Damn, Lars! I had a dealership change the TB in my wife's Mistu SUV a few years back because it was a complete PITA and it was $500. The Miata should be about that or less if it is a good shop.

 

Is it bad that I have been reading stories about what crisis hotline operators deal with so I know what to expect to hear when I call? **** has been bringing me down lately and I'm really starting to scare myself. I'm generally not one to just post **** for some kind of 'ego-stroking' but I'm starting to question my sanity lately....something about walking off into the woods, in the cold, with enough sedatives to slip into hypothermia without feeling it....

 

Must be the time of year or something. I thought it was all the meds I've been on recently.

 

I wish I had meds to rely on :/

 

You don't want that kind of pain. Lying in bed at 2AM trying not to cry is no way to spend a night.

 

Just keep talking about it and you'll be ok. I think it's when you imagine a 'plan', but don't feel at all like sharing it that you need to be worried.

/end .02 psychobabble

 

Would anyone happen to know the dimensions of this clutch switch override?



I don't want to buy one, i'd rather make it if i could.

 

Mike,

Have you figured out why they say there are so many depressed people in the PNW due to the gray/overcast/rainy days? It is much tougher for someone who is from a sunny part of the world to acclimate initially, as well.

I'll give the best easy advice I can give you as a psychology major: go and enjoy relaxing in a tanning bed. Buy a package or 3-5 visits. Your body and mind will respond positively to the UV and the warmth. There are physiological benefits directly tied to the exposure that I won't bore you with, but it will make you feel better and think more clearly.

It doesn't help that this is a major "family" holiday weekend. There is a lot of this that goes around during this season.

 

Doppler and rleete, check out this TED talk http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert...py?language=en

Basically, the premise is that no matter how bad things are now, the human mind has an incredible ability to adapt, and that people nearly always tend to see their circumstances as worse in the moment than they actually are in the long term.

 

I've built one of those for every Miata I've owned. Mine look a bit different. I use a piece of wire about 3" long and ~ 18ga, and two of these:



Cheaper, easier to install, and probably more reliable.

 

I know I have one laying around. If I can find it, you can have it.

 

I think I have one I can send. If I don't I gave it to Lars and he should send it to you.

 

I just find myself constantly thinking the question "what am I doing?"...not in a literal sense, but over-all; I don't know what I'm doing....but it really comes down to money...working a crap job and long hours, the condition of my car (which might sound superficial, but it has ALWAYS been the one thing that brings me happiness and relaxation when I'm stressed), living by myself- I don't have cable or internet access...which only drives me away from spending much time there...so I usually end up at the bar a block away for a couple of hours every night just to have a social life and internet access. Once again, money being the root of why I don't have such amenities at home. Speaking of, I'm mostly working just to pay my rent and have just enough to go out to drink (not that I am getting drunk...2-3 beers over 2-3 hours). When I moved into my place, I had a different job and was making significantly more money and was much less stressed. But that changed when I got laid-off and took a job in manufacturing because I NEEDED income ASAP. Now I work Wed-Sat 12 hours a day for much less money...and have no idea how to change my situation. I can't see two feet in front of me right now.

Before I moved here, I had medical insurance and was on an ADD medication which really helped me keep my thoughts in line and organized...as well as giving me a "I've got this" attitude toward everything. Since I've moved here, I've been getting work through a staffing agency and have no benefits...and no meds. I'd be more than happy to partake in self-medicating with some green, but I can't take the risk while finding full-time work.

I was once stuck on anti-depressant meds as a teen, and I hated it...will avoid at all cost.

I'm hoping so. I don't want to be that guy who is being dramatic...but it's building up and I figure I need to let it out somewhere. It is easier to throw it out and talk to strangers than it is to the people close to me/friends/family...none of them really know how I'm feeling. I'm guessing this is common in such situations. Logically, it should be easy for me to call my parents...but that's the last thing I want to do.

Strangely, I don't really have a problem with the weather. Honestly, it isn't much different than it was in Atlanta. I was here for the winter last year and wasn't really bothered. I can't say I'm really looking forward to the holidays as I'll be working all of the days and will be here by myself.


Will look into it. Thanks for the link.

 

While this is an option, i'd rather not cut into anything on this car. Plus i've had the FM one on my red car for over 4 years. Then again, don't really care and would never disclose a mod such as this.
Also, i could make the part of Titanium and it would still be cheaper than this route. (free) (actually, that was my plan) See - 55 gallon drums of titanium we scrap:


You guys are sweethearts.

 

I just unbolted the switch, and relocated it somewhere I can reach from the driver seat. Acts as a theft deterrent, a clutch override, and a reminder to make sure the car is in neutral.

 

You don't have to cut anything. You just unplug the lower clutch switch (it's got a pigtail about 10" long with a connector on the end), then plug the jumper wire into the socket on the vehicle harness. The 0.25" tabs are an exact fit.

Since I only have one elbow per arm, I find this to be somewhat easier than contorting my body to wrestle that clip into place.

 

I'm looking into this now.
Thanks for clarifying. I almost thought you cut and spiced.

I think i may do this for the time being. Easily done. If i decide to sell it, i'll do the JoeP mod.

 

Joe's a mutant!

 

Mike, sounds to me like you need some major down time. Or at least somewhere to unload on someone else. I've never used counseling, but I've never been despondent, either. Do whatever you need to do to pull yourself out. Life isn't much fun if you're feeling desperate.

My situation (at least partially from drug side effects, I believe) has mostly resolved itself. Still gonna watch the TED talk anyway.



Edit: Watch that TED lecture. If nothing else, it's interesting data.

 

Mike,
Get a resume up and put it online. Monster and all the rest. You can't catch fish without bait.