Simple Living

The Search for Mr. Brown Coffee Lately, I've noticed it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find Mr. Brown Coffee . In my area, I know of only two locations that still carry it. A friend mentioned a local specialty grocer that might have some in stock, so I decided to check it out. New Flavor Discovery At this new location, they offered four flavors, but instead of my favorite Cappuccino , I discovered a new option: Caramel Latte . Curious, I bought two cans of each flavor to give them a try. Disappointing Experience Unfortunately, the Caramel Latte didn’t live up to my expectations. While I appreciate trying new flavors, it seems my heart still belongs to the classic Cappuccino . Sticking to Favorites Going forward, I’ll have to stick to the known locations that still carry Mr. Brown Coffee and make sure to stock up on my favorite flavor. For now, these new offerings aren’t half bad and serve as a nice morning treat, but they just don’t compare to my beloved Cappuccino. ...

Celebrating Five Years of Blogging It’s hard to believe that I started blogging back in January 2014 —well, technically, it was November/December 2013 , but who’s counting? Now, looking back, it’s been five years since I embarked on this journey. Time flies, and it feels like just yesterday when I first hit "publish." A Shift from Social Media One of my primary goals when I began blogging was to wean myself away from social media. I’m happy to report that this effort has been successful. Blogging allows me to share whatever I want, whenever I want, without feeling the pressure or scrutiny from friends and family who might take offense to my thoughts. While I tend to write about benign, almost mundane topics, I appreciate the freedom that comes with a bit of semi-anonymity. (Of course, we’re never truly anonymous online!) Time Well Spent By freeing myself from the constant need to check social media every few minutes, I’ve likely reclaimed 2-3 hours a day —and that’s signific...

A Love for Johnnie Walker Black Label I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying many different types of whiskies throughout the years. Growing up, I leaned toward the sweeter side with bourbons, primarily Jack Daniels . Over time, I graduated to the peat smoke of a good Scotch . However, no matter my preferences at any given moment, I always find myself returning to my all-time favorite: Johnnie Walker Black Label . The Comfort of Consistency What draws me to a dram of JW Black? I can enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or even in a mixed drink, and I always find something pleasing about it. It has just enough of a taste profile to keep me intrigued. After several years of reflection, I’ve come to understand the primary reason I enjoy JW Black so much: consistency . This realization struck me when I purchased a new bottle of Macallan 12 from a reputable store, only to find it tasted utterly appalling—worse than rotgut. To date, I’ve yet to experience such a disappointment with any Johnnie Walker, re...

Progress in Data Analytics I’ve been working my way through Kimball’s 3rd Edition of Data Warehouse , and I just completed Chapter 6 . This book is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve ever read in the Data Analytics domain. A Slow Yet Rewarding Journey I started this journey back in November 2018 , and six months later, I’ve only managed to cover a portion of the book. The material is dense and packed with valuable insights, so I appreciate the time I’ve taken to digest it thoroughly. Aiming for Improvement Moving forward, I plan to improve my pace and tackle Chapter 7 on Sunday . Completing this book is a priority for me, and I recognize the need to focus on it in my life. Here’s to making steady progress and deepening my understanding of data warehousing.

The Versatility of White Sneakers White shoes are an essential item in any wardrobe, much like blue jeans or a classic black or white T-shirt. While they do require more maintenance to keep clean, their versatility makes the effort worthwhile. Building a Classic Collection Over the years, I’ve owned several pairs of white sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, Converse, and Reebok. However, I often only kept one pair, regardless of the color. Recently, I decided to remedy that and focus on building a basic collection of classic white sneakers. Two of the most iconic models I’ve added are: Converse All Stars Adidas Superstar These shoes come in various colorways, but investing in the classic white versions is a must before exploring other colors. Both models are widely available and often go on sale or can be found at discount retailers. Great Deals on Classics I managed to snag the Converse All Stars for about $40 and the Adidas Superstar for just $20 . Both are inexpensive options...