Relief from US Election or Covid stress

[raid]

KoFe,

My dad was an E-liter-it E-LEE-gal immigrant. He knew a brutal life. He jumped ship in New York Harbor in the late 1920's during the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1885.

While I knew poverty, I also know that I am lucky. They say only about 30% of Americans have enough money to retire.

I am also blessed because I am a skinny bitch with no health issues. In fact my biological age is 39 even though I'm almost 63. My expected life expectancy is 106.

My dad who had such a brutal life lived to 94.

Cal

Good for you Cal.
I am losing some weight since a month . I am 65 years old.
So far so good.

Good health and happiness go hand in hand.

 

[agentlossing]

No stress, Not voting ... not shy, intimidated , or embarrassed to say
Popular Vote is a myth, the Democracy kool aid
It all gets down to the Electoral College... those 538 votes are the Real Power, Sad but true

America is supposed to be a representative republic. Of course, the founders intended for the representatives to be virtuous and have integrity, but...

 

[Calzone]

Good for you Cal.
I am losing some weight since a month . I am 65 years old.
So far so good.

Good health and happiness go hand in hand.

Raid,

I avoid the gym in my building because I deem it not so safe.

Covid-15 is the reported 15 pounds of weight gain that many experienced during lockdowns.

For me I figured out that I had to shorten my feeding envelope from 10-12 hours to 8-9 hours. No real suffering going on here and no real changes to my diet. I still eat a hearty dinner.

Some would call this dieting "intermittent fasting" but I suffer no hunger. For me it was a "Minus Covid-15." It was a simple adjustment. Walking and cycling are gentle exercises. Here in Madhattan it was not uncommon for Maggie or me to walk 10-12 miles on a Saturday, and then again on a Sunday. I walk 2.3 miles to work and home each way.

This baby-Victorian is about 4 blocks away from a 1500 acre preserve that has some of the best mountain biking single track in the northeast. I imagine my level of fitness and strength to revert back to when I was decades younger.

Back in my 30's I raced bikes and was an endurance athlete.

A funny story happened when I was 49 when at work this co-worker of mine was an elite marathon runner who had over-trained and gotten too ill to run. It was at a Friday meeting at work when he offered me his bib so I could run the New York Marathon in his place that Sunday.

Pretty much I had a day to get ready and one friend said that I ran the marathon "off the couch" because I had done no real training. I was somewhat fit from pushups and jogging 7 miles home after work say 3-4 times a week.

I ended up doing the marathon in just under 5 hours. The next day I couldn't walk. LOL. My position at the start was within sight of the Front Runners, and pretty much I had to avoid getting trampled for the first few miles, but eventually I recognized and passed those that had passed me earlier. LOL.

I could be one of those guys that get reported exceeding 115 years old. I have the lanky body and those Asian genes. Besides that I'm kinda stubborn.

Being stubborn I think many learn from immigrant parents. In this case it is a virtue, but then again I have a reputation and my friends say I'm mighty annoying. LOL.

"Maggie" my gal was annoyed with me. She was worried that I would cross the finish and stroke out like in the legend. Earlier that week in the headlines it was reported that some Olympic Marathon runner was trying to qualify for the Olympic Team and dropped in Central Park at mile 7.

"Don't tell Maggie."

She made me promise not to race, and I assured her that I just wanted to finish the 27.2 miles, but on the Staten Island Ferry I ran into this marathoner who offered me some hash brownies to prep for the race.

He let me know that he did this every year, but he also revealed that if I finished under 5 hours then my name would be published in the New York Times in some Marathon suppliment. So basically I had lied to Maggie, or simply I changed my mind.

There is a RFID issued that you tie to your running shoes for tracking and timing, so Maggie could track me on her Blackberry. In Williamsburg, just before the halfway point I ran out of a pack, kissed Maggie on the cheek, and said, "I got to go," before she could yell at me.

