NYC Journal

[ellisson]

"The effects of tariffs on camera lovers" thread was closed by moderators because of the notion that it would be "political". Well, geez, almost anything can turn political, and tariffs affect the economy, and like many things, the economy can be political! Discussion of photography in Ukraine or Iran, or Israel, or Gaza, or the U.S. could be political, too! But it's still about photography, cameras, lenses, film......

My point and intended contribution to that thread is this: We buy what we can afford. Camera gear will be affected by the tariffs because the U.S. stock market and other financial markets with sell-offs (due to U.S. tariffs) mean that personal investments and savings accounts that include equities lose value. And spending will need to decline as prices inflate and personal wealth deflates. So hell yeah, tariffs will affect everyone, including camera lovers! Too political, or too realistic and worrisome to discuss on RFF?

 

[Calzone]

Headline is that 6.6 Trillion Dollars in losses on just Thursday and Friday.

Where is the bottom from here?

I just did my taxes, and I’ll be getting a nice return this year. “Maggie” and I alternate years taking the mortgage interest and tax deduction.

I saw a letter to the editor of Barrons, and the writer speaks of how AI likely will get limited development due to infrastructure limitations. This agrees with what Phil and I believe. This also translates to AI jumping the shark and being a bubble.

On the Cancer front, I’m on day-5 since my chemical castration, and I still have not experienced any hot flashes or side effects.

I am definitely leaning out, toning up, and likely the same weight around 157 pounds at 5’10”. My torso is getting cut. I’m cutting carbs to help starve the Cancer.

The kids close on the cottage in Carmel Tuesday. The husband has a job interview in Brewster nearby to teach high school to escape Yonkers. They have mucho low taxes, and the cottage is renovated well, well insulated, and is turnkey.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Not sure, but I have to use the bell in my header to link to this thread.

This might be a way to bury or sensor the at times fee speech here and civil behavior. Am I the only person who experiences this?

When I post, it does not get top listed inn”What’s New.”

Cal

 

[splitimageview]

Too political, or too realistic and worrisome to discuss on RFF?

As was stated, there are effectively only two mods on this forum. Neither of us want to spend time cleaning up threads that get out of hand.

Please keep this thread apolitical, meaning none of the usual and predictably incendiary internet commentary.😄 Discussions will remain open as long as they retain friendly terms. If they don’t we will simply close the thread.

Thanks all!

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Well. I guess we've been warned, boys and girls.
Politics, not politics, "incendiary" comments... Perhaps the only appropriate action these days is to hide under the bed, suck your thumb, and whimper. Except there's a scary monster under the bed, too!

 

[splitimageview]

If we do nothing, people complain. If we moderate, people complain. If we ask politely, scary monsters. 😆

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Looks like I lost 9% of my retirement savings over the last two weeks. Good times.

Phil

 

[Calzone]

September 22, 2022 is when this thread started. I know some people here since perhaps 2008, many in person through meet-ups and travels.

The NYC Meet-Up I think goes back to 2008…

The moderators have been rather tolerant with our rantings. We enjoy a safe place where all are welcomed that prior to yesterday required no intervention from moderators.

If you read through this entire thread there were two participants that could be called “Trolls,” and they kinda were pushed out by the community that was developed here. No intervention by moderators was required.

So if we could tone things down a bit, still have a sense of community, and most of all have a safe place where artists and photographers can exchange ideas and news, it would be a good thing.

I guess I’m kinda posting this as a kinda mission statement.

I hate politics, my next door neighbors force their views upon others, I don’t think that is going on here, but one of the reasons I think this thread is so popular and so interactive is because of the journalism going on here that is not present in the mass media.

So pretty much what is supported here is democracy, and if this thread gets canned because it can be construed or confused as having a political content or context. Oh-well.

Understand that I have done the NYC Meet-Up and created this community for a very long time, I have done this as a public service, and it helped get us through the Pandemic.

I think we can tone things down a bit to keep this community open. I have to thank the moderators for their tolerance to my rants…

Cal

 

[splitimageview]

I'm sure this thread will continue as it has for a long time, other members who questioned the tariff moderation in other threads asked me "well, what about Calzone's thread???" So to be fair it was discussed that the post above was the proper way to proceed here. Thank you. 🙂

 

[ellisson]

I'm sure this thread will continue as it has for a long time, other members who questioned the tariff moderation in other threads asked me "well, what about Calzone's thread???" So to be fair it was discussed that the post above was the proper way to proceed here. Thank you. 🙂

These are not ordinary times, and as reported widely around the world, what is happening now is actually apolitical in nature. The incendiary aspect that is happening right now is economic and is affecting people of all political viewpoints and persuasions. People of all persuasions are voicing their concern. This is simple fact and reality and is not political.

This is not a critique of the moderators, who through their efforts help make RFF a great place for photographers. Just a response to what I believe will greatly impact us, like most people whether or not they do photography.

 

[Calzone]

SIV,

I appreciate the vast amount of tolerance here, and the leeway that was granted for a long and extended time.

