NYC Journal

PaulW128 said:
Cal,

There are way more people on RFF who enjoy and treasure your posts. Don't let those couple of idiots get inside your head!!

Paul
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Paul,

This is the Internet, and not everyone is cool or a friend.

The thing with a “Putin” like personality is first a toehold is made then full scale invasion.

That’s what I’m trying to prevent. I also find it interesting that my ignoring them does not stop them from lurking and posting. Why and what is the motivation to go where one is not welcomed.

So the thought came to mind is one way is to spread the word on the bad behavior, and kinda create an alliance where engagement with certain individuals tapers off.

I do think this behavior is a way of drawing attention, so punishing bad behavior is not a bad idea. Unchecked it can get out of hand, and I would rather nip it in the bud. Not responding emboldens the bad behavior, and engagement validates bad behavior. At this point a response is needed/required I feel.

Do we really want to validate or encourage bad behavior?

Like I said, I worked under some really difficult situations; one was a supervisor who was a bully and control freak; another the Chief was mentally ill.

How-Weird got up one morning and felt awe full. He parked his car and took the N6 bus into Jamaica Queens, then the subway to 63rd and Lex. By now he is feeling very ill and distressed. At this point he felt so ill that he hailed a cab and got to my lab.

So here is where it gets strange. I’m late as usual and he has a one page list of tasks he would like to get performed right away, none of them critical or important.

He then goes to the emergency room at New York Presbyterian nearby, and they admit him right away because he is having a heart attack. They gave him three stents.

How weird is that? I could of gotten to work and found him dead on the floor. How crazy is that? A normal person would go to the ER instead of trying to punish Calvin as a dying wish.

So if I found How-Weird dead on the floor with blue ears, would I be responsible for killing him? In my book this fool killed himself or almost did.

The there was Doctor Finn, who I called “Fin Laden,” this man was paranoid and would have rage attacks.

I can cope and handle crazy people pretty well, but I want there to be fallout for bad behavior to make these idiots accountable for their actions.

BTW both How-Weird and Finn Laden were forced to leave because they were pushed out. Moral of the story is bad people end up screwing themselves.

BTW my slacker ways and laid back attitude caused How-Weird to have high plod pressure, and who knows how much anger he kept inside? Can I take the blame for the heart attack? Well maybe I contributed to it, there is no denighing that I pretty much made him unhappy and upset him greatly.

Just imagine a free thinking creative working with a micro manager who is rigid and a control freak.

Cal
 
Calvin the Gas Guzzler took the train into NYC to drop off the paperwork for my pension benefit.I figure since I walked to the train station, and walked uptown to 72d Street that I also walked over nine miles round trip.

On the train I got away with using off-peak tickets that expired on May 14th 2022. How cool was that?

It was odd being in Madhattan again. Pretty clear that part of my life is over. I was surprise on how crowded the train going to Madhattan was. After my stop in Peekskill it became standing room only. The city did seem less crowded though…

Calvin the Gas Guzzler
 
One thing you could do is delete responses with these jokers.

It sends a clear message on who’s side you are on.

This would be best used on threads they started.

So where do you think we would be if we didn’t let Russia annex Crimea years ago?

Cal
 
It was 2007-2008 that I sold all my energy stocks and closed my margin account.

At the time of the Credit Crisis people sold their hard earned treasures for little money and since I had mucho cash I bought a German version of the 35 Cron version 4 and a German version of the 75 Lux version two for little money. Years later I would double my money.

It would be a year later after I bought those lenses that I would buy an unusual M6 that was an early Wetzlar version, but had a Ti top plate that preceded the M6 Titanium by about 5 years. Evidently this was a Leica prototype. So I finally had a Leica rig and two legendary lenses.

So going back to 2007-2008 Damaso Reyes posted about having a NYC Meet-Up. I attended the first three curated and hosted by Damaso, but he was leaving dodge for Barcelona, and somehow reluctantly hosting and curating a monthly got handed to me. Somehow I got snookered into doing something I really-really did not want to do.

Remember that I promote myself as a self proclaimed “lazy-slacker.”

So I decided to add some “Calzone-Factor” and decided to have the first “Camera Beauty Contest.” I was like Don King the promoter and I used trash talking to create a rowdy crowd. It was kinda fun on how competitive this beauty contest became. Did I mention it was a lot of fun making fun of ourselves and camera culture.

