NYC Journal

I don’t hate spackling as mush as I use to. I kinda got on the learning curve and can do a pretty decent job, especially on fresh sheetrock.

On plaster walls they are not so uniform or smooth. It is more a blending process.

I have these cedar pole tops I need to prime and paint to finish the driveway fence. Since I’m going to prime the ceiling today, I figure might as well to include the pole tops.

Seems like a shy follower saw us at a rest stop on the Thruway the other day. She left a cute comment.

Pretty much we can’t stop to pee and not get noticed.

I wonder what a good side hustle would be for me. I’m jumping the shark here because at some point the house will be completed.

Could always use extra money, but on my terms.

The landscape/mason contractor stopped by with a truckload of brush as clean fill.

Cal
 
I now have a big supply of firewood.

Spiting wood with a maul is good exercise. “Maggie” wants to get a fire pit for the back backyard..

I only sanded and primed the ceiling in the hallway and the stairway going upstairs. The primer does a great job of showing and magnifying defects. Will have to do some touchups to make perfectly smooth. Slow progress.

I can also hook up some of my friends that have fire places. Keeping this wood out of a landfill. This landscaper saves money. Win-win.

That Milwaukee inch battery powered chainsaw is good to have.

Cal
 
Sanding and painting ceilings use muscles that often don’t get used. I have experienced some soreness, but I know enough not to stress my body too much. Part of aging I guess.

In about 3 weeks is the book launch. Things are winding up, and pressure is building. An exciting time, but also “Maggie” wants it to done and over. She wants to write, but she also does not want to publish a book again. Too invasive, too much marketing that requires maintaining an online presence, and pretty much the burden of marketing and promotion is the author’s responsibility.

Being a Digital Influencer was like being on a hamster wheel, and pretty much publishing a book is much of the same. There are clear links to serious mental health issues like depression, anxiety and even suicide.

My eyes are wide open, and pretty much I minimize my presence to here on RFF.

Also the journalism I read on the Internet is kinda fluff. Not really adiquit to be called news anymore. I see story’s that stay up from weeks ago, or fluff pieces about someone getting scammed out of $50K. There seems to be a lack of meaning at this point. I am horrified at the state of journalism.

I question the next level which is AI.

It seems like we are getting dumbed-down. Have you noticed how people are not thinking anymore. Lots of nonsense going on.

Kinda funny how NAFTA kinda got revived. Mexico overtook China as far as trade goes. I can see how isolationism has begun and is getting played out. If we look at history it begins and ends badly with military conflict.

Pretty much here in the U.S. there seems to be a persistent overhang of stimulas that has prevented us from suffering a recession so far. In China and Germany their economies are not doing so well. Contraction is taking place.

I also see that NYC is building infrastructure to deal with flooding. Pretty much they are trying to follow the Dutch idea of dealing with floods. The problem I see here is that only small parts of the city (downtown) will get protected.

They say that the term 100 year event now is a misnomer, and that really catastrophic storms and flooding are actually now 25 year events.

Cal
 
The New York Times feature “It Is Never Too Late” was published today.

This writer was difficult for “Maggie” to deal with. Not the best, but the link to Maggie’s Substack is garnering many new followers.

Four shots were used: one was from Getty Images; the one with the white background is is mine; and the third and fourth were from the NYT staff photographer.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
The New York Times feature “It Is Never Too Late” was published today.

This writer was difficult for “Maggie” to deal with. Not the best, but the link to Maggie’s Substack is garnering many new followers.

Four shots were used: one was from Getty Images; the one with the white background is is mine; and the third and fourth were from the NYT staff photographer.

Cal
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Hi Cal, I also saw the article today. Sorry that only one of your shots was featured but anyway, I hope that it will increase positive feedback for you and "Maggie". Stay healthy and motivated to update your little colonial in the 'hills. Cheers Klaus
 
K,

“Maggie” is a name I call her to annoy her. Pretty much I am famous and known for annoying people. LOL.

