Make Mike Motorized And Mobile

Hey, what’s happenin’? I’ve avoided this, put it off and put it off while hoping it would somehow magically solve itself. Turns out the world STILL doesn’t work like that, just like it hasn’t worked like that all the other times I tried it. C’MON MAN, WHAT THE HELL?

We’ve had crazy storms here in Los Angeles, making driving and traffic all the more complicated; puddles hide potholes, debris, and other assorted dangers. On March 2nd I found myself driving in the rain on the 101 freeway, and as I switched lanes I ran over a branch, or a metal bar, or maybe an anvil, who knows? It tore apart the bottom of my car; my engine downshifted violently and my dashboard lights lit up like a Christmas tree. Did I mention I was going 70 miles an hour? Yeah, I was going 70 miles an hour.

No shoulder on that stretch of the 101, and the closest offramp was a mile and a half away; by the time I could cut across five lanes and exit, the car was shaking and smoking profusely. Couldn’t even make the end of the offramp. Thankfully I wasn’t hurt … well, other than the unique pain of waiting for a tow truck at 2:00 AM as you sit and contemplate the fact that everything’s boned and now you’re pretty sure you’re gonna need a new car.

I had hoped to take care of this through insurance, but my company turned down my claim and referred me to Uber, who totaled out my car. However, Uber’s no it’s true, I swear $2500 DEDUCTIBLE kicked my payout right in the tailpipe. I’ve spent the last month bumming rides like Ferris and renting cars from Turo … but more importantly, I’ve also spent the last month not working, as Uber was the side gig that was keeping me afloat.

Do you know how much an Uber eight-mile round trip costs from my place to my mechanic? $17.00, give or take surge pricing.

Do you know how much a rental car secured trough a “mystery deal” on Priceline costs for a week? Well, it was supposed to be $185.00, but once a friend dropped me off at LAX to pick it up and I was told I would need to give a $1500 deposit that would be held for 14 days, it cost me nothing. The Uber home, however, cost $47.00

Do you know how much an Uber costs from my house to the beach, where I’ll just get out of the car and walk into the sea, never to be seen again? I don’t, but there’s a non-zero chance I’m gonna find out one of these days.

I owned my car; not having a car payment for the past six years or so has been a gift … but now I find myself preparing to scale Debt Mountain and having to reach out for help. I’m embarrassed, I’m angry, and most of all I’m saddened by the fact I once again show up hat in hand to people who’ve shown so much kindness in the past.

This amount is arbitrary; it covers expenses for the past month and hopefully a big chunk of whatever down payment I can scramble together as well. It’s also fluid and may be adjusted as the campaign goes on and I find a car that makes sense; have my eyes on a Maybach right now, but we’ll see how all this goes.

Thanks Dudes; your kindness, consideration, and generosity are much appreciated

You Care, Everybody Cares.