ThomasandMatt
Goods Engine
Proud Bartender of the SiF Bar Car
Posts: 353
|
Post by ThomasandMatt on Mar 2, 2021 1:53:11 GMT
Well, school computers generally have those extensions to prevent viruses from infecting the computers, or to curb the usage of extra-curricular internet activities like accessing the CBR wiki. Most likely the school doesn’t want to have to pay for any kinds of repairs to the computers if they’re damaged by viruses, so that’s why the Securly extension is added. I know how you feel, though. I went through that in my high school years. The Forums for the longest time was a great big screen of blue whenever I accessed it in school, if it wasn’t being blocked every now and then . However, a great majority of the restrictions were lifted around 5 p.m., so I ended up getting my background back around that time.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2021 12:39:41 GMT
Hey everyone, Liam here. I just wanted to tell everyone that Tuesday, March 30, 2021, is my 21st Birthday. Unfortunately, that day I also happen to have an exam because Im still in University, but that doesnt bother me. Anyway, thats all I wanted to say, so May God Bless You and have a good day/night. Liam
|
|
Stepney Boy55
Shunting Engine
Hmm... I thought I was orange..
Posts: 56
|
Post by Stepney Boy55 on Mar 28, 2021 13:49:55 GMT
Hey everyone, Liam here. I just wanted to tell everyone that Tuesday, March 30, 2021, is my 21st Birthday. Unfortunately, that day I also happen to have an exam because Im still in University, but that doesnt bother me. Anyway, thats all I wanted to say, so May God Bless You and have a good day/night. Liam Just wanted to wish you good luck in your exam man.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2021 19:01:58 GMT
Hello all of Sodor Island Forums, you'll be pleased to know that not only is it my birthday, but also, thanks to God, I managed to get a 90 on my health exam.
|
|
BNSF1995
Goods Engine
Tell me, Lost Little Red-Cent, have you ever experienced THE ALMIGHTY THREE-SHOE BEATING?!
Posts: 205
|
Post by BNSF1995 on May 17, 2021 23:30:06 GMT
The first BNSF1995 Trip Report of 2021 is brought to you by the letter maberation (mask liberation), and by the number Thank You Dr. Fauci. * Wednesday, May 12: We woke up at 5 AM to go to SFO. Our destination: Miami, for my brother's graduation from the University of Miami. Our flight was originally going to be at 9:30 AM, but United pulled a United and changed it to 7:30. We met up with my aunt and uncle at the airport for the first of two flights. The first flight was on a 737-800SFP (SFP stands for "Short Field Performance"), and had no seatback TVs. My mom got me the wifi, but it was $20. FOR ONE FLIGHT. Needless to say, my mom refused to get it for me on the second flight. Our transfer was at Houston Intercontinental (AKA George H.W. Busch Airport), the second flight going to Miami. The second plane was a 737-900 with actual seatback TVs. I first thought we'd have to pay to watch television like in the past, but to my surprise, it's free now (even though the card readers are still present). The signal was spotty, making it hard to watch South Park and Star Trek: The Next Generation, but I managed. Upon landing in Miami, we got our luggage, then took the train to the rental car place. We went through Alamo (my aunt and uncle went through Budget) and got a Dodge Grand Caravan, driving to a Hampton Inn behind Dadeland Station near the university. After resting for a bit in our rooms (I had a separate room from my parents), we got in the car to go find dinner. Problem was, though, we had ZERO idea how to start it. After a good 15 minutes of fumbling around, we finally found out that you start the car by inserting the key fob, not the actual key itself, into the ignition. After that, we went to the TGI Friday's across the street from the university, where they were playing music with explicit lyrics (probably because it was in the watershed hours when nobody would be bringing their kids. After dinner, we drove to my brother's apartment for a brief visit, before heading back to the hotel and turning in for the night. That night, I had the room entirely to myself. * Thursday, May 13: My parents left early to meet up with my brother at the U (as we call it), namely to go with him on his final morning Starbucks run. I myself, meanwhile, slept in until it was almost noon. After getting up and getting ready, I went with my aunt and uncle to a restaurant my brother frequented called Yumbrella, where I had a thing of fries (they were really good fries), then went to the U to my brother's apartment, where he and my parents were cleaning it out. Once the last of his possessions were in the boxes, he went off to rehearse for a concert that night, while I went back to Yumbrella with my parents, even sitting at the same table. As I had already eaten, I just had Sprite. Back at the hotel, I played some Nintendo Switch, then went with my parents to an outdoor concert put on by the musical theater grads. The concert was delayed by a thunderstorm, and couldn't go forward until the horns used to signal the all-clear at the pool went off. I sat away from the concert, having no interest in it (though I did get mad when my brother screwed up one of the lyrics to "Till I Hear You Sing" from Love Never Dies, the infamous official sequel to Phantom of the Opera). Prior to the concert, I walked out onto the bridge to see what I could see, and I did see something: a northern pike. While the theater grads went to sign their names at the theater (they'd normally kiss the stage, but COVID is still a thing), I went back to the hotel with my aunt and uncle. I should also note that this was the day I learned that the CDC said anyone who's fully-vaccinated need no longer mask. For the fully-vaccinated, the torment was ended. The people scattered over the country, desperate, leaderless, starved...the thousands who had fled by sea, all would return. The pulse of life, growing stronger and stronger, would beat again. Anyway, my brother became my roommate for the rest of the trip. * Friday, May 14: This was the day we had all been waiting for since 2017, and the main reason for this trip: my brother's college graduation. Normally, it would take place on campus in an auditorium, but because