My half marathon time was 2 hours 10 minutes at Greenpoint the halfway point, but I made a painful mistake and got on a line to use a Porta-Potty to pee. I figured this would be my last chance before crossing the Queensboro Bridge into Madhattan.

I wasted 7 minutes, and stopping I rudely discovered was a mistake. I had a spike of lactic acid and the second half marathon was all about threshold of pain and suffering.

Somewhere in the north end of Central Park was a sign that said only 4 miles to the finish, but somehow I saw that sign 4 times. At that point I must of been hallucinating. I cursed to myself saying that Central Park is not that big "GXX-dam-it." I checked my Rolex and had to speed up to beat the 5 hour clock.

Anyways crossing the finish was one of those peak events in ones life. Not so different that having sex for the first time.

So my friend who have me his bib is Southeast Asian, and he has one of those Indian names that is long and un-pronounce-able. I ended up buying a plaque with a metalized photo of me running in Central Park with the my time, but instead of my name there is my friend's name that has something like 26-27 letters in it.

Evidently my training as a cyclist helped me. Inside I have this goal of possibly living past 115 years. I have all the right stuff if I don'y get stabbed or shot.

Cal

 

[Ko.Fe.]

The missus and I are fortunate to have a paid off house (Although you never 'own' your home, just the right to pay property taxes....)
Housing is a problem everywhere. We have been back in our house for just over three years and in that time have provided temporary accommodation for two friends and a family of three, (not all at the same time). None of these friends were deadbeats or the cause of their housing distress, the circumstances just came upon them. The family arranged for housing at the beginning of October. Although I do enjoy now being able to dash from the bedroom to the laundry room in my underwear I know with present conditions we are probably playing host again sometime.

We have paid off mortgage with entire family support (three generation effort and sacrifices, not just via regular payments), but local pension is not supporting living in it. Affordable housing is diminishing quickly where most of Canada population is. Toronto is something like ten+ years waiting list.

Housing is not a problem in developed world. At least in courtiers I have been or have ties with.
Finland was providing affordable housing. At least before EU.

Our relatives are in Belgium and younger one is working as forklift operator. He is treated completely different for salary and benefits comparing how it is done here. And he has decent place to live, provided with municipal support. Not an option here.

 

[valdas]

Housing is not a problem in developed world. At least in courtiers I have been or have ties with.
Finland was providing affordable housing. At least before EU.

Yes, Finland still has this. But that is not the most important thing. They have one of the best education system (if not THE best) in the world and this is paid by tax payers, not private. With education comes high social mobility. Inequality is low. Health care is also quite amazing (here we have only around 100-200 new covid 19 infections a day). Again - tax money. People are happy. Not without issues, buy hey - the only thing I can complain when I stay here is the weather. And a regular american would call that system a true socialism 🙂 But here in EU social-democracy is not confused with the authoritarian leftist regime. By the way Bernie would be quite in the center of the political specter in Nordics, even more to the right 🙂

 

[Calzone]

We have paid off mortgage with entire family support (three generation effort and sacrifices, not just via regular payments), but local pension is not supporting living in it. Affordable housing is diminishing quickly where most of Canada population is. Toronto is something like ten+ years waiting list.

Housing is not a problem in developed world. At least in courtiers I have been or have ties with.
Finland was providing affordable housing. At least before EU.

Our relatives are in Belgium and younger one is working as forklift operator. He is treated completely different for salary and benefits comparing how it is done here. And he has decent place to live, provided with municipal support. Not an option here.

KoFe,

I never thought I could afford buying a home, nor retire early.

It saddens me what you report.

Like I said before, "I'm not so worried about myself anymore, I'm more concerned about others."

Although we have not met, you come across as a thoughtful man. It seems a byproduct of capitalism is somehow that prosperity somehow can be and is often not distributed fairly.

Also with all the government subsidies of banks and failed busineses (zombies) one could say this social support is no longer free market capitalism. I don't want to call it a name, but equally different and unfair.

