Simple Living

Epic Road Trip: Los Angeles to Dallas Overview I recently embarked on a thrilling 3-day, 2-night road trip from Los Angeles, California, to Dallas, Texas , covering approximately 1,500 miles . The route choice was a mix between I-10/20 and I-40; ultimately, I went with I-10 to Phoenix , then cut over to I-40 through Albuquerque. Important Reminder: Always check the weather! I ran into storm clouds over New Mexico and Texas, resulting in some harrowing moments on the road. Day 1: Los Angeles to Phoenix (400 miles) 11 am : Hit the road heading towards Palm Springs. 1 pm : Lunch at Felipe’s (delicious tacos!) and enjoyed some sights of the dinosaur attractions. 3 pm : Quick stop at Joshua Tree for the iconic desert views. 6 pm : Arrived in Phoenix, Arizona . 6 pm : Dinner at Nogales or Lupita’s Sonoran Hot Dogs (a must-try!). Day 2: Phoenix to Amarillo (705 miles) 🌧 7 am : Breakfast to fuel up for the long day ahead. 9 am : Scenic drive through Payson, AZ —mountains and beautiful

Spring Cleaning: Selling Unused Items Overview I'm in the process of decluttering my space and making room for things I truly value. I've identified several items that I seldom use anymore, and I've listed them for sale. While selling electronics often means taking a hit on their original purchase price, it’s a step towards better financial management. Items for Sale Here’s a breakdown of what I’m letting go of and their respective prices: Victorinox INOX watch - $300 Swatch - $400 Timex - $170 Tiffany Ring - $250 Tiffany Bracelet - $200 iPad (2018) - $150 GoPro 5 - $150 Switch Lite - $125 PS4 - $175 Fire HD8 - $25 Sansa Clip - $40 Anker Speaker - $15 Financial Summary Total Cash from Sales: ~$2,000 This total represents about 60% of the original value of all these items. Reflection While it stings to see how much tech depreciates, especially selling electronics for less than half their original value, I recognize the worth of the experiences I had with them. B

Watch Experimentation: Finding the Perfect Strap Discovering New Styles It’s incredible how a simple strap change can transform the look and feel of a watch. I’ve been on a journey with my Zenith, trying out various combinations, and nothing quite felt right. Here’s what I experienced: Leather : Too dressy for everyday wear. NATO : A bit too casual. All Metal : This isn’t a sports watch vibe. The Hirsch Strap Surprise I never considered the Hirsch strap since it's designed for a 20mm lug width , while my Zenith is 19mm . To my surprise, it fits—barely! This unexpected combination has turned out to be a fantastic choice. The Result I’m really enjoying this new setup. It strikes a balance between semi-formal and semi-casual, making it ideal for daily wear. This experience has reinforced the importance of experimenting with different styles; you never know what combination might work perfectly! Update - 8/2/22: The Timex Mk 1 Mechanical Temptation The watch bug has bitten again. I ca

Watch Collection Update: 2022 Review Current Collection As of 2022, I've streamlined my watch collection down to six pieces, with plans to add a few more. Here’s what I have: Rolex Explorer 114270 Omega Seamaster 2531.80 Zenith Cal 126 Seiko SKX781 Casio G-Shock DW5600 Casio A168 Future Additions I’m excited about my upcoming acquisitions: Omega x Swatch (Mars) - November 2022 Apple Watch SE 2 (44mm) - October 2022 Timex Mk1 - August 2022 (but I ended up selling this) Daily Wear Insights My daily wear has primarily leaned towards quartz models, but I do enjoy sporting my automatic watches like the Seiko and Omega occasionally. My hunch is that one of the following will become my main daily wear: Timex Mk1 Omega x Swatch Apple Watch SE 2 This may lead to my quartz watches getting less wrist time, while the mechanical ones will see even less. Culling the Collection Again? To reach a more manageable collection of 7-8 watches, I parted with the Victorinox INOX and am considering le