Nokton48
Veteran
Devil Cal,
D23 Straight is cheap-cheap as we know. Metol + Sulphite. Legacy Microdol-X Replenished, lasts for years for me. Pyro PMK+ (The + is AMIDOL, adds 1/2 stop shadow speed, Mackie Lines form quite beautifully). PMK+ is one shot. DK-50 Classic Kodak Deep Tank Developer. MECD4 mixed one shot for the Rollei 400 (Aviphot 200 actually). I have the chems, it does flatten the Aviphot characteristic curve. Many others I can mix one liter bottles to try in the Combiplans. For YOU Diafine! BTW I mixed up a gallon recently, thought of u.
Combiplan is great for smaller runs. And for my glass dry plates from Jason Lane.
Keep your wash tank as a wash tank (embellish it), buy another plain 8x10 tank for your fixer.
D23 Straight is cheap-cheap as we know. Metol + Sulphite. Legacy Microdol-X Replenished, lasts for years for me. Pyro PMK+ (The + is AMIDOL, adds 1/2 stop shadow speed, Mackie Lines form quite beautifully). PMK+ is one shot. DK-50 Classic Kodak Deep Tank Developer. MECD4 mixed one shot for the Rollei 400 (Aviphot 200 actually). I have the chems, it does flatten the Aviphot characteristic curve. Many others I can mix one liter bottles to try in the Combiplans. For YOU Diafine! BTW I mixed up a gallon recently, thought of u.
Combiplan is great for smaller runs. And for my glass dry plates from Jason Lane.
Keep your wash tank as a wash tank (embellish it), buy another plain 8x10 tank for your fixer.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Devil Dan,
For Diafine I need still yet another tank with a lid. I have Diafine mixed in the basement, been sitting for so far three years. It will be a good experiment to see if it is still good. I know Diafine like a deadly Kung-Fu move.
Cheap-cheap-cheap D-23 is also a good candidate for me. I love the results you get.
AMIDOL is mythical with the big boy large format guys. Hmmm.
It will be interesting when I can do something crazy.
Cal
For Diafine I need still yet another tank with a lid. I have Diafine mixed in the basement, been sitting for so far three years. It will be a good experiment to see if it is still good. I know Diafine like a deadly Kung-Fu move.
Cheap-cheap-cheap D-23 is also a good candidate for me. I love the results you get.
AMIDOL is mythical with the big boy large format guys. Hmmm.
It will be interesting when I can do something crazy.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I can’t wait for the January Thaw and more moderate temperatures. A cold winter clamps my style.
In the news the population implosion in China was headlined as a crisis, population decline by 2 million in a year, and women do not want to now have children. Know that the one child policy created more boy births than girls, so with not enough women to procreate this collapse will accelerate drastically.
No economy can expand with a declining population…
Then Youth Unemployment is 14.9%. I figure this denotes an oversupply of labor and indicates a slow economy.
Bad policy created the population implosion, overcapacity created the over supply of labor that propagated the high Youth Unemployment number. Remember overcapacity equals deflation.
Ray Dalio and others were wrong, China’s economy is in the process of a great collapse and never will become the world’s largest economy. Bad policy and self inflicted wounds doomed their future.
Then there is the flight of capitol and foreign investment…
Cal
In the news the population implosion in China was headlined as a crisis, population decline by 2 million in a year, and women do not want to now have children. Know that the one child policy created more boy births than girls, so with not enough women to procreate this collapse will accelerate drastically.
No economy can expand with a declining population…
Then Youth Unemployment is 14.9%. I figure this denotes an oversupply of labor and indicates a slow economy.
Bad policy created the population implosion, overcapacity created the over supply of labor that propagated the high Youth Unemployment number. Remember overcapacity equals deflation.
Ray Dalio and others were wrong, China’s economy is in the process of a great collapse and never will become the world’s largest economy. Bad policy and self inflicted wounds doomed their future.
Then there is the flight of capitol and foreign investment…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Oil prices are moderating even though the Red Sea is a mess. This is because China, the biggest importer of oil, has a slowing, sluggish economy.
This does not bode well either for the Russians who trade oil outside of the world market in dollars.
In Russia they have high inflation. The money has to come from somewhere to fund the war, there are shortages, and also lack of workers.
In Russia the most traded currency is the Chinese Yuan. Pretty much just because it is a more stable currency than the Russian Ruble.
In the real world the Chinese currency is not being hoarded. Hmmm…
Not where I would want to store wealth.
Cal
This does not bode well either for the Russians who trade oil outside of the world market in dollars.
In Russia they have high inflation. The money has to come from somewhere to fund the war, there are shortages, and also lack of workers.
In Russia the most traded currency is the Chinese Yuan. Pretty much just because it is a more stable currency than the Russian Ruble.
In the real world the Chinese currency is not being hoarded. Hmmm…
Not where I would want to store wealth.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Today was a recording session for the audiobook. Drove to Monroe in Orange County, The roads were not bad.
