Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I’m officially 67 years old. Been through a lot, and not in bad shape, all things considered.
Don’t really know how I got to become an old man. I’m not a man who lives with limitations, but now limits are beginning to set in, and changes are happening. I will adapt, but then again I will be edgy.
I kinda know that I am not a normal man, and it almost seems like I have a super power of sorts. I can kinda do almost anything and pretty much have the capacity and capability, but also understand my mind wanders. I get accused of doing too many things, and having too many interests.
Then there is my rebellion of being “extra-medium.” I know depravity, and doing without, so why not go all the way without compromise to make up for that bad experience.
Take that Audi RS5 ZI looked at yesterday. It had a $90K price tag. I never owned or bought a new car, and perhaps the Audi A4 I now own represents a almost new car that is now a decade old with less than 51K miles, that I bought 4 years ago with 16K miles. Pretty much close enough as new car I ever got.
The 84 Jeep Scrambler with a half-cab was 4 years old when I bought it, and it had almost 20K miles on it. Another lucky find.
So I have the means to save and have the cash to buy a luxury touring car with German engineering. Kinda crazy and bold. I think “Maggie” would support this because she loves the luxury of the A4.
Pretty soon that sticker price will get marked down on that RS5 in the showroom, but I don’t have the cash in hand. That would be my goal. Pretty much just a mindset. I would wait and buy a leftover…
Maggie wants to go to Ireland, and I already have funds for perhaps a monthly travel. I put my foot down not to include other family. I don’t want to be encumbered or slowed down by others. I’m not a group kinda guy.
So I have the get the surgery and recover. Tomorrow I meet the robotic surgeon. Also tomorrow the Sonic Blue Tele Thinline will get delivered.
“Crazy is good,” I say…
Cal
Don’t really know how I got to become an old man. I’m not a man who lives with limitations, but now limits are beginning to set in, and changes are happening. I will adapt, but then again I will be edgy.
I kinda know that I am not a normal man, and it almost seems like I have a super power of sorts. I can kinda do almost anything and pretty much have the capacity and capability, but also understand my mind wanders. I get accused of doing too many things, and having too many interests.
Then there is my rebellion of being “extra-medium.” I know depravity, and doing without, so why not go all the way without compromise to make up for that bad experience.
Take that Audi RS5 ZI looked at yesterday. It had a $90K price tag. I never owned or bought a new car, and perhaps the Audi A4 I now own represents a almost new car that is now a decade old with less than 51K miles, that I bought 4 years ago with 16K miles. Pretty much close enough as new car I ever got.
The 84 Jeep Scrambler with a half-cab was 4 years old when I bought it, and it had almost 20K miles on it. Another lucky find.
So I have the means to save and have the cash to buy a luxury touring car with German engineering. Kinda crazy and bold. I think “Maggie” would support this because she loves the luxury of the A4.
Pretty soon that sticker price will get marked down on that RS5 in the showroom, but I don’t have the cash in hand. That would be my goal. Pretty much just a mindset. I would wait and buy a leftover…
Maggie wants to go to Ireland, and I already have funds for perhaps a monthly travel. I put my foot down not to include other family. I don’t want to be encumbered or slowed down by others. I’m not a group kinda guy.
So I have the get the surgery and recover. Tomorrow I meet the robotic surgeon. Also tomorrow the Sonic Blue Tele Thinline will get delivered.
“Crazy is good,” I say…
Cal
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robert blu
quiet photographer
Hi Cal, 67 are many but not too many!
A few yeares ago I read an article by a philosopher, if I rememb correct he was Baudrillard, that a crazy world has to be dealt in a crazy way.
So your "crazy is good" is a good attitude!
I'm sure your tomorrow meeting will give you a good explanations and you will be able to set a good plan.
A few yeares ago I read an article by a philosopher, if I rememb correct he was Baudrillard, that a crazy world has to be dealt in a crazy way.
So your "crazy is good" is a good attitude!
I'm sure your tomorrow meeting will give you a good explanations and you will be able to set a good plan.
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
Welcome to the Duffers (= Over 65) Club. I'm 'officially' 77 since last December.
And would you believe it, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
That, and as I figured it out a long time ago, adulthood is way overrated...
And would you believe it, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
That, and as I figured it out a long time ago, adulthood is way overrated...
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I’m still growing.
My OCD thinking is kinda pointing towards a side hustle that involves utilizing my skills setting up guitars. I will not say I’m a builder or luthier like my friend Cris, but I have mucho ideas and pretty much I have an approach that is kinda like mastering a deadly Kung-Fu move and that’s all you need.
