Simple Living

I've tried several character types and for now settled on the Odachi/Katana Sword with Power Stat focus.  Learning as I go along and experimenting with this build.  Was able to make it to the Izumo Rest Area after about a week of casual playing. Odachi for Group fights The Odachi is the long sword and while slower than a Katana has more attack power and a wider attack range.  It's good for medium size mobs. Katana for surgical fights The Katana is proving better for fast boss strikes or single enemy duels.  You can unload several skills in rapid succession with the shorter and faster Katana. Goal is Affinity = more damage to enemies I'm focusing all my stat points towards Power.  This raises sword and Odachi affinity which boosts attack rating.  The max is 3,000 (including any +% affinity items like magatama's). Weapons Using the basic gold weapons I've found along the way.  Nothing fancy and most are just +10 to +50 enhancement.

Casio has a fantastic bargain with the model MDV-106.  It is an actual diver style, water resistant for 200 meters.  This is not a regular diver style watch, this one could actually go for a swim thanks to its screw down crown.  Which makes it a good deal as many sell for about $33 - 40. Features Unidrectional bezel marked for 60 minutes. Basic lume on hour indices and hands Date Display Quartz Movement (Casio 2784 / Miyota 2115) 200 Meter Water Resistance 44 mm case size 22 mm band width Size This watch is comparable to the Seiko SKX007 in size.  Both are 22 mm lugs and roughly the same dial and bezel width along with wrist height.  However a Seiko SKX007 is a real dive watch, this is still diver style.  For some this watch might wear a bit large, but for others it's sufficient.  For me, I prefer 20 mm lugs and a smaller face of 41.5 mm max, this one is closer to 44m w/ crown. Other Options This is a bargain basement choice, but hits well  abov

It's been over two years since I bought the Audio Technica EQ500 headphones in Tokyo.  They still sound good and look reasonably well after two years of ownership.  I've only used these casually maybe once every two weeks and at most maybe 50-60 hours a year of listening time.  But one problem has emerged and you have to play with the 1/8" audio jack as the sound cuts out from one side.  It takes a few quick twists and usually it sounds fine.  They have become my backup pair as I usually carry larger over ear headphones like the Audio Technica WM77's.  Next time I'm in Japan I may try upgrade to the EQ600's or EQ700's that include a retractable cable.  I'll need to research those newer models, but it'll be at least a year before I can fly over to Japan again.

I was curious and tried the Zenith on a NATO strap.  Watch has  19 mm lug width, but a 20 mm NATO fits snugly.  Makes the watch more useful as the weather has been hot lately and ruining the leather band.  Also, in this instance it raises the watch a bit off my wrist and makes winding much easier. Thoughts on Vintage This watch is 60 years old.  It still works great and not many things man made can claim such a feat.  Who knows where this watch has been, where its traveled and the things it's 'seen'.  Kinda cool if you think about it, it'll continue another adventure with me.  Where shall we go?  Fun with NATO On the baby blue NATO...

I bought an Eton Microlink FR160 Handcrank Radio for my Emergency Kit a few years ago and it's great, except for one thing....over time a sticky residue coats the radio's external surface.  It was driving me nuts and I thought something was wrong. Fortunately, rather than dump it I researched online and learned Eton Radios are coated with a substance to make them easier to grip, but over time it degrades and becomes a sticky mess.  Some isopropyl alcohol and cotton balls can clean most of the gunk.  Some paint maybe lost in the process, but the radio at least is not sticky anymore.

I'm really digging the Seiko SSB003 on NATO strap.  It's very light and comfortable to wear and lends itself a sense of 'appropriateness' in a casual setting like a beach resort.  I have several variations of 20mm NATO straps, but this dark navy blue and red stripe combo seems the most appealing. I'm hankering again for possibly another Seiko Quartz chronograph...possibly the SNDF87, that has a similar color scheme as the Tudor Heritage Chrono...for a fraction of the cost.  Other option is a Seiko SSB031 or variant that uses the same movement, but has lume on the hands and hour markers making it more useful for evening wear.  We'll see...for now the SSB003 is proving fun.