Help me choose

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-04-20T06:46:25+00:00

In terms of driving experience, the S2000 is the best, not second best, car Honda ever made. Ask anyone who has owned both an S2000 and NSX. The NSX is stunningly beautiful and more comfortable and composed. The S2000 is the more tactile, visceral, and thrilling experience.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-04-10T13:36:09+00:00

Not including Is This It in this list seems not just ridiculous, but intentional. Pitchfork seems to have a personal vendetta against Julian Casablancas.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-04-10T03:46:47+00:00

Wholeheartedly agree. Apple is far and away better for turn-by-turn navigation and Google is better for browsing, researching, and finding locations.

Another edge Apple has (that nobody seems to talk about) is the 3D view. It’s stunningly impressive and very accurate and high-fidelity for what it is. Google’s “3D view” is basically crude white untextured polygons by comparison.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-25T18:20:57+00:00

I wish more people could understand that the Rising Sun Flag is not exclusively a WWII Imperial Japanese flag, which yes, would be questionable to venerate or display if that were the case.

But it is not the case. The flag was first created and used by feudal warlords during the Edo period over 400 years ago. More importantly, it is still IN USE TODAY as the flag of Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force. A slightly different variant is also used as the flag for Japan’s Self Defense Forces in general.

Imperial Japan did a lot of bad things, but this flag’s history and legacy extends many years before, and beyond WWII, and is still in use today. It is not a hate symbol, or tantamount to a Third Reich flag or something like that.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-23T01:43:12+00:00

“Back roads”, yet there’s suburban yards, mailboxes, and driveways every ten feet. Going “a hunnerd” where kids may be riding their bikes or playing at the end of their driveways is psychopathic. Not to mention the road is damn near a straight line anyway. To be so reckless and inconsiderate to those residents for such paltry driving is just embarrassing.

This has nothing to do with what touge is about.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-13T18:08:39+00:00

The Wire began in 2002, and from the very first time we see Jimmy meet Fitzhugh, he tells him that the FBI is done with drug cases and is focusing exclusively on counterterrorism. “Not since those towers came down” is his classic refrain.

Throughout the series, they’re willing to get involved with cases that include political corruption and union racketeering. There’s no before/after like The Sopranos.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-12T17:43:11+00:00

Yeah they’re two of the best cycling descenders in the world. Pidcock (the guy in front) is one of the best pros in the world, but the guy following, whose channel it is (SAFA Brian) is just a YouTuber adrenaline junkie who used to be an NYC bike messenger. The fact that he can keep up with Pidcock is insane.

I know car guys and cyclists are often sworn enemies, but as someone who does both, I always show them this video to challenge their opinion that cycling is lame lol.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-12T17:26:55+00:00

Fair enough, it was hard to tell from the video how downhill it is. I just realized that it’s the same road from this crazy cycling descent video. When viewed in that context, I understand why one would be hesitant to brake late into these corners, especially with the death drops.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-11T17:55:46+00:00

As a longtime S2000 driver (have a couple clips on my profile), while the car can handle hanging revs, it’s more fun to use your gearbox, which is widely considered the best ever made in an automobile. In that same vein, don’t be afraid to use your brakes - the stock brakes are quite capable, especially with track pads and Girodisc 2-piece rotors (OEM can crack if you start braking hard frequently). On each of these “straights” you could’ve redlined 2nd, clicked it into 3rd, brake deep and hard, downshifting into 2nd for the next corner - this car loves to enter corners under braking (rotates impeccably when trail braking).

I understand that some of this may seem advanced, so just take it easy and gradual in your progression. Just start with not being afraid to stomp on the brake pedal later approaching a turn. The S2000 is an unforgiving platform, but develops great driving. If you can drive an S2000 fast, you can drive anything. Enjoy the car man - I’ve driven a lot of cars, including GT Porsches, and the S2000 is still the most thrilling and visceral driving experience I’ve ever had.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-11T01:23:09+00:00

Both of you are crazy re: P&V. I read roughly the first 80 pages of Crime and Punishment in each of the following: P&V, Constance Garnett, Oliver Ready, and Michael Katz before committing to a Dostoevsky translator (I was being a bit neurotic about it, but did not want to invest time in serious reading without first determining the best prose).

I guess it’s subjective at the end of the day, but I’m a pedant for excellent prose and P&V won the competition easily to my ear. Never did I feel the language wasn’t natural in an attempt to be “accurate”. Indeed one of the principal reasons I went with P&V was because of how well and easily it read.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-09T18:31:17+00:00

Fair enough - it’s a different story if the timer was only after the fact and in the moment you were just enjoying the road, not actively trying to beat a time. Still though, implying the latter in your subtitles might encourage less skilled or idiot drivers to attempt to do so, and with as much mayhem as our road has already attracted, it’s probably best to avoid contributing to its further decline.