A co-worker who was a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War era told me his hand to hand combat training was just 7 connected moves that pretty much were drilled to the extent that they were a reflex. The concept here is go all the way and being able to do what you do extremely well. This also has great clarity, and requires no thinking: automatic; a reflex.
So my thinking is building what I would call a “Geezer” guitar that feeds off the old school Jazz that I love. Stuff that is kinda plug and play, engages the old school sound, and is muy retro. Pretty much, perhaps, a one trick pony that is very specific and specialized. It would target people like me, and people at my level. No mass audience, and highly specific.
I see all these old men being drawn to Charlie Christian style guitars that are arch-tops, or they play actual costly vintage Gibson guitars from that era.
But there are all these guys that are kind of a cult that install Lollar Charlie Christian pickups into Telecasters. I have ideas of doing “Reverse” Esquires, meaning single pickup Tele’s with only a neck pickup for those hard core Jazzers that basically never use the bridge pickup. It certainly would be a statement.
Actually it takes a good amount of ingenuity to figure out how to exploit a supplier to make a “Reverse-Esquire.” Pretty much I utilize their CNC tooling and machining, and I do my mod with a router for the custom pickup install. Then I just use top shelf hardware.
The end result actually would be a kinda cool novel guitar, highly specialized. I think it would draw interest to a certain player.
Pretty much I would use suppliers and just assemble the “Geezers” from top shelf suppliers. No need to spray nitro lacquer and damaging my health. I would do Callahan hardware, Lollar pickups, and likely just buy/use Warmoth necks.
I kinda figured out in a clever way, mucho clever, how to buy everything off the shelf, and I would buy a router and router table to mod bodies I could buy from suppliers.
I have no deep moat to protect me from others stealing my ideas, but humans are lazy, and a well assembled product of quality matters to the players I’m trying to target. The idea is to have little investment in capitol, but somewhat have a specialized boutique side hustle.
Packed nicely and not really mass produced. Anyways something to do, and with my luck and the way I do things it has the potential to kinda get bigger than I want.
There is this guy in Spain that sells Natcho Tele’s. Pretty much clones of vintage guitars. Limited production, and the demand is there because there are people like me.
So a nitch market…
Anyways I have to build some prototypes and some samples. LOL. Pretty much an excuse to buy parts and build some Tele’s. “Don’t tell Maggie.”
I can see me setting up a booth at the Philly guitar show. I would bring my vintage amps to play through. The amps alone would draw and audience and crowds. Drool-factor…
Then playing the guitars kinda would sell themselves.
I’m surprise Fender marketing did not figure this market out.
I can see me not having problems with licensing and trademarks. Basically I’m buying after market products, modifying the body, and getting a premium for assembly and my ideas.
Cal
My OCD thinking is kinda pointing towards a side hustle that involves utilizing my skills setting up guitars. I will not say I’m a builder or luthier like my friend Cris, but I have mucho ideas and pretty much I have an approach that is kinda like mastering a deadly Kung-Fu move and that’s all you need.
A co-worker who was a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War era told me his hand to hand combat training was just 7 connected moves that pretty much were drilled to the extent that they were a reflex. The concept here is go all the way and being able to do what you do extremely well. This also has great clarity, and requires no thinking: automatic; a reflex.
So my thinking is building what I would call a “Geezer” guitar that feeds off the old school Jazz that I love. Stuff that is kinda plug and play, engages the old school sound, and is muy retro. Pretty much, perhaps, a one trick pony that is very specific and specialized. It would target people like me, and people at my level. No mass audience, and highly specific.
I see all these old men being drawn to Charlie Christian style guitars that are arch-tops, or they play actual costly vintage Gibson guitars from that era.
But there are all these guys that are kind of a cult that install Lollar Charlie Christian pickups into Telecasters. I have ideas of doing “Reverse” Esquires, meaning single pickup Tele’s with only a neck pickup for those hard core Jazzers that basically never use the bridge pickup. It certainly would be a statement.
Actually it takes a good amount of ingenuity to figure out how to exploit a supplier to make a “Reverse-Esquire.” Pretty much I utilize their CNC tooling and machining, and I do my mod with a router for the custom pickup install. Then I just use top shelf hardware.
The end result actually would be a kinda cool novel guitar, highly specialized. I think it would draw interest to a certain player.
Pretty much I would use suppliers and just assemble the “Geezers” from top shelf suppliers. No need to spray nitro lacquer and damaging my health. I would do Callahan hardware, Lollar pickups, and likely just buy/use Warmoth necks.
I kinda figured out in a clever way, mucho clever, how to buy everything off the shelf, and I would buy a router and router table to mod bodies I could buy from suppliers.
