Simple Living

Saturday Bliss: Coffee and Freedom There’s something special about a leisurely Saturday afternoon. Today, I’m just enjoying a cup of coffee, savoring the moment with no agenda or responsibilities pulling at my time. The Perfect Cup The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, creating a cozy atmosphere. Whether it’s a rich dark roast or a smooth blend, each sip is a little reminder to slow down and appreciate the day. Embracing the Freedom Having a completely free day is a rare treat. No plans, no commitments—just time to relax and do whatever I feel like. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind, perhaps dive into a good book, or simply watch the world go by. Simple Joys Moments like this remind me of the beauty in simplicity. There’s no need for extravagance; just a good cup of coffee and a bit of free time can make for a wonderful afternoon. Here’s to enjoying every second of this blissful Saturday!

Morning Ritual: Coffee, The Economist, and Great Tunes Waking up early turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I decided to head over to Starbucks for a well-deserved morning break. There’s something special about starting the day with a great cup of coffee and a bit of quiet time. Coffee and Reading My two favorites for the morning? A rich cup of Joe and an issue of The Economist magazine. There's nothing quite like sipping on that hot brew while diving into insightful articles. It’s the perfect way to stay informed and engaged with the world. Music to Enhance the Experience To top it off, I added some music to the mix. Next time, I’ll definitely bring my Audio-Technica ATH-M50s along. They provide such incredible sound quality that they really enhance the experience. Whether I’m vibing to my favorite tunes or enjoying the ambiance around me, those headphones make everything more enjoyable. This little morning escape reminds me of the simple pleasures in life—great coffee, thoug...

Reviving the Seiko on NATO Straps With all the stunning photos of the Tudor Monte Carlo floating around, I couldn’t help but reflect on my Seiko chronographs. They may not carry the same prestige, but they’re much more affordable and just as functional for everyday wear. The Fun of NATO Straps I decided to switch my Seiko back to a NATO strap, and it’s made a noticeable difference. While the stock bracelet and leather strap were perfectly adequate, there’s something inherently fun about the versatility and comfort of a NATO. It completely changes the vibe of the watch and makes it feel fresh and exciting again. A Small Collection Over time, I’ve accumulated a small collection of about six NATO straps, each offering a different look to match my mood or outfit. Whether I’m dressing casually or going for something a bit more refined, I love being able to customize the watch to fit the occasion. In the end, the Seiko on a NATO strap is a fantastic reminder that you don’t always need to spe...

The Joy of Single Malt Scotch There's something uniquely satisfying about savoring a single malt scotch. While blended varieties certainly have their charm and serve well for various occasions, single malts are truly special—reserved for those moments when you want to treat yourself or celebrate something meaningful. An Old Standby Recently, I found an old standby on sale and couldn’t resist picking it up. I had considered grabbing a Macallan, Oban, or even something with a bit more peatiness, but the allure of a familiar favorite won me over. It's a reminder that sometimes, sticking with what you know and love can be just as rewarding as exploring new options. The Allure of a Collection As I reflect on my past preferences, I can’t help but think how nice it would be to build a solid collection of single malts. While a new watch or even a PS4 would be fun, a well-curated scotch collection holds a different kind of appeal. Aiming for at least half a dozen bottles to start would ...

Review of the Seiko Chronograph SSB003 I purchased the Seiko Chronograph model SSB003 about four months ago in November 2014, and it has quickly become a favorite in my collection. Here’s a brief overview of my experience with this timepiece. Design and Comfort The stock metal bracelet is comfortable enough for daily wear, but I prefer the look and feel of the watch on a leather strap. Currently, I have it paired with a Hirsch Liberty strap, which contrasts beautifully with the silver dial. This combination gives the watch a classic yet understated appearance—almost like a 'poor man's' Hamilton Khaki. Performance and Usability While the SSB003 has its flaws, I believe it’s worth every penny. The main issue is its legibility in low-light conditions; the lack of luminescent materials on the hour markers and hands makes it challenging to read the time when it's dim. However, considering the price point, this watch has performed admirably, and its size is a perfect fit for ...

I was able to create a Linux RAID 0 Array with two (2) SanDisk 32gb Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drives.  I opted for RAID 0 - Striping as it would give me one logical 64gb Drive with theoretically 'double' the speed. Due to the Linux Test Machine having only USB 2.0 ports, the theoretical max it could achieve is limited by USB 2.0 max speed of 480mbits/sec (roughly 60mb/sec).  Initial test of Single USB Flash Drive -- 30mb/sec Read Speed. Create RAID 0 I installed mdadm .  It was conveniently located in the Ubuntu Software Center.  Reviewed other users guides and none worked exactly as described, but after reviewing each one, I was able to piece together the necessary terminal commands and steps to take. Steps Taken: sudo -s Enter Admin Password mdadm -Cv /dev/md0 -l0 -n2 /dev/sdc /dev/sdd mke2fs /dev/md0 mount /dev/md0 /mnt/samsung I had to also mess around in disks to get things to work.  And then renamed the Lost+Found folder to 'USB Files' as ...

Quick Review of the SanDisk CZ48 USB 3.0 Ultra Flash Drives I recently purchased two 32GB SanDisk CZ48 USB 3.0 Ultra Flash Drives for $17 each on Amazon. If I had acted a bit sooner, I might have snagged them for $14.99 each, but that’s hindsight for you. Here’s a breakdown of my experience with one of these drives, particularly during large file transfers. Performance Read/Write Speeds Read Speed: 75 MB/second Write Speed: 25 MB/second SanDisk clearly states that the CZ48 drives are optimized for read speed. The write speed of 25 MB/second is decent, especially compared to the 4-10 MB/second speeds I typically got with USB 2.0 drives. Given that these drives are priced similarly to USB 2.0 Cruzer Glides of the same capacity, opting for the CZ48 Ultra is a no-brainer. However, if you require faster write speeds, I recommend looking into the Extreme CZ80 or Extreme Pro CZ88 models. Pros Decent Read Speed: The read speeds are impressive for the price point. Good Price: Comparable to ...

