Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Sadly, “Maggie” reports that yesterday an Asian woman was stabbed to death on Christie Street by a mentally ill homeless person.
Know that the Public Hotel where we had our meeting with Vanessa and her team is on Christie Street not far from Houston. We suspect that the murder happen a bit more downtown closer to Chinatown and Canal Street.
With Covid the homeless problem and the disparity of wealth have both been amplified. To compound all this Mayor DeBlasio emptied jails and made it easier for criminals to get released on bond during his tenure
The NYPD, the best police department in the world is pretty demoralized. Now we have Eric Adams a black Mayor who was in the NYPD.
DeBlasio was a big/huge loser.
I’m so glad to have moved out, yet we yearn to return for the danger and excitement. We intend on running errands and Making purposeful excursions into the city to shoot.
Time to drop off some gear at Nippon Photo Clinic for service and repair…
I want to get my Panerai cracked crystal replaced and get it serviced. This big military watch is part of my branding. Meanwhile I wear what I call my “cheap-Rolex” a stainless steel Submariner that is a “No-Date.”
Somehow I don’t have $1052.50 for commuting expenses to expend before March 22d. Currently I have only $669.50 in credit. I figure the additional $383.00 for January was a computer automated mistake that was corrected. Round trip off-peak costs $26.50, and “Maggie’s” fare is a senior discounted $17.50, so the cost to go round trip is $44.00.
Should be pretty easy to burn though this account balance with the onset of spring happening. Tickets purchased on March 22d would be good for 2 months till May 22d when they would expire. Maggie still goes into the city for hair cuts.
So back into the danger zone that we fled. I guess we miss the filth and edge, but we are also glad that we own a safe home outside the city.
Cal
Know that the Public Hotel where we had our meeting with Vanessa and her team is on Christie Street not far from Houston. We suspect that the murder happen a bit more downtown closer to Chinatown and Canal Street.
With Covid the homeless problem and the disparity of wealth have both been amplified. To compound all this Mayor DeBlasio emptied jails and made it easier for criminals to get released on bond during his tenure
The NYPD, the best police department in the world is pretty demoralized. Now we have Eric Adams a black Mayor who was in the NYPD.
DeBlasio was a big/huge loser.
I’m so glad to have moved out, yet we yearn to return for the danger and excitement. We intend on running errands and Making purposeful excursions into the city to shoot.
Time to drop off some gear at Nippon Photo Clinic for service and repair…
I want to get my Panerai cracked crystal replaced and get it serviced. This big military watch is part of my branding. Meanwhile I wear what I call my “cheap-Rolex” a stainless steel Submariner that is a “No-Date.”
Somehow I don’t have $1052.50 for commuting expenses to expend before March 22d. Currently I have only $669.50 in credit. I figure the additional $383.00 for January was a computer automated mistake that was corrected. Round trip off-peak costs $26.50, and “Maggie’s” fare is a senior discounted $17.50, so the cost to go round trip is $44.00.
Should be pretty easy to burn though this account balance with the onset of spring happening. Tickets purchased on March 22d would be good for 2 months till May 22d when they would expire. Maggie still goes into the city for hair cuts.
So back into the danger zone that we fled. I guess we miss the filth and edge, but we are also glad that we own a safe home outside the city.
Cal
BernardL
Well-known
Don't see the relevance to the thread's title (and, supposedly, subject). But suggest this could be merged with:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/node/4770975
a.k.a.Does Anybody Really Care What Time It Is? Leica Sells Watches
The superb museum in Madrid is El Prado, and is not subsidized by a luxury/fashion brand. As to the painter, you're probably referring to Velasquez.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bernard,
Thanks for the suggestion and the corrections.
Are you a moderator?
Anyways this NYC Meet-Up sub forum has been ongoing for more than a decade, and the idea here is pretty much a place to socialize and create a safe place. Perhaps to your not to your liking, but I do this as a Public Service. I do appreciate the reminder that I have to not be so lazy, do my fact checking, and try to be better with spelling which is a weak point, but realize that if you do not find this thread agreeable, there are other places…
As far as spelling goes this new IPAD kinda takes liberties in changing words, adding letters, and forcing me to to do lots of editing to compensate for unintended corruption. I can’t mitigate every mistake…
It seems the moderators have no problem with my rants and going off topic here, but know elsewhere I do stay very much on topic.
