Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Rick,
Glad to hear that you and your wife got closer. "True love," I say.
The same happened for me.
Lock downs though compounded by the stress has caused many others to get divorced.
It seems for many being locked down destroyed many relationships.
We are both lucky.
One of the foods I rediscovered was "Fried Motza." Pretty much you beat a few eggs and break up some Motza and fry in a little butter. In a ways like a Jewish version of French Toast. Motza has a shelf life of about a year, and I say, "It should be in everyone's pantry" just in case...
I like carmeled purple onions to add to the fried Motza. I will use 4 eggs (open range and grain fed), but I only utilize one yoke. Since I suffer dry skin I use olive oil as if maple syrup.
Has a nice texture and if I had the time I'd eat this for breakfast every day, but know that at times I'll have this for diner.
If anything good came out of the pandemic it is these new pastas made from either Chick Peas or Red Lentals. These pastas are abundant in protein and are basically made from only one ingredient. This is a better pasta and better for your health.
Over the past 9 months I learned a lot about what I really need to be happy. Somehow I spend less, I eat better, and I lost about 15 pounds by just shortening my feeding envelope from 10-12 hours to 8-9 hours, and I suffer no hunger and eat big dinners.
Even though I am surrounded by sadness by what I see when I walk the streets of the disadvantaged struggling I feel contented because I waste no time on petty things, and I maintain a simple and modest life.
"Never knew anyone who had a complicated life that was happy," I say.
Cal
huddy
Well-known
Cal,
Thanks for your contributions. I always enjoy reading your posts and will be forever grateful for your Diafine slackers brew.
You are spot on about America being a land that is about individual freedom and choice. Any time that we drift away from that, the uniquely American experiment is going awry. Mind you, I'm not advocating hedonism, rampant consumption/materialism, etc.
We should always be skeptical of trusting the government at all levels; the ability to leverage power for personal/industrial/corporate gain at the expense of the well-being of individual Americans and global humanity is very attractive to parties that are not morally opposed to using that ability for their selfish gain. Those types are certainly not above fearmongering and manufacturing tribalism to divide and terrify people to make them more easily controlled.
You are absolutely right that we still have it better here than most of the rest of the world, even though many that are here who have/continue to face struggles every day. Some of that is inherent to systems as they are and some are inherent to life.
We should individually and collectively treat all people and groups with respect and dignity, even those that society would say are the very least. This works pretty well for me and helps me to get along well with folks regardless of what differences we may all while ignoring a lot of the political sphere.
Edit, here here to high quality food/nutrition and a lot of healthy plants in the diet. Most of our health issues would be dramatically reduced if we ignored all the decades of 'expert' recommendations that went against what we could see with our own eyes. Don't even get me started on the sick-care industry that is largely funded by the pharmaceutical industry in the US, although allopathic medicine definitely has it's place.
Thanks for your contributions. I always enjoy reading your posts and will be forever grateful for your Diafine slackers brew.
You are spot on about America being a land that is about individual freedom and choice. Any time that we drift away from that, the uniquely American experiment is going awry. Mind you, I'm not advocating hedonism, rampant consumption/materialism, etc.
We should always be skeptical of trusting the government at all levels; the ability to leverage power for personal/industrial/corporate gain at the expense of the well-being of individual Americans and global humanity is very attractive to parties that are not morally opposed to using that ability for their selfish gain. Those types are certainly not above fearmongering and manufacturing tribalism to divide and terrify people to make them more easily controlled.
You are absolutely right that we still have it better here than most of the rest of the world, even though many that are here who have/continue to face struggles every day. Some of that is inherent to systems as they are and some are inherent to life.
We should individually and collectively treat all people and groups with respect and dignity, even those that society would say are the very least. This works pretty well for me and helps me to get along well with folks regardless of what differences we may all while ignoring a lot of the political sphere.
Edit, here here to high quality food/nutrition and a lot of healthy plants in the diet. Most of our health issues would be dramatically reduced if we ignored all the decades of 'expert' recommendations that went against what we could see with our own eyes. Don't even get me started on the sick-care industry that is largely funded by the pharmaceutical industry in the US, although allopathic medicine definitely has it's place.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Huddy,
It is not only governments that we have to heed.
The most beautiful concept in Judism for me is the idea of being a chosen people and the way a Jewish friend explained to me as being DXX's chosen people that true Jews should lead by example and be a better people. I try to be a better person is my takeaway.
What I takeaway from Christianity is both love and tolerance.
From Native Americans I see the wisdom of respect for nature and the natural world. I take it so far that even a camera or guitar can have "Mojo" and a spiritual sense of value, even though it is an inadimite object.
From eastern religions I look for peace within myself and not in the material world.
Lastly I think the best example of tolerance, forgiveness and respect was when Mohammid forebid the killing of his enemy's when he captured and returned to Mecca.
