Am I financing? Bwah ha ha ha!

 When I purchased my house, I thought my heating system was bonkers. It used hot water from a tank and blew the air over that to be heated up. Like a boiler... kinda? I had made some inquiries to businesses in the area because if this broke, who would fix it? The best lead I got was familiar with the system but didn't service it. I knew that when the system goes, I would be replacing it with an entirely new system. Well that day came.

The old system with its water tank.

The new system. Notice the old water tank is gone.

A couple years ago the air conditioning had gone out too but summers are pretty mild and I had gotten away with a window unit.

After the car purchase and also a garage door repair needed, I had to finance this. I took a few thousand dollars to pay off the existing loan that I had out for the window replacements. I can apply the money that had been going to the windows loan to go on top of the loan I now have out for this system. That will help me get this paid off sooner than the 15year term at 12.99%.

Meet Bob

 I ordered my Ford Escape PHEV on October 13, 2022 and I finally took delivery on September 1, 2023.

h/t to my salesman

Meet Bob. Actually, I thought I would come up with a better name since my last car was named Patty because I got her on St. Patrick's Day. But after spending about three minutes trying to think of something clever, I threw in the towel and settled on Bob.

So this is a base model PHEV. It doesn't have things like a heads up display, 360 degree camera, premium audio system, etc. Mind you, I came from a base fiesta. Patty had roll-down windows and didn't even have cruise control. This is a very big upgrade for me.

A little over two weeks in, I've hit 1,000 miles. I've tried to force some non-ev time. I'm not sure what kind of engine break in is needed for this. I figured I should do some of that and get its first oil change before I head down to Florida with it in November. So far, just one and one-quarter tanks of gas used. Averaging 86 mpg.

Most of the time, I am able to charge up at work. I'm not sure how it well it will work in winter but for right now, it's enough to get me home and back. 

Car Caput and Friends to the Fair

 

I was on my way to the county fair when my car wasn't rolling backwards like it usually does. It seemed like it was up against a chock. I applied some gas and heard some scrapping. this residue was left on my driveway. I drove around for a bit and then stopped. I felt some heat coming off the driver's rear wheel. Yup, something was wrong with the brakes.

Well I can't go to the fair without a car to get me there so I resigned myself to missing the fair this year and steeled myself for the possibility of having to bike to work. I bitched about this on facebook. My friend Autumn saw the post and offered to pick me up as she and her husband, Brett, were heading there this evening.

So the fair was saved. I got my steak tips and elephant ear.

While I was waiting to hear about my car, I relaxed on the porch.

After getting my car back--with new brakes-- today, I headed to the fair one last time with another friend, Chase. He had never been there despite being a local. It blew my mind. I think he really wanted to eat, though. Dude packed away four corn dogs!

To the UP: Kitch-iti-kipi and Pictured Rocks

 

Kitch-iti-kipi is a spring with amazingly clear water. I got there at park opening and aside for a park worker, I was the only one there. I took the raft out to the middle of the lake to watch the sediment get disturbed the water gushing from the ground as well as watch the fish. When I came back, three other people were waiting for me to dock. One couple turned out to be from South Bend. Small world!

I was supposed to take a boat tour of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I may not seem like it but the wind was bad enough that it was cancelled. So I headed up to Miners Castle and Miners Beach.

To the UP: Superior Falls and Lake of the Clouds

Vacation! Most of the time I spent at home doing some odds and ends. I decided, though, that I needed to see more of my state. This would be my third trip to the UP but the first time, I'd visit the western end.

The first destination is Superior Falls which is on the far western point of Michigan. When I got there, there was a couple from Pennsylvania that was heading back to their car. They asked me if I knew where the falls were. I had to admit that I didn't know because this was my first visit. I knew there were falls, though. The guy said that they saw some water pipes at a power station but that was it. As I made my way up the river, I came to the place they had mentioned. I went through the facility to continue along the river and shortly after, saw the falls. It was shame they had not gone further.

Traveling east I came to the Lake of the Clouds. I hiked a little along the path but the bugs really were unbearable. 

Still Waiting On an Escape

I placed an order for a Ford Escape PHEV back in October. Five months later and I am no closer to getting into the driver's seat. Ford sent me an email today to confirm that the wait continues.

Over the past few months, I have been watching for videos on this model. Unfortunately they are top trim models and not what I am purchasing. I ordered the base as I didn't think that the $4.5k price increase was worth the features that I cared about. Namely the full digital instrument cluster and the premium speakers. The rest of it--like the front end light bar or auto park system I didn't care whether I had them or not. What I wanted to see was what the base instrument cluster and the cloth seating was like.

Although I would like it now, I do need to save money for a HVAC replacement. As long as my little Fiesta holds up, I can wait on this.

