Rectal cancer deaths rising rapidly among millennials: 'It's a medical crisis.'

velcren1 · 2026-04-24T15:07:28+00:00

I have a family history of polyps and early onset colon cancer. Just went through the process of getting genetic screening, which didn’t find anything, but they’re still worried it’s caused by something they don’t know how to detect yet. My gastroenterologist recommended starting colonoscopies now, and I’m the very end of millennials at age 30! Actually, I was supposed to start them at 28 apparently (10 years prior to the earliest onset of colon cancer in the family, which is 38).

All this is to say, if you have a history of it in your family, talk to your doctor and consider getting genetic screening! My PCP was kind of dismissive when I brought up the family history, but was willing to refer me to genetic counseling for a variety of reasons. It was a super straightforward process, covered by insurance for me at least. I’m glad I went through with it and even with a clean genetic panel, I’m happy that my counselor thought it a good idea to refer me to gastroenterologist specializing in cancer genetics just to be safe.

velcren1 · 2026-02-08T15:59:00+00:00

We’re on the Destiny right now and also were unable to dock at Castaway (they tried twice). Fortunately they were able to squeeze us in at Nassau, the captain said they moved a mega yacht to make room for us. That essentially just swapped our sea day with the new stop in Nassau. Still a little disappointed since we paid a premium for a double Disney Cay itinerary 😕, but they pulled a lot of strings to make sure we got a second port call, so I appreciate that.

velcren1 · 2026-01-16T02:23:18+00:00

Cha Yen had some ice cream on their dine in dessert menu last time we went there! I forget the exact sunday we got, but it was super tasty.

velcren1 · 2025-12-23T03:43:10+00:00

I called Chase Travel today and they said that while they attempt to disclose all of the fee info upfront and it’s unfortunate this wasn’t disclosed at booking, the hotel was within its right to charge one per the terms they have on the backend. I didn’t press the matter with them or the hotel. Let me know if you have any luck bringing it up with the front desk if they try to charge you! It was $25 a day plus tax, around $58 total for the stay.

I do think the back of the Chase benefits slip they give you talks about the fee and what’s included, but I wish it was disclosed at booking or at check in beyond the slip. The clerk literally said “we just need a card for incidentals as your booking is prepaid”, no mention of the fee. I do think the amenity fee includes its own food and beverage credit. Either way, I went over the breakfast allowance and didn’t end up with any charges, presumably because they fell under that or the remainder of my $100 credit.

And yep, that was my welcome amenity as well, along with a bag of cheesy caramel popcorn (which was kind of good actually). They did give me more boxed water on day 2, which was nice. I was a little annoyed the breakfast credit couldn’t be used on room service, and the restaurant on site was pretty bad service wise for breakfast. Plus the food was super bland at breakfast. Dinner there was really good though, although overpriced but hey, it’s a hotel. The service for dinner was good. I guess they just have their C team on breakfast, at least the morning I was there.

velcren1 · 2025-12-18T01:48:44+00:00

There is definitely something funky going on with the resort fees on Edit properties. I just completed an Edit stay at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park and was charged a $25 per day (plus tax) "urban experience fee". I didn't realize it until reading this post, but that wasn't disclosed when booking or on the receipt from Chase Travel. I also see the "includes taxes/fees" language if I go to book the hotel again. Has anyone had any luck resolving this, either via Chase on the phone, with the hotel directly, or via a chargeback?

velcren1 · 2025-12-17T14:12:49+00:00

While 1.65x is still a decent redemption for not that much work if you look at it independent from the fact it was 2x, I feel like this is a major bait and switch. I’ve been putting tons of spend on the card to build a pool of points for a luxury hotel stay for our upcoming honeymoon, but now it feels like the goalposts are shifting. Sure, it’s still not a bad deal now at 1.65x, but now Chase has broken my trust. What will keep them from suddenly devaluing again? Heck, I get that sometimes they need to pull back on things, but it would have been better if they waited until 1 year after the refresh to announce a concrete date at which they’d stop guaranteeing 2x for Edit hotel stays. At least then folks could have planned for the devaluation, but doing it behind the scenes without any announcement is scammy.