Did you know that in Mohamid's time that women had equal status of men and women could own property? What happened is a good question.
Anyways we should practice what we preach, but I don't see that happening. BTW while I believe in Gxx, I practice no organized religion.
Basically I take what I see as good and I try to live a life by example even though I am not Jewish.
If you want to believe in "Divine Intervention" I do. I have had such remarkable luck that is truely remarkable. For an example read the post in the New York Meet-Up thread where yesterday on my walk from work I basically found a 1966 54 year old Blackface Fender guitar amp on the curb on 81st Street near 1st Avenue.
I can easily restore this amp and when restored it is worth about $2.5K.
A few people have said to me, "Good things happen to good people." I think this is true.
So there is a spiritual side to life for me. I think life should have meaning or what's the point of existence. Sadly I see a lack of morals and many people who a spiritually bankrupt that have no meaning in their lives.
You should know that I'm kind of a quiet person and if it were not for this thread none of this would be shared.
Cal
Rick Waldroup
Well-known
Thanks for the response, Cal. And especially thank you for the food tips.
Yes, I know two couples who have filed for divorce the past couple of months. Things seemed just fine until the lockdown....
We are both lucky, my friend.
Yes, I know two couples who have filed for divorce the past couple of months. Things seemed just fine until the lockdown....
We are both lucky, my friend.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
A few Presidential elections ago I was walking to work and on the Manhattan sidewalks and every few blocks were these free newspapers. One of these free newspapers is called "The Onion" that is a funny paper that jibs and riffs off current events, trends, and policies as a farse.
On this particular day the headline was: "Black Man Gets The Worse Job Ever," and there was a picture of President Elect Obama. LOL.
Still funny today.
Cal
On this particular day the headline was: "Black Man Gets The Worse Job Ever," and there was a picture of President Elect Obama. LOL.
Still funny today.
Cal
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I still remember how on next day known USA news paper came after him and Michele with caricature drawing them as Taliban fighters. It was totally out of whack. I would say, inappropriate.
f.hayek
Well-known
..and I remember when the same said fellow proposed his convoluted health care plan and famously declared that the opposition, "can sit at the back of the bus" while he did what he wanted.
Grace begets grace in return, just as condescension begets acrimony and ill-will.
JeffS7444
Well-known
Cal, I had forgotten about that movie, will re-watch if I can. And you reminded me of another which asks the question "What if a man were immortal and had been a central figure in the origins of some modern religions?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mOIxyRTY5I
Speaking of belief-systems, I've been meaning to get back to reading Brad Warner's Don't Be A Jerk partly I admit, because it has a kaiju on the cover (and Warner has an actual kaiju-movie background). Simple though it might sound at first, the practice of not being a jerk can be kind of profound.
Jeff
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Cal, I had forgotten about that movie, will re-watch if I can. And you reminded me of another which asks the question "What if a man were immortal and had been a central figure in the origins of some modern religions?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mOIxyRTY5I
Speaking of belief-systems, I've been meaning to get back to reading Brad Warner's Don't Be A Jerk partly I admit, because it has a kaiju on the cover (and Warner has an actual kaiju-movie background). Simple though it might sound at first, the practice of not being a jerk can be kind of profound.
Jeff
Jeff,
As photographers are we not trying to have some form of immortality through our photography?
Prints and negatives can survive beyond our lifespans. If we are lucky is this the immortality we seek?
Also I say that "Time is the best editor." Ideally we create a few images that become universally "Iconic" and by that I mean that an image or moment is captured that once shared will be deeply remembered.
I also believe in "classic culture" that is so universal that no matter how much time elapses that it remains "timeless" and relevant. Great art, music and writing basically endures.
As far as immortality goes, I believe in the conservation of energy, and through memory and legend one's spirit can live on and vicariously have an effect on others.
In art school I met Ken McIntire a Jazz basson player who was the convenior of the Jazz Music program. This was in the 70's and Ken looked like Shaft and was an intimidating man. He would yell at students and get angry.
Truth was I was kinda afraid of him, but one day I knocked on his office door and asked him directly why he was so mean at times and got so angry.
He asked me to sit down and I saw a side of him that was not exposed in class where he made me an insider. He explained that everyone would like to be an accomplished musician, but unless they do a Louie Armstrong who dedicated two years of his life where he obsessively played his horn single mindedly to become great, that he did not have the time to waste on students that did not listen or were not serious.
Point blank is he wanted students to withdraw from the huge class so he could teach the ones that had talent, dedication and discipline.
There was a blackboard where one had to sign in. I was consistently the first, and Ken took note of that. Many students towards the middle and end of the list got no performance time.
In the end Ken was an influential mentor who changed my life. I knew because of my disrupted childhood and life that I would be unable to do what "Pop's" had done, and I had no family or resources to pursue the struggle required. The most important lesson Ken taught me was about avoiding mediocrity, and we live in a world that is full of mediocrity. I ended up not becoming a music major.