Pure Blue Michigan

Conventional wisdom holds that the party of the sitting President takes a beating in the midterms. There was talk about a "Red Wave." I had my doubts of a wave but I did expect the Republicans to claw back enough seats to flip the House and maybe the Senate. It was just a question of how much. To my surprise the Democrats have done very well. As I write this, there are still enough seats in a tossup that no party has control of either chambers yet.

The Dems in my home state of Michigan did very well. Governor Whitmer was able to fend off Tudor Dixon. The Attorney General and Secretary of State also held their seats. Proposition 3 which would protect abortion access in the state constitution also passed. These wins weren't unexpected though. What I wasn't paying attention to was that the Democrats have now taken the State House and State Senate. I have always accepted that the Republicans would hold on to the legislature and it would take a massive shift in public opinion to kick them out. While I wouldn't say that there is a massive shift, I'm happy to be wrong all the same.

I expect the governor to take this power and run with it but let her be warned--what happens in the next two years will be on her and her party. I wish her well.

I Need a New Car. But Which?

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 fall back on the gas engine when I want to go on those road trips. Plus, this is the vehicle where I can transport my bike or lash a kayak on the top. Yet, I won’t be guaranteed the tax credit as I won’t purchase until 2023. 

I hate that this repair has wiped out a large amount of the savings that I have made for the down payment for the new car. 

It seems like there is always something that sucks out my savings around here! The water heater, the roof, the car. This place is a disaster.

The Queen is Dead.

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 history those should go.

I will be interested to see how the new king reigns. Will he be reserved like his mother or will he use his power to advocate for the changes he wants? I don't know yet. I'll be watching. Long live the King.

Erm. That Was Quick...

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 what hours I will be working past this Sunday. My official schedule still has me on overnights and does not reflect the transfer of position.

Moving Back

I talked with two of my bosses who said that my previous position wasn’t filled yet. They haven’t had good candidates and the one they did make an offer to, didn’t take it. I was telling them that this new position wasn’t working out well. Turns out, they have been having little problems with my old department too. It seems fortunate then, that they were open to having me come back rather than continue with the candidate list. 

I took this new position as an opportunity for career growth. While I know that I could do the job, I am not finding any joy in it. It has been stressful trying to handle staff over a radio when I can’t understand half of what is going on. It’s a bit simplistic but try to imagine having one voice in one ear, another voice in another ear, and then trying to focus on a task in front of you. It’s too much. 

Only the management team are aware so far that I would like to leave. The director has approved the transfer and now I am waiting on HR to act. I have three or four weeks to slog through this including a Labor Day weekend. 

 

It’s a long way until vacation in December but I am so looking forward to it.

Tired

The first overnight shift has been completed and I am tired. The sun had already rose by the time I got home and I had trouble staying asleep. Ultimately, I got up with less than six hours in. Now I am counting down the hours before the next shift begins.

In my previous position I worked right outside the manager's office. It was good as I got to socialize with them. As I have feared, I will barely see them now. I do hope, though, that we will continue to hang outside of work. One of them gave me a little of that hope last night when he asked if I'd be interested in going shooting.

I need a nap before I go into work tonight.

Am I Really Moving Up?

I've gone from an office to cubicle to a hutch and I'm now going to a shared computer. Even though my pay is a lot more than it was five years ago, my working space is sure taking a downward track!

I cleared out my desk today as I will be moving down the hall. I don't even have my own desk anymore. I will be sharing with at least six others. This is the last snapshot before I starting taking it down.

I have an old coworker from Archway that will be applying for my position. It'll be a long shot as there are other internal applicants that he will be up against. With his experience he would do well.

Another friend, Raul, is going to apply for a few positions. When we were talking over the phone he seemed to be overthinking everything and getting stressed out. The application process does look daunting but if you are going to get a government license, there's a lot to submit. Raul was also worried because he doesn't have much experience. I had to point out that there isn't much in the way of casinos around these parts. Of you course, they are drawing from an applicant pool whose members don't have casino experience. 

 

Saturday Sundae

A cousin of mine invited me and the extend family over to my uncle's house to meet his new wife. Due to COVID, we weren't able to meet earlier. My mom is excited for him as his wife is also a filipina. It's been many years since I last saw my cousin. We don't keep in touch so it was a little weird trying to talk to him. His wife was actually much easier. Perhaps because there are some shared experiences and knowledge. I hope that I didn't make her feel as if she was being interrogated. Before she left, I did suggest that she go see the lake. I don't think people can properly appreciate how vast Lake Michigan is until they step on the beach and see for themselves. 

