New York August NYC Meet-Up 2021

[Austintatious]

I read it and it's full of bluster with no substantial depth. Plus, this doesn't help, either: Martin Arthur Armstrong (born November 1, 1949) is an American self-taught[SUP][1][/SUP] economic forecaster and convicted felon who spent 11 years in jail for cheating investors out of $700 million and hiding $15 million in assets from regulators.[SUP][1][/SUP]

Not everything we read in Wikipedia is factual. Martin Armstrong got into an altercation with some New York City banksters and was imprisoned for contempt.He was not convicted of a crime. The second circuit court of appeals with Judge Sonia Sotomayor gave a ruling requiring that Armstrong be given a hearing.
It is a long article, but it gives names, dates and in-depth information concerning the widespread government corruption that he had to face mostly because he refused to turn over his computer code to the CIA which is capable of predicting market trends, bank failures and the collapse of governments.

https://www.scribd.com/document/5680...raphy-May-2011

 

[Calzone]

Not everything we read in Wikipedia is factual. Martin Armstrong got into an altercation with some New York City banksters and was imprisoned for contempt.He was not convicted of a crime. The second circuit court of appeals with Judge Sonia Sotomayor gave a ruling requiring that Armstrong be given a hearing.
It is a long article, but it gives names, dates and in-depth information concerning the widespread government corruption that he had to face mostly because he refused to turn over his computer code to the CIA which is capable of predicting market trends, bank failures and the collapse of governments.

https://www.scribd.com/document/5680...raphy-May-2011

Austin,

When I have time to dig in I’ll read through the link.

Thanks for posting this.

As far as being self taught, it would be a serious mistake to underestimate someone who is both a teacher and a student in one.

Decades ago Alvin Toffer the Science Fiction writer wrote a book called The Fourth Wave that spoke of “The Age of Information” and that in the new economy information is power.

The book was visionary. He cited that Operation Desert Storm was a war won by information, that used “Smart Bombs,” speedy communications, and intelligence gathering to create a decisive victory in a very short time.

Alvin Toffer also cites that a new intelligence is required in the Age of Information; one that can sort through lots of information and deal with complexity in an interdisciplinary manner. Of course another skill is good communication skills to organize data and express ideas. He downplays academic education in the book.

Also the author mentions how specializations of the past generated the power brokers, but he predicted how a new power elite will leap frog the past model, due to the right combination/blend of intelligence that can’t be taught in schools.

One of the historical waves mentioned happened to be the Industrial Revolution…

Anyways it takes a special mind to sort through and organize chaos, and to filter through all the noise. Another point was made that speed and adaptability were key elements and assets required in this new age of information.

Truth be told, my technical education is limited to only a 6 month vocational school training in electronics, but since I had the special blend of intelligence that Alvin Toffer spoke of it led to me working one-on0one with PhD scientists and getting an education one could not get at a grad school playing around with millions of dollars worth of equipment at two National Labs and a Fortune 500 Company that was the fourth largest military contractor in the U.S. (Grumman, and then later Northrop Grumman).

I just retired from being a Cyclotron Engineer, but know I never took any physics course, not even in high school. I have a U.S. patent and was named “Inventor of the Year” for the space and electronics division at Grumman.

Another example would be Gary Helfrick, who had a full scholarship to MIT, but was asked by his friend Tyler Perry of Aerosmith fame if he wanted to go on the road and be a roadie for Aerosmith. Gary learned how to weld (self taught), and eventually began building/welding mountain bikes for Fat Chance, then he started making Titanium bikes and was part of Merlin Cycles. Pretty much the God Farther of Ti bikes.

Eventually he got involved with IBIS cycles and Scot Nichol…

BTW is not skill self-taught?

Cal

 

[Calzone]

My future agent sent a proposal to vet some ideas and brands. The stipulation though would be to market “Maggie” and I as a couple and to develop our brand as a couple.

There were a list of magazines for interviews and editorials. Another list of brands to engage with. Some examples of shots, one of which was cut from the book American Romance that was published by Chris Kramer of the two of us. Then it was proposed that we would be “dressed” and be “Brand-Ambassidors” to attend events mostly in Europe and the U.S.

This involves at times professional hair and makeup artists because basically you are a live model in the audience say at fashion shows or other exclusive events. As they say, “It’s the models that sell the clothes.”

Some of the brands are Italian luxury brands, and because of my identity as Calzone, I find this most intriguing. Anyways I can see me doing well with the Italian designers because of my confused identity.

I mention to Maggie that I’m a 64 year old man with a high school kid’s body, and I’m concerned about the tailoring I need to look good. She then shows me some of the models who are basically skinny hipsters. LOL. BTW if I flex and expand my chest a tape measure across my nipples measures 37 inches. Mens sizes usually begin at size 40 unless you go Paul Smith or Prada.

So flying around first class, getting VIP privilage, having to be photographed by POV-ER-Rot-C, and getting paid to travel seems like a great retirement gig to me.

Also I wanted to deflate the $1K Italian eye wear that Maggie gifted to me that is too large for her but perfect for my big head: they only cost $529.00, not $1K. They still will make great sun glasses. Know hat I have Prada and Gucci old glasses that I need to update the prescription.

So a contract to read will be coming shortly.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I wonder if anything comes of the modeling, if color film might become the medium of choice for me. If this works out the lazy slacker in me says if money is not an issue, then why not spend it on film and processing for convenience?

I daydream about getting a Leica Q2, Q2 Monochrom, and a SL2S though.

Know that I also still love my film cameras and there is still something great about the process, the technology (retro), the simplicity, and most of all the purity.

Truth be told though I would likely do all of the above because that is the crazy in me. I avoided shooting color film because of expense and now I might have the opportunity to shoot mucho color film. How cool is that?

Anyways for a creative time is the most precious and valuable commodity. Retirement is great.

Yesterday took my time changing out some caps, and modding the amp. Forensics indicate a blown cap in the bias supply and one blown cap on the B+ in the power supply. Had to dig in a bit to mod the power supply, and had to be clever in retrofitting my circuit to allow reversibility.

Had to change out the fuse holder because the short welded part of the fuse in place. Changed the cord to a grounded Hospital Grade version, and bypassed and disconnected the “Death Cap” and two prong receptacle.

I forgot about the Cathode Bias caps on the small tubes, and I placed an order for a set of them last night.

