New York April Nyc Meet-up

[Calzone]

Cal,
Back in New Mexico, we had some kind of invasive elm that sent runners all over the place and eventually cracked the 20 year old septic tank. I remember using my full size Bronco (with the 300CI inline 6cyl engine) to pull the stump out of the ground, after we cut the tree down, drilled holes, poisoned it with salt and successfully killed it after a battle which lasted several years.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

One thing I learned from my dad is how to dig in and be stubborn. If you know any immigrant, that is what makes immigrants so great is their stubborn determination, and that is what for decades made America great.

Two things propelled the U.S. to becoming a Super Power: one was immigration that increased our population greatly; and the next was the baby-boom after WWII.

Fact is no economy can sustainably grow without a population increase. Right now we have negative population growth, as does Europe, and Japan.

So on this level of population growth, I can see wisdom in President Biden's support of American families with child care, longer education, and basic support of the family so we can increase our population.

I think China with their one child policy and the disproportion of male babies due to infantcide for about a generation will translate to even where in China they will have and experience negative population growth.

Anyways a different spin on invasiveness from a twist on population growth through the lens of economics.

See what happens when an artist has the Internet and a boring day-job.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

See what happens when an artist has the Internet and a boring day-job.

Cal

I agree regarding immigration and growth, absolutely.

As for being a creative type with a boring day job, my job is fully engrossing but I have to get away from it on a daily basis. What it got me during the pandemic is a growing expertise on typewriter and motion picture camera repair. I now own 8 restored typewriters and 7 16mm motion picture cameras. I should start a rental house.

Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

Cal (and anyone else),
you should check out this video about the photographer Stephen Gill. He talks about discovering the wildlife after moving to rural Sweden from London. If you don't know his work you should check out some of his books. 'The pillar' is really great and won and book award.
stephen-gillwhile-we-are-sleeping

Devil Christian,

Thanks for the link.

This is interesting.

I find the weather in the lower Hudson Valley to be very moody in a beautiful way. The storms I find particularly interesting. It turns out that the SL2 being weather proofed is a great thing for me.

Some critter digs through my mulch pile every night. Not sure what it is.

Did you know that I'm allergic to cats? At one time though I owned three cats: one was rescued from a shelter; another was from a litter a from a stray feral cat; and Blackie was a cat I rescued that was old and going to be put-down because this couple was going to have a baby.

Blackie was a B&W Persian, but she was kinda like a dog. When I came home from work she would be waiting at the door, pawing me to indicate I should pick her up, while she meowed that sounded like she called my name repeatedly; Cawl-Cawl-Cawl sounded like Cal-Cal-Cal...

Cleo was rescued from a shelter. She was an aloof cat, but I taught her to fetch a pom-pom that she tore of a kid's sock. I would trow the pom-pom against a wall and she would attack it, capture it, and the retrive it for me to throw again.

Willie was this cat as a kitten looked like a fat rat. Out of the litter he was targeted by us because he was the biggest and fattest. It turns out he was a Maine Coon Cat with a Racoon like bushy tail and ear tuffs like a lynx.

If you opened the fridge he would come a running, and this cat loved to eat, but he was a dumb cat. Holding him cradled in my arm I would tease him with his own tail and he would attack it. In the winters I would pet him and generate an static charge, which I would discharge on his nose.

Anyways he was a big cat that weighed about 25 pounds, but I would not call him a fat cat, because he was kinda big. People were actually afraid of him because he was so oversized.

Cleo who was this small Burmese cat beat him up all the time. Know that Willie was a Fray-D Cat that hid when we had company.

Unfortunately my heart is still broken over Baby-Dog, Chubby-Butt, my Evil Beagle.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I agree regarding immigration and growth, absolutely.

As for being a creative type with a boring day job, my job is fully engrossing but I have to get away from it on a daily basis. What it got me during the pandemic is a growing expertise on typewriter and motion picture camera repair. I now own 8 restored typewriters and 7 16mm motion picture cameras. I should start a rental house.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

Somewhere upstate is this huge antique event where it is reported they have a typewriter booth. Not sure if this would be good or bad for you.

This is a big event for Maggie and me because it will have a lot of stuff salvaged from old homes.

You might start collecting: bad...

Or you might find a business: good...

Anyways...

Pretty much child care, or lack of child care prevents many families from having more than one child. This is killing our economy.

In the late 1800's and early 1900's immigration caused our economy to boom, and then after WWII there was the baby-boom.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Cal,
A different take would be that it is now impossible to have a single income and raise a family. That is the difference from the baby boom generation from the successive ones. It's not the lack of child care or ability to pay for it, it's the need for child care in the first place. The separation of those who have money from the vast majority of others is along the lines of historical feudal economies with one group or family having an extreme amount of wealth, and all those under them barely even having subsistence.

Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

Cal,
A different take would be that it is now impossible to have a single income and raise a family. That is the difference from the baby boom generation from the successive ones. It's not the lack of child care or ability to pay for it, it's the need for child care in the first place. The separation of those who have money from the vast majority of others is along the lines of historical feudal economies with one group or family having an extreme amount of wealth, and all those under them barely even having subsistence.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

Good point. Dual income has surplanted the old single income family structure.

The typewriter booth is at some arch-E-tech-chur-Al salvage flea market held in Kingston.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Cal,
A different take would be that it is now impossible to have a single income and raise a family. That is the difference from the baby boom generation from the successive ones.

I have a friend who is a high school teacher, his wife doesn't work, and they have 5 kids. They live off of his salary and own a home in New Jersey and a car, etc. How did they make it work? They don't buy BS.

 

[Calzone]

I have a friend who is a high school teacher, his wife doesn't work, and they have 5 kids. They live off of his salary and own a home in New Jersey and a car, etc. How did they make it work? They don't buy BS.

John,

That is pretty disciplined and not an easy life. Five kids is kinda crazy.

I'm one of 5 kids and we were mighty poor. I knew poverty, I knew hunger. My dad never gave me money...

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I have a friend who is a high school teacher, his wife doesn't work, and they have 5 kids. They live off of his salary and own a home in New Jersey and a car, etc. How did they make it work? They don't buy BS.

That doesn't mean that it works well. Most of my clients live off of about $800 a month and "make it work", but they are also really suffering.

Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

That doesn't mean that it works well. Most of my clients live off of about $800 a month and "make it work", but they are also really suffering.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

Poverty is a form of punishment that involves suffering.

Escaping poverty is really hard. Just a little accumulated wealth can make a huge difference and impact.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I got a newsletter that stressed living below one's means and makes the point how people tend to waste windfalls.

"What is worse than being poor, is being poor again," was written.

You hear of celebs or lottery winners basically blowing it. Pretty easy to do.

The problem with poverty or being poor is that just survival is hard, and living below one's means is not really possible.

So I guess the moral is not to waste any windfall.

Anyways with retirement in mind I saved a lot, and the things I purchased have "legs" and will last a long time because I bought to keep and not consume.

The Baby-Victorian is really a tiny house.

As far as John said how a friend lives in a home and has a car in New Jersey somehow on a teacher's salary, "No B.S." goes I'm sure those hard earned dollars mean no waste and a lot of recycling without any real frills.

That requires lots of discipline...

Cal

 

[Calzone]

So I have a boring job. I also spend a lot of time on the Internet to waste time at work. "They pay me too much," I say. LOL.

So because I was bored is how I found the Ti IBIS Mountain Trials mountain bike that is likely one-off prototype.

So today I sent off an E-Mail to Concept2 the company that made my rowing machine (ERG).

I kinda gave it away downsizing when we moved to Madhattan, but it was given to "Maggie's" brother, but somehow was then given to Maggie's sister, and then somehow it comes back to me. Overall it was gone about a decade before coming home to me.

Now this design of the rower dates back to 1981, and it is made in Vermont. I bought it used even though the owner never seemed to use it, and it must be about 15 years old or so.

Maggie's sister is a Certified Professional Trainer, and this Concept2 was used and abused by clients, her husband a huge monster of a guy with a huge head, and their 4 kids.

Somehow the battery door is missing, so I contacted Concept2 about the remote chance that they might have a replacement battery door for the PM2 electronics module.

Know that the current electronics module is a PM5 that has WiFi so basically you can race someone else and compete against others using the Internet. My old PM2 has no such capabilities, but because I'm antisocial the PM2 is good for me.

So I got a response to provide my address because they happen to have a spare battery door for a PM2 laying around. The price: free.

So this is what I'm talking about buying stuff that has "legs" and spending my money only once.

A workout on an ERG can be brutal, and it is great for aerobic, anerobic threshold training, and also strength training. Rowing also involves many large muscle groups.

Also know that the basic rowing machine is still the same great design, and over the decades the only thing that really changed and evolved was the electronics module. The PM monitors the cadance, rowing speed (velocity), calories burned, and power output.

Low impact also. Truth be told if I did not get this Concept2 back I would of bought a new one. Out of the blue I just happen to inquire and it came home. EZ-PZ.

How cool is that?

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

"What is worse than being poor, is being poor again," was written.

I have seen that phrase written down, yes, because one cannot take advantage of bulk/higher cost but quality purchases. As well as a continuous stress. I myself have had a good life but poverty was a few degrees in sight and being an empathic person I understand.
As what you write about immigrants, I agree and I am one in a way. As one sees setbacks in life, one becomes stubborn and pushes.


Using myself the pandemic to build up capital in savings. However, TBH now I see the funds (indexed) and stock markets as overly optimistic so I just keep "cash" for the meantime.
My only intended splurge will be on my new apartment, but for a few selected items. And finally can invite visits, so I do want to have some show off furniture. Anyways, a shelf with the cameras will be enough decorative. 😀

A workout on an ERG can be brutal, and it is great for aerobic, anerobic threshold training, and also strength training. Rowing also involves many large muscle groups.

