#also money + insurance + getting a ride are all problems :/

[lapdogchase]

[secretlythepits]

I’m spinning.

His pain seems to be getting worse. He says he just can’t take it anymore but it has been this way for a while. I don’t think that’s true, because I can literally see the pain on his face and in his eyes and that is new.

He decided to take the opioids. He was just taking 1 at night to sleep some nights, but his pain is so disruptive, he can’t function so he decided to just take them as they wear off. Hopefully this won’t result in too terrible of side effects. He is prone to constipation and has had huge problems with it in the past. That’s a common side effect.

I just think this is such a bad omen. I don’t know if he can come back from this pain. I’m afraid it will only increase. His fancy bicycle hasn’t arrived yet. Will he even get to ride it?

But who knows? Sometimes it feels like there is a big hoopla and then it dies down. Worry for nothing. Now we get to wait for scan results again. I am so over this.

I need some therapy now. We have an appointment with palliative care which should open us up to therapy, but I might just try and make any appointment with anyone through my insurance tomorrow. I can switch later. I just want to talk at someone and then have them tell me I’m wonderful and will be ok, and let’s make a realistic plan you can work on in these impossible circumstances. I could call friends, but I have so many lines of thought right now. So many conflicted feelings. I’m tangled up.

Here’s what I’m worried about: I feel trapped and frozen. Pretty sure it’s a trauma coping mechanism. I need to get some work done, but we have so many appointments and I feel distracted by his symptoms. It’s hard to ignore someone’s suffering even though I can’t do anything and he doesn’t want me to. Still, I feel like I need to get my business together. Yesterday.

He’s applied for unemployment but there keep being bs problems with his application. There is no helpline or office. I think they do this to make it hard for people to get their money. Seriously, we don’t know what to do. Social security is also being slow. It’s retirement, so why does it take so long to review? We have an appointment to get the child benefits of a retiree in a few weeks, but his retirement hasn’t been approved yet. I hope these get figured out and that we get back pay. I delayed worrying, but now I don’t know. He has been handling it and because they are his accounts he needs to be the one. His pain makes it hard for him to keep pushing against these brick walls of bureaucracy.

This means I should just focus and get my work together, but I feel like I’ve been dancing around my difficult tasks. Part of it is just that I struggle to function on such a random, unpredictable, and disruptive schedule. The clinical trials are all over the place. Dentist, orthodontist, and driving tests are all in the mix. I’m trying to schedule my own screening exams but it feels like we are always waiting on his schedule which always changes and usurps.

I am just so angry that this is so hard.

I want someone to tell me what to do.

[artisiumstudios]

hi i just read your brain dead au fic!!! i wanted to know if you have any tips on researching that kind of thing, ive been wanting to write something similar for a long time but ive always been too afraid to come off as insensitive or even ableist bc i dont experience cognitive impairment myself. obviously you dont need to share if its super personal but id appreciate some tips on where i could find more info tysm!!!!

Hello! Im glad youre enjoying it!

Here some tips that I think could help:

personal experience can come a long way. I will say this part of the reason I am able to write what I write is due mostly because I myself have some disabilities or know someone who has them. For example I have ADHD and autism, depression (what a surprise said no one) anxiety and not to mention I probably do have a learning disability (that I refuse to get checked out because I have no money, my insurance is ass, and I live in America so I don't need another target on my back) but thankfully theyre all managable. to an extent. ish. sort of. But that's besides the point, anyways, I also have a lot of health issues too, my biggest example is my bad knee! So thankfully because of that, for my brain dead au i don't need to research as much about physical therapy since ive already had some experience from when I took some! Now thats me, unfortunetly I also know of people who have been in severe car/motorcycle accidents. Ive seen how much one accident can range in when it comes to damage. For example my uncle (my mothers husband who ive now grown apart from ever since he voted for the stale cheeto puff) was in a motorcycle accident I want to say 10 years ago? But it was bad since he fell of a bridge going 45 mph, which resulted in him having almost every bone in his body broken, like the mans was a walking mummy by that point, and having missing teeth. But surprisingly enough he not only survived by retained little to no severe damage on his body. He has no scars, no body aches (apart from the ones that come with age) he has no memory or physical problems, nothing. It's like he never was in the accident at all. Of course he now has fake teeth but thats about it. On the other end, i've had an uncle who was riding his own vehicle and just swerved and hit a wall going around 30-40 mph, him on the other hand had only two broken arms but ended up being paralyzed from the neck down and is only semi conscious at times. his accident was around 1 year or so ago. Now more recently and what i consider the middle ground, one of my cousins from my dad's side got into an accident too where he broke his arm, fractured a rib, and retained a brain injury. This was about a month ago, now for him he's able to move, although he is still in a lot of pain, and he's having memory problems as well as hearing problems. Also because of how bad off they are he's unable to go back to the doctor for another diagnosis and treatment. But yeah, a lot of severe injuries in my family. And these are just some of the more sharable ones surprisingly enough. but anyways, onto the next tip!

THE LIBRARY, not only are you supporting the library by going and checking out books and using their resources, as well as building community, but also you can learn a lot about almost every subject you want! And remember there isn't just physical books, but they have online/audio books too that can help immensely!

if you go to a college or university, they usually have a database of factual peer reviewed scholarly information. I go to this cute and absolutely AMAZING community college that has one of these and all i need to do is go the library homepage, go to the database, look at what topic i need to look at (in this case for me i'd have to go put in health and nursing) then click on one of the bases , for example Gale Interactive Human Anatomy which shows me interactive 3D models of human anatomy and a full in depth explanation of what i need and thats it!

usually for the most part just remember that intentions do matter and coming to the realization that a lot of things are just a spectrum, meaning that a lot of diagnosis (like autism or brain damage) could mean different things to different people and depending on their background can affect a lot of their daily aspects in a lot of different ways. Example: im mexican born in america, for me it WAS possible to get physical therapy but only my parents have been in the usa long enough to have been able to provide for me while i was getting them first time around (funfact bout me i should be getting PT again but since i cant afford it... and my MRI cost me half of what I had in my bank account, I won't be able to go again) but unfortunately for my cousin who i mentioned before, him and his family aren't too well off, so he wasn't even able to start PT, not to mention that he kinda lives in a dangerous part of Guanajuato so our family doesn't want him out of the house too much right now.

Keep a notebook or doc or something with all the information you find and label it! Highlight the parts you want to include and go into depth about what you want! Like how a certain disability/disorder/injury can come to be, the symptoms, how to treat it, what can happen if not treated, ect.

Anways, these are some of the tips i have when it comes to researching, i'm sure theres more but yeah thats all i got for now! also if you're not in college/uni you are always welcomed to message me about the topic you want and I can find information for you!

[dullgecko]

I think the Bad Kids and their parents often have to look after each other. Just like family.

(AKA I never see bad kid parents headcanons so have mine)

Like, the parents help all the kiddos out, with meds and patience and love.

But Jawbone still sometimes gets shaky from withdrawal, and the Mordred kids all know to help him make meals when he can't hold anything. He goes far off and away and Adaine helps him with the same grounding tricks he taught her. (He can't be put on medication because there is such a strong risk he'd get addicted again (this needs to be a fic I'm realising)).

Sklonda may be better off than right after Pok died, but she still is underweight from sacrificing food so Riz could eat. She has passed out before from forgetting to eat out of habit, and has a lot of guilt around food.

Gorthalax was never meant to be trapped in a gem, so he's quite claustrophobic after multiple instances of it happening. Fig has had to coax him down from a few panic attacks when he is summoned into a smaller space.

Gilear does sometimes have night terrors, and they're VERY bad. Mostly about him dying (a lot). He wakes up screaming and the first couple times scared Fig to her core.

Sandra Lynn is forever guilty for Fig and Jawbone, and she sleep talks about it unknowingly.

