CREDIT PROFILE
* Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of: -Capital One Platinum Mastercard - Feb 2019, $600 limit (was previously secured mastercard $300 to build credit, now unsecured) -Chase Freedom Flex - August 2021, $3200 limit
* FICO Scores with source (see note on FICO score sources below): Transunion - 757 Equifax - 758 Experian - 810
* Oldest credit card account age with you as primary name on the account: (example: 3 years - do NOT include cards you are an authorized user on) 4 years, 4 months (Capital One card)
* Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 6 months: 0
* Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 12 months: 0
* Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 24 months: 0
* Annual income $: $78K
CATEGORIES
* OK with category-specific cards?: YES
* OK with rotating category cards?: YES
* Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below. Only include what you can pay by credit card.
* Dining $: 300
* Groceries $: 200
* Gas $: 150
* Travel $: Varies month to month. When I do travel it is usually $400 for flights. Hotels can usually be from 300-1500 depending on length of stay
* Do you plan on using this card abroad for a significant length of time (study abroad, digital nomad, expat, extended travel)?: No
* Any other categories (examples: phone/internet, insurance) or stores (example: Amazon) with significant, regular credit card spend (the more you specify, the better): $200-300 Amazon spend monthly, but varies to more/less depending on month.
* Any other significant, regular credit card spend you didn't include above?: $1300 car insurance payment every 6 months
* Can you pay rent by credit card? If yes, list rent amount and if there's a fee for paying by credit card: NO
MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS (delete lines that don't apply)
* Current member of Amazon Prime?: No
* Current Verizon postpaid customer?: No
* Current member of Costco or Sam's Club? No
* Currently paying $13.99/month or more for Disney Bundle (Disney+ / Hulu / EPSN+) or other Hulu services?: No
* Current member of Chase, US Bank or any other big bank?: Wells Fargo
* Active US military?: No
* Are you open to Business Cards?: (these are an option if you have any kind of side gig, such as selling on eBay or Etsy): No
PURPOSE
* What's the purpose of your next card (choose ONE)?: (first credit card, balance transfer, saving money, travel rewards): Ideally travel but would consider general use card with good travel benefits. I don't travel that often but would like to more and getting rewards back for regular spending and recursive travel points/benefits would help. I do travel for work on occasion which are put on my personal cards and then expensed so would love to put those expenses towards my own travel.
* If you answered "travel rewards", do you have a preferred airline and/or hotel chain?: Airline varies depending on price. Delta, Southwest, United recently. Marriott is usually my hotel chain but again I am open to anything with a good price.
* Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Been trying to decide between Chase Sapphire Preferred (1.25 points is nice) and the Capital One Venture (TSA pre-check/Global Entry coverage is very attractive to me). Again, these are the two I'm really looking at but open to other suggestions that may be a better fit with good travel rewards or other types of rewards if that might fit my profile better.

