Simple Living

Reflection on the Zodiac SeaDragon The Zodiac SeaDragon was one of my first forays into watch collecting and marked my third or fourth watch since my venerable "first watch," a Guess Waterpro. At that time, I was particularly attracted to diver-style watches. Overview The SeaDragon was a very good watch, and I truly enjoyed wearing it. Unfortunately, since parting with it, I've learned that Zodiac has abandoned quartz watches in favor of automatic models, making these older quartz versions increasingly uncommon and potentially rare in the future. I recall selling it for around $40, and now I see them selling for close to $100 on eBay. I believe I paid about $119 to $129 retail. While I wouldn’t be surprised if it sells for more than MSRP in a decade, I don't expect it to fetch much more than that, as it is still just a quartz watch. Design Flaws One drawback of this watch is that the bezel is not unidirectional and can easily get jammed, rendering it primarily decorat

My Growing Headphone Collection My headphone collection has grown significantly over time. I've moved on from Skullcandy and Beats in favor of Audio Technica and Grado. In hindsight, I wish I had purchased a pair of M50s many years ago. Here are my current headphones in all their glory, from left to right: Audio Technica — M50x (Purchased 2014) Audio Technica — MSR7 (Purchased 2017) Grado — SR80e (Purchased 2016) Future Plans As for future acquisitions, I’m not entirely sure. I have both closed and open reference cans covered, so my next move will either be to go upmarket to the $1k range with brands like Fostex or Ultrasone, or I might consider the tier below with options like the ATH M70x, Sony MDR1A, or other brands such as Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, or AKG. Realistically, it will likely be another pair of Audio Technica headphones, possibly the M70s or an open reference model like the R70 or AD700.

Sampling Johnnie Walker Blue Label It seems people know I have a fondness for whisky, as a friend recently gifted me a small 200 mL bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. This is a fantastic opportunity to sample Blue Label without having to open the larger bottle. I plan to save it for something special, likely to enjoy it during New Year's celebrations.  

Review of Sony Earbuds MDR-EX15ap I picked up a pair of Sony earbuds, model MDR-EX15ap, over a year ago. They were on sale for about $5, and I couldn't resist the deal. While these earbuds are not great, they aren't terrible either. I keep them in the car as an emergency backup pair of headphones when I'm in a study session mood. Sub-Models From my research, I found there are two sub-models of the EX15s: AP : Android compatible LP : Standard version The 'AP' designation likely refers to the single push button on the in-line microphone, which is used for on/off functionality during phone calls or music playback. Basic Specifications Drivers : 9mm Frequency Response : 8 - 22,000 Hz Sensitivity : 100 dB/mW Impedance : 16 ohms Cable Length : 3.94 ft with in-line microphone Overall, the Sony MDR-EX15ap earbuds serve their purpose as a reliable backup option.

Highland Park New Packaging & Branding Highland Park has released new packaging and branding for their 10, 12, and 18-year-old single malt whiskies. I recently picked up the 12 Year Old - Viking Honour to replenish my stock, as it's been almost two years since I last enjoyed a dram of HP12. I’m eagerly waiting to give it a try later this month. Original Notes Highland Park 12 Year Old 2015   Update: 9/30/17 I popped it open and had two pours. Both were phenomenal, and I’m very happy I decided to pick up the Highland Park 12. It’s not as sweet as a Macallan, but it’s perfectly easy to drink neat. Update: 10/13/17 I’ve already consumed half the bottle and need to slow down. What’s particularly amazing about Highland Park 12 is the nose. I can’t get enough of the aroma, and drinking from a proper curved glass allows me to fully take it in.

Maintenance Cost Summary Total Maintenance Cost Lifetime: 2017: $0 2018: $58 2019: $134 2020: $1,328 2021: $379 2022: $1,448 2023: $1,960 2024: $333 2025:  $800 2026:  $200 2027:  $200 Total: $5,640 (+$1,400) This equates to an average of $705 per year, with approximately one-third of costs for preventive maintenance (oil and fluid changes) and the remaining two-thirds for consumables like tires and brakes. Maintenance Cost by Type Consumables (66%) New Tires : $2,073 Tire Rotations : $80 Brakes and Rotors : $1,430 Battery-Related Services : $142 Preventive (32%) Oil Changes : $1,257 Fluid Change/Cleaning: $530 Other Services : $428 Total Maintenance Cost : $5,640 Reflecting back on all the maintenance cost its actually quite good as most of it was either preventive (oil or fluid changes) or consumables like tires and brakes. Maintenance Log for 2016 Toyota Highlander 2017 Mar 2017 Service: Oil Change, Tire Rotation at 5,340 miles Cost: Free Oct 2017 Service: Oil Change,

Expanding My Fountain Pen Collection My current focus is on my nascent fountain pen collection, and I have been planning how best to proceed over the next 12 months to increase my collection to a total of six pens. Presently, I own only three Metropolitan pens, and I feel it's necessary to add some variety and quality. Current Inventory Pilot Metropolitan Classic (Black) Retro Pop (Turquoise) Retro Pop (Purple) Iroshizuku Ink Kon-Peki Murasaki-Shikibu Future Desired Additions Pens Pilot Custom 74 Black — $75 — Mar 2018 Platinum 3776 Blue — $75 — Aug 2018 Platinum 3776 Red — $75 — Dec 2018 Accessories Pen Case (3 Pack) — $25 — Aug 2018 Estimated Outlay : $250 Update: 12/31/17 I've delayed my planned purchases and will make them contingent on successfully passing my certification exams for Python and R. While the dates may vary, I want to ‘win’ these pens by passing the examinations. The Metropolitans have held up well and are being reinked every few days due to my studies. U

