NYC Journal

Good Snag! Congrats, SS is 'spensive.

Devil Dan is not jealous LOL. I paid Fifty Bucks for my Delta priced over $800 at B&H.

Park your C10 in the corner of the garage studio. Use the attic too of course!
 
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Devil Dan,

I think the 1966 C-10 goes in the garage, and the Audi gets parked in the driveway.

Funny thing here in the burbs in Peekskill is that I’m the only one I know that parks their cars in the garage.

“Maggie” does not like the idea of the Audi in the driveway.

Now I have to inform Maggie that I want this sink. Kinda makes for a wet bench. I have to build legs.

Maggie asks, “Do you really need this?” Ha-ha.

Cal
 
“Maggie” is not so happy about my darkroom sink purchase, but I am mucho happy.

50.5 inches by 26 inches makes for a nice sized wet counter, and the depth is 9 inches.

Pretty much a centerpiece of a darkroom.

In my basement is stored a darkroom. My enlarger is a non XL version of a Besseller. The XL version would of been better, but I bought it almost 2 decades ago for no money with a lot of other stuff. At B&H I bought some Schneider lenses and an alignment tool.

In my garage I have a sheets of R-12.6 rigid foam that has double sided radiant barriers. These I can easily make into Structural insulated panels. My neighbor has a full pallet of 1/2 exterior plywood he does not need that he got at a contractor’s pricing.

It might not pass code, but tapping into my upstair’s bathroom plumbing to have hot and cold running water would not be so hard.

Whatever you do “don’t tell Maggie.”

My basement is a kinda dirty area. The idea of a darkroom there is just plain nasty. The attic space that is usable is 15x16 feet with a A-framed ceiling without any knee walls.

Devil Christian pointed out that having a sealed attic is not a bad thing. The key is to avoid condensation. If I add a mini-split for heating and cooling, and the attic is well sealed, condensation will not be a problem. The mini-splits dehumidify the air.

The 2 inch sheets of rigid foam with double sided radiant barrier along with metal foil tape should create a totally sealed envelope. This would of course be applied over the rafters to also avoid thermal bridging. In between the rafters would be installed rock wool for added insulation, sound proofing, and comfort.

A lack of knee walls would be a space for guitar amps and guitar cases.

The floors would be insulated with rock wool and the floor would be 1/2 plywood. Because of my stairway the 4x8 sheets would have to be ripped lengthwise to negotiate the second floor landing. Oh-well. Not a big job, but of course time and money.

Need to hire a plumber and an electrician.

This seems the way to go because I think the C-10 is a keeper even though it is a future project. I think knowing that it could be delayed makes it more cool. If I can do just a head job and get it on the road as a local driver it would be great. Maggie of course sees little value. The big-big picture is one day it could be an old truck with a completely new drivetrain and A/C.

The body would be original OEM 1966 except for the new replacement wood bed and the relocated gas tank under the bed. Originally the gas tank back then was behind the seat in the cab. How crazy was that?

Anyways Maggie has little understanding of my values here. The new sink and the old truck are junk to her.

A thought though is to build out half the garage. The truck would reside in the garage, and the Audi A4 in the driveway.

A darkroom in the garage would likely would need a sump, a water supply, and likely utilize an electric hot water supply. Most likely a mini-split for heat and A/C. While plausible also more costly than an attic darkroom. Hmmm.

Six of one; half a dozen of an other. What say you?

I could see half the garage though easily set up with a wood stove and into a studio. A wood stove and/or later additional mini-split for heat and A/C. The garage door on one side would have a removable wall to seal the carriage doors on the studio side. I saved the original rear exterior door from our kitchen that was replaced and upgraded. This door would be installed in the interior of the garage for access. Pretty much a 10x20 foot space with half a hip roof cathedral ceiling.

The garage studio would have a stealth-factor. Even with just a wood stove it would be like a secluded space. The addition of a mini-split just adds comfort and usability.

I have a library ladder I found being thrown out by a health food store on Second Avenue in Madhattan while walking to work from Grand Central. I smuggled it into my lab, and at a later date drove in to remove my treasures. This would be perfect for having a loft area,

One idea is to use and exploit the taller area of the hip roof over the non studio side and create a balcony of sorts. Part of this would be like a cave of sorts that’s elevated. The idea is to have a nook for storage. The library ladder would allow to exploit shelves for additional storage.

My garage has 8x8 foot doors, where most garages only have garage doors 7 feet tall. Having a somewhat cathedral ceiling gets compounded by this extra foot.

This would be a really great work space, open and with height. The long exterior wall faces due south, so I could enlarge the window to exploit a really nice view of our back-backyard, woods, the marsh and the hillside.