Shipped into Oblivion You remember standing there, on the bow of a grand carrier, observing the war that took place. Dimly, in your head, you wondered if it could have been avoided. Before that thought could take root though, you shook it out. You weren't paid to think, only to act. And act you shall. As the viewport seems to crest the corona of the system's sun, you steel yourself in your righteousness. Cathan Goods, above all else, must be protected. Comfort reigns supreme, a casual ease of mind that comes with practice, honed since birth. Your mind is alight with the sheer expanse of possibilities offered to you, and you sort through them without a care in the world. Well, with one care. Deep inside your eye of minds lurks an image of a pond. You don't know where it is, or even where you saw it, but there lies an utter certainty, an utter weight of importance instilled within the pond. Whilst your compatriots and you fight, exposed to the elements to feel every bite of your environment, you occasionally steel yourself with glances towards that inner pond, calming your mind. For this reason, you idly quirb[^1], you've stayed alive longer than almost anyone you know. A siren pulls you out of your contemplative bliss as the ship begins entering the orbit of the battlefield, a moon, strangely devoid of craters. Someone wiser than you might make a connection between the lack of an asteroid belt with this, but you can't focus on that right now. It seems, after all, in this advanced age, the only thoughts that run through your mind anymore are that of combat and that of the pond. You try and remember again what the pond is, and why it's so important to you, but a voice from all around halts you in the track. "Listen up!" the voice intones, dull yet filled with depths of meaning, importing feelings of rushing and urgency. Semantic processing technology allows for a complex series of neurotransmitters and brain tissue to be rapidly stimulated, allowing for nuanced communication without intense language. Despite saving hundreds of lives daily with the dirges of context provided, it is often ignored, or chalked up as 'empathy' to those who benefit the most from it. You, of course, are no different. "We land in less than 5 minutes!" The general doesn't need to raise her voice, the processing takes care of any loudness. It still hurts your ears, though, with the volume, despite there being no difference from normal squabble. Within your skull lies several dozen plates, designed for anything from a display thrown down your optic nerve to bone conduction for sound processing. The Cathan mindset is [[Superiority through Purity]], and since the very first shipments went out through Cathan Goods, the prime benefits of humanity were embraced. In your case, you prepare to fall from the brazen skies above Losh and engage in warfare until your very bones give out. The same content emotion fills you, and you feel your strength seemingly redoubled before the prospect of engaging with filthy Veritas troops with your pure forces. You are positive, would bet anything on it in fact, that your brothers-and-sisters-in-arms would agree with you, and the room seems abuzz with ambition. Ambition, that oh-so-powerful emotion that's driven you to the heights you stand at today. You know that one of the paragons of ambition, [ Madame Noelle Cathan](Overview%201#^251a3e) herself stands at the top of a peak in the center of the battlefield, commanding her troops through serene tranquility. She's a direct pacifist, wouldn't hurt a fly herself, but when it came to orders... They're all just numbers on screens, aren't they? The Calamity drove a wedge between her and Veritas. Despite their entanglement, here you were, fighting against soldiers equally devoted to Veritas. Those idiots. You're always told you're just a pawn, but when you're sitting there, looking at your pond, you question, "Does it matter?" The thought slips away, and you ignore it further as you draw near. Within your flesh lie all that's needed to survive this descent ([[Vivisection of a Disaster]]). You're assured by your sheer capability, by the resolute knowledge that nothing you could possibly face could hold a candle to your precise biology. It would never even occur to you to scan the faces of those in front of you, not the soldiers you'd trained with for decades now, but the technicians and doctors rushing around the drop pods with fear oozing off of them. Suppose a normal person saw that. Suppose someone who wasn't designed and bred for the sole purpose of warfare saw the utter lack of confidence in their strength in the face of a greater adversary. They would be terrified. But you remain oblivious. As the sirens begin screeching with an intensity unseen in the bay before today, you steady yourself with thoughts of glorious combat in front of you. With a start, however, you're torn from your concentration by that very same pond. The pond, so tranquil and quiet, seems to sap away every ounce of care you have left within you. It takes a herculean effort to rip your mind away from it, but you manage. Still, though, the burning impact of it's tranquility begins worming itself into your mind. As you begin to let yourself ruminate, a jolt travels through your body, and you remember where you are and why all of the civilians left. Space. It surrounds you, filling you with a chill through your bones. You almost smile before catching yourself, remembering not to let the faintest crack in this façade of security let in the vacuum surrounding you. Or at least, a vacuum at first. Around you, you can almost smell the joy of your fellow soldiers as you tear through space faster than any normal human could hope to go. The only indicator you have of any movement at all is the ship, distantly receding behind you. If you were to close your eyes, you doubt you could tell the void apart from the warm ground you were on but mere moments ago. The confines of your flesh, reinforced with every manner of genetics known to mankind, hold your consciousness in, a bubble in this uncaring sea. Below you, Losh enlarges, rushing at your face with a primal instinct, a pull of gravity forcing the two of you closer together. Everything is blissfully quiet, and you feel yourself relax. Then, heat blisters from that sweet void. Above you, the ship has travelled far, far past. Whilst you've fallen and drifted, ballistically heading towards a battlefield, a not-quite-human missile aimed at the throats of Veritas, the head of the fleet has continued towards the conflict in orbit. Your body is alight with flames as you parse through the data on your optic nerves. Clothing, and armor, is irrelevant, any extensions would merely get in the way of the pure unbridled perfection that is humanity. Your sole goal is to recover Cathan using any means necessary. As you burst through the thin veneer of air coating the exceptionally large moons surface, you can feel your muscles tense up as you prepare for the impact. In the last second, nay, microsecond before crashing into the ground, your entire body goes limp. You plow into edge after edge of crater after crater, ending only when your tumble slows to a crawl. As you stand, a crack from the distance reaches your ears. It's only after the fact that you realize a Veritas sniper hit you in the midst of your plight, and is undoubtedly readying their aim again. They know what you are, now. They know what to expect. Before another shot has a chance to hit you through the screeching atmosphere of bloodshed, you're moving, your limbs lighter than a feather as you speed across the land. Oxygenated blood rushes through your muscles and out the hole from the bullet as you pump your legs harder and faster yet in a desperate rush to beat out the sniper. Within half a second, you've crossed the 100-meter expanse and grasp the Veritas' neck within your hand. A squeeze is all it will take. You feel your body taking over, performing the actions on autopilot as the pond encroaches on your awareness. For once, you feel something other than the placid calm of superiority. Despair. Within a moment, though, the pond leaves, and you are aware of the battlefield again. Looking back down, you collect the weapon of the sniper and sling it over your shoulder. 3 meters provides immense leverage, even if the weapon itself is useless to you. You resume a light jog towards your destination, staying as low as possible in the bounding gravity and aggressively scanning the horizon for anyone else who dares to stop a Cathan elite. 6 more dare. You're dimly aware of time slipping on by you, the seconds oozing away as you draw nearer and nearer to your destination. In your peripheral vision, you can't but notice the lack of friendlies on the field. In another time, if you were a different person, you would have grieved for their loss. But now is not that time; your focus sharpens to a point as your entire being devotes itself to one task. **Protection.** Your stride lengthens until your legs begin eating up the distance, each monstrous step covering dozens of meters as you propel yourself forwards, faster than you feel you've ever moved before: dimly though, you correct this; within seconds you seem to be at your location, but with every pull of your lungs you're reminded of the cost. This isn't right. Something is exceedingly wrong. You are a Cathan, a warrior forged in the very catalytic cocoons that the shipping empire maintains, a being designed solely for combat. To lose yourself to desperation, to the ambition of being the one to save Madame Noelle herself is unbecoming, to say the least. You begin tearing through your wetware, seeing if any part of your system has been compromised, but find nothing. No, you do find someone. A deficiency not of the technology, but of yourself, the user; within you lies the seeds of ambition so embraced in the leaders of society but despised in mindless servants like yourself. It sickens you, this idea of being "destined" for leadership. So instead of finding solace in these delusions of grandeur, you blunt your senses with blunt force, batting the rifle you obtained against your arm to ground yourself. The sheer depths of emotion associated with pain surging through your system instantly brings your attention to Losh, sharpening your senses all the while. Despite being "low-tech," the practice of using pain to release floods of endorphins and adrenaline is standard within the Cathan military. Coming to your senses, your eyes skim atop the peak some 3 kilometers ahead of you. All around it, and all around you, in fact, lie soldiers and mercenaries from a variety of companies; you despise mercenaries, those pitiful fools willing to throw away their lives and value for a payday, their armors and weapons serving as futile stopgaps against the inevitabilities of combat; to be bared against the world as pure as can be is an euphoric glory known only to Cathan troops: these mercenaries are no further removed from it than a starfish from a squid. The only thing you have in common is the medium of battlefield you both move through. But in cases like these, their support may ensure the difference between success and destruction, and your life would be the merest token you'd provide to prevent the latter. As you draw nearer, you can't help but notice other forces too: Novus engineers, seemingly aiding whichever side they choose as the time; their lack of coherency is disgusting. You despise that individuality they so present, with the kindling of ambition in their cores waiting for a spark. Each Novus engineer is a wildfire just waiting for someone to set it alight. And then, there's Cathan. The cool reflections of the pond serve as a water to douse the flames of your enemies, and you wield it as a weapon. That, and the long shaft of a rifle you sling over your back. You're a whirlwind, an unstoppable force meeting objects who seem content to move and release themselves to your fury; seemingly hundreds die in your wake. Had you stopped and considered the destruction left in your wake, you might have felt some inkling of compassion for the poor, unfortunate souls who committed the crime of obstructing some "justice" decided by a singular women in command of an empire far too large. But you don't exist for thinking, no, you exist solely to cause chaos and shift the balance of the universe ever so slightly. Losh is no difference. You finally arrive at the base of the hill, where a line of Veritas troops separate you from the defenses of Cathan fodder protecting Madame Noelle with their lives, all they have to give to her. As you flank the enemy, a pole slams into your side, and you only barely tumble away from it, scraping across the hard ground within meters from the opposition. The gambit is up; you've been revealed. With an unholy scream, you launch yourself to your feet and begin swinging your club at the mercenaries in front of you, each blow dealt being a troop deprived from pressuring the defense. And yet, you being to be overwhelmed near instantly, legions of Veritas hires swarming you and struggling yet succeeding in containment. For the first time, a crack in your mental façade of significance emerges, and you feel the pond flood in with it. Inside your mind, the world slows to unbearable speeds, and your field of vision shrinks until all that's left is that serene water existing within your heart. It pours through your skull, quenching the fires of ambition, and filling you with a new security. You are going to die here. The calm of impending doom fills you, and the last inhibitions of strive release themselves from your grasp, leaving you all but focused on the task at hand. With an almost lazily resigned movement, you stand up amidst the dogpile of slaves, not to masters of men but masters of desire, and turn your head towards the hill. You can feel it, the gaze of Madame Noelle herself, and it fills you with such an immense comfort that you find yourself walking towards it. Bullets ricochet across your tempered flesh, and blades find only scars when they try to cut. As you trudge through the pools of wretches, all of it fades away. Even when you're thrown through the air by an incendiary device, weakened only by lack of foresight for a thin atmosphere, you still remain focused. Any lapse of concentration has left you by now. And yet, this tunnel vision isn't free. You realize abruptly, but boldly, that reinforcements have arrived. The other elites that you deigned to leave behind have caught up, and you finally register the litany of comm requests that have bombarded you for several minutes now. You shouldn't be standing anymore, you should've been taken down, would've been stopped if it weren't for soldiers not caring about anything but their own lives. And now, they'll pay with their lives. You take leave and a swing at a soldier as you continue your trek, before breaking through the frontlines and crossing into Cathan trenches. Despite being too tall to fit comfortably, you still feel the barest hint of security enter your mind; though it's hard to reinforce adamant. As you worm your way through the trenches and towards the top, your focus becomes fluid, tracking an infinity of conflicts at once. Behind you, Cathan elites go into battle, their monstrous purity succeeding in taking swaths of army down with them. To your sides lie fodder and mercenaries, the latter being able to turn the tides of battle with one stupid decision and the former preventing them from doing so. Above you rages the grand fleets, entire planets' worth of economy thrown into machinations of war. And finally, in front of you lies to true goal. You realize abruptly that Madame Noelle had in fact summoned you. Despite the cool waters of tranquility raging through your mind, and the very fibers of your mind rebelling against it, you begin to feel that evil spark that has doomed so many and destroyed alliances. Ambition surges through your body as you begin nearing the peak! You understand now the mistakes of thought you committed- to think you would die is outrageous! Madame Noelle had destined you for this since you dropped in. You don't even notice the ships plummeting towards the peak from orbit, or the babbles of commanders preparing for death. No, instead, you feed the flames of ambition and work your way up. Pride fills you as you walk up to Madame Noelle and kneel in front of her, awaiting her command. "017982, you bloody idiot" she rasps at you. The insult slides off, and a part of you long repressed considers how she must be strained. "Grab this," she barks, "it needs at least three people." On her side is a scientist, a man in a lab coat with tears streaming down his face. You know you're in a temple of some kind, oft studied by archeologists who claimed it proof of intelligent life. It doesn't matter- none of the moon does. All that you can think about is whatever Madame Noelle had in mind for you. The scientist seems to regain himself as he shouts: "This is utter madness!" A vicious backhand reassures you of his stupidity. "Silence fool!" Madame Noelle cries, her eyes wild with rage. "We can't let them leave, not after this." Perhaps in another life you could have been happy. Perhaps you would have lived without the lack of emotion presented to you by everyone of import in your life. But this is not that life. You lay your hand on the machine in front of you, and don't even flinch as you, Losh, the fleets, and the star of the system are immediately compressed into a pinprick of matter denser than space itself. [^1]: quirb (v) : the act of processing a thought without focusing on it

