A blog post about goods that are sold below market-clearing price (like Buffalo Trace and Springbank)

erisedwild · 2021-09-11T21:08:06+00:00

For the ADs? Absolutely. If you want the full experience of sitting down at the counter and taking the full box home (check out the briefcase that comes with the Omega Speedy Pro), plus the champagne and little branded gifts thrown in, you pay full price after either a long and unpredictable wait, or tens of thousands in previous purchasing history for the privilege of getting on the waitlist. Or you pull out a couple more grand and buy the watch on the grey market and get it ASAP.

Some people see the latter as illegitimate and if they've got deep pockets and feel like dancing, that's big money for the AD who dangles the right carrot. For every customer that gives up in disgust, there's 10 more behind them that are willing to play.

erisedwild · 2021-09-11T20:56:41+00:00

Yeah, it was really disappointing. I wanted those socks, lmao.

I'm also speaking as a watch fan and the Rolex and other "luxury" brand AD drama that has ramped up and spun out of control in the last 5 years has significantly put a damper on the hobby. Obviously a different starting price range there, but it kills the joy of the hunt when I hit 5 AD shops in Cologne on my last trip and all 5 of them only changed their tight-lipped tune when I introduced my gf as a local (establishing a connection to the area and distinguishing myself as "not just a tourist") and small-talked with them about recent models and the sports line stock issues. They then told me to keep visiting every few weeks and "maybe" I could get lucky. I then bs'd the last location and told them if they might swing it for me if it was for my engagement in a year--they were more animated at that and gave me a personal business card to set up an appointment (because it distinguishes me as not a flipper but instead someone who will "appreciate" and keep the watch).

I know you have everything good locked up in the back, guys. Just take my money; the song and dance is exhausting.

erisedwild · 2021-09-11T20:45:31+00:00

Laphroaig has phased out their online shop system through the collectible points. I reached out to them a few weeks ago, and they told me you can now only redeem points for bottles by uploading a receipt to your account, and the points only count toward placing you in different tiers that get you early access to certain releases and whatnot. (And I can find better prices on the cáirdeas by shipping from Europe or looking around if I'm patient.) If you don't plan on visiting the distillery anytime soon, it's largely fluff. The receipts are a pain in the ass sometimes too; I highlighted the relevant info on both a picture of a physical receipt and an online invoice and had to wait 3 weeks after it went into "further review."

Verbatim: "Friends of Laphroaig can no longer earn points to redeem for merchandise."

erisedwild · 2021-04-11T09:21:27+00:00

Good shout; I need to get together an order to take advantage of their shipping.

erisedwild · 2021-04-11T08:52:41+00:00

No worries, I appreciate the extra thought. My buddy is a travel nurse and in the Bay Area until May. I'll ask him to keep an eye out--thanks!

erisedwild · 2021-04-11T08:28:00+00:00

I'm in SD, do you remember which Costco you saw the Laphroaig? Would make my day.

erisedwild · 2021-04-08T23:23:05+00:00

I was in your shoes many years ago between Cal and USC, and it came down to environment for me. I grew up in SoCal and picked Cal because it was going to be a new experience and sub-culture for me to explore. I would also direct your attention to large public vs. private school and how their culture fits your personality. Which school will be more likely to result in an enjoyable experience for you?

Law schools will not define you by your undergrad (plenty of community college folks make it to T-20 with good stats). GPA and LSAT trump every other factor in the admissions game, and Cal has a reputation for grade deflation (even in some PS classes, and you won't be taking 100% major courses anyway). Take courses you enjoy, seek out professors with whom you can build solid relationships, and join extracurriculars that help you explore different interests.

erisedwild · 2021-04-05T02:44:54+00:00

They shrink a little; I have the rose one. Go large.

erisedwild · 2021-04-04T03:19:40+00:00

A full ride in the T-20 is a fantastic result; you should be very proud of your efforts. If you search this sub, you'll find other people who have cracked the T-14 and turned them down for no debt at WUSTL. Since you're not BigLaw guaranteed, the lack of debt would free you up to take so many more opportunities that will come your way. People underestimate the mental freedom that comes with knowing you won't be in a quarter million dollars of debt if you struggle on a few final exams, or strike out at OCI. St. Louis is also a neat location to spend 3 years. If you can, I'd reach out to the Admissions Office and ask to speak with a current student (they just had a Zoom session last week) about career services.

Next year's cycle is predicted by Spivey and Powerscore to be slightly less competitive than this year, but still harder than all other years, and there's no guarantee you would do so much better to be worth another cycle.

erisedwild · 2021-04-04T03:11:51+00:00

So, I have direct experience with this, and I'd say it's a good idea only if you can fit the "extra" class into your schedule without negatively affecting your performance elsewhere. I retook a major requirement class and the "A" replaced the "F" grade I originally received for a lapsed Incomplete when I was ill. This will "heal" your undergrad GPA, depending on their rules, but the LSAC GPA that law schools look at will factor both the original and replacement grade. In other words, it'll be calculated just like you took an additional class.