Audio-Technica MTH-50 Review: One Year Later It has been almost a year since I purchased the Audio-Technica MTH-50 headphones, and they are still going strong. I blogged about them back in March 2014, and I can confidently say they continue to sound fantastic—perhaps even better than when I first got them. While I wouldn’t necessarily attribute this improvement to "burn-in," I do think that as you become accustomed to their sound signature, you start to notice more of the subtle details that might have been blurry or drowned out in cheaper headphones. Durability and Wear In hindsight, the 'white' color looked cool initially, but it has proven to be a magnet for dirt and grime. The pleather headband, in particular, is showing some wear and tear, and I worry that it may eventually peel and crack. However, this wear doesn’t detract from the sound quality, and I believe these headphones will remain usable for a long time. That said, I do wish Audio-Technica ...

My Journey with Linux: Installing Lubuntu on a Toshiba Netbook Linux distributions have come a long way since I last attempted to install Ubuntu in 2009. My recent experience with Lubuntu 14.10 was effortless in terms of installation, and the layout is incredibly intuitive. I was literally up and running within minutes, and within about two hours, I had completely switched to Linux on my Toshiba Netbook NB505. Specs The Toshiba is a weak machine, and its specifications are nothing to write home about. It has a puny Intel Atom N455 processor running at 1.67 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, and a 250 GB HDD. Running Windows 7 Starter was a painful experience; while I managed to tweak it for reasonable functionality, tasks like watching a full movie or browsing the internet were nearly impossible. Basic typing was about all the Netbook could handle. However, with Linux, the Netbook has received a new lease on life. While it has only marginally improved boot times and overall task performance, it now ma...

Classic Choice: Casio G-Shock 6900-1V I've always wanted a 6900 series G-Shock, and I decided on the classic version: the plain 6900-1V model. I was a bit worried about the size since the 100B I bought last year was just too big and tall. While the 6900 is larger than a 5600, it’s not as overwhelming as the 100B. Buttons: A Plus One significant advantage of the 6900 over the 5600 is the placement of the light button, located up front in the Big G below the watch display. The buttons are plain metal pushers, which are still easier to press than those on the 5600. Features Lacking One thing I noticed that's lacking is the World Time feature. I actually like this option, and the 5600 has it. My old Pathfinder 1300 was even better, with its large display allowing toggling up or down, while the 5600 only goes in one direction. Closing Thoughts It's only been a day, so it's too early to tell how I feel overall. However, I do like the black color, which fits the 'tool'...

First Purchase of 2015: Casio G-Shock 6900-1V So, my first purchase of 2015 is a Casio G-Shock 6900-1V for just $38. I've always wanted a basic 6900, and I figured, why not? It should be here in a few days. I was initially expecting to buy the Seiko SARB, but I'm still wavering on which color dial to choose. Plus, they recently spiked the price by $30. I think I'll wait for it to go back down, and then it’ll be my second purchase of 2015... maybe!

Rediscovering Johnnie Walker Red Label After all these years, I'm surprised at how much I still enjoy Johnnie Walker Red Label. It has just enough bite and harshness to remind you that you're drinking whisky, which isn't always apparent with its more tame stablemates.  Normally, I consume Black Label as my main go-to whisky drink, but there’s just something about Red Label that keeps me coming back.

My Seiko SSB003 Arrival and Review It arrived! I got the Seiko SSB003 in the mail, and it's a very nice watch. Aesthetics Dial: More of a glossy silver than 'white.' Pics don't do it justice; it's a very appealing color. Sub-Dial: Three registers at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The black color contrasts nicely with the silver dial. Bracelet: 20mm steel. It's cheap and rattly but okay. Identical to one used on some SNKK Seiko 5 series. Bezel: Interesting design— the case is a unibody, so the bezel is not a separate piece. Size: A nice 40mm watch with a more conservative and classic feel. The height is about 10mm, comparable in dimensions to my Omega Seamaster 2531.80. Weight: The case has some heft, while the bracelet is very light; the total weight is the same as my Rolex Explorer. Usage Chronograph: Uses the 6T63 movement. Some call it a 'MechaQuartz' since the chronograph functions just like a pure mechanical chronograph watch. The big red seconds h...

Exploring Seiko's SNDF and SCEB Lines Wow, there are indeed an endless number of Seiko models! The SNDF line stands out with its retro and classy vibes. Here are a few models I find particularly appealing: SNDF35 - White/Red Stripe SNDF37 - Black, Red Bezel SNDF87 - White/Blue, Orange Seconds SNDF93 - White/Blue, Yellow Seconds I’m considering picking one up, leaning towards the 87 or 93, but the 35 looks gorgeous too! Bezel Issues with the SNDF Models After some thought, I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger right away. The SNDF35 and SNDF37 models have a redundant 12-hour bezel, which doesn’t add much functional value. While their color schemes are nice, the extra hour mark indicators seem unnecessary. The SNDF87 is beautiful, but I’ve noticed complaints online regarding the blue bezel. As I examine it more closely, I tend to agree—it feels like a design misstep. Plus, they seem large; I hope they’re not beyond 42mm. Other Considerations: SNDD and SCEB I also have my...