The bias cap seems to have been changed in the past and is not factory OEM original. My concern is that without bias were the output tubes damaged. All the tubes are NOS vintage tubes BTW. Otherwise all the components are a time machine and are factory original. Of course the defective parts and the extra two resistors are kept in a zip-lock bag. Having an amp that has not been hacked and that is close to factory build is important for value and collectability.

I discovered stamping that reveal the amp was built in 1966. The Pro Reverb was first released in January 1965, and my amp is the same early circuit. These amps are the most favored because they have the lowest power power transformer for the lowest headroom.

But remember back in the sixties bigger more powerful amps were the rage. Back then as amps evolved they became more powerful with more clean headroom, but today the smaller amps are favored for portability, and miking an amp for coverage and volume control is common practice.

I regressed back in time where at Grumman I built out prototype electronics with point to point wiring. Very creative and it utilized lots of management skills. Very goal oriented, and pretty much never any group effort. It was an artist doing his work creating.

At Grumman and at the two National Labs I also enjoyed having infrastructure and unlimited resources. Only the best for me.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

So “Maggie” is having second thoughts of proceeding with Vanessa and maintaining a high profile busy lifestyle in the public eye, as she is forming an identity as a writer.

I remind her that she has a book to write and a contract. I tell her that to develop skill one has to be all in, has to concentrate to do the best work, and distractions and multitasking have to be avoided.

I was up to the sense of adventure, but know that I am already happy-happy just being me and perhaps very predictable and maybe even boring. I’m cool with that. I don’t need all this stimulation and a frenetic schedule to feel alive or productive. I love my simple and humble life.

Anyways the years/decades of hard work I want to put behind me… I want to have fun, I want to take care of myself and my health, and I really don’t want any stress if it can be avoided.

Extra money would be nice, but I don’t need it.

So I think the glam life will get a pass. Oh-well. I’m cool with that, but I do find it flattering that I had the opportunity. I think I have had enough of that life over the past 7 years working with or for Maggie in support of her. I already know that I am a 64 year old man with a high school kid’s body. No surprise or adventure there.

In a ways today’s talk is a second retirement. Now I can really become what I was meant to be: a lazy-slacker who is happy-happy.

I will start a slush fund of “Crazy-Money” to pay for adventures and travel. Besides with another grand kid coming around Labor Day I want to enjoy that experience too. BTW its a boy.

Trying to get Maggie into lazy-slacker mode has been a problem. It does not come natural for her, but teaching her the artist’s way where time is more valuable than money, and enough money is just that, that the poverty we escaped no longer applies so continued hard work kinda pays no dividends. In fact hard work, or working hard, is actually crazy when you don’t have to.

Anyways, truth is I was excited, but staying humble and happy really is the best outcome. Stress is a killer, and who wants to rush through life? I don’t…

Oh-well…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

The E-mail was composed and sent to Vanessa after we discussed what we really needed which was a real retirement.

Then London called, and we got “snookered” back in. Evidently Vanessa is a very persuasive agent. She addressed every concern and then reeled us back in. Also not only is she personable, but she also is someone you trust, and I consider her my friend.

With “Maggie’s” present agent it is just business…

So nothing really will be happening till after October, so the book that has to be written comes in under deadline, and Maggie is able to focus on writing as her primary goal. As always I take up the slack to offer my support while she works hard.

Then with the grand kids and that responsibility conflict was defused because it will be only 3-4 high end gigs a year that are UBER high paying. The due date for the boy is around Labor Day.

So now it is not business as usual where work is an endless tread mill that leads to exhaustion, where it is quality verses quantity. We can handle that work load.

The outcome is that we will have a great agent who not only is connected to the top luxury brands, but someone that looks out and protects our best interests. Also Vanessa is a creative in her own right, and her skills has made her a mover and shaker where she does very well in creating out of the box promotion to establish branding.

No agent or agency is marketing a couple the way she envisions it. Pretty much it will be about lifestyle. Note what was high lighted was me as a photographer and Maggie as a writer team. Vanessa’s scope is more international and perhaps more European centered. With Vanessa we enter a larger world, where her present agent is mostly focused on the U.S.

As far as sportswear she has the brands I would want to work with. Don’t forget those Italian designers.

So now an adventure will begin it seems, even though we were readily rejecting opportunity.

Like I say, “I was just minding my own business…”

Like getting the responsibility of keeping the NYC Meet-Up going: snookered again.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Today’s goal is to build my Ti Basso (Litespeed) out as a 3x9 XTR bike with 2.35 Schwable Hans Damph tires for a somewhat fat tire cross country bike.

I ended up buying an 11-34 XT cassette to ensure that when a warm and pleasant spring day happens, I don’t get caught out without a rigged mountain bike. I still need to load up on mucho 11-34 cassettes when Jensen USA gets them in stock.

This bike is not so aggressive handling, has a longer wheelbase that better suits epic long rides, and will have a very wide range of gearing.

The two IBIS’s are much more aggressive bikes with hyper short wheelbases, tall bottom brackets, and steep geometry for twitchy steering and fast handling.

Looks like I can do 3 sets of 55 fast push ups. Took a while to build back my strength. The trick in doing lots of push ups for me is to do them before lactic acid builds up, then allow lots of rest in between sets. Maybe I’ll try to do 4 sets today.

Anyways I’m building out for my new career, my branding will be the old guy with the kid’s body. Also my hair is getting very close to my navel in length. I do look a bit hill-billy, but I’ll never resemble Billy Gibbons with my arrogant small chin beard. I do think I will riff off the “Cheap Sunglasses” tune.

Those new Italian frames “Maggie” gifted me are a bit over-the-top, but they are not cheap.

Yesterday the cassette was delivered so now I have some work to do. Friday or Saturday I expect the capacitors to be delivered to finish up my retro-mod of the Blackface Pro Reverb. Then I’ll be able to “smoke-test” the amp, meaning plug it in to see if it explodes or catches on fire.

Anyways this expression “smoke-test” comes back from the day when I built prototype electronics. My stuff always worked and I was a tech, but this engineer would build circuits that exploded and started fires. LOL.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Robert Horse-SHA-VAC, one of the sharks from “Shark Tank,” stated that being a good salesman is a skill that pretty much help you do anything better no matter what you do.