of COVID, it was moved to Hard Rock Stadium near Fort Lauderdale, home to the Miami Dolpins (NFL) and Miami Hurricanes (NCAA Division I Football), as well as the current home of the Orange Bowl and Miami Open tennis tournament. We had to wake up even earlier than on Wednesday, mainly to beat the traffic to Hard Rock (my uncle couldn't attend due to being unvaccinated). Clothing-wise, I was made to wear a tropical-print shirt thad made me look like a tourist (I'm convinced they would've mopped the floor with me had I stepped foot in Little Havana). Once there, multiple issues cropped up. For one, I couldn't get a drink because I don't have a debit card anymore, and they seem convinced cash is a vector for COVID transmission (fortunately, my aunt got us drinks). Then the acoustics in the stadium were garbage, and I could hardly understand anything the speakers were saying. And finally (and this is an issue me and my aunt noticed), they were calling grads to the stage before their name appeared on the Jumbotrons. The ceremony ended with the U's mascot, Sebastian (an ibis, though he looks more like Donald Duck because his beak isn't pointed like a real ibis, presumably over fears that someone could get skewered). After the ceremony, we returned to the hotel briefly, before leaving for lunch at the Rusty Pelican restaurant in Key Biscayne (the one key not located in the Florida Keys). While driving out, we saw that multiple cruise ships were at the port in warm lay-up, these being two Carnival ships, two Norweigen ships, two Royal Caribbean ships, and Disney Dream, and I had french fries which were very good. After lunch, we drove into Key Biscayne a bit before turning back, and me, my aunt, and my uncle went back to the hotel. A combination of waking up early that morning and jetlag conspired to knock me out for a four-hour nap. Around 8-ish, while my brother left for a dessert party at his friend's house with my parents, my aunt Doordashed Cheesecake Factory. * Saturday, May 15: Our one free day, we spent it by driving down to the Florida Keys. I went with my aunt and uncle, while my brother went with my mom and dad. We initially didn't know how far down we wanted to drive, before deciding to go all the way to Key West. As we neared Key West, I found that yes, you CAN listen to radio stations in Cuba, as it's 90 miles away. Upon arriving in Key West, we had lunch at Bistro 425 (their fries were good, too), then started walking down a boardwalk before having to turn back due to the presence of a Coast Guard base (a cutter was even docked that day), and then went to a nearby mall so my uncle could get some Cuban coffee. Afterwards, we walked down to the southernmost-point in the continental United States, yet I was keen to start walking back to the car once unfriendly-looking clouds came in and rain started falling. Amazingly, me, my brother, and my mom walked fast enough to keep ahead of the system, while my dad, aunt, and uncle got soaked. Key West, I should add, has a large feral chicken population, a leftover from when chickens were brought here from Cuban and around the Caribbean for food and cockfighting; after cockfighting was illegalized, the chickens were just abandoned. When we went, it was hatching season, and there were plenty of baby chicks around. We eventually left, and made stops along the way. Me and my aunt and uncle stopped at a Publix on Islamorada, where I got Sprite and a party-sized bag of Doritos, while my brother and parents made several stops at gas stations looking for gas (the effects of the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack on full display) until they found some. We finally arrived back at the hotel around 10:30-ish. That night, me and my brother watched Saturday Night Live before going to sleep. * Sunday, May 16: Departure day. For our trip home, we weren't going to be on the same flights, as my brother had several suitcases full of stuff that he couldn't take with him on United without incurring expensive bag fees, so me and my parents exploited Southwest's bag policies. Of course, this meant flying out of Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami. The first flight went off without a hitch, going to Phoenix for a transfer. Our plane on both flights was a 737-700, but the plane on the first flight reeked of the 90s. The problems began with the first flight, when I found out Southwest's television via the AirTime Player app no longer carries Fox Sports 1, leaving me with no way to watch the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover (as I found out when we landed, Alex Bowman won and Hendrick Motorsports kicked faces in by having all their cars in the top positions). At least Southwest's wifi is still $8 and still good for the entire day. After landing, my mom received a text that our connecting flight to San Francisco had been delayed by two hours, because it was coming in from Denver and having unspecified issues getting out of Denver in the first place. So, we had to wait. But at least we could get some food. My first choice was a McDonald's at the C Gates, but as I was about to get to the front, they suddenly closed due to running out of food and not getting their delivery. This forced me to settle for Wendy's (even though I had had Wendy's fries at Houston Intercontinental on the outbound trip). While walking to the Wendy's, I saw the rear of a Union Pacific train of hoppers, and while flying out, thought I saw a manifest, but it turned out to be a switching move at a yard near the airport. The plane FINALLY arrived for a 7:10 PM departure, and Southwest comped us with vouchers worth $100 each that are good for any future Southwest flights, which will go towards a trip my brother and his girlfriend will be taking to Disneyland as a graduation gift next month. On the second flight, the wifi cut out for a bit, but eventually came back. We got into SFO without any further issue, got our luggage, got our car, and got home around 11-ish (my brother was already home, as his flight with my aunt and uncle wasn't delayed at all, and they got in around 4-ish). I will for sure be going on more trips this year, compared to last year. Lake Tahoe is a guarantee.
|
|
DukeSR8
Goods Engine
Single
Posts: 250
|
Post by DukeSR8 on Jun 2, 2021 21:44:38 GMT
Been a while.