I lIke the idea of a wood stove as a secondary heater. Did you know you kinda get stoned by the negative ions generated by a wood fire. A mini-split for heat and A/C means it could serve as a great digital studio. My worries is that Maggie would like to invade or share the space.

Of course if there is running water then the mini-split would be required to prevent freezing pipes. Without running water the mini-split and wood stove could only be activated when occupied for economy. The attic would have the most stable temperature and humidity control I figure, and the garage could just be used as needed/required if not with running water.

Could be used as a guest room also. The nearest bath is through the kitchen door. The powder room off the kitchen. This might free up the second bedroom. Hmmm…

I can see having the Jersey Barrier set up there along with my 27 inch EIZO and a 27 inch Studio Display. Know that I salvaged some articulating medical platforms. One I salvaged from my lab, and the other I found being thrown out by a medical professional building. My new digital work station will be so pro, and don’t forget that I also have that viewing booth that our friend Landrew gifted me.

My 330B tube stereo and music gear would fill out the studio.

BTW adding a mini-split to the attic is really just adding a zone to a future upstairs mini-split.

I don’t know if I can have all my dreams come true: one is the attic; two is the garage studio; and third is the truck.

All require time and money. I’m pretty much a goal oriented guy, and given enough time I could achieve all three, but of course there is “woman-factor.”

Having a 15x16 studio and having a second 10x20 would be mighty cool. No shortage of capacity, even if Maggie wiggles her way into the garage studio for the A/C in the summer. Bonus is I can find a place of artistic solitude to work. She does not like the attic stairs so I know that space will be off limits to her. To build out the garage space I might have to concede her having some access. I can be a mucho clever manipulator.

So you can see, I am a bit ambitious and perhaps a bit crazy. Understand that in talking with Devil Christian that the attic, except for the likely illegal darkroom sink and plumbing is really just storage space. Of course the sink install would be discrete and under the radar.

Secondly the garage would still be a garage. The idea here is that I would not pay additional taxes. The garage and attic are not considered living spaces. Realistically though woman-factor might have to come into play to build out the garage. The idea of building out the attic first is a bit of a bait and switch. “Don’t tell Maggie.” LOL.

Phase 2 of clever Calvin is to next try to build out my second studio. Know that it might make sense to keep the attic as my analog and digital printing studio. Generally the limiting factor for printing and developing is usually drying space. For digital printing the same is true: drying space is the limit.

I concede the C-10 is last of the three dreams come true. If I just get the head done to make it a local driver the truck’s value increases. I could actually use the truck for many-many years as a “survivor” that pretty much would have a great amount of “you suck factor.”

Pretty much I could see the truck rather easily in that state. Head job and fresh tires is all that is needed along with replacing the cracked windshield that is available for about $300.00. The new wood bed in oak is about $1.5K, and that would be all that would be required for the body besides a good waxing to protect patina and seal the tiny areas of surface rust.

I have somewhat of a plan. Somehow I think I could have it all, but of course printing can get expensive.

The act of buying a darkroom sink accelerates my thinking…

Cal
 
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I have 14 days to pick up my darkroom sink. Who knew that this sink would push me over the edge and cause a pretty serious rant about possibilities.

My next door neighbor also gave me a 5 foot long countertop. Was going to use it for a table top for a sewing room. I forgot about that I also own a JUKI commercial sewing machine. It happens to be one of the last made in Japan. A serious 1/2 horsepower motor powers this monster. I purposely avoided the version made in China.

This is another part of me. Sewing for me is like sculpture. I am because mens sizes start at size 40 and I am a size 38 means I kinda am underserved and excluded. Pretty much I need the extream high end like Prada or Paul Smith who makes the slim tailoring that accentuates my lean muscular build.

So now I have an idea to perhaps just make dress shirts for guys my size or just maybe just me. Also I learned rom a designer that the best way to learn tailoring for menswear is to deconstruct clothing and reassemble it. Not so different than rebuilding a truck.

I happen to have remarkable hands and the fine art skills that are a good foundation to build on. Hmmm.

I think I have a unique branding with sizes below a men’s size 40. An underserved group that is lean, small framed yet muscular. I have ideas to make the brand exclusive like perhaps a fitness test of being able to do say perhaps 6 pull ups or 50 pushups in a set.

I’m not likely going after a mass market, but I want an exclusive brand. I also want a great excuse not to support mediocrity and a mass market. Remember I don’t need the work.

Another idea is to buy extra large shirts that I could recycle and downsize literally with the idea of recycling and making one off shirts that would have value added. I have and will promote high ideals and a high concept, meaning not for everyone. That is the price of cool. I could be proud of my clothes and be the ideal model for them.

