Simple Living

Took my first trip of 2017 and spent five (5) days in Japan and South Korea.  Mostly visiting family and checking out all that has changed.  I wanted to stay longer, but am budgeting my vacation hours to last me the year. Day 1 - Narita, Japan (Tokyo) I've been to this airport several times before and for the most part it seems the same.  This is one of my favorite airports in terms of how they logically organized and structured the layout of the various terminals.  Once you understand how they setup the whole airport its very easy to navigate and find what you need.  However, I think the reason the terminals are so nicely structured has a consequence on how they organized the runways as this is the worst airport in terms of planes taxing to the gates and often can take 15-25 minutes. Another pet peeve are the storage lockers do not count # of hours, but are on a set time schedule so if you arrive on an evening flight you may need to pay twice to store something, even if you leave

Brand:   Audio Technica Model:  MSR7 One of my objectives on my visit to Japan was to sample some headphones and by chance the airport had a decent selection from Sony and Audio Technica.   Unfortunately they didn't have the M70x or MDR1a,  but had the ATH SR5, MSR7 and new SR9!  I was hesitant to try the $449 SR9 and truthfully they did sound better than the MSR7, but felt like they required an amp to bring out its full potential.  The MSR7 was my main audition and after sampling tracks for 15 minutes purchased a pair.   True, Amazon sells them for the same price, but I felt it makes more sense to support the airport stores so they continue stocking cool stuff to check out on future layovers. Specs Speakers :    45mm closed back drivers Sensitivity:   100db/mW  Frequency:   5 - 40,000 Hz Max Input Power:   2,000 mW  Impedance:    35 ohms Weight (w/o cable):   290g It has similar specs to the ATH M50x with just greater frequency range and input power capacity.

Picked up the Con-50 Ink Converter for the Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen.  While the stock Ink Converter that comes with the Pen works fine, its a nuisance to gauge how much ink is left and I had it run out of ink in the middle of a Business Meeting.  The Con-50 works just like the Platinum Ink Converter and I was able to ink the pen quickly with little mess.  While the Con-50 holds less ink, at least I can tell when I'm near empty.  I can start estimating how many days or weeks it takes between refills. Update 1/12/17 What a piece of crap!  The CON-50 Converter CRACKED!  I had a total mess and had to disassemble and clean the pen.  Reverted back to the stock CON-20 Converter for now. This is my third (3) experience so far with Amazon sending stuff that either breaks, leaks or cracks.  Totally bummed.

I picked up my third Fountain Pen a Platinum Century 3776 (Fine Point) in Chartres Blue.  There are tons of Reviews on this pen so I'm not going to be doing one and just discussing why I picked the 3776 as my first 'nice' pen.  After enjoying the Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan, I wanted to invest in a good, quality pen to give me a better experience and understanding of what Fountain Pens are all about and the 3776 is an excellent choice for me.  At $67 from Amazon with another $8 for the Ink Converter this is not a cheap pen and I'll have to handle this one with greater care, but that price point is the 'sweet spot' in terms of getting something substantial without breaking the bank.  I was contemplating getting a $30-40 pen that is a step-up from the Metropolitan, but I couldn't justify it as an extra $20 above that would get me the 3776. First Impression I immediately filled it with Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink and the first few lines were scratchy and thin, b

I finally received my first bottle of Iroshizuku Ink in Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki).  It's a popular color of ink that others online have been raving about and I can see why. Using my Pilot Metropolitan Fine Point, I was able to load it and try writing some lines and am very happy with Kon-Peki.  Although, its too early to tell if this is my 'Signature Ink' it's definitely shaping up to be one I'll be using quite regularly. Fractured Bottle Cap The only mishap was during shipping the flimsy plastic bottle cap fractured and some ink leaked all over the inside of the shipping package.  I was able to seal the fracture with tape and will likely have to move the remaining ink to another container.  It's a pity and I'm learning this is a common flaw with Iroshizuku Ink in that the plastic cap doesn't hold up very well.

What a difference a year can make on my perception of Scotch Whisky.  I was barreling towards Single Malts only to be disappointed in a very bad bottle of Macallan 12 year old and now hurtling back to Blends.  While I tried various Blends, none seemed suitable beyond Johnnie Walker Red or Black and while I was tempted to move towards Green Label, the online reviews mentioned it's the older, discontinued variation of Green Label that was limited to just four (4) Single Malts that defined this JW version; in otherwords, I missed the party on that one. And so, to ensure some variety in my collection I opted for Monkey Shoulder which is a Blend of three (3) Whiskies: Glenfiddich Balvenie Kinivie I am familiar with Glenfiddich and Balvenie and for the most part was unimpressed by Glenfiddich until I tried mixing it with some other Whiskies.  So this naturally got me interested in Monkey Shoulder.  I don't really know much about Kinivie other than all three Whiskies are part of the s

Flew down to San Diego for a Weekend Vacation.  Didn't do much (which is the point of a true vacation).  The Hotel had Starbucks in the room and an In-N-Out Burger down the road.  For evenings I enjoyed a tall glass of beer.  A fantastic Weekend and then back to the bustle of work.

