Modern Simple Living

Feature The Hunt for Used Classics *Book hunting, coffee sidecars, and literary resolutions* ~$5 Avg Book Price 4 Japanese Authors 12 Annual Goal Table of Contents ① The Hunt for Used Classics ② Coffee Experience: The SideCar ③ Reading Goals for the Year Section I The Hunt for Used Classics I wanted to spend more time at that used bookstore I found last week, and it was fun exploring their selection of books. I picked up a few more works by Yukio Mishima. The prices are very reasonable, barely $5 each, which is a steal compared to Amazon, where used copies are often double the price or several times that for brand new editions. Plus, I couldn't find these books at my local library, so this seems to be the next best thing. I managed to snag Book #4 of Mishima's tetralogy, but I still need to hunt down Books #1 and #2. There’s something enjoyable about this mini-treasure hunt for books, and I'll be in LA and Vegas in a few months, so I’m planning to check out the major us...

Gear Review Two Years With the Apple Watch Series 2 A long-term look at the utility and longevity of Apple's second-generation wearable $399 Price 2 Years Ownership ~9,000 Average Steps 60% Daily Battery Remaining Table of Contents ① Initial Reaction — Positive ② Four Days In ③ One Month Later ④ Update — Two Years Later Section I Initial Reaction — Positive I took the plunge and picked up the 42mm Apple Watch Series 2 in Space Gray for $399. The Apple Watch looks and feels a lot better than I had anticipated, and it was worth the wait for the basic improvements like GPS and 50M water resistance in this second-generation release compared to the first. I've only worn the watch for a few hours and haven't really explored much beyond the basic functions such as email, text messages, phone calls, and music. I expect it will take me at least a week or more to fully understand how useful this watch can be. However, I appreciate the utility of being able to control and access s...

Feature Discovering Mishima: A Journey Through The Temple of Dawn *Finding profound philosophy and travel inspiration in the pages of a used bookstore find.* 3 Books Purchased 330 Pages 3 Countries Visited (in-book) Section I The Bookstore Discovery It was surprisingly difficult to find books by famous novelists at several local bookstores. By chance, I stumbled across a small used bookstore that had an impressive collection of great works I've been wanting to read from authors like Mishima, Chekhov, and Hemingway—all at a low price. For now, I restricted myself to just three books, one of which is The Temple of Dawn by Yukio Mishima. This book is the third installment in Mishima's four-part epic, The Sea of Fertility, intended to be some of his last published works before his abrupt death. While I would have preferred to start from the beginning, this was the only volume available, and it proved to be an excellent choice.   A Travelogue in Disguise At just 330 pages, it’s m...

Food & Drink The Hidden Gem of Happy Hour Cocktails *Why this $4.75 Old Fashioned is both a bargain and a potential hazard.* $4.75 Price $12.00 Avg. Market Price 6 Potential Servings Table of Contents ① The Value Proposition ② Taste and Presentation ③ Caution with Consumption Section I The Value Proposition I was pleasantly surprised by how inexpensive this Old Fashioned was at a local bar. During Happy Hour, they offered it for just $4.75, which is about the same price as a regular beer. In contrast, other bars typically charge significantly more for the same drink.   Venue Type Price per Drink Local Happy Hour $4.75 Standard Market Rate $10.00 - $12.00 Section II Taste and Presentation While the drink wasn't as fancy—using plain ice and whatever fruit and ingredients they had on hand—it tasted decent. The simplicity didn’t detract from the experience, making it a good option for a casual outing. Section III Caution with Consumption The only downside to this pricing is t...

Everyday Living The Art of the Slow Weekend *Finding joy in the simple rhythm of coffee, literature, and quiet afternoons.* 2 Days Duration 1 Cappuccino 1 Bento Box Section I The Morning Routine I enjoyed another relaxing weekend, savoring a cappuccino while immersing myself in Tolstoy and listening to music. This simple pleasure continues to be a highlight of my routine.   Midday Refreshments For lunch, I opted for a straightforward bento box paired with a cold beer. The combination was satisfying and added to the overall enjoyment of the weekend. → Cappuccino — The fuel for my morning reading session. → Tolstoy — The chosen literary escape for the weekend. → Bento Box — A straightforward, satisfying midday meal. → Cold Beer — The perfect pairing for a light lunch. Section II Weekend Essentials Summary Item Category Role Cappuccino Beverage Morning fuel Tolstoy Literature Reading escape Bento Box Food Midday meal Cold Beer Beverage Lunch pairing Tip: Slowing down is the b...

