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I was just minding my own business…

So I am selected to take part in the Nielsen radio and TV ratings. How did this happen?

Anyways I just made $10.00 cash today by opening a letter I got in the mail.

Evidently I get rewarded with cash gifts.

Did you know I don’t watch TV, and the only time I listen to the radio is when driving and generally that is either WNYC Public Radio, or WBGO the Jazz station in Newark that too is Public Radio.

I’m likely the most removed and isolated candidate they have.

I wonder if they data mined me? As I remember I got some survey a year or more ago. I think I posted about it here somewhere in this thread.

Oh-well, an odd occurrence, or just another one. Seems like I’m lucky that way. Perhaps I should buy some lottery tickets with that $10.00 bill. As I remember I got paid something like $2.00 way back for filling out the survey. I figure so far I’m $12.00 ahead and I really did nothing. Ha-ha. Do they understand I’m a lazy-slacker?

I got a confirmation letter in the mail. The telephone message I missed, and upon call back I thought it was another prank or fraud call so I hung up.

I don’t partake in surveys or give product reviews unless I’m paid. Why would I provide data for free. I don’t work for free, and I though slavery was abolished, yet many-many people in my framing are giving away data and working for free.

I remember at Grumman this employee survey, then our benefits got reduced. Pretty much the data was used against us.

Later at the hospital I did not participate in any of those employee surveys, because I knew the data collection would not be to my benefit and actually would lead to the cutbacks that eventually happened.

Tomorrow is a kinda big day. I’m trying to hookup with Craig to get this four-quarter thick old growth fir lumber that are 8 foot plus in length and a full foot wide to build carriage house doors for my garage.

I have two 8x8 square garage doors. Usually garage doors are 8x7 feet tall. These UBER old growth fir planks go with the age of the house (1912) and will replace cheap aluminum pull-up garage doors that went south and are kinda ghetto.

BTW 4-quarter lumber is a full 1 inch thick.

Also carriage doors will kinda be period correct… A very cool project.

I’ll use 7 inch or 8 inch wide fir for the perimeter bracing and the cross reinforcement. Wrought iron hinges. These 4x8 set of 4 doors will certainly elevate the value of the house. Kinda grand…

Craig also has his dad’s 1976 Chevy C-10 with a 350 in it. It is a 3/4 ton truck. Running and in average condition it is worth around $15K. The Square Bodies are very popular, especially short beds. Craig’s dad’s truck is a longbed.

Would not be a bad side hustle specializing in modding C-10’s. “Maggie’s” cousin Chris has a Square body upstate in Hobart New York.

So once I build out this truck I think it could lead into an unintended business. Swinging crate motors, or C-10’s

BTW when you buy a crate motor or turn-key engine-tranny set, they are shipped for free. Hmmm…

Cal
 
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My mind wanders…

Installing Ride Tech suspensions is a kinda weekend job. If I had an air chisel and a plasma cutter I could probably do an install in a day. Hmmm.

Even though the kits are bolt on, a welder could be in the picture…

Then realize that I’m retired, I don’t need the money, and I have the time to be arty.

Anyways, not to jump the shark, but I’m going with the flow…

Don’t forget that you kinda have to pass my Baby-Victorian if you go to the Hot-Rod Hotel. The Hot Rod Hotel is a car storage facility. Also up there is a guy who specializes in car upholstery. Remember I have a JUKI commercial sewing machine.

How crazy is it to make a bench seat using denim rolled and pleated?

Anyways I live in the realm of possibilities…

My C-10 would be unintended advertising…

This Nielsen opportunity I glean means being tracked and monitored. Pretty active surveillance. Likely would be tracked with a GPS. We already have “Snoopy” and JJ next door performing surveillance next door, and it is creepy. I don’t think I want this gig.

I also imagine with all the tracking to doctors and hospitals that they would think I watch every cooking show or I’m addicted to HGTV. LOL.

My interests are far from being commercial or mainstream. To me TV is like brainwashing in that it is mindless and programs the public to be “extra-medium.”