Hard to label what is going on today, but much of the debt and losses of 2007-2008 got "Socialized" and the taxpayers are paying for these losses. Clearly this is not free market capitalism.

I wonder if things were allowed to collapse though if we would be any better. Certainly mucho suffering of the less powerful would happen in what I would call "The Greater Depression."

Heads they loose; Tails they loose.

All I know is that even though I'm lucky, even though I'm going to enjoy retirement, that also somehow I will still struggle to do the right thing to help others and make a better world.

Know that I will always struggle. We want our lives to have true meaning. Partially this is why I believe we are photographers. We all struggle.

Here in the U.S. 70% of the population does not have enough money to retire. If they do retire it ends up being a debt spiral of sorts. Conversely only 30% have enough resources to have a sustainable retirement.

I worked under a bully for the past two decades so I can enjoy having a second pension. I also took jobs for security rather than pay, meaning lower compensation as salary. I also was cheap-cheap and cheap and lived like a hose-bag for decades.

Ever had three slices of Pizza for dinner for years? Ever live in a rented room like someone homeless? Ever have Thanksgiving Diner provided by the Salvation Army in the Bowelry? Not that I'm proud of those experiences, or that I'm bragging, but the idea here is to keep struggling until something gives.

Survivors don't give up.

Governments should know that hungry children is what caused Arab Spring, and I see hungry people and suffering all around me.

Cal

 

[paulfish4570]

heck of an american story, cal. you are blessed, indeed ...

 

[Calzone]

heck of an american story, cal. you are blessed, indeed ...

Paul,

Half the world lives in poverty.

As Americans we certainly all are blessed. To an extent we have choices.

I wish more Americans would understand the advantages that most take for granted.

I came was brought up in the Long Island suburbs. The poverty and shame of being poor even in the middle class suburbs amplified the depravity.

In high school I wore no underwear because I could not afford to.

I had three pair of Levy's, but this meant I did not eat lunch. My Levy's were nicely worn and faded, only because they got washed all the time, and also because I line dried them in the basement because we had no dryer.

Today I don't use a drier on my jeans because it wears them out faster.

I don't take anything for granted. When I see someone suffering I feel it. I think this adds to my photography, but it also makes me human.

Cal

 

[paulfish4570]

amen, amen ...

 

[JeffS7444]

I wish more Americans would understand the advantages that most take for granted.

And not just because of where we live, but also when! I wonder how many times in human history has being overweight been a widespread complaint affecting people at all income levels.

 

[Calzone]

And not just because of where we live, but also when! I wonder how many times in human history has being overweight been a widespread complaint affecting people at all income levels.

Jeff,

Instead of eating more how about eating better and cleaner?

A pretty easy concept that has great consequences for good health.

I don't own a car, but when I move to the burbs I still intend on still walking a lot, will be biking a lot more than in NYC (not really safe or enjoyable in NYC), and even if I own a car it will seldom get used.

Simple economics and simple choices. There is lots of science and research to back up my speculation that with a few lifestyle changes we could likely not only easily afford great healthcare for all, but costs would come down.

I draw the understood links between Obesity, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes: It's the chicken or the egg.

Also there is a strong link between alcohol and diabetes.

I'll ask if given the choices, is it worth an unnecessary early death or lower quality of life?

Also here in NYC smoking is crazy expensive. Drinking in bars is an easy way to remain poor.

We all have choices. Are we so trusting of government to allow or think they will protect us? Are we so entitled that we are self destructive?

Why are we not thinking? I'm not saying anything that is not public knowledge. Why are we making such bad choices? Inadvertantly I say we are killing ourselves slowly as a choice.

Did you know you can live without processed sugar? Avoiding soda can extend your life and prevent disease. Can you live without cake, candy, or sugary foods? I do.

Do you know that it is not such a big jump to suggest that processed sugar is a carcinogen because it can lead to a higher incedence of Cancer?

