Tech

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It’s Not What You Know…

It’s who you know.

One thing that didn’t get done this past weekend is the backup camera installation.

I told a friend that tonight and she told me she was going to make a phone call on my behalf.

Next thing I know, I’ve lined up someone to install not only my backup camera, but also an inverter and a solar panel, and this at an hourly rate that would be absurdly reasonable for an amateur but is a real gift from a retiree who made his living doing this.

I now have a week to do my energy audit thingy to determine exactly how much of an inverter I need, do some research on my solar panel to see if it’ll suit my needs or if I need another one, find both items… and fork out another boatload (erm, RVload) of money.

Please excuse me while I run around the house screaming ‘YIPPEE!!!’ at the top of my lungs.

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The Day Has Come At Last!

I get to go pick up Miranda at 6:30 tonight!

The previous owner called me on Saturday morning to let me know that he was releasing the keys… and that his neighbour with the keys had just left for the weekend. *edits a really honest, but not so nice, thought* Anyway, the neighbour called last night to say I can swing by tonight. At last!!!

A friend and I had planned to go pick up Miranda together in her car, so she could follow me to the storage location and give me a ride back. We both felt that I’d have enough stress without worrying about towing right away. Well, of course, now that my friend has been on standby for over a week, she had to leave town. So, trial by fire for me tonight. 🙂

I went over to Their house yesterday to install Miranda’s license plate (carrying a copy of an email giving me permission to be on Their property, just in case). I wasn’t sure about what tools (wrench) I’d need for that or how complicated it would be (not at all), so I figured that I could save some time on pick up night. And, okay, I just wanted to make sure my rig was okay! 🙂 At the same time, I took a closer look at the tow hitch… and discovered that They hadn’t left me the safety cables. *rolls eyes* So, I need to go pick some up before I get Miranda tonight. There’s a store in Gatineau called ‘Attache remorques’(Trailer Hitches), so I figured they would probably have the necessary item. They do. Thank goodness. I can’t believe how much STUFF is involved in towing. Freedom doesn’t come cheap!!!

My car is filled to the brim with assorted bits and bobs for the coach, as well as all my hand tools. Since Miranda will be parked 45 minutes from home, I won’t have the luxury of making a million trips out to see her, so I need to maximize every visit. Moving will be easier than I’d thought, though. My mother is coming up the last weekend in August to get some of the furniture my sister wanted, plus the few boxes she’ll store for me. It was supposed to be earlier, but this turns out to be a much better plan. I’ll be able to pick up Miranda that morning and bring her up to my house and then fill her right there, with help in bringing in larger items like the mattress. Then, I can take off for a campground for my final three or four nights before hitting the road. I had another thought over the weekend. I wasn’t sure what to do with the bed spreads and curtains that come with Miranda and which I don’t want. I might as well store them.

This coming Saturday, provided the weather cooperates, I aim to go pick up Miranda bright and early and drive her to the nearest Home Depot so I can get all the major work done on her–back up camera installation, bed ripping out, carpet replacement, desk building, etc. That’s going to be such a fun day!

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So Close…

Miranda is legally mine. I received the necessary paperwork today to go to the SAAQ and get her plated. Once again, I lucked out with a licence plate that has numbers which are meaningful to me, so I already know the plate number by heart.

She’s legally mine… but I have no keys yet. I have nothing nice and or non-sarcastic to say about that, so I’ll refrain from commenting.

I got Pommette the toad back from having her base plate installed. There is still more to do, and I still can’t tow, but I’m very close. In order for me to be able to tow, I’m missing the plug that would connect the car electric system to Miranda’s. I didn’t know what sort of plug she has, so the mechanic was unable to install it. I went over tonight to ogle my gal, pet her, and take a photograph of the connector. Hopefully, the missing component can be installed tomorrow. After, there’s another thing that needs to be installed, but I’ll be okay to tow short distances until Blue Ox gets the part to the garage.

Finally, my back up camera arrived. I took one look at the installation instructions and blanched, but I’m sure I can get it installed. It’ll just take longer than the instructions say it will.

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Tales from the Legal Code of Quebec

Did y’all know that until April 15th of this year, it was illegal to have a GPS in your car?

I joked with my friend last night that she should have a GPS so she won’t get lost when she goes to my place. She said she has one, but doesn’t use it in Quebec because they’re illegal here.

Turns out, she wasn’t all that wrong since the law only changed very recently.

I do suspect it’s a case of the law not keeping up with technology, though, because the law said that it is illegal to keep a screen of some sort where the driver can see it. An exemption needed to be made for GPS units.

Took them long enough.

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Truly Wondrous Technology!

Just how have I traveled all these years without a GPS unit?!

Today, I drove out to the only RV storage place I contacted that felt my request for about six weeks of storage was worth a reply. It’s forty minutes away, but an easy and lovely drive. I paid up till August 31st (105$ plus a 20$ key deposit) and was told that I can bring Miranda up any time after Monday, so that’s another thing resolved.

I let the GPS unit direct me there. It was nice to just let ‘someone else’ take over and to just drive. When I was ready to leave, I asked the GPS to take me to the nearest gas station, then to the nearest Loblaws grocery store, then to home. I really enjoyed the disorienting feeling I got at the gas station when I realised that I had literally no idea where I was! Of course, this told me that I will still need to carry maps in case of GPS failure, but otherwise I was free to enjoy the sun and scenery and let the GPS do the hard work.

A kilometre to home, the unit got a name: Majel. After Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, who did the voice of the computer on the various Star Trek shows and also played Nurse/Doctor Christine Chapel. Hmm… Now would be a good time to point out that Neelix came with his name, which he responded to, and therefore I’m not responsible for that bit of geekiness!