I thought I would be bored out of my mind just waiting around, but I found some interesting reading fodder in the lounge area of the studio and was able to entertain myself. I brought some of my books to catch up on reading, but the books on the coffee table were better for my enjoyment.
One was a book about the Beatles and Abbey Road Studios. I read the Paul McCartney interview that gave many insights of how they could experiment and play around pretty much unrestrained. It gave insights to their creative process and smut on how some songs evolved. An interesting read, and then it dug into the recording sessions which were not as interesting.
Lots of photos…
There was a photo chronicle of Audrey Hepburn I glossed through.
Most interesting was a 2019 issue of Hudson Valley that covered the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. Lots of background smut I did not know about the event, how it happened, the logistic difficulties, the inside smut… They even showed the standing couple wrapped in an old quilt from the Woodstock album that later married and are still together.
A Magnum photographer decided not to take on the event as an assignment so that he could be better embedded to experience the event. Lots of history revealed that spoke of the time of 1969. Lots of Ana-DOTE-L quotes from people who were there.
This was a good read. Remarkable history.
Then I dug into “Sessions With Sinatra” about Frank Sinatra and the art of recording. This book covered the history of a man known to take control and who was a perfectionist in the recording studio. There is a history describing the analog technology developing and the advancement of the microphone that appealed to the technical part of me that compares to analog photography.
Also an inspiring story. Self taught and respectful of fellow musicians. In the film industry he was not so polite, respectful or nice.
I reached a state of mind in my exploration that I understood that in retirement I’m in a state of spiritual discovery. I do not like the constraints I see “Maggie” dealing with, yet I know what I want and need to be happy and fulfilled. Anyways I know I’m undergoing a big process of change and that I am evolving.
Phil, the owner of the studio asked if I wanted to take the Sinatra book home to further my reading. I took him up on that kind offer.
We spoke of how even though he uses analog inputs of very expensive ribbon mikes in an isolation booth, that the recording gets transferred into digital data and recorded as such. The trick is to somehow capture the analog warmth.
This is kinda what I do in photography when I shoot digital, I try to make it look like a wet print. Hmmm.
We also talked about how great things were done in the past with simple technology and sparse amounts of gear. Hmmm.
Anyways I found myself with interesting reading.
Separately I read a feature about a 93 year old man who basically is as fit as a 40 year old. He uses a Concept 2 rower 40 minutes a day, weight trains, and is a rowing champion in his age group. Of course a good amount is his genetics, but pretty much an example of how the human body is so resilient. He started training when retired at the age of 70.
Yesterday’s guitar day taught me about the level of concentration I need to take my guitar expression to the next level. At times I have found that “zone” riding my bike, for prolonged periods in the darkroom, and when writing. Pretty much I need to filter out all the BS and just concentrate. I’m on that path.
I think the key for me is to relax, slow down, and not be in any rush. I’ll find that zone on the guitar, I think I have been too obsesses with speed. I learned from that Tommy Emanual show that his speed after 2-3 songs was fatiguing where my mind could no longer process what was going on. I need to slow down to get better and to play with more feeling.
Maybe not an accident that I ran into these inspirations today.
Cal
I thought I would be bored out of my mind just waiting around, but I found some interesting reading fodder in the lounge area of the studio and was able to entertain myself. I brought some of my books to catch up on reading, but the books on the coffee table were better for my enjoyment.
One was a book about the Beatles and Abbey Road Studios. I read the Paul McCartney interview that gave many insights of how they could experiment and play around pretty much unrestrained. It gave insights to their creative process and smut on how some songs evolved. An interesting read, and then it dug into the recording sessions which were not as interesting.
Lots of photos…
There was a photo chronicle of Audrey Hepburn I glossed through.
Most interesting was a 2019 issue of Hudson Valley that covered the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. Lots of background smut I did not know about the event, how it happened, the logistic difficulties, the inside smut… They even showed the standing couple wrapped in an old quilt from the Woodstock album that later married and are still together.
A Magnum photographer decided not to take on the event as an assignment so that he could be better embedded to experience the event. Lots of history revealed that spoke of the time of 1969. Lots of Ana-DOTE-L quotes from people who were there.
This was a good read. Remarkable history.
Then I dug into “Sessions With Sinatra” about Frank Sinatra and the art of recording. This book covered the history of a man known to take control and who was a perfectionist in the recording studio. There is a history describing the analog technology developing and the advancement of the microphone that appealed to the technical part of me that compares to analog photography.
Also an inspiring story. Self taught and respectful of fellow musicians. In the film industry he was not so polite, respectful or nice.
I reached a state of mind in my exploration that I understood that in retirement I’m in a state of spiritual discovery. I do not like the constraints I see “Maggie” dealing with, yet I know what I want and need to be happy and fulfilled. Anyways I know I’m undergoing a big process of change and that I am evolving.
Phil, the owner of the studio asked if I wanted to take the Sinatra book home to further my reading. I took him up on that kind offer.
