Out of Steam, 5/29/12

This reminds of many scenarios, not the least of which is my employment:

The 8305 has lost all her friends, at one time there were about a dozen 0-8-0 steam locomotives on this siding, now she sits alone and tender-less the last of the Northwestern Steel & Wire mill's engines, left with a cold and uncurtain future. The locomotive was sold to an individual under the agreement that it would be moved within a year, but that was over a year ago. The Tender was moved but the engine still sits on a siding in Galt, Illinois. The IRM has taken back ownership of the engine after the contract with the new owner was not fulfilled, but the new owner now has the tender in their possession. It looks like a loose/loose situation for both parties.

4 system upgrades and 2 network upgrades implemented in the last 4 weeks. We have one more system upgrade to implement in late June if the local telecom can get things done in time. I know I posted that I would give a little more time to this lowly blog, but there hasn't been much outside of work that I've concentrated on. I should be of better service to those few readers I have left as I assume I've lost most of you by now.

Among the irons I still have in the fire, the upcoming primary will shape up several races including a David Johnson running for the state house. Hmm...

 Based on the Secretary of State's website, more Republican votes than Democrat votes were cast for Governor in 2010 in District 1 and, despite the stronghold of the Socialist Republic of Johnson County, in District 2. This should bring pause to Reps. Loebsack (Dist. 2) and Braley (Dist. 1)., with Loebsack facing a token primary challenger.

My District 1 Republican primary faces off Rod Blum and Ben Lange, who gave Braley a run for his money two years ago. I've listened to a couple of interviews with Mr Blum and I'm familiar with Mr Lange, who I spoke with at a gun show right before the 2010 election.

The editorial board, in our last meeting, suggested leaning toward Lange, but it was after a discussion concerning my blog performance, so I may have missed something.

The King v. Vilsack race should provide good comedy for the coming months while the Latham v. Boswell is uninteresting.

Now, back to the irons.

Out of steam, 3/25/12

Finishing up a network upgrade late-night Thursday evening and continued through Friday afternoon that was, for the most part, successful. Until the comparisons of old system vs new system kicked in and the "We weren't told that," started up.

I fully expect another week of changes, tweaks and modifications.

This has been a couple of months of long hours, with late nights and after-hour plus weekend support, just to make it fulfilling.

I've got a couple of weeks of "regular" work ahead, which means I can give time on some other irons in the fire:

1. Upcoming employment change (my desk is moving)
2. A couple of legal things going on (no, I'm not headed to jail)
3. Camp Stranded - (I still have that place???)

Since nothing has moved at the statehouse, there's zilch to update. Everything is subject to the graces of Gronstal in the Senate and I think he's currently on the wrong side of history.

A couple more Senate seats may move over to the Republican side and he will be relegated to the sidelines and soundbites for the Des Moines Register.

Remember, folks, only Republicans are obstructionists.

With the shooting in Florida, our "Stand your ground" bill may be pretty much done. Even if the victim would look like Obama's son... if he had one. (Is that one of the more ridiculous statements that has ever come from his mouth?)

If any of you are still reading my meager and thin postings, I apologize yet again for not keeping you up-to-date on the goings-ons at the cesspool in the middle of the state. The BTR editorial board has been disappointed with my lack of posting and promises heads will roll. I'm hoping to wrap things up by the end of May with our infrastructure upgrades at work which would provide more opportunities to be productive in other areas.

This should prove to be another interesting year.

Out of Steam, 2/12/12

Weeks of planning culminated with a late-night implementation and two days of follow-up and hand-holding for our client users.

Best thing I heard late Friday was someone said they expected it to go badly because all of our projects never seem start off well. But, they added, this one went very well and they like the new system.

I'm glad they never saw the sweat pouring off me trying to find enough cable around town because people changed their minds at the last minute. And they didn't notice some of the other issues behind the scenes.

With weekend on-call keeping me on a keyboard at the homestead, I decided to start a few experiments with a couple of coffeetree seeds that Sam sent me, along with a couple of bur oak and hickory nuts. In between taking calls and email requests I tried a couple of plantings just to see what will come of things.

