Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Jorde,
Most of Columbia's students live on the Upper Westside.
In East Harlem (Spanish Harlem) 50% of the population receives some sort of government check, the poor are really concentrated, and 25% of the residents live in Public Housing. Public Housing lines all the avenues. One particularly bad spot is 125th and Lex where mucho drug rehab, halfway houses, and shelters are concentrated. Kinda reminds me of NYC in the 70's in a bad way.
Recently it is the anniversity of a cop killing that happened not far from where I live. Also know that my building kinda stands out being at the top of a hill, and because it is a new luxury building it really stands out as not fitting in the neighborhood. My building does not take up an entire block and is only eight stories, so for the 40 units the average is 5 apartments per floor.
One neighbor on 101st Street who is a long time resident told me that she avoids 106th Street just five blocks away, calling the people who live there "nasty." The more north one enters into SpaHa, the more dangerous and less civilized.
Anyways the poverty is kinda institutionalized. The local Post Office uses the official name of the neighborhood as "Hellgate." On the first of the month you want to avoid going to the Post Office because there is a line going out the door for Postal Money Orders. The community is so poor that people do not have checking accounts. Shamefully this is so Third World.
Cal
stompyq
Well-known
Columbia is on the west side. Depending on what he's going to do he will either be on the upper west side or around Washington heights. The upper east side is not bad. The worst that can happen to you is have John yell at you for being in the way 
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Columbia is on the west side. Depending on what he's going to do he will either be on the upper west side or around Washington heights. The upper east side is not bad. The worst that can happen to you is have John yell at you for being in the way
Pro-Mone,
Christian will attest that on the Upper Eastside one also runs the risk of inadvertantly being stabbed by me with the spiked lever of my TA Rapidwinder on a M6 when having an animated camera conversation with any other photographer.
Also on the Upper Eastside around the 70's watch out for these little entitled rich kids that do not respond to the words, "Excuse me," when they block the sidewalk. Anyone living on the Eastside has to learn to curb their temper and not assault these rude privilaged rich kids that will run into you or expect you to move out of their way.
Cal
Prest_400
Multiformat
Just took a peek at google maps and saw a very nice block that may be yours, at 101 with Lex. It indeed stands out.
As an European the contrast in US strikes quite a bit, specially because of the poverty gap and its noticeability on some areas. But again, its nature is a bit different and change is noticeable to the eye.
There's a lot of thoughts about guns too. Outside of organized and structured crime, here it's rather petty.
The government and politics... So useful to the citizen
Had some discussion yesterday with some vinyl guys about the increasingly Hipster Brooklyn. Well, and SF too. They complained about Hipsters taking all the used vinyl deals and price soaring. I am amused at liking Film, Vinyl, etc but not being a hipster at all.
I do notice that the districts becoming hipster gentrify quite fast.
Gah, noticed that I got my East/West ends wrong today.Columbia is on the west side. Depending on what he's going to do he will either be on the upper west side or around Washington heights. The upper east side is not bad. The worst that can happen to you is have John yell at you for being in the way
Yes, I meant the Hudson side.It's good to have "that NYC friend", because it might allow me staying a few days more during a possible future visit and take it slow. Get to a meetup, etc.
CBP might disapprove though. US citizens may not have that quick interrogation upon entering the country, what a experience!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Just took a peek at google maps and saw a very nice block that may be yours, at 101 with Lex. It indeed stands out.
As an European the contrast in US strikes quite a bit, specially because of the poverty gap and its noticeability on some areas. But again, its nature is a bit different and change is noticeable to the eye.
There's a lot of thoughts about guns too. Outside of organized and structured crime, here it's rather petty.
The government and politics... So useful to the citizen
Had some discussion yesterday with some vinyl guys about the increasingly Hipster Brooklyn. Well, and SF too. They complained about Hipsters taking all the used vinyl deals and price soaring. I am amused at liking Film, Vinyl, etc but not being a hipster at all.
I do notice that the districts becoming hipster gentrify quite fast.
Jorde,
I consider myself a "Vintage Hipster." Much of what I am, have done, and do never went out of style. Take having a ponytail; shooting film cameras; living in sketchy areas; analog Hi-Fi; collecting old retro junk; wearing raggy clothes; arrogant chin beard; body piecing (pieced my left ear lobe myself back in 1973 when I was 15 years old); acting rude and clueless; annoying people...
