Software Update

Tesla pushed a new software update over the holidays that changes a bunch of user interface behavior and adds a few great features. V11.0 became available for me on the 24th. I started the update, while reading about other people freaking out over the changes. Some unhappy people out there.

I understand some of the complaints, a few features have become an extra click away. But, for the most part the interface is simpler and should be less confusing to use while driving. There were so many cases where I hit the wrong button while driving. I'd turn my seat warmer on while trying to change the temp. They have added more space around the buttons, and allowed for you to put your favorite apps on the bottom bar.

Features

• Tesla Light Show - Silly feature that some people seem to love, but I'll never use.
• New User Interface - Simplification, easier to use, more consistent.
• Updated Navigation - Simplification.
• Games - Sonic might make me get a controller for the car, to play while supercharging, thought I never spend that much time in the car.
• Entertainment - Tiktok, I'd use that. I have used Youtube a few times.
• Audio - Separate Subwoofer level. Nice to have.
• Blind Spot Camera - WOOOT, I love this. turn signal can turn the blind spot camera on for you.
• For every Model 3 and Model Y, we’ve also added automatic seat heater functionality - also very nice.
• Waypoint improvements - very nice to be able to add additional waypoints in the navigation. Now if we could fully use this via the app or on the internet.

Overall

For the most part I think this was all a big improvement. I've seen people complain that the trip screen was easier to use while driving before, but I don't think thats so important for me. Making things easier to use while driving is good. Moving things that you probably shouldn't be using often while driving to a sub menu is fine. I think for a new user this will be easier to understand and learn how to use.

The blind spot camera activation feature is a great safety feature that should have been there all along.

Walt Disney World Vacation September 2021

After a great deal of teeth gnashing and contemplation we decided to go ahead and go to Disney World this year. We had previously purchased tickets that were expiring soon. We were worried about the pandemic and taking risks. We have been so good over the last two years. We are both fully vaccinated. And, if anywhere is going to be safe, surely it's Walt Disney World.

So we drove to Florida and stayed at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. The resort was really nice, it is very similar to Port Orleans Riverside, where we often stay. Our room was in the Jamaica section of the resort. The only issue we had with our room was minor, we were about a half mile from the food court.

Our room was very close to the Sky-Liner station. We used this several times and it was much better than using the Bus. One thing to note, there are frequent stops on the Sky-Liner for when people have issues getting on or off the moving cars, or when there are any other issues. Once when it stopped suddenly, our car was swinging forward and back way more than normal. It was more than a little startling. This only happened once during our trip, most of the time the stops are very mild and brief.

The parks weren't very busy at all. It seems that many people are waiting for the 50th anniversary festivities to begin. I suspect the parks will be crazy in October. We did get to see a bunch of the decorations for the 50th, including some of the new statues, as well as the new castle paint job and decorations.

As expected September can be a rough time in Florida. It's hot like an oven. It also rains every day, and after the rain it often feels even hotter. You are better often going out in the morning, then taking a break in the afternoon, and going out again at night.

We were even able to ride the new Mickie and Minnie Runaway Railroad, and Rise of the Resistance. And, of course Muppet Vision 3D.

We felt reasonable safe in the parks. Mask use is required in-doors except when eating or drinking. There were, of course, plenty of jerks who dropped their masks when they thought they could get away with it. But, Disney is good about enforcement and keeping things clean.

We already can't wait for our next trip.

Humming Birds in our backyard

We were watching this male Humming Bird run almost all others away from the feeder this afternoon.

One finally got to feed for a bit.

Had to upload this multiple times to youtube. For some reason they have removed the rotate tool on their web editor, a major pain.

A New Car!

We decided recently to go ahead and sell our pre-owned Tesla Model S and get a new Model Y. We happened to order during a very busy time for Tesla. It also happens to currently be their most popular car. Amazingly we only had to wait about 5 weeks for our car to arrive. The process was mostly smooth. Our initial delivery date was delayed a couple of days. I can't image the logistic complexity of shipping cars all over the country.

What we ordered

• Tesla Model Y
• Long Range All-Wheel Drive
• Red Multi-Coat
• 19" Gemini Wheels
• Basic Autopilot
• All Black Premium Interior

There were no major issues at all with the delivery. There might be a small door gap issue with the trunk, but it's barely noticeable and does not appear to be causing any issues. There might be an issue with the passenger side front door. It seems a little harder to close sometimes. We'll give it a week to see if it continues. Overall, we are super happy with this vehicle. It's better than the older Model S, and super fun to drive. I can't wait to take some longer trips in it. We will likely drive it to Walt Disney World later this year. We did make one trip in the Model S to Disney, and that went well but we will be able to stop fewer times in this long range Y.

Accessories we are getting

• 3D Max Spider floor mats
• Evannex screen protector
• Under seat storage drawer
• Extra Gen 2 Mobile Connector Bundle - one at the house, one in the car
• Nema Adapter Bundle

I'm still really not sure about doing paint protection wrap. It's very expensive. I might watch some videos on doing it yourself. Not so sure about that yet.

Happy 27th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my best friend and wife. She keeps me safe, sane, and whole. I wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone else.

Getting back to some sort of normal

We were really very careful and cautious over the last year and a half. We mostly stayed home and did curbside everything. We wore our masks and saw nearly no one. We also cancelled multiple trips we had planned. It was easier for us than for many people. I can work from home and we don't have children to worry about.

We have been fully vaccinated for a while now.

We have been testing our limits over the last few weeks. We have been out a few times to places like the mall, Walmart, and have started going to some grocery stores in person again. We even ate at an indoor restaurant for the first time in over a year. It has all been very strange. Getting used to being around people again is the hard part. Some of us are still wearing masks when around lots of people indoors. Though we are starting to get more comfortable with the idea of trusting the vaccine. The only thing that felt bad this weekend was when a small child was coughing aa bunch near us. :( He probably should not have been in a public space with that cough. We walked away quickly.

Hopefully we will feel more comfortable by the time we go on our upcoming Walt Disney World trip. Disney has been slowly relaxing all of their mask and distancing restrictions, so it may be almost back to some sort of normal by the time we go. I'm just not sure if we will be feeling normal yet.

Anna

A friend of ours died from Covid this past weekend. This was the last time we saw her in person. She was always smiling and happy to chat. We will really miss her. And, all my love to Stephen and her family.

Feeling Stupid Old Today

Nothing reminds more you that you are getting older than a Birthday with a big round number.

1971 in the United States

One small change

We recently switched the side of the bed we sleep on. We haven't done this in a long time, and it may not last long. Cats are creatures of habit. They expect things to be a certain way, and in a certain order. They are not happy with the change. Each of them has a preferred monkey and a preferred side of the bed, now they are sleeping with different monkeys, and acting weird about which side of the bed they want to be on. We are going to give them a few more days, but our sanity may require that we switch back.

Making Candied Orange

Tried making candied orange peel today. It turned out really good, though I think I could have let it cook just a little longer. I think it is supposed to be set just a little more.

I want to try it with some other fruit like Jacques Pépin does in this video.

I also think I would like to make some caramel candy. SUGAR COMA!!!!