It gets better everyday....not!

OK, still live downtown in the "classic hotel". The damn park across the street is having a "Jesus Freak" music concert all afternoon...can't even hear my TV it's so loud!

But when I went for coffee this morning I saw this weird dog crossing the street........it was a fox! It was just walking down the sidewalk, stopped in the shade and laid down on the cement. People walked by it and it just sat there, until they realized what it was, then they jumped out of their skin. At least it wasn't a bear or mountain lion, which people have told me also come into town! Uh huh.

I'll admit it I am getting "twitchy" and may just go 100% homeless. Even though I don't have much crap, I have too much to carry. Let the purge begin.

Soup Kitchens.........Not Half Bad!

OK, I ate in the free soup kitchen a block from my "digs". Sunday Brunch was scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, juice, bread and butter, fruit salad, etc. Tasted OK, and six hours later I am not sick!

Now I can eat free on my days off. :-)

There was a "free soup" meal at the college, but the free shuttle doesn't run on Sundays and its 9 blocks each way. I made a sandwich instead.

A friend at work, in the middle of the worst rain of the year last night, gave me a ride home and stopped to get the last of my stuff from storage! Got my computer hooked up, etc. Did a load of laundry down the hall....the hall looks like in the movie "The Shinning"! LOL

I guess I'll survive....damn!

More Postcards From the Edge!

Today I took a day off from "moving by bus" and did errands.....got some free food from EMS, took bus to Medical and got my meds. Listened to a free concert in the park by a band called "Spicy Soup"...electronic blues/jazz.....pretty good!

Now at the library updating blogs, checking email, etc.

Oh, and I got a hot plate at Goodwill for $2.99.......now I can cook!

After I get done here, I am going to a free Vegan Supper in the park by the Library.

Hey it's free! Oh and I found another grocery store, a quicker bus ride than going to WalMart......which is a real nasty WalMart at that!

There are more blacks here than where I lived in Michigan, 26 miles N of Detroit!

Still Loose on the Street

I've survived a week of living on the street and without anyones help. My "in-between" age of 58 & 11 mo's puts me at a disadvantage, cause most programs start at age 60.

I plan to get as much help as I can....this will be my retirement and no family to rely on. Bah! The neighborhood is nice, lots of bars and resturants......and 100's of homeless, who, like roaches, disappear as soon as it dark!

Seen at lest one drug deal per day...where are the cops?

And if these two long legged, gorgous blondes are "hookers", I am saving up my money!

Homeless.......Not!

OK, I am off the streets......no more sleeping in electrical meter boxes or garages on the floor. I moved into a efficiency room in an old flop house. I made several bus trips to get my stuff.......last one was my 13" TV............moving by bus is no fun....glad it wasn't a 27" !

Library is open late evernight........hence I am posting! Lots of bums, homeless, runaways, etc. downtown.......they all hang out together. Already saw my first drug deal going down!

I wasn't too comfortable sleeping outside.....it was warm enough, but I was wary of coyotes, snakes, bears, etc. Oh, and packs of little 14 yr old male punks!

I have decided to never see any of my famly , children, etc.............ever again! To them I am dead! Oh well.

I haven't seen my oldest daughter, now 35, since she was 7. I can do it, their loss, not mine!

The adventure continues.

Life on the Street

Ahhhhhhhh, life on the street. I am downtown CS...to get a bus pass and to check out a "flop house in and old 1920 hotel. furnished all utilities across from a park and police station, with dozens of bars nearby! My kind of place.........$375.......now all I need is that money from my car. It's really not bad....clan safe and dry. I'll bring my little TV and Computer....and will be good to go.

Meanwhile the "garage" ain't so bad. It poured last night, lots of lightening, but I was dry and in my own airbed!

I tried to eat a $2 lunch with the old people today........you have to be 60! Someone needs to "define" a senior and make it the same. 50 for AARP, 55 for Denny's Senior meals, 62 for golf, and 60 to eat a $2 lunch. Uh huh.

I am at the library and my hour of time is almost over.

Postcards from the edge!

I am living on the street for two days now. I am getting a "garage" for rent in the apartment complex. I plan to sleep there! I was supposed to get it yesterday, but the dimwit leasing agent messed up the order and the door wouldn't open. So I had to sleep outside for the second night in a row. It's get darn cold at 4:00 AM.

