Simple Living

Oh man!  It took me over a week and I purchased 3 controllers before I finally figured out what is the problem.  So the problem is not really the controllers (especially if they are brand new), the problem is usually the USB cable. Online there are several ways to attempt to resolve and troubleshoot this crazy problem.  So I'll run through those first before I explain how to set it up without a USB cable. This will work with almost any PS4 controller both the original and 'pro' version; those have a light bar on the top edge of the touch pad. Easiest - connect to a USB cable and click the PS Home Button while the PS4 is turned off.  If the PS4 turns on, then cheer, yeah! Reset Controller - find the small hole on the bottom of the controller near the L2 button.  Press it with a paper clip to reset the controller.  Then try Method 1. Power Off PS4 - turn off the PS4 (press and hold the power button until it beeps a second time).  Unplug the power cord and wait 1-2 minutes t

Finally did it and upgraded to the iPhone 11.  Got a special deal and a discounted phone, but had to switch over to T-Mobile.  Overall, I'm impressed and happy as I was also having signal problems with my previous carrier Verizon (it wouldn't work that well in Vegas) and also in several parts of my home town. It's almost like night-and-day moving from the now relatively small iPhone 6s to the much larger 11 in both screen size (6.1" vs. 4.7") and overall heft (7 oz vs. 5 oz).  It's about as heavy as a half-pound rock so quite substantial. Transfer -- Quite Effortless Apple gets kudos for a near seamless transfer process.  The only hitch were a few apps required me having to re-enter my login credentials.  The only HARD part of the process was moving some accounts that require Google Authenticator, but I was expecting that and it makes sense they don't make it easy to move MFA (multi-factor authentication). Battery Life // iPhone 11 wins Hands down next to

I'm happy I invested in a USB charging station.  It's quite worth it and cost me about $30 for the Hometall charging station from Amazon.  You don't realize how convenient it is to have a single location with all just the right length of cable needed to charge almost any device.  With over a half dozen devices and an Apple Watch, the Hometall 5-port USB charging station is perfect for me. How to Calculate Watts (Volts x Amps) I'm not 100% sure but I don't think the Hometall supports Qualcomm QC Quick Charge 3.0 as that requires an output of at least 18 watts.  To calculate wattage you take the number of volts multiplied by the amount of amperage.  The label on the bottom of the charging station indicates an output of 5 volts and 2.4 amps so that would equate to 12 watts (5 x 2.4 = 12).  There is another indication of a max of 50 watts, but I think that indicates how much power can be used to charge multiple devices simultaneously, so my hunch it'll

My venerable Apple iPhone 6s has served me faithfully and continues to do so as my daily driver.  It's become even more useful during Covid with its perfectly functional TouchID. Granted the design is a bit dated with most modern phones focusing on full screen displays with either a notch or a punch hole camera, there is something elegant about the simple design circa 2014-2015 for the Note 4 and iPhone 6s. Both phones have stood up well, but the iPhone 6s has proven more durable and continues to work fine and is even capable of running the current Apple iOS 14. Display Samsung wins.  Pretty much always.  They are that impressive, Apple subcontracts out to them for most of the iPhone screens; although in more recent years they are trying to outsource to LG and other competitors. iPhone generally disappoints in this category and while their screens are decent, they cannot compare to the resolution capabilities of many Samsung phones. Processor The iPhone's are legends in this ca

I love my iPhone 6s, but its 4.7 inch LCD screen is not suitable for enjoying a streaming movie or video.  Separately, my iPad's are too big so I needed something in between and settled on both a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and an Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet. Overall, I love the HD 8 for the screen size, but the Note 4 is just a gem with its beautiful screen and faster processor and specs.  It's amazing how the Note 4 first issued in 2014 is still faster than many modern devices; excluding flagship ones. When evaluating for a device primarily to be used for watching videos you really only need to focus on five (5) things: Display Processor Battery Life Memory/Storage Headphone Jack Display Note 4 5.7" screen OLED 1440 x 2560 resolution (1440p)   Fire HD 8 (8th Generation) 8.0" screen IPS LCD 800 x 1280 resolution (720p) Hands down the Note 4 beats most devices on screen quality and considering it was released in 2014 and still beats many modern devices utilizing LCD.  However,

Went out for the weekend and dined at a restaurant, haven't done that in months...maybe half a year?  Maybe longer?  I lost track really.  The meal was good. Been wearing the Victorinox INOX on most days and after a while if you stop paying attention to what you are wearing on your wrist, you start to appreciate whatever wristwatch you may have simply based on its qualities. Convenience of Quartz For me the convenience of quartz is proving irresistible and I was going upmarket and acquiring possibly a quartz Tag Heuer Aquaracer or Formula 1, but after some consideration I ruled both out as unnecessary.  The Formula 1 with their strange plastic/rubber attachments on the sides of the case (especially the older WAC prefixed models or the gaudy lettering on the newer WAZ series are unappealing), however, I have a weakness for the beautiful multi-color Tag Heuer logo on the Formula 1 compared to the monochrome version on the Aquaracer.  For all intent and purpose, I'd consider a pre

Of all the watches in my collection, I've worn the least has been my Swatch from 2015.  I've always wanted to own a Swatch and on a whim purchased the Faux Fox model 5 years ago.  It sat barely used in my collection for years and then after a battery change, I find myself wearing it again. There is something in its simplicity that makes it so appealing.