Maggie is a persona I developed for Lyn, who is Martha Stewart’s older sister who is OCD. Lyn displays some behaviors that rigidly follow structures, but this is also followed by the chaos, frenzies, and hot messes she creates.

So in a way the name Maggie is an insult, but when she hears me call her Lyn it seems odd to her.

Anyways, I’m the only person that calls her Maggie, but people who know her it seems to be an endearment.

Cal
 
I am a whore, who got a gig and is willing to work for free.

I was minding my own business, meanwhile “Maggie” wrote two features for our local Peekskill Herald. Pretty much a once a month Column. The first involved making and promoting Peekskill as a walkable city. The second was about being a good digital citizen, and that was in response to an anonymous person who made a remark comparing Peekskill to a retirement community.

Anyways, the amount of people in Peekskill that are 65 or older is only 16.4% by the last census, far from a retirement community.

So now I kid Maggie that she could find her way into public office as a write in because voting turnout is so poor in Peekskill.

Lately we have been active in our community, and we are meeting and making lots of friends. Even though we are in the burbs we are not really isolated at all. There is a very big sense of community her.

So now I kinda have a non paying gig with the local Peekskill Herald.

Oh-well.

Today I went through my cameras. Our friend John says I have a camera museum. Hard to argue. I went through them seeing which ones might need some service, and which are good to go.

So I kinda snookered myself. I’m building out my community, and I’m involved. The editor has mucho magazine experience, so I wonder…

Anyways, I’m kinda getting involved, and will start walking around with cameras.

Cal
 
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Klause,

“Maggie” is really happy with the link to her substack. Many-many new followers.

Also a national broadcast gig for her on the CBS network with all it’s affiliates. She will be going to the studio in NY.

This free lancer reporter was mucho lame and was a bad experience for Maggie. Where do they find these losers?

The title of the article is off base, not really about what the book is about or what is important.

Some crazy stuff is happening. I don’t want to jump the shark, but March and a good part of April will be mighty busy.

Cal
 
I have a jammed M3 DS, a nickel black paint Leica II that has an unusual sticky high shutter speeds, and a jammed Robot 36.

No worries, I still have many cameras.

One M9 battery seems to have self discharged. This battery likely is the one John C. Gifted me. I have two other batteries for my MM.

A question for Devil Dan: I own ten 23 Grafmatics and 120 backs in 6x7, 6x9 and even 645 (very rare). Given the choice would he school room film or sheet film by choice, and why?

Know that I have mucho sheet holders for development and also 120 and 220 reels.

On top of that I also have 70mm CINE backs.

Also playing with my SL and SL2 with L-mount glass, I forgot how heavy these cameras are. I also forgot how heavy even Baby-Linhofs are. A free gym membership comes with these cameras.

I love how on the SL and SL2 I have dual memory slots and that I can record DNG on slot one and J-PEG on slot two.

For the Peekskill Herald all I need is J-PEG. It is published online.

For over 3 years I have not done any photography, but now I’m getting back into it.

Cal
 
“Maggie” has some arthritis in both her knees. Understand that Maggie is 70, and many people at this point have worn joints.

Yesterday had another visit to the orthopedic doctor, and today physical therapy. Also had to pick up the grandson from daycare because of red eye.

The grand daughter will be dropped off shortly.

There is some zoom call at 3:00 PM.

Life is both busy and boring, but because of low stress and relaxing it is good. Did a 20 minute row and will likely do another later.

Cal
 
Devil Cal,

I like rolls of film, and I also like sheet film. I too have been organizing, I have had a huge success, cleaning, plastic boxing, labeling. So much better. For Newspaper, digital for sure. For fun and stretching/growing Devil Christian/Linhofs. Single shot to 50+ whatever you feel like. Try something new to you. Put something new together for yourself and take it out. I have a ton of rolls and sheets to shoot up. BTW I did a Holiday digital XMAS Gig for the local Community and I'm really glad I did it. The Community loved the photos and I felt good inside about contributing. It gets the photographic juices flowing.

