Good morning,

I thought the best way to introduce myself would be to start a new pot of coffee.

I'm Dan, and I specialize in testing for compliance to codes & standards requirements applicable to the medical devices our company designs & develops. Organizational changes have put me in a position where I am required to get our test lab compliant with IEC 17025, and obtain accreditation. This challenge is beyond anything I've been responsible for in the past, yet I feel I can do it. I have already found this site to be a great source of information, and look forward to becoming a regular member.

Have a great day everyone, and enjoy your coffee.

Dan

Good evening and Welcome to the Cove, Dan!

Well howdy there Dan. :bigwave: I'm having coffee right now, thank you.

You'll enjoy you visits, lot's of good folks here (except for Lucinda, Energy and Jim Wade)

I was born in the little village of Evansville, just to your Southwest a ways, now I'm in CA (it was only 74 yesterday...Brrrrrr).

Hi Dan and welcome to the cove :bigwave:

As mentioned already, there a lot of good people here, but as with any group, there are some not so good people. But that will be up to you to decide on your own. Don't be scared of anyone just because someone else is pissed off at them. You will learn who everyone is and come to learn the personalities and attitudes of everyone. As long as you can look past the people who are bitter or upset and filter that out, you will be able to get a lot of great advice and assistance here. Don't be afraid to ask any questions.

:agree: Glad to see a new member besides myself. I have been lurking in the past and have noticed some head butting. Still is the best Quality web-site in the world thanks to Marc.

Thanks for the welcome folks. I will share with you one of my hobbies. I am a moderator for an outdoor bulletin board such as this. I am very well aware of having the good, the bad, and (the ugly can't be seen). My love for the outdoors includes canoeing & camping, and hunting & fishing. I have a lot of fun volunteering to be a moderator for the website, and sharing stories of my outdoor adventures.

I am thankful for this website being here as it pertains to my work. Kind of ironic. The outdoor site is a labor of love, but this site is a love of labor - NOT! Well, like a lot of folks, I have to work to support my outdoor habits.

Glad to meet you all. Have a great day, wherever you are.

Dan

Hey Dan and welcome to the Cove.

Our fine Host is Marc, who runs this whole nutty mess because he is the most dedicated Quality Professionals!!!!!!

Marc, what a great idea. How about a new sticky thread for newcomers to introduce themselves.

CarolX

Dan & Sirlard,

Welcome to the Cove, both of you. :bigwave: :bigwave:

As for the headbutting Sirlard describes: Yes unfortunately it happens sometimes, but we have a few moderators around (myself included), and we try to put a stop to anything untoward as soon as we see it.

Nice coffee, Dan.. Thank's.

/Claes

Nothing wrong with a little headbutting.

The trick is to make sure you are one of the heads.

Welcome to the Cove.

What a great idea Carol - I hope Marc picks it up.

Dave

Good morning again. It's Friday folks!!! I have found on our outdoor website that a place to share a cup of coffee and talk about anything is a pretty popular forum. Most new members are a little shy, and not quite sure where to jump in. A coffee forum, or in our case a "Campfire" serves as our watering hole you might say, and new members often post their first comments there.

Since this site is work related, maybe you can call your new forum "The Break Room".

Have a great day everyone.
Dan

Welcome D Wood.

I also work for a Medical Device Company, we are located in NY. If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to give you accurate information.

Welcome Dan. Question for you...you wouldn't happen to be a Lake-Linker, would you?

Well Ken, I am thinking hard as to what a "lake-linker" may be. I suspect you are asking me if I am a fisherman? That answer would be yes. In fact, I have been out ice fishing twice in the passed week. The warm weather & rain that is about to hit will probably end our ice fishing season.

If I'm on the right track, I may be more of a river-linker, since I spend a lot of time canoeing rivers. I have an 8 year old that is on his third year as my paddling pardner. This year he will get more training on reading river current and deciding which way to go around an obstacle.

Did I guess right Ken?
-Dan- ;)

So, D_Wood, when do we get a link to the outdoors site? Some of us GA folks might want to see what the Yankees are up to...

Welcome to the Cove!!

The ice fishing we havn't figured out yet. Just how do you get the dang boat in the water, anyhow???

Craig H.