Everyday Living The Saturday Morning Ritual *Why I choose coffee, novels, and early hours to reclaim my weekend.* 7 AM Wake-up Time 1 Hour Duration ~4 Hours Gained Section I The Morning Ritual I've developed a habit that has transformed into a cherished ritual: enjoying a nice cup of coffee at a local shop while diving into a novel and listening to music. This routine helps me stay on track, providing structure to my day and motivation to wake up early on Saturdays, typically rising at 7 AM.   Reclaiming the Weekend The best part about this ritual, which lasts about an hour, is that it allows me to make the most of my day. Instead of sleeping in until 11 AM or later and wasting half the day, I can embrace the morning and set a positive tone for the hours ahead. Sticking with this routine has proven beneficial for my overall well-being. It not only enhances my productivity but also provides a moment of tranquility and joy, making Saturday mornings something I genuinely look forwa...

Food & Drink Tasting the Gibraltar: My Fifth Coffee Concoction Exploring the balance of espresso and milk in search of the perfect cup 5 Drinks Tried 3 Core Ingredients 2nd Place Ranking Section I The Gibraltar Experience I am currently on my fifth coffee drink concoction, and this time I decided to try a Gibraltar. This drink consists of espresso with some milk, offering a unique take on the espresso-based experience. The Gibraltar is similar to a cappuccino, minus the foam. It highlights the balance of espresso and milk, providing a rich and creamy texture without the added froth.   Breakdown of Espresso Basics I've been getting the hang of these espresso drinks, and I've noticed that there are just three basic ingredients involved: → Espresso — the strong, concentrated foundation of the drink. → Milk — the creamy component that mellows the intensity of the shot. → Milk Foam — the aerated topping that differentiates texture profiles across various drinks. The cappu...

Food & Drink The Quest for the Perfect Old Fashioned: Nordstrom Edition *Sampling the classic cocktail one bar at a time* 1 Cocktail Sampled 0.5 Halfway Mark 1 Quest Ongoing Table of Contents ① The Experience at Nordstrom ② Taste Profile ③ Conclusion Section I The Experience at Nordstrom Based on what I read online, this version was closer to a traditional Old Fashioned, featuring the right choice of glass, a square ice cube, and proper garnishing.   Section II Taste Profile The drink was quite strong, and I found that I didn't start to enjoy it until I reached the halfway mark. Flavor Evolution → Initial Sip — Strong and bold, dominated by the spirit-forward profile. → The Midway Point — The point at which the drink began to mellow and become enjoyable. → The Final Sip — The highlight of the experience, showcasing the complexities of the flavors as they melded together. The final sip was the best — patience is key when letting a strong cocktail sit and integrate. Sect...

Food & Drink My Quest for the Perfect Brew *Working my way down the menu at my new local coffee spot* 2 Drinks Tried 1 Espresso Shot 1 Coffee Shop Section I The Sidecar Experience This coffee shop is quickly becoming my go-to spot as I work my way down their drink menu. Recently, I tried a "Sidecar," which consists of a single shot of espresso paired with a macchiato.   Defining the Drinks From what I understood, the main difference between a macchiato and a cappuccino is that the macchiato doesn’t include milk; it features only foam. While the Sidecar was an interesting experience, I found myself preferring the cappuccino I had last week. Drink Name Primary Components Verdict Sidecar Espresso + Macchiato Interesting Cappuccino Espresso + Milk/Foam Preferred Tip: If you aren't sure about the difference between espresso-based drinks, always ask your barista about the milk-to-foam ratio before ordering. Section II Future Explorations As I continue to explore differe...