Good morning!!!!

[daugen]

did you ever take the public school bus, and wonder what kind of engine it had in it?
I just remembered it had a huge (5 inch?) tailpipe that spewed really smelly stuff.

I was watching a video about the electrification of school busses.
Diesel bus costs 135k. Electric bus costs 415k. If taxpayer supported, only way to make this work is for some very
deep pockets to pay for it. How many trillion dollars are we in debt?...

I took the public bus for ten years going to school in the country. At least the bus stop was end of farm lane.
Looking back, they seemed so unsafe, those big metal bar railings, no padding,
basically same bus you'd take prisoners around in...

Quebec has now required all new school busses to be electric.
This of course requires all the schools to have major upgrades for chargers.

About 500 new electric busses added each year in US.
I'm sure it would be a lot more if they weren't triple the cost.

But I bet the new bus seats are way way more comfortable than the stiff bench seat I bounced around on, over every single one of the local potholes.
One hour each way in elementary school.

446,000 school busses in US. Big market. Most busses are on 10-15 year replacement cycle.

how about diesel electric? Why not electric propulsion and diesel electric generation? Like a submarine.

135k for a modern bus with a Cummins diesel that will last past replacement time.
That sounds fiscally wise to me.
Modern diesels are super clean environmentally.
I think current price of diesel fuel, particularly since it has not dropped like refined gasoline, must be making fleet operators
nervous.

 

[Thomas]

View attachment 775001Brisket is very good today.

Hmmm....isn't against the law to bait.

 

[Looking4new]

About crummy customer service, take heart. There is a new AI that is knocking peoples socks off. Just a matter of time till the human deadbeats can go on unemployment. As an aside how many people would rather draw welfare than work?

Chris

I would rather work than go on cash for life (welfare).

Up from my mid-afternoon nap. Studies have proven that for people over 50 that take an afternoon nap their risk of heart attack is lowered by 50%. Considering that I am 76 years old and take zero meds and still hold a class 'A' (CDL for you guys in the 'states) license and don't need a doubles endorsement but that is all that I haul. I think I am doing great! I eat what I want when I want and weigh in at 260 lbs. I'm 6'4" tall. When I see what others are putting up with my aches and pains are minor.

daugen, I have sprayed the V-plow and BB with PAM. I think that re-skinning is the cheaper way to go, seeing as I already have the decommissioned freezers. (used to store chicken feed in when I had the hens).

Thomas, it is only illegal to bait IF you shoot while they are eating said bait.

 

[Thomas]

27F cloudy.

Started just before 8am by noon 4 roof clean back walkway shovel,after lunch 3 1/2 hours of seat time on Kubota and everything got push w a y back,tomorrow try snowblower 3'-4' of snow from roof open path Our so call tv weather channel kept saying 3-6 inches,after snow settle just over 15".

Plans for the evening O nothing feet up.

Enjoy your evening all.


Push back the bank so in case they freeze.

 

[daugen]

About crummy customer service, take heart. There is a new AI that is knocking peoples socks off. Just a matter of time till the human deadbeats can go on unemployment. As an aside how many people would rather draw welfare than work?

Chris

I want to see an AI service actually let me cancel a service without being put on hold and then faced with a going away sales pitch by a pushy closer.
I want a No Thank You button and let me push it and that's it.

I think there should be a whole topic in Civics class about Pulling One's Weight

But Dad, you just don't understand me. i'm so busy on my Instagram and I'm an Influencer.
A what?

Thomas, you are having too much fun. Hope you got warm quickly.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Looks like Mission BBQ to me!!

Sure was.

Got hair cut this morning. Went to get lunch at Firehouse subs, door locked after 11 am supposed to open 10:30. So went on a mission. Stayed for the Anthem.

Played barn Tetris this afternoon, refilled porch pellet box, then moved stuff in barn, packing it in tighter. Now have Zturn in middle, put go kart behind some pellets, should have room to put ranger in the middle, then truck will fit in left bay. Did have to move stuff on that side back also, to move the Massey back some more. Will only put truck in if weather is coming. Still will be real tight.

Need to remove handicap ramp from garage so I can get another car in there.

If I moved my camper, I could put the Massey back in the shed like I used to.
Did see a large snake skin in shed that wasn’t there this summer.

 

[PJSprog]

27°F and cloudy this morning, got up to 32° this afternoon. 31° now. Forecast suggests we'll have lows below zero next weekend. Not ready for that kind of cold yet.

Not a lot of time to get on here this past week, so I have more monumental catching up to do.

Started the new job Monday, and it's going well so far. Been spending most of my time reading about and learning my way around their slightly odd ERP system, but it's all starting to make more sense as I go along. Traveled back and forth a bit between two of the facilities, the one I'm managing and the other about 10 miles away that is now managed by the guy whose place I took. He's been a great source of information and help during the transition. Everyone there has. Cooperation- and communication-wise, this is already probably the best place I've ever worked. Pretty sure I'm gonna like it there.

