The Train Day Approacheth...

Train Day is coming!!!

Wooooo!!!

They did it!

Kim and WoWN did it! They ran the Marine Corps Marathon!!!

You all rock!

The Marine Corps Marathon...

Tomorrow I'm going to DC on purpose to watch the Marine Corps Marathon. The last time I saw this live the UMBC Quiz Bowl Team was going to Georgetown for a tournament. We walked right into it and weren't expecting it.

This time I'm going as a legitimate fan to cheer for Kim and WoWN.

Ladies, you're gonna do great!

But now I have a conundrum...what hat to wear?
Should I go for the classic B&O ballcap I have or...as it is the Marine Corps Marathon...go for my USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Cap, the closest to a Marine cap I have.

I think Kearsarge is going to get the sortie order for tomorrow.

Sorry 'bout that Chief...

I have neglected my blog, but I had a good excuse...
I am friggin exhausted.

You all know about the adventures in Parkersburg then the Train Show then last week was B&ORRHS Archives-O-Rama. A sorting session where volunteers put our collecting in order. A good time for all. But another 7 day week for me.
Then Monday my cold got the best of me and I slept in.

So that's where I am. This weekend is the MCM in VA and DC. WOWN and DASRT are running. So looks like another busy-ish weekend. Then there's TRAIN DAY! the week afterwards.

Am I crazy or what?

HEY!

Canada!
Watch your ass!

Stealing a Quiz...

50 Things
From Kim’s page who appropriated it from someone else…

1. How tall are you barefoot?
5'10”

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
Nope

3. Do you own a gun?
Nope

What happened to number 4?
It’s right where you left it between 3 and 5. Geez..schmuck.

5. Do you get nervous before "meeting the parents"?
Yes

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
Best at a ball park if not there then best grilled.

7. What's your favorite Christmas song?
“Silent Night” either in German, sung by the muppets, by a church choir or played instrumental on a guitar.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Orange Juice and Coffee

9. Can you do push ups?
Yes

WHERE IS NUMBER TEN!
Look, yelling at me isn’t going to help find it.

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
I don’t wear jewelery

12. Do you like painkillers?
You bet your bippy.

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
Comedy

14. Do you own a knife?
Yes

15. Do you have A.D.D.?
huh? I was looking at something else. Oooh! Floor-pie!

16. Middle Name?
Brandon

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I’m tired
Should I go get something for lunch now?
I need to get my classwork done.

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought:
Dinner at Subway in Oakland, MD, Gas at the Exxon in Oakland, MD, Gas at Kroger in Parkersburg, WV

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
Diet Coke, Coke, Orange Juice

20. What time did you wake up today?
5:25am

22. Current worry?
The Presentation I was just assigned.

23. Current hate?
Mornings

24. Favorite place to be?
A good bookstore/library

25. Least favorite place to be?
Traffic back-up

26. Where would you like to go?
London and Scotland and CHICAGO!

27. Do you own slippers?
Yes.

28. What shirt are you wearing?
Black t-shirt and my arrow green dress shirt

30. Favorite color(s)?
green

31. Would you be a pirate?
No.

32. Last time you had an alcoholic drink?
Someone’s wedding…Jess’?

33. What songs do you sing in the shower?
I have no set mental playlist

34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
I dunno

35. What's in your pockets right now?
Wallet, keys, comb, change, ID, metro pass and glasses wipe

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
NewsRadio re-run yesterday about “The Shaft”

37. Best bed sheets you had as a child?
Empire Strikes Back

38. Worst injury?
Rheumatoid Arthritis

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
3

41. Who is your loudest friend?
Mary

42. Who is your most silent friend?
Dustin/Jess

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
I hope so.

44. Do you wish on shooting stars?
Yes.

45. What is your favorite book?
The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy

46. What is your favorite candy?
Toblerone

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding?
“A Kiss to Build a Dream On” as performed by Louis Armstrong

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
“Smile” performed by Nat King Cole

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Reading my email.

