I suspect most people lack the skills or resources to accomplish this. I know for sure it is way beyond my capability.

A good friend of mine ( who does have the skills ) had the transmission in his F150 bite the dust. He looked into a 5 speed manual swap out and found it would cost more ( all new parts ) to put in a 5 speed manual than to have a shop rebuild the automatic. Yes, he chose the shop rebuild. On the same note, I purchased an F150 new, and when I requested a standard transmission, I was told I couldn't even order one from the factory. Bummer, but such is life. My wife likes to drive the truck, though, so again, such is life.

A few years ago, a client told me that we can make cars theftproof. Just get one with a clutch! Think about it for a minute. Most Gen X and younger adults/kids don't know how to drive one, so how are they going to steal it?

If my memory is correct, he was thinking of buying a sports car (Porsche Cayman or something like that) and he didn't want his son driving it, so he wanted a stick.

I wanted to put a 5 speed in my 1994 BMW 540i, but CARB would be all over me. Also, I have a feeling the computer may not like not being in control of the solenoids and there wouldn't be any sensors on the tranny.

I gave up on the idea, though I would've really liked it. And if it were just a mechanical change, it wouldn't be that difficult, since BMW made these cars with a 5 speed (I'd just need to get the parts and of course install them).

Yeah, that's the rub with so many mods you "can't" do anymore.

In this state, there are soooo many things we can't do.

1. You can't change intake parts, smog parts, engine swaps, transmission swaps, etc on the car if it's not CARB approved.

2. You can't eat in a restaurant in the city of Los Angeles, unless you show your vaccine card.

3. You can't get your hair cut indoors (in the city of LA), unless you show your vaccine card.

4. You can't go to a bowling alley (in the city of LA), unless you show your vaccine card.

5. You can't got into an enclose mall (in the city of LA), unless you show your vaccine card.

6. Here's the biggest restriction of them all - you can't take a bribe or force a university to give your son a scholarship and while you're at it, force them to make him a professor, even though he's not qualified - but as long as he was charged with sexual harassment, he's entitled to preferential treatment.

7. You can't eat at a fancy restaurant in the middle of Covid in 2020, unless you're the Governor of the State, because the Governor can't get Covid and wearing a mask will restrict his ability to spend time with his friends - who said you can't do this for someone's birthday?

8. You can't successfully recall the Governor of the State after he hands out large checks to the most deserving, entitled residents of the state. This just isn't possible.

Ten years ago I would have said none of this would be possible. How wrong I would have been.

Our current regime is flexing their muscles again. Though one of LA's City Councilman (and former LA County Supervisor) was just indicted by the feds on a bribery charge with a well loved LA private college - think a large horse sitting at the gate with men hiding inside!

I love taking trips outside of our crazy area, because I get to see what "normal" people are like. I'm being a little hard on my fellow patrons - there are many really good people I know here in So Cal. The problem is that we're so busy with life, that we don't have the energy to fight the insane legislation and politicians. And when we try, we're squashed - there's too much money and power at stake.

So we work, work, work to pay for our overpriced homes, high cost of living and TAXES with the hope that someday, we'll have enough to comfortably retire. I say that we should be aware of the "new" rules, understand the punishment/cost if we break them and figure out if it makes sense to toe the line. And also keeping in mind that we need to keep saving (and investing) for our retirement.

It sounds pretty dismal, but it really isn't. I get 52 weeks of beautiful weather, I'm an hour and a half from top beaches, 5 minutes to the mountains and great trails, one hour from an Alpine hike, some of the best Mexican and Chinese food at reasonable prices, awesome bike riding (street and mountain) - I can choose a nice laid back day in Santa Barbara, wine tasting in Los Olivos, people watching in Venice, hanging around the next generation of our leaders at Westwood, having a Huell dog at Pinks on Melrose, etc.

I just have to pay the cost of admission!

One and a half years ago!

The pandemic has brought a lot of change. Some good: Zoom meetings, e document signing and delivery of almost anything to my home. And of course a lot of bad: too many Zoom meetings, a loss of people skills, terrible customer service, fraud (on line and government programs), inflation, shortages, laziness and a mistrust of our leaders.

Here's what the LA Times said about the new vaccine card law: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-06/l-a-to-require-proof-of-covid-vaccination-at-indoor-restaurants-salons-and-other-venues

Here's an interesting story about one of the men mentioned in the article and his response to the federal indictment - he stepped back from his council duties, but didn't resign - I've met this man and his actions match what I know of him. https://abc7.com/mark-ridley-thomas-indictment-stepping-back-la-city-council/11143810/

I read that he was "shocked" about his indictment. I guess "they" feel that the law shouldn't apply to "them" - this happened last year on the same LA City Council https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/los-angeles-city-councilman-jose-huizar-charged-34-count-indictment-alleging-wide

When corruption is accepted and becomes the norm, people get sloppy, because they feel they don't need to hide it. Then they get caught! Somehow, our Federal Legislative Branch keeps getting caught, but without penalty. The best rigged system out there.

I better shut my mouth and get back to work or those black helicopters will visit ...