I have no deep moat to protect me from others stealing my ideas, but humans are lazy, and a well assembled product of quality matters to the players I’m trying to target. The idea is to have little investment in capitol, but somewhat have a specialized boutique side hustle.
Packed nicely and not really mass produced. Anyways something to do, and with my luck and the way I do things it has the potential to kinda get bigger than I want.
There is this guy in Spain that sells Natcho Tele’s. Pretty much clones of vintage guitars. Limited production, and the demand is there because there are people like me.
So a nitch market…
Anyways I have to build some prototypes and some samples. LOL. Pretty much an excuse to buy parts and build some Tele’s. “Don’t tell Maggie.”
I can see me setting up a booth at the Philly guitar show. I would bring my vintage amps to play through. The amps alone would draw and audience and crowds. Drool-factor…
Then playing the guitars kinda would sell themselves.
I’m surprise Fender marketing did not figure this market out.
I can see me not having problems with licensing and trademarks. Basically I’m buying after market products, modifying the body, and getting a premium for assembly and my ideas.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Lately I have either two big breakfasts and a light dinner, or just two meals.
Pretty much is the “fem-out” diet. Trying to get under 155 pounds because that is a nice weight for me. I’m technically a skinny bitch at or under 155 pounds, not too skinny, and not too thin. I kinda have a flattering boyish build that perhaps is not so manly, but women look upon me as being muscular, likely because of the tone and definition.
Also technically I am still a model with an agent in London. Nothing happened there, and pretty much we shunned opportunities when they came knocking. My 3-year contract winds down in the spring or the beginning of the summer.
So at 155 my clothes fit the best. I kinda feel like I have a chubby butt for an otherwise skinny guy, and with the fem-out I don’t really need to advertise a nice butt that already casts a shadow.
In the mirror I see the weight loss. Last weigh-in was 157 1/2, and I now appear thinner by at least 1/2 a pound, but likely more. I will have 2-3 weeks of no exercise and nothing strenuous. So in a way this is all a pre-emotive measure, to tame possible likely easy weight gain.
Remember the hormone treatment, chemical castration, will likely mean muscle loss and a resulting gain in weight. Pretty much strict carb reduction, increased protein intake, and exercise is required to mitigate any weight gain. My vanity is a strong motivation.
I did learn that I likely will become less hairy, but this loss usually does not impact hair on my head. I will not loose my arrogant chin beard and my moustach, thankfully. They do say my facial features could become softer and more feminine though. I’m cool with that as long as my facial hair remains to offer clarity that I’m still a man.
What an adventure…
Cal
Pretty much is the “fem-out” diet. Trying to get under 155 pounds because that is a nice weight for me. I’m technically a skinny bitch at or under 155 pounds, not too skinny, and not too thin. I kinda have a flattering boyish build that perhaps is not so manly, but women look upon me as being muscular, likely because of the tone and definition.
Also technically I am still a model with an agent in London. Nothing happened there, and pretty much we shunned opportunities when they came knocking. My 3-year contract winds down in the spring or the beginning of the summer.
So at 155 my clothes fit the best. I kinda feel like I have a chubby butt for an otherwise skinny guy, and with the fem-out I don’t really need to advertise a nice butt that already casts a shadow.
In the mirror I see the weight loss. Last weigh-in was 157 1/2, and I now appear thinner by at least 1/2 a pound, but likely more. I will have 2-3 weeks of no exercise and nothing strenuous. So in a way this is all a pre-emotive measure, to tame possible likely easy weight gain.
Remember the hormone treatment, chemical castration, will likely mean muscle loss and a resulting gain in weight. Pretty much strict carb reduction, increased protein intake, and exercise is required to mitigate any weight gain. My vanity is a strong motivation.
I did learn that I likely will become less hairy, but this loss usually does not impact hair on my head. I will not loose my arrogant chin beard and my moustach, thankfully. They do say my facial features could become softer and more feminine though. I’m cool with that as long as my facial hair remains to offer clarity that I’m still a man.
What an adventure…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
So I’m at a point in retirement where I’m thinking of a part-time side hustle that would be interesting and fun that is hobbie related.
The money has to come from somewhere, and I think I want to have Audi RS5 funds in the bank. I also want to justify perhaps building out that 400 square foot second story onto the garage. Again the money has to come from somewhere. No debt for me…
I’m still a lazy-slacker though.
Cal
The money has to come from somewhere, and I think I want to have Audi RS5 funds in the bank. I also want to justify perhaps building out that 400 square foot second story onto the garage. Again the money has to come from somewhere. No debt for me…
I’m still a lazy-slacker though.
