What significant things have I done today?

[Griffin NoName]

Did loads of studying.

now have a migraine, no justice

[Lindorm]

I have done some preparation work for next week -a group of trainee train drivers are coming on a study visit to us on tuesday, and I am in charge of arrangements for the day. I think I have everything sorted, but as usual, nothing works according to plan A on the railways.

Later tonight, I will make my way down to Södertälje Harbour and work a train from there (biofuel empties) down to Nässjö in southern Sweden, spend May Day in the lodging quarters (I was actually supposed to be a standard bearer at one of my union's events on May Day, but have to scratch that) and then work the loaded return working with a couple of thousand tons of woodchips back to Södertälje, finishing on saturday evening.

Nässjö on a public holiday is about as active as a sleeping pill test site - a small bible belt railway town where everything closes at 18:00 sharp an ordinary weekday, so I suppose I'll have to bring lots of reading materials with me.

[Sibling DavidH]

Nässjö sounds pretty good to me!  Just lead me there and give me a duvet.

I put a post in here about a charity activity but on second thoughts I moved it to the Tide Pool for privacy.

[pieces o nine]

1. Got up at 5:00 a.m. [that's FIVE AM] to get V to airport.

2. Took H for breakfast on way home from airport.

3. Grabbed a couple hour's cat-nap while dog-sitting 2 [that's TWO] hyperactive "small, yappy-type dogs".

4. Completed a reasonable amount of housework.

5. Took H to Ironman 2, only to discover that *he* was treating *me*. 

6. Took H for a nice, healthy supper.

7. Called me mum and wished her a Happy Mum's Day.

8. Am now attempting to convince dogs that they are tired, too...

[Darlica]

I had my first day at my new full time position at work.
I also managed not to strangle or otherwise maim the colleague I had to spend the day with...
This is a real accomplishment believe me!

I really like most of my colleagues but this one, his a pathetic macho "boy" who suffers from short-man-syndrome and ain't even a third as charming as he think he is...     

[Opsa]

I respect your self-control!

[Lindorm]

She did need a bit of aged gruyere cheese when she came home, though. 

[Opsa]

Well, who wouldn't? 

How'd she do on day two?

[Griffin NoName]

Wrote a big chunk of essay. Yesterday. In the small hours. Result: felt like shit all day/evening. Still, a chunk is a chunk.

[Darlica]

I did well. I'm still learning and I was tired as !"#¤ when I finally came home.
New day to day with new challenges.

[Lindorm]

I am busy preparing some lecture notes, since I am doing some teaching of student drivers in the coming week. The UIC classification scheme for goods wagons is such a breeze. I mean, the difference between a Hbikks and a Hbins class wagon is obvious, isn't it? *

I'll be teaching them for a few days about the different classes of wagons, what they are used for and their special characteristics, basic components of a freight vehicle and how they work, how wagons and cargos ought to be loaded and secured, as well as how to inspect a wagon and perform a brake test. This is just a basic introduction -if and when they get employed by a freight operator, they will recieve a much more thorough training, especially if they sign on with my employer.



* The UIC classification codes are a sort of international standard taxonomy of wagons, a Linneaus-turned-trainspotter description of a wagon through an alphabetical code. Thus, in my example, both wagons have a main classification of "H".  This means that they are both two-axle covered wagons with opening sides. The various sub-classifications mean that they both have a volume capacity of more than 70 cubic metres (b),  and can run at 100 km/h when loaded (s). However, the Hbikks has a slightly smaller loading capacity, weight-wise, than the Hbins (kk= 2axles, load limit within the 20-25 ton range, n = if 2-axled wagon, load limit of more than 28 tons, or more than 60 tons if a bogie wagon)

It is important to remember that the UIC code is a description of function, not form. In the example above, we know that the Hbikks is a two-axle wagon, since it carries the "kk" sub-classification. But we do not know if the Hbins is a two-axle wagon or a bogie wagon until we either look at it physically, or look up the individual wagon in the mainframe database.

[Sibling DavidH]

Best of luck with the lectures, Lindorm.  I like your train of thought. 
I expect Swato will agree: es ist ein netter Zug von Dir.

[Darlica]

I've been a good friend.
I helped my friend L move from the outskirts of civilisation back to Stockholm this weekend, by renting a van and drive 300 kilometres to where she lived, help her load it, drive her and her stuff back to Stockholm and help her unload before returning the van to the leasing company, all in all 600 km mostly in pouring rain. Good thing I like to drive.

[Sibling DavidH]

A good deed - I trust she bought you a few pints (or litres or whatever you lot drink). 

[Darlica]

Nah. No need for that, she's been there for me so many times over the years. By now I just cover her back when needed, I'll know she'll cover mine next time I need it.

IMHO, among good friends there is no need to count the favours.