We spoke of how even though he uses analog inputs of very expensive ribbon mikes in an isolation booth, that the recording gets transferred into digital data and recorded as such. The trick is to somehow capture the analog warmth.
This is kinda what I do in photography when I shoot digital, I try to make it look like a wet print. Hmmm.
We also talked about how great things were done in the past with simple technology and sparse amounts of gear. Hmmm.
Anyways I found myself with interesting reading.
Separately I read a feature about a 93 year old man who basically is as fit as a 40 year old. He uses a Concept 2 rower 40 minutes a day, weight trains, and is a rowing champion in his age group. Of course a good amount is his genetics, but pretty much an example of how the human body is so resilient. He started training when retired at the age of 70.
Yesterday’s guitar day taught me about the level of concentration I need to take my guitar expression to the next level. At times I have found that “zone” riding my bike, for prolonged periods in the darkroom, and when writing. Pretty much I need to filter out all the BS and just concentrate. I’m on that path.
I think the key for me is to relax, slow down, and not be in any rush. I’ll find that zone on the guitar, I think I have been too obsesses with speed. I learned from that Tommy Emanual show that his speed after 2-3 songs was fatiguing where my mind could no longer process what was going on. I need to slow down to get better and to play with more feeling.
Maybe not an accident that I ran into these inspirations today.
Cal
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Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Read about Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and the concept of “flow.”
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
Thanks. I’ll be doing a search…
Know I worked a day job instead of pursuing my art background and education. Waited many decades to have the financial security to have the freedom I now enjoy.
I also find great pleasure in helping “Maggie” achieve her dreams and in her pursuits to be a creative. Kinda funny how it also has helped me and made me gain a full understanding.
Cal
Thanks. I’ll be doing a search…
Know I worked a day job instead of pursuing my art background and education. Waited many decades to have the financial security to have the freedom I now enjoy.
I also find great pleasure in helping “Maggie” achieve her dreams and in her pursuits to be a creative. Kinda funny how it also has helped me and made me gain a full understanding.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
It seems on one hand I am very acquainted with flow.
In my undergrad studies I would go into my darkroom (I was Photo Editor/Darkroom Managere for the “Catalyst” Student Newspaper) on a Friday night after dinner, and emerge 12 hours later. The daylight hurt my eyes like coming out of a deprivation chamber.
I would come into the daylight exhilarated and not tired. A kinda maniac high.
I know profoundly the loss of sense of time.
On a bike I would go for a ride and find I’m suddenly at Orient Point, the northern tip of eastern Long Island. Then I would have a vanilla thick shake and have to ride 50+ miles to my car. An unexpected century plus missing my turnoff because I was in a state of flow that made it a 120 mile ride by myself.
More recently I found myself in Rockland County with cramping legs. I forgot that I had to ride back to Madhattan. Ouch. Lost my sense of time and distance…
With writing it is so easy to find a prompt and express myself.
The thing is I can only achieve this state of mind when alone. It has happened a few times with my guitar, but I am alone in the house when it did happen.
My guess is that my past difficulties with anxiety and issues of fear and vulnerability come into play to interfere.
Flow to me is a state of trance that has no sense of time and the level of concentration is such that the world kinda becomes so tiny that it is/becomes limited to just the moment and nothing else. The focus is that profound. Pretty much like a loss of consciousness.
Phil, thanks for the reference. It made it clear to me.
Cal
In my undergrad studies I would go into my darkroom (I was Photo Editor/Darkroom Managere for the “Catalyst” Student Newspaper) on a Friday night after dinner, and emerge 12 hours later. The daylight hurt my eyes like coming out of a deprivation chamber.
I would come into the daylight exhilarated and not tired. A kinda maniac high.
I know profoundly the loss of sense of time.
On a bike I would go for a ride and find I’m suddenly at Orient Point, the northern tip of eastern Long Island. Then I would have a vanilla thick shake and have to ride 50+ miles to my car. An unexpected century plus missing my turnoff because I was in a state of flow that made it a 120 mile ride by myself.
More recently I found myself in Rockland County with cramping legs. I forgot that I had to ride back to Madhattan. Ouch. Lost my sense of time and distance…
With writing it is so easy to find a prompt and express myself.
The thing is I can only achieve this state of mind when alone. It has happened a few times with my guitar, but I am alone in the house when it did happen.
My guess is that my past difficulties with anxiety and issues of fear and vulnerability come into play to interfere.
Flow to me is a state of trance that has no sense of time and the level of concentration is such that the world kinda becomes so tiny that it is/becomes limited to just the moment and nothing else. The focus is that profound. Pretty much like a loss of consciousness.
Phil, thanks for the reference. It made it clear to me.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I got about 40% through the book last night. The author is a recording engineer and what I am beginning to see is an idealized persona. I can’t see someone being passionate and not having a bad temper.
