robert blu
quiet photographer
I agree, following and taking part in this thread is like being member of a club🙂
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Just think of it as part of Cal's unique charm.
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
I've seen plenty of kindness here. I've not seen snark! There is anger, and many people are afraid of anger, but that's their problem. I definitely don't see a reason for self-censorship, or, worse, censorship on the part of the moderators.
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
My thoughts exactly. To work properly a democracy needs criticism. And sometimes non-violent activism. In saying this I am not in any way advocating the even symbolic flinging of even symbolic bricks in even symbolic windows, but to me the basic principle here is, what is the purpose or even the point of a so-called democracy if we cannot speak our minds, always politely but at the same time directly??
I tend to write things directly and to the point. I try to be polite, which at times can be difficult for me as by nature I cannot abide stupidity or pretentiousness and when faced with either I have to force myself to sit on my hands and stay well away from my laptop keyboard. This trait has not always served me well, but in my life I have had a few successful careers and now retired I am still around and kicking goal posts over now and then, as and when I believe I have to.
A few years ago I left another thread because of out-of-control censorship by moderators. Many others did the same. A few are here on RFF and they will surely recall those events. The web site in question is still around, but it changed from one with a fair amount of good debate on many issues to an almost entirely gear-centric one.
Let us all hope it doesn't come to this with RFF. This site is far too good to see it go that way.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
As this is not the true town square or the people's house, we have zero implied rights to any freedom of speech here. That said, this thread has existed for years and we have covered some extremely polar topics, all the while participating in the civil discourse which should exist everywhere on the web. I have said some incendiary things as have others, and we all have had some bit of disagreement here and there, but zero need for moderation. The folks who stirred up too much years ago were cordially invited to leave and that was that. The house took care of itself, and there was barely even a bump in the road of conversation. This thread is where most of my participation here on rff exists lately, and if this or the next become more moderated than we've had for years, then I'll simply leave. I can send folks my address and perhaps collect a few, then type my rantings out on a typewriter with a few carbons then snail mail them out to whomever wants to read my drivel.
I must say that I'm missing Cal's regular financial analysis and synthesis of the macro economic situation, and I believe we are all worse off for its absence.
My $.02
Phil
I must say that I'm missing Cal's regular financial analysis and synthesis of the macro economic situation, and I believe we are all worse off for its absence.
My $.02
Phil
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Hold on to your $.02. You may need it...
Prest_400
Multiformat
I thought the new thread might be a more meet up local RFF thread, whereas this is the journal with ebbs and flows Calzone style.
Agreed with Phil that this thread has its own life and equilibrium. I have been familiar with the earlier "expiring" threads of the NYC meetup, to a period in 22-23 of abscence. After some culture shock back it was interesting to just see this has been its own thing.
Agreed with Phil that this thread has its own life and equilibrium. I have been familiar with the earlier "expiring" threads of the NYC meetup, to a period in 22-23 of abscence. After some culture shock back it was interesting to just see this has been its own thing.
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
The new thread seems a bit, how can I put it - tame.
It's almost as if Cal has blinkers on, and is now minding his manners and carefully picking and choosing his subjects.
As always he writes well, but - something is now missing. It's not the 'old' Cal we knew.
Maybe it's just that some things (threads) go on in their time, run their course, and fade away. It would be sad if this one did, but here that could be the case.
It also looks as if he now no longer posts here.
Phil_F_NM, whatever you decide in future, don't give us up. Yours are among the more interesting posts on RFF. You cover a great and wide variety of subjects, and you write well about your life, your thoughts, how you relate to living in New Mexico, and on other topics many of us enjoy reading. Your leaving here would be a loss.
There are other photo sites. Not many good ones, few as good as RFF has been.
Or maybe set up your own on Wordpress or some other suitable (and inexpensive) blogger.
If you do, let us know. So we can go on following you.
It's almost as if Cal has blinkers on, and is now minding his manners and carefully picking and choosing his subjects.
As always he writes well, but - something is now missing. It's not the 'old' Cal we knew.
Maybe it's just that some things (threads) go on in their time, run their course, and fade away. It would be sad if this one did, but here that could be the case.
It also looks as if he now no longer posts here.