DemographicsGender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Asian (Chinese)
Residence: Central Coast CA
Income Bracket: 150-200k
Type of School: Public
Hooks (Recruited Athlete, URM, First-Gen, Geographic, Legacy, etc.): None
Intended Major(s): Computer Science, Nursing
AcademicsGPA (UW/W): 4.0UW, 4.38W
Rank (or percentile): 31/583
# of Honors/AP/IB/Dual Enrollment/etc.: 8 (varies depending if + classes are considered honors, they are not by UCs, so did not include and whether or not AP Gov/Econ are considered 1 or 2 classes as they are only 1 semester courses)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Biology, AP US Gov/Macroeconomics, Foundations of Nursing, AP English Literature, AP Statistics
Standardized Testing:SAT I: N/AACT: N/ASAT II: N/A California lolAP/IB: AP European History(5), AP English Language and Composition(4), other AP scores are not yet released
Extracurriculars/Activities:
#1 Critical Issues Forum-Nuclear Nonproliferation with the Middlesbury Institute of International Studies Participant/Contributor Weekly meetings-about 3 hours for about 12 weeks
#2 Founding VP of Fencing Club-organize fencing club meetings and assist with fundraising, 2 hr. weekly time commitment(freshman year)
#3 Student Senator bimonthly meetings, communicate goals and planned activities of ASB with students, (Freshman year)
#4 300+ officially recorded CS hours approx. 350 unofficial estimation combination, weekly volunteer AV operator at church
#5 Inventory Management Lead- Robotics Club(Junior year) 2 hours weekly
#6 VP of Robotics Club (First Robotics Competition)(Senior year) 3 hours weekly, coordinated and linked with another school's team for combined team.
#7 Principal's Advisory Council(monthly meetings) Junior and senior year
#8 4 year cross country runner
#9 Worked at a restaurant as To-go order assembler during summer of 2021
#10 Head of Publicity and Communications for FCA(senior year)
Awards/Honors
#1 Athlete Scholar Award
#2 300+ Community Service Hours Award
#3 Most Improved Tennis(PCAL)
#4 National Honor Society
#5 Student of the Quarter for FoN
Letters of RecommendationNone for UCs or CSUs
InterviewsN/A
EssaysN/A for CSUs UC PIQs (two weeks and 4/10 composite score
Acceptances:(UC Merced) (RD)
(CSU Fullerton)(RD)
(UC Santa Cruz)(Rolling I think)
CSU Long Beach(RD)
Cal Poly Humbolt(EA)
Cal Poly SLO(RD)
SF State(RD)
CSU East Bay(RD)
Waitlists:UC Davis(RD)
Rejections:UC Irvine(RD)
Additional Information:
Committed to Cal Poly SLO for CSC
Definitely did not mid-max my college apps, but I'm the guinea pig of my family I guess.

I wanted to share my colonoscopy experience because this sub has helped me so much through my first colonoscopy experience.
About me: Live in US 26F 130 lbs 5’ 7” Active (college athlete, active into adulthood) Good diet (consists mostly of: local meat, lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains)
Symptoms: I have been on the constipated side of things since high school. I first sought medical help for this issue when I was 20. I was told miralax and fiber, which did help a bit. Fast forward a few years (to about two years ago) and my constipation is really not great and I’m getting some bloody stools and pain when having a bowel movement. I chalk this up to hemorrhoids from weightlifting. My constipation keeps getting worse, my pain keeps increasing, there is still bleeding, and I develop the feeling of incomplete bowel movements. I develop a need to strain sometimes, but these episodes result in small pieces of flat stool. This is definitely my most concerning symptom, personally. Every time I go, it feels like something is stuck and I strain.
Getting help: Finally, after waiting 1-2 years to address these problems, I start panicking. I make an appointment with a GP to get a referral to a GI (insurance b.s.). She takes a look and says I have a fissure, but makes the referral right away. I get into a GI within a few weeks. In this time, my anxiety about the situation gets completely out of control. I am having anxiety attacks, I am crying all the time, and I am obsessively googling my symptoms and convincing myself that I have cancer. I see the GI. She prescribed me a compound ointment to treat the fissure and because my symptoms have been going on for so long, she orders a colonoscopy. I was expecting to have to really push for my colonoscopy, but there were really no questions asked. Because of a cancellation by another patient, I am, by a blessing from my lucky stars, able to get in for the procedure within 3 weeks. The time between the appointment with the GI and the procedure is excruciating. My anxiety is crippling. I can’t get anything done. I can’t focus. I am still obsessing over my symptoms and convincing myself of the worst.
The prep: I was prescribed the Colyte prep. Seven days before the appointment, I stop eating raw veggies, nuts, seeds, and corn. (Not eating nuts, seeds, and raw veggies was actually super hard lol). The morning before the procedure, I have some rice cereal and a glass of goat milk. The rest of the day until I start drinking the prep at 6PM, I am CHUGGING fluids. I had 5 gatorades, 3 body armors, 0.75 gallons of water, and 32ish oz of chicken broth. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE HERE WHO ENCOURAGED STAYING AS HYDRATED AS POSSIBLE. I think it saved me a lot of hurting haha. At 12PM I took my dulcolax. At 6PM I started drinking the prep. Every 15 min I would chug 8oz. Truly, the prep was not bad. I didn’t hate the taste. I didn’t feel too bloated. At like 7:30 the “pooping” started. I was on and off the toilet every 15-30 minutes until about 10:30. I was passing yellow at the end. The next morning, I got up at 6 and had another electrolyte drink before drinking the remaining prep solution. At the end of that, I was passing clear liquid. One weird thing that happened during the prep drinking was body shakes! After my second 8oz, I got very shaky and cold. It was like the shakes you get with the flu but without the general feeling of malaise.
The procedure: My husband drove me the 1.5 hours to the surgery center. My MD was running ahead of schedule, so I was pretty much taken right back, prepared, and rolled into the procedure room. I was terrified. My heart rate was so high. I was almost in tears as the nurse anesthetist talked to me about the sedation. I wasn’t scared of the procedure, but I was scared of waking up to the worst news of my life. Anyway, he said he was putting the medicine in, and he asked me how I was feeling. I remember slurring, “sleepy” and I was gone.
The results: Woke up a little groggy. Nurse comes into my recovery bay and said everything looked great. No polyps, no evidence of autoimmune issues, not even hemorrhoids. They diagnosed me with a chronic fissure and pelvic floor dysfunction (to explain the concerning symptom of feeling of incomplete bowel movement). I will be following up with my GI to start physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction.
I walk out of the surgery center feeling kinda fuzzy and off balance but totally fine.
Takeaway: I am so glad I finally saw someone about my symptoms. I am so glad I did the colonoscopy. The prep is the worst part, but that is totally relative. It is not that bad; you just pass liquid out your butt. I echo what others have said: STAY HYDRATED. This also helped me to keep my hunger at bay during the liquid diet/fasting process. I really didn’t get that hungry.
And finally, medical anxiety is real and it can be totally crippling. Mine was. I can’t say, “don’t google, just relax” because I couldn’t follow that advice myself. I will be contacting my psychiatrist tomorrow (who I have not been in contact with for several years and who prescribed me depression/anxiety medication that I have also been off for a couple of years) and discussing this with her. I let medical anxiety totally wreck my life for far too long throughout this experience. I also have a history of experiencing general and medical anxiety but not to this extent. I have to take better care of myself. I should have sought help for these symptoms over a year ago. I should have sought help for my medical anxiety much longer ago as well, but didn’t. If I could give any advice it would be: if you have weird or troubling symptoms, seek help.**
Thank you to everyone on this sub.
**I know sometimes this can be easier said than done. I live in the US and one of my rationales for neglecting to seek help earlier was cost. But ultimately, your health and wellbeing is more important than money. After today I fully expect to meet my $3000 deductible (🫠) but it is worth it.
TL;DR Blood, constipation, incomplete bowel movements for 1-2 years, horrible medical anxiety, colonoscopy completed, normal results. Diagnosed with fissures and PFD

The 1950s Yankee dynasty had some great hitters -- Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Moose Skowron, Hank Bauer, Gil McDougald, just to name a few -- but the key to going to eight World Series between 1950 and 1959 (and winning six of them) was a pitching staff that led the league in ERA in five of those 10 seasons -- and in the top three in all 10!
Whitey Ford was the ace of the staff, going an unbelievable 121-50 (.708 W%) with a 2.66 ERA (140 ERA+) between 1950 and 1959. And that was with Casey Stengel often skipping Ford against weaker teams to save him for tougher match-ups, meaning that most of those wins came against top competition. In 1956, for example, the Chairman of the Board had 10 starts against teams with losing records, and 20 starts against teams with records of .500 or better. He went 7-1 with a 2.27 ERA against the losers, and 12-5 with a 2.59 ERA against the winners!
But behind Ford were some pretty good if less famous pitchers, including Allie Reynolds, Eddie Lopat, Tommy Byrne, and Bob Grim. And another, even lesser known hurler won two rings as a key member of the Yankee rotation: Tom Sturdivant.
A hard enough thrower in his youth that he got the nickname "Smoke," by the time Sturdivant reached the Yankees he was called "Snake" because of the way his pitches moved. He threw a curve that broke away from right-handed batters, a screwball that broke away from lefties, a sinking fastball, and a looping change-up. All were good pitches, but none of them was great. Ted Williams was asked how Sturdivant was so successful without overpowering stuff, and he replied:

"Maybe he hasn’t got a thing. But I notice one thing. He keeps winning."