Perhaps I’m projecting. I surely have passion, and boy my friends say I am worse than a woman when I get pissed off. I go pretty crazy… Anyways it is hard to believe in the Saint Frankie presented. Yet again the humility presented if true is grand. My friend’s dad was the frontman, singer, guitar player for a big-time Jazz orchestra. Very much a charming man, but also human.
When you really know someone, you see their limitations and the true self. Ego’s are kinda an ugly part of being human.
Understand that recording music and film making are collaborative processes. I realize and understand this. Even being a writer is collaborative when it gets involved with the publishing industry. I would be very unhappy with outsiders manipulating me and my work.
I’m reading the book to learn about the early analog technology and of course the ribbon mikes. Not sure if I will finish the book, I have my own fodder.
I have this workbook that is a programmed course in music theory: Scales, Triads, and Intervals. Pretty much will get me able to read sheet music. I have kinda come up with my own arrangement of “Round Midnight” that my friend tells me is one of the most difficult Jazz standards, but it is likely one of the most recorded songs also.
The key to getting smooth and loosing the choppiness in my playing is slowing down. I have good dexterity from years of playing, and I also get a better feel and dynamics when I play slower. I think I might have a talent for arranging, and my hope is to do a cover so well that it becomes basically my tune. This slowing down with more careful articulation happens more easily on my acoustic guitars.
My friend Tim says that Bob Dylan at a show announced that he is going to perform a Jimi Hendrix song called “All Along The Watchtower.” I asked Tim if this actually happened, but Tim said wether true or not it could of happened. Jimi now kinda owns that song. Of course Bob Dylan wrote the immortal song, but Jimi made it his own.
Yesterday “Maggie” was in a sound proof room while the Engineeer, Phil, was in the control room. Remotely the producer was also connected to the headphones Maggie wore. I was worried that reading for a prolonged time would be hard and fatiguing, but Maggie found it pleasant and not difficult.
As usual Maggie is in a rush…
Cal
Perhaps I’m projecting. I surely have passion, and boy my friends say I am worse than a woman when I get pissed off. I go pretty crazy… Anyways it is hard to believe in the Saint Frankie presented. Yet again the humility presented if true is grand. My friend’s dad was the frontman, singer, guitar player for a big-time Jazz orchestra. Very much a charming man, but also human.
When you really know someone, you see their limitations and the true self. Ego’s are kinda an ugly part of being human.
Understand that recording music and film making are collaborative processes. I realize and understand this. Even being a writer is collaborative when it gets involved with the publishing industry. I would be very unhappy with outsiders manipulating me and my work.
I’m reading the book to learn about the early analog technology and of course the ribbon mikes. Not sure if I will finish the book, I have my own fodder.
I have this workbook that is a programmed course in music theory: Scales, Triads, and Intervals. Pretty much will get me able to read sheet music. I have kinda come up with my own arrangement of “Round Midnight” that my friend tells me is one of the most difficult Jazz standards, but it is likely one of the most recorded songs also.
The key to getting smooth and loosing the choppiness in my playing is slowing down. I have good dexterity from years of playing, and I also get a better feel and dynamics when I play slower. I think I might have a talent for arranging, and my hope is to do a cover so well that it becomes basically my tune. This slowing down with more careful articulation happens more easily on my acoustic guitars.
My friend Tim says that Bob Dylan at a show announced that he is going to perform a Jimi Hendrix song called “All Along The Watchtower.” I asked Tim if this actually happened, but Tim said wether true or not it could of happened. Jimi now kinda owns that song. Of course Bob Dylan wrote the immortal song, but Jimi made it his own.
Yesterday “Maggie” was in a sound proof room while the Engineeer, Phil, was in the control room. Remotely the producer was also connected to the headphones Maggie wore. I was worried that reading for a prolonged time would be hard and fatiguing, but Maggie found it pleasant and not difficult.
As usual Maggie is in a rush…
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Did you know that Bob Dylan and the Band inhabited Woodstock?
Seems like the Hudson Valley is an epicenter for artists and writers.
Not a bad place to be.
Cal
Seems like the Hudson Valley is an epicenter for artists and writers.
Not a bad place to be.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I’m a bit tired from my music study at the recording studio. Tomorrow one more chapter and then some promo questions need to be answered and recorded on tape.
I spent a lot of time getting through “compound meters” in the workbook. A bit of a mind bend, but now I have an understanding.
”Maggie” got an invite to participate in the Woodstock Book Feastival which happens just after her book launch. Pretty much on a panel on a Sunday, but it is a weekend long three day event.
The ground swell continues.
Phil the Recording Engineer asked me about the Sinatra book. I told him I lost credibility that there could be a Saint Frankie. I mentioned how I was more interested in the recording technology development.
Phil is a horn player and was in the Union. He mentioned he would go on tour with Buddy Rich who was a charmer, but back in the tour bus he was a nasty ass and abusive. The nice guy routine was just a front.
Cal
I spent a lot of time getting through “compound meters” in the workbook. A bit of a mind bend, but now I have an understanding.