In my past, I worked part time at Ed’s Aquarium, a chain of perhaps 3-4 stores out on Long Island. Always on sale was the $9.99 ten gallon special that was a tank, gravel and a basic filter, but the idea was to add to the sale by adding on upgrades and accessories.

After a few months I pretty much could have a customer who bought a $9.00 ten gallon special ring them up with a $300.00 bill.

To be a good salesman requires earning trust and being personable, being knowledgeable, being a good communicator, and having the empathy to understand a client.

With this in mind it is pretty easy to understand why Robert’s advice is correct that being a good salesperson is a great talent. In the end I felt like I was taking advantage of people, and what I was doing was kinda predatory, kinda like mugging people for their money, so out of conscious one day I just quit.

Anyways from the experience I learned I was a not a good salesman, but a great salesman.

So fast forward to today where I have old retro bicycles, one that is 35 years old, and others around 30 years old. Over the years I bought these Middleburn cranks and chainrings for my bikes because they are designed for tandem and Trials use and are likely the strongest cranks out there, but they also are a flexible modular design that gives them “legs” into the long-long term.

Middleburn products are made in England, but with Covid one is forced to pay crazy-crazy shipping and custom fees that make it cost prohibitive. I have found that the Middleburn chain rings last about twice as long as even top shelf brands, in particular the one chain rings that are flamed sprayed with a ceramic coating that contains teflon called Hardcoat.

Over a decade ago or maybe two decades I bought Middleburn chain rings from Alex, my hill-billy friend from Georgia. We became friends. I would call to place an order and say, “This is Cal from New York,” and he knew immediately who I was.

With Covid I could not get in contact with him, and my fear was that Covid might of taken him out, but because I’m stubborn, one day I e-mailed him and I got a response.

Understand that Alex was the sole importer of Middleburn products in the U.S. Evidently because of Covid difficulties he is no longer a Middleburn distributor, but he says, “I have some stock. What would you need?”

So several e-mails, some life updates, some stories, and pretty much I get pieces of what he has and does not have. I let things stew for a while because I try to be less impulsive, but I compile a shopping list from the data I gleaned.

Then out of friendship Alex sends me an estimate where he mentions that he is giving me wholesale pricing, and on top of that a $150.00 discount.

How cool is that? Anyways I got the hill-billy discount it seems. Happy-happy.

Middleburn makes this trick lightweight, mucho strong, spyderless “DUO” setup where the inner chainring is also the spider that attaches to the crank arm, then the outer chain ring bolts directly to the inner spider with just 3 chain ring bolts. The set up is streamlined, good looking to be vain, is beefy strong, and stronger than a traditional spider/two chainring setup.

BTW the look is just plain evil.

So I’m getting a couple of sets for the two IBIS bikes for 38/29T and 40/29T to build them out as 2x11 XTR. Know that I already own two 32T Duo inner chain rings, and one 42T outer for when I need tall gears. I love the modular design and the flexibility it allows.

Anyways here is an example of how my talent as a salesman worked to save me mucho money. Know that I bought enough to likely last more than two decades. Pretty much I am warehousing the parts and doing a great job of hoarding and buying at discount prices while this stuff is still available.

Also lots of planning going on here.

Did you know at Grumman I use to play chess with the President of the Grumman Chess Club. Jerry was a PhD scientist who had a pretty high ranking. Pretty much I would always loose, but I took a beating like a man, but my unconventional openings baffled Jerry, but he soon discovered that my approach was to dominate space and was a very sculptural approach to playing chess.

So in Chess you always have to think of 3-4 moves ahead.

In the Ukraine though it seems like things have gotten a bit sloppy. About 1/3rd of the troops seem to not be so fresh because they were exposed to the cold of winter and lacked logistic support like food.

I find this not like the Russians, and I am very surprised.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

So “Maggie” contacted our new agent Vanessa who expressed her happiness that we are signing up. She is mucho excited. There are so many possibilities…

Then Maggie dropped the bomb on her current agent. This is the second time he got notice, he tried to hold onto her, but now done means done.

Maggie asked me why her current agent might have been holding on so tightly, when she has been excused from taking on jobs while she is writing her book. He makes no money off her, and she made it apparent that she is getting off the hamster wheel of being a Digital Influencer.

My response is that she is like a lottery ticket, and he wants to see if you are a winner. When her book gets published anything can happen and he can capitalize on that because he has legal rights and a contract. It costs him nothing to play Texas Hold ‘em. Also it cost him nothing to wait and see…

So even when everything is done he gets 10% of any book money, now and in the future. This was negotiated down from 20% which is the full fee/commission.

Anyways I know of Mick Ronson, the guitarist with David Bowie from the Ziggie Stardust years. Pretty much his manager got wealthy, and Mick Ronson tragically learned he was swindled and had not enough money to cover his medical treatment he needed because he had Cancer.

Another Phil Spector like story where money got diverted and squandered.

So all I am saying is having the right representation is key. I believe we have it. Vanessa expressed that we will have a forever relationship.

The way things happened is that the agency Vanessa worked for let Vanessa go, and Maggie and others were collateral damage. Vanessa over a perhaps 5 year period started her own agency, but know that she worked for a major/huge agency, so she had all the connections and had already established her client list and reputation.

Already I know she has been shopping us around. There was a possibility of attending an event in Paris for a luxury brand where we would of been “dressed” and attended the fashion show as part of the audience.

Flown first class, put up in a luxury hotel, and likely hair and makeup done in our hotel room before the event. Then the VIP treatment and getting paid.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Tomorrow expecting more capacitors. Let’s see if I can do a “smoke-test” tomorrow of the Blackface 1966 Fender Pro Reverb I found in Manhattan being thrown out.

If things work out I might have to call Cris and Iron Mike about picking up speakers I have stored at their homes in Long Island and plan a trip.

I have not seen Mike in about two decades, he has been retired for a while and he is younger than me. Over thirty years ago he kinda saved my life by getting me into cycling. Pretty much I had to learn to relax or I would have perished. I was so hyper manic back then. I scared people.

Mike has two pair of vintage Altec Lansing 417’s that are high powered 12’s that have Alnico magnets. Pretty much in the league of JBL’s and EV’s. One pair are blown and need to be reconed, but the other pair are vintage originals. If the Black Face Pro were a BF Fender Twin the Altecs would be perfect, but now we are talking about a hundred pound amp.