Halariel is an awful mother, but she does love her darling boy. She also has withdrawal symptoms.

Bill is bipolar, although he is medicated.

Wilma and Digby are... Wilma and Digby, I really don't think they have any specific issues other than feeling disconnected from their big beautiful boy.

But like these parents have gone through so much man. Nobody thinks about it.

Jawbone feels really lucky that he met the kids in the first place, and feels like a bit of a burden when his past comes back to bite him in such a bad way sometimes. At the very least he has medical insurance so he can get his problems dealth with professionally but sometimes there's nothing they can do except ride it out with him. They make sure he has spaces where he's comfortable and safe (and wont accidentally wolf-out on anyone) and make sure he stays fed and hydrated until he feels better. Once he does he makes sure to give his girls the BIGGEST hugs to show he appreciates them (he gives the best hugs).

Sklonda sacrificed a lot for Riz after Pok died, and Riz realised she was doing this when he was still fairly young. She doesn't know that he was doing his best to make sure she was fed too (and he will never tell her that on some of the nights he said he wasnt hungry so she would eat he was dumpster diving in secret). Now that he's earning money of his own with his detective job he makes sure to sneak an extra twenty into her purse every now and then so she'll buy herself something for lunch. The other parents make sure to send Riz home from sleepovers and outings with armfulls of leftovers too so she has some food in the house she has to eat before it goes bad.

Gortholax gets anxious if anyone wears jewelery with stones larger than a centimeter or so across. None of the other parents will wear any when they meet up, and all the bad kids will only wear solid metal bands, pendants or studs as their jewelery. They hold any bad kid and family get togethers in big open spaces so he feels more comfortable.

Poor Gilear needs a hug, but things are getting better for him now that he lives at Seacaster manor (and his daughter and not-stepson-yet arent dragging him around on horrifying nightmare adventures).

Sandra Lynn has some pretty deep-seated issues revolving around faithfulness and commitment, but Jawbone and Lydia are helping her work through them somewhat. She feels lucky that Jawbone is such an understanding partner, and her friends are lovely as well.

Hallarial spent so much of Fabians life being drunk that she's not really sure how to mother him now that she's trying to be sober. He's basically an adult, so she defaults to trying to more or less treat him like one even though he's starving for parental affection after his dads death. She hasn't spent much time around the other parents so they havent managed to scold her for her behaviour yet, but Gilear is trying his best to steer her in the right direction.

Bill, the absoloutly UNHINGED pirate captain being one of the only parents to sortof have his shit together is hilarious. No notes. He acts like that for the aesthetics. He loves his darling boy! He's loving his afterlife! He loved his life!

Wilma and Digby are precious and are doing their best. They tend to be the ones to help the other parents out the most, and scold them when they need to so they'll act right by their kids.

[lastoneout]

Y'all I am so fucking tired of the like, privatization of healthcare and also the way medicaid works. I've been trying to get this blood work done that I need before my surgery next month and there are apparently only two types of clinics I can go to, SonoraQuest, which has reasonable hours and is open on Saturdays, or LabCorp which is only open on weekdays and closes at 3pm.

Turns out I actually can't go to SonoraQuest because they don't take Medicaid, something I found out after going there and sitting in the lobby for an hour. I have to go to LabCorp.

The problem with LabCorp is that my fiancé works until 3:30pm and he's having a very busy week and thus hasn't been able to leave early to take me. I can't take public transit because I'm disabled and don't have a wheelchair yet and going on foot or with my rollator would ruin my ability to do anything for the rest of the day and possibly the next couple of days too. I can't take a lyft or Uber because my fiancé is the sole breadwinner for our household(I can't work) and right now his shit idiot credit union is straight up breaking the law and repeatedly flagging his cards for *possible* fraud despite there being no fraud, and he's gone through like 5 debit cards in the last two months over this(he's gone in to complain about all the ways this is fucking him over big time and they told him there's literally nothing they can do). He's moving his money to a new credit union atm but that takes time, so he legit cannot access his money and thus he can't give me any to pay for the ride. (The bus also costs money I don't have so that's another reason I can't take it.)

I decided this is all horseshit and called the hospital my surgery will be at and asked if there is somewhere else I can go because this isn't working, and the lady told me I can just go to the hospital for it and that they're open until 7pm. So I went there yesterday, only to find out that the people who do the blood work at the hospital is fucking SonoraQuest and they close at 4pm.

LabCorp does have a service where they'll send a mobile team to your house to collect the blood, but it costs $35 which again. We cannot access my fiancé's money atm. Also that's more than a lyft would cost so even if I had access to money I would prefer to go there myself.

So I am hoping my fiancé will be able to get off work early today so we can go down to LabCorp when they're open and hopefully they won't tell me I need an appointment or that coming in like an hour before they close isn't allowed.

Anyway call me a boomer but there is no fucking world in which I shouldn't be able to just go to my fucking neurosurgeon's office and have a nurse take my blood. Like I should just be able to do that. Or just walk into the hospital which overall does take my insurance and have one of the like 100s of nurses take my goddamn blood. This used to be how this shit worked. Why the fuck have we outsourced this to for profit clinics that suck ass, forcing me to try to move heaven and earth to get myself to a clinic with insanely unreasonable hours, stressing me the fuck out. Also why does having Medicaid mean I have to go to the worse clinic like this always happens, the clinics that take Medicaid are always garbage compared to the ones that don't it's such crap that the poor folks have to put up with sub-par medical services just bcs we're poor.

Anyway I'm going to go scream into a pillow for a while and hope to god I'm able to get this out of the way today bcs if not I'm probably just gonna have to call the neurosurgeon and let them know I might not be able to do the blood work because unfortunately it's fucking impossible.

[liminaltey]

Make a difference in a disabled woman’s life for the holidays? Read this:

I’m only $115 away from my goal!!!

Hi my name is Tey but I also go by Jas, I’m an unemployed autistic woman. I made a GoFundMe in an effort to obtain a bike, to aid in my independent traveling endeavors. I cannot legally drive, and even if I could I do not have the means to afford a car, car insurance and other car related expenses like gas. I cannot afford Uber or Lyft, and I can’t always afford the bus. I cannot rely comfortably on relatives or friends to take me places because they are their own people with their own agendas, and as mentioned previously I cannot afford to compensate them with gas money. I have been searching for a job for months and have had a couple interviews but they all have lead to nothing.

I have done much walking lately in an attempt to exercise my independent traveling muscles but it’s harder than I thought. Despite being young (24) I have dealt with foot related pain/ problems for as long as I can remember. I had surgery to address it at 9 or 10 years old. That did not solve everything of course. I used to sprain my ankles a lot due to them being unstable and floppy. I have lost feeling in my toes for weeks just from standing from working at Bojangle’s. I have an osteochondral lesion on my left ankle that may require surgery, and just two days ago I was diagnosed with a stress reaction on my right foot, a precursor to an actual fracture from all the walking I’ve done. I was also freshly diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

Having a bike would help me be able to travel more often, and further. My partner has a beautiful bike and I’d love to be able to bike ride alongside them on our city related adventures instead of lagging behind on my unreliable feet. See look at how pretty! It’s even more gorgeous in person:

I’d also really love to be able to take myself to my doctors and mental health appointments without begging my relatives to take me. I would like to be able to pick up my prescription medication, and do independent grocery runs. I’d love to be able to get out the house more often on my own terms rather than wait for someone to get into the “feel like going out” mood. I have depression, anxiety and other health problems both physical and psychological and I’m trying to actively overcome them. Biking is a good form of physical activity while simultaneously exposing you to vitamin D since it generally is considered an outdoorsy activity. I lack vitamin D.

So if you read all this, I adore you.

