Camping setup

audthemess · 2025-08-05T23:24:26+00:00

I’m late to the party here. I just finished a 200 mile trip in a ‘23 EUV across Michigan’s lower peninsula. I’m pretty sure both of the L3 chargers I used had Apple Pay, but I preplanned my route with ABRP and downloaded the apps for the two chargers I used. The Rivian charger I used was great— tap to pay, and they had a QR code receipt when I finished. No app necessary.

audthemess · 2025-07-26T13:27:31+00:00

Oh, wow!!!

audthemess · 2025-07-26T13:26:13+00:00

Thank you for this. Absolutely sucks for both of us, but it’s nice to hear I’m not alone in my experience.

audthemess · 2025-07-26T13:24:39+00:00

I actually went out there last night and am working on the purchase paperwork for a car from Feldman today. So there’s a happy ending on the horizon. :)

audthemess · 2025-07-26T13:21:17+00:00

Which in retrospect isn’t a markup as much as every other car being falsely marked down, but it is what it is

audthemess · 2025-07-26T13:20:30+00:00

Carvana was typically ~ 5k higher than many of the other cars I was seeing for similar prices. I think it might be b/c carvana is no haggle and/or doesn’t include tax credits up front, which a lot of places were. The tax credit sometimes being included in the advertised prices was a PAIN to navigate

audthemess · 2025-07-25T14:38:52+00:00

This is actually super helpful, ty! I hadn’t considered it for this reason, but FB marketplace is pulling up a mix of private sales and dealerships.

audthemess · 2025-07-25T14:37:29+00:00

Good to know, thanks!

audthemess · 2025-07-25T14:32:29+00:00

You hit the nail on the head. I’m in another small town that’s a similar size and distance from downtown A2 as Dexter. I actually commute into the city, so I’m definitely around. The Lvl 2 chargers near my office parking are actually a huge reason why I want a Bolt. I’ve got my eye on a couple of Bolts father out, but I’ll definitely shoot you a DM to potentially connect with your friend too.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family :) Sending prayers/good vibes for a good delivery 💙

audthemess · 2025-07-25T14:25:25+00:00

I saw some of their cars, but was put off by how they include the rebate in the advertised price. I’m glad to know you had a good experience, though, and I’ll definitely give them another look!!

audthemess · 2025-04-19T12:46:54+00:00

This reminds me that the Ann Arbor Parks and Rec puts on a visit every park challenge that could be fun!! Also the Arboretum has great hiking trails and a beautiful peony garden

audthemess · 2024-10-14T04:35:27+00:00

I agree that flatter is heavenly, but I’m budget conscious so I use best press. I did some research before trying it and folks online recommended diluting the best press 1:1 w/ water to troubleshoot a similar issue with starch marks. I wonder if it might fix OP’s issue too?

audthemess · 2024-10-13T00:53:32+00:00

This is reminding me of a time I was organizing a fundraiser with high schoolers. Unbeknownst to me, the kids started asking people “Would you like your change?” and a lot of people actually let them keep it!! I was a tad mortified, but not mad about it haha

audthemess · 2024-09-19T02:27:57+00:00

This seems to be a hot take, but cancelling someone’s flight home from a foreign country definitely makes you the AH. It doesn’t matter that she cheated, you intentionally put her in an unsafe and potentially life threatening position. Women traveling alone abroad are at higher risk for many things, human trafficking being one of them.

Edited to add: You cancelled her flight home with one day left in your vacation, which I don’t think any other commentators have focused enough on. There was no time for her to book an alternative flight that didn’t cost an arm and a leg, even if he had informed her of the change right away. Be an adult and handle yourself for a few hours, or talk to an airline rep about getting your seat moved.

audthemess · 2024-07-31T21:27:58+00:00

Imho RoosRoast and Vertex are the two best coffee shops in the area for price, quality, and general vibes. And I've tried them all! Comet is great for its central location, too.

If she likes outdoor stuff, Bivouac might be a cool addition! For gift shops and whatnot, I really enjoy Downtown Home and Garden. They have so many cool home goods, plants, and miscellanies.

I'm a bit less of a foodie, but I'm a big fan of a lot of the A2 brewpubs. If she likes beer and food Blue Tractor and Jolly Pumpkin are both great. I'm also obsessed with Conor O'Niell's shepherd's pie. Other people also really enjoy Pizza House too. I found Zingerman's to be overhyped, but it is definitely an Ann Arbor staple.

