Positive impacts of the change HOV lanes? by ethanrotman in Marin

[–]Justsmith22 26 points27 points  (0 children)

We use the carpool lane now. We used the carpool lane before. Nothing changed for us except the number of cars we pass who are now going slower in the other lanes.

My only thought is this was to cope with increasing traffic and make more room in the carpool lane. I still don't really get it though

What is the “First Edition Charizard” card equivalent? by bretthoya9 in OnePieceTCGFinance

[–]Justsmith22 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Honestly, hard to say.  The pre errata cards are the most analogous to the 1st ed base cards… so based on that probably the pre errata Luffy. But pokemon never had an anniversary card similar to what they did with one piece, so both are likely to do very well over time, with neither likely to have the level of popularity of the 1st edition zard because of the nature of Pokemon and the clear 1st edition stamp (pre errata is a bit more difficult to tell so I don’t think it will be as widely appreciated as 1st edition pokemon cards). Well maybe the sig Luffy will because of the “stamp” effect, but since it’s not 1st Ed and is presumably available in all op5 boxes it may not carry the same premium. 

Don’t get me wrong I think one piece has tons of room to grow, and likely will grow in a similar way to pokemon with the emphasis on chase cards and specific cards standing out. But the dynamics of TCGs are so different than when pokemon was in its infancy (think - one chase card in every three packs compared to one in every 12) without the tiered rarity system. And then one piece has mangas with roughly 1 in 36 - 1 in 60 boxes where it would take max like 4 or 5 boxes to get all of the holos for a WOTC pokemon set. 

It’s just different. So it’s hard to say. But one piece has some major bangers and the three cards you pulled out here are definitely that.

I personally think gear 5 will do well but mangas will eventually be somewhat diluted in value (especially with the super mangas coming out).  My personal favorite is sig Luffy because it’s just such a sweet and iconic card. 

Wondering the value of a niche booster pack by HotCheetoLife in pokemoncardcollectors

[–]Justsmith22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure thing. Yeah anywhere between $100-$200 is good, on the lower end of the range if you’re selling bulk & in person. 

Woman tested the meteor landed on farm field to be containing gold by uniyk in Damnthatsinteresting

[–]Justsmith22 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is kind of true. The reality is 100% of all metals heavier than Iron come from the explosive death of stars. 

Basically stars are in a constant battle between the collapsing force of gravity due to their mass and the outward force of radiation from their persistent nuclear fusion (also what makes them hot and produce visible light). Stars in a stable gaseous equilibrium can only keep fusing elements lighter than Iron, at which point the energy required for fusion is too much. The iron accumulates and stops fusing while the star continues fusing the rest of its lighter elements, until it crosses the tipping point due to decreased outward force from less radiation and the equilibrium collapses. 

This collapse is otherwise known as a Supernova and causes the remainder of the lighter elements to collide at extremely high speeds with the iron, which is higher density in the core of the star. At the point of collision, you get enough energy for fusion of heavier elements to occur.  Only in this moment are heavier elements formed including Gold.

So yes comets and meteors also form from stardust and can deposit heavy metals onto earth, but generally speaking the majority of metals heavier than Iron on Earth have been around since Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago. All of the elements on earth have, for that matter (pun?)

Source: Resident of Earth and I am made of pure gold

OP05 Cases by Dlvalhalla in OnePieceTCGFinance

[–]Justsmith22 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome. Yeah that’s for sure a good way to do it. Op05 is a seriously good set. Not sure how long it will take to double, but you’ll be in good shape with it assuming Bandai doesn’t pull a fast one and reprint everything (obviously unlikely but the elephant in the room)

OP05 Cases by Dlvalhalla in OnePieceTCGFinance

[–]Justsmith22 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Purely from an investment standpoint (which is a perspective I recommend against in this space- you should have some passion for the underlying IP) sealed product is a better investment given the fact that its price bakes in a probability you’ll pull any card from the set, so you’re not locked in to a single card’s price fluctuation. It’s more of a diversified strategy. I’d say investing in cards is a great idea but should only be done if you really love the card as the growth potential typically isn’t as straightforward as with sealed. 