Since the last time I've posted, I got my first dose of Pfizer vaccine (and am scheduled to get my second dose on June 13). I really didn't feel much of anything though I was annoyed by the pain in my arm that persisted for a couple days afterwards (not fun but worth getting the vaccine).
Mostly been attempting to get 9.9 in Smash Ultimate with every character and have gotten a decent amount done. Honestly it's frustrating but fun. Also been reading the ERS (main reason I keep my account is because I like to read the ERS randomly and lurk in threads, watching the conversation).
|
|
|
Post by Princess Viola on Jun 4, 2021 22:50:19 GMT
Been a while. Since the last time I've posted, I got my first dose of Pfizer vaccine (and am scheduled to get my second dose on June 13). I really didn't feel much of anything though I was annoyed by the pain in my arm that persisted for a couple days afterwards (not fun but worth getting the vaccine). Good luck, second Pfizer dose messed me up something fierce when I got it back at the end of April. Ended up spending the three days after resting in bed most of the time because how much it hurt and even when it stopped hurting as bad, the swelling and tenderness was still there for probably a week or so.
|
|
|
Post by Rusty Red Scrap Iron on Jun 5, 2021 16:24:08 GMT
Been a while. Since the last time I've posted, I got my first dose of Pfizer vaccine (and am scheduled to get my second dose on June 13). I really didn't feel much of anything though I was annoyed by the pain in my arm that persisted for a couple days afterwards (not fun but worth getting the vaccine). Good luck, second Pfizer dose messed me up something fierce when I got it back at the end of April. Ended up spending the three days after resting in bed most of the time because how much it hurt and even when it stopped hurting as bad, the swelling and tenderness was still there for probably a week or so. Sorry to hear of your bad experience with the second Pfizer dose, Princess Viola. Hope your feeling better a two months on. The only thing I got from my second Pfizer dose last month was a sore arm - just like I did my first dose in late February. But I'm certainly noticing that a number of people I know in their early 30s are getting the Pfizer dose more so than the AstraZeneca (which of course has stirred up some hoo-ha throughout this vaccination process). But all the same, I hope everyone around the world is staying safe amidst the ongoing pandemic and vaccination process and all the best with your second jab when the time comes DukeSR8.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2021 2:25:10 GMT
I should have posted this a long time ago and had forgotton about this place.
Im going to be leaving these boards very shortly as I no longer have interest in the ttte fandom. I had actually left the fanbase in January this year after finally getting bored, harrassed and annoyed. It became toxic and people are still acting like right big headed, obnoxous and self priviledged idiots. I deleted most of my fanarts and my DA page that was once dedicated to it. Works that still linger will probably be wiped in the future. Being in the fandom was worsening my depression despite it once helping my mental condition. All I can say is Im glad I abandoned it for good.
So its been fun while I was active. I have other interests and a future to pursue elsewhere now. Thanks for making my decade here a good one. I wont dawdle any longer so I now take my leave.
Goodbye guys. Have a good one. Sevy a.k.a Susannah
|
|
|
Post by Ryan on Jul 6, 2021 8:49:00 GMT
Being in the fandom was worsening my depression despite it once helping my mental condition. All I can say is Im glad I abandoned it for good. Sevy, before you leave for good, just bear in mind that there's a lot of other people feeling exactly the same way as you are about the fandom and the current culture that's arisen in recent years. More recent events in the past few weeks have led me to realise how different things are from what they were back in the old days, and it's made me grateful that I've taken that step back from the wider fandom and back to enjoying things on my own terms again. Much as I'd be trying to rally you back in the old days, I can't think of anything more important than the preservation of one's own mental health and well-being. You do what's right for you, but remember if you ever want to come back, you'll always be welcome here. You may have left the fandom, but by no means have you left the friendships you've established through it. All the best to you!
|
|
BNSF1995
Goods Engine
Tell me, Lost Little Red-Cent, have you ever experienced THE ALMIGHTY THREE-SHOE BEATING?!
