New York August NYC Meet-Up 2021

[Calzone]

I hate being around anxious people, but I guess I'm anxious. Add onto this that I have obsessive qualities that compound matters.

The appointment was not yesterday, but is Tuesday August 10th.

So at times I drive myself crazy, and at times I'm like a little kid who can't wait.

For over 4 decades I worked hard, I lived modestly, now I have lots of cash and two pensions to provide a rich retirement, and this delayed gratification allows me to do expensive renovations that normally a new homeowner would have to delay or could never afford to do.

The bonus is that the Baby-Victorian is a small house so I can go lavish and a bit crazy. Going solar, building out a two car garage as a detached work space, and doing mini-splits I could not afford on a larger home.

Anyways the sacrifice I endured in my earlier decades now has a huge payoff.

I talked with an engineer at work that is an expert in HVAC. Evidently mini-splits become like "electric resistance heaters" when they operate at the ends of their operating range. Not practical to remove the oil heating system, and good to keep for when polar vortexes occur. Basically will keep as a backup and for unusual cold.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I forgot that 4 cubic yards of sand is being delivered today with two pallets of pavers.

I also still have a lot of excavation to do. Good thing is that the clean fill is being used to fight erosion in my back-backyard.

Augie

 

[Calzone]

Back when I was in art school I made the choice to get a day job and defer being a full-time artist. Today I'm glad I made that decision. I think I'm in better health, and that I will have a richer life and retirement because I made a good decision.

We got the masonary delivery, and even though I forgot to park the Audi on the street, somehow it is not blocked in.

Still have lots of excavation to do, and the clean fill helps fill a gully and deal with the erosion problem I have in the back-backyard.

"Maggie" says she is thankful that we bought the "Man-Bags."

Although I am working hard on the house, somehow I feel like I'm back in art school, because I am living in a dream that is outside of life and a life of struggle.

In the past someone on RFF who accused me of being a "rich dentist" because I shoot mucho Leicas and they had Leica-Envey called me "smug."

They were young and entitled, expecting that they deserved without earning.

So to me "smug" is a good place to be. For me the term smug was earned and not given, and I take no insult.

Happy-happy. Also Ha-ha to those entitled jerks.

Cal

 

[dshfoto]

Splits are the way to go. We had 5 of them when we were living in Buenos Aires. Those did not have the heat pump feature, but the control and comfort, as well as low noise level was great. Wish I could use them here in NYC, but alas they are not permitted in historic buildings.
Where is the meet up in Astoria?

 

[Calzone]

Splits are the way to go. We had 5 of them when we were living in Buenos Aires. Those did not have the heat pump feature, but the control and comfort, as well as low noise level was great. Wish I could use them here in NYC, but alas they are not permitted in historic buildings.
Where is the meet up in Astoria?

Steve,

The Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria, Sunday August 8th.

I'll post a link.

It seems Mitsubishi has the small modular multi-zone market cornered as the premium product. Air filtration at a nano particle level as well as a bacterial level.

The new Hyper-Heat Inverter is said to operate down to -13 degrees F.

I'll keep my oil furnace as a backup and for polar vortex insurance though. My Crown oil furnace provides instant on hot water, so even if the mini-split becomes the dominant or primary heating system the furnace will still get used enough not to be a maintenance issue.

I have a portfolio book that fits in a stock archival presentation box. The pages are 13x19. This is very-very artfully done, in fact I can see doing this for other photographers as a one off portfolio or book.

Hmmm...

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Here is the link:

https://bohemianhall.com/

Masks are required. Also limited to 50% capacity, and only the outdoor section is open.

This place is over 100 years old.

Cal

 

[dshfoto]

Cal,
Thanks for the link to the meet up location.

You probably picked out a range/oven but if not, check out this link.

https://www.bluestarcooking.com/cooking/ranges/
During Covid, got one with a side hinge on the oven door (instead of the bottom). It also takes a wok on the top. I used a Theramodor for years, but like this much better.

Steve

 

[Calzone]

Steve,

Thanks for the link.

Our Baby-Victorian is small and so is the kitchen. We can only fit a 30 inch stove, but the version with the French Doors would match well with the inward opening pair of French Doors from Andersen that we are in the process of getting a quote for.

Decades of saving, being a CF, and not wasting money is having a huge pay-off. Especially since we bought a modest old house at a great price with low taxes.

I pass the link onto "Maggie."

Cal

 

[jszokoli]

So Guys, who is thinking of coming out? Looks like the weather will cooperate, from what the long range forecast says.

Or will it just be you and me next Sunday Cal?

Joe

 

[Phil_F_NM]

With the increase of the COVID Delta variant and serious breakthrough infections, we're going back on full lockdown here at the Forrest/Frazer "estate". My cousin and his whole immediate family are all seriously ill. My cousin is in ICU on a ventilator at this time, so social gatherings can wait.

Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

So Guys, who is thinking of coming out? Looks like the weather will cooperate, from what the long range forecast says.

Or will it just be you and me next Sunday Cal?

Joe

Joe,

If it is just you and me I'm cool with that.

I even invited "Maggie" who might come.

Steve looks like he will appear.

Anyways call me anti-social but if it is just you and me, I'm cool with that.

