Leaderboard

So I've been missing a stick car of late. Trying to decide what if anything I should acquire. Wife will likely strangle me unless I sell something, but I'll cross that bridge assuming I survive...LOL Test drove a 2012 BMW M3 with a 6-speed. Fun car although it was a bit of a rough condition. They are difficult to locate and it was just down the road so I went for a spin. Overall, worth the time but it wasn't a keeper. Car out of Quebec that had made its way to TX. They weren't ask kind to it as it deserved. Today I test drove an M4. For whatever reason BMW designated the M3's sedans beginning in 2014 and the M4's the coupes. Again, I was looking for a stick car. Easier to locate M4's than M3's so that part was good. The M3 has a naturally aspirated V8....pretty cool to see that in a 2-door BMW. The M4 has their straight line 6 cylinder twin turbo. Not a bad little motor that makes more power than the V8 thanks to forced induction, but not as visceral as the V8. It's also a bit lighter than the M3's were thanks to more extensive use of carbon fiber and the like. I'm not sure how I feel about the color (it is a bit more metallic orange than it appears in the pics although it very much depends on lighting), but I the interior was very tasteful (it is darker than the images suggest...think a tobacco). I sure did have fun driving it... HS

I've been slow to get it but finally I have it at home.

Reading has slowly been taking less and less of my time but I've forced myself to do some because I always enjoy it once I actually pick up a book. Decided to reread what is one of my favorite books of all time; I am pilgrim by Terry Hayes. It is a spy-thriller with a lot of tense moments and a very straightforward but engaging story. I've always been told I have an odd taste in entertainment but this book just really does it for me. Other than that I just finished reading Busemannen (the boogeyman) by Knut Nærum. I have no idea if that one was ever translated to English, but for anyone here who is Norwegian/Swedish/Danish I highly recommend it. It's best described as a parody of the thriller genre.

I'm still a huge fan of the Lone Wolf series by Joe Dever. If you grew up on that, check out https://www.projectaon.org/en/Main/Home for a really fun nostalgia trip.

As much as I like BMWs it’s hard to not start considering a lower end 911 (or used) / Cayman when you consider what a loaded M4 costs.

Re: modern sports cars – I love the Time Attack Viper (manual only):

Yumi took me to the shooting range yesterday. She has guns in the house so I decided that I probably should know how to properly use them in case of emergency. I may even get my own gun at some point but not to carry, just for range and home. I really liked the feel of the Glock 48 and 43X.

I installed a StrapsCo silicone strap on my 116710. Quality seems as good as Everest straps, and it was simple to adjust the length so that it would center the buckle correctly. The green is a perfect match for GMT hand and dial text on this watch.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/05/college-students-arent-checking-out-books/590305/ ^ Hits close to home as a life-long book lover whose first job was re-shelving books at the public library. I wonder what the reading habits of kids will be going forward? I already feel like so few people I know regularly read books for leisure.

I'm looking for a 6-speed and if you see a 2012 -2013 M3 pop up I'd love to know. No more black for me, though...LOL. I have a black race car now and it's a PITA. I might hit you up. I've been doing some reading on known issues, etc... I like the idea of the V8 but I've decided I don't want it to be too much of a project car. Just something to have fun in and typical maintenance. The F82 was more fun to drive than I expected. Not quite as sexy to my senses as the 2012 E92 I drove but still a hoot. It was pretty darn nice too... HS

Strangely Daphne, which just picked up a couple awards at Cannes, is being referred to as “Fleabag without all the jokes.” Not exactly sure what that is, but...

Richard and Linda Thompson at the BBC (1981)

Anyone else spend a lot of their childhood reading gamebooks (Choose Your Own Adventure, Fighting Fantasy, Be An Interplanetary Spy, Time Machine, etc.)? I've been looking for this series for years and I finally found it: https://archive.org/details/Star_Challenge_1_Planets_in_Peril/page/n1

Meanwhile, back in the UK

It was awesome meeting you and getting the headphones hand-delivered. My impressions will be coming soon but a small sneak preview after a very limited time with them (aka I couldn't help myself), don't let the price fool you to think these are budget headphones...they don't sound like that.

Today was a very special day. They say, never meet your heroes but today I met the man, the myth, the Legend of the Spritzer. I flew down to Reykjavík to deliver the first production RR1 to ever leave Indian shores. It was an honour to meet Birgir, I still remember reading his posts 7-8 years ago when I got into the hobby and owning an Electrostat seemed unfathomable. So, delivering my Headphone to the STAX Mafia is an occasion to celebrate. Had commissioned 2 custom KGSSHVs. Our primary Amp of choice for upcoming shows. Really fortunate to be lucky enough to visit Iceland. Even though it was a short business trip, will be back with the family someday.

Great NYT revisionist piece - Doris Day: A Hip Sex Goddess Disguised as the Girl Next Door And we shouldn’t forget those who literally jump on grenades for others - Robert Maxwell, World War II Hero Who Fell on a Grenade, Dies at 98

Well, I've held off on posting this one. Thought the 300mph barrier deserved its own space. Also, I've been to busy and or lazy. Weekend is finally here and I'm kicking back in the backyard after way too much foot traffic through the house...LOL. My daily was my beloved 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Creampuff with only 26K miles (I work a couple of miles from the house). All wheel drive, 392 cubic inch motor that made short of 500hp at the flywheel (i.e. not the wheels...I'd guess 10-15% drivetrain loss due to torque converter, etc...), 8-speed transmission with paddle shifters, big Brembo brakes, a lot of suspension flexibility with a dial...and a hilarious but beloved launch control should one ever need one. The wifey borrowed it a few weeks go to pick up her dad from the hospital and take him home as her coupe sits quite low. She got struck by another driver on the way home (fortunately she was perfectly fine) and the damage while not huge was enough for me to call it a day after 4 years with the big girl. It was days before the Texas Mile and my tow vehicle was down... I did not make it to the Mile with my Demon. Don't get mad, get even. After scouring for a similar vehicle I concluded there are not many and certainly not in the shape I'd be happy with. So..... 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with the Hellcat motor and some nifty gadgetry was acquired. Traded in my 2015 at full trade-in value and handed over my insurance claim. The 2018's on the lots were discounted more, but I still managed to get a good bit of the 2019. Way to expensive a vehicle, but I have to admit I'm a sucker for the power, leather, and technology. vroom vroom... HS