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Showing posts with label about town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label about town. Show all posts
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Cars
The last two classes I taught pretty much
burned me out on teaching. I should stick to teaching people who already
have degrees, rather than people who think they're in 13th grade.
Anyway, I started at the Manheim Auto Auction in (where else?) Manheim, PA. I'm a driver in the PSI (Post Sales Inspection) area. When a dealer buys a car, we can, if they want, do a pretty thorough inspection to let them know the condition of what they bought.
Pictures:
This is a shot looking north, across the test track. The mechanics run cars (right-to-left) here at max acceleration.
This shot is to the northwest, again across the test track. The painted lines in the foreground are where cars are queued up for inspection. Part of my job is to take inspected cars up the hill, and pick up ones to be tested and get them in a queue.
This is taken north again, looking down to the mechanic's queue from where we pick up the cars to be inspected, and park the ones that are done
As you may have noticed, we're in the middle of farm country. If there was any doubt about that, it was washed away last week by the odor of porcine or bovine metabolic end-product that was applied to the fields upwind in preparation for planting.
So pretty much get the car, drive the car, park the car, lather, rinse, repeat. I put a pedometer app on my phone - Friday, I did 17k+ steps (a bit over two miles). ;-P I like it. Everyone is friendly, helpful and supportive. In two days, I've driven a boatload of BMWs and Mercedes, and even a couple of Jags. And a couple of clunkers that required me to almost redline the engine so I could get the clutch out without killing the engine.
In other car news, I have a new one!
It's a 2009 Toyota Camry. Four banger, automatic, comfy, nice sound system, sunroof, good mileage, and critically, sufficient head and leg room.
I got it from a local dealer (Red Lion Chevrolet), with whom I am not happy. They do not keep their word (the major ding was fixed, but not the smaller one), their "inspection" missed that the A/C needs charging, but mostly it was the feeling I had after talking with the sales manager that I needed a shower with a wire brush after I got home. Sleazy.
When I last had the Blazer inspected there, the mechanic told me the brakes were just about to go bad, and that someone had put in cheap pads. I mentioned that I'd had the work done there, to his surprise. They were quite serviceable until the the trans died four months later and I got the Toyota.
Not going back, and taking my business to the nice guys across the street from the end of the alley.
And that's it from here!
Anyway, I started at the Manheim Auto Auction in (where else?) Manheim, PA. I'm a driver in the PSI (Post Sales Inspection) area. When a dealer buys a car, we can, if they want, do a pretty thorough inspection to let them know the condition of what they bought.
Pictures:
This is a shot looking north, across the test track. The mechanics run cars (right-to-left) here at max acceleration.
This shot is to the northwest, again across the test track. The painted lines in the foreground are where cars are queued up for inspection. Part of my job is to take inspected cars up the hill, and pick up ones to be tested and get them in a queue.
This is taken north again, looking down to the mechanic's queue from where we pick up the cars to be inspected, and park the ones that are done
As you may have noticed, we're in the middle of farm country. If there was any doubt about that, it was washed away last week by the odor of porcine or bovine metabolic end-product that was applied to the fields upwind in preparation for planting.
So pretty much get the car, drive the car, park the car, lather, rinse, repeat. I put a pedometer app on my phone - Friday, I did 17k+ steps (a bit over two miles). ;-P I like it. Everyone is friendly, helpful and supportive. In two days, I've driven a boatload of BMWs and Mercedes, and even a couple of Jags. And a couple of clunkers that required me to almost redline the engine so I could get the clutch out without killing the engine.
In other car news, I have a new one!
It's a 2009 Toyota Camry. Four banger, automatic, comfy, nice sound system, sunroof, good mileage, and critically, sufficient head and leg room.
I got it from a local dealer (Red Lion Chevrolet), with whom I am not happy. They do not keep their word (the major ding was fixed, but not the smaller one), their "inspection" missed that the A/C needs charging, but mostly it was the feeling I had after talking with the sales manager that I needed a shower with a wire brush after I got home. Sleazy.
When I last had the Blazer inspected there, the mechanic told me the brakes were just about to go bad, and that someone had put in cheap pads. I mentioned that I'd had the work done there, to his surprise. They were quite serviceable until the the trans died four months later and I got the Toyota.
Not going back, and taking my business to the nice guys across the street from the end of the alley.
And that's it from here!