Cal
Nokton48
Veteran
Devil Cal,
When I bought myself a Marshall Bass Amp, for my Son's guitar work, I found a Guy in Florida that had a "House of Guitars". He was a little hesitant to sell it, he told me sold prolly a multitude of guitars off of this amp. He spent a lot of time with me, and it was kind of fun. Had to be realio dealio Marshall and that's what we got at a really fair price. Win-Win. You already have a "House of Guitars". You'd be great at buying and selling. I've read that can make around $1600/month and not affect Social Security. That could buy a lot of extra stuff. And more stuff. Crazy is good. Live large for less. Go big or don't go.
When I bought myself a Marshall Bass Amp, for my Son's guitar work, I found a Guy in Florida that had a "House of Guitars". He was a little hesitant to sell it, he told me sold prolly a multitude of guitars off of this amp. He spent a lot of time with me, and it was kind of fun. Had to be realio dealio Marshall and that's what we got at a really fair price. Win-Win. You already have a "House of Guitars". You'd be great at buying and selling. I've read that can make around $1600/month and not affect Social Security. That could buy a lot of extra stuff. And more stuff. Crazy is good. Live large for less. Go big or don't go.
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MrFujicaman
Well-known
Happy Birthday, Cal !!!!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Devil Dan,
Thanks for the $1600.00 limit. Good to know, even if I’m not collecting Social Security yet.
There is so much guitar gear I wish I bought and kept. Now so much of this gear is now crazy money.
I have no Marshall amps, but I have an early and rare Marshall 4x10 cabinet they only made for one year. This 4x10 is almost th same size as a 4x12 and has a checkerboard grill. Which I had a Marshall 50 watt Plexiglass head. This would be late 60’s early 70’s.
Instead I have two Mark Sampson era Matchless amps: a rare “Shower Curtain” black Lightning; and a black Spitfire. Mark Sampson built Vox AC 30 clones that were bombproof with upgraded components. He was a former drag racer.
We old men need hobbies…
Cal
Thanks for the $1600.00 limit. Good to know, even if I’m not collecting Social Security yet.
There is so much guitar gear I wish I bought and kept. Now so much of this gear is now crazy money.
I have no Marshall amps, but I have an early and rare Marshall 4x10 cabinet they only made for one year. This 4x10 is almost th same size as a 4x12 and has a checkerboard grill. Which I had a Marshall 50 watt Plexiglass head. This would be late 60’s early 70’s.
Instead I have two Mark Sampson era Matchless amps: a rare “Shower Curtain” black Lightning; and a black Spitfire. Mark Sampson built Vox AC 30 clones that were bombproof with upgraded components. He was a former drag racer.
We old men need hobbies…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
MFM,
Just got back from my birthday dinner. Latin Fusion.
I contained myself from pigging out. I’m thinking that the portion control that women do to try and control weight gain is maybe a reason why there are so many nasty moody bitches.
This limiting carbs and cutting back on food is pretty tough. Generally I’m a pretty big eater, but that has to change.
I tried some Trader Joe’s English Muffins, and I rate them higher than the Thomas’s brand. I only had one with my eggs for carb limiting. Price is great at Trader Joe’s. I report the egg shortage returns at Trader Joe’s, but I still have a dozen and a half of eggs.
I see great potential for becoming a nasty bitch when I fem-out. This dieting is kinda like punishment. All I can say is that I’m a vain man.
So I’m digging into building a brand and marketing a Charlie Christian “Cabronita” and perhaps a Tele version.
Cabronita’s have a rear route for the controls. Tele’s are front routed.
Already looks like a standard Tele has a limitation I don’t like that would allow me to adapt a Lollar Novel CC pickup into a standard Tele because the existing route already is too big to use this pickup. Too bad…
Lollar makes two Charlie Christian pickups that are the old school style that are octogenarian in shape. Muy retro. One is for the neck position, and the other slightly overwound for a middle position. My idea, don’t tell anyone, is to use the middle position CC pickup as a bridge pickup.
This would utilize the existing pickup routes of a Cabronita that uses two TV Jones Filtertrons that are smaller than the Charlie Christian pickups.
Generally most players just use a Charlie Christian in the neck, but have a Tele bridge pickup that matches the output and sound of a Charlie Christian pickup is problematic.
I think I have a solution of two probable Tele bridge pickups that could complement the Charlie Christian, and they have to sound good for use with 250K pots to be compatible. I have these pickups on hand.
Some research and experimenting is needed to move forward. Good thing I bought that bargain 1-piece Tele body. I need it as a platform for experimenting and building a mock-up.