The first night I found a spot on a wide ledge behind the privacy wall..........it was about 20' down. I was enjoying the view into the canyon when something "large" comes busting through the brush and starts shaking and climbing the tree in front of me. It didn't make any growls, but sound pretty big! Well........I left, LOL

Last night I heard coyotes!

Hopefully tonight I'll have "shelter", my air mattress and blankies.......I am pretty tired and sore!

I spend the days wandering around this end of town. At least it's not winter!

Homeless.......An Adventure or "The End"?

OK, as of today, I am homeless. My son and his 250# girlfriend asked me to move out. I have no money and no where to go.

I got a small storage shed for my meager possessions. I guess I'll be sleeping on the street or a shelter. Oh well. God really hates me...LOL.

I'll be updating this on Tuesdays and Fridays, since those are my days off.

I guess I will also apply for disability, cause it is getting more difficult to work with my arthritis in my neck. It is pinching nerves in my spinal cord. Getting old sucks.

From talking to the doctor, several vertebra are also misaligned.....evidently from several childhood injuries that were never treated by my child-abusing parents. Falling, bike wrecks, baseball injuries, that actually, several I was knocked unconscious, but my parents never took me to the doctor. Uh huh.

updates from the "field"......literally!

Uh Huh.........Why am I still Here??

OK, I am really, really, close to going postal.....I mean taking out someone in a bloody, gory, pile of worm food! How much can anyone take? Really? Most people would have "offed" themselves years ago, if they had to put up with the crap I do....yearly!

People laugh at me....yes, they really do, they think I am making up this crap. NOT!

Every year, at least 6-12 "major" events take place, and have since 1967. Just this year......just this year, (you'd kill yourself if you knew about the last 40 years).... I moved to another state, lost all my retirement savings, my car broke and has been stolen, I work for peanuts, my son attempted suicide and cut his wrists........took three hours to clean up all the blood, etc., etc.

Back in 1985 as I was facing bankruptcy number 2...I had the barrel of the gun in my mouth and my finger on the trigger. My biggest regret in life.......not pulling that goddamn trigger!

Get some Balls and Lets Deal with Immigration, the Middle-East, and Everything Else One Last Time

OK, I believe there are relatively "simple" solutions to all our problems, if only we have the "balls" to do what needs to be done. Once upon a time , I was a member of an "unofficial" group, with members of my college community, who, like myself were Political Science majors in 1971. In short, a student "Think Tank". Prior to that, I wrote many "Letters to the Editor" at University of Colorado, Boulder with regards to the war in Vietnam. I was a war supporter, a "Young Republican", and totally anti-hippie. Many years have passed since that time, but my opinions on war and dealing with the "enemies" of the USA, both foreign and domestic, have not wavered.

The rights of the many outweigh the rights of the few!

1) Immigration: Stop all immigration for five or ten years. We need to adopt the immigration policies of other countries like England, Canada, and Australia. We can no longer afford to take in the needy and depressed poor of the world.

All "illegal" immigrants need to be deported ASAP, no exceptions. They can take their "anchor babies" with them. This anchor baby thing also needs to be abandoned. Roundup and deportation of all illegals, cancellation of all "student visas", and "guest worker" visas, also need to be canceled and the persons expelled.

A "No Man's Land" similar to the Berlin Wall or the Israel Fence, should be installed along the entire Mexican-US border............two 20 foot chain link fence topped with razor wire, 50 feet apart, the middle ground lined with land mines. Yes, Land Mines. We have them, and should use them!

There are plenty of poor inner city and rural citizens that can do the jobs that some claim only "immigrants" will do.. All Welfare and social aid payments, can also be curtailed upon the deportation of the "illegals".

2) The Middle-East. All oil supplies should be "Nationalized" by the United States. This can be initiated after carpet bombing all major middle-eastern cities with thermonuclear weapons. The United States also needs to implement an "Anti-Islam" Law in the USA. No one should be allowed to be a member or to worship Islam. The bulldozing of all Mosques should be implemented ASAP after the decree!

3) Anti-War, Anti-American Opinion should be declared "Treason" by law, and punishable by death or expulsion! This includes, speech, the press, and personal actions.

Extremism? Hate crime? Far-out rhetoric that makes Ann Coulter look tame? I think not, rather it is a solution. Remember like George W. Bush must think, a bad decision is better than no decision! Everyone in Government needs to get off their butts and make things happen, and now, before its too late.

Part 2 will include other options.