It so happened that Damaso returned to NYC and was able to attend the Meet-Up that held the first Camera Beauty Pagent.

So next year might be the 16th year, or at least the 15th year I have hosted and organized the NYC Meet-Up, and also other events like 10 of us grouping up in Philly to go shoot at Eastern State Penitentiary.

I kinda get more out of this than I put in, and I have a great many good friends here. Know that I put in a lot of time and effort into keeping this going, and also know I do this for free as a kinda “Public Service.”

I was deeply moved when I got an E-mail that people were worried about me when I had a “blackout” period because my new IPAD was back ordered for a few months and I no longer had my computer at work (retired).

So show me some love, take a side, and do not respond to people that display bad behavior. It is your forum. I do this thread for you, and if I could ask a big favor, and that is to delete responses to the jerks that have been jerks.

DISCLAIMER: I’m of Cantonese descent. We have a history of feudalism that almost spans 1000 years. Like Kling-Ons we are bred for fighting. I also believe in revenge. This too is cultural. It is not an eye for an eye as in the west. I believe take two eyes.

If you could I would greatly appreciate your support if you deleted all your responses to these two jokesters. Time to isolate and send a clear message to people who display “Putin” like behaviors.

I’m asking for your support. Let’s isolate A-holes.

Cal
 
I have a cold that persists that I got from the grandkids.

Been sleeping a lot to try and get the upper hand. The coughing is pretty bad and gets worse as the day goes on.

I would say that daycare workers have a hazardous job, and they likely get sick all the time.

I don’t know, but I speculate that all the mask wearing might have made some viruses more virulent and stronger. They say this happened with the Flu.

Anyways I’m tired of being sick, and I await the warmer weather when disease spread diminishes. I have never been chronically sick like this.

Cal
 
Cal,
Can I ask what you're calling me out for? I mean, if you're not going to name names but you'll put the number of the posting right there, looks like it's me. That said, I'd like to ask here what it was that I did to offend your sensibilities to have you call for some kind of gang to put me on a de-facto ignore list? I never even made any pointed comments, only that there was a bit of drama. Meanwhile, you went on to speak for almost 200 more posts with one of the individuals who actually did make personal comments about your life choices. The other one chimed in here and there about fuel and you continued to have discussions with him. So, why are you bringing me into this? Either you're using my post as an improper marker, or you're calling me out for something you haven't even mentioned to me. Perhaps I'm mistaken, and for that I'll apologize in advance, but you can see why I might get a little put out, considering you pointed right at my post. I'd like an explanation, please.

Phil Forrest
 
Phil_F_NM said:
Cal,
Can I ask what you're calling me out for? I mean, if you're not going to name names but you'll put the number of the posting right there, looks like it's me. That said, I'd like to ask here what it was that I did to offend your sensibilities to have you call for some kind of gang to put me on a de-facto ignore list? I never even made any pointed comments, only that there was a bit of drama. Meanwhile, you went on to speak for almost 200 more posts with one of the individuals who actually did make personal comments about your life choices. The other one chimed in here and there about fuel and you continued to have discussions with him. So, why are you bringing me into this? Either you're using my post as an improper marker, or you're calling me out for something you haven't even mentioned to me. Perhaps I'm mistaken, and for that I'll apologize in advance, but you can see why I might get a little put out, considering you pointed right at my post. I'd like an explanation, please.

Phil Forrest
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Phil,

My intent was not to damage you, or incriminate you in any ways. You are a trusted friend and did nothing wrong.

My apologies if you feel like collateral damage. I should have been more thoughtful…

I am trying to discourage bad behavior from violating an otherwise open and safe place, and I’m glad you confronted me over this.

It was my idea to cast shade, and not yours.

I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, but something has to be done.

Cal
 
algrove said:
Anyone know the name and address/phone of a reputable film developer/processor in NYC?
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Al,

I do all my black and white processing, but when I needed color slides developed I went to Dugan a Pro Lab. Not cheap, but if you are in school you get a school discount, and thereafter you kinda get the school discount forever after.

For B&W archival printing I use to go to Chelsea Photographic, but I don’t think they do this anymore. At CP they did a lot of printing for Magnum shooters. I have to check, but they might have shut down.

