NYC Journal

[Phil_F_NM]

I have a hard job. It's not like previous hard jobs I've had, doing physical labor or working for a tyrant of an editor who became one of my best mentors.
This job is hopefully saving lives. I'm a mental health counselor in a drug and alcohol inpatient recovery facility in Philadelphia, PA. If any of y'all have ever seen or heard of the opioid epidemic here in Philly, you may have seen a touch of what I am working with. All of my residents are medically fragile and have dual diagnoses. They have wounds from injection sites, infections from living unhoused, amputation/s, on top of persistent mental health disorders, all atop recovering from long periods of drug and alcohol use. What I'm getting at is it's mentally taxing and heartbreaking, sometimes. That said, I usually leave work a bit late and I don't feel like I've worked a 9-5 job. I feel like I've listened to people who have a few things in common with me and I've just been there to lend an ear and make a connection. This week was particularly "long" with some difficulties which are not unheard of but infrequent. Every day this week I had the opportunity to ride my bike the 11.3 miles to work and back. Every night this week I've gotten to scrub my brain clean of some of the pain I've borne witness to and just ride. Tonight I stopped on one of the bridges which cross Wissahickon Creek really close to where Henry avenue crosses over the "gorge" if you'd call it that. After working numerous 9 and 10 hour days, with one of the most difficult populations to serve, I felt grateful that I had that opportunity, and that I have the ability and strength to ride to work.



Here's the Rotrax "Shirley" for context on this thread.

Be well, y'all.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

Yesterday’s hill climb did not create any stiffness or soreness, understand that the exercise was mostly for my heart and cardio-vascular system. I need to pump blood.

In my past the bike saved my life, I had to learn how to relax, and I think the bike again will help save my life.

The population Phil serves certainly is taxing and depleting. I imagine the bike ride being very healing and necessary. A tough job that not everyone can do.

Cal

 

[Glenn2]

There’s a science related radio program on the CBC (Canada) called “Quirks and Quarks “ . The host Bob MacDonald interviews experts on numerous subjects. This was on the February 15 show. Certainly shows scientific data for the benefit of exercise at the cellular level.
The podcast is online if you’re interested.

At 81 I think staying active with a good diet is vital. Garden is my main outlet these days, 30 raised beds on drip irrigation not to mention fruit trees and vines produces a lot of food. I tend to get carried away, who needs 25 tomato plants… Most gets given to friends and needy people after I’ve enough for my needs. Am still using a bike for my shopping trips to town, but a step through with electric assist. I’m only 127 pounds and hardly make a shadow if I turn sideways. The consequences of loosing a lot of gut to get rid of a nasty thing.

Stay well everyone……. Glenn


*****************************************************************************************************************
Quirks and Quarks. February 15


Intense exercise causes our bodies to belch out DNA that may reduce inflammation

Scientists were surprised to discover that the more intensely you exercise, the more certain immune cells belch

out fragments of DNA that can form webs to trap pathogens, and lead to fewer pro-inflammatory immune cells

circulating in our blood. Canadian researcher Stephen Montgomery, a professor of pathology at Stanford

University, said their findings suggest that circulating cell-free DNA may play a role in how exercise lowers

inflammation in the body. The study was published in the journal PNAS.

 

[ellisson]

There’s a science related radio program on the CBC (Canada) called “Quirks and Quarks “ . The host Bob MacDonald interviews experts on numerous subjects. This was on the February 15 show. Certainly shows scientific data for the benefit of exercise at the cellular level.
The podcast is online if you’re interested.

At 81 I think staying active with a good diet is vital. Garden is my main outlet these days, 30 raised beds on drip irrigation not to mention fruit trees and vines produces a lot of food. I tend to get carried away, who needs 25 tomato plants… Most gets given to friends and needy people after I’ve enough for my needs. Am still using a bike for my shopping trips to town, but a step through with electric assist. I’m only 127 pounds and hardly make a shadow if I turn sideways. The consequences of loosing a lot of gut to get rid of a nasty thing.

