NYC Journal

A thought inspired by the headline that an ongoing diversification out of U.S. stocks is happening, and the “outflows” of capitol seems destine to Europe, Japan and developing countries.

So I make the jump that current policies kinda make the U.S. into a rather big developing country. The same dynamic exists of a developing country, where mucho capitol is required to build out required infrastructure, and sadly developing countries also are often saddled with debt, lots of debt.

The money has to come from somewhere to build out manufacturing, and capitol is needed, almost like a developing country that has to evolve and build out a new economy. Same but different.

So I would argue how did the richest country in the world become/emulate a developing country? I would argue that this is not really progress that is meaningful. Competing at the level of a developing country is kinda dumb, and know and understand that we are not really so competitive with countries that are already developed.

A kinda step backward…

Cal
 
FACT CHECK: I looked into Lucas’s claim of 430 HP over 500 foot pounds of torque. I can believe the HP but not the torque number. This was a stock S3 2 liter motor that normally came from the factory with 320 HP but got a new down tube and other work to make a plausible 430 HP, but the small displacement can’t have all that much torque.

When Luka mention the 500 foot pounds I kept quiet.

Still kinda crazy about 400 foot pounds. My ZZ3 had 5.7 liters, but was naturally aspirated and had 350HP and 400 foot pounds. The boost from a turbo makes a guesstimate of around 400 perhaps/maybe plausible.

I just wanted to correct the exaggeration I was told that I reported.

I dropped off “Maggie” for her physical therapy and went to the bank and DSW. I had a $5.00 off coupon and I found a pair of Pumas that were styled very much like Vans. Out the door for about $35.00. Can’t ever have too many pairs of sneakers…

The inflation report kinda makes it unlikely that the FED will be able to cut rates in July. The FED agrees with what I say, inflation is real. I tanked up with Mobil Premium: $3.739 a gallon.

Been looking into the Audi S3 and Audi RS3. Kinda affordable to me, and perhaps instead of hot rodding the 1966 C-10 the expected $40K for the suspension, brake and drivetrain upgrades could likely be spent more wisely going towards buying a new Audi that offers performance that is modern.

“The money has to come from somewhere.”

Magnetic dampening makes it so that three different suspension tunings are available with a flick of a switch. The new split differential also has been called “magic” for carving curves. Set a new record lap time at Nuremberg for the sub-compact class. Stole the pole from a BMW M2.

Oddly the front tires on the 2025 RS are wider than the rears. Very cool is that the differentials front to rear can be tuned to adjust “drift.” Also the traction control uses ABS when needed on the inside wheel to help pivot the car so it can carve turns at higher speeds.

I’m a good salesman. In the past I dismissed the A3 saying it is too small. “Maggie” favored just getting a VW Golf, a sub-compact. The Audi A4 is considered a luxury compact. Initially I favored a compact over a sub-compact, but add the letters GTI and a Golf is a kinda interesting car with lots of bang for the Dollar.

Then I bait the idea in “Maggie’s” head that the A3 and Golf are basically the same chassis. I don’t mention S3 or RS3, nor Golf-R.

So then Maggie suggests that if I just get the C-10 on the road, spending the least amount of money, that it could be an asset, but then an A3, a sub compact, would not be any limitation.

Ha-ha to the word “limitation…” So I’m thinking keep the C-10 as a survivor, meaning OEM with everything 1966 period correct from the factory, except the gas tank relocated under the bed; save my cash; and when the day comes look into an A3, but with a “S” or “RS” prefix.

I love this idea.

Currently the S3 sports a 4 cylinder 2 liter turbo like in my A4, but the RS is a 5 cylinder turbo with a 2.5 liter displacement.

BTW my C-10 to the right buyer holds a steep premium. Hmmm… A once in a lifetime find…

Cylinder head work, add in a new windshield and tires, and I’ll have a local driver. OEM drum brakes though, so not for extended journeys…

Fresh arugula as a salad from my garden with my ravioli dinner. Yum-yum…

Cal
 
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Medium/long term project, lots of exciting innovation, lots of rewarding but difficult grunt work over a couple of years versus almost immediate satisfaction and no or few repercussions or disappointments. At my age and with uncertain long term future, no question what I would choose. At your age, I might choose differently, and I have before. Tough decision. Hardest thing about getting older and facing health challenges is being realistic without giving up what you really care about.
 
