Simple Living

Liquor Cabinet Update I stocked up my liquor cabinet with two bottles: Basil Hayden Bourbon Jameson Irish Whiskey Whiskey Front The Jameson is decent and on par with Johnnie Walker Red Label. It is excellent on the rocks and will be in rotation with JW Red and Monkey Shoulder for my standard whiskey. Bourbon: Still Trying I am really trying to develop a taste for bourbon. Buffalo Trace was decent, and Basil Hayden has always been on my list to try. Generally, most bourbons I drink are part of an Old Fashioned. I found it interesting to learn that Basil Hayden is part of Jim Beam and one of four brands they are segmenting, along with Bakers, Bookers, and Knob Creek. I plan to try them all eventually. Thoughts So Far As a Scotch drinker, I took almost ten minutes to decide whether to pick up Laphroaig or Basil Hayden. I recently had a dram of Johnnie Walker Black Label on the rocks at a bar, and it tasted delicious. I have a bottle of JW Black (Jane Walker Edition) but am hesitant to ope...

2007 Lexus IS250 Ownership Experience I've been enjoying my 2007 Lexus IS250 for a few months now, and it has proven to be a fun daily driver. Here’s a summary of my experience, including specs and insights on its performance, comfort, and maintenance challenges. Purchase Details Price : $11,000 Mileage at Purchase : 62,500 miles Specifications Engine : 2.5L V6 (4GR-FSE), RWD Horsepower : 204 @ 6,400 RPM Torque : 185 @ 4,800 RPM Transmission : 6-Speed Automatic Performance : 0-60 mph: 7.4 seconds 1/4 Mile: 15.4 seconds @ 88 mph EPA MPG : 24 City / 32 Highway Dimensions : Length: 180.1 inches Wheelbase: 107.5 inches Height: 56.1 inches Width: 70.9 inches (w/o mirrors) Model:  XE20 (2nd Generation) Driving Experience Highway Cruiser The IS250 shines on the open freeway, where it feels most comfortable above 60 mph. While the 0-60 time is not impressive, once you reach higher RPMs, it reveals a more spirited side. My highway MPG has averaged between 25-28 , which is decent for a car ...

Everyday Carry (EDC) - June 2018 Here's a look at my Everyday Carry (EDC) essentials while studying: Items in My EDC iPhone 6s : My go-to device for communication and productivity. Black Leather Wallet : Sleek and practical for carrying essentials. Swiss Army Knife - Spartan : A versatile tool, although I haven't felt the need for it lately. Rolex Explorer 114270 : My reliable timepiece that adds a touch of class. Zippo Lighter (Butane Insert) : Recently upgraded for convenience and reliability. Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen : A smooth writing instrument that enhances my note-taking. NY Yankees Baseball Cap : Perfect for casual outings and sunny days. Not Pictured ATH-MSR7 Headphones : Excellent for music and focus while studying.

Minimalist Wardrobe Overview I’ve embraced a minimalist wardrobe for about two years and currently maintain 41 articles of clothing . Here’s a breakdown of my collection: Clothing Inventory Pants (11 Total) Slacks: 5 Jeans: 2 Shorts/Gym: 4 Shirts (20 Total) T-Shirts/Gym: 7 Short Sleeve Shirts: 8 Long Sleeve Shirts: 5 Outerwear (5 Total) Blazer: 1 Jackets: 2 Hoodies: 2 Shoes (5 Total) Dress Shoes: 2 Sneakers: 3 Future Purchases I have a few items in mind for 2018-2019 : White GAP Hoodie Denim Levi Jacket (still considering) Update (12/16/18) I successfully purchased the White GAP Hoodie but decided against the denim jacket for now. I plan to reconsider adding a jacket in 2019, but I’m still uncertain about the brand, style, or type. Closing Thoughts Maintaining a minimalist wardrobe has been rewarding, allowing me to focus on quality over quantity. I look forward to refining my collection further in the coming year.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Review I recently picked up a 750 mL bottle of Buffalo Trace for $28 . As someone who primarily enjoys Scotch, particularly single malts and blends, I wanted to broaden my palate and appreciate bourbon more. 1st Dram: Basic Impressions Bite : Right off the bat, I noticed it has a bite similar to Johnnie Walker Red Label . It has more of a kick than I'm accustomed to as a regular Scotch drinker. Taste : The flavor profile falls somewhere between a blend (like JW Black ) and a single malt (such as Highland Park 12 ). There’s a lot going on here, and I feel I need a few more drams to fully appreciate it. The bourbon is a bit spicier and has a touch of sweetness, but it doesn’t reach the level of sweetness found in a Macallan 12 or any Cognac. Nose : The aroma is reminiscent of Hennessy VSOP , which adds another layer to the experience. Overall, I find it worth trying, especially for its price. It has a distinctive taste that contributes nicely to my liquor coll...