New Additions to My Fountain Pen Collection I recently ordered two Pilot Metropolitan fountain pens from the Retro Pop collection in Turquoise and Purple. Both pens feature fine point nibs and, aside from the color and design patterns on the cross section, they are identical to the Metropolitan Classic collection. The Benefits of Multiple Pens I’m glad I purchased additional Metropolitan fountain pens. Having several options to choose from makes life easier than relying on a single pen. Packaging Contents The pens come in the same standard packaging as other Pilot Metropolitan models, which includes a single black cartridge and a Con-20 style ink converter. This setup makes the Metropolitan one of the best starter pens, as it provides everything needed to begin writing. Nib Performance After their first inking with Iroshizuku ink, both pens felt a bit scratchy. I grabbed my Metropolitan Classic to compare and found it writes much smoother. I suspect the new pens just need some time to

Researching Entry-Level Pilot Fountain Pens As I delve into the various models of entry-level Pilot fountain pens, I’ve established some criteria for what qualifies as "entry level." Criteria for Entry Level Price Range : $10 to $60 MSRP Refillable Options : Normal refillable systems (converter/cartridge, etc.) List of Models Pilot 78G Pilot Cavalier Pilot Cocoon Pilot Ecrino Pilot Kakuno Pilot Knight Pilot Lucina Pilot Metropolitan Classic Retro Pop Animal Print Pilot Minuet Pilot Penmanship Pilot Petit1 Pilot Plumix Pilot Prera This list will help me compare and choose the best option as I continue my research.

Loss of My Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pen It appears I've misplaced and possibly lost my beloved Platinum Century 3776 fountain pen. This is unfortunate, as it cost me quite a bit of money, estimating around $75 ($65 for the pen and $10 for the converter). Current Alternatives While I still have my Pilot Metropolitan, it simply isn't the same as having a gold nib pen. The writing experience with the Platinum is unmatched, and I truly miss it. Future Considerations I’m not ready yet to invest in another expensive fountain pen. Instead, I need to think about how to better ensure I avoid misplacing and losing such valuable items in the future. This situation has definitely been a disappointment.

Review of AKG Headphones Model EO-IG955 I recently scored a pair of AKG Headphones Model EO-IG955 , which come with the Samsung Galaxy S8+ phone. A friend who knows I love headphones generously gave them to me. Here’s my take on these earbuds. Basic Features These headphones are a nice pair to receive for free, and while it's challenging to find detailed specs online, here’s what I gathered: In-Line Microphone : Yes Volume Control : Up/Down Pause/Resume Functionality : Yes Cabling : Braided cloth until the earbud split, transitioning to rubber. The braided design helps reduce tangling, although a full braided cable would have been ideal. Sound Quality In terms of sound quality, they compare favorably to Apple Earbuds , with a slight advantage in the upper mids and bass. Here are some specifics: Fit : The flex tips provide a secure fit without being overly intrusive, unlike my Klipsch R6i . Bass : The R6i's offer a bass-heavy tuning that outperforms the AKG's, but the AKG

Short Stop in Las Vegas I recently made a short stop in Las Vegas for a few days, staying on the Strip. It was fun to revisit the old town after many years. While I enjoyed the sights and had a few beers, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the experience isn’t quite the same without a group of friends to party with. Highlights of the Trip Nostalgic Vibes : It was great to see Vegas again, but I found that the magic of the city has faded for me over time. The excitement just isn't there like it used to be when I visited with friends. Old Fashioned Experience : I indulged in an Old Fashioned while I was there. It wasn't half bad, but for $17 , I expected it to be spectacular. Honestly, I can get better Old Fashioneds back home, which contributed to my overall impression of the city. Reflection While Las Vegas has its charm and vibrant atmosphere, my recent trip reminded me that the experience is more enjoyable when shared with good company. As I look back, it’s clear that the al

Final International Trip of the Year: Seoul, South Korea I recently took my last international trip of the year, visiting Seoul, South Korea , via Incheon Airport (ICN). It was a brief visit, lasting a few days, during which I stayed with relatives. The trip was uneventful in the best way, filled with relaxation, shopping, and enjoying various restaurants around town. Day 1: Flight to ICN I flew in economy class , and I must say the service and amenities were quite good. Flight Experience : Free beer, free movies, and a palatable meal made the journey enjoyable. The meal was a chicken and rice combo , which warmed up nicely. The Kochujang sauce was a brilliant addition, making it quite delicious. Later in the flight, they served Shin Ramen . It was my first time having it on a plane, but I found it too salty. I ended up just eating the noodles and skipping the soup. Overall, I stuck with more beer during the flight! Day 2: Seoul This day was dedicated to a delivery food party . We sta

Preparing for MCSA Exam 70-480 I've started my preparation for the MCSA Exam 70-480, focusing on Programming in HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3. The material is comprehensive, spanning a total of sixteen chapters . As I've been skimming through, I’ve noticed that I already know a fair bit of the content, but the book dives deeper into topics like lossy vs. lossless compression. It’s interesting to understand why one would choose JPG, GIF, PNG, or SVG—something I hadn’t paid much attention to before. So, in that sense, this book has proven to be quite useful. Progress Updates 6/3 - Completed Chapter 1 & 2 : Getting familiar with Visual Studio 2012 and HTML5. Note: Sometimes, it actually helps to study with a pint of beer! 6/4 - Completed Chapter 3 : Focused on JavaScript . Pairing it with a Sidecar makes for a good study session! Update: December 17, 2017 - Cancellation As life goes, I’ve decided to give up my studies in Web Apps for now. I do wish I knew where my Platinum 3