Technorati : Immigration, cabals, final solution, freedom, independence, war

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Family Recipies

http://mojakka.com/recipes/mojakka21.htm

"What If"?

What if?

I often wonder, "What if........" Everyday we are overwhelmed by tragedy or news of tragedy in every aspect of our lives. War, the threat of war, the economy, the price of gasoline going up or down; the stock market going up or down, many times reacting to shortages, threats of war or terrorism, etc.

How long can this go on? The USA is over 300 million people; the world is busy working on 7 Billion souls. Our economy and most of the worlds economy is based on infinite growth, infinite resources, cheap energy, mass consumption, etc.

So that leaves me with, "What if.........?" Iran detonates a nuclear bomb as a test, or decides to target Israel, or a new major act of terror strikes Europe or the USA. The price of gasoline shoots to $5+ per gallon in the USA.......the Middle-East explodes in a new regional war. Or, given the recent news of Iran possessing 350 pounds of enriched uranium, Israel targets and destroys Iran's nuclear capability, in a pre-emptive strike!

Suppose Global Warming, or more correctly. "Climate Change", causes the Antarctic ice sheet to break off and starts melting............sea levels will rise almost two meters? Or suppose "Bird Flu" or some relative virus causes a pandemic bleaker than the Spanish Flu of 1918? The list is almost endless and limited only by one's imagination.

Pundits, both in the present and long in the past, have predicted the end of civilization. The Mayan Calendar predicts it to be 12/21/12, Nostradamus, Casey, Isacco Newton, and many, many others, have picked other dates. It may happen. It probably will happen...........someday.

It's not just, "What if".........It's, "What will we do? How will we go on?"

Technorati : Iran, Israel, nuclear war, opinion, terrorism

Why I Blog

Blog, Blogged, Blogging...such interesting terms. Why do I do it? Why do I have six Blogs?

I actually narrowed it down. One or two just didn't seem like enough for commentary and subject matter that I am interested in. I've spent years in the science area, construction and design.......and also many years in business and retail, hence my many "hats". I thought I was finished designing and "tweaking" my blogs, but constantly get new ideas or, most recently, input from a review!

I think my blogs are evolving as I seek reviews and hope full, submission for an award or two.

I was surprised at the amount of time (work?) involved and complexity of search engine submissions, reviews, award sites, and just promoting my sites. I guess it could be intimidating for some. However, I get personal rewards from creating something new, and I hope interesting for some.

I try to include original art, photography, or prose, when applicable. That also sooths my creative side.

Disturbing Secrets: Bill English And Project Blue Book Report 13

Little Grey Bastards!


After many phone conversations with Bill English during the late 1980s and early 1990s, I came to the conclusion that he was the real deal. That’s a rare find in a field filled with people that imagine themselves to be former Directors of MJ-12, Alien Saviors and Pleadian Royalty. Apart from his attention to detail and willingness to produce credentials, Bill had much more to lose than gain by coming forward with the story of Blue Book Report 13. Considering the controversies that grew out of the MJ-12 documents, who would want that kind of negative attention?

Project Bluebook (1949-1969) was the official U.S. Government investigation into UFOs that replaced Projects Grudge (1949-1951) and Sign (1947-1949). Headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, the investigations were handled by the U.S. Air Force. Without going into a lot of detail that would distract from the subject, there were thirteen reports prepared from the raw information gathered by those investigations. The reports were numbered 1-12 and 14.

Report 14 contradicted conclusions reached by the others. 1-12 left wiggle room for attacking the credibility of UFO Witnesses. 14 pointed out that less than 10% of the UFO sightings or encounters reported to Bluebook could be attributed to unstable or unreliable witnesses. That made everyone wonder if there was a Report 13 and what it had to say. If there was and it was filled with secrets, why skip a number? Why not give it a different designation and lock it away in some forgotten file drawer? The answer to those questions has to do with the military and bureaucratic mindset. They would rather spend millions of dollars trying to deny or discredit a Report 13, instead of just changing the number.

Enter Bill English, the son of an Arizona State Legislator and a former Captain in the U.S. Army Green Berets. Bill was honorably discharged while overseas in 1973. He remained in Germany with his wife until she was transferred to RAF Chicksands' Department of Defense Schools. Bill’s wife was a GS-9 (Teacher). After the couple arrived at Chicksands, English says he ran into a former Commanding Officer working for the NSA. He offered Bill a job at a listening post known as the ‘elephant cage.’ English accepted the position and remained there until July of 1976.

