G. David Felt

So then another question, were you not vaccinated for going to school growing up?

Dec 16th, 2021, Rivian press release went out that the great state of Georgia had won for Rivian's second assembly plant campus. This carbon-conscious campus is to be built east of Atlanta, in Morgan and Walton counties. This is a $5-billion site development and manufacturing investment. Rivian stated this new 2,000-acre campus would have the following: Employ more than 7,500 workers Produce up to 400,000 auto's a year Renewable energy production Construction of the plant begins summer of 2022 with production slated for some time in 2024. Now we find a posting of the Site Plans Map and Description on the https://www.rivianforums.com site that gives us far more details about the new campus. Thanks to AdamsFan1983 for posting this. This map plan expands showing that not only will it be an assembly plant, but we also see the additional following details: Adventure trail and test track On-site delivery center 144 chargers for outbound vehicle prep R & D three story building Training facility Considerable outdoor amenity space CX & Event center building Clearly a very large investment by Rivian into the state of Georgia. With that we also now have one of the best views into the 2022 production at the Normal, Illinois production campus. Rivian to site second manufacturing plant in Georgia ? Rivian’s Georgia Plant Site Plan Revealed - Includes Trail & Test Track, Delivery Center, 144 Chargers | Rivian Forums - R1T & R1S Owners, News, Discussions, RIVN Stock 12-15-21 (rivianforums.com) View full article

Creepy that they could pass for brother and sister.

Out of Curiosity why have you chosen to not be vaccinated?