I don’t think people with Covid want to be so socially isolated, nor do people want this tread to die. Some of my friends were worried that upon retirement that all this would die off and are very glad that I continue to maintain this thread/sub forum that has become part of RFF culture.
A little bit of history here is that over 13 years ago Damaso Reyes came up with the idea of having a once a month NYC Meet-Up. Then I got “snookered” into taking over when Damaso relocated to Barcelona.
Please be welcomed to join in. In broad terms we talk about life and lifestyles.
Cal
MrFujicaman
Well-known
Jeff Bezos is one of the guys who I coined a saying about..."if his dick was as big as his ego, he'd be a porn star".
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
MFM,
I saw a news segment on this floor he bought in a building down by Union Square. I may have the streets wrong, but is kitchen was on perhaps 17th street and his bedroom on another block/street.
Ego’s get so big that it is crazy.
We use to have a Meet-Up at Puck Fair near Houston Street. It was a hole in the wall, and in fact on our last annual Camera Beauty contest there the NYFD had condemned the balcony that we used for security purposes, because it was deemed unsafe.
But right across an alleyway that had a sign, No Pissing or ShXXing: People live here was The Puck Fair Building.
”Maggie” had a gig for Corcoran Real Estate and was photographed and video’ed in the Penthouse on the top of the Puck Fair building. The Penthouse was for sale with and asking price of $65 M or so. The real estate agent showed us around. It had terraces on three sides and because it was the tallest building even though not tall, it had 270 degrees of unobstructed views where you could see the entire midtown skyline.
The real estate agent pointed out that generally having a terrace did not include privacy in Manhattan, and pretty much you could walk out the kitchen terrace naked and have your coffee and no one would see you. Of course my mind came up with other things to do…
Anyways I thought about our tiny 650 square foot luxury apartment that was cluttered… Meanwhile the terrace alone was something like 6000 square feet.
My Panerai is the same watch that President Clinton wore and used while serving his terms as President. I use to brag to Maggie, “That if my Panerai is good enough for President Clinton, that it’s good enough for me.”
After hearing this a few times Maggie had a response. “It is the other way around.”
I asked her what she meant, and she said, “If it’s good enough for me it’s good enough for President Clinton because I am the better man.”
I guess for some of us it is important to be a real man, have strength, and most of all have some integrity.
So this Corcoran campaign was a mistake because it had no time limit on the usage. This allowed the footage and stills to be plastered all over NYC for too long a time without the appropriate compensation. A powerful lesson where the powerful take advantage whenever they can.
Also another side comment is that all these people want to get your support. In effect they want you to “work for free” but the days of slavery are suppose to be over.
The working for free is what drove someone I knew out of business as a commercial photographer with a studio in the Photo District in Manhattan, but this same friend wanted Maggie to feature, sponsor, and support his daughter’s new independent film because she had so much influence and followers.
I had to explain that Maggie does not work for free and because of his own personal experience he should of known better not to ask.
One of the reasons why so many people are getting exploited is because they support the competitive culture of “working for free,” and what Brian called “the race to the bottom.”
I’m waiting for the day when just one reputable gallery reverts to the 1970 standard of a 20% commission to see if that undermines the current 50% commissions. Undercutting works both ways… All that is needed is a gentile push and the house of cards will tumble.
“Fug-them,” I say.
Pretty much all it takes is a start and perhaps a “Walmart” clone will undercut the greed of others and open up a gated community that is locked down.
Perhaps the Cantonese in me wants “Revenge.” I hate bullies. So who knows if I could be that person who takes out the gatekeepers?
Cal
Austintatious
Well-known
robert blu
quiet photographer
Good point, I like it!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Austin,
Thanks for posting this.
