Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I’m grandson sitting at the moment. “Maggie” has a lunch date downtown.
The grand kid is sleeping and recovering from bronchitis. He could be down for a while. Nebulizer with steroids was prescribed.
When Maggie comes home I will likely go see my friend Matt and show him my Santa Cruz OM made with remarkable old growth Brazilian Rosewood. The guitar is about 30 years old and played in. The wood has all this black spydering that is only seen on the real old growth wood, and this guitar was made before Santa Cruz came out with their 1934 models that use old growth wood.
I’ll use the opportunity to look at the blonde Gibson Custom Shop ES-335.
The NS Design EU-5 is a Ned Steinbrenner designed electric upright bass that I bought over a decade ago, and maybe 15 years ago. Pretty much you don’t see these being sold used and the price new is $6629.00 today. I have the tripod stand and also the peg stand, as well as a nice bow as extra add ons.
So this is still the top of the line and still the same model. At this point if you want one you have to pay full boat and buy one brand new.
**************
Time Lapse: a couple of hours passed. The Grandson woke up after sleeping for an hour and a half.
Around 3:00 PM Maggie came home and I was able to check out the Custom Shop ES-335. Guitar was not played, but the case was kinda beat. WTF???
Anyways it became a cold fish because it was on consignment, and not really cool for a barter deal.
Upon playing, the vibe and mojo were not there for me. I found the neck to feel too small and narrow. A pretty guitar though, in other words a “hot blonde.”
The blonde was a 1982 custom shop guitar, and they also had a cherry burst 1981 version, but the bridge, tailpiece and bridge appeared to be newer chrome versions and not the nickel hardware on the 82 that held a patina. I suspect the hardware was changed out on the 81. BTW advertised as all original. Hmmm… Something is not right.
Anyways I learned from this exercise something’s about the shop: the good, the bad, and the ugly. On one hand the 1982 blonde was a nice guitar and a lucky find, but the 1981 Cherry Burst not a great find. I found out that my NS Design electric upright bass is still in production, never got updated after more than 15 years, and that the price got inflated greatly.
I also learned about the incredible value I got when I bought the Santa Cruz I call “HOG.” It would be silly to sell or trade this guitar. “A gift from heaven,” they say.
Anyways I’m not disappointed, I learned some things, and pretty much got excited over some possibilities that didn’t work out.
I can see me eventually taking the challenge to learn how to be a really good bass player. Upright bass is a very different animal from an electric bass. Know that I have a collection of vintage bass guitars.
Cal
The grand kid is sleeping and recovering from bronchitis. He could be down for a while. Nebulizer with steroids was prescribed.
When Maggie comes home I will likely go see my friend Matt and show him my Santa Cruz OM made with remarkable old growth Brazilian Rosewood. The guitar is about 30 years old and played in. The wood has all this black spydering that is only seen on the real old growth wood, and this guitar was made before Santa Cruz came out with their 1934 models that use old growth wood.
I’ll use the opportunity to look at the blonde Gibson Custom Shop ES-335.
The NS Design EU-5 is a Ned Steinbrenner designed electric upright bass that I bought over a decade ago, and maybe 15 years ago. Pretty much you don’t see these being sold used and the price new is $6629.00 today. I have the tripod stand and also the peg stand, as well as a nice bow as extra add ons.
So this is still the top of the line and still the same model. At this point if you want one you have to pay full boat and buy one brand new.
**************
Time Lapse: a couple of hours passed. The Grandson woke up after sleeping for an hour and a half.
Around 3:00 PM Maggie came home and I was able to check out the Custom Shop ES-335. Guitar was not played, but the case was kinda beat. WTF???
Anyways it became a cold fish because it was on consignment, and not really cool for a barter deal.
Upon playing, the vibe and mojo were not there for me. I found the neck to feel too small and narrow. A pretty guitar though, in other words a “hot blonde.”
The blonde was a 1982 custom shop guitar, and they also had a cherry burst 1981 version, but the bridge, tailpiece and bridge appeared to be newer chrome versions and not the nickel hardware on the 82 that held a patina. I suspect the hardware was changed out on the 81. BTW advertised as all original. Hmmm… Something is not right.
Anyways I learned from this exercise something’s about the shop: the good, the bad, and the ugly. On one hand the 1982 blonde was a nice guitar and a lucky find, but the 1981 Cherry Burst not a great find. I found out that my NS Design electric upright bass is still in production, never got updated after more than 15 years, and that the price got inflated greatly.
I also learned about the incredible value I got when I bought the Santa Cruz I call “HOG.” It would be silly to sell or trade this guitar. “A gift from heaven,” they say.
Anyways I’m not disappointed, I learned some things, and pretty much got excited over some possibilities that didn’t work out.
I can see me eventually taking the challenge to learn how to be a really good bass player. Upright bass is a very different animal from an electric bass. Know that I have a collection of vintage bass guitars.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
A dental appointment for “Maggie” out on Long Guy-Land today.
I frame the excitement over the Custom Shop ES-335 as being a kin to treasure hunting: you never know…
Than I realized I already have a lot of treasure, so why not keep it?
Yesterday I set up the Havahart trap and captured a Chipmunk. I released him about 6 miles north on Route 9 in an undeveloped area.
I’ll see if I captured anything else overnight. No sign of more Voles.
Today they are saying a high of 89 degrees.
Cal
I frame the excitement over the Custom Shop ES-335 as being a kin to treasure hunting: you never know…
Than I realized I already have a lot of treasure, so why not keep it?
