Modern Simple Living

Gear Review The Zodiac SeaDragon A retrospective look at an early favorite in my watch collection $125 Avg Price 39mm Case Size 20mm Band Width Table of Contents ① Overview ② Design Flaws ③ Market Comparison Section I Overview The Zodiac SeaDragon was one of my first forays into watch collecting and marked my third or fourth watch since my venerable "first watch," a Guess Waterpro. At that time, I was particularly attracted to diver-style watches.   The SeaDragon was a very good watch, and I truly enjoyed wearing it. Unfortunately, since parting with it, I've learned that Zodiac has abandoned quartz watches in favor of automatic models, making these older quartz versions increasingly uncommon and potentially rare in the future. I recall selling it for around $40, and now I see them selling for close to $100 on eBay. I believe I paid about $119 to $129 retail. While I wouldn’t be surprised if it sells for more than MSRP in a decade, I don't expect it to fetch much ...

Gear Review My Evolving Headphone Collection From entry-level beginnings to professional-grade sound 3 Pairs owned 10 Years of collecting $1,000 Next target budget Section I The Collection Journey My headphone collection has grown significantly over time. I've moved on from Skullcandy and Beats in favor of Audio Technica and Grado. In hindsight, I wish I had purchased a pair of M50s many years ago.   Here are my current headphones in all their glory, from left to right: → Audio Technica M50x — Purchased 2014 → Audio Technica MSR7 — Purchased 2017 → Grado SR80e — Purchased 2016 Section II Future Plans As for future acquisitions, I’m not entirely sure. I have both closed and open reference cans covered, so my next move will either be to go upmarket to the $1k range with brands like Fostex or Ultrasone, or I might consider the tier below with options like the ATH M70x, Sony MDR1A, or other brands such as Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, or AKG. Realistically, it will likely be another...

Wine Review A Special Gift: Johnnie Walker Blue Label *Sampling an iconic blend in the perfect portion* 200 mL Volume 1 Bottle 1 Special Occasion Section I The Discovery It seems people know I have a fondness for whisky, as a friend recently gifted me a small 200 mL bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. This is a fantastic opportunity to sample Blue Label without having to open the larger bottle.   Looking Ahead I plan to save it for something special, likely to enjoy it during New Year's celebrations. Tip: Miniature bottles are an excellent way to experience premium spirits or high-end blends without the commitment of purchasing a full-sized bottle. Feature Detail Brand Johnnie Walker Variant Blue Label Size 200 mL Looking forward to ringing in the New Year with a glass of this exceptional blend.

Gear Review Budget Audio: A Review of the Sony MDR-EX15ap Earbuds Why an emergency backup pair of headphones is a glovebox essential ~$5 Price 3.94 ft Cable 1+ Years Owned Table of Contents ① Introduction ② Sub-Models ③ Basic Specifications Section I Introduction I picked up a pair of Sony earbuds, model MDR-EX15ap, over a year ago. They were on sale for about $5, and I couldn't resist the deal. While these earbuds are not great, they aren't terrible either. I keep them in the car as an emergency backup pair of headphones when I'm in a study session mood.   Section II Sub-Models From my research, I found there are two sub-models of the EX15s: → AP — Android compatible → LP — Standard version The 'AP' designation likely refers to the single push button on the in-line microphone, which is used for on/off functionality during phone calls or music playback.     Section III Basic Specifications Feature Specification Drivers 9mm Frequency Response 8 - 22,000 Hz S...

Wine Review Highland Park 12 Year Old: Viking Honour Revisited A long-awaited return to a classic single malt 12 Years 2 Pours 50% Bottle Remaining Section I The Update Highland Park has released new packaging and branding for their 10, 12, and 18-year-old single malt whiskies. I recently picked up the 12 Year Old - Viking Honour to replenish my stock, as it's been almost two years since I last enjoyed a dram of HP12. I’m eagerly waiting to give it a try later this month.   Initial Tasting — 9/30/17 I popped it open and had two pours. Both were phenomenal, and I’m very happy I decided to pick up the Highland Park 12. It’s not as sweet as a Macallan, but it’s perfectly easy to drink neat. Extended Impressions — 10/13/17 I’ve already consumed half the bottle and need to slow down. What’s particularly amazing about Highland Park 12 is the nose. I can’t get enough of the aroma, and drinking from a proper curved glass allows me to fully take it in.     Section II Tasting...

Vehicle Ownership  ·  2016 Toyota Highlander Maintenance Cost Summary 2016 – 2026 · Full Ownership Record $10,065 Lifetime Total $915 Avg / Year 44% Consumables $6,900 Upcoming Est. Table of Contents ① Annual Cost Summary ② Future Repairs ③ Cost by Type ④ Year-by-Year Log Section I Annual Cost Summary Year Cost 2016 $0 2017 $0 2018 $37 2019 $134 2020 $1,328 2021 $379 2022 $1,425 2023 $1,970 2024 $808 2025 $3,274 2026 $690 Total $10,065 Averaging $915/year. Roughly one-third preventive (oil and fluid changes), two-thirds consumables like tires and ...