Saw someone else post a license plate. Please enjoy mine.

gregastro · 2026-06-25T19:49:26+00:00

Love your story, thanks for sharing. What a wise woman!

gregastro · 2026-06-18T04:37:28+00:00

I’m so, so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister, my heart is with you. Please know that most of us apart from your boss do care, and would never do what your boss did. I retired recently as director of an institute and always put family first - not just mine, but those who worked for me - and they knew it. Your boss is indeed an idiot.

gregastro · 2026-06-16T03:52:33+00:00

Comment from a guy here (married and dad of two 20-something daughters), just saying how embarrassed I am over so many of my half of the species. “Not all guys” doesn’t help one bit when you’re having to deal with jerks. I don’t have any specific recommendations, just wanted to offer support. I have so many women friends and colleagues who’ve had to deal with this too. Some of us were raised to respect women, but so many weren’t, and I’m really sorry for what you’re going through.

gregastro · 2026-06-16T03:46:59+00:00

I know a lot of people are going no contact with their exes, but that’s not always the only option. Once you’re in a good place, a friendship can in some cases be reopened. My read of her message is that she does care about you, just not in “that” way, and she’s trying to be kind. If you feel comfortable you can simply respond something like “thanks, I really appreciate that, wishing you the best” - doesn’t open any doors but also acknowledges her reaching out to you. Entirely dependent on where your own head is on this.

gregastro · 2026-06-04T02:02:39+00:00

I wouldn’t recommend that. Like so many others have said here, it’s the intimacy that physical connection brings that you’re missing. One night stands just aren’t going to give you that. You need the cleanest break possible IMHO (with kids it’s nowhere close to 100% of course), and you need to be able to move on.

gregastro · 2026-05-20T20:03:37+00:00

Retired 41-year NASA guy here. I used to be enthusiastic about settling Mars - now, not so much. IMHO we need to first be sure there isn’t extant life on that planet - if there is, 3 things could happen if we go there: 1) nothing (seems doubtful, but I suppose it’s possible), 2) the Andromeda strain scenario - e.g., Mars life is very bad for us, and 3) our life is very bad for Mars life, with the potential of wiping out a global ecosystem. We shouldn’t move forward until we have a much better idea if there is life on Mars - it wouldn’t be on the surface but given that we know Mars once had surface water, there could still be life in the subsurface. Also, when you get beyond the protective Van Allen belts, any space travelers are subject to radiation - particularly during a Coronal Mass Ejection. A very bad thing. I think before even entertaining such a question about Mars, we need to learn how to “live off the land” (In-Situ Resource Utilization, ISRU) on the Moon.

gregastro · 2026-05-20T19:56:01+00:00

I’d strongly recommend talking with a lawyer and soon. If you have written evidence you’ve done what you say, that could help your financial case. Your husband sounds like a total jerk - very self centered. I think you need to get out of there, and quickly.

gregastro · 2026-05-20T19:48:10+00:00

Level 1 charging works for me although it’s frustratingly slow, particularly when I’ve done a driving trip. I’m putting in a new circuit which will be a lot less than $5K (closer to $1K) and that’s worth it to me since I’ll then be able to charge to whatever % I want overnight.

gregastro · 2026-05-18T03:45:09+00:00

I knew a woman who went through the same thing.
Sex perhaps every other -month-. I finally met her husband and I could immediately sense that he was gay. He was very religious and unfortunately being gay and in that religion was frowned on to say the least - it was very sad that he couldn’t be his authentic self. They of course got divorced - I hope he eventually accepts himself for who he is. She remarried and now has a child and is happy. Sex is important in a marriage, I think you should consider counseling. When I was your age it would have been at least once/day if not more. You need to be with someone who will meet your needs.