Yesterday I set up the Havahart trap and captured a Chipmunk. I released him about 6 miles north on Route 9 in an undeveloped area.
I’ll see if I captured anything else overnight. No sign of more Voles.
Today they are saying a high of 89 degrees.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Captured another Chipmunk, and I released him. No more voles so far.
There is talk at the FED of maybe/perhaps an interest rate hike if needed. Pretty much a red screen and gold is down below $2400.00 again.
I have been getting in some practice. This morning I played mostly the HOG, but also the 1934 version. Two radically different guitars, even though the same body size and shape. Really nice to have two different, but the same guitar.
An analogy is like going back to the college days and having two new girlfriends at the same time. I’m not talking a threesome, but pretty much exploring and getting intimate with each individually. Lots of fun.
The HOG is round and full, but the 1934 is lean and mean. Both sing and are mucho responsive.
I am a lucky man.
Today I am mucho glad I did not swing a deal yesterday, and I fully appreciate the treasures I own.
Been watering the garden every night. I been seeing lots of small rabbits. We have an 8x10 plot of strawberries, blue berries, and a raspberry in a separate container. This is where the rabbits like to hide and forage. Also in our back yard we have lots of clover that the rabbits and bees love.
Looks like we will have the grandkids Thursday and Friday.
“Maggie” is recovering from a dental implant that happened earlier today.
At night I hear the swamp sounds of tree frogs and the spring peepers, and in the morning I hear the chatter of birds around 5:00 AM as the sun begins to rise. I don’t mind the rabbits and the chipmunks. So far they have not destroyed anything, but the Voles kill plants and trees.
The chipmunks I capture are incidental. Perhaps I’m just thinning the herd, but it might be a catch an release in the future right in my back yard. Last year we likely had too many.
We are not sure, but we might have a fox. I saw something, and separately Maggie saw something. Again not sure.
Cal
There is talk at the FED of maybe/perhaps an interest rate hike if needed. Pretty much a red screen and gold is down below $2400.00 again.
I have been getting in some practice. This morning I played mostly the HOG, but also the 1934 version. Two radically different guitars, even though the same body size and shape. Really nice to have two different, but the same guitar.
An analogy is like going back to the college days and having two new girlfriends at the same time. I’m not talking a threesome, but pretty much exploring and getting intimate with each individually. Lots of fun.
The HOG is round and full, but the 1934 is lean and mean. Both sing and are mucho responsive.
I am a lucky man.
Today I am mucho glad I did not swing a deal yesterday, and I fully appreciate the treasures I own.
Been watering the garden every night. I been seeing lots of small rabbits. We have an 8x10 plot of strawberries, blue berries, and a raspberry in a separate container. This is where the rabbits like to hide and forage. Also in our back yard we have lots of clover that the rabbits and bees love.
Looks like we will have the grandkids Thursday and Friday.
“Maggie” is recovering from a dental implant that happened earlier today.
At night I hear the swamp sounds of tree frogs and the spring peepers, and in the morning I hear the chatter of birds around 5:00 AM as the sun begins to rise. I don’t mind the rabbits and the chipmunks. So far they have not destroyed anything, but the Voles kill plants and trees.
The chipmunks I capture are incidental. Perhaps I’m just thinning the herd, but it might be a catch an release in the future right in my back yard. Last year we likely had too many.
We are not sure, but we might have a fox. I saw something, and separately Maggie saw something. Again not sure.
Cal
Nokton48
Veteran
Brown Fox by Nokton48, on FlickrView out my back window. Foxie stopped and laid down to rest for a few then off. The other can't be far away. They have a den back in the woods, somewhere down at the creek. One comes through, then a minute or two, comes the other.
Our Barred Owl got in a street fight with three large Black Crows. It moved back deeper in the woods, in the evening they "talk" to each other, it's absolutely delightful.
Listen Here:
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Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Sometimes the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog...
Phil
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I don’t know what it means, but I took notice of lots of crows this year. I mean almost like “The Birds” by Alfred Hitchcock.
A while back I saw a red tailed hawk perched on a dead tree right around my property line.
I have seen feces with hair in it. My neighbor, the “Monster,” tells me that it likely is from a Coyote.
“Maggie” reports what she saw was not a Coyote because it had short legs.
Last year in this online bulletin board a neighbor in Buchanan posted a mutilated deer carcass spread all over his backyard. Likely Coyotes.
Cal
A while back I saw a red tailed hawk perched on a dead tree right around my property line.
I have seen feces with hair in it. My neighbor, the “Monster,” tells me that it likely is from a Coyote.
“Maggie” reports what she saw was not a Coyote because it had short legs.
Last year in this online bulletin board a neighbor in Buchanan posted a mutilated deer carcass spread all over his backyard. Likely Coyotes.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
A thought passed my mind that retirement is a kinda renaissance for me. Pretty much I can work at my own pace, and pretty much everything I do has a flair of art involved in it. I see lots of self expression of myself in the house, and then again there is “Maggie” factor that somewhat keeps me restrained/constrained.
I also want to repeat how wonderful it is to break in two new Santa Cruz guitars. Really gratifying hearing the sound and tone grow through use. As they are evolving and maturing, I’m kinda bonding with the instruments. In fact they are feeling like an extension of me and my being.
My heavy attack produces a piano like tone. I use very heavy picks also.
I am experiencing and expecting the HOG to get a deeper bass response. Mahogany is not as stiff as spruce, so the treble gets kinda attenuated. The tone is mostly mids which generates a warmth and sweetness to the voice. I expect over time as the top gets more flex, that the bass will get more pronounced and even deeper.