Another new guy. Welcome, Jim.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

[PJSprog]

Had to finally replace the fill valve in the upstairs bathroom today. It's been taking its time and refilling whenever it feels like it for about a week now. Took a trip to Menard's this morning to get one, and spent way too much time browsing. Fortunately, only came home with the valve. Eventually found my round tuit, and got it replaced about half an hour ago. All better now.

 

[m7040]

I would rather work than go on cash for life (welfare).

Up from my mid-afternoon nap. Studies have proven that for people over 50 that take an afternoon nap their risk of heart attack is lowered by 50%. Considering that I am 76 years old and take zero meds and still hold a class 'A' (CDL for you guys in the 'states) license and don't need a doubles endorsement but that is all that I haul. I think I am doing great! I eat what I want when I want and weigh in at 260 lbs. I'm 6'4" tall. When I see what others are putting up with my aches and pains are minor.

daugen, I have sprayed the V-plow and BB with PAM. I think that re-skinning is the cheaper way to go, seeing as I already have the decommissioned freezers. (used to store chicken feed in when I had the hens).

Thomas, it is only illegal to bait IF you shoot while they are eating said bait.

you are blessed with good genes. Be thankful for your good health. We went to the cardiologist recently and my cholesterol numbers were in range as Ok but not great but my wife's were all at the best it could be and she takes no medications. Doc said it was good genes. We eat the same and I take medication to control my numbers, exercise and control my weight

 

[m7040]

There was one road we were on yesterday that made a right turn into an underpass under the railroad. Single lane, low ceiling and oncoming traffic. Have to honk to warn traffic of entering. Despite that two cars came out rather quick just as we we were about to enter. We are 9 ft tall in the van but it cleared. Not sure what the height is but does not look like much more than that

 

[pennwalk]

"Played Barn Tetris". That's pretty good.

 

[pennwalk]

Drew, when they get an AI in customer service it will be so slick that you will sign up for 10 more years and hang up with a smile on your face.

Chris

 

[buckeyefarmer]

There was one road we were on yesterday that made a right turn into an underpass under the railroad. Single lane, low ceiling and oncoming traffic. Have to honk to warn traffic of entering. Despite that two cars came out rather quick just as we we were about to enter. We are 9 ft tall in the van but it cleared. Not sure what the height is but does not look like much more than that

View attachment 775062

Found it on google, don’t think I’ve been on that road.

 

[Rich B1]

Good evening! Seemed like the temperature was in a pretty narrow range all day. Hung around 32 or so all day. Had flurries off and on all day, light covering on the ground.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes.

At those prices for a bus, an electric bus doesn’t seem like such a good idea Drew. I still think hybrid makes a lot more sense using gasoline engines. A smaller displacement gasoline engine is easier to to keep in emissions limits than a diesel when kept in a narrow operating range. The battery can be smaller. I know the traditional thought is a diesel driving a generator like a locomotive or submarine, but, IME, diesels are problematic with emissions controls. Gasoline works better.

Woke up at 3 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep. Built up the fire, went back to bed, still couldn’t sleep. Finally just gave up and got out of bed about 5:30. So I took a nap about 10:30. Hopefully I sleep tonight….

Just did some odds and ends today. See what tomorrow brings

Everyone stay safe out there!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Was working at the Four Corners Power plant located on Navajo Nation land and we traveled the area and loved it

My FIL worked on the same plant! His name was Carl Frew. He was from NJ. Wouldn't that be a small world if you worked together!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Fritz, I'll try to get the wifey to take some pics on the way. I usually take the north, then NW direction.... I like going through Santa Fe, Abiquiú (home of Georgia O'Keeffe), through Chama, and up into Colorado near Pagosa Springs. Much more scenic than going through what I call "the great dead".... going from Jemez Springs to Farmington. Theres nothing but sand, rocks, and cactus.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Fritz, I'll try to get the wifey to take some pics on the way. I usually take the north, then NW direction.... I like going through Santa Fe, Abiquiú (home of Georgia O'Keeffe), through Chama, and up into Colorado near Pagosa Springs. Much more scenic than going through what I call "the great dead".... going from Jemez Springs to Farmington. Theres nothing but sand, rocks, and cactus.

I’d love to take that drive sometime.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

PJS, glad to hear your new job seems to be a good one so far. If you're happy, we're happy. Hopefully fewer bullets flying around.

Breakfast this morning:

View attachment 775002

I've never had that, but I do remember in my college English course, reading a story about bagels with cream cheese and lox. Jewish breakfast.

My wifey is baking again. This time she's making some chocolate chip cookies for the kids at the Youth prison, called the State School. You have to do something really bad to get in there.