Eventually he did find a thing, though. Particularly later in his career, Sturdivant became known for his knuckleball. He would call it his "money pitch." He also complained about the pitch like an unruly pet, saying "it just won't act right 'til late in the season."
Born in Gordon, Kansas, on April 28, 1930, Thomas Virgil Sturdivant grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Capitol Hill High School. Sturdivant was signed by Yankee scout Tom Greenwade, who also signed another kid from Oklahoma, Mickey Mantle. Like Mantle, Sturdivant was signed as an infielder. But Sturdivant also was a pretty good pitcher as a teenager, as Greenwade told a reporter:

"Used to be a high-school pitcher in Oklahoma City, you know. And one of the greatest. He set some kind of record. More than 100 innings without being scored on."

Sturdivant struggled to hit his first few seasons as an infielder in the minors, hitting .246 in 281 at-bats in 1950. He then spent all of 1951 and much of 1952 in the U.S. Army, and -- as happened to most major leaguers drafted into the service -- spent most of his time playing baseball for a base team. (As Whitey Ford once said: "Army life was rough. Would you believe it, they actually wanted me to pitch three times a week!") Sturdivant's success pitching in the Army, as well as a leg injury that cost him some of his running speed, convinced him he should ask the Yankees to try him at pitching.

"I knew I wasn't getting anywhere, batting .246 in Class B, so I decided I'd better try something else if I wanted to stay in baseball, which I did, badly."

He returned from the Army in time to pitch 86 innings with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Beaumont Roughnecks, and went 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA. His days as an infielder were over.
Sturdivant went 10-7 with a 2.98 ERA in Double-A the following season, and 8-9 with a 3.57 ERA in Triple-A the year after that. Yankee pitcher Allie Reynolds, a fellow graduate of Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City who had gone 20-8 for the Yankees in 1952, had retired after the 1954 season. That winter, he worked with Sturdivant and told him he might make the Yankees in spring. Sturdivant's hard work that off-season impressed manager Casey Stengel. "We learned that he can be a fighter, and that's what we want with this club," he said.
He made the team out of spring training and made his major league debut on April 14 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park -- Boston's home opener. Bob Grim started the game and was bombed for five runs on seven hits through six innings. Sturdivant entered the game in the 7th, with the score 5-2, and gave up another run. The Yankees battled back in the bottom of the 8th, scoring two runs on back-to-back singles from Elston Howard and Jerry Coleman to make it a two-run game, but Sturdivant gave up a two-run single in the 8th to pitcher Ellis Kinder to put the game out of reach again, and the Yankees lost, 8-4.
In 33 games that year, Sturdivant posted a 3.16 ERA and a 1.302 WHIP, not bad for a rookie. He didn't give up a lot of hits, but he did walk 41 men in 68.1 innings. Stengel didn't mind that, though. In a 2020 article, "Big Walkers", Bill James wrote about how Stengel employed a strategy of "pitching around" power hitters. When a slugger was at the plate, pitchers were coached to work the edges of the plate, not giving him anything good to hit. He might chase pitches and strike out... he might hit something off the end of the bat... or he might walk. Any of the three, in Stengel's opinion, was a better outcome than throwing a pitch down the middle to a guy who could hit it 450 feet.
As a result, the Yankees often were near the top in walks allowed -- but also in fewest home runs allowed. And also in double plays. And also, not coincidentally, in earned run average.
In his five seasons with the Yankees, Sturdivant walked 221 batters in 524.1 innings (3.8 BB/9), but only gave up 45 home runs (0.8 H9). He also induced 44 double plays. James, in looking at what made the Yankees successful in the 1950s, discovered that they had a huge differential in HR-GIDP. In 1955, Sturdivant's first year in the league, the Yankees hit 175 home runs, and grounded into 101 double plays (+74). Yankee opponents had 108 home runs, and grounded in 145 double plays (-37). In 1956, the Yankes were +86, their opponents -53.
James wrote:

This is not a typical championship team pattern. In many areas, the 1950s Yankees were just an ordinary team. They really had only one outstanding starting pitcher, while Cleveland usually had three or four. But the Yankees huge advantages in Home Runs vs. Double Plays enabled them to win almost every year.

Sturdivant rode this strategy to back-to-back 16-win seasons, going 16-8 with a 3.30 ERA (118 ERA+) in 1956, and 16-6 with a 2.54 ERA (142 ERA+) in 1957.
After those two great seasons, though, Sturdivant's career went up in... well... smoke.
In Spring Training 1958, he held out for a raise, eventually signing for $18,000, a $4,000 raise from what he'd made the year before. He gave up 10 runs in his first two starts of the year, and then missed a month with a sore arm. When he came back, he was hit hard in his next three starts, and was banished to the bullpen. After a pretty good month (8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K), he was put back into the rotation, and went 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA in 32.2 innings, but his arm still wasn't quite right, and he missed some time in August due to a heel injury. He was on the World Series roster in 1958, but didn't pitch.
All off season there were rumors that Sturdivant was on the trading block, and after another slow start -- 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA, and still bothered by his sore arm -- he was dealt to the Yankees' favorite trading partner in the late 1950s, the Kansas City Athletics. "Snake", along with Jerry Lumpe and Johnny Kucks, was dealt for Ralph Terry and previously forgotten Yankee Hector Lopez -- a pretty good deal for the Yankees, as Terry and Lopez helped the Yankees to five straight pennants and two championships between 1960 and 1964. Lumpe, a little used utility player with the Yankees, proved to be a solid regular for the Athletics and then an All-Star with the Tigers in 1964. But Kucks, an All-Star with the Yankees in 1956, was done, going 12-21 with a 4.78 ERA (84 ERA+) in two seasons with the Athletics, and was out of baseball after the 1960 season.
Sturdivant would hang around another five seasons, and pitch for six different teams! He went from the Athletics to the Senators -- not the original Senators, who were now the Twins, but the expansion team founded in 1961 that would become the Rangers in 1972 -- then the Pirates, the Tigers, back to the Athletics, and then rejoined Casey Stengel on the Mets in 1964. Over that stretch he went 21-20 with a 4.16 ERA and 1.301 WHIP as a swingman.
The 34-year-old Sturdivant announced prior to the 1964 season he was running for the Oklahoma State Senate and that he'd quit baseball if elected in November. The Mets beat him to it, though, releasing him in May after he posted a 5.97 ERA in 28.2 innings. Maybe more as a campaign ploy, in July Sturdivant signed with the Oklahoma City 89ers. He went 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.365 WHIP in 74.0 innings. He lost the election, and retired from baseball.
After that, Sturdivant owned a trucking company and tried to drum up support for the Hall of Fame case for his old mentor Allie Reynolds.
In 2000, the 69-year-old Sturdivant was in a serious car accident. Someone -- he never learned who -- found him on the roadside, thrown from his truck after it had rolled five times. When the ambulance arrived, they thought he was dead. They strapped his body to a stretcher and loaded him into an ambulance.
Sturdivant told sportswriter Brian Jensen:

"When we were driving to the hospital, I was in the back and they had me strapped down and I guess when I came to, I raised my head and I said, 'hey could y'all call my wife for me,' and the driver almost jumped out of the van. It just wasn't time for me to go."

He had broken his back, both hips, his pelvic bone, his tailbone, multiple ribs, and had a punctured lung. He never recovered.
"I don't have a life," Sturdivant said. "You know, I have a hard time remembering a lot of stuff and I'm kind of slow. I kind of have little spells where I pass out and have a hard time walking straight."
Sturdivant died on February 28, 2009.
Smoke Show:

• According to a 2010 article in Sports Illustrated, Mickey Mantle hurt himself while playing golf with Sturdivant in 1957. Sturdivant must have been having a better game than Mantle was, because at some point the Mick threw his putter in frustration. The putter hit a tree and knocked off a large branch, and then either the putter or the branch landed on Mantle's leg, giving him a nasty cut. Mantle missed five games due to what the Yankees told reporters at the time was "shin splits."
  
