My predictions are again this year based loosely on the competing teams' head-to-head records and factoring home field advantage. I still do not have a future as a sports journalist. And am very sad that my Chicago Cubs are not in the bracket at the start of October for the first time since 2014. But just for fun:
American League Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics
Prediction: Oakland Athletics
National League Wild Card: Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals
Prediction: Washington Nationals
American League Division Series: Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros
Predictions: New York Yankees in 5, Houston Astros in 3
National League Division Series: Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers, St Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
Predictions: Los Angeles Dodgers in 5, Atlanta Braves in 5
American League Championship Series: New York Yankees at Houston Astros
Prediction: Houston Astros in 4
National League Championship Series: Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers in 4
World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros
Prediction: Houston Astros in 7
Monday, September 30, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Review: Brightline, Miami to Fort Lauderdale (Return)
Earlier this week I needed to be in Fort Lauderdale to attend a workshop for my job. The start time was 9am, meaning I would need to fight rush hour traffic to get there. I thought about taking an Uber so at least I would not be the one doing the driving, but sampling fares at a similar time a few days before showed it was going to be quite expensive.
Then I realized that the workshop was just a half mile from Fort Lauderdale's Brightline station, and with the Miami station being just a 20-minute walk from my apartment, I decided to look at Brightline's prices.
I found a promo code, and within no time had booked a round-trip ticket for just $20.25 (in full disclosure, my employer will be reimbursing this expense, but even so it was less than reimbursing my mileage at the current IRS rate). The purchase process was simple, as was the post-purchase account creation and syncing my ticket to my account.
Most unfortunately, there were some issues the morning of my day to be in Fort Lauderdale. Brightline's reservation system was malfunctioning, meaning I could not retrieve my ticket via the app, the website, or the in-station self-service kiosk. It was only when I approached the agent at the turnstiles that I learned it was system-wide and not just me. She found my name on a passenger manifest and I was admitted to the passenger-only area. Security screening consisted of putting my backpack through a conveyor belt scanner and then I was free to relax in the departure lounge.
I had plenty of time to explore the lounge as my train was delayed some twenty minutes. In Miami, the turnstiles and lounge are on the second floor of Miami Central. Within the passenger area is a cafe, with pastries, packages snacks, and assorted hot and cold beverages, as well as gift items, available for purchase. There is assorted seating, with plentiful power and USB outlets, overlooking the street below. To the rear of the passenger area is the Select Lounge, for passengers on the first class fare, where they have complimentary beverages and snacks along with similar seating. Wi-Fi was free and useful throughout.
Boarding was announced, late as expected, and passengers rode escalators (elevators also available) up one level to the platform. I found my coach and my seat, which I realized was an accessible seat, and found it odd that I had been assigned to such a seat by the reservation system.
When the train began rolling a few minutes later, realizing the coach was not even half full, I moved to another seat. Seats were in a 2-2 configuration, with some facing another pair across a table, and others with a tray table available in the seat back ahead. I found a window seat of the latter kind and still had an empty seat next to me. Power and USB outlets were available for each seat.
A few minutes after departure, an attendant came down the aisle with a beverage cart. I declined as I had brought my own snack, and opened my laptop on the tray table and did some work during the 30-minute ride to Fort Lauderdale.
Arrival was announced a few minutes beforehand, giving me ample time to unplug and store my laptop and walk to the vestibule to be ready to disembark. I had a moment of trouble navigating my way to the exit (despite Fort Lauderdale being a smaller station than Miami Central), but a station agent kindly pointed me the right direction.
After the workshop, I had an hour before my return train (unfortunately I had missed my chance to change to an earlier train by just minutes), so after clearing security, I found a high-top counter and chair in the lounge and caught up on emails and phone messages. I checked the train status a couple times as well as the seat map. Noticing I had again been assigned an accessible seat, I reseated myself to a mid-car window seat.
Boarding was similarly announced and I once again found myself in a half-empty cabin. I mostly enjoyed the view on the return journey, including a nice view of the ramp at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's Terminal 1.
All in all, a comfortable and convenient way to get between Miami and Fort Lauderdale (and there is one additional stop further north in West Palm Beach, with plans to extend to Orlando).
