NYC Journal

[Phil_F_NM]

Just research the amount of energy it takes to melt glacial ice into usable amounts of water. It's a ridiculous premise. We might as well mine our own glaciers in Alaska as well as chip off a few dozen feet of the north Pacific, then use that. We don't need to take over a sovereign territory to claim more water. It's all part of the orange turd's grift, as well as power grab. Don't worry about water right now, worry about your children's rights. Worry about the future of this nation as a wonderful democratic experiment, as opposed to what it looks like it's becoming.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

Things are normalizing. Went to bed at 10, woke at 6. This is my usual schedule.

A big advancement is I can make the “move” meaning sit on a toilet without leakage reliably. This I deem as advanced. Easier to fully empty my bladder and also any gas pressure.

I just completed the last double dose for the first week of Eliquis, the blood thinner.

I still have the possibility of juicing my nuts by sitting on them. I’m still swollen a bit. Scars are appearing as scabs release.

I feel comfortable, maintained, and most of all high and dry. This is a nice surprise. Still bloated…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Here in New York we happen to have a great geography, a large glacial valley, that is strategically important. No doubt that NYC is blessed with a great water supply. Deemed the key to great bagels and also rated as one of the best tasting.

Anyways this is where Joe is coming from, and I understand that, but that is not the rest of the world and most of our country.

Fresh water is already a precious commodity, and it is diminishing. I see no real long-term solution to get water where it is needed, but certainly the Hudson Valley, Canada, and Greenland are blessed. Joe’s point, and Phil’s comment denote how moving large bodies of water where needed is mucho not cost effective or even feasible.

So Joe does make a very strong point.

I am very concerned about the state of affairs, and the insanity that is happening.

The breakdown is the haves, and the have nots in the end.

About 3K people were killed on September 11th, and there were many-many September related deaths of first responders.

I want to mention Glen Petite who was a videographer for the NYPD. I went to grad school with Glen and had classes together. Glen and I did not get along so well: two very aggressive Alpha males… Anyways he was killed in one of the Twin Tower collapses.

Then my high school friends baby brother Perry died post September 11th from Post attack illnesses. Perry was in the NYPD. Perry was this funny goofy kid.

Katrina killed about 3K, mostly poor and elderly that were abandoned. Many died from dehydration and exposure.

No shortage of tragedy. More to come, so brace yourself…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Had a dribble/leak. No big deal. Caught it before it became a gusher.

Oh-well. This is the new game.

The topic of fresh water brings up a limited and finite resource that we can’t live without.

I talk about retirement, and pretty much that is all about living below your means and living in a sustainable manner.

A frequent topic is Capitalism and the distribution of wealth. Capitalism has its good, the bad, and the ugly. Understand that in Capitalism an underclass is a necessary structural element, a scapegoat, a class to exploit, and a class to make Capitalism work.

So now with my low level Cancer (slow growing B-Cell Lymphoma/CAD) and my aggressive Prostate Cancer, I am presented with limits.

My point here is knowing the limits and boundaries is actually kinda profound thinking and discussion here. Capitalism tends to dismiss limits.

I’m reminded of a Clint Eastwood film, I think “Dirty Harry,” where he mentions “I know you are thinking did I shoot 5 or 6 shots” and eloquently emphasizes the word “Punk,” and questions, “Do you feel lucky, Punk?”

Then there is mention of something about living within limits that I don’t remember…

Am I wrong thinking that the Hudson Valley is likely one of or the most likely places in the U.S. with the most stable water supply? A decade ago I thought and mentioned here in this embedded blog that I included the Pacific Northwest, but with the acceleration of global warming that no longer is true.

So do I feel lucky being able to live in the shelter of the Hudson Valley? Certainly I do. I feel a bit insulated, and likely will have luck and geography on my side to help ensure my survival.

I’m dealing and negotiating risks and limits.

Also I am reconsidering my health issues, and it seems likely, probable, and possible to have a healthy lifespan that is active into my mid eighties and perhaps beyond.

To be realistic, remaining active and independent is UBER important to me, and also “Maggie.” Getting into my 90’s and remaining independent and active while a possibility, also is kinda remote. Oh-well… might be time to get put down, but my hope is to defy nature… Anyways we know the limits, the odds, and the probabilities…

I spotted and stopped a leak before it became a gusher. As I write this I should pee again, but I trust my luck to finish this post before I lose control in a blink of an eye. This risky behavior that is unnecessary seems to be in the spirit and culture of runaway Capitalism.