I think if I stockpile some nitro lacquered bodies that after I route them for the Charlie Christian pickup I could flip the bodies with a pretty big markup and flip them. The bodies are made in the U.S. and the painting is done in the U.S..
A booth with a few versions in a booth at a trade show kinda would sell out. Vintage amps and mocked out models would allow parts casters builders to go into frenzy mode. Fast and EZ-PZ business just flipping bodies. All I do is add the routing. The selling of bodies allows sales and profits with a limited outlay of capitol.
Then comes assembly and building. Setting up a guitar that plays well and sounds great is a skill, and I’ve done thousands of setups. I worked at a pro shop. Pretty much a guitar sells itself when played, because it “speaks” and responds to the player.
So this is not a big market, and it pretty much targets perhaps a guy like me.
For a two Charlie Christian pickup version with a bridge and neck pickup I have to design a pickup ring that masks the larger perimeter base of the pickup. The electronics has a rear cover, so the top would be uncluttered.
The more traditional Tele with just a Charlie Christian in the neck, if I get this all worked out is another style guitar. Again EZ-PZ to just do the route on a nitro lacquered body by my supplier, and flip it with a big markup.
Then I have an idea to exploit a Lollar pickup design to kinda make a blended design that uses a Charlie Christian pickup that is housed in a humbucking pickup housing. This would not work with a traditional Tele. Too bad, unless I come up with a pickup ring that is big enough to cover sone original routing that is too big that I have to mask.
Again a Cabronita could avoid this problem.
I have to talk with my supplier, because I could likely get a bulk discount by buying quantity. More money in my pocket.
Know that I’m a great salesman.
I kinda know there are many players who would want to try a Charlie Christian Tele. I’m kinda making it EZ-PZ to drink the cool aid. I certainly at any guitar show would have the stable of amps to create a crowd, and also create a scene. Pretty sure some great players would love to do the test drive and help promote my brand.
I kinda have two business models: one are modded bodies for the quick flip; and the other would be a finished guitar using high end components for mark up.
Cal
Just got back from my birthday dinner. Latin Fusion.
I contained myself from pigging out. I’m thinking that the portion control that women do to try and control weight gain is maybe a reason why there are so many nasty moody bitches.
This limiting carbs and cutting back on food is pretty tough. Generally I’m a pretty big eater, but that has to change.
I tried some Trader Joe’s English Muffins, and I rate them higher than the Thomas’s brand. I only had one with my eggs for carb limiting. Price is great at Trader Joe’s. I report the egg shortage returns at Trader Joe’s, but I still have a dozen and a half of eggs.
I see great potential for becoming a nasty bitch when I fem-out. This dieting is kinda like punishment. All I can say is that I’m a vain man.
So I’m digging into building a brand and marketing a Charlie Christian “Cabronita” and perhaps a Tele version.
Cabronita’s have a rear route for the controls. Tele’s are front routed.
Already looks like a standard Tele has a limitation I don’t like that would allow me to adapt a Lollar Novel CC pickup into a standard Tele because the existing route already is too big to use this pickup. Too bad…
Lollar makes two Charlie Christian pickups that are the old school style that are octogenarian in shape. Muy retro. One is for the neck position, and the other slightly overwound for a middle position. My idea, don’t tell anyone, is to use the middle position CC pickup as a bridge pickup.
This would utilize the existing pickup routes of a Cabronita that uses two TV Jones Filtertrons that are smaller than the Charlie Christian pickups.
Generally most players just use a Charlie Christian in the neck, but have a Tele bridge pickup that matches the output and sound of a Charlie Christian pickup is problematic.
I think I have a solution of two probable Tele bridge pickups that could complement the Charlie Christian, and they have to sound good for use with 250K pots to be compatible. I have these pickups on hand.
Some research and experimenting is needed to move forward. Good thing I bought that bargain 1-piece Tele body. I need it as a platform for experimenting and building a mock-up.
I think if I stockpile some nitro lacquered bodies that after I route them for the Charlie Christian pickup I could flip the bodies with a pretty big markup and flip them. The bodies are made in the U.S. and the painting is done in the U.S..
A booth with a few versions in a booth at a trade show kinda would sell out. Vintage amps and mocked out models would allow parts casters builders to go into frenzy mode. Fast and EZ-PZ business just flipping bodies. All I do is add the routing. The selling of bodies allows sales and profits with a limited outlay of capitol.
Then comes assembly and building. Setting up a guitar that plays well and sounds great is a skill, and I’ve done thousands of setups. I worked at a pro shop. Pretty much a guitar sells itself when played, because it “speaks” and responds to the player.