Bill describes his duties at the listening post:

“It was my job to analyze the translated transcripts of radio transmissions that had been received from Soviet bloc nations through the listening post at Chicksands. We monitored military frequencies mostly. I had to assign what we called a probability rating to the material and create a possible scenario that might result from the transmission or might have resulted in the transmission. Say, for example, if we received information that so-and-so was on vacation somewhere, and then we heard a phone call made from a certain location, we'd compare the two and get an indication whether or not this gentleman really was on vacation or not.”

Near the end of June, 1976, English received a 625 page report to examine and evaluate. He identifies it as Grudge/Blue Book Report 13. After examining everything, Bill leaves us with the impression that he assigned a high probability rating to the report which indicated that UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin. He says that decision was influenced by the inclusion of photos associated with a classified military mission that occurred around May of 1970. That mission involved English.

Bill English was a member of Special Forces serving in Vietnam when his team was dispatched to a B-52 crash site in Laos. On arrival, he found the aircraft intact with little visible damage and hatches sealed. After blasting their way in, the team found the crew dead. They were still in their seats and harnesses, but ‘horribly mutilated.’ Despite the damage to their bodies, there was very little blood present on the floor of the aircraft. After photographing the scene and collecting items on their retrieval list, the Special Forces team set off charges causing bombs still on board the aircraft to explode and incinerate the bodies inside.

Less than a month after he first received the Grudge/Blue Book Report 13, English reported to work only to find himself being escorted to the Base Commander’s Office by security personnel. Colonel Robert Black informed him that his services were no longer needed and that he was being immediately expelled from the UK. English was placed on an aircraft at RAF Lakenheath and flown back to the USA without the opportunity to contact his wife or anyone else. Once home, he was given a plane ticket back to Arizona. Bill’s wife was left with the impression that he had simply abandoned her.

Two years later, Colonel Black and his Operations Sergeant appeared at Bill’s place of business in Tucson, AZ. Black told English that they had also been given the boot by the military because of Grudge/Blue Book Report 13 and that he had a plan to get even with them. Black claimed to have information about an enormous alien craft that was buried at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He wanted English to help him and his former Operations Sergeant find it and expose the Government Cover-Up. Bill agreed to help, sold his business and threw his money in with theirs.

English describes what happened during the hunt for the huge flying saucer:

“We purchased a van, which we outfitted with desert tires, marine radar, listening devices, magnetometers and some pretty flaky video cameras of the time. We rendezvoused and traveled along the perimeter of WSMR, and in certain areas we would cross into the test range and look around. Ultimately we wound up in White Sands National Park. From there we drove onto the range. Toward sunset, I was walking on the range about 1,000 yards in front of the vehicle. Black and his sergeant were both in it at the time. I heard a rather familiar sound, and screamed 'Incoming!' and went face first into the dirt. The next thing I know, the van is blowing up. I think they fired a rocket. Then there are helicopters all over the place, and I am running for my life, literally. I made it back to Tucson on foot.”

After a series of quickly calculated steps and help from friends, English went into hiding. By the time he contacted me in the late 1980s, there had been several serious attempts on his life. To his credit, English began telling his story to most any serious UFO Researcher that would listen. This got his name out before the public and made the possibility of any additional assassination attempts unlikely. However, English still had one extremely dangerous adversary…himself.

Bill English was cautious when it came to revealing certain facts, but those instances were too few and far between. He came across to me as a guy that was recounting his experiences from memory without concern for what anyone thought about it. Most criticisms of English or claimed contradictions count on the ‘official version’ from government sources and tend to be cancelled out by an equal amount of verifications. In the end, it’s what Bill English read about in Grudge/Blue Book Report 13 that tips the scales in his favor.

Apart from any revelations by Bill English, it just made sense that a classified version of the Project Blue Book Report would exist in one form or another. After all, intelligence data is only as good as someone’s ability to interpret it. Some sort of reference material would have to be available for that purpose. In such a case, no points would be given for political correctness or watered-down information. While some of the assertions made by English and included in the report may be disturbing, they are the kind of ’in your face’ facts that would be found in a classified reference work. They are also not exclusive. Stories of this type exist within the files of many UFO investigators.

