New York April NYC Meet-Up

[Calzone]

Cal, just cut to the chase and buy a tux. As Maggie is getting more and more famous, events like this are going to pop up without warning more and more.

MFM,

"Maggie" suggested a "Paul Smith look," so I can't go wrong there. Paul Smith was an avid cyclist and so was I. He really makes clothes for men with boyish bodies.

After work I'm going to get fitted up in the Soho store. I called and they pulled my size. I was freaking out because when browsing online they already are sold out of the black version in my size 38.

The pants that go with the size 38 jacket are size 32, but I likely could fit the size 30 pants. Over the phone Megan said because its Tuesday everything can be done by Friday.

Picked out shoes, shirt and a tie too.

So now this "free" trip/vacation is costing me big bucks. I'll be bringing some of my Paul Smith wardrobe that Maggie complains I never wear. I'm glad that all these clothes remain fresh for events like this.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Just saw the awards, congrats to Lyn! Quite an achievement, and an honest one at that.

Size 31 pants, I wear those too. Kind of hate how everything tends to fit either too tight or loose though, and pants are too long.
Even back in High school I picked a sort of neater style, and got used to a kind of "business casual" with shirts. Now I guess it's the age kicking in that sometimes I'm finding myself wearing or wanting to wear a much more casual look that I never did back then. Might also be that by wearing a suit more often one does get tired of it.
Never did black tie, but I always looked up to the glamour of it; without those preparation headaches though!

About James Bond and dressing up, I wondered how can one carry a camera with a suit rather properly... Concealed Carry (aka compact) seems the best way to go. Anything hanging or straps seem like a no-no.

Have fun in Madrid, good to know you'll be in the same time zone. I guess not, but if you could get to Barcelona for the 23rd, it's an impressive day where the city becomes a book and flowers fair. Time to shoot street that day. There's a tradition involving medieval lore that on the 23rd men give roses to women, and women give books to men; in celebration of rescuing the city from the menace of a Dragon.

 

[Calzone]

Just saw the awards, congrats to Lyn! Quite an achievement, and an honest one at that.

Size 31 pants, I wear those too. Kind of hate how everything tends to fit either too tight or loose though, and pants are too long.
Even back in High school I picked a sort of neater style, and got used to a kind of "business casual" with shirts. Now I guess it's the age kicking in that sometimes I'm finding myself wearing or wanting to wear a much more casual look that I never did back then. Might also be that by wearing a suit more often one does get tired of it.
Never did black tie, but I always looked up to the glamour of it; without those preparation headaches though!

About James Bond and dressing up, I wondered how can one carry a camera with a suit rather properly... Concealed Carry (aka compact) seems the best way to go. Anything hanging or straps seem like a no-no.

Have fun in Madrid, good to know you'll be in the same time zone. I guess not, but if you could get to Barcelona for the 23rd, it's an impressive day where the city becomes a book and flowers fair. Time to shoot street that day. There's a tradition involving medieval lore that on the 23rd men give roses to women, and women give books to men; in celebration of rescuing the city from the menace of a Dragon.

Jordi,

Our friend Maria explained the legacy of your name and how important it is in Catalan culture.

Thanks for mentioning how to sport my cameras. I'm reconsidering only taking the SL then. At the black tie event, some big art event that involves Vasquez I'll try to keep my camera low profile.

This is definitely a luxury journey loaded with abundance.

Cal

 

[MrFujicaman]

Cal, I'm 5-9! When I was working doing shipping work and unloading trucks I had a 18" neck. But then again, I'm kinda built like Mom's dad-beer keg with legs!

Understand that one of my goals in life was to get rich enough that I never had to wear a suit again. My plans was that if I got that rich, I'd pile my sport coats and my suit in the yard and soak em' in gas and burn them.

 

[MrFujicaman]

Prest...find a leather worker that will make you a shoulder holster for a Leica with a collapsable lens

 

[Prest_400]

Never been that dressed up but given my curiosity I read about styling and such.
What I understand is that tailored suits and such stand better by themselves without carrying things or such, and following the body's natural lines.
Perhaps something like carrying the camera itself just does it, Leica is elegant. SL may be smaller for this but the Texas leica feels rather natural holding the grip from the bottom and let the body rest on the wrist and forearm. Although only did that for about 15 minutes carrying on location.