• Another key starting pitcher for the Yankees in the early 1950s: Forgotten Yankee Vic Raschi, "The Springfield Rifle." Raschi had one of the all-time great lines about pitching: "My best pitch is anything the batter grounds, lines, or pops in the direction of Rizzuto."
  
• Sturdivant wore #47 all five years he was with the Yankees. He was, according to baseball-reference.com, the first Yankee to wear the number. The number is currently assigned to Frankie Montas; prior to that, it was worn by Jordan Montgomery. Other #47's include Ivan Nova, Shane Spencer, Dave Silvestri, and Roy Fontenot. Luis Arroyo, the Yankee closer from 1960 to 1963, wore #47.
  
• In addition to Tom Sturdivant and Allie Reynolds, the other graduates of Capitol Hill High School to play in the majors were 1960s outfielder Don Demeter, 1950s infielder Jerry Snyder, and 1980s outfielder George Wright, though none played for the Yankees. The Yankees signed another pitcher out of Capitol Hill High School, a righty named Bob Shipman, but he never made the majors despite going 32-14 between 1953 and 1955 in the Yankee system.
  
• Demeter later became a pastor in Oklahoma City, and Sturdivant was a member of his church!
  
• The Yankees almost released Sturdivant early in the 1956 season. Hoping to sneak him back down to the minors, the Yankees put him on waivers, but Detroit manager Bucky Harris put in a claim for him. Harris had been the Yankee manager prior to Casey Stengel, and after leaving the Yankees went to the Senators, where he had picked up a number of former Yankee pitchers -- Bob Porterfield, Fred Sanford, Tom Ferrick, and Spec Shea. (They also acquired previously forgotten Yankee Jackie Jensen.) For whatever reason, ex-Yankee pitchers on the Senators seemed to dramatically improve. Now Harris was on the Tigers, and wanted Sturdivant. Thinking Harris must know something, the Yankees pulled him back. Apparently Harris did know something, as Sturdivant went 32-14 with a 2.88 ERA over the next two seasons!
  
• In the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, Sturdivant started Game 4, and did what he usually did: He gave up six walks, but no home runs, and got a double play. He went the distance and the Yankees won the game, 6-2, to even the World Series at two games each. After the game, the Associated Press called it "the best pitching job in the series." Sturdivant's glory was short-lived, however: the next day, Don Larsen threw a perfect game.
  
• The infielder turned pitcher because he couldn't hit was a pretty good hitter for a pitcher in 1956, when he hit .313 with a double and a triple in 64 at-bats. Overall, though, he hit just .183/.208/.195 in 364 career plate appearances. Moving to the mound was a good decision!
  
• No relation, and spelled differently anyway: Tyler Sturdevant, who pitched in the minors for the Indians from 2009 to 2015. He finally made his debut with the Rays in 2016, at age 30, with a not-bad 3.93 ERA and 1.309 WHIP in 18.1 innings. The following year he was in the A's system, but he never got another trip of the Show.
  

Sturdivant remained a Yankee for life. After his playing days were over and he was living in Oklahoma, he was an early adopter of a subscription service that allowed him to watch Yankee games!

Question for the recruiters, I’m currently in the final stages of applying for OCS and want advice on my situation. As I’m suspicious that my recruiter is actually trying to trick me into missing the august Board.
As of today my recruiter has stated that my packet has been sent to the battalion level through the Army’s online recruiting system at which point they will email him if I’m approved or not, and if approved, from there we can then schedule an interview and send it off to USAREC if I earn the battalion boards approval. My Question is, is my recruiter telling the Truth or playing me? I feel he is biding his time with BS and excuses until either I miss the next Board date or quit the process. I understand that this usually tends to be battalion specific at this point. However, I’m hoping that maybe someone here has had something similar happen, or has experience with applying for OCS with the Tampa Bay Recruiting Battalion. Reason I’m suspicious of my recruiter is because he delayed my medical prescreen, because I wouldn’t lie about a condition which I was prescribed medicine for, (Genesis) and at which point he didn’t submit my prescreen for two months, which made me miss the deadline for the June board.
In case you’re wondering about my stats, I’m confident that I’m competitive given other posts talking about competitiveness on the recommended metrics for selection, 3.72 GPA Criminal Justice Major. History of leadership roles in high school JROTC, culminating as a Battalion Commander. Over 400 hours of community service in high school as well as membership in clubs like National Honor Society. LoRs from Army O-5 Senior Army Instructor, USMC 0-7 Professor, Former Country Club Employer, and Character Reference from a Partner of a local prestigious Law firm. 234 APFT (I know this is no longer test of record nor do PT test scores get looked at by USAREC board, but they wouldn’t work with me unless I did it, also I’ve been training for ACFT since that is the test of record). 85 on the ASVAB, 113 GT score. Green light at MEPS, personal statement done, and transcripts sent.
I wanna apologize for the length of this post and any cringing it might have induced. Sorry.

MyTeam and Career Improvements
We have made a number of changes under the hood to further improve your experience in the popular My Team, Career, and Two-Player Career modes, that give you the opportunity to create your own Formula 1® legacy as one of your favourite real-world teams or as the 11th pair on the grid.
To start, we have updated the ratings and acclaim of all drivers, better reflecting their real-world performances. This goes for those currently competing in Formula 1® and Formula 2™, as well as the racing greats known as the My Team Icons.
Speaking of Icons, 7 drivers will return from previous games, and we have added 8 new faces to the game too.
1992 World Champion Nigel Mansell, Japanese sensation Kamui Kobayashi and the ever-exciting Pastor Maldonado are ready to join your team on their journey to the top. Plus, 3-time W-Series champion Jamie Chadwick joins the roster. For those that pre-order, four drivers from Braking Point past and present: Devon Butler, Aiden Jackson, Casper Akkerman and Callie Maye will also be available. Each of these new Icons are exclusive to the Champions Edition of F1® 23.
Looking at your team and facilities, we’ve made a number of balance changes across the board to provide a more authentic Formula 1® experience. The starting facilities of the current teams have been updated to better reflect their real-world standings. Also, the costs of upgrading facilities in general have been refined, as have contract costs too. In addition, both primary and secondary sponsor payouts have been adjusted.
Along with these balance changes, thanks to feedback from the community, there have been multiple stability improvements made across each of these modes.
On top of all this, we have made several additions to the in-game presentation including cutscenes featuring Natalie Pinkham, a variety of voice lines from race engineer Marc Priestley, and race introductions from David Croft and Alex Jacques.
All of the changes that are reflected in other areas of the game, such as the option to choose 35% race distance, red flags, and the inclusion of Las Vegas and Qatar races are all included in My Team and Career.
My Team and Career modes continue to be an important part of the F1® game series and we can't wait to hear about the stories you create along your journey in F1® 23.
Circuit Updates
When it comes to circuits in F1® 23, you’ve already seen our headline additions from Las Vegas and Qatar, but that’s not all that’s changing this year.
Going back to Career and My Team for a second, for your second season onwards, you’ll be able to add each of the three bonus tracks to your Career calendar: China’s Shanghai International Circuit, Circuit Paul Ricard in France, and the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão) in Portugal.
At last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix you may have noticed the drivers taking a different route through the final sectors of Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, and we’re happy to confirm that this new layout will be available at launch in F1® 23.
We have also updated the run up to Turn 3 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, with the off-track sections now featuring the chicane used in other racing series.
Additionally, we’ve made several minor improvements to various tracks across the game. These include Jeddah, Zandvoort, Baku, and Austria. The changes range from updating kerb profiles, adding more detail to off-track sections (the grandstands at Miami being a notable example), and more.
After F1® 23 is launched, we will be updating the Marina Bay Circuit following the changes anticipated for this year’s Singapore Grand Prix. Keep your eyes peeled to our social media pages for more updates on when to expect this change.
Podium Pass Changes
Podium Pass is back in F1® 23, rewarding you with various items as you play through the game.
With F1® World providing you with so many things to do this year, we’ve updated the Podium Pass to better reward you for your time spent across the various game modes.
This year, you’ll be making your way through 50 levels instead of the 30 seen in previous games, and you’ll also unlock various rewards and upgrades for your F1® World car throughout Podium Pass, including unique components that can give you the edge on and off-track.
For example, the Level 50 reward in Series 1 is a unique Team Principal you can apply to your F1® World Car: Franz Tost. Can he be the one that helps you make the difference in your next F1® World race?
Another change we have made to Podium Pass this year is to remove the ability to purchase Tier unlocks. As Podium Pass contains rewards to help you upgrade your F1® World car, we removed this shortcut in order to provide players with a more balanced experience.
Purchasable XP Boosts will help those who want to get through the Podium Pass quicker but the more time you spend playing F1® World in F1® 23, the more rewards you’ll unlock. To even the playing field further, when you join a Multiplayer race that relies on F1® World cars and Tech Level, you will be given an expected finishing position in relation to you and your competitor’s Tech Level. This means that you can continue to make progress towards your personal targets, even if those in the lobby have upgraded their cars more than you.
EA Racenet and Leagues
In F1® 22, we introduced EA Racenet technology to provide you with many useful tools to further improve your performance on-track.
This included accessing telemetry of your best laps and allowing you to compare them with any other driver on the Time Trial leaderboards. Wanted to see where the world’s best players brake, turn and accelerate through each corner? You can watch their laps alongside your own through our 3D visualiser, enabling you to find those extra tenths.
In F1® 23, EA Racenet maintains these features but the application has had a major overhaul. It now forms the backbone of our League Racing system, becoming an essential companion to those who want to take their game to the next level. Built on the learnings from DiRT Rally 2.0’s highly successful Clubs feature, EA Racenet Leagues allows you to create, join, schedule, and manage custom multiplayer championships directly from the web app, before you head in-game for you to compete.
League Racing is an important and popular part of how our community plays F1 games, and this suite of tools will further improve your experience.
Check out EA Racenet for yourself right now by linking your EA account. Sign up before the release of F1® 23 so that you’re ready to go on launch day.
Crossplay Updates
In F1® 22 we introduced cross-platform Multiplayer, allowing players on all platforms to race against one another in various game modes.
This has been expanded for F1® 23, with crossplay now available across all modes where players compete against one another including the overhauled Ranked mode. Additionally, Time Trial leaderboards are now cross-platform, with separate platform leaderboards available on each track variation.
Whether you’re looking to set world records in Time Trial, climb the leaderboard in Ranked Multiplayer, or battle your friend in Racenet Leagues, crossplay ensures that you can race with anyone, anywhere.
HUD Updates
One change you’ll notice right away when you hit the track in F1® 23 is our updated on-screen display. The styling of these graphics has been updated to accurately match what you see when watching Formula 1® on TV - with your dashboard also going through some changes with a cleaner look.
Throttle and braking inputs are now more clearly visible, as are the ERS and DRS indicators. If you’re driving in cockpit view, we’ve also refined the appearance of your steering wheel display, bringing it more in-line with how teams show data in the real-world.
You may also notice new driver grid rundown visuals at the start of each race, which are also more in-line with the real-world broadcasts.
Tuning Setup Changes
To complement the improvements to F1® 23’s handling model, we have refined and expanded the range of settings you can make on your car when applying a tuning setup.
Front/Rear Suspension can now be set between 1 and 41 Front/Rear Anti-Roll Bars can now be set between 1 and 21 Front/Rear Ride Height can now be set between 30 and 50 Front Camber can now be set between 2.50 and 3.50 Rear Camber can now be set between 1.00 and 2.00 Front Toe can now be set between 0.00 and 0.10 Rear Toe can now be set between 0.10 and 0.40 Brake Pressure can now be set between 80% and 100% Front Tyre Pressures can now be set between 22.0 and 25.0 psi Rear Tyre Pressures can now be set between 20.0 and 23.0 psi These changes allow you to further refine your car setups with greater detail and flexibility, so you can achieve the best performance out on-track.