I recall being castigated by the UFO research community in New York during the 1980s after revealing that a number of already deceased bodies in local morgues and funeral homes were being strangely mutilated in parts of New York City and Westchester County. The incidents were too widespread and numerous to be the work of a few twisted individuals or some local cult and coincided with multiple UFO sightings. While looking into that, I discovered that a larger than usual number of missing children cases were popping up in the same areas in conjunction with UFO Sightings. That coincides with another case mentioned in Grudge/Blue Book Report 13.

English recounts the Darlington Farm Case as mentioned in Report 13 on audio cassette (abridged):

“October 1953. Man, wife and 13 year old son were sitting down at dinner table. As they sat there the lights in the farm house began to dim. Dogs and animals raised ruckus on outside. 13 year old boy got up from dinner table to see what was going on. Called his mother and father to come look at the funny light in the sky. Father and mother went out onto the porch. When they got out on the porch one of the dogs broke loose from leash beside house and came running around front. Boy began chasing it into the open field.”

“As mother and father watched the light come down from the sky, they described it as a round ball of fire and it began to hover over the field where the boy and dog had run to. As they stood and watched, the mother and father heard the boy start screaming for help whereupon the father grabbed his shotgun which was right next to the door and began to run out into the field with the mother following. When the father got to the field he saw his son being carried away by what looked like little men, into this huge fiery looking object. As it took off the father fired several rounds at the object, to no avail. They found the dog; its head had been crushed but no sign of the boy or any other footprints of the little men who apparently carried him off.”

“Father called the Darlington police and they immediately came out to investigate. The official report read that the boy had run off and was lost in the forest which bordered the farm. Within 48 hours the Air Force made the determination that the family was to be relocated. The mother and father were picked up by Air Force (personnel) and all personal belongings and possessions were loaded into U.S. Air Force trucks and moved to a northwestern relocation site. The mother was in shock and had to go through a great deal of psychotherapy and deprogramming as did father. One interesting aspect about this case was classification under Air Force report which read it was a genuine CE 3 and that for the good of national security the mother and father had been relocated to relocation zones Z21-14. Not sure whether this indicated map grid coordinates or latitude longitude.”

The one thing that most critics and skeptics miss when they randomly attack UFO Witnesses and Cases is the commonality factor. That factor plays a big part in my belief that Grudge/Blue Book Report 13 is real and that English had access to it. The experiences and revelations of Bill English are disturbing on many levels, but that doesn’t make them untrue. The truth remains the truth whether we are intellectually able to accept it or not.

The International Paranormal UFO Society announces the release of an extremely rare video interview with Bill English and equally rare public lecture presented during the 1990s on DVD. The new DVD release is entitled, Disturbing Secrets: Project Blue Book Report 13, with a running time of about 120 minutes. Visit http://dvds.CanYouStandTheTruth.com




About the Author:

Bill Knell is a popular Speaker, Author and Consultant with eclectic interests. Featured in the Wall Street Journal; seen on NBC Nightly News; heard on Mancow and Howard Stern; consultant to films like Men in Black and World of the Worlds. BillKnell.com

Read more articles by: Bill Knell

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

More Model Trains

Model Trains...I can't wait to have a layout again. I am not sure what gauge I'll go with HO, N, Or Z......depends on the space I'll have.

In the meantime, I'll read issues of "Model Railroader" and get ideas.

Here are some sources:

http://www.walthers.com/

http://www.nmra.org/

http://www.atlasrr.com/

http://www.modelrailroads.net/

http://www.lionel.com/

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/index.php

My last father-in-law worked his entire life at the ALCO (American Locomotive Company)in Auburn NY...I still have family living there and lived there myself for 9 years. http://tardis.union.edu/community/project95/ALCO/index.html

UFO's and How They Change Your Life!

OK, I admit it I've seen a UFO and it changed my life! It was March of 1967 in Boulder, Colorado at the University of Colorado. It was the second night of viewing a white light cruising in a zig zag pattern, east to west then reversing. A dorm friend and I watched this for several hours until about 1:30 AM. In that time it turned into a red glowing ball. seemed to seperate and drop , shot at high speed making sharp 90+ degree turns, then finally came about 200 feet silently over our heads heading north.

Decades later, I realized the UFO was originally flying over the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant, and finally through research into the phase of the moon at the time and last year a UFO report in Montana (north remember) that I realized the correct timeframe. Why it took 40 years to put this altogether I have no idea.