I have been around before they invented the derogitory word. Been ruining/improving neighborhoods for decades.
Calzone
These kids move for me... I think they aren't intimidated by you enough Cal.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
I think you are right, but they do act surprised when I impatiently barrel through a crowd shoving them out of my way rudely when they don't respond to a polite, "Excuse me."
Then there was that kid that was running right at me at full speed, and he did not appreciate the dirty Lacross move when I crouched low and swung my elbow into his shoulder which he ran into. I'm sure his shoulder would turn black and blue, but as I turned to see a response the kid kept on running. Know that this kid dangerously wove around a woman who he choose not to hit, but decidedly this kid did not care if he hit me. Now I wish I did aim for his face. Basically it would of been his fault because he ran into my elbow.
I later realized that I had my Monochrom in my Louie bag, and if I had realized that he could of damaged my camera I should of elbowed him in the face. Oh well.
On the Upper Westside had one of those entitled Columbia students look up at me from her texting and continue to walk towards me. I stepped forward and stiff armed her brushing her off to the side. I heard her cell phone hit the sidewalk, and in my mind I hoped her screen cracked.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
So today there is a deadline for my 50 Lux-SL to be delivered to my dealer before 3:00 PM California time today so it will be shipped in a timely manner and arrive by this Friday.
Maggie now has 96K followers. Remember a year from last January she only broke through 10K. It now seems that the assistant manager at Dior on 57th Street is one of her followers, and now at Barney's she has her own personal salesperson. BTW all the celeberties have their own personal salespeople. LOL.
So more clothes and shoes are coming in every day. The one plane ride did not get a call sheet, but another big gig I can't talk about has come in. Part of the deal is a personal translator/escort for that trip that involves public speaking, over a two day period, in another city at a huge fashion event that is groundbreaking.
Cal
Maggie now has 96K followers. Remember a year from last January she only broke through 10K. It now seems that the assistant manager at Dior on 57th Street is one of her followers, and now at Barney's she has her own personal salesperson. BTW all the celeberties have their own personal salespeople. LOL.
So more clothes and shoes are coming in every day. The one plane ride did not get a call sheet, but another big gig I can't talk about has come in. Part of the deal is a personal translator/escort for that trip that involves public speaking, over a two day period, in another city at a huge fashion event that is groundbreaking.
Cal
Prest_400
Multiformat
Ho ho ho. But as the NY rule is. The "excuse me's" are to get out of the way, if something happens is their fault. Got that well memorized.
Damned texting. It can be fun but is also annoying. I remember a couple of years ago we had a friend for dinner and he spent most of it texting. Like, hello?
On the other hand, tech can be very useful. The other day did a skype call to asia from a corner in my street when I ran into an old family friend and my relatives were... in asia.
As any tool, it's about the usage
I took a look at her profile yesterday or a couple of days ago and thought I'd seen 96K... Now it's at 96,2K. Wow
Out of the blue I began to publish some photos on IG. Well, whatever, will give it a try after time did its own edit. ATM just a short series from my time in Scandinavia.
I always had people saying "oh your photography is so good, you should upload, very nice, lots of followers, blah blah"
I'm just at 10 past the default (Facebook ones that I should't have added).Maybe it's the mash of different kinds all mixed up that kinda frustrates me. I do see great photography going and then some eyebleeding candy getting the show. Well, that's how it's always been.
Despite being of the computer age, it's still "meh".
The arrival of a beastly 50-Lux (plus Accidental Icon successes) deserves uncorking some champagne
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
The arrival of a beastly 50-Lux (plus Accidental Icon successes) deserves uncorking some champagne
Jorde,
Maggie met one of her friends at Dior who was going there to buy some bags. Basically they were offered champagne.
Anyways there are lives and levels that I could not imagine, anyways I'm kinda glad that I am just me, but I am happy for my gal who BTW is kinda shy.
Anyways unbelievable things are happening. The world of fashion is a completely separate reality.
Cal
Prest_400
Multiformat
Easy to think about, who'd say something like this would be so close? I can see it is noticeable and thoughtful when you are mature and have perspective of things.
The other day I was reading about "Uncle Terry" and the shredder-grinding part of the industry (fashion and many others). I guess the young are the ones that often get a bad part. Many have risen to fall (by themselves too), others forgotten. Well, that is it.
