David's Tangled Thoughts

I thought that I might need some new shocks and struts as my car has been making creaking sounds when I go over bumps. Turns out that it is worse than that. $1800 in repairs are needed for not only the shocks but also a pinion something and a bar doo-hickey. I’m now trying to run through a complex decision tree. Should I junk the car and get a Bolt EUV? There is some inventory but I have to travel hundreds of miles to get them. There is a cash incentive and I would be able to get the tax credit which would be substantial savings. However, I’m not sure I’m ready to go full electric. On occasion, I want to do road trips and with its slow charger and 250 mile range, I don’t want to do it with this vehicle.  Should I get the repair and order the Ford Escape PHEV? The order bank is open. It becomes a question of how long it the wait will be until I get the car. It could be months before it is ready. However, it will be a plug-in hybrid where I can do my day-to-day commute on electric and fa

Queen Elizabeth II died today. It wasn't a surprise as she was up there in years and we have seen her health decline. The last I had heard about her in the news was greeting the new Prime Minister. Then the very last was this morning when it was announced that the palace was concerned about her health and that family were being called in.  My republican, anti-monarchy views aside, I have, on the whole, viewed the Queen in a positive light. It was evident that she was devoted to her people and her committed to her duty. There was something about her commitment to constitutional monarchism that was comforting but also frustrating. How can remaining above politics be a force for change or for good? An age ends and another begins. I do not hold hope that King Charles III or Prince William will exude the same aura and presence. No they seem like common folk to me. Queen Elizabeth seems like she was the last of the grand monarchies. The ones shrouded in mystery and magic. And into histor

I've tried to avoid blogging about work but it has been consuming my time and thoughts lately. My transfer back has been approved. I was called earlier this week and gave my verbal acceptance of the "offer". I signed my paperwork on Thursday. Then, I found out my effective date of the transfer is the 5th. Usually, transfers are planed a minimum of two full weeks out. The reason is that schedules are created that far in advance. Also, the transfer has to take place on a Monday as that is the start of a new pay period. I had steeled myself to tough it out for another three weeks for good measure. So an effective date of the 5th was both relieving and concerning. It's relieving as I can finally stop stressing over the current job demands. But it's concerning because this is unusual and it makes me wonder if they are throwing me into a project that they might not want to be handling at the moment.  In addition, my schedule hasn't been updated and I'm not sure