Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The baritone Thinline is stunning looking and plays well. The sound is huge tuned D-D. The added scale length adds lots of overtones and fullness. Is loud not plugged in.
I also worked on the grandson’s guitar that is an electric guitar I rescued from the trash that had a dead tuner, I installed a set of West German Schallers I had on hand on this cheap guitar that likely was made in China that has a pine neck.
It is properly sized for a 2 1/2-3 year old. The grandson will be mucho happy,
If you play bass you know how the long scale length adds in overtones and mucho warmth. Kinda the same happened on this 28 5/8 inch scale baritone. I suspected some, but the portion I got is surprising.
So I am surprised and pleased with my long tall Tele. Has monster tone. This thing is a killer. Can’t wait to plug it in and see how it really sounds.
We have a few busy weeks of doctor’s appointments. I feel fortunate that I got my surgery now rather than after the proposed MediCare cuts. I’m receiving all these bills, a couple hundred here, a few thousand there. So if I can say getting Cancer when I did, was actually lucky.
Cal
I also worked on the grandson’s guitar that is an electric guitar I rescued from the trash that had a dead tuner, I installed a set of West German Schallers I had on hand on this cheap guitar that likely was made in China that has a pine neck.
It is properly sized for a 2 1/2-3 year old. The grandson will be mucho happy,
If you play bass you know how the long scale length adds in overtones and mucho warmth. Kinda the same happened on this 28 5/8 inch scale baritone. I suspected some, but the portion I got is surprising.
So I am surprised and pleased with my long tall Tele. Has monster tone. This thing is a killer. Can’t wait to plug it in and see how it really sounds.
We have a few busy weeks of doctor’s appointments. I feel fortunate that I got my surgery now rather than after the proposed MediCare cuts. I’m receiving all these bills, a couple hundred here, a few thousand there. So if I can say getting Cancer when I did, was actually lucky.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The medical bills still come in, and I can see how in many households this would lead to getting underwater. I suspect a worse future for healthcare as the DOGE bags unwind things. Pretty much these medical bills would be food off the table for many families.
Tragically a child died in Texas do to Measles.
Is Guantanamo Bay a concentration camp or worse, a death camp. Guantanamo Bay: is that O.K.?
Eyes wide open, and I know people voted for this.
Tomorrow is the 28th: don’t buy anything. Boycott the economy.
I see some defect in the MJT bodies as far as being vintage correct. While I love the sonic blue Thinline it is very different than the original Fender. The Warmoth does offer vintage replicas, Bloom Doom and MJT are variations. Live and learn…
Cal
Tragically a child died in Texas do to Measles.
Is Guantanamo Bay a concentration camp or worse, a death camp. Guantanamo Bay: is that O.K.?
Eyes wide open, and I know people voted for this.
Tomorrow is the 28th: don’t buy anything. Boycott the economy.
I see some defect in the MJT bodies as far as being vintage correct. While I love the sonic blue Thinline it is very different than the original Fender. The Warmoth does offer vintage replicas, Bloom Doom and MJT are variations. Live and learn…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
A pretty crazy swing in the markets today, from greed to fear.
Once the bleeding starts what can Bozo do stop the bleeding? That’s the problem with inflation and tariffs.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day on the markets.
The grandson was good today.
With the kids the house they want to buy got an appraisal that is lower than the contract price. While the house is nice, “Maggie” thinks the location is not the best. Close to a busy road, and maybe too close to commercial businesses. Now there is a bit of a scramble and mucho uncertainty.
The husband is a kinda negative guy, kinda like he’s related to Debbie Downer. Pretty much the seller is in trouble, overstepped in the build, and looks to be in a position of loss. Likely will not get paid for the upgrades and premium build.
A second appraisal is likely, but still it looks like the price will get negotiated lower.
Also it could mean starting over in the house hunt. The market is soft and more stock is hitting the market.
Basically a coin toss. My attitude is “oh-well” was not meant to be, and move forward… but that’s me…
I don’t really see the negative here, and it actually could be an opportunity. Oh-well. A good thing is they still are early into the market as spring gets busier, and time still is their friend.
I did get a chance to plug in the baritone last night. The output certainly has increased and basically the pickups which sounded great before with a standard neck now has a tone that I would describe as too wooly and overdriven. This makes sense to me: longer strings swing wider and sustain more energy.
Basically the pickup is being overdriven by to much string signal as I have the volume turned down quite a bit.
The bridge pickup holds together better, and it is a low output vintage Fender Custom Shop 49 No Caster pickup with weak Alnico 3 magnets. The neck pickup though is overwound by 5% and has more powerful Alnico 5.
My guess is I need a lower output vintage style Alnico 3 neck pickup to get rid of the unneeded overdrive and distortion. I could just get a matching Fender Custom Shop 49 No Caster neck pickup to match the bridge. Not expensive.
A plan “B” is make the Thinline into bridge pickup only guitar, in other words a baritone Thinline Esquire which is so odd it is mighty cool. I know of no one that plays one, and pretty much I think it is an original idea.