Craig - You reninded me what I saw for the 1st time this week after living in Roch NY for 18 years - they were snowmobiling on the Erie Canal. Of course it gets drained in the winter - down to about 3 or 4 feet, I think, and with several days in the teens and nites around '0', I guess it was frozen enough.
Anyway - off topic, but definately something only upstate NY can see!


Welcome D Wood. You should like it here.

Craig H. said:

So, D_Wood, when do we get a link to the outdoors site? Some of us GA folks might want to see what the Yankees are up to...

Welcome to the Cove!!

The ice fishing we havn't figured out yet. Just how do you get the dang boat in the water, anyhow???

Craig H.

Craig,

It's a beautiful thing. I'm going tomorrow (Sunday). There is approx. 18"-20" of ice. Attached is a photo of our typical set up.

Dan and Sirlard, Welcome to the Cove. You never have to worry about butting heads if you just lay down and let them steam roller you. :vfunny:

As you can see, it's very easy to get off topic. From having coffee in a relaxed atmosphere, to Randy's announcement of the "Axis of Evil". Some people just know what buttons to push. Some of the subsequent posts joined in with their views on the combatants, too. All this before any of the Axis of Evil ever posted. I will just say, I'm in real good company. Now, if I had been lumped with Savant Man, I would have had to report that post to the Moderator, who has also jumped in to let you know you are safe. :eek: Somehow, I feel that had I listed members, particularly without a smiley, who I thought were "not so good" or "bitter" or "upset", you can almost bet admonishments would have been forthcoming. But, that's what head butting is all about. It's a Gladiator/Spectator/Referee thing, sometimes.

Relax and have a good time. Don't be shy. The arena is quite large. :agree:

Good morning, another Monday has arrived. I've thrown on a fresh pot, and have some cinnamon swirl coffee cake to share. You know these cyber-calories are really light on the diet.

Appreciate the welcomes from everyone. I am getting to like this site alot. As soon as I learn about your policy on posting links to other sites, I can offer a link to the outdoor site. Some places call it SPAM, and that's the last thing I want to do.

Anyway, a good morning to ya, and you all have a great day.
-Dan-

Down here in this part of The Cove would probably be the best place. "Forums Help and Coffee Break" is the BS area, so go ahead and BS us. I've got my waders on;)

Dan,

Welcome. It is hard enough to find someone who will volunteer to make coffee, let alone one who is also an outdoorsman! While I'll pass on the coffee, the work ethic is impressive.:vfunny:

Did I miss the address of your outdoors web site? I'd like to give it a visit.

D_Wood said:

Well Ken, I am thinking hard as to what a "lake-linker" may be. I suspect you are asking me if I am a fisherman? That answer would be yes. In fact, I have been out ice fishing twice in the passed week. The warm weather & rain that is about to hit will probably end our ice fishing season.



As an avid fisher-person, I always pack the digital camera with me, now. I never keep. For those who may not ever experience the potential for excitement or enjoy the relaxing time on the ice, here's another pic. Please disregard the six pack in our man made cooler. That's not the real reason we are out there. :vfunny:

We went out yesterday, cut 12 holes through 20" of ice and caught and released a dozen Yellow Perch and a 3lb Smallmouth Bass. What a beautiful day. :smokin:

Mornin' folks,
Well as you can see by my avatar, I am finding more bells & whistles to play with on this site. Although I grew up in the Midwest, I did spend about 18 years in Texas. I kind of grew fond of my cowboy hats you might say. No one can spend 18 years in Texas and leave without taking a little of Texas with you. In my case it was my two hats. Oh yeah, and my wife now of 16 years. :)

It looks like it is OK for me to make reference to the outdoor site I moderate for. Some of you are sportsmen & women, and may enjoy a fishing story or hunting tale from time to time. When you get to the Home Page (click link below), there are "Featured Articles" as well as Member Submitted Stories. If you click on the tab at the top labeled "Forums", you will enter the bulletin board. I hope you find the site enjoyable. If you register (it's free like this site), tell them indiana_dan sent ya. ;)

http://www.modernsportsman.com/index.html


Fresh pot of coffee is on folks. Old man winter is not finished yet in these parts. The cold wind is blowing today.
-Dan-