The 1934 Model “F” is built very lightly. In fact the entire guitar weighs remarkably little, so there is little ballast to absorb or dampen the sound. Energy seems to get transmitted into sound rather efficiently, making this guitar inherently loud, I mean mucho loud. The level of treble makes the sound cutting and articulate. A very different kind of singing voice than the HOG for sure.
I would say perhaps the HOG is a better guitar for the blues, and the 1934 best for Jazz.
Then there is the Santa Cruz OM made of old growth Brazilian. Although a smaller bodied guitar the note bloom has a serious level of overtones that sounds like a chorus.
Because the braces are scalloped, the bass is enhanced, and overall the tone is of a much bigger guitar like a dreadnaught. There also is a level of comfort because the guitar is smaller. Counterintuitively the OM kinda sounds like an orchestra.
Anyways it is pretty easy to get lost in this universe of tone. Then there are my electrics… And all my amps…
Owning three Santa Cruzes is like being insane. It is that crazy.
Cal
I also want to repeat how wonderful it is to break in two new Santa Cruz guitars. Really gratifying hearing the sound and tone grow through use. As they are evolving and maturing, I’m kinda bonding with the instruments. In fact they are feeling like an extension of me and my being.
My heavy attack produces a piano like tone. I use very heavy picks also.
I am experiencing and expecting the HOG to get a deeper bass response. Mahogany is not as stiff as spruce, so the treble gets kinda attenuated. The tone is mostly mids which generates a warmth and sweetness to the voice. I expect over time as the top gets more flex, that the bass will get more pronounced and even deeper.
The 1934 Model “F” is built very lightly. In fact the entire guitar weighs remarkably little, so there is little ballast to absorb or dampen the sound. Energy seems to get transmitted into sound rather efficiently, making this guitar inherently loud, I mean mucho loud. The level of treble makes the sound cutting and articulate. A very different kind of singing voice than the HOG for sure.
I would say perhaps the HOG is a better guitar for the blues, and the 1934 best for Jazz.
Then there is the Santa Cruz OM made of old growth Brazilian. Although a smaller bodied guitar the note bloom has a serious level of overtones that sounds like a chorus.
Because the braces are scalloped, the bass is enhanced, and overall the tone is of a much bigger guitar like a dreadnaught. There also is a level of comfort because the guitar is smaller. Counterintuitively the OM kinda sounds like an orchestra.
Anyways it is pretty easy to get lost in this universe of tone. Then there are my electrics… And all my amps…
Owning three Santa Cruzes is like being insane. It is that crazy.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Devil Dan,
I will play these videos you added for the grand kids tomorrow.
On a sad note the grandaughter’s guinea pig died. We will bury her in our back yard and create a memorial. “Moonlight” was about 5 years old.
Pretty much “Maggie’s” daughter and son-in-law have teaching jobs lined up in North Carolina. The school year begins early down there, I expect because of the growing season. The contract for the sale of the house has to happen soon or else they get stuck in New York for another year.
BTW Maggie is going through a difficult time. She recently learned the difference between being needed and being loved. Of course some of this is part of womenhood and how women have in their providence the need to nurture others and the caretaking.
I think we will miss the grandson the most to be honest. He has been a big part of our lives, as we were to him.
Cal
I will play these videos you added for the grand kids tomorrow.
On a sad note the grandaughter’s guinea pig died. We will bury her in our back yard and create a memorial. “Moonlight” was about 5 years old.
Pretty much “Maggie’s” daughter and son-in-law have teaching jobs lined up in North Carolina. The school year begins early down there, I expect because of the growing season. The contract for the sale of the house has to happen soon or else they get stuck in New York for another year.
BTW Maggie is going through a difficult time. She recently learned the difference between being needed and being loved. Of course some of this is part of womenhood and how women have in their providence the need to nurture others and the caretaking.
I think we will miss the grandson the most to be honest. He has been a big part of our lives, as we were to him.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
There was a morning thunderstorm that made a night sky. Some serious heavy rain.
Further south at the Croton boarder they had golf ball sized hail that destroyed the stock in a garden nursery we visited. This wonderful nursery got really trashed. The extent of the storm was that modest sized potted trees were blown over.
We bought a not so damaged hosta on discount that will honor Moonlight, the deceased guinea pig.
“Maggie” had a physical therapy session.
The Gibson Custom Shop ES-335 is now sold. It didn’t last. I’m not at a loss…
Now the sun is emerging.
Seems like the baby bunnies are not attracted to the almond butter in the Havahart trap. The bunnies enjoy the clover that is in our lawn. I like the rabbits.
Cal
Further south at the Croton boarder they had golf ball sized hail that destroyed the stock in a garden nursery we visited. This wonderful nursery got really trashed. The extent of the storm was that modest sized potted trees were blown over.
We bought a not so damaged hosta on discount that will honor Moonlight, the deceased guinea pig.
“Maggie” had a physical therapy session.
The Gibson Custom Shop ES-335 is now sold. It didn’t last. I’m not at a loss…
Now the sun is emerging.
Seems like the baby bunnies are not attracted to the almond butter in the Havahart trap. The bunnies enjoy the clover that is in our lawn. I like the rabbits.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The grandson was thrilled by the hooting owls.
Last night I played the HOG and it seriously opened up a lot. The voice now has a growl to it, and it got mucho louder. I played it again this morning and it is a very different guitar today. I love it. It is becoming a very-very interesting guitar.