Off to pee, then I’ll look for typo’s and editing…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

So no accident. This exercise about control in a Zen manner is kinda what I need to do to recover. While I am following doctor’s orders by fully resting and eating right, I still need to challenge my body to get back the control I need/require.

There was a 10% chance/odds of permanent incontinence. So I think I beat that possibility already. My bladder capacity while never large seems to have been restored, and I seem to be able to control my bladder in an advanced manner considering I had the surgery just 2 weeks ago on the 15th.

Anyways remarkable… Enough bragging, but I am also proud of this accomplishment.

I had thought I would wake up less to pee during the night. Seems though I still wake up 4-5 times a night to pee. Anyways nothing new, I just thought that my surgery would have improved this frequently to a lower amount of disturbances to my sleep.

Oh-well… I have a small bladder, and maybe this makes me annoying… or adds to it… LOL.

Anyways things are ahead of schedule, I’m comfortable, and feeling that this is looking like could be around in my 90’s and beyond annoying people.

BTW coffee is recommended to be avoided because it causes bladder irritation. Pretty much told to avoid. I still drink 2 cups, and pretty much it increases the urge to pee. I purposely use this as part of my retraining. Of course I do this only at home.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Austin’s above link presents both the chicken or the egg, and the chicken and the egg scenario's.

Note the careful language.

So in expanding on AI, the markets are very advanced. AI stocks are inflated and are kinda speculative, and I say that because there is more to AI than just technology, you also need the infrastructure.

So what was cited for AI to be developed is a 50% increase in electric power, and even doubling the capacity of our grid. So understand the challenge to make AI really a reality. The chips and technology are only half of that.

Also understand that Data-Centers are another element of AI development and these Data-Centers require vast amounts of both energy and water.

From my viewpoint increasing the grid 50% or 100% is kinda/maybe an impossible task. The money has to come from somewhere. Don’t forget that our present grid is weak and old to compound matters. Lots of wishful thinking going on here. La-la-la, and La-la-la…

Again look into how much energy and water is required for not only data centers, but also chip foundries like the one I cited being built in Arizona.

Pretty much the scale of this is mucho crazy. Nuclear reactors cannot be built fast enough. Do we revert back to burning coal?

So the chicken and the egg verses chicken and the egg tri-state logic I’m presenting here is you need both the chicken and egg together for AI to be feasible.

I guess my analysis is that AI kinda jumped the shark. Kinda like stockpiling ammo, but having not enough guns to use the ammo.

There seems to be lots of crazy thinking going on. Lots of insanity. I don’t think I’m crazy.

Understand that AI, Data-Centers, and overhauling and building up the grid is unbridled Capitalism.

I think of the Twin Towers. I had a job interview there during Ronald Ray Gun’s first term. The job was in the Department of the Treasury as a Research Intelligence Specialist. Kinda funny an artist as a G-Man, but I got the job.

I had just graduated college with a 4-year degree in Visual Arts. I likely got hired though because I already had a Secret Security Clearance because I worked at Grumman, my Spanish language skills (near fluent at the time), and my electronics background.

So did you know that the Twin Towers were built and upon completion were widely vacant. Pretty much the government leased space and occupied most of the space. Pretty much a big “white elephant.”

Anyways I just wanted to cite examples of unbridled Capitolism.

So there is more to this story: I got offered the same job, Intelligence Research Specialist, in Miami. I kinda got poached. I was 29 years old, and then after I put in a 3-week notice at Grumman, I got sent out to Los Alamos to work on that Star Wars project. I was getting ready to relocate to Miami to be a G-Man.

Basically that Star Wars project was a great example of unbridled Capitalism also. I was a wrench less person, so I kinda was like a Tarantino film character who held an edgy existence choosing the highest risk-reward lifestyle.

So the conclusion here is not only am I a person who escaped poverty and is one of those New York stories, but I am a product of unbridled Capitalism. I am a great example of why the U.S. is a great country despite all the injustices, inequities, and repression.

Understand that in a Capitalistic economy repression and having an underclass is a structural requirement. Basically a divide and conquer and a need of an underclass structurally. In other words repression and oppression.