I also watched the Bill Hicks interview that followed. I loved what he had to say. He spoke the truth about the good, the bad, and the ugly for me of the life of a performer of which I was for about a decade. It made my eyes tearful.
I know the life of being on stage, the focus, and the traveling, but the high that you get when you really put yourself out there and everybody is listening is very powerful.
It is in real time and only lasts a moment, but photography is different in that it captures a moment that can endure.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Robert,
I see lost people who’s life lacks meaning. I’m glad I have meaning in mine, but along with meaning also comes values.
Are not artists trying to be honest?
Anyways I may look fit, but yesterday’s rowing made me very stiff this morning, and the sustained effort I was able to do today I was not able to do yesterday.
Unfortunately Covid over the last three years made me loose a lot of the strength and stamina I once had. One of the hardest things is the starting of training to get back. Fitness fades fast. It is so hard to gain muscle, and it too fades fast.
Not so sure I can undo the Covid setback, but I will try.
Call me delusional, but it seems like my chance to be a fitness model is now, but I must lead as example.
Don’t tell anyone, suddenly it is a struggle, but the key is to keep my integrity and keep at it in a stubborn way.
A friend told me a joke about a argument between a pessimist and an optimist.
The optimist’s positive spin got under the skin of the pessimist to the point where the pessimist picked up a hammer and said, “If I take this hammer and start smashing your hand, what would be good about that?”
The optimist replied, “It will be good when you stop.”
Pretty much that is my struggle. It feels good when I stop exercising. LOL.
Anyways no illusion, to exploit this opportunity I have to do some serious work and training. Good thing is that “Maggie” has to wind down the obligations and the relationship with her current agent. We figure about 9-10 months from now that relationship will be fully terminated around the time her book gets finished being written.
I will not squander the opportunity and this envelope of time. The key is to keep at it every day.
Also look into the military history of Panerai watches. Six Italian divers towing sea mines with modified torpedoes in WWII disabled three British ships in Alexandria Egypt by a great feat of skill and courage.
The oversized watches that are a trend today go back to the watches created by Panerai for these divers.
Cal
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
Cal -
Hombe, I am just ready to flee for a lunch with an old friend, a woman. She is a friend not a love interest. Sex is easier to come by than good, solid friendship so I cherish this gal. I'll catch up when I get back.
Cheers
Hombe, I am just ready to flee for a lunch with an old friend, a woman. She is a friend not a love interest. Sex is easier to come by than good, solid friendship so I cherish this gal. I'll catch up when I get back.
Cheers
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
B,
Sex in a relationship can be a great cause of dishonesty.
I can think of a girl who I thought was so hot that used having a Fee-ON-say, to put up a roadblock to my attraction. Then later on she started making moves on me, but I iced her. For me intimacy is about trust.
Had another smoking hot gal also pulled out the Fee-On SAY card. Again is it worth my time?
Even funnier it is hard for women to accept that some men don’t want them.
A funny story. Eva was this gal from work with a swimsuit body. We were just friends. I lived in Williamsburg and would run home three or 4 times a week and Eva at times would join me and then take the “L” train at Bedford to her home further east.
So I am an exhibitionist, so I tend to run bare chested because not only am I showing off, but I also sweat a lot.
So we are on the Williamsburg Bridge Running and a hipster girl is walking towards us, she wears glasses and pokes them higher on the bridge of her nose so she can admire me better, but Eva also took notice, and mentioned that “That bitch gave me a dirty look,” and it really pissed her off.
This is how I came up with “You suck factor” because the hipster gal thought Eva was my girlfriend. LOL.
Women get easily frustrated if you don’t respond to their advances. A few times in an angry tone I have been asked, “Are you gay?” LOL.
Cal
MrFujicaman
Well-known
Bezos can keep that penthouse! If I was rich and wanted to live in NYC, I'd want the floor of the Chrysler building Annie Lebowitz has her studio in. it'd be so cool to sit in one of the gargoyles and take pictures! Back in the early 1980's, the Chrysler Building was sold for around 7-8 million. That's cheaper than a lot of the Hollywood mansions!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
MFM,
Buying the Chrysler Building at that price is crazy. WOW.