 

[mostly_gas]

Good evening all. 28ºF for the start, partly cloudy, light breeze. Light to moderate wind, sky cleared to mostly clear, and high temp was 49ºF. Putter to start morning, Bike ride delayed to 9AM start to get temp up to mid 30's. Wind more of factor than I thought. 62+ miles. No nap, wife was sleeping when I got home, had to call stepdaughter and she had her ringer turned of . Dinner with stepdaughter and her hubby at Mexican restaurant, then relax.
Ron Sounds like you are closing in on completing the new system. Hope you had fun at party. Nice yellow ear pic.
Buppies hope Christmas decorations at SC are nice. prayers sent.
Drew I love a white Christmas. Hope visit with friend went well.
Kilroy glad you got your parts, sorry eta off 1.5 hours. Hope you get your white Christmas. Hope slip resistance on steps went well.
Bill glad you have idea to make plow work better.
Kilroy those chicken have better temperature tolerance than I do. Hope net helps
Billy sounds like a good shopping trip. Have fun with the stockings.
Thomas you are getting a good snow. Hope cleanup went well.
Frits I understand, why the car fleet is much newer now Work starter not harder.
Jim glad winter prep is done, I still need to pull batteries out of boat. Hope honey-do list not too long. Congrats on getting new barn built, sounds nice.
Paul good to hear GS had good Christmas program, hope additional clean/organize went well. Hope you got to fly.
Don sorry your white Christmas chances are dwindling. Glad you are ready for freeze hope it does not hurt garden. Sorry about the Farm open below freezing.
Ken glad you are improving, sorry about losing coworkers. If level 1 can't help you there should be higher level to kick problem up to.
Dennis looks like an outboard motor stand.
Frits not much ground clearance when moving around.
David glad guys won H&F, hope you got to conserve energy.
Dennis looks good too.
Lou quite the snow.
Ken sorry you had to cancel card. Good luck with new one.
Frits an English is third language, behind native tongue and some other language.
Kyle sounds like good storage system for PHD. Shrimp Newburg was excellent! Sorry about the Visa card, hope someone will make your kids whole. Good to somebody wants some of your machines. Have good trip to Houston area.
Ted hmmm QC inspector for kitchen, that is a good gig. Hope cleanup and materials going to Colorado get complete tonight. Then a quick pack and you are gone in morning. Have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Phil glad snow cleanup done, hope wife gets better soon, prayers sent.
RS our coldest day is Friday(23ºF), not Saturday(12ºF). Hope you get kitchen table work bench figured out. Hope today's agenda works out.
Drew the school bus I road the most had 350 turbocharge v8 My question id electric grid is having capacity problems, where is electricity coming from to charge school buses. I wonder if we have a diesel refining capacity problem.
Bill I get my naps in, usually.
Thomas long day dealing with snow. 15 inch is a lot.
Dennis sound like Tetris worked. Hope you can remove ramp soon.
PJ hope you survive the cold wave. Good to hear new job going well. Hope you get hang of ERP. Nice your predecessor is phone call away and still with company. Glad you got fill valve replaced.
Frits tight squeeze?
Rich sorry about sleep issue last night another vote for hope you sleep tonight.
Kyle there is a State School near Gainesville as well.
prayer for all, especially Jay/Peg, Kyle /Daughter, /mom's breathing, /learning new job, /friends upcoming new baby, /son's migraines, Bird /aging issues, Roy /passed away, /wife ankle,recover from getting sick, Don /brother medical procedure, Ron /broken arm and heart, Billy /mom hypertension & congestive heart failure, David(moss) /remodel, /divorce, Buppies /new skin cancer spot and treatment, /elbow healing, /wife knee healing, Thomas /gout, /wife's pain, Phil /reflux, /wife's eyes and fall, Frits/ daughters hip replacement /veteran son with mental issues, Ken /dad possible dementia, /uncle's surgery, Steppenwolfe /son-auto immune disorder, Grev /wife's eye, Ted /knee recovery, /retirement & disability red tape, /family issues, /wife feeling bad, Lou / eye issues, Doug and wife/health issues, / hand nerve and surgery, /fall and recovery, / wife headaches and heart eval, / David(sadamo)/Sophie's new eye surgery recovery, Chris /neighbor's granddaughter and Covid issues, Scaredy/shoulder dislocation, /wife not feeling well, /marriage not doing well, / friend stop drinking, Paul/ wife's healing from back surgery, Dennis /retirement, /coughing, /neighbor issues, /land development, / brother "alligallyitus" and back in hospital, Drew /foot heel issues, /friend's wife cancer diagnosis and recovery, mike /wife's surgery, Scotty, /back pain, Frits /daughter recovery from surgery, Helogabals /second opinion, /wife's friend situation, Mark /wife colon surgery, Fatjay /father broken hip, Ukraine war, and Country.

 

[txdon]

Today was a very nice day for tractor trailer rides 55˚F and sunny skies, very light wind. I stayed at work till after dark and helped hide the 1500 ornaments for their last hunt of the year. 90 people showed up, I left while they were hunting, it was stating to get cold. 42˚ by the time I was heading home and 30˚ now. It will be mid 20s by morning.