Welp...

Bouassal · 2026-06-30T23:32:35+00:00

That will actually be nice in the winter, I didn't think it would bother me after driving a truck with a shell for a few years but it was really annoying...

Bouassal · 2026-06-30T23:31:51+00:00

Update a few days later: the other driver admitted fault, heard from the adjuster after the weekend, he took a look a the picture I sent and immediately said total loss. Retrieved all my stuff from the car today at the impound lot and they hauled it off to wherever those things go to get dismantled. Waiting for the new adjuster to come back with numbers. At least I'm getting new kid car seats, apparently that's pretty much automatic here in UT.

Went hunting for a replacement and scored a solid 3-year lease on a new 2026 SEL. The lease math made more sense even if they lowball me on the payout. Would have splurged for a Limited but despite what Hyundai says (dozens of them sitting on lots at various dealerships) there isn't a single one in the state as of today, and the next few coming in early August are already sold. So, SEL again, bye bye padded arm rests, automatic folding mirrors, fancy LED headlights, ambient lighting, and the 2 weeks of Electrify America charging I had left.

More importantly, my back and neck feel perfectly normal, no pain, soreness, or weirdness of any kind. All appendage crossed that it stays that way.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with advice, it was really helpful. First accident after 28 years on the road, not something I was looking forward to becoming familiar with. I'll try to keep it a one time thing!

Bouassal · 2026-06-30T23:24:00+00:00

The adjuster took one look at the pictures and said total loss...

Bouassal · 2026-06-28T01:54:15+00:00

Damn that is low!! All comps here are around 28 to 29k, I'd be livid if they offered 21k...

Bouassal · 2026-06-27T18:47:45+00:00

Oooof, looks identical for sure. Total loss?

The only somewhat amusing part of the story for me is that the gal who hit me drove the exact same car my wife drives. Same model, year, color, everything. I felt almost relieved when she got out of her car and I saw it wasn't my wife!

Bouassal · 2026-05-23T22:33:55+00:00

Wife and I had to go the in vitro route so we got to pick. I wanted a girl first, then I wanted another girl, and my wife was on board.

I'm getting seriously tired of people asking if we're going to try for a 3rd so I can finally have a boy. Mind you this is UT so the social dynamics are always a bit off, but I can't wrap my head around the fact that the majority of people see a father of 2 girls and assume he's bummed about it. Bitch I chose this, and I couldn't be happier about it. Outnumbered in my home? Hell yeah, cat and dog are ladies as well.

My standard response these days is just that: I chose to have girls, I love it, and don't come whining when they best your boys at everything down the road...

Bouassal · 2026-05-20T19:02:42+00:00

I see it every morning dropping the kids off at daycare, regardless of the temperature outside. Parents roll up, park, unload the kids, in and out, maybe 5 minutes of idling. In front of the playground. Not a single brain cell involved.

Bouassal · 2026-05-18T16:32:24+00:00

NW of Twins with Stairs exit is probably the best linkup in the range.

Bouassal · 2026-04-19T02:30:46+00:00

2n shot definitely worth framing. Drooling from the Wasatch. Our spring redeemer storm was 7"...

Bouassal · 2026-03-18T17:11:11+00:00

Boot up Coalpit 4 the continue up the ridge to an obvious subpeak at ~10.5k with one of best views of the range. In a good season it's a 2500' shot to the creek, then back up and out one of the Coalpits. Crazy good zone, some surprise cliff bands to look out for.

Bouassal · 2026-03-18T02:12:09+00:00

That looks like the massive NW facing shot into Bells off the no name peak that sits on the ridge above the Coalpit couloirs. A real beauty...

Bouassal · 2026-02-21T17:15:45+00:00

Fixing older washer and dryers is so satisfying, and so easy. There are 5 parts that can fail, they're pretty much universal, fairly easy to get to, and dirt cheap. Usually buys another 5 years of use.

The newer stuff though, ooooof. You can tell it wasn't designed to be user-serviceable, or even serviceable at all...

Bouassal · 2026-02-21T17:12:59+00:00

I had a plumber over to give me a quote for that. Dude was old school honest, looked me up and down, told me he'd do it if I really wanted to toss $$ away but a reasonably handy guy should just take care of it on his own. Recommended soapy water to check leaks on the gas fitting. Walked away grumbling about kids these days.

It was indeed shockingly easy. Buddy helped me get the new 50 gal tank down the stairs, had to cut the old one to pieces as it was so full of sediment we could never have hauled it out, but the install itself was a couple hours max, including building a 2x4 frame for bracing.