I recall reading something about norwegian businessmen wearing backpacks everywhere because it's practical. Basically my way of carrying things too.
I once brought a Olympus Pen, body and lens separate, carried in my blazer inner pockets. Seemed unnoticed but was just a casual event. Carried lens and body separate but didn't take it out the whole night. So much for bringing it!

Understand that one of my goals in life was to get rich enough that I never had to wear a suit again. My plans was that if I got that rich, I'd pile my sport coats and my suit in the yard and soak em' in gas and burn them.

That's a good goal, hope you made it! Common goal here, and I always say I'll burn up study/work things that are just bad memories but I never do.

At my young age there's a lot of sparke around suits and beards. And buttoning all of those buttons (always-never "rule" for the bottom one). Most kids leave some kind of beard, as patchy as it may be. Sorry guys but I prefer to look younger while I'm at it. 😀

Prest...find a leather worker that will make you a shoulder holster for a Leica with a collapsable lens

This is a good idea

 

[Calzone]

Cal, I'm 5-9! When I was working doing shipping work and unloading trucks I had a 18" neck. But then again, I'm kinda built like Mom's dad-beer keg with legs!

Understand that one of my goals in life was to get rich enough that I never had to wear a suit again. My plans was that if I got that rich, I'd pile my sport coats and my suit in the yard and soak em' in gas and burn them.

MFM,

My 15 1/2 inch neck is monsterous only because I am skinny. I weigh 152 pounds. I use to be 5'10" but now I've shrunk to 5'9."

You must be a very powerfully built man. Pretty much I hear stories of where getting shot with a 9mm handgun is like shooting a bear, you only make the animal mad.

I took your advice and am glad I did. Seems like there is some black tie Gala May 4th, and if "Maggie" can get a "Plus-One" I get to model my Paul Smith Tux again.

Not everyone can wear Paul Smith. The clothes are so well tailored that one truely needs to have an athletic body, and Paul Smith suits are fitted for men with 8 inch drops (Chest to waist differentials) and very muscular 9 inch drops.

The way Paul Smith clothes fit me are like as if they were "made-to-measure" and only the sleeves and trouser lengths have to be adjusted. The slim fit shirts fit like custom made shirts.

As far as my "black-tie camera" I'll go minimalist and will use a black leather wrist strap on my black CL with a 28 Cron for 45mm FOV. The elegance factor on the 28 Crom is I will sport the limited edition scalloped Leica hood that way back when I paid $359.00 for that now I'm told is sold on EBAY for $1K BIN.

This "Tux" really is a black Mohair suit. Certainly with a cumberbun, a waistcoat, and a bowtie it would be a very formal Tux, but my stylist, Maggie, told me to get a regular tie. I luckily secured a black tie made of the same material as the narrow lapels on my jacket: $140.00 for a tie; last one; and it was not on display.

At this level of boutique fashion, even getting my size was lucky. Out of the 4 different Paul Smith stores in NYC only one store carries these Tux's, the SoHo store; and the supply is limited to only one per size per store. Basically I bought the only one in my size for NYC. Online the size 36 and 38 (my size) were already sold out. I made the call to see if they had my size in the SoHo store, otherwise I would have been locked out.

My fear that the 32 inch waist on the trousers would have a ghetto fit on me was unfounded. The fit is like "made-to-measure." Looking forward to using this Tux. I riff off of Paul Smith culture: he is an avid cyclist; he is a Leica fan; he loves analog audio; and he is a quirky kinda guy who really does his own thing.

At certain events there are these "roving" photographers that use DSLR's equipt with flash and diffusers. The smut here is they ask you for your name. I learned from Maggie that these roving photographers work for Getty Images, and basically it is like having a FBI file under your name where you are being tracked, monitored, and documented. At this level Maggie may have her 485K followers, but these Getty Images photographers are stalkers.

Cal

 

[MrFujicaman]

Cal, last time I checked I was down to a 17" neck. I'm not that strong, I just have that large torso built from Mom's dad. I'm now about 220-back in high school I was 130 and rode a bike at least 5 miles a day plus riding to school. Add a weightlifting gym glass to that ( I HATE team sports!) and I was this skinny kid with big thighs, and a 29" waist. Nobody could figure me out.

 

[Calzone]

Cal, last time I checked I was down to a 17" neck. I'm not that strong, I just have that large torso built from Mom's dad. I'm now about 220-back in high school I was 130 and rode a bike at least 5 miles a day plus riding to school. Add a weightlifting gym glass to that ( I HATE team sports!) and I was this skinny kid with big thighs, and a 29" waist. Nobody could figure me out.