If you have the means to donate $1 I’d really really really really really really really really appreciate it, and if you can’t (I understand, my bank account closed itself because I’m that broke), reblogging would also be very very very very very very very very very very very very much appreciated!

I’m $115 away, it’s so close I can almost taste it (imagining that one Patrick licking SpongeBob popsicle scene)

Being $115 away means:

If 11 (and a half 🤭) people donated $10 the goal would be reached or 23 people donating $5, you get the picture

This is me if you care btw:

[riddlerosehearts]

very long and very negative/depressing vent post under the cut because i don't wanna bother my friends at 7 am and don't have anywhere else to put this lmao

i'm gonna be real i'm in my late 20s and have never, ever had what i'd consider a happy life. i've had a few days of happiness here and there but i just do not know what a genuinely happy, fulfilling, hopeful life is like. i might've known when i was like, younger than 10, but my memory sucks so bad that i hardly remember that time and the only thing i was holding onto for a chance of getting to find out someday was keeping trump out of office forever. my mental health gets worse all the time and trying to do anything about it is so, so hard.

and this is going to sound so fucking silly when it's the least of anyone's problems right now but i am the most disney-obsessed person who's never been to disney world because my family could never afford to take the trip. i used to dream more than anything of getting to go with my whole family even just once someday and i lost that dream permanently when my mom died, far too suddenly and far too young, and now i just want to go there for a few days with my dad and brother before my dad gets too old and his health too bad to be able to enjoy it. i just want a nice week-long family vacation where we get to laugh and smile and eat overpriced mickey mouse-shaped food together, my mom's spirit joining us from heaven while we ride peter pan's flight and ask my favorite princesses for their autographs, just once in our lives like so many other families get to do, but i no longer believe we will ever be able to afford that because i'm so scared thinking about if we'll even be able to afford to live the same way we have been under a second trump presidency.

for so long i've fantasized about my family getting out of alabama someday, about being able to move to a state where we could have access to things like health insurance and public transportation that would help mitigate so many of our worst problems, and not to mention abortion rights in case i ever needed one. but moving has always been too out of reach and under a second trump presidency with the rest of the government full of fascists i'm terrified that those states will no longer be able to exist in the same way.

i've dreamed about being able to get a breast reduction--not even full top surgery, just a good reduction because that's truly all i need or want--so i can stop wanting to tear my giant chest off out of soul-crushing gender dysphoria on some days but again, i've lost hope of ever being allowed access to health insurance that could cover that. it's only going to get less and less safe to even be trans, or queer at all, in alabama in the first place. my sister who also lives here in alabama has a wife and two little boys and i'm so scared for them. i'm so much more terrified of everything than i was in 2016 and i am just so, so unfathomably tired. like literally what is even the point of anything anymore? why do i not deserve to know what being a happy person feels like? why does my family not deserve comfort and financial security when they are such wonderful people, so much better than i am? why am i even bothering to cost them so much money and stress by still being alive? what is the point of anything in this world?

[kwisatzworld]

Vale's Last Year in 250cc - 1999

Malaysian GP, Sepang “The winter was fun. Usually I don’t like the winter because it' s too cold, but where I live, near the Adriatic coast, there are so many people in the summer. That didn’t used to be a problem, but now everyone recognises me, so it’s Rossi! Rossi! Rossi! all the time. I don’t like it!” “I spent a lot of time with my friends, as that’s when I’m happiest. We went skiing a few times, a big gang of us. Mad! Snowboarding is more fashionable nowadays but I’m faster on skis, so it’s better! Melandri came with me once, he’s my best mate in the paddock, plus Alessandro Brannetti, a new Italian 125 guy.” “I moved into my new house just before Christmas and that was great, though my mother came with me! I wanted to live alone, but she said no. It’s okay living with her, I’m so busy it’s good to have her around.” “My girlfriend Eliane came out to Malaysia with me. We’ve been going out for almost two years now, though she doesn’t come to so many races. Women need a lot of attention, so having her with me at races is both good and bad!”

Spanish GP, Jerez “Halfway through my victory lap I knew I’d never make it back to the pits without a piss, so I had to stop in that marshal’s toilet, otherwise disaster!”

French GP, Circuit Paul Ricard “I got into some big trouble for my celebration at Jerez. The GP bosses fined me after I won the race and then stopped at the toilet on my slow-down lap, but you’re not allowed to stop on the track after the race. But I was right off the track, so I wasn’t being dangerous. I don’t care if they fine me anyway, because Aprilia pays! Seriously, they should worry about really improving safety and also improving the show. For sure I will do the same thing again because I like to amuse the fans.” “I think the GP bosses want to make motorcycle racing like F1 cars and I don’t think that’s right. Sure there is more money in F1 and there are more fans, but bike racing is more fun and more exciting. The bosses don’t seem to understand that bike fans are very different from car fans, maybe they’re a little more crazy. I don’t like F1 because it doesn’t seem like a real sport to me. It seems that everyone in F1 is only there for the money, while motorcycles are about passion.” “You may have noticed I had some new stickers on my bike in France, they are insurance and tax stickers, just like you have on the street. Just for a joke!”

Italian GP, Mugello “Races in Italy are always difficult for me, so much pressure, so many people. But fun also. I’m used to all the fans coming after me now, the only way I can get around is to ride my scooter fast, and don’t stop; otherwise I get a hundred autograph hunters. Of course, I sign a lot, but I wouldn’t have time to ride my bike if I signed them all! A big gang of my fans camped out at Curva Casanova at Mugello. They made a lot of noise, but not as much as the crazy fans who rev their engines all day and night at Mugello. You cannot believe the noise!” “They liked my special paint job and leathers, it was a homage to the seventies, the age of love and peace: Valentini Peace&Love! I think they were good times and they were also the times when my dad won some 250 GP races. Respect!” “I crashed twice at Mugello, once on Friday morning and then once on my victory lap. It was crazy, the fans came on the track and tried to take my gloves, helmet, anything. Then I ran into Gigi [Soldano], one of the Dorna TV cameramen, and toppled off my bike. I guess he was looking through his lens, so he didn’t see how close I was!” “Before Mugello I spent some time at home, riding my 250 road bike and going motocrossing. I have a new motocross bike at home, but I can’t tell you what it is, because it’s not an Aprilia!”

Catanlan GP, Catalunya “People are already asking me what I’ll be doing in 2000. I’m not sure at the moment but I think I’ll stay in 250 for a third year. If I win the title I’ll probably stay, and if I don’t I’ll definitely stay. I’m not worried about running the #1 plate before I change classes again, #46 is better than number one.”

Dutch TT, Assen “After Barcelona I drove my camper van with my friend Uccio to Assen, but we broke down because the engine lost all its oil and water. We got it fixed and then carried on to Euro Disney. We spent a day there, very funny. I’d already been there once, back in ‘95 between two European championship rounds and I like it, it’s for kids and big kids like me. It’s a lot of fun, but you spend too much time waiting in queues for the rides.” “My favourite? The space mountain rollercoaster, it’s very, very, fast and turns left and right really suddenly and you’re in the dark so you don’t know which way you’re going to go next. I wouldn’t say it’s more fun than riding a GP bike, but you can sit there and enjoy the ride without worrying about your lap times.”

British GP, Donington Park “I like Donington Park; the only thing I didn’t like was the weather. I still don’t like racing in the water, so I just asked God to make it dry for the race. He did what I wanted, but only just!” “Me and my girlfriend Eliane dyed our hair bright green for Donington. Why? Because I like green! I’m almost running out of colours now, I’ve had my hair orange, yellow, grey, blue, yellow and black and the colours of the Italian tricolore. Tell me if you have any other suggestions!”

