New York March NYC Meet-Up

[Calzone]

The power outage took down my Cyclotron. I lost vacuum and an air compresser had to be reset. I was presented this morning with a cascade of problems.

Monday will be a headache because I'll have to condition the machine all day. The RF will trip mucho and everything will run rough. Anyways it will be a struggle.

At work this outage cause lots of problems. I'm not the only one, but I work alone and now have a stress headache.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

At work this outage cause lots of problems. I'm not the only one, but I work alone and now have a stress headache.

Cal

Take it easy. At work our manager sometimes shows sketches off youtube. He shared one of "Little Britain" named Comouter says noooooo. Topic was blaming the systems.

About health and diet, I just keep an active lifestyle and try to do so. No gym although I should do, to bulk up and gain strength.

On the morning train I have been able to catch up an earlier express train. If my bus from home comes a bit early, I can manage. If I do, it means a total of 15min reclaimed time.
I see people with the option of take the express but still taking the "local" train. Dumb!
I put the extra time in a more relaxed office start and a bit more of a morning walk in the transport exchange. Putting some variation off routine makes it enjoyable.

 

[Calzone]

Take it easy. At work our manager sometimes shows sketches off youtube. He shared one of "Little Britain" named Comouter says noooooo. Topic was blaming the systems.

About health and diet, I just keep an active lifestyle and try to do so. No gym although I should do, to bulk up and gain strength.

On the morning train I have been able to catch up an earlier express train. If my bus from home comes a bit early, I can manage. If I do, it means a total of 15min reclaimed time.
I see people with the option of take the express but still taking the "local" train. Dumb!
I put the extra time in a more relaxed office start and a bit more of a morning walk in the transport exchange. Putting some variation off routine makes it enjoyable.

Jorde,

I a ways I'm already somewhat retired. "A hard day of work would likely kill me," I say. Anyways I feel like a "short-timer."

After pumping all weekend I was happy to see that I had vacuum this morning. It takes a while for this helium compressor to make liquid helium below 20 degrees kelvin.

Right now I'm conditioning with RF to get better vacuum. There is all this "matter" attached to the inside walls of the cyclotron that would cause sparking with full RF power applied. Just adding a little energy breaks bonding so the vacuum will draw in all the stray atoms.

Tomorrow I have two runs scheduled, and that's it for the week.

"Working hard, or hardly working," my friend Dave use to say.

Some wisdom from a teacher. Mal says we should stock up before September in preperation of the second wave. While I don't expect things to be so out of control in New York as it was I can see hoarding and empty shelves again.

It would be wise to do some pre-hoarding now. Don't tell everyone.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I'm excited about the Snakehead Tele known as "Worm." I have all this hardware coming in. I believe it is going to be an exceptional guitar, and surely it will have mucho style.

The "Olympic White" lacquer was applied rather thickly by the seller, and typically Fender applied clear over the white which over time yellows. Lacquer also shrinks as it ages.

I made a decision to thin the finish a little since I have these optical cloths that go up to 12,000 grit. The dilema is that the sides and back are "relic'ed" meaning distressed to show decades of wear, but the top was a thinner finish and not really distressed.

So I leveled and polished the top and made the finish more "period correct" where it is more translucent where the grain of the wood is more visible. Leo Fender was a cheap ******* and always tried to use the least amount of paint.

So now the top has a thin finish and the sides and back with a heavier finish, but also distressed as a played 70 year old guitar would with mucho "character." When I thinned the finish on the back it aged the relic'ing more, so a mild relic'ing became more "played-in."

My idea is that the thin finish on the top will eventually advance the wear and catch up sooner some day will organically arrive over time in the future.

Next step is to replace the clear coat I polished off, but the clear on the back and sides is either thinned or polished off as a worn guitar would.

The thin finish on the top will not be as durable as a thicker finish. Also know that my body chemistry and friction from my right forearm seems to polish away the finish.

If I purposely subject Worm to the summer sun it will advace the ambering of the clear top coat.

So there currently is a lot of drama when you look at the back with the worm holes and the minty polished top that looks glassy, but over time things organically will blend in.