MFM,

My friend Mike kinda saved my life through cycling. At the age of 32 I had never learned how to relax. I was so overwound that I would enter a room and people would leave because of fear. Big huge bouncers were afraid of me, I weighed about 140 pounds back then, and pretty much was like a kinetic weapon that couldn't be stopped. "We don't want any trouble," a big huge bouncer warned me expressing his worries.

My body could not take the intensity anymore and I was misdiagnosed as a Manic-Depressive, but drugs did not help. Pretty much I just had to learn how to relax, I wasn't sleeping, and it became a matter of life or death. I too was a workaholic and on my reviews I was rated as being like an army of technicians. A lot of this was poor diet, I would eat a one pound bag of Chips Ahoy cookies, and get all wired as if on speed.

Mike I knew from work, and at first I did not like him because I found him arrogant. He was a chubby guy, but when I returned back from New Mexico after being away for a year and a half, Mike became an ultrafit cyclist when Mountain Biking had been first invented.

So I quit smoking and bought a Mountain Bike. Mike and I spent lots of time in the woods and in the Hamptons, and even went on biking vacations at ski resorts.

Mike too had huge "Quads" (thighs) of a bike sprinter, and I had the ideal small frame for the high strength to weight ratio of a climber. We became widely known among the Bankster crowd in the Hamptons and the Long Island racing circuit.

So I say the guy who invented Spandex/Lycra should of won a Nobel Prize. Hanging out with the gym crowd was plenty of motivation, and the women were beautiful without any make-up.

One time Mike and I were riding side by side on a sunny morning in the Hamptons, and we felt like a car was following us. It was two young girls in a BMW convertible with the top down that appeared to be not only sisters but also twins. I imagine they were talking about Mike and I; admiring our sculpted bike-butts; or saying I'll take the tall skinny one and you can have the muscular one (Mike was built and cut like Arnold).

The twins pulled right along side us to view our profiles wearing matching ear to ear sexy grins and both said together at the same time in unision, "Good morning," as if we made their day, then they sped off.

Mike says to me, "Take two of those, go to bed, and call me in the morning." LOL.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

CVS has a "Beauty in Real Life" campaign that "Maggie" is involved in. A video that is part of a digital, print, Social Media, out-of-home, and television advertisement. This campaign is a combined Madison Avenue and Hollywood production.

https://mic.com/articles/188981/with-its-beauty-in-real-life-cam

The video is at the bottom of the above link. About four 1 second shots out of the 30 second run time, and you hear Maggie speak in a voice over that was taped in an anoconic chamber at a recording.

CVS says that 80% of women feel bad after seeing a beauty product commercial because of the high mark of created by professional models compounded by Photoshop and retouching. It now has removed the use of Photoshop and retouching from its advertising.

Before this they also stopped selling cigarettes in their stores.

This is smart branding. I think the 80% number is correct. There was a "Steinfeld" episode where they kinda stated that for the good looking dating was easy, and for 80% it was hard getting a date. To me confidence and self esteem are the most important, but beauty commercials emphisize physical beauty to a level of perfection.

Maggie on short notice flew to L.A., this commercial involved a huge crew, and was shot in downtown L.A. There were mucho still shots taken at UCLA. Pretty much a big Hollywood production. This I think I remember all was done last fall when it was still warm.

I'm hoping I can pick up my Tux today after work. I would hate to have a last minute scramble before having to catch a plane on Saturday. I also have to hit a currency exchange and buy some EURO today.

Maggie escaped having to scramble for an evening dress, she contacted the hotel and requested that the designer who was introduced to her the last time she was in Mad-Rid dress her. She got E-mailed the wardrobe that the designer will lend her. Pretty much I wish Paul Smith would lend me clothes. Maggie now knows what shoes and accessories to bring.

Maggie threw me $2K towards a lens or if I want to put towards my Tux. It seems that on May 4th there is another black tie event for me to attend. I should be "Plus-One" for some Gala event. Following MFM's advice was wise. For now I will use the funds to pay down the bill on my Tux.

Part of our lifestyle is also waiting for couriers. Today a courier will be picking up some high dollar stuff that was lent to Maggie. This can kill a morning or an afternoon. A lot of this stuff could be one-off samples or so high dollar that regular shipping is avoided. One designer sent her samples that were for her new collection. Basically she was trusting us with her life/career.