I grew up here in MI but was a city kid, that is I thought milk came from a truck delivered to your door not from a cow. So my experience with the "outdoor life" came late. We went to Houton lake now and then and all I can remember is how bad the misquitos were and how far it was to the store!!! My eyes were open during my years in South Carolina and having the ocean and inland coastal waterways to play on. However, I still haven't gotten the hang of ice fishing. For me it's just to cold, if I want frozen fish I can buy it at the store!!!!! No offense for those of you who enjoy it. Myself, I love to wander around a lake in the sun, taking time to dive in every now and then to cool off. I just haven't found the enjoyment of sitting on a bucket on the ice. I tried it a few times and I guess it's just one of those things that is not for me. :bigwave:

Dan that is no "outdoors" site! It is a site bout killing poor defenseless living creatures! You should be ashamed!

Okay, Okay, Okay.. Just pulling your leg. I have a bit of a cruel streak. It is a good looking site.

energy that's a nice looking, but small northern. I think pike are my favorite (yes, Dan I eat defenseless once living creatures). Although a scar on my right hand will show evidence that northern pike are not totally defenseless.

Well my coffee cup is empty (actually it is Pepsi), so I shall refill it and get back to work.

Nice catch, energy!

I remember how pretty snow and ice can be because I grew up in the north. I've never been ice fishing, though I do like the liquid version.

Welcome, Dan. I am going to check out your site now.

Craig H.

Randy Stewart said: However, I still haven't gotten the hang of ice fishing. For me it's just to cold, if I want frozen fish I can buy it at the store!!!!! No offense for those of you who enjoy it. .... I just haven't found the enjoyment of sitting on a bucket on the ice. I tried it a few times and I guess it's just one of those things that is not for me. :bigwave:

Oh, then you haven't ice fished the way my husband grew up ice fishing! Bucket on the ice? Forget it!! More like a nice heated little cabin with warm cozy sofa and TV! The holes in the floor were incidental. The lake would be one big neighborhood in the winter with cabins all over and snowmobiles parked around them. The fishing was just the excuse for being out there partying and visiting everyone else's fish house. If you caught a fish, well OK- nice side benefit. But a bucket on the ice? I would agree that would not be fun.

You got the idea right Lucinda. I found that I could use my portable hunting blind as a portable ice house as well. My Coleman lantern heated it very well. This year I got to experience my son's very first trip out on the ice. It is a memory that will be with both of us forever.

http://thewoods.homestead.com/files/casey_bluegill_75_.jpg

Lucinda;

I know what you mean when you say little neighborhood. My husband is an avid snowmobiler. Loves it. He conned me into going to Lake St. Clair over the weekend to snowmobile on the ice. I was shock at all of the shanties. It was incredible. They even had a hot dog stand out on the ice. There were big trucks out on the ice too. I had a great time though.

Angela

More like a nice heated little cabin with warm cozy sofa and TV!

I tried that a couple times Lucinda up at Lake City MI. Like I said it's just something not for me. If I want to sit on the sofa, watch TV, etc. then I'll do it in my livingroom. As for the big party, we went up to snowmobile rally a couple years ago and my wife at the time nearly got mauled by a bunch of drunk bumpkins. We tried again the next year and a couple people got shot. Sorry, but for me I would rather sit in my paddle boat in the sun. Besides, I like looking at bathing suits more than Carharts and Snowmobile Suits!!!!!!:vfunny:


Great picture Dan, I remember when my son James caught his first Big Mouth Bass and the look on his face as the fight went on to get it in the boat. What a thrill for both of us!!!!!!!!!!!

db said:

energy that's a nice looking, but small northern. I think pike are my favorite (yes, Dan I eat defenseless once living creatures). Although a scar on my right hand will show evidence that northern pike are not totally defenseless.


db,

Hey, this is Connecticut, not MI. We take what we get! I'm aware of how big they get and know that you would have a hard time pulling one of those monsters up through a 8" hole. That'd be where the scars on the hands would come from. I've attached a news clipping of my son's pike. This one is mounted and it was almost decapitated pulling it through the ice. Very tight fit. Sorry for the quality, but print is print. I have another one that was caught in a neighboring state-Vermont that is very nice. I'll attach it in another post.

Dan

Just went to the site. I had to wait until I got home because my work computer was acting up. Again. Kinda like a bow I got rid of a couple of years back.