Cris has the vintage Jensen C12Q’s that are like the bigger speakers that would match a Blackface Vibrolux Reverb which is today a mucho expensive amp because it hits the sweet spot as far as size and power for small gigs. Also lazy-slackers like the Vibrolux because on a big gig you just mike the amp.

I checked out Cris’s new web page. Check it out at www.MirabellaGuitars.com

June 5th is when any obligation ends formally with “Maggie’s” current agent. I’m looking forward to this new venture/adventure.

Anyways, even though I was a performance artist for about a decade, and even though I have been on television as a news reporter, and even though I performed at the Public Theater and off Broadway, being the talent in a photo shoot on the other end of the camera is intimidating.

Also I rowed today on my Concept 2. An erg is a hard workout, and it feels good when you stop. I drink this vegetable protein sludge, and I’m starting to get carved. My body is puffy and thicker now from the pushups, running, rowing and biking already. I think because of the protein sludge I might be growing bigger. Not that I’m J-LO but my butt is getting bigger and more muscular.

Anyways my training for this new modeling career is advancing, but also it is hard work, and particularly harder than when I was younger. I feel that with such a big opportunity, I should not be a lazy-slacker and really try to see how good I can be. I kinda know that I need to cultivate my O-S-P’s (One-Selling-Point) to have a remarkable many to distinguish myself and to be “Calzone” a guy who stands out. My long hair is one OSP, being lean and thin is another, being muscular on top of being ultra lean and thin means I’m not just a skinny hipster, then I just look different.

A big thing going on right now is this concept of inclusion, and because Maggie and I are an interracial couple I can see why Vanessa is so excited to have us, because we are an interesting couple.

Anyways if you are a person of color you know what exclusion is…

Pretty much Maggie and I have been directed to let our hair grow. Mine is kinda feral, and I look like a surfer. The longest part of my jagged self haircut is approaching my navel. I’m letting the buzzed sides (Cumulative shaving accidents) grow in. Right now I sport a George Washington look, or perhaps Alexander Hamilton.

At some point in the future we will get “styled” and be sent to someone where they will get some form of master plan for our “look” and our “brand.” Let’s see how I “clean-up.” LOL.

Also Vanessa knows that I own a Rolex and a Panerai from a conversation they had. One of Vanessa’s clients is a exclusive watch maker, one of the biggies. Big watches look great on me because I have a small wrist. My Panerai is massive.

So I wonder how crazy this might get? Covid I think has me going a bit crazy, even though I can be a loner at times. Looking forward to see how far I can ride in an afternoon. A trick would be to go north, and then the ride home south would kinda be downhill.

The permits have been filed, and we wait for the custom cabinets. Our GC the way the work is flowing is the job that has all the necessary materials on hand gets done. Seems like everyone is waiting and dealing with shortages. What I can’t get my head around is how the reports of the economy growing 7% can be true with such bottlenecks and constraints.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Today’s adventure was a bike ride at Blue Mountain Preserve in the morning. Rocks, snow and ice made for a slow go. I explored the Blue trail and then hid the bike behind some rocks and went up the footpath to the summit of Blue Mountain.

I pretty much learned that the short wheelbase on the Steel IBIS without any suspension is pretty much a death wish because of the wheel trap hazards and all the rocks. I figured I might be safe if I just went mucho slow, but I ended up doing an endo anyways.

I went home for lunch and then went for an afternoon trail run for an hour and a half.

Anyways just trying to get the blood flowing to build out my base again. Long slow distance they say…

I don’t know if I’ll need a rest day tomorrow, but it is expected to be warm, but with the possibility of rain. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow, anyways the capacitors for the amp I figured would be delivered in the late afternoon mail, and they were.

So I know that the likely best bike for Blue Mountain is likely the longer wheelbase Ti Basso, and that utilizing the Rock Shox Judy SL would be the way to go.

June 5th is the ending of the relationship that “Maggie” has with her present agent, but know that a book has to be written by October, so pretty much I have an envelope to get into my best form before things might gear up.

I’m taking this opportunity very seriously, and it is like competing in America’s Top Model, except I already know I won and have representation.

I just had my dinner, but I still need a dose of vegetable protein that I call protein sludge. Eating right and exercising is being taken very seriously. The extra protein helps me recover so I can do another workout tomorrow. Depending if it rains, I might row on the ERG.

Here is some back story. Vanessa worked for a leading agency in London, a real powerhouse, and she was a bit of a maverick. There was a falling out and in a reorg Vanessa was shown the door. For about two years Vanessa was Maggie’s agent, and in the squeeze out Maggie became collateral damage.

For five years Vanessa has been on her own and built her own agency. Of course she now competes against her former employer and has all the same contacts. Understand that we have a powerful and influential agent who has all the big connections.

I’m taking this opportunity to shape up and to get into my best form to not waste this opportunity to make it big. Luckily I have the time to do the long slow distance, and to keep doing the everyday efforts. It is a lot of work. The hard body is happening.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I’m at a point now where, even though I did a lot the day before, that I recovered enough to do something today, meaning I have not overdone anything.

Anyways that is the point of long-slow-distance, and a constant daily effort. From bike racing I know my body and how far to push to avoid overtraining and running myself down. Realistically it will take many months, and then there will be a leveling off. Then I’ll have to push for strength.

Anyways I hope I still have some muscle memory, and it is evident that over the past 3 years with Covid, along with the long commute to NYC for a year were bad for maintaining my health. The gym in my building was closed and off limits. BTW pretty much I was the only person who used the Elyptical, like Rowing it was a “Sweat Machine” that utilized large groups of muscles like the Concept 2 ERG.

Also on these machines the faster and harder you went the harder the resistance, so it is easy to do intervals to tease anaerobic threshold. This resulted in bloodshot eyes, because in a way it is as if you are choking yourself in these all out efforts where you are depleting oxygen supplies.

The body is responding and I notice differences every day. I see a difference in my skin from the blood flow.

So back to the drawing boards with the bikes which are all works in progress. Now it seems evident that the steel IBIS will be the only rigid, and the Ti IBIS and Ti Basso will need to get built out as hard tail front suspension bikes that are less multipurpose and less convertible. Oh-well…

As you can see, every day is a different relaxed but productive day with small goals in mind that are realistic. A journey is many thousands of smaller steps, and all I need to do is keep moving forward. This avoids falling into a rut and feeling trapped. My idea is that this attitude promotes freedom and the true meaning of retirement.