This is the UFO that I saw that night. http://www.cufon.org/cufon/malmstrom/malm1.htm




Here is a major UFO INFO PORTAL WEB SITE:http://www.wovoca.com/links-ufo.htm

Colorado Fly Fishing – Bait Huckin' vs. Fly Fishin'

This scene looks like fishing in the Thousand Islands, NY or in Northern Minnesota. I've fished in the states of Minnesota, New York, Colorado, and Ohio. I am old fashioned.....I like live bait..........worms, minnows, crawdads, etc. I like jigs, plugs, etc., but was never interested in fly fishing! My favorite "fishing holes" in Colorado are the Poudre River, near Fort Collins, and a bunch of stocked ponds in the same area. I guess I haven't had a fishing license in over 10 years!


It was one of those fishing trips. You know, everyone catches fish but you, you loose six or eight of your most expensive streamers, it rains buckets, and you sink the boat. That’s right; I got skunked at Steamboat Lake over Memorial weekend.

I was determined to show those meat huckers (worms and power bait) that a well chosen and strategically placed fly was as effective as anything a conventional fisherman could load on a hook and hang under a bobber. Well, no such luck, I got stomped.

The fish were rising like mad on a midge hatch, and I threw everything in the box at them. I could swear I saw a hefty rainbow nudge my fly to the side to eat the natural laying only centimeters from my damn near perfect replica. As we watched the group of 12 year olds add another 18” fish to their stringer (full loaded, I might add) I decided it must be a lake thing. I don’t fish lakes often.

I usually have good luck with a streamer in faster moving water, so I head for one on the several tributaries hoping to get the boat up far enough to make a make a few good casts. No such luck, here comes the wind. Determined and frustrated, I proceed to lose several of my best streamers in the dense shrubbery surrounding the mouth of the creek (can’t retrieve them since the current is too strong to get the boat any further up the creek).

On the way back to camp we are passed by a couple of boats with stringers of fish crashing off the bows of their boats (hmmm, are they just rubbing it my face, or are they tenderizing the meat?)Questioning my decision to become a fly fisherman, I head over to the dock to pick up my 5 year-old son and a fresh styro of night crawlers. I'll let my son fish the meat before I crumble and load one up on the spinner myself. Surprising, no luck with the meat either, and hear comes the rain. I throw my arms up and ponder my karma activity of the past year.

We charge for shore as the lake turns to white caps. The rain and lightning moves in fast. Did I mention that we got the boat for free and have no clue what to do in the rain? We pull the boat up close to shore near our camp, outside of the no-wake zone. We leave all of our gear and head for the soggy camp.

Well, apparently it’s best to leave your boat in protected cove in the no wake zone. From what we could tell, our boat was hammered with 300 to 400 gallons of water from the waves and boat wakes from boaters rushing back to the dock. Yes, it sank in 18 inches of water. I didn’t realize a boat could sink in 18” of water! All of our gear is floating around the shore. The gas tank and gear which included an Orvis waste pack with hmmmm, some 500 plus flies. Every box any fly had to be opened and dried on the dashboards of our trucks.

We bail the boat, load the truck and haul our soggy gear and crippled egos back home.

Next Memorial Day, it’s back to the river!!!

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com


About the Author:
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals for fly fishing. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more about the great outdoors as well as fly fishing articles and stories.

Model Trains

I had an extensive model train layout when I was young...vintage Lionel .027 gauge, 12' X 16'. I sold it when in college to one of my dad's coworkers younger son. Seeing the vast increase in prices of Lionel equipment..........I had a dozen remote switches, for example. I regret it.

I hope to have another layout, if I ever get to my retirement digs..this time will be in HO scale.

Model train manufacturers have done a great job of recreating life size trains as realistic models. And they’ve been doing it since the late 19th century when electric model trains first appeared. Take a moment to discover the magic of model trains.

Germany is where it all began when Marklin introduced their full line of model trains back in 1891. Their first trains were based on earlier toy models and were available in three scales. They were made from tin and were very crude, but they were a great success.

Then, in 1901, Joshua Cowen entered the market with Lionel trains. Lionel would soon come to dominate the model train market in America.

Of course there were other companies that came on board with their own lines of model trains. Ives, American Flyer, and Marx all introduced model trains.

Because model trains are so interactive they are a great choice for children and adults. Even the youngest children can enjoy them. It’s not uncommon for adults to recall their first train when talking about their fondest childhood memories.