Then I realized that the workshop was just a half mile from Fort Lauderdale's Brightline station, and with the Miami station being just a 20-minute walk from my apartment, I decided to look at Brightline's prices.
I found a promo code, and within no time had booked a round-trip ticket for just $20.25 (in full disclosure, my employer will be reimbursing this expense, but even so it was less than reimbursing my mileage at the current IRS rate). The purchase process was simple, as was the post-purchase account creation and syncing my ticket to my account.
Most unfortunately, there were some issues the morning of my day to be in Fort Lauderdale. Brightline's reservation system was malfunctioning, meaning I could not retrieve my ticket via the app, the website, or the in-station self-service kiosk. It was only when I approached the agent at the turnstiles that I learned it was system-wide and not just me. She found my name on a passenger manifest and I was admitted to the passenger-only area. Security screening consisted of putting my backpack through a conveyor belt scanner and then I was free to relax in the departure lounge.
I had plenty of time to explore the lounge as my train was delayed some twenty minutes. In Miami, the turnstiles and lounge are on the second floor of Miami Central. Within the passenger area is a cafe, with pastries, packages snacks, and assorted hot and cold beverages, as well as gift items, available for purchase. There is assorted seating, with plentiful power and USB outlets, overlooking the street below. To the rear of the passenger area is the Select Lounge, for passengers on the first class fare, where they have complimentary beverages and snacks along with similar seating. Wi-Fi was free and useful throughout.
Boarding was announced, late as expected, and passengers rode escalators (elevators also available) up one level to the platform. I found my coach and my seat, which I realized was an accessible seat, and found it odd that I had been assigned to such a seat by the reservation system.
When the train began rolling a few minutes later, realizing the coach was not even half full, I moved to another seat. Seats were in a 2-2 configuration, with some facing another pair across a table, and others with a tray table available in the seat back ahead. I found a window seat of the latter kind and still had an empty seat next to me. Power and USB outlets were available for each seat.
A few minutes after departure, an attendant came down the aisle with a beverage cart. I declined as I had brought my own snack, and opened my laptop on the tray table and did some work during the 30-minute ride to Fort Lauderdale.
Arrival was announced a few minutes beforehand, giving me ample time to unplug and store my laptop and walk to the vestibule to be ready to disembark. I had a moment of trouble navigating my way to the exit (despite Fort Lauderdale being a smaller station than Miami Central), but a station agent kindly pointed me the right direction.
After the workshop, I had an hour before my return train (unfortunately I had missed my chance to change to an earlier train by just minutes), so after clearing security, I found a high-top counter and chair in the lounge and caught up on emails and phone messages. I checked the train status a couple times as well as the seat map. Noticing I had again been assigned an accessible seat, I reseated myself to a mid-car window seat.
Boarding was similarly announced and I once again found myself in a half-empty cabin. I mostly enjoyed the view on the return journey, including a nice view of the ramp at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's Terminal 1.
All in all, a comfortable and convenient way to get between Miami and Fort Lauderdale (and there is one additional stop further north in West Palm Beach, with plans to extend to Orlando).
Friday, June 28, 2019
Five Months In: Reflections on Miami (and Chicago!)
It has been a busy four months since my last entry in this series, but as I have a quiet Friday evening ahead of me, it seemed a good time to continue these reflections.
Miami feels like home to me in many ways. I have found my favorite coffee shop, the original Wynwood location of Panther Coffee (recommended by a colleague). I have joined First Miami Presbyterian Church and just started to find ways to contribute my skills in music and business administration to the church. I know my way around many of the neighborhoods and suburbs -- Brickell, Coral Gables, downtown, Little Havana, Miami Beach, Wynwood -- without the aid of Google Maps but with the aid of the great free trolley system. I have enjoyed a few different events at the Arsht Center and the University of Miami Frost School of Music. All told, I have settled well.
My work at Seraphic Fire has also been an enriching experience these first five months. Our last program of the 2018-2019 season, May's Peace in Music curated and conducted by our Associate Conductor James K. Bass, was one of the most beautiful choral performances I have ever witnessed. This month of June has been focused on closing the books on our fiscal year that ended May 31 and preparing for our audit next month. This will be the first time I have been professionally involved in an audit and I am learning a lot in this process, and likewise with many other projects and assignments that are providing professional growth opportunities.
