Simple Living

Travel Diary: Japan and South Korea Trip - January 2017 I just wrapped up my first trip of 2017, spending five days in Japan and South Korea, primarily visiting family and exploring all the changes in the area. I wanted to stay longer, but I'm trying to budget my vacation hours wisely to last throughout the year. Day 1 - Narita, Japan (Tokyo) I've visited Narita Airport several times before, and it remains one of my favorites for its logical layout. Once you understand how the terminals are organized, navigating the airport becomes a breeze. However, this efficient structure seems to complicate the runways, as it often takes 15 to 25 minutes for planes to taxi to the gates. A minor annoyance is the storage lockers—they don’t count by the hour but rather follow a set time schedule. If you arrive on an evening flight, you might have to pay twice for a few hours of storage. After a simple dinner of Pork Tonkatsu, I took an airport shuttle to a nearby hotel to get some rest before ...

Audio-Technica MSR7 Review One of my main objectives during my visit to Japan was to sample some headphones, and I stumbled upon a decent selection at the airport, including models from Sony and Audio-Technica. Although I couldn't find the M70x or MDR1a, I had the opportunity to try the ATH SR5, MSR7, and the new SR9. While the SR9 sounded better than the MSR7, I felt it required an amp to really shine.  Ultimately, I focused on the MSR7, and after a 15-minute audition, I decided to purchase a pair. Although Amazon sells them for the same price, I wanted to support the airport stores so they continue stocking cool gear for future layovers. Specifications Speakers: 45mm closed-back drivers Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW Frequency Range: 5 - 40,000 Hz Max Input Power: 2,000 mW Impedance: 35 ohms Weight (without cable): 290g The MSR7 has similar specs to the ATH M50x but boasts a greater frequency range and input power capacity. The Good The MSR7 is a worthy contender and a great comple...

Update on the Con-50 Ink Converter for the Pilot Metropolitan I recently picked up the Con-50 ink converter for my Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen. While the stock CON-20 ink converter that comes with the pen works fine, I found it a nuisance to gauge how much ink was left. It was especially frustrating when it ran out of ink in the middle of a business meeting. Initial Impressions The Con-50 converter functions similarly to the Platinum ink converter, allowing me to fill the pen quickly and with minimal mess. Although it holds less ink, I appreciate that I can easily see when it’s getting low. This will help me start estimating how many days or weeks I can go between refills. Update (1/12/17) Unfortunately, my experience with the Con-50 took a turn for the worse. It cracked! I ended up with a total mess and had to disassemble and clean the pen thoroughly. I’ve reverted back to using the stock CON-20 converter for now. This marks my third frustrating experience with Amazon, where I...