

 

[Espeefan]

I keep mine out on the display above the TV. Got an old devel tank and reels, as well as my grandfather's Polaroid (with new skin on it). Some of the gear is garage sale finds. Most of it is out of commission for mechanical reasons.

View attachment 178692
View attachment 178693

As for Tinnitus:
WILLIE: My hearing aids went in as soon as the cans came off the ears. They do help. But some days the one-note samba needs to be beat down hard.

Nice! Everything I have still works, including my autowinder. Unfortunately, I never got into film developing. that put an end to using that equipment. I miss them sometimes. They were comfortable, like a broken in set of walking shoes. I learned on a friend's Canon FTb, which was totally manual, and I took lessons from a photographer onboard the ship. I bought my SLR's in the 1970's as a young kid in my 20's. Long deployments were the only way I could afford that stuff on an enlisted man's salary!