It seems like the opening up of a mahogany top is a lot faster than a spruce top. Understand that Adirondack Red Spruce takes the longest to open up out of all the spruces, and now this wood which was commonly used on old 1930’s Martin guitars is now protected. Other spruces have taken the place of Adirondack red spruce.
Anyways for that authentic vintage 1930’s Martin sound there is nothing like red spruce. Trebles are linked to stiffness, responsiveness is linked to strength to weight ratios, so you want a guitar to be light in weight, without compromising structual integrity.
Taking the grand daughter fishing.
Cal
Last night I played the HOG and it seriously opened up a lot. The voice now has a growl to it, and it got mucho louder. I played it again this morning and it is a very different guitar today. I love it. It is becoming a very-very interesting guitar.
It seems like the opening up of a mahogany top is a lot faster than a spruce top. Understand that Adirondack Red Spruce takes the longest to open up out of all the spruces, and now this wood which was commonly used on old 1930’s Martin guitars is now protected. Other spruces have taken the place of Adirondack red spruce.
Anyways for that authentic vintage 1930’s Martin sound there is nothing like red spruce. Trebles are linked to stiffness, responsiveness is linked to strength to weight ratios, so you want a guitar to be light in weight, without compromising structual integrity.
Taking the grand daughter fishing.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Drove up to Stormville to attend the flea market held at a small airport. Today the antique section was big. “Maggie” bought an outdoor table for $5.00, and I bought a chromed unicycle with a 24 inch wheel for $20.00. Pretty much steal deals.
Stopped at Fair Acre Farms in near Pourkeepsie, and also went to Beacon to tour that little city.
Beacon it seems is not the hot real estate market it once was. The housing prices have moderated and have come back to earth. In my driving I saw lots of homes with for sale signs. Hmmm…
On the unicycle I have to tighten up one of the crank arms. The tire looks to be new.
Pretty much the unicycle drew a lot of attention. Lots of novelty I guess. For $20.00 a cheap thrill.
Cal
Stopped at Fair Acre Farms in near Pourkeepsie, and also went to Beacon to tour that little city.
Beacon it seems is not the hot real estate market it once was. The housing prices have moderated and have come back to earth. In my driving I saw lots of homes with for sale signs. Hmmm…
On the unicycle I have to tighten up one of the crank arms. The tire looks to be new.
Pretty much the unicycle drew a lot of attention. Lots of novelty I guess. For $20.00 a cheap thrill.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The chrome unicycle is a 24 inch GT Savage. Made in Taiwan. This company GT is known for its BMX bikes, and later they made mountain bikes.
The seat post I had to cut down an inch and a half. Basically is set at it’s lowest setting its good for a six footer.
Just walking around with the unicycle at Stormville drew lots of attention and comments.
I didn’t know that riding a unicycle is more taxing than walking. The core building strength that Phil mentioned means I could get seriously ripped. Mostly works the quads. The physics are that inclines and declines are demanding and are a challenge.
I tightened up a loose crank bolt. The seat has cool crash bars.
I’m kinda stoked. I can see me getting into this. Riding two miles into downtown Peekskill from my house is a gradual rise in elevation. They say riding downhill is as challenging as going uphill.
I say, “Artists by definition are exhibitionists.” Just what I need is more attention. LOL.
Cal
The seat post I had to cut down an inch and a half. Basically is set at it’s lowest setting its good for a six footer.
Just walking around with the unicycle at Stormville drew lots of attention and comments.
I didn’t know that riding a unicycle is more taxing than walking. The core building strength that Phil mentioned means I could get seriously ripped. Mostly works the quads. The physics are that inclines and declines are demanding and are a challenge.
I tightened up a loose crank bolt. The seat has cool crash bars.
I’m kinda stoked. I can see me getting into this. Riding two miles into downtown Peekskill from my house is a gradual rise in elevation. They say riding downhill is as challenging as going uphill.
I say, “Artists by definition are exhibitionists.” Just what I need is more attention. LOL.
Cal
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DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
Respectfully meant, may I ask why you are so 'down' on chipmunks? As I recall from my time in Canada, they are basically harmless, and quite cute to watch with their antics. They also do no harm to the environment.
My concern here is you may have separated a mated pairby turning the two 'monks loose in separate environments at two different times. Another concern is there may have been babies and a litter, in which case the 'kids' in the nest could have starved to death. Not a nice end for them.
Not saying this to make you feel guilty in any way. But as adults we have to accept that there are consequences to each and every act we do. Again this is not to say we must not stop doing anything for fear of disturbing the karma of everyday life - we just have to think before we act.
Again respectfully, I have no intentions at all of challenging or offending in this. But I am someone who tries to consider the consequences of all my actions, and my question to you here (again, not disrectfully meant) is, just what did your actions in trapping and releasing the two 'monks separately, achieve? Not tone confrontational, just curious. And maybe as an exercise in critical thinking...
When I lived in Canada (I moved to Australia in 1975 but I have kept my Canadian 'persona' to an amazing degree, as I now find even almost half a century later) I always enjoyed the antics of squirrels and chipmunks which I thought were species ideally adapted to the harsh seasonal environment of North America.
As I have already said, I'm not asking this to be argumentative in any way - I'm just curious.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
DU,
I am thankful for your response and also grateful.
As an artist I accept criticism, and you make many points I have not considered. The capture of chipmunks BTW was incidental, and you are correct in that I did not think this through.