I will be back, and register. There may be some kindred souls there, methinks.

I don't drink coffee. For me it's like eating a hand grenade. Bad form in a deer stand. How about some hot chocolate?

Thanks for the site!

Craig

Welcome to the cove D. Nice to see another Indiana person!!! Randy, I come from a town north of your area Huntingburg. Small world

energy,
I took a look at the photo you posted. From where I'am from (Wisconsin) that looks like bait. Are you sure you posted the right photo?
:vfunny: :vfunny:

From the smilies I think it is Energy who is being "baited".;) Don't bite that hook!

It is interesting, though, how in reality a trophy taken from one area is only a so-so (or less) specimen in another area. Where I fish, a 10 pound catfish or 4 pound bass is a nice trophy, but that is probably literally "bait" for some of those Mississippi cats that go over 100 pounds or some of those monster bass from some Southern lakes. Same with whitetail deer. A trophy, IMO, is a relative thing - relative to where it was taken, how it was taken, who it was taken by, and what special memories/circumstances are involved in the taking, not just pure size of the trophy. I realize I'm probably preaching to the choir in most cases.:bigwave:

Well Dan, go to www.lake-link.com and you'll see how they run outdoor message boards here in Wisconsin. We just had our annual ice fishing outing this past weekend and there were approximately 1000 linkers out for fishing, food and just getting to know one another. Great time.


energy, where is the otter sled, the snowmobile and the grill?
The lake I live on is 139,000 acres. We need to be mobile up here.
:confuse

"4 pound bass is a nice trophy" Hey Mike, what's a bass? Is that like a carp or what? :D

A trophy, IMO, is a relative thing - relative to where it was taken, how it was taken, who it was taken by, and what special memories/circumstances are involved in the taking, not just pure size of the trophy.

I've had as much fun, if not more, bringing in a throw back Bluegill as a good size bass. Although, I snagged a 3 foot sand shark at the breakwaters in the Charleston harbor once. I've never had an experience like that since!!!!!
:ko:

I consider fishing a warm-weather thing, but I can't make fun of ice fishermen. I've been known to sit in the woods on a deer stand, alone, for 10 hours at a time, in below-freezing temperatures, making minimal heat-generating movement. Heaters (external or liquid/internal) completely out of the question. So, I guess they're no more wacky than I.:bonk:

I'm right there with ya on that Mike. We're gonna have a lot of fun over on the other site talking about hunting. I'm one of them "stump setters" myself. I logged over 72 hours in my deer blind this past season. 10-12 hrs per day like you said is common.
-Dan-

Randy said:

Well howdy there Dan. :bigwave: I'm having coffee right now, thank you.

You'll enjoy you visits, lot's of good folks here (except for Lucinda, Energy and Jim Wade)



I hope the attachment will allow you all to sort out those not too good folks. :vfunny:

I feel enlightened now, Energy. :vfunny:

But I have a poor monitor -- who's that in the top left on the "not so good" picture?

Mike S. said:

I feel enlightened now, Energy. :vfunny:

But I have a poor monitor -- who's that in the top left on the "not so good" picture?

Take an educated guess. Just follow the buffalo wings!
:biglaugh:
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?threadid=4656&pagenumber=3

That's not funny!!!!

BTW, Lucinda ate more wings than I did (appetite like a famished wolf)

Who are the 2 ugly dudes next to my dining pardner?:vfunny: At least my picture was made with the real thing (smells nice, great personality, not bow-legged or goofy) oh yeah...Lucinda is OK too.:biglaugh:

What is that thing you're holding in the picture? An alligator? What a catch.... or is it a pet? Looks sort of "fishy" the way you're cradling it...:eek:

/Claes

Yep, I must admit it looks like a nice fish energy. The lake my folks own a campground on use to have no size or quantity for pike. I knew a fella from Ohio that would use 18" northern for bait. I saw one come out of the pond that would scare a muskie (or a gator)! Hey! fishing in Michigan is the best! And don't let some cheese head from Wisconsin tell you different! :vfunny: (although I believe Brainard MN has the largest fish I've ever seen!)