Phil_F_NM, whatever you decide in future, don't give us up. Yours are among the more interesting posts on RFF. You cover a great and wide variety of subjects, and you write well about your life, your thoughts, how you relate to living in New Mexico, and on other topics many of us enjoy reading. Your leaving here would be a loss.
There are other photo sites. Not many good ones, few as good as RFF has been.
Or maybe set up your own on Wordpress or some other suitable (and inexpensive) blogger.
If you do, let us know. So we can go on following you.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
We live in Democracy here, and like at a Camera Beauty Contest the mob rules.
I also know I can do lots of trash talking, go way off topic, and present complicated arguments to provoke people, but in the end this is a community and a safe place.
We are also a support group.
I think I can tone down the name calling, and to be fair I can call myself out for 5th grade behavior on this. Oh-well.
So the mob voted, and here I am. Is this political?
Cal
I also know I can do lots of trash talking, go way off topic, and present complicated arguments to provoke people, but in the end this is a community and a safe place.
We are also a support group.
I think I can tone down the name calling, and to be fair I can call myself out for 5th grade behavior on this. Oh-well.
So the mob voted, and here I am. Is this political?
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Yesterday, I had a DSW Coupon and bought a pair of black and grey checkerboard Vans with a red accent for $33.38 out the door. Normally Vans sell for $69.95. This was a lucky find in the clearance rack that had 40% off and a bonus $10.00 off if I spent over $25.00.
Anyways this is what I did over the years to hoard in an OCD manner to accumulate an over 55 gallon bin of of shoes, sneakers, and boots, plus perhaps now 15 more gallons of overspill. Just imagine 70 gallons of footwear.
So you guys kinda miss my trash talk. My past included lots of violence, but also I am known for my mouth and can flip the switch on that too. Don’t forget that I’m a drama queen and for a decade I was a performance artist.
So I can brag that my footwear OCD behavior that built this stockpile might have inflation proofed me, along with a stockpile of durable clothes that I call “my rags” pretty much I wear cloths in and wear them out. I had a pair of Lee carpenter pants that annoyed “Maggie” because they were ratty, had tires and holes. This was before it was cool and became a style.
Maggie hated these pants, but now she owns them and did some intense Japanese repair/mending. Pretty much they are now a treasure. “Ha-ha,” I say.
To prove how practical and stubborn I am, these Lee carpenter pants are likely 30 years old. “Ha-ha,” again.
It is expected that clothing and footwear will get hit hard with inflation.
My jeans are Paul Smith, and I secured them at a pop-up sample sale held at a storefront on West Broadway in Madhattan. I kinda loaded up and bought something like 13-15 pairs of jeans. This premium product is kinda better made than Levies and the denim is also a better grade.
At this sample sale there was no fitting room, so people went into the basement to try on clothes and pretty much it was a mass stripping show. Didn’t know that g-strings were so popular. Anyways close to community nudity, but not all the way. Kinda cool and exciting the frenzy going on.
I also bought a lot of Patagonia and athletic wear that is mucho durable.
Point is I likely can go about 5 years without needing to buy any clothes or footwear. Pretty much I just need socks and underwear.
Cal
Anyways this is what I did over the years to hoard in an OCD manner to accumulate an over 55 gallon bin of of shoes, sneakers, and boots, plus perhaps now 15 more gallons of overspill. Just imagine 70 gallons of footwear.
So you guys kinda miss my trash talk. My past included lots of violence, but also I am known for my mouth and can flip the switch on that too. Don’t forget that I’m a drama queen and for a decade I was a performance artist.
So I can brag that my footwear OCD behavior that built this stockpile might have inflation proofed me, along with a stockpile of durable clothes that I call “my rags” pretty much I wear cloths in and wear them out. I had a pair of Lee carpenter pants that annoyed “Maggie” because they were ratty, had tires and holes. This was before it was cool and became a style.
Maggie hated these pants, but now she owns them and did some intense Japanese repair/mending. Pretty much they are now a treasure. “Ha-ha,” I say.
To prove how practical and stubborn I am, these Lee carpenter pants are likely 30 years old. “Ha-ha,” again.
It is expected that clothing and footwear will get hit hard with inflation.