I'll be bringing my mini portfolio book that has a soft cover and utilizes an archival presentation box for durability and protection for 13x19 pages. This is on a scale that you could do with your Epson 3880 printers.

The impact value and art book looks is mighty clever because it is packaged so well and supports a UBER clean look. The presentation box is a stock size from Archival Methods.

I think I will bring out the camera I call "The Devil Christian" that kinda came together. I borrow the 4x5 back from my Linhof, and it has a Schneider Super Augulon that effectively has a 28mm FOV. The focus is fixed and I have set at 2 meters or about 7 feet.

I suspect that Christian will show up.

Interesting to note that in the news is that NYC is the only city where people seem to be moving back to.

Soon the 5 month countdown to retirement begins. I have to put in my papers for retirement in about 2 months to allow the three months advanced notification required. It will be mighty rude because I'm sure many parties will be surprised. "Don't tell my boss." LOL.

I think I only have to tell my boss two months in advance.

What makes this gratifying is that yesterday I found out that funding and the grant they were waiting for was approved sometime in late June.

For the last month I have been kept in the dark, "What goes around comes around," I say. I'm pretty sure me retiring leaves them all in a lurch.

Understand that there are long lead times and things need to be manufactured, and upon approval and given a "green-light" there would still be a 6 month delay. Then add in shortages, a Covid backlog, and Covid delays.

Then there would be long days and 6 day workweeks for about 3 months when work begins in NYC.

Ha-ha is that I'd be gone and retired before the stress begins.

My legacy as a lazy-slacker lives on. LOL.

Calvin-August

 

[Calzone]

With the increase of the COVID Delta variant and serious breakthrough infections, we're going back on full lockdown here at the Forrest/Frazer "estate". My cousin and his whole immediate family are all seriously ill. My cousin is in ICU on a ventilator at this time, so social gatherings can wait.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

All good wishes for your family.

Cal

 

[dshfoto]

All,

I was planning on coming
Steve

 

[Calzone]

I am vaccinated. Also I wear a mask in public in NYC.

In Peekskill on my commute I socially distance, but I don't wear a mask because there are no crowds or pedestrians.

In downtown Peekskill I wear a mask unless eating or drinking. Generally eating and drinking is outside.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

It appears that the USA is experiencing a bit of COVID hubris, because of the CDC's earlier statement which rescinded mask recommendations. Now even vaccinated people are getting ill and fully able to transmit a much higher amount of virus. Here in Philly, it looks like business as usual as if the pandemic didn't even exist. I don't even want to go outside now. Unfortunately, that genie can't be put back in that bottle.
Good thing I have my North P100 respirator and a good supply of cartridges.

Gear alert: I got a black paint Leotax T2L and stuck a Chiyoko Super Rokkor 5cm f/2 on the end of it. A fantastic pair. Awaiting the arrival of a junker Leotax with a Konishiroku Hexar 50mm f/3.5 serving as a body cap.

Phil Forrest

 

[Range-rover]

Here is the link:

https://bohemianhall.com/

Masks are required. Also limited to 50% capacity, and only the outdoor section is open.

This place is over 100 years old.

Cal

It has to be good, it's Slovak!

 

[jszokoli]

What time, 1pm?..
Joe

 

[Calzone]

What time, 1pm?..
Joe

Joe,

1:00 PM is good, but I'll likely be there earlier.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

It appears that the USA is experiencing a bit of COVID hubris, because of the CDC's earlier statement which rescinded mask recommendations. Now even vaccinated people are getting ill and fully able to transmit a much higher amount of virus. Here in Philly, it looks like business as usual as if the pandemic didn't even exist. I don't even want to go outside now. Unfortunately, that genie can't be put back in that bottle.
Good thing I have my North P100 respirator and a good supply of cartridges.

Gear alert: I got a black paint Leotax T2L and stuck a Chiyoko Super Rokkor 5cm f/2 on the end of it. A fantastic pair. Awaiting the arrival of a junker Leotax with a Konishiroku Hexar 50mm f/3.5 serving as a body cap.

Phil Forrest

Phil,

I am also astonished by how casual people are about the Delta variant and breakthough cases. In Madhattan I see few people wearing masks on the street where it is difficult to keep socially distant.

Yet I also am forced to wear a mask at work in a hospital for good reason, and this practice I carry over to any time I'm in public, except in Peekskill where I have situations of social distancing more than 20 feet.

BTW in Peekskill because it has an immigrant community, vaccination rates are not so high.

I for one am aware of the risks, and I do practice "Hospital Rules" to remain safe. While I increase my risk, I also practice safety.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Mowing the lawn Saturday I captured a jumping insect that turned out to be a frog (Spring Peeper) that is about the size of my thumbnail (full grown).

The body is a yellow tan. I held him captive to show "Maggie" then I released him into the wild, meaning my back-backyard.

Still excavating and moving clean fill into the gully.

Had a mason come by to survey replacing our front stoop. A circular stoop with 4 steps made of brick and concrete landings.

I'm looking into if I need permits for the patio, pergola, or stoop.

The lazy-slacker in me is plotting to use saved vacation days to have my last days of work to be before Christmas Eve.

Calvin-August