Friday, March 20, 2015
Friday, October 17, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
The Day After
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| I'll need a Sherpa if I want to go get a sandwich! |
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| Subway is open, but opened late. The guys have been digging access tunnels from street to store. |
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| Looking west from my steps... |
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| ...and looking East. |
Oh. Yay. Whoopie. Woo. Hoo.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
2-13 About 10 AM Update @ 1:25 pm, Again @ 9 PM
Update II 9 PM:
Zero traffic. Windy and snowing. More to come.
Update 1:25 PM
Drift by the fence:
Stairs? What stairs??
Earlier...
View out the back window, facing South. About a 3 foot drift on the roof outside:
Backyard:
Even Subway is closed:
In the 20s. Very quiet...only the occasional vehicle goes by. Most of those are big rigs. Got a ping that the library is closed. Snow is coming down steadily but not heavy.
Chili is on "Warm" (heh). We are all in my bedroom, staying warm.
Zero traffic. Windy and snowing. More to come.
Update 1:25 PM
Drift by the fence:
Stairs? What stairs??
Earlier...
View out the back window, facing South. About a 3 foot drift on the roof outside:
Backyard:
Even Subway is closed:
In the 20s. Very quiet...only the occasional vehicle goes by. Most of those are big rigs. Got a ping that the library is closed. Snow is coming down steadily but not heavy.
Chili is on "Warm" (heh). We are all in my bedroom, staying warm.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Hunkering Down
The local forecast is not cheerful. Here's the map:
I'm just about right between the "York" label and the minus sign in the "9 - 12""
Prepped, tho:
Laundry is going, and trash and recycling are out. Friday is pick up day, but who knows exactly when they will pick up and I don't want to slog the stuff out thru shin-deep snow. Taking a cue from many of the neighbors, who have their items out!
Still a few inches of snow (and ice) on the ground from the last go-round, so we're going to be Well Under It. No salt to be had anywhere, even from the big box stores in York.
As the sign said" "Whoever has been praying for snow, good job."
Now, please. Stop.
I'm just about right between the "York" label and the minus sign in the "9 - 12""
Prepped, tho:
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| Crock Pot of Beef Chili Simmering |
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| Cast Iron Skillet o' (Yankee) Cornbread |
 | |
| Dishes Washing |
Still a few inches of snow (and ice) on the ground from the last go-round, so we're going to be Well Under It. No salt to be had anywhere, even from the big box stores in York.
As the sign said" "Whoever has been praying for snow, good job."
Now, please. Stop.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Customer Service 101 (Updated!)
Update: One of the replacement DVDs arrived in yesterday's mail. Looking worse off that the one pictured below. I called, and they are going to sent out Yet Another Copy of "Tesla, Master of Lightning". I'm wondering if I will ever get to watch it. And more extra DVDs are supposed to be on the way!
I just received the second in a row busted DVD from Netflix today. Like the previous one, it was almost cracked in half, from the center out to one edge (I finished the job to put it out of its misery!):
Since it was the second in a row, I gave them a call. I told the nice young man what the problem was, and gave him my account information. We agreed that the problem could be anywhere, and also agreed that it sounded like some handling equipment that was out of whack. So, their job now is to figure out where the out of whack machine is, and get it fixed!
He asked me to call them directly if it happens again. That way, they can get more info than the on-line form provides ("It's broken", basically).
And for my trouble, he is sending out an extra DVD. (He also hinted that if I were to call again, I could probably get another extra DVD!)
As such things go, that was pleasant.
I just received the second in a row busted DVD from Netflix today. Like the previous one, it was almost cracked in half, from the center out to one edge (I finished the job to put it out of its misery!):
Since it was the second in a row, I gave them a call. I told the nice young man what the problem was, and gave him my account information. We agreed that the problem could be anywhere, and also agreed that it sounded like some handling equipment that was out of whack. So, their job now is to figure out where the out of whack machine is, and get it fixed!
He asked me to call them directly if it happens again. That way, they can get more info than the on-line form provides ("It's broken", basically).
And for my trouble, he is sending out an extra DVD. (He also hinted that if I were to call again, I could probably get another extra DVD!)
As such things go, that was pleasant.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Wednesday A.M.
The iceman hath been on and gone!
And that's the local weather report.
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| The Juniper, under sticky snow covered with ice. |
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| The Blazer... |
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| ... |
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| ...! |
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| Out the office window... |
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| ... |
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| ...! |
Monday, February 3, 2014
Happy Morning After!!
WGAL has some pretty good local pictures on line, and I decided to take some of my own when I went out this afternoon.