I’ll check.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
With my grandson I’m seeing and experiencing development an a daily level. I find it a little sad in how it seems he is growing up so fast and changing.
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Yeah, it is the same with my Son. He's almost 3 years old, so you can imagine how much he has changed and learned. He's awesome though and I am glad I get to see all of his growth and quirks etc. Enjoy it. He already has his own digital camera by the way...
 
jsrockit said:
Yeah, it is the same with my Son. He's almost 3 years old, so you can imagine how much he has changed and learned. He's awesome though and I am glad I get to see all of his growth and quirks etc. Enjoy it. He already has his own digital camera by the way...
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John,

Life is rich for you and I. Being able to share it has profound meaning.

My grand daughter is hyper and has difficulties in school. She is very creative BTW, and I know from my own experience there are challenges ahead. Pretty much a mini-me even though not my blood.

I feel I missed out a lot early in life because of work and life with bringing up my own kids. Now I have the time to fully experience kids.

Cal
 
Thanks Cal,
I had just seen that you'd put my comment in there and though that you meant me. It was a knee-jerk reaction on my part, my apologies.
I've been absent lately because I'm working a full-time, salaried job as one of the senior therapists in a long-term mental health unit. The salary is decent but the salary also means that the hours can be long and there are often weekends involved. I come home almost every day, mentally and nearly physically exhausted. Add to that my own commiseration with you regarding low-grade illnesses. Working in an environment where it is a life goal for a patient to shower several times per-week, it's very difficult to enforce any sort of masking. That said, I feel like I have a low-grade sinus infection or common cold, nearly all the time; it exacerbates the feeling of exhaustion.
And that is why I haven't been hanging around here much. Today is the first day I have in a 4-day weekend, which I earned as a result of working Christmas, after a full week.
I'm getting out on the bicycle soon to enjoy the sunshine today. There's lots of bike news on my part. I was looking for one folding bike and I wound up with two. I'll write more on all that later.
Take care all, and have a better 2023 than 2022.

Phil Forrest
 
Phil,

We are brothers in so many ways. We have so much in common.

It distressed me deeply that we had a misunderstanding.

I am not a trained therapist, but we understand how a safe place where you can be honest and vulnerable is required say in a 12-step program.

I learned from the pandemic that this thread help many in a profound way and very much worked like a support group.

It is highly distressing to have our safe place violated and invaded, and I hope we get it back.

It is no joke that this was a lifeline for some. I will not violate privacy. That is part of having a safe place.

I will also add that 12-step program helped me cope with the alcoholism and abuse from one of my siblings. Having support and gaining an understanding helped me grow and move on.

Cal
 
Evidently there is this disease going around that has a nasty persistent cough.

We know someone who cause this disease, and it was more serious because of a secondary condition of As-MA. Our friend had all the testing, and it was not Covid, the Flu, or RSV, but she lost her voice for a week.

Not sure if Phil also has this bug, but I’m loosing my voice.

Cal
 
I’m one in 47 million that is part of the “Great Resignation.” I’m partially responsible for the worker shortage and inflation.

My last official day of work was December 22, 2021; although I stopped going to work the day before Thanksgiving 2021, I used accumulated vacation time to cover my absence.

I was able to leave on my own terms and ran down the clock the way I wanted. I was also offered the opportunity of continued employment, even though my lab was going to be shut down. Effectively my hospital abandoned a 20 year old cyclotron after its useful service life was up, but I was not going to be collateral damage. Sometimes nice guys are not losers.

Meanwhile How-Weird the bully supervisor had micro managed enough outside of our work area that he kinda got pushed out and in indirect manners shown the door.

Finn Laden was kinda forced to resign…

The past more than a year from working then retirement has been busy, somewhat fraught, but productive. For me it is kinda like running my own business in an odd kinda way. I’m figuring out the best ways to manage my time and resources. In the end I realized that I was on a spending binge of sorts that was not sustainable, but I also realized I took advantage of screaming BIN prices that were sale priced.

A new year lays ahead, and I wish all the very best.

Cal
 
A rough night of coughing.

In the mornings I always feel better.

My mid section is showing a six pack because of the coughing.

Read an interesting article on luck. Seems that people with good luck are natural optimists, are more open and less rigid, and also are more likely to embrace opportunities and risk.

There was a fourth traight, but I don’t remember, might have been about being more flexible.

So being lucky is more or less a personality profile.

BTW one of the many things that aggravated How-Weird is how I was well known and well liked. Realize that he was not well liked by many.

Cal

POSTSCRIPT: even being sick has a benefit.
 
