Random Other Posts – TristanPoulsen.com https://tristanpoulsen.com Welcome to TristanPoulsen.com Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:04:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://tristanpoulsen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-Tristan-Forryst-Poulsen-initials-logo-32x32.png Random Other Posts – TristanPoulsen.com https://tristanpoulsen.com 32 32 The Best Daily Brake Pads for VW GTI MK7 – my pick https://tristanpoulsen.com/the-best-daily-brake-pads-for-vw-gti-mk7-my-pick/ Mon, 26 May 2025 22:05:22 +0000 https://tristanpoulsen.com/?p=869 Read more]]> I put the Hawk HP Street 5.0 pads from Hawk Performance on my 2017 VW GTI SE manual a couple of years ago and have been absolutely loving them.
Quiet, great stopping power, and they are decently priced (compared to other performance pads I’ve tried on other vehicles). I got mine for $122.40 after tax on Tire Rack, but you can find them in a few online retailers – I’m not sure about in-store availability.


They are everything I look for in upgraded street pads in comparison to the OEM pads. As their website says “HPS 5.0 is a Ferro-Carbon compound that provides advanced braking characteristics to enhance the driving experience. This compound combines the safety and quality of aerospace design with the braking technology of motorsports. The results are shorter stopping distances, improved performance under heavy braking conditions, and street car friendly characteristics.” – hawkperformance.com

Now they are going for around 180 for front pads (I still need to do my rear pads here shortly)

I tend to use my brakes more than engine braking, so I have a pretty good idea how they feel. A bit soft on the initial response (which I like personally). They grab nicely when you put adequate pressure. Used them in the snow for a season, and they do well with the ABS when sliding on ice.

My only gripe with them is they seem to produce more dust than the OEM – so cleaning the wheels takes a bit longer and I can live with that. I’ll certainly buy them again when I need to replace my pads on my MK7.



Note to self: When I do replace them, I’ll try to come back with the pictures and the mileage achieved with the Hawk hp street 5.0 pads


]]> Remedy for Flying https://tristanpoulsen.com/remedy-for-flying/ Tue, 16 May 2023 15:16:54 +0000 https://tristanpoulsen.com/?p=564 Read more]]> I was talking with a client of mine and he mentioned a few things that one can do to help prevent myself from getting sick after flying on an airplane – being jetlagged of course. I’m making this post mostly for my own collection so I can look back and read the quick remedies I’ve heard work. I’ll update this after I’ve done further testing myself.

  1. Most importantly drink water or if already feeling meh, mix 2/3 water with 1/3 Gatorade or some other electrolyte and sugar drink.
    • If already feeling meh after flying – drink some warm bone broth
  2. Dark chocolate prior to flying helps? Not sure why but chocolate in general is good before a flight
  3. Lysine or L-lysine – is an essential amino acid protein block. It’s used for building proteins and it’ll help boost your immune system. It can be found in meat fish, dairy, eggs, and supplements. Take 500mg before flying.
  4. Glutathione – is a Master anti-oxidant that is capable of preventing damage to important cellular components caused by sources such as reactive oxygen species, free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals.
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