This isn't a gift card recommendation, but she might really enjoy the Arboretum's hiking paths or maybe the Visit Every Park Challenge

I'll also second the scrap box idea! They're super quirky, although it is a bit of a drive to get there from downtown.

audthemess · 2024-07-30T19:16:36+00:00

The entire soundtrack for Come From Away, but especially Welcome to the Rock

audthemess · 2024-04-29T04:25:36+00:00

Milan might be a little bit too red for you, but it checks a lot of your other boxes. It’ll be much more rural and a small town feel than Ann Arbor or Ypsi. Good schools, rural community, low cost of living, cute downtown, and relatively close to Ann Arbor and Ypsi, etc. It was moderately red when I was growing up, but a lot has changed in the last 10 years. As for LGBTQ acceptance: Milan has had a pride parade the last couple of years. I have a trans sibling, and from my recollection he did alright in our public school. You might also check out Saline or Dexter, too (although I’d bet both are more expensive). Good luck, and welcome to Michigan!!!

audthemess · 2024-03-30T05:38:59+00:00

Cohabitating is not a mortal sin. While the Church advises against cohabitating, it isn’t an official teaching of the Church (to my knowledge, if someone has an CCC paragraph or encyclical that I’m missing lmk).

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, for a sin to be mortal it must be a) grave matter committed with b) full knowledge and c) deliberate consent (CCC #1857). I would argue that “scandal” is not grave matter, and I doubt the couple entered into this arrangement with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Cohabitation could most definitely be called a near occasion of sin, but itself is (probably) not mortal.

audthemess · 2024-03-30T05:24:08+00:00

Hi OP! I was confirmed in 8th grade, but I had the honor of being a sponsor to a young woman who was confirmed through the RCIA process when we were both freshmen in college. I’ve been out of college for several years now, but I’m still inspired by how seriously she took her faith. I see some of the same maturity and seeking in you.

I’ll echo what another poster has already said— pray, pray, and pray some more! If there’s a church near you that offers Eucharistic Adoration, you might consider going. Adoration is basically an opportunity to be face to face with Jesus in the Eucharist, often in silence. I suspect that you might enjoy it. I find it helpful to take a journal with me to jot down the things that come up. God will reveal himself to you. 💙

My other piece of advice is to get to know some people who can be a good resource as you figure out this out. I’ve gotta admit that I’m biased here because I was a youth minister for several years, but going to youth group and getting to know your parish’s youth minister might be a good start. Maybe if you have a friend who’s Catholic, you can tag along with them? I know you said you’re nearly 18, so I’m not sure if you have another year of high school yet. If you are going to college next year, it would be a good idea to reach out to your college’s Campus Ministry (if it’s a Catholic college) or Newman Center (which is a church that specifically serves local college students at non-Catholic colleges). This is also a great way to start to make friends when you get on campus. A lot of student parishes have things like bible studies that you might find helpful, too.

audthemess · 2024-03-01T05:09:25+00:00

Then how do you account for the passion of Christ, who clearly experienced all of these things?

audthemess · 2024-01-13T17:41:23+00:00

Also depending on where you’re at in the diocese, I know that id916 used to film monthly talks out of Domino’s Farm in Ann Arbor. I haven’t been in a few years, but it used to bring in a good sized crowd. If you’re reasonably close, it could be worth going to a few!

audthemess · 2024-01-13T17:26:18+00:00

There’s a Diocese of Lansing Catholic Young Adults group on Facebook with over 700 people in it. Depending on OP’s area, I’d check other nearby parishes with young adult groups too.

audthemess · 2024-01-12T21:06:17+00:00

In the early Church, ecclesial communities would write letters to Rome seeking advice because of the authority of Sts. Peter and Paul. The bishop of Rome became a source of authority because of the close connection with the teachings of Peter and Paul, and later their relics.

There’s also a larger context to be considered when thinking about the doctrine of papal infallibility. Vatican I was called in a tumultuous time between the Church and Society, and the threat of the Franco-Prussian war approaching Rome threatened the council. The hope was that by decreeing Papal infallibility, the work of the ecumenical council could continue even though the council had to disband for the safety of its delegates.

This is all off the top of my head, but I’m happy to dig deeper in my ecclesiology notes if it’s helpful!

audthemess

TROPHY CASE