I have an invitation to go out to Las Vegas and visit. I'm not a fan of the city. I'm not a gambler after all. Visiting after I have started working at a casino, though? Maybe I'll see it with a new perspective. 

A Burger and a Job

Today was a good day. Chase and I had made a plans to check out a burger joint about 40 minutes north of us. It's like a road stand burger joint in the middle of nowhere. Yet, I can see why it gets good reviews. Big burgers for the right price. I seriously underestimated the size of these things and looked like a fool trying to get it in my mouth!

I think more importantly, it was good to get out with someone. With my work schedule the way it is, I find it difficult trying to connect with people. Unfortunately, it's about to get worse.

I signed papers for a promotion of sorts. A 10% raise spoke to me. Plus, I had to make a career decision again lest I let myself get stuck again. I have a tendency to find a comfortable place and stick it out. When I started this job, I made decided that I needed to take opportunities when they presented themselves. I can not go through life playing it safe.

This is a needed stepping stone in my career path. It's analogous to MSU's 200 level courses. It'll be tough. It'll suck, but if I get through it, the rewards may be worth it. What I worry now is that I will now be working overnights. Nothing is final, yet, but as the newest person in the position, I'll likely get the unwanted shifts.

Baseball and Fireworks

 I won tickets to the South Bend Cubs baseball game. What could be more American than celebrating Independence Day with a baseball game and fireworks?

I invited my parents to join me. Even though our home team lost, it was still a good night.

We're Not Together

I have been crushing hard on one of my coworkers for a couple of years. A mutual friend has remarked that we are so similar. We get along great. It's hard to read him though. Sometimes he indicates that he is straight by talking about a crush or brings up the lady that he is dating. Yet, there are other times where there is this doublespeak and I get this vibe that he may not be straight. That same mutual friend mentioned above, gets that vibe as well.

Three of us were talking today and he and I were going back and forth on the banter. It was close to his time to go and the third said something along the lines of, "are you leaving me too?" She thought that I was leaving as the same time as my crush. I was not.

"Oh, we're not together."

I looked at him and saw his face. It dropped and he looked hurt. He was also quiet. I laughed to emphasize that it was doublespeak banter. Yet, I was dying inside. I regretted saying it.

A little later in the day, the other coworker came up to me and remarked, "Did you see his face? It was like his pet had died."

There are so many conflicting signals that I get from him. As I said to one friend, "He is [straight] until he says he isn't." 

Frozen and Humiliation

A group of managers want me to apply for a floor supervisor position. It's a parallel position to the one I currently have but it opens up the possibility of going further up the management track. The trouble is that I don't want to go out on the floor. My current position tests my introverted nature enough as it is. Would I want a position that doesn't pay more but adds more stress?

I have to push on so I went online to put in my application. Another posting caught my eye, however. It was a Management in Training position. This surprised me as this is a tribal program. I wouldn't expect to see it on the public postings. I looked at the requirements - tribal citizen was not one of them. I brought this up to some people at work and they were questioning it to but encouraged me to try it out anyways.

I made an application for the floor sup position. I also did it for the MIT position. In the middle of the application for that, a question popped up to ask if I was a citizen. Of course, I have to be honest and as soon as I submitted that I wasn't, the app wrapped up my application and ended it. I'm feeling a little humiliated. I really would have like to have gotten that.

A friend may have something else up her sleeve, however...

Well Meaning... But Execution? Meh.

It took a while but the second set of COVID tests that I ordered from USPS arrived. It looks like they poorly planned these shipments. They arrived in big commercially sold envelopes. So glad my tax dollars are at work! /s

These are good to have. I have gone through my initial set with some concerns that I developed COVID again. I have been vaxed and boostered but you never know if you get a breakthrough case. Fortunately in both cases, I tested negatively. Turns out I was regular sick.
 

I Want to Buy a Car--With these Gas Prices?!

Gas broke the $5.00 mark in my hometown. The local Shell station has it at $5.25/gal. My friend texted me that when he filled up the van he was driving, it was $100 even with his tribal discount that receives. Quick head math leads me to dread when my little Ford Fiesta is going to cost me $50 just to fill up. I'm glad that I bought that car when we were going through our last gasoline crisis.

Patty (yes, I named my car) is getting up there in age and I've been thinking about getting a new car. Some other recent financial setbacks has made me put off that. The Toyota Corolla Cross has been on my mind for almost a year now. About a week ago, I saw a press release that they will be debuting a hybrid version later this year. There isn't any details like pricing or how many mpgs this is expected to get. I've heard 38 mpgs to low 40s. I will keep an eye on this.

In the mean time, I may start biking to work. I've done it a few times and it is stressful biking through the west side of South Bend because I'm biking on the streets with cars. These gas prices are sure helping push me onto them, though!