Anyways this situation is kinda funny and amusing.

Cal
 
I have a stack of 4-quarter Douglas fir laying on my garage floor. Having materials “on-hand” is a big deal. Some of the planks are 15 inches wide. The wood is naturally seasoned and this is at least eight years or perhaps a decade.

One plank is a mistake in that it has a 5-quarter thickness, but I think I have a design workaround that will exploit this mistake, and it will add strength on the length where the hinges mount. I expect these doors to weigh about 150-200 pounds each, their size is 4x8 feet each.

Carriage doors…

I spent some time stacking into piles via width.

This lumber is rough sawn, and some pieces have a live edge and will need to be trimmed to have a straight edge.

A sweaty morning. Swampy weather. 98 degrees presently.

Cal
 
Pretty much in the world there is an oil glut. This explains why bombing Iran had almost no consequence except a momentary blip in prices and then a drop back into its usual range.

The Straight of Hormuz also is not threatened or really can’t be shut down because Iran needs this to be open to sell oil to China.

One report suggests that China gets 90% of its oil from Iran, but another says as far as oil volume Russia is the biggest supplier of oil to China. I think the first statement was true at some point, but likely is no longer true. Let’s just say that Iran needs to sell oil to China, and that closing the Strait of Hormuz would be a self inflicted wound.

So we have an unusual time…

Also know that this aforementioned oil glut effects the U.S. also because the U.S. is a kinda big exporter.

Cal
 
Been a bit OCD planning out the carriage house doors for the garage. I figured out that now that I have the lumber stacked and sorted by width, the next step is to get at least one perfect straight side on each board to see how much width I have to work with. Know this lumber is rough sawn and on some planks there is a “live” edge, meaning tree bark.

I might have to secure a few more boards for the bracing, and I figure a 6 inch width would be good for looks and rigidity.

Also need to look at “strap” hinges which I learned have more structural strength because they are secured by bolts and not screws.

I certified my door widths and I have a full 8 feet, but the height is 94 1/2-95 inches.

The hinges and other hardware will effect the design, so I need to secure this hardware. I also learned that I have to consider wind, and securing the door either fully open or fully closed. As I have said I expect these doors to weigh around 175 pounds.

This wood is Douglas Fir and is much more structural than pine.

I will hang the doors with just the perimeter framed in with 6 inch wide planks and will add the inside bracing after the doors are hung. Pretty much with 4-quarter alone it will be beefy and structurally sound I figure, and the added bracing is kinda overkill and decorative.

Anyways a kinda dream project that has been stewing for over a year. My friend Craig wanted to do me a grand favor. In the excessive heat we got this done, and I figure it could wait, but he wanted to get it done.

Also I reminded him I could still use more clean fill…

Cal
 
Even though I have anemia as a drug side effect, the key here is to live within limits. Not so bad, but I have to go at a measured pace and it would be a mistake to hammer.

I have another blood test coming up next week. I expect to get notified about my radiation treatment soon.

Cal
 
Mucho glad I loaded up the truck when I did to build guitars.

I took notice that availability of lighter weight bodies has gotten scarce, and any light in weight guitar body now commands a huge premium. We are seeing/experiencing scarcity, and the resource of light in weight alder and swamp ash is indicating depletion.

That purchase of the deluxe optioned baritone neck seems to have been a remarkable find. My current lurking is kinda showing slim pickings.

So I did a very smart thing, and loaded up the truck. Anyways this is part of capitolism…

Cal
 
In my garage is that stack of lumber, and also my 1966 Chevy C-10.

I have to take notice of its condition, and how fresh it looks for a 59 year old truck. I likely need a fresh/new battery, but it will start and run. Only 61K on the odometer, and the kinda fresh condition for such an old truck, suggests 61K on the odometer being real, and not 161K.

I envision driving this truck locally for many-many years. It is a remarkable find, and it has plenty of “you suck” factor.