So this is not a big market, and it pretty much targets perhaps a guy like me.
For a two Charlie Christian pickup version with a bridge and neck pickup I have to design a pickup ring that masks the larger perimeter base of the pickup. The electronics has a rear cover, so the top would be uncluttered.
The more traditional Tele with just a Charlie Christian in the neck, if I get this all worked out is another style guitar. Again EZ-PZ to just do the route on a nitro lacquered body by my supplier, and flip it with a big markup.
Then I have an idea to exploit a Lollar pickup design to kinda make a blended design that uses a Charlie Christian pickup that is housed in a humbucking pickup housing. This would not work with a traditional Tele. Too bad, unless I come up with a pickup ring that is big enough to cover sone original routing that is too big that I have to mask.
Again a Cabronita could avoid this problem.
I have to talk with my supplier, because I could likely get a bulk discount by buying quantity. More money in my pocket.
Know that I’m a great salesman.
I kinda know there are many players who would want to try a Charlie Christian Tele. I’m kinda making it EZ-PZ to drink the cool aid. I certainly at any guitar show would have the stable of amps to create a crowd, and also create a scene. Pretty sure some great players would love to do the test drive and help promote my brand.
I kinda have two business models: one are modded bodies for the quick flip; and the other would be a finished guitar using high end components for mark up.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Still hungry. I’ll eat a handful of unsalted cashews.
Cal
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Did anyone have to log in again?
Been so long I forgot and had to do a password reset. Now I am logged on all the time, which is how it normally is.
I’m going to shut down my IPAD and see if I have to log on again, or if I have to remember the new password.
Hmmm…
Cal
Been so long I forgot and had to do a password reset. Now I am logged on all the time, which is how it normally is.
I’m going to shut down my IPAD and see if I have to log on again, or if I have to remember the new password.
Hmmm…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Oh-well. I have to use a password to log on.
Hope I don’t have to do another reset later or tomorrow…
Cal
Hope I don’t have to do another reset later or tomorrow…
Cal
Austintatious
Well-known
Cal, I have been logged in for weeks, no reset needed here.
However....
However....
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Austin,
And sometimes odd stuff happens, especially to me. LOL.
So now everything is back to normal, except with a new password: I don’t have to sign in now.
Know that I did not “save” the password to be a lazy-slacker. Seems like the IPAD profiled me anyway.
Cal
And sometimes odd stuff happens, especially to me. LOL.
So now everything is back to normal, except with a new password: I don’t have to sign in now.
Know that I did not “save” the password to be a lazy-slacker. Seems like the IPAD profiled me anyway.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Snow is falling, and Peekskill already salted my dead end. Not even an inch accumulation yet.
In the early afternoon is my appointment. My urologist’s office called me before 9:00 AM today to remind me of the appointment. I feel a sense of urgency here, usually just E-mail ant text messages for a reminder. This kinda was the third reminder.
As a great omen the expected delivery of the faded Sonic Blue Thinline arrived via UPS. I opened it up and I am charmed. Pretty stunning looking, and eye candy. Looks like a very light baby blue, muy sexy. Happy-happy.
When I lined up the pickguard I took notice that the body is not the same shape and size of a Warmoth body which is licensed from Fender. I was wondering why and how this other well known body and neck manufacturer gets away from the licensing fee. I learned something profound.
I’m cool with not having the perfect Fender original spec. In fact the difference is kinda cool. I’m not trying to make a fake Fender or a forgery. I just want to build a guitar that looks and plays well that is mighty cool.
So now I know how to bypass getting a cease and desist order from Fender and learned how to bypass needing to pay Fender any licensing fees. I’m trying to do novel things anyways, and pretty much am not trying to make a cheaper clone. My goal is to stand alone with my own reputation and notoriety with my own sense, sensibility, and novel ideas that will lead others to copy me.
All I need is to know that it first was my idea. I don’t mind being cloned or copied. I don’t need a moat… I stand out enough anyways.
Cal
In the early afternoon is my appointment. My urologist’s office called me before 9:00 AM today to remind me of the appointment. I feel a sense of urgency here, usually just E-mail ant text messages for a reminder. This kinda was the third reminder.
As a great omen the expected delivery of the faded Sonic Blue Thinline arrived via UPS. I opened it up and I am charmed. Pretty stunning looking, and eye candy. Looks like a very light baby blue, muy sexy. Happy-happy.
When I lined up the pickguard I took notice that the body is not the same shape and size of a Warmoth body which is licensed from Fender. I was wondering why and how this other well known body and neck manufacturer gets away from the licensing fee. I learned something profound.
