Simple Living

It's time to start studying again and I've decided against pursuing .NET/Web Programming in favor of Data Science.  I've only begun researching what I need to learn to get better acquainted with 'Data Science' and for now I'll study Python Programming. I'm already pretty good with SQL and Relational Databases (SQL Server, Oracle), but there is much more and beyond Math & Statistics, I wanted to understand how to play around with unstructured data. I. Subject List So my initial study list (subject to change as I learn what I need; and in no particular order): Python Language R Language MongoDB / noSQL Big Data (Hadoop, Hive ) Cloud Tools ( Amazon S3 ) I'll also need to brush up on my Math & Stats skills (it's been a few years since Uni). II. Reading Estimate 4,000 Pages [ 5 ~ 6 books * 500 ~ 800 pages ] 10 months [ 100 pages / week ]  // ETC = October 2018 III. Resources Python Intro to Python 5th Edition - Mark Lutz P

List of Apple Watch - Activity Achievement Challenge Badges for 2017.   These are usually available for One (1) Day only. April 22 -- Earth Day May 14 -- Mother's Day July 15 -- National Park November 11 -- Veteran's Day November 23 -- Thanksgiving

Over a year ago in 2016 I invested in a pair of Klipsch R6i Earbuds .  They've proven quite useful on short transit and plane trips.  While not true 'noise isolation' they perform much better than the stock Apple Earbuds or A KG EO-IG955's that come with Samsung's Flagship Galaxy S8's. After scoring a free pair of AKG IG955's and spending some time burning them in I've been able to both appreciate the AKG's and compare them to my Klipsch R6's.  I actually like them both, but for different purposes & reasons. First the specs for each: Klipsch R6i Specs: 6.5mm Drivers 10 ~ 19,000 Hz 110 db/mW 18 Ohms -22 Noise Isolation 3.5mm Plug (Gold) Flat Cable (Tangle Free)  Microphone In-Line Control (Volume Up/Down, Start/Pause) $60 @ Amazon AKG EO-IG955 Specs*: Driver Size? 20 ~ 20,000 Hz* 93.2 db/mW 32 Ohms 3.5 mm Plug (Non-Gold) Partial Braided Cable (Sorta Tangle Free) Microphone In-Line Control (Volume Up/Down, Start/P

The 4th and last book of Yukio Mishima's - Sea of Fertility - Tetralogy.  It was meant to be his masterpiece and while I was only able to read the 3rd & 4th book, I can honestly say they are quite good, but not on the same level of Tolstoy's War & Peace. I'm not going to attempt to be a Critic and will immediately say I loved this book and was a welcome read.  It posed very interesting questions on how to live life and preparing for one's inevitable death.  Another reader made a good comment...The Sea of Fertility can be summed in Mr. Honda's realization that we have just 'one shot at life'. Sadly, I need to go find Book 1 & 2 to complete the Tetralogy, but in comparison to the 3rd book I would say the 3rd is better as it includes glimpses into Yukio's interpretation & analysis of how life was like in Japan during & after WW2.  Very insightful and interesting notes. This was a far quicker read clocking in at barely 140 or so pages.  B

I own both the Audio Technica ATH-M50x and ATH-MSR7's and wanted to wait a few months before doing a proper comparison between the two models of headphones. In many ways the MSR7 are the successor to the M50x; rather than the M70x.  The M50's became a legendary headphone in their own right because of the amount of value they offered relative to price.  While it's too early to know if the MSR7's can take that place, they are a worthy contender. Price (M50 wins) M50's MSRP around $169 USD (Amazon usually has them for $130 ~ $150) MSR7's MSRP for $249 USD (but have seen them for about $200) Sound Quality (MSR7 wins) Both use 45 mm drivers.    MSR7 5 ~ 40,000 Hz 35 Ohm 2,000 mW M50x 15 ~ 28,000 Hz 38 Ohm 1,600 mW The MSR7's do sound better in terms of tighter response, definition and overall clarity of sound.  Switching back to the M50's things sound muddled and it's quite surprising as when I first bought the M50's it was

I wanted to broaden my palate beyond just Whisky and after some Research discovered the delightful world of Brandy's.  There are probably just as many if not more types & brands of Brandy's as there are Whisky's and some of the most famous are the French Cognacs. There are also several grades starting from lowest: VS (Very Special) VSOP (Very Special Old Pale) XO (Extra Old). There are several major brands of Cognac and for my initial foray I selected a VSOP from the House of Hennessy (LVMH) for about $18 USD on a 200 mL Bottle. Initial Reaction It is flavorful, sweet and a nice nose (fragrance).  In terms of 'taste' its about par with a Johnnie Walker Black, but only half as interesting as a Highland Park 12. For sweetness, its almost the same as a Macallan 12 and honestly, the viscosity & taste reminded me of the time I added a teaspoon of Maple Syrup to a bad bottle of Macallan 12...the Hennessy VSOP was almost identical in that experience!  Not saying i

Gave the Seiko Orange Monster a try on the Bonetto Cinturini 285 Strap.  Wasn't a fan of the stock Metal Bracelet and it looks pretty good on a Black Rubber Strap. I particularly like the Bonetto Strap as it retains that faint Vanilla smell, even after all these years.