With more irons in the fire than a blacksmith in Kalona, I'm hoping for a little time for the dust to settle before the next project (due in 4 weeks.)

Out of steam, 2/7/12

Long hours with a project that should be finished up this week but it's kinda looking like this:


A project that is finally coming together after several hurdles have been overcome, a day before launch one individual comes forward quite upset. It seems that they can't recall a meeting where they participated in a decision months ago.

It's also like a 16-year-old getting a new car and pouting because it doesn't have a sun roof.

And people wonder why I stick with this job. They really do.

Makes me wonder as well...

Out of Steam, 10/31/11

As the old steam engine above, Between Two Rivers has been on hiatus for over a month now.

Not really self-imposed as much as a victim of circumstance. Or as I like to call: "Living the Stranded Lifestyle." In other words, work like a dog and get rewarded... with more work. Pavlov kind of missed the mark and should have studied my employer instead.

As almost 12+ hours of work nearly each day with a couple of overnight server issues thrown in just to make things "interesting," everything has been coming up Stranded. Leaving me with little time for completing any of my projects, both at home and at the camp.

I mentioned to correspondent, Bea, coming home to a computer has been a struggle to come up with anything except throw up another steam engine pic. Posting daily steam engines would certainly be boring to a non-railfan and I'm running out of CB&Q pics as well.

My lack of postings reflected Iowa politics until our governor decided to appoint a Democrat Senator to a state board of dubious necessity. Now a special election between an unknown (to me) and a former news-babe from local KCRG News, will set the balance of power over the next session. Lots of money flowing in state-wide and the local TV stations are busy.

Another item I missed covering is that a state committee of people decided we aren't paying enough gas taxes and our license fees are too low. Apparently a majority of Iowans (none of whom I have heard from) agree, with the Farm Bureau weighing in favor. I'm sure no taxpayer money was used for committee purposes, otherwise we could have used that money for the roads.

Occupy Cedar Rapids drew massive support of 9 people the other day in the downtown area chanting, "Blah, blah, something, something... the people." At least that's what I heard as they "marched" across the street as I waited for the light to change. Maybe they can combine with the peace protestors that hang out on the Second Avenue bridge on Friday evenings to double their numbers. That is, if they are separate members of each group. Nevertheless, good luck keeping warm in the coming weeks. Iowa's winters tend to put a damper on camping out unless your heart is really in it.

Who am I kidding, who gives a rip when you call for a protest and only 9 show up? Good job occupying, guys. Arlo Guthrie would be proud.

With apologies to my few regular readers as to my absence, I will try to post more as time permits. Besides, the silly season of Iowa politics is nearly upon us: the new session at the statehouse and, of course, the caucuses. Iowa's mother's milk for a revenue generating scheme upon the American voters.

To be fair, traditionally, the Iowa voters trend similar to the national voting percentages in presidential elections. So it makes some sense to make Iowa important. It won't matter once the National Popular Vote get their way and abolish the Electoral College and Iowa becomes irrelevant. As well as Montana, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Alaska... Basically any state that currently has less 10 electors.

This idea of a popular vote for a president has been endorsed by our former governor Chester Culver. The first sitting governor in Iowa in decades that lost a reelection. Yeah, that political genius.

If what I've posted so far sounded bitter, an incoherent rambling of a senile middle-aged balding man from Iowa, then please accept my apologies again.

That's just part of the current Stranded Lifestyle that's between two rivers. With any luck we might be seeing a change soon. But not after another network upgrade and a major vendor application upgrade the weekend of the 12th. That one involves the traditional 30+ hour stretch of work that I'm looking forward to experience again.

Yep, the Stranded Lifestyle. (I'm thinking of copyrighting that)

Out of steam, 8/12/11

Server issues this week, an anticipated storage upgrade this weekend, and the general lack of sleep the past few days leads to being out of steam.

