Back on the farm in Summer

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I trailered a towable man lift (bucket lift) from Georgia to New York. The thing that made it eventful is that I had to drive my truck. My 2017 Chevy 3500 HD service truck (with only 31k miles) is not my Tesla. I have grown very accustomed to the Tesla self-driving, navigation and general hi-tech luxury. The truck, although I am very fond of my truck, is stressful and expensive to drive compared to the Tesla. Being on the farm alone has been an eye opener. I had forgotten how quiet and in-nature this place is. Very occasionaly a car or plane comes by and disrupts the void, but only occasionally. It has been very reflective. It is the first time I have been up here from Georgia without a specific date I must be back for... or so it seems. "All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone."-- Blaise Pasacal mid 1600s. I guess I am working on humanity's problems. It can take a lot out of you. I feel good about some of the pics I ha...
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I have been traveling. This past week I was in Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. It snowed. I realized the last time I saw snow was in Finland last winter. It wasn't in NY. Winter is fine and even snow is ok, but I am remembering that early snow in Winter (or late in Fall). It is a bit depressing and certainly the last snow in April will not become a holiday anytime soon.

Some of my ducks are back. I am again working on them to be less fearful with bribes of food, it seems to work.

I bought a new car. I ended up getting a Nissan Leaf. It is all electric, no engine, none of that hybrid stuff. It is a near zero maintenance car (Nissan says zero maintenance). It doesn't even have any belts. It has a very simple single ratio transmission, a battery and a motor. It is fun and has almost no noise. It is like driving in the future. My plan is to "plug in" everywhere except for home. I have a keen look out for electric outlets in parking lots everywhere. There are growing numbers of Level 2 (240 VAC) chargers appearing which have a much quicker charge time.

I haven't settled on the terms of my totaled car with USAA insurance (the guy who hit me, his insurance company). I knew it as soon as he hit me I was going to get screwed despite the accident being 100% his fault. Despite knowing that, I am offended by the "replacement value" offered. I took all of the cars like mine on craigslist and the average is considerably more than what USAA offers. So I am auguring with them. What about my procurement costs? What about items I added to the car? These practices by the insurance companies are undoubtedly unethical and should be illegal. I would be much more relaxed with what they do it they didnt hold my wrecked car ransom. They sell the parts. Not ok. I should be able to watch them destroy the engine for example, just like they did with the Obama's "Cash for Clunkers" program. These practices are what make people hate insurance companies. I wont get everything I am looking for since this a cartel of (should be) illegal activities with insurance companies. They make the laws through lobbying. Insurance is truly gambling. I am grateful neither of us was hurt.

The huge smoke cloud at the airport got my attention. I still don't know what is was.


Comments

David said…
What's your opinion on Tesla Motors? Now that their Supercharger network is steadily growing, it seems like a much better (although way more costly) alternative than any other (so called) EVs; and pluging in at a Supercharger is free for life. Here a link to the current Supercharger network as well as their plans for opening new ones: http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger
6:16 AM
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