Lionel was quick to recognize the importance of starting train collectors at a young age and that’s why they’ve got wooden train sets for ages 4 to 6. By the age of 8, kids are ready to be introduced to S scale, G scale, and the ever popular HO scale electric trains. And the hobby continues into adult life. Of course expanding on your model trains is just a matter of time, money, creativity, and space.

There are several different scales of model trains to choose from to fit your space, budget, and personal preferences. For example, if you are limited by space you can choose one of the smaller scales. Here are some of the most popular scale choices you have.

1. Z Scale is a 1:220 ratio. It is tiny and highly detailed, and is an excellent choice if you have limited space.

2. N Scale is a 1:160 ratio. It is the second smallest scale available and it’s a great choice for the hobbyist that want to be able to incorporate scenery and longer trains.

3. HO Scale is a 1:87 ratio. It is probably the most popular scale of model train. There is an endless supply of trains, cars, tracks, buildings, and scenery. The detail on HO is good and a fabulous setup can be put together in a reasonable amount of space.

4. S Scale is a 1:64 ratio. It is larger than the HO and is popular among those with plenty of room. It is the scale of American Flyer products.

5. O Scale is a 1:48 ratio. It is a popular choice for young children because they are able to easily handle them. Lionel carries a full line of O scale for the young ones.

6. G Scale is a 1:22.5 ratio. It is the perfect choice for the garden set up. Bachmann, L.G.B, and Aristo-Craft all make G scale trains.

To put together your model train you will need at least one engine along with some train cars. You can decide whether you want passenger cars or freight cars. And of course you will need train track. The type of track and how much track you’ll need is a personal choice.

You’ll also need a transformer to provide the electricity to your train. Then all that’s left is the scenery you want. Choose trees, tunnels, people, signals, or a host of other items.

If you are looking for a fun and rewarding hobby, why not discover the magic of model trains?




About the Author:

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for GetModelTrains.com. To learn more about model train kits, and model train sets, visit us.

Read more articles by: Gray Rollins

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Preparing For A Natural Disaster, Terrorists Attack Or Bird Flu Pandemic

I have been doing this (preperation), since three days before 1-1-2000..and I gotta tell you the "pickings were slim"........camp stoves, flashlights, batteries, MREs, etc. were out of stock....I had to go to at least 5 stores just to get bottled water. That was mere speculation....imagine a disaster! I have a "bug out" kit complete with surgical instruments and KI.

How prepared are you? Will you be like thousands of others and wait until the last minute to stock up on food and water? Do you even have a working flashlight in your home or auto? As we have clearly seen, waiting until it is too late does not work. Grocery stores run out, gas stations run dry and we certainly can’t depend on the government to help.

You need to start planning today, preparing for the unexpected so that you and your family can survive. Official sources always recommend having a 72 hour or 3 day kit. While it certainly helps, it is nowhere near adequate for an extended survival situation. As we have seen a natural disaster can last for more than 3 days. A possible bird flu pandemic may keep you housebound for weeks or months at a time. So how much is enough and what do you need?

You should plan on meeting your family’s daily needs for a minimum of a month, preferably up to 3 months or longer. This can include:

Food—Stock up on the basics. Flour, sugar, non-perishable foods like macaroni products, rice (a 25lb bag of rice is around $6.00 at SAM’s club), dried milk. Canned goods usually are good for a year or two. Start adding to your pantry now by buying a few extra items every time you go to the grocery store. Take advantage of sales, coupons and store brands. Buy foods you can fix easily, don’t need a lot of water or don’t need to be cooked at all. You can also add to your supply long term dehydrated foods that you can supplement your other food stores. They are vacuumed sealed and have a shelf life of 20-30 years. MRE’s ready to eat meals can also expand your food stores. Buy food and supplies in bulk at Sams club or Costco. Rotate your stock so you always have the freshest food available. Also include things like high-energy bars. Don’t forget pet food.

Water—You can store water in large containers, 5-gallon mylar water bags, camping jugs and other containers. You should also own a good water purifier.

Tools—are you equipped to handle minor repairs around your home? Fix your auto? Repair or build needed survival supplies? Tools to turn off natural gas, shovels to dig out, chainsaws to cut up downed trees and other essential rescue tools may be needed.