Growing up I kinda got stuck wearing kids clothes. I was kinda out of market, and developed my style of having basically no style. In a ways this goes back to the decade I was a performance artist. Now I’m in a special place. I have time, I have tooling, and I have my art background to draw upon. A lifetime of experience gives me and provides confidence.

Besides all this it is cost effective with the only real major expense being time.

It is interesting that my problem is defining the man I want to be. I still have a confused identity, and pretty much I still have not grown up yet and I’m 66 years old.

This is becoming another rant. Kinda fun, but also disturbing because I live and dwell in a world of crazy possibilities where almost anything can and will happen.

The art dealer, Ivan Karp, profiled me correctly: I am an artist who has too many ideas. Problem is that they are closely all good ideas. All are kinda fun and challenging. Running with the ball as they say. So much potential went restrained just getting ready for retirement, and now I have the time to build out the life I want that I only dreamed about.

I am so happy and glad I retired early to get the jump start. There is an unsettled challenge, but also a great amount of freedom here that is so liberating. It was wise to buy a rather small and modest home. This too adds to my freedom.

Cal
 
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PBS wanted to do a feature on “Maggie” and her book, but now that morphed into something else. The old bait and switch that happens a lot. Now they want to include other older models, and the story is not exclusively about Maggie and her book.

She is going to inform them that she is bailing out.

How empowering is that. She is just protecting her best interests, Modeling is her past, and Maggie is just moving forward.

Anyways this is what you have to do to have self-respect.

The bait and switch is a common tactic.

This was a big opportunity I mentioned, and unless they back peddle, oh-well.

It will be interesting to see if this just dies, or if there is any push back. “Ha-ha,” I say.

Cal
 
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The new pants arrived. I’m surprised that the cut is different than the black pair I own. Also the olive color is not two toned like a pair I already own, and the color is a darker olive that in some light looks almost brown.

This new pair has a 34 inch inseam, and the tailoring is tighter. Mucho flattering on a skinny lanky or muscular guy. BTW “Maggie” objects to the word lanky I use to describe myself, but the truth is not ony do I have narrow shoulders, my arms are extra long. For me the word lanky fits.

Another reason is I am only 5’10” which is average height for an American, but I get described as being “tall.” It is not just good posture that gives me that appearance.

So now I know to look for the 34 inch inseam…

Today ended up being a remarkably great day. The grandson is such a well behaved boy with us. He is different around his parents and sister. Such a good boy. “Maggie” explained to me that his copying our gestures is behavior of a three year old. At the end of the month he will be 18 months.

Cal
 
A small wood stove of 30,000 BTU capacity is looking good for the garage. The high ceiling will add a demand so a bigger stove might be needed, but pretty much I will have it sealed pretty tight. It is not such a large space.

I can see “Maggie” going there to write. I have to test the WiFi, but under the pergola in the first backyard I can still get the Internet from the house hot spot.

I can also see me bringing out a guitar or guitar and amp and lighting a fire. Does that sound relaxing? You bet. I could even go there in the middle of the night and not disturb Maggie. How cool is that?

This is a bit of a different work space than I imagined. No A/C but kinda like a nice place to spend cold winter’s days. The nearest bathroom though is the powder room in the house. I imagine the heavy insulation and the sealed room to be somewhat sound proof.

A calm and peaceful place for a house that lacks a fireplace. Hmmm. A wood burning stove is the next best thing… Value added if we ever moved I believe.

Perhaps a place to have the Concept 2 rower and my free weights. This way I can get up and do a workout, because Maggie gets up later than me.

A Vermont Stove is towards the higher end. Has a cooking surface which I like for a pot of hot water to help humidify the air. The Aspen model is about $1.8K. Not crazy money. Later we could add a small mini split to have A/C and more control.

The small space would be easier to air condition than running the mini-split in the house that cools the entire first floor during the summer.

Not sure if I want this space more, or the 1966 C-10 if I have to choose. What would you want? Which would better serve you?

One thing though, the added space would allow the privacy needed and the separation of space required for artistic solitude to concentrate. This is something I need. Also my JUKI is not like my photo equipment and printing that needs and requires a clean room and environmental controls.

This would be well suited for writing, sewing and practicing. Could also be great as a shooting studio. Somewhat like a library space, but also a workspace for me for sewing and bookmaking. Also a place to just think… Having a private space to be alone to concentrate is important, at least to me, and I also love to have a place to spread out when working on building something without having to clean up.

I’m not talking raw space here, I would want a place that is comfortable and homey. I want a place free from distraction.