Cal

 

[MrFujicaman]

CVS has a "Beauty in Real Life" campaign that "Maggie" is involved in. A video that is part of a digital, print, Social Media, out-of-home, and television advertisement. This campaign is a combined Madison Avenue and Hollywood production.


Before this they also stopped selling cigarettes in their stores.


Maggie on short notice flew to L.A., this commercial involved a huge crew, and was shot in downtown L.A. There were mucho still shots taken at UCLA. Pretty much a big Hollywood production.

I'm hoping I can pick up my Tux today after work. I would hate to have a last minute scramble before having to catch a plane on Saturday. I also have to hit a currency exchange and buy some EURO today.

Maggie escaped having to scramble for an evening dress, she contacted the hotel and requested that the designer who was introduced to her the last time she was in Mad-Rid dress her. She got E-mailed the wardrobe that the designer will lend her. Pretty much I wish Paul Smith would lend me clothes. Maggie now knows what shoes and accessories to bring.

Maggie threw me $2K towards a lens or if I want to put towards my Tux. It seems that on May 4th there is another black tie event for me to attend. I should be "Plus-One" for some Gala event. Following MFM's advice was wise. For now I will use the funds to pay down the bill on my Tux.

Part of our lifestyle is also waiting for couriers. Today a courier will be picking up some high dollar stuff that was lent to Maggie. This can kill a morning or an afternoon. A lot of this stuff could be one-off samples or so high dollar that regular shipping is avoided. One designer sent her samples that were for her new collection. Basically she was trusting us with her life/career.

Cal

^5 to CVS for stopping cigarette sales ! I've always though that drugs stores selling cigarettes was stupid.

Hey, Cal..post some picture of yourself in this high dollar tux!

 

[Calzone]

^5 to CVS for stopping cigarette sales ! I've always though that drugs stores selling cigarettes was stupid.

Hey, Cal..post some picture of yourself in this high dollar tux!

MFM,

Because I'm a lazy slacker I don't post, but I generally ask/con a friend to do it for me.

I own a lot of Paul Smith clothing. "Maggie" yells at me because I don't wear it out, but that's the point. Why wear out $600.00 shoes or $1.2K boots when I wear out a $29.00 pair of Vans in a summer month that I found at DSW in the closeout rack.

When I dress up it is almost like a license to kill. Maggie thinks I look great in black (evil). LOL. A few years back I tried on a black Prada jacket to buy to attend a wedding. She expressed remorse I did not buy it.

Many menswear designers the sizes start at 40, and I'm a size 38. Paul Smith and Prada seem to cater to men with boyish bodies.

I recently bought a Kaepernick jersey from the NFL store. Since he was black-balled only kids sizes were left over. The kid's extra-large were sold out, but the kid's large is made for a teenager with up to a 38 inch chest. When I got the jersey I took note that a kid's large is also a size 14-16 which translates into made basically for a 15 year old. The jersey is a perfect fit and a test-A-mint to my arrested development.

I highly suspect that I will be photographed in Mad-Rid. My Tux displays skinny pants, and without a black tie otherwise is just a high end black suit displaying fine taloring.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Have a good trip! Good to know you will be in the same time zone, just too bad not at the same city or I could pass by and sneak some paparazzi shots.

Gear Alert: I snatched up, for $150, a Lumix 35-100 f2.8 from a Californian photog that he kept from a video gig. Basically written off from a production and he kept it. But he went fully film and this was gathering dust. Just have to wait for USPS to hurry a bit. A great substitute for the ghetto adapted 50mm.

Curiously I was drawn to photography from aviation fascination, far away and high tech things, which have lots of tele work. When I began to grip the basics of photography I forgot about telephotos in the way.

When I dress up it is almost like a license to kill. Maggie thinks I look great in black (evil). LOL. A few years back I tried on a black Prada jacket to buy to attend a wedding. She expressed remorse I did not buy it.

I highly suspect that I will be photographed in Mad-Rid. My Tux displays skinny pants, and without a black tie otherwise is just a high end black suit displaying fine taloring.

Cal

Definitely show us some shots, or do a cameo @accidental icon! The Mercedes shot was great.
What was discussed about ethnic confusion a while ago, black of Japanese terrorist as your boss said 😛

European Sizes are quite smaller, I think the American standard is Texan based. An XL over here is an M there.

Have a nice stay!

 

[Calzone]

Have a good trip! Good to know you will be in the same time zone, just too bad not at the same city or I could pass by and sneak some paparazzi shots.