At home there is some major growth in my playing as I connect to my own style that is evolving. My goal is to be a solo player, just me and an amp. for intimacy.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Got some deliveries yesterday. Got a tweed Fender gig bag and mounted a Callaham stainless steel bridge. "Worm" now weighs 7 1/2 pounds without a pickup and will likely weigh in at or close to 8 pounds with a pickup.

On my walk to work I took notice of a swinging articulating arm likely for a display for some medical equipment. Seems like divine intervention, because I always wanted one of these. I could use it for my 27 inch EIZO or as a swing out standing desk. The shoulder movement has a lock that is handy. The build quality is a lot of engineering went into this, and the build is kinda stout, but streamlined in a tech kinda way.

If mounted to a desk top it raises an articulating platform that would be 18 inches taller than the desk or table top. Perfect. What a lucky find.

Cal

 

[rhl-oregon]

He sold it in 2015 - someone even made a documentary movie of his move, called ‘Jay Myself’.

Phil with Retina at the Jay Bank, 2014

 

[rhl-oregon]

Also: Cal, if you want a small amp (5 big watts, 12” speaker) with great reverb, I have a Swart Atomic Space Tone black tweed that needs a new home.

 

[Calzone]

Also: Cal, if you want a small amp (5 big watts, 12” speaker) with great reverb, I have a Swart Atomic Space Tone black tweed that needs a new home.

Robert,

"Maggie" gave me a dirty look when I got delivery of "Worm."

"Another guitar?" she said.

Now is not a good time to smuggle more gear.

Today I started the process of applying for a mortgage. Kinda crazy, but happy-good.

I once owned an old tweed Princeton, and I compared it to my wide panel tweed Deluxe. I was surprised how loud one 6V6 could be. It held up well volume wise to the two 6V6'ed Deluxe, but the sound got compressed by distortion. The smaller amp gave up the clean headroom very early, meaning it had none, not that the tweed Deluxe had a lot.

I was surprised though that the 6 watt Princeton was loud enough to get my ears to ring.

I have three guitars at my friend Cris' shop (one has been under construction for literally 16 years). Cris also has an electric upright bass he is storing for me, as well as woods to build guitars, and a few guitar cases.

My friend Dave has a vanfull of guitars, bases, and amps stored in his basement out on Long Island that he has been storing for me over the past decade.

It will be interesting when I have a house. I expect an old craftsman house, but filled with vintage guitars and amps. "Don't tell Maggie."

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Late last weeek, when I took posession of a 1966 Olympia SM9 with a wide carriage, I got a little bit of a look from Bethanne when she asked me how many typewriters we now have in the house. I always ask her to be more specific, "working or parts machines?" This morning, I just began my apprenticeship with Philly Typewriter, as a repairperson. It's just zoom lessons and history, for now, but in a month, we'll be getting a desktop machine to do a full tear-down, cleaning and lubing, then reassembly.
Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

Late last weeek, when I took posession of a 1966 Olympia SM9 with a wide carriage, I got a little bit of a look from Bethanne when she asked me how many typewriters we now have in the house. I always ask her to be more specific, "working or parts machines?" This morning, I just began my apprenticeship with Philly Typewriter, as a repairperson. It's just zoom lessons and history, for now, but in a month, we'll be getting a desktop machine to do a full tear-down, cleaning and lubing, then reassembly.
Phil Forrest

Phil,

The hill-billy in me makes me want to do something similar with old Epson 7800/7880 and 9800/9880 printers.

I know "Maggie" would not approve.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Late last weeek, when I took posession of a 1966 Olympia SM9 with a wide carriage, I got a little bit of a look from Bethanne when she asked me how many typewriters we now have in the house. I always ask her to be more specific, "working or parts machines?" This morning, I just began my apprenticeship with Philly Typewriter, as a repairperson. It's just zoom lessons and history, for now, but in a month, we'll be getting a desktop machine to do a full tear-down, cleaning and lubing, then reassembly.
Phil Forrest

Typewriters are fantastic, best with the course Phil! We had an Olivetti, teal colored, at home.