Stay well everyone……. Glenn


*****************************************************************************************************************
Quirks and Quarks. February 15


Intense exercise causes our bodies to belch out DNA that may reduce inflammation

Scientists were surprised to discover that the more intensely you exercise, the more certain immune cells belch

out fragments of DNA that can form webs to trap pathogens, and lead to fewer pro-inflammatory immune cells

circulating in our blood. Canadian researcher Stephen Montgomery, a professor of pathology at Stanford

University, said their findings suggest that circulating cell-free DNA may play a role in how exercise lowers

inflammation in the body. The study was published in the journal PNAS.

Good to see this info and appreciate the many benefits of exercise. And the significant mental health benefits.

 

[Calzone]

We just returned from the Jersey Shore. It is good to be home.

One woman who was over a hundred said the key to living a long life is avoiding toxic people.

I kinda agree with that.

“Maggie’s” family has many depressed people, and it might be the result of problems rooted in alcohol. I find it hard to be around drunks and dry drunks. Some family members are kinda killing themselves. Then the alcohol abuse is inter generational. Mucho disfunction and self destruction.

So about half the family is depressed, and about half is functional and happy. Some of the family is sober, but that does not mean they are not depressed.

So a gathering of family that is stressful with plenty of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Maggie kinda was used like a toilet to throw up in and crap in. Since she suffers from that hip injury it was hard to escape getting dumped on.

Out of three days I only got one ride in. In one direction I had a tailwind, and in the other a headwind. Anyways the ride helped me deal with being surrounded by many unhappy depressed people. It was like Maggie was a therapist rather than a sister. When she said goodbye today she said, “I’ll put the bill for my fee in the mail.”

I kinda stayed nearby Maggie to lend support and to somewhat protect her. I read the Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition cover to cover and two books. “Un-Spun” kinda sucked. Pretty much was about spin and disinformation, buit “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” was great and I learned a lot about the universe.

A lot of gaps got filled in, so I learned a lot. I will keep the Astrophysics book to read again.

So besides all the reading I did, my ride, and supporting Maggie in a loving way. It really was not bad for me. Maggie also tighten the bond with her sister, but it was not the same for the three brothers. Also the two wives present used Maggie like a toilet to complain about their husbands (Maggie’s brothers).

One brother seemed lost he was so depressed.

So lots of drama over the weekend.

Again, good to be home…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Glen,

Thanks for your post.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

The steel IBIS as a 48-63 gear inch 2-speed is a great bike. Didn’t use the 48 inch at all. Near Tom’s River there is a mucho wide bike lane and being a barrier beach it was flat.

No muscle strain, but basic cardio work and a steady pace except for tail wind and head wind factor.

A million dollars does not buy you much vinyl siding, land or home square footage. For me I would rather have a small “camp” on a lake to have privacy. I guess I’m a loner.

While we were away I think it was a deer that ate the outer leaves on 4 hearts of lettuce. Soon I expect a huge crop of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

I gave some cantaloupe seedlings, a cherry tomato plant, some yellow squash seedlings, and some zucchini plants away because we ran out of raised bed space.

I think I will get more bamboo from Andrew to make a trellis. I want to save money.

Mowed the lawn…

More rain expected Monday and Tuesday…

The Audi A4 got 30 mpg. In New Jersey did a lot of 70-75 mph speeds. The Techron fuel injector cleaner boosts octane so this accounts for some of the exceptional performance. A turbo 2.0 liter engine loves this type of driving. I think the tranny tuneup also helped.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Next bike build is the IBIS Alibi. The Alibi is an aluminum frame that still has the IBIS overbuild. Interesting is that it has similar geometry to the Yo Eddy which is ideal IMHO. The Alibi (Aluminum Bike) is suspension corrected, but likely only for a Rock Shox Judy.

AJ is building me a set of Sun/Ringle Rhyno Lite wheels for a single speed. I’ll use the Bontrager XR-1’s I have on hand which have a lot of small knobs.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Good to be back to our boring/peaceful life in the Hudson Valley and away from family dramas. Alcohol does not help people with problems. In fact alcohol can create a depression spiral.

A wife went sober for a while: liver damage; but is back to drinking again. Pretty much to the point of killing herself, but now the husband increased his drinking to help him cope.

My friend Richie drank himself to death. This annual gathering at the Jersey Shore reminds me of my 40th year high school reunion where I saw my friends as a bunch of kids that never really grew up. Sadly they had opportunities, but did little with their lives.