German GP, Sachsenring “I have been doing a lot of thinking about my future over the past few weeks. It’s not easy to decide what you want to do, especially when you have so many people offering you jobs. Number one, I know I am very lucky to be in this position and it’s very flattering to have so many people wanting me to ride for them. I’ve even been approached by Mick Doohan who wants me to ride for his Honda 500 team. Mick has talked with my father Graziano and my manager Gibo Badioli, and to get a job offer from a five-time World Champion is incredible.” “Basically, there are three offers open to me. The first is to ride a 250 again with Aprilia, who I’ve been with since 1996, and then two from different Honda 500 teams, Mick’s new team and the official Honda Racing Corporation squad. Everyone expects me to move up to 500 one day and I suppose I will some time, but I’m in no hurry, I’m not obsessed with doing 500. I love riding the 250 and this is only my second season in the class. Also, I’m still quite young so I believe time is on my side. Ideally I want to win the 250 title before I go to 500.” “That’s a problem because all the people who have offered me a ride want me to decide much sooner than that, whereas I would prefer to finish the championship and then think about next year during the off-season. Anyway, at the moment I feel like the three offers are in this order of priority: Aprilia, the official Honda team and then Mick’s team. So I think I will stay with Aprilia in 250s for 2000. I have a good relationship with the factory and I see no reason to leave them in a hurry.” “Now we have a four-week holiday, hooray! All I really want to do is sleep. During the break last year I went to Tunisia with a bunch of friends like Melandri, but all I want to do now is stay home and rest. My home is near a holiday resort anyway, near the Adriatic Sea, but to be honest I don’t like the sea so much. I prefer snow...”

Czech GP, Brno “I did pretty much nothing during the four-week break after Germany, just stay home, stay quiet and sleep very much! I did a bit of motocross with my friends, also some water skiing and a few parties. On weekends when I’m not racing, I never go to bed before six or seven on Sunday morning. If it’s a party, maybe even later, but going to bed at six in the morning is quite normal for me!” “Even when I was 14 I used to go to bed at 4am. Quite often I’d be riding around the local minimoto tracks until after midnight! If I go to sleep at 11 or 12 I just lie there, my eyes wide open. Maybe I would be good at 24-hour racing!” “Next race is Imola, another home GP for me, so big stress from all the media and all the fans. But that’s okay. As usual for an Italian race I will have a special paint job on my bike and special leathers, but I can’t tell you what they’ll be because I don’t know myself! We never plan this kind of thing, I’ll sit around with my friends, having a few beers, and someone comes up with some crazy idea and that’s what we go with!”

Imola GP, Imola “As always, I had to do something special for the weekend because it was an Italian race, so I had my hair done exactly like my chief mechanic, Rossano Brazzi. He’s a great guy, fantastic to work with, and he does such a great job on my bikes. I shaved the top of my head just like him, because he’s all bald up there, and you could hardly tell us apart! He’s quite old, but so am I nowadays. Twenty isn’t so young!” “Everyone was asking me at Imola about what I will do next year. If I got a few thousand lira for every time someone says ‘Valentino, what bike will you ride in 2000?’ I think I would be a very, very rich guy! Anyway, I’m planning to decide very soon and, of course, I’ll let you know as soon as I make up my mind.” “I’m looking forward to heading down to Australia, I like the place and the people have a lot of spirit, maybe that’s why they also seem to appreciate us Italians. My only worry is the weather. You always think of sunshine when you think of Australia but the race is too early in the spring and it can be really cold. The track even has a corner called Siberia!”

Australian GP, Phillip Island “As well as the cold, the other big thing about Phillip Island is jetlag. I arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday and you’re really tired for the next few days, waking up at four in the morning and all that. A lot of people use sleeping pills but you can’t really do that if you’re a rider, your head feels a bit dizzy the next day, which isn’t good at 280km/h. I was better by the time the GP started but still tired.” “Last year I was so tired I fell asleep during dinner at a restaurant in Cowes. It’s funny because we go all the way to Australia and everyone thinks it’s a very hot country, and it’s maybe the coldest GP of the year. They have penguins down there too, so maybe they should rename it the Grand Prix of Antarctica!”

South Africa, Welkom “We got to South Africa on Tuesdayand went straight to Welkom. This was my first time in Africa and I have to say I didn’t like it so much, though maybe we didn’t visit the best place. A few days before practice we went to a small safari park, not a zoo and not a game reserve. Some of the animals were in cages and some weren’t, the lions were. It’s better that way!” “Before I go to Brazil next week I’m going to spectate at the Italian round of the World Rally Championship at San Remo. I love rallying, it’s a fantastic sport and maybe I’ll have a proper go it if I ever get bored of bikes. I already do some rallying every year, in November I’ll be competing in a rally at Monza, probably in a Subaru. I know [Carlos] Sainz and Liatti, they’re great guys.” “Everyone says I have signed to ride 500 for Honda next year but it’s not true. Honda has made a great offer but the Aprilia offer is still more money, not that money is the most important thing. The big thing with the Honda is that it’s the best bike in 500, so I have a great chance to enter the 500 class with a really good machine and a great team.” “The Italian press is already going crazy about the whole thing, they make a big casino, a lot of noise about it! This is because I will be racing against Max for the first time, if I go to 500s. For sure Max would be difficult to beat, especially in my first year. He’s one of the best few 500 riders in the world but at the end of the day he’s only another rider.”

Rio GP, Jacarepagua “I am the champion! It' s difficult to compare this with the 125 title I won in ‘97 because while the 250 title is obviously more important and more difficult to win, the 125 was my first world title and it will always be special for that reason.” “Aprilia organised a big party at a Rio yacht club on Sunday night, right near the Sugar Loaf Mountain. It was fun because I paid for 20 of my best friends from my home town of Tavullia to fly to Rio. The guy who came around with me on my victory lap, dressed as an angel, was the 21st of my friends. He paid for his own ticket! I’m sure Aprilia will arrange another big party when I get back to Italy, but for sure the best party will be at my house, with all my friends!” “For sure there was even more pressure on me over the weekend, with the championship ready to be mine. But I don’t have a big problem with that kind of thing. So long as you can keep your concentration, nothing else matters, because you don’t let anything bother you when you’re on the bike. Life definitely gets easier when you’re on the bike, because you can stop worrying and get on with the fun part: riding!” “Before I went to Rio I spent a couple of days at the San Remo round of the World Rally Championship. I had a lot of fun there, even though I had to get up at 6.00am two mornings in a row, and as you probably know I hate getting up early.” “I spent some time with (Didier) Auriol, the French Toyota driver. He’s a crazy guy with a crazy face, he has really wild eyes, but he’s a good guy, very friendly. I also did some motocross during the break after South Africa. I’m much faster on a motocross bike than I was last year but I have to be very careful, especially because of the championship. I know how easy it is to hurt yourself doing motocross because I injured myself like that in ‘95 and I was in so much pain that I lost the next round of the Italian championship I was fighting for. My father was very angry!” “As far as next year goes, the situation is still the same, and I’m not going to make up my mind until I get home to Italy after the Argentine Grand Prix. I’m getting a lot of advice about what I should do from a lot of different people, but in the end it’s only me who can make the right decision.” “I have to be careful. I know that if Honda offer me whatever I want, the money I want, the team I want and so on, and I turn them down, maybe they won’t ask me to ride for them ever again. But if we can’t agree on which team, money and that kind of thing, maybe we can talk again another year when I’m ready to make the move.”

