Running Bear's October 2025 Coffee Shop

[Bruette]

IMO I think he listens too much to the analytic guys and does not manage by gut instinct.

I agree with you and many modern managers are guilty of that.

Yankees' manager Aaron Boone was the only manager in the playoffs who has shown patience with his starters. Although he had little choice as his bullpen was more inconsistent than most bullpens are. Most relief pitchers a notoriously inconsistent. The Yankees bullpen was their demise, but Boone will get the blame for it.

I miss the old days when the starters ruled. Now it almost always ends up being a battle of the bullpens. One thing never changes, good pitching usually beats good hitting.

 

[Bruette]

This is not your father's Lionel

Wings of Angels Boxcar - High Altitude Hotties

www.lionelstore.com

 

[migalyto]

This is not your father's Lionel

Those going to end up in your collection?

 

[Bruette]

Those going to end up in your collection?

No, they would be out of place in my collection.

One hottie in my life is all I need.

 

[Jaz avalley]

Morning all,

Feeling a bit whipped, especially since I've been busy again since I hit the door this morning.
Doesn't help I got my Covid shot. I need it so I'm less likely to bring it home from working with the kids. Mostly a little sore at the injection site.

Tomorrow is the cyber security conference. I just keep telling myself 5 more years...Although I only need 2 more.

At some point it may be healthier to just walk away, with redundancy or pension. luckily it looks like you have a 3 year window planned.
working until you drop is not what you or anyone deserves

 

[TLOC]

Good afternoon. I started a thread as I build a double track swing bridge for a friend

 

[Kusojiji]

I guess we’ll see if a person a couple of years from retirement age is worth retaining.

I hope so! Wish you the best!

 

[shortwrench]

Yes. Some Companies over here prefer to employ older people. They cannot trust the young ones to do a honest days work.

Or show up.

 

[migalyto]

Or show up.

That was a huge problem the last several years I worked.

They would call off for every ache, sniffle ect......Or like you stated, just not show up at all and come in a day or two later like nothing happened.
After Covid was a huge problem because they knew they really had to screw up huge to get fired because we were that short handed finding
people to fill positions.

Glad its not my worry anymore!

 

[kbkchooch]

I guess we’ll see if a person a couple of years from retirement age is worth retaining.

Terry my boss retired 2 years ago, he still comes in 3 days a week to "help out" and is compensated for it. With 844 days left til I retire (a.k.a 2 years, 3 months and 21 days) the running joke is that I will stay on for the remaining 2 days a week to fill the hours when he is not there. It may happen but its up to me and the new boss. And he likes the idea! We have several older guys working and we're there every day, week after week covering for the young guns. Hopefully your new boss will see things in your favor!

Speaking of young guns, we leave for N.C. at O-dark thirty tomorrow to see the G-kids. Grandsons football game starts at 6 p.m., Granddaughter's cheerleading squad should be there too!

Nite all!

 

[migalyto]

Speaking of young guns, we leave for N.C. at O-dark thirty tomorrow to see the G-kids.

Have a safe trip and a great time!

 

[TLOC]

Good Morning All. Mostly clear and 68°, still expecting mid-80's for a couple more days until it warms up for the weekend.

Nothing yesterday that I did was notable, just an average day. Today is the weekly grocery trek, which my wife insists is the social event of my life! It is true that I don't get out much, but I never did when younger either! Extra stop again today at the hearing aid center to have an additional adjustment made to my ears. They're set TOO DAMN LOUD! Then there's the all too usual stop at the pharmacy

Out in the train shed yesterday, I continued the layout clean-up. I inspected all track up to the staging yard and found no dislodged parts laying about, then cleaned all of it with the Tidy Track wand cleaner from Woodland Scenics. I vacuumed part of it and I will finish that today. Next I'll start to move trains out of the staging yard so I can do it next. Meanwhile, I moved the brewery over to the workbench for a deep cleaning and some additional detailing. I have chosen to add coping to the walls, something that I didn't do initially, but changed my mind.
View attachment 242867
View attachment 242868
Just some minor dressing up!

Tom O - A few months ago, I first thought that was a rather large space that your friends paper mill was going to occupy. But I later realized that my Ethanol refinery is a tad over 20', so I can see how a paper mill could be 32'.
Glad that you got out of Chicago safely.
Kevin - "...watching arguments over the shutdown..." I hadn't noticed it!
Louis - Congratulations on completing the taxes.
Terry - Good Luck.