Then there are behaviors of a dry-drunk or sober drunk, and impaired thinking. Ever try to reason with a drunk?

Very sad…

BTW “Maggie” and I don’t drink.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

I have a hard job. It's not like previous hard jobs I've had, doing physical labor or working for a tyrant of an editor who became one of my best mentors.
This job is hopefully saving lives. I'm a mental health counselor in a drug and alcohol inpatient recovery facility in Philadelphia, PA. If any of y'all have ever seen or heard of the opioid epidemic here in Philly, you may have seen a touch of what I am working with.

Be well, y'all.
Phil

Got to thank you profession and healthcare professionals; as with other essential jobs, there is an underappreciation of the value in society.
Not for the same epidemic, but your description brought Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia" to mind. But then again, there is the pond in the middle and I've only set foot in NYC as to infer anything.

Good to be back to our boring/peaceful life in the Hudson Valley and away from family dramas. Alcohol does not help people with problems. In fact alcohol can create a depression spiral.

I have a blessing of never having had interest on most of the addictive substances; if anything it's sugars!
During the postpandemic era it was socially drinking which it's fun, but drinking in a good mood. Since then people moved around and aged, I have a well stocked cellar but the bottles just lay there waiting for people. Being from a wine country, it makes for good gifts.

The resources that drinking or smoking would take are well used by photography and travel. I was up by the Norwegian Fjords and was a lucky recipient of some recently expired film which I shot there. Usually don't do much darkroom activity for summer, but if it's rainy cloudy I do have some stuff to print. Also will eventually finish procastinating "camera scanning".

 

[Calzone]

“The money has to come from somewhere,” I say.

Photography can get expensive fast.

I would rather spend my money on other things than alcohol. How about bikes, guitars, and gardening. At the end of the day I have something to show off and keep.

BTW I like the taste of beer and I drink non-alcoholic beer. Bought a case of twelve 11.2 ounce beers, cost $18.00 for a Jersey Shore holiday. Over 2 1/2 days only drank 8, and I bought the remainders home.

I think I am triggered and remembering my friend Richie who basically committed suicide by drinking himself to death.

When Richie was 16 and I had turned just 17, we hitched hiked down to Florida to surprise a friend who had just moved down there. We left New York with $14.00 in my pocket, and Richie had $25.00.

Anyways, those 10-11 days on the road taught me a lot about freedom and how money was a liability and a trap.

Decades have past, and that trip still remains a high point in my life. We did this during midwinter break.

Cal

 

[ASA 32]

Eight weeks post radiation for 3-4 prostate cancer.

 

[Calzone]

ASA 32,

Let’s hope for a zero.

My PSA is a 0.1, effectively a zero, but that is drug induced. The ADT (hormone therapy) is working well on me. The side effects are minimal so far and I’m getting the max-dose of 1000 mg daily.

The only bad side effect that effects my quality of life is I am anemic, so there are limits to my energy levels and strength. Oh-well.

My kidneys are doing well, but my liver emits an M-zine that indicates some stress but not enough to lower the dose.

The ADT along with the inhibitor prevents Prostate Cancer growth, and can actually kill small Cancers that have spread that are undetectable.

My remaining Prostate Cancer is in a nearby pelvic lymph node. This will get nuked for 8-weeks.

The hormone treatment will last 2 years, and I’m just past the first month. Will take a year to 1 1/2 years for the effects of the hormone treatment to wear off once I stop. Still have a 30% chance that my body will never produce testosterone ever again, meaning the fem-out will be permanent.

It will also take a year to a year and a half to find out if I’m cured after ADT is stopped.

All the best… Keep a positive mental attitude…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Scam Alert: Maggie got a recorded message that suggested immediate action was required to prevent IRS seizing of property, freezing of bank accounts, and other measures.

The real IRS will contact you via mail, and also your accountant would also get contacted by mail.

A few weeks ago I got a scam-call from Social Security. Evidently they knew my date of birth, and they called to verify my other information. I know there have been many data breaches, but I knew better that to reveal any personal information. This scam was about issuing me a new card. Again the real Social Security will contact you by mail.

