A lot of newer life experiences since changing up my living situation. In random order:
Waymo
The best way to describe it: it feels like a Disneyland ride. Like the story book type in Fantasy Land except there isn’t a track and the ride is smoother. I sort of enjoy not having to interact with someone in the car, and that you don’t have to tip.
The parking lot next to my building includes a nightly Waymo calibration parade around 11pm. Waymos will come park in rows and perform this dance of slowly driving, weaving around each other as if they’re at a crowded Costco looking for prime parking spots.
Road Tripping in a Tesla
Mark and I saw Khruangbin at the Santa Barbara Bowl back in May. He volunteered to drive his Tesla on the heels of success of his Utah trip using the self-driving feature for some parts of the journey.
“A less stressful post-road trip feeling,” he described. As a driver I understand completely. I feel so fried after the 4-6 hour drive to LA.
His Tesla model, specifically, is not long range with a high capacity battery, nor is it supercharger capable (I believe) so what could’ve been 5ish hours turned to about 7 hours driving. The route predetermined charging stations about every hour. I didn’t mind it, but I can acknowledge stopping often to stretch is not so bad.
Having used Waymo before lowered my angst as a passenger when Mark would turn on self-driving. It is wild to feel the car overtake another at freeway speeds or navigate a round about. Maybe I’ll take Waymo to a busy location next.
Grocery shopping without a car
It requires making good choices.
Walking home with two heavy totes full of food is terrible.
Carrying a box of Topo Chico or any kind of beverage is terrible. I bought two bottles of wine once.
Even riding a bike requires a proper sized backpack and a good [balanced] pack for my front rack.
Now I prefer to wait until I have to drive to work.
Elevator situation
The elevator inspection permit in my building expired in 2023. Not sure if it’s still compliant but there was one critical time when I was moving furniture and the elevator was out of service.
I climbed up my four flights of stairs – twice – to bring in a new desk from IKEA. Thankfully they flat pack everything disassembled for ease of transport.
graveyard shiftin 