”Maggie” got an invite to participate in the Woodstock Book Feastival which happens just after her book launch. Pretty much on a panel on a Sunday, but it is a weekend long three day event.
The ground swell continues.
Phil the Recording Engineer asked me about the Sinatra book. I told him I lost credibility that there could be a Saint Frankie. I mentioned how I was more interested in the recording technology development.
Phil is a horn player and was in the Union. He mentioned he would go on tour with Buddy Rich who was a charmer, but back in the tour bus he was a nasty ass and abusive. The nice guy routine was just a front.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Had to go to urgent care yesterday for another bout of Cellulitis. Hopefully caught in time that an IV of antibiotics is not needed.
Last night I started on a pill antibiotic and already I feel better. I at least slept better/well.
It seems my Cold Aglutionin Disease makes me prone to Cellulitis.
Hopefully the pill antibiotics work and do the job.
Cal
Last night I started on a pill antibiotic and already I feel better. I at least slept better/well.
It seems my Cold Aglutionin Disease makes me prone to Cellulitis.
Hopefully the pill antibiotics work and do the job.
Cal
Particular
a.k.a. CNNY, disassembler
Cal,
Anything that requires antibiotics to resolve doesn't sound like fun. I hope you are coping alright with this cold weather, and are feeling better.
Austintatious
Well-known
His last post was Saturday afternoon. Starting to wonder if he is OK.
Be well old sport.
MrFujicaman
Well-known
I'm wondering too, Austintatious..
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
You mentioned (the dreaded) D&D - dip and dunk - and asked about developers. Well, here goes.
Have you thought about going back to good old D76? It's the most flexible developer I've used in six decades in the darkroom. In my time (1960s) everybody shot 120 roll film and souped it in DK60a. Given its so-so reputation as a meh! developer, it always surprises me that my 6x6 negative from that period print supremely well and I can easily produce way above 8x10, up to 11x14" or even 16x20" (I never do, but that's another story entirely) .
D76 can be used full strength, 1-1 or 1-3, so it's flexible. Even with speedy modern films it can be fine-tuned for the contrast you want. And if you miss a beat or two in the developing and your film lingers in the soup for a few extra minutes, your negatives won't come out looking like midnight in a cupboard.
In my time I've tried just about everything going, and apart from a ten year period during which I mixed my own two part developers (the classic Barry Thornton 'mix' modified by Ansel Adams for better contrast) and used that, D76 has been my constant standby.
D23 I have mixed (bad pun, sorry) feelings about. Maybe okay for sheet film. 35mm and 120, not so good. Images go mushy when blown up to beyond 5x7". And to me sharpness is everything, so I had a very brief flirtation with it, and gave it up.
Good to see you are returning to the darkroom. I enjoy your ongoing adventures, but your advice and comments about your photo-making were always spot-on for me.
Anyway, stay warm, maybe enjoy a glass or two of good New York red wine (I recall a few decent vintages from your state in my travels there in the 1970s and 1980s) when it's ultra cold, and keep up the good writing. Your loyal followers insist on, nay, demand it...
Have you thought about going back to good old D76? It's the most flexible developer I've used in six decades in the darkroom. In my time (1960s) everybody shot 120 roll film and souped it in DK60a. Given its so-so reputation as a meh! developer, it always surprises me that my 6x6 negative from that period print supremely well and I can easily produce way above 8x10, up to 11x14" or even 16x20" (I never do, but that's another story entirely) .
D76 can be used full strength, 1-1 or 1-3, so it's flexible. Even with speedy modern films it can be fine-tuned for the contrast you want. And if you miss a beat or two in the developing and your film lingers in the soup for a few extra minutes, your negatives won't come out looking like midnight in a cupboard.
In my time I've tried just about everything going, and apart from a ten year period during which I mixed my own two part developers (the classic Barry Thornton 'mix' modified by Ansel Adams for better contrast) and used that, D76 has been my constant standby.
D23 I have mixed (bad pun, sorry) feelings about. Maybe okay for sheet film. 35mm and 120, not so good. Images go mushy when blown up to beyond 5x7". And to me sharpness is everything, so I had a very brief flirtation with it, and gave it up.
Good to see you are returning to the darkroom. I enjoy your ongoing adventures, but your advice and comments about your photo-making were always spot-on for me.
Anyway, stay warm, maybe enjoy a glass or two of good New York red wine (I recall a few decent vintages from your state in my travels there in the 1970s and 1980s) when it's ultra cold, and keep up the good writing. Your loyal followers insist on, nay, demand it...
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Thanks for the concerns.
Here is my timeline:
Wednesday the tip of my nose became reddened. Pretty much my famous reindeer imitation. A pimple became apparent just inside my left nostril, and on Thursday I was able to pop it.
Friday evening my upper lip began swelling, and now I assumed a fish-face that was a bottom feeder like a carp. Went to Urgent Care and got some oral antibiotics. I was warned that if improvement did not happen within a day or so that I would need IV’s.