I’m not so impressed by big real estate anymore.
I lived in a loft for a while. The open space required not having any clutter. Also even though I’m cool with “Maggie” being around, its hard to have the private space one needs at time to say practice guitar, or test an amp that you are restoring. I found that I had to always keep things tidy.
Meanwhile my tiny space allows me hiding places like the basement where Maggie stays away. If she is hanging out in our parlor, I can retire to the bedroom to practice.
I’m sure with the garage built out as a workspace I will have more space and opportunities to work, practice and think.
Even though I am an extreme extrovert, I’m also a loner.
Also I question how much emptiness has to get filled by such people as a Jeff Bezos.
I have contemplated the thought that what if I won the lottery. What would I buy that once was beyond my reach? I figure that I would keep all the stuff I have now including the Baby-Victorian. I earned them and because of this there is lots of value added there. Same for my camera gear, although I would buy a SL2S, a Leica Q, a Leica Q Monochrom, and a M11.
I would buy an Audi RS5 or RS7, but not both, and I would keep my Audi A4 with now 23K miles on it.
Call it a day because any more would not really make me happier than I already am.
In a ways this new gig opens up many possibilities that I am compelled to pursue. Not sure where this is going, and that is the adventure that is so compelling. Anyways I hope to remain the man I am, and any increase in power or privilege I hope I can share with others because I figure I’m the person living the dream that is beyond the scope of others. I already feel fulfilled, and I am also in the space I want to be in. Why do I need more? Don’t think I would be happier.
Anyways some of those camera purchases might happen, but also know I have 9-10 months before one representation ends, and our new representation with Vanessa begins. I’m cool with this, Meanwhile the kitchen has to get remodeled, and I believe that will happen soon.
Snarky Joe says that whatever I do I will succeed, and somehow I think his insight is right. In the video link that Austin supplied Bill Hicks mentions that some people have a a gift to command an audience.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
MFM,
I read a feature that A.L. Is currently living somewhere north of me in the Hudson Valley.
I’ll try to dig in.
Cal
POSTSCRIPT: Annie Leibovitz has been living in Rhinebeck during Covid. A recent body of work is titled “Upstate.” Rhinebeck is near Kingston and is about 44 miles north of Peekskill.
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
Cal, back from lunch with Becky. We had a great time telling lies and laughing. She has been around the block, paid her dues and is now just a happy camper on the front porch of life. And then there are the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lots of them as she is Irish and is almost despondent if there is no hurly-burly commotion going on as that is what she is used to. It was very pleasant.
We went over and old GF of mine whom she knew pretty well. This gal was great when she was on and bloody awful the rest of the time. Great bod and brilliant mind. Once we had just shared an intimate moment and were lying there talking when she brings up Fibonacci! I had not heard his name since '64 when his progression was used to generate crypto keys for some gear I worked with in the Army. She eventually committed suicide. We were walking the beach one day just north of the Peter Iredale when she decided to pull this stunt.
Among other things she was a bit of an exhibitionist. She'd flash me or beaver shot me in restaurants which made me laugh like hell, which encouraged her. Very intelligent, pretty and not much street smarts. She was a tragedy.
The one before her was the Swede, cute as a button and a very short fuse. Her husband just died and she has told me I can call her anytime now. She called from Ajijic last night for a two hour chat. She is very sweet, a great cook in all senses of the word and fun to be around, until she is pissed. She is still pissed that my Airstream was not neater than it was 21 years ago. Same birthday as Carol, the beach poser. As difficult as these woman were I, too, was difficult and am glad to have had relationships with them. They made my life richer.
I am glad to be on good terms with Britt and happy that she can call to pour her heart out and I can listen. It takes so little to help her, or anyone. Her desire that we meet in Prague will go unmet. All I need is a ten day reservation at a glitzy Prague hotel and a knock-down, drag out fight on day two. As much as I love her I will keep my distance. Still is pissed about the Airstream 21 years later. Sheesh.