I have a white Mother of Toilet Seat (plastic imitation mother of pearl) pickguard on hand that would look mighty cool, and it saves me about $110.00 because I won’t need a replacement pickup, in fact it would save me an additional $120.00 because I can recycle the Fralin Blues Special and won’t have to order one for another Tele build.
The baritone stretches out the hand when doing chords in the first position. My hand size is “extra-medium,” but not too much of a challenge, just a little extra work. I can already see though how playing the baritone will be great training for playing a standard Tele.
Came close do doing 5 pull-ups today. The last one was a bit lame so I didn’t count it. 4 3/4’ers does not count. Pull-ups build up fast, but they also fade as equally fast.
Cal
CORRECTION: My old brain confused 1949, when the Fender Snakehead came out, with 1951 when the Nocaster came out/ was released.
Once the bleeding starts what can Bozo do stop the bleeding? That’s the problem with inflation and tariffs.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day on the markets.
The grandson was good today.
With the kids the house they want to buy got an appraisal that is lower than the contract price. While the house is nice, “Maggie” thinks the location is not the best. Close to a busy road, and maybe too close to commercial businesses. Now there is a bit of a scramble and mucho uncertainty.
The husband is a kinda negative guy, kinda like he’s related to Debbie Downer. Pretty much the seller is in trouble, overstepped in the build, and looks to be in a position of loss. Likely will not get paid for the upgrades and premium build.
A second appraisal is likely, but still it looks like the price will get negotiated lower.
Also it could mean starting over in the house hunt. The market is soft and more stock is hitting the market.
Basically a coin toss. My attitude is “oh-well” was not meant to be, and move forward… but that’s me…
I don’t really see the negative here, and it actually could be an opportunity. Oh-well. A good thing is they still are early into the market as spring gets busier, and time still is their friend.
I did get a chance to plug in the baritone last night. The output certainly has increased and basically the pickups which sounded great before with a standard neck now has a tone that I would describe as too wooly and overdriven. This makes sense to me: longer strings swing wider and sustain more energy.
Basically the pickup is being overdriven by to much string signal as I have the volume turned down quite a bit.
The bridge pickup holds together better, and it is a low output vintage Fender Custom Shop 49 No Caster pickup with weak Alnico 3 magnets. The neck pickup though is overwound by 5% and has more powerful Alnico 5.
My guess is I need a lower output vintage style Alnico 3 neck pickup to get rid of the unneeded overdrive and distortion. I could just get a matching Fender Custom Shop 49 No Caster neck pickup to match the bridge. Not expensive.
A plan “B” is make the Thinline into bridge pickup only guitar, in other words a baritone Thinline Esquire which is so odd it is mighty cool. I know of no one that plays one, and pretty much I think it is an original idea.
I have a white Mother of Toilet Seat (plastic imitation mother of pearl) pickguard on hand that would look mighty cool, and it saves me about $110.00 because I won’t need a replacement pickup, in fact it would save me an additional $120.00 because I can recycle the Fralin Blues Special and won’t have to order one for another Tele build.
The baritone stretches out the hand when doing chords in the first position. My hand size is “extra-medium,” but not too much of a challenge, just a little extra work. I can already see though how playing the baritone will be great training for playing a standard Tele.
Came close do doing 5 pull-ups today. The last one was a bit lame so I didn’t count it. 4 3/4’ers does not count. Pull-ups build up fast, but they also fade as equally fast.
Cal
CORRECTION: My old brain confused 1949, when the Fender Snakehead came out, with 1951 when the Nocaster came out/ was released.
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Today, February 8th, boycott the economy. Celebrate “No-Buy.”
If Americans have to suffer austerity, then let government know that the masses count.
It is said that Henry Kissinger called the mass public “Food Eaters,” meaning of no value. I hope you see the context of how little people don’t count. To those in power our existence is not important, but economically we are.
Please do your part by celebrating “No-Buy” today.
Cal
If Americans have to suffer austerity, then let government know that the masses count.
It is said that Henry Kissinger called the mass public “Food Eaters,” meaning of no value. I hope you see the context of how little people don’t count. To those in power our existence is not important, but economically we are.
Please do your part by celebrating “No-Buy” today.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Whether the Orange House likes it or not, by population alone the U.S. is the second largest Spanish speaking population in the world, the largest Spanish speaking population in the world is Mexico our neighbor.
Fact is more people speak Spanish in the U.S. than in Spain.
It kinda is understood already that English is the National language here, but really what is the point of a Presidential decree/order. Tell me something I already don’t know “Bozo.”
So the Ukrainian President is being accused of starting WWIII. I actually give this credit to the German Government and President Obama for writing off Cremia.
History lesson here is WWII started after Britain and France wrote off the annexation of Poland by Germany. Of course that led to further aggression that is the War in the Ukraine.
Using Trump logic Poland started WWII by being invaded.
