Simple Living

Coffee Shop Review: Merit Coffee in Deep Ellum, Dallas I finally visited Merit Coffee , located in the vibrant Deep Ellum neighborhood near downtown Dallas, and it was definitely worth the trip. This spot stands out among the many coffee shops in the DFW area for its commitment to quality. Coffee Quality Espresso Drinks: Merit is one of the few places I've found that doesn’t burn the coffee, which is a common issue in DFW. They craft excellent espresso drinks that highlight the true flavors of the coffee. Affogato: I ordered an affogato, which used ice cream instead of gelato. While it was still enjoyable, the richness and creaminess of the espresso made it a solid choice, even if Magnolia Sous Le Pont does a better job with gelato. Cappuccino: The cappuccino was also good, though I’d say it’s slightly behind the exceptional standards set by Fiction and Otto’s. Atmosphere Deep Ellum is a cool area to explore, filled with artistic flair and vibrant street art, making it a perfect

Reflections on Wine Journey: From Charles Shaw to Finer Selections I’ll admit that I’ve become a bit of a wine snob after diving into the fascinating world of wines. Initially, I thought it was all about the types of grapes and that wine was just wine. My go-to was the infamous $4 Charles Shaw red wines, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, as finding a good Pinot Noir was challenging. The Transition to Finer Wines As I began to sample finer wines in the $30-$50 range, I noticed a significant difference in quality. The Charles Shaw wines started to taste quite mediocre in comparison, prompting me to shun them for a while. I was enthralled by the complexity and nuances of better wines, which made me reassess my earlier preferences. A Full Circle Appreciation However, I’ve come full circle. While I now recognize that Charles Shaw wines may not taste as good (and probably never did), I can appreciate them for what they represent—they were my gateway into the wine world. Today, I still ke

Wine Discoveries: Trader Joe’s Gems and New Additions I’ve been diving deeper into the world of wine, and my latest finds have been quite satisfying. The online reviews don’t lie; the 2021 La Sonriente from Trader Joe’s is a gem at just $7. This pure Garnache/Grenache is a fantastic addition to my collection and is the main component of many red blends, especially my growing favorite GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) wines. I also scored the 2016 Rancho Viejo , a GSMT (with Tempranillo), which has been a delicious complement to the La Sonriente. Impressions of the New Purchases Both wines have earned their bulk-buy status at just $7 each. The Rancho Viejo was particularly delightful, providing a smooth transition from the pure Garnache of La Sonriente. I’m pleased with these selections and confident they’ll keep my wine rack vibrant. To round out my growing collection, I decided to go upmarket and picked up a 2019 Margaux Grand Cru from Chateau Giscours. My plan is to grab one nicer

Coffee Review: The Book Shoppe Experience I finally got the chance to check out The Book Shoppe , and I tried their Cappuccino and Macchiato. Overall, it’s an okay spot, but there are some notable points to mention. Espresso Quality The espresso felt a bit burnt, which is a common issue I’ve noticed in many Texas coffee shops. However, what stood out positively was their restraint with the milk sweetness. They didn’t overdo it, which is often a way to mask the burnt flavor in espresso. I appreciate that they keep it more balanced on the sweetness front. Finding a Balance I find myself adapting to the local coffee scene by adjusting my expectations. While I’d prefer a more balanced espresso, I've learned to appreciate this method of enjoying coffee given the available options. It’s all about making the best of what’s served, and I can still enjoy my drink despite the slight burnt taste. Conclusion While The Book Shoppe may not be my top choice for espresso, it’s still a pleasant pla

Air Jordan 1 Low Experience: A Step Towards Comfort I recently bought another pair of Air Jordan 1 Lows , specifically in the 'Flight Club' colorway, to see if switching from a size 9.5M to 10.5M would alleviate the foot pain I’ve been experiencing. So far, I’m happy to report that the larger size has made a significant difference. Size Matters: The Right Fit No More Foot Pain : I’m thrilled to say that with the 10.5M size, I have zero foot pain. It seems that my previous shoes were simply too small for my feet. Understanding Stretch : Air Jordan 1s do not stretch, so it's crucial to wear the size that feels comfortable from the start. I tried them on in the afternoon after a morning walk of about three miles, which meant my feet were likely swollen to their maximum size for the day. The Importance of Comfort Uncomfortable Shoes : I can't stress enough how important it is to wear comfortable shoes. My 9.5M Air Jordan 1s, along with other styles like the Court Vision

I’ve been liking the French reds now and especially the GSM’s and Côtes de Rhône’s.  I also grabbed a Cabernet to round out this month’s haul. I got 2 bottles of the Ponticifics GSM as I really liked that one, so doubled up.  I’ll try the others and if I find more labels I like and stock up on those. Moon X - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2021 - 🫤 meh Pontificis - GSM - 2020 - 👍  Laurent Dublanc - Cotes de Rhones - 2021 Vignobles de la Vallee du Collection Rhones - Cotes de Rhones - 2020 Maison Barboulot - Cabernet Syrah - 2021 - 👍    So far only dud was Moon X Cab.  Issue is the finish feels like drinking a sugary juice and hurts my teeth. The Pontificis and Maison are good and I’ll buy more. 

