Daily Coping 17 Aug 2021

Posted on August 9, 2021 by way0utwest

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to share an encouraging news story to inspire others.

The Olympics just ended, with some incredible performances from people all over the world. I love sports, and I’m awed and amazed by what some people can accomplish.

Today, there are two interesting things related to sports. First, a story of trust, friendship, and bonding, as a blind man’s story is out in film. David Brown is a Paralympic champion, running the 100m in less than 11s. He does this with a partner, Jerome Avery, who is tethered to him. Truly an amazing partnership, and one that I hope people find inspiration from. Is there someone you can help in some way, perhaps in life or their career.

Second, two athletes tangled up and fell during a track meet. Rather than get upset, they helped each other and finished together.

It’s inspiring seeing stories of people coming together.

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Daily Coping 9 Aug 2021

Posted on August 9, 2021 by way0utwest

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to be kind and supportive to everyone you interact with.

I don’t interact with a lot of people on a regular basis, living on a ranch, and staying at home most of the time. I do say hi, smile, and ask how people are doing when they visit, which is something I hope you all do when someone comes to your residence.

For me, it’s often at the gym or grocer that I run into people. I try to smile and greet them as well. Recently, however, I was camping, and I continued that. As I walked to the restroom from our site, I passed someone in the next site, smiled, waved, and said hi. Then I went further and ran into a family with small children camping. This was a mother and grandmother with younger children.

I greeted them, said hi, and asked how they were enjoyed their time. They were packing up and said it was fun, but they then mentioned they weren’t sure how to fold their tent and could I help. I said sure, but let me go to the restroom first.

I came back, chatted with them about my kids in scouts and how we fold up tents to get them back into the small carrying bags. I helped them get things packed up and ready to leave. They were nice, and it was a nice few minutes for me to be of service to others, meet some new people, and get some smiles.

Be kind and supportive. It’s not that hard, and it makes a big difference in someone else’s, and your, life.

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Daily Coping 6 Aug 2021

Posted on August 6, 2021 by way0utwest

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag. 

Today’s tip is to send an uplifting message to someone you can’t be with.

This is something that has been helpful to me maintaining some friendships and closeness outside of my family during the pandemic. Just a week ago, I was thinking of a friend and sent them a message. This person lives far from me, and I can’t easily see them now. So I sent them a note that I was thinking of them and reminiscing of some good times in the past.

The responses back reminded me just how uplifting it can be to get a message from a friend.

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I Ordered a Tesla

Posted on August 6, 2021 by way0utwest

This is part of a series that covers my experience with a Tesla Model Y. If you are thinking of ordering one, I’ve got a referral code. You get 1,000 free Supercharger miles and so do I. Use: http://ts.la/john92950

I did it. I ordered a Tesla Model Y.

Actually, I did this in mid May, after a test drive with my wife. We had been talking about it, and when she said I could seriously consider one, I scheduled a test drive. We went one afternoon, had a “touchless” test drive, where the salesman at the store walked us to the car and then let us take it out.

After we both drove it for 15-20 minutes, we returned and my wife said “why don’t we have one of these?” I agreed, and when we got home, I ordered the car. It was good timing, as I woke up to an announcement that Tesla had raised the price by $500 that morning. Since then they’ve increased the price again, so I’m glad I ordered the car.

I’m writing (and video blogging) about the process from the standpoint of someone that isn’t an early adopter, isn’t necessarily a Tesla fan, but have been watching the evolution of the company and their products. I’ll add more posts about the process as I think of the experience and how I’m approaching it.

For now, I’m expecting the car in the next 30ish days, so I am finally starting to prepare for the delivery of the car. This is the first car I’ve ordered, and it’s both exciting and a little nerve-wracking at times.

It’s a new paradigm, and I have some range anxiety, a bit of cost concern, and anticipation for the driving experience. All of those are affecting my life to some extent.

Here’s the car I ordered:

  • 2021 Model Y, Long Range AWD
  • Metallic gray exterior, black interior
  • 19″ standard wheels
  • 5 Seat, no hitch, no FSD.

It’s going to be interesting, one way or the other.

If you want to see a rambling video version of this post, you can see my “I ordered a Tesla” video on My Colorado Tesla Experience Channel. You can see all of these posts by following the Tesla tag.

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