I have been seeing multiple other writeups that Tesla is considering standardizing the Americas market with Europe, but as of now this is the latest that has been posted on the various Tesla sites. Tesla Charge Ports & Plugs of the World Compared (for Models S, X, 3, & Y) (1), (2), & (3) NOTES (China) The acronym "GB/T" stands for "Guobiao" ("National Standard") and "Tuijian" ("Recommended"). Note incompatible gender and wiring differences between otherwise similar Chinese and European Type 2 plug ends. Older cars: Model S (before October 2017) and Model 3 (before November 2019) came with a single European-style Type 2 charge-port. These cars must use GB/T AC (alternating current) and GB/T DC (direct current) adapters in order to charge from National Standard equipment. Newer cars come equipped with dual GB/T ports. No National Standard adapters are required. NOTES (North America) All model-years use Tesla Proprietary Connection (TPC) ports, which accept both Tesla AC and DC equipment. The Level 2 J1772 adapter (with TPC plug) is used at public AC charging stations and for non-Tesla home/destination charging equipment. Third-party CHAdeMO DC fast-charge stations are found in North America. Until October 2021 Tesla offered a CHAdeMO adapter with TPC plug intended for use with all four models. Third-party CCS1 (CCS Combo 1) DC fast-charge stations (used by almost all non-Tesla electric cars in North America) are increasing in number. A Tesla CCS Combo 1 adapter is supposedly coming "soon" to North America. (A presumably similar Tesla CCS1 adapter in South Korea is not compatible with North American vehicles and/or the CCS1 charging stations they hope to use.) Cars sold in Japan (Models S, X, 3), South Korea (all models), and (previously) Taiwan (S, X, 3) also come/came with Tesla proprietary (TPC) ports. Tesla CHAdeMO adapters with TPC plugs are sold in South Korea and Taiwan (see below) and may still be available from dealers in Japan. The Tesla CCS Combo 1 adapter sold just in South Korea (see note above) is for Models 3 & Y there only. In TaiwanTesla has switched from North American TPC to European Type 2 ("Mennekes") ports and plugs. The CHAdeMO adapter with TPC plug is still listed but is currently (as of 11/2021) "sold out." Two types of Tesla Generation 2 Mobile Connectors (for home AC use) are available for (older) cars with the TPC port and for (newer) cars with the Type 2 port. NOTES (Europe) A (likely) goal of allowing all model-years to use all Supercharger, CCS2, and CHAdeMO sites throughout Europe has not yet been fully achieved. But the level of access is good, especially for certain models. According to Tesla, the Supercharger network is (collectively) available to all model-years (Supercharging in Europe). V2 Superchargers now have two cables to accommodate cars with either Type 2 or CCS2 ports. V3 Superchargers each have one CCS2 cable. Ultimately, the ability to use specific Supercharger and other DC charging sites still depends on model, age, and hardware/software-status of the car as well as availability of charging adapters (see model-specific notes, below). Note incompatible gender and wiring differences between the otherwise similar-appearing European and Chinese Type 2 plugs. Models S & X: All years to date come with Type 2 charge-ports (pictured in the Table, above). Note modifications to the basic "Mennekes" design in the Model S port pictured below. Only Models S and X were apparently originally intended to use Superchargers. To use CCS2 equipment, a CCS Combo 2 (CCS2-to-Type 2) adapter is required. Cars made before May 2019 also require a hardware retrofit to use Tesla CCS2 adapters. Newer cars do not need such a retrofit. A Tesla CHAdeMO adapter (with Type 2 plug) remains available (for Models S & X only). Older vehicles must be Supercharger-enabled (at a Service Center) to accept the CHAdeMO adapter. Newer vehicles come Supercharger-enabled from the factory. In summary, all Models S & X (with qualifications) should now be able to charge at: V2 Superchargers. V3 Superchargers (using a CCS Combo 2 adapter--see note above on whether a hardware retrofit is needed). Third-party CCS2 charging stations (using that CCS2 adapter). Third-party CHAdeMO stations (using the CHAdeMO adapter--see note above on needing to be Supercharger-enabled). Models 3 & Y Since November 2018 Models 3 and Y come outfitted with CCS Combo 2 inlet-ports (pictured in the Table, above). Models 3 & Y outfitted with CCS2 ports should be able to charge at: V2 Superchargers (which have been retrofitted with CCS2 charging cables). V3 Superchargers. Third-party CCS2 charging stations. Sadly, these cars cannot use Supercharger cables with Type 2 plugs. And they cannot use Tesla CHAdeMO adapters. Other areas that use European-style charge connectors include New Zealand, Australia, Macao, Hong Kong, and (now) Taiwan. In Australia and New Zealand (part of Oceania) Tesla sells Models S, X, and 3. Supercharger characteristics are similar to those in Europe. - V2 Superchargers now have CCS2 and Type 2 (modified) charge cables. - Proprietary Supercharger Type 2 plugs have that extra "key" that prevents entry into non-Tesla car (Type 2) ports. - V3 Superchargers have CCS2 cables only. As in Europe, Models S & X continue to come with Type 2 (modified) charge-ports. - A Tesla CCS Combo 2 adapter (CCS2-to-Type 2) is available. - As is a Tesla CHAdeMO adapter (with Type 2 plug). Model 3 comes with the CCS2 port (Tesla Charging in Australia). - These cars require no adapter to use CCS2 Supercharger and third-party charging stations. - But are unable to use the Tesla CHAdeMO DC adapter or Supercharger Type 2 cables. In Hong Kong and Macao Tesla sells the GB/T-to-Type 2 AC adapter (see Mainland China notes) on its websites. See also information about Taiwan under "NOTES (North America)," above. NOTES (all) Charge-plug-end illustrations are not to scale. The (4-color) charge-plug illustrations (derived from Wikipedia sources) are intended to reveal: The full range of possible connection-circuit functions, and internal and external differences among regional equipment. Individual circuit pathways may or may not be active or even present depending on whether a plug is intended for AC or DC loads. We know that charging a Tesla car from one region (say North America) in another region (Europe, for example) may be possible. But research, planning, and preparation should be undertaken before taking a car from one region to another. Despite that, not all charging options (e.g., Supercharging) may ultimately be available. As a help. aftermarket adapters may be available to increase charging opportunities in the region to be visited. But use appropriate caution when selecting and using non-Tesla charging accessories. Also, we are told that not all vehicle features, like Navigation, may function properly in a new region. So if you plan to take a car from one region to another, investigate carefully and thoroughly. See Charging Equipment of the World for a map showing where various types of charging equipment are used in the different countries. Sources included Wikipedia, Electrek, Teslarati, Reddit, and the TMC. Words of Caution: Presentation of this information to North American readers, in particular, is not simply an academic exercise. In recent years Tesla vehicles and charging equipment in China and Europe have undergone significant (and cumulatively expensive) charging-standard conversions that affected both newer and older cars. It is conceivable that Tesla in North American could bow to internal or external pressures and eventually do away with its long-time North American proprietary charging (TPC) standard since... increasingly, most electric cars, both worldwide and in North America, use charging-equipment standards other than TPC. In conclusion, future North American Tesla drivers may experience aspects from among at least three Possibilities: No change. Cars, Superchargers, and Tesla charging equipment (wall and mobile connectors and optional adapters) continue to use the popular and convenient Tesla Proprietary Connector (TPC) ports and plugs. (Non-Tesla drivers allowed to use Superchargers would presumably have to employ a TPC-to-CCS1 adapter or be limited to selected Supercharger stalls outfitted with CCS1 cables.) New and retrofitted Superchargers start to come with CCS1 (CCS Combo 1) charge cables, increasingly requiring Tesla operators to use CCS1-to-TPC adapters for the fastest charging. At some point Tesla transitions to a new North American standard--new cars, Superchargers, and mobile charging equipment all eventually come with CCS1 (or other?) ports and plugs. Older cars have to use a CCS1 adapter. A combination of Possibilities 2 and 3 might approximate what has already happened in China and Europe (plus Oceania and Taiwan). Last edited: Jan 2, 2022

