Woke up, brewed the last of my coffee, took a shower, did 20 hindu-pushups.
Went out to survey situation. Thus far, I just had a deflated tire and a boot. Situation stable.
I enjoy being barefoot whenever possible, but damn that pavement was hot. Went in to get sandals and assess the power situation. I had bought a 20-foot cable the day prior, and had a few minor extension cords, but the nearest power source was so far away. I ended up having to daisychain 5 different types of extension cords (including a computer cable I had to disconnect) to supply power to the thing.
THERE WAS POWER, AND IT WAS GOOD.
Next, I had to figure out how to use this fucking thing. I know a lot about using powertools instinctively but sometimes miss really obvious buttons or things that are very useful. Anyways, after studying it, decided that I wasted money on the "metal grinder". Doesn't actually fit on this grinder. Am returning it. The standard grinder it came with worked fine.
I set up a brown tarp that I basically "hid" under to obstruct the fact I was clearly using power tools to remove a boot from my car in broad daylight on a busy suburban street. I live in little Mexico, literally outside my back fence is a blow-up palace, you know the kind kids jump in? They love that shit, I don't get it. Every weekend, different familes throw these fucking parties. Anyways, what I mean is that everyone minds their own business and is pretty friendly. People get shot here.
Right, so, first tried to saw through smallest diameter of "arm". I tried but realized it would take a while and if not hollow could fuck up my grinder.
So, at that point, I saw I had enough room on the padlock to go to town on that, and I did. Man, it created a lot of sparks!!! I thought the tarp (which i was underneath, with all the sparks) would at least burn, but nope. Good shit.
Anyways, an anxious 5-minutes later and a burnt finger from stupidly trying to touch a white-hot padlock, voila!
That was literally all I had to do. Heavy bolt-cutters may have even done the trick, although I have to say, that was a hardcore fucking padlock. But no match for a 30-dollar power tool, so remember that, folks.
After taking off padlock, was just a series of maneuvering objects to release the boot.
And, bam. Desert Whelp has been freed from her oppressors, but I fear it is time for her to go to her true family, the Bank, to whom she belongs...
I'll keep you guys updated on any legal or fine-based actions. I've stashed the truck, I need to find a more permanent place to keep it while I revert to biking and public transpo full time.
AMUSING ANECDOTE: Those of you who might be upset at me getting away with this scott-free (so far) will enjoy this. After freeing the tire, it was still flat. The smart thing to do would be to bike to get some fix-a-flat and then fill it and go fill the rest. However, I decided that "if i went really slow", i could get to the gas station and fill it up. Within two blocks the tire was destroyed, driving on the rim. Also, no spare, someone stole that recently. So, I still have that whole problem to deal with.
Lates dudes i gots music to make