Argentine GP, Buenos Aires “So long as I’m up there fighting for the wins I don’t care if I’m on a 125 or 250. Or a 500! The biggest difference for me is off the racetrack. Every year there’s more journalists and television guys that want to talk to me. One day it will get to the stage where I won’t have any time to go out and ride the bike! I guess in some ways I preferred life when I wasn’t famous, but if I wasn’t famous it would mean I wasn’t winning races. So maybe I have no choice but to like being famous.” “I’m probably going to have my championship celebration party at my house in the middle of the month. It’ll just be my team and my friends, not a big press event like the one we had at Rio. Parties are more fun without cameras everywhere.” “The Rio party was a bit crazy, we had it at a big yacht club and everyone got thrown in the pool, fully clothed. I got thrown in twice and thought I was going to die of pneumonia.” “Then when there’s some snow I’m going to do a week’s skiing somewhere in Italy. And I want to go somewhere hot too, maybe Miami or somewhere in South America, so long as there’s sun, sand and sea, I don’t really care. I’m just going to spend seven days on the beach asleep. Perfect.” “As you know I don’t like riding under the water. I feel my wet-weather riding is improving and that’s important because it seems to rain at pretty much every GP these days.”

[angeltreasure]

If I may make a prayer request, I've been crippled by anxiety. I've been in a few nasty car wrecks just a few years apart from one another, and the experience has left me with such severe anxiety around driving, I can't bring myself to do it anymore. It's been three years now that I've driven a car. I still ride in cars with others, but I get so tense over the slightest thing, it makes me fear that if I wear to just try and push through and do it again, any tiny little thing would set off a mini panic attack and I'd cause a wreck. It's awful. I feel like a burden on my loved ones who I have to rely on to go places, and I'm severely limited in job prospects bc I can't drive. It doesn't help that I don't have access to a reliable vehicle to practice anyway, plus outrageous gas prices add another layer of challenge. Please, I feel this is getting in the way of so much in my life, and that most of my other problems would clear up if I could just drive again. It's freedom and independence that I just don't have access to because of my own disordered brain and it's getting in the way of everything. I don't have access to therapy either, and have very little money (again, can't get a job because I can't drive). I just want to be able to get behind the wheel of a car and actually enjoy the process of driving and not freak out if something happens. Cautious but not in a panicky way. Confident but not in a cocky way. Alert but not in a way that's exhausting. Sorry this is so long. Thank you for reading. 🙏🏻

I know this exact feeling and that situation of not having a lot of money. I caused my second car accident in a thunderstorm when I was sharing my mom’s car before I bought my own. The people all around who were witnessing laughed at me and took off. I panicked so much I couldn’t breathe. It meant a mark could be on my insurance and my mom’s for at least 6 years. On top of that I had to rent a car out of my own pocket and give even more to my parents. I was scared that the driver of the other car could drive around to find me or worse, sue me. I was afraid to leave my bedroom. I was scared it would happen again. I felt like I was burden too. As crazy as that sounds, those were real feelings I felt. I had no money for therapy either the only thing that calmed me was God. It took me a while to get over my fear of being on the road again, but I had to keep my job too. Perhaps if you are lucky enough you could carpool with someone for a while or take public transportation (which is very cheap sometimes)…there is also Uber but that can be pricy. You could try this until you get over your fear if that is possible. Keep in mind that it is freedom to drive, that could be your motivation. Take it day by day and don’t be too hard on yourself. I will pray for you.

[manish123manish]

Navigating Monsoon Commutes in Delhi: The Ultimate Guide to Ride Sharing and Safety

Greetings:

The annual hardships of heavy rains, flooding, and unexpected traffic conditions are anticipated by commuters as the monsoon clouds gather over Delhi. It takes a calculated strategy that combines environmental responsibility, safety, and convenience to get beyond these obstacles. We discuss how ride-sharing applications, carpooling services, and other transportation options can make your monsoon commute more enjoyable and productive in this guest article.

A Monsoon Commute Solution: Ride Sharing

In Delhi, ride-sharing applications such as RideBuddy become indispensable for commuters during the rainy season. By facilitating the connection between drivers and passengers, these platforms lessen traffic congestion and the number of vehicles on the road. Above all, they provide a practical means of securing transportation even in the event of abrupt weather fluctuations. By lowering their carbon footprint and saving money, commuters who share transportation also help the environment.

Carpooling Apps: Increasing Involvement in the Community

Carpooling applications, including Best Carpool App and Car For Share, encourage community involvement and sustainability in addition to providing rides. By sharing rides with neighbors, coworkers, or other residents, these platforms enable commuters to cut down on both vehicle emissions and transportation expenses. In busy cities like Delhi, this cooperative strategy not only reduces traffic jams but also improves ties among the community.RideBuddy

Renting Cars: Making Sure It's Safe and Dependable

Renting a car close to Delhi is quite helpful for people looking for freedom and flexibility during their monsoon commutes. To ensure both safety and comfort throughout the trip, it's imperative to use well-maintained vehicles that can withstand inclement weather. To ensure a stress-free commute during bad weather, compare rental choices and confirm complete insurance coverage.

Priority One Safety: Crucial Advice for Monsoon Driving

Although using ride-sharing and carpooling services has many advantages, safety must always come first during the monsoon season. The following are some essential safety advice to keep in mind:

Weather Awareness: Pay attention to weather reports in order to plan ahead for delays or altered routes.

Selecting a Car: Pick out cars with sufficient safety features and up-to-date maintenance records.

Organizing Forward: To assure on-time arrivals and save last-minute problems, book rides in advance.

Emergency Preparedness: To handle unforeseen delays or crises, carry necessities like waterproof clothes, umbrellas, and portable chargers.

Route Navigation: In the event of severe traffic or road closures, use navigation apps to look up alternate routes.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridebuddy-app/posts/?feedView=all

[defilerwyrm]

hi! I've come asking questions about transition (as a trans boy) more specifically, you mentioned that you've used both testosterone cream and injections.

Do you mean the cream/gel kind of HRT that is used once daily? If so, I was wondering whether you noticed any difference in the uptake or changes in the rate of your transition compared to injections. Did changes happen at the same rate as injections or a bit slower, since I've heard there can be problems of the skin not absorbing T as well as injections. Do you have any personal experiences of this?

Also if it's not too personal, which kind of HRT are you on now (injection/cream) and why did you choose to stick with it, if that was your own choice? (ik there can be insurance/supply issues that might affect it)

Howdy! So: this was a ride.

My first provider (not naming names, but she’s a doctor who works in downtown Austin) gave me two choices: find time to take a 1- to 1.5-hour round trip downtown, pay the $20 copay, and have a nurse give me an injection every single week; or use a daily cream from a compounding pharmacy that delivered. For reasons of time and money, I went with the cream.

I was on it for a year; I don’t remember my dosage exactly, but it was something like two clicks of a finicky dispenser. I was on it for a solid year and the only change that occurred was I got a couple more annoying, embarrassing PCOS hairs on my throat. Absolutely nothing else. Meanwhile, every 3 months or so I’d express my frustration with this to my doctor, and she’d just tell me to be patient. Or, you know, come in and pay the copay every week instead.

Now any number of things could have been going on here. She could have had me on a comically-low dose (I really have zero memory of what it was). My biochemistry could have overpowered or resisted it. The compounding pharmacy could have been bullshit. Who knows.

By comparison, right around three months on testosterone cypionate injections, my voice broke and I started sprouting facial and body hair in spades.

Between what my second HR provider (the one who got me onto cypionate) and other trans men I’ve heard from have said, the gel version is a much slower ramp-up usually because you’re adding T to your system in small, daily doses, and the cream version seems to be pretty uncommon; both of them are better if you really want to ease into the changes instead of just getting the whole second puberty thing over with, or if you’ve already been through testosterone-dominant puberty and just need to maintain your levels.

Since July 2017 I’ve been on a weekly 0.4 mL injection of 500 mg/mL testosterone cypionate. It was pretty challenging at first with my phobia of hypodermic syringes, but I’ve inured myself to it over time. My habitual injection site has also acclimated to it so that there’s literally no pain at all if I get myself in just the right spot, so that’s pretty great; and using the bathroom mirror instead of looking directly at myself has proven a great little trick to hoodwink my brain about what’s going on, thus reducing my anxiety about it a great deal.

