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Showing posts from March, 2022

The Nissan Leaf Gets a New Rear Axle

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Well, I finally have a salvage title for the 2013 Nissan LEAF (Actually I dont have the title yet, but I think they mail it to me. We are far from settled with the insurance company for sure. It has been six months since Angie was rear ended. The following chart shows a very sad and disturbing trend. Insurance companies aren't paying out. It should be criminal. I went shopping for a new rear axle so I can get the car driving again. The rear ended axle was so bent, the car couldn't move. The new one with no connecting bits was over a thousand dollars. The cheapest used ones I could find on ebay were over 500 dollars. I finally scored at a local used parts place for 95 dollars (removed) and with associated bits such as bearings, bushings, parts of the brakes. It took me a concentrated day with cancelled and moved meetings to get the axle replaced and the car running again. The accomplishment felt good. I am now configuring the car with tractor tires and other modifications t...

Pollen Storms

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Spring is sprung and the pollen is on.

Water Main Break

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We had a water main break at the church. It brought back memories of my water main breaking one week after I bought my first house in the early 80s. And it reminded me of the quality job I did installing a water main at my house in Victor NY. I had lots of help from family and friends. I was amazed to learn that jointed CPVC pipe is allowed in Georgia for water mains. Up north water main breaks in the winter are much more of "a thing."

Professional Drone Pilot

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I am spending more attention on drone work. I am licensed, I have a drone. Skills building. I tagged along with a fellow pilot and learned how it is done. A to Z.

Georgia Weather and the Philosophy of Existential Remodeling

It was cold and blustery in Atlanta, at least for half a day or so. It snowed, but no accumulation. The winds got up to 40 mph and temps into the low 20s. Miserable for sure for Atlanta norms. But like in California this "bad" weather keeps people at home and makes it easier to shop and drive. The remodeling work progressed this weekend. Guest bath toilet moved and installed. Floor is prepared for tile and the plumbing and electrics are mocked up almost ready for completion. The one piece figerglass shower stall is still not due here for a couple more weeks. It will barely fit in the house. The window sashes will need to be removed and in it goes through the window opening. No way would it fit through the doors and halls. The characteristic of this kind of work is that it is semi-permanent. Good and bad comes with long lasting changes. It is something to rely on, but also something you have to live with.

The Russian Ukraine War

The Russian invasion of Ukraine hit pretty hard here at home. The first few days I really couldn't talk about it. Some folks called us and asked our opinions about the situation. Of course we heard that it was coming. It has been coming for the last 8 years or so. And with Crimea now having cars with Russian license plates, really validated the possibilities. The campaign for the New Russian Empire wont be easily quelled. Angie has family, money and property in Russia. Luckily we dont have any of these in Ukraine. There was some scurring around to get money moved into safe(r) banks. As with all war, the folks that pay are the refugees. Yes, the combatants take the brunt physically and emotionally. But the families of the combatants, the displaced and the dispora have their lives significantly changed-- generally forever. To us this is clearly Putin's last seige. How long and where it ultimately goes will only be determined by how long he lives. I really find it distast...