50. What was the First thing you thought when you woke up this morning??
15 more minutes

Ah....Trains

Well, I'm back after 5 days of trainy goodness. First I went to Charleston for a meeting with the widow of a noted railroad photographer and the archivist of West Virginia at the cultural center in Charleston. I was traveling with a fellow Historical Society member and a noted expert on diesel locomotives. We met at my place and were on the road at 5:30am for our first stop: Cumberland, MD. Some thoughtful soul put a Roy Rogers right next to the B&O Main Line there and we had a nice breakfast as dawn broke over the Queen City of the Alleghenies. However, I did spill my coffee all over my pants to start things off. Fortunately I was standing up, so no vital equipment was burned and lo and behold, I had a change of pants in my suitcase!
Then we did a short jaunt to Mexico, MD to look at trains. Then back in the car, a fill of the tank at Sheetz and we were on our way to Charleston.
We took I-68 to Morgantown and then broke off south on I-79. The trip too longer than planned due to our jaunt to Cumberland with it's trainy goodness and "The Coffee Incident." Our ability to make up time was not enhanced by SIX MILE LONG work zones on I-79. Oy vey!
We made it to Burnsville, WV, got gas at the Exxon there and again enjoyed more trains as a CSX coal drag was waiting to go north to Grafton, WV with a load of hopper cars. There were also some leased locomotives belonging to the short line that services the coal mines in the area visible from the road. However, time was a factor here and we had to hustle south.
We arrived in Charleston and spent the next six hours adding caption information to railroad photos that had been donated to the state archives. Then we had a nice dinner with our hostess and hit the hotel. My traveling companion and myself had a total of 4 hours of sleep between us before we left (he was keyed up about the trip, I was doing a class assignment due the Sunday I was to come back) and we were out like lights by 9:30pm. The only thing we noticed was a hellacious thunderstorm that hit Charleston at 2am Thursday and was loud enough to wake us both up.
Thursday we were back on the road at 8:30am after a fine breakfast at the hotel. We arrived early in Parkersburg, WV at our convention hotel. This was fortunate as there were some logistical problems that needed to be addressed and my traveling companion went to work and I vegged out until the Board of Director's meeting.
Following the 5 hours of "fun" that is a BOD meeting, our convention began in earnest. I only caught some of the presentations as I was running around doing errands and...checking my email...yes, it was there and I had to get my fix.
Friday was Tour #1 in the rain, it was a good time and the day did clear up so that the afternoon was magnificent. Had a grand time. Again, got the short end of the presentations but still circulated enough to meet some new people.
Saturday was glorious and a great day to be running around, WV and Ohio. We toured a Carbon Black Plant and had some nice historical vignettes on the B&O Railroad in the Ohio River Valley. I was surprised by how important that area was and is to our industrial base even today. During the trip I did have one interesting adventure on my own. My digital camera gave me the "batteries are dying dude" light and I went in search of new batteries in Marietta, OH. Walking through town during the lunch break I found a hotel where I was informed that a CVS was "2 blocks down the street." Now, this is 2 Ohio blocks not DC or Baltimore blocks as I walked about a mile and a half to get to the CVS. Still, I got my batteries, got my lunch and made it back onto the bus for the trip back to the hotel and a chance to clean up for the formal banquet.
The banquet was really nice, had a great speaker and I made it a point to sit with some society members who I didn't know. I try to do that each convention and I think it's a good way for me to meet people and for people to meet their society archivist. One never knows who one may meet or how one can help them out.
Afterwards I helped pack up our society retail store set-up and went to bed. I awoke Sunday for breakfast and a general business meeting where I presented on the state of the society archives. Then back in the car with my cohort and we were on our way home...the long way.
We took US 50 East to Grafton, WV. This is a holy grail of B&O railfans, lots of locomotives and still rather busy. On our arrival we just happened to meet a noted railfan and RR Historian who advised us that he was about to go chase a train that was leaving the yard going eastbound and inquired if we wanted to go. We looked at each other and said, "Let's roll." and off we went at some unsafe speeds on narrow country roads chasing a freight train. I have to say, it's hard on the driver to do this, especially if the driver has no bloody idea where he is and is only following the jeep in front of him for dear life lest he be lost DEEP in the wilds of WV. I was able to keep up, boy I was tired afterwards. Got some nice pictures though.
Then we split up from our guide and went to Rowlesburg and M&K Junction, WV. Another B&O railfan hot spot. We met a kindly tower operator who allowed us to take photos within the bounds of safety of the locomotives and the tower there. She was also kind enough to tell us that a westbound train of empty hoppers would be at Terra Alta, WV around 3 or so. Again, into the car and off we went. We made it to Terra Alta with 15 minutes to spare, got our pictures and then went to Oakland for dinner and pictures of the 1884 Baldwin Station there. Then straight home. I got back in after 6pm. A long day, but a good day.

I have returned...

And apparently, I've been called in for a blog coup attempt. Film at 11.

Off the Grid is Off the Hoof!

My last day until the 8th connected to the internets.
I know I'm going to go through WWW withdrawl. I'll need some way to check my mail, check the blogs, etc. I'm giving it up for the next 5 days.
So, just a heads up, you can ignore the blog until the 8th when I'll be over-trained and full of digital photos.

On that note here are some random thoughts, I call it "My Moment of Larry King."

The Chicago Bears are going all the way this year.

There's nothing better than a good Italian restaurant.

Cary Grant and Gregory Peck are two actors who really deserve an Oscar.

What's Mike Ditka up to these days?

Dusty Baker will be the next manager of the Washington Nationals, you can bet money on it.

Joe Gibbs smiled and laughed like the old days at his Monday press conference, the only thing missing was Jack Kent Cooke beside him.

Bush Administration officials need to get parking spots reserved at Capitol Hill now since they will be testifying before Congressional Inquiries for the next two years.

If the Wizards can figure out Miami, they're gonna make it to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

I haven't had a good pecan turtle in a while.

See you all Sunday! Go Redskins!

Vacation is coming...

Yes, my annual vacation time is coming. I finally started taking vacations in 2004 and in 2005 I merged it with the B&O RR Historical Society Convention. As I am now on the BOD I kinda HAVE to go. So once again this year I'm off for 5 days of wholesome train-ness. I'm going completely off the grid, no laptop, nothing. I have no intention of being bothered by work or anything, it's just gonna be railroad history.

