Simple Living

Building My Fountain Pen Ink Collection I recently received a delightful gift: a 3-pack sampler of Pilot brand Iroshizuku ink . This set includes 15 mL samples of three beautiful colors: Syo-Ro Ama-Iro Fuyu-Gaki I'm thrilled to add these to my growing collection of fountain pen inks, which now includes five Iroshizuku colors : Kon-Peki and Murusaki Shikibu are already in my arsenal. First Impressions with Ama-Iro I inked one of my Pilot Metropolitan pens with Ama-Iro and was pleasantly surprised by its lighter shade of blue. Initially, it looked quite similar to Kon-Peki , but once dried, I noticed that: Ama-Iro is much lighter and fresher in appearance. In contrast, Kon-Peki starts darker but lightens up to resemble Ama-Iro after drying. Future Plans I'm looking forward to trying the other colors in the sampler. I’m also considering expanding my collection with the following 3-pack samplers: Asa-Gao, Shin-Kai, Yama-Budo Tsuki-Yo, Take-Sumi, Kon-Peki This would help me e...

Simplifying My Wardrobe with Uniqlo In my quest to simplify my wardrobe, I decided to give Uniqlo a try, despite my skepticism about the quality of fast fashion retailers. I've had mixed results with brands like Zara, H&M, and Old Navy , particularly in finding basic essentials. Here's a summary of my experience so far: T-Shirts: Impressive Quality Purchase : I bought both the Supima Cotton and Dry Packaged lines of t-shirts. Quality : I'm quite impressed with the quality, especially for the price. Size Challenge : I had some difficulty finding them in size large, as I’m in that tricky size range between medium and large. I generally opt for large, hoping it shrinks slightly for a better fit. Oxford Shirts: Satisfied Short Sleeve Oxford : I found a nice light blue oxford short sleeve shirt, which I’m very happy with. Linen Shirt : I also picked up a blue/white plaid linen shirt for just $3.90 . While I would have bought more, the other patterns didn’t suit me as we...

Outdoor Day: Walking and Coffee I had a productive day that included a 5-mile walk at a 19-minute/mile pace . Here's a breakdown of my day: Morning Routine Cappuccino at Olive & Oliver : I started with a nice cappuccino, which was quite good. It was the perfect pick-me-up before my walk. Walk Details Distance : 5 miles Pace : 19 minutes per mile Ending Location : I finished my walk at Denny's for lunch, enjoying a well-deserved meal after my exercise. Afternoon Plans I still plan on taking a hike later in the afternoon when it cools down and becomes less sunny. I’ll also continue studying Kimball Data Warehouse , making the most of my day outdoors while keeping up with my studies.

Adidas Clothing Haul I recently took advantage of a 50% off sale at my local Adidas store and picked up two items: a track jacket in red/black stripes and a navy/white stripe windbreaker . I'm quite pleased with both of them! Product Reviews Track Jacket Style : Red/black stripes Use : Great for indoor wear, but not very warm outdoors. The material tends to let the breeze through, making it less effective for cooler weather. Windbreaker Style : Navy/white stripes Use : Phenomenal! It's very lightweight, keeps me warm outdoors, and is water-resistant. This piece has quickly become a favorite for its practicality. Purchase Details Total Spent : About $45 Track Jacket : $20 Windbreaker : $25 While I would have preferred the track jacket in a classic red/white stripe and the windbreaker in royal blue, I'm still satisfied with the current choices and expect to enjoy them for many years. 2019 Clothing Goals This purchase fulfills about half of my clothing needs for 2019. I plan...

Coffee Experience at Sidecar I decided to treat myself to a good cup of coffee and went with the Sidecar . The drink had a delightful flavor that reminded me a lot of a Cappuccino , but I suspect it's actually more of a Latte Macchiato . Differences Between the Two Cappuccino : Espresso first, followed by steamed milk, topped with milk foam. Latte Macchiato : Steamed milk first, then espresso added, and also topped with milk foam. Despite their similar ingredients, the order of preparation really changes the experience! Enjoying Coffee While Studying I appreciated the added side of Espresso , which complemented the drink perfectly. I enjoyed this coffee while diving into Chapter 5 of Kimball's Data Warehouse . It was a great way to enhance my study session, making it both productive and enjoyable.