The modeling gig I look upon as an opportunity that not many get, and for me it is like an adventure of sorts. I don’t know what will happen, and anything can happen, but I don’t see any downside other than things might get busier and I hope not too busy.

One cool thing is I don’t know where this s all going. In a ways I don’t have much control, and it is what it is…

Lots of thinking forward is happening, and perhaps readers can understand that I’m not playing around, and in a ways I’m working pursuing my own best interests as before when I was struggling. Perhaps this will keep me young.

Anyways I know lately I have been ranting a lot and repeating a lot, so in a ways my life could be deemed a bit boring, but it is not because as always it has purpose, something mucho important in retirement, a reason to be alive.

Anyways the end game, and perhaps the goal is to be a real fitness model and role model for people to take responsibility for their health and fitness, so they can enjoy a high quality of life.

Our government does not promote public health I feel, and would rather support the healthcare industries which are big business, but the real cost savings for all of us would be a policy of preventative medicine that uses cost effective means to lower the risks of chronic disease that could be avoided by simple diet and exercise.

The death sentences of heart disease, diabetes, Cancer and even dementia are all tied to obesity as a risk factor…

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

I’m at a point now where, even though I did a lot the day before, that I recovered enough to do something today, meaning I have not overdone anything.

Anyways that is the point of long-slow-distance, and a constant daily effort. From bike racing I know my body and how far to push to avoid overtraining and running myself down. Realistically it will take many months, and then there will be a leveling off. Then I’ll have to push for strength.

Anyways I hope I still have some muscle memory, and it is evident that over the past 3 years with Covid, along with the long commute to NYC for a year were bad for maintaining my health. The gym in my building was closed and off limits. BTW pretty much I was the only person who used the Elyptical, like Rowing it was a “Sweat Machine” that utilized large groups of muscles like the Concept 2 ERG.
(...)

As you can see, every day is a different relaxed but productive day with small goals in mind that are realistic. A journey is many thousands of smaller steps, and all I need to do is keep moving forward. This avoids falling into a rut and feeling trapped. My idea is that this attitude promotes freedom and the true meaning of retirement.

Cal

Glad you are thin enough to need tailoring. It's something different over here in Europe, you mentioning 37" waist had me look for a tape measure. 36" or so which is a European "S".
Commute is a killer, again, retirement is something fantastic. It is one year to the day that I started going to a local office that was a "detachment" of my company and basically have a desk there. It's a 15 min wak door to door, shorter on bike. Did my old 1h commute on Friday because they placed a mingle event on the evening and nowadays I don't have the will to do that.

I have to get back to the gym, was stupid last month on my 2nd session and somehow got "student's elbow" and overloading inflammation. Even with that, never stopped moving and I am going to a lot of dance events; people are a lot more social and fun to be around after realising social distancing was not exciting.

Another European difference, with the lockdowns and such a lot of people grabbed outdoors hobbies. Walking, running, cycling. I recall we discussed some of this when doing the "death march" from LIC: The power of the unhealthy parts of the food industry.

 

[Calzone]

Glad you are thin enough to need tailoring. It's something different over here in Europe, you mentioning 37" waist had me look for a tape measure. 36" or so which is a European "S".
Commute is a killer, again, retirement is something fantastic. It is one year to the day that I started going to a local office that was a "detachment" of my company and basically have a desk there. It's a 15 min wak door to door, shorter on bike. Did my old 1h commute on Friday because they placed a mingle event on the evening and nowadays I don't have the will to do that.

I have to get back to the gym, was stupid last month on my 2nd session and somehow got "student's elbow" and overloading inflammation. Even with that, never stopped moving and I am going to a lot of dance events; people are a lot more social and fun to be around after realising social distancing was not exciting.

Another European difference, with the lockdowns and such a lot of people grabbed outdoors hobbies. Walking, running, cycling. I recall we discussed some of this when doing the "death march" from LIC: The power of the unhealthy parts of the food industry.

Jorde,

37 inches is my chest size flexing with lungs expanded. My waist is about a 29 inch, so I have a V-build and an eight inch drop as Paul Smith calls it. Some Paul Smith clothing has a 9 inch drop, but not many men are both that muscular and thin. Perhaps a football running or corner back might, but these are unusually strong and fast men.

So the past two days I have been living in a daydream of sorts. I am reminded of when on a Christmas Eve (1988) in New Mexico I found an ad for a 1984 Jeep Scrambler for $5100.00 that had only 20K miles on it. I was at a friends house for Christmas, and I asked Tim if he would mind if I excused myself to go look at this Jeep with a half cab that was basically a micro sized pickup truck.

Tim drove me to go look at the truck. When we got there I was so surprised that the owner literally was a little old lady. She said it was a farm vehicle and pretty much it went unused. I ended up buying the Jeep for $5K even, because I was going to take the deal at $5100.00 and was happy-happy, but the woman wanted to give me a Christmas gift.

So this leads to the Ti IBIS, which Scott Nicole says is likely the only Titanium IBIS Mountain Trials ever built. Boy was I lucky in finding and then winning that bike off of EBAY, but pretty much at first I got outbid, but by some divine intervention I was able to purchase it because the winning bidder was a deadbeat.

When I first got the Jeep I started looking into getting it a suspension lift, new wheels, new tires, and eventually putting a Chevy V-8 into it with a heavy duty drivetrain.

Back in the 90’s there was a polar vortex, and somehow my anti freeze was marginal. This was a 50 below day, and somehow I overheated the engine and it caught on fire. A nice Jeep that often people left notes with phone numbers if I ever decided to sell it was now junk. I happen to stall out right in front of a car dealership, and they had a fire extinguisher that saved the Jeep.

The Jeep sat in my sister’s driveway for two years, and then I resurrected it. Instead of just a Chevy V-8 I bought an early 80’s Firebird that someone had installed a Corvette engine in, so I upgraded the motor. I had destroyed a Jeep rear axel years ago and replaced it with a cut-down Ford 9-inch with Lincoln Continental rear disc brakes.

So for the past two days I am kinda reliving my past in building out the Ti IBIS as a full blown 11-speed XTR bike. Understand that like the Jeep it is a rare vehicle, and I hoarded parts and stockpiled them to eventually one day convert the Ti IBIS from an urban single speed into a full blown crazy mountain bike that is totally trick.