I have hope that Americans are not so dumb. I hope they turn to austerity to use as a weapon to kill the economy and put an end to all this nonsense.
A court ruling states that the DOGE firings are illegal, but as far as rule of law goes who enforces the court ruling. Paper whipping will not enforce the law. Effectively the judicial branch is a “Paper Tiger” that has no teeth.
Was able to do 5 pull-ups today. I might try and do another max set to see what I can do. Perhaps just 3, or maybe 4 with mucho rest.
Able to do 55 sloppy fast pushups in a max set. The heart pounds fast after this.
Been high and dry lately. I think the strength training tightens up everything. I think I’ll add in squats today with a pair of 30 pound dumbbells. Work those big muscles in my legs.
Got gas last week: $3.739 a gallon for Moble Premium.
Starting to notice that things like nut butters are getting more expensive. Pretty much this is a cheap source of plant protein, so it is not just eggs getting expensive. You know how diet, exercise and health are related… I’ve been going more plant based as far as protein sources go: hummus, nuts, nut butters, lentils…
I’m thinking of loading up on nuts and nut butters before the tariffs go in effect. Remember we get about 40% of our produce, fruit and nuts from Mexico. Add on a 25% tariff…
Last night after using the baritone guitar for practice I switched to a standard guitar and it felt small in an exaggerated way. Pretty dramatic scaling down, but scaling up seems like no big deal. Kinda odd. I can see how playing baritone can speed up my playing though on a standard guitar.
Cal
Fact is more people speak Spanish in the U.S. than in Spain.
It kinda is understood already that English is the National language here, but really what is the point of a Presidential decree/order. Tell me something I already don’t know “Bozo.”
So the Ukrainian President is being accused of starting WWIII. I actually give this credit to the German Government and President Obama for writing off Cremia.
History lesson here is WWII started after Britain and France wrote off the annexation of Poland by Germany. Of course that led to further aggression that is the War in the Ukraine.
Using Trump logic Poland started WWII by being invaded.
I have hope that Americans are not so dumb. I hope they turn to austerity to use as a weapon to kill the economy and put an end to all this nonsense.
A court ruling states that the DOGE firings are illegal, but as far as rule of law goes who enforces the court ruling. Paper whipping will not enforce the law. Effectively the judicial branch is a “Paper Tiger” that has no teeth.
Was able to do 5 pull-ups today. I might try and do another max set to see what I can do. Perhaps just 3, or maybe 4 with mucho rest.
Able to do 55 sloppy fast pushups in a max set. The heart pounds fast after this.
Been high and dry lately. I think the strength training tightens up everything. I think I’ll add in squats today with a pair of 30 pound dumbbells. Work those big muscles in my legs.
Got gas last week: $3.739 a gallon for Moble Premium.
Starting to notice that things like nut butters are getting more expensive. Pretty much this is a cheap source of plant protein, so it is not just eggs getting expensive. You know how diet, exercise and health are related… I’ve been going more plant based as far as protein sources go: hummus, nuts, nut butters, lentils…
I’m thinking of loading up on nuts and nut butters before the tariffs go in effect. Remember we get about 40% of our produce, fruit and nuts from Mexico. Add on a 25% tariff…
Last night after using the baritone guitar for practice I switched to a standard guitar and it felt small in an exaggerated way. Pretty dramatic scaling down, but scaling up seems like no big deal. Kinda odd. I can see how playing baritone can speed up my playing though on a standard guitar.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Wow. The January medical bill, basically my surgery cost just a tad under $65K. Medical bills can crush you easily. Of course there were a lot of bills in the end 2024 that led up to the surgery.
Like I said, I also had a lot of bills that came out of my pocket that would bury a family: a few thousand; then a series of a trickle of hundreds one after another. “Moo,” said the Pig.
I’m lucky that I’m not underwater, or just treading water…
There is this guy known as Dan-O-Caster. Pretty much this guy caters to the great players in the Nashville scene, and he basically builds Parts-Casters. Pretty much this guy does what I do, which is experiment, and through experience he is great at setting up guitars.
The art here is making the right combination, and ultimizing sound and performance. It involves experimenting, trial and error, and kinda stumbling into the magic combination.
Cal
Like I said, I also had a lot of bills that came out of my pocket that would bury a family: a few thousand; then a series of a trickle of hundreds one after another. “Moo,” said the Pig.
I’m lucky that I’m not underwater, or just treading water…
There is this guy known as Dan-O-Caster. Pretty much this guy caters to the great players in the Nashville scene, and he basically builds Parts-Casters. Pretty much this guy does what I do, which is experiment, and through experience he is great at setting up guitars.
The art here is making the right combination, and ultimizing sound and performance. It involves experimenting, trial and error, and kinda stumbling into the magic combination.
Cal
Austintatious
Well-known
I have heard it a bit differently. It was the term "useless eaters" and seems to have originated in Nazi Germany.
Useless eaters is a term that originated in Nazi Germany, referring to individuals with disabilities or serious medical issues who were deemed unproductive and targeted for extermination. It reflects a horrific ideology that justified the murder of those considered "unworthy of life."