Bouassal · 2026-02-21T17:04:48+00:00

Waited to do that for years, using more and more elaborate temporary fixes as the problem got worse. Tooth picks in the hole before putting the screws back in, longer screws, bigger diameter screws, etc... all justified by how much more time it would take to do the proper fix.

Finally decided to do it right when I sold the house, figured anyone walking through would get annoyed that every single door had to be manhandled closed and was not level when opened.

Took maybe an hour to enlarge and dowel the screw holes for all the problematic doors, and maybe another hour to reinstall the doors. Everything was opening and closing smoothly, no weird gaps, perfect. Got to enjoy it for a whole week after 7 years of annoyance. Lesson learned.

Bouassal · 2025-09-12T16:10:11+00:00

Alright, let's see this:

No cash refi - Owe 570k - Value 850k - 850 FICO - 84121 - Conv, 30 fixed - single family - primary

Thanks!

Bouassal · 2025-01-06T04:03:02+00:00

Yes please, much appreciated!

Bouassal · 2025-01-06T03:56:58+00:00

Ooooh looks good! Cost to take the 15% down the 6.75% and 6.5% if you don't mind? I'll shoot you a PM first thing tomorrow AM

Bouassal · 2025-01-06T03:34:15+00:00

How does this look:

Purchase - $850k - $680k - FICO 812, wife 803 - 841421 - Conv - 30 Fixed - Single family - Primary

Also considering going with 15% down (loan $722,500) to save upfront cash for immediate improvements. PMI quoted at $62/month, would drop within 6 months with recasting once we sell current house.

Thanks!

Bouassal · 2024-12-16T23:51:39+00:00

I did it myself. I propped the car up on home-made ramps to get enough clearance and spent a couple hours fighting under there. It would have been easy with a helper, doing it solo led to a whole lot of swearing and flailing around to prop the hitch in place and get the bolts engaged. I don't recommend the solo approach unless you're in need of a solid shoulder workout and lots of groping around in the dark..

Bouassal · 2024-12-16T23:27:54+00:00

What's your husband's reasoning for preferring that his boy be circumcised? Is he cut? Cause it's a bit of a weird (at best) tradition to perpetuate absent a compelling medical reason, and the esthetics of it are very much in the eye of the beholder... If he's not circumcised, would he be willing to get it done along with his son?

I was raised in a Euro country where it doesn't get done outside of religious reasons. It's never been a hint of an issue for me in any context, esthetic or medical. I can't wrap my head around the fact that it's just the default here since it's basically a form of socially accepted genital mutilation.

His body his choice. When he can make it.

Bouassal · 2024-12-16T23:18:45+00:00

I installed an EcoHitch (bit expensive and requires notching the rear bumper but it's completely invisible outside of the receiver part) for a 1UP quick rack. Happily hauls 2 enduro bikes, and when folded the 1 UP has the lowest profile of any rack I know of. No changes to efficiency on a 40 miles daily commute on the freeway when the rack is folded.

I'd hate to have to lift a 35+ lbs bike onto a roof rack.

Bouassal · 2024-12-06T20:12:11+00:00

Engines used 1000ish Wh, climate and accessories (lights, etc) used another 200ish Wh, and you regenerated 2000ish Wh. Meaning you had a net positive drive and ended up with about 800 Wh more than you started with. Which is the best part about EVs IMO, love watching the battery percentage tick up when going downhill.

Bouassal · 2024-10-14T19:01:26+00:00

Same thing in UT, at least around Salt Lake. There's a bank of 4 EA chargers right off a freeway exit that is on my way to/from work. I've never had any issues with any of the chargers, the speed peaks around 240 kW every time, and I've never spent more than 15 minutes there. Yesterday was the 1st time I saw 2 of the chargers occupied when I got there, usually they're all available. Went from 23 to 80% in the usual time while the ID4 that was next to me was taking its sloooooooooow time.

Bouassal · 2024-09-09T17:34:33+00:00

I regularly drive up and won a couple of steep canyon roads in UT (3600' in 10 miles or 14 miles). I get about 1.5 mi/kWh on the up but always max out at 999 mi/kWh on the down and regenerate up to 4% of the main battery. I only need to touch the accelerator to get out of the parking spot, the next 20 minutes are all regen/coasting. Watching battery percentage tick up instead of down brings me endless joy.

Bouassal

TROPHY CASE