I will be more thoughtful…
The killing of Voles though was the original problem.
Anyways, thanks for being my friend.
Cal
I am thankful for your response and also grateful.
As an artist I accept criticism, and you make many points I have not considered. The capture of chipmunks BTW was incidental, and you are correct in that I did not think this through.
I will be more thoughtful…
The killing of Voles though was the original problem.
Anyways, thanks for being my friend.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The unicycle is turning into a bit of a project. It seems one of the crank pins is a bit stripped.
My hope is AJ in his shop will have some spares.
I had to shorten the seat post a second time. Still might be a bit long.
Somehow we got two extra plants that germinated with a lettuce plant and a pepper plant. Don’y understand the forensics, but I think somehow the nursery inadvertently seeded twice. Perhaps my friend Rudy, the owner of the nursery was high on weed. LOL.
A sunny day in the mid 80’s to exploit today. Perhaps a run with heavy hands. I have some trellises to build.
If I have time, I think on Memorial Day with the expected rain will be a good time to work on my bike evolution. The Ti IBIS I’m converting into a 1x11 fitness bike, and the steel IBIS into a full rigid to exploit a 2.5 wide tire on the front wheel. I have a 2.35 wide tire mounted in the back that just barely clears the chain stays.
If I need additional clearance I can lengthen the horizontal drops to gain what I might need.
Cal
My hope is AJ in his shop will have some spares.
I had to shorten the seat post a second time. Still might be a bit long.
Somehow we got two extra plants that germinated with a lettuce plant and a pepper plant. Don’y understand the forensics, but I think somehow the nursery inadvertently seeded twice. Perhaps my friend Rudy, the owner of the nursery was high on weed. LOL.
A sunny day in the mid 80’s to exploit today. Perhaps a run with heavy hands. I have some trellises to build.
If I have time, I think on Memorial Day with the expected rain will be a good time to work on my bike evolution. The Ti IBIS I’m converting into a 1x11 fitness bike, and the steel IBIS into a full rigid to exploit a 2.5 wide tire on the front wheel. I have a 2.35 wide tire mounted in the back that just barely clears the chain stays.
If I need additional clearance I can lengthen the horizontal drops to gain what I might need.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Yesterday I built out the trellis for the raised beds. I had not intended on building this large planter, but I had the radial arm saw out decided to use some momentum since I already had the tools out. The planter I made of reclaimed pine lumber that once was a Canadian pallet.
I did find the time to revamp the steel IBIS into a full rigid to exploit using a Maxxis Minion 2.5 wide front tire. I ended up changing the rear tire back to an old Arrow Racing Lite-Bite that barely fits between the chain stays. Like the Maxxis Minion it is somewhat square shouldered, but of course the rolling resistance is high.
Had a 2.35 Rocket Ron on the rear which made the bike weigh in at 23 pounds, but the Arrow Racing tire added a good half pound in weight. The Arrow Racing tire is old and likely unavailable anymore. Oh-well. Final weight 23 1/2 pounds.
Somewhere a ways back I bought a steel high rise stem that was very short. The IBIS has a long top tube in its design, and I kinda unwound the added length by using this short stem. My position is less aggressive and is more upright, but it feels just right. My weight is shifted more towards the rear and the front end is very light for a more stable feel.
The steel IBIS now looks muy retro cool and is a blast to ride. I recycled a pair of narrow Ti handlebars that I used back in the day on narrow deer trails in the pine barrens of Long Island. They kinda speed up the steering, but the quick handling and agility is what makes this bike mucho fun.
The look is awesome because the tires are somewhat fat and oversized, and the wheelbase mucho short and steep. The Rock Shox Judy SL I removed did chopper out the front end with some added length. Now the bike handles as intended when designed: full rigid.
Anyways this bike is pure fun.
Cal
I did find the time to revamp the steel IBIS into a full rigid to exploit using a Maxxis Minion 2.5 wide front tire. I ended up changing the rear tire back to an old Arrow Racing Lite-Bite that barely fits between the chain stays. Like the Maxxis Minion it is somewhat square shouldered, but of course the rolling resistance is high.
Had a 2.35 Rocket Ron on the rear which made the bike weigh in at 23 pounds, but the Arrow Racing tire added a good half pound in weight. The Arrow Racing tire is old and likely unavailable anymore. Oh-well. Final weight 23 1/2 pounds.
Somewhere a ways back I bought a steel high rise stem that was very short. The IBIS has a long top tube in its design, and I kinda unwound the added length by using this short stem. My position is less aggressive and is more upright, but it feels just right. My weight is shifted more towards the rear and the front end is very light for a more stable feel.
The steel IBIS now looks muy retro cool and is a blast to ride. I recycled a pair of narrow Ti handlebars that I used back in the day on narrow deer trails in the pine barrens of Long Island. They kinda speed up the steering, but the quick handling and agility is what makes this bike mucho fun.
The look is awesome because the tires are somewhat fat and oversized, and the wheelbase mucho short and steep. The Rock Shox Judy SL I removed did chopper out the front end with some added length. Now the bike handles as intended when designed: full rigid.
Anyways this bike is pure fun.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I’m starting the road to modulating (changing keys) beginning the internalizing what I know about scale and chord construction in a diatonic fashion using the Circle of Fifths as my anchor.
This involves a certain amount of complexity, structure, and pattern recognition. The thing is I already have a pretty good amount of firm foundation because musically I have been stuck in a rut for decades. This happened because of all the stops and starts that was the result of a disrupted life, and displaced ambitions.