What are we thinking? Or are we not thinking.

The goal to live to 106, my expected life span, gets compounded because I want a life that has a high quality of life. The goal to exceed 115 years which is the current record I might attain.

I see around NYC all these people that became handicapped as they aged. Wheelchairs, oxegen assists, walkers, attendents... This is not for me.

The statistic says that 70% of Americans will need long-term care eventually. This is mucho costly, but my gamble is that I will be among the 30% who don't. My lifestyle, habits, diet, exercise, education, and income support a high probability.

What I preach is don't be a product of Madison Avenue, bad government policy, and be like Lemmings parading as a group over a cliff for no reason.

Cal

 

[JeffS7444]

Instead of eating more how about eating better and cleaner?

Cal,

I guess I didn't make my point so well: I was expressing a sense of wonder that in today's USA, even poor people may fill their bellies with inexpensive and tasty food, but I'll grant you that many of the easiest choices are bad ones if habitually consumed as they tend to be so-called "processed foods" rich in calories and low in fiber.

While I believe in the work of people like Dr. John McDougall and other advocates of a whole food, plant-based diet, I'm also well aware that many others aren't going to give up eating bacon double cheeseburgers. I think on some level the idea of living an extraordinarily long and healthy life is frightening to many people if it means outliving friends, family and needing to cope with a future which may seem alien if one's world views and cultural norms were pretty much set in stone in their 30s.

 

[raid]

As you have said, Cal, sone people don’t realize how good life in the USA is.
Thank you for your detailed posts here.

Raid

KoFe,

I never thought I could afford buying a home, nor retire early.

It saddens me what you report.

Like I said before, "I'm not so worried about myself anymore, I'm more concerned about others."

Although we have not met, you come across as a thoughtful man. It seems a byproduct of capitalism is somehow that prosperity somehow can be and is often not distributed fairly.

Also with all the government subsidies of banks and failed busineses (zombies) one could say this social support is no longer free market capitalism. I don't want to call it a name, but equally different and unfair.

Hard to label what is going on today, but much of the debt and losses of 2007-2008 got "Socialized" and the taxpayers are paying for these losses. Clearly this is not free market capitalism.

I wonder if things were allowed to collapse though if we would be any better. Certainly mucho suffering of the less powerful would happen in what I would call "The Greater Depression."

Heads they loose; Tails they loose.

All I know is that even though I'm lucky, even though I'm going to enjoy retirement, that also somehow I will still struggle to do the right thing to help others and make a better world.

Know that I will always struggle. We want our lives to have true meaning. Partially this is why I believe we are photographers. We all struggle.

Here in the U.S. 70% of the population does not have enough money to retire. If they do retire it ends up being a debt spiral of sorts. Conversely only 30% have enough resources to have a sustainable retirement.

I worked under a bully for the past two decades so I can enjoy having a second pension. I also took jobs for security rather than pay, meaning lower compensation as salary. I also was cheap-cheap and cheap and lived like a hose-bag for decades.

Ever had three slices of Pizza for dinner for years? Ever live in a rented room like someone homeless? Ever have Thanksgiving Diner provided by the Salvation Army in the Bowelry? Not that I'm proud of those experiences, or that I'm bragging, but the idea here is to keep struggling until something gives.

Survivors don't give up.

Governments should know that hungry children is what caused Arab Spring, and I see hungry people and suffering all around me.

Cal

 

[raid]

amen, amen ...

It is good to have you back on RFF, Paul.

 

[raid]

I cannot make any claims of having lived in poverty. I am a lucky dude. My father used to tell me “God loves you”. I went to private schools and I have been overweight most of my life. No complaints.

 

[paulfish4570]

thank you, Raid ...

 

[Pál_K]

I agree and could not put it any better...

When I first saw the photo I was wondering 'how did you get the sky like that?'