Posts: 205
|
Post by BNSF1995 on Aug 15, 2021 2:22:12 GMT
Pardon me while I drop off a new BNSF1995 TRIP REPORT * TUESDAY: It was time for another trip up to South Lake Tahoe. Me and my parents left home a little after noon (my brother couldn't come because A) he had to watch our bunny, and B) he had work). Lunch was at a Denny's in Dixon. I saw two trains this day: a UP manifest at the Benicia Bridge, and the westbound California Zephyr near the Yolo Causeway. Upon arriving in Tahoe, our first stop was at the cabin, which we can't stay in because of an eviction process. Even if said process wasn't happening, we couldn't stay in it anyway. The tenants who have been staying here for a year and a half have basically trashed the place. The couch in the living room is ruined since the back cushions have been pushed down by long stretches of sitting directly on it, drapes have been cut up, screens have been popped out, an illegal firepit was built in the backyard, various things were left behind (such as beach toys, a bicycle, and a wakeboard), and allegedly, they were GROWING AND SELLING MARIJUANA OUT OF THE CABIN. WITHOUT A LICENSE. We think they may have cut-and-run and left a bunch of stuff behind once they caught wind that the police were coming. Our housecleaner had been in earlier in the day, and has been doing as much damage control as possible. Instead of the cabin, we stayed at the Forest Inn right behind Heavenly Village, just about to the Stateline. This hotel felt like it hadn't seen much modernization in years, as not only did much of the interior reek of the 80s at the latest, the elevators were old IECO elevators with manually-operated swing doors instead of automatic sliding doors (at least for the outer door; the inner door was an auto-sliding door, but only operated once the outer door was closed). The room was nice enough, but the couch was rather uncomfortable, and there were few outlets (and the ones they had either didn't work or were very hard to keep anything plugged in). After arriving at the hotel, we went to the nearby Raley's, then turned in. * WEDNESDAY: Our first full day in Tahoe was centered around Heavenly Village and the Stateline casinos, the first time we had gambled since Jackson Rancheria in February 2020. The day started with walking around the village, before going across the stateline to Harrah's. I didn't gamble much, as I turned $20 into $80.75. As someone who knows when to quit, I cashed out and went downstairs to the arcade. Since my last visit in August 2019, not much as changed. Mario Kart Arcade GP DX is still there (I played against a little kid and beat him in a last-second pass), as is Cruis'n Blast (much to my amazement, my save data first created in 2017 is STILL THERE). Several games have either been moved to Harvey's (like Silent Scope) or disappeared altogether (like the SpongeBob coin pushers). My current ticket total on my card acquired in 2019 is 5,528. We also checked out the Harvey's arcade. For lunch, we went to the Alpine Union at the Hard Rock (I had chicken tenders and fries), then, after my parents fooled around on some more slots, we went across the street to MontBleu. They played a little more, while I found the arcade, which seems to have been relocated to a better position. This is the last Stateline arcade still using tokens, and I'm 99% certain they acquired the old Harrah's and Harvey's token machines. I gave four to my parents to let them play air hockey. For dinner, we just ate what was in the room. * THURSDAY: Our last full day in Tahoe was spent doing some hiking. My parents went to Van Sickle Bi-State Park in the morning (I stayed behind because it would've been an inexorable death march for me). While they were hiking, the Heavenly gondolas closed because the smoke from the Dixie and Tamarack fires was getting too thick. They came back to the hotel, got me, and we walked across the street for lunch at McP's, a brewhouse restaurant (really good pretzels and fries). After that, we got in the car for the first time since Tuesday, and drove out to Tallac, first to the beach, and then to the Stream Profile (which is STILL closed, this time for heavy construction). With thunder on the horizon, I went back to the hotel while my parents walked around Heavenly, and it actually rained a bit (not enough to clear ou the smoke, sadly). * FRIDAY: Our Virginia City day, because no trip to Tahoe is complete without Virginia City. Usually we ride the 1:20 train, but this time we shot for the 12:30 train. We arrived a little bit before the train returned. The power for the train was 2-8-0 #29, which I have only ridden behind twice in 2001 and 2018; speaking of which, this was the first time I had ridden behind a steam-powered train to Gold Hill since 2001, a gap of 20 years. Normally, we ride in Caboose 50, but since there were three cars on the train, we rode in Open Car 55 this time (the third car was a recently-acquired bay-window caboose, #52, which isn't open to the public yet and probably being broken in). 29 has actually been doing some film working recently, as she and the three Pullmans (#101-103) were shipped out to Oklahoma for use in "Killers of the Flower Moon", Martin Scorsese's latest film. The Pullmans are still in their movie colors, while 29 quickly got her old identity back. The ride was great, as usual, and hearing 29 hammer up the grade out of Gold Hill was an absolute pleasure. Lunch was at the Palace Restaurant, and this time, we did NOT gamble at the Mark Twain Saloon. As we were finishing lunch, it started absolutely POURING outside, much to my surprise. We hit up the usual stores, then got ice cream from Grandma's Fudge (plus some peppermint bark for my brother); my mom got some sorbet from another shop selling ice cream. After that, we left Viriginia City and went not to Tahoe, but Reno. Because hotel prices in Tahoe get jacked up on weekends, we instead spent our last night at the Circus Circus. This room was more of a typical hotel room with two queens. It was facing due west, opening up a nice view that included the rail line (I managed to see two UP trains of covered hoppers; my guess is they're being pulled out of seasonal storage for the coming harvest). Dinner was at the Brew Bros. restaurant at the El Dorado (Circus Circus is part of "The Row" with the El Dorado and Silver Legacy), then we went gambling. I lost $25 total for my time on The Row, but I was still up $30 for the trip. As for Circus Circus' arcade...never have I EVER been to an arcade that didn't have ONE. SINGLE. RACING GAME. It was nothing but ticket redemption games, claw machines, and carnival games manned by real people. I still managed to derive SOME enjoyment, mainly in the form of getting the rare Gary card from the SpongeBob coin pusher (I'm gonna see if I can't use it at other arcades with the SpongeBob coin pusher to get that Super Card Bonus). After all was said and done, we finally turned in. * SATURDAY: Today was departure day. We didn't stay around for breakfast, instead deciding to pick up something quick at a nearby Safeway (I had two chocolate donuts with sprinkles, while my mom had a bagel). Since we were going home from Reno, we took I-80 over Donner Pass. And boy, was it a feast today! Three trains on the pass (empty covered hoppers, a double-stack, and a manifest), the eastbound California Zephyr in the foothills, and another manifest at the Benicia Bridge. Nice to see the UP so busy. Lunch was at a Chili's in Vacaville. My dad's Wayz took us on the backroads of Pleasanton to get around traffic on I-680, which included passing through a golf course that the old Western Pacific mainline cuts right through the middle of. We arrived home at 5:40-ish, and found my brother had left the TV on all day, plus the bathtub clogged. The next trip is tentatively to Disneyland in November for my dad's 60th birthday, but that trip is now in question thanks to the Delta variant.