Yeah, you can make a goldfish look big with the right photo editor!!!! Plus I thought it was illegal to fish with explosives!:vfunny: :thedeal: :bigwave:

It was -10 on the way out the door this morning at 7:20. I know - you guys from Wis and Minn like it like that - but I've had enough.

An hour commute (you would think people would know how to drive in this by February...... salt doesn't work - that's ICE not water...DUH)

Well, a cup 'a steaming coffee, and I'll be all set.

Have a good one everyone. I smell cinnamon rolls.....

The fish in the avitar is a 7LB-14OZ White Catfish that was caught on a pond shiner. We were catching Pickerel and Bass and this was a pleasant surprise. No explosives, no photo editor and it's back where it belongs. That particular lake is so small that I suspect that someone dropped in it there a few years ago. But, there are some huge Carp in there. They don't bite for sh*t. Get it?:vfunny: :ko: :smokin:

Must have been fun Energy. I love a good fighter on the hook. I even enjoy those small Bluegills when they get into some weeds, almost makes you think you might have 14 - 15" bass. Then you get it out of the weeds and you feel like your fishing in the fish bowl!!!:biglaugh:

Laura, I don't know what you drive but I have seen more than my share of SUVs in the ditch this year. Ice is no respector of drive train!!!! We have been having white outs lately. They last about 20 minutes or so, due to the lakes around here I guess. But it gets bad and you have to slow down. All of a sudden here comes an Excursion or something with the lights glaring in your window, trying to push you down the road. Friday this guy tried to pass on the right (4 lane road, right lane is right turn only) lost it, went through a parking lot on the corner and broadsided a car at the light! Michigan in February, go figure, the roads are slick!!!!:bonk:

...I drive a "mini" van - a GMC Safari. It's our 2nd of that series - a Chevy Astro was our first. Not the best in high winds, but it is AWD and perfect for a family with 3 boys. Seems like a big "mini" van by todays SUV models. Most of the cars kissing guard rails this AM were small.

In the summer its a RED Firebird Formula with T-tops and Bruce Springsteen blasting on the radio and golf clubs in back. Now I'm really getting cabin fever!!!

OH Cabin Fever, yeah I started when I first saw that picture of Energy with the fish!!! And he's not on the ice!!!!! I had to go out and ride my bike in the garage just to calm down some. Hearing it did make me feel a little better. As lousy as the Tigers have been lately doesn't matter, just knowing that they are getting ready for Spring Training sounds good!

Good morning folks,
Talkin' about Spring huh? Nothing wrong with positive thinking. The greatness of Spring will be here soon. I've already started some Spring cleaning and re-arranging of things in the house. Had to make room for a new curio cabinet I bought my wife for Christmas. Unfortunately, the main rooms of the house are in good shape now, but some stuff was transported upstairs to my computer/gun room. It looks like a disaster area up there. Oh well, I know where my next "mission" will take place.

Talking about fishing, I noticed I have to replace the line on my poles this year. Some folks do it every year, and I probably should too. I've also got to get the new seats installed in my canoe. Yep, I been thinking about the warmer weather too. I love winter myself, and this year has been no exception. Just a good old fashioned winter if you ask me. Now come about the end of the month I'll be expecting to see rain, mud, and then frozen mud, and then rain and more mud until about late March. Heh Heh Heh, the transition from winter to Spring, now there's a season for ya.

Fresh coffee is on folks. Have a great day.
-Dan-

Spring? Where? We are in the middle of an f-ing blizzard!!!! First snow day for my kids this year - you would think it was Christmas!!!

Anywho - can't wait for the season of the "melt" this year. It'll be May before the black piles in the parking lot are gone.

Dan - our spring cleaning project is in the basement. We've been at it since before Xmas working on a media room - big screen TV pool table etc. In 18 years of marraige and 12 years in this house, we've just accumulated too much junk!! And my office/den is apart of the overall project. It'll be great when its done!

Mmmmm.....Hazelnut......

Love the winter?:eek: Not likley, mate.... Not me...:eek: If I never ever see snow again, I won't mind a whole lot. I like it nice and warm. (Not much of a Viking in me, is there?)

/Claes

You know how the say that necessity is the mother of invention. Well, Claes I think the weather was why the Vikings went exploring!!! Who knows, a couple more winters and they may have discovered the Hawaiian Islands instead of Cook!!
It was strange up here last night, we had snow squals, 60 mph winds and lightening. Haven't seen that in a while, sure makes the trip into work interesting with the snow drifts.

