Calzone
Gear Whore #1
"I was walking along, minding my own business" photographing "Maggie" dressed in sportwear in a NYC park playground by my apartment on Third Avenue. Not far away is East 100th Street where Bruce Davidson photographed the extreme poverty of 1969 with a 8x10 view camera.
Diagonally across the avenue is a place that use to be called "The Rehibilitation Institute," a halfway house for ex cons. Right next door is a newish apartment building that use to be called "The Emerson" but renamed itself "The Art House" to speed up the gentrification of a neighborhood of housing projects.
This mighty muscular black man approaches me and asks me what kinda camera I'm holding. I tell him it is a Leica SL and that it is a German camera.
"Never seen one before," he says. He introduces himself as "Soloman, and I follow through by giving him my name and asking him his age because Soloman wears no shirt and is totally ripped, but not like a body builder, more like a guy from "American Ninja Warrior." He tells me he is 30 years old and because he has so little fat and a tiny waist he appeared a lot younger.
Then Soloman introduces me to some of his crew who work out with him every day between 5-6. I get invited to join them, and today I will start.
The vibe is kinda cool, urban ghetto with a prison yard vibe. I say much cooler than hanging out by myself in the gym in my luxury building where very few people use the gym.
Pretty much I'll have training partners which really helps to make things a daily routine. I think I will book the slot 5-6 during the week as my time. I feel all flabby from neglecting my body. Only 25% of Americans exercise regularly, and I want to remain one of them.
Last night's shoot I am told is a paying gig, meaning when "Maggie" gets paid I'll also get paid for the photography.
Tonight is some menswear fashion show at The Public Hotel. Afterwards there likely will be some party of sorts. Maggie explained that somehow I got invited/included, but the show begins at 8:00 PM.
Like I said, "I was just minding my own business..."
Wednesday is another shoot involving this store call ed "Fluff" that sells fake furs.
Cal
Diagonally across the avenue is a place that use to be called "The Rehibilitation Institute," a halfway house for ex cons. Right next door is a newish apartment building that use to be called "The Emerson" but renamed itself "The Art House" to speed up the gentrification of a neighborhood of housing projects.
This mighty muscular black man approaches me and asks me what kinda camera I'm holding. I tell him it is a Leica SL and that it is a German camera.
"Never seen one before," he says. He introduces himself as "Soloman, and I follow through by giving him my name and asking him his age because Soloman wears no shirt and is totally ripped, but not like a body builder, more like a guy from "American Ninja Warrior." He tells me he is 30 years old and because he has so little fat and a tiny waist he appeared a lot younger.
Then Soloman introduces me to some of his crew who work out with him every day between 5-6. I get invited to join them, and today I will start.
The vibe is kinda cool, urban ghetto with a prison yard vibe. I say much cooler than hanging out by myself in the gym in my luxury building where very few people use the gym.
Pretty much I'll have training partners which really helps to make things a daily routine. I think I will book the slot 5-6 during the week as my time. I feel all flabby from neglecting my body. Only 25% of Americans exercise regularly, and I want to remain one of them.
Last night's shoot I am told is a paying gig, meaning when "Maggie" gets paid I'll also get paid for the photography.
Tonight is some menswear fashion show at The Public Hotel. Afterwards there likely will be some party of sorts. Maggie explained that somehow I got invited/included, but the show begins at 8:00 PM.
Like I said, "I was just minding my own business..."
Wednesday is another shoot involving this store call ed "Fluff" that sells fake furs.
Cal
robert blu
quiet photographer
H Cal, your life seems always interesting 
robert
robert
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Dan,
This Blackwatch is kinda like being on a WWII PT boat.
Out in the shipping lanes are these things called "High Flyiers" that are these radar reflectors for lobster pots. These fisherman don't like that fishermen tie off their boats on their gear. Tying off to one is pretty dangerous on a rocking boat because the pole with these reflectors are perfectly designed to slice into your face or take off your head.
One night I learned that cargo ships in the shipping lanes are not shy. They try not to hit you, and it is not like they don't see you on their radar, but they are not afraid of coming almost right alongside a boat at night tied off to a High Flyer.
Rich, Frank and I were all asleep, and we got woken up by huge swells that were the wake of a cargo ship. Not sure if the captain on the cargo ship thought this was funny, but a 30 foot boat, even with a 15 foot beam is kinda small 100 miles offshore.