We went over and old GF of mine whom she knew pretty well. This gal was great when she was on and bloody awful the rest of the time. Great bod and brilliant mind. Once we had just shared an intimate moment and were lying there talking when she brings up Fibonacci! I had not heard his name since '64 when his progression was used to generate crypto keys for some gear I worked with in the Army. She eventually committed suicide. We were walking the beach one day just north of the Peter Iredale when she decided to pull this stunt.
Among other things she was a bit of an exhibitionist. She'd flash me or beaver shot me in restaurants which made me laugh like hell, which encouraged her. Very intelligent, pretty and not much street smarts. She was a tragedy.
The one before her was the Swede, cute as a button and a very short fuse. Her husband just died and she has told me I can call her anytime now. She called from Ajijic last night for a two hour chat. She is very sweet, a great cook in all senses of the word and fun to be around, until she is pissed. She is still pissed that my Airstream was not neater than it was 21 years ago. Same birthday as Carol, the beach poser. As difficult as these woman were I, too, was difficult and am glad to have had relationships with them. They made my life richer.
I am glad to be on good terms with Britt and happy that she can call to pour her heart out and I can listen. It takes so little to help her, or anyone. Her desire that we meet in Prague will go unmet. All I need is a ten day reservation at a glitzy Prague hotel and a knock-down, drag out fight on day two. As much as I love her I will keep my distance. Still is pissed about the Airstream 21 years later. Sheesh.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
B,
At my 40th year High School Reunion, I learned my friend Richie had died and basically he drank himself to death.
Out of the kids in my class he was likely the one I had bonded with the most, not because I hung out with him all the time but by the experiences we had.
Rich’s parents were hyper religious and conservative, but Richie would dress like he was Superfly even though he was white. Mucho loud clothing. I guess the thing we had in common was that we were both drama queens in different ways.
Rich once ran away from home and was gone about a month, so his parents softened up a bit when he came home.
So one day in 11th grade Rich asks me if I want to hitch hike to Florida to visit Greg a friend we had that had recently moved to FLA, and I said yes, but I had a conflict because I would be leaving early before mid winter break and would miss a chemistry mid-term.
We went to talk to Shafto my chemistry teacher who was an old hippy. I pretty much read the chemistry book and learned chemistry on my own, and in Shafto’s I would just sit in the class and read. He knew I understood chemistry and respected me.
So Shafto’s response was, “I’ll just give you a 95 on the mid-term. Is that O.K. With you?”
How cool was that?
Rich and I had this on the road adventure where I had $14.00 and Rich had $25.00 and we were on our own for 10 days. On the road we saw lots of kids down south that were runaways, and during that time hitching on 95 was considered dangerous.
Lots of stories like me driving a drunk’s car from Daytona all the way to our destination Fort Lauderdale without a driver’s license. When the old man pulled over to pick us up he asked, “Can one of you guys drive a stick shift?”
I kinda knew the mechanics of a manual tranny because I had a motorcycle since I was 15, and only drove a stick shit car once before.
He would open a Coke bottle on the steering wheel while I was driving, dump out half the contents out the window, refill the bottle with Burbon, and then guzzle the drink. Rich sat in the back along all these empty Coke bottles.
I think it was in Coco Beach or Cocanut Beach that we called his daughter to pick him up, after he had bought us hamburgers. Then we called Greg out of the blue to come and pick us up. It was an unannounced visit.
On our way back to New York we left FLA with $1.00 for the ride home. At a counter we sat drinking coffee at a diner, when the waitress came by to refill our cups, and I mentioned that we did not have any money to pay for the second cup, but we were informed that we were entitled to free refills.
This caught the attention of a couple also sitting on the counter. Rich and I looked like many of the kids that were runaways, so I blinked with both eyes, and then asked Rich, “When was the last time you had any solid food?” And Rich replied, “Remember the hamburger we had two days ago?”
Two drama queens hammed it up enough that the old couple gave us a ten, and pretty much we continued performing as if we were runaway kids.
Rich also invited me to Belgrade Lakes, a summer cottage where the mail gets delivered by boat. This was about 50 miles from Augusta Maine.