My jeans are Paul Smith, and I secured them at a pop-up sample sale held at a storefront on West Broadway in Madhattan. I kinda loaded up and bought something like 13-15 pairs of jeans. This premium product is kinda better made than Levies and the denim is also a better grade.
At this sample sale there was no fitting room, so people went into the basement to try on clothes and pretty much it was a mass stripping show. Didn’t know that g-strings were so popular. Anyways close to community nudity, but not all the way. Kinda cool and exciting the frenzy going on.
I also bought a lot of Patagonia and athletic wear that is mucho durable.
Point is I likely can go about 5 years without needing to buy any clothes or footwear. Pretty much I just need socks and underwear.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The bond market created a forced move. Yields went up because there was a lot of selling of bonds. Understand that Yields increase when bond prices drop. Pretty much we went into the very beginning of a bond crisis.
Investors don’t believe in the U.S. as having a strong future and leadership. Foreign investment as well as domestic investment is displaying a “flight of capitol.” Note that Gold set a new Intra-Day High today north of $3255.XX.
Usually when stock markets tank there is a flight to bonds, but bonds too are also dropping. There is mucho instability, flip-flopping, uncertainty, and breakdown of rule of law. In less words too much risk. There is no safety from a world view that investment in U.S. equities (stocks), or bonds as being safe.
The capitulation that happened earlier in the week only kicked the can down the road for 90 days. Pretty much nothing has changed really other than a momentary delay in the timeline.
On NPR I heard a commentator describe three timelines: but really only 2 are relevant; one is long-term/permanent tarries to rebuild industry; and the other is short-term to apply pressure and as a negotiation tactic. The third was really a combination/blend of the two.
Anyways, I will repeat a headline from Janet Yellen, that mirrors many a comment I made about self inflicted wounds. We had nearly a bond collapse/crisis that basically was a self inflicted wound, and it is clear to the world that the U.S. economy is no safe bet.
Did you see the dip in oil prices that pointed to recession and economic slowdown when the DOW tanked over 2700 points. See how oil prices are a good indicator.
Note that in fact inflation did moderate, but also understand that the consumer slowed down their consumption. Prices have not deflated by any means. Basically the consumer went on a diet. You and I can understand that, but economists and journalists put a spin on the number that in fact is not the reality that is really going on.
I will not comment on how the mid-term E-XXXX-XXXX’s ouctcome could be effected. Please note my sensorship/censorship.
Also know that I know my friend MFM gets annoyed at my butchering of language even though I have a MFA in Creative Writing. Understand that as a person of color it is my priv-EL-age to create slang, new meaning, and pretty much annoy people like Maggie that had spelling beaten into them in Catholic Schools.
Is this what you voted for, meaning this thread?
Cal
Investors don’t believe in the U.S. as having a strong future and leadership. Foreign investment as well as domestic investment is displaying a “flight of capitol.” Note that Gold set a new Intra-Day High today north of $3255.XX.
Usually when stock markets tank there is a flight to bonds, but bonds too are also dropping. There is mucho instability, flip-flopping, uncertainty, and breakdown of rule of law. In less words too much risk. There is no safety from a world view that investment in U.S. equities (stocks), or bonds as being safe.
The capitulation that happened earlier in the week only kicked the can down the road for 90 days. Pretty much nothing has changed really other than a momentary delay in the timeline.
On NPR I heard a commentator describe three timelines: but really only 2 are relevant; one is long-term/permanent tarries to rebuild industry; and the other is short-term to apply pressure and as a negotiation tactic. The third was really a combination/blend of the two.
Anyways, I will repeat a headline from Janet Yellen, that mirrors many a comment I made about self inflicted wounds. We had nearly a bond collapse/crisis that basically was a self inflicted wound, and it is clear to the world that the U.S. economy is no safe bet.
Did you see the dip in oil prices that pointed to recession and economic slowdown when the DOW tanked over 2700 points. See how oil prices are a good indicator.
Note that in fact inflation did moderate, but also understand that the consumer slowed down their consumption. Prices have not deflated by any means. Basically the consumer went on a diet. You and I can understand that, but economists and journalists put a spin on the number that in fact is not the reality that is really going on.
I will not comment on how the mid-term E-XXXX-XXXX’s ouctcome could be effected. Please note my sensorship/censorship.