Photographer's Formulary for bulk chems. I'm trying Ansco 130 Paper Developer, contains GLYCIN. Another magical photo chemical. Amidol I add to PMK Developer, it adds legit shadow speed. Turns PMK all kinds of swirling rainbow colors. Oh Wow Man. My friend is a chemist, he says that means it's going through radical chemical changes. Good for my Photography.
 
Today’s podcast was for a radio show.

Tomorrow are two podcasts and an interview.

“Maggie” has to get up early for the first podcast because it is being performed with people in Britain.

Maggie tells me that from now to March 12th, the book launch, expect things to get frenetic. Since the New York Times feature, now others are lining up like the Wall Street Journal, and a few new others.

The Washington Post wanted to use Maggie for a feature on trends, something she refused to do because she is not known for following trends. Now the Washington Post wants to do a feature on her book.

There seems to be a chain reaction going on not so different that how a nuclear bomb is detonated that triggers further reactions. I have my eyes wide open and expect to see a rather large mushroom cloud on our horizon.

I am grateful that my SL and SL2 have dual SD card slots. The interface allows me to capture DNG on slot 1 and JPG on slot 2. Pretty much I have the files I need for our local Peekskill Herald, and DNG if I happen to see something grand to shoot. The Leica CL has only one slot, this now is Maggie’s camera, and I set it for just J-PEGs because this is for the Internet.

Don’t tell Maggie, but I think she could easily get elected to public office here in Peekskill. We are an immigrant community, and the biggest majority of residents are Latino’s. Voter turnout is small. Maggie is a celeb, has a PhD, and her background in Social Work and the law is well suited. This Peekskill Herald column surely is already a bit of a platform. Also we already are known by many of the local politicians.

Anyways, having Maggie in public office is a joke, but also a possibility.

“I was just minding my own business,” I say. LOL.

As far as politics go, we were waiting for a New York bound train, when a man approached us who was a Peekskill former councilman who’s wife was a follower of Maggie’s. He asked where we lived, and he informed me that we happen to live in a “Republican stronghold” of Peekskill. He explained it was because of our neighborhood not being in the Peekskill school district.

I like to think of myself as a moderate and perhaps a Libra-TEAR-E-N. It is true our neighbors are right wingers. Our one neighbor on our street is a far lefty, and pretty much she is unloved by everyone but us. We are the outliers. LOL.

My southern drawl is emerging more and more. I figure I am appropriating culture, but I do it to annoy people. Also kinda in sympathy with B-On-SAY venturing into country music that got/received backlash for appropriation. This is America where stealing and robbing is normal.

I have a funny exaggerated drawl, but only on words not sentences. I like confusing people.

Cal
 
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Devil Dan,

Thanks for the inspiration. It figures that with guys like us we can go crazy.

I have an idea to use this rigid foam to make my own Structural Insulstefd Panels (SIP’s) to make a free standing room in my basement for my darkroom. One way to keep out dirt.

The chronic hand washer in me also thinks that my attic could be a great place for a “clean room.” I could use the upstairs bath for running water. We made a fancy walk-in shower, and have a hand pendent in the shower. “Don’t tell Maggie.”

Running plumbing into the attic I don’t think would be too hard. I have a dirty basement. The attic I could seal.

Cal
 
“Maggie’s” book is really about “Digital-Burnout,” and not her becoming a “Digital-Influencer.”

This is why Maggie refused to entertain doing a feature with the Washington Post on trends. She also now has emerged as a writer, and hates being typecast. There was a certain amount of pressure, bullying, and an effort to shove it down your throat that involved her publicist and even her editor.

Maggie stood firm, and now the Washington Post is more interested in promoting her book and Maggie as a writer. The publisher just wanted to maintain good relations with their media outlets and representing the artist or artist’s needs is secondary.