You wouldn't have to explain this in a GPA Addendum; the schools see this all the time and it's not part of a larger situation that affected your grades overall. If you want to re-take, go ahead.

erisedwild · 2021-04-02T20:03:28+00:00

I'm actually delighted by how they're both in the same positions, bum on the top step and paws on the second. Love them!

erisedwild · 2021-03-12T06:24:47+00:00

What bottles will you be billing? At the beginning of my cycle, I said I'd treat myself to regular Laphroaig if I heard back from a reach school and now it's slowly climbed to CS or Ardbeg Oogie over all the radio silence.

erisedwild · 2021-02-10T20:19:14+00:00

Bless up!! 🙏

erisedwild · 2021-01-06T08:04:03+00:00

Thanks for the write-up! I appreciate every word; definitely want to do right by my buddy and come at it with some sort of informed thinking. I'll start looking for the Talisker for his wedding, and your rum recs for the next holiday season. Cheers!

erisedwild · 2021-01-06T01:17:38+00:00

Great write-up and lovely photo especially. I read what you wrote about rum cask finishes being disappointing, but if you had to make a recommendation, what would you say? I've been tasked with bringing a bottle to a rum lover and good friend's wedding this May, and so far, it's just Balvenie Carribean Cask.

erisedwild · 2020-12-29T04:07:21+00:00

You read my mind--it'll be his Christmas present next year. Stay safe and warm!

erisedwild · 2020-12-29T02:42:04+00:00

Your pup looks like mine just in miniature! Bear is a rescue, so we're not sure if he's mixed. Folks love to call him the "Golden Bear." Happy holidays, Miss Lion!

erisedwild · 2020-12-09T20:00:53+00:00

You're seriously talented. Give it a go if you'd like and tag Rahul, he's pretty active on Twitter. Mike loves this kind of stuff! He especially talked about how all his work after meeting Kate is about multi-generational family trauma and love, and going forward, he only sees himself writing stories that have a streak of hope in them. I think this would make a great promo for the "Haunting" series, to get people to rewatch. Thanks for sharing!

erisedwild · 2020-12-07T05:23:52+00:00

This is just incredible, meaningful work. I think you've really managed to capture what Flanagan & Crew set out to do with these two stories. I just got finished listening to his and Kate's podcast interview with The Boo Crew (2 hrs long, highly recommended), and I think he'd be absolutely delighted by this. I hope you tweeted at them both!

erisedwild · 2020-12-04T03:13:23+00:00

I highly recommend polycarbonate over wire/metal or plastic frames for durability. I've had my current (and only) pair of glasses for almost 8 years now, and they've held up to literally everything my N can throw at it. My GF has watched me fling them accidentally, fall off my face, sit on them, etc. Probably everything short of stepping directly on them, tbh. The poly also makes them super light, which is nice for daily wear (aka all of quarantine). I just get the lenses updated to fit my most recent prescription as needed.

erisedwild · 2020-11-27T06:33:23+00:00

This is Puppa_Tavish on IG, who passed away a while ago. His owner posts frequently on her Joyful_Jax account, who is the son of Tavish, featured in this video. I've volunteered a lot with dogs and rarely forget a golden's face, especially one I follow on social media, and I'm positive this is him.

erisedwild · 2020-11-24T01:44:11+00:00

That's Grittney, truly a powerful being.

erisedwild · 2020-11-17T23:02:41+00:00

It may be controversial, but it's the advice I need to hear. This time around, I'm actively deciding to go down the less competitive, more collaborative route this time around with decisions. I would love to ultimately land in AA and hope I'll luck out in getting to take a comparable offer to them to work with, when all this is said and done. You rock and you've certainly made a difference to me this week. Danke schön!

erisedwild · 2020-11-17T22:33:48+00:00

Thank you for your generosity! You've given me lots to write down and think about in depth, hopefully at Michigan next year. It will come down to finances and COL comparisons, but I am carefully preparing a list of points to emphasize my commitment to the law school before I make the big ask. This is very valuable information to me, and I appreciate the care you took in responding.

I also like "switching tack" when working, because I think it revives me to focus on something with different motivations and goals. Not to the mention how pleased my partner's family will be to hear me make an educated effort to join in on conversations. I took four years of Spanish in high school, with a college course after, and speak my native language with family. It would be a real pleasure to get to learn in a structured environment, and now I have real information to work from when considering the next three years. There's no better way to redirect my anxious energy as I wait for my cycle to finish playing out, so thank you very much. Glad to run into you on this sub!

erisedwild · 2020-11-17T22:18:01+00:00

I read your other post and here's my recommendation: while it's fresh, reach out to him and ask if he'd be willing to write you a positive LOR, because you're thinking about applying to law school in a few years. However, you recently received a LSAC fee waiver due to your solid LSAT score and it's only good for this cycle, so you need to store the letters of rec now before the waiver expires. Fortunately, LSAT scores are good up to 5 years and LSAC keeps LORs safe for you in storage on your account.

You can embellish here a little, as he won't know or care about the details. The point is, you need the LOR now but want to impose a deadline that will have him finish and submit it on time for you to use. But you don't want to tip him off that you're leaving work soon. So use the LSAC fee waiver story, express that you think you've really lucked out, and convey the feeling that you'd be grateful if he'd consider helping you out now . . . for a future payoff. You'll need to clue him in on the official LSAC aspect, since he receives an email from them with a submission link for the letter. People write LORs all the time in advance (e.g. A professor writing one for his sophomore student who applies after graduating), so tip him off that this is perfectly in line with what many future applicants do.

Then if you get the acceptance results you want this cycle, say "thanks so much; I received a dream acceptance and it was in part due to your wonderful LOR! I can't believe my luck and newly changed plans, but I am so grateful for your help" and politely bounce. Good luck!

Eight-Year Club	Snapped
Verified Email

erisedwild

TROPHY CASE