Anyways I expect a breakout of sorts will be underway.
Then there is the humbling experience of listening to the George Harrison tribute at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame along with a 3 minute solo performed by Prince on a telecaster. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was performed. You don’t realize that Prince is part of the performance, until the third solo begins and he emerges out of nowhere.
There are a lot of cool things about Prince’s solo: first off he pretty much hangs in the shadows as the song is performed by Tom Petty and others, and he only emerges to perform the third solo. As far as performance goes this involved live improvision, and pretty much Prince has a massive stage presence and what he does on the guitar is a series of crescendos that build and create tension. Pure magic and a command that is stunning.
Pretty much as he plays he interacts with the band letting them know he is not done, and also involves signaling a security guard to catch and support him as he leans back with his back to the audience, facing Tom Petty, and is held up without missing a beat.
All along the way he is able to get his sound over the multiple guitars and keyboards. Anyways the musicianship is crazy good/great.
In the end, Prince takes off his Tele and throws it into the audience. He is the first band member off the stage. On one hand, last on and first off. Pretty much an expression of understatement, and arguably the best guitar solo ever. Something about the level of energy, the perfection, and the intensity of perhaps a performance of a lifetime. All improv…
So here I am humbly starting to try and reach a command of the Circle of Fifths… I am mucho humbled… This is a lot to internalize and is kinda ambitious from where I am standing. Not an easy path…
“Maggie” had physical therapy in the morning, and we went to Trader Joe’s to stock up.
An observation is that Case-Schiller reports that housing prices in the top 20 metro-areas is up something like 7.5%. Of course NYC is one of them.
Recently we noticed though that in Beacon that prices have softened and have come down to earth a bit from lofty valuations. Seems like in Beacon more properties are available. So IMHO not so far away the market is softening. I have my doubts that this will happen in Peekskill because of the slim pickings here persist. No real supply in Peekskill.
We are having second thoughts on breaking down the walls and removing two small closets to make one larger room. Our plan was to do this remodling without a permit, basically making our tiny home a 3-bedroom. The premise is that the tower room could be classified as a bedroom, and or that the smallest room could actually fit much more than a single bed.
Pretty much without a permit to sell the house we would have to add back a wall to avoid any penalty. Not sure we would gain much as far as usage. For me it kinda works out where I could set up my tube stereo. “Don’t tell Maggie.”
This second bedroom has three windows that face due north, yet still is a very bright room because the three windows are big and are next to each other. Along with this room comes a couch that converts into a full sized bed. There is a closet.
I can see next year getting a 2 or 3 zone mini-split for the two bedrooms and possibly the tower room. Likely money better spent than taking down a wall to make one bigger room. Also pretty much this would be my space/territory.
Sounds like the guitar, bass, and music has the big future.
A personality profile I have, perhaps because even though I’m 5’10”, I’m still a skinny bitch, and considered a small guy. Perhaps this is why I live to take on big challenges and do daring ambitious things. What I’m being honest about is have a “little man complex” and in a way I overcompensate, by having big balls.
Crazy is good I say.
On my new Santa Cruze’s I have taken notice that flexing the necks adds in a pronounced decay that leads to complex overtones and an added richness. I flex the tops to an extent also to waken the guitar. Pretty much the wood has a memory of sorts that reverts back to stiffness.
They say old violins require playing to maintain the tone. Pretty much a guitar or violin can lay dormant and go to sleep. It is interesting to hear a guitar open up and awaken from a sleep. Best to keep awake by playing every day.
At this point my over 30 year old Santa Cruz OM, wakens quickly in an amazing manner. My new Santa Cruz Model F’s take some time to open up, and they really stiffen up if left dormant.
Maggie really likes the portrait of Hugo, the owner of “The Main Event” barber shop in Peekskill. Pretty much I asked Hugo to put up his fists as if sparring with me. In the background behind him is Mohamed Ali and other boxers in the ring along with the logo for his shop.
I was invited to come by to hang out. I could see embedding myself and eventually capturing some local essence. Kinda like hanging out in a tattoo parlor.
The Peekskill Herald feature is titled “Ten-Questions” and each respondent was a local business person. The first was John a man who runs several restaurants in Peekskill. The second was La Fern a black retail store owner that sells Afrocentric items. And now Hugo the Latino barber shop owner.
Anyways, welcome to my smallish city. It has its charm.
Cal
This involves a certain amount of complexity, structure, and pattern recognition. The thing is I already have a pretty good amount of firm foundation because musically I have been stuck in a rut for decades. This happened because of all the stops and starts that was the result of a disrupted life, and displaced ambitions.
Anyways I expect a breakout of sorts will be underway.
Then there is the humbling experience of listening to the George Harrison tribute at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame along with a 3 minute solo performed by Prince on a telecaster. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was performed. You don’t realize that Prince is part of the performance, until the third solo begins and he emerges out of nowhere.
There are a lot of cool things about Prince’s solo: first off he pretty much hangs in the shadows as the song is performed by Tom Petty and others, and he only emerges to perform the third solo. As far as performance goes this involved live improvision, and pretty much Prince has a massive stage presence and what he does on the guitar is a series of crescendos that build and create tension. Pure magic and a command that is stunning.
Pretty much as he plays he interacts with the band letting them know he is not done, and also involves signaling a security guard to catch and support him as he leans back with his back to the audience, facing Tom Petty, and is held up without missing a beat.
All along the way he is able to get his sound over the multiple guitars and keyboards. Anyways the musicianship is crazy good/great.