The New York Times feature pushed things Maggie’s way. This does not mean that emotion and aggravation does not happen. Just saying that pretty much Maggie is responsible for 90% of the marketing, promotion, and publicity here.

Digital Burnout is not sustainable, and it is a matter of time before a digital influencer has to quit. Anxiety, depression and both physical and mental exhaustion eventually happens. Maggie is in “conversation” with other digital influencers who are writing books about digital-burnout, but their books are stated for publication next year in 2025.

Maggie’s book will be released on March 12th, and her book is timely and the first release covering digital burnout.

I still see headlines about digital influencers making big money that promote that lifestyle. Out of a decade 3-4 years were fun and creative, but then capitalism and commodification took over…

Know that I was involved and supported sustaining this process picking up a lot of the slack. This is also true of supporting and enabling the writing of this book. I have had skin in the game whether I liked it or not.

I will also say that I had my eyes wide open. Not all is bad, but I know the good, the bad, and the ugly. I know from my own experience in dealing with these gated communities that are exclusive first hand: first in the fine arts; and then my own literary experiences.

I would not be surprised if “How To Be Old” becomes a best seller. In fact I’m a bit scare of that.

Cal
 
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There is an image presented that we are crazy rich. While I enjoy some comfort, some luxury, and some affluence, we are far from the perceived wealth that the online images suggest.

Pretty much smoke and mirrors…

We kinda know the life of the A-listers to an extent. I am surprised at how widely we are known as a couple.

What I really want though is peace and quiet, so I can have my life back. You kinda get lost and sucked into the hype, but it is not really real.

A thought came o mind to call AJ to see if he wants about half the wood that got dropped off. Pretty much a dump truck load litters our dead end. I also offered this wood to our son-in-law who has a fire pit. We have our new friends that live in a lux home just south of us that has fireplaces. When over their house I saw they bought small bundles of wood like that are sound at gas stations or convenience stores.

Pretty much I’m recycling.

Cal
 
Joe,

Thanks for the link. This article is working like a springboard of sorts. I can see why and how the media all covers the same stories and how hype gets developed.

I can see how this is only the beginning of the surge or ground swell as I call it. It seems “Maggie” is masterful in doing self promotion, PR, interviews, and getting major news feeds on her side. Big names and prime time is set up.

We might have to go down to Washington DC to a National Broadcast studio instead of them trekking to our home. There is a reading event/conversation in DC scheduled with Christine who is this amazing woman. Looks like these events will converge.

I got a moving thank you from a celebrated very famous established writer who is one of Maggie’s friend’s, who also is a bit of a mentor for her. This woman writer is the mucho big time.

She revealed to Maggie that she has a very rare form of Cancer and will likely loose sight of one of her eyes. She thanked me for the work I did as a cyclotron engineer because she will undergo Proton Therapy that will save her life. This woman supplied a flattering blurb for Maggie’s book and learned about me through the advanced copy she received.

WOW. Part of the groundswell. Like I said, I have skin in the game.

The writer who did this article made Maggie angry and frustrated. I remarked, “Where do they find these people who are so lame?” Pretty much would ask a question and not let Maggie answer it. Then I guess her editor made her call and call again to get a level of detail that was missing to get the article publishable. The smut is that the writer was lame and unprofessional.

One podcast done, another to go, and then an interview.

I’m not exaggerating about the nuclear chain reaction. Maggie reports that on her substack she has gain mucho followers/subscribers.

The national television has not kicked in yet. Pretty much the big network news feeds. This is only the beginning it seems.

Cal
 
If you read the headline promoting “Maggie” as a Digital Influencer it id way off-base.

Pretty much today Maggie is a writer, and she gave up being a DI many years ago. The book is about selling yourself out, loosing your identity, and then finding yourself again.

Evidently the writer of this article skimmed some posts and articles that were dated and upon the present day interview was not present.

Still Maggie is pleased by all the new followers/subscribers on her substack. As they say there is no such thing as a bad review because any publicity has some good and momentum.

Cal
 
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