More adventures, but I was like E.T. From another planet. In the Post Office/General Store/gas station this little boy becomes animated and excited when he sees me. “Mommy-mommy, look at that man.” Of course Richie is laughing while the mom tries to hush the kid.
Rich’s younger sister was there and she had a crush on me.
The big lesson here that informed me deeply is that I valued experience and adventure over money. On the road with no plans, no money, along with the possibility that anything can happen, gave me a sense of freedom.
Meanwhile at my high school reunion my classmates really did little with their lives and many-many settled into our hometown or a neighboring town without any notable fanfare.
Anyways Richie and I were outsiders…
Cal
At my 40th year High School Reunion, I learned my friend Richie had died and basically he drank himself to death.
Out of the kids in my class he was likely the one I had bonded with the most, not because I hung out with him all the time but by the experiences we had.
Rich’s parents were hyper religious and conservative, but Richie would dress like he was Superfly even though he was white. Mucho loud clothing. I guess the thing we had in common was that we were both drama queens in different ways.
Rich once ran away from home and was gone about a month, so his parents softened up a bit when he came home.
So one day in 11th grade Rich asks me if I want to hitch hike to Florida to visit Greg a friend we had that had recently moved to FLA, and I said yes, but I had a conflict because I would be leaving early before mid winter break and would miss a chemistry mid-term.
We went to talk to Shafto my chemistry teacher who was an old hippy. I pretty much read the chemistry book and learned chemistry on my own, and in Shafto’s I would just sit in the class and read. He knew I understood chemistry and respected me.
So Shafto’s response was, “I’ll just give you a 95 on the mid-term. Is that O.K. With you?”
How cool was that?
Rich and I had this on the road adventure where I had $14.00 and Rich had $25.00 and we were on our own for 10 days. On the road we saw lots of kids down south that were runaways, and during that time hitching on 95 was considered dangerous.
Lots of stories like me driving a drunk’s car from Daytona all the way to our destination Fort Lauderdale without a driver’s license. When the old man pulled over to pick us up he asked, “Can one of you guys drive a stick shift?”
I kinda knew the mechanics of a manual tranny because I had a motorcycle since I was 15, and only drove a stick shit car once before.
He would open a Coke bottle on the steering wheel while I was driving, dump out half the contents out the window, refill the bottle with Burbon, and then guzzle the drink. Rich sat in the back along all these empty Coke bottles.
I think it was in Coco Beach or Cocanut Beach that we called his daughter to pick him up, after he had bought us hamburgers. Then we called Greg out of the blue to come and pick us up. It was an unannounced visit.
On our way back to New York we left FLA with $1.00 for the ride home. At a counter we sat drinking coffee at a diner, when the waitress came by to refill our cups, and I mentioned that we did not have any money to pay for the second cup, but we were informed that we were entitled to free refills.
This caught the attention of a couple also sitting on the counter. Rich and I looked like many of the kids that were runaways, so I blinked with both eyes, and then asked Rich, “When was the last time you had any solid food?” And Rich replied, “Remember the hamburger we had two days ago?”
Two drama queens hammed it up enough that the old couple gave us a ten, and pretty much we continued performing as if we were runaway kids.
Rich also invited me to Belgrade Lakes, a summer cottage where the mail gets delivered by boat. This was about 50 miles from Augusta Maine.
More adventures, but I was like E.T. From another planet. In the Post Office/General Store/gas station this little boy becomes animated and excited when he sees me. “Mommy-mommy, look at that man.” Of course Richie is laughing while the mom tries to hush the kid.
Rich’s younger sister was there and she had a crush on me.
The big lesson here that informed me deeply is that I valued experience and adventure over money. On the road with no plans, no money, along with the possibility that anything can happen, gave me a sense of freedom.
Meanwhile at my high school reunion my classmates really did little with their lives and many-many settled into our hometown or a neighboring town without any notable fanfare.