New Leather Watch Band for Apple Watch I recently purchased a new leather watch band for my Apple Watch. The original rubber band was irritating my skin after prolonged use, making the watch almost unwearable at times. Comfort Improvement Comfort : The leather band has significantly improved the comfort and overall wearability of the Apple Watch. It feels much better against my skin and allows me to wear the watch for extended periods without discomfort. Value : I found this leather band to be a great deal at about $10 on Amazon , making it an affordable upgrade. Aesthetic Consideration The only minor error I made was in choosing the band; I own a dark grey watch , and the end links for this strap are silver chrome. However, this mismatch is barely noticeable to me, so it doesn't detract from my overall satisfaction with the purchase. Overall, I'm pleased with this upgrade and look forward to enjoying my Apple Watch more comfortably.

2019 Liquor Purchase Overview First Purchase: Jim Beam For my first purchase of 2019 , I deviated from my initial plan and picked up a 750 mL bottle of Jim Beam . I was looking for an entry-level bourbon to help me compare and contrast flavors with Wild Turkey 101 , and Jim Beam turned out to be a perfect choice. Tasting Notes Flavor Profile : Jim Beam is sweet and smooth but otherwise quite bland. This characteristic is beneficial when switching to Wild Turkey 101 , as it accentuates the more robust flavor profile of the latter. Price Point : I appreciate the affordability of Jim Beam, making it a very palatable drink for casual enjoyment. Future Plans While I plan to add another bottle of Jim Beam every now and then, I want to make room for Wild Turkey 101 as my go-to bourbon staple. This will complement my current scotch staples, which include Johnnie Walker Red and Johnnie Walker Black . Overall, incorporating Jim Beam into my collection provides a good reference point for unders...

Apple Watch Experience Overview I. Return to the Apple Watch I have owned my Apple Watch Series 2 since April 2017 , and while I wore it regularly throughout most of 2017 , I transitioned back to traditional wristwatches in 2018 . However, I began wearing my Apple Watch consistently again in October 2018 . What Brought Me Back? The primary reason for my return was convenience . The Apple Watch integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, serving as my main access point for: Alerts and notifications Messages and phone calls Music controls Useful information In essence, the Apple Watch acts as a tiny data dashboard . I only need to pull out my iPhone when I want to search the internet, send or receive messages, or access specific apps. For the most part, I can get through my day without taking my iPhone out of my pocket. Additionally, the interface enhancements have improved usability. I can now easily access music controls directly on the watch, eliminating the previous need to stop...

Liquor Consumption and Future Plans 2018 Overview In 2018, I purchased about 12 bottles of liquor , totaling 8 liters for $404 (with an estimated $65 value for a gift of Johnnie Walker Blue). This averages out to roughly 1 bottle per month , which aligns with my expectations. Bourbon Exploration I decided to increase my bourbon consumption to 33% of my total liquor intake to broaden my horizons. Initially, I found bourbons to be a bit too sweet, which sometimes overpowered the tasting experience I prefer with Scotch whisky. However, after regularly sampling bourbon, I realized I wanted to keep a bottle on hand to enjoy a dram now and then, balancing it with my whisky pours. House of Johnnie It's no surprise that I lean heavily towards Johnnie Walker . About 25% of my total consumption this year came from Johnnie Walker Red and Black , my go-to favorites. I also discovered that Monkey Shoulder and Jameson are excellent alternatives worth considering. 2019 Goals For the upcom...