Hey everyone! Got a bunch of super cool stuff to show off for my 25th trade post, including some non-card stuff!
Long read, but hopefully fun for everybody!
As usual, every card comes in a penny sleeve, top loader, and team bag. Standard is stamped and enveloped for shipping and on orders under $35 is $2. On orders over $35, PWE shipping is included in cost.
If you want, you can pay an extra $5 for Bubble Mailing. That will come with tracking. Orders at or over $75 will include shipping BMWT for free.
----------------------------------------://
In terms of trades, I am primarily interested in anything obscure and weird, but Paypal is strongly preferred. Trades will be a lot more likely to be considered if partial cash is included. In order of preference, I'm interested in:

• Paypal
  
• E-Reader Holos and JPN exclusive e-readers and
  
• Tomokazu Komiya/Yukiko Baba/Miki Tanaka 1st editions/holos.
  
• Vending Series and JPN exclusives
  
• Obscure GB and GBA titles
  
• Other Holos and Reverse Holos up to 2007. (I collect specific pokemon more than sets)
  
• Black StaNintendo promos up to 2006
  

-anything relevant cool or vintage you have
-Willing to look at Chrome Topps
----------------------------------------://

• If it's a card, and a cool or good one, feel free to throw it out, I could be interested. I collect specific styles of art, and things that are strange and obscure!
  
• Condition is valued over current market value, always happy to take a look at items that are in M/NM++ condition, though I ask that trades not in above conditions be of equal market value or in my favor. I collect obscurities, and so market values are often more speculative than in some circles.
  
• Thanks for looking! GLWT! ✨🪷🦑💫
  

All cards in the photos are in my personal collection and in condition shown, which is mostly pretty great shape. I try not to collect anything below MP-, BUT condition is relative and unique to card, and there are subgrades between cards that affect value.

• Ask for as many photos and videos as you like, it's no hassle at all. I try to be as transparent with condition, grading, and trading rules as possible.

Kecleon Club:

https://imgur.com/a/3UGYp7x
----------------------------------------:// I'm looking for the following values on each.

• Price may vary based on what you are trading, mixes of Paypal and trades always welcome, this is a negotiable baseline.
  
• Trade offers should be at or above the listed value if they are not LP condition or better for the most part.
  

Current Caravan Inventory:

• Flygon [NM-, scuff] - $9
  
• Raichu [M/NM+] - $34
  
• Treecko [NM] - $7
  
• Nidoqueen [NM-] - $15
  
• Zapdos [NM] - $5
  
• Pinsir [NM-/LP+]- $16
  
• Slaking [Strong Swirl, NM] - $4
  
• Entei [MP, Excellent Swirl] - $5
  
• JPN Azumarill [NM-] - $8
  
• Mr. Mime [LP+] - $16
  
• Cradily [NM] - $9
  
• Psychic Energy WOTC League Promo [2Double Swirls, NM] - $20
  
• Camerupt [1.5 Swirl, LP++ ]- $9
  
• Meowth Fruit Roll Promo [NM-] - $14
  
• Pokemon Breeder [NM-] - $5
  
• Hitmonchan [LP-/MP+, painful ding but otherwise clean] - $7
  
• Muk [NM-] - $4
  
• Wailord [LP++] - $13
  
• Magneton [NM--/LP+] $12
  
• Dewgong [LP+] $12
  
• Vileplume [NM-/LP++] $45
  
• Typhlosion Delta Species [LP++] $20
  
• Manectric [NM, Excellent Swirl, Not shown, just got, will provide timestamped photos on request] $7
  

PC stuff ----------------------------------------://

• Steelix JPN Exclusive Neo/Mag. Promo [NM-, Amazing Swirl by Teeth] - $60 or $>75TV
  
• Erika's Dratini [Coro Coro Hydrangea, LP++] $17TV
  
• Brock's Onix [Coro Coro, LP] $14
  
• Repro Pokemon Sapphire - WTT for any holo/RH pokemon in LP or better condition from 2002-2007. timestamp photos on request.
  
• Mario Party DS - $10 or $15TV, timestamp photos on request.
  
• Pokemon Mystery Dungeon DX CIB - $20 Paypal or $35TV, timestamp photos on request
  
• Carnivine G - $5TV
  
• Drifblim Promo Error Full Holobleed - Taking offers in the $25+ range. Timestamp and Video available on request.
  
• Random Base Set Low Value rares - Trading for any equalish value RH e-reader or Set Stamp card.
  