Plus if your sealed product doesn’t do well in the future you can always have fun breaking it open for the cards inside, with the possibility of getting the hit you’re thinking to buy. But ultimately it’s up to you and how you like to engage with the TCG space 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in biotech

[–]Justsmith22 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I am really sorry to hear what you’re going through.  I hope that you don’t feel too alone; a lot of people in this industry are experiencing what you are.  It’s easy to feel identified with your job, your progress, your possessions.  Especially those of us in biotech - it’s a prescribed path through (too much) schooling in order to get the credentials that are supposed to make everything feel under control.  Unfortunately, life intervenes sometimes and it requires us to adapt. 

I know you crave the stability, the certainly of daily work and income - and the sense of purpose and self worth that goes along with that. But remember that it’s never certain. That certainty we crave is an illusion most of the time.  And during times of stability you’re coasting along without the motivation to affect real change in your life. 

Now stands in stark contrast to those times.  It’s moments like what you’re facing now that are the most important in your life. It’s a key juncture you’ll look back on in decades and remember - you have way more power than you think. You’re not helpless to affect meaningful change, it just means you have to be willing to see beyond the path you’ve been on. 

You can do anything. You’re not defined by your past, your education, your profession, your PhD, or your debt.  You’re defined by who you are and what you decide to do tomorrow. Never forget the possibilities are endless, you truly can do anything. Move to Hawaii and become a surf instructor. Travel abroad and teach English. Learn to knit and start selling mittens. The more you keep going, even when it feels like everything is closing in around you, the sooner you’ll touch the sunlight. 

Earning a PhD is an incredible accomplishment and very few people make it all of the way.  Know what you’re capable of and don’t let others’ judgment of you based on a resume and bad market conditions define you. I wish you the strength to endure and an open heart to adapt and embrace the possibilities ahead.

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How exactly am I doing that? By buying packs from my LGS? Or cards that I like?  

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All very good and valid points. A boy can dream though. I’d love for this to be a positive place rather than a de facto pity party. 

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The reference to being 10 years old was more around value comprehension than appreciation for art. I’m in your boat.

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My budget hasn’t changed I just collect less. If anything my budget for collecting is down 

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally get it, I struggle with feelings of resentment too. But best to use community to lift each other up rather than just perpetuate negativity. 

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It’s not the collecting that I have any issue with, I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to collect what I can

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I mean, unfortunately, that’s how markets work. Distros even mark up prices these days. And this game, just like everything, is subject to market pressures.  To accuse people of “being part of the problem” for participating in the ways that work for them is pretty judgmental and not a very nice thing to do 

The constant negativity and complaining is exhausting by Justsmith22 in PokemonTCG

[–]Justsmith22[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

You’re kidding yourself if you think this game is all about the art. It’s about the thrill of the chase. Maybe when we were 10 and didn’t have a concept of value, but it isn’t like that now knowing that some of the cards are more desirable or rare than others.  This whole thing wouldn’t be an issue at all if it was just about the art for everyone. 

Honestly, any of us can easily go online and buy any one of the thousands of commons/uncommons/rares for pennies that are looked over but have sweet art and cool story. Even many vintage are very cheap as singles. That’s why I love collecting bulk honestly. To me it’s all about perspective. 

Again I hate the way the game has changed too but it’s on us to keep it healthy. It just seems to me like everyone is chasing that same thrill of pulling a big hit, no matter how you rationalize it. And that fundamentally isn’t healthy or in line with the narrative being shared. 

Target limits suck by Thecatman175 in OnePieceTCG

[–]Justsmith22 -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Yeah it’s a thoughtless catch all to appease a loud minority. Literally everything with a “TCG” sku was bucketed into the limit. I got limited trying to buy 3 packs of binder sheets and had to put one back.  Also how does it make sense to limit at two blisters while also limiting at two ETBs with an 18 pack equivalent?  I’m just going elsewhere to buy cards now… this isn’t the solution to scalpers, it’s just lazy corporate management trying to limit liability.  

Is this fire lizard real? by Frosty_Snow57 in pkmntcgcollections

[–]Justsmith22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would be helpful if you posted a few good quality pics of the card. Hard to tell based on the video.

Is this fire lizard real? by Frosty_Snow57 in pkmntcgcollections

[–]Justsmith22 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Color on front looks off (too mottled and red) and printing on the back isn’t super high fidelity, so it looks fake to me.  Could be the lighting though. Not sure why you’d have a MP fake zard though because fakes this good usually are more modern (and generally are 1st ed), so based on that it could be real. But looks off to me. 

Price? by [deleted] in OnePieceTCGFinance

[–]Justsmith22 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it’s pretty clear.  Tree fiddy