Last night I was working on the bike in the basement till 11:00 PM. Today I continued, but I lacked a Star Fangled nut for the Rock Shox Judy Cross Country, that pretty recently I purchased from SRP (Specialty Retro Products) that was overhauled, upgraded to SL specs with Ti hardware, had a upgraded brace, and a set of Speed Springs installed instead of elastomers.

”Maggie” wanted to go food shopping, but know there is a bike shop in Mohegan Lake near the Shop Rite we go to. We first went to the bike shop, but it was closed. After grocery shopping I decided to try and find the bike shop in Peekskill on North Division Street.

On our way home I made the right off Main Street, and discover that this bike shop is not in town, so I keep on driving, then I discover that it is somewhat outside the City proper, but the bike store is in fact a house with a storefront which is something I want to shoot as a series.

The store kinda is run down and it looks closed. I get out because there is a closed steel door, with an open sign on it, there is another sign that says “Armaments and Bicycles,” then there is another sign that says to knock or ring the buzzer. So it is almost like owner of those storefronts in the 70’s where I’m reminded where we use to get nickel and dime bags of weed.

When I knocked there was no response, then I rang the buzzer, a pause, then someone opened the door and asked what I wanted. The door was open but pretty much there was no space to enter. Floor to ceiling bike parts kinda like a automotive wrecking yard.

So Herb starts looking for this nut with teeth that cuts into a cylander that I need to assemble the Ti IBIS. He moves piles of stuff around and I look at the mess inside. Mucho crazy. I mention to Herb that he has a cool shop, not really, but it surely is interesting and mucho strange. I ask, “How long have you been in business?” And Herb says I’ve been here for 44 years.

WOW.

Two days ago when I went for that morning ride this guy skating on a frozen pond practicing hockey, stops, looks up, and is staring at me. As I approach he says, “That’s an old bike,” and I respond, “It’s over 35 years old.”

Never realized that my old steel IBIS is like driving around in a vintage Porsche. Meanwhile in the upper parking lot I only see carbon fiber full suspension bikes.

I miss my Jeep and it would be really cool if I still had it, but pretty much the delayed building and having a dream come true is happening with the Ti IBIS. As I build it, I’m pretty amazed. I’m taking my time relishing the moments, doing all the extra care, and really thinking things through.

The bike looks expensive because it is, it really stands out because it is so different, and of course it is retro and historical.

The cranks sport a spyderless chainring setup, XTR, black Rock Shox, splashes of red anodize accents, all these trick parts. I ended up using and keeping the trick “Duplex” brake lever to control both the front and rear brakes with only one lever.

The complete bike with a front suspension might be 22-23 pounds. Know that full suspension bikes that are made of carbon fiber with disc brakes weigh close to 30 pounds or more.

So I’m going to wash the dishes and go back into the basement…

The Ti IBIS is pure evil. On the front brake (cantilever) I have a cable hanger that is basically an eyeball that I call the evil-eye. It is likely 35 years old.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I remember having a wheel hop problem with my Jeep Scrambler after I installed a 350 HP 400 foot pound Corvette engine in it. The previous owner had it installed in a 80’s Firebird with an automatic tranny, and he never spent the time to really tune the engine.

So when I installed the engine in the Jeep, pretty much I swung the engine and a NV4500 200 pound cast iron tranny that was a three speed with an under-drive (6.32 to one gear multiplication) along with an overdrive, as an assembly engine and tranny.

Of course I had to move the assembly in and out several times because I had to drill holes into the chassis and figure out clearances. Kinda dumb but I did this by myself with an engine hoist. Anyways pretty much an I.Q. Test that measured special reasoning, math skills, and geometry.

So on the IBIS I kinda was doing lots of things that perhaps was out of spec for the Shimano XTR. Lots of trial and error in figuring out optimum chain length. If I cut the chain too short, oh-well, I’d save it for another project and use another out of my stockpile. Anyways this took mucho time and was a self-made challenge.

The rear derailleur is a medium cage, and the gearing I was creating is kinda wonky because a 24 inch rear wheel on a mountain bike is not common and is rather exceptional. To make up for effectively lower gearing due to the smaller circumference of the smaller wheel I am using larger chain rings for added gear multiplication.

To exacerbate the above complication know that bike technology advanced to larger tire and wheel size so gearing catering to larger bigger wheels moved gearing into less gear multiplication counter to where I wanted to go.

So I wasted lots of time seeing what I could get to work, and what would not. Technically I should not be able to go “cross-gear” meaning using both front big chainring and rear big cog, but somehow I got it to work and geometry worked in my favor. I think my short chain stays contributed to pretty much have the ideal. BTW I kinda learned by when I down shifted by accident that I could safely go cross chain when I saw that somehow it just happened.

Luckily I did not snap the rear derailleur, or break some other part of the drivetrain. BTW the rear derailleur is about $300.00.

So this was “Victory at sea.” So the ugly was that the stamped bumps in the front XTR derailleur are made and designed for smaller chainrings and this shifting causes jamming and chain dropping no matter what I do.

With smaller chainrings with less tall gearing not an issue, so effectively I could solve the problem by using the front derailleur as designed, but that is not my style.

The better approach is just use an older more retro derailleur. Anyways this is what I will do.

A surprise is that I have a tubeless tire mounted on a UST tubeless rim and it stays inflated without any sealant. Of course to ride without sealant would be mucho dumb, but still I’m surprised.

Seems like the Rock Shox Judy is sprung too stiff for a skinny bitch like me, even though the springs are medium tension for a rider 130-170 pounds. I have soft springs in a second Judy SL, so I think the Goldilocks solution would be half and half, meaning one medium spring paired with a soft spring for more Cush.

Anyways this Ti IBIS is like having a vintage muscle car that is being customized. Kinda makes up for the loss of my Jeep.

Getting back to the Jeep. The wheel hop I was experiencing was very dangerous because the amount of torque combined with the excessive horsepower on a 3000 pound vehicle (Actual weight without top and doors with a full tank of gas measured on a truck scale at Brookhaven National Labs) could snap a leaf spring.

At the Englishtown (Raceway Park) Summer Nationals (Drag Racing) a group of us spent a weekend in my friend’s Winnebago at the races. I bought a Holly 4 barrel spread-bore double pumper and a jetting kit there from a vendor. The Corvette engine had an Edelbrock carb that uses needle valves like a Quadrajet.