WikipediaCalzone
Gear Whore #1
Austin,
I read the term “Food Eaters” from an article that dates back to the late 70’s or perhaps early 80’s.
I’m pretty sure I did not misread this, but now I don’t know. We are talking 45 or mor years ago.
Could I be mistaken: maybe; but I don’t think so.
Could both terms be correct???
I look more into this. First with your link.
Thanks for the post and the link.
Cal
I read the term “Food Eaters” from an article that dates back to the late 70’s or perhaps early 80’s.
I’m pretty sure I did not misread this, but now I don’t know. We are talking 45 or mor years ago.
Could I be mistaken: maybe; but I don’t think so.
Could both terms be correct???
I look more into this. First with your link.
Thanks for the post and the link.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Can’t find any reference to my claim of “Food Eaters.”
Oh-well…
Cal
Oh-well…
Cal
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Be born. Consume. Die.I have heard it a bit differently. It was the term "useless eaters" and seems to have originated in Nazi Germany.
Useless eaters is a term that originated in Nazi Germany, referring to individuals with disabilities or serious medical issues who were deemed unproductive and targeted for extermination. It reflects a horrific ideology that justified the murder of those considered "unworthy of life."
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The bleeding from my January surgery continues: another $275.00 bill came in today for my share of out of pocket. Ouch… and “Moo,” said the Pig. I’m alright, the money is in the bank…
So I find it interesting that there are no news headlines about yesterday’s economic boycott. “Maggie” told me about a Walmart employee who posted a video of a deserted store who was at work yesterday. Don’t tell anyone: obvious that it’s a secrete.
Maggie read me out a list of a series of questions from a thoughtful reflection about the economic boycott.
Pretty much I had one answer that was a great response to each individual question: “Live below your means…”
Example: “What did you learn about participating in the economic boycott?”
Answer: “Live below your means.”
Another question: “Can you sustain your austerity?”
Answer: “Live below your means.”
Pretty much to me an obvious answer, but I say that perhaps 2/3rds of Americans live beyond their means.
Right now with all these medical bills if I were a typical American I would be a scrambled mess.
Local news is I went to CVS to use a 30% off coupon that would expire after today, and to buy eggs because we ran out. Nearby is a strip mall about 2 1/2 blocks away, so I walked over.
I counted 10 men near the parking lot entrance that were day laborers, all Latino’s. Then near the super market another 3 that I suspected that they too were day laborers.
On my way out of the grocery the three men remained reinforcing my notion that they were avoiding the crowd just in case ICE came around. Then near the parking lot entrance I only counted 3 men, so 7 men likely got picked up for a day’s work.
This is the first time I’ve seen the day laborers this year. Generally I see them all the time, sometimes as many as 30 men, and even women.
My local grocery is out of the way, and is not one of the big chain stores. Pretty much I limit my purchases there because almost everything costs more there. In other words I only shop there for convenience, or for items I can’t find elsewhere.
I saw the shelves are thinning out. They had a massive Asian noodle selection that included products imported from Japan, but I bought the last packet on the shelf. I wonder if this grocery will head south, the emptying shelves suggest this. Then I paid $11.99 for a dozen jumbo eggs. That’s almost $1.00 per egg. Ouch.
******************************
Today I plugged in the baritone guitar early in the morning to adjust the pickups. I lowered them considerably to get rid of the wooly distortion. The sound cleaned up nicely, and of course the tone is richer than a standard guitar with a regular scale length. I’m beyond happy-happy. Kinda close to an orgasm actually. Too much pleasure…
Definitely more like a piano tone, mucho warmth, and much more dynamics. Seems to have more note separation and clarity also. What’s not to love.
Might have to get another baritone neck. In the least I actually need to build out a for real baritone guitar with mucho heavy strings. The Sonic Blue Thinline is set up actually as a regular guitar with my normal heavy gauge strings, 12’s-52. To compensate for the additional string tension of the 3 1/8 inch longer scale I tune down a whole-step D-D.
Still plays like a regular guitar to an extent, but really the only difference is really two additional frets that go lower. Same feel and vibe as a regular guitar.
I’m kinda in love, don’t tell Maggie. I am left with excitement and passion… I feel really inspired.
Then when I play a standard guitar, I fell advanced, smoother, quicker and more accurate with precision in every note. The enhanced note separation and clarity is a really-really big deal.
Cal
So I find it interesting that there are no news headlines about yesterday’s economic boycott. “Maggie” told me about a Walmart employee who posted a video of a deserted store who was at work yesterday. Don’t tell anyone: obvious that it’s a secrete.
Maggie read me out a list of a series of questions from a thoughtful reflection about the economic boycott.
Pretty much I had one answer that was a great response to each individual question: “Live below your means…”
Example: “What did you learn about participating in the economic boycott?”
Answer: “Live below your means.”
Another question: “Can you sustain your austerity?”
Answer: “Live below your means.”
