Simple Living

My EDC Update: July 2020 It’s been a while, and my everyday carry (EDC) has changed every few months. I’m back to sporting a Swiss Army Knife and have found it surprisingly useful. You don’t realize how often you need to cut something—like a piece of rope, plastic, boxes, or tape—until you have the right tool on hand. Daily Essentials Besides opting for a quartz watch, the new daily essential is a face mask, which has become a necessary item in today’s world. EDC Items: iPhone 6s Black Leather Wallet Black Swiss Army Knife - Spartan with fast release keychain Victorinox INOX Quartz Watch - OD Green Dial Disposable Face Mask Not pictured are my keys and a simple ballpoint pen. I’m finding that having a pen is quite useful—sometimes even more than the Swiss Army Knife.

Enjoying the Simple Pleasures It’s been a while since I’ve ventured outside, and I waited until I felt it was okay to do so. Even a simple cup of Pike’s roast feels great and brings a sense of normalcy back into my routine. There’s something comforting about enjoying a familiar coffee while taking in the world around me.

My Journey with Baseball Caps I've owned quite a few baseball caps over the years, ranging from fitted and snapbacks to mesh truckers. Generally, I wear a hat either to protect myself from the elements or when I'm feeling lazy and didn’t fix my hair. Minimal Design and Colors In keeping with a minimalist theme, I prefer either single-color black or white hats, with as few designs or logos as possible. It's easy to find a decent baseball cap for about $10 at various discount retailers and even less online from Amazon. Mesh Caps for the Breeze For hot weather or when I anticipate sweating, mesh trucker hats offer the most utility. Otherwise, I favor the classic snapback style and often look for slightly oversized options. Logo Caps In the past, I favored logo caps from my favorite sports teams or name brands. My favorites included a New York Yankees cap and a simple white Adidas logo snapback. Simple is Best By no means do I consider myself an expert; I continue to learn and ...

Discovering Black Velvet Whisky I've always been curious about Black Velvet and surprisingly never tried it until now. I knew it would be a cheap liquor, typically found for under $10 on the bottom shelf of any grocery store. So, I picked it up alongside my usual bourbon fix, Wild Turkey 101. First Impressions At first, I tried it with Coca-Cola, but I couldn't taste anything besides the Coke. It was too sweet for my taste, so I decided to try it again on the rocks. To my surprise, it was incredibly smooth—indeed, as smooth as velvet. There are some sweet notes in the flavor profile, and I barely noticed any alcohol burn. However, something about it just doesn’t sit right with me. Smoothness is its standout feature. Black Velvet is very easy to drink, especially on the rocks. I’d place it somewhere below the sweetness of Jim Beam and below the heavy flavoring of Jack Daniel’s. The lack of an alcoholic burn is a bit unsettling, especially for an 80-proof whisky. Fortunately, I ...

My Love for the Rolex Explorer 114270 I absolutely love my Rolex Explorer 114270. Out of all my watches and material possessions, the Rolex stands out as my most prized item. There's something about the Explorer’s austere simplicity that truly sets it apart as one of the best examples of an automatic watch. The Allure of Simplicity The design of the Explorer embodies a perfect blend of elegance and functionality. Its clean lines and minimalist dial create a timeless aesthetic that resonates with me. I find that its understated charm makes it suitable for almost any occasion, whether I’m dressed up or going casual. A Future with Fewer Watches Someday, I envision simplifying my collection to just the Rolex as my main watch, alongside a few quartz pieces and G-Shocks for everyday wear and outdoor activities. If I had to choose only one watch to keep, the Explorer would undoubtedly be my candidate. Its versatility and classic design make it the ideal choice for a lifetime companion. In...