I’m cool with not having the perfect Fender original spec. In fact the difference is kinda cool. I’m not trying to make a fake Fender or a forgery. I just want to build a guitar that looks and plays well that is mighty cool.
So now I know how to bypass getting a cease and desist order from Fender and learned how to bypass needing to pay Fender any licensing fees. I’m trying to do novel things anyways, and pretty much am not trying to make a cheaper clone. My goal is to stand alone with my own reputation and notoriety with my own sense, sensibility, and novel ideas that will lead others to copy me.
All I need is to know that it first was my idea. I don’t mind being cloned or copied. I don’t need a moat… I stand out enough anyways.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Surgery could be as early as a week from next Wednesday if I can get my PCP approval. If my PCP were not on vacation I could of had the surgery this Wednesday. Wednesdays are surgery days.
My surgeon is the Chief of Urology for Westchester. Also got a free second opinion from another Urologist, my surgeon.
Since this is an aggressive Cancer that seems to have spread to at least 2 nearby lymph nodes, the aggressive treatment outlined will likely be a three prong attack: surgery; radiation therapy; and hormone therapy. What became clear that besides the chemical castration injection every three months, I would also be doing a daily pill to zero my testosterone level.
His time span was 6-months to two years for hormone treatment. This zero has no risk of being bypassed by elevated levels of exercise I was told.
We talked about getting a DNA test, and that can be ordered by my hematologist. The Bio-Marker test was just to identify my Cancer and the levels of progression.
The DNA test will help reveal any predispositions for disease or other Cancers.
I have a ver high probability of ten years of being Cancer free, but after that anything could happen. Pretty much all that this urologist could say, which is basically published statistical research, around 67% chance.
No driving for at least 10-days. 10% probability that incontenence could be permanent, otherwise 3-6 months of possibly wetting my pants.
5 one centimeter scars horizontally across my waist at the level of my navel. Pretty much I’ll have a conversation piece and visible scars.
The loss of muscle mass was downplayed, and so was the weight gain.
I brought up how the PSA number was not a good indicator for Cancer, but evidently after treatment they expect to see a zero in my PSA number. Pretty much after treatment the PSA number becomes a highly reliable indicator of Cancer. I’ll be carefully and frequently monitored.
The great news is no Chemo that messes with your immune system and weakens you.
So we are moving forward. I’m expecting a prescription for an EKG and bloodwork. On Monday the 13th they bumped a patient so I can take the slot to see my PCP. The required tests by then will be results to be evaluated to lead for approval for the surgery.
I was told that the hormone treatment and radiation can be done concurrently, and that it is most effective when utilized together. Radiation treatment is 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks.
Seems like now 6 weeks before doing any strenuous activities, and 3-6 months to fully recover. This 3-6 months is about the time it will take for me to get potty trained and without the risk of wetting my pants.
BTW the grandson who is 2 years and 4 months old is on the way to being potty trained, meanwhile I likely and probably will regress.
So all is good.
Cal
My surgeon is the Chief of Urology for Westchester. Also got a free second opinion from another Urologist, my surgeon.
Since this is an aggressive Cancer that seems to have spread to at least 2 nearby lymph nodes, the aggressive treatment outlined will likely be a three prong attack: surgery; radiation therapy; and hormone therapy. What became clear that besides the chemical castration injection every three months, I would also be doing a daily pill to zero my testosterone level.
His time span was 6-months to two years for hormone treatment. This zero has no risk of being bypassed by elevated levels of exercise I was told.
We talked about getting a DNA test, and that can be ordered by my hematologist. The Bio-Marker test was just to identify my Cancer and the levels of progression.
The DNA test will help reveal any predispositions for disease or other Cancers.
I have a ver high probability of ten years of being Cancer free, but after that anything could happen. Pretty much all that this urologist could say, which is basically published statistical research, around 67% chance.
No driving for at least 10-days. 10% probability that incontenence could be permanent, otherwise 3-6 months of possibly wetting my pants.
5 one centimeter scars horizontally across my waist at the level of my navel. Pretty much I’ll have a conversation piece and visible scars.
The loss of muscle mass was downplayed, and so was the weight gain.
I brought up how the PSA number was not a good indicator for Cancer, but evidently after treatment they expect to see a zero in my PSA number. Pretty much after treatment the PSA number becomes a highly reliable indicator of Cancer. I’ll be carefully and frequently monitored.
The great news is no Chemo that messes with your immune system and weakens you.
So we are moving forward. I’m expecting a prescription for an EKG and bloodwork. On Monday the 13th they bumped a patient so I can take the slot to see my PCP. The required tests by then will be results to be evaluated to lead for approval for the surgery.