On Saturday my cheeks were swelling, so off to my local ER which is a branch of the highly regarded Columbia Presbyterian in NYC. By noon I was told I needed to be transferred to another ER either in NYC or Westchester Medical Center because I needed the 1 CM abscess excised by a doctor who was ENT (eyes, nose throat) specialized.
Luckily it was deemed that I could transfer with me just driving my car with no need of an ambulance. It was explained to me that my condition needed immediate attention because if untreated the infection could spread further and become life threatening: sept-US; or perhaps a brain infection tat could be like getting meningitis.
On Saturday afternoon I had two surgeries to the abscess. Not so pleasant experience having basically an infected pimple or ingrown hair squeezed when sore and sensitized by inflammation. Pretty much having my nose and nostrils pinched and squeezed where even with out the heightened sensitivity of a wound, now opened, being squeezed so forcefully would be excruciating.
Later that night there was more probing and another incision.
Was dosed with two different antibiotics. Had some cream that is a powerful exfoliant.
Glad to be home today.
It was counterintuitive, but I got really great care at the “Public” hospital, although not so efficient.
In 2022 I had a bout of Cellulitises on an open wound on my right shin.
In 2023 I had a pimple on a butt cheek turn into Cellulitises.
Now, already in 2024 I had a pimple or ingrown hair in the very entrance of left nostril turn into an uncontrolled infection.
I asked and inquired why a man on no meds in remarkable physical condition might have have a compromised immune system. I wondered if my underlying Cold Agglutinin Disease (CAD) might be involved? This started to get addressed and a battery of tests were begun, and specialists came to inquire.
Understand that this jump started an inquiry that needs to be followed through. Pretty much a baseline of lab tests were performed to speed up future further investigation.
For those that have no understanding of CAD: it is a condition of producing too much IgM antibodies that makes Red Blood Cells clump and stick together when exposure to cold is experienced; this damages RBC’s and leads to weakness via Anemia’s; but in my case I’m able to replace enough RBC’s that basically I am asymptomatic.
My disease is Idiopathic, meaning for some unknown reason. Generally CAD is associated with IV drug use, Hepititus-C of which I have no experience with. Two Hemotologists monitored me over a course of a decade when I was 49-59.
Diabetes could be an explaination, but I an lean, I eat well (no soda, sugars or processed foods) and am likely too fit, even though not as active as I want to be.
Understand that these infections if they go too far can mean loss of limbs or death.
For the past 3 days I watched the Discovery Channel. Lots of shows about living in and surviving in Alaska. Pretty much about surviving/survival that kinda mirrors a condition I live with. Since I have an extreme sensitivity to cold and exposure to the cold, I don’t need to live close to the Arctic Circle to be is a similar, but different situation.
On one show, “The Last Alaskans,” a man burned down an old cabin after he built a replacement. This resonated with me because the Baby-Victorian might end up being just a temporary resting place. It saddens me that I might have to move for health reasons. The restoration work I lovingly performed might have to be abandoned, and pretty much I might not have enough youthful energy to do the heavy lifting required to restore another home.
Another Alaskan show of interest was “Homestead Rescue.” A few episodes were set in Alaska, and one episode included the family father’s own homestead where his cabin burned down, and they had to complete a half built cabin replacement in a month before winter set in.
The thyme of the weather taking me out, or a forced migration, is not what I really want to do…
Then there is this other though of moving down to Myrtle Beach or near Wilmington, the North-South border of the Caralina’s. If anything happened to me, “Maggie” would have her three younger brothers nearby. Also know that her daughter and the grandkids expect to eventually relocate there. Here in New York under those conditions mean we would have only Maggie’s sister and her family nearby. Not enough to stay.
The big deal would be the grandkids.
The Abermerle is the lowlands of North Carolina, basically swamp lands that had remained undeveloped because of geography. Doing the rural drive down there recently we saw the rural poverty, but we also saw the development of HOA communities because of the available land. Pretty much very concentrated building and we were told the fastest growing area in the country.
Of course I realize that this area is a huge flood zone and endangered by storms.
The good is we have a cute house that already made us lots of equity. The housing shortage persists and we could fetch a top dollar, and because of location-location-location selling is not a problem.
Down south we only love the older historic homes. No HOA for us or anything new. Costs are less.
But the water is chemically contaminated, very unlikely any mortgage would be at a low interest rate, our current rate is well under 3%. Pretty much real dangers from flooding, hurricanes, and even forest fires. Do we feel lucky? I have an underlying disease that is 1 in 100,000; meaning that in NYC’s 8 million inhabitants that there are less than 100 people with my disease. Good medical care comparable to New York is unlikely, unless I go to John Hopkins in Maryland…
So I guess you can see where suddenly I find myself in a bit of survivalist mode.
Know that CAD is not a death sentence, but susceptibility to infections could be. More research is required to clarify the situation.
Cal
Here is my timeline:
Wednesday the tip of my nose became reddened. Pretty much my famous reindeer imitation. A pimple became apparent just inside my left nostril, and on Thursday I was able to pop it.