My Affection for the G-Shock 5600 Series The G-Shock lineup offers an impressive array of models, with countless color and design variations for each. Among them, the 5600 series stands out, and there are likely over a thousand different design combinations for this humble watch. Heritage and Design For me, the 5600 series carries the heritage of the original G-Shock, the 5000, while continuing its legacy into the present day. It's lightweight, unobtrusive, and packed with all the essential features you could want in a G-Shock. Although I prefer the light button placement on models like the 6900 or 9000 series, I've grown accustomed to the 5600's configuration. There's something about the square face and shape that resonates with me—it even reminds me of my Apple Watch. I've traveled the world with my 5600, and it has proven to be more than adequate for my needs. You can often find them for a bargain price of around $50 to $80, depending on where you look. Specs Ove...

Comparing the Casio Duro MDV-106 and Victorinox INOX As someone who has owned both the Casio Duro MDV-106 and the Victorinox INOX, I wanted to take the time to compare and contrast these two rugged quartz watches. The INOX serves as a mid-tier option priced around $200, while the Duro is a more budget-friendly choice at about $50. Specifications Casio Duro MDV-106 Water Resistance : 200 meters Case Width : 44 mm Band Width : 22 mm Movement : Quartz (Casio 2784 / Miyota 2115) Victorinox INOX Water Resistance : 200 meters Case Width : 43 mm Band Width : 21 mm Movement : Quartz (Ronda 715) Size Comparison Both watches are roughly similar in size, with the Duro being slightly larger at 44 mm and having a thicker case height of 12 mm compared to the INOX. Both feature screw-down crowns and are rated for 200 meters of water resistance. However, the Duro includes a rotating diver bezel, which makes it a more practical choice for diving purposes. Price and Features When it comes to price and f...

INOX Experience: Poolside and Beach Ready I recently took my Victorinox INOX for a swim, and I’m happy to report that it performed exactly as I had hoped. The INOX proved to be a reliable choice for a steel quartz watch, providing peace of mind while lounging around the pool and enjoying beach activities. Performance and Style The watch not only held up well in the water but also suited my style better than a G-Shock. Its stainless steel design feels more polished and sophisticated, making it a great accessory for casual summer outings. The sleek appearance complements various outfits, whether I'm in swim trunks or casual beachwear. Durability With its impressive 200-meter water resistance and rugged construction, the INOX is clearly built for adventure. I didn't have to worry about any potential damage from splashes or accidental submersions, which is exactly what I was looking for in a watch for poolside and beach environments. Final Thoughts Overall, my experience with the I...

The Quintessential Swiss Army Knife: A Tribute to the Victorinox Spartan A few years back, I found myself deeply engrossed in the world of Swiss Army multi-tools, culminating in a modest collection of about a dozen pieces. Among them, my favorite has been the Victorinox Spartan in the 91mm format, a true classic that embodies the spirit of Swiss craftsmanship. I have multiple copies, including the smaller Classic , but the Spartan remains my go-to for its blend of functionality and heritage. Heritage and Design The Spartan is based on the 1890s Officer's Knife , a design that harkens back to the origins of the Swiss Army knife. This lineage gives the Spartan a historical significance, being an offshoot of the Model 1890 soldiers' knife, the very tool used by the Swiss Army. Its timeless design captures the essence of what a Swiss Army knife should be: practical, reliable, and straightforward. Spartan Specs Length : 91mm Weight : 2.1 ounces Functions : 12 Large Knife Small Knif...

Victorinox INOX Watch Review Almost like clockwork, I purchase a new watch every year around this time. With last year's acquisition of the Armani AR585, I developed a liking for watches in the 43 mm range. This year, I decided to get the Victorinox INOX Watch in OD olive green. Background I've wanted the INOX for several years but hesitated, thinking that 43 mm was too big. At the time, I sold my Armani AR585, but as time passes, my perspective has changed. I now see a place for larger watches to complement my existing collection of 38 and 41 mm sizes. The INOX also offers a 200-meter water resistance with a screw-down crown, which I have always wanted in a watch besides my G-Shock for swimming. The hexagonal bezel design appeals to me as well. It resembles an AP Royal Oak or a PP Nautilus but is different enough that it doesn’t come across as a cheap knockoff or homage design. It's bold and blunt in size and design, but less so than my Seiko Orange Monster, which feels to...

