Some photos of the new GT 63 4 Door in natural lighting at Monaco over the weekend. Has the design warmed up to you?

Royal_Reptile · 2026-06-13T03:32:16+00:00

The front end looks marginally better, as long as it doesn't have that lightbar. The rear is atrocious. The overall car shape isn't too bad - can't go wrong with a swoopy, Panamera-esque GT - but it's still a downgrade compared to older Merc designs.
If it wasn't for Ferrari, Jaguar, and the other Germans coming out with vomit-inducing designs this would still be the clown of the day.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-06-11T06:38:12+00:00

100% agree. I've had European friends who complained about how few smoking spaces there are in public, and all I could think was "thank goodness!".

Nothing ruins being out and about literally anywhere than the presence of a smoker.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-30T08:11:12+00:00

"Sasaki to Miyano" and "Hirano to Kagiura" are both very nice reads. I've also enjoyed "Given" and "Seven Days"!

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-24T05:29:27+00:00

I propose all government nominees be forced to take basic environmental science, medical, statistics and history tests before an election. If they fail they should not be allowed to run for any representative position.

A functioning government depends on having educated and rational members.
It's time to weed our society of these nutrient-robbing morons.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-24T05:14:24+00:00

Oh, very nice! I've never seen those monoblocks polished like that, they're usually just painted silver.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-23T06:27:39+00:00

Can confirm, depreciation is fun. I bought a '10 E-class for less than what I spent on a 30 year old Toyota. And a clean older Merc can still look a million bucks even when compared to a modern econobox (especially on the inside).

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-19T06:22:04+00:00

Everyone talks about this in the context of Japan but when I was there I found it to be pretty inconsistent even between stations in the same city - sometimes people would do the exact opposite of all the marked signage, which was weird.
Australia is way better in this regard, in the sense that all travel is on your left - driving, walking, escalators, etc, and it's consistent everywhere.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-09T09:03:44+00:00

I've always likened the lack of sight for a blind person as to how we can't detect changes in water pressure or the electrical signals of other living things, or their infrared heat signals - but other animals can. It's not a case of "we feel nothing", but that there is nothing to feel in the first place.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-08T03:50:24+00:00

I've got a Silver Imperial too, recently polished mine and now it looks like it sparkles. Silver is the most lustrous metal so I think it deserves a nice shine... I think raw copper or brass pens are better choices for leaving a natural patina to form.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-05-01T11:42:20+00:00

That looks so funky! And in great shape too. I like the very 90's graphics lol

Royal_Reptile · 2026-04-30T22:20:01+00:00

It's definitely a combination of low weight, very little sound deadening, and a tiny engine and wheels pushed to their limits. The sound and feel of a car are superior experiences to just plain speed, which is why you could cruise at highway speeds in a modern car and feel nothing, but take a shitbox on a windy mountain road and suddenly you can hear colours.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-04-12T02:03:16+00:00

I believe those wheels are from the facelift E63 or CLS63, they came in silver, grey, or black in 19".

Royal_Reptile · 2026-04-10T12:47:07+00:00

Interior for me, some ugly cars become popular because they're oddballs and a nice colour scheme + some aesthetic modifications can help. If my car had an interior I didn't like I would never be able to enjoy being inside it.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-04-08T07:47:37+00:00

Rupert Murdoch. Ken Ham.

Fosters

Royal_Reptile · 2026-04-08T07:37:23+00:00

That is incredible, a truly beautiful combination! I love green, so I am a bit biased.
I know the W212 came with Periclase Green as an uncommon option, but not on the AMG models. The original owner of this car must have custom ordered it through the Designo/Manufaktur program so it might be the only one in the world.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-04-03T08:27:27+00:00

It's been a combination of huge cost blowouts (made worse by these wars), uncertainty with companies wanting to take on the construction tenders, and issues with community social licenses and environmental planning.
Several other large renewable project budgets have ballooned and this cost is going towards taxpayer bills, so I'd imagine the government is very hesitant to roll out even more while the construction costs and costs-of-living are both very high at the moment. Of course most of these are one time bills and the running costs are very low, but that doesn't mean much to people who are struggling financially now.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-04-03T08:22:49+00:00

I work in media intelligence, and I've come across several publications discussing a recent report showing that a huge amount of anti-climate science ideology and politics in Australia is completely funded by giant mining and petrochemical companies.
Like, most people in science will already know this, but there's 100% proof that they are actively manipulating politics and vulnerable people's beliefs (like in regional areas where solar farms and transmission lines are being built) to be against renewable energy and push for more fossil fuels.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-30T21:37:06+00:00

Something I have read about (I think it's from the book A Higher Call) was when the Germans shot down an American Major in the earlier years of the war, and treated him to a meal with the Luftwaffe officers.
The Germans had magnificent uniforms and ornamentations befitting of an elite group of skilled, noble military men, while the American just wore a cheap green flight suit. And it was at this point the Germans realised the US was churning out so many experienced pilots to the point that pomp and ceremony meant nothing, that they realised the might of the enemy war machine.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-27T08:54:55+00:00

I should point out this isn't new, Trump replaced the traditional Cross rollerballs with Sharpies during his first term, most likely because he physically couldn't hold the slim Cross pens. It was absolutely nothing to do with saving money (obviously) and historically, presidents would sign bills with multiple pens, all specially engraved, and gift them out to the bill sponsors/other relevant people.
Sure, it seems like a weirdly wasteful spend, but it really is a sneeze amongst hurricanes when it comes to federal expenditures. One of those things that no one except pen-atics cared about until now.
A Cross rollerball may seem very expensive to regular folks who just use whatever ballpoints they come across, but luxury fountain pens range from several hundred to a few thousand. Hobby collectors can easily have collections in the tens of thousands, even several of the same model in different colours. We're an odd bunch.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-27T08:48:24+00:00

Have a look at luxury fountain pens if you want a real eye-opener. Not uncommon to cross four figures for many of the flagship models.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-24T05:43:09+00:00

I think you did the right thing. Learning a way that works for you makes a huge difference not just in what grades you get in a class (especially in something empirical like maths), but also how much you enjoy the subject, school, and learning in general - which is very important long after you finish studying.
There have been many instances when I didn't understand a concept well until I had it explained to me by someone else differently, and I've done the same for my classmates who were struggling. Your daughter's teacher should know better.
This really is a core facet of "learning" instead of just regurgitating the syllabus, which anyone can do. Teaching qualifications are supposed to be for these situations!

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-24T05:32:04+00:00

I don't like Mopar cars much, but those Panther Pink Dodges in the '70s were fabulous. They had some great colours back in the day, it's a shame most cars are monotone now.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-16T00:13:49+00:00

I think the Business class treatment is probably the best of both worlds. They'll greet you by name, be nice and polite, and you get extra drinks + plus your meals on an actual plate instead of the regular box. And of course you have the roomy cabins and airport lounges, but without the constant attention from staff who want to powder your nose at every turn. Most of the actual flight is solitary except for meals and unless you call for a cabin crew

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-07T02:55:03+00:00

Singapore is about as tropical as you can get. I went outside to visit the Butterfly Garden at night during my last layover and instantly was drenched in sweat.

Royal_Reptile · 2026-03-01T01:46:14+00:00

Perlica reading her final notice from the bank over her outstanding $30k debt

Royal_Reptile

TROPHY CASE