The late John Lennon was born on this day in 1940; his son Sean Lennon was born on this day 35 years later. Meanwhile, singer/composer Jackson Browne is 77 today.

Everyone have a terrific Thursday.

I really like the reduced length of the mill. He texted me today to figure the length at 24’. No more guessing between 20 to 24’. I have found for big industries a 30” depth is ideal if the last 6” are building structures or even landscaping.

 

[westtexjohn]

Good evening to all...........

Posting a bit later than usual today, not in the best of moods.

After getting all my tax info together, I made it over to my new tax "guy" today, to drop off all paperwork and a quick visit with him.
He noticed I had listed last years fee for tax preparation ($200.00) and said his fee is $450.00. He said it costs him $200 per filing just to use the tax program he uses so he receives $250 for his preparation time and if he only charged me $200.00, that he makes no wage at all. This all sounds like a crock of $hit to me but finding a new tax person at this late date is not easy here in small town west Texas. That $200.00 per return for software charges sounds really iffy. The lady that had been doing my taxes for the last 6 years was in Wichita Falls and did a great job but had to leave the firm she was with to take care of family issues. And the firm said they could no longer do my taxes as they did not have the manpower for personal/small businesses, only corporate work.
Oh well, at least the $450.00 fee is deductible from next years filing, if I'm still alive then. The new tax guy has a couple of kids so I'm sure I am helping towards a college fund of some sort.
Oh yea, the lady who did my taxes before told me it only takes her about 30 minutes to do my taxes because I have everything so organized. So the new guy is getting $250.00 per hour.........not bad pay, more than me EVER. Keep in mind I only work about 4 to 5 months out of the year being semi-retired so it is not like like I am making a fortune in a year.

After todays big surprise, I'm really not feeling like doing a damn thing. No work in the train room or anywhere else for that matter.

After looking at the raise planned for Social Security and seeing the Medicare withholding increase, I should realize a $6 to $8 raise. I will have to put money with that to eat a decent hamburger. Maybe the new tax guy will loan me a few bucks.

Tired of ranting so I'll sign off.

Everyone take care......John

 

[Kusojiji]

comes in 3 days a week to "help out"

That's cool! I would do that but they don't want a part timer (have to be on contract) and I ain't doin' 8 hrs.

 

[Bruette]

He said it costs him $200 per filing just to use the tax program he uses

I don't know what software your tax guy uses. But if it makes you feel better, the full price for Turbo Tax for the self-employed, including single-member LLCs lists for $219 and that doesn't cover the fees for filing state taxes, if any. Many states are different.

Turbo Tax for S-Corporations and multi-member LLCs lists for $739

Of course there are discounts available, but merchants seldom pass on discounts.

he receives $250 for his preparation time and if he only charged me $200.00

Given the circumstances with you having done much of the work for him his fee sounds reasonable to me. Somebody must cover his rent and keep the lights on. Neither of which are cheap anymore. Nothing is cheap anymore!

Does he provide support should you get audited? And don't worry about me jinxing you, there are no such things. Except for Terry

Regardless, I'm sorry for the "sticker shock" That is never fun, don't let it get you down.

On the bright side, your taxes are done!

 

[Bruette]

Good morning, Everybody!

God is always with us. Unfortunately, God does not care about our bank accounts or any material things.

Dodgers 2 Phillies 1. This is MLB? WTF is more like it. And that is all I am going to say about that, as i happily watch the Brewers and the Cubs. No sooner than I say that Ian Happ hit a 3-run homerun in the bottom of the first. A four-seam fastball up and out over the plate and Happ didn't miss it!

Tom - How far are you from Milwaukee?

In Baltimore we like to call a 3-run homerun "a Weaver" Earl loved the 3-run homerun! When the Orioles hit it that is.

Enjoy your day Everybody!

 

[bnsf971]

Good morning. It's mostly clear and 72.

 

[Kusojiji]

I fixed my Kato N scale ABe 8/12 finally. Required a motor change. Bought a Kato slotless motor and did the swap over. Same size, runs a lot smoother than the original motor. No more intermittent blender noise! Sounds like the typical Kato thin plastic running on plastic track.

Runs fine, last long time! (I hope... )

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Good Friday morning! It's 43°F and clear.

EJ&E Tower - VanLoon, Indiana
James Marcus photo from Bob Albert collection.
Have a great day!

 

[NorthBrit]

THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.