Cal

 

[JoeV]

Cal, I like your analysis. Regarding the electric grid, weren’t we supposed to need much more capacity just for electric cars? If so, does that mean that AI infrastructure and electric cars are competing for the same future grid expansion? Maybe in China this will happen, but there’s too much bureaucracy in the US, without Federal incentives.

 

[Calzone]

Joe,

Great point. They said/claimed that for an electric vehicle supply the grid would have to increase by 25%.

I think they also forgot to include a grid upgrade for all the industry here that we need for independence, deglobalization, and self-sufficiency.

La-la-la; and La-la-la…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Disclaimer: Please know that I don’t really have any financial background, but knowing poverty is a powerful lesson. I’m a smart and thoughtful guy, but sometimes I hope my analysis is wrong.

Visionary views and projecting into the future of course is both risky and speculative. I use history, personal experience, and perhaps even insider information.

I calculate risk, odds and probability. I’m pretty good at this, but I could be wrong.

There is another side to consider: one in which the “Orange-Glow” is able to raise revenue and grow the economy enough to offset radical policies that are disruptive and destructive to our economy.

They say there is an envelope of perhaps the next 100 days…

They also say there is a 50% chance of a recession this year, and if that’s not enough there is a 50% chance next year.

I know through experience that the markets don’t like uncertainty. This presents a downward bias to the markets. Any surprise or unintended consequence could trigger a sell off and a recession. They talk of a reverse wealth effect where a drop in the markets could realize a recession.

So beware of the “eye’s of March.”

Cal

 

[Nokton48]

Hi Devil Cal, Hang in there!

Hmmm. Beware the Ides.

4x5 Norma 90mm F8 Skier 100mm F16 MC EI 160 by Nokton48, on Flickr

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Makina II Body, with Groundglass Back with Hood. Three correct original lenses. Far left the 7.3cm f6.8 Orthar, then the 100mm F2.9 Orthometar. On the far right, the 21cm F6.8. Black Finder Masks II vintage 7.3cm left, and 21cm right. So a fairly complete set ready to use. Great for carryin' around. It gives off a Barnack-like Photo Buzz when using it. But in the larger format.

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

"The Mothership" 1600J Broncolor Hazylight suspended.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

For you lot in Merka, it seems to be your country's unstoppable march down to third world status. It's coming, and it's coming fast. Be ready for it.

Exactly. I've been referring to the current catastrophe as the "North Koreanization" of the US. A self-indulgent psychopathic dictator keeps his beleaguered people in ignorance and terror as he threatens the world with invasion or nuclear attack. The rest of the word regards that government with amusement and (mostly) fear, and refuses to engage with the rogue nation. The country continues to spiral into more chaos....
Sound familiar?

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I need a sponsor in a country not currently in a state of war, and one that values personal liberty. I hear St. John's Newfoundland is nice. I've always wanted to live in a place with wild puffins.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

Phil,

Not sure Americans are welcomed in Canada. This is sad.

To me Canadians are the nicer Americans.

BTW Last year I routed for the “Birds.” Hope this year, round 2, they win.

Cal

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Phil,

Not sure Americans are welcomed in Canada. This is sad.

To me Canadians are the nicer Americans.

BTW Last year I routed for the “Birds.” Hope this year, round 2, they win.

Cal

They aren't Americans, yet! Nicer North Americans...
But yeah, your point is correct.

 

[Calzone]

I felt well enough to run to CitiBank, DSW, Barnes and Nobel and Stop and Shop.

At DSW I had a $5.00 birthday coupon. I went in for a look at the discount rack. I was put off by the inflated prices, and figured why spend any money since I have a stockpile of footwear in my basement.

At Bares & Noble I looked at a C-K Magazine that feature C and K vintage pickup trucks. I took not in the advertisements how 67 seemed to be the year cutoff in the advertisements. Pretty much the older groupings of parts, accessories, and kits addressed 67 or newer trucks.

The takeaway from this is my 1966 Chevy C-10 is now too old and rare to be heavily marketed to. Hmmm…

On the way home I got gas at my discount Mobil. $3.73 9/10 a gallon for premium Cash. My low gas reminder had just gone off so I only had 1/8th of a tank as my reserve. $50.00 topped up my tank.

