Simple Living

Character Build: Odachi/Katana Sword Focus I’ve been experimenting with different character types and have settled on a build centered around the Odachi and Katana swords, prioritizing Power stats. Learning as I go, I’ve made good progress, reaching the Izumo Rest Area after about a week of casual play. Weapon Strategy Odachi for Group Fights The Odachi is a long sword that, while slower than a Katana, offers greater attack power and a wider attack range. This makes it particularly effective for dealing with medium-sized mobs. Its area of effect allows you to hit multiple enemies, which is perfect for crowd control in group encounters. Katana for Surgical Fights On the other hand, the Katana excels in fast-paced, one-on-one situations. It’s ideal for quick boss strikes or duels against single enemies. The Katana's speed allows you to unleash several skills in rapid succession, making it an effective choice for taking down tougher foes quickly. Stat Focus: Affinity for Damag

Casio MDV-106 Review: A Bargain Diver’s Watch with Real Depth If you’re looking for a budget-friendly diver’s watch that can handle actual water activities, the Casio MDV-106 is an excellent choice. For around $33–$40, you’re getting a watch with genuine diving capabilities, not just the looks. Here’s why the MDV-106 stands out as a fantastic deal for anyone wanting a rugged, stylish, and functional timepiece. Key Features of the Casio MDV-106 Diver's Build : The MDV-106 is more than just a diver-inspired style. Thanks to its screw-down crown, it’s truly water-resistant up to 200 meters, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Unidirectional Bezel : The bezel is marked for 60 minutes, making it practical for basic timing, especially during underwater activities. Basic Lume : It has basic lume on the hour markers and hands, providing readability in low-light situations—great for diving or night-time wear. Date Display : Conveniently displays the date, adding everyday functio

Audio Technica EQ500 Headphones Review It's been over two years since I bought the Audio Technica EQ500 headphones in Tokyo. They still sound good and look reasonably well after two years of ownership. I've used them casually, maybe once every two weeks, totaling at most about 50-60 hours of listening time each year. Performance and Issues However, one problem has emerged: I need to play with the 1/8" audio jack as the sound cuts out from one side. It usually takes a few quick twists to get it sounding fine again. Because of this issue, they have become my backup pair, as I typically carry larger over-ear headphones like the Audio Technica WM77s. Future Plans Next time I'm in Japan, I might consider upgrading to the EQ600s or EQ700s, which include a retractable cable. I'll need to research those newer models, but it will likely be at least a year before I can fly over to Japan again.

Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky has been my basic go-to drink when I need something for a mixer or occasionally enjoy straight up on the rocks. While it's certainly more harsh compared to Black Label, I've grown accustomed to the bite over the years and actually find it quite enjoyable at times. Pricing In terms of value, I find the 1.75-liter bottle to be a better deal—twice the Scotch for half the price. Here’s a breakdown of prices I’ve observed at Costco: 750 mL: $20 1.75 Liter: $30

Zenith on a NATO Strap I was curious and decided to try my Zenith watch on a NATO strap. While the watch has a 19 mm lug width, a 20 mm NATO strap fits snugly. This adjustment has made the watch more practical, especially with the hot weather ruining my leather band. Additionally, using the NATO strap raises the watch slightly off my wrist, making winding much easier. Thoughts on Vintage This watch is now 60 years old, and it still works great. Not many man-made items can claim such longevity. I often wonder about its history: where it has traveled and the experiences it has 'seen.' It’s a fascinating thought, and I look forward to continuing its adventure with me. Where shall we go next? Fun with NATO!  

Eton Microlink FR160 Handcrank Radio Review I bought an Eton Microlink FR160 handcrank radio for my emergency kit a few years ago, and it’s been great overall. However, there’s one significant issue I've encountered. Sticky Residue Problem Over time, a sticky residue developed on the radio's external surface, which was driving me nuts. At first, I thought there was something wrong with the device. Solution Fortunately, I researched the problem online and discovered that Eton radios are coated with a substance designed to make them easier to grip. Unfortunately, this coating degrades over time and turns into a sticky mess. To resolve the issue, I used isopropyl alcohol and cotton balls to clean most of the gunk. While some paint may have been lost in the process, at least the radio is no longer sticky.

Seiko SSB003 on NATO Strap I'm really digging the Seiko SSB003 on a NATO strap. It’s very light and comfortable to wear, lending a sense of appropriateness in casual settings like a beach resort. Strap Preferences I have several variations of 20mm NATO straps, but this dark navy blue and red stripe combo seems the most appealing. Future Considerations I'm considering adding another Seiko quartz chronograph to my collection, possibly the SNDF87, which features a similar color scheme to the Tudor Heritage Chrono, but at a fraction of the cost. Another option is the Seiko SSB031 or a variant that uses the same movement but includes lume on the hands and hour markers, making it more practical for evening wear. For now, the SSB003 is proving to be a fun choice.

Overnight Work and Coffee Here's to more overnight work and the coffee that keeps me going. Burger King I didn't have much time before my first shift, so I grabbed Burger King. I'll explore other dining options tomorrow.

Hollys Coffee: A Sweet Alternative Hollys Coffee is another major chain of coffee shops in South Korea. I appreciate the variety of shops available, and I consider this my alternative to Angel-in-us when I'm looking for a sweet coffee fix. The ambience and decor here remind me of Seattle's Best, creating a cozy atmosphere. They also serve a fairly decent Patbingsu, which is a Korean shaved ice dessert topped with sweet beans, making it a refreshing treat on warm days.

Tour Le Jous: A Bakery Delight Tour Le Jous is primarily a bakery shop in South Korea, but I enjoy visiting for their iced coffee. It's the perfect pairing with their tasty baked goods. The sandwiches they offer are not bad either, making it a great spot for a light meal or snack.

Angel-in-us Coffee: A Sweet Escape Angel-in-us is one of several major coffee chains in South Korea. I usually hit them up when I'm at one of the many outdoor shopping districts or malls. Their sweeter variety of drink options is decent and provides a great way to cool off during the summer months.

The Appeal of 7-Eleven in Asia Idk how they do it, but 7-Eleven in Asia is just way better than what we get back in the States. I would love it if they carried the same products that I found while in South Korea or Japan back home. Not only that, the prices are much more reasonable.

Discovering Cafe Pascucci Idk why, but I actually like Cafe Pascucci quite a bit. I usually order their sweet flavored drinks, which are similar to those at Angel-in-us. It’s possible that I frequent this cafe because they have a location at Gimhae Airport, and I find myself there often.

New Addition: Zenith Caliber 126 I recently bought a Zenith Caliber 126 , a vintage dress watch featuring a sub-dial for seconds. Here’s a quick overview of my purchase: Purchase Details Price : $450 + $20 shipping Condition : Looks a bit beat up, but I'm hopeful it's authentic and in decent working order. Expected Arrival : In about a week. I’ll post pictures once I’ve examined it further. Why Zenith? I considered a Nomos Tangente, but there’s something about the Zenith that really speaks to me. Perhaps it’s the vintage appeal, or maybe I’m just embracing a classic style as I get older! Movement Specs Zenith Caliber 126 Variants : Cal 126 : Base model Cal 126-5 : Indirectly driven second hand Cal 126-6 : Features antishock Cal 126-5-6 : Combines both indirect second hand and antishock Beats : 18,000 bph (5 beats per second) Production : A fairly common, reliable movement known for its durability. Serial Number / Age Estimation The serial number on the movement can help estimat