Before you ask;
Yes this is my idea of a good time.
No, I'm not crazy.
Yes, I know this probably is not a good place to meet women.
Yes, this REALLY is my idea of a good time.

Huzzah!

I had forgotten this, with my attendence at grad school, I get access to various databases and article indexes.
Sorry, but for a history nerd getting unfettered access to journals is a good thing.

Ladies...

If THIS is your idea of a nice weekend, and you're single, we need to talk.

James A. Garfield...

I just finished Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of James A. Garfield by Kenneth Ackerman. It is quite possibly one of the most interesting and well written history books I've come across in years. The narrative is crisp, well written and doesn't dwell on irrelevant details. The story of the political machinations and factional fighting between the Half-Breeds and the Stalwarts during the election of 1880 and subsequent first months of James Garfield's term is fascinating. Add to that Charles Guiteau's time vainly trying to get the Paris Counsulship and his slippage into the role of deranged Presidential Assassin and you have a hell of a story. I literally could not put the book down. Go get it, you'll love it!

One more day of summer...

Yes, the last day of the Summer of '06 (pronounced ought-six) is tomorrow. Be sure to give it a fond fare well.

So now we enter the fall. One of my favorite seasons. It means three months until winter and Christmas. It also means early nights, which actually, I kinda like. I like being able to walk out of my office into the night or dusk. It feels moodier, makes me want to read and study and write and such. I feel more intellectually productive and stimulated. I guess that's conditioned since fall is traditionally when school and college semesters begin to get interesting. You've gotten through the intros, now you're into the meat of your courses. Ah, to be in college or graduate school at a time like this...

Wait a second! I am in graduate school in a time like this! SWEET!

Ah, all I need now is a chill in the evening air, a wood paneled library/study, a fireplace, a mug of hot tea and some Glenn Miller Band music on. (someone will call me old in 5, 4, 3, 2...)

Yarrr...

Avast ye!
'Tis the day when you sea dogs should be talkin' like a pirate!

Yarrr.

T-Minus...

Seven Days until Library School Starts.

Yep, I couldn't stay away. Which is probably good. I was starting to get bored out of my mind without some kind of learning to do.

Expect more updates as my education continues...

Say it's not so Joe...

My beloved Redskins are 0-2. We can't beat the Vikings and we can't beat Dallas. I'm getting that oogy feeling now about the season.

But 14 games left, let's give them one more chance to gel before I start wailing about the collapse of the Redskins first half of the season.

I can tell you what the problem was last night: Penalties.
The Skins were going back and forth with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. It was awful. They were out of control and it showed. My dad summed it up as he watched the game and saw Washington get it's 4th unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in 20 minutes and said, "This is NOT Joe Gibbs football."

All I could say was, "Yep."

This could be a VERY long year. I may get my $20 ready to pay off my Redskins bets now.

Damn I'm tired...

It's nearly 23:00 tonight and I am TIRED. I had my normal 45 hour work week, then Saturday was Archiving, then my 10 year High School Reunion Saturday night, then more Archiving.
And now of course, there's a Redskins game on, and not just any old game, Redskins vs Cowboys. The big game no matter how bad the season is. So, I'll be awake tonight listening to this game. (Right now Dallas is leading by 14 and looks like we're gonna be 0-2. :-(

Still archiving went well, we got a lot of stuff done and I think my volunteers had a rewarding weekend for their own research projects.
The reunion went well too, not as many people I hung around with showed up. That was a bit disappointing, but overall I think the class of 96 came out ok so far.

Through early morning fog I see. Visions of the things to be. The pains that are withheld for me...

Ok, I volunteer for a Railroad Historical Society as their Archivist and an at-large member of the Board of Directors.

We've had a pile of bad news health-wise lately:
A director had surgery to remove cancer
A director's wife passed away
A volunteer had to go to the hospital for low blood pressure
A volunteer had a heart attack AND got pneumonia

This has been one hit after another, I feel like I'm on M*A*S*H.

I think part of this is the fact that most of our members are on the north side of 50. We need new blood. So, gentle readers I'm soliciting your opinions for what can be done to get younger people in a Railroad Historical Society?

Primary Colors...

As you may know from the profile, I live in MD. Today is the day of our primary election. In general these are yawn fests but there are a handful of races I'm checking on:

Comptroller:
Billy Don Shafer vs Janet "Mo Hubbard" Owens.

THFH's pick: Owens by a nice margin. Billy D went "Katherine Harris Crazy" on us. Makes this choice pretty easy.

US Senate:
Bespecticaled Ben Cardin vs Kwaeisi "Big K" Mfume
Ben Cardin will easily win on name recognition due to his extensive TV ads throughout the state.

And just because it's close by:
DC Mayor:
Linda Cropp vs Adrian Fenty

Fenty's had the lead by a wide margin for a couple of weeks. I don't expect this to change.

Well, those are the only ones I care to pick. We shall see how things turn out.