If The Donald imposes tariffs on Canada and Mexico they say that consumers will pay higher gas prices almost immediately. I felt the imperative to fill up pronto.

A weird thing happened at the gas station. My gas cap cover would not open. It is electronically operated by proximity of my FOB, or the unlocking of my car. I did some trouble shooting, but eventually decided I would have to get it repaired. I looked in the trunk for a cable release or an alternative mechanism.

Then this guy came over to help. He cycled the lock and unlock on my FOB several times while pushing and banging on the door, until it finally released. I would later learn that Louis worked at the Audi dealership in Mohegan Lake for 15 years. What luck…

Divine intervention???

CORRECTION: The price of gas would not be immediate as I stated to consumers. Should of been stated a few weeks. February 2 is approaching. Tank up…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

RG,

In Costa Rica they considered themselves Americans too. This was the culture 30 or more years ago though.

In a broader sense pretty much Americans are people who inhabit the Americas that were not indigenous.

I have two teeth that are bifurcated, meaning fused together root and crown. Basically a birth defect. I have been told that this hereditary birth defect is rare: one in a million. I was also told that this defect is only among Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.

In Canada what we call Native Americans are called “First Nations.”

Pretty much genetic anthropological evidence that the above at one point were all one people that later became sub specieces.

In James A. Michner’s book “Centenial,” he denotes the prehistoric migration of northern Asians crossing the land bridge that existed at a time when sea levels were lower across the Bearing Straight.

Did you know that horses first evolved in North America, and migrated into Asia. The Spanish reintroduced horses back into America, but only after they had somehow become extinct in the Americas.

I will be ethno-centric and say that Northern Chinese likely discovered America.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Google “How much of U.S. GDP is government spending” and the result is 36.2%.

Myself and others have said government spending has inflated our GNP.

Want to kill our economy, then knock off about 1% or more off our GDP or more than a third. Cutting those grant disbursements not only causes chaos and dysfunction, but also severe and immediate economic damage.

The trees through the forest is that without government spending our economy really is not that big or strong. Don’t get me wrong, Government spending is stimulas.

Are we like the Chinese in doing self inflicted wounds?

This reminds me of when babies have tantrums to gain attention. Very ill.

You can’t make this stuff up.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Devil Dan,

That diffuser lamp is mucho crazy. I love it.

Also Barnack buzz is mighty cool.

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Cal,
From my perspective, Canada doesn't want a few named would-be bullies, but they have always welcomed persons from the US. Not unlike while I was in the Navy, I did not like the political viewpoints of a lot of folks, especially a group that would use the deaths of service members for their ultra conservative religious agenda. That said, I was still ready and willing to give my life in defense of the country they live in. I consider myself the better person with greater morals. So I feel that Canada will take our good and bad viewpoints, and honor the fact that people have a right to their opinions, so long as language to incite nor language of hate with the intent of violence, is not used.
Edit: regarding the Eagles American football team, it's nice when this city's teams win big games. Violence drops across the board. Aside from that, I don't care, just don't interrupt my weekend trip to the grocery store, is what I say. American "football" is a brutal sport steeped in violence, with zero finesse, of course this country loves it. Put any US football team against a champion rugby Union, League, Super 15s, heck 7's may trounce them based upon fitness alone, and then witness real pain. I think the rugby players would possibly even beat an American football team at their own sport. But the US players would barely even get down the pitch without a rest, in a match against the All Blacks.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

I do admire a lot our Canadian neighbors. Like I said, they are better Americans.

I was a very agile quarterback. I am bow legged because of malnutrition. I am an inch shorter in height than my wingspan, so I should be an inch taller.

Of course being a skinny bitch I did not have the horsepower of a large man. I still have a boyish body.

Billy my neighbor, had great hands and was speedy, and the two of us would play against pick up teams of any three kids.

Billy and I would always kill the other team, even though out numbered.

To me basketball is the fitness sport and soccer. I’m not really good in either.

I’m kinda scary as a fist fighter. Speed, agility, and experience… Seems my heritage of Cantonese feudalism is playing out here. I am like a kinetic weapon: E=MC2. Speed kills…

We just want to live in peace, no aggression, no greed, no ego.

We live in a very dark time: mucho evil is presently prevailing.

Again thank you for your service. For me every day is Veteran’s Day.

Cal