Simple Living

I’ve been here 5 times in past 2 years but never stayed more than a few hours.  I remedied that and stayed 2 nights to catch up with how Los Angeles is doing.  Overall it has the same vibe as when I remember it from a decade ago. Day 1 - Arrived LAX - Hilton Hotel Day 2 - Santa Monica , El Segundo Day 3 - The Grove, Departure LAX Day 1 - Flight In to LAX and stayed at Hilton LAX Had some drinks and chilled. Day 2 - Santa Monica after Starbucks Breakfast and Dinner at Kagura Sushi Starbucks for breakfast.  Then Santa Monica and finished off at Kagura for dinner.  Fun, cruising about. Then Santa Monica Place & Pier Kagura in El Segundo for dinner.  Umai! More beer.  Enjoying the Lobby.  Kinda nice actually. Day 3 - Flight home Went to Century Blvd McDonald’s for breakfast.  Then ice tea at The Grove as well as a light lunch and said bye to LA.

First $100 Bottle Experience: Barnett Vineyard 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon For my first $100 bottle of wine, I went with the Barnett Vineyard 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon—a Napa Valley red that set the bar high and left me thoroughly impressed. The flavors were beautifully balanced, fruit-forward with just the right dryness, reminding me of a good sake. This was a New Year’s treat to welcome 2023, and it made the celebration memorable. I’ve since learned that wines like this are often best enjoyed after a decade of aging. While it was still absolutely delicious, I’ll now be rotating these special bottles, letting some age for future milestones.

Fiction Coffee: The Best Espresso in DFW After exploring 30 coffee shops across DFW, Fiction Coffee stands as my favorite spot for espresso. The espresso here has a unique, almost buttery undertone that you can’t quite taste but can sense, with a rich dark chocolate flavor that sets it apart from the rest. This quality has made Fiction my benchmark for all other espresso experiences. My usual order here includes both a straight espresso and an additional drink to fully appreciate their range—and Fiction continues to set the standard. Update Oct 2024 Sad to report, Fiction Coffee is no more.  

El Gordo’s: A New Taco Spot Worth Trying El Gordo’s, located just south of the I-75 and 380 intersection, is another top taco spot. While the portions aren’t as hefty as Del Sur’s, the flavor is impressively balanced and satisfying. Between the two, Del Sur still takes the lead for me, but El Gordo’s is a close contender. With tacos this good, it’s tough to even consider going back to chains like Fuzzy’s or Torchy’s. I’d rate El Gordo’s a solid 8 out of 10—a great spot for anyone looking to step up their taco game.

Del Sur Taco: A Must-Visit in McKinney, Texas After seeing the rave reviews on Yelp for Del Sur Taco in McKinney, I had to check it out—and I’m thrilled to say the reviews did not disappoint! This place is truly amazing. When compared to other taco joints in North Texas, Del Sur stands out for its exceptional quality and flavor. The prices are reasonable, especially considering the generous portions and vibrant tastes. I’d rank Del Sur above El Gordo’s, giving it an impressive 8.5 out of 10. If you're in the area, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Another round of Barbacoa and Cochinita Pibil.

My iPhone Journey: From the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 16 I’ve been an iPhone user since 2012, starting with the iPhone 5, and I’m now enjoying my current model, the iPhone 16, marking my 12th year with Apple’s flagship smartphones. My iPhone Timeline: 2012: iPhone 5 2016: iPhone 6s 2020: iPhone 11 2022: iPhone 14 Pro 2024: iPhone 16 2027:  iPhone 19? Initially, I was upgrading every four years, but the release of the iPhone 14 Pro prompted me to upgrade just two years after purchasing the iPhone 11. My previous habit of buying older models two years post-release made me consider investing in the latest technology for a longer-term experience—aiming for 4-5 years with each new phone. My strategy is to save money in the long run by upgrading less frequently. I plan to hold off on my next upgrade until 2026-2027, although I might consider buying new models every two years if attractive deals arise. I’m particularly inclined to wait for the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027. Fav...

Comparing AirPods 2nd Gen and PowerBeats 2: A Personal Experience After hitting my weight goal of 170 pounds, I decided to treat myself to a pair of AirPods 2nd Gen , which I snagged on sale for just $60. Additionally, a friend gifted me a pair of PowerBeats 2 , allowing me to compare the two after several weeks of use. Design and Purpose These two headphones are quite different in form factor, making direct comparisons challenging, as they serve unique purposes. AirPods: Perfect for casual and indoor use, these are compact and easily portable thanks to their sleek carrying case. PowerBeats: Designed for rugged use, they are ideal for outdoor activities and exercise, featuring a wired cable that hangs around your neck. Performance Comparison Battery Life: PowerBeats Win I typically use the PowerBeats for 30-60 minutes at a time, and they easily last several days without needing a charge. In contrast, the AirPods require charging after about 2 hours of continuous use. Ergonomics: Ai...

Eiland Coffee: A New Favorite I recently discovered a coffee shop called Eiland that roasts its own beans, and I was impressed by the quality of their espresso. While it had a bit of bitterness, I found it to be significantly better than many other shops I've tried in Dallas. Tasting Notes Espresso Quality: The espresso's bitterness indicates potential over-extraction, which could be due to several factors: Grind Size: If the beans are too finely ground, it can lead to over-extraction. Water Volume: Using too much water can dilute the flavor, affecting the overall taste. Water Temperature: If the water is too hot, it can extract undesirable flavors. Extraction Time: A pour time of 45 seconds is on the longer side and may contribute to the bitterness. Despite the slight bitterness, Eiland's espresso stands out for its overall flavor profile. I'm excited to explore more of their offerings and see how they stack up against other local coffee spots!