Also know that I know my friend MFM gets annoyed at my butchering of language even though I have a MFA in Creative Writing. Understand that as a person of color it is my priv-EL-age to create slang, new meaning, and pretty much annoy people like Maggie that had spelling beaten into them in Catholic Schools.
Is this what you voted for, meaning this thread?
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
What was missing I guess was my NYC attitude that perhaps is stuck in the 1970’s.
I guess I’m kinda rude. LOL.
Cal
I guess I’m kinda rude. LOL.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
My posts did not top list into “What’s New.”
Cal
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The markets opened with a slight/mild red screen. The DOW seems to continue to deflate. I suspect the 2700 point gain from the big drop ro get revisited eventually. My point is nothing has changed really, just the timeline.
I don’t need to speak about confidence, but think about that word and how that interacts with trust, faith, benefit of the doubt, and expectations…
When I retired I knew I would spend/expend my 403B more than 4 years ago. I limited my risk by going all cash to prevent losses. I was counting on this money as a bridge that allowed early retirement, and was part of my plan to maximize my Social Security and Grumman pension by delaying benefits. Also it made sense tax wise.
I did a lucky thing.
So the moral of the story here is don’t risk money you need over the next 5 years, and have a plan.
WWW.SmartAsset.com has a retirement tax calculator. Cost is free, and you don’t need a financial planner to learn how the tax system works, and to learn where you stand.
Cal
I don’t need to speak about confidence, but think about that word and how that interacts with trust, faith, benefit of the doubt, and expectations…
When I retired I knew I would spend/expend my 403B more than 4 years ago. I limited my risk by going all cash to prevent losses. I was counting on this money as a bridge that allowed early retirement, and was part of my plan to maximize my Social Security and Grumman pension by delaying benefits. Also it made sense tax wise.
I did a lucky thing.
So the moral of the story here is don’t risk money you need over the next 5 years, and have a plan.
WWW.SmartAsset.com has a retirement tax calculator. Cost is free, and you don’t need a financial planner to learn how the tax system works, and to learn where you stand.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
With slower trade expect there is less demand for dollars. The U.S. Dollar effectively now is devalued without having undergone a devaluation. BTW this is a somewhat unintended consequence, but since purchasing power has been eroded my spin is this is inflation.
So gold is priced in U.S. Dollars, and now dollars are cheap. Can you see why gold made a big jump? Idea here is dump your dollars and buy gold, especially if you are a foreign investor.
“Cash is trash,” as the say, but pretty much this is in reference to the U.S. Dollar.
Gold set a new Intra-Day High of $3262.30 to day. How soon to $4K gold?
If you can’t buy gold, try and buy real estate. The housing shortage is not going away…
Also to draw buyers bond interest rates might have to rise to offset the ill-will, uncertainty, and risk to lenders.
Self sufficiency here at a household level is key to survival.
Cal
So gold is priced in U.S. Dollars, and now dollars are cheap. Can you see why gold made a big jump? Idea here is dump your dollars and buy gold, especially if you are a foreign investor.
“Cash is trash,” as the say, but pretty much this is in reference to the U.S. Dollar.
Gold set a new Intra-Day High of $3262.30 to day. How soon to $4K gold?
If you can’t buy gold, try and buy real estate. The housing shortage is not going away…
Also to draw buyers bond interest rates might have to rise to offset the ill-will, uncertainty, and risk to lenders.
Self sufficiency here at a household level is key to survival.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Cal,
I think it's a setting or just the way RFF sorts things these days, not any intentional censorship.
Phil
jszokoli
Well-known
I think it's also it some sort of category this string is in. I remember that you could not post images to the New York meet-up threads either.
Joe
Joe
jszokoli
Well-known
OK, now it does look like your right, and replies are not showing up in what's new.
DownUnder
Nikon Nomad
Not so. I just checked up on you on What's new - and there you are, on page 2.
SoI rather think nothing out of the usual is going on.
Kudos to RFF for letting you just be yourself.
And BTW, it's good to have you back here. We like you being as politically (in)correct as always.
Food for thought, as they say...
SoI rather think nothing out of the usual is going on.
Kudos to RFF for letting you just be yourself.
And BTW, it's good to have you back here. We like you being as politically (in)correct as always.
Food for thought, as they say...
