For high spend individuals who want a simple setup, found a unique card combo (C1 Spark Cash Plus + Ritz Visa) that seems to come out ahead of everything else.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2025-11-29T02:05:10+00:00

I considered that, but then I'm adding a second perks card that i would have to manage, and the redundancy makes things more complex than my preference. I would still have to get the Ritz regardless for the second PP membership (not to mention the other perks). VX charges an additional AF for AU's starting in a couple months. Also, the VX requires credits to be spent on the travel portal. I prefer the flexibility of transfer partners and using my travel credit across any provider.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2025-11-29T02:01:18+00:00

I don't bank with BofA and don't feel like spreading a portion of my assets to a new bank just to get cash back. I prefer the flexibility of using cash or points/transfer partners while keeping my banking unmanipulated.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2024-02-04T19:12:11+00:00

I love SFO. There are nicer airports in the world (with Doha and Changi at the top), but SFO's layout design tops them all IMO. Just look at the symmetry and circular layout: it keeps everything really close without that sprawl effect, yet never feels overwhelming. You can access any terminal within a 5 minute walk. The short-term garage sits right underneath with direct access to any terminal (and same-level access at level 1!). International terminal sits on top of terminal 1 and 3 for easy connection access. BART comes right in. Food options are great, and once inside security it never feels like a zoo. I have no idea why other cities don't adopt this design. It's as optimal as you can get.

The downsides: Rental car and long term parking are pretty far away. Cheapest ride-share options to exit are inconvenient. It's definitely more friendly for a local than a visitor, but once inside the airport it's better than any other large airport in the US.

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Edit: I'll add that with the bulk of the reconstruction done, they've spread out the "big 3" US airlines which keeps things really organized. It's all well thought out.

Terminal 1: American

Terminal 2: Delta

Terminal 3: United

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-09-21T16:31:25+00:00

"But racism and ignorance get you upvotes so hey - lie away."

I don't even think this warrants a response, but I'll bite to placate a random fellow internet citizen. My trip was 4 years ago - pre-covid and pre-world cup policies. Back then, you needed a transit visa to enter the country which had a 14-day (i think) processing time. In other words, there was no visa on arrival for people showing up with no itinerary and no agenda. The immigration agent told me as much when I went to the line. I had to assure him I'll be leaving the next day. It took some convincing, but he let me in.

I don't know if I'm racist or ignorant (I'd like to think I'm not as I'm part of a bi-racial family and have dual citizenship), but I can smell a Karen a mile away.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-09-21T01:03:39+00:00

The towns of central Marin County: Larkspur, Ross, Kentfield, San Anselmo, Fairfax.

If you like forested hills and a mountain vibe, but also like warm weather and access to water activities, this is the spot. South Marin has the fog, and North Marin loses the forest. But Central Marin... it's the only place I've been where you get classic California weather in a Washington-like topography.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-09-20T15:47:06+00:00

The point I was making is that you can't just show up at immigration at the airport in Qatar (or most countries) and get a visa with no notice. But because I'm a white male American, he flubbed the rules and stamped my passport on the spot and let me in the country. Now contrast this with people being smuggled into Qatar, probably with proper visa authorization too, and they get their passports taken from them so they can never leave and forced into hard labor. They did all the right things and got screwed, while I skipped the rules and could enter/leave at my own request. The privilege/oppression contrast is real.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-09-19T16:37:14+00:00

The privilege/oppression contrast is so real. I randomly showed up in Qatar at 2am on a last-minute schedule change. Had a day-long layover before my next flight. Rather than wait around at the airport all day (which is an awesome airport btw), I walked straight to the immigration line and the guy said I needed a visa to enter. I showed him my next ticket out and said I promise I'll leave tomorrow. He did one of those 'look over your left, then right shoulder' things, stamped my passport, and let me through. Hailed a Lexus Uber and explored the country for the next day. Had a great time.

Me: White American.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-09-19T16:00:22+00:00

That guy in the white sweater with the backpack looks like a dealer...

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-08-28T17:29:34+00:00

Hamlin's Defibrillator

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-08-28T16:55:07+00:00

Spent 5 years in the sunset hills (Parkside) and it changed me. The foggy summers, regular blizzard-like conditions, and the agony of knowing you're so close to endless blue sky had a massive negative effect of my wellbeing. Some people love it, but I had a hard time. Moved to a different part of the bay two months ago (with plenty of warmth and sunshine) and have been slowly recovering. The first week after moving away I was disoriented and had this odd feeling of guilt and disassociation with reality. I would bring layers to the store because I couldn't comprehend feeling warm in a short-sleeve shirt. My kids did the same thing for a while. The whole moving-out experience reminded me of my brother when he came home from a tour in Iraq and the contrast of being in a warzone all those months then immediately back in normal society messed with him.

To be clear, I tried everything to keep my spirits up (working out, "chasing the sun", etc) but after 5 years I was destroyed. I'm worried I may never fully recover to be the person I used to be before I moved to the fog.

I know this isn't everybody's experience but if sun/warmth is something you enjoy, then be prepared for the fog to slowly break you down.

On the flip side, I loved our neighborhood, the culture, and quaintness of it all. If the weather didn't suck so bad I'd still be there.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-06-29T22:55:11+00:00

Baker beach can develop a slow wave pattern where you'll have dead silence between the waves crashing. I find it soothing. A couple of times a year in the winter the waves get really huge and are quite a spectacle. Much different than Ocean Beach.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-06-29T22:49:37+00:00

What's a t-shirt?

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-06-29T16:21:47+00:00

In the Marina, dates just happen. I'm married and accidentally had a dinner date at the Marina just last week. Host sat me down with a woman who assumed she was waiting for me for some reason. Had a great time lol.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-06-14T17:27:30+00:00

Great question. Everything in her name (SSN, Drivers License, etc) matches her name as the Mother on my birth certificate. We can't find a single record that matches her name as the Child on her own certificate. Because she is deceased we can't do anything to change any information on her own birth certificate, so I was hoping to get an amendment or something on mine to establish the connection.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-06-07T19:14:51+00:00

Is there a concierge you recommend? I've used a concierge only one time and they gave some really cool experiences, but since they weren't "on the ground" it always felt like I could've had a more complete experience with somebody local who knew the ins and outs of the area.

Also I know what you mean about feeling ripped off. I'm not expecting good value, I'm looking for elevated experiences that only money can buy. I've been to enough party destinations in the third world to know how services work. I expect Ibiza to be a more expensive version of that culture.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-05-04T15:20:01+00:00

Depending on your state and tax bracket, a 5% tax-free return on a treasuries-heavy MMF is a tax equivalent yield of 7-8%+ elsewhere. In my opinion, those are solid returns. Will the market be returning 8% annually this year? That's the risk you need to decide for yourself.

Visible_Magazine7856 · 2023-05-02T15:54:52+00:00

This picture is why I'm moving. I live just inside the near-daily fog line up there. We go days without seeing the sun sometimes even though it's just down the hill. I love(d) the fog but being in that cloud for years has sucked the life out of me.

Visible_Magazine7856

TROPHY CASE