Contents Pen Pen Display Case (Clear Plastic Top Cover) Con-20 Style Converter One (1) Blue/Black Ink Cartridge Nib Style - Fine (F) or Medium (M) Color / Model Numbers Classic Black MRFC1BLKFBLKP (F) MRFC1BLKMBLKP (M) Gold   MRFC1BLKFGLDP (F) MRFC1BLKMGLDP (M) Silver   MRFC1BLKFSLVP (F) MRFC1BLKMSLVP (M) Retro Pop Green / Marble Red / Wave Orange / Flower Purple / Ellipse Grey / Hound Tooth Turquoise / Polka Dots Animal Print Purple / Leopard  White / Tiger Black / Crocodile Gold / Lizard Silver / Python My Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen (Fine Point) arrived from Amazon and its a beautiful writing instrument.  The online reviews were largely accurate in describing this as an excellent starter pen and indeed the immediate sense of quality could be felt just by holding it. There is a certain weight and heft that exudes a sense of quality.  And the overall look and feel is best experienced by actually holding and wielding the pen; for $13 this is a phenomenal deal. It even comes

I've become interested in Fountain Pens and spent a few weeks researching online to develop a plan of how I want to approach this new found hobby. My plan is to invest in about a half-dozen pens over a period of sixteen (16) months and hopefully during that time acquire a decent level of knowledge and experience in using and maintaining a Fountain Pen.  I'd also like to develop some degree of penmanship. 1.  Practice Phase (Pilot Varsity , Pilot Metropolitan) - 2016 (1 Month) Having absolutely zero experience  using a Fountain Pen, I am going to start small with some Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan pens. Pilot Varsity - October 2016 Online there have been many rave reviews about the basic $3 Pilot Varsity or Platinum Preppy and I was okay getting either one.  My local office store had the Varsity in stock and I picked up a pair to begin writing. Selection was limited and they had only Medium Point and in Purple Ink (other choices were Red or Pink). Pilot Metropolitan - October

Everyone needs a reminder that hard work pays off and this year has been an eventful one.  To commemorate and cap off 2016 I'm adding a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label to my modest Whisky collection.  It'll sit front and center next to my JW Black and Red Label as a constant reminder that I've achieved quite a bit in life, but have much more to accomplish before I feel satisfied. I have set some goals in life and perhaps in five years on News Year Eve I'll crack open this little gem to celebrate.  Until then, I'll just glance at it each time I pass by my liquor cabinet to remind me that I've got a lot of work ahead of me.

Having now owned several G-Shocks I've come to appreciate certain features of various models.  For most part all I care about primarily is 'size'.  Features are secondary and so long as it has World Time, I'm happy. Size (5600 wins) In terms of size the 5600's are my favorite, but the convenience of the illumination button front and center on the 6900 is beautiful. The compromise?  It has to go to the 9000 series Mudman.  While the buttons are difficult to press it is the right size and button arrangement that just connects with me as one of my favorite G-Shocks thus far.  Now Module versions this is probably a bad selection to compare as I have a GLX, G and DW types.  But form factor wise they are roughly equivalent representatives of their model series.  There are certainly much larger G-Shocks, but for me the 6900 is where I will draw the line for now. Features (G9000 Wins, GLX5600 Good Second) Most G-Shocks have the standard basics down pat and all I car

Purchased a Casio G-Shock Mudman G-9000MS-1 in Black.  It is part of a Military Inspired Series and uses a 3031 Module.  The watch is relatively small and feels like a 'round' 5600.  It's slightly larger than a 5600, but is dwarfed by a 6900. Overall had the watch for a few hours and I rather like it.  The buttons are very difficult to push, but otherwise acceptable.  Out of all the G-Shocks thus far I like the Mudman quite a bit, almost as much as the 5600's. The Negative LCD display is a bit iffy and can be difficult to read under certain lighting conditions.  I'll endure it for a while, but may opt to purchase a standard G9000 and swap out the housing as I prefer the all black bezel and strap of this version.

Drink:  Godiva - Hazelnut Trufflelata  Enjoying a Lazy Saturday at the a New Mall.  They surprisingly lack a Starbucks so gave Godiva a try and ordered my Coffee Fix.  It's certainly not my normal Cup of Joe, but was an interesting audition. Overall, while this New Mall looks very nice & upscale it lacks a lot of basic stores that suit my tastes and more importantly I was on the hunt for a a new Casio G-Shock and hoping to find any store that had on display either a black GW-M5610 or a Mudman G9000.  Sadly, nothing. I ended up chilling by the Fountain Area and ordering from Amazon a Black Military Series Mudman G9000MS-1CR.

Enjoyed a weekend vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort.  I've haven't been here in years and walking around brought back fond memories of running around here as a little kid.  The places hasn't changed much and now as an adult I'm noticing little details that a kid wouldn't have cared for.  There really isn't all that much to do here on the Big Island and after sunset, all you can do is watch movies in your hotel room.  Another thing is to hit up the local grocery store before arriving at the Resort Hotel as the prices are much higher here...although a cup of coffee was reasonably priced at $ 4.50. I stayed in the Makai Lagoon Tower and this was more convenient then the Ocean or Palace Towers as its an expansive resort and took me 15 minutes to walk from one side to the other. My watch of choice on this vacation was the Casio G-Shock GLX5600 in Red.  Handled the water perfectly and was comfortable on the wrist even in the high heat