|
|
BNSF1995
Goods Engine
Tell me, Lost Little Red-Cent, have you ever experienced THE ALMIGHTY THREE-SHOE BEATING?!
Posts: 205
|
Post by BNSF1995 on Oct 11, 2021 5:04:38 GMT
Here I am with a new BNSF1995 Trip Report * Thursday, October 7: I woke up, got dressed, and waited for my mom to come home from work. Around 3, my aunt and grandma arrived to pick us up. Our destination: South Lake Tahoe. We hit heavy traffic around Fremont and Sunol, normal for this time of day. Dinner was at Chili's in Lodi, and by the time we left, the sun had set. Today was a train feast, as I saw a double-headed Caltrain crossing I-280 in San Jose, an Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train near Livermore, a Union Pacific power move stopped in a siding in Tracy (probably to allow the ACE to pass), and a UP manifest in Manteca. As it was night and US-50 is barely, if at all, lit, we couldn't see any damage from the Caldor Fire that threatened South Lake Tahoe last month. Upon arriving at the Y, it was after 10 PM, and Raley's was closed. Fortunately, the Safeway down by the lakeshore is open 24/7, so we got breakfast there. Around 11-ish, we finally arrived at the cabin (the original plan was to stay at the Forest Inn Suites, where me and my parents stayed in August, but our housekeeper managed to make the cabin habitable again). When we got inside, it looked much better than when me and my parents peeked inside in August, but there were still quite a few issues. For one, the cable and wi-fi were still on seasonal hold (we had shut both off once the renters overstayed their welcome), and the housekeeper had rearranged a bunch of things, including beds upstairs and various other things. Upstairs was a coffee table with a bunch of games and puzzles, including Ryan's Rocket Race Game (based on Ryan's World), Jenga, and an unopened Cards Against Humanity. During one of the nights we were there, I also found a weird Batman figure lodged in the frame of my bed, which my mom is going to take to school to give away to one of the students in her class. When we arrived, it was eerily quiet outside, and we even saw a cottontail rabbit on the driveway. The interior of the cabin smelled like a mix between nicotine and pot. * Friday, October 8: Most of this day was spent in the cabin, doing work and speaking with the housekeeper. Later in the day, we set out for the Safeway from the previous night, now intending to get more food. It was here that I got my first glimpse of the lake in daylight (even though the sun was setting); in August, you could barely see the other side thanks to smoke from the Dixie Fire in Butte County, but this time, you could see clear to the other side, no problem. * Saturday, October 9: Carson City day. Our main purpose was to shop at the Walmart SuperCenter near the interchange between US-50, US-395, and I-580, to replace things that the renters had destroyed or stolen (one thing they stole sadly can't be replaced, that being a clock made by my late grandpa; the bigger clock with a working pendulum is still there). While at the store, I went off on my own to look at the toys (their selection of Thomas product is either Motorized or Pushalong), as well as the video games and DVDs/Blu-Rays, which included taking a picture of the cover of Okko's Inn for a friend. Afterwards, I went to a little area called "Game Play" that hosts numerous claw machines, a Fast & Furious: Superbikes game, two massage chairs, an out-of-order Whistle Stop, and some candy dispensers. I played two races on Superbikes (and finished third in both), tried to win something from the claw machines (and failed), and got some Skittles from a dispenser. After shopping, we went to Red's 395 Diner past the Nevada State Railroad Museum (no trains were running that day). After late lunch/early dinner, we stopped at the nearby Dutch Bros Coffee (of which we have none here in the South Bay, the closest being in Pleasanton; my brother is constantly singing its praises since there's one in Chico, where he goes to all the time because his girlfriend lives there); my mom got a pumpkin spice latte, while I got a White Chocolate Frost, kind of a mix between a milkshake and a Slurpee. And it was REALLY good. Finally, we drove back to Tahoe. My aunt and grandma were full of beans, so they dropped me and my mom off at the Stateline casinos. At Harrah's, I lost $30, while my mom lost $55. The arcade at HArrah's has had a few games rearranged and a new one added. After winning at Cruis'n Blast and Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, I set to work getting more tickets for my card. During this time, I decided to play a game I had seen in August, called Pearl Fishery. It's like a coin pusher, but with balls representing pearls; there are small pearls and big pearls, the small pearls actually looking like pearls, while the big pearls are, and I kid you not, Dragon Balls. By the time my mom came down, I was up to 6,325 tickets, and this time, I actually got something with them: ten Tootsie Pops for 500 tickets, barely a dent in this now-massive total. Not wanting to drag my aunt out, my mom got us an Uber to the cabin. * Sunday: October 10: Departure day. It took us a bit to get ready, meaning I was able to watch a majority of the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Charlotte Roval (I