Visit to Houndstooth Coffee in Dallas I recently visited Houndstooth Coffee near Northpark Mall in Dallas, which was on my list. I decided to try their Cortado , and I was pleasantly surprised by its quality. Coffee Experience Cortado : They used whole milk, which complemented the espresso well. While I found the Cortado from El Paso to be better, this one still impressed me, earning an 8.5 out of 10 . Ambiance The coffee shop itself is quite beautiful, featuring both indoor and outdoor seating options. The scenic setting made for a relaxing environment to enjoy my drink. Overall, Houndstooth Coffee delivered a solid experience, and it's a place I'd recommend for coffee enthusiasts in the area.

Carson Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon - A Surprising Paso Robles Find I recently tried the Carson Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon and was pleasantly surprised, especially after my less-than-impressive experience with the more expensive Reserve version. Initially, I didn’t expect much from this more affordable bottle, but I quickly learned not to judge a wine by its label. Priced at just $10, this wine over-delivers in value, offering a quality that competes with higher-priced bottles. Exploring Paso Robles Cabernet While I usually lean toward the bold, fruit-forward Cabernets of Napa Valley, Paso Robles wines have been hit or miss for me. However, this one stands out as a hidden gem. It may not be an outstanding wine, but for the price, it holds its own and even surpasses some $20-30 bottles I've felt were money down the drain. Tasting Notes Flavor : Fruit-forward profile with prominent blackberries and dark fruit. It has a slight acidity that lends a bit of dryness, balanced by a smooth finis

Casio F-91W as a Souvenir I picked up a Casio F-91W while in Japan for 2000 Yen (about $14.50 USD ). While this watch is quite basic and the black resin version is common and often cheaper in the States, the translucent colorways are unique to the Japanese market and typically sell for double that on Amazon. Purpose of the Purchase I'm not planning to sell it; it serves as an inexpensive souvenir from my time in Japan. While I'm not sure when I'd wear it, especially since my Casio A168 is a more functional option, the price made it an easy choice. Collection Considerations I don't intend to count this watch toward my main collection. Instead, it’ll be more of a side piece. I’ve been thinking about keeping my focus on luxury Swiss watches for my actual collection, given their value and significance. This aligns with my decision regarding my old Apple Watch Series 2 . Since it's dead and now sitting in my junk drawer, I don’t count it in my collection either, but I

Planning My Future Computer Collection As I look ahead, I'm considering the types of computers I'll need, aiming to keep my collection compact and efficient. My current needs are straightforward: A Windows 11-compatible device A Linux device with a touchscreen Current State of My Collection and Plans for the Next Two Years Currently, my HP i7 6th Gen is not eligible for Windows 11, which means support for it will end by October 14, 2025. Since Windows 11 only supports processors from the 8th generation onward, I’ll need to make adjustments. My plan is as follows: Dell i5-8400H : Configure as my Windows 11 PC. HP i7 6th Gen : Continue running Windows 10 until 2025, then switch to Linux. HP i3-4010u : Use as a Linux touchscreen device until 2025, then retire it to cold storage. I’m considering whether to fully retire the HP i3-4010u, but I prefer keeping my collection streamlined, so this approach would bring me down to two main machines. Benefits of This Strategy With this setup

My Weight Loss Journey: Breaking Through the Plateau I've tried for years to lose weight, but each attempt ended in short-lived success, as I quickly lost focus. Recently, my weight hit 184 lbs, and I decided to try again, motivated by feeling and looking bloated. Despite setbacks, I'm determined to achieve my goal this time. Current Progress Starting Weight: 184 lbs Goal: 150 lbs (new target), revised from 155 lbs Plateau: I hit 165 lbs in May 2024, but I'm stuck here despite consistent effort. Summary of Goals & Plan Old Goal: 155 lbs (BMI 22.2) New Goal: 150 lbs Caloric Deficit: Aim to lose 34 lbs, or about 119,000 calories Timeframe: 15-29 weeks, focusing on 2 lbs per week Weight Loss Strategy Outline Weekly Weight and Step Goals Vacation Takeaway: 20k Steps Daily is Possible Diet Strategy: Avoid Junk Food and Eat Healthier Daily Step Goal: 10k Steps Alcohol Limitation Reward Goal: AirPods for Motivation Journey Log   1. Weekly Weight Loss Progress Summary

Reflections on My Vegas Trip I recently wrapped up a two-week vacation, finishing with a weekend in Las Vegas. Overall, my experience was underwhelming, leading me to conclude that Vegas just isn’t worth it unless you’re prepared to spend at least $500-$1,000 a day on a good hotel, food, and entertainment. Trip Summary: Total Spent : $1,200 for food, hotel, transportation, and a show Highlights : One amazing Old Fashioned at Alto Bar, a decent magic show Overall Feeling : A lot of wasted money for a mediocre experience Day 1: Arrival in Vegas Flight to LAS from LAX : Flew on ANA and experienced the cool R2D2-themed plane, but all I got was a paper cup. First Meal : Tacos at LAX were decent, especially the carne asada. Accommodation : Stayed at the Golden Nugget . The cheeseburger at the Grille surprised me; it was delicious! Evening : Took it easy with a few beers and catching up with friends. Day 2: Exploring the Strip Lunch : Had a Loco Moco at the California. Acceptable and reasona