----------------------------------------://
{~PRESENTS FOR EVERYONE~}
• Shadowless Starmie - FREE! present to first order over $30, or WTT for Computer Error Black Star Promo/Misdreavus Black Star (didn't photo as it is a promo/special trade, can provide timestamp photos on request)
• Non-HoloBleed Drifblim Promo - FREE! present to first order over $60 or WTT for any e-reader holo/RH.
• Every order that includes any amount of Paypal will receive a limited edition 1/9 Amada Artbox sticker of a Pokemon of your choosing as a special present for attending the party!
• Anyone who has one of these Limited Edition "Kecleon Club" stickers can use membership on any future order for free PWE shipping.
• These Kecleon Club stickers will never be reissued, and each will be numbered. Stickers will be sent 10 days after post, and once stickers are sent, no more will be made.
• Don't be a square! Be a squaredancing Clefairy! Join the party today!
Amada Sticker Presents - https://imgur.com/a/i5927nx

Background: Right before the pandemic started I switched jobs, which resulted in my income doubling. Then the world shut down and I used the time and reduced expenses to pay off my credit cards and student loan. I haven't carried a monthly credit card balance in 3 years. My student loan account closed 3 months ago. I split my monthly spending between the two cards (based on the Discover cash back bonus) and pay them off monthly. My credit history is clean, no late payments or derogatory. No inquiries in the last 3 years.
I now have a solid income and no debt and want to maximize my credit card options. What do you think would be the best? I started thinking about this when they opened the Chase Sapphire lounge at my home airport. There's a lot of information out there and I want to make the best decision for benefits/rewards.
CREDIT PROFILE

• Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of: Discover, $8,600 limit, 11/1994; Bank of America, $11,500 limit, 07/2014; Care Credit, $3,500 limit, 07/2019
• FICO Scores with source: Discover FICO Scorecard says 797. I don't see a list by Exp/Equ/TU
• Oldest credit card account age with you as primary name on the account: Discover Card - 28yrs, 6mos
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 6 months: 0
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 12 months: 0
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 24 months: 0
• Annual income $: $112k solo. $165k w/spouse

CATEGORIES

• OK with category-specific cards?: Yes
• OK with rotating category cards?: Yes
• Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below. Only include what you can pay by credit card.
• Dining $: $400-$500
• Groceries $: $250
• Gas $: Maybe $200/yr. I don't own a car but rent when I travel.
• Travel $: $300 flight, $300 hotel, $400 car rental, $400 cruises. These are averages. I spent ~$14k on travel last year.
• Do you plan on using this card abroad for a significant length of time (study abroad, digital nomad, expat, extended travel)?: No
• Any other categories (examples: phone/internet, insurance) or stores (example: Amazon) with significant, regular credit card spend (the more you specify, the better): $400/mo on concerts. We spend about $5k/yr on concert tickets.
• Any other significant, regular credit card spend you didn't include above?: No
• Can you pay rent by credit card? If yes, list rent amount and if there's a fee for paying by credit card: No.

MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS (delete lines that don't apply)

• Current member of Amazon Prime?: Yes, but my spouse has the amazon branded card and I don't pay for that.
• Current member of Costco or Sam's Club? We have CostCo, but my spouse pays for that.
• Currently paying $13.99/month or more for Disney Bundle (Disney+ / Hulu / EPSN+) or other Hulu services? Yes.
• Current member of Chase, US Bank or any other big bank?: We use TD Bank.

PURPOSE

• What's the purpose of your next card (choose ONE)?: Travel - normally we use JetBlue or Delta and IHG hotels.
  
• Do you have any cards you've been looking at? I have been looking at the Chase Sapphire Reserve. We have a CSR lounge at our base airport now and lounge access as we travel is a HUGE draw.
  

Hello!
I didn't realize there was a Costco sub, I don't know why I was surprised to see it, but I figured I'd take advantage. I live in Massachusetts, and currently have a membership to BJs Wholesale club (which I believe is a regional thing, I haven't seen them further south), and July would be time to renew, but I've been considering switching to a Costco membership instead (BJs is closer but they are both not far away), as the impression I've been given is that they have a better selection and fresher produce, etc. The main things I get from BJs that are brand-specific are dog food (Blue Buffalo, the green package), and Monster Energy drinks (the white ones). I also try to buy gas at BJs and get my propane tanks filled, so I would be doing that at Costco as well. What are your thoughts? I hear there are different levels of membership. The BJs membership usually costs 50 a year, but I've twice used a coupon which made it 25 for the year. Thanks for taking a moment to weigh in, your opinions are welcomed. Cheers!

CREDIT PROFILE

• Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of: (list cards, limits, opening date):

Citi Double Cash $8,500 limit, 8/2018
Citi Simplicity $ 7,200 limit, 11/2021

• FICO Scores with source: 786 TransUnion
  
• Oldest credit card account age with you as primary name on the account: 4 years
  
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 6 months: 0
  
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 12 months: 0
  
• Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 24 months: 1
  
• Annual income $: 60,000
  

CATEGORIES

• OK with category-specific cards?: Yes. I'm interested in using the card to receive a sign on bonus and/or Cashback on a MacBook pro
  
• OK with rotating category cards?: Yes
  
• Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below. Only include what you can pay by credit card.
  
• Dining $: 150
  
• Groceries $: 0 (groceries from Aldi)
  
• Gas $: Costco $150
  
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Uzbekistan's Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health offers MBBS programmes.

Are you thinking about attending MBBS school in Uzbekistan? Leading university Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health provides outstanding chances for Indian students. Let's look at the requirements for admission, the application process, student life, advantages of attending Fergana, and the cost of living in Fergana, Uzbekistan.

Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health Requirements

You must meet certain requirements, such as the following, in order to be eligible to study MBBS at Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health:
Academic Requirements: Applicants must have finished their 10+2 higher secondary education and have a background in science, especially biology, chemistry, and physics.
Minimum Score: According to the university's requirements, students must have received a minimum overall score in their higher secondary exams.
English Language Proficiency: For international students, English language proficiency is essential. It can be necessary for applicants to take exams like the TOEFL or IELTS to verify their proficiency in the English language. However, some Uzbek universities might carry out their own language evaluations.

Why is Fergana Medical Institute Best for Students from India?

Indian students should consider Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health for a number of reasons:
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Recognition and Accreditation: The institute is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and is acknowledged by worldwide medical organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO). This endorsement guarantees that the degree earned from Fergana Medical Institute is recognised around the world.
English-medium instruction: The Fergana Medical Institute's MBBS programme is taught in English, which makes it simpler for Indian students to comprehend and participate in the curriculum. Due to the removal of linguistic obstacles, students can concentrate well on their academics.
excellent Standards of Education: Fergana Medical Institute upholds excellent standards of education and offers a broad curriculum that includes both theoretical and practical instruction. The institute's knowledgeable instructors make sure that students obtain a quality education and are adequately equipped for their future jobs in medicine.
Clinical experience: Practical training and clinical experience are prioritised at Fergana Medical Institute. By taking part in clinical rotations at associated hospitals and healthcare institutions, students get the chance to get practical experience. Their clinical abilities are improved and they are better equipped for actual medical practise thanks to this practical experience.
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Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health's admissions procedure

The following steps are often involved in the admissions process at the Fergana Medical Institute:
Application submission: Interested candidates should send their application forms and other supporting documentation directly to the institute or through designated agents.
Verification of Documents: According to their standards, the institute validates all of the provided documents, including copies of academic transcripts and passports.
Eligibility Evaluation: The institute evaluates candidates' eligibility based on their academic credentials, linguistic ability, and other predetermined criteria.
Entrance Exam (if Applicable): To assess students' readiness for medical study, some universities may hold entrance exams.
Admission Confirmation: Students receive a letter from the institute confirming their admission when the admissions procedure has been successfully completed.

Documents Needed to Study MBBS in Uzbekistan

The following documents are often needed for MBBS studies in Uzbekistan:
Application form that has been fully filled out and signed by the applicant is required by the university.
Academic Records: Copies of certificates and grade reports from high school or a comparable institution.

A passport that is at least six months old and still valid.

A medical certificate declaring that the candidate is healthy enough physically and mentally to pursue international studies is required.
Passport-sized Photos: Current passport-sized photos that meet the requirements of the university.
Financial Documents: Evidence of your ability to pay your tuition and living costs during the study time, such as bank statements or sponsorship letters.

