The little Inn by the wayside

[Chroelle]

So how about a picture of the railroad?

[eMTe]

I am watching Champions League match between APOEL Nicosia and Olympique Lyon and think how football changed over last 20 years. The team from small town in a relatively obscure country which doesnt have any successes in sport and was always considered to be closer to nations like San Marino or Liechtenstein rather than France or Italy in terms of potential and real power, is actually so strong that with a bits of luck it would end in top five in every of the strongest european football leagues (except English Premier League maybe).

[Chroelle]

But then again some teams have gone the opposite way. I remember playing Football Manager I believe it was, where you could choose different teams and play them in your own leagues and everyone would always go for Benfica as they were the top team, with 4 star players as the only one in the game... Today ...no so much...

EDIT: Oh, and I totally forgot - I GOT A GIG! A couple of days ago one of my friends wrote me that I should contact his boss about being a consultant for them on a matter ofhow kids use technology today in school and in after-school programs. I called him yesterday and got a meeting yesterday afternoon. He wants to use me as a speaker in front of the entire parentgroup (between 250-400 people). So if I might seem absent for a while it is because I am preparing my material. I am so excited about it - and it suddenly seems so very real that my company will be a succes.

[eMTe]

ALL THE BEST TO ALL WOMEN HERE ON CWF AND IN THE WORLD !!!

[Scythe]

Don't tell me it's the international women's something day? For some reason I'm always reminded of that by somebody from eastern Europe.

Now that I think about it, is Poland eastern Europe or is it central Europe? (I looked it up and I guess the answer is, it depends on your definition.)

[eMTe]

[Chroelle]

LOL!!!

That one I loved!

Yes, it was the womens international rights day or in Danish directly translated The womens fighting day... As one of my fav comedians wrote on his facebook yesterday. "I dont see why they keep celebrating this - cant they see they won already???"

[Railwaymodeler]

Great news from yesterday: Pace paid Maria and I. I'm surprised they didn't try to fight the ruling harder, but from what I understand, they actually DID try to appeal, but it got quickly rejected.

So, yesterday, Maria and I went to the courthouse, and due to the amount of money, I contacted the police (I called the chief of police directly, as he is a customer of mine, and I used to work for the police department, though the current chief was only a deputy chief when I worked there), and requested a police escort for Maria and I for our trip to the bank. We certainly got noticed, with a police car in front of and behind us the whole way!

Maria and I both bank at the same bank, and they were notified in advance that we would be depositing these large checks. Teller even made a joke or two. As I've done business with them for 8 years, I know most of the people there.

Probably Monday, Maria and I will go back and set up a savings account for Skoda, for when she is older.

Would've posted about this yesterday, but Maria and I went to a nice dinner again, and got home late.

[Zyx]

Was it one of those huge checks we Europeans only see in those American movies?

[Railwaymodeler]

No. Would have been kind of fun if it were, but it was not any different, size-wise, from a standard check. Frankly, I don't think those jumbo huge ones, are even legally cashable, but instead are for press photos and similar. One of the youth organizations I do computer work for, has a number of those jumbo checks posted to a wall, and if they were cashable, they certainly would not be sitting there! Most of them are for $50,000 or less, but were only for photo sessions from corporations that donated that kind of money.

[eMTe]

Hm. Dont you feel a bit frightened when talking online about all these huge sums of money, banking issues etc.? I know this is only a small freeware gaming forum, but evil lurks around every corner and whatever you write may be eventually read by somebody who would LOVE to gather all these informations you share. I, on the contrary, prefer to be very secretive about such things. Only asking, so dont get me wrong. I just care!

[Railwaymodeler]

Actually, online is not a real concern over these things. The greater threat is local as I see it. Pace has sunk pretty low by now, and given that corruption is a way of life around here, I would not be the least surprised if they paid someone to come after Maria and I now.

This is partially why I don't post pictures of Maria or Skoda (Though the other half of it, is that Maria intensely dislikes having her picture taken). I also usually don't mention Maria's last name usually (Though, if anyone is interested, it is "C o n t r e r a s").

I have often thought that Pace may just have their IT guys looking for me online. But, so far as anything I have written about them, legally they can do nothing due to the US Constitution protecting freedom of speech. Besides, most of what they would find, is of no use to them.