Also we were offshore and got a May-Day from another boat. Pretty much the other boat was disabled and was sinking. We went to assist with other boats until the Coast Guard came.
Back in the day Zane Grey and others like Hemmingway developed "Big Game Fishing." For me a 50-80 pound Tuna capable of doing 45 mph sustained is a tough fight. The problem when fishing Tuna is that when trolling 9 lines can be out by using "outriggers" and down riggers. When you hit a school of Tuna feeding all nine rods will have a fish. This work is exhausting. Frank keeps the boat moving forward, and only come aft to gaff a Tuna. Meanwhile Rich and I are reeling in fish with our arms on fire.
Tuna is big money.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
H Cal, your life seems always interesting
robert
Robert,
Trauma makes some people want to re-experience danger. Part of this is self destructive behavior.
So many times I could have been killed and I was not in the military. Twice I could of been shot by NYPD before I was eighteen. Been in too many car accidents where I could have been killed. Too many times I could of been a victum of a robbery/mugging, and I am very acquanted with violence.
Interesting to know how much fear I grew up with as a kid, and as a man it tempered me into not having a fear of dying, and the followthrough was to be a bit of a daredevil. When given a choice I always gambled and took the bigger risk. Funny how danger and adventure can be addicting.
Even riding a bicycle on a hiking trail in the woods can be made into an adventure. To me riding a bike was the real time study of physics. Also I raced, and by definition if you are not going as fast as you can then you are not racing.
Part of it is about control, something I didn't have as a kid growing up. Poverty is a constant punishment, and to escape poverty you have to take huge risk and know that any mistake is not only unforgiving, it is kinda the end of your life as you know it. One mistake and you never-ever will recover.
Pretty much I had nothing to loose. This might be hard for others to understand who did not have my disadvantage. Looking back I was a scary guy and hyper aggressive. People were scared of me, but deep inside I was still just a scared kid trying to survive.
I once had a famous editor suggest that the more interesting story of my life is not what happened to me, but the story of the man that grew from those experiences.
Interesting to realize that my friend "Zingo," the Vietnam era Navy SEAL, thought I had all the right stuff mentally and physically to be a Navy SEAL like him.
Cal
NY_Dan
Well-known
Calzone, on behalf of RFF members the world over, I hearby move that you be given the RFF double identity name of Zingo! Anyone second the move?
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Dan,
Wanna-B SEAL training begins this afternoon before the menswear fashion show at the Public Hotel. I'm meeting-up with Soloman.
I only weigh 151 pounds and I'm now 5'9". Use to be 5'10". The weight is not the problem, I just need to move some flab around my waist and add that bulk to my chest. A skinny guy like me does not need man-boobs.
Pretty much shooting Soloman, a prime speciman, a likely lady-killer, is also a great shooting opportunity. Soloman was impressed that I'm 60 because I have not let myself go too far. I wanna be cut a sculpted to perfection like him. I need to be less available and helpful to "Maggie" and more fully take care of myself.
In August is some beach party with some of my high school class. Mike Buscemi will be there, Steve Buscemi's younger brother. Pretty much if the Buscemi house was one house closer to mine we would of been next door neighbors. BTW Steve and Mike are my frat brothers. Back in high school there were frat-turn-it-TEES. I was the first Asian in Alpha Omega Theta.
So today at my hospital it is "Employee Apreciation Day," and there is a picnic style free lunch. Problem here is that they use the same food vender, so it seems like we are getting fed the leftovers from last year. Pretty much it is the same food as last year, and realize this experience has been happening for the past 20 years for me.
Kinda like the movie "Groundhog Day." Kinda demoralizing. They also give out these cheezy gifts that generally just get fed into a landfill. Only thing useful is a picnic blanket that I use to cover my printer, the Jersey Barrier.
So my friend Pete tells me that had some bad meat one year and gave food poisoning to half the employees. LOL. You can't make this stuff up.
Cal
NY_Dan
Well-known
True - that's what killed Liberace - bad meat in the can. So you have to watch what you eat. Especially things like mayo and fish - which don't do well in the heat. Cal - you should take some before and after photos so we can see how your Solomanizing experience progresses. Maybe he can stretch you back to 5'10"!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Dan,
Shrinking in height is a natural part of aging. Seems like my friends in high school shrank mucho due to heavy drinking over the past 40 years. Guys that were 3-4 inches taller than me are now shorter.