Friday evening my upper lip began swelling, and now I assumed a fish-face that was a bottom feeder like a carp. Went to Urgent Care and got some oral antibiotics. I was warned that if improvement did not happen within a day or so that I would need IV’s.
On Saturday my cheeks were swelling, so off to my local ER which is a branch of the highly regarded Columbia Presbyterian in NYC. By noon I was told I needed to be transferred to another ER either in NYC or Westchester Medical Center because I needed the 1 CM abscess excised by a doctor who was ENT (eyes, nose throat) specialized.
Luckily it was deemed that I could transfer with me just driving my car with no need of an ambulance. It was explained to me that my condition needed immediate attention because if untreated the infection could spread further and become life threatening: sept-US; or perhaps a brain infection tat could be like getting meningitis.
On Saturday afternoon I had two surgeries to the abscess. Not so pleasant experience having basically an infected pimple or ingrown hair squeezed when sore and sensitized by inflammation. Pretty much having my nose and nostrils pinched and squeezed where even with out the heightened sensitivity of a wound, now opened, being squeezed so forcefully would be excruciating.
Later that night there was more probing and another incision.
Was dosed with two different antibiotics. Had some cream that is a powerful exfoliant.
Glad to be home today.
It was counterintuitive, but I got really great care at the “Public” hospital, although not so efficient.
In 2022 I had a bout of Cellulitises on an open wound on my right shin.
In 2023 I had a pimple on a butt cheek turn into Cellulitises.
Now, already in 2024 I had a pimple or ingrown hair in the very entrance of left nostril turn into an uncontrolled infection.
I asked and inquired why a man on no meds in remarkable physical condition might have have a compromised immune system. I wondered if my underlying Cold Agglutinin Disease (CAD) might be involved? This started to get addressed and a battery of tests were begun, and specialists came to inquire.
Understand that this jump started an inquiry that needs to be followed through. Pretty much a baseline of lab tests were performed to speed up future further investigation.
For those that have no understanding of CAD: it is a condition of producing too much IgM antibodies that makes Red Blood Cells clump and stick together when exposure to cold is experienced; this damages RBC’s and leads to weakness via Anemia’s; but in my case I’m able to replace enough RBC’s that basically I am asymptomatic.
My disease is Idiopathic, meaning for some unknown reason. Generally CAD is associated with IV drug use, Hepititus-C of which I have no experience with. Two Hemotologists monitored me over a course of a decade when I was 49-59.
Diabetes could be an explaination, but I an lean, I eat well (no soda, sugars or processed foods) and am likely too fit, even though not as active as I want to be.
Understand that these infections if they go too far can mean loss of limbs or death.
For the past 3 days I watched the Discovery Channel. Lots of shows about living in and surviving in Alaska. Pretty much about surviving/survival that kinda mirrors a condition I live with. Since I have an extreme sensitivity to cold and exposure to the cold, I don’t need to live close to the Arctic Circle to be is a similar, but different situation.
On one show, “The Last Alaskans,” a man burned down an old cabin after he built a replacement. This resonated with me because the Baby-Victorian might end up being just a temporary resting place. It saddens me that I might have to move for health reasons. The restoration work I lovingly performed might have to be abandoned, and pretty much I might not have enough youthful energy to do the heavy lifting required to restore another home.
Another Alaskan show of interest was “Homestead Rescue.” A few episodes were set in Alaska, and one episode included the family father’s own homestead where his cabin burned down, and they had to complete a half built cabin replacement in a month before winter set in.
The thyme of the weather taking me out, or a forced migration, is not what I really want to do…
Then there is this other though of moving down to Myrtle Beach or near Wilmington, the North-South border of the Caralina’s. If anything happened to me, “Maggie” would have her three younger brothers nearby. Also know that her daughter and the grandkids expect to eventually relocate there. Here in New York under those conditions mean we would have only Maggie’s sister and her family nearby. Not enough to stay.
The big deal would be the grandkids.
The Abermerle is the lowlands of North Carolina, basically swamp lands that had remained undeveloped because of geography. Doing the rural drive down there recently we saw the rural poverty, but we also saw the development of HOA communities because of the available land. Pretty much very concentrated building and we were told the fastest growing area in the country.
Of course I realize that this area is a huge flood zone and endangered by storms.
The good is we have a cute house that already made us lots of equity. The housing shortage persists and we could fetch a top dollar, and because of location-location-location selling is not a problem.
Down south we only love the older historic homes. No HOA for us or anything new. Costs are less.
But the water is chemically contaminated, very unlikely any mortgage would be at a low interest rate, our current rate is well under 3%. Pretty much real dangers from flooding, hurricanes, and even forest fires. Do we feel lucky? I have an underlying disease that is 1 in 100,000; meaning that in NYC’s 8 million inhabitants that there are less than 100 people with my disease. Good medical care comparable to New York is unlikely, unless I go to John Hopkins in Maryland…
So I guess you can see where suddenly I find myself in a bit of survivalist mode.