I understand the argument about fairness, and I also understand the difficulties of being a moderator.

We have done a pretty decent job of self moderating here, and back when we had trolling going on here, our community took care of itself and did not burden the moderators.

I can see this continuing.

There is a lot of support here for Cancer survivors, people like myself with OCD and anxiety, people struggling…

So in the spirit of community and support, my hope this public service continues. I’ll try to be good…

Cal

 

[DownUnder]

"The effects of tariffs on camera lovers" thread was closed by moderators because of the notion that it would be "political". Well, geez, almost anything can turn political, and tariffs affect the economy, and like many things, the economy can be political! Discussion of photography in Ukraine or Iran, or Israel, or Gaza, or the U.S. could be political, too! But it's still about photography, cameras, lenses, film......

My point and intended contribution to that thread is this: We buy what we can afford. Camera gear will be affected by the tariffs because the U.S. stock market and other financial markets with sell-offs (due to U.S. tariffs) mean that personal investments and savings accounts that include equities lose value. And spending will need to decline as prices inflate and personal wealth deflates. So hell yeah, tariffs will affect everyone, including camera lovers! Too political, or too realistic and worrisome to discuss on RFF?

Many of us buy secondhand gear anyway. We learned long ago that being one of the little darlings of the retail camera shops means spending a lot of money for equipment we can pick up almost as new, at far better prices.

This is not at all avoiding tariffs or undermining the economy. It's just good old common sense, and living below one's means. As Cal has long advocated, sensibly.

 

[Calzone]

I for one have made friends with Alex at Pop Flash. I have bought a lot of gear from him, new and used, and also used Pop Flash to sell some gear. I did this to support this site.

I also bought gear from other sponsors here, including the head bartender.

Anyways RFF is a special community, and not like the rest of the Internet. I have many relationships here, and many-many great friends. The key here is respect…

There is a delicate line here because the times we live are volatile and polarized. I hope good judgement and support of democracy and tolerance continues to exist here. In a way this thread is a bubble of sorts in that it does not no longer exist in the world as it use to.

Please tread lightly…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

The migrant worker is again working on the abandoned house across our dead-end street. A full-sized dumpster is almost filled to the top, and this was accomplished by a small man who is actually smaller than me.

I guess I can relate to this man who had to work hard, and carry more than his weight. He is weathered and has a tough appearance. He has a certain character and dignity I can appreciate.

Rubble stored in a two car garage from a hip roof replacement yesterday, and today a run-down cedar fence that is beyond its years is being removed.

I somehow rescued a new section of cedar fence before it was placed in the dumpster. An 8 foot section of 6 inch wide planks 6 feet tall.

This particular section of fence is new. It replaced a section that was destroy by a fallen tree, and the cedar has not faded yet to that classic grey.

Kinda just what I need to build some raised beds for the kid’s new cottage. I have sixteen 6”x6’ cedar planks to make/create raised beds.

So kinda divine intervention, and if it’s free it is for me.

We were going to Woodstock to the bookfest, but since it was free for us last year since “Maggie” was presenting we were not aware how attending just one event gets mucho costly. Oh-well. Our money is good eslewhere.

So we decided that Woodstock Book Fest was a luxury, and that our money could be best utilized elsewhere.

The Brattleboro Literary Festival is sponsored by the Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce and is free. We like that, and we can make it a vacation by paying for a bed and breakfast.

We are making the adjustment to downsizing our lifestyle to continue to live below our means. I’m giving our lifestyle a “haircut” and trimming things down a bit. Going forward is austerity for us and limited spending.

I am mucho glad that I secured that pine Tele body that is sub 3 pounds. Not only is it free from knots and is clear straight grained lumber, but now assembled it without string and nut it weighs only 5 1/4 pounds set up as an Esquire (only one pickup).

Cal

 

[splitimageview]

These are not ordinary times, and as reported widely around the world, what is happening now is actually apolitical in nature. The incendiary aspect that is happening right now is economic and is affecting people of all political viewpoints and persuasions. People of all persuasions are voicing their concern. This is simple fact and reality and is not political.

This is not a critique of the moderators, who through their efforts help make RFF a great place for photographers. Just a response to what I believe will greatly impact us, like most people whether or not they do photography.

No, it's not ordinary times. In a perfect world we wouldn't be dealing with these issues, and in a perfect world moderation would be unnecessary.

Carry on!

 

[robert blu]

Robert,

The number is not billions, it is Trillions.

...

Things are a thousand times worse than you think. Multiply billions by a thousand and then you get Trillions…



Very rude.

Cal, you are right and it was my translation mistake because in Italy we call Billions what in US you call Trillions (short and long scale) !

Of course it is very bad and many people will suffer for this, as I already said not only in the US.

Looks like I lost 9% of my retirement savings over the last two weeks. Good times.

Phil

Me too. At my age, 76, my saving are not intended to be used for an additional Leica or some exotic holiday but to pay possible health bills...