Wine Haul Update: Expanding the Collection I've made more bulk buys, including some Bordeaux and Cabernet-Merlot blends. I'm eager to see how they compare, especially since I've been impressed by the Garnache and GSM blends. Current Wine Collection My wine rack is now full with 24 bottles , a feat made easy by the inexpensive yet delicious options available at Trader Joe's . Recent Tasting Notes Fonbadet Bordeaux: This one has been a pleasant surprise! I’m quite pleased with its flavor and plan to bulk buy it along with the La Sonrieta Grenache . GSM Blends: I'm hopeful these will round out my collection nicely. It’s exciting to keep exploring different wines and finding affordable options that deliver great taste!

Coffee Shop Review: Staycation in Richardson, TX I recently visited Staycation , a coffee shop located in an old house in Richardson, Texas. While it has a charming concept, my experience was mixed. Coffee Quality Espresso: I found the espresso to be sour, indicating it was under-extracted. However, it was still a step up from the over-extracted, bitter shots that North Texas is often known for. I would rate it 6 out of 10 . Cortado: This was a bit better, as the milk helped mask the sourness of the espresso. I can imagine the cappuccino would be comparable in quality. Overall Impression While Staycation does offer a decent cup of coffee—better than many places in North Texas—it's not quite on par with the top spots near downtown Dallas. If you're looking for truly excellent espresso, I would recommend making the drive to Houndstooth instead. Still, Staycation is a nice coffee shop overall and worth a visit for its unique atmosphere.

Coffee Shop Review: Merit Coffee in Deep Ellum, Dallas I finally visited Merit Coffee , located in the vibrant Deep Ellum neighborhood near downtown Dallas, and it was definitely worth the trip. This spot stands out among the many coffee shops in the DFW area for its commitment to quality. Coffee Quality Espresso Drinks: Merit is one of the few places I've found that doesn’t burn the coffee, which is a common issue in DFW. They craft excellent espresso drinks that highlight the true flavors of the coffee. Affogato: I ordered an affogato, which used ice cream instead of gelato. While it was still enjoyable, the richness and creaminess of the espresso made it a solid choice, even if Magnolia Sous Le Pont does a better job with gelato. Cappuccino: The cappuccino was also good, though I’d say it’s slightly behind the exceptional standards set by Fiction and Otto’s. Atmosphere Deep Ellum is a cool area to explore, filled with artistic flair and vibrant street art, making it a perfect...

Reflections on Wine Journey: From Charles Shaw to Finer Selections I’ll admit that I’ve become a bit of a wine snob after diving into the fascinating world of wines. Initially, I thought it was all about the types of grapes and that wine was just wine. My go-to was the infamous $4 Charles Shaw red wines, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, as finding a good Pinot Noir was challenging. The Transition to Finer Wines As I began to sample finer wines in the $30-$50 range, I noticed a significant difference in quality. The Charles Shaw wines started to taste quite mediocre in comparison, prompting me to shun them for a while. I was enthralled by the complexity and nuances of better wines, which made me reassess my earlier preferences. A Full Circle Appreciation However, I’ve come full circle. While I now recognize that Charles Shaw wines may not taste as good (and probably never did), I can appreciate them for what they represent—they were my gateway into the wine world. Today, I still ke...

Wine Discoveries: Trader Joe’s Gems and New Additions I’ve been diving deeper into the world of wine, and my latest finds have been quite satisfying. The online reviews don’t lie; the 2021 La Sonriente from Trader Joe’s is a gem at just $7. This pure Garnache/Grenache is a fantastic addition to my collection and is the main component of many red blends, especially my growing favorite GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) wines. I also scored the 2016 Rancho Viejo , a GSMT (with Tempranillo), which has been a delicious complement to the La Sonriente. Impressions of the New Purchases Both wines have earned their bulk-buy status at just $7 each. The Rancho Viejo was particularly delightful, providing a smooth transition from the pure Garnache of La Sonriente. I’m pleased with these selections and confident they’ll keep my wine rack vibrant. To round out my growing collection, I decided to go upmarket and picked up a 2019 Margaux Grand Cru from Chateau Giscours. My plan is to grab one nicer ...

Coffee Review: The Book Shoppe Experience I finally got the chance to check out The Book Shoppe , and I tried their Cappuccino and Macchiato. Overall, it’s an okay spot, but there are some notable points to mention. Espresso Quality The espresso felt a bit burnt, which is a common issue I’ve noticed in many Texas coffee shops. However, what stood out positively was their restraint with the milk sweetness. They didn’t overdo it, which is often a way to mask the burnt flavor in espresso. I appreciate that they keep it more balanced on the sweetness front. Finding a Balance I find myself adapting to the local coffee scene by adjusting my expectations. While I’d prefer a more balanced espresso, I've learned to appreciate this method of enjoying coffee given the available options. It’s all about making the best of what’s served, and I can still enjoy my drink despite the slight burnt taste. Conclusion While The Book Shoppe may not be my top choice for espresso, it’s still a pleasant pla...