Energy—there may be interruptions or outages in electrical and other utilities. Do you have an alternative way of heating your home? A way of supplying power to lights and other needed electrical devices? Stocked up on batteries? A portable generator can be used for emergency backup. You will need gas to run the generator. Solar panels are handy for charging batteries. Extra propane can be used for a stove, lights or heat. Have several flashlights on hand. Newer flashlights feature L.E.D. bulbs that burn brighter and last forever. Also look for hand cranked flashlights that don’t need batteries. Include lighting such as oil or propane lanterns.

Medical— a good first aid kit is a must have. Over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids, etc. Also personal medications and other first aid supplies. Don’t forget spare glasses/contacts and contact lens solution. Brush up on your first aid skills.

Household supplies—everything from shampoo and toothpaste to toilet paper, soap, detergent, bleach, disinfectants and everything else you use on a daily basis. Don’t forget hair clippers if you can’t get out to the barber. Have supplies on hand to deal with sanitation and garbage.

Communication—Newer walkie-talkies that have a 10-12 mile range will help you stay in touch with your family in the event your cell phone stops working. Give each member of your family one and tune them all to the same channel. Buy an emergency battery for your cell phone. They are good for about 60 minutes of talk time. Portable shortwave radios will help you keep in touch with the world. A small portable tv will also help keep you informed if the power is out. A hand cranked radio is also a must have.

Camping equipment—stoves, tents, sleeping bags can all come in handy especially if you need to relocate. Pick up camping supplies on sale and used equipment at garage sales.

Bicycles—if you need to get around and there is no gas a bike is the best item to have.

Relocating—if you choose not to stay in your home, then you need a plan on how you will relocate-to another town or remote cabin, etc. You may want to stock your vacation home with supplies and be prepared to “bug out” before travel is restricted.

Figure out how far you need to get away. Think about storing extra gas to provide a full tank and enough for your journey. 3 or 4–5 gallon gas cans, could be enough to get you several hundred miles away. Because of the fire danger it is very important that you store them safely and rotate them on a regular basis. Meaning, if you have 3 filled cans, week one dump that in your gas tank and refill that can. Week 2 dump the second can in your gas tank and refill that can. Week 3 dump can 3 into your gas tank and refill that can. Week 4 start over with can one. Using this system you will always have 15 gallons of fresh gas on hand in addition to gas that is already in your gas tank.

Plan your exit strategy from your city or town. Keep a map in your car with the roads out highlighted. Find all the alternative routes out of your city or town. Stay away from main highways if at all possible. Have copies of the map in other vehicles if other family members need to meet you later. Practice your escape route by driving it at least once.

Store your “bug out” survival supplies in containers that can be quickly loaded into your vehicle. Keep a smaller version in your vehicle at all times.

Start today preparing for the unexpected and if it happens you won’t need to divert your time and energy away from caring for your family, waiting in long lines for essential goods and services or waiting for the government or other aid organizations to come to your rescue.




About the Author:

To stay up to date on avian influenza, bird flu and the h5n1 virus visit The Bird Flu Index http://www.birdfluindex.com Find links to bird flu websites, blogs, forums, official medical and government sites and full information about how the bird flu could turn into a global pandemic.The latest bird flu news at http://pandemiczone.blogspot.com

Read more articles by: Pandemic Zone

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Build Your Own PC?............No Way!

I have bought software, and “parts” from three places: Tiger Direct, Computer Builders Warehouse, and Micro Center.......this includes mother boards, CPUs, hard drives, DVD drives, fans, cables, etc.

I personally have.......... and most companys have, a “budget” per unit..........weather it be $1,000 or $5,000.

Buying it built or custom, the budget still exists. Look at the prices...............your really only saving the labor costs..........your not going to get the specs of a $5000 machine for $1500......even if you build it yourself..........my estimate is the most you save is 35%. Everything in the unit has to be 100% compatible and correct.....screw up and everything gets fried and you've lost it all. No warranty, no one to complain to........yeah it's cool, you built your own PC..........but I would say less than 5% can do it. Less than 5% of companies even need those high specs. Some “gamers” use machines more powerful than those used to create the movie “Final Fantasy” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_graphics

Like I said before, Maya, Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash and Shockwave, Photoshop, as well as audio software like Audacity and Muzys, etc. rung on my 400 mhz Dell. Eventually I'll get a faster machine, but will probably only spend $500-800. Like I also said I don't game.

Tiger http://www.tigerdirect.com/

Computer Builders Warehouse http://www.cbwstores.com/

Micro Center http://www.microcenter.com/