I'm with Midwest Chick that a new job might be in order.

Out of steam, 7/24/11

I've been slacking off lately, what with server crashes, network upgrades and general spinning of wheels, I've left many things undone. Not much has been posted, including today's Sunday (not so) funnies.

I even missed out on this:
The Iowa Interstate 6988 steam locomotive cruises through corn fields in Oxford on Saturday, July 23, 2011. The excursion was part of a trip from Rock Island, Ill. that provied [sic] passengers with a seven hour trip through various towns in Iowa, before returning to Rock Island. (David Scrivner/SourceMedia Group)

Steam locomotive chuggs through Eastern Iowa, train lovers give chase

Iowa Interstate Railroad was born out of the ashes of the Rock Island Line and is building a new shop facility west of Homestead, Iowa without public assistance.

If the passenger rail line between Iowa City and Chicago returns, it would be on this track. It would be great if they would reject the public assistance money that has been floating around for that project.

Out of steam, 7/7/11

Been a little busy lately, work, home and I've been looking for a small tractor and mower.

Here's an update:



Reminds me of my career, except this old engine makes it to the top.

Out of steam, 6/30/11

Too much work and not enough time.

Roundhouse
Galesburg, Illinois, USA
May 17, 1964

Photo by Marty Bernard

Click on the picture for a better look

Out of Steam, 6/10/11

Coming round the home stretch for a project scheduled for completion next week.

Click on the image to go to the Burlington Route Historical Society

Still out of steam, 4/29/11

On my way to get caught up for the week, but not quite there.

Out of steam, 4/27/11

I've been putting in more time than I care to with network issues at one site and a vendor system that doesn't care to stay running. Hours through the night included for no extra charge.


From the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL.

Out of Steam, 4/1/11

Another late night server maintenance and not all went well. I'm hoping for a couple hours sleep before daylight. Just not enough steam for a full run.


Remarks: This Illini Railroad Club special operated to Savanna via Denrock doubleheaded with the 4960 and 5632, and returned via the mainline with only the 5632. I was just passing though Chicago when I noticed the flier posted at Union Station, and made some last minute changes in plans and fortunately they still had seats available. My one and only CB&Q steam trip......roundtrip for all of $10! Perhaps a viewer can help me pinpoint the location. All the interlocking gear should be a clue. And yes the train is backing up.....somebody got in front of me for the actual runby.

Click on picture for more.

Out of steam, 3/28/11

Upgrade fail, late night utility that's still in the air whether it worked.

Yeah, I'm out of steam for today.

CB&Q 4960 in Elsberry
CB&Q fantrip in 1961

I'm hoping to be back on track real soon

Hope your weekend was better than mine

Yea, it was kind of like that.

Out of Steam, 3/11/11

Another late night.

Remarks: Burlington K-2 class 4-6-0 637 was built by Rogers Locomotive & Machine Works in November 1892 as Burlington & Missouri River 309. In 1949 this locomotive was refitted with a diamond stack for exhibition at the Railroad Fair Pageant in Chicago. It was retained for exhibition purposes until given to the City of Aurora for display. It was eventually donated to the Illinois Railway Museum. This trip was sponsored by the Illini Railroad Club on Labor Day weekend, 1956. The excursion featured CB&Q 4000 and CB&Q 537. After leaving Aurora with the excursion, CB&Q 637 paused at an unknown location.

Off the tracks

I got off track the last couple of days.


Let's hope tomorrow is better.

Saturday (out of) steam, 2/26/11

More snow.

The CB&Q 5141 at Quincy, IL.

Friday out of steam, 2/25/11

Database issues, no sleep and trying to get caught up. I'm out of steam:


Click on the picture for more.

Remarks: CB&Q's Golden 4-8-4 To celebrate the centennial of the opening of its Chicago to Aurora, Illinois line, the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy very temporarily painted its king of fan trips, Northern 5632, gold. The scene here is a positioning move in Aurora on May 24, 1964. An O5B built by the CB&Q at West Burlington.