So I have many dreams that are coming true. Time is my friend, and I’m in no rush…

Cal
 
Hellen H. Brought up another exhibition at ICP. Check out the link in the other thread.

At home I’m investigating three guitars that are electric, but do well for fingerstyle which is developing. I don’t know where this is going but some guitars really are optimized for a pick and others have the articulation for fingerstyle.

Most players can play with a pick faster, and I’m one of those…

Cal
 
Had my Crown furnace serviced, just preventative maintenance. Made a new friend who is only a 26 year old, but he is a motor-head who owns an Audi S3.

I learned that on Sundays 8-10 there is a local car Meet-Up. I showed Lucas the 1966 C-10 in the garage, and he said it would draw a crowd as is. The Meet-Up is in Verplank every Sunday.

Lucas’s A3 now produces 430 HP and the torque in north of 500 foot pounds.

Anyways I learned my furnace is spotless, and that would explain our low oil bills. June to June paid $3679.XX for 856 gallons of oil. Know that we set the thermostat at 68 degrees, and this is a 1912 house with 40 windows. Our attic is not insulated, and they say you loose 25% of your heat through your roof.

I figure a heating and hot water bill under $3K would be mighty great when I insulate the attic.

While my old truck is no street racer, it clearly has “you-suck” factor, even as is. That is how clean it is. All original condition and OEM with the only exception being the gas tank relocated to under the bed. Know that in 1966 the fuel tank was in the car behind the seat.

Cal
 
Audi no longer makes A4’s. A3 or A5 is the choice. Know that an A4 is sized in between an A3 and an A5.

So I learned that a S3 really is mucho different than an A3. The A3 has struts that I do not favor, but the S3 has magnetically dampened suspension that is tunable. Kinda more like a performance coil-over system.

So pretty much I have to change my mind because I think I would like a S3. A bit comparable to a BMW M3, small and agile.

Don’t think “Maggie” would approve…

Cal
 
Hey Cal, I cant make it this weekend but please update us on the Park Ave armory, I wouldnt mind getting together and checking out that show.
 
Fidel,

The Diane Arbus show/exhibit still has an open date. Just select a weekend day and time that’s good for you and I’ll be there, and likely Snarky Joe who suggested starting Meet-Ups again.

For me it will be an adventure. Been a mucho long time since I’ve been in the city. Pretty much a new city for me.

This Saturday I’ll be Meeting Up with others in front of ICP at 1:00 PM to view a show called “Accelerations.”

It would be also great to hook up again. As you know I’m becoming a motor-head, and I’m putting a lot of thought into that 1966 C-10 build. Today I made a guy who owns and drives a S3 drool over my truck. It is a bit of a time machine going back 59 years to 1966. How cool is that?

My idea is to kinda make the longbed truck into something like my 1980 Checker limo in ride quality as a cruiser truck that will sport a 4 inch drop in the front and a 6 inch drop in the rear, but no UBER low profile tires. Tires will have a 28-29 inch diameter for cush.

Cal
 
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The date for the Diane Arbus exhibition at the Park Avenue Armory is still open.

This Saturday I’ll take the 8:40 from Peekskill. I’ll be having lunch with Helen H. At Katz’s Deli at noon, At 1:00 is the group up at ICP.

About a 2 mile walk to the train station, then from Grand Central to just south of Houston. The round trip of walking is just what I need.

“Maggie” is still immobilized from her hip injury that occurred because of a fall. Still has physical therapy, and more healing to do. Been caretaking her and with that heat dome no biking.

Hoping for no rain on Saturday.

Cal
 
I responded to a post by our friend “Marty” in the Meet-Up thread.

I kinda acknowledge my embrace of slow living, after being a Madhattanite.

I also think my quality of life is higher now in retirement, but the real takeaway is that because I have time, the most valuable asset to a creative, that actually there is a cognitive increase instead of a decline.

Kinda counterintuitive in my case.

Hmmm…

Read the other post in the other thread for my initial insight.