Gear Alert: I snatched up, for $150, a Lumix 35-100 f2.8 from a Californian photog that he kept from a video gig. Basically written off from a production and he kept it. But he went fully film and this was gathering dust. Just have to wait for USPS to hurry a bit. A great substitute for the ghetto adapted 50mm.

Curiously I was drawn to photography from aviation fascination, far away and high tech things, which have lots of tele work. When I began to grip the basics of photography I forgot about telephotos in the way.


Definitely show us some shots, or do a cameo @accidental icon! The Mercedes shot was great.
What was discussed about ethnic confusion a while ago, black of Japanese terrorist as your boss said 😛

European Sizes are quite smaller, I think the American standard is Texan based. An XL over here is an M there.

Have a nice stay!

Jorde,

Also a Gran Melia video was released yesterday, but I can't find the link.

Is Mad-Rid really that clean a city? Looks spotless to me, especially when compared to NYC.

I read an article yesterday about the top ten most polluted cities in the U.S. Seven out of the ten were in California, but New York City was also in the top ten.

Seems like global warming compounds the air pollution in a very bad way by creating smog and inversion layers.

Cal

 

[finguanzo]

NYC is disgusting compared to any city/town in Spain..... lol
Although, I find certain places annoyingly clean, In Oviedo, capital of my province, they are literally hosing down the streets every 20 minutes.

 

[Calzone]

NYC is disgusting compared to any city/town in Spain..... lol
Although, I find certain places annoyingly clean, In Oviedo, capital of my province, they are literally hosing down the streets every 20 minutes.

Fidel,

Maggie kinda suggested that every 40 minutes or hour people take a break in Mad-Rid. Seems because I'm a lazy slacker that I would fit right in.

As I have aged the pollution is starting to bother me. Allergies have returned.

Also when I came back from Toronto and Seattle I took notice that living in NYC is an assault on the senses, and pretty much not only are we mucho rude, but also we don't really follow rules, give right away, and pretty much live in a free-for-all. Should living be modeled after UFC fighting?

With a 30% less cost of living I pretty much could live in Mad-Rid center city in retirement, not own a car, and pretty much maintain my retirement. The hard part would be the further downsizing of my guitar, bass and amp collection which is being stored at two of my friends houses out in the burbs, and likely halving my camera gear to fit in a two bedroom.

Seattle, also 30% less is pretty much the same deal.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

Cal thanks for those 123A batteries, I found in my stash a Olympus Stylus
camera's the one with the turtle shell, it suppose to have a real sharp lens
on it 35mm F3.5 so I put a roll of film in it and see how how it is.

 

[Calzone]

Cal thanks for those 123A batteries, I found in my stash a Olympus Stylus
camera's the one with the turtle shell, it suppose to have a real sharp lens
on it 35mm F3.5 so I put a roll of film in it and see how how it is.

Bob,

I had those 123 CR's for my Pentax 67 II which took two to power up.

Thought you would have something that could use them. I know profiling is wrong, but I had you pegged. LOL.

Having a pocket camera is cool.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

You can find great stuff sometimes at Housing Works.

 

[Prest_400]

NYC is disgusting compared to any city/town in Spain..... lol
Although, I find certain places annoyingly clean, In Oviedo, capital of my province, they are literally hosing down the streets every 20 minutes.

Agreed, in comparison to NYC the Spanish cities are like small towns. However, I didn't find most of Madhattan dirty. Maybe it was just "character".
I talked with a Portuguese and Brazilian at the hotel and we did a critic on those trash bags on the curb and the subway. My opinion in the subway is that it's gritty and with character.

Basically as you said Cal, NYC isn't beautiful but it's Cool.

If you get to less touristy or older parts of the city, like Gothic quarter of Barcelona, it can be dirty and with a bit of dog pee smell. Modern center and such is usually spotless.

Fidel,

Maggie kinda suggested that every 40 minutes or hour people take a break in Mad-Rid. Seems because I'm a lazy slacker that I would fit right in.
[...]I took notice that living in NYC is an assault on the senses, and pretty much not only are we mucho rude, but also we don't really follow rules, give right away, and pretty much live in a free-for-all. Should living be modeled after UFC fighting?

Cal

That puts it out real well. As an European I found NY so vast in all ways.
Didn't get to see the rudest part of NY, actually I get along with the New yorkers I find. Perhaps is because "doing your own business" which I often do too.
A friend asked me about my NY visit and told me that his flatmate from Texas once asked some random New Yorker how he was, to which was answered "f* off".