M.C. Escher is a very good description

Thinking about it even further, that photo has inspired me to discover what I myself might be able to do with light and dark, foreground and background.

So often I think it's necessary to travel someplace to be inspired to make new photos, but with this new project I'm sure I can find a dozen or so good images within walking distance.

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

I guess I didn't make my point so well: I was expressing a sense of wonder that in today's USA, even poor people may fill their bellies with inexpensive and tasty food, but I'll grant you that many of the easiest choices are bad ones if habitually consumed as they tend to be so-called "processed foods" rich in calories and low in fiber.

While I believe in the work of people like Dr. John McDougall and other advocates of a whole food, plant-based diet, I'm also well aware that many others aren't going to give up eating bacon double cheeseburgers. I think on some level the idea of living an extraordinarily long and healthy life is frightening to many people if it means outliving friends, family and needing to cope with a future which may seem alien if one's world views and cultural norms were pretty much set in stone in their 30s.

Jeff,

Thanks for the clarity.

Presently and similarly I am eating less meat, no processed foods, and much of my diet is plant based. I cultivate and feed the microbes in my intestines for a strong immune system.

I think your mention of how the passage of time could lead to depression and a sense of loss and grief for many is true.

There was this film called Cacoon that had a retirement community in Saint Petersburg Florida where seniors had to make a choice of immortality and the dilema it created.

One of the reasons why I consider myself a "survivor" is because I continually was forced to change and adapt. Also know that my upbringing and race made me not only well known, but also a loner because I did not fit into the communities that I grew up in.

Many people's lives become ruts, but not mine. So far in one lifetime I have lived many times.

Interesting to note that when I worked at Grumman, where they had a strong preferance for hiring veterans one of my coworkers asked me if I was in the military. The answer I told him was, "No," but I inquired why he asked.

"You would be a great Navy SEAL," he said, and than I asked him why he thought that.

He explained that I had the right personality, intelligence, alertness, and the perfect/ideal body size. I had thought a bigger and stronger man would be best, but he explained that they did not have the endurance and stamina, and their bigger more muscular bodies were a disadvantage.

I would quickly learn that "Zingo" in fact was a Navy SEAL. Later I would learn that in Navy SEAL survivor training that they say 95% of survival is due to maintaining a positive mental attitude.

This practice I seem to have as an innate trait, otherwise all the sadness, adversity, and trauma I experience at an early age would of taken me out.

In my case I already know how to rely only on myself without family, but I also make friends easily.

Also know that I have lived 47 miles away from civilization all alone for a year and a half in the Santa Fe National Forest. It was so remote that I got no TV reception. The community was 80 mailboxes on the state highway.

I already have lived many lives...

Cal

 

[rhl-oregon]

Very nice. It has an M. C. Escher quality to it - at my very first glance, for a fraction of a second, it looked like a portal floating in water or floating in the sky.

But you've noticed and captured this image wonderfully. Good use of light and dark, foreground and background. If possible, it may be fun to return to that spot and try for various other angles.

Anyway, nicely done!

————

Thank you, PK (and Chip)—I’ve been off RFF recently, photographing and composing mostly, if only to offset the dreadful vertigo associated with American political life.

This arcade is a short ways from my home; we walk there several times a week. I’ll be photographing it again. Escher is of course in the deep background for any work like this, though I also simply like arches within arches, or receding repetitive forms within archways, like this Buddhist temple in Kaua’i:

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I have not been to a restaurant since March. I have only gone street shooting just a couple of times since then. Not many people on the street, not much to shoot. I have sat home and gained weight. I have sat at home and bought cameras I don't need, only to turn around and sell them back on ebay after feeling guilty. I got out and voted Tuesday. I live in a small town so there was no line.

The positives from this incredibly bad 2020? I have learned to cook stuff I would have never thought possible and my wife and I have never been closer.

Still, I cannot wait for this year to be over. And I hope to never see another one like it.