I've owned the Zenith for almost 5 years and this is the first time I ever tried it on a black leather strap and was impressed at how perfect it looked.  For years, I've worn it on either NATO or brown leather straps and felt way too casual. With the black leather strap and black dial, it really helps the stainless steel case contrast nicely and give it a more formal profile. While I suffered buyers remorse back in 2015 as the purchase price was the same as a Hamilton Khaki, Seiko SARB or even a vintage King Seiko, I've come to accept the Zenith as a fun little watch and would likely feel an equal amount of remorse if I ever parted with it and sought it back again.

 I'm planning to sell my Lexus after 3 years of ownership sometime in 2021.  While I loved the car and enjoyed it, I want to get something simpler like a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.  What surprised me are other people selling cars similar in age and mileage are asking for prices near my original purchase price. I'm in no rush as the car is great and may start offering it for sale in the Summer of 2021, but not sell it until near the end of the year.  I should then be able to find a used Corolla or Civic for 1/2 the price of the IS250. Another option is possibly a 1st or 2nd generation Toyota Highlander.  I've always liked that boxy style of SUV and a decent example of a V6 model would be cool. Update - 5/30/21 I’m going to keep my car for a while longer.  Prices are spiking and I’m not sure if this means inflation is going to start causing prices to skyrocket?   Update - 12/26/21 Party's Over.  The used car prices are dropping.  Missed my chance and g

I love my Rolex Explorer 114270.  Out of all my watches, all of my material possessions, the Rolex stands out as my most prized.  There is just something about the Explorer in its austere simplicity that makes it stand out as one of the best examples of an automatic watch. Someday, I'll probably simplify to just the Rolex as my main watch, along with a few quartz and G-Shocks for everything else.  The Explorer is very much likely my candidate for... if I could only own one watch...it would be this Rolex.  

There are many models of G-Shocks and there are even many more color and design combinations for each and every model.  There are probably a 1,000 different variations in design for just the humble 5600 series. The 5600 for me carries the heritage of the first G-Shock the 5000 and continue it on to current times.  It's lightweight, unobtrusive and packed with all the basic features that you would want in a G-Shock.  While I would prefer the light button to be in front like a 6900 or 9000 series, I've grown to accept the button placement on the 5600. Something about the square face and shape just gets me and I guess reminds me of my Apple Watch.  I've traveled the world with the 5600 and have found it more than adequate for my needs.  You can usually pick them up for a bargain of about $50-80 depending where you look. Specs 12/24 Time World Time Tide Graph Moonphase 200 Meter water resistance Stopwatch Countdown Timer Alarm CR2025 battery (lasts 7 years...my

As I own or have owned both watches, I wanted to take some time to compare and contrast between the two.  The INOX fills a niche for a mid-tier rugged non-diver quartz watches (~$200) and would be more comparable to the Casio Promaster Tough or numerous Seiko watches, but near the bottom the pricing category is the humble, yet respectable ~$50 Casio Duro MDV-106. Specs Casio MDV-106 200 meter water resistance 44 mm case width 22 mm band width Quartz Movement (Casio 2784 / Miyota 2115) INOX 200 meter water resistance 43mm case width 21 mm band width Quartz Movement (Ronda 715) INOX vs Duro Both are approximately the same size at around 43mm case size, with the Duro coming in at shorter 12mm case height and slightly wider 22mm band width.  They enjoy screw-down crowns and 200 meter water resistance.  The Duro also has a rotating diver bezel so while it wouldn't make sense to compare a diver vs non-diver, I felt the Duro's price point justifies having it cha

Had to try and it took the INOX for a swim.  It worked as expected and I'm quite pleased as I wanted a good steel quartz watch that would be safe around the pool and beach.  It's a bit more my style than a G-Shock.

Almost like clockwork, I purchase a new watch every year around this time.  And with last year's procurement of the Armani AR585, I have developed a liking for watches in the 43 mm range and decided to get the Victorinox INOX Watch in OD olive green. I've actually been wanting the INOX for several years, but shied away from it as I thought 43 mm was too big and at the time sold my Armani AR 585, but how time makes one change your mind and now I see a place for larger watches to complement my existing watches in the 38 and 41 mm size brackets.  It also has 200 meter water resistance with screw down crown, so something I've always wanted for a watch besides a G-Shock to go swimming with. I also like the hexagonal bezel design.  It has some resemblance to a AP Royal Oak or PP Nautilus, but differs quite a bit where you wouldn't consider the INOX a cheap knock off, nor a homage design. It's certainly a bit bold and blunt in size and design, but less so than