Know that CAD is not a death sentence, but susceptibility to infections could be. More research is required to clarify the situation.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
DU,
Your D-76 rings a bell. Some pretty good wisdom is a great reminder of how great D-76 is and can be,
As you say very versatile…
Thanks for the reminder and the post.
BTW I am deeply moved for my health concerns.
I can return some wisdom on retirement, which is full of sudden surprises. Best advice is to basically be flexible and adaptable because one has to live in a world of surprise possibilities.
I would love to just stay living in Peekskill. Would not mind dying here, but now everything gets reframed because life is beyond one’s control.
All the best, Cal
Your D-76 rings a bell. Some pretty good wisdom is a great reminder of how great D-76 is and can be,
As you say very versatile…
Thanks for the reminder and the post.
BTW I am deeply moved for my health concerns.
I can return some wisdom on retirement, which is full of sudden surprises. Best advice is to basically be flexible and adaptable because one has to live in a world of surprise possibilities.
I would love to just stay living in Peekskill. Would not mind dying here, but now everything gets reframed because life is beyond one’s control.
All the best, Cal
MrFujicaman
Well-known
Cal, we're just happy as hell you're okay....
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
MFM,
Thanks. Sorry for the worry.
I want to share with you that some of the lab results came in, and it seems my glucose levels are high.
No surprise if Diabetes is what is causing my propensity for infection. My chronic dry skin is also another symptom.
Back when I was in my 20’s I was diagnosed as being Hypoglycemic, a pre-diabetic condition.
Both my parents were Diabetics, but I discounted it as being due to and an outcome of poverty. I was able to recover my health due to a diet change, and I broke my cravings for sugar.
It was in my early thirties that I got into biking. This kicked things down the road…
So here I am at 66. I could clean up my diet further. Evidently rice and potatoes are not so great for your A1C, neither are bananas.
Then when I lived in Madhattan I walked everywhere and had some base fitness that went south when I moved to the burbs three years ago. I need to do a lot of long-slow distance either walking or riding.
Anyways I need to adapt a new lifestyle that involves more exercise, meaning every day. The weight and strength training creates lean muscle mass, but it is not really the kind of exercise I need. The speed and strength is perhaps good for a street fight, but I need long-slow distance.
In NYC it would not be uncommon to walk 10-15 miles on a Saturday, and then another 10-15 on Sunday. “Maggie” too would/could also do this.
Certainly a milder climate would be conducive… I love my Baby-Victorian… Perhaps a solution would be to “snow-bird” for January and February.
I guess I can figure out how much I might be able to recover. Would be great not to be a diabetic. Would be great if I could recover my health through just diet and exercise.
At Westchester Medical Center I weighed 159 pounds fully dressed with sneakers, wallet and watch. I was pretty close to my estimated weight unclothed of around 155 pounds, and figure I carry 5 pounds of winter weight. Weight loss is not going to really help me or my A1C.
My positive spin is that there is hope I can recover without needing any meds. Now I have a reason to go for mucho long walks and bike rides.
Cal
Thanks. Sorry for the worry.
I want to share with you that some of the lab results came in, and it seems my glucose levels are high.
No surprise if Diabetes is what is causing my propensity for infection. My chronic dry skin is also another symptom.
Back when I was in my 20’s I was diagnosed as being Hypoglycemic, a pre-diabetic condition.
Both my parents were Diabetics, but I discounted it as being due to and an outcome of poverty. I was able to recover my health due to a diet change, and I broke my cravings for sugar.
It was in my early thirties that I got into biking. This kicked things down the road…
So here I am at 66. I could clean up my diet further. Evidently rice and potatoes are not so great for your A1C, neither are bananas.
Then when I lived in Madhattan I walked everywhere and had some base fitness that went south when I moved to the burbs three years ago. I need to do a lot of long-slow distance either walking or riding.
Anyways I need to adapt a new lifestyle that involves more exercise, meaning every day. The weight and strength training creates lean muscle mass, but it is not really the kind of exercise I need. The speed and strength is perhaps good for a street fight, but I need long-slow distance.
In NYC it would not be uncommon to walk 10-15 miles on a Saturday, and then another 10-15 on Sunday. “Maggie” too would/could also do this.
Certainly a milder climate would be conducive… I love my Baby-Victorian… Perhaps a solution would be to “snow-bird” for January and February.
I guess I can figure out how much I might be able to recover. Would be great not to be a diabetic. Would be great if I could recover my health through just diet and exercise.
At Westchester Medical Center I weighed 159 pounds fully dressed with sneakers, wallet and watch. I was pretty close to my estimated weight unclothed of around 155 pounds, and figure I carry 5 pounds of winter weight. Weight loss is not going to really help me or my A1C.
My positive spin is that there is hope I can recover without needing any meds. Now I have a reason to go for mucho long walks and bike rides.
Cal
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