Review of My New Watch Case After much deliberation, I finally decided to invest in a proper watch case. My previous experience with a cheap 6-slot watch case left me unsatisfied due to its poor quality, featuring a plastic clear top and glued vinyl. To avoid a repeat of that mistake, I opted for a Hardwood and Glass Case from Amazon for $53 . First Impressions Overall, I found the case to be decent. The internal cushions and partitions are on par with the cheap case I had before, but I did notice that if you pull too hard, they can pop out. Key Issues Low Height Clearance : The second tray has a very low height clearance, which posed a challenge for my G-Shocks . While the DW5600 fits just fine, larger models might scrape the bottom, which is less than ideal. Loose Tray : The second tray also feels quite loose and jiggly. You have to guide it into place, but this is a minor inconvenience. Strengths On the plus side, the solid glass top is gorgeous and really makes the watches stand...

Review of Jane Walker Series - Johnnie Walker Black Label I recently picked up the Limited Edition Jane Walker Series of Johnnie Walker Black Label . Interestingly, it retailed for less than the regular Johnnie Walker Black, which was part of the reason I decided to purchase it. From what I understand, it’s the same blend as the classic Black Label but presented in different packaging. Sales and Availability Johnnie Walker is a giant in the whisky market, selling about 230 million bottles of Black Label annually. In contrast, the Jane Walker variant has a limited run of approximately 250,000 bottles . I was surprised to see that my local liquor store still had quite a few left, indicating that they produced more than enough to meet demand. Purchase Motivation Honestly, I bought it primarily because I enjoy Johnnie Walker Black, and this variant was selling for $4 less than the standard bottle. I appreciate the brand's effort to highlight women in whisky, but I can’t help but agr...

Watch Comparison: Casio MTP-4500 vs. Wenger 72803W I have a fondness for three styles of analog watches: Chronographs , Field Watches , and Divers . Typically, I find that Quartz movements work best for Chronograph complications, while Automatic/Mechanical movements can rival Quartz in Field and Dive Watches. I also like to keep a few budget Quartz watches in my collection as 'beater' watches, allowing me to enjoy some basic styling without the worry of damage. When I’m not wearing an Automatic/Mechanical, I gravitate towards 'busy' Quartz Chronographs on a metal bracelet, such as the Casio MTP-4500 . Watch Specifications [Watch #1] Brand/Model : Casio MTP-4500 Style : Chronograph (3 Register, Center Seconds) Dimensions : 41mm Case Width, 11mm Case Height, 22mm Lug Width Movement : Quartz Features : Tachymeter Rotating Bezel, No Date, Metal Bracelet Retail Price : $33 @ Amazon (MSRP $80) [Watch #2] Brand/Model : Wenger 72803W Style : Field Watch Dimensions : 41mm Case...

Exploring Minimalism: Defining My Approach I’ve delved into various minimalist blogs and videos and noticed recurring themes that characterize different types of minimalism, often categorized by three main characteristics: Quantity , Quality , and Variety . Types of Minimalism Extreme Minimalist = Survivalist Extreme Minimalists live with just a few unique items, often in tiny homes or even out of their cars. They can fit their entire life into a single backpack, embodying the nomadic spirit of modern times. Quantity : LOW Quality : HIGH (ideally) Variety : LOW Casual Minimalist Casual Minimalists maintain a greater quantity than Extreme Minimalists and often fluctuate between quantity and variety. For instance, they may own multiple versions of the same item, like five white T-shirts or five T-shirts of different colors. I consider myself a Casual Minimalist, as I limit my T-shirts to three colors (white, grey, and black) with a total of seven. Quantity : MEDIUM* Quality : HIGH (ideal...