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| The Juniper tree |
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| My Blazer |
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| Looking out to Main Street |
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| Roof Snow Accumulation |
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| News guy finishing photo shoot of PA 24 and PA 74 intersection in downtown Red Lion |
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| The Beer Store was pretty well picked over. (Something about a football game??) And no delivery today, either. The craft beer aisle seems to have been hit the hardest! |
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| Not as much gone as I thought... |
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| ...here, either. |
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| However, the "Light" beer end caps are no more. |
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Outside My Window This Morning... (Update)
...well, almost!
From APOD
Update: There's no hot water to the kitchen or laundry, but there is to the bathroom.
I still wouldn't rather be in L.A.
From APOD
Update: There's no hot water to the kitchen or laundry, but there is to the bathroom.
I still wouldn't rather be in L.A.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
How Cold Is It??
It's so cold that the beer cooler at the local beer store was warmer than the ambient air temp last night.
Actually felt toasty.
Sheesh!
Actually felt toasty.
Sheesh!
Monday, November 25, 2013
The Past Catching Up!!
Last week, I got a 'ping' on LinkedIn from the only summer intern I ever had working for me. The last time I ever heard from her was early in 1991, shortly after contestant #3 and I were married. She called just as the wife and I walked in the door from work. Here's what I told my her friend in an e-mail:
I rambled on for a bit longer. closing out the e-mail with a line about "...life here in a small town that has no Starbucks."
And thus, the new tag for this blog was born.
"That last phone call you made one Friday evening damned near put a crashing halt to marriage #3. We both worked (in) Huntington Beach, me on Space Station, she on CAD Support & Training. After you and I had been chatting for a while, I realized that her usual pattern of going back to the bedroom to change, and then coming out to start dinner hadn't obtained. After we hung up. I went back to see what was what. The first words out of her mouth were something to the effect of "Is this how it;s going to be... you talking on the phone to your girlfriend while I (do whatever she said she was doing)?"We'd been married only a few months. I'd known her for about six or seven years. So I thought.
The phrase "I'm screwed!" came to mind, as I recall. That particular marriage lasted about five years. It probably would only have been three, but I was reprieved to Detroit for two of those five."
I rambled on for a bit longer. closing out the e-mail with a line about "...life here in a small town that has no Starbucks."
And thus, the new tag for this blog was born.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Small Town Life...
...in two pictures.
Once again, we are under the ACLU's radar:
This one almost has me committed to getting up and attending the service tomorrow:
Barney? Godzilla? Stuffed animal representations? Motor oil?
Those of us who remember life before color TV, stereo FM radio, and jet airliners??
Interesting ministry...
Once again, we are under the ACLU's radar:
This one almost has me committed to getting up and attending the service tomorrow:
Barney? Godzilla? Stuffed animal representations? Motor oil?
Those of us who remember life before color TV, stereo FM radio, and jet airliners??
Interesting ministry...
Friday, November 1, 2013
Halloween Minion
I carved a pumpkin last night, for the first time i I don't remember how many years. (I suspect my daughter, at a young age, was involved, but I have no recollection.)
Both my daughter and I think Gru's minions are absolutely great, and can't wait for Minions (the minion movie) to be released! Soooo...
I have pumpkin guts that will become pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds). And the pumpkin itself will be cut up and steamed, to make the base for a pumpkin pie or two.
I handed out candy, too. Haven't done that since Maryland. I stood out on the front porch, telling folks to "Come on up!", since my minion by itself didn't seem to be an encouragement to come up the steps to the door. More decoration next time, I guess.
Mostly little ones, with a few olders. Don't think I saw anyone over 12, if that. All with parents, all polite. Some of the littlest blanked on "Trick or Treat", and when I asked them what to say, the answer was usually "Thank you" instead. And yes, they got their treat!
Both my daughter and I think Gru's minions are absolutely great, and can't wait for Minions (the minion movie) to be released! Soooo...
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| Finished... |
 |
| ...and lit! |
I handed out candy, too. Haven't done that since Maryland. I stood out on the front porch, telling folks to "Come on up!", since my minion by itself didn't seem to be an encouragement to come up the steps to the door. More decoration next time, I guess.
Mostly little ones, with a few olders. Don't think I saw anyone over 12, if that. All with parents, all polite. Some of the littlest blanked on "Trick or Treat", and when I asked them what to say, the answer was usually "Thank you" instead. And yes, they got their treat!
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