Pretty much to me an obvious answer, but I say that perhaps 2/3rds of Americans live beyond their means.
Right now with all these medical bills if I were a typical American I would be a scrambled mess.
Local news is I went to CVS to use a 30% off coupon that would expire after today, and to buy eggs because we ran out. Nearby is a strip mall about 2 1/2 blocks away, so I walked over.
I counted 10 men near the parking lot entrance that were day laborers, all Latino’s. Then near the super market another 3 that I suspected that they too were day laborers.
On my way out of the grocery the three men remained reinforcing my notion that they were avoiding the crowd just in case ICE came around. Then near the parking lot entrance I only counted 3 men, so 7 men likely got picked up for a day’s work.
This is the first time I’ve seen the day laborers this year. Generally I see them all the time, sometimes as many as 30 men, and even women.
My local grocery is out of the way, and is not one of the big chain stores. Pretty much I limit my purchases there because almost everything costs more there. In other words I only shop there for convenience, or for items I can’t find elsewhere.
I saw the shelves are thinning out. They had a massive Asian noodle selection that included products imported from Japan, but I bought the last packet on the shelf. I wonder if this grocery will head south, the emptying shelves suggest this. Then I paid $11.99 for a dozen jumbo eggs. That’s almost $1.00 per egg. Ouch.
******************************
Today I plugged in the baritone guitar early in the morning to adjust the pickups. I lowered them considerably to get rid of the wooly distortion. The sound cleaned up nicely, and of course the tone is richer than a standard guitar with a regular scale length. I’m beyond happy-happy. Kinda close to an orgasm actually. Too much pleasure…
Definitely more like a piano tone, mucho warmth, and much more dynamics. Seems to have more note separation and clarity also. What’s not to love.
Might have to get another baritone neck. In the least I actually need to build out a for real baritone guitar with mucho heavy strings. The Sonic Blue Thinline is set up actually as a regular guitar with my normal heavy gauge strings, 12’s-52. To compensate for the additional string tension of the 3 1/8 inch longer scale I tune down a whole-step D-D.
Still plays like a regular guitar to an extent, but really the only difference is really two additional frets that go lower. Same feel and vibe as a regular guitar.
I’m kinda in love, don’t tell Maggie. I am left with excitement and passion… I feel really inspired.
Then when I play a standard guitar, I fell advanced, smoother, quicker and more accurate with precision in every note. The enhanced note separation and clarity is a really-really big deal.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
“Useless Eaters” and “Food Eaters” pretty much the same context, just a different era.
After thinking more about this, pretty much for the same reasons though.
Some people are judged as being not worthy of life. The poor, the elderly, the retired, the sick should be allowed to die as they are parasites that are not worthy of support. Cut off support and let nature run it’s course, less burden to the viable part of society.
Anyways, I call this a step towards genocide.
Then remember my question, “Is Guantanamo Bay a death camp or concentration camp?”
The hate I read about in the Peekskill Riots, was condoned and sanctioned by government. Tell me the difference between 1949 when the Peekskill Riots happened and January 6th.
Just connect the dots…
When the real economic hardship happens who do you think will be the scapegoats and targets for violence, lynchings, and genocide?
Be prepared. The next shoe will drop.
**********************
I took out of the freezer about 5 quarts of plum tomatoes. After freezing they say the skin is easily removed.
A chef told me his secrete to getting rid of excess water that gets extracted from the tomato after freezing: put the tomatoes in a water bottle put on the lid and turn the bottle upside down. The water will collect at the bottom, just squeeze the bottle to get rid of some of the excess water so you have to simmer less to boil off the water.
So at CVS I bought some storage containers, to store this sauce. Could be for soups, stews or for pasta. Just making a modular preparation to further my independence and self sufficiency.
I’m thinking I might have to buy a freezer to become more self sufficient.
“Maggie” spoke of growing potatoes and onions. Hmmm…
*******************
I use and say, “No sweat off my balls.” I know it is crude and vulgar, but I guess that is the point. Often it in response to Maggie making a big deal out of nothing.
So lately with my medicinal use of coffee as a purposeful irritant to my bladder to induce a buildup or tolerance of control, I get this odd sensation of a sudden release, but in fact I catch myself before wetting my pants. Pretty much a sophisticated mid game. When I check for leakage I’m high and dry. Kinda crazy, because I kinda feel the sensation of a leakage and wetness.
So after a few days of this I figure out it really is just the sweat on my balls. The stickiness is just an daily accumulation and not urine seepage. Anyways a weird kinda delusion of reality. Pretty much I get sticky balls.
Live from Peekskill, New York, Calvin Reporting.
Cal
After thinking more about this, pretty much for the same reasons though.
Some people are judged as being not worthy of life. The poor, the elderly, the retired, the sick should be allowed to die as they are parasites that are not worthy of support. Cut off support and let nature run it’s course, less burden to the viable part of society.
Anyways, I call this a step towards genocide.
Then remember my question, “Is Guantanamo Bay a death camp or concentration camp?”