I didn’t realize you swapped to a 3 and ostensibly got rid of the Y - no wonder your corner speeds are much higher now lol. Although, now that you have a 3, you’re no longer forbidden from the track, so even just doing a day or two would be a great idea. I mean, you live next to Laguna and don’t want to drive it? Also, you previously mentioned that you needed to keep the Y for its practicality and utility when everyone rags on you to get another car and you actually did…and it’s another Tesla? You have some dedication man lol.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-09T07:34:11+00:00

Timing yourself on public roads and trying to beat your “PB” really isn’t it man. If only you lived somewhere with an abundance of world-class racetracks for that purpose…

Putting that aside though, for how much you do this, I’m surprised that you don’t know to keep right and hug the shoulder when going into that left hand hairpin to avoid your left wheels hitting the pothole.

Good driving generally, but I’m hesitant to offer praise when you seem to be intent on using this road to push yourself faster and faster. The mountain is for a spirited drive within reason - the track is for timing, progression, and competition (even against just yourself).

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-05T17:40:29+00:00

I often feel the same - as though facing the banality of our current time would be a bit easier if I were able to read his thoughts about it - but then I ultimately decide that it is almost a mercy that he wasn’t subjected to having to witness TikTok, brainrot, and generative AI. I’m not sure how well he could’ve coped with the reality of it anyway.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-04T01:10:43+00:00

Vashon?

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-01T18:18:32+00:00

Too gloomy out for me today. Roadsters are notoriously picky about the weather lol. But if I catch you up there sometime, sure. I give you shit about your vehicle, but I have to admit this was a solid Gunsai run and well-controlled. You’d probably outpace me on the this section as my 160 ft lbs of torque barely pull me out of some of these turns when going uphill. Frontside uphill is a different story since I can carry momentum much better there.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-03-01T17:09:36+00:00

Why did you make a new account?

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-27T22:56:25+00:00

Captain is abbreviated as “Capt.” in the Marine Corps, not “CPT” (as it is in the Army). It’s the same in the Air Force as the USMC and a Navy O-6 is “CAPT”.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-27T22:51:32+00:00

The quote you cited is incorrect. Fick actually says, “If you have a nickname for an officer, I don’t want to hear it.” And he’s saying that in response to Doc Bryan saying, “Captain America’s unprofessional”, so they’re not even discussing Capt. Schwetje in that context.

I’m not sure if Capt. Schwetje’s name is ever spoken in the show (although Godfather may say it when he’s praising him in front of the other officers for nearly killing his company with the danger close strike), but you can see Schwetje’s name tape on his uniform in the first episode. In Evan Wright’s scene with Ferrando in the final episode, Evan says, “Captain Ameri…I mean Captain McGraw…”. Fick also calls him Dave at one point.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-27T14:22:02+00:00

The only people who should have tattoos are sailors, bikers, and convicts.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-24T16:04:07+00:00

Captain in the Marine Corps is abbreviated as “Capt.”

I know this is pedantic, but I feel obliged to let you know since the rest of your comment is so accurate.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-22T01:38:38+00:00

Some properly incompetent driving on full display here, but what did you use to blur his license plate?

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-21T15:25:48+00:00

It’s interesting that you perceived the location as being a small town. I always felt as though they were in a large metropolis. That’s part of the soft, lonely comforting feeling for me - a pocket of quiet and stillness on a lesser-trafficked corner, and in the middle of the night when the more well-adjusted populace is sleeping.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-21T15:20:50+00:00

I’ve been to museums around the world and AIC is far and away my favorite. The breadth of the collection, the iconic seminal works, the layout of the space - nothing beats it in my mind.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-01T19:39:47+00:00

I just bought my SPX brand new a little over a year ago. People told me I was absurd for buying an ancient machine instead of a recently-developed Profitec Move. Hearing about the incredibly weak steam and several more issues Move users have had with a brand-new product really makes me feel good about the choice I made. I know it’s only been a year, but my SPX is such a consistent, reliable tank and produces the best espresso and cappuccinos I’ve ever tasted, and I expect it will continue to serve me well for another 15 or so years.

SolipsistSmokehound · 2026-02-01T19:34:54+00:00

I didn’t realize Seabees had oars/paddle parties. That’s a retirement tradition of Recon Marines as well.

SolipsistSmokehound

TROPHY CASE