I keep the GAS controlled when all the cameras are on my desktop and think about how+when I can actually shoot with them. And when they are film ones, that I have to keep them fed. Actually I should get some CLA'd and I should have more Medium formats, as a single camera without backs does not cope with B&W and color...



Sadly I don't find myself writing much. I should get a new fountain pen as my aged one has a crack next to the nib and leaks.


Interestingly Fountain Pens and Watches seem to go together as a hobby and attracts quite obsessive and GAS behaviored people.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Cal, Phil, I’m fortunate to be living at last in a home my BFF and wife Linn loves as I do, 1920 brick cottage upgraded in the 21st C to 4000sf not counting basement storage. There’s a big room apart from the main space for my guitars (down to 12) and amps (5) and recording gear, and Linnn has room for a grand piano and her violas, all without crowding or cramping anyone’s taste.

Yes, it’s important to be a considerate partner and not pile up your stuff in mutual hallways or turn closets into deadfalls, but one of the pleasures of choosing a life in the country is seeking a home that can hold everything that makes both managing partners happy. North Carolina is more accommodating than NY, Cali, or much of New England in this regard.

 

[Calzone]

Cal, Phil, I’m fortunate to be living at last in a home my BFF and wife Linn loves as I do, 1920 brick cottage upgraded in the 21st C to 4000sf not counting basement storage. There’s a big room apart from the main space for my guitars (down to 12) and amps (5) and recording gear, and Linnn has room for a grand piano and her violas, all without crowding or cramping anyone’s taste.

Yes, it’s important to be a considerate partner and not pile up your stuff in mutual hallways or turn closets into deadfalls, but one of the pleasures of choosing a life in the country is seeking a home that can hold everything that makes both managing partners happy. North Carolina is more accommodating than NY, Cali, or much of New England in this regard.

Robert,

Ever image how many clothes, shoes and bags a fashion blogger could have. All nice stuff, but in a 650 square foot one bedroom apartment it is mucho crazy.

Christian will tell you I kinda built a highrise in the bedroom for my print studio. But then Maggie moved in some of her shoes and clothes racks.

I'm kinda organized, but Maggie is a mess. If I can have the full basement as my work space I will be happy. The washer and drier are upstairs in the bathroom.

I'm willing to build out the shed into a lux she-shed to keep her out of my basement.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Phil,



The hill-billy in me makes me want to do something similar with old Epson 7800/7880 and 9800/9880 printers.



I know "Maggie" would not approve.



Cal

Cal,
You should see if you can store all your printers out in front of sensitive buildings, like courthouses, IRS processing centers, etc. You call them "Jersey Barriers", you may as well see if you can capitalize on the fact they are huge.
Or maybe you could rent out the space under one, where the paper sits, as a spacious NYC studio apartment. Probably $1100/month worth in rent right there from some hipster. 😉
Phil Forrest

 

[Calzone]

Been moving forward.

Been applying for a mortgage pre-aproval which is required to view a house today due to Covid.

Contacted an agent. The house is still on the market.

This weekend I will go alone to scout out things in Beacon without "Maggie" even If I don't get pre-approval in time for a showing.

Of major importance to me is a dry basement. The house has city sewer, so finally a darkroom.

When I left my building this morning I saw movers, and inquired to find out someone else in our building is moving out.

On my walk to work I passed a "Hooverville" basically a street encampment of homeless on Second Avenue between 96th and 97th Streets. The location is diagonally across from Metropolitan hospital, one of the best public hospitals to go if you get shot or stabbed because they have some much experience.

Today I saw one homeless man sweeping the sidewalk cleaning his "home." Stacked on the curb and against a building was his lifelong belongings. How sad.

On First Avenue I followed a blood trail on the sidewalk. Drops of blood extended for about a city block. Evidently a walking wounded.

So every day somehow I just keep moving forward. An example is that "Worm" has been sprayed, and today I will level the top and polish away the overspray on to sides and back with optical polishing cloths to buff the finish into a mirror.

I await two Fender Custom Shop 51 NoCaster bridge pickups. They could be delivered any day now. Perhaps I'll be able to assemble "Worm" and make some noise this weekend. Bonus is with the second pickup I will update another guitar. It seems I like low output pickups for their more open sound, that is less compressed, more articulate, and have a broader tonal range. How similar is this to my B&W photography?