The hate I read about in the Peekskill Riots, was condoned and sanctioned by government. Tell me the difference between 1949 when the Peekskill Riots happened and January 6th.
Just connect the dots…
When the real economic hardship happens who do you think will be the scapegoats and targets for violence, lynchings, and genocide?
Be prepared. The next shoe will drop.
**********************
I took out of the freezer about 5 quarts of plum tomatoes. After freezing they say the skin is easily removed.
A chef told me his secrete to getting rid of excess water that gets extracted from the tomato after freezing: put the tomatoes in a water bottle put on the lid and turn the bottle upside down. The water will collect at the bottom, just squeeze the bottle to get rid of some of the excess water so you have to simmer less to boil off the water.
So at CVS I bought some storage containers, to store this sauce. Could be for soups, stews or for pasta. Just making a modular preparation to further my independence and self sufficiency.
I’m thinking I might have to buy a freezer to become more self sufficient.
“Maggie” spoke of growing potatoes and onions. Hmmm…
*******************
I use and say, “No sweat off my balls.” I know it is crude and vulgar, but I guess that is the point. Often it in response to Maggie making a big deal out of nothing.
So lately with my medicinal use of coffee as a purposeful irritant to my bladder to induce a buildup or tolerance of control, I get this odd sensation of a sudden release, but in fact I catch myself before wetting my pants. Pretty much a sophisticated mid game. When I check for leakage I’m high and dry. Kinda crazy, because I kinda feel the sensation of a leakage and wetness.
So after a few days of this I figure out it really is just the sweat on my balls. The stickiness is just an daily accumulation and not urine seepage. Anyways a weird kinda delusion of reality. Pretty much I get sticky balls.
Live from Peekskill, New York, Calvin Reporting.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
One of the FED members announced that the first quarter of 2025 contracted to only 1.5%. This is the lowest in three years, and know that two consecutive quarters of negative GNP growth defines a recession.
Meanwhile the FED also has to be concerned with not only an economic slowdown and higher unemployment; the FED also has to worry about inflation. The combination of slow growth and inflation defines “stagflation.” The last time this happened was in the 70’s.
I remember double digit inflation as well as double digit unemployment. I graduated high school in 1976, and it was hard to get a job even at minimum wage. Understand that this stagflation persisted from say 1973 with the oil crisis, and then ended in 1982.
The cost of living skyrocketed…
So we could experience another bought of this. Realize that there is a record 1.2 trillion in credit card debt, and this is a 7% increase from only a year ago. Pretty much easy to see that people are mortgaging their future by living on debt. Households are buying groceries using a credit card. Pretty evident that this is not sustainable…
Meanwhile the trade deficit also hit a record with the importing done at the end of 2024 in anticipation of the tariffs to come.
“Look out below…”
Cal
Meanwhile the FED also has to be concerned with not only an economic slowdown and higher unemployment; the FED also has to worry about inflation. The combination of slow growth and inflation defines “stagflation.” The last time this happened was in the 70’s.
I remember double digit inflation as well as double digit unemployment. I graduated high school in 1976, and it was hard to get a job even at minimum wage. Understand that this stagflation persisted from say 1973 with the oil crisis, and then ended in 1982.
The cost of living skyrocketed…
So we could experience another bought of this. Realize that there is a record 1.2 trillion in credit card debt, and this is a 7% increase from only a year ago. Pretty much easy to see that people are mortgaging their future by living on debt. Households are buying groceries using a credit card. Pretty evident that this is not sustainable…
Meanwhile the trade deficit also hit a record with the importing done at the end of 2024 in anticipation of the tariffs to come.
“Look out below…”
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Seems like the trade deficit dramatically changed the outlook for the first quarter of 2025 suddenly according to the Atlantic FED. Oh-well the trap door I spoke of suddenly opened. The first quarter went from a projected 2.3% to real 1.5%, a contraction from the 2.3% of the 4th quarter of 2024.
They also say that January was a real slowdown by consumers, not just February 28th.
They somewhat blame it could be weather related do to cold, as well as forest fire related, but only mildly suggest the uncertainty created by the Orange House, the DOGE Bags, and the mass firings of Federal Workers.
Likely all are valid to an extent, but wild fires and even the cold was kinda localized and not on a national scale; the uncertainty, the DOGE Bag policies, and the downsizing is kinda national and not so local.
One more quarter of contraction and we have a recession, one that is long overdue because of mucho stimulas that goes back over several Presidential terms. Meanwhile deficits and living on debt goes back to every Presidential term going back to George W. Bush.
Already there are other new breaches in the rule of law. Two Federal Court Orders have not been fulfilled, and pretty much the avenue of enforcement is impeachment. We know that this is a fraught process, and it would require Republican support.
Presently “Bozo” with the orange hair has a “get out of jail free card” called Presidential immunity. This is clearly an abuse of power and in violation of the Oath of Office.
So how do we enforce the law? Like I said the justice department is a “Paper Tiger” or a “Toothless Tiger.”