Hmmm… Lots of thinking aloud.

Cal
 
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Looked at the attic again. The 15x16 is small with the A-framed roof. Not a lot of space.

Dental cleanings again today.

I started reading the two books. I have until March 12th.

Anxiety over the TV show is happening. “Maggie” regrets being a public figure. She is cool with podcasts, but not so good about TV appearances, especially with an audience.

Then there is a TV studio visit for a taping that will be on the Internet.

These appearances she dreads.

Cal
 
“Maggie’s” book cover “How To Be Old” is posted on bus shelters around NYC along with the release date of March 12th.

The Washington Post wanted to send a photographer to our house. Maggie declined. She is no longer a Fashion Influencer. Promote her book or her writing.

No more three-card-Monty or the old bait and switch.

Central Banks are buying and hoarding gold. They report a price increase above $2135.00 and speculate a future price of $3100.00.

Cal
 
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A haircut is a rare event for me, and this Friday I’m getting one in more than a year I figure. Last cut was sometime in Philly when “Maggie” had a conference there, and I did a walk in.

My hair almost reaches my navel. Looks kinda choppy and perhaps like a surfer. Pretty much a bit feral for a public figure, and its about time for a cut. Not a bad idea since I’m training when the weather breaks. Of course a pokey tail will be maintained to remain a hippy vibe.

I got to get ready to be in the game.

I also was rethinking of building out a darkroom in the basement because the plumbing would be easy. Another thing is that the attic is small because of the A-frame ceiling. I need to build an air supply that is filtered and creates a positive air pressure to mitigate dirt infiltration. The room I want to build will be well sealed.

Basically I still want to have the attic as a digital printing studio, have a darkroom, and keep the truck. So far this is my best allocation of space.

There would be a cull down of some film cameras perhaps eventually because I kinda have too many, but maybe not to avoid remorse.

The attic would be a digital printing studio and a music studio for my gear and my tube stereo. This attic would be pretty full with just that. Moving that gear out of the basement makes space for a darkroom.

Cal
 
I have space for a long skinny darkroom that will be freestanding. I have a limit of only having a 7 foot ceiling, and there is a center chimney, a heating manifold around the perimeter of the house, and a big heating oil tank.

Plumbing for the washer is nearby and so is the drain. The reason why I changed my mind and decided the basement is the best location is because the logistics of plumbing is EZ-PZ. Also know I realized that the attic is really a small space.

I need to snooker Devil Christian into coming up for a visit. I have to come up with some form of bribe of sorts because I need some professional advice about structural integrity. He has this expertise.

First the attic, then the basement darkroom, and then the truck.

I think we live in a time of scarcity. The housing shortage might take 15 years of serious overbuilding to balance the previous 15 years of underbuilding that happened after 2007-2008. Then compound that by a labor shortage and the inflated costs of materials. Realistically it could take 20 or more years to unwind the imbalance.

There are threads here in this forum about how analog cameras are scarce and have become expensive. At this point they are almost like hard assets to store wealth like a gold coin.

I know if I downsize my cameras that pretty much buying them back or replacing would be remote. The days of low laying fruit is way in the past when I bought and collected my arsenal.

The same goes for my 1966 C-10. Mine is a remarkable “survivor” that basically is 1966 OEM except for the gas tank being relocated. The OEM paint is great with only little surface rust that needs to just get waxed. Clear coating would be a mistake. A replacement wood bed and the body is done.

The steering and suspension is all new, but with stock replacements.

My Jersey Barrier (Epson 7800) has a new set of dampers I installed and has been stored with Piezoflush for the past 3 1/2 years. This printer is likely one of the most durable printers Epson ever made, the 7880. 9800, and 9880 are also known to be the ultimate workhorses along with the 7800.

The point is that all this stuff would be mucho hard to replace. Problem is that “Maggie” does not see the value here. Pretty much I realize I have mucho treasure. Now is the time to best exploit using my treasure.

Hmmm.

Cal
 
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I read our friend’s book who is known as the AfroMinimalist.

My takeaways made me think about my excesses, my hoarding, and most importantly my intentions. Pretty much the word intention is what provides meaning and purpose.

“Maggie” thinks I have a lot of stuff, but the stuff I have retained does have meaning and purpose. The thing here is that my disrupted life held off capitalizing utilizing all the stuff I have stockpiled.

A good example is that I have expensive engineered clothing, but for practical reasons I wear my less expensive clothing. A sample is these engineered Patagonia pants that wick moisture away, and pretty much make me feel like I’m naked. If there is a breeze I can feel it through the pants right down to my testicles. BTW these pants are a bit dressy, and I would wear them on high heat index days if I could not wear shorts.