It is real interesting where I see people who retire downsizing in stages. Maggie and I downsized seriously over a decade ago where we got rid of 2/3rds of our belongings when we moved from Long Island City into Madhattan.

I have seen retired people unable to keep up with a larger house, and Maggie and I are locking into a future that is decades out. Pretty un-American to have such a long-long view. Also to live past 100 takes lots of money, so a humble 2 bedroom one bath home that is only one story fits right in.

Happy-happy.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

Good luck with the house, and those pickups are going to be great in those
guitars, flat magnets and is it the copper color plate on the bottom or steel
color?

 

[Nokton48]

Hi Cal,

Things are moving along here. I added a permanent copy stand/overhead shooting table so I can leave this set up all the time. For shooting anything from overhead up to 8x10.

BTW that "blue monster" to the left is the Broncolor 606, which will put 6000 watt-seconds into one "pop" this runs on 220 only, been wired in for many years. Actually I prefer the 1000W modeling light in the Broncolor Hazylight Head, for creating believeable window light whenever I need it. Soft beautiful light any time of day

Norma #4 Copy Stand Finally Together by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Calzone]

Hi Cal,

Things are moving along here. I added a permanent copy stand/overhead shooting table so I can leave this set up all the time. For shooting anything from overhead up to 8x10.

BTW that "blue monster" to the left is the Broncolor 606, which will put 6000 watt-seconds into one "pop" this runs on 220 only, been wired in for many years. Actually I prefer the 1000W modeling light in the Broncolor Hazylight Head, for creating believeable window light whenever I need it. Soft beautiful light any time of day

Norma #4 Copy Stand Finally Together by Nokton48, on Flickr

Dan,

"Brutal," I say. It is crazy and I love it.

Looks like I'm going to be a wimp with my darkroom. Call me Calvin the wimp. LOL.

Again I'll say, "Brutal."

Look at all those lenses. Also pretty crazy.

"Takes one to know one," they say.

So now another small home in our size range just got listed. Just know I make fun of "Maggie" for being OCD. She herself is getting mighty crazy. Looks like this new listing we like better. How did that happen?

Most of the new listings are people trying to unload McMansions.

In one of my reports they speculate that many-many baby boomers will be downsizing, and they predict that in the future expect a gut of houses.

I reported earlier as people retire human nature as well as greed follows a path to comfortable homes, but as people age the maintenance becomes more of a burden making retirees downsize as that age. At a certain point a full sized house is too much.

Maggie and I are looking at homes that even are only one level and don't have an upstairs.

Cal

 

[MrFujicaman]

Cal, you and Maggie don't want to end up like my grandmother. She and her second husband got to the point they couldn't climb or go down the stairs to the second floor. Every time my aunt was there in the last 3-4 years of their lives, they'd ask her "can you go up stairs and check on everything for us?"

At our ages, a one story house just makes more sense.

Dan,

"Brutal," I say. It is crazy and I love it.

Looks like I'm going to be a wimp with my darkroom. Call me Calvin the wimp. LOL.

Again I'll say, "Brutal."

Look at all those lenses. Also pretty crazy.

"Takes one to know one," they say.

So now another small home in our size range just got listed. Just know I make fun of "Maggie" for being OCD. She herself is getting mighty crazy. Looks like this new listing we like better. How did that happen?

Most of the new listings are people trying to unload McMansions.

In one of my reports they speculate that many-many baby boomers will be downsizing, and they predict that in the future expect a gut of houses.

I reported earlier as people retire human nature as well as greed follows a path to comfortable homes, but as people age the maintenance becomes more of a burden making retirees downsize as that age. At a certain point a full sized house is too much.

Maggie and I are looking at homes that even are only one level and don't have an upstairs.

Cal

 

[Nokton48]

Try to find a full basement with high ceilings for your uses.

I was lucky to find exactly that at a real bargain deal back in the day.

We prolly looked at 20 in person and this was the only one that fit our needs.