Simple Living

Reflections on My Technical and Non-Technical Studies In regard to my technical domains, I've encountered quite a few 'dead ends' where I chose to quit at some point or have taken considerable time to complete my studies, often stopping and starting. This is not necessarily a bad thing; it demonstrates my ability to recognize when to pivot and change paths. Whatever insights I can glean from these studies remain valuable, even if they don’t reach the levels of depth I initially desired. Conversely, my non-technical domains are thriving. I have read numerous books over the years to keep my mind fresh and stimulated, as purely technical pursuits can become repetitive and dull. My Past Study Patterns in Technical Domains 2014 T-SQL Pro: Quit MCSA - SQL Server: Stop/Start for years 2016 MCSA - Windows Server: Quit MCSA - SQL Server: Success! 2017 MCSA - Web Apps: Quit 2018 MCSE - R: Stop/Start Art of R - Matloff Book: Completed MTA - Python: Stop/Start Python - Lutz: Completed

My Enduring iPad 2 Experience I am quite impressed that my original iPad 2, purchased seven years ago in 2011, is still going strong. I recently checked the battery health, and it is at 85% useful life, which is quite impressive. The iPad 2 is likely one of the oldest pieces of technology that has survived and continues to work as designed. While it is a bit laggy compared to my more modern laptops and iPhones, it remains fully functional. I rely on it for its size, weight, and form factor, which are unparalleled for reading PDF documents, especially with the handy bookmarking feature. Maintaining a set of old charging cables has been necessary, but the battery life allows me to use this tablet for several days between charges, so I am not overly concerned. Perhaps in 3 to 5 years, I will finally retire this device and upgrade to a new iPad or a relevant tablet. Update - August 2023: Digital Photo Frame Now in its twelfth year, I have repurposed the iPad 2 to become a digital photo fra

Study Plan for Data Science One of the biggest eye-openers in my journey has been the realization that Data Science fundamentally revolves around Statistics . There’s a well-established college major focused on statistics, and data science isn't entirely new; it’s a combination of traditional statistical methods with modern computing technologies, utilizing software like R and SAS for analysis. To truly grasp data science, it's essential not only to learn programming languages but also to understand the underlying principles. As such, I've decided to revise my study plan for 2019, shifting from a language/platform-specific focus to a more theory-based approach that emphasizes core concepts and techniques. Eventual Skillset I. Domain: Statistics DW/BI (Data Warehouse / Business Intelligence) Math II. Tools: SQL Tableau R Python I. Domain A. Statistics Statistics and Data Analysis (WMU - Statistics 160 Textbook) A solid introduction to key concepts. Basics of Statistics

Primary Collections Overview I currently have about 92 items in my primary collections. By treating them as 'collections,' I can focus on carefully selecting which items to add, replace, or keep. Value Estimation Total Items : 91 Total Value : $12,000 Ten items constitute the bulk of the valuation at about $8,000 , with the Rolex and Omega making up most of that amount. The remainder of my possessions totals around $4,000 . I used a combination of depreciated and replacement costs to determine the valuation; for instance, I found my Rolex Explorer online for about $3,700 and used that as the basis for its value. It’s surprising how much money I’ve spent over the years accumulating these items, especially since it amounts to just 91 pieces. Reflecting on this, I realize that none of these are my 'primary' expenditures. I spend significantly more on food, housing, and transportation each year. My car expenses alone—including insurance, registration/taxes, gas, mainte

Minimalist Wardrobe Journey Several years ago, I adopted a minimalist wardrobe approach, reducing my clothing collection from 175 articles to under 38 pieces . Since then, I have been fine-tuning that number and currently own 45 items as of 2018, with a plan to increase to 48 items in 2019. Transitioning to Minimalism My initial focus was on reducing the total count of clothing items. Now, I am in the process of fine-tuning my wardrobe by identifying specific colors and types of clothing. This ensures a balanced and versatile wardrobe ensemble. Core Colors I have settled on three core colors : Black, Blue, and White . These colors constitute roughly 70% of my total wardrobe. In 2019, I plan to gradually introduce more color choices, notably incorporating a Red Adidas Track Jacket into my collection. Brand Quality In my journey, I have been experimenting with various types of clothing and color choices. Once I am satisfied with a particular type or color, I seek out the best bra

Review of Beats Urbeats Earbuds I recently scored a pair of Beats Urbeats Earbuds from a friend who switched to Bluetooth-only headsets. Initially, I was skeptical since I had previously owned a pair of Series 1 Beats Studio headphones and was disappointed with their performance. However, after trying on these earbuds, I was surprised and impressed by their sound quality. Sound Quality Comparison The bass on the Beats Urbeats was toned down, which is unusual for Beats products, while the mids and treble were tuned to be a bit brighter. I had to compare them against my Klipsch R6i earbuds to see how they measured up. Environment Sound Source : iPhone 6s Volume : 50% Klipsch R6i Specs Drivers : 6.5mm Frequency Range : 10 ~ 19,000 Hz Sensitivity : 110 dB/mW Impedance : 18 Ohms Noise Isolation : -22 dB Plug : 3.5mm (Gold) Cable : Flat (Tangle Free) Microphone : Yes In-Line Control : Volume Up/Down, Start/Pause Price : $60 @ Amazon Beats Urbeats Specs Drivers : 9mm Frequency Range : 10 Hz