By happenstance I own several Sony ZX Series Headphones: ZX-100 ZX-110 ZX-310 Build Quality (ZX-310 Wins) They use mostly a Plastic Build that is quite durable; the ZX-100 I've had for over 2 1/2 years and been thrown about in my Backpack & Car.  The ONLY issue with the lower model ZX-100 & ZX-110 Series are the crappy Earpads that disintegrate and create a flaky vinyl mess.  Those flakes then get stuck to your ears & hair.  The ZX-310 wins in that regard with much better quality Earpads. Cost (ZX-100/110 Wins) ZX-310's cost about twice that of the ZX-100/110 and I've been able to find several 310's for about $18 at Discount Retailers.  ZX-110's should go for about $10. Specs They are all 30mm Drivers.  The ZX-310 has a wider Frequency Range of 10 ~ 24,000 Hz and a Gold 1/8" Plug.  The ZX-100/110 are roughly identical going 12 ~ 22,000 Hz. Sound (ZX-100 Wins) Surprisingly, I prefer the ZX-100's Sound Signature vs. the 110 and 31

The Seiko SKX007 is one of the best deals out there for a Real Diver's Watch. I got mine for about $179 from Amazon and was quite happy with it, except it was a bit too big for my taste with 22mm Bands and a 45mm Watch Face. My preference is max 20mm Bands and 39-41mm Watch Faces. It's hard to say anything negative towards the SKX007.  A 7s26/36 Automatic Movement and good for up to 200mm Water Resistance for a fraction of the price of comparable Luxury Diver Watches like the Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, etc. Alas, sold it as it was too large for my taste.  Picked up instead the Orange Monster SKX781 that has 20mm Bands. Model - SKX781 Movement - Automatic 7s26/36 Size - 45mm Band - 22mm 

The Zodiac SeaDragon was one of my first foray's into Watch Collecting and was my 3rd or 4th Watch since my venerable '1st Watch' a Guess Waterpro.  Back then I was attracted to Diver Style Watches. It was a very good watch and I enjoyed it.  Alas, since parting with it learned that Zodiac has abandoned Quartz Watches and gone upmarket with Automatics Only.  Making these older Quartz Versions increasingly Uncommon and someday Rare.  If I can recall I got maybe $40 for it and now see them selling for close to $100 on eBay.  Retail, paid about $119~129 from what I recall.  I wouldn't be surprised in a decade from now it'll sell for more than MSRP, but not much more above that as it's still just a Quartz. One thing that did 'suck' about this watch was the Bezel is NOT unidirectional and very easily gets jammed so it's just for looks.  Also the case design makes it tough to thread a NATO strap. Model# ZO2219 Size - 39 mm Dial Band - 20mm Movemen

My Headphone Collection has grown in leaps & bounds.  I've since dumped my Skullcandies & Beats in favor of Audio Technica & Grado.  Hindsight is 20/20 and had I known then what I know now...I would have straight away purchased a pair of M50's many years ago... Anyway...here in all their glory [From Left to Right]: Audio Technica -- M50x [Purchased 2014] Audio Technica -- MSR7 [Purchased 2017] Grado -- SR80e [Purchased 2016] Future Plans? Not sure...I have the Closed & Open Reference Cans covered...I'll either go upmarket to say the $1k Range of Fostex & Ultrasone or the tier below that with the ATH M70x , Sony MDR1a or some other brand (Beyerdynamics, Sennheisers, AKG, etc). By all seriousness it'll likely be another pair of Audio Technica's and either the M70's or an Open Reference (R70 or AD700)...

People must know I like Whisky, a friend gave me the small 200 mL Bottle of Johnnie Walker - Blue Label.  Pretty cool and now I have a way to sample Blue Label without popping open the big bottle. I'll save it for something special.  Probably will open it for New Years.  

I picked up a pair of Sony Earbuds model MDR-EX15ap over a year ago.  They were on sale for about $5 and couldn't resist.  These are not great, but not terrible either and I leave them in the car as an emergency backup pair of headphones when I'm outside the house and in a Study Session Mood. From what I could research there are two (2) sub-models of EX15's with designation 'AP' being for Android Compatible and 'LP' is Standard.  I think this is reference to the single push button on the in-line Microphone that is likely for On/Off functionality during phone calls or during music playback. Basic Specs 9mm Drivers 8 - 22,000 Hz 100 dB/mW 16 ohms 3.94 ft Cable w/ inLine Microphone

Highland Park released New Packaging & Branding for their 10, 12 and 18 Year old Single Malt Whisky's.  I picked up the 12 Year old - Viking Honour to replenish my stock as it's been almost 2 years since I last had a dram of HP12.  Eagerly waiting to give it a try later in the Month. Original Notes: HP 12 Year Old 2015   Update 9/30/17 Popped it open and had two pours.  Both were phenomenal and I'm very happy I picked up the Highland Park 12.  It's not as Sweet as a Macallan, but perfectly easy to drink neat. Update 10/13/17 Already drank half the bottle!  Have to slow down...particularly what is amazing about Highland Park 12 is the nose.  I can't get enough of the aroma and drinking out of a proper curved glass I can really take it all in.