In the last five months I have interacted with many of our dedicated board members and donors, as well as develop strong and mutually supportive working relationships with my colleagues (I know many people have personally difficult work environments so I am truly grateful for the blessing of having supportive and enriching work environments both previously and currently). It has also been a special and meaningful experience to get to know the Seraphic Fire artists, and feel nothing but mutual appreciation for our presence in the organization.
On the side, I have found ways to begin contributing my professional skills in service of my new community. In May and June I had the opportunity to serve as a grant panelist with the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. In reviewing the applications I learned a lot about some of the other arts organizations in the area and the panel discussion itself, my first experience of that kind, was personally satisfying.
All in all, this transition has gone well, praise God!
Even amidst all the successes of my work and life in Miami, I have not forgotten my original home in Chicago. I have been back twice now, briefly for Easter and for a longer stretch around Memorial Day, and both visits were refreshing. Needless to say I am grateful to live in a time with the communication and transportation technologies that make it easy to stay connected with my family and friends and former colleagues as well as with the Chicago area organizations that are important to me. And I will be there again next week for the Fourth of July! Hoping for a clear day in the Midwest so I can catch one of those beautiful views of the skyline on final approach, like I did on my arrival in May. I love being able to say that "I am from Chicago!"
Miami feels like home to me in many ways. I have found my favorite coffee shop, the original Wynwood location of Panther Coffee (recommended by a colleague). I have joined First Miami Presbyterian Church and just started to find ways to contribute my skills in music and business administration to the church. I know my way around many of the neighborhoods and suburbs -- Brickell, Coral Gables, downtown, Little Havana, Miami Beach, Wynwood -- without the aid of Google Maps but with the aid of the great free trolley system. I have enjoyed a few different events at the Arsht Center and the University of Miami Frost School of Music. All told, I have settled well.
My work at Seraphic Fire has also been an enriching experience these first five months. Our last program of the 2018-2019 season, May's Peace in Music curated and conducted by our Associate Conductor James K. Bass, was one of the most beautiful choral performances I have ever witnessed. This month of June has been focused on closing the books on our fiscal year that ended May 31 and preparing for our audit next month. This will be the first time I have been professionally involved in an audit and I am learning a lot in this process, and likewise with many other projects and assignments that are providing professional growth opportunities.
In the last five months I have interacted with many of our dedicated board members and donors, as well as develop strong and mutually supportive working relationships with my colleagues (I know many people have personally difficult work environments so I am truly grateful for the blessing of having supportive and enriching work environments both previously and currently). It has also been a special and meaningful experience to get to know the Seraphic Fire artists, and feel nothing but mutual appreciation for our presence in the organization.
On the side, I have found ways to begin contributing my professional skills in service of my new community. In May and June I had the opportunity to serve as a grant panelist with the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. In reviewing the applications I learned a lot about some of the other arts organizations in the area and the panel discussion itself, my first experience of that kind, was personally satisfying.
All in all, this transition has gone well, praise God!
Even amidst all the successes of my work and life in Miami, I have not forgotten my original home in Chicago. I have been back twice now, briefly for Easter and for a longer stretch around Memorial Day, and both visits were refreshing. Needless to say I am grateful to live in a time with the communication and transportation technologies that make it easy to stay connected with my family and friends and former colleagues as well as with the Chicago area organizations that are important to me. And I will be there again next week for the Fourth of July! Hoping for a clear day in the Midwest so I can catch one of those beautiful views of the skyline on final approach, like I did on my arrival in May. I love being able to say that "I am from Chicago!"
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Points, Miles, and Loyalty Programs: Starbucks Rewards
This is the first installment in what I hope will be on occasional series on various consumer loyalty and rewards programs. I follow a number of blogs on these topics and while I certainly do not anticipate competing with the folks who cover these programs full time, I hope to offer my own narratives as part of the conversation on these valuable consumer tools.
My Starbucks Gold Card (which I never physically use) indicates that I have been a Gold member since 2010 (my senior year of college). For most of the time since, I basically only went to Starbucks when it was a convenient place for a meeting with a friend or colleague or when, during my teaching years, I was gifted a Starbucks gift card and stopped on my way to or from somewhere else. But in the last year or so I have added some strategic additional visits.