Basically if you get rich but are mindfully mature, it will be appreciated. My only wastage would be to disappear for a while (some good trips overdue) and buy some bits of good gear.
And a nice Hifi for home too.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Easy to think about, who'd say something like this would be so close? I can see it is noticeable and thoughtful when you are mature and have perspective of things.
The other day I was reading about "Uncle Terry" and the shredder-grinding part of the industry (fashion and many others). I guess the young are the ones that often get a bad part. Many have risen to fall (by themselves too), others forgotten. Well, that is it.
Basically if you get rich but are mindfully mature, it will be appreciated. My only wastage would be to disappear for a while (some good trips overdue) and buy some bits of good gear.
And a nice Hifi for home too.
Jorde,
The funny thing though is if I won the lottery and suddenly became ultra wealthy really my life would not really change. I already am happy.
As far as cameras go I kinda like what I already have, and in a way I doubly appreciate that somehow I worked hard to acquire all of it. Would I buy a M10 because I really need one? Is it a great camera: surely, but in the end I already own a SL and love it.
Not sure I need more guitars, basses, or tube amps either. Don't need more bicycles. Already own a great 300B single ended triode HiFi, but perhaps a sparse room to set up as a listening room, and a soundproof room for my guitars, basses and amps.
Likely a darkroom and studio space, a garden to grow fresh vegtables, and perhaps a greenhouse to set up a koi pond.
Really only would need some space to kinda spread out my stuff so I could have one place to enjoy everything I already have. Not sure I would have more than one nice car. Am I that simple a guy or am I boring?
So just give me a space where I don't have to move where I can spread out the stuff I already own to fully enjoy and I could be happy.
Cal
Range-rover
Veteran
Wow that sounds like mine I'm restoring a real beater 3.5F, today I took
apart the viewing lens to clean out the dust and fungus. The taking lens
has it's share of coating scratches but I think if it works and takes photos
I'll get the lens recoated one day.
Range-rover
Veteran
Cal,
Would you have any pictures of the Washburn Wire Company
before they tore it down. I think it was on 115th street?
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Bob,
I can't say by name, but I did some shooting up that ways.
Also got the confirmation. I expect the 50 Lux SL to be delivered Friday.
Cal
Prest_400
Multiformat
I would be just the same, minus many things that I could get just to have more fun and consolidation; being young and without many possessions (freer in some way though)
Essentially a lot of problems people have nowadays is the pursuit of what they can't get. Social overcomplication Having a modest and realistic life, enjoying little things is just it.
With a bit of tears in the process of getting something, man, that makes it valuable.
Kudos for returning to life a battle camera. Now, a rolleiflex is one of the things I'd get after a "surge of disposable income" but it wouldn't have to be a really nice one just to not baby it that much.
A few friends think I'm crazy because I even take cameras into the sea, to take a shore perspective.
Back in the past decade when I used to read about MF but didn't shoot it, I recall people giving thumbs up to Arax for their Recoating service which was a bargain. They are the ones refurbishing Kiev/Arsenal cameras, but I think nowadays do not offer that service anymore. The recollections of that service were written circa 2005.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Jorde,
It took about a decade, but I kinda accumulated over a long period of time a Camera IRA that can last me a lifetime. All my cameras and lenses have been maintained or repaired if required.
Also know I bought my Whiteface Rollie 3.5F for only $999.00 way before the Vivian M. craze. It got Fleenored and a Maxwell screen upgrade. Another example of being a "Vintage Hipster," but at least I can claim originality, and I bought in way before the current trend became established.
With my retro vintage bicycles I own some history, and was mountain biking when it basically was created. Also own retro titanium bikes that also are historical and historically important. My bikes feature all the tricked out aftermarket parts and purple anodize that was popular almost three decades past.
Cal
This might be my last meet up for awhile... (leaving for Chile on 4/18)... it would be great to see all of the usuals there. If not, I'll be back eventually and make sure I make a meet-up!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
John,
You are a big part of the last eight years of NYC Meet-Ups. I wish you all the best. Finding a great woman is not easy, and the world is not that big.
Anyways NYC will be at a loss...
Cal
lamefrog
Well-known
Chile? Really?! Say it ain't so! I'll be there on Sunday. And I assume you'll continue to be an active member of RFF .
Philippe
Philippe