How do you spell tyranny? Remember Bozo is a convicted felon.
Do you think what happened yesterday had any honor?
Insanity…
Cal
They also say that January was a real slowdown by consumers, not just February 28th.
They somewhat blame it could be weather related do to cold, as well as forest fire related, but only mildly suggest the uncertainty created by the Orange House, the DOGE Bags, and the mass firings of Federal Workers.
Likely all are valid to an extent, but wild fires and even the cold was kinda localized and not on a national scale; the uncertainty, the DOGE Bag policies, and the downsizing is kinda national and not so local.
One more quarter of contraction and we have a recession, one that is long overdue because of mucho stimulas that goes back over several Presidential terms. Meanwhile deficits and living on debt goes back to every Presidential term going back to George W. Bush.
Already there are other new breaches in the rule of law. Two Federal Court Orders have not been fulfilled, and pretty much the avenue of enforcement is impeachment. We know that this is a fraught process, and it would require Republican support.
Presently “Bozo” with the orange hair has a “get out of jail free card” called Presidential immunity. This is clearly an abuse of power and in violation of the Oath of Office.
So how do we enforce the law? Like I said the justice department is a “Paper Tiger” or a “Toothless Tiger.”
How do you spell tyranny? Remember Bozo is a convicted felon.
Do you think what happened yesterday had any honor?
Insanity…
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The Internet didn’t lie when they stated that the skin falls right off a defrosted plum tomato. EZ-PZ. Of course one the skin is removed it is a semi-solid and takes up less volume. Some of the tomatoes from the gallon ziplock bag remain frozen, so tomorrow is another day…
I deduce that freezing and then condensing the volume makes practical sense, then you can refreeze the batches for later use. Efficient use of precious freezer space is the idea, and pretty much batch processing to save time.
I can see how just 4 plum tomato plants could generate enough sauce for our household. I gave away shopping bags worth of tomatoes last summer. It was kind of an overdose, but now I can see using the entire harvest for just our consumption.
Did not take a lot of time. I think I will simmer this batch to condense things further. Should be great. No pesticides and organic by my standards.
Also know that the coffee grinds, egg shells, orange peels, banana peels, apple cores, and vegetable waste gets composted. In our case it adds up to be substantial.
Cal
I deduce that freezing and then condensing the volume makes practical sense, then you can refreeze the batches for later use. Efficient use of precious freezer space is the idea, and pretty much batch processing to save time.
I can see how just 4 plum tomato plants could generate enough sauce for our household. I gave away shopping bags worth of tomatoes last summer. It was kind of an overdose, but now I can see using the entire harvest for just our consumption.
Did not take a lot of time. I think I will simmer this batch to condense things further. Should be great. No pesticides and organic by my standards.
Also know that the coffee grinds, egg shells, orange peels, banana peels, apple cores, and vegetable waste gets composted. In our case it adds up to be substantial.
Cal
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
You and your guitars. I reckon you are keeping an entire small industry alive and thriving.
No offence intended. In fact I've learned more about guitars by reading your posts, than I ever thought possible.
In my childhood years in Canada everybody in my family (except me) had a guitar. None ever got to the heights of an Andres Segovia but we were always well entertained at family parties and picnics by some cousin or uncle strumming the strings. Hillbilly R&R was popular in the 1950s and we were always treated to at times amazing variations of the songs we heard on the radio.
I sometimes wonder what happened to all those fine guitars my reps had. I hope at least a few of them were passed on to their kids and in turn to the grandkids, but sadly guitars have declined in popularity over those seven decades. So you are carrying on with a fine musical tradition, and that's a mightily good thing.
On a different topic, we too down here in Oz had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year. My favourites are the plum tomatoes which I find have a unique flavour and a little sweeter than the 'heirloom' varieties.
Supermarket tomatoes are as hard as rock and often sadly as taste-free as the aforesaid stones, this likely due to being picked before they ripen, kept in cold storage and eventually trucked halfway across the continent. By the time our local stupormarkets put them out I reckon they are last year's crop or even of an older 'vintage'. But we grow our own anyway, so this is merely an aside.
No offence intended. In fact I've learned more about guitars by reading your posts, than I ever thought possible.
In my childhood years in Canada everybody in my family (except me) had a guitar. None ever got to the heights of an Andres Segovia but we were always well entertained at family parties and picnics by some cousin or uncle strumming the strings. Hillbilly R&R was popular in the 1950s and we were always treated to at times amazing variations of the songs we heard on the radio.
I sometimes wonder what happened to all those fine guitars my reps had. I hope at least a few of them were passed on to their kids and in turn to the grandkids, but sadly guitars have declined in popularity over those seven decades. So you are carrying on with a fine musical tradition, and that's a mightily good thing.
On a different topic, we too down here in Oz had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year. My favourites are the plum tomatoes which I find have a unique flavour and a little sweeter than the 'heirloom' varieties.