heard the rest in the car; Kyle Larson won AGAIN). We finally left around 2-ish, after watching a young couple try to put a dresser we didn't want into their car (they either gave up, or went to Meek's Bay Lumber to get some straps). Now in broad daylight, we were able to see the scope of the damage caused by the Caldor Fire, seeing that it came as far as the intersection of US-50 and Pioneer Trail in Meyer. Further up the mountain, we saw much devastation, a few destroyed homes, plenty of CalFire and PG&E crews at work, and even a tree that was still emitting white smoke. Lunch was at Applebee's in Lodi (across the street from the Chili's we ate at on Thursday). Me and my mom didn't get home until around 8:30 (I missed this year's Treehouse of Horror...). The next trip will either be back to South Lake Tahoe over Veteran's Day Weekend with my parents, aunt, and grandma (provided it doesn't snow heavily, though the Uber driver me and my mom had last night said that at that time of year, the snow doesn't tend to stick), Disneyland for my dad's 60th birthday on Thanksgiving week (looking more and more likely to be cancelled due to the Delta surge), or Dinseyland in February during President's Week (hopefully not departing on Sunday; over my dead body I miss the Daytona 500).
|
|
Memyselfandthomas
Shunting Engine
I more active on blueplastictracks. blueplastictracks: generic_truck_69420
Posts: 25
|
Post by Memyselfandthomas on Nov 1, 2021 11:20:42 GMT
When I saw this thread was made by Simon A.C. Martin, I got a tsunami of nostalgia because I remember watching the videos where he compared the hornby and bachmann models.
|
|
BNSF1995
Goods Engine
Tell me, Lost Little Red-Cent, have you ever experienced THE ALMIGHTY THREE-SHOE BEATING?!
Posts: 205
|
Post by BNSF1995 on Nov 15, 2021 2:15:44 GMT
It's a busy time for the BNSF1995 Trip Report * Thursday, November 11: Originally, we were going to depart for South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday in the afternoon, but there was a scheduling conflict regarding my dad. So, we left on Thursday morning instead. Not really any trains this day, aside from a Union Pacific local stopped at the interchange with the California Northern in Davis. Lunch was at Original Mel's in Placerville, where I had chicken tenders and fries. En route from Placerville to South Lake Tahoe, we were stopped for almost an hour, as a flagman had been set up at a spot on US 50 that had fallen away due to a mudslide (damage from the Caldor Fire exacerbated by the recent rains). Eventually, we arrived at the cabin, and me and my mom went shopping at Safeway. All of us were in our PJs by the time my aunt and grandma arrived. * Friday, November 12: Our Carson City day. The cabin needed a few things, so it was off to the Walmart in Carson City. We did our shopping (and I found the Walmart-exclusive reissue of the original Optimus Primal), then we had lunch at Red's 395 Diner. My aunt and grandma drove back to Tahoe, while my parents and I went to Casino Fandango. All of us came out ahead: $6 for my dad, $16 for my mom, and $48 for me. Afterwards, we drove to a nearby Dutch Bros (the other location, not the one near Red's), where my mom got a coffee and I got another White Chocolate Frost. And again, it was REALLY good. * Saturday, November 13: Our hang-around-Tahoe day. First on the docket was going down to Taylor Creek. The construction from August was complete, revealing a new boardwalk (though the Stream Profile was still closed). The big attraction right now is salmon-spawning season; tons of dead salmon and trout, but just as many still alive and spawning, plus ducks and coots picking at the eggs they had laid. Afterwards, we drove down to the Stateline. Originally, we were planning to eat at McP's from August, but parking was an issue, so we ate at Alpine Union again. After late lunch/early dinner, my aunt and grandma went back to the cabin while me and my parents stayed behind to gamble. In total, I lost $40 that night at both Hard Rock and Harvey's, but was still $8 ahead for the entire trip (my parents did even worse, with my mom $65 in the hole, and my dad not wanting to talk about it). The arcade was, as always, more my speed, and I got stuff done. After my first round of playing in the Harvey's Arcade, I was up to 6,200 tickets, and got an LED Railroad Crossing Signal for 2,500 tickets, bringing me down to 3,700 tickets. Afterwards, we went through the tunnel to Harrah's, where my parents continued gambling, while I went to the Harrah's arcade to continue playing. I managed to make up the difference in tickets, and eventually got 20 Tootsie Pops (giving the orange ones to my grandma). After that, we headed back to the cabin and watched the new Saturday Night Live. * Sunday, November 14: Departure day. Me and my parents departed around 11:30 AM, while my aunt and grandma departed a bit later. Lunch was at the Chili's in Vacaville from August. No trains this day. We arrived home at 5:31 PM. Two trips coming up: first is Disneyland from November 19-25, then a weekend jaunt to Chico from December 3-5 (my brother's girlfriend is in a production of "The Nutcracker"; I'm only going for a restaurant my brother keeps praising).
|
|
BNSF1995
Goods Engine
Tell me, Lost Little Red-Cent, have you ever experienced THE ALMIGHTY THREE-SHOE BEATING?!
