[Freddy]

Thanks Art, I'm just hoping when one thing goes in something else doesn't drop out.   

[Freddy]

Well after 2 1/2 years I finally got to the end of my course !  Just finished the last chapter...one more preliminary test of 55 questions to go and I can apply for the exam.

Wahay !

 

[Data]

Congrats, must have been a load of reading, I applaud you for your dedication

Time for a break from it all, let it soak in, luckily Christmas is almost here.

Its all working out nicely 

[Freddy]

Thanks mate

Yeah there were quite a few books to read.  I probably could have compressed the time I spent on it really, but things just get in the way sometimes, so it took me a while.

Yes a break for now.  I just tore through the last test because I won't have access to it come Friday.  Got about 75%, which isn't bad for this time of night and some lack of reading questions properly... I want to get that up to 80% to feel confident....there's a lot more revision tests I can do, so that will help nudge my brain a bit.

But that can wait until after Christmas now.  Like you say the timing is impeccable. Hehe.

[Maviarab]

Hello......hello...

Anyone here.....dear god...what month is it?   

Just to apologise to everyone for being awol recently, had so much on my plate I've barely had time to blow my nose...

Anyway, still very busy, but hope everyone is well and ok, and happy birthdays to anyone I've missed in my absence and welcomes to any new members in my said absence...

Now we at this time of the year will try and pop in a little more, have a little more free time on my hands at last. Freddy, glad to see the course is going well

Oh, and Merry Christmas everyone and hope you all have a cracking new year

*grumbles about the cold as he leaves*

[DaveMorton]

Well, I think my blood pressure has his an all-time record high this year, but I finally got the yearly P.I.T.A. project(s) completed. The Morton Family Christmas Village is done for this year!

No more hassles with it till we take it down, and then not again till March, when we re-design the waterfall system, and add a real creek to the thing. I can tell already that the next village will be a freaking menace er, BLAST to work on!

BTW, if you use IE8 to view the page, make sure to put it into IE7 Standards Mode first, or better yet, use Firefox or Chrome. Native IE8 hiccups on the code. I know my code is tight, but I can't say the same for Uncle Bill's code.

[Freddy]

Welcome back Mav but to be honest I am kinda used to you going awol now 

[Freddy]

Dave, the village looks absolutely fantastic 

What did you use for the snow ?

[DaveMorton]

Mom found this place that sells "Buffalo Snow" in 1 quart bags for fairly cheap, by the case, which is a good thing, because it's a "one time use" thing, and takes a lot of it to cover the table. Basically, it's finely ground styrofoam, and likely it's recycled scrap from some manufacturing process.

[DaveMorton]

Well, this is fun! A photographer from the local paper came by yesterday and took some pics of the village, and this morning, there was a small blurb about it.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20101222/NEWS/101229935/1001&parentprofile=1058

[Freddy]

Cool, congratulations Dave 

[Data]

Yeah that is cool, only 39 watts, can't be bad either.

[DaveMorton]

Thanks, folks.

@DH That's just for the buildings, mind. The waterfall, skating rink and train aren't in that total.

[Data]

Still good though GCC, the world needs some decent LED bulbs   for all our houses, there are some on the market but from what I’ve seen of them they have a way to go yet. 

[Art]

I've also seen quite an application of LED's on automobiles here in the USA, not to mention a variety of interior and mobile lighting.

One of my favorites for around the house is the Wind - up flashlights. Turn the crank handle for a minute and you get 10 minutes of bright LED power without ever having to replace batteries!

We keep a couple in different locations in the event of power failures! I think they were only $12 - 15.00 for Two flashlights! What a bright idea! UGH!!! Had to say it!!