Portable Battery Pack Experience I found a portable battery pack on sale at Lotte World for 11,000 Won. The price was low, likely due to its fixed adapter for Mini-USB / Lightning connections, which will soon become obsolete as USB-C becomes the standard. However, for now, most of my devices still use these connections. Initial Impressions I'm pleased with the much larger capacity of 5,000 mAh, especially since I was previously relying on a smaller 2,200 mAh battery pack. I’m not a fan of the massive 10,000 mAh or larger models, so I thought this one would be more than sufficient for my brief trips. Update (9/10/18) Unfortunately, my experience took a turn for the worse. This battery pack has proven to be quite disappointing! Other than a blinking blue light, there’s no indication of how much charge remains. It also doesn’t seem to recharge properly; after a few minutes, it just stops blinking. I found myself needing to reconnect the charging cable repeatedly, and each time it only...

A Week in South Korea: Embracing the Culture and Cuisine I decided to spend a full week in South Korea rather than split my time between two countries. This turned out to be a wise decision, allowing me to relax and take a leisurely pace. In the past, I had only shorter stays of a few days in Busan, leaving me feeling like I couldn’t fully experience certain places. By spending an entire week here, I was able to truly immerse myself in the culture, and now I'm satisfied with brief visits in the future. Day 1: Incheon Hyatt I arrived in the evening and spent my first night at the Hyatt. After settling in, I ordered room service, enjoying pasta and a Caesar salad. The hotel had a mini-fridge, and I tried a Cass Beer, which was surprisingly refreshing.   Day 2: KTX (Incheon -> Seoul -> Busan) Due to the Olympics, there was no direct train connection from Incheon to Busan, so I made a brief stopover at Seoul Station. I picked up a box lunch and enjoyed my first cup of coffee in B...

Blog Update: Merging Coffee Study Talk and Simple Living I've created a second blog called Coffee Study Talk . For the most part, my original blog, Simple Living , will focus on my technology-related hobbies: Watches Video Games Headphones Technology Misc. The second blog, Coffee Study Talk , was intended to cover everything else and be focused on: Coffee Liquor (mostly Whiskey) Traveling My Studies Fountain Pens Update - June 2024 I've decided to merge the blogs, as it wasn't worth the hassle of maintaining two separate sites. I don't get many views, and it has become more of an inventory and personal journal for me. This way, I can consolidate my interests into one space, making it easier to manage and share my thoughts on both technology and my other passions.

Pilot Custom 74 Review I purchased a Pilot Custom 74 with a Soft Fine Nib for about $70 on Amazon. I also ordered a Con-70 Ink Converter, but for now, I'm using a standard blue ink cartridge. Initial Thoughts The pen is quite nice and naturally better than the Pilot Metropolitans that I have relied on for several months. However, I was somewhat disappointed by how the barrel of the pen curves inward before connecting with the cap. I would have preferred a nicer fit and finish comparable to the Platinum Century 3776. The nib is also much more subdued and almost the exact same size as the Pilot Metropolitan's nib. Visually, it is more appealing with its added engraving, but unless you write with it, it looks almost identical to a Metropolitan nib. In short, I was hoping for a pen that was both an excellent writer and a bit more ostentatious, similar to the Platinum 3776. I will likely have to order a replacement 3776 in Chartres Bleu, probably around August of this year, as I rea...

Setting My Sights on Data Analytics Certification I have set my sights on my first certification in my journey to the Data Analytics realm, specifically the Microsoft MTA Exam - 98-381 - Introduction to Programming with Python. My Preparation Books Intro to Python, 5th Edition - Mark Lutz Programming in Python - Mark Lutz Self-Practice Writing Python applications Timeline 180 Days (December 2017 – May 2018) Tentative Exam Date : Early May 2018 Note I won't feel competent in Python until I have spent at least a full year writing serious code. For now, I want to understand the basics and apply them at work. I have some small projects in mind to gain practical experience with Python, and I plan to implement them in 2018. I consider this the foundational step to solidify my Python knowledge. Updates Update (2/1/18) I got busy at work and had to push back my Python studies. I am still studying, but my progress is slower than I had hoped. However, I am committed to continuing. Update ...