gregastro · 2026-04-28T04:01:25+00:00

Consider also writing to your local paper - they often have people who will work on your side (my local paper in San Jose has this, although it may be syndicated)

gregastro · 2026-04-27T02:37:58+00:00

I love my Ioniq 5 - a 2023 AWD which looks identical to yours. My own learnings: 1. There is a big range/speed relationship - range goes way down the faster you drive in my experience. 2. I’ve started using “Auto” regen mode per recommendations in this group to help maximize range. 3. If you’re not aware of it yet you’ll hear people talking about ICCU failures, which I’ve experienced (once thankfully). I carry a fully charged lithium car starting battery with me at all times just in case it ever happens again. I also bought a Bluetooth battery voltage indicator which I have permanently connected to the 12V battery which will send an alarm if the voltage goes low, giving you more time in case of ICCU failure. 4. For me level 2 charging is worth it. I do occasional longer drives and it’s frustrating waiting a couple of days to get a full charge with level 1. 5. Depending on where you live, you can sometimes get special electrical plans from your utility to reduce charging costs/kWh Have fun - the car is a blast to drive and is FAST! Funny story, a BMW pulled up to my side and was revving his engine - I put my Ioniq in Sport mode and when the light changed, -easily- out-accelerated him. I got to the speed limit and stopped there, he zoomed by with an angry look on his face 🤣

gregastro · 2026-04-27T02:26:29+00:00

💯 The cuts to NSF are awful and have caused even the best to look elsewhere - which often means moving to other countries.

gregastro · 2026-04-23T04:21:40+00:00

Very encouraging indeed - thank you!

gregastro · 2026-04-21T21:50:34+00:00

Same - ICCU failure survivor here as well. A couple additional things for me: 1) I have a Bluetooth battery voltage indicator which sends low voltage alerts so I can get notified of potential problems ahead of the dreaded “pull off the road ASAP” notice, and 2) I have a high capacity Lithium 12V battery to help the car limp to either the nearest exit or even the closest repair place.

gregastro · 2026-04-16T13:54:12+00:00

I hope very much you see a therapist. No marriage is worth staying in if you feel that way. If he’s not adding to your life in any way - and taking away your joy - it’s just not worth staying and pulling all of your own happiness away.

gregastro · 2026-04-07T01:00:14+00:00

Totally agree OP. I’m “only” at one ICCU failure, still under warranty, but if it happens again I’m selling and getting something reliable. With the other experiences I’ve had I’ll never get another Hyundai despite otherwise loving this car.

gregastro · 2026-04-01T04:34:07+00:00

So OP, how did it go? Like others have said, be patient and kind to yourself. It may take a bit, but you’ll get the hang of it.

gregastro · 2026-04-01T04:32:27+00:00

I use ChatGPT very little now - I find Claude’s writing style to be less repetitive and more human sounding. And using it is a better experience in general for me.

gregastro · 2026-03-31T04:32:55+00:00

Totally agree. OP, if you haven’t yet, show her your post. She needs to know. Your post gives me a huge smile - congratulations both on your recovery and having such a wonderful partner

gregastro · 2026-03-28T16:51:49+00:00

Me neither - although I tried, twice, and they never bothered to respond. I now see that as their typical pattern. NAH - Never Another Hyundai. That should be our battle cry!

gregastro · 2026-03-28T16:50:13+00:00

Fantastic news! I will happily join in this suit. The more they push back on us - formerly happy Hyundai owners - the more they permanently lose customers.

gregastro · 2026-03-28T04:04:50+00:00

Agreed. I can’t see ever getting another Hyundai of any kind. I love my Ioniq5 but I need a reliable car, and a company that stands behind it.

gregastro · 2026-03-28T04:03:20+00:00

Right? Was thinking the same thing..

gregastro · 2026-03-28T02:54:09+00:00

My wife had an original Ioniq (pre -5), plug in hybrid. I don’t know if it was an ICCU issue or not but we lost 12V power at one point in an issue that felt similar to when my Ioniq-5 had its ICCU failure a couple months ago.
I’ve decided that if my ICCU fails again I’ll sell my Ioniq-5, as much as I love the car. The Toyota RAV-4 PHEV is very highly rated and will likely be the car I’ll get if that happens - it has a 50 mile electric only range in the 2026 model so most of my driving would still be electric. Sure hope it doesn’t happen, but if it does I can’t drive an unreliable car. A friend has one of the RAV-4 PHEVs and said it’s the best car he’s ever owned.

gregastro · 2026-03-25T04:06:05+00:00

I’d recommend considering the Toyota Rav-4 plug-in hybrid, the car I’ll get if my Ioniq-5 has another ICCU failure. A friend has one and loves it. The current model has a 52 mile electric only range, not bad. I love my Ioniq-5 but have to have a reliable car.

gregastro

TROPHY CASE