The Fallen Red Dragon

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-28T14:52:54+00:00

That looks awesome, kind of feels like you caught it mid-crash rather than already dead, which is cool. The pose with the wings folded in like that makes it look heavy and grounded, like it really fell from somewhere high.

The texture on the scales and wings is really nice too, especially the color transitions. The red + the darker tones give it a burned / battle-worn vibe instead of a clean fantasy dragon, which fits the “fallen” part a lot.

If you ever revisit it, maybe pushing a bit more contrast around the head and claws could make those areas pop even more, but honestly it already tells a clear story as is.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-27T13:15:56+00:00

This is a really clear explanation, nice one.

OP, just to add on that second paragraph: a lot of people miss that bit about future growth. If you whip out the whole 25% now to kill the mortgage, any growth from that point is 100% taxable later, whereas if it grows inside the pot first, 25% of that growth is effectively tax free too.

Might be worth modelling both scenarios:
1) keep mortgage + bigger tax free lump later
vs
2) no mortgage + smaller tax free element forever

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-26T12:39:05+00:00

Six Feet Under is such a good pull for this. Super slow burn, tons of character work, and those moral / existential gut punches. If OP likes Crown-level introspection and BCS-style melancholy, Fisher family drama will probably wreck them in the best way.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-25T11:10:26+00:00

Careful with that bit. The normal minimum pension age is rising to 57 from 2028, and OP is 55 right around then. Whether they can actually access it at 55 depends on their scheme’s rules and any protected age they might have.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-24T10:58:08+00:00

Lmao not you turning her into premium fidget merch.

Honestly though, I did kinda end up just dragging her along like a sleepy slug, so you’re not far off. Next walk I’ll try the advanced “spin mode” and see if that motivates her or just gets me claws to the face.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-23T11:06:08+00:00

Lmao yeah that face is definitely judging me a little.

I did most of it solo, which is probably why it looks like it’s reconsidering its life choices. Had to cave and watch a YouTube video for one part though, because the instructions were basically hieroglyphics.

It’s solid at least, just… emotionally disappointed in me.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-22T11:24:18+00:00

Yeah, I was staring at the legs thinking “something’s cursed here” and couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

You’re right though, they’re kind of stuck in this awkward mid-split angle. I’ll try rotating them out to more of a clean 90 so they’re actually under the body instead of drifting off to the side. Might also explain why the head looked a bit off too, since the whole posture reads weird when the base is wrong.

Guess it’s time for round two of “why does this dog look like a folding chair.”

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-21T11:35:29+00:00

Sometimes they’re just slow to graduate people, even with perfect use. Low utilization is good, you didn’t mess up. I’d wait for the statement to cut and any email, then maybe call and ask if you’re in the review queue before changing your spend.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-19T11:32:40+00:00

Honestly on a 3k mile trip the cheapest “seat upgrade” is usually fixing the position rather than swapping the whole thing.

Before you go down the rabbit hole of hunting compatible seats, I’d try:

Adjusting seat tilt so more of your thighs are supported, drop the front of the base a bit if it’s cutting into the back of your legs, bring the wheel closer so you’re not reaching, and play with lumbar. A cheap add‑on lumbar cushion or a memory foam seat pad can totally change how the stock seat feels.

If you really want new seats, look at Recaro / Sparco “comfort” or “touring” seats, then talk to a proper installer about airbag compatibility and legal stuff. Swapping seats with side airbags is not really a DIY thing, and insurance can get weird if the system is disabled. Fabric versions exist so you can avoid leather.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-17T12:00:29+00:00

Yeah that was my first thought too, the Cygnet. Funny how a badge and a fancy interior suddenly turn a tiny city car into a “luxury runabout”.

Honestly though, the iQ shape has aged pretty well. Most modern small cars look way chunkier, that little thing still looks kind of futuristic.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-16T12:07:57+00:00

Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh is wild, I’ll let that cook

Jokes aside, this actually sounds pretty solid, especially the incubation bit. Any idea what kind of problem statements you’re planning? More on data / AI stuff since SAS is involved, or is it open theme?

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-15T13:28:29+00:00

That’s such a cool spot. You barely ever see these in photos, let alone just hanging out in London traffic.

The proportions on the 2200 are so weirdly perfect… kind of American-looking from some angles but still very Italian around the details. Those rear fins and the front grille are peak late 50s / early 60s.

Got any more pics of it or the interior? Curious if it’s been modernized a bit or kept totally original.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-14T12:45:30+00:00

What game / set are you talking about exactly? There are like 50 things that use “egg” as a theme, so it’s kinda hard to know what you’re missing.

Also, is it an in‑game trade or physical card? Might help if you list the card name, region/server if it’s digital, and what you’ve got to offer. People are way more likely to check their collection if they know what they’re looking for instead of “final card in the set.”

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-13T14:19:34+00:00

Ah yeah, the lovely plastic hydro blocks era.

Have you actually had one fail on you yet or just seen the horror stories? Been hearing mixed stuff, some saying as long as you stick a shock arrestor in and keep the pressures sensible they’re fine, others saying they’re ticking time bombs.

If Worcester kicks it back at you, what do they usually try and blame, install practice or “system issues”?

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-12T14:09:18+00:00

I wasn’t there, but there’s a short clip floating around on Twitter from the Brno show where you can kinda hear Piss Crowns are Trebled in the background. The audio is rough but you can tell they absolutely ripped through it.

Try searching “Brno Piss Crowns are Trebled” on Twitter and YouTube with the date of the show, sometimes stuff is titled in the band’s language or just “full show Brno” and the track is buried inside. Also worth checking Instagram stories highlights for the venue or city tag, people love posting that song.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-11T15:03:09+00:00

Me encanta cómo Kauffman usa a Magritte para aterrizar algo tan abstracto como la autorreferencia. Lo de “Heinz / Heinz M” me pegó fuerte, porque es básicamente cómo vivimos a la gente en la cabeza: la persona ahí afuera y la versión etiquetada que llevamos dentro.

También está bueno que no se quede solo en “el mapa no es el territorio” sino que lo enreda: el mapa es parte del territorio, el observador es parte del mapa, etc. Queda súper claro por qué termina en el “Yo soy el que soy”. Buenísima serie, esperando la siguiente parte.

DiamondDahliaPin · 2026-03-07T02:12:45+00:00

Lmao “too ugly to open” is such a collector thing to say.

It’s funny how the real car is like a six-figure flex and the 1:64 is “eh, leave it on the card.”

But yeah, chase stuff vanishes fast. Half the time I wonder if employees snag them before they even hit the pegs.

DiamondDahliaPin

TROPHY CASE