Then there is Net-Spend… I get E-mails about transactions on my account. Know that I froze my credit in 2007, so no new account can be opened, unless I unfreeze my credit.

With Net-Spend they want you to click on a link, but don’t open that door…

I suggest freezing your credit. Easy to do, and costs nothing, but take care with the passwords because if lost you will likely never be able to unfreeze your credit.

So many scams going on…

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Wishing you a good outcomes towards healing ASA 32 and Cal

“The money has to come from somewhere,” I say.

Photography can get expensive fast.

Cal

Sometimes I think how the expense of photography was a big factor to move countries and get a good income. And here we are, so to say.
I find it funny how earlier on I never liked coffee or beer, just to be socially acquired. Expanded tastes. Some northerners are in awe how I never drinked "back home" as Alcohol is much cheaper. Again socially, I do a bit now with friends but being a lightweight one alcoholic beer is enough. Then if it is warmer it's disconcerning and not pleasant.
Haven't sat down to compare, but a nice alcohol free beer must surely be way healthier compared to sugary sodas.

Money wise, scams are advanced and in this age of AI it will get interesting. I actually have to get to the phone to get some transfers approved. I am thinking how ironically hard this might be when bank branches are non existant and cash is a strange artifact over here.

 

[Calzone]

Jorde,

A Heineken 0.0 is 69 calories for 11.2 ounces.

Generally a 12 ounce soda is about 120 calories.

With AI and all the data breaches, information passed onto the dark web, and don’t forget the dismantling of protections by the government.

Fraud and scamming I expect to be rampant, but it seems the future is now.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Rainy weather…

I decided to go into guitar mode and change out the bridge on the sonic blue Thinline Baritone. I’m removing a Fender 51 No Caster and replacing it with a Fralin Blues Special that has a bit more output. The neck pickup is a Fralin Blues Special so pretty much a perfect match.

My earlier attempt was for an increased tonal range, but the Fender pickup has a vintage output that is kinda low. Not the best.

The Fender 51 No Caster bridge pickup I will recycle into another guitar. I think “Korina” a guitar body that has a huge midrange and so far no neck.

Been lurking and stalking looking for a deal on a neck. “Time is my friend,” I say. I can say this because there is a dozen electric guitars to choose from hanging on my walls in the guitar room.

Lately I have been playing finger-style and without any pick. Guitar to me is a totally different instrument. I find this inspiring. Pick and fingers is usually how I played.

Pretty much I had to stock up on food, so shopping had to happen. “Maggie’s” hip seems better today.

Now is time to plug in and adjust the replacement pickup. Oddly I seem to be migrating to the Baritone guitar with the longer scale length.

In New Jersey I met with someone I knew that is also a member of the “club,” and that is a man with Prostate Cancer. His Cancer still is a watch and wait.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Today we have the grandson for a bit.

Yesterday I got white eggs for $1.99 a dozen. Found out that they are close dated like film: best used by June 13th. I stocked up, and the eggs get used quickly.

Lately I have breaded eggplant with wheat germ for the texture and nutty flavor. D-lish.

I did the preliminary pickup adjustment. Even had to raise the neck pickup, so now it is a totally different guitar. More tweaking will happen…

Time to start cooking my rolled oats…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I am a geek who likes digging in and doing research. Spent some time looking into a coil over suspension on the front and a 4-link rear for the C-10.

Learning about virtual centers and arc radius suspension terms. Also tire sizes and ride height.

Discovered a white steel wheel that looks like could utilize my “dog-dish” hub caps for retaining the retro OEM look, but opens things up for lower profile tires and bigger brakes.

The ZZ6 crate engine is 420 HP and 350 cubic inches, so going that route is setting up the truck for Pro Touring.

Stage-One would involve just getting the truck road worthy with the 250 cubic inch I-6, doing the suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes.

Lots to dream and think about… A project like this involves a lot of planning…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

A Ride Tech coil over suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes adds up fast. Figure a 2 1/2 inch drop spindles plus wiggle room on the coil overs on the front, and up to 6 inches drop on the rear.

New springs and new brakes. Brakes are 6-piston…

So pretty much building a new/old truck. Kinda cool and actually cost feasible.

Another daydream…

Now off for a ride…

Cal