Anyways Richie and I were outsiders…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
A friend sent me copies of The Farmer’s Almanac’s forecast for the Northeast and the Atlantic Corridor because it seems like I’m on the edge of both. Anyways as usual I’m living right at the fringe where I feel comfortable.
Yesterday I rowed hard for only 20 minutes, but like the joke about the arguing pessimist and the optimist, it felt good when I stopped. Rowing is a lot like squat thrusts, and can you imagine doing 25-30 of them a minute for about 20 minutes?
The enclosed front porch was 39 degrees, so the cool temperatures moderates the usual soaking of sweat that usually happens. Afterwards I took “Maggie” for a 2 1/4 mile walk into the downtown to have some lunch, then we went to a used bookstore before walking home.
I bought two used hardcover books for $2.00 each: one was on growing Roses in Canada’s USDA Zone 4; and the other involved herb gardening that was at a “Calzone-Level.”
Know that Peekskill is USDA Zone 6B, somewhere in between zones 6 and 7; and that zone 7 is a cutoff point where growing Roses gets more difficult because the cold causes die-off.
So the idea is to kinda go crazy with Roses because we have a Baby-Victorian. The house is already kinda cute, but a massive Rose garden could be jaw dropping. I like it because of the challenge. My intent is to go-over-the-top because that is kinda my style. I want my neighbors to understand and know that someone crazy lives next-door. LOL.
So this author provides all his technics for planting roses deeper so they can survive more severe cold. On one hand there is less work because all the “hilling,” wrapping, burying, and mulching is avoided to make it perfect for a lazy-slacker, but extra effort is required for watering and feeding which has to be more disciplined during the growing season.
Oh-well. Seems like the way to go for me. In the least the pergola likely will be a pretty good centerpiece to establish an outdoor space surrounded by roses and climbing roses.
So I’m doing some physical training every day, and when I wake in the morning my body is stiff. Walking the girlfriend helps keep me limber I figure. I likely am gaining weight (lean muscle mass) because my legs, butt, chest and arms are bulking up.
I have had to eat nuts as a source of fat to avoid dry itchy skin, and am drinking protein supplements that are plant based. Not inexpensive. Anyways I’m getting very serious about eating clean, and eating unprocessed. I can see a glow and youth returning.
Anyways I know that any “base” I once had has been depleted, and I know the road to regaining and building a strong base will take more than half a year on almost daily effort. Most people don’t have the time for this, but I’m doing this in my retirement. Long slow distance which requires a lot of time is required like 4-5 hour bike rides.
As far as this modeling opportunity goes I’m all in, even if nothing happens this is not a wasted effort, and the modeling only encourages me to be dead serious about being a role model for those that wish to remain active and independent as we age. Remember that I want to maintain a high quality of life and that my life expectancy is highly probable to be beyond 100.
I have a plan to exercise independently, but I also want to exercise Maggie to maintain her. Blood flow is important for the heath of the heart and brain. There is no free ride here.
So I do observe a dramatic difference in my body already, but the strength and stamina will take time over my base. Can’t wait for the warm weather. Tomorrow the high is expected to be 58 degrees.
Cal
Yesterday I rowed hard for only 20 minutes, but like the joke about the arguing pessimist and the optimist, it felt good when I stopped. Rowing is a lot like squat thrusts, and can you imagine doing 25-30 of them a minute for about 20 minutes?
The enclosed front porch was 39 degrees, so the cool temperatures moderates the usual soaking of sweat that usually happens. Afterwards I took “Maggie” for a 2 1/4 mile walk into the downtown to have some lunch, then we went to a used bookstore before walking home.
I bought two used hardcover books for $2.00 each: one was on growing Roses in Canada’s USDA Zone 4; and the other involved herb gardening that was at a “Calzone-Level.”
Know that Peekskill is USDA Zone 6B, somewhere in between zones 6 and 7; and that zone 7 is a cutoff point where growing Roses gets more difficult because the cold causes die-off.
So the idea is to kinda go crazy with Roses because we have a Baby-Victorian. The house is already kinda cute, but a massive Rose garden could be jaw dropping. I like it because of the challenge. My intent is to go-over-the-top because that is kinda my style. I want my neighbors to understand and know that someone crazy lives next-door. LOL.
