Modern Simple Living

Gear Review Upgrading to the Platinum Century 3776 Why I chose this iconic Japanese fountain pen as my first major investment. $67 Price $8 Converter 3 Total Pens Table of Contents ① Why the Platinum Century 3776? ② First Impressions ③ What the 3776 Is Not ④ Closing Thoughts Section I Why the Platinum Century 3776? After enjoying both the Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan, I felt ready to invest in a higher-quality pen for a better writing experience and deeper understanding of fountain pens. The 3776 stood out as an excellent choice for me. It is a significant step up, but the cost is manageable. I had considered a pen in the $30–$40 range, but an extra $20 for the 3776 seemed worth it for the quality and craftsmanship.   Section II First Impressions Upon receiving the pen, I immediately filled it with Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink. The initial lines were a bit scratchy and thin, but after some time for the ink to saturate the nib and feeder, it began to write more smoothly. There’s a...

Gear Review The Cerulean Charm of Iroshizuku Ink *Testing the legendary Kon-Peki color in my daily rotation* 1 Bottle 1 Pen ~50ml Volume Section I First Impressions I finally received my first bottle of Iroshizuku Ink in Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki), a popular choice that many have raved about online. After loading it into my Pilot Metropolitan Fine Point, I was able to write some lines, and I can already see why this ink has garnered such acclaim. While it's still early to determine if this will become my "signature ink," it's definitely shaping up to be a color I'll use quite regularly.   Section II Mishap with the Bottle Cap Unfortunately, there was a mishap during shipping: the flimsy plastic bottle cap fractured, causing some ink to leak all over the inside of the shipping package. → The Issue — A fractured plastic cap caused significant ink leakage during transit. → The Fix — I managed to seal the fracture with tape for immediate containment. → The Plan ...

Wine Review The Scotch Whisky Pivot: Moving from Single Malts to Blends *Why my palate is finding new appreciation for the versatility of blended whiskies.* ~30 Dollars 3 Whiskies in blend ~1 Month lifespan Table of Contents ① Exploring Blended Whiskies ② Tasting Notes ③ Future Whisky Exploration Section I Exploring Blended Whiskies After a disappointing experience with a bottle of Macallan 12-year-old, I’ve found myself moving away from the single malt obsession and hurtling back toward the nuance of blends. Previously, my exposure was limited to the standard Johnnie Walker Red or Black labels. I had considered the Green Label, but research revealed that the older, discontinued iteration was unique to four specific single malts—meaning that particular party had already ended before I arrived. To broaden my collection, I settled on Monkey Shoulder, a blend composed of three distinct whiskies:   → Glenfiddich — A distillery I was familiar with, though I was previously unimpress...

Travel Journal The Getaway A quick weekend escape to sunny San Diego 2 Days 1 City 2 Convenience Stops Table of Contents ① The Getaway ② Stay & Convenience ③ Evening Wind-Down Section I The Getaway I flew down to San Diego for a weekend vacation. Section II Stay & Convenience The hotel provided great amenities to keep the trip stress-free, focusing on quick access to fuel and food. → Starbucks — Available in the room for an effortless morning coffee. → In-N-Out Burger — Located just down the road, perfect for a quick, classic bite. Tip: Prioritize hotels with in-room coffee and proximity to local favorites to maximize your limited weekend downtime. Section III Evening Wind-Down In the evenings, I enjoyed a tall glass of beer, which added to the relaxation of the trip. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend, and then it was back to the bustle of work.

Gear Review Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Review An affordable entry point into the world of fine writing $13 Price 1 Month Duration 7 Salvaged Cartridges Table of Contents ① What's in the Box ② Nib Style Options ③ Initial Impressions ④ One Month Review ⑤ Update (12/31/17)   Section I What's in the Box → Pen — The base writing instrument → Pen Display Case — Includes a clear plastic top cover → Con-20 Style Converter — For bottled ink usage → Ink Cartridge — One (1) Blue/Black cartridge included Section II Nib Style Options → Fine (F) — Precision writing → Medium (M) — Smoother, broader strokes Color / Model Numbers Color Fine (F) Model Medium (M) Model Black MRFC1BLKFBLKP MRFC1BLKMBLKP Gold MRFC1BLKFGLDP MRFC1BLKMGLDP Silver MRFC1BLKFSLVP MRFC1BLKMSLVP Available Designs → Green — Marble → Red — Wave → Orange — Flower → Purple — Ellipse → Grey — Hound Tooth → Turquoise — Polka Dots → Purple — Leopard → White — Tiger → Black — Crocodile → Gold — Lizard → S...