Also is the reason I am extremely selective of who is added to my Facebook. For now at least, I am jumpy about adding anyone from here to Facebook. I found Tormuse's account, but won't send a friend request yet. I think someone from here sent me a friend request, but I left it open for the reason of not providing that link from there to here.

In a way, its horrible that I have to be cautious like that, but it is for the future of Maria and Skoda, as well as myself. Maria and I are very protective of our baby, and I would like to take this opportunity to point out that the absolute most dangerous place in the world, is between a mother and her child!

One would think that the powers-that-be at Pace, would now finally understand that it's over. They lost. But they are so ignorant, that I suspect they'll try one last time to ruin Maria and I. I hope I am wrong.

[eMTe]

Well, I didnt think of guys from Pace as potential robbers. Rather about somebody who you might know or somebody from neighbourhood and who accidentally (or deliberately, because he follows your online activity) finds out that you possess quite a sum of money.

[Chroelle]

I, on the contrary, prefer to be very secretive about such things. Only asking, so dont get me wrong. I just care!

So that is why we never heard about when you won that lawsuit for millions.

I was wondering why you didn't tell eMTe.

Seriously though I do understand your point.

Raillo have you considered what else you want to spend the money on. I am guessing your thoughts on a house might have been upgraded a bit!
Tanja started asking when I told her about it.

[Tormuse]

Well, I don't blame you for being cautious, RWM. In fact, I'm surprised you've talked about the events as much as you have! I hope things stay good for you for once, but I agree; it wouldn't surprise me if Pace tries again at least one more time.

[Railwaymodeler]

I doubt Pace will try anything too serious: They're now under investigation by the state government, regarding misuse of state funds. Given that Illinois is pretty much broke, the politicians in Springfield (State capitol), would probably love to find a way to cut them out of the budget.

So far as the money, Maria and I have some ideas, but mostly at this time we're laying low till we can move out of state.

Anyone remember the 1976 movie 'Silver Streak'? The one with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor? I recently found the locomotive used in the movie, still exists, though is in rather poor condition. Sitting in Quebec, Canada. Maria and I are seriously considering buying it, and restoring it to as it looked in the movie. Of course, one does not put a 55 foot long diesel locomotive in their driveway or garage, so we would likely put it on permanent loan to a railroad museum.

Pace bus 2337 is up for retirement (Though still in operation, it has been slated for retirement for several years). She and I first met on that bus, and I also first asked her out on the same unit, so we would like to buy it! Probably would only cost a couple thousand dollars, but we'd overhaul it mechanically and cosmetically. Would likely put in the colors of the old Waukegan-North Chicago transit, which became part of the Regional Transportation Authority in the 1970s, which then spun off its suburban bus division into Pace in 1984.

Looking into property up North, fixing to go up next weekend and look at a few houses.

[Chroelle]

You are moving out of the state? I thought you were only moving a little north in IL? But hey, I would consider moving to exactly where I wanted to with the possibilities that opened up for you! And I keep thinking GOOD FOR YOU!

I am spending monday and tuesday on a course in the opposite end of Denmark. I had to get up a little past 4 this morning /night. I would have posted in the "Its the middle of the night" thread, but Molly woke up with high fever so I got very little sleep and due to that was extremely dizy when I woke up. I was on the train for 3 hours and then off to 7 hours of somewhat heavy-info information courses. All very interesting, but in the last one I was struggling. I turned to my coworker to tell him how I was close to nodding off, but found him nodding down and snoring at the same time.
I just had to write an extensive email to my contact at my speaking-gig and now I have to go write a promised article for my blog. Its important that I do because it is a huge chance for me to get some publicity if I get the info out first.
Then its all about getting ready for dinner, and going back to the course tonight. There is yet another speaker Steffen Brandt (who is the lead singer of a legendary dansih rockband called TV2), and then its all food, beer and hangovers waiting to happen before I go to sleep, and wake up to tomorrows 7 hours of info again and then a traintrip home...

[eMTe]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAZ!!!

[eMTe]

Oh, and I almost missed it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TEST PERSON NUMBER X!!!

[Pater Alf]

Yeah, happy birthday, Maz!!!