Posts: 205
|
Post by BNSF1995 on Nov 26, 2021 2:30:00 GMT
Like I said, it's a busy time for the BNSF1995 Trip Report * Friday, November 19: After my mom and dad got off work, we packed up the car for another visit to Disneyland (and the first since COVID). Normally, we take CA-152 to I-5, but there was road work on I-5, so Waze kept us on US-101 all the way to Paso Robles, where we had dinner. Me, my brother, and my dad had McDonald's, while my mom had Subway. Afterwards, we took CA-46 all the way to Lost Hills and picked up I-5 there. As most of the drive was in darkness, there were few, if any, trainspotting opportunities. We arrived at the Desert Inn & Suites right across the street from the esplanade a little after 10 PM, checked in, and went to bed. * Saturday, November 20: Our first day at Disneyland, as well as my dad's 60th birthday. We started the day the way we usually start our first Disneyland day: at Indiana Jones. After that, we did Haunted Mansion Holiday, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the recently-refurbished Snow White's Enchanted Wish (can you believe people actually want that ride cancelled because they think Snow White was kissed by the prince without her consent?). In Tomorrowland, we got my Disabilities Assistance Service (DAS), since I get anxious waiting in long lines. Our first DAS was for Space Mountain, and thereafter Autopia. We also took a lap around the park on the Disneyland Railroad (#3 Fred Gurley pulling the Holiday Blue set; because of staffing shortages, there was a maximum of two trains running; the other train until Monday was #1 CK Holliday pulling the Excursion Train set). Lunch was at Alien Pizza Planet in Tomorrowland (I, of course, had two Mickey Pretzels), while dinner was at the GCH Craftsman Bar.For our first day, and with crowds as big as they were, we managed to hit pretty much every major ride in the park, even Rise of the Resistance (which opened just before the pandemic) and Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. Me and my mom were tired, and left around 8-ish while my dad and brother stayed for fireworks and to take advantage of the mass exodus that follows. * Sunday, November 21: Our first day at Disney California Adventure. While everyone was swarming Web Slingers: A Spider Man Adventure in Avengers Campus, we basically had Pixar Pier to ourselves, getting on Toy Story Midway Mania twice in a row, as well as Jessie's Critter Carousel, Pixar Pal-Around, and me and my mom did Silly Symphony Swings while my dad and brother did Incredicoaster. We actually managed to get on Web Slingers twice thanks to DAS. This ride left me with mixed reactions: the theming and humor are great (and I swear, the AI voice in the ride is voiced by Cristina Valenzuela, but I can't find anything to back this up), and features the low-key debuts of the MCU counterparts of Squirrel Girl and Moon Girl, but not only were my webs rather inaccurate due to going too low, my arms were killing me. Again, we managed to hit all of the major E-tickets in the park (I sat out Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission BREAKOUT, due to my hatred for such G-forces); one ride we didn't get to do was Luigi's Joy to the Whirl (the holiday overlay for Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters), as it broke down while we were in line. Lunch was at Pym Test Kitchen in Avengers Campus, where I got the HUGE pretzel; me and my mom eventually got tired enough that we didn't want to have dinner in the park, so we instead left and went to the Denny's next to the Desert Inn. * Monday, November 22: Our second Disneyland day began in Fantasyland with the remaining dark rides we hadn't done yet, plus the Mad Tea Party, which I hadn't ridden in years (it was a tight fit since me and my brother have gotten bigger since we last rode). We also repeated rides we already did. Heading into the evening, my dad and brother did Big Thunder again while me and my mom rode the Mark Twain Riverboat (since Fantasmic isn't being shown right now, and won't be until next year, the Mark Twain can operate at night). Lunch was at Ballast Point Brewery in Downtown Disney, while dinner was a light affair consisting of popcorn for me and skewers from Bengal BBQ for everyone else. After that, me and my mom returned to the hotel. * Tuesday, November 23: Our second and final DCA day. I arrived later at the park due to being punch-drunk tired, and walked over and entered by myself. We did Web Slingers again, as well as Radiator Springs Racers, Toy Story Midway Mania, and The Little Mermaid, before departing the park to eat at the Uva Bar in Downtown Disney. We did some more DCA, before we hopped over to Disneyland and did some more repeats over there. On this day, there was a reshuffle on the Disneyland Railroad, with Fred Gurley transferred over to the Excursion Train (the cars she debuted with in 1958), and #4 Ernest S. Marsh taking over on the Holiday Blue set. Dinner was at the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country, sitting at my favorite spot upstairs right next to the tracks to watch the trains pass (all two of them). * Wednesday, November 24: Our final Disneyland day. Both me AND my mom were tired, so we slept in and arrived later. The focus of the day was on unfinished business, such as riding a few laps on the DLRR, riding