So pretty much I am pragmatic and practical, but wearing my less expensive clothing because it is adequate, and saving my expensive clothing, in my book is not poor judgement.

I have more cameras than I need to be practical, but I’m cool with that. The same with bikes, guitars and amplifiers. My bikes, guitars, amps, and cameras support my lifestyle that support my health, fitness, and creativity. In viewing my intentions and purpose I can almost say I don’t really have too much.

Balance this off of how I saved money and did not waste money to create and maintain this hoarding and my stockpile.

Pretty much the rest of my life is kinda streamlined is the takeaway. My house is small, and in other areas I don’t have much.

I don’t really have remorse or guilt, and in fact I am glad I did what I did when I did, and I would do it again if I could.

That is also another point: I bought before the age of scarcity when it was inexpensive to load up the truck. I now have a lot of value.

I have another book to read before March 12th.

Pushback from the Washington Post. Again just promote the book and Maggie as a writer. No more bait and switches. Also so far PBS remains dead.

Cal
 
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“Maggie” has a podcast with our friend Christine for Fordham University. About 150 people signed up already.

Will be about 6:30 tonight.

Cal
 
Wow. Looking into a 9,000 BTU Mitsubishi single zone mini-split. Only $2k. For the square footage of half my garage (10x20) I only need 6,000 BTU on paper, but the ceiling is tall and will be cathedraled. 50% more is a bit of overkill.

I could spend less ($1.1K) but the unit would not have an Energy Star rating. Pretty much you pay up front for a more efficient unit. Life expectancy is only 12 years BTW.

Hmmm… I thought adding heating and cooling would be more costly.

The darkroom I’m designing for the basement will have modular walls. Pretty much I will use rigid foam and plywood to kinda make my own SIP panels. I figure an 8x8 foot darkroom, small, but big enough. If built for the basement only a 7 foot ceiling, but if for the garage could be an 8 foot cube, freestanding.

Only problem is the truck stored there. I don’t like the truck parked in my driveway. A kinda sin because it deserves protection and all my love.

The attic would be my music studio for guitars, bass’s and my tube amps. It still would be cozy.

The garage would also allow to kinda explore digital negatives using Piezography Pro. Imagine using my Jersey Barrier to print negatives and contact printing them. Basically being able to do a Salgado.

Kinda worth giving up the truck. I think if I take off the head, get it overhauled and upgraded, then with a truck that could be a daily driver as a “survivor” I would sell to the right buyer for $15K.

Hmmm. I like this idea better than the basement darkroom. Cleaner and more environmental controls. More of a real workspace. More possibility of doing something crazy. “Crazy is good,” I say.

Wet printing digital negatives, how cool is that? Know for contact printing large prints a vacuum easel would be required.

Another daydream…

Rowed for a half hour. Will do some strength training. Later some guitar.

Cal
 
MFM,

Send them my way.

Thanks in advance.

Printing from digital negatives is living the dream. Pretty easy to contact print limited editions off of perfect negatives. Mucho high IQ.

Could be a great side hustle.

Sadly. What to do with the truck?

Cal
 
Over 200 people signed onto Christine’s and “Maggie’s” podcast at Fordham.

I have a deadline of reading another book over the next 5 days before the book launch which is 6 days away. The book I am reading was a WHITING WRITING AWARD winner. This writer also was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for an article she wrote.

The author will be in “conversation” with Maggie at the book launch at the New York Public Library. Over 800 people will be attending, and the event closed out weeks ago.

Did some high rep strength training with a 30 pound kettlebell in addition to the 30 minute row. A combination of aerobic and strength training is like a double workout. I will be increasing the intensity, but might have to add rest days as this builds up. I don’t want to overtrain.

Tomorrow and Friday we have the 9 year old grand daughter. Maggie has an early podcast with a friend in London. Some other stuff also, and Friday we het haircuts.

I am learning that I need to slow down just a little to go more time and distance. Part of aging I guess. Let’s see how much I can get back. Seems like it takes more time and more rest. If I were not retired I would not be able to do what I’m doing. It is pretty hard to recover from the fade it seems.

I left out the intense strength workouts of pushups and pull-ups for tomorrow and Friday. Three max sets of each does not take much time, and I think I will begin doing squats while holding my two 30 pound dumbbells to work my legs. The grand daughter is high maintenance.

There is a great reward in having at least weekly interaction with the grand kids. We are an important anchor in their lives. Pure love…

I await the mild weather and spring.

Cal
 
It helps to remind yourself often that when you are retired and in good health, every day is Christmas.

An old trope, this. But still a good one.
 
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