A friend participates in a rowing club, but I do prefer recreative paddling in summer. I should do bulk and strength training but that will be a resolution for next year.


On this side, things walk, but just away!

 

[Particular]

Phil,

Poverty is a form of punishment that involves suffering.

Escaping poverty is really hard. Just a little accumulated wealth can make a huge difference and impact.

Cal

Europeans tend to cringe whenever they hear examples of the american 'rags to riches' myths. Rather than being 'socialist', european countries are capitalist with a somewhat larger social safety net. This pretty much takes the raw edge off poverty, as opposed to eliminating it. Child subsidies and free/cheap education etc. results in upward mobility being larger than it is in the US.

 

[Calzone]

I have seen that phrase written down, yes, because one cannot take advantage of bulk/higher cost but quality purchases. As well as a continuous stress. I myself have had a good life but poverty was a few degrees in sight and being an empathic person I understand.
As what you write about immigrants, I agree and I am one in a way. As one sees setbacks in life, one becomes stubborn and pushes.


Using myself the pandemic to build up capital in savings. However, TBH now I see the funds (indexed) and stock markets as overly optimistic so I just keep "cash" for the meantime.
My only intended splurge will be on my new apartment, but for a few selected items. And finally can invite visits, so I do want to have some show off furniture. Anyways, a shelf with the cameras will be enough decorative. 😀



A friend participates in a rowing club, but I do prefer recreative paddling in summer. I should do bulk and strength training but that will be a resolution for next year.


On this side, things walk, but just away!

Jorde,

Cash presents opportunities to buy something in the future cheaper. IMHO it is an undervalued asset class.

The thing with poverty is all the complete stops and beginnings. It is really hard to gather momentum with all the disruptions. Took me a decade to get a 4 year degree. Most never finish once they stop.

Being stubborn is an asset too.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Europeans tend to cringe whenever they hear examples of the american 'rags to riches' myths. Rather than being 'socialist', european countries are capitalist with a somewhat larger social safety net. This pretty much takes the raw edge off poverty, as opposed to eliminating it. Child subsidies and free/cheap education etc. results in upward mobility being larger than it is in the US.

Christian,

The fact is most and many go rags to riches back to rags. Many lottery winners blow it and burn through the money pretty much wasting it.

Mike Tyson lost his wealth by blowing it. Johnny Depp I think is another one.

Money management is a skill.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

**Gear Alert**
My two nice little Minolta 7D camera's bit the dust, I feel so bad.
One the sensor is shot all the colors are orange when it takes pictures,
the other turns on but doesn't shot. But wait I took the sensor from the
one that didn't shot and put it in the other camera that was orange and
drum roll please it works I fixed it!

 

[Rayt]

Christian,

The fact is most and many go rags to riches back to rags. Many lottery winners blow it and burn through the money pretty much wasting it.

Mike Tyson lost his wealth by blowing it. Johnny Depp I think is another one.

Money management is a skill.

Cal

Much respect to people who do this. Buddha gave up his wealth in search for nirvana abet without the coke and hookers. I am sure your cited examples did become a little wiser as a result and reached at least the second stage of enlightenment with the blow.

 

[Rayt]

Europeans tend to cringe whenever they hear examples of the american 'rags to riches' myths. Rather than being 'socialist', european countries are capitalist with a somewhat larger social safety net. This pretty much takes the raw edge off poverty, as opposed to eliminating it. Child subsidies and free/cheap education etc. results in upward mobility being larger than it is in the US.

The European model is offensive to both left and right leaning Americans even though we do have a bit of socialism here already. Got your stimulus checks? And to become citizens in a European country requires assimilation and language test something deemed to be offensive by the left. If people are willing to go through the trouble then I have no doubt they will be upwardly mobile as well. I know people who studied for years to learn Dutch to become citizens.

 

[Particular]

The European model is offensive to both left and right leaning Americans even though we do have a bit of socialism here already. Got your stimulus checks? And to become citizens in a European country requires assimilation and language test something deemed to be offensive by the left. If people are willing to go through the trouble then I have no doubt they will be upwardly mobile as well. I know people who studied for years to learn Dutch to become citizens.

I know people too that did exactly that, my mom and my sister in law. It is not easy. Immigration is a whole different discussion though, because of different histories. I was talking about the myth that gets perpetuated of being able to 'make it' in the US, more than the reality.
In reality the differences in the systems are not nearly as big as they are made out to be. For the most part social services work better in europe because voters expect and demand that they work. In the US people expect them not to work or pretend they don't exist. There simply is less incentive for these services to improve themselves.
I think being poor in the US is especially tough, and it is a harder cycle to break than it is in much of Europe. I am generalizing of course, but having a safety net generally does contribute to upward mobility.