I’ve stuck with it because it gets results, it’s a lot less messy and aggravating than a topical treatment, getting the right dosage is MUCH easier, it’s become a little ritual of sorts, and I only have to remember it ONCE a week instead of seven times. It’s also lessened my anxiety when I have to get blood drawn or have IVs in (though I still really fuckin’ hate IV lines). YMMV, but for me, it’s been a great experience overall.

We’re not gonna talk about the thinning hair, though. -_- One more crappy thing I inherited from my dad’s side, and wouldn’t you know it, it’s activated by testosterone….

[dollsonmain]

My brain just goes at night instead of letting me sleep because that’s the only time it’s actually quiet.

I had to go back to bed this morning, which I’m grateful I can do. When I DID have a job, I had to call out for exhaustion so often that I ended up disqualifying myself for health insurance through my workplace.

Anyway, I was laying there thinking about affordable transportation and how, even if I did somehow manage to get a hold of something (other than a very cheap used car which, of course, is an option if I had enough money to do that), it wouldn’t do me any good.

A kei truck, while more useful than a sedan, also costs more than a used sedan (though honestly not by a lot since used cars are running around $6k for one that’s about to die these days) being between $5k used to $11k new.

A cargo bike is very affordable at less than $500 and I could order one right now! I almost did! Until I thought about it more. (whew for not impulse buying one...)

A vespa or similar motorized scooter is also about $5k. That Guy offered to get me one years ago so I could get to town and then changed his mind when he found out they cost more than a computer and I can’t use it anyway.

The problem with all three options, other than lol money, is that I would still not be able to get out of the housing complex.

None of those three vehicles can even get to 45 mph. People tend to go closer to 65 on the road right outside the complex and if they came around the blind corner going 65 my little 25 to 30mph ass would be obliterated just like the dozens of deer that get hit on that corner every year.

There’s no shoulder for a bike. I do see people biking along there sometimes, but they’re riding sport bikes that are narrow and faster where a cargo bike (which I would need to haul my shit if I were going to and from work because a backpack is right out) is 2 to 3 times as wide as a sport bike and I would be going very slowly due to having garbage spaghetti for hips.

Vespas, with a top speed of 30mph, aren’t legal to drive on a highway at all (not that a bicycle is.....) and when you get east of downtown it’s highway in all directions.

Kei truck tops out at 25mph, too.

So any one of those three vehicles, one of which I could afford (I could sell everything I own and would not be able to afford the others, still), would only get me to the border of the housing complex.

I guess my point is that I’m very frustrated. There are so many solutions but none of them for the situation that I’m actually in.

But hey I could go play golf if golf were something I were even remotely interested in or physically capable of doing...

[howtorentabikestepbystepguide]

Why Renting a Bike is Better Than Owning One

Many people think about buying a bike because it seems like a convenient way to travel. However, owning a bike can come with extra costs and responsibilities. Renting a bike, on the other hand, can give you the same benefits without the stress of ownership. This article will explain why renting a bike is often better than buying one. You will also learn about the advantages of using a bike rental service like ONN Bikes to help you save money and travel with ease.

The Cost Factor

One of the biggest reasons to rent a bike instead of owning one is the lower overall cost. Buying a bike requires a large amount of money upfront. You have to pay the full price of the bike, which can be very high if you are looking at better models. But that is not where the expenses end.

You also have to pay for insurance and registration fees.

Fuel costs can add up if you ride often or if your bike has a high engine capacity.

Servicing and spare parts can drain your budget over time.

When you rent a bike, you pay only for the duration you need it. This helps you avoid a large one-time expense. You do not have to think about paying for insurance or registration. Many rental providers handle these details. Fuel costs can be lower too because you can choose a bike with good mileage without worrying about ownership. This makes renting a bike more affordable for students, young professionals, or anyone on a tight budget.

Maintenance Worries

Owning a bike means regular maintenance, which includes oil changes, brake checks, and occasional part replacements. These can be both time-consuming and expensive. If you do not keep up with maintenance, your bike will not perform well and might even break down at an inconvenient time.

Renting a bike often solves these problems because:

Rental services usually take care of regular servicing.

They keep their bikes in good condition to avoid customer complaints.

You will not have to schedule service appointments or buy spare parts.

With a bike rental, you simply pick up a bike that is ready to ride and return it when you are done. If any problem arises, you can contact the service provider and they will handle repairs or provide you with a replacement. This takes away the burden of keeping a bike in top shape all by yourself.

Depreciation

Another factor that many people overlook is depreciation. From the moment you buy a bike, its resale value begins to drop. If you decide to upgrade to a newer model in a few years, you might get back only a fraction of the original price. This can feel like a big loss, especially if you spent a lot on the bike.

With a bike rental:

There is no need to worry about resale value.

You are not tied to a single model that keeps losing value over time.

You have the freedom to switch to newer bikes whenever you want.

This makes renting a bike a smarter move for people who like variety or do not want to stick with one model for many years.

Minimal Commitment

Buying a bike is a big commitment. You have to think about loan payments, insurance renewals, and where to park and store it. If you do not ride your bike often, it can sit idle and become more of a liability than an asset. You also have to deal with the hassle of selling the bike if you change your mind or want to move to a different city.

Renting a bike has none of these long-term commitments. You can:

Rent a bike for a few days or weeks and then return it with no extra strings attached.

Avoid worrying about insurance renewals or loan payments.

Switch to a different bike model whenever you want a change.

This flexibility is helpful if you are someone who travels frequently, changes jobs, or simply wants the freedom to stop riding a bike anytime.

Flexibility and Variety

Some people enjoy trying different types of bikes. If you own just one bike, you are stuck with it until you decide to sell or trade it. This makes it hard to explore various brands and styles. Renting a bike solves this problem because many rental services offer a wide range of models.

Scooters and mopeds for short commutes

Commuter bikes for everyday travel

Powerful bikes for longer rides or highway travel

Premium and sport models for a thrill or special occasions

You can pick the bike that suits your mood, purpose, or even the weather. You do not have to be tied to one option day after day.

Stress-Free Travel

When you rent a bike, you do not have to stress about breakdowns or repair bills. Rental providers usually keep their bikes in good shape, so you know you are riding something reliable. If you are going on a trip, you can look for a rental bike that is in top condition and made for long rides. This gives you peace of mind while you are on the road.

If something unexpected happens, you can call the rental service for help. Some bike rental providers offer roadside assistance, which can make your trip safer and less stressful. You do not have to figure out where the nearest mechanic shop is or how much a repair might cost. This makes renting a bike a better option if you want a worry-free travel experience.

Why ONN Bikes Could Be Your Best Choice

If you are thinking about renting a bike, ONN Bikes is a service you should consider. They make the process simple from start to finish. Here is why many people choose them:

Multiple Bike Options: They offer a variety of bikes, from simple scooters to powerful motorbikes.

Easy Booking: Their website and app are user-friendly, so you can reserve a bike within minutes.

Affordable Rates: They provide rental plans that fit different budgets, making it easy for you to pick one that suits your pocket.

Well-Maintained Vehicles: You can expect their bikes to be in good working order, which reduces the chance of breakdowns.

Flexible Durations: Whether you want a bike for a few hours, a day, or even a month, they have plans that cater to your needs.

ONN Bikes can save you from the high costs of buying a new bike, the extra worry of maintenance, and the trouble of managing insurance. You simply pick your bike, choose how long you want it, pay, and ride. This convenience makes renting a bike an appealing choice for both daily commutes and special rides.

Conclusion

While owning a bike may seem like a symbol of freedom, it often comes with hidden costs and obligations. You have to think about high purchase prices, regular maintenance, and the ongoing drop in value. Renting a bike can be a better choice if you want to avoid large investments and the stress of maintaining a vehicle. You can also change bikes anytime, which gives you more variety and excitement in your riding experience.

