New York March NYC Meet-Up

Sunday I shot "Maggie" inside Nieman Marcus. In the past we got kicked out of a bookstore when we used it as if our studio and was being tailed by the store manager in the new Barney's when we used their retail store as our studio.

So even though it was a grand opening of sorts, no hassle using this retail store as a photo studio.

If you decide to visit the new Hudson Yards be prepared for "Tourist Mode" and pretty much a mob scene. Pretty much a disaster. Oh-well.

When you go into Neiman Marcus on the 5th floor, head up two more floors that are internal to the store and in the back is a huge display of Bill Cunningham B&W 8x10's from around 1973.

Also included is an 11x14 of Bill from that era sporting a Nikon F with a 50mm lens and a flash. Worth the trip just to see this tribute from their private collection.

Cal
 
So I would say Hudson Yards is a bit like Times Square: a place you would avoid if you live in NYC; a place where you would go only if you had to.

The "Vessel" claims the copyright of any photos I was told. Not sure if I take a shot on public property that this is true. Perhaps because access is controlled it is a private property so technically with this regard they can control the copyright.

25 Billion dollars are being spent to develop Hudson Yards. Pretty underwelhming. Also kinda sanitized and rather sterile.

Cal
 
Have they finished building the whole area? The rail yards are still "on the air". I guess they'll eventually be covered up and built on.



I got reminded about the dangers of when you lived next to Domino's sugar. An action flick where the protagonist triggers an explosion of flour particles suspended in air.
The Calzone spot we went on Williamsburg bridge no longer has the same view, google street view shows the new building covering you old apartment there.

Saw on the news that there was a NY plan to develop downtown 300ft into the water and do some flooding containment.
 
Prest_400 said:
Have they finished building the whole area? The rail yards are still "on the air". I guess they'll eventually be covered up and built on.



I got reminded about the dangers of when you lived next to Domino's sugar. An action flick where the protagonist triggers an explosion of flour particles suspended in air.
The Calzone spot we went on Williamsburg bridge no longer has the same view, google street view shows the new building covering you old apartment there.

Saw on the news that there was a NY plan to develop downtown 300ft into the water and do some flooding containment.
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Jorde,

Along the surrounding area are skyscaper cranes. The yard is still partially open. Still lots of building to go up.

The vibe at Hudson yards was very suburban mall except scaled up. Not my idea of NYC.

The building you mention on Google Street in Williamsburg is actually an interesting building and to me is more interesting than Hudson Yards. It has this rectangle sculpted out of the top half.

The panorama of the old refinery is not only blocked partially by the new building, but also on the Williamsburg Bridge they fenced off the area by the east casion so you can no longer climb the iron railing and reach out to take the shot I once got.

The fine dust explosions are like fuel air bombs. They happen in coal mines, and steel mills also. The idea is to spread a combustable and then ignite the cloud of particulate.

This is the idea behind the U.S. weapon called a "Daisy Cutter." A cargo plane releases a parachute that pulls the weapon out of the rear cargo hold. At a certain altitude the first explosion happens to disperse the flammable material, and then a second detonation ignites the cloud of flammable material. The explosion from a Daisy Cutter is said to kill and destroy everything in a square mile.

In Lebanon terrorists killed over 200 Marines with a pickup truck loaded with hydrogen and oxigen compressed gas cylinders to create a fuel air bomb.

The 300 foot extension of landfill is just a proposal at this point. At best this only protects some assets and really offers very little protection from flooding. Really only a buffer zone and no real protection.

Out of all the places I have lived in NYC most were in flood zones. All the high value real estate that formally in the past were industrial, like the Meat Packing District, SoHo, Long Island City, Williamsburg west of Bedford, Dumbo are all in major flood zones if you look on a FEMA map.

It makes sense that in the past government restricted residential development to these flood prone areas.

On the FEMA map at 101 Street and Lexington I skirt a flood zone, but I am for once not in one. If the winds, tides and time are all in sync the northern end of Central Park known as the Harlem Mews would get flooded with sea water.

Even way inland, the rowhouse I rented on Monitor Street, not far from the BQE, was still in a flood zone.

They say Miami is a doomed city, but NYC is not so far behind or so much better off. They say with global warming that Toronto's climate will become like NYC's within a decade. The worry for Canadians is that the forests will not be able to adapt as fast as needed. Maple trees might become extinct.

Be aware that New York, New Jersey and California together make up 25% of the GNP of the entire U.S. These high tax states will suffer this tax season due to the $10K cap on State and local taxes. Just like I thought, crunch time is happening, and the money has to come from somewhere.

Just be aware that if you make $100K that New York State income taxes alone comes pretty close to approaching the $10K cap, and that people who own homes or real estate now have to pay for their property taxes (out of pocket).

I'm not saying this will cause a recession, but surely a slowdown will happen that is notable. I for one am actually now glad I am not a homeowner. This also coincides with a slowdown in real estate sales and a "buyer's market." Unintended consequences I say. "Look out below."

Cal
 
Calzone said:
Be aware that New York, New Jersey and California together make up 25% of the GNP of the entire U.S. These high tax states will suffer this tax season due to the $10K cap on State and local taxes. Just like I thought, crunch time is happening, and the money has to come from somewhere.

Just be aware that if you make $100K that New York State income taxes alone comes pretty close to approaching the $10K cap, and that people who own homes or real estate now have to pay for their property taxes (out of pocket).