Very cool Drag race!

Some lovely trucks Not sure how they can justify a $285,000 price for this 1952 Thriftmaster 3100 Pickup, but wow it is nice looking. 1952 Thriftmaster 3100 Inspired by TR Gets a New School Upgrade, $285K Price Tag (newsweek.com) Loving this Purple Pickup. Part of this story with very cool auto's 10 Coolest Cars Metallica's James Hetfield Hides In His Garage (hotcars.com) Loving these cars While the look of this 1937 Ford is just nice to me, the real beauty is the Maroon paint job!

Seems in less camo, the Ford Ranger and Bronco Raptor versions are out testing on the streets around Detroit. Ford Ranger Raptor caught with less camo next to a Bronco Raptor (autoblog.com) Interesting read, but looking at the sales numbers it does look like VW has surpassed Tesla in sales as an American company mines Lithium in Europe and VW has 2 gigafactories under construction to build battery packs for VW BEV. Forget China, Ignore Tesla…The Lithium Story Moves on to Europe | Market Tactic

I actually liked this Cadillac and especially the dark green metallic paint job GM had for it. This is just Drop Dead Sexy to me!

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Flu or Covid is no fun. Hopefully Flu more than Covid. Found out my Niece and her husband are part of the we do not believe this is real, unvaccinated crowd. My wife was wanting to go down and see the boys, but when she called our Niece said she has been sick since Jan 1st. Hard to breath, and all the rest of the symptoms. I asked her if she has been tested and that is when I found out about her views including God will take care of her. At this point, wife chose to not go and see them even when Jess said come on down and we will wear masks. Sadly, she is barely High School educated. She was very healthy as she teaches mixed martial arts, but I suspect she has covid and at this point is winded just walking up stairs to her bedroom according to her. Sick is no fun, take care Drew. Wishing you a healthy recovery and I hope you spouse does not get it. Let us know how it goes and what your test results are. Sending positive thoughts your way for a speedy recover my friend.