So one day, decades later, I was listening to some Jazz broadcast from Newark on WGBO a Public Broadcast Station, and the DJ reported the passing of Ken McIntire. Tears...
This is a man who gave me what I needed to be great, Ken's spirit lives on, and I am pretty sure I'm not the only one who was profoundly influenced by Ken.
You should know that there is a long list of men who were fatherly figures who saw something great in me. Together they gave me what my poor father could not. They taught me what it was to be a man, how to grow up, and helped me become the person I am today.
My father was a weak man.
So in the end I think I likely disappointed many people who saw great potential in me. My disrupted life with so many starts and stops though seems to make more sense at this age. I can be proud of my struggle, and I can also say I remain humble and will continue to struggle in the decades ahead because of men like Ken.
You should know that when I retire in about 14 months at the age of 64 I will have the time to woodshed and develop my chops on the guitar and bass. I won't have a disrupted life anymore. In a ways it is like getting the childhood that I was cheated out of.
Cal
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Cal, all eyes are on this Friday closing today!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
KoFe,
Seems like the lawyers will try to make the closing date either Thursday or Friday of next week. The Seller's lawyer won't be free until then.
So my closing could be Friday the 13th. I'm cool with that, and that is kinda my style. The super-STISH-ion is that 13 is unlucky because it is a number that promotes change, and most people resist change, but not me.
I have always embraced change, and I live for experience. I don't want to be a boring person or live a life stuck in a rut. Also know that Pro-Mone from the New York Meet-Up hates how I promote something so unscientific. It really annoys him. LOL.
Growing up on Long Island it is a place that is famous for whining. All these unhappy people complaining, and understand along with all the complaining comes a lack of humility that I would call entitlement.
Some researcher quantified the whining in a serious research study and found that Long Islanders whine five times the National Average. I'm not making this stuff up.
Also Long Island has the highest amount of single women. I wonder if that has a correlation with the whining data. LOL. I have an unproven theory and I believe there is a correlation. Who wants to marry a person who is unhappy and complains all the time. Certainly this does not contribute to a happy marriage.
What compounds this is that women like to stay close to their mothers and tend not to migrate as much as men. I for one left all the complaining behind. I grew sick of it, and basically said to myself, "If you don't like your life please do something other than complain."
So of course what I'm saying above is grossly an exaggeration, but it also could be accurate and true.
I failed to mention to you in another post to you what I had wished I mentioned, "You get what you give," but in fact I have found that I have gotten back more than I ever gave. Again, "Good things happen to good people."
So many remarkable things seem to happen to me. This house that others saw no love is just so perfect. No bidding wars and we actually not only took advantage of a price drop, we also are paying less than the asking price, a lower bid was accepted.
How did all that happen? "Divine intervention," I say.
Earlier in the week I found that 1966 Fender Blackface Pro Reverb guitar amp being thrown out on my walk home from work. It needs some TLC, but when restored it is worth about $2.5K
Check out the link I posted in the NYC Meet-Up thread.
BTW the highest percentage of single men is in San Francisco, a gay community. This is based on old data, I'm sure that more gay men are married now that it is legal.
Cal
hap
Well-known
what you "discovered" is Motza brei....a somewhat traditional food for Passover.
a number of ways to make it...I suggest that you do it however you like. I would add many people use sour cream and jam on the side. I've taken a likeing to creme fraiche and honey.
Stale motza not a bad idea for motza brei.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Nobody whining at Brighton Beach?
Many in Canada aren't married. Married couples getting much smaller persons. $25,746 for couples, $15,970 annually for singles.
Friday 13 is now marked for happy closing!
Many in Canada aren't married. Married couples getting much smaller persons. $25,746 for couples, $15,970 annually for singles.
Friday 13 is now marked for happy closing!
Excellent idea, and surely a reasonable relief from those election and viral stresses!
largedrink
Down Under
raid
Dad Photographer
The old Canon LTM lenses are great lenses. Your image above is a great image.
Sal Santamaura
Member
Only COVID-19 stress remaining now. U.S. Election stress completely relieved. Celebration in progress.
f.hayek
Well-known
Covid is cured now, I guess.
Sal Santamaura
Member
The pandemic, however, is raging with great intensity. Thus my comment immediately above yours about how COVID-19 stress continues.
It will be an immense challenge to have science drive a coordinated national response to uncontrolled transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. I have confidence that dedicated public service heroes like Dr. Anthony Fauci will work tirelessly toward that end, but the task is monumental. That's why my stress about this disease continues.
keytarjunkie
no longer addicted
Um, what? Back here in reality, many places in Europe are shutting down this week, with the highest daily positive tests since the pandemic started. But again, this thread is supposed to be a distraction from that, so can we please stop bringing up these topics? I already have to spend every waking moment of the day trying to find employment in the toughest job market in ninety years, can we please just focus on photography?