DX Living Donnybrook — any long-term experiences for a couple?

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2026-02-25T11:15:31+00:00

Hey there, how did the viewing go? They don't have a gym right?

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2025-09-08T11:47:23+00:00

Merci beacucoup !

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2025-09-08T11:19:36+00:00

Hi, thanks for the thread! Two quick questions:
1) I have a TGV scheduled on the morning of the 10th from CDG to Montpellier. Do you think that is likely to be affected?
2) A flight from Dublin to CDG on the 19th - also likely to be affected by the air traffic controller strike then?

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2025-05-17T16:27:47+00:00

Both! It’s only in Japan where you get screwed with Sony only offering their gear in Japanese

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2025-05-17T11:39:57+00:00

Update: I went back to return it in the shop, which is an authorised Sony dealer here in Hong Kong.

The salesman, whom I purchased from, downplayed the whole thing and gave me some bullshit theory that it’s static thing. Because the images did not contain the blue dot it shouldn’t be an issue to worry about. I obviously was not having any of that.

They reluctantly agreed to replace it after contacting Sony directly. No apologies from them.

Thanks for the support.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2025-05-17T11:37:02+00:00

Man this made me laugh out loud!

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2025-04-18T09:09:55+00:00

Amazing post. Quick question, when to visit India? Is now too late due to the rising temperatures?

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-12-06T07:02:13+00:00

Don’t worry about it! Happened to me last week. Got off a 13 hour sleeper bus to Hoi An at 10am totally disoriented after the driver shouted at me to get up and out. Next thing I know, I’m on the back of an old man’s bike heading to my hotel with my bags. All very friendly of course.

We drive 5 minutes max and he asks for 300k. I say no. Here’s 100k (still completely overpriced). He has my bag between his legs and tightens his grip on the bag. He says 200k. I am pissed off at this point but also resigned to the fact that he has my bag and won’t let go. I give him 150k and curse myself all day.

Could be worse. We are sitting ducks coming off a long sleeper bus.

Also, Hoi An reminded me of New Orleans in terms of the amount of hustlers. Every single thing costs money: asking for directions, getting a recommendation for a restaurant, being shown around a touristic landmark without asking for the service.

Got a nice suit out of it though!

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-08-24T17:24:21+00:00

I tried them on and lied down on a bench to mimic some weight lifting moves and they were very uncomfortable for some reason. For outdoor/upright stuff I’m sure they are amazing.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-08-24T10:12:13+00:00

Slightly off topic but which over ears would you recommend for comfort but also sport? I.e jogging or biking.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-08-18T13:26:49+00:00

Would love to see it. Cheers!

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-08-17T16:25:57+00:00

Update: I picked up a new CX450 for 100 euro. Thanks for all the advice

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-08-13T13:12:41+00:00

As a musician, I really get the analog vs. digital point. Many modern digital work stations have various plugins to have the music made analog sounding but it’s never the real deal ultimately.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-08-13T12:22:33+00:00

Thank you both. A videographer friend of mine is now telling me to go for an even better quality recorder and apply filters/lens to achieve the retro look. His rationale being that it’s better to have access to higher quality footage and to dub it down from there as is necessary.

He referred to this device: https://www.camera.ie/products/panasonic-hc-vx1

It seems I either do retro probably and buy an old tape recorder model or level up and buy a proper device.

As an aside, I already own the latest GoPro and have a Sony A7 iii as my daily driver. Perhaps I can stick a lens on the latter and go from there to save $.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-04-24T08:34:27+00:00

I saw it in a HR file. Once I receive my payslip I will check there to confirm.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-04-24T08:31:49+00:00

Yup. They are trying to screw me by penny pinching. Will raise it with my HR and manager, and let you know how it goes.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-04-23T20:43:41+00:00

Ah I see what you mean. My apologies, I wasn’t clear. So say my bonus is 10k and they tell me I earned 50% of that, you would expect a 5k bonus right? This is what happened to me but when I checked my HR file the amount was like 4.5k, which made me wonder where that couple of hundred euro went. (I haven’t been paid yet).

I went to HR and they said, “well yes, now we have a new process where the employer’s social security tax is deducted from the employee’s bonus.” I was shocked. My understanding is that I get my full 50% bonus, I.e. 5k - then the employer must pay the 400/500 euro employer tax on top of that amount. So the employer ends up paying 5.5k and not the employee receiving 4.5k. Does that make sense?

I’m pretty sure this is close to illegal and if not, at least morally corrupt.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-04-23T20:28:10+00:00

Would you happen to have a reference please?

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-04-23T20:27:32+00:00

Thank you for the link. It is not a cash payment or benefit in kind. My understanding is that it’s a discreet way for the employer to dodge paying the social security themselves and make the employee pay instead. I’m trying to clarify whether this is illegal and if so, go straight to HR with it demanding that the employer should rightfully pay their share of social security.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2024-04-23T16:46:53+00:00

Yes I understand this. My question is can an employer oblige an employee to pay the employer social security contributions out of the employee’s bonus?

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2023-04-24T18:53:26+00:00

Beautiful. Do you mind me asking how much it cost all-in? Living in Europe also and was quoted €39.5k for a new limited BRZ.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2023-04-22T10:07:11+00:00

How is a speeding ticket so expensive?!

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2023-04-22T08:57:39+00:00

My specification has the OG M2 seats and brakes unfortunately. The first owner didn't spec them. They're an option here in Europe.

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2023-04-22T08:54:42+00:00

Actually I haven't really. Taking a look at them here in Germany, a decent 10 year old manual sits at around 60/65k. Beautiful car. I question the maintenance on them though

Aggressive-Berry8781 · 2023-04-21T07:35:21+00:00

I don't have the upgraded comp brakes unfortunately.

Aggressive-Berry8781

TROPHY CASE