the monorail, doing the Jungle Cruise during the day, and going to the Tiki Room. Lunch was at the Jolly Holiday Bakery on Main Street. While my mom and brother were walking back from the Adventureland restrooms, they said hello to famed cast member Maynard Smith, who launched into a story about the stroller parking, and how the "invisible babies" are being kept from chewing on the trees by fencing, but they're getting crafty. Maynard also told my dad his life story. He's such a character. As we were walking to the Jungle Cruise, he told us another crazy story, this time about the pavement cracks (apparently, they're created by the Jungle Cruise elephants having an underground break room with a trampoline that causes them to hit their heads, and that scientists have been trying to create "marshmallow hats" to stop this). Like I said, what a character. And that's not even getting into his spiel for the Tiki Room.Dinner was at the Red Rose Tavern in Fantasyland (formerly Pinocchio's Village Haus, but was rethemed to resemble Gaston's tavern during the marketing push for the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast). After me and my mom got a ride on Dumbo, we got our stuff from the locker on Main Street and returned to the hotel one last time. * Thursday, November 25: Departure day on Thanksgiving. Waze took us on I-710 and I-10 to get around the infamous LA traffic. Lunch was at the Denny's in Lost Hills. I did have a train catch today: a Metrolink pulled by an EMD F125 along I-10. We arrived home just before 5 PM, and in a bit, we'll be leaving for my aunt's house for pie (and ice cream), and to pick up our bunny (my brother immediately took off for Pleasanton, since that's where his girlfriend is right now). Our next trip is to Chico next weekend, as my brother's girlfriend is in a production of The Nutcracker (like I said, I'm only going for the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. restaurant in town).
|
|
BNSF1995
Goods Engine
Tell me, Lost Little Red-Cent, have you ever experienced THE ALMIGHTY THREE-SHOE BEATING?!
Posts: 205
|
Post by BNSF1995 on Dec 26, 2021 0:39:29 GMT
Merry Bloody-Cold Gift-Giving Day! Posting here later than usual!
Here's my haul for this year:
MORNING * Cruis'n Blast for Nintendo Switch * Razer Blackshark V2 gaming headphones * Acer 24-inch gaming monitor * Ticket to Ride (board game) * Another six-pack of Island Strawberry V8 Splash * $60 for Steam
AFTERNOON * A new train calendar * Pokemon Brilliant Diamond * New socks and underwear (like, lots of new socks and underwear) * A new shirt * New pajamas * A check for $500 * $100 for Steam * $50 for Amazon * An NCE PowerCab (for use at my model train club)
|
|
|
Post by The Thomas Cynic on Dec 26, 2021 13:43:25 GMT
Here's my haul, I'll be grouping morning and afternoon together:
- Tallylyn Railway Calendar for 2022 - A cap custom designed by my Dad with "TTC" and the YouTube symbol on the front (very wholesome) - Lots of chocolate (a LOT of chocolate, plus some other assorted sweets) - Sudoku puzzle book - Book about how geopolitics is altered by natural geography (very interesting actually) - Notebooks (2 small paper notepads and then one nicer black and red notebook) - Post-it notes, pen, other small items of assorted stationary - Varying amounts of money from relatives (about £70 total) + £10 Amazon Gift Card - Book about steam engines in the 50s
|
|
|
Post by Rusty Red Scrap Iron on Mar 21, 2022 12:02:35 GMT
I don't know how many are aware, but today marks exactly twenty-five years since the passing of the Reverend W. Awdry.
I can still remember the announcement of his death be mentioned on a BBC News report, and then a month or so later as a sign of respect the BBC repeated the Thomas the Tank Engine Man Documentary.
But we all certainly know that the good Reverend left a remarkable legacy, and that his legacy shall live on for many more generations to come.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2022 14:26:22 GMT
A question for anyone if Interested: Has your interest in Thomas or Trains in general lead you to discover new hobbies besides anything Thomas or train related? I've personally discovered that I have an interest in history (mainly Victorian era - Modern day)
|
|
|
Post by Rusty Red Scrap Iron on Jun 3, 2022 17:56:24 GMT
A question for anyone if Interested: Has your interest in Thomas or Trains in general lead you to discover new hobbies besides anything Thomas or train related? I've personally discovered that I have an interest in history (mainly Napoleonic Wars - modern day) Its funny you mention that, because I find myself interesting in aspects of the Zodiac both Western and Chinese where what's said birth signs lucky colour or colours and put them into my writing. Which I contribute to both the Railway Series as well as the TV Series of Thomas, which would've been one of my questions if I could've asked the late Reverend as to what was his inspiration for giving his engines their particular colour i.e. Thomas being Blue and James being Red (with perhaps exceptions of say Duck and Oliver being Green because it was for say the associate colour of Great Westerns). Also while I'm here and save double-posting, a Happy Platinum Jubilee to Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II's. A once in a lifetime achievement fulfilled by a British Monarch.
|
|