Weight Management Journey: Tracking Progress and Diet Changes My weight has held steady at 173 lbs for the past five years. I started gaining weight from 2004 to 2010, reaching above 170 lbs, which roughly coincided with my decision to stop long-distance running, where I used to run 25-30 miles per week. My Diet (2019 - 2022) In the years following, I explored dietary changes, particularly considering a keto diet due to my research on the issues with processed sugar. I was concerned about potential side effects like feeling tired or sluggish during ketosis. Instead, I decided to focus on reducing my carbohydrate intake by avoiding processed sugar while increasing my protein and fat intake. To simplify my approach, I made four specific changes to my diet: Breakfast: Opted for an egg or tuna salad sandwich. Vegetable Intake: Aimed to eat 8 oz of veggies daily (celery, carrots, cucumbers, etc.). Hydration: Increased water intake to 48 oz daily. Sugar Reduction: Avoided processed sugar...

Holiday Surprises: Bluetooth Gifts at the Company Party At a recent company party, I received two surprise gifts: a Bluetooth Sony speaker, the SRS-XB10, and a pair of Apple AirPods. I’m quite pleased, as I’ve been wanting some Bluetooth audio gear for a while. Sony SRS-XB10 Bluetooth Speaker The Sony SRS-XB10 is a fairly decent speaker for its size, and it will be especially useful at outdoor parties and events thanks to its impressive 12+ hour battery life. It’s compact and portable, making it easy to take along wherever I go. Apple AirPods The AirPods are proving to be even more interesting. After several days of regular use, I find them very convenient compared to conventional wired earbuds, particularly due to the freedom from tangled cables. To enhance my experience, I ordered a silicone case with a clip for added security and convenience, as I didn’t feel comfortable carrying the charging case in my pocket. A clip or some method to securely tether the AirPods is almost a necessi...

Reflections on My Technical and Non-Technical Studies In regard to my technical domains, I've encountered quite a few 'dead ends' where I chose to quit at some point or have taken considerable time to complete my studies, often stopping and starting. This is not necessarily a bad thing; it demonstrates my ability to recognize when to pivot and change paths. Whatever insights I can glean from these studies remain valuable, even if they don’t reach the levels of depth I initially desired. Conversely, my non-technical domains are thriving. I have read numerous books over the years to keep my mind fresh and stimulated, as purely technical pursuits can become repetitive and dull. My Past Study Patterns in Technical Domains 2014 T-SQL Pro: Quit MCSA - SQL Server: Stop/Start for years 2016 MCSA - Windows Server: Quit MCSA - SQL Server: Success! 2017 MCSA - Web Apps: Quit 2018 MCSE - R: Stop/Start Art of R - Matloff Book: Completed MTA - Python: Stop/Start Python - Lutz: Completed ...

My Enduring iPad 2 Experience I am quite impressed that my original iPad 2, purchased seven years ago in 2011, is still going strong. I recently checked the battery health, and it is at 85% useful life, which is quite impressive. The iPad 2 is likely one of the oldest pieces of technology that has survived and continues to work as designed. While it is a bit laggy compared to my more modern laptops and iPhones, it remains fully functional. I rely on it for its size, weight, and form factor, which are unparalleled for reading PDF documents, especially with the handy bookmarking feature. Maintaining a set of old charging cables has been necessary, but the battery life allows me to use this tablet for several days between charges, so I am not overly concerned. Perhaps in 3 to 5 years, I will finally retire this device and upgrade to a new iPad or a relevant tablet. Update - August 2023: Digital Photo Frame Now in its twelfth year, I have repurposed the iPad 2 to become a digital photo fra...

Study Plan for Data Science One of the biggest eye-openers in my journey has been the realization that Data Science fundamentally revolves around Statistics . There’s a well-established college major focused on statistics, and data science isn't entirely new; it’s a combination of traditional statistical methods with modern computing technologies, utilizing software like R and SAS for analysis. To truly grasp data science, it's essential not only to learn programming languages but also to understand the underlying principles. As such, I've decided to revise my study plan for 2019, shifting from a language/platform-specific focus to a more theory-based approach that emphasizes core concepts and techniques. Eventual Skillset I. Domain: Statistics DW/BI (Data Warehouse / Business Intelligence) Math II. Tools: SQL Tableau R Python I. Domain A. Statistics Statistics and Data Analysis (WMU - Statistics 160 Textbook) A solid introduction to key concepts. Basics of Statistics...