I could do with a little less stress. I feel like every little extra thing is about to shove me over the edge. I’ve been so filled with worry about health-related issues and worry about my mom and guilt over my sister dealing with all of it, and the usual crazy at work, that tonight when I misjudged and hit a curb (AGAIN WTF) with the Tesla, I almost lost it completely.
I’ve never had a car I dislike so much. I love having an ELECTRIC car, but I hate the Tesla more and more. Not just because of Elon Musk, whom I loathe (regardless of the fact that we bought the car before he turned into a MAGA-waving transphobic jerk, the signs were already there), but because I have never had a car that I am constantly banging into things because it’s wider than I think and lower than any car ought to be. I’m not a careless driver and yet I’ve scraped and dented and bumped this car into curbs more than any other car I have EVER driven. It’s making me crazy. Even Anders confessed that he has hit curbs with it, too, and he’s the most careful driver I know. UGH.
And that was after a good, mostly relaxing weekend, where some of my health worries were relieved a bit by my test results and doctor’s appointment on Friday, but others are still on hold since my doctor wants to consult one of his colleagues before getting back to me on next steps for an issue I’m dealing with. If he takes longer than a few days, I’m going to lose it for sure, as then it’s Christmas and I know I won’t get an answer for another 3 weeks and I don’t want to wait that long to get moving on a plan. Sorry for being vague. Until I know for sure, I really don’t want to talk about it.
In Christmas news, I bought what I thought were the last presents today with Karin’s help (for Anders). Everything is wrapped and under the tree except for 3 things that should arrive this coming week. One of which I actually forgot about, so now I might have to go get one more thing to make the kids even. Again. HA. Never ending balancing.
One more week of work before a long much-needed vacation with as much sleeping, reading, relaxing and lounging around as I can possibly cram in.
Now I’m off the computer to call my mom. I called my sister this morning but accidentally did it in the whole family chat and to my chagrin, everyone started answering, despite the fact that it was 5 am on the east coast. ARGH. Sarah was actually awake and had written saying so, which is why I called her, or thought I did, and only realized my mistake when my brother, my mom, my niece, my daughter, AND my husband all started poppping up. Got off the phone with everyone and then connected with JUST my sister who I talked to for nearly 2 hours. Then talked to my brother for quite a while later, so now I feel like I might as well round up my whole first family on the same day and see how my mom is doing.
Only 6 days until the light starts returning as well. Whew.
Mood: frustrated
Music: Keane—This is the Last Time
Our (and your) Tesla is about a foot wider than my previous car, and I noticed it the first time I pulled into the garage. On about the 5th time I pulled into the garage, I scrubbed a wheel against a row of landscaping bricks along the driveway. A few months later, I scrubbed a curb, too. I’m not sure I’ve ever hit a curb in any car before.
Scrubbing a wheel against anything immediately damages not just the tire, but the wheel also, because the wheels are made such that the metal rim sticks out just as far as the rubber of the tire. Most wheels on other cars have a bit of a rubber cushion before the curb makes it to the metal.
Both times, I took it to a guy that repairs wheels, and he fixed it in about 20 minutes for about $50. I could’ve just lived with it (and I would have in my previous car), but the car didn’t have a scratch on it!
People in Tesla forums are constantly asking where to get wheels repaired. It’s a thing. I’ve found that using the side cameras when navigating anywhere near anything that’s about to reach out and scrub itself against my wheel is the best way to avoid it. But it still happens. Fortunately, I live in the land of wide streets and huge parking lots, so I can usually avoid tight situations that’ll end up costing me another $50.
You have no idea how relieved this comment made me, that I’m not actually going crazy misinterpreting spacially how wide the stupid car is. I’ve really scratched up the metal on both wheels on the driver’s side, but so far, the tires are holding, at least. URGH. Most of the times I’ve hit curbs or sidings have been at night and completely unexpected, to boot, thinking I had plenty of room.
Glad to help. 👍 I can’t say for sure that you’re not going crazy, though. Also, the car’s not stupid – just Elon is.