Weeeelllll....guess I'll just mosey outside in my short sleeves and admire the sunny blue sky and eat my lunch on the back patio. ~duck~

Lucinda - The moderator would get me if I said what I wanted to say!!! I must say though - the skies are now blue, the blizzard left about 8 inches and its blinding white out - kinda pretty if you're inside!!! Randy must have gotten it before us - our lake just added some more snow!

Lucinda said:

Weeeelllll....guess I'll just mosey outside in my short sleeves and admire the sunny blue sky and eat my lunch on the back patio. ~duck~
Wow, that was mean!

But that's okay, this is the price I pay for enjoying a change of seasons - beautiful fall foilage, then snow, then a real appreciation for spring warmth, hot summer days, then all over again. Being warm all the time would be too boring for me.

A lot of us in Wisconsin don't get too hepped up for spring until our last "major" winter dump which seems eerily consistent to be one of the last weekends in March - The Wisconsin State High School Basketball Tournament. :rolleyes:

We just had a snow FLURRY attack yesterday - better than 4 inches!!!

Oh well, only 6 weeks away. :cool:

Stay warm,
Bill

I guess it doesn't due any good to complain. It'll snow again tomorrow either way.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

We've been about 75 and sunny all year except for today and the next couple to follow. It's been a hard winter;) HEE HEE

Mike S. said:

Wow, that was mean!

But that's okay, this is the price I pay for enjoying a change of seasons - beautiful fall foilage, then snow, then a real appreciation for spring warmth, hot summer days, then all over again. Being warm all the time would be too boring for me.

Hey, we get four seasons! Sometimes all in one week!:vfunny: What's nice is that we can have a bracingly cold day in the 30's for two days and then have wonderful spring and fall like days in the upper 50s and 60s. Next week we do it all over again, down to the 40s maybe, and then back fairly nice again. We just don't have back to back to back unrelentless freezing cold.:p

It does create all kinds of problems with wardrobe though. There's only so many clothes you can stuff in the closet and drawers to have on hand for last minute climate changes.

The weather is definitely not boring in Texas!

Lucinda said:

Hey, we get four seasons!
---X---
The weather is definitely not boring in Texas!

Awwwww :( (Green with envy ) Lucinda... Randy... Don't do this to us...

We just had a cold spell, but right now its thawing - freezing -thawing - freezing.... over and over again. And the authorities insist on pouring out truckloads of salt on the roads. Let me tell you: It gets messy... Yuck!

Well.... Done complaining for now (I needed that).

/Claes

Gee Claes, they actually use salt on the roads in Sweden? I thought Wisconsin had the market covered on salt use. The county I work in uses the 1 - 1 rule. 1" of salt per 1" of snow. It's amazing how my black truck turns white after every snow fall.

Lucinda, sounds like Wisconsin weather is being exported to Texas. We go through that during all four seasons. I guess the only difference is during the winter it goes from -0 to a little above to the 30's back to -0.

We just wear the same clothes all year long...

The news reported that we are "running out of salt" this year. Some towns are only salting hills and interectiions now. I would get the van washed but it's only been above 32 1 day since 1/1/03.

Greetings from the Sunny South, where "winter" happens on the first Tuesday in February ... :bigwave:

(Actually it's not quite that good, but it's a lot better than other places I have lived -- Ontario, Colorado, Maryland, Alaska.)

-- Graeme

Well I guess you did your time Graeme. Spent a little time in Kings Bay and Toccoa Falls GA. It was around Thanksgiving 8 or 9 years ago, I think. I could get the flight out of Detroit but I couldn't get to Atlanta, it was snowed in!!! I had to wait a couple days to get back. During the drive from Atlanta to Toccoa there was snow all over the side of the roads, some cars were still stuck. I miss those winters, you could ride your bike 10 months out of the year and not freeze. Although 40 & 50 sure felt chilly then. Now 40 degrees would feel like a heat wave.
:biglaugh:

How about a new sticky thread for newcomers to introduce themselves.
Please see New Folks - Take a Minute and Introduce Yourself! (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=1477)