Navy SEAL’s are taught in Survival Training that 95% of surviving is due to maintaining a positive mental attitude.

Pretty much avoid negativity. Not so easy in today’s world that is fraught with problems, but from decades of experience I can say I survived some very tough times, and my optimistic attitude has served me well.

A co-worker at Grumman told me this joke where an optimist and a pessimist were arguing. The optimist held the upper hand, and the pessimist was getting discouraged. At one point the pessimist picked up a hammer and said, “I’m going to smash your hands with this hammer, so what is good about that?”

”It will be good when you stop,” said the optimist.

I don’t expect 2023 to be an easy year. In fact looks like it could be tougher and harder than 2022. Just know that keeping a positive mental attitude can only help, and avoid negativity.

A fog is hovering over the valley and marsh in my back-backyard. Very pretty and peaceful.

Cal
 
Now I remember the 4th trait for post 418: resilience.

Anyways it is being suggested that somehow some people are luckier than others because of personality traits, and that some people generate their own luck.

I somehow had more than my fair share of opportunity and good fortune. I recognize the personality profile.

Cal
 
I watched a 90 minute documentary on John Monteleone called “The Chisels Are Calling.”

You get great backstory and where all the influences came from, and learn how this calling evolved.

There is a backdrop made from musicians and collectors as well as the MET exhibition that featured the guitars of DeAngelico, DeAquisto, and Monteleone. My friend Cris was an invited guest of Monteleone and attended the opening that celebrated the arch top at the MET.

Saw many people I know through Cris throughout the film.

My takeaway is the heavy use of Art Deco and design/styling used in John’s guitars. At times perhaps overdone or maybe garish, but when done just enough beyond and other worldly.

Anyways a real entry into a micro-culture.

Rudy Pensa was one of the producers, and you see cameos of him throughout. JM must be in his 70’s and my friend Cris is the next “Man.”

Two DeAquisto guitars were under construction when Jimmy died. One became “The Monte-Quisto” which John Monteleone completed. This guitar is tracked to a wealthy collector in the Caribbean and displayed with other guitars and cars.

Cris completed a round sound hole arched top, the second DeAquisto, in 2010.

Cal
 
I have played a few DeAngelico’s and a few DeAquisto’s. The craftsmanship on DeAquisto guitars eclipses DeAngelico’s guitars. The best sounding guitar was “Pepe” a DeAngelico that came into the shop a few times.

I have no experience with playing a Monteleone.

Seems like a Monteleone guitars are more decorated and use more Art Deco, while a Mirabella is more of a minimalist and modern guitar.

Monteleone at this point does no repairs and has a massive backlog of guitars to build.

Cris still has to rely on repairs for income, although he has limits to new clients and on the work he will take on. In other words he is selective. Monteleone sends repairs of his own guitars to Cris, and also sends clients who can’t wait for a Monteleone.

Cris is not there yet where he just can build guitars.

Monteleone is 11 years older than me meaning he is 76. Cris is a generation younger and is perhaps 49. I speculate the golden age for Cris is approaching where creatively he can really go out there. It seems that Monteleone has enjoyed and exploited the creative freedom over the last 10-15 years. This is a period where the art in his guitar designs go maxed out and are an artistic expression/interpretation that gets played out masterfully.

I would expect the same to happen with Cris. I will ask how many guitars has John produced. DeAngelico only made around 1100 guitars in his lifetime, DeAquisto only about 700. Both had short lives.

With the film/documentary I saw, I kinda got a feel for the future that lies ahead for both Cris and I. Monteleone had a “Patron” who gave him a “blank-slate” to just build and explore.

My other Mirabella guitar is one of the very first ones. In a way it is a prototype and it had features that are now obsolete. Cris decided he wanted to update and revamp the guitar to the extent that it will have a new neck, new headstock, new fingerboard inlays, and a new finish. Cris tells me that the first owner, Steve, had him overspray a finish, and that underneath the wood has a lot more depth. Know that the wood and finish was spectacular “as is,” so it is hard to imagine the added depth.

This guitar will also get updated with a new bridge, tailpiece and pickguard. This overhaul/update will be so complete that it will be basically a new guitar. Originally it was built in 2004.

I talked with Cris and told him that now that I’m retired there is a pressure to have these guitars completed pronto so I can enjoy them. I expect them to be borrowed so they can be used at guitar shows.

Cal
 
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