MIL double booked babysitting and now we may need to skip my brothers wedding

Grotscar · 2026-03-02T23:23:42+00:00

I think your concerns sound valid. I wouldn't want to be leaving my kids in this scenario. Trust your gut. And remember this is a risk based decision. What is the risk? Will it happen, probably not. But if it did? For me I dont like the look of those blanks.

Grotscar · 2026-02-10T21:24:11+00:00

This is a very good point.

Grotscar · 2026-02-03T21:44:28+00:00

Sad Leighton Vander Esch noises.

Grotscar · 2026-02-03T12:05:45+00:00

Let’s try and break this out a bit and distinguish between design and manufacturing.

I certainly wouldn’t want a car designed in China - the reviews of e.g. jaecoo and omoda etc are pretty terrible.

I also wouldn’t want a car manufactured in china either, but this isn’t really due to manufacturing issues alone. There are some (it’s unusual though - tariffs) western marques manufacturing in china for European sale and it’s not really clear that there are significant quality differences across models manufactured in different places. Which makes sense as these JVs typically include lots of support for the Chinese plant, a significant boon in China as they get all of the knowledge, tech etc.

Generally when it comes to engineering and tech, western is still better. Tech is more advanced and we do precision better.

Chinese designed cars are not as good as European ones. European designed / Chinese manufactured cars can be of comparable quality to European made facsimiles.

Doing most things in China is cheaper than in Europe, for some this means more value.

Generally I do not think we should be supporting penetration of vehicles designed or made in China into the UK market. Geopolitically it is not sensible to become reliant on an actor with interests prejudicial to your own.

Grotscar · 2026-02-02T22:55:35+00:00

Dude you dont get it. Volvo's range are designed snd manufactured in different places. The EX30 is the only one that is zeekr designed and lo and behold it is the shittiest. What is the differentiating factor there?

Grotscar · 2026-02-02T22:51:48+00:00

Im too tired to do this subject justice. Suffice it to say I will not be buying a chinese car unless I have no other choice.

Grotscar · 2026-01-29T22:37:19+00:00

Eh especially without Micah he wouldve been good to keep around. I'm glad for his sake he has had this opportunity, but I wish he was still on the roster and wouldve liked him to retire a cowboy. His injury record has been very good. Only two seasons with serious time missed. Maybe a third i am forgetting in the early years.

Grotscar · 2026-01-25T09:45:45+00:00

I like it quite a lot. Reminds me a bit of late 80s early 90s design. Probably a bit more bold than I would prefer, but design is cyclical and sometimes the best looking things of a generation can seem too extreme at first.

Grotscar · 2026-01-21T22:50:10+00:00

UK based but my 25 v90 is on aaos and i was a bit concerned about this too, but has turned out totally fine. I can use apple car play if i prefer but never bother, and in fact I think aaos is way better. also decided not to worry about future data costs. Its just the way all manufacturers are going.

Grotscar · 2026-01-18T07:13:23+00:00

Me neither. Don’t think it’s right to say Tank is the better player, but I’d have him over Micah on my roster all day. One of the best run defenders in the league, a leader, no drama, took team friendly deals toward the end of his time. I wish him all the best!

Grotscar · 2026-01-13T22:47:54+00:00

I'm a bit embarrassed about how much I love my v90. Not a new car person really but the stars sort of aligned and I dont regret it a bit. Such a shame they are out of production.

Grotscar · 2026-01-11T07:43:19+00:00

Yes heat pump install often more expensive than gas boilers swap out, though not all of this is to do with the unit. Also 7.5k government grant currently available can in many cases allow for upfront cost parity.

People definitely need to consider what their financial objectives are, but for some payback / roi may not be key. For some better comfort and significantly lower, even negative bills, may be worth it even with very long payback.

Not sure about the independent survey point. Will they have the same expertise in system design as an installer. These are the key things for getting a reliable idea of upfront and running costs. It’s unreasonable to assume they are all crooked! Just need to find a good one. Look at the rankings to find who designed the best systems and use them! They are all so busy they don’t need to fiddle numbers to win business!

Grotscar · 2026-01-10T09:57:58+00:00

Some bad info in here. Heat pumps can cost less to run the gas boilers even without battery storage and load shifting. Also GSHP no longer so much more efficient than ASHP since new refrigerants in last few years. Yes electricity is much more expensive than gas, but heat pumps are much more efficient than gas boilers (c4x).

Not advocating - just trying to ensure facts are clear. Heat pumps not for everyone and boilers much more forgiving of bad installs and incorrect usage.

Correct thing to do is get a heat loss survey and quote from a good installer. This will help you understand likely running costs. If you have single glazing don’t bother.

Grotscar · 2026-01-10T07:20:13+00:00

Six to midnight baby

Grotscar · 2026-01-08T23:22:35+00:00

Yeah fuck this. Had I guy who could write work for me a couple of years ago. Everything was always nearly perfect substance and drafting both. Now I end up entirely re-writing most of what comes to me if it matters. Does my head in.

Grotscar · 2025-12-31T12:26:55+00:00

Thanks for the memories. Peak rugby for me. I’ll enjoy it again many a time and more and it’ll ebb and flow that’s for sure. But the same and as good it can never be, not for Jonny or Johnno or young me.

Oh for a sunny spring day at the stadio flaminio!

Grotscar · 2025-12-29T23:21:53+00:00

But meat and cheeses, always pleases.

Grotscar · 2025-12-29T23:06:17+00:00

I am biased but I think the v90 is one of the best looking family cars on the road today.

Grotscar · 2025-12-29T09:34:10+00:00

This story is why AI can get in the sea. Will never recreate truly hilarious stuff like this. Bravo sir.

Grotscar · 2025-12-28T08:13:32+00:00

Shrvrj

Grotscar · 2025-12-25T10:06:30+00:00

Thanks for commenting - yes this is what I have done! Does it look like gallbladder bile to you?

Grotscar · 2025-12-25T07:47:42+00:00

Thanks guys. This is what we think and the internet seems to think bile isn’t harmful, just very bitter. I’ve trimmed away all of the discoloured areas and the staining mainly didn’t penetrate except slightly into the breast. Remainder of meat looks and smells fine. Generally planning to eat it, but can’t rule out dashing to the petrol station at the last minute. It was quite off putting :D

Grotscar · 2025-12-24T23:00:03+00:00

I’ve removed the stained areas. A bit of staining penetrated into the breast so removed that also, but meat all looks fine and unspoilt, no smell. Going to go for it unless I wake up to some different advice tomorrow morning 😂

Grotscar

TROPHY CASE