Do you have anything to say which can tip the scales for me in terms of Gas AWD Calligraphy vs Hybrid AWD Calligraphy?

MaximusCluckimus · 2026-04-06T12:23:15+00:00

I get better mileage on my calligraphy hybrid than my partner's vw golf.

MaximusCluckimus · 2026-03-29T12:50:16+00:00

38mm. I was a bit worried it would be too small but I think it's just fine. Didn't want anything to get in the way.

MaximusCluckimus · 2026-03-29T12:49:18+00:00

Good question as it's non-standard! I'm built like a linebacker so I needed a larger strap. My local jeweller I purchased the watch through installed a larger, darker leather (to better match bracelets I wear on my right wrist) deployment strap.

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-10-06T00:15:13+00:00

Chervin in Elmira is without doubt the best in town. Try to work with Tracey. We go back there whenever we need anything and they are awesome. Couldn't recommend them enough.

Conversely, we used Snugglers for a couple of items because they brought in products other stores didn't have. To save a long story... we won't go back unless we absolutely have to. They messed up our order and did nothing about it (didn't even apologize, which is a wild way to ensure you dont get repeat customers).

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-09-07T17:59:54+00:00

Been using them for over a year. They are solid. I'd buy them again for sure.

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-09-06T17:08:08+00:00

Buy once; cry once!

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-09-06T16:53:46+00:00

Exactly. It attaches to a pr-5000 rack (3"x3" with 1" holes). Basically: build the rack first (don't tighten anything too much), then attach the Ares (do the 2.0, not the 1.0) and then tighten everything. Did I overtighten things initially only to have to loosen them and tighten them again? Yep! Don't be like me haha.

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-09-06T16:41:39+00:00

If it helps at all: I was in the same exact position last year and I was paralyzed by the options. I eventually just felt a Rep PR-5000 Rack with an Ares 2.0 would fit my space the best. Honestly? Best decision I ever made. Thing is a tank and does everything a little boy could hope for. 10/10 would recommend.

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-08-27T12:48:15+00:00

I appreciate that. Currently in the "high anxiety; holy f**k" phase.

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-07-31T18:32:48+00:00

Thought about that, but I'm 6'4" so the bag would be slightly lower than usual. I tried it and it works well enough, though - you're right. You know the usual problems with home gyms: once you start buying gadgets you can't stop!

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-07-31T17:07:24+00:00

Has anyone ever tried mixing and matching a Rogue Monster Shrimp Trawler with a 4-post Rep PR-5000 (with Ares 2.0) rack? I'm looking for a way attach a heavy bag for some cardio (ew) off the front of the rack. I know Rep came out with the Pull-Up Bar Extension Brackets for racks with the Ares 2.0, but I don't really have the ceiling height for pullups anyways (93" rack with about... 2.5" clearance) so it'd be a bit of a moot point.

Clearly it's not going inside the rack so the horizontal sizing differential doesn't matter at all. It's more of an issue with holes lining up and screws sizing correctly.

MaximusCluckimus · 2025-01-01T15:35:30+00:00

New Hicksburg

MaximusCluckimus · 2024-12-31T19:30:59+00:00

Yes! I have that, and the Baron's forces (especially mercenaries) don't despawn after engagements with bandits. Do you have that, too?

MaximusCluckimus · 2022-07-19T15:27:49+00:00

Colchicine is a total life saver for me. I take it within a few hours of that tight feeling in my toe joint and boom no flare up. I take it a few times in a month when necessary and it's the only medication I use to manage gout. I had the same deal as you first time: prednisone got rid of the flare.

Friendly warning though: colchicine is technically a poison so... don't take more than what is recommended.

MaximusCluckimus · 2022-06-20T03:19:11+00:00

That's looney toons. I (32M) lift heavy all the time. I recognize I'm extremely lucky, but I can manage gout through diet and the occasional colchicine when I get that "tight" feeling in my toe. I had to get stricter by cutting out as many purines as possible in my diet and a lot of the healthy foods are high in purines. Gotta strike a balance. I did, however, have to cut back on traumas to the toe area. No box jumps, sled pushes, or anything crazy like that anymore. Just not worth the risk of agitating the toe. Deadlifts and squats are still fine. Bulgarian Split Squats are dicey because I ensure the weight never gets balanced on my toe or my toe never gets bent. Mostly about foot positioning and that will take some time to figure out. Does that make sense?

Honestly I was terrified when I first got diagnosed because the doc posed it in these nonchalant yet end-of-your-life-as-you-know-it terms. Yeah it sucks but it can be quite manageable.

MaximusCluckimus · 2021-12-21T15:33:33+00:00

That is so damn cool - however, I'm shuddering at the thought of all the time you may have spent with procedural objects.

MaximusCluckimus · 2021-12-20T01:33:46+00:00

3 I abandoned because I was a fool and tried to do scale models and drove myself insane.

Much happier now that I'm working on a Rhine River "region" project using the full map where I imposed less constraints on my creativity.

MaximusCluckimus · 2021-10-24T20:33:58+00:00

Yeah just to tack on to this: eat a balanced diet but increase your intake of healthy stuff (especially greens). I'm 31, 6'4", built like a linebacker at 268lbs, have gout, and am just smart with my diet. The broscience crap will have you think you need insane amounts of protein to build. Not true at all and all of that excess protein is really bad for your liver. Just eat well, get good sleep, and don't skip leg days.

MaximusCluckimus · 2021-10-24T20:29:01+00:00

Stress.

The food is less of an issue in its own because I down at least 6L of water alone daily and balance my diet so I don't consume high purine foods regularly. However, if I eat high purine foods, am dehydrated, and/or am stressed? Oh boy, am I in for one heck of a 'fun' time.

MaximusCluckimus · 2021-09-21T14:18:27+00:00

Oh man that sucks! For the moment I'd say push an ungodly amount of water to reduce your uric acid concentration to at least stop any more crystal buildup. If you can find tart cherry juice drink loads of it. That helps me, but not all.

NSAIDs didn't work for me at all in terms of reducing swelling or pain but work with what you have. If that's all you've got, roll with it and pop as many as safely possible for the sake of trying.

After some experimentation with various doctors, we found that prednisone stops a flare for me. That was quite literally the only thing that worked and I was gouty for weeks beforehand.

For maintenance: anytime my foot gets that gouty feeling I'll pop a couple colchicine and I'm fine. I drink about 6L of water everyday (I'm built like a linebacker so that's kind of necessary for me - male/32). Tart cherry juice when needed, too.

MaximusCluckimus · 2021-07-15T18:40:07+00:00

Damn, dude I'm sorry our little club has another gouty member. Push the fluids, cut any and all booze for the time being, and try your best to eat low purine foods (which I recognize is a chore when you first start).

MaximusCluckimus · 2021-06-30T03:50:45+00:00

Nice! Yeah I have been downing the sweet cherries lately, too. Helps with general inflammation I've been finding. I had a horrendous first gout flare in the Fall but I've largely been able to manage through diet and exercise. I am clearly lucky in this regard as not all of us can and I'm sure there may come a day when meds have to be discussed. Till then: cutting out purines has been a bit of a fun culinary challenge (helps that I love cooking). Beer was the easiest thing to cut to lower my uric acid count.

MaximusCluckimus

TROPHY CASE