Rearview Mirror Installation

Without wanting to, I've learned how to install a rear-view mirror on a Subaru Forester. I assume these skills mostly transfer to other vehicles.

Most auto parts stores stock an adhesive specifically for this purpose. I bought in Queens, and paid $4.

The key is the "button" for the mirror. This is the piece that physically attaches to the window glass. The mirror then attaches to the button. It was not immediately apparent to me that I even had a "button" and I wasn't looking for it when the process started. Fortunately, the adhesive packaging mentioned it in the instructions. I had to figure out how to detach the "button" from the mirror which had fallen off the windshield.

For my model of Subaru, it turns out the mirror and button are held together by a very tight spring clip. To separate them I had to twist them, almost to the point where it felt as though it was breaking. But then, snap, they were apart.

The rest is pretty straightforward. Clean the glass, clean the button. Apply the adhesive activator to the windshield. Apply the adhesive to the button and hold in place for two minutes. Supposedly I can attach the mirror after 20 minutes, but I let the chemicals cure overnight instead. Air temperature didn't drop below 60 F (package instructions advised to use above 50 F). The next morning I snapped the mirror back onto the button, which was by now firmly affixed to the windshield. That was a week ago, and things are still good, so I suppose I didn't muck things up.

One more thing, my mirror has an auto-dim feature, and an electronic compass. I had to recalibrate the compass after plugging the connections together. This involved driving slowly in a circle about three times. Everything is good again.

I was surprised how good visibility is out of the front without a mirror in the way. But changing lanes is a bit scary.

Rational Weight #4

This morning I weighed in sub-270 for the first time since I have no idea. Maybe sometime around 2004 or so. The official reading was 269.0.

It is encouraging that I'm able to do this without surgery, and without painful changes to my patterns of life. I think most people are unaware I'm doing this. Although my sister, who lives in a different city from me, noticed on seeing me this week. But I notice many things. For example, shirts fit much more comfortably. For example, a pair of jeans which used to be snug now require a belt.

The loss had slowed for a while, which made me nervous that somehow my body might have adjusted to my eating habits, and found a way to extract more calories from the food I eat. But I guess that isn't the case.

My very short-term goal had been 260, and that is now within spitting distance. My longer term goal, just for a psychological milestone, is to reach 100 kgs. That would be pretty cool. And, of course, the longest term goal is a BMI under 25.