In the end, Prince takes off his Tele and throws it into the audience. He is the first band member off the stage. On one hand, last on and first off. Pretty much an expression of understatement, and arguably the best guitar solo ever. Something about the level of energy, the perfection, and the intensity of perhaps a performance of a lifetime. All improv…
So here I am humbly starting to try and reach a command of the Circle of Fifths… I am mucho humbled… This is a lot to internalize and is kinda ambitious from where I am standing. Not an easy path…
“Maggie” had physical therapy in the morning, and we went to Trader Joe’s to stock up.
An observation is that Case-Schiller reports that housing prices in the top 20 metro-areas is up something like 7.5%. Of course NYC is one of them.
Recently we noticed though that in Beacon that prices have softened and have come down to earth a bit from lofty valuations. Seems like in Beacon more properties are available. So IMHO not so far away the market is softening. I have my doubts that this will happen in Peekskill because of the slim pickings here persist. No real supply in Peekskill.
We are having second thoughts on breaking down the walls and removing two small closets to make one larger room. Our plan was to do this remodling without a permit, basically making our tiny home a 3-bedroom. The premise is that the tower room could be classified as a bedroom, and or that the smallest room could actually fit much more than a single bed.
Pretty much without a permit to sell the house we would have to add back a wall to avoid any penalty. Not sure we would gain much as far as usage. For me it kinda works out where I could set up my tube stereo. “Don’t tell Maggie.”
This second bedroom has three windows that face due north, yet still is a very bright room because the three windows are big and are next to each other. Along with this room comes a couch that converts into a full sized bed. There is a closet.
I can see next year getting a 2 or 3 zone mini-split for the two bedrooms and possibly the tower room. Likely money better spent than taking down a wall to make one bigger room. Also pretty much this would be my space/territory.
Sounds like the guitar, bass, and music has the big future.
A personality profile I have, perhaps because even though I’m 5’10”, I’m still a skinny bitch, and considered a small guy. Perhaps this is why I live to take on big challenges and do daring ambitious things. What I’m being honest about is have a “little man complex” and in a way I overcompensate, by having big balls.
Crazy is good I say.
On my new Santa Cruze’s I have taken notice that flexing the necks adds in a pronounced decay that leads to complex overtones and an added richness. I flex the tops to an extent also to waken the guitar. Pretty much the wood has a memory of sorts that reverts back to stiffness.
They say old violins require playing to maintain the tone. Pretty much a guitar or violin can lay dormant and go to sleep. It is interesting to hear a guitar open up and awaken from a sleep. Best to keep awake by playing every day.
At this point my over 30 year old Santa Cruz OM, wakens quickly in an amazing manner. My new Santa Cruz Model F’s take some time to open up, and they really stiffen up if left dormant.
Maggie really likes the portrait of Hugo, the owner of “The Main Event” barber shop in Peekskill. Pretty much I asked Hugo to put up his fists as if sparring with me. In the background behind him is Mohamed Ali and other boxers in the ring along with the logo for his shop.
I was invited to come by to hang out. I could see embedding myself and eventually capturing some local essence. Kinda like hanging out in a tattoo parlor.
The Peekskill Herald feature is titled “Ten-Questions” and each respondent was a local business person. The first was John a man who runs several restaurants in Peekskill. The second was La Fern a black retail store owner that sells Afrocentric items. And now Hugo the Latino barber shop owner.
Anyways, welcome to my smallish city. It has its charm.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
BTW, I think some bass playing will add up to advancing a lot on guitar and in mastering the Circle of Fifths.
I have some ideas in creating medleys and modulating between keys. Evidently I hear pivot chords that create a bridge between keys. I want to master this. I must have a bit of an ear for this. Don’t forget that Cantonese, more so than Mandarin, is a musical language that involves both rhythm and pitch.
I also learned today I can emulate Tom Petty’s voice pretty well. Don’t know If I can sing and play at the same time. Not everyone can do this.
I have a pretty good stage voice when speaking, and my hope is that this carries over to my singing.
Cal
I have some ideas in creating medleys and modulating between keys. Evidently I hear pivot chords that create a bridge between keys. I want to master this. I must have a bit of an ear for this. Don’t forget that Cantonese, more so than Mandarin, is a musical language that involves both rhythm and pitch.
I also learned today I can emulate Tom Petty’s voice pretty well. Don’t know If I can sing and play at the same time. Not everyone can do this.
I have a pretty good stage voice when speaking, and my hope is that this carries over to my singing.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Read a report that suggests a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be a lightening assault that would involve hovercraft and helicopters rather than a beach head assault.
A beach landing certainly is a difficult path, and because Taiwan has 23 million inhabitants, is an Island 100 miles off the coast of China, and is mountainous, a beach landing like D-Day is not practical.
One point is that Taiwan’s hard targets would or could be taken out by missles pretty much as a surprise early on even by land based missiles.
Another thing is encircling the Island in International Waters is also pretty easy to do, and pretty much the first strike capability heavily favors China.
Support or help or response from the U.S. in this scenario could happen too late.
Urban warfare though is mighty tricky, the last time China experienced a hot war was with Vietnam many decades ago, and basically Vietnam kicked their butt and embarrassed China. China has never has performed an amphibious attack that was successful. Last time was trying to invade Japan, and pretty much a storm destroyed their navy. “Divine Wind.”
Control of the river that is a rout to the capitol, Taipei, seemed to be the fastest way to victory, along with helicopter assault. Urban warfare is mucho ugly. Expect high casualties.