2022 Chevrolet Performance Catalog is now online. 2022 Chevrolet Performance Catalog (dcatalog.com)

Interesting read by an EV owner who was stuck on the I-95 mess. “I'm Grateful That I Was Driving My EV When I Got Stuck On I-95” - ZETA (zeta2030.org)

Interesting question that I asked my Sister and her partner was of the roughly 30% unvaccinated medical folks at Evergreen Hospital, how many are actual Doctors / Nurses and how many are support folks? These are those that only require a 2yr degree or certificate to assist nurses / Doctors. Not Surprising answer was that 88% of the people were of the 2yr / Certificate certified programs. The few Doctors that were on the list were all very conservative doctors, most near retirement or could have retired and are not ready to accept the data yet. Nurses were 100% vaccinated at the hospital. I also just got notified that the Cardiologist who 5 generations of my family has seen and knows our family history in deep detail has decided to retire early rather than deal with the vaccine and hospital mandates as the Hospital has given all unvaccinated employees till the end of March to get vaccinated or lose their job. Evergreen Hospital is on a massive hiring but with a very clear mandate, MUST BE VACCINATED.

Is that the Cult of Ota?

Gassed up the SS at Costco and in comes the twins, Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe. I stated to the two owners that it has been a long time since I saw the twins on the road around here. Glad to see some still alive. Toyota Owner looked confused and asked why I said that, I explained, and he immediately denied it was co-built with GM. The Pontiac owner agreed with me and said it was a great little low maintenance auto he has owned since his parents had bought it new and gave it to him when he graduated college. I told the Toyota Owner you can look it up online as it is built alongside the Vibe in a factory that was 50/50 GM/Toyota. Again, he denied it was true as all Toyota autos are built only by Toyota as they are the best quality autos in the world. I laughed and said is that why they have had millions of recalls lately because they are the best in the world? The Pontiac owner laughed also and encouraged the guy to look online while he was gassing up. He did, his facial expression changed, and he once done hung up the gas hose, forgot to get this receipt that printed and just took off. Guess that bubble popped and deflated his day!

That is a good question, I know here in Washington they are not, they show up on the medical reporting as Medical/Surgical Covid positive afterwards. Right now, no hospital is doing elective surgeries, so anyone going in a hospital is for a valid surgical issue or for Covid. They are tracking it here separately to be clear on the cases of Covid only. I will look around the CDC reporting to see if they have an exception statement or clearly state the differences. Would be good to know.

No, not on Tesla. Cadillac has stated they will be on the LYRIQ.

Seems Tesla has revealed the refreshed Tesla S & X. Now comes with the Tesla Performance edition 3/Y headlamps which are adaptive headlights. CCS2 is now the global charge port, otherwise no real changes to the auto line. Tesla Model S Refresh Revealed In Taiwan With New Features (insideevs.com) Crazy that you pay 6 figures and now start to get the same equipment that comes on the less expensive 3/Y models. Charge port door is now the same as the 3/Y manual no release switch inside the auto. Rubber boot to cover the new CCS2 charge port to keep water out of it. Bet the rubber charge port cover becomes a top replacement purchase on Amazon.

This kind of thing is what makes this so sad as over 90% of those being hospitalized are the unvaccinated. U.S. reports record 1.3M Covid cases in a day as hospitalizations soar (nbcnews.com) At least 1,343,167 new Covid infections were identified on Monday, according to the tally, sweeping past the previous record of 1,044,970 cases that had been set on Jan. 3. So much of this could be avoided if those people would honestly look, use their brain and consider the science. Sadly, 30% of the nation medical staff feel this is overblown and are not vaccinated and with the Supreme Court reviewing the vaccination mandate, firings have been put on hold for Federal, State, County, city government jobs. Private sector is another thing as some companies have moved forward with vaccine mandates to keep your job due to at will employment. This also is why I am hearing from my sister and others who are nurses at hospitals: southern states have seen the largest shift in hospitalizations over the past two weeks, with the seven-day averages for hospitalizations in Louisiana up 341 percent from 340 to 1,501 over the past two weeks, while Florida has seen its average soar by 277 percent from 2,426 to 9,169, Why help those that want to fight the benefits of vaccinated, Private Hospitals are being asked by their own employees to prioritize vaccinated people over unvaccinated as the ones to help. A crazy world we live in now.