 

[Calzone]

What was really cool is that I broke down the section of fence right away in my driveway, and stored the 16 planks in my garage.

Not too long ago the owner of the abandoned house showed up. I avoided any trouble for the guy working.

It was good intuition, and I figured I avoided any conflict or trouble.

As they say, “No act of kindness goes unpunished…” I avoided any problems or bad feeling. The better good is recycling, and being to help a family with two kids.

Moral of the story is try to do good, and my laying low did me good.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Today so far 8 pull-ups and 60 pushups. The pushups are fast dirty one’s BTW that comprise a max set.

These high intensity exercises are for explosive power, and are designed to go and not show, but tone is expressed over bulk.

I kinda had a senior moment like one I described that happened long ago in NYC.

In NYC one see’s posters for all these people who somehow have disappeared. Some are mentally handicapped, others suffer from dementia. So people disappear all the time in NYC is the point and it kinda is the normal.

So one day after work I have a camera that needs a repair, and after work I venture down to Chealsea to drop it off. Know that because I own so many cameras that I often visit Nippon Camera frequently, and they get a lot of work from me.

So on this particular day I could not find Nippon Camera Repair. I’m in a fog of sorts, and I find myself disoriented. Then my mind wonders and wanders, and I begin to worry, I am I loosing it? Am I lost and will be one of those that simply disappear? Will I find my way home?

So I get to my apartment in East Harlem alright, and upon entering my luxury 650 square foot apartment I dig out a Nippon receipt and call the number. It is after hours and near 6, and I don’t expect an answer, but someone answers the phone.

I find out that they moved, and I did not loose my mind. LOL. All that panic for nothing.

So yesterday I get a bill for $671.XX from my oil company. Kinda odd since usually in the mail I only get a bill for $375.00 for the service contract. It seems when I call that my last delivery went unpaid, which is odd because I always-always pay bills immediately as they arrive. After a delivery an invoice is left in my mailbox by the driver.

I panic and check my checkbook and the last oil payment I made was back in February. Then I try to remember if I might of mailed in the bill that generally is left in my mailbox, or entertain the possibility that I mailed an empty envelope thinking I paid the bill.

So in all my forensics it seems the delivery man did not leave a bill/invoice, but I had another senior moment where I thought I lost it again.

So pretty much I think I am still sane, but I am embracing I guess the worries of loosing my capacity. Another false alarm…

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

I for one have made friends with Alex at Pop Flash. I have bought a lot of gear from him, new and used, and also used Pop Flash to sell some gear. I did this to support this site.

I also bought gear from other sponsors here, including the head bartender.

Anyways RFF is a special community, and not like the rest of the Internet. I have many relationships here, and many-many great friends. The key here is respect…

There is a delicate line here because the times we live are volatile and polarized. I hope good judgement and support of democracy and tolerance continues to exist here. In a way this thread is a bubble of sorts in that it does not no longer exist in the world as it use to.

Please tread lightly…

Cal

As you see, my participation is akin to what an European visting NYC would be in. With the mod discussions I was thinking which Bar in NYC would be an analogy of the discussions. So far very civilized though it's more akin to a group of good friends. RFF as many forums are also much more "old web" than social media platforms where it just is algorithmically devolved cesspools.
It's strange times.

Again grateful to have been able to meet Cal during the Obama administration and see a part of NYC that is not projected to the world, as well as all the stories. IMO much admiration culturally as a film photography given that the NY state really was a bed for it.

Looks like I lost 9% of my retirement savings over the last two weeks. Good times.

Phil

To paraphrase some of the economic advisory industry: If it's long term then it should just stay there, "you lose only if you sell", then the "it's time to buy/discounted stocks". The latter I don't know as if a recession it triggered it could get ugly again; but a fantastic situation for an investor with capital that can buy for cheap. This is why such a crash would really just benefit the capitalists. Plain middle class Joe that gets laid off? nope
But savings that are invested in the markets, if you still have more than a decade before retirement, should eventually recover. Capitalism has these cycles.

 

[Calzone]

“Maggie” was undergoing “training” for volunteering at the Peekskill library’s bookstore. It ended being from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, so I decided to use part of that time to plug in and compare electric guitars.

Most are rather stunning and interesting, but I found two that seem “overstrung,” meaning the heavy gauge strings I utilize killed too much top end that mutes the liveliness and jangle that a Tele player cultivates.

The hardtail Strat I thought would be mucho lively is kinda dead wood, but I compared it to the Candy Apple Red Strat that has a trem that I went down in gauge from 12’s to 11’s, and pretty much it has the essence I want. I’ll change strings and do a set-up to see how that goes.

Korina is already a dark sounding guitar, but with heavy string there is no zing. I know lighter strings will bring some zing back, but will it be enough? Already have bright vintage style pickups installed. Might be good though with some lighter strings…

The library gig is good for Maggie. She is tired from sorting through books and also is annoyed by the disorder there. The walk alone is 4 miles round trip.

Cal