In April 2016, Starbucks modified their loyalty program earning structure: every $1 in spend (not including sales tax) earns 2 stars. Upon reaching 125 stars, one earns a reward, which one can redeem for any menu item. (The redemption structure is changing later this month to group menu items into tiers with each tier requiring redemption of a different number of stars to redeem an item from it.) Around the same time, Starbucks began more frequent special star-earning promotions, everything from the basic monthly double star day, to bonus stars on particular menu items at particular times, to bonus stars for making multiple purchases in a given timeframe. I probably get an email from Starbucks with a special star-earning promotion once a week. I used to ignore them. No longer.
My argument is that one should always aim to earn more than 2 stars per $1 to get maximum value from the program. I probably take advantage of one out of every three special promotions. For context, my usual purchases are hardly ever basic coffee, either, except when in warm months I get an iced coffee. I go more for the food items and occasional fancy drink, both when paying cash and when redeeming rewards.
For example, two weeks ago there was a "Star Dash" promotion: visit two days in a row within the promotional period and earn 25 bonus stars, visit three days in a row and earn 50 total bonus stars, or visit four days in a row and earn 125 total bonus stars. 125, of course, is (for now) enough for any menu item, including the $8 protein boxes that make for a decent meal (especially on a day when I have concert duty and not time for a more robust dinner). A visit could be to purchase anything, from a tall coffee to a simple bakery item to a KIND bar (that I typically toss in my bag and forget about until I am digging at the bottom of my bag for something else two weeks later and rediscover it...). I spent a grand total of $9.95 over the four visits I made in the allotted timeframe, and now I will be able to grab one of those chicken wrap boxes, retailing for $7.95, when I have concert duty next Friday. That's an 80% return. Plus I have the base stars earned on the spend toward my next reward.
The math on the redemption side will change a bit when the new reward tiers come online next week, but my earning strategy should still be effective. Will be interesting to see what new special promotions are offered.
My Starbucks Gold Card (which I never physically use) indicates that I have been a Gold member since 2010 (my senior year of college). For most of the time since, I basically only went to Starbucks when it was a convenient place for a meeting with a friend or colleague or when, during my teaching years, I was gifted a Starbucks gift card and stopped on my way to or from somewhere else. But in the last year or so I have added some strategic additional visits.
In April 2016, Starbucks modified their loyalty program earning structure: every $1 in spend (not including sales tax) earns 2 stars. Upon reaching 125 stars, one earns a reward, which one can redeem for any menu item. (The redemption structure is changing later this month to group menu items into tiers with each tier requiring redemption of a different number of stars to redeem an item from it.) Around the same time, Starbucks began more frequent special star-earning promotions, everything from the basic monthly double star day, to bonus stars on particular menu items at particular times, to bonus stars for making multiple purchases in a given timeframe. I probably get an email from Starbucks with a special star-earning promotion once a week. I used to ignore them. No longer.
My argument is that one should always aim to earn more than 2 stars per $1 to get maximum value from the program. I probably take advantage of one out of every three special promotions. For context, my usual purchases are hardly ever basic coffee, either, except when in warm months I get an iced coffee. I go more for the food items and occasional fancy drink, both when paying cash and when redeeming rewards.
For example, two weeks ago there was a "Star Dash" promotion: visit two days in a row within the promotional period and earn 25 bonus stars, visit three days in a row and earn 50 total bonus stars, or visit four days in a row and earn 125 total bonus stars. 125, of course, is (for now) enough for any menu item, including the $8 protein boxes that make for a decent meal (especially on a day when I have concert duty and not time for a more robust dinner). A visit could be to purchase anything, from a tall coffee to a simple bakery item to a KIND bar (that I typically toss in my bag and forget about until I am digging at the bottom of my bag for something else two weeks later and rediscover it...). I spent a grand total of $9.95 over the four visits I made in the allotted timeframe, and now I will be able to grab one of those chicken wrap boxes, retailing for $7.95, when I have concert duty next Friday. That's an 80% return. Plus I have the base stars earned on the spend toward my next reward.
The math on the redemption side will change a bit when the new reward tiers come online next week, but my earning strategy should still be effective. Will be interesting to see what new special promotions are offered.
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