So jetting a carb is not so easy and requires mucho skill and understanding. Everything is interactive, and engine timing is involved, but pretty much you just did experiments by changing jets, advancing the timing as much as possible for maximum power, trying to establish the highest vacuum reading at idle, and the fun part-testing- which meant full throttle acceleration runs to see if power was matched better for the gearing, weight of the vehicle, and other factors…

So eventually I got to where my Jeep beat a SVO Mustang in a drag race. The Mustang driver was pissed and humiliated. LOL.

He started it by reving his engine at a red light on Sunrise Highway. My Scrambler had dual 2 1/2 inch exhaust with FlowMaster mufflers, but under full acceleration pretty much my truck sounds like a NASCAR on the straightaway.

To be fair, I even gave the SVO Mustang a head start.

Back at Grumman there was a coworker in my group who was a retired Master Sargent in the U.S. Army. At first we didn’t get along because he didn’t like the way I looked, but eventually he became a great friend and mentor. He gave me a book to read: The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which really is about quality control of perhaps the lack of it in the modern world.

Perhaps a different spin is really about passion, and going all the way.

Interesting to note that this seems to be what my retirement is all about. Also many dreams seem to be coming true, but they all involved delayed gratification. My darkroom and garage studio are yet to come.

I thought the pergola was a bad allocation of time money and assets, but I changed my mind, I’m in love with it because it really transformed the house and added a level of warmth…

On the “Maggie” front, her eyes are good, but she needs to use reading glasses for close up. We are talking and thinking about not consuming any processed foods. At Shop Rite we see what other Americans buy, and we see the results.

So back into the basement to canabilize a retro front derailleur off the Ti Basso which is another work in progress. My goal is to finish the build up on the Ti IBIS. When its time for a field trial I’ll add sealant to that front wheel to disburse it properly.

Know that in the past the drivetrains and wheels were lighter in weight. I believe the Ti IBIS is definitely under 25 pounds, but not a 22 1/2 pound bike like the Ti Basso once was as a 3x8 with a 12-26 42/32/20 using a Dura-Ace rear derailleur. BTW this weight was with a Rock Shox Judy SL.

Bikes today are heavier.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Not a lot going on. I will have to over the next 11 days buy mucho Metro North tickets and Metrocards to drain the Commuter Benefits account. Then the tickets are good for 2 months.

I will likely try to schedule an event where perhaps we can hike and shoot at Bear Mountian where there is an abandoned iron mine that is not submerged in the spring.

Peekskill is a big enough city that it has its own Saint Pat Day Parade, but because of the winter advisory tomorrow it will be held later in the month.

Today we had the grand daughter, and we climbed Mount Spitzenberg and did some rock climbing.

More bike tweaking in the basement. The spyderless cranks didn’t work out because the ramps and tooth profiles caused chain dropping no matter what I did. I ended up switching to a 4-bolt spider and different rings that shifts really well. I have the time to try things and experiment. Pretty playful.

I’m now working on the Ti Basso Mountain. That bike is evolving into a second XTR bike but being built out as a 1x11. I’ll have two wheel sets so there are creative possibilities of being able to change tires for different conditions easy, or from going to a fat tire mountain bike to an urban “Newsboy.”

On the Ti IBIS I might make it adaptable from 2x11 to 1x11. The modular cranks make it easy to change spiders with chainrings as assemblies. Pretty much the rear wheel would stand pat, and I would just have to change to a different chain.

Some critter got the lid off my kitchen compost, but soon discovered that all the contents was rather rancid and rotten. Lots of coffee grinds, banana peels, and vegetable peelings. Amazing how much I can compost and recycle.

My right IT band is tight. A foam roller is helping to loosen it up so currently I’m resting my legs and doing just upper body.

Vanessa says in June things will begin to wind up.

May 15th is this ride from the George Washington Bridge to Bear Mountain. This distance is 50 miles. There also is a 100 mile ride From the George Washington Bridge to Bear Mountain, and then back to the George Washington Bridge.

I’m reminded of my foolish solo ride where I killed my legs and almost had to call an UBER to get home. Anyways now I live so close to Bear Mountain.

Not a lot happening, but retirement is rich.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I remembered this stretch that my coworker’s wife showed me decades ago when I worked at Los Alamos National Labs. We had a softball team of all New Yorkers and we were known as the “Sandbaggers” because we should of been in a different league.

Ron our Short Stop was in the minor leagues training as a pitcher, and he had heat when he threw a softball. A throw was like a railgun, and as the catcher I was pretty scared when he threw to home. The air would fissile.

One day he threw to first base, and the ball removed the mit from the first baseman and the assembly then impacted the first baseman in the balls. Somehow the pain reflex held the mit and ball and the runner was called out.

So today I remembered how stiff my knees would get from crouching as the catcher. Then my friend’s wife, who professionally was a physical therapist, had me grab my right ankle with my right hand. I was directed to pull, then I felt the tightness of the muscle, but my back was arched, then she straightened my back and it was as if someone tore off my leg.

Anyways not so ginger, and pain hurts.

So today I started to do this stretch I only today remembered. Then I took notice of how tight my whole entire body is. A lot of my joints crack, and I learned that I have to do stretching every day to stay limber.

Pretty sure that trail running aggravated the tightness, because I know I tend to favor my right leg when doing obstacles, and the leg of choice for jumps also is my right, so I can tell I just overworked my right leg.

Winter advisory today. I’m so glad I don’t commute anymore. I look upon my regaining some fitness as a recovery. Too much sitting at work, then compounded by more sitting on the train. Sitting is really unhealthy.

Also I tend to cross my right leg to use it as a perch for a guitar. This is also bad for my right leg.

On the Ti Basso I repacked the bearings in the bottom bracket. This is a White Industries unit that features an adjustable chain line. I figured out how to get it apart without relying on You-tube or the Internet, but this type of problem solving will help keep me sharp.

You should know that when installed by a bike shop after I cracked a weld at the head tube and had the frame repaired by the manufacturer, it was sometime in the late 80’s or early 90’s, so for decades I did no maintenance. The bike did sit for a decade in Public Storage though, and then again for the past 20 years I have not been riding, but no damage done.

Anyways I have the time now to take better care of things like my bikes and my body. Soon next will be some cameras and lenses. I’ll drop them off at Nippon Camera Clinic in Madhattan.