Cal
 
A thought inspired by the headline that an ongoing diversification out of U.S. stocks is happening, and the “outflows” of capitol seems destine to Europe, Japan and developing countries.

So I make the jump that current policies kinda make the U.S. into a rather big developing country. The same dynamic exists of a developing country, where mucho capitol is required to build out required infrastructure, and sadly developing countries also are often saddled with debt, lots of debt.

The money has to come from somewhere to build out manufacturing, and capitol is needed, almost like a developing country that has to evolve and build out a new economy. Same but different.

So I would argue how did the richest country in the world become/emulate a developing country? I would argue that this is not really progress that is meaningful. Competing at the level of a developing country is kinda dumb, and know and understand that we are not really so competitive with countries that are already developed.

A kinda step backward…

Cal
 
FACT CHECK: I looked into Lucas’s claim of 430 HP over 500 foot pounds of torque. I can believe the HP but not the torque number. This was a stock S3 2 liter motor that normally came from the factory with 320 HP but got a new down tube and other work to make a plausible 430 HP, but the small displacement can’t have all that much torque.

When Luka mention the 500 foot pounds I kept quiet.

Still kinda crazy about 400 foot pounds. My ZZ3 had 5.7 liters, but was naturally aspirated and had 350HP and 400 foot pounds. The boost from a turbo makes a guesstimate of around 400 perhaps/maybe plausible.

I just wanted to correct the exaggeration I was told that I reported.

I dropped off “Maggie” for her physical therapy and went to the bank and DSW. I had a $5.00 off coupon and I found a pair of Pumas that were styled very much like Vans. Out the door for about $35.00. Can’t ever have too many pairs of sneakers…

The inflation report kinda makes it unlikely that the FED will be able to cut rates in July. The FED agrees with what I say, inflation is real. I tanked up with Mobil Premium: $3.739 a gallon.

Been looking into the Audi S3 and Audi RS3. Kinda affordable to me, and perhaps instead of hot rodding the 1966 C-10 the expected $40K for the suspension, brake and drivetrain upgrades could likely be spent more wisely going towards buying a new Audi that offers performance that is modern.

“The money has to come from somewhere.”

Magnetic dampening makes it so that three different suspension tunings are available with a flick of a switch. The new split differential also has been called “magic” for carving curves. Set a new record lap time at Nuremberg for the sub-compact class. Stole the pole from a BMW M2.

Oddly the front tires on the 2025 RS are wider than the rears. Very cool is that the differentials front to rear can be tuned to adjust “drift.” Also the traction control uses ABS when needed on the inside wheel to help pivot the car so it can carve turns at higher speeds.

I’m a good salesman. In the past I dismissed the A3 saying it is too small. “Maggie” favored just getting a VW Golf, a sub-compact. The Audi A4 is considered a luxury compact. Initially I favored a compact over a sub-compact, but add the letters GTI and a Golf is a kinda interesting car with lots of bang for the Dollar.

Then I bait the idea in “Maggie’s” head that the A3 and Golf are basically the same chassis. I don’t mention S3 or RS3, nor Golf-R.

So then Maggie suggests that if I just get the C-10 on the road, spending the least amount of money, that it could be an asset, but then an A3, a sub compact, would not be any limitation.

Ha-ha to the word “limitation…” So I’m thinking keep the C-10 as a survivor, meaning OEM with everything 1966 period correct from the factory, except the gas tank relocated under the bed; save my cash; and when the day comes look into an A3, but with a “S” or “RS” prefix.

I love this idea.

Currently the S3 sports a 4 cylinder 2 liter turbo like in my A4, but the RS is a 5 cylinder turbo with a 2.5 liter displacement.

BTW my C-10 to the right buyer holds a steep premium. Hmmm… A once in a lifetime find…

Cylinder head work, add in a new windshield and tires, and I’ll have a local driver. OEM drum brakes though, so not for extended journeys…

Fresh arugula as a salad from my garden with my ravioli dinner. Yum-yum…

Cal
 
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