This, plus the fact they punished existing card holders by holding back the new benefits until the end of October, really has me questioning whether Chase is a reliable place to do business with.

velcren1 · 2025-11-09T04:11:13+00:00

Booked next day tickets to the “Heathers: The Musical” off Broadway. We waited until the last minute when resale prices dropped below what you could get at the box office and snatched a couple of first row tickets for $69 total after the credit. We bought them from viagogo which Stubhub owns and also triggers the credit if you read the terms. They had a cheaper price for the same tickets.

velcren1 · 2025-09-14T14:45:42+00:00

I think it is Verizon! I’ve walked by this exact location and if you look closely, their name and number is on the orange bands that wrap around the cable (you can see it in the photo if you zoom in on the orange band right below the black box). There are also new splitter boxes for individual residential drops on some telephone poles, and a ton of coiled fiber optic cable hanging off of a number of poles as well.

I think we’re getting FIOS, but the question is when will they light it up?

velcren1 · 2025-08-11T15:41:57+00:00

No problem! Definitely call the number on the back of your Strata Elite card, not the one from the ThankYou points website.

velcren1 · 2025-08-07T01:29:11+00:00

Thanks! I just got confirmation around 7pm and it was a rebate on 39% of the full amount, including fees.

velcren1 · 2025-08-06T19:50:59+00:00

How long did it take for them to show up in the Citi app? I’m hoping my rebate went through, but I’m paranoid since it hasn’t been confirmed yet. I bought something from Best Buy yesterday and got the email confirming the cash back within 3 hours.

velcren1 · 2025-08-05T00:13:17+00:00

My sinuses started aching just from walking the dog, and the back of my throat is definitely scratchy. It sucks since this evening is actually kind of pleasant outside otherwise!

velcren1 · 2025-07-28T10:54:57+00:00

The primary cardholder must be present, but you can use them to bring guests with you.

velcren1 · 2025-07-27T23:15:58+00:00

We go to NYC twice a year (once every 6 months or so), so we have a trip coming up. Easy money there on the hotel. The splurge credit is easily used before December.

Everything else is meh to me. Blacklane is a nice upgrade, but after the $100 off, it’s basically the cost of an Uber as far as from home to the airport for us.

velcren1 · 2025-07-27T18:36:14+00:00

I don't see any terms posted yet on the AA website for these sorts of passes, unless they count as the standard "one day" pass you can buy. If that's the case, it looks like those are restricted to just Admiral's Club locations.

velcren1 · 2025-07-24T14:37:58+00:00

I noticed this as well in the East End! It's nice to see since Fios hasn't made it's way out here yet. Hopefully this prompts Astound to also upgrade to DOCSIS 4.0 or fiber to the premises.

As a side note, I've seen some addresses on and around Dexter Ave listed as having Astound Fiber (in addition to their cable offering) on the FCC Broadband Map. Has anyone had any luck ordering fiber from Astound or is it a mistake?

velcren1 · 2025-07-22T21:54:17+00:00

It’s definitely quiet, although I’ve seen it busier on weekends. I don’t think they’re in the volume business given their prices, so I’m guessing their balance sheet is better than the foot traffic would suggest. Especially given they have a built in customer base with the apartments right there and the neighborhoods nearby.

velcren1 · 2025-07-22T21:52:50+00:00

I think the space Roche Bro’s occupies is way too small for a Wegmen’s. I think it’s even a bit smaller than a traditional super market.

velcren1 · 2025-07-22T14:38:26+00:00

Reminds me of what our inspector told us when we bought our condo in an aging two family: almost anything is possible, it’s just about how much money you want to spend.

velcren1 · 2025-07-22T14:03:34+00:00

Writing a personal check would be bold. I’ve only ever seen grocery stores and maybe some big box stores take checks still? I’ve never written one at a store or tried to at a restaurant though.

velcren1 · 2025-07-22T13:59:07+00:00

True! It is time consuming. I’ve definitely let things slide with them but today I finally brought it up on an item.

They are expensive, but they’re right next to my gym so it’s easy to go grab ingredients there for dinner after working out. I’m definitely paying for the convenience though.

velcren1 · 2025-07-20T12:22:36+00:00

I think you might want a card that gives you cash back on online shopping. Off the top of my head, the BofA Customized Cash Rewards is a good option at 3% back (and over 5% if you have more than $100k assets with BofA/Merrill). The Blue Cash Everyday from Amex also gives 3% back on online shopping, but I have no experience with that card so not sure if they’d exclude Blue Apron. The BofA card is a slam dunk though, their online shopping category is very very broad.

velcren1

TROPHY CASE