A good bike rental service like ONN Bikes makes it easy to enjoy two-wheeler travel without the usual headaches of ownership. You can explore the city, commute to work, or take a fun weekend trip without a long-term commitment. Once you are done, you return the bike, pay for only the time you used it, and move on with your day.

If you are looking for a cost-effective and convenient way to travel, renting a bike might be the best move. You get flexibility, variety, and the chance to save money every time you ride. Give it a try and see the difference it makes in your daily life or travel plans.

[candy-floss-crazy]

A Ferris wheel is one of those iconic funfair rides that everyone remembers. They not only make regular appearances at funfairs up and down the country, but you can also hire them for private events. Here are 6 tips for hiring a Ferris wheel to make sure you get the best for your money. 1 What Size Wheel There are two basic wheels you will see in the UK. What we tend to term a traditional wheel, which in actual fact is more than likely to be American in origin, more specifically from the Eli Bridge company of Jacksonville Illinois. This is the type of wheel that was in the final scene of Grease, the movie. They are also what you most probably rode as a child, and they are what is usually hired for private events. Ferris Wheel Hire The other big wheel type, is big, really big. They have been christened Continental Wheels in the UK, but are generally referred to as giant wheels on the continent. They come in a multitude of sizes, the travelling models tending to be 50-60 metres in height, with some fixed models of 100m up over. These can be hired privately, however keep in mind that a typical 50m wheel would come on 5-6 trailers, with each one being towed by a vehicle averaging perhaps 6-7 MPG. They would take a number of days to set up and similar to take back down, using a crew of perhaps 6-8 staff members. So unless you are Elon Musk or the likes, you aren't going to hire one for a 5 year olds birthday party in your back garden. 2 Where Will The Wheel Be Built We will proceed under the assumption that you aren't Elon Musk and wish to hire the smaller Eli Bridge type wheel. For the other type, much of what we advise is equally valid, but you would need a specialist survey to ensure the ground can take the weight and stress of a true giant wheel. Ideally a perfectly flat tarmac or concrete surface such as a car park is what we like for a wheel. Realistically, this isn't always possible. Grass is fine, as long as it isn't too soft. This is more for the vehicles carrying the ride rather than an issue with the ride. A wheel is a stable structure, well balanced and with large outriggers to prevent it tilting. Getting it into position on extremely soft ground is where the problems arrive. We carry wooden boards to drive on across soft ground, and if you need us 50 or 60ft across a field its not an issue. If you want us half a mile across a swamp it isn't going to happen. Access The other issue people seem to be oblivious to, is actually having an entrance large enough to drive the ride through. We have turned up on site visits many a time, to find out that although there is a 300 acre field available, the only access is through a gate 4ft wide, or around a sharp bend that you would be lucky to manage with a classic mini without a couple of shunts. Imagine the large vehicles you see on the motorway, then widen it a foot and add perhaps 10ft on the end. That will give you an idea of how long a typical ride is. If in doubt ask about a site visit. There may be a small charge, but a decent operator will waive this if you end up booking. 3 Ensure It Carries The Correct Documentation Thankfully, with the funfair industry being so highly regulated, the cowboys have pretty much been forced out. But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't still undertake due diligence when hiring attractions. Circumstances can conspire to create a situation where someone may cut corners, be it down to greed, or desperation. The best way to ensure your safety, is to make sure your chosen operator can actually supply a full set of safety documentation. The following list are all legally required documents, if they can't provide any of them, run away, quickly: - Public Liability Insurance (Self Explanatory) - Risk Assessments (To how the ride has been assessed to ascertain what risks exist) - Fire Assessments (Like the Risk assessment, but looking for fire based issues) - Method Statements (A document showing what has been put in place to mitigate the risks identified) - ADIPS Certificate (Much like an MOT, showing the ride has been tested by an independent engineer for safety) - Daily Inspection Record (To show that each day the ride is operated it has been checked by the operator) Adips One the mentioned documents, the ADIPS cert bears a little more explaining. Each ride has to undergo an annual inspection to ensure it is safe to operate. This includes electrical and mechanical safety, and may well include non destructive testing such as x-rays or dye penetration inspections to check for metal fatigue and cracking. A certificate is issued once the ride is passed as safe. This has all the relevant information about the ride. It also has two important things to look out for. One is the ADIPS inspection number, If you visit their website, you can actually input this number to ensure the document is correct and up to date. The other is the photograph in the top right hand of the document. This should match the ride you have hired. If it doesn't it could mean that the ride you have hired isn't covered by that document. A big no no. Adip 2021 Above is an example of what the DOC looks like, you can see the image in the top right hand corner, directly below this image will be the DOC number. 4 Ask For Photos Of What You Are Hiring There are some absolutely immaculate wheels on the hire market. There are sadly a few poor examples, and the majority are comfortably in the middle, quite presentable rather than exceptional. You are certainly entitled to ask for a photo of what the operator is proposing to hire to you. Beware of tiny thumbnails that show no details, and ask for how old the photos are. Something immaculate 20 years ago could look very different now. Any professional operator wants his client to be happy. A successful job isn't just one where they earn money, its one where the client is happy and will use them again. pexels wendelin jacober-1411445 (1) Take a look at the wheel above, this can quite accurately be described to you as one hot wheel without telling any lies. Thing is, it's hot, not because it's a fabulous wheel, but because it was in the vicinity of Chernobyl when the nuclear reactor exploded. So don't trust to descriptions alone, unless it is someone you have worked with before and trust. 5 Ensure The Quote You Have Includes Everything Although we haven't really heard of it happening with wheels. A favourite tactic of one competitor when offering dodgems for hire, was to quote a price roughly halve of everyone else's. When your ride turned up, it didn't have lights or music. There was no top cover so it wouldn't work it it rained, and you only got 4 cars. They would inform you that the ride supplied was exactly what you had paid for. If you wanted all the additional extras and the more usual 14 cars, then they were extra. Your choice at that point was to pay what could end up being more than you had been quoted from other operators for the same service, or put up with half a ride. Most companies quote within a narrow price band. If something is exceptionally cheap it is for a reason, and not usually a good one. Another Cowboy Another cowboy we came across had an ingenious scheme. He would quote a price about 40% less than anyone else. To secure it you had to pay an immediate £500 NON REFUNDABLE deposit. The day before your event, you would receive a phone call informing you that sadly, the ride you had booked had been destroyed by fire/stolen/kidnapped by space aliens. But not to worry, they had a couple of children's roundabouts they could bring you. When you complained the event wasn't for kids and you were cancelling, they were happy to let you do that. Of course the deposit was non refundable. Cowboy Operator Is it legal? Hmm, probably not, getting you money back by going to court probably outweighs the £500. If you give the guy too much hassle he had the option of refunding your money to stop the case. He kept far more than he lost though. 6 If You Have Any Unusual Requirements, Agree Them Beforehand Do you want only Max Bygraves records playing on the ride. Or the lights switched off for some reason. Perhaps you want your pet donkey to be allowed to ride. Talk the to supplier and make sure this is possible, before the day of the event. It isn't fair complaining that they had none of Mr Bygraves songs to play, if they were totally unaware that you were a fan. Most reasonable requests we are happy to comply with. We enjoy a bit of fun, and want you to be happy. (Not sure about letting the donkey ride though). But be aware of the fact that we will not, compromise safety to please you. No amount of offering to sign waivers will make any difference, (and for the record, judges tend not to view the practice very kindly, their take is that the fact we had a waiver signed meant we knew it was unsafe to do), we want the job, and we want you to be happy with it, but not at the risk of hurting or killing someone. If you want any more info on the ins and outs of hiring a Ferris wheel, drop us an email, or pick the phone up, we are quite happy to talk to you about it without obligation. Read the full article

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Your Comprehensive Guide to Uber Safety Inspections in Orlando

As an Uber driver in Orlando, your vehicle is more than just a mode of transport; it’s your business. To ensure both passenger safety and compliance with regulations, undergoing a thorough Uber safety inspection is vital. At Fix My Rideshare, we specialize in providing top-notch repairs for rideshare vehicles, and our expert technicians understand the unique demands of rideshare driving. we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Uber safety inspections in Orlando, from the requirements and process to how we can help keep your car in prime condition and ready for the next ride.