Basically an invasion of Taiwan where some reports say 60%, and others say 70%, of all semiconductors are produced would immediately cause a immediate economic depression. This I can believe.
I hear of reports that ASML machines built by the Dutch can be disabled, but pretty much need to be destroyed to keep advanced technology out of reach of the Chinese. Disabling hardware IMHO is not enough.
Remember that advanced electronics have military applications, and he who has the best weapons, generally have an advantage.
But this new Cold War in the Pacific also is a numbers game. The best equipment might get outnumbered. For instance, are there enough air defenses to counter the number of incoming missiles? Air superiority has to be maintained once established, and then you have to have the offense to punish and beat an enemy.
IMHO here in the U.S. we likely lack the numbers to win.
War is a dumb idea. In fact it is insane. The cost of life on both sides is high. Then there is the case for escalation. The economic costs will be high.
Without high tech electronics pretty much progress ends, and as things break… Oh well. Pretty much going back in time, and doing without. Lost time…
Pretty much a partial regression and loss of key infrastructure world wide.
One tactic: U.S. sends in F-35’s or B-21’s to destroy and permanently take out the key ASML chip etching equipment so it does not fall into Chinese hands. The B-21 currently is undergoing flight testing, and pretty much has a mission of evading detection. F-35’s have a very low detectability.
Then there are the standoff missles the U.S. has that unless the Chinese have established enough air defenses to fend off U.S. barrages and coordinated attacks.
Anyways, the ASML technology cannot fall into Chinese hands is my point, and would be collateral damage is a scorched earth manner.
I know this is a mucho crazy thought, but it is logical. Surprise attack by China followed by sneak attack by the U.S. Clearly a partial end of the world as we know it. Insane…
No good scenario here. This is a disturbing situation where the entire world is at risk that not only is plausible, but could happen at any time. I wonder if all the gold buying by China’s Central Bank is a precursor to an invasion of Taiwan. Seems a point of logic since gold prices will soar along with global instability.
Don’t discount also the cheap exported goods from China on top of the electronics economic and supply chain collapse.
Cal
A beach landing certainly is a difficult path, and because Taiwan has 23 million inhabitants, is an Island 100 miles off the coast of China, and is mountainous, a beach landing like D-Day is not practical.
One point is that Taiwan’s hard targets would or could be taken out by missles pretty much as a surprise early on even by land based missiles.
Another thing is encircling the Island in International Waters is also pretty easy to do, and pretty much the first strike capability heavily favors China.
Support or help or response from the U.S. in this scenario could happen too late.
Urban warfare though is mighty tricky, the last time China experienced a hot war was with Vietnam many decades ago, and basically Vietnam kicked their butt and embarrassed China. China has never has performed an amphibious attack that was successful. Last time was trying to invade Japan, and pretty much a storm destroyed their navy. “Divine Wind.”
Control of the river that is a rout to the capitol, Taipei, seemed to be the fastest way to victory, along with helicopter assault. Urban warfare is mucho ugly. Expect high casualties.
Basically an invasion of Taiwan where some reports say 60%, and others say 70%, of all semiconductors are produced would immediately cause a immediate economic depression. This I can believe.
I hear of reports that ASML machines built by the Dutch can be disabled, but pretty much need to be destroyed to keep advanced technology out of reach of the Chinese. Disabling hardware IMHO is not enough.
Remember that advanced electronics have military applications, and he who has the best weapons, generally have an advantage.
But this new Cold War in the Pacific also is a numbers game. The best equipment might get outnumbered. For instance, are there enough air defenses to counter the number of incoming missiles? Air superiority has to be maintained once established, and then you have to have the offense to punish and beat an enemy.
IMHO here in the U.S. we likely lack the numbers to win.
War is a dumb idea. In fact it is insane. The cost of life on both sides is high. Then there is the case for escalation. The economic costs will be high.
Without high tech electronics pretty much progress ends, and as things break… Oh well. Pretty much going back in time, and doing without. Lost time…
Pretty much a partial regression and loss of key infrastructure world wide.
One tactic: U.S. sends in F-35’s or B-21’s to destroy and permanently take out the key ASML chip etching equipment so it does not fall into Chinese hands. The B-21 currently is undergoing flight testing, and pretty much has a mission of evading detection. F-35’s have a very low detectability.
Then there are the standoff missles the U.S. has that unless the Chinese have established enough air defenses to fend off U.S. barrages and coordinated attacks.
Anyways, the ASML technology cannot fall into Chinese hands is my point, and would be collateral damage is a scorched earth manner.
I know this is a mucho crazy thought, but it is logical. Surprise attack by China followed by sneak attack by the U.S. Clearly a partial end of the world as we know it. Insane…
No good scenario here. This is a disturbing situation where the entire world is at risk that not only is plausible, but could happen at any time. I wonder if all the gold buying by China’s Central Bank is a precursor to an invasion of Taiwan. Seems a point of logic since gold prices will soar along with global instability.
Don’t discount also the cheap exported goods from China on top of the electronics economic and supply chain collapse.
Cal
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Austintatious
Well-known
They have a "kill switch" in place.
Plans for China's invasion of Taiwan could be thwarted by a leading European chipmaker's "kill switch," which can remotely deactivate sophisticated chipmaking equipment
ASML and TSMC have a super secret way that they can leverage to remotely access high-tech chipmaking machines and disable them. This would especially come in handy in the event that China decides to go after Taiwan.