Simple Living

Coffee Bean Study Session I found a spot available at Coffee Bean! Onward to the studies. I switched back to my M50s, which are much better for noisy coffee shops. Let's get to work!

Back to the Books I started my morning by doing laundry and then enjoyed a late lunch. Now, I'm hitting the books again! I brought along my Audio-Technica 55s for some great sound and am using my new iPad case, which is a gorgeous green color. It's so much better than my old drab black case!

Late Lunch and More Studying I'm going to grab a late lunch before heading over to a coffee shop for some more studying! I’ll be settling into a window seat with my raspberry iced tea. It’s shaping up to be an awesome weekend and an awesome day!

A Perfect Spot The place is packed, but I managed to snag a spot by the corner with a window view. It's the perfect setting to dive into my studies!

Chapter 6 - New Beginnings Everywhere was packed today. I wasted an hour driving around and eventually just went home. On my way, I picked up a raspberry iced tea to refresh myself. Now it's time for Chapter 6! To set the mood, I'm playing "World Order - Welcome to Tokyo."

Chapter 5 - Grouping & Windowing SQL Currently diving into Chapter 5, focusing on Grouping & Windowing in SQL. I'm enjoying a strawberry smoothie as I study—good stuff! There are multiple ways to group data and utilize various options, like using a Common Table Expression (CTE).

Another Weekend, More Study Alright, let's get it cracking! Another weekend means more study. I ended up at Starbucks since the other coffee shop had no parking. The lighting here is good, and the seats are comfortable, so I might just return to Starbucks in the future. I hope to push ahead and try to knock out chapters 4, 5, and 6 today. With 17 chapters total, completing these three would put me one-third of the way to completion.

Exploring New Styles with My Rolex Explorer I’ve put the Rolex Explorer I back on the Hirsch leather strap . Even though it digs into the sides a bit, I’m really enjoying the overall look and feel. After using this combo for a few weeks, it’s proven to be very comfortable. The Appeal of Leather While I love the steel bracelet for its durability and classic appeal, there’s something about leather that gives the watch a more casual and low-key vibe that I really appreciate. It’s amazing how a simple strap change can transform the entire aesthetic of a watch! New Desires And now, how funny is it that I find myself desiring a Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso ? It’s interesting to see how my tastes change over time. I’m curious to see what will capture my attention next!

Reflecting on My Study Journey Here's an older pic from when I first started studying for the MCSA certification. This was one of my last times at Starbucks, and looking back, the lighting, chairs, and tables were surprisingly comfortable compared to another coffee shop I've been frequenting recently. I might just consider returning! The "Study Shot" I like to mark these moments with a 'study shot' to capture my progress and dedication. It’s always interesting to look back and see how far I’ve come. What About You? So, what are you studying today? Whether it's a certification, a new skill, or just a personal project, I'd love to hear about it!

Late-Night Study Session I decided to put my study habits to the test and found myself studying at 3 AM . To my amazement, I wasn't alone; there were others also burning the midnight oil. Granted, most of them seemed to be students still in school, while I'm diving into this voluntarily, but it was a strange camaraderie of sorts. A Unique Experience It’s been a while since I pulled an all-nighter, and I found it weird to see the morning light breaking in as I was still engrossed in my studies. There’s something oddly invigorating about the quiet hours of the night when the world is asleep, and it feels like you’re in a different realm of focus and concentration. Reflections While I don’t plan on making this a regular occurrence, it was a refreshing change. The stillness of the early morning hours created an atmosphere that was conducive to deep thought and learning. It reminded me of the dedication that comes with pursuing knowledge, no matter the time of day. Here’s to more pr...

My First iPhone: iPhone 5 I remember my first iPhone vividly—it was the iPhone 5. I waited eagerly at the Apple Store, back when lining up on launch day (Sept 12, 2012) was still the ultimate tech fan experience. Given the demand, I was limited in my choice and ended up with the 16 GB model in white. A Simpler Time for iPhone Choices Back then, options were straightforward. There were only one or two color choices and a few storage options. Apple had just one model of iPhone, and it made the experience feel focused and special. The Step Up from Samsung Before the iPhone, I couldn’t afford Apple’s flagship device and relied on more affordable Samsung models. When I finally picked up that sleek iPhone 5 on launch day, it felt like a milestone—a sense of arrival in the Apple ecosystem. Reflecting on the iPhone 5 Looking back, while it was exciting, the iPhone 5 was a good phone but not extraordinary by today’s standards. Samsung has made impressive strides since then, becoming more consis...

Studying for the MCSA Certification The MCSA certification is proving to be much more rigorous than I initially anticipated. Currently, I'm focused on the first book, "Training Kit 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server," and it's packed with a wealth of information. It's definitely taking me some time to digest everything, and I recognize that this will not be an easy journey. Insights from the Study Even though I've written and utilized much of the code discussed in the book over the years, the in-depth exploration of SQL Server's functionalities has really humbled me. I’m beginning to see how my previous coding practices might not be up to par with best practices, which is both eye-opening and motivating. My Study Setup My typical study arrangement includes: Iced Coffee: Keeps me refreshed and alert. iPad: For reading and taking notes. Headphones: Helps to block out distractions and immerse myself in the material. Pen & Paper: For jotting down ...

Thoughts on the Breguet 5907 and Alternatives The Breguet 5907 is definitely one of my dream watches. However, I'm often torn between that and the allure of owning a Patek Philippe. While the world seems to view Patek as the pinnacle of watchmaking and considers Breguet a high-end brand—just not quite in the same league—the reality is that a pre-owned 5907 costs about $10,000, which means it won’t be in my collection anytime soon. Considering a Homage As a more practical solution, I've been looking at homage watches rather than outright replicas or knockoffs. The best option I’ve found is the Rotary GS02424 . Although it resembles the Breguet 5920 more closely due to its date complication, it still carries enough of the Breguet essence for me to be interested. Plus, with a price tag under $150, it's a reasonable deal. Fun fact: this is the same watch that Benedict Cumberbatch wears in the Sherlock Holmes series, and many people have confused it with a Breguet. My intention ...

Notes on Potential Seiko SKX Purchase I'm considering picking up an SKX again, possibly the mid-size 013 or the full-size 009 Pepsi model. Here's a breakdown of the various Seiko SKX models for reference: Seiko SKX Models Overview Full Size (40mm Dial, 22mm Lug) - 200M Rated 001 - Silver bezel 003 - 005 - Classic Trio 007 - Black 009 - Pepsi bezel 011 - Orange dial Other Variants 173 - Black with square hour markers 175 - Pepsi bezel 399 - Black with square applied markers 401 - Pepsi bezel Titanium Models 403 - Black dial, silver bezel 405 - Silver dial, silver bezel Monsters 779 - Black dial, silver bezel 781 - Orange dial, silver bezel Mid-Size (37mm Dial, 20mm Lug) 013 - Black 015 - Pepsi bezel 017 - Orange dial Mid-Size with 3 O'Clock Crown 021 - White dial 023 - Black dial 025 - Pepsi bezel 027 - White dial 031 - Black dial 033 - Pepsi bezel Conclusion I’ll keep these models in mind as I decide which one to go for. The mid-size 013 has a nice un...