I was told that the hormone treatment and radiation can be done concurrently, and that it is most effective when utilized together. Radiation treatment is 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks.
Seems like now 6 weeks before doing any strenuous activities, and 3-6 months to fully recover. This 3-6 months is about the time it will take for me to get potty trained and without the risk of wetting my pants.
BTW the grandson who is 2 years and 4 months old is on the way to being potty trained, meanwhile I likely and probably will regress.
So all is good.
Cal
Last edited:
pyeh
Member of good standing
Thanks for all the detail, Cal. That's a very intense treatment regime you're going to have. I wish you the best.
Pete
Pete
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Pete,
The prognosis statistically is a 67% percent chance of living Cancer free for a decade.
Know that they consider you cured of Cancer if it does not come back and you are Cancer free for 5 years.
All you need is one living Cancer cell and it will grow back.
Testosterone promotes growth. The idea here is to inhibit growth. Understand that Cancer is unregulated growth.
In a ways my Cold Agglutinin Disease is an overproduction of an IgM anti-body, so it kinda is Cancer related.
The radiation of course is targeted, but there also is collateral damage.
I am grateful that I have good care here in New York, at least where I live, but not so far away the medical care gets thinner and thinned out. The doctor and medical care gets sparse, and I’m not talking a place like North Carolina where health care approaches third world scarcity.
Imagine “Maggie” needing an anti-biotic prescription filled, going to a CVS, and then being told they have to order it and maybe they might have it tomorrow. This happened in North Carolina recently just last year.
Even here in Peekskill there are delays and shortages. Mucho crazy.
There is something like a 97% cure rate and living more than 5 years Cancer free. I have a good chance for 5 years and likely a decade, but what thereafter? That’s why we are curious about the DNA test.
It would be useful to help me plan out my retirement. I have a Grumman pension I could collect now, and also Social Security. I was banking on living well past 100 due to those longevity surveys. But what now?
So I’m playing a numbers game, playing with odds, and gambling with my life. Again this is an odd position to be in. I am forced to figure out my life expectancy.
Cal
The prognosis statistically is a 67% percent chance of living Cancer free for a decade.
Know that they consider you cured of Cancer if it does not come back and you are Cancer free for 5 years.
All you need is one living Cancer cell and it will grow back.
Testosterone promotes growth. The idea here is to inhibit growth. Understand that Cancer is unregulated growth.
In a ways my Cold Agglutinin Disease is an overproduction of an IgM anti-body, so it kinda is Cancer related.
The radiation of course is targeted, but there also is collateral damage.
I am grateful that I have good care here in New York, at least where I live, but not so far away the medical care gets thinner and thinned out. The doctor and medical care gets sparse, and I’m not talking a place like North Carolina where health care approaches third world scarcity.
Imagine “Maggie” needing an anti-biotic prescription filled, going to a CVS, and then being told they have to order it and maybe they might have it tomorrow. This happened in North Carolina recently just last year.
Even here in Peekskill there are delays and shortages. Mucho crazy.
There is something like a 97% cure rate and living more than 5 years Cancer free. I have a good chance for 5 years and likely a decade, but what thereafter? That’s why we are curious about the DNA test.
It would be useful to help me plan out my retirement. I have a Grumman pension I could collect now, and also Social Security. I was banking on living well past 100 due to those longevity surveys. But what now?
So I’m playing a numbers game, playing with odds, and gambling with my life. Again this is an odd position to be in. I am forced to figure out my life expectancy.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
In comparing a Warmoth Tele body against a Wildwood Tele body, it seems that the workaround is just making the wildwood body about a quarter inch bigger in its perimeter in a 360 degree manner. To be clear in width a half inch wider overall, and in length also a half inch longer in total.
Visually they look the same shape, but if you know it becomes obvious that one is slightly oversized, so technically not an exact copy, but then again still a copy. This is how Wildwood bypasses honoring any licensing fees.
The pickguard is now the giveaway for me. The space along the edge is about a half inch instead of a quarter inch.
So side by side some people might notice, while most others would not. I guess depends if you are a vintage nerd or collector, but almost all players would take no notice of any difference.
Cal
Visually they look the same shape, but if you know it becomes obvious that one is slightly oversized, so technically not an exact copy, but then again still a copy. This is how Wildwood bypasses honoring any licensing fees.
The pickguard is now the giveaway for me. The space along the edge is about a half inch instead of a quarter inch.
So side by side some people might notice, while most others would not. I guess depends if you are a vintage nerd or collector, but almost all players would take no notice of any difference.
Cal