I'm not saying this will cause a recession, but surely a slowdown will happen that is notable. I for one am actually now glad I am not a homeowner. This also coincides with a slowdown in real estate sales and a "buyer's market." Unintended consequences I say. "Look out below."

Cal
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Yep, No Greece vacation for me this summer. Can hardly afford the Catskills anymore. About six months ago I explained that to friends and they thought I was nuts. Lots of canceled vacations this year among the 20%ers.
 
Yeah and a very basic no frills 2 bedroom (with a common room, alcove kitchen, small bathroom) in Brooklyn can cost $2,500. Those fat-jowled cow-fed corn-pone R-politicians love sticking it to NY, NJ, CA.
 
He was a great guy. Thanks for letting me know. Had no idea there was a display on him. I worked with him on & off since the late 80s.
Actually last week was his birthday. He wouldve been 90.
-B



Calzone said:
Robert,

I found it entertaining how I could use this luxury store to my advantage.

Nobody like Bill Cunningham.

Cal
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BTW, Is there an actual Meetup this month? I could always use a little camera fraternity on a Sunday. And an excuse to visit Rochard for the Waffles & Chicken.

-B
 
MrBern said:
He was a great guy. Thanks for letting me know. Had no idea there was a display on him. I worked with him on & off since the late 80s.
Actually last week was his birthday. He wouldve been 90.
-B
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Bernard,

Interesting to note that some photogs tried to step into Bill's shoes after he passed.

He was a very humble guy, and what is not to love about that?

Cal
 
Saganich said:
Yep, No Greece vacation for me this summer. Can hardly afford the Catskills anymore. About six months ago I explained that to friends and they thought I was nuts. Lots of canceled vacations this year among the 20%ers.
Click to expand...

Chris,

I have been in austerity mode since Trump got elected. Know that about 9 years ago I downsized when I moved into a one bedroom in Madhattan. Pretty much this is what everyone does when they retire.

So now basically I'm saving so much cash that I'm living on a "fixed income" as if I'm retired as if I were 66, retired and living on my pensions and Social Security. At the same time I'm deleveraging and paying down the debt (camera and printing bills, bike parts, guitars, amps).

I have no remorse taking advantage of zero APR deals because I accumulated lots of nice treasures, but enough is enough. Time to pay the piper...

So interesting is that I still live in Madhattan (NYC is ranked the seventh most expensive city in the world, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Paris are all tied for the most expensive), I eat well, but I only buy things to save money reinforcing being a CF.

At this point I realize how little money I need since I'm living on perhaps 70% of my salary and also paying down a pile of debt because I binged in a good and smart way. Perhaps in a way I'm living on half my salary if you subtract the debt load. I have things to show for my hoarding that to me are durable goods and infrastructure.

Meanwhile "Maggie" has multiplied her salary as a college professor via her blog. In May she will be retired.

The air pollution bothers her and she wants out. Hudson Yards for me is an insult to the public. It does not make me proud of my city, one I helped turn around. Over the course of decades I made a lot of money for the bankers, developers, real estate agents and landlords.

One can be in the 20%, but that is not enough to purchase a home. I figure I'll be in my early seventies when my school loans are paid off.

As a plan I'm thinking of bulking up on Kodak 5222 and concentrating on just making negatives to cut expenses.

The unintended consequence is that New York, New Jersey and California is the goose that lays the golden egg that is getting choked. Our taxes pretty much go to subsidize poorer states. I have no problem with that, and no I'm not a Socialist, it is the right thing to do. Unintentionally the tax law that hurts the wealthy states hinders the poor states also.

I also think the American dream of owning a home now is a myth. Who wants a liability? Just say no to higher taxes? Owning property now is a big liability.

Cal
 
Bob,

BTW last Thursday I had the opportunity to "smoke test" the 1960 brown Fender Super amp again. The speakers must of been brand new because in the just three hours of playing last Thursday they smoothed out a bit.

People say though that these Jensen P10R's take a long time to break in. My guess is that they were fresh out of the box when I got them and they had no playing time.

This Thursday will be another opportunity because "Maggie" will be teaching again.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
Bob,

BTW last Thursday I had the opportunity to "smoke test" the 1960 brown Fender Super amp again. The speakers must of been brand new because in the just three hours of playing last Thursday they smoothed out a bit.

People say though that these Jensen P10R's take a long time to break in. My guess is that they were fresh out of the box when I got them and they had no playing time.

This Thursday will be another opportunity because "Maggie" will be teaching again.

Cal
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That's sound good cal, and the amp there's nothing like those old amps,
When I go to Guitar Center or Sam Ash I have to cover my ears because
the new amps sound so bright and tinny. :bang:
 
Calzone said:
So I would say Hudson Yards is a bit like Times Square: a place you would avoid if you live in NYC; a place where you would go only if you had to.

The "Vessel" claims the copyright of any photos I was told. Not sure if I take a shot on public property that this is true. Perhaps because access is controlled it is a private property so technically with this regard they can control the copyright.

25 Billion dollars are being spent to develop Hudson Yards. Pretty underwelhming. Also kinda sanitized and rather sterile.

Cal
Click to expand...

The New York Times' architecture critic harshed on the project too: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/03/14/arts/design/hudson-yards-nyc.html
 
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