Old haven,

Thanks for sharing wisdom. Lots of thinking going on.

I understand no right or wrong decision when you just have to hope for the best.

The thing though is being cool with the consequences.

On one hand the truck (1966 C-10) would be like living the dream, but in practicality a nice S3 or RS3 is something I think “Maggie” would be more into, and that would involve traveling.

The C-10 no matter what I do will always be a trophy of sorts with “you-suck” factor because it is a rare survivor that remains very close to OEM. It really does not need a new suspension or new drivetrain to be mucho cool.

Anyways as far as uncertainty goes, I’m perfectly happy and fine with the A4. It remains a great comfortable car, and both “Maggie” and I are greatly attached with very strong feelings about this car. We are kinda bonded to the car and also the Audi brand.

“Don’t tell Maggie” though I want a performance version of an A3.

Cal
 
Perhaps in a decade or so when my 2014 Audi A4 with 54K miles is old/tired and ready to be retired this notion of a S3 or RS3 will be rather faded and dated.

Also who knows about my 1966 C-10?

It is estimated that in about a decade I too will need cataract surgery to correct night blindness and the fogging of the lens in my eyes. Then again the average age when most people no longer drive is only 75, and for me that is only 8 years away. How crazy is that?

The old truck might be better suited for an old man than a low to the ground sporty sub-compact. Hmmm…

The point I’m making here is the pickup truck might have “long-legs” and become more important as I age. My friend Andrew and his wife Joan both drive taller minivans. Andrew getting into my A4 is difficult for him. He’s 77. I mentioned this to “Maggie…”

The original idea of recreating the C-10 into a Limo ride is still viable, and if I do no mods and keep the truck as a “survivor” I could always update the suspension and drivetrain at a later date… Keeping the C-10 as a survivor lets my dream stew, and also buys me time.

Hard to tell which is the better idea…

Anyways still living the dream…

Cal
 
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Last time this happened I bought a built out neck for no-money that was a custom build with many expensive options. It was the roasted bird’s eye baritone maple neck with turquoise inlays and a Strat reverse headstock.

So lightning struck again on a Tele built neck that has high grade flamed maple figure, a satin nitro finis, with am ivory TUSQ nut, with a 9 1/2 inch radius, and a “D” rear profile that emulates the chunky fat necks I love.

So pretty much another gift. Remember I still have a one-piece Tele body I got as a discount. Today the lighter weight bodies are getting scarce and now the lighter weight bodies have a rather stiff premium. Glad I did the buying when I did.

So another remarkable deal…

Time is my friend, and it pays to not be in any rush. Patience works for me.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
The world is insane. Gold is approaching $3.2K, as if the world economy is alright.

A lot of risk is being discounted, and the markets are still are getting bidded up into new higher-highs. Now a gold sell off. Mucho crazy. Makes no sense.

Cal
Click to expand...

Profiteering. Buy low, sell high. Or buy high, sell low. Depending on the buyer's/seller's level of anxiety, which from all the bad news coming out of NA these days must be at an all-time high.

Many thanks to Warren Buffet for this basic but eminently sensible advice. Elon's brother did the same with his Tesla shares when the going got rough. I wonder if he bought up big when those shares hit rock bottom, or are they still going down like a floater in a flusher?

As for me, well, if I had a billion or two in the bank to spare for game-playing, I would surely be typing this from a 24 karat gold MacBook in a chauffeur-driven Bentley...
 
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DU,

Never knew anyone with a complicated life that was really happy.

“Maggie” as a Digital Influencer had a frenetic life, and was so unhappy. The attention and standing out was an ego boost, but it basically was like being on a hamster wheel going nowhere.

As far as trading goes it is a Zero-Sum-Game. Overtime only 10% remain winners, and that translates into 90% being losers.

I knew this and quit my swing and position trading. It was in 2007 I sold and closed my margin account. During the credit crisis I was flush with cash. That led me into Leica and this forum.

I see a lot of show boating going on. There is a lot of pretense and nonsense going on here. From the outside one see’s prosperity, but underneath is a load of debt.

All the new cars I see, most I think are leases and people living beyond their means. If I ever buy a brand new car it will be with cash. That would be my goal.

Here in the U.S. many are poor.

Cal
 
A lot of memories happened today with my walking around NYC. Funny thing isI had my Leica Monochrom with me and I only took a few shots.

