Her name is Connie. I haven’t yet met Connie, but this name seems appropriate, as I feel like an intrepid pioneer about to embark on a journey in anticipation of new and exciting experiences, but expecting to encounter unknown setbacks and perils along the way. In olden days, I might have ventured out in a conestoga wagon; hence, the name Connie for my new Lucid Air. At the other end of the spectrum, Lockheed’s state-of-the-art Constellation aircraft, which became the very first Air Force One, was lovingly referred to as Connie by both pilots and passengers. My own Connie is expected to test my limits of patience and exuberance as she exhibits traits of both namesakes - conestogas and Constellations.
Connie’s family reputation has preceded her. Her siblings and first cousins have earned accolades for performance and behavior. But some have received reprimands for being undependable and injury prone. Only time will tell whether Connie turns out to be a spirited steed, a stubborn mule or an obstinate jackass.
Connie has been a long time coming, and it has been a painful and difficult process. She was conceived in November 2020 when we committed to bring her into our family. After an unusually long gestation period, she was finally given a name, aka VIN, two years later in November 2022. But then labor pains continued for another two months until she emerged from the production line in January 2023. It was not an easy birth. Connie languished at the factory postnatal unit for six weeks because the neonatal facility, aka Lucid Studio – Houston, TX, was full and unable to accept additional deliveries. Finally, a resourceful attendant arranged to have her transferred to the Chicago Studio for neonatal care. She passed her vital checks and was scheduled to hand over to me in Tennessee last Friday, March 10th. That day came and passed without hearing from anyone. On Saturday a Chicago attendant called, blamed the failure on a third party carrier and rescheduled for Tuesday, March 14th. On Monday, March 13th I received word that the carrier had a flat and would be unable to deliver until Wednesday, March 15th. Since Wednesday presented a problem for me, they arranged to have Connie delivered between 11pm & 12am tonight, March 14th. (News alert: the dispatcher just phoned and said it will be between midnight and 1am. The driver doesn’t speak English, so the dispatcher will be available to assist if necessary)
Given the demonstrated production and administrative problems at Lucid, I have a knot in my stomach as Connie and I are about to be introduced. The future will definitely be exciting. Let’s hope she is a steed as opposed to the alternatives that some of her relatives have turned out to be. Stay tuned. (News alert: The dispatcher just phoned to say it'll now be between midnight and 1am. The driver doesn't speak English, so the dispatcher will be available to interpret as needed)
Connie’s family reputation has preceded her. Her siblings and first cousins have earned accolades for performance and behavior. But some have received reprimands for being undependable and injury prone. Only time will tell whether Connie turns out to be a spirited steed, a stubborn mule or an obstinate jackass.
Connie has been a long time coming, and it has been a painful and difficult process. She was conceived in November 2020 when we committed to bring her into our family. After an unusually long gestation period, she was finally given a name, aka VIN, two years later in November 2022. But then labor pains continued for another two months until she emerged from the production line in January 2023. It was not an easy birth. Connie languished at the factory postnatal unit for six weeks because the neonatal facility, aka Lucid Studio – Houston, TX, was full and unable to accept additional deliveries. Finally, a resourceful attendant arranged to have her transferred to the Chicago Studio for neonatal care. She passed her vital checks and was scheduled to hand over to me in Tennessee last Friday, March 10th. That day came and passed without hearing from anyone. On Saturday a Chicago attendant called, blamed the failure on a third party carrier and rescheduled for Tuesday, March 14th. On Monday, March 13th I received word that the carrier had a flat and would be unable to deliver until Wednesday, March 15th. Since Wednesday presented a problem for me, they arranged to have Connie delivered between 11pm & 12am tonight, March 14th. (News alert: the dispatcher just phoned and said it will be between midnight and 1am. The driver doesn’t speak English, so the dispatcher will be available to assist if necessary)
Given the demonstrated production and administrative problems at Lucid, I have a knot in my stomach as Connie and I are about to be introduced. The future will definitely be exciting. Let’s hope she is a steed as opposed to the alternatives that some of her relatives have turned out to be. Stay tuned. (News alert: The dispatcher just phoned to say it'll now be between midnight and 1am. The driver doesn't speak English, so the dispatcher will be available to interpret as needed)