This morning I sorted through the bike part inventory and kitted out parts and assemblies for completing the Ti Basso mountain and to build out the steel IBIS.

Know that the 24 inch wheel I am currently using on the Ti IBIS is an el cheap Shimano wheel that I bought as a throwaway. Meanwhile I’m about 2-3 weeks into a 12 week expected wait on just securing White Industry hubs so I can get wheels built. I already have these welded, not pinned, 36 hole BMX rims that will make bombproof wheels.

Definitely overkill for a 150-155 pound rider. BTW smaller wheels are stronger than larger wheels.

The White Industry products are a “one and done” approach to buying, building, and consuming. Not inexpensive in price, but over the long-long term you save money.

The Ti IBIS is all built out and is mighty evil looking. A lot heavier than in back in the day because the drivetrains, tires, and wheels are a lot heavier today, but still likely 5-7 pounds lighter than a 29’er. My bike is retro and dated, and then again not really because it still is a great bike.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I have a case of runner’s knee. Pretty much I need to rest my leg and it will eventually get back to normal. The mistake would be to go hard again. Lesson learned, but I didn’t realize how weak my legs have gotten. Anyways lack of strength causes the knee cap to misalign. Evidently trail running is harder than road running.

Anyways I didn’t take things too far, but then again I realize I lost more than I thought with Covid and the year of commuting I did.

So lately I have had “Crazy Girlfriend Syndrome” but we learned today that this eye drops “Maggie” has to use has side effects like depression, lack of focus, and even nightmares. These eye drops we hope will end being used on Tuesday. They are a Beta-Blocker for the eye to prevent high pressure in the eyeball that sometimes is the result of Cat-R-act surgery.

Glad and relieved that it is just side effects from a drug.

I discovered that the case I got with the Santa Cruz “Hog-F” is an upgrade that costs $200.00. Mucho cool.

I have had the other capacitors for the Blackface Pro Reverb amp for more than a week. I think I will finish that part of the project so I can perform a “Smoke-Test.” Next will be a trip to go out to Long Island to pick up the vintage speakers I need to complete the amp. I like finishing projects.

I pulled out the Santa Cruz OM and woke it up. Like violins a guitar will stiffen up if not played. On an old guitar that is played in it does not take much playing for it to open up and get loud and full tone. What a guitar.

In comparison the Santa Cruz “Hog-F” is not as open, but in a way the sound is bigger and fuller because it is a larger guitar. I say the Hog-F has better note separation than the OM, but the OM cuts like a sword. One guitar is better for blues, and the other better for jazz.

I imagine the Santa Cruz “F” I ordered will be somewhere in between… I remain excited about this custom guitar made with old growth woods.

I am finding that for me the world has been a bit of a waiting game. I’m waiting for the custom cabinets so the kitchen can be remodeled. I’m waiting for the kitchen so I can next do the dining room. I’m waiting for high end hubs so I can build out “one and done” wheels for the Ti and Steel IBIS’s. I’m waiting for warmer weather so I can really establish my base. I’m waiting for warmer weather so I can do some landscaping. I’m waiting for Maggie’s obligations to run out with her current agent so our relationship with Vanessa can begin…

So pretty much I’m a relaxed lazy slacker, but I still have a lot going on. In fact I’m busy waiting… LOL.

Anyways it seems the real work will eventually begin soon. Looking forward to it.

BTW the only thing I fully completed is build out the Ti IBIS, even though I used an el cheap wheel that eventually will be a throwaway. “This bike is pure evil,” I say. “Brutal.” “I love it.” “Mucho Calzone Factor.” “One of a kind.”

Cal

 

[jszokoli]

Cal,

Take it easy, your going at it too hard...

Slow down its all going to be there tomorrow.

Joe

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

Take it easy, your going at it too hard...

Slow down its all going to be there tomorrow.

Joe

Joe,

I may not have so many bikes, but that Ti IBIS is Crazy-Good. Kinda stands out in a loud way because it looks so short and aggressive. To be vain, it is a pretty bike. The $200.00 Fat Bar is mucho wide like a modern 29’er, but the wheels of course are 26” front and 24” rear.

The bike is also no longer a full rigid and now sports a Rock Shox Judy XC that has been Ti’ed out and upgraded to a SL along with a set of Steed Springs.

2x11 XTR.

Of course bead blasted Titanium looks evil.

This bike took a lot of time to complete. Lots of obsessive thinking, playing around, learning, and experimenting.

I canceled the big order from my hill-billy friend Alex, all except the the 5-hole 22T. The spyderless chainrings did not work for me. If he is mad at me its okay, but he has been slow in responses, and the delays led to the cancellation.

Anyways, I did nothing wrong…

Oh-well. Too-bad.

In the next week Ill be buying mucho Metro North tickets to expend the funds in my commuter account. Anyways I figure I can gift some train fares to maybe have a carload like Meet-Up where a small group of us can go shooting and perhaps visit that abandoned iron mine that is not flooded because it is built into a hillside.

Already have the map. Anyways for 4-5 of us a day-trip.

I still have that 400 feet of 5222 that Phil helped me get at the student discount. I’ll have to bulk load that, but I need to buy 100 cassettes.

Glad I have a 21mm FOV again. Even though not the best for digital I always loved the rendering of the old F3.4 SA. The black MD-2 with TA Rapidwinder and TA Rapidgrip is pretty stunning looking. Nice to have the box, hood and caps. Know that I have a pristine example, but the hood blocks the Zeus’s VF’er a bit.

So I have a camera I call the Devil Christian, and I think I will name this camera “Snarky Joe.” Anyways part of you is in this camera wether you like it or not.

BTW, I think a very hot rig is my old SL digital with the 28 Cron, but I also think it would be great rigged with a 21 SEM. Kinda cool having a SL and a SL2, but a SL2S is still justifiable for the better user interface and the image stabilization.

The SL2S would get the Noct-Nikkor permanently mounted, but I can see me fitting out the SL and SL2 with the APO 35 Cron-L and the 50 Lux-L as a two camera kit. The leather German bag is kinda made the right size for a pair of SL’s with autofocus glass. Mucho heavy though.

Let’s see how the modeling works out. Anyways my style seems to be a 50 as my long lens paired with a wide.

The bum leg is improving greatly with rest.

Cal