Evidently heavy drinking speeds up this process by messing with Vitamin D uptake.
Maybe you can tell that most of my friends were big Italians. LOL.
Cal
Yes, it was good to see you guys... sorry, I missed everyone else. My wife is thinking we should go back in September since this time was a blur for us and we didn't get to do much for ourselves. Perhaps I can make one of those Astoria Beer Garden meet-ups. I'd love that.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Si Cal, Buenos tiempos...
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Si Cal, Buenos tiempos...
John,
El tiempo fue como ayer. Con las relaciones importantes es asi como no pasa tiempo.
Me da muchas gracias a ver te con una vida felize y facil.
Cal
Thanks Cal. When I come to NYC now, it is very special for me. I`d like to continue to meet up with you guys for many years to come.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Yesterday I found a "Made In Canada" guitar case for a Gibson Les Paul. The interior is minty, but the exterior a bit road worn. I say this case could be about 20 years old.
There are a few stickers that could be easily removed, a gold Epiphone emblem silk screened that is partially worn away, and all the hardware like the hinges and clasps work and are intact.
Kind of funny to find this on Third Avenue and 97th Street on a street corner.
Since "Maggie" is heading to L.A. on Friday, I likely will visit my hill billy friends from the Lawn Guy-Land who are musicians. I know one of these Gitards could use an extra case.
Today my legs are stiff, even though yesterday was an upper body workout. I learned that I lost a lot of strength being sidetracked helping Maggie. Pretty much I could only do about a third of the push-ups and pull ups I use to be able to do. Holding a "plank" for 2 minutes is brutal.
Today in the mirror though I see those Bruce Lee three finger cuts that look like ribs protruding. The core looks thinner and not so flabby and loose. My chest looks boxy. I see a marked difference and a tightening up. I look slimmer and my chest is bigger (bloated).
The 2 1/2 mile walk to work was with tired legs. I guess residual lactic acid makes my legs feel stiff and tired.
I also found a quarter, but this time I won't give it away to a homeless person like last time.
Cal
There are a few stickers that could be easily removed, a gold Epiphone emblem silk screened that is partially worn away, and all the hardware like the hinges and clasps work and are intact.
Kind of funny to find this on Third Avenue and 97th Street on a street corner.
Since "Maggie" is heading to L.A. on Friday, I likely will visit my hill billy friends from the Lawn Guy-Land who are musicians. I know one of these Gitards could use an extra case.
Today my legs are stiff, even though yesterday was an upper body workout. I learned that I lost a lot of strength being sidetracked helping Maggie. Pretty much I could only do about a third of the push-ups and pull ups I use to be able to do. Holding a "plank" for 2 minutes is brutal.
Today in the mirror though I see those Bruce Lee three finger cuts that look like ribs protruding. The core looks thinner and not so flabby and loose. My chest looks boxy. I see a marked difference and a tightening up. I look slimmer and my chest is bigger (bloated).
The 2 1/2 mile walk to work was with tired legs. I guess residual lactic acid makes my legs feel stiff and tired.
I also found a quarter, but this time I won't give it away to a homeless person like last time.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
It is coming home. You will always belong here.
My "Monster" book I dedicate to you. You have been a great influence to my work.
BTW Sunday with Landrew there was a lot of talk about you and your work. Just because you are not here know that your influence and spirit is felt.
Cal
Range-rover
Veteran
If they don't want the case I'll take it Cal, I just purchased a Chibson
Les Paul guitar and don't have a case for it yet.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bob,
I had sent an e-mail to my Gitard friend Dave and he has no use for the case so it is yours. I also have those prints I made you.
Just wanted to let you know that last weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, there was smut-talk about your ability to do a "Fleenor" on a Rollieflex that was pretty much almost jammed.
This Made in Canada case is the same that Gibson used over two decades ago. Now this case has a great story to go with the guitar.
Cal
Thank you for the kind words. You have to show me that book sometime!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
The term "Monster Workbook" is not an exaggeration. It is about the size of those portfolio books in that gallery on the Lower Eastside.
Cal
Range-rover
Veteran
That's great Thanks Cal, I used the 3.5F a few weeks ago and it's so quiet
I can't hear the shutter going off, I'm not sure if it works. Are you guy's
going to have a meet this month or next month? I'm working again and have two Sunday's a month off let me know before hand.