Simple Living

Reflections on a Difficult Year 2020 has been a challenging year. I know it could be worse, and in many ways, I’m very fortunate. However, the isolation and ennui are really taking their toll on me. A Shared Experience I’m sure things will improve. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a shared experience of global misery on a scale not felt since the Great Depression or World War II. As everyone says, it’s time to suck it up and carry on. The Need for Normalcy While I understand this and will continue to move forward, I still feel the need to express my frustrations. Despite being able to enjoy many creature comforts, one thing I sorely miss is the ability to eat in a proper restaurant—none of this takeaway.  

Rediscovering the Swatch Of all the watches in my collection, the one I’ve worn the least is my Swatch from 2015. I’ve always wanted to own a Swatch, and on a whim, I purchased the Faux Fox model five years ago. It sat barely used in my collection for years, but after a battery change, I find myself wearing it again. The Appeal of Simplicity There is something about its simplicity that makes it so appealing.

Exploring New Spirits During Lockdown Lockdown has given me more time to enjoy my pastimes, and so far this year, I’ve had the following: Johnnie Walker Black 1.75L Kirkland Blended Scotch 1.75L Wild Turkey 101 Jim Beam Black Velvet Bacardi White Rum Jameson Balvenie 12 Dalmore 12 Highland Park 12 Plans for the Final Months of 2020 As I look toward the final months of 2020, I’d like to try at least one more single malt and a mix of bourbons, blended scotch, another bottom-shelf surprise, and maybe a gin or vodka. Possible choices include: Oban 14 Maker’s Mark Cutty Sark Johnnie Walker Red Maintaining Variety I’m trying to keep only 3-4 bottles at a time, as I generally can consume a full bottle within a month. The larger 1.75L bottles help me pace myself better. At the same time, it gets boring drinking the same thing, so having some variety with a single malt, a blend, and a bourbon makes things interesting. Expanding My Horizons I’d also like to add a cognac, rum, and other spirits a...

Exploring Dalmore 12: A Single Malt Experience It's been a while since I tried a different single malt, and I heard good things about Dalmore. I did some basic research and discovered that this particular distillery was purchased by Whyte & Mackay, which was in turn bought out by Emperador Inc. While ownership details are interesting, they seem less significant as many Scotch distilleries and brands are owned by major conglomerates. Initial Impressions Another online review initially criticized Dalmore 12 for using caramel coloring and cold filtering. However, this doesn’t matter to me, as I wouldn’t have known otherwise. First Taste I was quite pleased by the nose and initial taste. There is a lot going on, providing a welcome respite from the bourbons and cheap whisky I’ve been enjoying for the past few months. There’s something special about a single malt, and Dalmore has a coating effect on the tongue that reminds me of Black Velvet. While there is definitely an alcohol bur...

Rediscovering the Zenith: A Perfect Match I’ve owned the Zenith for almost five years, and this is the first time I’ve tried it on a black leather strap. I was impressed by how perfect it looked. For years, I’ve worn it on either NATO or brown leather straps, which felt too casual. A Formal Upgrade With the black leather strap and black dial, the watch truly shines. The combination helps the stainless steel case contrast nicely and gives it a more formal profile. Reflecting on My Purchase I experienced buyer’s remorse back in 2015, as the purchase price was the same as a Hamilton Khaki, Seiko SARB, or even a vintage King Seiko. However, I’ve come to accept the Zenith as a fun little watch. I would likely feel an equal amount of remorse if I ever parted with it and sought it back again.

Trying Kirkland Blended Whisky I’ve always wanted to give it a try and finally bought a bottle of Kirkland Blended Whisky. They only had the larger 1.75 L size, and the price is still a bargain. In short, you get what you pay for, and this whisky is best for mixers or my favorite, a Mizuwari. This Japanese-style highball consists of plenty of ice, water, and a bit of whisky, typically with two parts water for every one part whisky. Mixing and Comparisons I find that a lot of bottom-shelf liquor works well as a Mizuwari, and this Kirkland blend surpasses Black Velvet. However, it doesn’t hold a candle to other blended scotches like Johnnie Walker Red Label, Ballantine's, or Chivas Regal. Still, compared to other bottom-shelf liquors, it’s acceptable. For the price, this is a phenomenal deal. I can make about 35 Mizuwari from this bottle, compared to maybe 15 from a bottle of Jameson or Johnnie Walker Red, yielding a savings of at least 2.3 to 1. While you would get bored drinking th...

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...