True, but even the Nissan Leaf info that has been shared from last year's Texas Winter storm show they did pretty good. It makes sense that an EV would only need to run the electric seats and or heat pump / heater to stay warm rather than run everything the way an ICE would.

Interesting the FEAR EVs give to some as this editorial is pathetic, but understandable on how cherry-picking details fails the public in pushing writing like this out. Opinion | Imagine Virginia’s traffic jam but with only electric vehicles - The Washington Post You then have ones like this that use science to show that EVs actually do much better than ICE in a traffic jam like this. Yes Batteries loose more than gas, but use less power than ICE when idling and for Tesla they have Camping mode, so a blanket and heated seats keeps you warmer than running an ICE auto at a much cheaper rate. How Long Can A Tesla Keep You Warm In A Frozen Traffic Jam? "Dirty Tesla" Finds Out - CleanTechnica Some Quotes from real people stuck in the traffic jam. Tesla owners caught in the traffic jam and in one of the comments to his video, a user noted that a pregnant woman from the Facebook Tesla Divas group shared that she was stuck in her Tesla for 16 hours during the traffic jam. Her battery was at 74% and only dropped to 61% by the time she got home. She simply turned-on Camp Mode and slept. To answer the Washington Post’s question, the Teslas did pretty well during 18 hours of freezing temperatures. He noted that he used solar at home to charge his cars but included the cost of electricity for those who may not have solar at home. 12 Hour Check-in The Model Y battery level went from 91% down to 58%. It used 26.5 kWh at 0.16 per kWh, which would cost $4.22. The Model X battery dropped from 90% to 47% and used 43 kWh at 0.16 per kWh, which would cost $6.88. 18 Hour Check-in During this portion, he had lowered the inside temperatures of the cars to 60 degrees. The Model Y battery went from 58% down to 48%, with 8 kWh used at 0.16 per kWh costing $1.28. I agree with the Conclusion here: Although he didn’t include the results for the Model X at 18 hours, it should be noted that it cost under $10 to stay warm in freezing conditions. However, as he emphasized, with planning for emergencies such as the Virginia icy traffic jam disaster, one could survive up to 36 hours in their car. He also noted that both ICEVs and EVs have their advantages and disadvantages during emergencies, but I want to emphasize that the average American who owns a gas car and thinks EVs are ill equipped to handle emergencies probably spent more than $10 to keep warm during this event — much more. Typical misinformation, or FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt), often permeates the collective during disasters such as the one in Virginia. And the Washington Post — which is a news organization with access to research, information, and data — chose not to use that and spread the idea that it would have been worse off with EVs than without.

Lat night on the way home from running an errand, saw my first blue VW ID4 EV in the wild. Have to say they look better in person than photos and I like the lighting on the outside, the turn lights are an outline of the headlight, very easy to see, very quiet and looked good. Impressed with the look, just too small for me.

INFLATION!!!

@oldshurst442 Since I work with CDC, John Hopkins, Harvard Medical and Oxford all on the Covid front of research, they are expecting new versions that will require boosters this year. As such, the CDC has changed to every 6 months for a booster shot against Covid. Pfizer will have an Omnicron Booster out in May time frame. Moderna is expecting to follow a month later or so and right now we are hitting new highs in hospitalizations of 146,000 per day. U.S. COVID hospitalizations hit record high : Shots - Health News : NPR Omicron pushes U.S. COVID hospitalizations toward record high | Reuters COVID-19 Hospitalizations (cdc.gov) Sadly, we have new variants already taking hold. New COVID variant ‘IHU’ with 46 mutations detected in France (yahoo.com) New Potential Covid Virus Variants Of Concern (forbes.com) What do we know so far about the new Mu COVID-19 variant? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org) SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as of 5 January 2022 (europa.eu) As such, I would say you need to expect another jab or two and that 2023 is the true year we will see things start to ease up as the world starts to reach towards what some call Herd Immunity. Getting Vaccines was slow during the Influenza pandemic of 1918, we are at least getting better about getting updated vaccines out and communicating it.