Supermarket tomatoes are as hard as rock and often sadly as taste-free as the aforesaid stones, this likely due to being picked before they ripen, kept in cold storage and eventually trucked halfway across the continent. By the time our local stupormarkets put them out I reckon they are last year's crop or even of an older 'vintage'. But we grow our own anyway, so this is merely an aside.
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Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
There's a part of me that still has faith in the rule of law, but the pragmatist in me, who studied history in school, and paid attention to the world as I was raised to do, believes differently.
Phil
Phil
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
No self-respecting Italian nonna (such as me) would think of making Sunday gravy with anything but plum tomatoes! I'm glad to see you're doing things right!
Austintatious
Well-known
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I’m with Phil: you need Rule of Law to have an economy or a government. Pretty much it is purely a matter of trust.
With the breakdowns that are known, and the uncertainty that is prevailing, there are increased risks.
My understanding is such that if an employee is “fired” they are no longer entitled to unemployment insurance benefits. Not sure where these Federal Workers who have been fired without due cause stand. If they were furloughed or laid-off they certianly would be entitled to unemployment benefits.
So here is where these Federal Workers get discounted and are not included in the Newly Unemployment numbers. La-La-La and La-La-La these unemployed don’t get counted and the markets don’y have a quantitative reason to react. Basically a loss of income isn’t counted.
Wow…
On the other hand I also know “the Rule of the Jungle” where there is “street justice,” and pretty much you have to be able to go into lawless thug mode where street fighting and violence is necessary. I did pretty well under Rule of the Jungle, but today I am an old man.
So it comes down to this: lack of confidence in the government along with rule of law; or rule of the jungle along with being either fearless or being able to instill fear. Being able to instill fear is as useful an asset as being able to be fearless. In my experience best to have both as an asset.
When I talk rule of the jungle, I’m talking harms way, and violence is kinda eminent in a life threatening way. To put in context: hate crimes. Kill or be killed…
So part of me wants to remain human, but then there is the animal part of me that wants to ensure survival.
I spoke to “Maggie” about this and she could not ever justify self-defense or ever taking a life. For me I know enough that it might be too easy to go too far, and I live in fear of taking a life. All it takes is a blink of an eye to go too far. I experienced that in boxing my best friend Billy after he split my lip when we were boxing with 16 ounce gloves.
Pretty much came very close to giving Billy a traumatic brain injury.
Then I was compelled to say to a white woman who could never fully understand racism and hate crimes: “Would you rather visit my grave, or visit me in prison.”
Rule of law is one thing; rule of the jungle is another…
I prefer to be a human rather than just an animal. So for me I have all this history locked and loaded, and anything can and seems will happen.
But then again I have been conditioned to respond, and at this point it is instinct to kill.
In Nazi Germany they committed atrocities and Genocide. Hate is being promoted, and I would say so is violence. For me January 6th was Treason. Don’t forget that a cop was killed.
Cal
With the breakdowns that are known, and the uncertainty that is prevailing, there are increased risks.
My understanding is such that if an employee is “fired” they are no longer entitled to unemployment insurance benefits. Not sure where these Federal Workers who have been fired without due cause stand. If they were furloughed or laid-off they certianly would be entitled to unemployment benefits.
So here is where these Federal Workers get discounted and are not included in the Newly Unemployment numbers. La-La-La and La-La-La these unemployed don’t get counted and the markets don’y have a quantitative reason to react. Basically a loss of income isn’t counted.
Wow…
On the other hand I also know “the Rule of the Jungle” where there is “street justice,” and pretty much you have to be able to go into lawless thug mode where street fighting and violence is necessary. I did pretty well under Rule of the Jungle, but today I am an old man.
So it comes down to this: lack of confidence in the government along with rule of law; or rule of the jungle along with being either fearless or being able to instill fear. Being able to instill fear is as useful an asset as being able to be fearless. In my experience best to have both as an asset.
When I talk rule of the jungle, I’m talking harms way, and violence is kinda eminent in a life threatening way. To put in context: hate crimes. Kill or be killed…
So part of me wants to remain human, but then there is the animal part of me that wants to ensure survival.
I spoke to “Maggie” about this and she could not ever justify self-defense or ever taking a life. For me I know enough that it might be too easy to go too far, and I live in fear of taking a life. All it takes is a blink of an eye to go too far. I experienced that in boxing my best friend Billy after he split my lip when we were boxing with 16 ounce gloves.
Pretty much came very close to giving Billy a traumatic brain injury.
Then I was compelled to say to a white woman who could never fully understand racism and hate crimes: “Would you rather visit my grave, or visit me in prison.”
Rule of law is one thing; rule of the jungle is another…
I prefer to be a human rather than just an animal. So for me I have all this history locked and loaded, and anything can and seems will happen.
But then again I have been conditioned to respond, and at this point it is instinct to kill.
In Nazi Germany they committed atrocities and Genocide. Hate is being promoted, and I would say so is violence. For me January 6th was Treason. Don’t forget that a cop was killed.
Cal
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