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Oh, I like what it is doing, over time. But getting on it and staying on it is a trick I haven't mastered. It looks like I missed a day and a half, which is why I was feeling a bit better. Not great, but I was coming out of the fog a bit. I got back on them yesterday and I'm back to troubling times. I know it gets better, but the time to get on them is rough.
I didn't get to bed until about 1:00 or 2:00. I did make it to town, bought meats, milk, and cream. Forgot butter. Oh well. I did see ribeye at $7 a pound, so bought several. I did make it to the local Christmas meal and enjoyed some of the show after, but had to leave. I am a bit twitchy in a crowd, but I myself have gotten used to it. It doesn't always bug me, unless I am really tired. But I think it does make other people nervous. So... I try not to be a bother. Now, when I get used to larger venues I can learn to settle a bit more, but that takes both practice and familiarity. When I was going to college I eventually settled down. Some of my classes had 500 people in them, if usually only half ever showed up. My smallest classes had 15 to 30 people, but that's still a large number for someone who has been singular for a long time. I am definitely out of practice.
The trip last night became quite dangerous. The road into town was just fine. However in town it looks as if they got freezing rain. I slowed way down and put the X'ter in 4-high. Then I saw the salt truck pass. I went ahead and did my shopping, but very carefully. I passed a pretty rough looking accident. A lot of vehicle damage, but no one looked hurt. I saw a woman driver, and the way things were set, it looks like she was at fault. Cynical about some things as I am, I passed on clucking. With roads like those, there are no good drivers. Good thing, to, I think. After shopping, I had to come back the way of the accident. As I came over the little bridge, with 4-high engaged, even at a very low speed, I lost traction and slid. If there had been an oncoming car or even if I had been going five miles an hour faster, I would have had an accident. The salt truck must not have come this way or it didn't work. White knuckle driving indeed. As I was leaving town I was just praying that what had hit down hadn't gone on to cover the road home. To my great relief it hadn't. I didn't see anything coming in to town, but then that doesn't always mean much if the humidity is light or... given time in the store that it might not have hit.
I woke late today. But it was so cold last night, the first serious hard cold I can remember. Or at least I think the hardest chill this year. To the bone. I did wake early, but couldn't quite make it out. Restarting meds again again might be part of it to. Gosh I hate medicines. I love what they are doing, and will keep trying, but... Yeah. Later.
Ja, 4WD only helps pulling in the forward direction. Side to side stability or stopping it is nothing, and can even hinder steering control.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe how many 4WD trucks have passed me 20 mph over my slow speed in a snowstorm, only to see them wiped out in the ditch up ahead. Idiots think their (ooh! ooh!) 4WD makes them invincible.
Oh, I noted some time ago that you have a problem with what you perceive to be wild drivers... mustangs, or more wild road asses. And I think you do or have thought I was one.
ReplyDeleteThere ARE times when I rip it up. Just not on ice. Snow? So long as I am sure that is all it is, no problem. And I do get annoyed at folks who drive 10mph below posted, sometimes even slower, because of light rain or snow. I have things to do. Gah! Off teh road!
As for 4wd though? Sure, it isn't going to work on ice any better than anything else. But ice usually doesn't sheet or I won't drive. And that 4wd gives the vehicle a lot better chance of catching once past the ice. I would not have driven in if I had known it was that bad. Actually, I wouldn't have continued on into town, hungry, wanting a few groceries, or not. Just not worth the risk. I had no idea, as the roads between here and there were good. Didn't realize it was plated until I stepped out of the parking lot of the store. Too late by then.
Now, I should be honest... If I didn't have a financial, moral, personal stake, other than my health? Wee! I love taking chances. Even if it ends up hurting a bit. I just won't include others, or risk what to me is a huge cost, my vehicle. Broken legs mend. :)
No, not criticizing you in particular, although if I hit close to home... *shrugs* That just reminded me of my snowstorm PTSD.
ReplyDeleteIt really is harder to regain control of a skidding vehicle with 4WD engaged versus the front wheels free spinning. Has to do with the engine/transmission interfering with them re-engaging with the road surface as quickly as they would if not powered.
Oh, not this time. But we have had... spats... about this a few times. Then again I'm more patient than I might sound, here. And you aren't quite as fuddy as you sound. We have seen each other drive, now, too. And with strains of long hours and various odd conditions. For my part, I trust you on the road. Not something I just give away, or often.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it depends on WHAT two wheel drive vehicle you are driving. Remember, I'm coming from a line of sports cars, before the X'ter, with the '99 Camaro SS being my last. And, no, she doesn't compare. Couldn't even handle snow, just snow, an inch deep. Period. So... I have biting memories of learning, and testing that and learning again, several times. I'm stubborn.
Plus, the X'ter caught beautifully this time. I only slipped... uhrm... maybe a foot? A vehicle behind me slipped almost ten feet, going my speed, at the same spot. Almost hit the other side of the bridge... 2-wheeler, minivan. I felt bad, as if I should have somehow stopped there and put up a big "Ice on Bridge" sign. (Small bridge, didn't expect that.) They might have had bald tires, but it looked like a newer vehicle... Driver experience? Dunno.
I'll stick with 4x4, from my experience. Though, like I said, with ice, if I know, I simply won't do it. Can't win that bet, really. Just a matter of time.
Hey, that Phoenix traffic? With a mis-loaded trailer threatening to go whipping out of control at every provocation? After having failed to locate the back road route around town? Yeah, I was tense. High E-string tense. Probably as bad as any rush hour ice storm I've been in.
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't say so then, I'll say it now: thanks! You kept a level head and didn't take it personally. You'd make a great wife. :D
Oh and yeah, sports cars. Not winter cars, no. That's why anyone who could, had a nice car and a "winter beater" in Minnesota. Growing up in my era, those late sixties to early seventies tanks made great winter beaters. I cringe now, because those much abused hulks are collector cars now...
ReplyDeleteThe thing about collector cars is, truth be told, almost no matter how valuable they are now... the cost of keeping them in good shape, or getting them into top shape, is more expensive than what they are worth.
ReplyDeleteThey are fools gold, as for holding onto them and keeping them up. I thought to do that with my Camaro SS, but doing a bit of the math and... nope. I suppose there are a few exceptions, but I wouldn't count on it. And the Camaro was a relatively rare car, limited production, very limited.
I missed this part "...If I didn't say so then, I'll say it now: thanks! You kept a level head and didn't take it personally. You'd make a great wife. :D ", the first time.
ReplyDeleteAh-hahahaha Hell's yeah. And... hell's yeah! hahahaha Man, I need me some funny shit once in a while. Thanks.
At the time I thought, "man if that was Daisycat over there, she'd be completely apeshit at this point. There *are* sane people in this world, after all."
ReplyDelete"Unfortunately most of them happen to be male..."
I think it depends on what you have gone through, and your capacity. And I think estrogen just doesn't sit well with "calm", "logic", and some things, especially when she has become comfortable with whoever. Being intimate allows them the freedom to be squirrels. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, but... hush. I've been working really hard to get people to think I'm nucking futz. You letting it out that I might handle stress well, and be level headed could blow my cover! *grins* Actually, the more severe the situation the more comfortable I am. I would live there, but it does endanger others, so I can only go there when the situation dictates.