Why Are Safety Inspections Essential?

Passenger Safety

First and foremost, safety inspections are designed to protect you and your passengers. They help identify potential issues, such as worn brakes or faulty lights, before they lead to accidents. By ensuring that your vehicle is in optimal condition, you create a safer environment for everyone involved.

Compliance with Uber Regulations

To drive for Uber, you must adhere to specific vehicle standards, which include passing a safety inspection. Failure to meet these requirements can result in deactivation from the platform, which means lost income. Regular inspections help you maintain compliance, ensuring that you can continue to earn while driving.

Improved Passenger Experience

Passengers are more likely to leave positive ratings and tips if they feel secure in your vehicle. A well-maintained car reflects professionalism and care, enhancing the overall experience for riders and improving your reputation as a drivers

Prolonging Vehicle Lifespan

Regular safety inspections help identify wear and tear on your vehicle, allowing you to address issues before they become significant problems. This proactive approach not only keeps your vehicle safe but can also extend its life, saving you money in the long run.

Preparing for Your Uber Safety Inspection

Preparation is key to ensuring that your vehicle passes the safety inspection. Here are some steps you can take:

Perform a Pre-Inspection Check

Before heading to the inspection center, conduct a quick check of your vehicle. Look for visible damage, ensure that all lights are working, and check your tire tread and pressure.

Keep Up with Maintenance

Regular maintenance is crucial for the health of your vehicle. Schedule routine checks and repairs, such as oil changes and brake inspections, to prevent any issues from arising before your safety inspection. At Fix My Rideshare, we can help ensure your vehicle is always in top condition.

Clean Your Vehicle

A clean car not only looks professional but also makes a good impression on both passengers and inspectors. Take the time to clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle before the inspection.

Have Documentation Ready

Prepare all necessary documentation, including your vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and any previous inspection reports. Having these documents ready can streamline the inspection process.

Finding Authorized Inspection Locations in Orlando

When searching for places to get your Uber safety inspection in Orlando, you have several options:

Uber’s Official Resources: Uber provides a list of authorized inspection centers on their website. Always check for the latest updates to ensure compliance.

Local Auto Repair Shops: Many local auto repair shops are certified to conduct Uber safety inspections. They can also provide additional services to help keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Fix My Rideshare: We specialize in inspections and repairs for rideshare vehicles. Our experienced technicians are well-versed in the specific requirements for Uber inspections, ensuring that you are well-prepared.

The Inspection Process: What to Expect

Duration of Inspection

The inspection typically takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the workload of the inspection center. It’s a good idea to schedule an appointment to avoid long wait times.

What Happens During the Inspection?

During the inspection, a certified technician will evaluate various aspects of your vehicle. They will check the brakes, tires, lights, and other essential components to ensure everything is in working order.

Receiving Your Results

After the inspection, you will receive a report detailing any issues found and whether your vehicle passed or failed the inspection. If repairs are needed, we can assist you in addressing those concerns quickly and efficiently.

The Role of Fix My Rideshare

At Fix My Rideshare, we understand the unique challenges that rideshare drivers face. Our expert technicians are committed to helping you keep your vehicle in excellent condition, ensuring you are always ready for your next ride. Here’s how we can help:

Comprehensive Inspections

We offer thorough inspections to help you meet Uber’s safety standards. Our knowledgeable technicians know exactly what to look for and will provide you with a detailed assessment of your vehicle’s condition.

Quality Repairs

If your vehicle needs repairs to pass the safety inspection, our skilled technicians can handle everything from minor fixes to major repairs. We use high-quality parts and workmanship to ensure your vehicle is safe and reliable.

Ongoing Maintenance

We can help you establish a routine maintenance plan to keep your vehicle in optimal condition. Preventative maintenance is key to avoiding inspection failures and keeping your vehicle running smoothly.

Conclusion

Navigating Uber safety inspections in Orlando is an essential part of being a successful rideshare driver. By understanding the requirements and preparing adequately, you can ensure that your vehicle remains safe, compliant, and ready for passengers. Regular inspections and maintenance not only help you meet regulatory standards but also contribute to a better experience for both you and your riders.

At Fix My Rideshare, we are dedicated to helping you maximize your earnings by keeping your vehicle in top shape. Our expert team is here to support you with all your inspection and repair needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in your rideshare journey!

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How to Evaluate Used Cars: A Comprehensive Guide

When buying a used car, you want to ensure you're making a smart investment. There’s a lot to consider, from the vehicle’s condition to its history, which can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, with some guidance, you can make the process easier and find the right vehicle for your needs.

 In this guide, we’ll walk you through evaluating used cars in Illawarraso you can drive away confidence in your purchase.

Why Buying a Used Car Makes Sense

Affordability and Value

Buying a used car often means getting more value for your money. Not only do you avoid the sharp depreciation that comes with new vehicles, but you also save on upfront costs like taxes and insurance. If you're in the used cars Illawarra market, it's worth exploring local dealerships and private sellers to find various options at various price points.

Environmental Benefits

Used cars are a sustainable and eco-friendly option. They are often as fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious as newer models, reducing the need for new vehicle production.

Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating a Used Car

1. Check the Car’s Exterior and Interior

Start by thoroughly inspecting the car’s body and interior. Look for dents, scratches, or rust on the exterior, and make sure the interior is clean and well-maintained. Upholstery tears, worn-out seats, or dashboard damage may indicate how well the previous owner treated the vehicle.

Exterior checklist:

Paint condition (look for fading, mismatched colors, or rust)

Tire tread (check for even wear)

Window condition (cracks, chips, or operational issues)

Interior checklist:

Seat comfort and fabric condition

Dashboard functionality (check electronics, including radio and AC)

Cleanliness and odor (mold or smoke can be a red flag)

2. Review the Car’s History

A comprehensive vehicle history report can reveal essential details, such as previous accidents, ownership changes, or any outstanding recalls. Always verify that the used cars at Illawarra dealerships or private sellers are transparent about the car's history before committing.

3. Take a Test Drive

Nothing beats getting behind the wheel. A test drive is your chance to feel the car's performance on the road. Pay attention to:

How the engine sounds (are there any unusual noises?)

The smoothness of the ride (is the suspension comfortable?)

How the steering and brakes respond

During the test drive, drive on various terrains to see how the car handles. Ensure you’re comfortable with the car’s performance in stop-and-go traffic, highway driving, and making sharp turns.

4. Have a Mechanic Inspect the Car

Even if everything looks good on the surface, getting a professional mechanic’s opinion is essential. They can spot potential issues that aren’t visible to the untrained eye, such as engine problems or transmission issues. This inspection can give you peace of mind knowing the used cars Illawarra options you’re considering are mechanically sound.

5. Negotiate the Price

Once you've gathered all the information about the vehicle, it’s time to negotiate the price. Do your homework to understand the market value of the car you're interested in. Tools like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds can help you determine a fair price based on the vehicle’s make, model, year, and condition. Be firm but polite in your negotiations.

Conclusion 

By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can avoid potential issues and make a more informed decision. Evaluating a used car doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. By following these steps — from thorough research to test driving and negotiating — you can confidently purchase a reliable vehicle that fits your budget and lifestyle. Whether in the market for used cars in Illawarra or browsing other regions, evaluating a car properly will save you money and ensure your new ride is one you can trust.