Windows Update Troubles I have been spoiled by Linux and didn't pay much attention to the update system for Windows. I am currently on my fourth day trying to update Windows 10 to Build 1909. Initial Update Attempts The HP i7 restore software was on an older 1511 Build. I was able to update it to 1809 after several hours, but then I encountered total havoc while trying to get it updated to 1909. Restarting, running various command prompt options, and utilizing different utilities led to nothing but frustration. Decision to Reset After much struggle, I decided to reset back to a previous build. This process took me all the way back to 1511. I started over and managed to get it to 1809. Now, I am waiting for it to update to 1909, crossing my fingers for success. Update Success Update 4/23/2020 : It is done. The updates have finally completed, and I am 100% up-to-date. This ordeal felt unnecessary and ridiculous.

My Laptop Fleet Over the years, I have owned numerous laptops and have settled on a small fleet of three machines: Windows Box : Windows 10 - HP i7-6700HQ (2016) Linux Box : Lubuntu - HP i3-4010u (2014) Spare : Lubuntu - Compaq C700 C2Duo-T5250 (circa 2007) HP i3-4010u: An Awesome Processor Intel did well with the release of this 4th generation processor. While the i3 is designed as an entry-level and basic CPU, it works perfectly for Linux and most of my computing needs, excluding gaming. One of the best features is its low power consumption, which was a significant reason I decided to replace most of my older laptops that ran Core 2 Duos and older processors. I am still impressed at how many people continue to use their 4th gen i3 processors, which sell for a decent price on eBay (my HP i3 model goes for about $200). HP i7-6700HQ: Great, but Needs a GPU and SSD The i7 is an excellent processor, but if you plan to buy one, ensure it is paired with an SSD and a GPU. In hindsight, I had...

Caravan Stories: Basic Walkthrough/Guide Overview Welcome back to the world of Caravan Stories ! Whether you're playing on PS4 or the Japanese PC version, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the game. The two versions are fundamentally the same, but the PC version offers better bonuses, like the availability of 5-star gear for characters like Sophia. Five Basic Goals Complete the Four Starter Races: Start with Human, Elf, Dwarf, and Orc. Completing the stories and reincarnating opens new options and locations. Start with the Human Story: The Human story grants you the powerful S-Class character, Sophia, who can carry you through much of the game. Build a Good Team: Assemble a balanced team with diverse character types and classes. Upgrade Your Caravan: Prioritize internal upgrades first, then focus on external enhancements. Learn to Kite: While many battles can be auto-played, some require manual dodging and movement. Mastering the kiting technique will help y...

Upgrading My HP i7-6700HQ Laptop with an SSD I am upgrading my HP i7-6700HQ model 15-AB292NR (purchased in 2016) with a new SSD (solid-state drive), a 1TB Crucial BX500 3D NAND SATA 2.5 drive purchased for $100 from Amazon. Specs of the HP 15t Model 15-AB292NR Processor: Intel i7-6700HQ RAM: 8 GB HDD: 1 TB GPU: Intel Graphics 530 Screen: 15.6" IPS DVD Writer: Yes Wireless: 802.11AC Operating System: Windows 10 Home Battery Model: ki04 (KI04) The “HQ” in the processor name stands for High Quality and Quad-Core. It is a step below the unlocked K version but is otherwise fairly decent. Why Upgrade the i7? The HP i7 has been my main Windows OS machine as I still need it for certain functions, and recently I've been using it daily while stuck at home. Normally, I spend most of my time on my Linux laptop (HP i3-4010u), which has always been faster than even an i7 running Windows 10. Since I need to spend more time on Windows 10, upgrading to an SSD will help improve perform...