So this author provides all his technics for planting roses deeper so they can survive more severe cold. On one hand there is less work because all the “hilling,” wrapping, burying, and mulching is avoided to make it perfect for a lazy-slacker, but extra effort is required for watering and feeding which has to be more disciplined during the growing season.
Oh-well. Seems like the way to go for me. In the least the pergola likely will be a pretty good centerpiece to establish an outdoor space surrounded by roses and climbing roses.
So I’m doing some physical training every day, and when I wake in the morning my body is stiff. Walking the girlfriend helps keep me limber I figure. I likely am gaining weight (lean muscle mass) because my legs, butt, chest and arms are bulking up.
I have had to eat nuts as a source of fat to avoid dry itchy skin, and am drinking protein supplements that are plant based. Not inexpensive. Anyways I’m getting very serious about eating clean, and eating unprocessed. I can see a glow and youth returning.
Anyways I know that any “base” I once had has been depleted, and I know the road to regaining and building a strong base will take more than half a year on almost daily effort. Most people don’t have the time for this, but I’m doing this in my retirement. Long slow distance which requires a lot of time is required like 4-5 hour bike rides.
As far as this modeling opportunity goes I’m all in, even if nothing happens this is not a wasted effort, and the modeling only encourages me to be dead serious about being a role model for those that wish to remain active and independent as we age. Remember that I want to maintain a high quality of life and that my life expectancy is highly probable to be beyond 100.
I have a plan to exercise independently, but I also want to exercise Maggie to maintain her. Blood flow is important for the heath of the heart and brain. There is no free ride here.
So I do observe a dramatic difference in my body already, but the strength and stamina will take time over my base. Can’t wait for the warm weather. Tomorrow the high is expected to be 58 degrees.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Looks like the kitchen cabinets might be ready maybe at the end of March now, but there is no scheduled delivery date. It seems there is a last minute scramble for permits, and in my experience that can take 4-6 weeks.
We started this job last summer.
We were asked if they could first do the bathroom, which is a good idea.
Just reporting delays. I’m not in any rush, I just want things done right. A carpenter is coming tomorrow to pick up some plans and to finialI’ve some things.
This is taking longer than I could ever imagine.
Cal
We started this job last summer.
We were asked if they could first do the bathroom, which is a good idea.
Just reporting delays. I’m not in any rush, I just want things done right. A carpenter is coming tomorrow to pick up some plans and to finialI’ve some things.
This is taking longer than I could ever imagine.
Cal
Austintatious
Well-known
Pretty normal in my own experience with remodeling. Takes twice as long and cost twice as much as quoted. With the inflation we have now, perhaps more than twice as much in cost. I try to do most home improvement myself, if I can. Now we have the added frustration of a shortage of materials for many repairs.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Austin,
Thanks for the insight. I’m taking care of the ceiling and floor demo, which are done. It was brutal work removing a ceramic tile floor, plywood, and two layers of retro linoleum to get down to the origininal quarter sawn narrow plank heart pine floor.
The tiles were recycled into clean fill in the back-backyard. I smuggled the other rubble like sheet rock and linoleum into my regular garbage pickup to avoid any dumpster fee two contractor bags at a time.
I’m grateful that our kitchen is small, only 11x14, we don’t have that many cabinets that were mucho costly, you kinda get what you pay for, and these cabinets are “Leica” quality, but “Maggie” went with these Italian appliances that are also costly.
Anyways we are not cheaping out, the kitchen when done will be a nice layout, and cooking won’t be such a chore.
In the powder room, we will recycle the small retro “Squatty Potty,” but we went a bit crazy with this repo retro sink that has a built in backsplash and “bridge facets.”
I’m pretty sure that my old house might have no vapor barrier. I’m friendly with the building inspector and he mentioned how I’m on the fringe and that only a few blocks away a vapor barrier is in the code. So this mitigates using rigid foam which might promote mold and termites according to my research. Oh-well.
Hope you ride out the storm today well.
Cal