Simple Living

I can smell the coconut, but otherwise it tastes like a regular Mocha.  This has a ridiculous 300 calories!  Sticking to plain black coffee.

I decided on trying the Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 year.  It'll take me a few sittings before I get a sense of how this drink holds up and if it matches the reviews I've read online. Price It's about double the price of a Speyside Whisky such as Glenlivet or Glenfiddich and on par with a Macallan 12 year. Taste Macallan is the smoothest I've had among 12 year old single malts.  Highland Park 12 ranks just below that.  There is just a hint of bite that nips on the periphery and it's slight peatiness gives it a more sophisticated flavor and aroma. Overall, well done.  It packages quite a bit in a mid-range single malt without sacrificing too much.  I will agree with the online reviews that this would be the recommended choice for first time single malt whisky drinkers as it has much more to experience and learn than a Macallan 12. One negative, there is something a little off on the fragrance.  I cannot quite pinpoint what it is, but in the background

I am in the process of moving and hope to establish a more respectable Whisky Collection. These are my planned choices: Macallan 12 Glenlivet 12 Highland 12 Laphroig 10 Glenfiddich 12 Figure total cost of about $300 - 350  I'll check my local liquor store and start getting a better sense of the pricing and final selection. Update Seems Costco has the best price around.  While selection is limited they have almost all the whisky's I would want for my initial collection. I've whittled it down further as my desire is not to amass a huge assortment, but a few for personal enjoyment and build up my palate 'memory' before venturing into this exciting new world. Update# 2 -- 7/15/15 After I've tried these five (5) starter bottles, I want to try some higher end versions and considering Glenlivet 18 year and Macallan 18 year.  Then go back down to more 12 year varieties...sounds good to me.

Topping off.  Early afternoon coffee break.  Not the same as fresh brewed, but it's quick and convenient. Couldn't find any other mug. Found this in the kitchen. Wow...looked it up.  This is a $75 Tiffany Cup.  Where did this thing come from?

Enjoying some Espresso this weekend.  Someday, I'd love to sip one in an Italian Street Cafe.  For now this will do.

Passed by the Swatch shop and after considering the Sistem51, decided instead for this one..the 'Faux Fox' model SUOB709. Paid Full Retail $70.  While online you can get it for $15-20 less, the savings is marginal. I rather like it and fills a niche between a classic analog dial automatic and a rugged G-Shock digital. - Something to wear and not worry.  Just a casual and comfortable watch.  Sadly, no water resistance so nowhere near the pool or water. I did want something more vibrant and bright, but after trying on various models...the more subdued, classic look just fits me better.  Can't argue with that.

Figure I do a roundup of my modest watch collection. My 3 and 3's. In no particular order: 1.  Rolex Explorer 114270 2.  Omega Seamaster 2531.80 3.  Seiko SSB003 - Quartz 4.  Casio GLX-5600-7 5.  Casio GLX-5600-4 6.  Casio DW-6900-1 I'm comfortable with what I have.  Sure more is great, but I've plenty of options and usually end up wearing one Automatic for most of the week and change up with a G-Shock when outdoors or doing some physical work. Recently took the white G-Shock to the beach and got it blasted by the sand and waves.  No problem. A dress watch might make it complete and the Nomos Tangente is the contender at the moment. To add some color, a quirky and colorful Swatch or a Casio F91WC has crossed my mind.  Although a 5600 in a bright color would do it too, I kinda wanna try something else.  Something light and carefree.

There are many watches similar and comparable to the venerable Rolex Explorer I.  Few automatics with decent specs and at an affordable price come closer than the humble Seiko 5 model SNKK35. These can be found pre-owned for about $50 (brand new they sell for below $80). I personally, owned both the SNKK35 (Black Dial) and SNKK33 (White Dial).  I loved them both for what they offered at such a fantastic price point.   There are many things to love about this simple, yet attractive watch that does have a passing resemblance to a Rolex Explorer I (but at a fraction of the price).  There are five (5) specifics on this watch that I wanted to discuss: Movement Dial Case/Crown Bracelet Overall Movement The Seiko 5 line use the standard 7s26/36 automatic movement.  It's been around for quite a few years and is utilized in nearly all their Seiko 5 watches.  The one noticeable feature lacking on a 7s movement, it doesn't have a hacking second hand, meaning you cannot

Enjoying a cup of coffee on a nice Saturday afternoon.  No reason in particular.  Totally free day.  That's the best.

Woke up early so figured...why not...go to Starbucks and enjoy a morning break.  My two faves..Cup of Joe and The Economist Magazine.  To make it even more fun...music and a good pair of headphones.  ATH-M50's next time around.

Seiko back on NATO strap.  All the pics of the gorgeous Tudor Monte Carlo made me look back at the Seiko Chronographs.  Much more affordable and equally functional.  For now..it'll have to do.  While bracelet and leather strap were adequate...it makes the Seiko more fun to wear it on a NATO strap.  I've accumulated a small collection of a half dozen NATO straps to interchange based on my mood.

Something to brighten my mood...single malt scotch.  While blended is nice and great for many occasions, single malts are reserved for special moments.  I was going to grab a Macallan, Oban or even something peaty...but saw this old standby on sale.  I couldn't resist.  While a watch would be nice.  Or even a PS4 and so many other things.  A good Scotch collection would be so much better.  It's been a while and why I gave it up in the first place eludes my recollection.  At least a half dozen bottles would suffice for a simple collection.  And in a year's time...grow it to a dozen bottles at least.

I purchased the Seiko Chronograph model: SSB003 about four (4) months ago in Nov 2014 and wrote a brief review about it then.  The stock metal bracelet is acceptable and comfortable to wear, but I prefer this watch on a leather strap.  My Hirsch Liberty strap is pulling duty on the SSB003 and contrasts well with the silver dial.  It's my 'poor man' Hamilton Khaki.   Flaws, but worth the price The watch has its flaws...primarily it's very difficult to read in poorly lit areas.  I would have preferred some luminescent materials on the hour markers and hands.  But for the price I paid...this watch has been great and it's perfect size suits me well. Casual Watch I prefer this watch when I want to dress down and sip a cup a coffee at Starbucks and not bring attention to myself.  While I could wear a G-Shock, sometimes it just doesn't suit the occasion.  It's also convenient when I forgot to keep wound the Automatics and need a traditional An

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 that was