Life for Indian medical students studying in Uzbekistan's Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health

A dynamic and fulfilling student life is what Indian students doing MBBS at Fergana Medical Institute can anticipate. The university offers a welcoming environment for international students and a range of facilities and services, such as:
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Student housing is offered by Fergana Medical Institute and is both cosy and reasonably priced. These hostels provide the essential conveniences and a comfortable setting for studying and socialising.
Activities in the Arts and athletics: The Institute promotes student involvement in the arts, athletics, and extracurricular pursuits. Students can join a variety of clubs and organisations to learn more about their interests and develop their skills.
Support services for students are provided by Fergana Medical Institute to help overseas students succeed in their academic endeavours. These services could include counselling, academic advising, and help with administrative procedures.
The institute places a high priority on the security and safety of its students. Security measures are installed on campus and in the dorms to guarantee a secure setting.
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advantages of studying medicine in Fergana

There are various advantages to studying MBBS at Fergana Medical Institute, including:
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Affordable Education: In comparison to many other nations, Uzbekistan provides affordable education. For Indian students, Fergana is a desirable alternative because of the relatively low living expenses and low tuition prices.
Fergana Medical Institute is renowned for providing high-quality instruction, and the degrees it grants are accepted all over the world. Graduates are now qualified to continue their education or practise medicine worldwide.
Studying at Fergana Medical Institute offers the chance to meet with individuals from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. This multicultural setting promotes intercultural awareness and enhances the overall educational process.
Wide range of job prospects are available to those who complete their MBBS at Fergana Medical Institute. After passing the necessary licencing exams, graduates can choose to return to India and practise medicine, study further specialisation, or work as medical professionals.
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MBBS-related questions from students in Fergana universities

Is the Fergana Medical Institute's degree accepted throughout the world? The degree conferred by the Fergana Medical Institute is accepted around the world, allowing graduates to pursue their medical professions there.
What language is used in the classrooms at Fergana Medical Institute? English is used as the primary language of instruction for the MBBS programme at Fergana Medical Institute.
Are there scholarships available for students from other countries? For qualified international students, Fergana Medical Institute may provide scholarships or financial help programmes. It is wise to inquire with the institute about any available scholarships.
How long is the Fergana Medical Institute's MBBS programme? At Fergana Medical Institute, the MBBS programme normally lasts six years and includes both academic and practical training.
Is learning the native tongue required? Even though the MBBS programme is taught in English, communicating with patients during clinical rotations might be facilitated by learning the local tongue, such as Uzbek or Russian.
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Living expenses in Fergana, Uzbekistan

For international students, Fergana has a rather low cost of living. The cost of living is influenced by personal preferences and lifestyles. Some important things to think about are:
Hostels are available to students at the Fergana Medical Institute at affordable rates. There may also be off-campus housing alternatives, and the price varies according to the location and amenities.
Food: Prices for food in Fergana are typically reasonable. There are many options available to students, including university canteens, nearby restaurants, and grocery stores. It may be more affordable to prepare meals at home.
transit: Fergana's affordable public transit options, including buses and taxis, make it simple for students to get around the city.
Utilities: Fees for hostels often include the cost of utilities like power, water, and internet access. Students may be required to pay separate utility bills if they live off-campus.
Recreation and entertainment: Fergana provides a range of leisure activities and shows. Depending on individual selections and preferences, prices may change.

Students should make a budget and control their spending according to it.

Students from India have a fantastic opportunity to receive a top-notch education, experience a multicultural environment, have professional prospects, and live comfortably by attending Fergana Medical Institute in Uzbekistan.

Why Should You Study MBBS at the Tashkent Medical Academy?

Choosing to pursue MBBS at the Samarkand State Medical Institute in Uzbekistan provides a number of benefits and opportunities. Here are several compelling arguments for Indian students to contemplate enrolling at Tashkent Medical Academy for MBBS:
The Tashkent Medical Academy is renowned for the excellence of its medical education. The curriculum of the academy is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of medical sciences. The experienced and highly qualified faculty members ensure that students receive an excellent education and practical training.
Global Recognition: Tashkent Medical Academy's degrees are internationally recognised and approved by the world's leading medical organisations and institutions. The academy is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), allowing its graduates to pursue further education or practise medicine anywhere in the world.
The Tashkent Medical Academy's MBBS programme is taught in English, which is advantageous for international students, such as Indian students. Studying in English eliminates the language barrier and enables students to concentrate unimpeded on their studies.
The Tashkent Medical Academy has a modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities that facilitate effective learning. The academy's well-equipped laboratories, libraries, research centres, and advanced medical apparatus create a conducive learning environment for its students.
Clinical Exposure and Practical Training: The Tashkent Medical Academy offers students extensive opportunities for clinical exposure and practical training. Through affiliations with prestigious hospitals and healthcare institutions, students have the opportunity to acquire practical experience and hone their clinical skills under the supervision of seasoned medical professionals.
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Life as a Student at Tashkent Medical Academy

At Tashkent Medical Academy, student life is vibrant and engaging. In addition to emphasising academic excellence, the academy provides numerous extracurricular activities and student organisations to foster students' overall development. Here are some aspects of Tashkent Medical Academy undergraduate life:
Student Associations and Clubs: Tashkent Medical Academy's student associations and clubs appeal to a variety of interests and abilities. These organisations provide venues for students to demonstrate their talents in athletics, the arts, cultural pursuits, and community service.
Numerous events, celebrations, and cultural festivals are organised by the academy throughout the year. Students are able to celebrate their diverse backgrounds and a sense of community is fostered as a result of these multicultural events.
Tashkent Medical Academy encourages its students to engage in athletics and recreational activities. The academy's sports facilities and intercollegiate competitions promote physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle among its students.
The academy recognises the significance of student well-being and provides support services to facilitate a conducive learning environment. These services consist of academic counselling, career guidance, and personal support for students experiencing any academic difficulties.
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Living Expenses in Tashkent

When considering studying in Tashkent, it is crucial to be aware of the local expense of living. Tashkent has a relatively low cost of living in comparison to other main cities. Here are some considerations regarding Tashkent's cost of living:
Accommodation costs in Tashkent vary based on the nature and location of the lodging. Students may choose between on-campus dormitories and off-campus residences. In general, on-campus dormitories are more affordable than off-campus apartments, which may offer greater independence but are more expensive.
Food and Dining: Tashkent provides a variety of dining options to accommodate various budgets. Students can choose between reasonably priced local and international establishments. Additionally, cooking at home can be a cost-effective option for students.
Tashkent's transport infrastructure, which includes buses, trams, and the metro, is highly developed. Tashkent's public transport is reasonably priced, making it easy for students to commute within the city.
Depending on one's preferences and way of life, daily expenses such as groceries, utilities, the internet, and entertainment can vary. Students should create a budget and manage their expenses with discretion.
Indian students contemplating MBBS studies at Tashkent Medical Academy can benefit from the quality education, multicultural environment, affordable cost of living, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional development.

Was trying to find more on here as I plan to take golf lessons and perhaps get into this as a long term hobby. So had a few questions on it.

1. Whats an avg cost of lessons? Plan to take lessons 2 times a week.
2. What should I expect in lessons?
3. Usually Will they provide equipments? (Some places I called charged for renting it during the lesson)
4. How much should I plan to save / invest if it take this up as a hobby (1-2 times a week)
5. I dont plan to get a membership at a club right now but should I?
6. What are the reasons people give up on this as a hobby
7. I have slighter weaker than avg knees so bit worried about the leg / knee twisting situation in swings. (ACL, meniscus repair and removal in last 6-12 months)

About me 1. 42 f, Single, No kids 2. Depends on the cost mostly but I think I can make this work in terms of investment in the long run of I actually stick to it. 3. Live in bay area (the city)

Hey everyone, we are Nyasha Knigge and Conrad Booker!
We are both dedicated youth competitive climbing athletes, with a total of 10 years of competition experience between us. We are requesting funding for a program that we would like to start, RockRoots, which would introduce black and hispanic youth into climbing.
As black athletes, we have seen the utter lack of representation in rock climbing. We refuse to believe that this is due to a lack of hard work or determination of black children. The fact is, climbing is a privileged sport, especially at a competitive level. The only way to train is through a facility, requiring at the very least a costly membership and rentals. Naturally, the historically underprivileged are the most left out of the sport. This is why we are creating RockRoots, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, from the youth level.
We thank you for your consideration in funding RockRoots!
https://gofund.me/00f696e7
Love,
Nyasha and Conrad

Hey everyone, we are Nyasha Knigge and Conrad Booker! We are both dedicated youth competitive climbing athletes, with a total of 10 years of competition experience between us. We are requesting funding for a program that we would like to start, RockRoots, which would introduce Black and Hispanic youth to climbing at no cost. As Black athletes, we have seen extreme underrepresentation Black and Hispanic youth in rock climbing. We refuse to believe that this is due to a lack of hard work or determination by Black and Hispanic children. The fact is, climbing is a privileged sport, especially at a competitive level. The only way to train is through a facility, requiring at the very least a costly membership and rental equipment. Naturally, the historically underprivileged are the most left out of the sport. This is why we are creating RockRoots, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, starting at the youth level. All funding would be used entirely to support these kids, including: climbing gym memberships for the children, shoe rental, chalk bag rental, and possible USAClimbing memberships (needed for competitions). We thank you for your consideration in funding RockRoots! Love, Nyasha and Conrad
https://gofund.me/00f696e7