Perhaps because it was pretty much the same as when I left and I didn’t see anything new.

I though I would be inspired…

How odd…

Cal
 
Hot flashes as a side effect are worse now. When I get up in the night to pee, it takes a while for them to dissipate, so it involves disrupted sleep. At times it takes half an hour.

Then there is Monday through Thursday doctor’s or medical appointments. I have a disrupted retirement. On one of those days next week I get another chemical castration injection. A new monthly dose of Inhibitor will also get delivered.

Cal
 
The broken up half marathon walk did me good yesterday. The thing with all the accumulated side effects of drugs and treatments is fatigue. I really have to pace myself and not over do things.

This week an optioned up Tele neck that would be custom ordered for $550.00 I secured for $250.00. Time is my friend, and I have been waiting for a neck like this with specs I can use.

I’m kinda fussy, and I know what I like. I like necks that have some chunk. I love medium to big frets that have mucho height, and I need the wider 1 11/16th wide neck.

Now I think keeping the 1966 C-10 as a “survivor” that remains OEM and period correct as mucho cool. It truly is an old-man’s truck. There is no rush to spend money, and at anytime I could do a suspension and drivetrain upgrade.

The optimist in me says why not say a Audi S3 and an updated truck. Given time that is a reasonable goal. Then I think the truck could easily lead to a side hustle. Did you know I love driving on open road? I can see me driving to North Carolina where we have northerners who went red neck, loading up on antiques, and bringing them to New York where they would fetch big dollars.

“Maggie” has an eye you know…

Then I could find rust free southern cars and remoter then with a “turnkey” brand new trans with a GM 2 year/50K mile warrentee.

You know me: clever; but a lazy slacker.

One think I noticed yesterday in NYC. Somehow I drawn to industrial areas and run down areas. I somehow drawn into the past and history. The new does not interest me, kinda boring…

So a big step in growth…

Cal
 
I have to fess up. I carried my Leica Monochrom and really did almost no shooting.

In the past I shot lots of urban decay and the gritty industrial remnants of NYC. When I went back I just did not see what I saw in the past, and I lacked inspiration.

I did shoot some shots though on my walk to the Peekskill train station. Along South Street is an industrial zone.

I guess I might be somewhat finished shooting in NYC. A lack of inspiration, maybe because I did enough shooting in NYC when I lived there. Seems like I’m missing my mojo, perhaps rural decay…

Cal
 
One of the side effects of hormone therapy is bloating and weight gain. I just came back from having blood drawn. Know that I am being carefully monitored. One of the side effects of the inhibitor, no joke, is death.

I admit I am a vain man, and I kinda know I get away with a lot because I’m like my grandson: mighty cute. I did my weigh in and somehow am 158 pounds. I blame the weight gain on the pastrami on rye from Katz’s Deli. An overdose of meat and of course mucho salt.

What a way to kill yourself.

So in a day or so electronically I’ll get the results. Know I’m getting the max dose of inhibitor, and I’m given a steroid to help with the side effects.

Cal
 
ASA,

A lot will be happening very soon: Radiation treatment; 39 doses.

I can feel my limitations as far as strength and energy levels. In particular I feel the susceptibility to heat stress and heat exhaustion. My anemia makes my heart work harder.

So far I think I am mitigating and handling the side effects well.

Thanks for your post.

Cal
 
If anything I think Helen Hill saw some of the effects of the fem-out. We were happy to see each other and it was a mutual tearful reunion.

Helen made a comment about me being more emotional/less constrained. I kinda agree that the fem-out has changed me. I wonder how much more this will continue, but I also know everyone is different.

There is a takeaway here in that as I ponder all that is happening to me, the experience really is not so bad in the context and within the context of the state of the world and our country. I am making this a real opportunity to thoughtfully consider a new and better future.

I’m fortunate that I am secure enough to go through all these changes and knowing that in the end the outcome will be good.

Cal
 
I did not get the results from my blood tests yet electronically, but my radiation oncologist had one of his assistants E-mail me to send the early update that the lab work today indicates I am stable.

Remember I’m on a inhibitor that has serious side effects, and so far I’m still doing the max does. Also as a 158 pound man at 5’10” you would figure I kinda would be the canary in the coal mine.

I tolerate the max dose for the maximum benefit.

I expect the electronic notification of the lab work sometime tomorrow. That’s generally how it happens.

Cal
 
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